Janurary 16th - 10:00pm

Started off the morning longing horses for Rodrigo. Everyone is pretty use to the routine so it went by pretty quickly. Two of the young ones needed me to hold the line for the first couple minues of the ride and have a hand on them when Rodrigo got off but besides that, everyone was good/easy. Got on Montana afterward followed by Cor Lit for flat hacks. Then got on Puccini. Flatted him a bit then went through the six stride bending line to the cavaletti that Martin had set up. Too much stride the first time through and almost put a five in. Too little second and almost did seven but after that got the six right on every time. After we did a little cross rail course. Pretty straight forward jumps but the turns, layout and movement in the ring made it a little more difficult than the average cross rail course. Puccini and I, however, still got it done. I was actually ridiculously happy with it (and getting a "good job!" from Martin). Sometimes I can get so frustrated with my poor riding that I have to work at not being like "why do I bother?". But then I realize I couldn't get anything out of Puccini when I arrived let alone a good course. And that I am starting to make good and correct changes while on course without thinking. Raising this hand, opening this rein, pushing with my knee/leg here. A horse can try to pop a shoulder out or things can go wrong and I'm able to deal with it better. And without conscious thought. Big improvement. Took a quick break for lunch then I hopped on Casia. We ended up doing the same exercise and course with her. She is a heck of a lot younger and greener than Puccini though so I was even more pleased to pull it off quite well with her as well. She's not one I have ridden much either (this was my second or third ride I believe) so to be able to get on a young horse that I don't know and get decent course work out of her is a big accomplishment. Never would have been able to do that before I arrived here. Could barely get it done on an older horse I didn't know. Or a green one I did. After Casia, I jumped on Boss and the other girls and I ended up doing a lesson over the same exercise. As I was listening to Martin teach I realized another thing that I ride into my corners better and more consistently now. I hadn't even realized I was doing it until I wasn't getting corrected for not doing it. The jumping with Boss was decent but not great. Mostly because I spent a big part of the time reminding myself to keep my elbows by my side. Which promptly made everything stiff. Apparently I cannot touch my elbows nor put them anywhere near my body without forgeting how to ride. Joy. But if there is one thing today proved, I can improve and will improve before leaving here. And after that, the sky's the limit!

Janurary 15th - 9:44pm

So after last night, this morning came far, far too early. But at least I felt better when it came. Last night was pretty miserable and still not 100% but marked improvement.
Was on Montana and Cor Lit first off this morning. Then Quantum, Orly, Quarial and Uxmal before lunch. Just flat rides all around. After lunch I was on Boss. Got help from Martin with getting him put together and working correctly from the back.
Nothing terribly exciting and pretty tired so this post is going to be ridiculously short. Hoping for a good day tomorrow and fingers crossed for some lower temperatures!

Janurary 14th - 11:56pm

It has ended up being one those days. Started off pretty decent with rides on Kir Royal and Puccini. Then Camila and I took conformation photos of all the auction horses. They were all really well behaved for the whole process. Only three took some work to get stood up correctly and once they were, they stood right where they were suppose to.
After lunch we did a brief lesson on Jour, Holandesa and Boss. I got Boss and worked on the half circle changes of direction on the rail. Up, down, change bend and all that jazz. As always, I really tried to make sure I was riding back to front and inside leg to outside rein the whole time. Boss was a little looky at first but settled into work after a bit. Finished up really nice.
After the riding was finished we free jumped most the auction horses. I videoed, closed/opened the gate and attempted to keep the footing level. All the horses jumped well but as the afternoon went on, I started feeling pretty icky. And it kept getting worse. Chest hurt, nausea and just bad. So took some advil and attempted to go to bed early. Absolute no-go. Not happening. So after a couple hours of no improvement, I went over to Martin and Rachel's to see if they had any suggestions as too what to do. They had a few, which we tried but end result was next to no improvement. So headed off to the clinic. Which is where I've been for the last couple hours. They don't seem to think its anything serious and gave me some medication that seems to be helping. Hoping for the best! Looks like it's going to be a late night though.

Janurary 13th - 11:00pm

Back to staying up entirely too late. I had hoped to sleep in a bit this morning but as usual, was awake at 6:05. Made myself go back to bed but my 9:30 I was flat out awake. So got up and decided to spend some time in the city today. Took the bus to Plaza Italia then the subway to 9 de Julio. Walked on 9 de Julio for a bit before heading over to the opera house. Ever since I saw the opera house I have wanted to see the inside and go on a tour. So today was the day! Bought my ticket ($110 pesos compared to $30 if I was a resident!) for the english tour and did checked out the buildings nearby while waiting for the tour to start. The justice building, an old school and some other beautiful buildings were in the same plaza so wandered around and checked them out. Took a lot of photos too!
The tour was great and the building as beautiful inside as out. They had done a resturation a few years back that took six years(!!) for the main building (and is still going on at the lower levels) so everything was stunning.
A few random things of interest:
There are three lower levels and all are larger than the top one. The extend under 9 de Julio.
All the outfits, scenery and the like for the operas is made on those lower levels.
The design has a lot of French inflence with some places looking exactly like opera houses in Europe.
Three different designers helped built the place so at various places the design changes. Like the columns on the first and second floor.
I spotted 5 different types of marble in use. But honestly there are probably even more types there.
It is one of 5 opera houses in the world with almost perfect acoustics.
To get to the stage you have to pass through three sets of curtains.
The floor can be moved up or down. Same with the musicians pit.
The statue of Venus and Cupid is carved from one block of marble and absolutely no one knows how it ended up in the opera house. Origionally done by a German artist.
Im sure there are more interesting tidbits but that is all I can remember right now!
Afterward I walked around a bit more then grabbed some lunch. Then the subway back to Plaza Italia and bus to Moreno! Hung out at Petrobras for a bit enjoying their AC and diet coke before heading to the farm. All in all a good day. Now to get some sleep and tackle a busy week next week!

And I took a TON of pictures today that I will upload tomorrow. Going to take some time ti do that.

Janurary 12th - 10:15pm

Super busy morning today. Martin was not here so it was up to Gala, Camila and I to get all the horses worked. They all just needed short, quiet, relaxing flat rides to finish the week out on so we decided to try hard to get them all finished before lunch. Not an impossible goal but definitely meant a busy morning! I hacked Quarial, Quartz, Kir Royal, Orly, Casia, Montana and Nacar. After that, I had Ojiva to longe to wrap everything up. Everyone was very, very good. Again, I adored riding Orly. He is awesome. Huge trot and canter. Totally unflappable from what I have seen as well. Nacar was a good boy as always. One that I am really enjoying as well is Kir Royal. He's got some really nice gaits and fantastic jump as well. Going to make a super nice horse. We got all the horses worked by lunch as well so got to spend the afternoon helping the guys and taking care of things around the barn.
At one point I was in the front barn organizing/cleaning the bin with all the boots in it when I heard Walter yelling outside. Looked out the window and he, along with the other guys, were chasing something through the pastures. Stepped out the door to see what was up as they cornered whatever it was and Danny jumped on top of it. I thought it was going to be a rabbit as every so often they see one of those and go after it. They paraded their catch back to the barn to show the girls and I learned it was actually an iguana. A very, very annoyed iguana. Which the guys said they were going to kill and eat. That didn't really set well with Gala or I. So, after some debate, we areanged to "buy" the iguana. My dad had purchased me mini bottles of whisky to give as gifts/share with the other girls when I was home. Im not really a drinker so I brought them back and they've sat in the house since I got back. Well we managed to put the whisky to good use by giving each of the guys a mini bottle in exchange for the iguana. So I own an iguana. Or rather owned it. I made the guys set it free again. But not after giving it a name. We went with Megg's suggestion: Whisky. So a good day riding and a new pet/mascot for the working students!

And on a side note, congrats to Megg on her purchase of Justinian! He started off his adventure under her ownership with a bang. A quick snipsnip on the front lawn turned him from a stallion to gelding. Poor guy! But best of luck to him and Megg in the future! Cant wait to see how they do together!

Janurary 11th - 10:31pm

Every day I swear I'm going to go to bed super early the next night. Then the following night I end up going to sleep about 10 minutes earlier. Today I felt kind of crummy all morning and worse in the afternoon so was going to pass out early. Then Gala said she was going to the mall to pick something up if I wanted to ride along. Never one to turn down an offer to get out, I took some advil and went with her. Was super fun to walk around a bit, get starbucks and just chill. But, on the way home we hit traffic, then the access road to the highway was blocked off, then possibly lost, then more traffic so didn't get home until late. Still worth it, but once again up late.
Today was a good day though. Started early so got more riding done in the morning. I was on Geologo, Cor Lit, Montana, Casia, Quarial, Quartz and Nacar. And longed Ojiva. Maybe sat on one more but I am terrible at remembering. Nothing overly exciting with any of them. Got some good tips from Martin on working on/improving issues with bending and straightness. Some more things to play with when I ride. Tomorrow should be another busy but quiet day. Neither Martin or Rodrigo will be here tomorrow so Gala and I are taking all the riding horses out for a nice hack to finish the week on. Lots of horses to get on but not doing much with each so hopefully won't run on forever. And maybe then I'll be able to crash early with Gala and Camila spending the night away with family!

Janurary 10th - 10:36pm

<p>Not entirely sure how the mornings can feel jam packed and yet I only get on five or six horses. Even when I am trying to move fast between horses. Today's morning bunch was Oregon, Montana, Geologo, Cor Lit and Kir Royal. Kir Royal was very good to ride. Just hacked around doing transitions and working on riding back to front and inside leg to outside hand. Pretty much what I did with all of them really. Oregon and Montana were a bit excited to be out at first but got to work and finished up really well. <br>
In the afternoon I got on Quantum to warm him up for Martin. Then very briefly sat on Invasor. After got on Orly to warm him up for Martin. When Martin came out to the ring I pulled up beside him ready to hop off and he told me to go canter the five stride pole line instead. So turned around, picked up the canter and cantered down the line almost perfectly! Quick tip from Martin to move up before the first pole instead of in the line if I thought I needed to and then off again. Second time was good too so Martin set a little cross rail up at the second pole. Same as the last two. Rode forward to the first and steadied a bit in the line. His stride is HUGE and absolutely ate up the line so didn't have to do much more than just stay with and guide him. Super nice ride. Each time Martin put the jump up a bit more until we ended over a 2'9" (maybe 3' oxer)!! And I believe this was Orly's second time bigger fences with a person on him. He was an absolute ROCKSTAR and couldn't have cared less about the jump getting bigger. Just jumped better and put more power into it. Such a nice, nice horse. Hopped onto Uxmal after word for hack like the other horses this morning. Up, down, left, right. The usual. Spent the rest of the afternoon picking up, helping the guys and wrapping the day up. Im starting early tomorrow (should have been asleep awhile ago!) in an attempt to beat some of the heat. Hope the day goes just as well as today!