Knock on wood, I now have two barefoot horses, both being totally sound! Luke was due for a trim yesterday, and I just had the farrier keep his shoes off, because I haven't been riding, and probably won't be riding anywhere but the sand arena for a while. I had to leave before he was done, so I didn't get to see how Luke moved out, but my dad said when he put Luke out in the pasture, he immediately ran off to be with his buddies. Crossing my fingers that he isn't ouchy on it - I'd LOVE to have a barefoot Luke. I'm thinking about experimenting in the spring/early summer with putting him on a biotin supplement and seeing if that keeps his feet hard and able to be barefoot - I do do a lot of trail riding, but at the same time, he's always been fine barefoot in back.
That's really all that's new here. School is kicking my butt. I think I've sat on my horse once in the past two weeks, and I've been horrible about getting out there. The barn owner told me the other day that Luke's been disruptive lately, and I think he's just bored - he's used to having a job. So I'm going to make an effort to spend more time with him, and see if that helps. I can't ride unless it's light outside, and that doesn't happen much while I'm out there. Can't wait til the time change. Already.
Jodi's good, maybe a little skinny, but it could just be my imagination. I added weight builder to his smartpak for the winter, so we'll see how he does on that. I might have to add some senior feed, or up his grain. They're both getting safe choice, which I've heard good and bad about, but it seems to be working out well.
I think that's all...hopefully I'll have a riding update eventually...wishful thinking probably!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Stupid Time Change...
I haven't gotten to ride much at all lately because of the time change. The way my schedule is, I'm never out there during the day except on weekends. I'm going to try to ride tomorrow before it gets dark.
That being said, on Sunday, Jen and I took Joey & Luke to Brecksville to go trail riding. It was awesome. I love my horse! He was such a good boy, even though he'd only been ridden once in the week before. He hopped on the trailer, unloaded, and stood tied to the trailer like a good boy! I wasn't taking chances though...brought the clip with me, but I don't think he pulled back at all, the rope stayed the same length. Awesome!
He didn't want to stand still when I was trying to put my gloves on, but once we were moving, he was settled. He crossed water (okay, so he wasn't so sure about the first one, but after that we were fine), and walked across scary bridges all by himself. He's so different than the horse I brought home three years ago...I love him. We trotted and cantered a lot, and for the first time in three years, my little racehorse ran out of gas! I've never seen him so tired...I thought I killed him! He was having a blast though, and still wanted to canter even when he was tired. I didn't get cold until the last part, when we were walking to cool them out. Man it got cold! We tossed some sheets on the boys, and loaded them up to go home. Stopped at Wendy's on the way home with the truck and trailer...I don't think a cheeseburger has ever tasted so good! I'm sore too...I didn't think I would be, but it was kind of extreme trail riding, and I haven't ridden as much lately. Then I ran (or shuffled) two miles today. I have GOT to get back in shape!
It was so nice to take them out last weekend though...might be the last time for the year, so I'm glad it was a good experience for everyone!
That being said, on Sunday, Jen and I took Joey & Luke to Brecksville to go trail riding. It was awesome. I love my horse! He was such a good boy, even though he'd only been ridden once in the week before. He hopped on the trailer, unloaded, and stood tied to the trailer like a good boy! I wasn't taking chances though...brought the clip with me, but I don't think he pulled back at all, the rope stayed the same length. Awesome!
He didn't want to stand still when I was trying to put my gloves on, but once we were moving, he was settled. He crossed water (okay, so he wasn't so sure about the first one, but after that we were fine), and walked across scary bridges all by himself. He's so different than the horse I brought home three years ago...I love him. We trotted and cantered a lot, and for the first time in three years, my little racehorse ran out of gas! I've never seen him so tired...I thought I killed him! He was having a blast though, and still wanted to canter even when he was tired. I didn't get cold until the last part, when we were walking to cool them out. Man it got cold! We tossed some sheets on the boys, and loaded them up to go home. Stopped at Wendy's on the way home with the truck and trailer...I don't think a cheeseburger has ever tasted so good! I'm sore too...I didn't think I would be, but it was kind of extreme trail riding, and I haven't ridden as much lately. Then I ran (or shuffled) two miles today. I have GOT to get back in shape!
It was so nice to take them out last weekend though...might be the last time for the year, so I'm glad it was a good experience for everyone!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
2'6!
I'm just full of updates lately. Ha.
I took advantage of the nice weather today, and went out to the barn to ride Luke. Jen came with me, yay! :) Tacking him up, he was the quietest he's been since I moved 3 months ago. I love those clips, they gave me back my horse. OR it's all psychological, and is having a placebo effect on me. Entirely possible, but either way, I'll take it. I can now turn my back without having to worry about my horse breaking something, or himself.
I had planned on doing lots of flatwork, but I also wanted to jump. We finally have both leads installed for the most part...yay! Although, irony which is not lost on me: it's taken 3 years to get to a pretty consistent right lead, and today, I had no left lead...it just wasn't. there. Eek! Once we started jumping, he found it though.
I think his canter actually improved after we did some fences, and Jen agreed with me. I think my problem is that I get really tense and then stiffen up, which speeds up his canter, and it's an ugly cycle. However...give me a big long flat stretch, and I'll canter or hand gallop up in 2 point all day...so it's not a fear issue, it's just some other weird issue. But when you throw some jumps in there, I think it gives me something to focus on, and I can actually RIDE. Or maybe Luke just likes jumping and was rewarding me with a cute canter.
We started with a 21" vertical, which was the biggest thing we've jumped since the barrels last month. He popped over that like it was no biggie, so I had her raise it to 2'. We cantered over that without rushing, but he kept ticking it with a back hoof. I had her raise it to 2'3" and same thing...ticking with a back hoof, but no rushing. If it was wood poles, they wouldn't even fall, but it was just enough to knock the pvc down. So I started thinking "maybe this horse doesn't have the potential I thought he did, maybe he won't be anything more than a 2' horse!" which would have been totally fine, but a huge let down.
So I asked her to raise it to 2'6", and said if he was good, we'd call it a day after that. It was amazing. That's the highest I've ever jumped him, and he felt WONDERFUL. 5 months ago, we were terrified of 2' stuff. He wasn't rushy to the jump at all, and the best part? I could feel it....I was actually counting strides in my head, and I was right. Yay! He was actually completely straight to it too...with the little stuff he wiggles quite a bit, which is frustrating. But today? He was point and shoot from the minute I started jumping. And the 2'6" one is the only one he didn't hit. He actually put in some effort and cleared it with plenty of room to spare! Jen said he had a good 6" of clearance, but it didn't FEEL like he was jumping 3'...but what do I know??
We did it twice, and then Jen hopped on and trotted him a little. She said he felt better than ever, but he's a HARD horse to ride. Which made me feel good kind of...I just thought I sucked at riding him! She loved riding him though, and I do too. He makes me WORK for everything, but I appreciate it that much more. Then we cooled him off. I was so proud! He has really grown up under saddle in the past 3 months. I can't wait to see what he's like next year! I'm hoping to put him in training in the spring...we'd be unstoppable! After today, I definitely think we'll be able to do baby beginner novice next summer :) :) :)
I took advantage of the nice weather today, and went out to the barn to ride Luke. Jen came with me, yay! :) Tacking him up, he was the quietest he's been since I moved 3 months ago. I love those clips, they gave me back my horse. OR it's all psychological, and is having a placebo effect on me. Entirely possible, but either way, I'll take it. I can now turn my back without having to worry about my horse breaking something, or himself.
I had planned on doing lots of flatwork, but I also wanted to jump. We finally have both leads installed for the most part...yay! Although, irony which is not lost on me: it's taken 3 years to get to a pretty consistent right lead, and today, I had no left lead...it just wasn't. there. Eek! Once we started jumping, he found it though.
I think his canter actually improved after we did some fences, and Jen agreed with me. I think my problem is that I get really tense and then stiffen up, which speeds up his canter, and it's an ugly cycle. However...give me a big long flat stretch, and I'll canter or hand gallop up in 2 point all day...so it's not a fear issue, it's just some other weird issue. But when you throw some jumps in there, I think it gives me something to focus on, and I can actually RIDE. Or maybe Luke just likes jumping and was rewarding me with a cute canter.
We started with a 21" vertical, which was the biggest thing we've jumped since the barrels last month. He popped over that like it was no biggie, so I had her raise it to 2'. We cantered over that without rushing, but he kept ticking it with a back hoof. I had her raise it to 2'3" and same thing...ticking with a back hoof, but no rushing. If it was wood poles, they wouldn't even fall, but it was just enough to knock the pvc down. So I started thinking "maybe this horse doesn't have the potential I thought he did, maybe he won't be anything more than a 2' horse!" which would have been totally fine, but a huge let down.
So I asked her to raise it to 2'6", and said if he was good, we'd call it a day after that. It was amazing. That's the highest I've ever jumped him, and he felt WONDERFUL. 5 months ago, we were terrified of 2' stuff. He wasn't rushy to the jump at all, and the best part? I could feel it....I was actually counting strides in my head, and I was right. Yay! He was actually completely straight to it too...with the little stuff he wiggles quite a bit, which is frustrating. But today? He was point and shoot from the minute I started jumping. And the 2'6" one is the only one he didn't hit. He actually put in some effort and cleared it with plenty of room to spare! Jen said he had a good 6" of clearance, but it didn't FEEL like he was jumping 3'...but what do I know??
We did it twice, and then Jen hopped on and trotted him a little. She said he felt better than ever, but he's a HARD horse to ride. Which made me feel good kind of...I just thought I sucked at riding him! She loved riding him though, and I do too. He makes me WORK for everything, but I appreciate it that much more. Then we cooled him off. I was so proud! He has really grown up under saddle in the past 3 months. I can't wait to see what he's like next year! I'm hoping to put him in training in the spring...we'd be unstoppable! After today, I definitely think we'll be able to do baby beginner novice next summer :) :) :)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Pictures!
I rode Luke last night, and he was a good boy. The clips are definitely helping. He stood nicely in the cross ties even with chickens flying around. I was tenser than him probably, I hate things that fly. I even felt comfortable enough to leave him alone in the ties while I went to the other side of the barn to get my tack. We just walked and trotted mostly, but cantered once each direction, and popped a little cross rail twice. I need to ride him more...it's just so hard to get motivated in the cold! But we're supposed to have nice weather this week, so I'm going to take advantage of it.
It's been way too long since I posted pics...I don't know if anyone even reads this, but if anyone does, posts are boring without pictures sometimes! So I thought I'd post pictures from last month's mini trial, the week at Gwen's, some Jodi lovin', and then some pictures my parents took on Sunday.
It's been way too long since I posted pics...I don't know if anyone even reads this, but if anyone does, posts are boring without pictures sometimes! So I thought I'd post pictures from last month's mini trial, the week at Gwen's, some Jodi lovin', and then some pictures my parents took on Sunday.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Congress & Luke update
I went to QH Congress on Wednesday and then back on Saturday. Fun fun! I spent way too much money, but really, I didn't get anything fun...new sheets for the boys (okay, they're pink plaid, so kind of fun!), dewormer, vetrolin shine, 2 clips (www.theclip.info), lead ropes to go in them, and a couple things for my mom and dad to give me for Christmas. My feet are tired from walking and my arms are sore from carrying bags!
And it's been entirely too long since I've ridden my pony. Since my lesson last Saturday to be exact. It's gotten to the point where he's been such a jerk on the ground, I haven't wanted to deal with tacking him up. And I know that he won't get better unless I work on it. But I'm scared to discipline him for fidgeting in the ties, because then he pulls back and breaks his halter. So I bought two clips and hooked them up last night. And decided that now that I have that taken care of, and he won't get hurt if he pulls back, we're going to work on respect.
My parents came out to take fall pictures, and Luke was fidgety brushing him off, fidgety tacking up, and tried to drag me outside. So I popped him with the crop, and after he got over the initial scare, he behaved himself. And we managed some very nice pictures.
I went back out last night after all my homework was done (yuck!) and played with them. Got Jodi out and detangled his tail...I have no idea where he finds the burr bushes, but his tail was one big mat. We were able to get it out, sacrificing only a few hairs in the process. Then I put him back and went to get Luke. I told him that he couldn't be pushy. Not like he heard me :) I put him in the ties with the clip, and just messed around with him. At one point, I went out to turn the arena light on because I was going to ride (I couldn't get it turned on..boo), and he must have pulled back while I was gone. The clips did their job, and I came back to one calm pony, still attached but with slightly longer ropes. So I tightened them back up, and made him stand some more. He stood while I organized my locker, mixed up new moisturizer, swept the aisle, checked his bucket, etc. He was standing pretty calmly by the end. When he started dancing, I got after him, and after trying to pull back a little, he realized he had nothing to pull against and gave up. Yay! I am FAR from trusting him, but this is a BIG step in the right direction...last night, I enjoyed my horse again. For the first time in a while.
I'm going out tonight, to hopefully ride while the weather is nice and it's light out!
And it's been entirely too long since I've ridden my pony. Since my lesson last Saturday to be exact. It's gotten to the point where he's been such a jerk on the ground, I haven't wanted to deal with tacking him up. And I know that he won't get better unless I work on it. But I'm scared to discipline him for fidgeting in the ties, because then he pulls back and breaks his halter. So I bought two clips and hooked them up last night. And decided that now that I have that taken care of, and he won't get hurt if he pulls back, we're going to work on respect.
My parents came out to take fall pictures, and Luke was fidgety brushing him off, fidgety tacking up, and tried to drag me outside. So I popped him with the crop, and after he got over the initial scare, he behaved himself. And we managed some very nice pictures.
I went back out last night after all my homework was done (yuck!) and played with them. Got Jodi out and detangled his tail...I have no idea where he finds the burr bushes, but his tail was one big mat. We were able to get it out, sacrificing only a few hairs in the process. Then I put him back and went to get Luke. I told him that he couldn't be pushy. Not like he heard me :) I put him in the ties with the clip, and just messed around with him. At one point, I went out to turn the arena light on because I was going to ride (I couldn't get it turned on..boo), and he must have pulled back while I was gone. The clips did their job, and I came back to one calm pony, still attached but with slightly longer ropes. So I tightened them back up, and made him stand some more. He stood while I organized my locker, mixed up new moisturizer, swept the aisle, checked his bucket, etc. He was standing pretty calmly by the end. When he started dancing, I got after him, and after trying to pull back a little, he realized he had nothing to pull against and gave up. Yay! I am FAR from trusting him, but this is a BIG step in the right direction...last night, I enjoyed my horse again. For the first time in a while.
I'm going out tonight, to hopefully ride while the weather is nice and it's light out!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Lesson!
After cancelling last night's lesson due to rain, I rescheduled for today at 12.
Luke let me catch him right away in the pasture, but was a pain to tack up. Seriously, I'm never motivated to ride him anymore and it's because I'm sick of dealing with his crap on the ground. I've tried everything. He pulled back and snapped a cross tie snap in half. In half. The metal literally snapped. I give up. Oy.
He was hyped up when I got on...it was all I could do to get him to stand while I got on, and then we had crazy hyper walk on speed. He settled though, eventually. And focused, sort of. The arena was kind of muddy, but oh well. I do miss having an indoor, but I'll live :) Luke was actually more focused than he's been sometimes. I was keeping my back really tense today...I don't know if that's a new thing, or if it explains my back pain.
We trotted, and worked on keeping him focused and off the forehand, and using his butt. It's hard too because he doesn't respond to my leg. I'm going to start carrying a crop and insist on crisper transitions...he needs to go when I say, not when he feels like it. Then we moved on to canter...I don't know what my deal is with cantering, but I feel so insecure anymore. Started on the left lead, and it was okay..he broke to a trot a couple times, but I think he just needs more strength. And to actually ride the canter and not just sit there. He got all his leads correct today, which makes me really happy. Yay! I think it was a me issue, not a him issue. Either way, I'm glad it seems to be fixed! I'm not sure how much I'll get to ride this winter, but I'll at least try to as much as I can. I want to keep him moving forward. Then in the spring, lesson/training package, and hopefully truck and trailer by February ish.
We jumped a little crossrail too, and Luke was fine. I love my new standards...way better than buckets, especially since the poles are pvc..they don't fall off of the standards quite as easily.
I'm glad I got a lesson in...maybe not as productive as if I'd been riding more frequently, but at least it pushed me in the right direction. If I get a truck and trailer, I'll try to find an indoor to go to once every week or something like that. I'm proud of Luke..I just wish I could ride him as well as he deserves. Maybe someday!
Luke let me catch him right away in the pasture, but was a pain to tack up. Seriously, I'm never motivated to ride him anymore and it's because I'm sick of dealing with his crap on the ground. I've tried everything. He pulled back and snapped a cross tie snap in half. In half. The metal literally snapped. I give up. Oy.
He was hyped up when I got on...it was all I could do to get him to stand while I got on, and then we had crazy hyper walk on speed. He settled though, eventually. And focused, sort of. The arena was kind of muddy, but oh well. I do miss having an indoor, but I'll live :) Luke was actually more focused than he's been sometimes. I was keeping my back really tense today...I don't know if that's a new thing, or if it explains my back pain.
We trotted, and worked on keeping him focused and off the forehand, and using his butt. It's hard too because he doesn't respond to my leg. I'm going to start carrying a crop and insist on crisper transitions...he needs to go when I say, not when he feels like it. Then we moved on to canter...I don't know what my deal is with cantering, but I feel so insecure anymore. Started on the left lead, and it was okay..he broke to a trot a couple times, but I think he just needs more strength. And to actually ride the canter and not just sit there. He got all his leads correct today, which makes me really happy. Yay! I think it was a me issue, not a him issue. Either way, I'm glad it seems to be fixed! I'm not sure how much I'll get to ride this winter, but I'll at least try to as much as I can. I want to keep him moving forward. Then in the spring, lesson/training package, and hopefully truck and trailer by February ish.
We jumped a little crossrail too, and Luke was fine. I love my new standards...way better than buckets, especially since the poles are pvc..they don't fall off of the standards quite as easily.
I'm glad I got a lesson in...maybe not as productive as if I'd been riding more frequently, but at least it pushed me in the right direction. If I get a truck and trailer, I'll try to find an indoor to go to once every week or something like that. I'm proud of Luke..I just wish I could ride him as well as he deserves. Maybe someday!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Eek, time for an update!
Wow, I can't believe I haven't updated in so long! Not too too much has happened though.
Luke stayed with Gwen the week after the mini trial. He was a good boy up there. I got to go up and ride on Tuesday night, where he did his first gymnastics. He wasn't a big fan, but I think they were a little big for him. We did a single cross rail and ended with that.
When I went up on Saturday, Luke was really good! We made the gymnastics smaller, and did a cross rail with five trotting poles before it. The first time through that one, Luke launched at the beginning of the trot poles and landed after the jump. Apparently he forgot how to trot jumps. Second time through, he did a good job though. Then we moved on to the gymnastics. The smaller ones were much easier.
I decided to try jumping him over some plastic barrels because he was being so good. I figured he'd rush it really badly, but he didn't at all! Trotted it really cute, and didn't even look at it! He seems to settle down more over larger jumps, which is weird.
I brought him back home on the 20th, and didn't do much with him for a week. He got new shoes on Thursday, and then he just didn't do much until this past week. On Thursday I went out and rode, and was really happy with him. I didn't think he would be very good since he'd been off for so long. He was great though. I just walked and trotted...I don't want to work on his canter until I'm in a lesson, because I'm not good at him. I rode again yesterday, and he was a little testy. I hung out with Molly today and got to ride Atticus, and then she came over and rode Luke. He proved that he could canter on both correct leads and jump all cute like. I hope she can come ride him more...and I just need to learn to ride better. Hopefully soon...I want to be better!
Luke stayed with Gwen the week after the mini trial. He was a good boy up there. I got to go up and ride on Tuesday night, where he did his first gymnastics. He wasn't a big fan, but I think they were a little big for him. We did a single cross rail and ended with that.
When I went up on Saturday, Luke was really good! We made the gymnastics smaller, and did a cross rail with five trotting poles before it. The first time through that one, Luke launched at the beginning of the trot poles and landed after the jump. Apparently he forgot how to trot jumps. Second time through, he did a good job though. Then we moved on to the gymnastics. The smaller ones were much easier.
I decided to try jumping him over some plastic barrels because he was being so good. I figured he'd rush it really badly, but he didn't at all! Trotted it really cute, and didn't even look at it! He seems to settle down more over larger jumps, which is weird.
I brought him back home on the 20th, and didn't do much with him for a week. He got new shoes on Thursday, and then he just didn't do much until this past week. On Thursday I went out and rode, and was really happy with him. I didn't think he would be very good since he'd been off for so long. He was great though. I just walked and trotted...I don't want to work on his canter until I'm in a lesson, because I'm not good at him. I rode again yesterday, and he was a little testy. I hung out with Molly today and got to ride Atticus, and then she came over and rode Luke. He proved that he could canter on both correct leads and jump all cute like. I hope she can come ride him more...and I just need to learn to ride better. Hopefully soon...I want to be better!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Mini Trial Update
Luke is SUCH a good boy! We went out schooling with Molly on Saturday, and he warmed up perfectly, even with horses coming at him from all directions. He took a few of the first little jumps like they were 5' tall, and didn't understand the lack of enthusiasm displayed by the other horses. Typical Luke. So we walked over a few, and trotted a few, and ended on a good note. I'm very happy with him. Then he stood tied to the trailer for a long time, and didn't do anything bad. He saw his first horse and buggy on Saturday and his eyes were saucer sized. I got a cute picture of the "buggy" face...I'll upload pictures later.
Sunday we headed out and got to South Farm around 11? I didn't ride until 2:30 so it was really nice to have some time to warm up. We got our packets, I found my camera that I left behind on Saturday, and checked out the tack trailer. I didn't even buy anything! So I'm going to put $10 in a Congress fund, along with $40 from my paycheck. I really want to have some money to spend at Congress this year!
I tacked Luke up and headed over to warm up for dressage. I was able to walk him around the farm on a loose rein, but once we got to the warm up area and started trotting, he got a little quick and panicky. A trainer kindly helped us warm up, and that helped. We did lots of transitions and figure 8's, and he got his brain back. I headed into my test feeling nervous, but more prepared than usual. We did our courtesy lap, and he didn't spook at the flowers or the trailer. He came down centerline nice and straight, and stopped completely for the halt. Good boy! We had a few sticky moments in our test - he cantered a few strides of the trot circle, was a little counterbent in a couple spots, and I overshot center line. Bad me! I know better!
I threw him back on the trailer with some hay so I could relax a little bit. I walked around, watched a little stadium, and then tacked him back up for stadium and xc. I was literally three feet away from him, he was tied to the trailer, and he pulled back. Broke the snap on the lead rope in half, and proceeded to run around the farm - he ran a good 1/4 mile down a stretch, and back up, and then made a big circle around me and let me catch him. I was not a happy camper. I threatened to sell him to the Amish to be a buggy horse. Maybe he was just warming himself up for XC. I finished tacking him up quickly, and hopped on to go warm up for the other phases. He got me so flustered I forgot my gloves. Ouch!
He took the first couple warm up fences as flyers, so we walked a few, and then trotted a few. I remembered to go through the start flags this year! He didn't look at anything on course and hopped right over it all. We trotted and cantered the course - he was a little wigglier than I would have liked, but not too badly. And he didn't knock anything down! I decided NOT to get off, so we walked around for a while, and then headed over to XC warm up. I opted not to jump anything except one little vertical. We trotted out of the start box, I asked him to walk the first jump, and then we alternated between walking and trotting the rest of the jumps. Again, he rocked it...he didn't look at ANYTHING out there. I came across the finish line exhausted, but so proud of him!
I cooled him out, untacked him, put my stuff away, and loaded him on the trailer with some nice hay. I went over to check my scores, which still weren't up. We waited around for a while - my division was of course the last one posted. I went up to look at our results and did a double, maybe triple take. I asked them "are you sure?!" Luke and I came in 2nd place! We finished on our dressage score of 34.0, which is our best score by about 10 points. Even with our mistakes, the test must have looked better than it felt. The comments were helpful - the judge really liked him, said he was a nice mover, and said she liked what a patient rider I was for him. He went clean on XC and Stadium, so we finished on our 34! Good boy Luke! We were only out of first place by 2 points, but I couldn't be happier with the pretty red ribbon. It was such a great day - the ribbon was just icing on the cake! We made it back home and unloaded, fed him dinner, and turned him out. And then I went home and crashed.
Other than the broken lead rope and escape, it was a great weekend. That's the next thing I need to tackle - get him to stand tied again. I'm not sure if it's possible. Always something to work on!
Sunday we headed out and got to South Farm around 11? I didn't ride until 2:30 so it was really nice to have some time to warm up. We got our packets, I found my camera that I left behind on Saturday, and checked out the tack trailer. I didn't even buy anything! So I'm going to put $10 in a Congress fund, along with $40 from my paycheck. I really want to have some money to spend at Congress this year!
I tacked Luke up and headed over to warm up for dressage. I was able to walk him around the farm on a loose rein, but once we got to the warm up area and started trotting, he got a little quick and panicky. A trainer kindly helped us warm up, and that helped. We did lots of transitions and figure 8's, and he got his brain back. I headed into my test feeling nervous, but more prepared than usual. We did our courtesy lap, and he didn't spook at the flowers or the trailer. He came down centerline nice and straight, and stopped completely for the halt. Good boy! We had a few sticky moments in our test - he cantered a few strides of the trot circle, was a little counterbent in a couple spots, and I overshot center line. Bad me! I know better!
I threw him back on the trailer with some hay so I could relax a little bit. I walked around, watched a little stadium, and then tacked him back up for stadium and xc. I was literally three feet away from him, he was tied to the trailer, and he pulled back. Broke the snap on the lead rope in half, and proceeded to run around the farm - he ran a good 1/4 mile down a stretch, and back up, and then made a big circle around me and let me catch him. I was not a happy camper. I threatened to sell him to the Amish to be a buggy horse. Maybe he was just warming himself up for XC. I finished tacking him up quickly, and hopped on to go warm up for the other phases. He got me so flustered I forgot my gloves. Ouch!
He took the first couple warm up fences as flyers, so we walked a few, and then trotted a few. I remembered to go through the start flags this year! He didn't look at anything on course and hopped right over it all. We trotted and cantered the course - he was a little wigglier than I would have liked, but not too badly. And he didn't knock anything down! I decided NOT to get off, so we walked around for a while, and then headed over to XC warm up. I opted not to jump anything except one little vertical. We trotted out of the start box, I asked him to walk the first jump, and then we alternated between walking and trotting the rest of the jumps. Again, he rocked it...he didn't look at ANYTHING out there. I came across the finish line exhausted, but so proud of him!
I cooled him out, untacked him, put my stuff away, and loaded him on the trailer with some nice hay. I went over to check my scores, which still weren't up. We waited around for a while - my division was of course the last one posted. I went up to look at our results and did a double, maybe triple take. I asked them "are you sure?!" Luke and I came in 2nd place! We finished on our dressage score of 34.0, which is our best score by about 10 points. Even with our mistakes, the test must have looked better than it felt. The comments were helpful - the judge really liked him, said he was a nice mover, and said she liked what a patient rider I was for him. He went clean on XC and Stadium, so we finished on our 34! Good boy Luke! We were only out of first place by 2 points, but I couldn't be happier with the pretty red ribbon. It was such a great day - the ribbon was just icing on the cake! We made it back home and unloaded, fed him dinner, and turned him out. And then I went home and crashed.
Other than the broken lead rope and escape, it was a great weekend. That's the next thing I need to tackle - get him to stand tied again. I'm not sure if it's possible. Always something to work on!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Lightbulbs! And mini trials!
First off, I got my ride times for the mini trial this weekend. I have nice late times, which is nice...I'm used to getting up at 5 a.m.! I ride Dressage at 2:36, Stadium at 4:30 and XC at 5:30 - woohoo! :)
On Tuesday, I had the best ride on Luke I've possibly ever had. It was incredible...he was reaching for the bit (his new happy mouth), was transitioning without fussing at all, actually bending around my leg instead of blowing me off...it was so nice! I paid for it yesterday though, my wrist was killing me. So I bought a separate brace to ride in and last night it didn't hurt so bad.
I had an awesome lesson last night! I rode in my dressage bridle and saddle to get myself acclimated to it again. I lengthened my stirrups a hole, which helped, and we got some very nice work. I think if he goes like this at South Farm, we have a pretty good chance of doing well. I've been cautioned to not panic if my warmup doesn't go well at first - just keep riding him through it until I get the bend and stretch I'm looking for. I think we'll be okay - we get to go schooling on Saturday, which I'm really excited about - Luke hasn't jumped any XC stuff except for little logs since last fall...oh dang! But 12" won't be too bad.
I can't believe it's so soon - I haven't started packing ANYTHING yet. Or given him a bath...it's too hard to do one handed... *sigh*... :) Maybe I'll just rub him down with baby wipes...he smells disgusting from his fly spray anyway! Molly is coming over tomorrow night and we're going to pack all of my stuff up into her car, and then off we go on Saturday morning. Wish us luck! I can't wait to see Gwen, Lis, and Jen too...we're having a mini exracers picnic...yay!
On Tuesday, I had the best ride on Luke I've possibly ever had. It was incredible...he was reaching for the bit (his new happy mouth), was transitioning without fussing at all, actually bending around my leg instead of blowing me off...it was so nice! I paid for it yesterday though, my wrist was killing me. So I bought a separate brace to ride in and last night it didn't hurt so bad.
I had an awesome lesson last night! I rode in my dressage bridle and saddle to get myself acclimated to it again. I lengthened my stirrups a hole, which helped, and we got some very nice work. I think if he goes like this at South Farm, we have a pretty good chance of doing well. I've been cautioned to not panic if my warmup doesn't go well at first - just keep riding him through it until I get the bend and stretch I'm looking for. I think we'll be okay - we get to go schooling on Saturday, which I'm really excited about - Luke hasn't jumped any XC stuff except for little logs since last fall...oh dang! But 12" won't be too bad.
I can't believe it's so soon - I haven't started packing ANYTHING yet. Or given him a bath...it's too hard to do one handed... *sigh*... :) Maybe I'll just rub him down with baby wipes...he smells disgusting from his fly spray anyway! Molly is coming over tomorrow night and we're going to pack all of my stuff up into her car, and then off we go on Saturday morning. Wish us luck! I can't wait to see Gwen, Lis, and Jen too...we're having a mini exracers picnic...yay!
Friday, September 4, 2009
You take one step forward and two steps back...
It feels like it anyway!
I had a great lesson on Monday...actually they've all been great lately. Unfortunately, I can't achieve that same greatness when I ride by myself. It sure doesn't feel like it anyway. We just walked and trotted on Monday, but we worked on turns, centerlines, halts...everything I'd need for my test. It went pretty well. Then I took him out in the big pasture and we worked on me keeping his attention and getting actual work in large spaces.
Tuesday, I was all excited to ride, and thought it was going to be the best ride ever. He started out by breaking his halter...which was kind of my fault, I know that I shouldn't cross tie him until we figure this out, but I was in a hurry. I put a rope halter on him and got him to stand semi still while I finished tacking up. The ride went downhill from there. Nothing went right...he wanted to hollow out his back and be an ostrich. The only plus I can think of is that he got his leads. It just spiraled downward though, and I ended the ride in tears. I was freaking out, thinking we were never going to get better, and I was ready to sell him to someone more experienced.
On Wednesday, I woke up feelingi less frustrated. I sent in my mini trial entry and decided to look at it as a learning experience. I went out and played with the boys, but gave Luke a day off from riding. I went to the doctor and discovered I have tendonitis in my wrist, and I have to wear a brace all the time. I'm going to have to buy another one to ride in - I don't want to get this one all dirty.
Last night I went out and got Luke out of the pasture, and tied him with a trailer tie while I tacked him up. He stood relatively still, a little dancing, but no halter breaking. I took him out in the ring, and rode for about 5 minutes before I realized that the bugs were REALLY bothering him. So I took him back inside and used MORE fly spray. I think that did the trick, because he was a little less fussy. I should have put his ear net on though, he was still a little upset. The work we got wasn't nearly as good as my lesson, but it wasn't terrible either. There were a few moments of genuine correct work, and some almost there moments. He was pulling through my halts coming down center line, so we did lots of transitions. I have to go to IN this weekend, so Luke will get three days off...hopefully he won't be a wild man on Monday.
South Farm is in 9 days...yikes!
I had a great lesson on Monday...actually they've all been great lately. Unfortunately, I can't achieve that same greatness when I ride by myself. It sure doesn't feel like it anyway. We just walked and trotted on Monday, but we worked on turns, centerlines, halts...everything I'd need for my test. It went pretty well. Then I took him out in the big pasture and we worked on me keeping his attention and getting actual work in large spaces.
Tuesday, I was all excited to ride, and thought it was going to be the best ride ever. He started out by breaking his halter...which was kind of my fault, I know that I shouldn't cross tie him until we figure this out, but I was in a hurry. I put a rope halter on him and got him to stand semi still while I finished tacking up. The ride went downhill from there. Nothing went right...he wanted to hollow out his back and be an ostrich. The only plus I can think of is that he got his leads. It just spiraled downward though, and I ended the ride in tears. I was freaking out, thinking we were never going to get better, and I was ready to sell him to someone more experienced.
On Wednesday, I woke up feelingi less frustrated. I sent in my mini trial entry and decided to look at it as a learning experience. I went out and played with the boys, but gave Luke a day off from riding. I went to the doctor and discovered I have tendonitis in my wrist, and I have to wear a brace all the time. I'm going to have to buy another one to ride in - I don't want to get this one all dirty.
Last night I went out and got Luke out of the pasture, and tied him with a trailer tie while I tacked him up. He stood relatively still, a little dancing, but no halter breaking. I took him out in the ring, and rode for about 5 minutes before I realized that the bugs were REALLY bothering him. So I took him back inside and used MORE fly spray. I think that did the trick, because he was a little less fussy. I should have put his ear net on though, he was still a little upset. The work we got wasn't nearly as good as my lesson, but it wasn't terrible either. There were a few moments of genuine correct work, and some almost there moments. He was pulling through my halts coming down center line, so we did lots of transitions. I have to go to IN this weekend, so Luke will get three days off...hopefully he won't be a wild man on Monday.
South Farm is in 9 days...yikes!
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