Ah Julie... By Angie

We'd love for you to meet Julie, David's new assistant and awesome horse woman. Julie hails from Portland, Oregon and went to college of all places in, Montana. With a degree in anthropology she wants to become a horse trainer- go figure that one. David met Julie in Montana when he would travel there to do clinics for his long time friend and colleague Melissa Comerford.

Julie had spent years eventing horses and decided it was time to continue her horse training education and picked dressage. When the opportunity to come to work for David was available she jumped on it. I'm sure a chance to move to California from Montana had nothing to do with her decision. The thought of laying on the beach in the warm sun watching the luscious tan bodies of young men surfing, never crossed her mind....

After Albert has his feast provided by the loving hands of Israel, Julie gathers him up to get him ready to go to the gym with his personal trainer, David. I love the way Julie describes Albert in the morning; sliding open his stall door she says he looks at her with half masked eyes. There are always large green stains ground into both sides of his face. You have to wonder why anyone would mush their face in horse manure, but Albert seems to delight in it. Maybe it's just the thought of getting his face rubbed that inspires him each night. We'll say that's why he does it, not because he likes the way it smells. It's a wonder that there are any shaving left in his stall after a night of rolling around. Along with the green face comes an entire bail of shavings streaming through his thick, breathtaking tail. No doubt in our minds that Albert would be a bed hog. Ok, you have the picture in your mind. Let's just say it takes some extra time to make Albert presentable each morning.

My favorite of Julie's description of Albert early in the morning is "Grandpa". Back track to the sleepy face and don't forget it's decorated with green highlights, now add two dramatic stretches, first with the right hind leg completely extended out then the left. Followed by a large yawn fanny all his teeth and his eyes rolled somewhat back. Here comes the Grandpa part, she says he walks so slow, out his door, through the barn and over to the cross ties. You would never think he could be described as the Energizer Bunny. Then like magic, the energy is transmitted into very fiber of Albert's soul: David arrives.

The haze that just moments ago filmed Albert's eyes melts away and is replaced with a crystal clear reflection of his trainer. He ears that were relaxed and hanging somewhat back have now shot forward in the direction he's looking. They remind me of two ten year boy heading off for the day, because they both have the same expression on their faces; let's go play!