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 Yes I'm still alive. As are the horses. Last weekend I took both to a clinic up at Krista's. I have been wanting to write about it but I've been so busy and my brain has been busy with my takeaways. 

Long story short, Carmen was brilliant. She showed up and worked her butt off.  We had some real breakthroughs with her pushing off her hind leg. 

Since we've been home she's been having a fierce heat and has been a bit fiery. She actually managed to surprise me with a spin/bolt and it's been a long time since that has happened. What was neat was that as she got away I was completely off balance. Instead of scrambling for purchase I stood in the stirrups until I got my balance back and then sat down and turned her into a circle that I rode until her desire to gallop/canter was done. Then we cantered a little more. Then we returned to what the original ask was. 

Quaid did much better at the clinic in the past. We still can't get a reliable canter off site but our trot work was really good and I felt my confidence go forward. 

He did a few dekes but I stayed on and we carried on. I'll probably have more to say on it later. 

But the big news is that next week I'm heading up to the Eastern Dressage Championships. Not as a competitor but as a helper. I'm travelling with Jane and one her students. It will be at Becancour Quebec. It's a lovely facility (based on the website) and we've rented an RV on site. We leave early Monday and will be there for the week. 

I'm really looking forward to the break and seeing some lovely horses/riders. It will be all the fun of showing with none of the stress of showing.