Well the official eventing season has begun on the West Coast, beginning with the first show being Galway Downs. The divisions were larger than normal and very competitive. The weather was stellar and the conditions at Galway really couldn't have been better!

I have to say that Galway went especially smooth and it is refreshing to have Bec Ratte as an addition to NLE. Bec worked for Mike Winter on the East Coast and it has been great getting everyone organized and things running smoothly!

Between going to the Equine Affair to sign posters for Pennfield, and having multiple lessons scheduled with Sandy Phillips, the weekend started out a bit hectic.
Meeting people at the Equine Affair was great! Talking to people about the nutrition of their horses is very informative. You wouldn't believe the research people do and how “educated” they are about the nutrition of their horses. However that can also be a downside. I trust Pennfield's research department "Kentucky Equine Research" to be the best in the business and as I focus on my training and coaching, I will let the experts focus on what they do best and that is Equine Nutrition!

My lessons with Sandy were.....let’s say…..torture! I know they are exactly what we need to get to the next step, but I must say it’s very frustrating not being there yet! Goals for the coming year are BIG! I’m hoping to train hard and have all the stars align….of course everyone hopes for that to happen and I think I have come to the realization that I will let things happen as they may! I have big dreams and bigger goals, but I’m not brave enough to put them on paper so let’s just leave it at that! Haha

I want to say that everyone at NLE did a stellar job this weekend! I really believe in our program and atribute it to everyone's involvement, from the nutritional program through Pennfield and Adeptus…..to the facility where we train, at Liberty Oaks. The best equipment we use from Fleeceworks, Antares, Professional’s Choice, Kerrits, Soless, Heritage Gloves, Ovation, RevitaVet, Sore No More, Blue Ribbon Blankets, Pacific Equine Veterinarian Services, and one of our biggest supporters and fans, BIG HORSE FEED! I try to thank them as often as possible and some of you might get tired of hearing it, but when I say I couldn’t do it without everyone’s support and my sponsors I really mean it! So Thank You again!!!

Fleeceworks Fernhill was especially exceptional this weekend placing 2^nd behind a seasoned 3* horse. She is a hot little mare with a very kind and strong personality. I took her to Thermal along with Clark Kent and some students and I really feel that was the ticket in working out our show jumping issues. I also rode her with Ian Stark at the Galway Fundraiser Clinic and had the opportunity to have a private lesson with him and he really helped tremendously with figuring her out.

Clark Kent produced some lovely trot work in his dressage test and other than getting the first show of the season out of the way, I’m very excited about his future! He placed 6^th in the OP ending on his dressage score.

Athens who has been our special project child for the last year has really taken a turn for the better and finished 4^th in his first Training Level event this weekend. Baxter you were right when you said "what a gallop that horse has"! If “the Athenian” can keep his head in the game this will be one for the future for sure! My daughter has already put tabs on him so maybe someday we will see him win North American Young Riders!

The team at NLE is wonderful! We have some great people in the barn and a true “team” atmosphere! It’s very refreshing to have everyone support each other and continue to improve on their riding!

Bec Ratte, NLE/Tamie Assistant WON her first outing with the amazing “He’s All That”! What an accomplishment that was for both of them! Bec has only been riding him a month and it really showed her skills to be able to come out and show all of us how it’s done! Congrats Bec and were all excited for your future with Brie! Amy Tryon even complimented her and said it’s the best she’s seen him go! Very proud of these two!!!

Tamara Ryan, who has really turned into a great working student for NLE was equally stellar and I’m very proud of how she came out in exceptional form and rode very well in all 3 phases placing 4^th in the PR division! Tamara took a lengthy time off this past year and has not been in the show ring for nearly a year. She pushed though her nerves and really made me proud with her riding especially in the show jump ring! Congrats Tamara and “The Piggle” for a fabulous performance!

Val Ferraro was 6^th in the Training division and rode especially well in all 3 phases! It’s time for Val and her sweet, lovely horse Zena to move up to the Preliminary level as they find Training level to be a little underwhelming! Look for this pair to be doing very well this season! Val means serious business!

Nedra Vincent and her daughter Megan’s horse "Com Le Vent" competed Training level and had a beautiful double clear round over the very difficult show jumping course! We had worked especially hard on that over the last few weeks so I was thrilled that the hard work paid off! Way to go Nedra! I believe Megan placed 4^th on her fancy young horse as well! Congrats!

Kate Gillespie had a great showing on her very talented young horse Boomerang placing 3^rd in his first Novice! If you have every wanted to see a horse with a serious hind end this is your guy! Kate we loved your humor and can't wait for more!

Joe Buckley…a Newby to Eventing and as Kate calls him (her ball and chain)….had his debut this weekend on Kate’s previous preliminary horse Diamond. It was very impressive to see the two of them in competition! Joe is a quick learner and quite natural at getting the job done! Joe and Diamond placed 5^th overall! Quite impressive for the pairs first competition!

Amber Levine competed her Nantucket Red in the OI and looked the best I’ve seen them look over the last year. Nantucket really has developed into a cool horse for Amber and is defiantly one to look at for the future! I would be watching these two coming up the levels and being quite the pair this next season!

Last but never the least....our team of grooms and working students were very helpful and organized! Thank you Tamara Ryan, Lindsey Payne and Tori Speck! You all were great and very helpful to both Bec and myself!!!

So NLE had a great showing, not only with our direct people but a few people I help here and there when they need it…..Kayla Bird and Katy Groesbeck both rode around the OI and had a very respectable showing for both of them. Both of these riders will be riders for the future as well and have the dedication to develop both themselves as well as their horses.

With all of the early success we had this weekend I really must mention the best accomplishment of one of my dear friends, Connie Bowman. Connie and her lovely mount “Surprise Package” were Beginner Novice Horse & Rider of the Year for Area VI! I’m very proud of them and their accomplishment this year and I know there is more to come!!!

The most exciting news of the weekend is that Kristi & Randy Nunnick have agreed to sell their adorable, flashy 4 yr old “Cinco” to me! I’m trying not to be too excited! But it’s very hard not to be! Cinco is probably one of the most adorable horses I’ve ever come across! I will post videos when I get them for everyone to see! The picture above sums up his very sweet and adorable personality! But don't let the sweetness fool you......this one has FLASH written all over him!

I hope you all have a great 2011 and achieve everything you hope and dream for…….a good friend of mine said to me this week…..If you imagine it, you can achieve it…..If you dream it, you can become it!  I’m gonna take that and make it happen!

Kick on! Tamie J