Further misfortune has befallen Team San Antonio. Amy's horse Nate has a soundness problem. She has been working feverishly to get to the bottom of it but no luck. So Amy and Nate are out. What a disappointment! However, Cyndi and Baxter look to be in great form! Amy and I went to help Cyndi pack up yesterday. All looks ready! Cyndi, Donna, and Zara left this morning about 4:30 or 5:00. They should be just this side of St. Louis by now at our planned night stop. Talked to them the middle of the day and all was well. I can't wait to hear from them tomorrow. I sure wish we could be there to be their cheering section!

Well, things are not going well for Team San Antonio. I have had a bad week. Mom went into the hospital with pneumonia and on Wednesday Dad was diagnosed as having it also. The did not put him in the hospital but made him stay at home and not visit Mom. So I was having difficulty figuring out how to take care of them and still get to go to AEC. Last night when I went to feed I found Lady all cut up. She had gotten tangled in something and was not in good shape. Her forleg was spurting blood. Jana came out and stitched up two deep wounds and we left two others two drain. So...after a year of working and planning...no AEC for Lady and I. I know in the big scheme of things it is not such a big deal, but right now it is. I am so sad and disappointed. Hopefully the rest of the team can stay healthy and I wish I could go support them but probably have to take care of Mom and Dad. Cyndi and Amy have been working hard and look ready to go! I can't wait to hear about their experiences.

Only a little over a week! We sure have a lot to do between now and then! This weekend we are all going to Meadowcreek to school. That is if Gustav decides to cooperate. Nate is getting new shoes again as we speak. He rivals Imelda Marcos! We might have to build him his own shoe closet. I saw on a forum the other day that a horse psychic would give a reading free...one question. Not wanting to give Lady any ideas that anything was up...I simply asked "is there anything Lady wants to tell me?" The answer came back..."yes". Hmmm....actually that sounds like Lady, unemotional, a woman of few words. So I am going to assume she wanted to tell me that she loves eventing, loves me, and loves her life all together.

Well, it looks like its up to me to keep posting because I know yall would hate to miss an update. My head is as normal as it gets and Lady and I are back to serious riding. Had a good lesson today after having to skip the rain days. Isn't the new grass wonderful!! Lady and I have reached an agreement it seems, she has returned to saving me when I mess up if the majority of my rides are OK. She did teach me a lesson this summer though! Did trot sets in the two point again today and its better. No longer do I have tears running down my cheeks by the end, but I keep hearing a low moaning sound that I discovered is coming from me. Ahhh....Natural Disaster has lived up to his name agaom and thrown a shoe and ripped up his hoof in the process. So...Amy is trying pour on shoes or something for a couple of weeks. Of course he gets one done then gets upset and ruins the next so its back over an hour away to buy more. Try as he might to get out of it, he is still going to AECs, he might as well get used to it.
Cindy had to miss the Hunter/Jumper show but is still riding hard. Our outing to Meadowcreek was rained out and rescheduled for next weekend. Keep your fingers crossed for a break in the rain.

Good luck to Cyndi tomorrow! She goes to the Hunter/Jumper show to practice up. Amy and I will be working unfortunately. Head still hurts some but not much sympathy from my husband for his concussed wife. He has wacked his head so many times in his life he thinks it is normal...he thinks he is normal...He said you are fine, haven't you ever been in a fight and gotten hit on the head? Ummm...no

August 13

Things are moving along with ups and downs of course. Amy and I have to go back to work which will seriously interfere with our playing time! I had another run in with the horse trailer. Eventing is dangerous, but not so much for the imposing solid jumps but the tricky trailers. I fell backwards off of the top of the tire well onto the back of my head. (Don't ask how!) Luckily had on my helmet but wow that was a stunning blow. Like someone hit me with a bat! Anyway, after checking online for what horrible things were going to happen to me I think I will be fine. Fall no higher than 3', no unconsciousness, full memory of how stupid I was. So other than a headache still 3 days later all is well. Add a new helmet to expenses. Lady just looked at me with a bored and disgusted look as I lay at her feet. We will see how jumping goes Sat. I will take it easy until then.
Amy is back at work and so is Nate. She will post as soon as possible. I think all is well and Nate is sound. We had fun at Indian Creek schooling with Kathy Hoysa and Nate was great.
3 Weeks before we leave!
Trisha

Well here we are, the official beginning of our journey!!! Entries have been completed, hotel rooms have been booked, and nerves have began to feel the mounting stress. Now, we understand that in reality this is not Rolex, but to three older ladies (OK, well one is still beautiful and young) this may be as close as we get!!! So, no ruining our good time!

Several of you have asked for a blog to keep updated............here it is!! I am going to try not to make it too boring (Combine adult beverage time with blogging time! I think that will liven the commentary up quite a bit). The way the last couple of weeks have been going, it doesn't look like it will get too boring for us anyway.

Here is a synopsis of current goings on to catch everyone up:

Cindy Ferrell and Baxter and doing great!!! Cindy has been riding relentlessly and despite some close calls from Baxter (he wants to be a rodeo bronc sometimes) they are well on their way to win ribbons a the AEC's. Cindy and Trish went t0 a cr0ss c0untry schooling weekend at Greenwood and reports have been that Baxter jumped the Weldon's Wall, Training level steps, and the Training level coffin. Sounds like she's running a ringer on us ;).

Trisha Windom and Here Comes the Lady are also looking fine! Mom (Trisha is my mom) said that she didn't jump ALL the training level fences but that Lady was awesome! They have also been working really hard trying to prepare. Lady has been her ussual stoic self so far.......I think she is just waiting for it to be over!!!

Amy Etheridge and Natural Disaster (that's me) have come to some bumps in the road. After a cut on the sole of his hoof and a stint in the wrong pasture, Nate looks like he is on the mend. I rode him today and he is sound. Little known to him, eventing boot camp starts tomorrow!!!

Hope this is what y'all were looking for!!!!

On another note..............We are looking for a three horse gooseneck to borrow or rent for the trip. Any ideas or leads? Email me @ eventer80@yahoo.com.