2008

This was a very exciting year for Monaco, Provi and I.  We were able to travel to Brockville to train with Gina Smith for 6 weeks this time.  Each day I was able to get a lesson on both Provi and Monaco.  We learned so much and Monaco and I had a great time showing.  What an amazing experience!

Before travelling to Brockville, in March I was able to fly to Los Angeles and meet with Sayoko.  She had a horse that she wanted me to try-out named Winston (Monaco's son)  Winston and I clicked from the beginning and we immediately arranged for him to make the trip to Canada.  With business taken care of Sayoko and were able to relax and enjoy the rest of our holiday:)  While we were in California Sayoko and I visited friends, went shopping (sigh:), went trail riding and I even had a chance to ride a cutting horse.  What an experience!  Tonnes of fun!!
Earl and I contemplating our next move

 In late May, Monaco and I were able to show in Toronto for the first time.  Monaco put in three very solid tests with scores in the sixties.  I was very pleased with him.

  Then at the end of June my mother flew out to accompany Monaco and I to the Blainville CDI shows.  This year there were two back to back and it was nice not to have to travel between venues.   Monaco was very consistent in both CDI competitions and I was very proud of him.  In our fist CDI competition we had scores over 60% and I was super proud of Monaco. 

   During the second CDI Lee was able to fly out and cheer Monaco and I on.  Monaco was super tired but kept trying 110%. I am so lucky to have such a special horse.
Lee & Monaco before the CDI jog

 After the second competition the three of us made the 32 hour trip home.  It is a long trip but good company made the miles fly by.

  We arrived home just before the construction started on our brand new barn and arena!  The arena is 72 x 210 and the barn is 72 x 60.  This was a very exciting and busy time for us.

In September Monaco, my mother and I set out for Red Deer to compete at the Western Regional Championships and the Alberta Provincial Championships.    This proved to be our best show ever.  Monaco was amazing!   He gave me everything he had and was rewarded by the judges.

  He scored from 65-67 in the PSG and I1 classes.  We were judged by three judges and one FEI judge even gave Monaco a 69% in his western Regional I1 test!  Our best score at that level!  Monaco also put in a fantastic freestyle that kept the crowd cheering.  The judges gave him a score over 70%!  One judge gave him a 73%!  Monaco and I ended up winning both the Western Regional Championships and the Alberta Provincial Championships at the advanced level.  We also won the Freestyle for the second year in a row.  Monaco was high point freestyle horse and FEI horse at the Western Regional show!  What an amazing horse and what an amazing show!  The show was truly a dream come true.  I am so blessed to be able to ride such a wonderful horse.

  Based on our 2008 results Monaco and I were long listed with Dressage Canada for the 2009 season.  This is our second year on the long list!  Wow!!   Another amazing year!  Thanks to my mother for all of her tireless support, to Gina Smith for helping us improve and ride better tests, to Lee and Sayoko for supporting and cheering Monaco and I on!  I could have had a year like this one without these special people.

Monaco and I