I know. What’s the worst thing you can do with a blog? Not write.

I failed.

I am still here, and I do plan on continuing with the site. I will not be updating after every ride as I would like. Just not enough time in the day.

I do, however, plan on continuing to update frequently. As frequently as possible.

Since the last post Frankie has made a ton of progress and we have learned a lot together.

Our current “problems”:

1. Still struggling with getting his stomach back on track.

2. Saddle fitting problems have gotten worse.  He bit me pretty bad today when tightening the girth.

3. It’s cold outside and we are stuck in the indoor.

Our current “solutions”:

1. I was using ranitidine and without it we saw explosive diarrhea, frequent defecation, nervousness, anxiety and weight loss . Rantidine was getting a little expensive so I have started a new regimen:

• Platinum Performance
• Osteon
• GNF

I will keep you updated on the results.

2. I have been in search of the perfect saddle.  Of course, this perfect saddle couldn’t cost a million dollars.  First I went the route of used saddles.  If anyone out there is looking for a good quality used saddle I would highly suggest http://www.highendusedsaddles.com/ the customer service is phenomenal.  However, I didn’t find the saddle for Frankie.  Since he is so interestingly built, I need a saddle that has a narrow tree with clearance for his withers.  Hermes would be perfect.  Except for the price!  Plus I didn’t want a saddle that would ONLY work on Frankie.  So I decided to go with the Prestige saddle.  The carbon fiber tree is “changeable”, therefore I can buy  it narrow and have it adjusted wider if another horse comes my way.  It’s also well made, comfortable, and holds its value.

3. Life is too short to live in a freezer.  My new motto.  I hate riding in an indoor, and it’s even harder when the indoor is small.  This winter, I will make the best of it.  My rides might be shorter than in the summer; 30 min average instead of 50 min average.  I won’t be doing any courses—or at least any with lines.  I will probably complain a lot. There have been some important additions to my gear to alleviate some of my cold discomfort:

• Ariat Bromont Tall Boots – My feet have not been cold for the first time EVER in winter!
• SSG Pro Show Winter Riding Gloves – the first winter riding gloves that I can actually ride in.
• Polartec Cozy Helmet Cover – I look retarded, but I’m warm

I will keep you updated with other warm favorites as I use them.

I struggled with continuing a Road to Rolex site because Frankie and I will be jumpers, not eventers. After much thoughti I decided that just because Frankie is a fancy pants and needs the pampering of a hunter/jumper show doesn’t mean that there isn’t still a road-to-rolex. There is the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship AND now the Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List (as if I could actually afford to show full-time…). In any case, maybe we’ll make said-road to said-Rolex-championship the metaphorical pilgrimage to…uh…something cool in competition, or Road to Rolex for short. I think that works, don’t you?

I’ll be back writing more. Frankie and I haven’t gone anywhere without you. We have been working hard, getting better, making mistakes, learning, and most importantly, having fun doing it.