I had a very close friend in college for whom English was something along the lines of her fourth or fifth learned language. I was a bit envious on that note as other languages have ALWAYS been a struggle for me. However, every once in a while, we would stumble upon a concept that she simply did not understand until I went through a thorough explanation – hopefully full of words she understood. At that point in time, her eyes would light up with realization, and we would both laugh knowing that we were finally sharing the same thoughts.
Every once in a while a rider will have the delightful, and most likely unexpected, experience of a break through. Another bridge of communication has been constructed, and you and your horse are speaking your developing language more clearly.
I love these moments. They are what I ride for!
In an effort to control my expenses, I’ve cut back on my lessons even more. And with work picking up some, and getting over a body wrenching cold, I’ve slacked off in continuing the literary side of my education as well. I would love to tell you this has had NO affect on my riding whatsoever, but sadly, as we all know, this is definitely NOT the case. I know I needed to save some pennies and get help again.
I’d finally gotten to the point with Sudi where our dressage was getting better, and he was actively seeking the bridle and contact. However, he was still NOT nearly responsive enough to my seat nor could I seem to get him off his forehand. I felt like we were elephants tromping around our circles, hoof beats reverberating throughout the back acreage of the farm. Needless to say this was also clearly affecting our canter departs, and I was finding myself contorting my body is all manners of ways just to get him to go. Again – not effective!!
I knew when I got to my lesson Monday that I had clear goals. We were GOING to get him to GO! when I asked nicely. We were also going to get off the forehand. We were also going to canter when I asked (correctly!) and we were also going to get the correct lead. I ALSO knew it was all the same problem (80% of which stemmed from me!)
Susan, who is always so nice about it, picked up our problem immediately. I was accepting too little of him. My expectations have to be MUCH higher (Is this a problem with ALL mothers??? – we want to love our children for who they are…but maybe we should have been pushing them just a bit harder? Asking them to live up to slightly higher expectations? Hmm). Since I had allowed Sudi to get away with such non-responsiveness, we had to work on re-sensitizing him.
Poor Sudi didn’t know what him. Litterally. There he was, just standing there (one of his favorites). I asked him to move, and he was slowly deliberating as to if this was even a good idea when… WHAM! Susan had taken the dressage whip harshly to his butt. He jumped up in attention, but still wasn’t moving quickly enough for us. WHAM! WHAM! That got him going. I allowed him to pick up a canter since that was at least forward, and we circled and came back to her to try again. (I now understand why Tammy’s mare Bunny, the head mare at the farm, gets so frustrated with Sudi! She basically has to beat him up to get him to move!) Unfortunately the second time he was AGAIN non responsive. We repeated the exercise twice more until it actually seemed to compute. (Is this a red-head thing??!) The good news though, is that eventually all I had to do was rock my seat forward, and OFF he went into a trot!
The exercise, painful as it was to watch, did end up working. Even more amazingly, this new found impulsion got him off his forehand! I couldn’t have been happier. I actually had a trot I could do a half-halt with! The improvement in his gait alone was phenomenal. I could not have been happier. I felt like I finally had a horse I could DO dressage with. Our canter work was even amazing – he felt like a horse!
My hope now is that this “Forward Thinking” will continue on through our rides this week. The cynic in me wants to think he is going to need some work, but the new “mom” in me KNOWS that he’s going to get it! (At least he better! Haha) Onward and upward and definitely more forward…
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
The One with the Much Remorse
It’s funny really. The longer you procrastinate on something, the harder it is to actually get it done.
I go throughout my days and many various activities with interesting blog topics popping into my head; none of which I would be lacking for filler. But it always pops up. That big elephant just standing there - blinking at me from the middle of the room. He’s a powerful elephant – able to zap all my blogging energy with a single blink.
So, let’s face it. These past weeks have been fairly difficult. There’s only so much emotional turmoil you can deal with really before it starts affecting you in some way or another. Unfortunately, the only outlet I could really let ANY of this affect me is here on my blog. It is thought that writing can cleanse the soul. Once your thoughts are down on paper (or in this case, cyberspace), they are free – no longer captivated to your mind. And so, that here is my goal, in what I can only imagine to be a fairly lengthy blog.
Let me start though at about exactly one month ago, when into this world came Ontario vom Rappenhoff!!! After many, many excruciating hours of waiting and watching, Bunny went into labor on April 10, 2009. Her labor lasted most of the day, but her water just wouldn’t break. Later on that evening, the vet decided to come out and induce her. This ended up being a really good thing. As it turns out, Ontario was facing the right direction, however he was upside down! Dr. Miller labored away for about thirty minutes and we soon saw the darling little striped face of Ontario.
This was my VERY first birth that I’ve seen, and it was a little bit traumatic. However, mother and baby are doing fantastically!! From day one he has been just precocious! Bunny is very protective about him, but each day he just grows by LEAPS and bounds! He is very balanced already, and we have some GREAT plans of taking him along to Devon as he matures and becomes the outstanding dressage stud I know he will be!
Halara’s pregnancy did unfortunately not turn out so well. After Ontario was born, we expected Harper to just pop right out. Another week went by with nothing. She was not even producing milk. As she passed her year mark, we all sighed with worry and waited for the vets to make some sort of call as to which direction we should go.
Looking back, it’s hard to say where everything started going wrong. There are so many answers that I’m not sure any of us want to even look for yet. The short of the story though is that the vets decided to induce Halara, but the baby was just not quite ready to be born (despite his large size!). The birth was very traumatic, and the following days even more so as everyone at Traveler’s Crossing (and even a past boarder Laura!) rallied together to help this baby make it. Despite Tammy’s best efforts though, he did not, and we miss him horribly! Halara is also no longer able to be bred as the pregnancy/birth did not treat her very kindly. She is recovering well though – physically and emotionally – and will be back to work shortly.
And just when all of us started to take a breath and move on, Lila, Tammy and David’s little Papillion was hit and killed on their farm (very much by accident!) The evening Lila died I rather felt my life spinning. I searched for the pain in my heart that I knew would start pounding again, but it was gone. It was like I was already numb from the current pain. It’s a scary place to be. Surrounded by so much loss. Even now, I wish I could somehow go back and find some other words to say, but my mind still goes blank. Just searching. I know it’s my body way of going into survival mode and protecting me against the horrendous pain I first experienced many years back. I have this memory of being a child, hopping on my bed sobbing, and just praying that God would hold me and tell me everything would be OK. And He never failed. Everything did always end up being OK. Getting to that point again though can be hard, but if I’ve learned ANYTHING through my life, it’s that God is faithful. All the time.
After the death of Harper, Jazzie and her family ended up leaving Traveler’s Crossing. I’m sure this is probably for the best – even though we miss them!! I think that it can be good for all of us to leave the place of such hard memories sometimes. It gives us a chance to heal. I think we all need that chance for a bit.
Things around the farm are slowly returning to normal. Willa has also gone back to Erinne on Wadmalaw Island as her time with Tammy is up. I wish them both the best of luck as well in their futures! Willa is definitely a special little mare!
Sudi and Kehbir have had a bit of a break with all the turmoil going on. I’ve focused a lot on helping Sudi heal his body some. Amelia has come out several times helping to alleviate some of the tension and tight spots he develops (sometimes from his conformation or from falling out in the field etc...silly Arab!), and he seems to be feeling so much better. When I ride, he is much more supple and able to come through and use his back (finally!). We are planning on moving up to actually riding some Training level dressage tests!!! I’m thrilled.
Kehbir and my mom are doing well. They had a great lesson this past weekend, and we have more over Memorial Day weekend hopefully. It's really neat to see them progressing!
So there it is. My hard month in just a few paragraphs. Having written it out, I don’t feel like I’ve done it enough justice, but so be it. I’m closing the door and moving on.
Before I end, I want to add one more disheartening anecdote. This past weekend up at Jersey Fresh we lost another great horse. Phillip Dutton and his horse Bailey Wick had a horrible accident going XC, and Bailey Wick did not make it. My condolences go out to Phillip and the owners of that GREAT horse. My heart cries out for this sport. I pray we can find a way to change it for the better and soon! We simply cannot accept these losses…They are just too great!
Promising to be diligent and back to our regularly scheduled happy posting!
I go throughout my days and many various activities with interesting blog topics popping into my head; none of which I would be lacking for filler. But it always pops up. That big elephant just standing there - blinking at me from the middle of the room. He’s a powerful elephant – able to zap all my blogging energy with a single blink.
So, let’s face it. These past weeks have been fairly difficult. There’s only so much emotional turmoil you can deal with really before it starts affecting you in some way or another. Unfortunately, the only outlet I could really let ANY of this affect me is here on my blog. It is thought that writing can cleanse the soul. Once your thoughts are down on paper (or in this case, cyberspace), they are free – no longer captivated to your mind. And so, that here is my goal, in what I can only imagine to be a fairly lengthy blog.
Let me start though at about exactly one month ago, when into this world came Ontario vom Rappenhoff!!! After many, many excruciating hours of waiting and watching, Bunny went into labor on April 10, 2009. Her labor lasted most of the day, but her water just wouldn’t break. Later on that evening, the vet decided to come out and induce her. This ended up being a really good thing. As it turns out, Ontario was facing the right direction, however he was upside down! Dr. Miller labored away for about thirty minutes and we soon saw the darling little striped face of Ontario.
This was my VERY first birth that I’ve seen, and it was a little bit traumatic. However, mother and baby are doing fantastically!! From day one he has been just precocious! Bunny is very protective about him, but each day he just grows by LEAPS and bounds! He is very balanced already, and we have some GREAT plans of taking him along to Devon as he matures and becomes the outstanding dressage stud I know he will be!
Halara’s pregnancy did unfortunately not turn out so well. After Ontario was born, we expected Harper to just pop right out. Another week went by with nothing. She was not even producing milk. As she passed her year mark, we all sighed with worry and waited for the vets to make some sort of call as to which direction we should go.
Looking back, it’s hard to say where everything started going wrong. There are so many answers that I’m not sure any of us want to even look for yet. The short of the story though is that the vets decided to induce Halara, but the baby was just not quite ready to be born (despite his large size!). The birth was very traumatic, and the following days even more so as everyone at Traveler’s Crossing (and even a past boarder Laura!) rallied together to help this baby make it. Despite Tammy’s best efforts though, he did not, and we miss him horribly! Halara is also no longer able to be bred as the pregnancy/birth did not treat her very kindly. She is recovering well though – physically and emotionally – and will be back to work shortly.
And just when all of us started to take a breath and move on, Lila, Tammy and David’s little Papillion was hit and killed on their farm (very much by accident!) The evening Lila died I rather felt my life spinning. I searched for the pain in my heart that I knew would start pounding again, but it was gone. It was like I was already numb from the current pain. It’s a scary place to be. Surrounded by so much loss. Even now, I wish I could somehow go back and find some other words to say, but my mind still goes blank. Just searching. I know it’s my body way of going into survival mode and protecting me against the horrendous pain I first experienced many years back. I have this memory of being a child, hopping on my bed sobbing, and just praying that God would hold me and tell me everything would be OK. And He never failed. Everything did always end up being OK. Getting to that point again though can be hard, but if I’ve learned ANYTHING through my life, it’s that God is faithful. All the time.
After the death of Harper, Jazzie and her family ended up leaving Traveler’s Crossing. I’m sure this is probably for the best – even though we miss them!! I think that it can be good for all of us to leave the place of such hard memories sometimes. It gives us a chance to heal. I think we all need that chance for a bit.
Things around the farm are slowly returning to normal. Willa has also gone back to Erinne on Wadmalaw Island as her time with Tammy is up. I wish them both the best of luck as well in their futures! Willa is definitely a special little mare!
Sudi and Kehbir have had a bit of a break with all the turmoil going on. I’ve focused a lot on helping Sudi heal his body some. Amelia has come out several times helping to alleviate some of the tension and tight spots he develops (sometimes from his conformation or from falling out in the field etc...silly Arab!), and he seems to be feeling so much better. When I ride, he is much more supple and able to come through and use his back (finally!). We are planning on moving up to actually riding some Training level dressage tests!!! I’m thrilled.
Kehbir and my mom are doing well. They had a great lesson this past weekend, and we have more over Memorial Day weekend hopefully. It's really neat to see them progressing!
So there it is. My hard month in just a few paragraphs. Having written it out, I don’t feel like I’ve done it enough justice, but so be it. I’m closing the door and moving on.
Before I end, I want to add one more disheartening anecdote. This past weekend up at Jersey Fresh we lost another great horse. Phillip Dutton and his horse Bailey Wick had a horrible accident going XC, and Bailey Wick did not make it. My condolences go out to Phillip and the owners of that GREAT horse. My heart cries out for this sport. I pray we can find a way to change it for the better and soon! We simply cannot accept these losses…They are just too great!
Promising to be diligent and back to our regularly scheduled happy posting!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The One with Ketchup...er...The One Where I Catch UP
So…I believe I am completely past due in keeping my blog up to date.
At any rate LOTS has happened lately!
1.) Kehbir goes to his first Big Boy Dressage Show. What an amazing time! SCDCTA hosts a USDF show twice a year at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center out on Johns Island. The venue is so nice and peaceful – it’s perfect for dressage. My ride times were both somewhat late in the day, so we really had no rush getting there. Although I do have to say, getting a stall is completely worth the $100.00! We opted out of a stall, and it was a bit tiring for both Kehbir and us. Kehbir was a complete champ at the show though. It was like he knew he was there for a job, and I feel like ALL my long hours of work completely paid off. Even Susan (who was gracious enough to coach us at the show) couldn’t believe how good he was. She worked with us several times, and our warm up was completely spectacular. It was as if Kehbs finally was understanding how I was asking him to carry himself. Unfortunately, this didn’t completely transfer over to the dressage ring. It was quite scary with BRIGHT RED flowers all around the arena, and he was SURE they were going to get him. Despite the flowers that were vying for his attention, Kehbs was actually able to put in a pretty decent test! He scored 60% on Intro A, and we got 3rd!! By the time his second test came around, Kehbs’ warm up was even better, and his last test even worse. *sigh* I think there’s only so much work a four year old Arabian can take in an intense atmosphere! I could tell he’d pretty much reached his limit though. All in all though, I was very pleased with his behavior/performance at the show, and feel like he has a lot of potential!
2.) Sudi, although missing the dressage show, got to take a Jumping lesson with Susan, and we had a blast! She took her time building us up to a rather challenging grid, and I felt confidant and so did Sudi. Susan worked a lot on my position and helped me build a stronger foundation. Sudi didn’t take a misstep. Even though we didn’t do anything terribly complicated, I feel like the boost my confidence took was enormous – and WELL needed. The following weekend I took Sudi on a Hunter Pace with some friends out at Huspah, and we had a blast. Got to cross a ditch (which I’m VERY glad I dismounted for!), went swimming (also not really planned – we found a VERY deep spot!), and got to play with some Horse-Eating-Cows (that took lots of convincing to get Sudi past!). All in all though, we had a good time, and we ended up winning the division! :-D Sudi got a feed bucket (donated to Tammy’s feeding lot) and lots of carrots and apples.
3.) The weekend of the 4th, my mom and I are taking the boys over to Middleton for their hunter pace, and then the following weekend I’m planning on attending Full Gallop’s CT event. All in all, should be fun!
We also have babies due at the barn ANY Day now!! I’ll do my best to document that fantastic occasion as well! Till then – Happy trails!
At any rate LOTS has happened lately!
1.) Kehbir goes to his first Big Boy Dressage Show. What an amazing time! SCDCTA hosts a USDF show twice a year at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center out on Johns Island. The venue is so nice and peaceful – it’s perfect for dressage. My ride times were both somewhat late in the day, so we really had no rush getting there. Although I do have to say, getting a stall is completely worth the $100.00! We opted out of a stall, and it was a bit tiring for both Kehbir and us. Kehbir was a complete champ at the show though. It was like he knew he was there for a job, and I feel like ALL my long hours of work completely paid off. Even Susan (who was gracious enough to coach us at the show) couldn’t believe how good he was. She worked with us several times, and our warm up was completely spectacular. It was as if Kehbs finally was understanding how I was asking him to carry himself. Unfortunately, this didn’t completely transfer over to the dressage ring. It was quite scary with BRIGHT RED flowers all around the arena, and he was SURE they were going to get him. Despite the flowers that were vying for his attention, Kehbs was actually able to put in a pretty decent test! He scored 60% on Intro A, and we got 3rd!! By the time his second test came around, Kehbs’ warm up was even better, and his last test even worse. *sigh* I think there’s only so much work a four year old Arabian can take in an intense atmosphere! I could tell he’d pretty much reached his limit though. All in all though, I was very pleased with his behavior/performance at the show, and feel like he has a lot of potential!
2.) Sudi, although missing the dressage show, got to take a Jumping lesson with Susan, and we had a blast! She took her time building us up to a rather challenging grid, and I felt confidant and so did Sudi. Susan worked a lot on my position and helped me build a stronger foundation. Sudi didn’t take a misstep. Even though we didn’t do anything terribly complicated, I feel like the boost my confidence took was enormous – and WELL needed. The following weekend I took Sudi on a Hunter Pace with some friends out at Huspah, and we had a blast. Got to cross a ditch (which I’m VERY glad I dismounted for!), went swimming (also not really planned – we found a VERY deep spot!), and got to play with some Horse-Eating-Cows (that took lots of convincing to get Sudi past!). All in all though, we had a good time, and we ended up winning the division! :-D Sudi got a feed bucket (donated to Tammy’s feeding lot) and lots of carrots and apples.
3.) The weekend of the 4th, my mom and I are taking the boys over to Middleton for their hunter pace, and then the following weekend I’m planning on attending Full Gallop’s CT event. All in all, should be fun!
We also have babies due at the barn ANY Day now!! I’ll do my best to document that fantastic occasion as well! Till then – Happy trails!
Monday, March 2, 2009
The One with Mysterious Ways
Every now and then I get this pinge of guilt. After all, this world is in complete chaos as the economy plummets further and further away from anything resembling respectable. So, often times I will feel guilty about the fact that I’m able to enjoy my two horses when others are, say, barely make it by the day to day.
However, as God matures me as a human and Christian, one of the things He seems to be teaching me is that it’s OK to enjoy what He’s so very graciously given to me. I shouldn’t NOT enjoy what he gives me since it is HIS will – even though other people are struggling! I would be INGRATEFUL not to enjoy and be thankful for His Providence. Gosh – WHAT a hard concept, and one that I’m sure I will struggle with for a while!
At any rate, as you may have noted in my last blog, my dressage saddle was sadly on it’s way out. As much as I really liked it (and I think the BOYS liked it), it was really working very hard AGAINST me. I searched high and low online and was without much luck in finding an affordable replacement. Granted, I found plenty of NEW ones that I’m sure I could love to get to know and own, but that simply was not in my budget (I’m not even getting much back from my taxes!).
So, you can imagine my surprise when I found the most unlikely saddle at the most unlikely time at my local tack shop: Black Bottom Stables.
The saddle was in PRISTINE condition, a 38 cm tree (!!! Wow !!!) and a size 18 seat (although it ends up being more like a 17.5). I sat in it on one of the mannequin horse things, and I loved it. The saddle is a Duett Encore Dressage saddle, and while I had never heard of Duett, the saddle definitely seemed to be nice. AND – it was SOMEHOW in my price range!! (Esp if I sold my Wintec!). I spoke with Jeanette (the NICEST lady in the world, by the way) about trying out the saddle, and she so very generously said “Of course dear! I know where you and your ponies are!” Hehe.
Of COURSE the saddle miraculously fits both Sudi and Kehbir, and they both seem to love it!!
So, I called Black Bottom back about the price of the saddle to see if it was negotiable at all, and they gave me the owner’s number. When I spoke with her, she very nicely said that the price was firm, but she’s interested in my Wintec!!! I couldn’t believe it.
It’s at times like these that I believe God is really working to affirm that I’m going down the right path. I just don’t see how something like this could work out any other way! (I sure know I’M not that lucky haha!)
At any rate, I have a new saddle!! This is what it looks like:
I’ll even get to use it at Kehbir’s USDF show on Saturday! I feel so very fortunate!
Now…if only Kehbir can get on board and have a nice performance! (He’s proven to me at home that he can, so let’s hope the Little Bugger can get his act together!
However, as God matures me as a human and Christian, one of the things He seems to be teaching me is that it’s OK to enjoy what He’s so very graciously given to me. I shouldn’t NOT enjoy what he gives me since it is HIS will – even though other people are struggling! I would be INGRATEFUL not to enjoy and be thankful for His Providence. Gosh – WHAT a hard concept, and one that I’m sure I will struggle with for a while!
At any rate, as you may have noted in my last blog, my dressage saddle was sadly on it’s way out. As much as I really liked it (and I think the BOYS liked it), it was really working very hard AGAINST me. I searched high and low online and was without much luck in finding an affordable replacement. Granted, I found plenty of NEW ones that I’m sure I could love to get to know and own, but that simply was not in my budget (I’m not even getting much back from my taxes!).
So, you can imagine my surprise when I found the most unlikely saddle at the most unlikely time at my local tack shop: Black Bottom Stables.
The saddle was in PRISTINE condition, a 38 cm tree (!!! Wow !!!) and a size 18 seat (although it ends up being more like a 17.5). I sat in it on one of the mannequin horse things, and I loved it. The saddle is a Duett Encore Dressage saddle, and while I had never heard of Duett, the saddle definitely seemed to be nice. AND – it was SOMEHOW in my price range!! (Esp if I sold my Wintec!). I spoke with Jeanette (the NICEST lady in the world, by the way) about trying out the saddle, and she so very generously said “Of course dear! I know where you and your ponies are!” Hehe.
Of COURSE the saddle miraculously fits both Sudi and Kehbir, and they both seem to love it!!
So, I called Black Bottom back about the price of the saddle to see if it was negotiable at all, and they gave me the owner’s number. When I spoke with her, she very nicely said that the price was firm, but she’s interested in my Wintec!!! I couldn’t believe it.
It’s at times like these that I believe God is really working to affirm that I’m going down the right path. I just don’t see how something like this could work out any other way! (I sure know I’M not that lucky haha!)
At any rate, I have a new saddle!! This is what it looks like:
I’ll even get to use it at Kehbir’s USDF show on Saturday! I feel so very fortunate!
Now…if only Kehbir can get on board and have a nice performance! (He’s proven to me at home that he can, so let’s hope the Little Bugger can get his act together!
Monday, February 16, 2009
The One with Jasmine's Valentine's Day Show
Yes it rained! Every time I got up on Sudi, the rain would come. Thankfully, it was never a very heavy rain though, and we did indeed get some respite at times.
To back up for a moment, I must say that on Friday afternoon my chances of going to the show looked very dismal. My poor father’s truck has died and needs a new motor. Tammy, however, was VERY generous, saving the day by allowing me to borrow her Forerunner and trailer.
Friday morning was VERY early and DARK at 4am, but we were able to pull out of the barn by 5:45 (Sudi wasn’t even awake yet! Hehe). I’m SO very thankful that the rain didn’t start until at least dawn – which made the travel so much better.
Sudi was a great traveler – and while I was a bit nervous as this was his first show all by himself, he really was a trooper! He was a bit nervous being tacked up, but once I was able to hop on him and get him moving, he was just fine.
Jasmine Farm had a LOT of scary props and decorations everywhere – which was GREAT education for him. The beginning of the warm up had its ups and downs as I worked on getting his attention and keeping it! But eventually he came around. He had some stellar moments – lots of energy and suspension! I was very pleased with his first dressage test though. Despite the neighboring horses galloping about in the field next to the dressage arena, Sudi was able to retain a bit of focus, and he came out with a 32! I was thrilled.
The jumping section was a bit intense for him (and ME!) as it had 11 VERY scary efforts. The warm up was a bit stressful too, as he was really flinging himself over the fences to begin with. Eventually he settled down though, and I felt a bit better as our time approached, although the rain had indeed picked up. I forgot my floaties!!
We ended up having a fun time though, despite one refusal (he was actually spooking at some scary rolltops though) which added 4 faults to our score. We topped out at a 36 though – winning the Amoeba class!! I was so very excited for him. We even won a fun mug.
We had a two hour break before Sudi’s last dressage test in which all of us got a short break and some lunch. Sudi, however, was a bit stressed and tired and didn’t have a spectacular test. Again, he had some lovely movement and energy although he wasn’t relaxed through his top line. We ended up with a 59%, which put us 3rd (the horses next door were really causing some issues and scores were dropping) out of 8.
To back up for a moment, I must say that on Friday afternoon my chances of going to the show looked very dismal. My poor father’s truck has died and needs a new motor. Tammy, however, was VERY generous, saving the day by allowing me to borrow her Forerunner and trailer.
Friday morning was VERY early and DARK at 4am, but we were able to pull out of the barn by 5:45 (Sudi wasn’t even awake yet! Hehe). I’m SO very thankful that the rain didn’t start until at least dawn – which made the travel so much better.
Sudi was a great traveler – and while I was a bit nervous as this was his first show all by himself, he really was a trooper! He was a bit nervous being tacked up, but once I was able to hop on him and get him moving, he was just fine.
Jasmine Farm had a LOT of scary props and decorations everywhere – which was GREAT education for him. The beginning of the warm up had its ups and downs as I worked on getting his attention and keeping it! But eventually he came around. He had some stellar moments – lots of energy and suspension! I was very pleased with his first dressage test though. Despite the neighboring horses galloping about in the field next to the dressage arena, Sudi was able to retain a bit of focus, and he came out with a 32! I was thrilled.
The jumping section was a bit intense for him (and ME!) as it had 11 VERY scary efforts. The warm up was a bit stressful too, as he was really flinging himself over the fences to begin with. Eventually he settled down though, and I felt a bit better as our time approached, although the rain had indeed picked up. I forgot my floaties!!
We ended up having a fun time though, despite one refusal (he was actually spooking at some scary rolltops though) which added 4 faults to our score. We topped out at a 36 though – winning the Amoeba class!! I was so very excited for him. We even won a fun mug.
We had a two hour break before Sudi’s last dressage test in which all of us got a short break and some lunch. Sudi, however, was a bit stressed and tired and didn’t have a spectacular test. Again, he had some lovely movement and energy although he wasn’t relaxed through his top line. We ended up with a 59%, which put us 3rd (the horses next door were really causing some issues and scores were dropping) out of 8.
(Note on video: I can see that my saddle isn't fitting me properly - It was putting me in a "chair" positional all day. *sigh* Hopefully we'll be able to look at a new one by the end of the year!)
Overall, I was really pleased with the day. I felt like it was incredibly educational for Sudi – which was indeed one of my goals! Special thanks to my mom for toughing out the weekend in the rain and being SO MUCH help!! Couldn't do it without her!!
We’re now looking forward to a jumping lesson with Susan and Kehbir’s show the first weekend in March. More to come – and Happy Valentine’s and President’s Day!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The One Where It's Time for an Update!
So – WOW. The weather this week has been absolutely NOTHING short of amazing. 70’s ALL week!! I bet you can’t guess what’s projected for Saturday? Oh wait – you can?? You mean you know I have the worst luck with weather EVER?? ;-) j/k But you’re right – RAIN. All day. I guess I need to learn how to tough it out, but seriously – after this week, RAIN this weekend just seems entirely ALL too unfair.
So – Sudi is scheduled for his first CT this season at Jasmine Farm. Should be a busy day! We have dressage first thing at 8:40 and then his jumping round at 9:40. Then he gets a lunch, I get a nap, and we’re back on for dressage at noon. Yep – long day!
I’m trying not to put any pressure on us for this show as I’m using it basically as a warm up for this season, and to just keep him in the show atmosphere. I’m glad it will be a somewhat busy show since that’s good for him. My goals are to hopefully have him stretching through his dressage test, make it over all our fences (and me stay on!), and to have a great time – even if we ARE getting rained on! Eventers are tough right?! (I feel like I need a big, tough guy beside me grunting in encouragement - hehe).
Kehbir had a FANTASTIC ride this past weekend. We had a lesson with Susan, and although he started off as a COMPLETE spaz, he calmed and ended actually VERY nicely. He’s a very smart horse, and always tries to figure out what I’m trying to ask before I ask it. This makes him a bit nervous – once he settles down though and learns to wait on me, I think we’ll start doing much better.
Susan made a BIG emphasis on the fact that he really wants me to be his “head mare” and take over. He’s a big wimp and doesn’t want to handle the scary white box by himself. Once I get his attention and get him focused on his job, he forgets all the scary places in the world. He’s not one of those horses that can be allowed to go check everything out first to calm down. He HAS to be ok because I’m on him – he HAS to know that’s his safe place. I think that was a big a break-through “AHA!” moment for me – understanding him just a bit better. The more I understand him, the more I feel I can ride him correctly. We’ve come a good ways in the few weeks I’ve been schooling him, so I’m excited to see where he’ll be at the end of this month!
Ok, and to wrap up – our future goals:
Sudi will be taking some jumping lessons with Susan. My goal is to have him ready for a Sr. Maiden HT up in Southern Pines by the end of May. I feel this is reasonable. I also have the free schooling pass for Full Gallop from when I was jump judging, so I need to take him up there by himself to do a practice run in April-ish I think. If the ht in May goes well, he’ll move up to the next level – Pre novice. If I feel we need another run, we’ll hold off on the Pre Novice (really BN) and run the Maiden again. I really just want him (and ME!) to get the feel of cantering/galloping to the fences and taking them in stride. I want him to feel confidant at the end of full of himself!
Kehbir has his upcoming (REAL USDF SHOW!!!) dressage show in March here at John’s Island. If all goes well with his training, I plan on having him up to training level by the end of the year. I have some tentative dressage shows planned out – although I really want to get him into some kind of clinic this year as well. We’re also doing some cross bars at home – he seems very confidant about them, and doesn’t seem to be real worried. I don’t plan on any CT’s/HT’s with him until the spring of next year though. I just want to take it slow with him – he comes along so much better that way.
Ok – well enjoy the weather! I’ll be jealous that I’m stuck behind my desk…*sigh* one day!!
So – Sudi is scheduled for his first CT this season at Jasmine Farm. Should be a busy day! We have dressage first thing at 8:40 and then his jumping round at 9:40. Then he gets a lunch, I get a nap, and we’re back on for dressage at noon. Yep – long day!
I’m trying not to put any pressure on us for this show as I’m using it basically as a warm up for this season, and to just keep him in the show atmosphere. I’m glad it will be a somewhat busy show since that’s good for him. My goals are to hopefully have him stretching through his dressage test, make it over all our fences (and me stay on!), and to have a great time – even if we ARE getting rained on! Eventers are tough right?! (I feel like I need a big, tough guy beside me grunting in encouragement - hehe).
Kehbir had a FANTASTIC ride this past weekend. We had a lesson with Susan, and although he started off as a COMPLETE spaz, he calmed and ended actually VERY nicely. He’s a very smart horse, and always tries to figure out what I’m trying to ask before I ask it. This makes him a bit nervous – once he settles down though and learns to wait on me, I think we’ll start doing much better.
Susan made a BIG emphasis on the fact that he really wants me to be his “head mare” and take over. He’s a big wimp and doesn’t want to handle the scary white box by himself. Once I get his attention and get him focused on his job, he forgets all the scary places in the world. He’s not one of those horses that can be allowed to go check everything out first to calm down. He HAS to be ok because I’m on him – he HAS to know that’s his safe place. I think that was a big a break-through “AHA!” moment for me – understanding him just a bit better. The more I understand him, the more I feel I can ride him correctly. We’ve come a good ways in the few weeks I’ve been schooling him, so I’m excited to see where he’ll be at the end of this month!
Ok, and to wrap up – our future goals:
Sudi will be taking some jumping lessons with Susan. My goal is to have him ready for a Sr. Maiden HT up in Southern Pines by the end of May. I feel this is reasonable. I also have the free schooling pass for Full Gallop from when I was jump judging, so I need to take him up there by himself to do a practice run in April-ish I think. If the ht in May goes well, he’ll move up to the next level – Pre novice. If I feel we need another run, we’ll hold off on the Pre Novice (really BN) and run the Maiden again. I really just want him (and ME!) to get the feel of cantering/galloping to the fences and taking them in stride. I want him to feel confidant at the end of full of himself!
Kehbir has his upcoming (REAL USDF SHOW!!!) dressage show in March here at John’s Island. If all goes well with his training, I plan on having him up to training level by the end of the year. I have some tentative dressage shows planned out – although I really want to get him into some kind of clinic this year as well. We’re also doing some cross bars at home – he seems very confidant about them, and doesn’t seem to be real worried. I don’t plan on any CT’s/HT’s with him until the spring of next year though. I just want to take it slow with him – he comes along so much better that way.
Ok – well enjoy the weather! I’ll be jealous that I’m stuck behind my desk…*sigh* one day!!
Monday, February 2, 2009
The One with the Start of 2009
So show season is finally making its way to a head: February 14th (Jasmine Farm CT) and March 7-8 (The Low Country Classic – Dressage). These dates are coming more quickly than I’m perhaps mentally ready, but alas, it comes anyway!
Lately I’ve been really pushing myself to ride both boys on a regular basis. Kehbir is really starting to impress me. To be honest, our first few rides were a bit of a battle. Him against me. And believe me, neither of us were winning. However, now that he’s figured out that I can be quite nice when he behaves, he’s opted for that route. We’ve gotten RHYTHM! Woohoo. Now we’re working on the long and low frame – although for Kehbir, it’s not quite the same long and low frame Sudi gets in. At any rate, we were so comfortable that we were able to do some basic grid work! (See fun video - ignore my bad hands though!)
Sudi has been able to work on some grid work and muscle building, and the best part is that he’s really starting to enjoy it! While some of his jumps are still a bit extravagant (see video), I am immensely enjoying his training. He is stretching my riding ability and teaching me what it means to be a rider and not simply a passenger. While I still feel like this is outside my comfort zone, my dedication is reaching new limits!
On a sad note, we didn’t win the Championship for the GSEA Green Horse Intro division. While all of the points that I calculate say that he did, somewhere something has gone amiss as I’m told we came in third. Needless to say, I’m extremely proud of my boy as he came away with great 2008 achievements from those shows (and many blue ribbons!).
So now we are on to 2009 and hoping for a fun and SAFE filled competition year. Best of luck to everyone!
Lately I’ve been really pushing myself to ride both boys on a regular basis. Kehbir is really starting to impress me. To be honest, our first few rides were a bit of a battle. Him against me. And believe me, neither of us were winning. However, now that he’s figured out that I can be quite nice when he behaves, he’s opted for that route. We’ve gotten RHYTHM! Woohoo. Now we’re working on the long and low frame – although for Kehbir, it’s not quite the same long and low frame Sudi gets in. At any rate, we were so comfortable that we were able to do some basic grid work! (See fun video - ignore my bad hands though!)
Sudi has been able to work on some grid work and muscle building, and the best part is that he’s really starting to enjoy it! While some of his jumps are still a bit extravagant (see video), I am immensely enjoying his training. He is stretching my riding ability and teaching me what it means to be a rider and not simply a passenger. While I still feel like this is outside my comfort zone, my dedication is reaching new limits!
On a sad note, we didn’t win the Championship for the GSEA Green Horse Intro division. While all of the points that I calculate say that he did, somewhere something has gone amiss as I’m told we came in third. Needless to say, I’m extremely proud of my boy as he came away with great 2008 achievements from those shows (and many blue ribbons!).
So now we are on to 2009 and hoping for a fun and SAFE filled competition year. Best of luck to everyone!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)