Sometimes I just have to stop and think. This usually means something went amiss and I have to give myself a chance to sit back, stop reacting, and think things through. I went to my schooling three-phase on Sunday, and now I think I'm ready to write it up without declaring that we will never go sanctioned or that I need to become a dressage rider.
By this point everyone knows my mare is a superstar. We take her out, point her at new things, and she tries her heart out to the best of her TB brain's abilities. Which means we've been known to frighten small children in the jumping warm up or show off her athleticism with a leap spin combo, but she's still trying hard. She goes to work and the judges seem to love her light, springy gaits. She'll jump anything from any distance, angle, or speed. The problem is that she's been such a superstar that it's jarring when she's . . . not.
Looking back, I made some silly mistakes at the show. Our dressage warm up wasn't very good. She wasn't focusing well, which is nothing new when she first comes out, but rather than trotting on a loose rein until she settled I tried getting her to focus and go to work. The result was a tense horse that never shifted to her mellow self. Our dressage test showed that tension. She went to work and held it together for the test, but you could see it through her neck that she was distracted and edgy. We got our first 8 on a twenty meter trot circle, but we also got low marks for our walk due to jigging and not stretching. It was still a 35.0 and good for third place, but my trainer and I both knew that was not her usual performance.
The show had a very tight time line between phases and I had about 30 minutes to change to cross country gear and high tail it back for the jumping phases. I had Fiona in the three ring happy mouth, which we had schooled in, but in the show environment she got very reactive. I had the joyous moment of realizing she was behind my hand, behind my leg, and bolting. That's about the worst place to be on an athletic TB. Once I got a jump that didn't terrify people too much, I just went into stadium. She wasn't settling, she wasn't focusing, and dodging people in warm up was just making us escalate. The stadium course was very twisting with a lot of right angle turns and a true roll back to a two stride. I knew when I walked it that we were going to be in trouble. Add to that our warm up? I was praying to not get eliminated.
Of course she jumped everything I pointed her at, but she was so reactive. She almost dropped me when she saw a jump judge, half halts had her skittering, and our steering failed after the third hard turn on the course. Completely failed. I actually had to halt on course to get her back and then trot the three strides to the next fence. Luckily that wasn't considered a refusal since I hadn't presented yet, but we did get a rail in the two stride when she completely lost her forward in the roll back. She hates a course full of tight turns and quick changes. There are some pictures of us leaving the ring. I'm petting her and talking to her, but her eyes were very worried. Poor baby.
She made it up to me on cross country. Or I made it up to her, depending on how you look at it. As soon as we opened up for a long canter in the field, she settled. The princess was a different horse, sitting light in my hands, ears pricked, and hunting for the next fence. Finally, in the last phase, she settled down and lost that tension and worried look.
So, what did I learn? It's a schooling show, that's the point of going to the things. I'm supposed to learn stuff. I learned that you don't ever put the princess to work before she's relaxed. If you do? She gets stuck that way. Better to go into dressage without picking her up than to pick her up too soon. Also, never rush dressage warm up. I cannot care if they are looking to get someone in the ring. It's not my ride time, they can wait until my girl is ready. I'm such a softie, I just went right in.
The second thing, and what I went over with my trainer today, is that we're back to hunting for the perfect jumping bit. Elevator happy mouth failed the big test, so we're going to try something else. A Dr. Bristol came up, since she's so high in front anyway that we're going to try going away from leverage. A loose ring waterford was also mentioned, since the issue is locking onto the bit and pulling. We need something she's comfortable with so she doesn't come unglued, but at the same time keeps her from locking her jaw and just doing things her way. I'll be putting her back in her hackamore this week, too, to see how she does with that rig. She has never come unglued with that, but stopping and steering are a wee bit more challenging. It's almost like I need to put her in something where she feels safe to disagree with me, but at the same time, have enough bit that I can win the argument when she does have her own opinion.
This is why I have so much gear. I can't believe I'm going to own more bits.
Peyton ate the pen to my tablet, so I can't render any of the more memorable moments of my weekend. It's really too bad, the image of the princess getting her mane pulled would have been perfect. Let's just say it took two people and I waited until the beginner lesson was out of the aisle to do it. She's lucky she's so cute all braided up.
One adult amateur rider's flailing journey through horse ownership, wonky cervical discs, and still chasing the Bronze Medal in dressage.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Hours in the day
Basically? There are not enough of them. I could do with about four more hours in the day. Half I'd add to the sleep schedule, and the other half would take the pressure off so it would not be so hard to get to the barn, take care of my career, and just once in a while see the dear husband. He does like to see me on occasion, funny how that works.
It's time for yet another schooling show, so time is tight while I figure out just when I'm going to get to pull the princess's mane (again) and trim up her little fetlocks and give her a bath and scrub my tack.
For a thoroughbred, she sure grows a lot of hair. I can handle the fact that she has one little vice, and that vice is hating to have her mane pulled. She steps just out of reach while I'm balanced on a water bucket or steps into me enough to make me lose my balance. She's turned and given me a shove with her nose before, too. Anything she can do to keep me from pulling on her hair. I usually have to assign someone else to hold her head while I work. She grows mane like a darn Shetland pony, so skipping the pulling really isn't an option if I want to braid. Which I always do.
On the plus side her tail is just gorgeous. There's been some debate on how to style it. I saw several braided tails at Rolex (I guess it's an Aussie thing?) and now I want to grow her tail back out and change to braiding it. She's rubbing it and I'm thinking that clipping the sides is not going to help if she's already itchy. Growing it out again will be a pain, but shouldn't take that long. We'll see if I can hold out through that part. The h/j princess in me would love to grow it out completely again and braid for fancy events, but if it's time for a trial and her tails looks like a toilet brush? I'll probably give in and trim it again. I'm so weak.
It's time for yet another schooling show, so time is tight while I figure out just when I'm going to get to pull the princess's mane (again) and trim up her little fetlocks and give her a bath and scrub my tack.
For a thoroughbred, she sure grows a lot of hair. I can handle the fact that she has one little vice, and that vice is hating to have her mane pulled. She steps just out of reach while I'm balanced on a water bucket or steps into me enough to make me lose my balance. She's turned and given me a shove with her nose before, too. Anything she can do to keep me from pulling on her hair. I usually have to assign someone else to hold her head while I work. She grows mane like a darn Shetland pony, so skipping the pulling really isn't an option if I want to braid. Which I always do.
On the plus side her tail is just gorgeous. There's been some debate on how to style it. I saw several braided tails at Rolex (I guess it's an Aussie thing?) and now I want to grow her tail back out and change to braiding it. She's rubbing it and I'm thinking that clipping the sides is not going to help if she's already itchy. Growing it out again will be a pain, but shouldn't take that long. We'll see if I can hold out through that part. The h/j princess in me would love to grow it out completely again and braid for fancy events, but if it's time for a trial and her tails looks like a toilet brush? I'll probably give in and trim it again. I'm so weak.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Rolex
It's day two of the dressage at the Rolex Three Day. Thanks to the USEF's live streaming coverage, I've been able to watch most of the dressage as it happens. I missed some of the morning rides this morning while I was out riding my own horse in her lesson (such a good girl), but I've seen the majority.
My thoughts.
1. Holy mackerel are there some nice horses out there. Several of those horses I just want to feed carrots to and convince them to follow me home. Little Shiraz reminded me so much of Fiona that it was instant love. Of course Arthur was gorgeous in the dressage, but I would rather take Manny home. Just something about him made me think that was a nose I would like to see and kiss every day.
2. Mary King may not have the big wins that her compatriots have, but she deserves every bit as much attention. King's Temptress was elegant and athletic through her test and I was very impressed with her homebred mare. I'm really looking forward to seeing them cross country, since Mary's horses always seem to shine in that phase. It's easy to cheer for Mary, since she's so classy.
3. Phillip Dutton's horse stopped to scratch his nose, another horse whinnied during their test, and I saw some flying changes that were very, very 'expressive'. Horses broke gaits and Boyd Martin had an error on his test. It gives me some hope that even the very best in the world have their oopsie moments.
4. Somebody is riding in their very first Rolex at the age of 50 on their own horse. Dreams really can come true.
I'll have to watch the cross-country as a replay since I'm out for an all day hike tomorrow. I have to get fit for a hiking trip in June, so I'm on a conditioning schedule. Sunday is a spa day for Fiona. She's started rubbing her tail recently so I'm going to take that as an excuse to make her shine from top to bottom. We've got two weeks until her next outing, so I can start working ahead to make her look the part of a show horse. After watching the 4* horses, I'm inspired to turn her out to within an inch of her life. I may even learn how to do quarter marks . . .
My thoughts.
1. Holy mackerel are there some nice horses out there. Several of those horses I just want to feed carrots to and convince them to follow me home. Little Shiraz reminded me so much of Fiona that it was instant love. Of course Arthur was gorgeous in the dressage, but I would rather take Manny home. Just something about him made me think that was a nose I would like to see and kiss every day.
2. Mary King may not have the big wins that her compatriots have, but she deserves every bit as much attention. King's Temptress was elegant and athletic through her test and I was very impressed with her homebred mare. I'm really looking forward to seeing them cross country, since Mary's horses always seem to shine in that phase. It's easy to cheer for Mary, since she's so classy.
3. Phillip Dutton's horse stopped to scratch his nose, another horse whinnied during their test, and I saw some flying changes that were very, very 'expressive'. Horses broke gaits and Boyd Martin had an error on his test. It gives me some hope that even the very best in the world have their oopsie moments.
4. Somebody is riding in their very first Rolex at the age of 50 on their own horse. Dreams really can come true.
I'll have to watch the cross-country as a replay since I'm out for an all day hike tomorrow. I have to get fit for a hiking trip in June, so I'm on a conditioning schedule. Sunday is a spa day for Fiona. She's started rubbing her tail recently so I'm going to take that as an excuse to make her shine from top to bottom. We've got two weeks until her next outing, so I can start working ahead to make her look the part of a show horse. After watching the 4* horses, I'm inspired to turn her out to within an inch of her life. I may even learn how to do quarter marks . . .
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Seasons change
Spring has sprung. Living in New England, this means mud everywhere, completely unpredictable weather, and some very wound up thoroughbreds. All winter I've been enjoying 'indoor' Fiona. There's no reason to worry about where the barn is and what the other horses are doing, she is still inside. Now we have returned to the summer barn. It is the return of the 'season change' Fiona. The one that thinks the chipmunk army is after her, that there are gremlins in the woods, and that the above ground pool is a portal into hell itself.
I almost forgot about her and the above ground pool. She's seen it for a couple months, she's used to it. No problem. Right?
Not so much. Our first ride down the hill to get to the ring and she just stopped dead to stare. There was her nemesis, shifting in the wind with its so very dangerous green tarp cover. Every muscle tensed as she waited for the threat to make the first move, but the pool is a wily opponent. It just waited, making plastic rustling noises. The princess waited in turn, ears quivering and nostrils flared. At the first sign of attack, she would certainly get her rider back to the safety of the barn with all possible haste.
The stand off probably would have gone on for hours if I hadn't gotten bored with the whole thing and kicked her along. Instead she had to head down to the ring to work in the great big sandbox all by herself. She darted and spooked and spun, just like I remember from the fall. It didn't help that the temperature was in the forties with a stiff, twenty to thirty mile per hour wind. A new barn, fence repairs, and a cold front? We were doing well that we were able to do the ride at all.
On Sunday we had our two-phase. Rather than blather on about that, here's the video of her rides. We did get a spiffy red ribbon to add to her collection, and she certainly seemed to enjoy herself. We did learn that she must wear boots for dressage warm up. She managed to kick herself just before going in and I was having a heart attack while she walked that off. Such a klutz.
I almost forgot about her and the above ground pool. She's seen it for a couple months, she's used to it. No problem. Right?
Not so much. Our first ride down the hill to get to the ring and she just stopped dead to stare. There was her nemesis, shifting in the wind with its so very dangerous green tarp cover. Every muscle tensed as she waited for the threat to make the first move, but the pool is a wily opponent. It just waited, making plastic rustling noises. The princess waited in turn, ears quivering and nostrils flared. At the first sign of attack, she would certainly get her rider back to the safety of the barn with all possible haste.
The stand off probably would have gone on for hours if I hadn't gotten bored with the whole thing and kicked her along. Instead she had to head down to the ring to work in the great big sandbox all by herself. She darted and spooked and spun, just like I remember from the fall. It didn't help that the temperature was in the forties with a stiff, twenty to thirty mile per hour wind. A new barn, fence repairs, and a cold front? We were doing well that we were able to do the ride at all.
On Sunday we had our two-phase. Rather than blather on about that, here's the video of her rides. We did get a spiffy red ribbon to add to her collection, and she certainly seemed to enjoy herself. We did learn that she must wear boots for dressage warm up. She managed to kick herself just before going in and I was having a heart attack while she walked that off. Such a klutz.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sometimes it's the little successes
Today we had a breakthrough. Sure, it was a mini-breakthrough, but it was still an important one. Fiona went for a walk all by her lonesome and didn't melt down. We just went to the end of the very long drive way, but we did it on the buckle both leaving and coming back. Seems pretty simple, right? And you'd be right, but it opens one very important door.
Conditioning rides.
Yes, I am still fixated on the idea that the princess could handle a Limited Distance ride. 30 miles isn't a world shattering distance. I think she'd have a blast, since it means getting outside of the ring and just going for hours on end. Even if we don't do that, I want my horse to be properly fit for her job. My work on her fitness has been pretty haphazard, and I intend to fix that. I have the start of a conditioning plan courtesy of this site and a map of the local trails.
We are going to get so lost. Even on hunter paces I'm not supposed to be in the front because I can't seem to figure out where we're going. I'll have to borrow my husband's GPS unit that he uses for geocaching so I can find my way home. It's good practice, since we're planning on going hiking on the Appalachian Trail in June. I'm going to see so much of the great outdoors this year. I'm getting pretty darn excited about it.
Tomorrow is the first day at the summer barn. It really is time to get out the fly spray and hit the trails.
Conditioning rides.
Yes, I am still fixated on the idea that the princess could handle a Limited Distance ride. 30 miles isn't a world shattering distance. I think she'd have a blast, since it means getting outside of the ring and just going for hours on end. Even if we don't do that, I want my horse to be properly fit for her job. My work on her fitness has been pretty haphazard, and I intend to fix that. I have the start of a conditioning plan courtesy of this site and a map of the local trails.
We are going to get so lost. Even on hunter paces I'm not supposed to be in the front because I can't seem to figure out where we're going. I'll have to borrow my husband's GPS unit that he uses for geocaching so I can find my way home. It's good practice, since we're planning on going hiking on the Appalachian Trail in June. I'm going to see so much of the great outdoors this year. I'm getting pretty darn excited about it.
Tomorrow is the first day at the summer barn. It really is time to get out the fly spray and hit the trails.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Camp Artwork
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Data entry
Yes, I did actually ride my horse today, but that isn't what's on my mind. Could be that I'm blotting out that horrible four beat thing we were calling a canter in my lesson tonight . . .
But more to the point, I'm still thinking about the amount of data I'm collecting. I had no idea how many entries there were in 2010. None. And as I collect them all and put them in a spreadsheet, I have to touch each one to get the data cleaned up. I haven't even made it to Chatt Hills yet! I keep plugging away at it (I'm about half way through Area 3) since I think it's something worth doing. It would be terrible if everyone got up in arms about a petition over something that was, in the end, a non-issue. So far the most horses I've seen at one horse trial with one rider is twelve. I can't even imagine handling that, even if it's over two days and you have an army of grooms. That's a lot of rides!
I can barely handle getting the princess ready for her lesson. Mud season is in full swing and she's taking full advantage. She was just covered in mud today when I pulled her out. Of course she was, because I was running late. I swear they have some sort of traffic radio being piped out to them.
But more to the point, I'm still thinking about the amount of data I'm collecting. I had no idea how many entries there were in 2010. None. And as I collect them all and put them in a spreadsheet, I have to touch each one to get the data cleaned up. I haven't even made it to Chatt Hills yet! I keep plugging away at it (I'm about half way through Area 3) since I think it's something worth doing. It would be terrible if everyone got up in arms about a petition over something that was, in the end, a non-issue. So far the most horses I've seen at one horse trial with one rider is twelve. I can't even imagine handling that, even if it's over two days and you have an army of grooms. That's a lot of rides!
I can barely handle getting the princess ready for her lesson. Mud season is in full swing and she's taking full advantage. She was just covered in mud today when I pulled her out. Of course she was, because I was running late. I swear they have some sort of traffic radio being piped out to them.
Traffic is slow on 495 northbound, keeping riders from showing up with adequate groom time. We recommend all horses with riders coming from the south and lesson times around rush hour to go get as much mud on them as possible. And next is sports, with an update on the scores from the stupid trotting around in circles phase from the Fork.
It's time to get back to the data entry grind, even if I'm going a bit cross eyed from it. Areas 1,2, and 3 are a large chunk of the trials, so I'm feeling somewhat accomplished that I've made it this far. Hopefully I'll have this part of the project done by the end of the weekend so I can get to the fun part.
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