The Ocala Horse Properties Horse Trials officially kickoff this weekend.  That marks the beginning of the 2012 season.  I for one could not be more excited to get things underway.  Last year was a very exciting season here at the farm for many reasons.  Most exciting was what we felt to be the best string of horses we have ever had.  This weekend is the start of the future for several of those horses.  Clare and Susan Bernard's FHF Blue Rondo is entered in his first Intermediate this weekend.  I could not be more excited about a horse than I am about "Joey".  He truly has all the makings of a world beater.  His exceptional movement and fantastic jump should ensure that his competitive record continues at the next level.  It is so rewarding to see a horse like this continue to mature with every competition.  A big thanks to the entire Bernard family for allowing me to have the ride on Joey this season.  I will do my best not to disappoint!  I am equally excited to have Janet and Dave Olsen's King's Ransom back out for the first time since Bromont CCI**.  It was a very weird feeling finishing Bromont with a sound horse knowing that he was going to need six months off before his next competition.  Ransom flipped his pallet on cross country which meant that he was going to need some time to recover before I was able to get him going again.  All of those troubles seem to be behind us now and we are ready for the first step back towards Ransom's upper level career.  If all goes well he should be ready for his first advanced at Rocking Horse in February.  The next exciting news is that Dianne Delayo's and Connie Holling's Kompass will be out running around the training level course.  This is a fantastic horse that has the breeding to back up all the hype.  I hope to reward his owners for the patience they have shown in both Kompass and myself.  The final ride for me this weekend is Rintoo owned by Chris Lies.  I love being able to help horses and riders get a good start in the sport.  Chris is a super horse woman and rider who has given me the chance to show her fabulous horse what this sport is all about.  In addition to my rides we have an entire farm full of students that will be attending the competition.  I will be back after the weekend with a full update.