ROC's attempt at Blogging 2.1

Ok. I've never pretended to be a wiz at this whole computer thing, but (one of) my New Year's Resolutions is to SERIOUSLY try and get a grip on this whole computer/website/blogging part of my life. I decided to erase all previous posts (the last one was-- a bit embarrassingly-- over a year ago....) and start anew. Honestly, the thing that kept me from posting in the past is that I could NOT figure out how to log onto my account. It seems I had about 3 different account log-ins and 3 different passwords and every time I'd try to log on I'd just give up and go on to something else.

That has all changed today my friends! I have finally cracked the code and written it down for safe keeping.

So! A brief re-cap of the last 6 months---and it will be brief as it's all old news anyway...

The summer got off to a bit of a sad and slow start with my dad dying at the end of June. Those that knew Dickie can attest he was the man with at least 9 lives, and he fought hard and lived each one to the fullest. He made it to 80 years old, which was a miracle---but really more a testament to this guy's spirit.

I promptly put  my mom in the passenger seat of the ol' Dodge and took her along with me to a couple of events in Area 1 in July and August. In between competitions we rented Janice a car, plugged in a new GPS and sent her off bopping all over New England and New York visiting family and friends. She met up with me again at Millbrook (a forgetful performance!) before we both made our way back to Southern  Pines in mid-August. Just a final note about the summer.... it was RIDICULOUSLY HOT AND HUMID. The weather man said that there were something crazy like 95 day above 90 degrees. I'm a northern boy and really don't like the heat. The fall was glorious. If I could pick a month to last all year it would be October. For sure.

I had a good go in the Advanced at the AEC's on Dustin (SJ pic above) before heading doing the CCI*** at Fair Hill in October to end the year (xc pic above). A bonehead move on my part on the cross-country resulted in a stupid 20 penalties, but I was very happy with his performance. And what a great win for Hannah-Sue Burnett. Is she one for the future or what? Actually, I think she's one more for the present!
Speaking of talent, I'm so excited to see the really large pool of very talented riders under 30 making a big splash on the scene. These are riders that seem to be in it for the long haul, have more than just one good horse, are in excellent programs and are most importantly good horsemen and women.  I can't recall a time in the last couple of decades when this has been the case. Look at the group we sent to Boekelo. Any country would be excited to have those 4 riders on their rosters.

So back here at the ranch things are returning to normal after the holiday break, in which we had a 6" snow storm! It was perfect timing. Everyone from the farm but me was away for the holidays, and I just had a lovely quiet time with the horses (Chevalier "Charlie" enjoying the snow a few days before his 22nd birthday) and family. Tomorrow it's back to work, and we're all looking forward to it.

That's it for Now (TIFN)