Donner Girl is settling into her job as a dressage horse, and a show horse. Cantering down the long side. May 2010 - photo by Cindy Cooke After a few schooling shows over the winter, I ventured out to two recognized dressage shows this spring. Trust is developing between the two of us. The first [...]

I am having so much fun riding this young horse. Every week is different. She is getting stronger every day. Her trot has changed from running on the forehand to moments of really nice cadence and the beginnings of suspension. Her canter is developing balance, and less and less does she slam onto her forehand [...]

I am so proud of Donner Girl. Today we took our first trip off-property trailering to Bridle Trails State Park. There I met a friend whose veteran-on-the-trails horse guided us on a relaxed and beautiful ride through fall color (and it wasn't raining!). Donner Girl was energetic but sensible giving mud puddles a wide berth [...]

I ventured out last weekend to an area competition facility to introduce Donner Girl to the show ring.  I arrived midday Friday and took a lesson from the barn's trainer - which was quite helpful, as DG was a bit wound up in the new environs. But she settled down over the day, and by [...]

Today we ventured out for our riding lesson in Monroe, where my trainer works. Up to today, she had come to my place for lessons. Now I'll go to her, with the benefit of trailer practice and adjusting to new places for DG and me.  I was quite confident all would go well, given our [...]

I am excited to welcome Donner Girl to my barn. This pretty 2004 bay mare is by Don Gregory out of Whiskey Girl. Her grand-sire is Donnerhall. She is a nice size, 16+ hands, and has 3 white socks. I chose this horse out of the sixteen I rode on a whirlwind trip to Europe [...]