Sara, I am on the trailrider@yahoogroups list, and there are several people from MN on the list. You might try asking there if you haven't found a place. I believe that Robin & Dan McKenzie on that list live near Brainerd. It couldn't hurt to ask! Besides, there are some AWESOME people on the list that are so much fun! We try to travel and ride together and I have been all over the NW, as well as to Utah twice with the list "mom"...great friends and riding buddies abound!

Lynn-Hi, I know what your talking about. I fill the same way. I'm glad that someone else started my colt, sence I did not have the nerve. I paid the trainer for 2 weeks of riding and it killed me to watch, my colt never bucked and did just what I thought and said he would do. The trainer said he was the easyest colt he had ever started. It should have been startingmy cold! The good news is that the trainer moves along or trains alot faster than I could do, so I guess that will have to do. Lynn good luck with you and your colt. I hope you find the solution in what you seek your. Please let me know how it goes. Cheryl

Thanks Nicole for your input. I agree with everything you said. I have solved my problem. I paid a trainer today to ride my colt. I purchased my colt as part of a business venture. Schemer will have to start breeding a small group of mares (3) in February. He is my first stallion, everyone that I have spoke with has told me to make sure he has a good handle on him before breeding starts. Schemer is a appaloosa and is a very big boy, he will be 3 years old in April and he is already 16.3 hands tall and his weight is 1200 lbs with very heavy bones. I had him x-rayed 2 months ago before he started taking a saddle. I x-ray all of my horses knees before they go under saddle. I also watch to make sure my horses are mentalily ready before their training begins. My problem is with me, I have rode and trained horses for over thirty years, but with my weight being so high 270 lbs. I worry that I will break something. But I guess I want have to worry about that for now. Thanks for the kind words. Cheryl

Wow that sounds like a awesome date to me. I saw the Royal Lipizzaners twice in my life. Once when I was a child and once as a young adult. The riders were like my heros. I hope you both have fun. Cheryl

OMG - I can't believe that the Spanish Riding School of Vienna is finally coming back on tour in America... it's been 15 years since their last appearance. My wonderful hubby just bought us front row VIP tickets to see them in Columbus, Ohio on the 5th of November... just in time for my 45th birthday!!! Wow.... what a spectacular gift!!! I have always loved Dressage.... but, this is the epitome!!! For all of us that love horses, this is quite an event. I recommend going to see them perform if they are coming to a town somewhere near you... they are quite spectacular. Just had to share, as I am extremely excited (if you couldn't already tell that!?!). I've not be on either of my own horses in 3 or 4 years due to health problems. Now that I've had my surgery, I am expecting to be able to ride again next Spring & can't wait.... of course, age is starting to catch up to me, so I am a little nervous with the thought of getting started back. Thanks for "listening"!!! Karen 320/202/150