It has been a while since I have posted, and I have been emphatically busy finishing up school and taking my last Florida trips of the season. I was able to go down and see Phil and pack up all my things a few weeks ago to prepare for the migration toward Virginia. Phil was happier than ever, and was even letting everyone pet him in the stall!!! Anyone who has ever met Little Phil knows this is strangely out of character, as he is a grumpy little devil in his stall, and will not let anyone come into his box without being greeted with a vigorous head shaking with pinned-back ears. But I guess he likes being on stall rest, because he is exceedingly cheerful these days-- such a weird horse!
After that trip down to pack up my things, I came back to school to study, write papers, prepare presentations, and finish up taking my final exams, for the last time ever! I think it all went well, but what was really on my mind was getting down to Rolex Kentucky to watch Karen, Hannah, and Liv all compete in the prestigious 4* competition. I drove down the morning after my last final, and had an amazing time being a spectator, cheerleader, shopper, and most of all, being a great eater (or not so great eater with all the fried food and funnel cakes!) All of OCET placed in the ribbons and received prize money!! It was so emotional getting to be connected with people who had done so well at that level of the sport, and who were literally living the dream.
I quickly drove back up to VA from Kentucky, but only to catch a flight back down to Florida, to drive Phil and one other horse named Ron up to Virginia! That's a lot of traveling in 2 days! Unfortunately, I had to miss my senior year beach week with all my friends to drive the horses up, but I've learned that you have to choose and learn to make sacrifices in order to prioritize your life correctly.
So for now, Phil is under the care of OCET in VA, and I am in Fredericksburg, VA preparing for my graduation this weekend!!! So exciting! Phil should be started back under saddle in the next few days when all of OCET and Karen are there, and I will be moving up to Middleburg in the next two weeks to work and ride there! As the horses continue to migrate up to Viriginia, I will be walking toward my diploma!
