Michele (and Mark) does Florida…Part 2

Since Hillary decided to get the flu or some such shit right before I arrived, I quickly texted Amanda and said Yo, what’s up. She had a lesson with Presto at her trainer’s, but otherwise was going to be around, so Mark and I toured the area where he is working (this area of Florida does not seem like Florida at all. If you told me differently I would think somewhere with plains except there are palm trees and Spanish moss. It is the most unFlorida place I have been. Saying that it is pretty and I can’t imagine once everything is green again!)

We then headed toward Ocala we got the farm before Amanda returned but it seems like everything in Ocala is ten minutes away so we just sat and enjoyed the weather while Mark went stalking some cranes (they are loud and think they own the farm!!).

Amanda pulled in and unloaded Presto. And yeah to say he has changed since I saw him as a youngster is like saying the understatement of the year. He is massive and really shiny. I have to go and pull a photo when I was in Austin last (I think it was…2018!).

Ummm now he is the one who would tower over Henry. He is massive. We got Mark to try tricks with him (my poor Husband is a SAINT he puts up with both our shit!)

We went and met Rubes who is GORGEOUS and went to give cookies to Henny. I still may just steal Henry I mean Amanda has 4 horses would she notice? I THINK NOT!

Then we hopped in the farm truck and headed to see Ocala. Which…is like a Disney version of a show grounds. It was pretty amazing and a lot to take in. I mean from the start we giggled at Amanda shouting at the muggles driving into the grounds. And muggles they were you can definitely see the HORSE people vs the nonhorse people. Immediately! And Muggles were aplenty at Ocala that day. But why not? I mean not only are there horses at WEC but there are tack shops, gold bathrooms; clothes stores, jewelry stores, a fantastic pastry shop which yes we did stop there, along with a humongous crazy ass toy store.

After wandering around and oohing and ahhing and having some mighty fine pastries we drove around the whole property then went to see HITS. Which in its own self is nice but it doesn’t sparkle as much as WEC but that is okay. HITS had a more real horse show feel than WEC. Both places were impressive.

And of course with our Tour Guide Amanda at our service we got the brief tour of the good eats places as well as a stop at the Ocala Tack Shop. Which was pretty darn cool. I was looking for a pair of shorter casual boots so we found them there. After our tour guide/therapist/spiritual advisor made me pass on the cuter/trendier ones to pick a pair of Ariat short boots that are not only sturdy but water proof, we paid at the cashier and headed back to the farm.

We met Mina and Straxx (spelling??) quickly before leaving. Mina is DOING so good and Straxx is adorable. Also why did not take more photos? My damn phone was on me in my pocket. Shrugs, I am an idiot.

We then made Amanda entirely jealous by heading to Chuys (my fave mexican restaurant in TX is also in FL). It was so good even though we were still full from pastries. HA.

And then Saturday was done. Mark and I vegged out on the couch as we could barely move we were so full. HA! I loved it there and hopefully will go back in March after my February hell month (Convention approaches UGH). Denver in February doesn’t that sound fun? HA.