Update from Florida

Dear all of you!

I'm writing not only to just say hi, but also to get back to all of you who contacted me to ask how things are going. I can now tell you more.

My computer got sick, so it took some time to make it work...but here I am! We all got to Florida ok! It was a huge puzzle to make all the pieces fall in place and I was very very tired when I finally got here. I think I'm the only one that has not done this year after year.So Some of my questions seem very strange to most!!! Everything is so different.

You rent a dry stall. After that you have to find shavings,hay ,grain and so on. We clean stalls, feed, do water buckets..you name it! But the stuff needs to be ordered, stored (no space), and the job has to be done 7 days a week, all day long.

My horses are doing great!!!!! Finn is a star. Robert Dover thinks he is world class, but we are not there yet! Regent is getting better and is now working in the big boys' classroom. Super fun!

Rico is doing one CDI in PSG and INT 1 and will then leave that chapter and move into Grand Prix. I'm riding him with Robert and I have the ones and the passage done, though the piaffe needs time. One day Rico did 23 ones--just like that! What a clever boy!

Acilla and Rico are not at the same barn as the other three, so that is time consuming when it's just two of us. But..they are so happy. Each day they are out in beautiful paddocks with grass, beach sand and trees.They are out for over one hour.They are so content and Acilla is coming along very well.

I can choose between indoor, outdoor and a HUGE, HUGE green polo field. I can ride on a soft manicured beautiful field for ever. Ask how I feel about that!!!.........

Sox is the only one who didn't like the long trip. He is slowly coming back to work and will be ok to go back to work by next week.

Today I went out to the show ground where I will compete this coming weekend. Fun friends from all over. There was Tinne and Lussan from Sweden, and Patrik Kittle--Sweden or Germany what ever you like!?  Weird and super fun to meet them all in America! Next week Edward Gahl and Hans Peter will be here as well, as so many others for the Masters.

So all is well! I stay in a beautiful home that belongs to Lisa and Steve the owner of Hielo More. Maybe just a little to far from the barn, but that's they way it is. Great place!

Talking of great homes!!!! Holy Smoke. Most of the stables are just not to be believed. I'm not sure how to even explain what they look like. Money makes the world go around......the world go around.....People are nice! All is great;even if I get up 5 am to be in the saddle at 7 (not every day). Lots of good riding. Very inspiring!! I ride two or three lessons a day, when it works, and the rest on my own.

Fun days, but no shopping, beach laying, or bon bons on the couch! Hope all is well whereever you are.

To all of you at Mill Creek...I know all of you are doing great! I talk to Anna every day. Keep it up! I'm so Thankful to Anna and my staff and for all of you to be such great clients doing a great job!

Keep in touch! Love to all!!!

Mette