Today we happened upon what appears to be Eva's absolute joy in life...to seek out mud puddles and joyfully cover herself from head to toe in LAYERS of mud.

Although we've been having a drought in California, the neighbors had a moderate leak in their sprinkler system causing a small stream to run through Rosewood Farm. I wasn't sure what Eva would do with the water in her turnout, but I was definitely NOT expecting this:

Eva did her very first jump today! She had to work out the technique a bit but once she got the idea she seemed very willing and capable. 

She definitely did NOT like knocking down the pole and when she did she bucked and bucked, kicking out as hard as she could at the jump. But the next time, Eva made the correction and discovered that she could easily get off the ground to avoid hitting the rail. Her little tantrum was so funny!

I can't wait to begin her formal jump training!

My friend and I decided to take a little field trip to Santa Rosa Equestrian Center with our Golden Gate Fields OTTBs. Both girls had a wonderful first outing and seemed to genuinely enjoy their little adventure. Santa Rosa Equestrian Center is a gorgeous facility with a newly renovated large jump arena and state of the art indoor arena. I think the girls liked all of the goings on at a busier show barn and had no problem checking out the indoor arena or working around the other horses. 

Eva is still trying to figure out how best to get out of the trailer. She is unsure about the step down and we can't help but smile at her extreme cautiousness. This was my fourth time riding Eva and she is just so balanced and accepting of the aides that even by our 2nd ride she was understanding contact. She also seems much more at ease doing new things with a rider on her back than with a handler on the ground, which I find interesting as I would have guessed it would be the opposite. The fact that she finds comfort and an easier time learning with a rider on her back definitely works to our advantage in developing her into a sport horse :)