A Busy Week

This week started out with the running of my first marathon. I still can’t believe I actually ran 26.2 miles (can’t forget that .2). Ok it wasn’t fast or record breaking but it felt great all the same. None of my running partners could be convinced to join me (can’t imagine why), so this bucket list item got checked off the list in solitude. If there can be solitude in the midst of 4999 other runners that is. I rode a few horses Monday morning before meeting a fellow judge and friend at the airport to head to Lexington, KY for a USEF judges seminar. After all the classes for the ‘S’ license and the FEI class in FL recently, it was relaxing to attend one of these with no agenda except to learn some new judging vocabulary, review the new tests and rule changes. So it was a treat when about 120 judges from across the US and Canada were there. It was fun to see old friends and meet a few new ones. Just listening to everyone chat and be reminded that we are all in this sport because we like horses and the people that go with them was motivating. Arriving home late Wednesday evening after a rough flight it was hard to imagine leaving for a horse show the next morning. Unpacking at the first show of the season it was surprising to see how many judge/trainers had been at KY and made the same turn around Thursday morning. I rode a young horse at his first show and enjoyed his reactions as he figured the process out. A few students are trying second level and are trying to figure out the collection needed there. It was good to have some nice rides to watch and discuss. Often seeing something makes it clearer. It was a fun week all around, but I am thankful the schedule has me home for several days.