The past couple of weeks have been very tough! As I had mentioned, the "balancing act" between school and riding can be quite a task. I missed a lot of school in order to go to Devon, have a couple of tests to make up, and, to top it off, I have the SAT this weekend, YIKES! The pressure is intense, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The 2006 Devon Horse Show went very well. The way Whimsey behaved in and out of the show ring was another indication that he was back in the game.

The Dixon Oval rides on a fast track because of its size, shape, and footing. For example, you walk a line in what would be seven normal strides in any other sand ring, but then it turns out to ride a little easy in six. Many riders struggled with the first class on Thursday, which was the USET (most shows begin with a less challenging first class). The jumping phase went first which allowed everyone to get a feel for the ring. Devon being such a famous show along with the difficulty of the courses wreaked havoc on some of the young rider's nerves.

Thanks to everyone for their concern on my status after my fall. I almost reached a year without falling off! Let me tell you, I didn't think it would happen at Devon but that's just show jumping. Marga, owned by the Beacon Hill Partners, is one of the most amazing animals I have ever ridden, and the only horse I've been privileged to show for a year at the junior jumper level. The jumps in the classic were high junior jumper height (level 8). I was having one of the best rounds of my life; it was smooth and organized, and she hadn't rubbed a single fence. With three jumps to go, I mismeasured the line and was to blame for the mishap. Although I fell off, I gained the experience of two solid rounds for myself and Marga at the high junior jumper height. It's learning experiences such as these that make me eager and excited to get out there and do it again with the new knowledge I have acquired.