We have been to two shows since I last wrote, the Toronto Cadora show at York, and the first show of the season at Palgrave.  Both were moderate successes.  Ruthie is doing extremely well with Max in the FEI Jr. division.  At York, she scored a 64% in the Team test, for 3^rd place, and a 60% in the Individual test, for 4^th place.  At Palgrave, she had a little difficulty with the high winds, flapping tents and flowers, but still achieved a 60% in the Team test and a 57% in the Individual.  At both shows, Ruthie rode like a seasoned pro, never forgot her tests, and was generally a model of good sportsmanship and horsemanship.  I am very proud of both her and Max.  Bear and I rode the Advanced Division at both shows, and in both cases used the Prix St. Georges to “school” a bit in the ring, and received scores appropriate to such an exercise.  But it has paid off both times in the Intermediaire 1, with decent scores and a generally good performance.  We are quite proud of our 62% from three FEI judges at York.  We also rode the Freestyle at Palgrave, and placed fifth in a top quality class.  Our next outing will be at the OADG Festival, with virtually all the horses – Mikayla (B3 and FEI 5 year old), Taliesan (M1 and FEI 6 year old), Bear (PSG, Inter1), Max & Ruth (FEI Jr Ind. And FS), Landis (B1).  Dancer and Fran will also make the trip, and will show Medium 1 and 2.  I will have a number of students at this show also (Ron and Sabrina, Sandra and Falcon, Dany and Taiga and Kathy and Al).  A special note to Kathy: YOU CAN DO THIS!

To further complicate our life, we have acquired an additional Corgi.  “Taffy” belonged to a patient of Adam’s who has moved to a smaller dwelling, and Taffy has come to live in Corgi Paradise.  She is an 8 year old spayed female, sable in colour, and rather chubby.  She and Ruffles are scrapping a bit as they decide the pecking order, but otherwise Taffy seems to have adjusted fairly well to additional exercise and farm life.  Pictures may no doubt be found on Adam’s website.

We have also welcomed into our home Kaitie, a charming young woman from Nova Scotia, who willing be staying for the whole summer as a working student.  Kaitie originally came for the month of May, and, although it required two trips to Ottawa to retrieve her from the airport, we liked her well enough to invite her to stay.  Apparently she likes us well enough to agree, which is great.  Kaitie is a good rider, and is learning a lot.  She is great fun, and she and Fran (our other working student, and long-time friend and student) are having a lot of fun.  The message board in the barn now includes the YES-FM request line, and Fran is making the effort to teach Kaitie both French and “trucker”, so that Kaitie may return to Nova Scotia multi-lingual.  I am not so sure that Kaitie’s parents will be pleased about the “trucker”, but they have been remarkably understanding about the change in plans so far!  Kaitie passed her 19^th birthday with us this week, but has so far refrained from exercising her new legality.  Both Kaitie and Fran put in a lot of hard work with great cheerfulness and are a joy to work with.

I am also pleased and proud to be able to tell you that Ryn has been accepted to Waterloo, Carleton and York universities.  This represents a lot of hard work on her part, and the fine educational opportunities that she has taken advantage of at Ridley.  While I find it hard to believe that my “baby” will go to university next year, and am pleased as could be that she has made this achievement.  The last remaining hurdle appears to be a Calculus final exam, so if you could all send good vibes to Ryn, we would appreciate it.  Aaron has passed second year at Queen’s, although he did elect to change his program from a Major in Physics to a Major in Philosophy with a minor in Physics (go figure!).  He is living in Kingston, but we do get to see him, although not nearly often enough.

And finally, a BIG Happy Birthday to my dear brother Rob, who celebrated on June 6^th, and, of course, I forgot to call him.

Books of the recent period are a series of books by Canadian author Robert Sawyer.  I have so far read “Frameshift” and “Calculating God” – both excellent and compelling stories with impeccable science and well drawn characters.  I intend to read all his books this summer, so there may be a boring similarity in these little mini-book reviews.

Video of the YEAR, so far, is “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”.  Ok, so I am a bit slow at seeing these things, but this is terrific movie, most enjoyable.

I hope you are having a great Spring and Summer so far, although the weather seems a bit slow to get to summer.  Look me up at the shows or drop by the farm for a visit – it is always great to meet people who only know us from “the Web”, so don’t be shy!  And have a great summer!