Hot Clinic

We've just finished another clinic with Coach Peter. It's been brutally hot here with record setting afternoon temperatures of 104 degrees. This meant early morning and evening lessons with the middle of the day set aside for napping under the trees.
Peter quickly figured out why Texans wear those funny looking cowboy hats. Check out the picture. You can hardly tell he's German! I told you, I'm all about inclusion. Antone and Peter can both be honorary Texans.

The first day of the clinic is dressage practice. Someone forgot to tell Peter that I'm a cones and marathon specialist and I get put on the team with Ruff, Donovan, and Antone. I do my best to remind everyone why I don't do dressage. I look around for cones, and finding none proceed to daydream. My thoughts of fame and fortune keep getting interrupted by Mike's incessant commands though, and I'm glad when the lesson is over. I'm not really sure how the lesson went (wasn't paying close attention) but the other three horses practically drag me back to the barn and they're not being particularly friendly.
The next morning, Tuff is put in my spot next to Antone. (That's right, people! I'm a specialist!) They come back sometime later (I don't know how long. I was busy with hay) hot and tired but looking pleased with themselves. The same four are hooked up again in the evening. It looks like Antone is quickly improving and has earned a dressage spot.
The last morning of the clinic, I'm harnessed up. It's too hot for marathon, so I hope for cones practice. We head out towards the dressage field and I get a little panicky. It's only for warm-up, though and soon we head to the cones course.
Jerry, my personal videographer, is there to record my every fabulous move. Mike can watch it later and see the spots where he must get quicker to keep up with me.
The course is tight and challenging. I try to pick the route but Mike keeps insisting that he gets to choose. Ruff and Donovan do a good job. Antone surprises us all by mostly keeping up with me and working really hard. He's a pretty good partner and not nearly as bossy as Tuff. As long as he doesn't try to steal my thunder, I think he'll do.

The B Team

Today is team driving day. Occasionally I'm driven single. Mike reaffirms that I'm fabulous, secretly fantasizes about taking me to the singles world championships, then sighs and turns me back towards the barn.
Other times, I'm driven as a pair. My partners are usually Mr. "I can walk faster than any horse alive" Tuff, or Miss "I'd really not leave the barn, thank you!" Tina. It's all business with Tuff. I work way too hard and Tuff is not sufficiently impressed with my effort. Tina's a bit lazy and makes me look good. She keeps Mike busy calling her name. I used to think he kept saying "Fred!" so much to point me out to the crowd, but have since learned it's not a good thing. I've tried telling her, but she's in denial. I pay close attention to where we're going. Tina's been known to hit a thing or two. (I forgive but never forget.)
Anyway, it's team day. Ready and Donovan are led to the wheel. Tina and I are leaders, but I'm on the wrong side. Ruff and Tuff are in their stalls. My first thought is, "First the minis and now this. Mike really is losing it." My second thought is, "We're all gonna die!"
We've never done this without Tuff telling us all what to do and Ruff making sure that the carriage doesn't hit anything. I look anxiously at Tina. She's oblivious. I glance back at Ready and Donovan. They look slightly dazed and bewildered. I think the whites of my eyes might be showing. I try to calm down. That can't be a good look for me.
Off we go and we live to tell the tale. My fears were (uncharacteristically for me) exaggerated. Donovan steps up and does great. Ready, all about self-preservation, does her part. Tina, after a slow start, finally gets it in gear and gets to work. I, of course, am fabulous.
We head back to the barn. Ruff and Tuff smirk smugly in their stalls. I hope they're enjoying their break. I can only take so much stress. I need a massage. Where are those fans of mine?

I'm Special

Antone

I haven't written much about our training lately but we're still working hard. Ruff and Donovan are doing great in the wheel. We have much more power now and I'm free to be my fabulous self out front. Also, when Donovan came from Indiana, he brought a buddy with him. He's not a Texan either, (he even has a German accent) but I'm all about being inclusive. His name's Antone and he seems pretty cool.

Wait! Mike hooked him up next to Tuff, in my spot! I'm just left standing in my stall. Mike must notice that my famous twinkling eyes are looking hurt. Apparently, I'm a "marathon and cones specialist". That sounds pretty impressive. A fitting title for me. I'll let it slide. Antone can do dressage. I'm too special for that.

Betrayal!

It's a little quiet around the barn. Mike should have been out and we should have been driven by now. We're all wondering where he might be when we're shown the evidence. Judge for yourself. I think he's finally gone off the deep end.

There are no words............

Sure, sometimes we can be a bit strong, a

little too much to handle...........

But really? Mike? Minis?

P.S. You never smile like that when you drive the big horses!

You're making me feel a little less fabulous.

Maybe some carrots would help. And a day off.