HI! Ok it's been way too long and for that, I apologize! It started with having a technical problem with loading the blog, and then it was the whole time thing! Anyway, I think I have it all sorted out! And I should be able to blog quite a bit more often!

So lots has happened since the last one, but I'll just tell you about the big events! I flew to Europe about a month ago, to meet my boyfriend's family in Sweden and to watch the Bundeschampionate in Germany. (Yes it's getting that serious!) Anyway, I had a great time and really enjoyed the time with Richard's family. We flew together to Germany and arrived just in time to watch the 4 yr old stallions go. I was blown away with the quality of these young horses, as well as their behavior! Not one put a foot out of line! The arena was so busy and packed with the audience, I was so surprised that they didn't spook!

It was a wonderful experience to watch these amazing youngsters strut their stuff! I feel like I want to go back every year to follow my favorites and to see how they each mature. I was also very impressed with the riding. Many of the riders were young ladies, and they way they sat on those horses was an example of equitation. Hands were down, heels were down, and their seats never left the saddle, ever. And wow, were they going forward! Talk about showing off a horse in its best gait! They were cruising! I thought the test said, "collected trot", but most of them rode in medium trot through the whole thing. But the difference was, they could pull that off. The horses were in such great balance they could really just let them flow and swing, as big as they could! It sure was a sight to see! I decided I would like to ride there one day! Not sure how that will happen, but I put it on my bucket list! J

Next on the list was the WEG in Ky! Every couple years, my mom and I go for a trip to the Olympics or the WEG. (To scope out my future competition!! But that's been happening for about ten years now!) It was so much fun to spend some down time with my mom and really have time to talk! My visits are always fast and furious when I go home, that it was great to have a whole week! Of course I would not be able to do that if I didn't have the BEST team! (Thanks Molly and Ashley!!) Visiting the WEG is my time to get inspired and to reconnect with my goals and dreams. I think it's easy to get pulled down into the every day work and forget why we put in all these long hard days. So here it is: I want to ride on our team! No doubt about it! Now it's just getting that plan to unfold! Hmmm. . .

My favorite part of WEG: watching Steffen finally get that individual medal! He is such an amazing rider and a great teacher, and is really promoting the correct way of riding. I find it so beautiful and breathtaking to watch him guide Ravel around the ring with so much ease and grace. He is definitely someone I look up to and want to emulate.

So all in all, it was a month full of suitcase packing, but truly filled with travels that touched the soul. I am coming out everyday and doing my best to ride like a champion, because I think if I practice that everyday, it will be like second nature by the time my chance rolls around to compete on the world stage. Here's to Team USA, way to go in Ky with a very young team! And remember: be your fabulous self and ride like a champion too!