Lots of stuff has happened since my last update, some good some not so good.

I fell or actually somersaulted off of Charmer on June 19th. He spooked at a poncho that I was reaching down to take from a friend. He spun and bolted and with me being off balance I went over his shoulder. At the top of the hill no less, so I somersaulted down the hill on my head. Landing straight on the back of my head, first thing I said was where is my horse then damn that hurts.

I didn't go to the ER, no health insurance. I knew what I had, a concussion. Knew how to deal with it, rest, anti-inflamitory drugs and a cool dark place. After 3 days in bed, I had to go to the ER, couldn't take the pain anymore. Got a ct scan and neck x-rays, all was ok. No damage or swelling. ER doc said next time NOT to wait, head injuries can go from ok to deadly in no time.

Feeling fine as can be now. Well almost, I have been having back spasms for the last couple of days. Bad enough to make me hold my breath as the muscles spasm. Feeling better tonight, sore now but no spasms lately.

June 26th was the Georgia Equestrian Games Show at the barn. It was our largest show so far. It went great, everyone seemed to have a good time. We hope to get it again next year, most likely will.

The stadium jumps got re-vamped. New paint and designs, they looked great. Did a set of planks in black with the kids doing splatter and handprints and stuff on them. They looked fabulous. Cross country went well, no falls, only a couple of refusals. The ditch seemed to catch the most stops. you never know what will jump out of a ditch.

Dressage went well, ran an hour behind due to time confusion. We are close to the Alabama state line, several new riders came over. They didn't take into consideration the time difference when they left home. The dressage judge was kind enough to wait for them to get ready and ride.

My students did great, everyone had a good dressage test. Anna also jumped and she rocked the stadium course. Courtney and Megan placeed well, Anna was DQ'ed for leaving the arena but other than that the test was pretty good. I wanted to show but with the fall and getting ready there just wasn't time for me to ride.

I did get to show this past weekend, July 10th. Charmer was a fabulous fellow, we scored a 66% on our test. That is our personal best, we got beat by a lady riding the top 3 horses. The top score was in the 70's, typically 66 would have been good enough to win the class. Oh well, I am so pleased with my fellow. We are scoring consistently in the mid-60's so it is time to move on to training level. I fear the kids are going to start stoning me if I continue to ride intro.

I have a plan to get us cantering, going to take my lunging stuff down to the dressage arena and after I ride lunge him at the canter. Hopefully that will help his balance and to associate the term with the action. It is scary that big out of control trot that he does right before he lurches into the canter.