Hi Marty - Hi ya all -- I'm here, lurking in the background as a guest. For shame, I apologize.
A 4-up is 80% more work than a pair and Jan (Birdmomjb) did great at it. She deserves alot of credit. By the time she had 15 minutes in practice, she discovered some muscles she didn't know she had, but kept on working. By the time we hitch and drive around the "block" (4 miles) a few times here at the house, and work our figure 8's and cone obstacles, Jan will have it DOWN
I am so-o-o-o proud of Jan for taking this on, learning, and for the incredible support and help she has been to me. That Arkansas group, Jan, Shelly, Lil and others are the most wonderful bunch anyone could ever know !!!
I will be in the arena with Jan with the 4-up white team so she'll have company and the boys will have their "mother" watching close at hand. They know their masters voice for sure. Louis won't need his insurance.
The bay team actually (2 of the 4) still belong to Alden and Linda - I'm working on it... They have been driving together for at least 5 years and probably longer. The left wheel horse, Trouble, is 20 years old this year and an absolute LOVE. Jan's grandkids, Katie and Cameron will be driving him in Youth Fancy Turnout besides his work with his other three pals.
It was actually Jan that made Nationals possible for me this year. What with all that has happened here, the fillies being taken (and returned) and losing two of my wonderful mares, my foal crop which consists of ONE, and financial burdens, I was really close to not going at all. Thanks Birdmomjb !! And, I must thank Lenny B - too. It's hard to explain, but as much fun as it is to train and drive a team yourself, it's even more fun to be able to share the wonderful feeling with someone else. Jan has made that possible.
I need to work on you too, Julie. The more the merrier.
Well, I woke up to a soaked kitchen floor this morning - water from ???
I've turned off the water to the fridge and have calls in to two plumbers - so here I sit. Waiting for a call from someone. Oh joy.