2012 in review

January was a month of massive change that at first seemed scary and impossible, but led to a blessed year at a new barn with new friends and new opportunities. More here.

February was full of challenges but I started approaching Lucy's excess spunk by way of groundwork, which turned out to be a much more effective way of working with her. More here.

March was full of new experiences, including trying Lucy in a hackamore after she injured her tongue and couldn't be ridden in a bit. More here.

April was a warm month and we had many fun rides. Lucy was back in a normal bit/bridle and we had a lot of fun out in the fields and woods. More here.

May brought more incredible weather, and our very first event! We came home with a 4th place ribbon and I was head over heels in love with my horse. I thought we were such a great team. More here.

June was a challenging month. We went to our second event and totally bombed all three phases (sucky dressage, eliminated in SJ, couldn't even get around the XC course). We had an Eric Smiley clinic the next day and she was good but then took two hours to get on the trailer to go home. I hated her. I also got laid off from my job, but then was hired at a new, MUCH better job just a couple weeks later. More here.

July was hot and kind of slow, but we did have fun at Course Brook Farm during an XC lesson. More here.

August was fun, with a Niall Quirke clinic and getting tossed in the field but managing to land on my feet. More here.

In September, we had lots of fun trail rides, and both of us were happy and healthy. More here.

October was another challenging month. Cairo went in for surgery to remove a cancerous tumour we had found, and the shock of it all absolutely knocked me off my feet. I lent Lucy out to someone to use in a clinic and she came home very sore in her hind end and consequently needed time off. I worked my butt off to get her healthy again in time for Equine Affaire, which turned out to be a wasted effort. More here.

November was scary and expensive. Lucy ran into the road when she unseated me during an early morning ride. She somehow missed getting hit by a car but required $700 of emergency vet care and almost a month off to heal. During the rehab process, I gave her a bandage bow by mistake and then spent the remainder of the month hating myself and running myself ragged trying to give her the best care possible. Looking back at November's entries, the happiest entry was the first day I was allowed to hand walk her...how depressing. More here.

In December my soul belonged to saddle pad and ornament orders, in addition to working full time and gradually getting Lucy back into work. I conquered my demons and rode her in the outdoor for the first time since her accident. Then tonight, on the last day of the year, I had a really fun ride in the indoor, bareback with a rope halter. I think after all the ups and downs this year, I couldn't have asked for a better way to welcome 2013.

Happy New Year to all of Lucy's friends and fans!