3 hours later, I have almost booked my flights to Utah :( The championships didn't even have me as stressed as this process! My hands are tired from typing "WAS" and "SLC" in every online booking site and I can barely see the computer screen. Amazingly, the flights I want still exist, but as soon as I try to purchase them there is an error on the screen. 10 minutes of waiting on the phone has now gotten me to a person that is more capable of doing this than I am. Bless his heart. Now I just have to get over the neck cramps from the stress of it all and start reading for the "L" program!
I really hope no one expects a photo with this post!
 
Relaunch! 10/14/2009
 
You never know how many fans you have until you relaunch your blog. I was shocked to see how many people sent me a message, letting me know they were happy to see my blog back. So now the pressure is on to entertain everyone... fingers crossed :)
 
"L" Program 10/14/2009
 

I guess Promontory couldn't get enough of me, because I am headed back to Utah for the USDF "L" Program. In a little over a week, I am going to expand my horizons and begin training as a judge. Perhaps it was the long hours o

 
 
If dressage shows are like little horse villages, than BLMs is the capital city. Everywhere we went at the Championships, you saw horse people - Hilda Gurney waiting in the lobby, Canaan Ranch at the Happy Apple for dinner and TeamworkDressage's trailer at the toll booth. Short of Florida and Devon, there is also no place I have been to that allows you to see such good riding/training around every corner.
Within feet of each other, I saw Heather Mason put in a gorgeous ride - that won her class - and Chris Hickey warming up Michael on his FEI mount. On the adjoining hill, L program participants were learning with Lois Yukins and I had the extraordinary chance to ride all of my non-FEI classes for Anne Gribbons, Hilda Gurney, Lisa Schmidt and Angela Littlefield... which taught me to be thankful for a master judge's eye, even if it is intimidating!
Being around so many skilled dressage competitors, judges, trainers and other professionals made every big (and small) success this past weekend even sweeter. There are only so many people to give you feedback at home and besides your trainer(s), it is sometimes hard to believe that your friends/family aren't just giving flattering you. However, when an Olympic judge tells you it was good, you believe it - and suddenly you believe your friends at home a little bit more.