As of last week, I can't get my mind off of North Carolina and I definitley can't make it focus on anything else. Going to Will Faudree's farm was incredible and I honestly can't wait until I get to move there. I decided I'd blog about my great experience there and all that I came to know while I was there. Soooo here we go.
Wednesday afternoon, my mother and I set foot on our plane to Charlotte, NC. Because we ended up arriving at night, I was somewhat disappointed that I wasn't able to see the view of the state, but when arriving at ten o'clock at night, I honestly didn't care too much.
Since we had to drive to Hoffman where Will's farm is located, we checked into our hotel at about one in the morning. Seven hours later I woke to get ready to go to the farm. I hardly ate anything due to my nervousness and the fact that I was finally going to meet Will and all the others on the farm. What worried me even more was the fact that I was going to ride one of his horses and not only has my riding not been consistent lately since Stoney is in Texas, but it had been a while since I rode someone's horse (as sad as that may sound, it's true).
When we arrived (about ten minutes early), I first met one of his working students, Kaitlyn, who I talked to and was very nice. She's from Lafayette, Louisiana so it was nice to meet another southerner. Since Nat (the barn manager and who helps Will run everything) was on the phone, mom and I went and watched Will who was out riding a horse, and it took me only a few seconds to see that this was one of his upper level horses he was riding. Then it hit me that this was Pawlow, the horse that he has been riding for four years and is trying to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Team with. I was astounded at this point.
After talking to Nat about some things, let me just say, she is a complete riot. I began to enjoy her personality and humor right away. She reminds me a lot of Amy Conner. Soon, Will came into the barn and I was finally able to meet him. After talking with him and him asking me questions as far as what I'd done and what my goals were, he decided it was time to see me ride. He handed me the halter then said, "This is Ravi. Get him groomed and tacked up. Here ya go." I took a sigh of relief inside seeing that he wasn't going to watch my every move. Like he said, he's "not here to babysit."
As soon as Will started working with me, he understood my riding abilities and the reassurance clicked with him of me being his working student. I got to ride this four year old gelding that was a spectacular mover and I had a blast doing some flatwork, gymnastics, and a few other fences on him. He was a pretty cool horse.
Say hello to Ravi, who I'm hoping I get to ride more once I get there :D
Afterward, Will asked when the soonest would be that I was able to come, and since I switched my summer course to online, I told him I could come at any time. Will left for England today with a few horses, but Nat will be back as of July 15th since she does not wish to be in England all summer long. The two working students, Kaitlyn and Jasmine, are going to go over at different times, each for a week, to help him with the horses. Then Nat will go back and be there to help him with Burghley Horse Trials the first week of September. Will said that I could come as soon as Nat got back on the 15th and that her, Jasmine (who is certified in giving dressage lessons), and other trainers who Will uses, will be at his farm to help train Stoney and I while he is away.
Hearing this, I was completely astonished and more than ready to come back here. Not only can I get into the swing of things before Will gets back, but also Stoney will not have to endure such a humid summer and I will not have to work at McDonalds until September. The world is finally coming around for me.
As far as the apartment goes, it's attached to the barn and is two stories. It has a mud room, a full kitchen, a bedroom and full bathroom downstairs along with the living room. The upstairs loft has two, FULL size bunk beds as well as dressers, a closet, and another full bathroom. This apartment is easily about three or four times the size of a college dorm I'll most likely be living in my freshman year of college. Jasmine was extremely helpful with letting me know of things I should probably bring and that since her and Kaitlyn had been living there for two years now, they practically have everything that would be needed.
Not only do I get to live with two, mature girls who seems extremely easy to get along with and talk to, but I will be getting to work my butt off along with riding many many different horses of Will's. I AM SO EXCITED.
After updating Will on my horse and what he has been doing, he said that after he sees the horse and how he is, he thinks that we should plan on competing him Training level this fall, increase his fitness over the winter, and then start qualifying for Young Riders 2012 in the Spring. I will still be riding for Area V. I wouldn't have it any other way. Living in the south eventing world for so long, I started to flip out when he said I'd only have the spring to qualify, but the great thing about the east coast is that there is a horse show every Wednesday and every weekend within a three hour radius of Will's farm. How incredible is that? Hearing of this gave me relief, but I was also glad about the fact that I do not have to rush Stoney now to move up and I think this will be really great for him.
I can't even describe how much I am looking forward to going to North Carolina. The people I will be around are amazing and Stoney will be able to compete at so many different places it is ridiculous. With only five weeks until I leave, I have so many things I need to get, so many things I have to do, and so many things I have to pack that I can't wrap my head around it all to even figure out where I'm supposed to begin. I guess I should focus on Texas Rose since it is only a week away at this point. Going to NC got my mind off of Stoney for a little bit and now I'm realizing I get to see him in three days (: Not only that, but he gets to come home after next weekend which is even better!
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