The One where Sudi Goes to a Clinic

So on the spur of the moment, I got an invite to a dressage clinic held at One Tempi Farm – basically around the corner. Susan Selvey runs that farm, and I’ve always enjoyed taking lessons from time to time with her. I usually get worked really hard, but I feel like so much progress is made during them!

This trip was Sudi’s first trailering experience by himself! I have to say, I was pretty afraid he’d be a handful and worried, but he was completely laid back!! He stood tied to the trailer with his nose buried in alfalfa like he’d done it a million times before. ????? (Although bewildered, secretly I was really pleased!!) Apparently I was the only one concerned about nerves.

Due to some rain (yet again!) the clinic was about 45 minutes behind schedule, so I had plenty of warm up time. Hokan Thorne was older than I’d pictured, but I really liked his teaching style. He was very upfront with me on our current issues: he’s still young and untrained, and we desperately need to help him with his developing underneck. During our lesson he really helped me work with Sudi by teaching me how to hold him together when he starts to become so wiggly. Also, we worked on helping him keep the contact when he starts falling apart and getting distracted. Sudi, although acting his age at first, finally got into the groove of things. He started reaching for my hands (for more than a stride! Yippee!) and he also started bending through the rib cage! Going forward was still an issue, but he’s getting much more responsive.

I was given LOTS of homework – mainly side rein work, and getting Sudi to move immediately off my leg without sluggishness.

Overall though – I felt the clinic very worthwhile and hopefully we’ll make enough progress so I feel safe in going back to him! Hehe.

Next on the plate is the Intro to Eventing Clinic in Ocala. I have the unique opportunity to catch a ride on Dr Norman’s pony “Cat,” who she’s very graciously offered to let me ride. Needless to say, I’m very excited. Sudi is going down for the experience and also to take a dressage lesson with Jon Holling Sunday morning. Hopefully all will go well, and we won’t get any rain!! Wish us luck… :-D

The One with Cracker’s Glimpses of Insanity

Once upon a time, in the happy land of Traveler's Crossing, there was a particular duck. No one ever knew exactly what made him just…different. It was a quality that no one could quite place their finger on.

This duck’s name was Cracker. Cracker had a bit of a traumatic childhood, and we attribute that to his somewhat deviant behavior.

The first Glimpse:
Cracker’s first glimps of ..er..insanity…came one evening at feeding time. He took his temper out on Em, “Jazzy,” who was walking back to the barn from feeding some horses in one of the lower pastures. Out of nowhere, he was pecking her relentlessly. Jazzy tried, without avail, to kick him back, but the duck apparently was seeing red and was convinced not to let her go. Jazzy finally picked him up by the neck and flung him. This, however, only gave her a running start to the barn as he quickly got up and began a vigilant pursuit. Jazzy made it to the barn, and by the time Cracker got there, he was out of steam and was over his rant.

The Second Glimpse:
Tammy’s husband David often hires help to work with him on various construction site projects. This morning was no different. Brandon had been helping David for a while now and this was a scheduled “help day”. David was on his way to his tool shed behind the barn when something caught his eye. There standing in the back of his truck was Brandon. David cocked his head in wonder. “Well what are you doing up there?” called David.
Brandon looked over nervously. “That duck! It was attacking me so I had to get up here to escape it!”
David laughed. “A duck? You’re running from a duck?”
From the bed of the truck Brandon just glared.

The Third Glimpse:
It was a weekend, and I was feeling particularly resourceful. The weather was so nice I was content to spend as much of my day at the barn as possible. I decided that I would clean Sudi’s stall since I had some extra time. I was walking out the side of the barn when I first saw him. The second he’d caught sight of me, he began charging. I stared at him for a moment in disbelief. How could he be charging me from such a long distance away? My mom, catching sight of this and having previously caught sight of one of Crackers “charges,” advised me to quickly start running.

Part of me wanted to grab the pitchfork as a weapon, but I hesitated too long. Back into the barn I shreaked and ran. Unfortunately, once in the barn, Cracker caught sight of an easier target: Annie – a very old and blind dachshund. Annie squealed in terror as the “Duck on Crack” went straight for her jugular. My mom and I wrestled the two apart, and my mom flung Cracker outside the barn again. Again, not to be undone, the crazy duck caught sight of Ella – a young Chihuahua. Ella took off like a rocket with the duck trailing perilously close behind. Up to the house they ran, around the ring they continued, and finally ended back to the barn. Ella was breathless as I ushered her into the tack room. The duck apparently was, by this time, exhausted and no longer in hot pursuit of any moving object.

The End:
Sadly, Cracker had to leave Traveler’s Crossing. He is now an only child and doing much better on a farm without other small animals. We have no idea what triggered these “Glimpses,” but all seems to be fairing well for Cracker…so far………

The One with yet Another Savannah Trip!

So we had yet another successful trip to Savannah! I realize that I get more and more attached to my boys each day. Their delightfulness has far surpassed any expectations I may have ever begun to dream.

On top of a fabulous weekend, my bestest friend (and college roommate) Suzanne, came to help us at the show. Knowing full well of her creative resourcefulness, I had BIG plans of her helping us that weekend. :) She ended up being a REAL trooper too! On top of doing a fantastic job with braids for Sudi, she also took him into a Sport Horse in Hand class as well as a presentation class – taking top honors in both!

Kehbir had a bit of a rough trip, unfortunately. We think on top of going through a growing phase, he’s also having issues with incoming teeth. He tends to be on a bit of the dramatic side when it comes to pain. Usually I freak out about his abnormal behavior, and then I remember that he might just be in pain from…(whatever growth spurt he’s going through). Such was this weekend. Kehbir was a complete worry nut! He went completely off his feed, only eating a few select treats. He was also really un-submissive in his dressage test! (most likely from being tired and grumpy and rained on by that point in time as well as possibly having tooth pain). We’ve hopefully got him worked out for the moment, but he is under daily training now and seems to be making remarkable progress!

Sudi’s weekend went a little better. Although a bit nervous, he competed in his first CT without any problems! We unfortunately had our jump class (five simple cross bars) first, and he was such a champ!!! I kept him as forward as possible and he made the BEST effort – with only one iffy-stop that didn’t count. The dressage judge was a bit tough on us this weekend, but I enjoyed speaking with her about our scores. We had horrible center lines as Sudi pulled the “baby card” attempting to itch his nose band during EVERY single center line we did (???). We’re working on this at home, but I think I may need to get him a more “comfy” nose band (*rolling eyes* - pampered PONY!). I’m beginning to think that it might be more of an issue than I’m giving him credit for.

At any rate, the judge, Chris Derr, was great in the ride-n-review. She worked with us for about fifteen minutes on getting Sudi more supple and reaching/maintaining the contact. He was such a good sport, and he’s learning so well! I was super proud. At any rate, he again took top honors in his CT and dressage test!

Next: The Hokan Thorne lesson.
Also … Ocala is coming up! And the lesson with Jon Holling!! Yipee! :-D

The One with the Light Bulb about Jumping

So, this is a video of a light bulb moment for Sudi. (Yay!) He's finally figuring out the whole jumping concept. (Jumping up and down!) It's amazing what a month or so off from jumping can do for a "baby!"

PS - this is us in Savannah, GA. We'd just gotten to Silverthorne for the GSEA schooling show.