New York Trip Summer '16

July 6 I flew up to New York for the third time to visit Andrew for just over a week. I'm gracious his family has allowed me to stay with them during my visits, as I have really enjoyed the times I've been there.

Friday, July 8 Andrew and I took a train into Manhattan. When he does date night, he goes big and goes home. He bought Wicked tickets and made dinner reservations at Trattoria Dell'Arte, which has the best Italian food I've ever eaten.

When we first got into the city, Andrew had a surprise for me. I had told him I wanted to make it to Central Park this time around since we missed it the last two trips. It seemed like we were going to run out of time again, but as we made our way out of Times Square, Andrew led me right to the entrance of Central Park.

Central Park is not amazing just because of its beauty alone, but also because you don't have to go very far in to block out the sound of the city. The trees make it hard to hear the cars and horns and shouts. It's cool how you get the serene setting with grass and gorgeous trees along with the skyline above the leaves.

Oh, and I also found Frank from Men in Black (if you get the reference).

As a huge Home Alone fan (the first and second movies), I enjoyed playing out the Plaza craziness in my head as we walked by. That's probably partially why I think the Plaza is so cool. Plus, LOOK AT IT. So pretty.

The next stop of the night was at Trattoria Dell'Arte. Andrew found the place last summer and we went before seeing Mamma Mia!. The food was so delicious we wanted to go back again this year. I couldn't help myself and ordered the same dish, Lobster Carbonara, because of how much I loved it. Andrew and I also had the tiramisu and it was above and beyond expectations.

Following dinner we walked to the Gershwin Theatre to see Wicked. It had been on my list of musicals to see, and now I know why everyone who sees it becomes obsessed. I will never look at the Wizard of Oz the same again. I've also been playing the soundtrack non-stop since I got back Louisville. Defying Gravity is basically my new theme song.

The following day, July 9, was my first time at Belmont Park.

Not only did I go for a good day of racing for their Stars & Stripes Festival, but I got to meet the two-year-olds Andrew has been working with.

Avail Ekati is a very handsome colt. He is also a big ham who can't control himself when cookies are around.

Speighgal became my new best friend. She is a cutie who loves to take naps and looks adorable with all the shavings stuck in her mane and forelock when she wakes up.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Highland Sky, who flew home in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational to be second by a neck to European invader Deauville. Highland Sky is one of the most beautiful horses I have laid eyes on.

Seeing Effinex get a repeat win in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap was great as well.

I finally got to see Catch a Glimpse run! It was even more exciting than I hoped it would be. Her win in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational was a special one, beating out European horses and proving she could go a longer distance than some thought.

Friday and Saturday were our two big days during the trip, but I also got to enjoy time with Andrew's family and go out with them. Andrew and I also went to see Finding Dory and I was super happy the movie had a Beluga Whale in it (they're one of my favorite animals). Spending time with this cute fluff ball, Shea, was also fun.

So until next time, New York! Thanks to the people (and animals) who made it great.

Life with a Retired Show Horse: New Obstacles

Lately I’ve been taking advantage of the trail obstacles in the outdoor ring with Bella. The more she is around them, the more comfortable she gets, but it’s still a learning process. After getting used to the poles that were laid out in one spot, we had to relearn that they were not scary after being moved to a different spot with a different set up. Bella started feeling at ease walking, trotting and cantering over them, but we had to repeat the process again with them in a different spot.

That’s when Bella decided, “Hey, it might be fun to jump over that pole!”

My favorite view

So now we are not just trotting and cantering over the obstacles, we are jumping them. For an almost 16-year-old Saddlebred who was never taught to jump and for a rider who has never taken a jumping lesson, I’ll consider it an accomplishment. The goal I had was to get Bella used to some new obstacles, and it worked. If she wants to occasionally jump over a pole on the ground, have at it. It means she finds it fun and not scary. As long as she’s not shying away or backing up, I’m happy. She started showing at age three and retired at 15. Eight of those show seasons were with me on her back. She fully deserves to have fun in retirement. Plus, I would rather her jump a ground pole than jump out of her paddock like she’s already done twice. (Thanks for taking part of the fence with you, Bella).

Once we got comfortable with the poles in a different area, we had to learn that the wooden beams set up were not scary, especially the ones that formed an enclosed box. With some snorts and a little encouragement, Bella also learned that these were not so bad. We could even stand in the box and not be scared of it. We can walk, trot, and canter over the wooden beams, and Bella figured out those are fun to jump too. I think I’m just letting her have fun how she wants, but maybe I’m unknowingly creating a monster. It’s been a while since she jumped out of her paddock though, and hopefully it stays that way.

Conquering the scary box in our cutback saddle

So not only does my retired Saddlebred still like to trot around like a show horse, but she likes to gallop in open fields, hack around the farm, and jump over ground poles (even if that was taught by accident). No, I’m not experienced in Jumpers or Western. I don’t claim to be in the least bit. What I do know is that I’ve seen Bella experience new things and become comfortable with them. It’s not always easy for a horse who grew up with show ring training, and I am thankful she trusts me enough to learn along with her.

Keep doing you, Bella, because you’re the best.