Getting ready for Acadia and more

DL has been enjoying her time off from returning from FL . She hasn't has ALL the time off. In mid May, we went to a nice little two phase in Canterbury, NH and she did a nice test for me winning Preliminary Single Pony. We went to Bromont CDE from June 24th to 28th.
DL was ready for the event BUT I wasn't. I had developed a bacterial infection in my left elbow and then tendinitis.
Here is what I wrote about this adventure: We arrive at Bromont on Wednesday about 2pm. The vibration from driving the truck set my tendonitis off. Les was a saint doing much of the work unloading. I had hoped to drive DL that afternoon BUT that was not to be. Instead, we made an early evening of it and I spent some serious time icing my elbow and had fretful night of what some might call sleep.
Thursday morning I went over early to feed DL and Mona Lisa. Kirsten had brought Mona Lisa over to the show grounds on Wednesday. Even though I wasn’t feeling the best, things looked doable. Vet check was at 1:15. We were stabled in the temporary stabling SO it was nearly impossible to do anything in the stall. Instead, we slide the sliding divider over in the trailer and had a marvelous space to groom and harness. Actually, it was much better to work out of the trailer since I didn’t have to haul ‘stuff’ back and forth.
Amy Cody came over and pulled DL’s unruly mane for me. After a needed bath and grooming, we went over to vet check. DL was cranked! She tried several forms of airs above the ground and finally stood when George Hoag brought his two ½ Cob mares over. DL has know these two mares from a couple of years together at FL.
After the vet check, George was SO kind to come over and help me hitch DL for a much needed drive around the grounds. George has navigated for me a couple of times and we had a great drive around the 2km ‘track’ of Bromont. To say DL was flying at the trot and barely slowed down on the 2km was a small understatement. George and I had a good chuckle about how fast Welsh can trot. When we returned to the dressage ring area, Larry and I had a little mini lesson with a pony that just about ready to listen. Both Larry and I were pleased with what we both saw with her bending on both reins.
I did do the marathon course talk/drive in the back of Amy Cody’s truck. All was going well until we hit a big bump and my favorite elbow hit the cab of the truck. I turned kind of grey and Beth yelled to Amy to stop so I could sit in the front of the truck. Amy stopped and I started to the rear of the truck. The guy behind us honked just as I was reaching the rear of the truck and Amy moved forward. I did a very graceful flip out of the back of the truck with some kind woman trying to hold my good arm as I hit the ground in small thud. After dusting myself off, I got in the front of the truck for the rest of the ride. At the last stop the guy behind us told me I was one tough customer to take my fall in stride. I responded with “No, not tough, just stupid.”
Thursday night as the storms came thundering in, I spent quality time icing a my elbow and my knee . Friday morning we arrived to flooded stalls but I had 9:40 go for dressage. I must admit DL was VERY good on Friday. After our standing presentation with Larry heading, we spent time just walking and bending. We did a few small circles on each rein at the trot and 10 minutes before our test headed over to the warm up ring. Larry was worried about my arm and tightened the curb chain a tad more than usual.
Personally, I was VERY pleased with how DL went for me. Larry said it was my best preliminary test yet. When I got the tests today, I was happy with more than a few 8 from one of the judges and one from the other. Maybe I need to be in pain more often .
I did do a hazard walk with Larry. At the first hazard, it became evident that Hubby was not going to be able to handle the my vehicle through the hazard. I decide to finish the walk anyway since it IS a learning experience. Larry was great telling me how I could do things the best. I decided that I could try Section A with Hubby but knew I would have to retire before the hazards.
After a terrible night of lack of sleep, both Hubby and I agreed that even driving track would be a stupid thing to do in the rain. We decided to head home and loaded up. When we got to border, we found out that there is only ONE vet for the whole state of VT, he is NOT on call and we couldn’t cross with Mona Lisa. Stupid ME not to check on this first. SO, we went back to Bromont, dropped off Mona Lisa and headed home with DL.
DL and I are home. I will be heading out tomorrow morning BACK to Bromont. I will spend Sunday evening in Bromont and cross Monday morning where the federal vet will be on Monday morning at Highgate, VT (doesn’t come to Derby until Wednesday) as close to 8am as possible.
On Monday, Mona Lisa and I return to comfortable Dunstable. This week was hectic getting everything ready to leave with DL and Maggie for Acadia on Sunday. All the rain didn't help but it is NOT 'raining on my parade' in Acadia. I CAN'T wait to be in the truck driving to Acadia on Sunday. NO STRESS just having fun driving two of the best driving Welsh I have had in the last thirty plus years. I can't WAIT! Yours, Claudia