Longest Day Ever- great schooling!

Whew!  Yesterday my alarm went off at the insane hour of 4:15am and I loaded my horse up to go cross country school.  We stopped at the barn and grabbed some friends, then made our way to Queeny Park to knock off some rust and jump a few fences before our group heads to River Glen Horse Trials next weekend.

It was a beautiful day, with the scorching July heat leaving us alone for most of the ride, and 12 horses made the trek from So. Ill to St. Louis (well, Deb cheated and just came from 20 minutes away, but I'll let that one slide!).  Deb and I started off with a quick 12 minute trot to let some steam off from our two, then we just popped over a couple of small things and scoped out some of the stuff that was mowed and had good footing.

I would have to say that the day was a success.  The group ended up splitting into 2 smaller groups- we took the Novice/Training group and found some bigger stuff while Kelty wrangled the starter/Beginner Novice/moving up to Novice group.  It made the schooling go much faster, and we were out of there in a timely manner for once.  But from what I saw everyone had very educational and confidence building days.  The group I was in ROCKED their schooling, with riders jumping fences at the Training level quite confidently, including Birdie rocking her first proper corner!

We finished up as a group down at the bottom of the hill where the water box sits.  Even though there was not any water in it, I was glad to jump in and answer all of the questions that we could possibly see next weekend.  I was very proud of Goose, as he jumped everything without asking once, including a very big, very narrow mushroom looking jump.  He also jumped into the water box from every angle like a champ, now just to add the water!

I finished off the day by swapping vehicles with my mom so I could run off to work, and somehow made it through a 6 hour shift before crawling home and into bed around 11 last night.  I spent most of my shift with poultice on my hands (oops!) but I wouldn't trade anything from yesterday for all the tea in China.

I am off this morning to ride Goose and then he will see the Chiropractor so he feels in tip top shape for next weekend.  I also am working my life away for the next 5 days, so wish me luck!  We are supposed to do a dinner for Kelty next week since she is leaving us, and word is Deb is coming down for some lessons and shenanigans, so fingers crossed I get a bit of a break before the weekend!

See you later guys!

A little Monday catch up

 

Ok, so who turned Monday on so soon?  My weekend was just rocking along and then BAM! here comes Monday just to dampen my mood.  Life has just been great though, and I have been almost coasting along in my little cloud of happiness and enjoying the ride for a few days.  Although I am sitting here on my deck, enjoying my view, the stillness of the morning, and my coffee.  It is going to get hot today so for the time being I am relaxing and doing what I love (and will hopefully get paid for some day!)

I got my butt out and ran a bunch last week!  Well, I say a bunch but really only 2 times, but hey I ran 2 days in a row and set some person records.  I have not been fit to run since I was a sophomore, maybe a junior in high school- so we are looking at 6 years ago.  I love running with Maggie because she is in awesome shape and she pushes me to want to chase her.  Sometimes I have to give up and walk for a spell, but the fact that she is still running makes me angry and so I continue to crawl along after her.  The first day we ran at my house, which has a TON of terrain!- and I started out by running the first stretch and going even further than I've ever gone when running from here.  Then I took a quick, aprx. 1/4 mile walk break, and turned around to run all the way back to my driveway without stopping.  I had yelled ahead to Maggie that I was going to start walking at the last bridge, then I got there and still felt good so I just kept on running!  Almost 2 whole miles of running total, and the last 11 minutes I ran non-stop.

We then got our butts out of bed early the next morning and I went to run with her at the golf course where she lives.  They have more hills than I do, but not as steep, so it was a good change.  I made myself even more proud by coming out and running almost a mile and a half to begin with without stopping!  I then walked a bit while Maggie ran, and then I got angry and ran down a big hill and around a big turn.  We had another walk break and then I ran about a half mile to finish up the morning and we enjoyed the long 1 1/2 mile walk back to her house.  But almost 5 miles total and I didn't want to die!  I am slowly making progress- and that is what matters!

As far as my riding goes- things have been swell.  I had a good flat lesson last week and then I spent part of Thursday and Friday helping to set up for the combined test this weekend.  I entered Goose in the Preliminary division in preparation for River Glen in a couple of weeks.  To say I was nervous to compete in front of the home crowd is an understatement.  I almost slept through my alarm because of work the night before, left the shirt I wanted to show in hanging on the door, but we made it with all of our tack and my horse in the trailer.  Goose was a star- I cannot say how proud I am of this horse and what he is turning into.  He has given me several firsts, and this weekend he did not disappoint- by scoring my first ever score in the 20's!  Yes, I know it was a generous score, and I am not headed to the event next weekend thinking it will happen again.  But I am riding my high for right now, and probably framing the test!  Not only was it in the 20's but it was a stinking 23!!!  Whoop whoop- my little does-not-trot-well OTTB turned into a DQ for the day!  He then came out and jumped a great clear round for me- securing the blue ribbon and tons of treats for himself.  If I can take deep breaths and keep my leg on, I feel good about the show jumping at River Glen!

Deb also had a rocking weekend in her return to the Preliminary level, scoring a 27.7 on the flat and having a very controlled and poised show jumping round.  I love that she came out and kicked her demons in the ass and that things are on the right track for her.  As you can see Goose and Jester are best friends, and I am hoping for some 1-2 finishes from these two kids over the next couple of months!

I then finally had a day off yesterday, which resulted in lounging around for awhile before a fitness day on my horse and some cleaning up in the barn.  Maggie and I went down and met my mom and some friends for a late lunch and hung out on the patio for a few hours, which was a nice change for me.  I almost never get days off on the weekend when others can do stuff, so it was a good time.  I got to hang out with some old friends I haven't seen in awhile, and when we grabbed dinner I had to snap a picture of the menu that I cannot get to load :-( But for the chicken section the header is "Bird" is the Word.  I am thinking it is fate that I could end up working a couple of days a week at this restaurant! Haha

Until next time- hopefully sooner than later!

 

Horse Show Hangover!

Happy Monday everyone!  To say I am facing a horrible case of the Monday's is a major understatement.  I feel like this past weekend was about 10 days long, and a horse show weekend on top of it, but it's all been wonderful!  I am so proud of my silly bay booger and how he was all weekend, I'm walking on cloud nine.  Of course that could is accompanied by the death of my cell phone, working a 10 hour shift yesterday of deep cleaning the bar at work, and recovering from said horse show: but that is completely ok with me.

We had an awesome jump school on Wednesday before leaving for the show followed by a long day of packing.  Thursday I went and picked up Amanda and Super Van for our trip to the horse park.  I have not been to Lexington since this event last year, and it felt like coming home.  We are very fortunate to have the KY horse park in our back yard, and it is always a little hard to believe when we pull into the gates for an event.  Goose was a bit naughty on the flat Thursday afternoon, but we had some good work and I got a peek at the cross country course for the weekend, so I was ready.  Chelsea was a rockstar and let us stay at her house, and went to dinner with us where I proceeded to get a parking ticket- oops!  But it was great to see her and get to catch up some!

Friday brought about a long day of waiting.  We had no electricity for the 3 outlets in front of the batch of our stalls, so unfortunately no fans for our horses.... Grrrrrr.  But there was a nice breeze and we were facing away from the sun for the afternoon heat, which wasn't too bad.  I pre-rode my horse in my jump saddle and just worked on moving his back.  While he was nice and relaxed for my ride, I then stayed down to help watch one of our younger riders who was in the P/T and he got a little wound waiting around.... must love a TB who is wound like a spring!  When I headed back down for my test I was just happy that he seemed ready to show off and stay loose in his back.  Maybe not the fanciest test since I didn't have anyone helping watch me to tell me what to fix, but it was consistent and accurate, so hopefully it wouldn't score too poorly.  I was happy with the 35.9, but a little disappointed that it put us in a tie for 7th instead of a little further up.  There was a lot of weekend left however, and I was ready for it.

We went into the show jumping with a lot of new tools in our belt after Indiana, and a lot of confidence after the disastrous hunter show a few weeks ago.  He warmed up beautifully and when he got tight walking through the gate to the ring I just took a deep breath and moved his body- well HELLO!  Look what actually worked!  We had a perfect round through fence 5, and then 6 was a liver pool- and I honestly don't think Goose has ever jumped one before!  I cantered down the line with confidence and Goose was going quite well, then he saw the liver pool in the last step (of course when I took my leg off for a half second) and he launched over it!  I stayed with him, but then we counter cantered down to the big oxer that was next, which he jumped very well, but managed to throw my right foot out of my stirrup.  So  here we are in a related distance to a skinny (a first for him in the show ring) and I am praying that he does not jump this fence the way he is capable because I will not stay on.  So we chipped in just a bit there, and now we have the final turn to the triple (once again another first for him in the show ring!).  We land off of the skinny and I am desperately trying to get myself resituated and organized.  Somehow we manage that and he was spot on through the sea of rails!  Woo hoo!  A double clear!!!!  And not one that made me want to cringe- I was thrilled.

We went out Saturday morning on the cross country to get it done.  There were some good questions for him to answer, and nice that he got to see them at the Training level height.  I let him gallop the galloping fences with minimum balancing, I'm fortunate that he is a pretty light horse and has an uphill gallop.  Goose surpassed any and all expectations I could of had for him, being very adjustable and bold throughout the entire course.  I schooled the water before asking him to jump in just because he has not been in the water since Indiana, and I took that a bit for granted.  But I think he would have jumped right in.  Thankfully I took that time though as I was still sitting in a tie and it brought me in right on optimum!  Unfortunately, the girl I was tied with came in on optimum as well!  Then our collective marks were the exact same, so for once I finished in a rare tie.  How funny is that?!  But I could not be more thrilled with my weekend, and now things are full steam ahead for River Glen in the Preliminary!

The rest of our group had what I would say is a successful weekend.  While some things were not perfect, everyone learned a lot and I have to say I am proud of them all.  Kelty took her young horses and while only one competed, they were both professionals and are something to look for in the future!  Birdie is turning into a winning machine and I am so excited for them to continue their partnership- another event finishing on their dressage score and bringing home a beautiful red ribbon.  Emily conquered the P/T in style and had a good weekend on her young horse.  Molly had a very successful weekend on her young horse.  Amanda and Super Van were the stars of the weekend, and definitely have the fan club.  It is so fun to see them develop into the pair they are today.  Faith is going to be one to watch out for, as she is turning into a heck of a rider with a great natural feel and Kip is so stinking cute!  My huge shout out for the weekend goes to Miss Amelia though, who went all beast-mode on the Champagne Run novice, and while it was not a perfect weekend she came home with a number, lots of experience, and hopefully lots of confidence.  She is always positive and helping others, and I hope that she knows how behind her we all are with this next step.  She will be out and kicking ass at her next event and I for one am hoping to not be in that novice division with her!  Get it girl... and it was her birthday so that's even better!  I have an amazing barn family, and I am a lucky girl!

I also got some wonderful news that Geri and my wonderful Sunny had a great first show together, and while I do not have the full account from her I could not be more happy or have a bigger smile for them as well!  I cannot wait to see them out kicking butt this fall, and hopefully for a long time!!!  Go red pony!

Until next time, hopefully I get a few updates in this week!

Happy Hump Day!

Ok wow, how did it become Wednesday for all the working folk?  As for me, I am very grateful for this hump day as it is my weekend, and let me tell you it has been wonderful!

I started out yesterday with a bit of a tense flat ride on my horse, which led to a lot of frustration and almost brought me to tears.  Then I remembered that I had a lesson scheduled for today, it was approximately a million degrees out, and I was exhausted from the long work week.  So I spent some quality down time with him just hand grazing after I cooled him out and we bonded over being annoyed with each other for the time being.  Let me reiterate that I am grateful for this life I have going and I would not trade one day with my quirky, and insanely athletic, horse.

I then drug myself to work only to sit and watch the monsoon hit and think that we were going to head to the basement of the casino for a tornado drill.  Thankfully we got lucky and I just watched some soccer and baseball (ugh rough day for me there with the US Soccer team coming so close and my beloved Cardinals not showing up at all).  All in all work was pretty weak, but I had a wonderful night on Monday and we have a big weekend coming up, so I sucked it up and powered through the horrible 6.5 hour shift on my feet.  I then went out and grabbed a couple of much needed drinks and cheap appetizers with my coworkers, and I could not tell you the last time I laughed that hard!  It was the perfect wind down I needed, and even though I sacrificed some much needed hours of sleep for that it was worth every minute.

My alarm blared way too early today but I drug myself out of bed and to the barn.  My horses were very glad to see me since I made them stay in throughout the storm the night before, and I quickly went through barn chores and headed off to a fabulous flat lesson!  It was considered great because it was another one of those breakthrough days where my horse wasn't perfect to start, and we worked through to get some great work.  Maybe not something that would win next weekend, but it could easily be top 5 in any Training division.  I am very ready for my jump lesson tomorrow, and I think the Goose man is as well.

I finished my day by deep cleaning my barn and scrubbing all my boots- boring to all my non-horse friends I know, but to me it is heaven.  I then chose to not stand up my friend Maggie for our run, and man do I feel great and terrible at the same time now.  My claves are screaming at me as I walk, and I definitely rubbed the snot out of my thighs because this is the first time all year I've worn shorts (no thigh-gap for this fat kid!), but I ran 2 miles and walked just over one mile, and I felt even better today than I did last week when I ran with her.  I need to make myself go more when I'm alone, but at least she makes me go  once a week.  Before long I'll be running the 2 miles with no break!

I am now relaxing and letting the dogs run outside for as long as possible before I turn in for the night.  I have a very long and exciting day planned and I am hoping to have enough energy on Friday to recap it!  Let me just say that I would appreciate some good vibes tomorrow- all is well but I am very excited for tomorrow night :-)

And on one last note I have a bragging moment- because I stood on the scale today for the first time, and in 3.5 months I am down just over 20 lbs!  I am not discouraged by this number because I know I have put on muscle with my squats and ab work, but this is a huge step for me.  I am now only another 20 lbs from my goal weight, and then who knows what I will do from there!  But this was a great thing to know that I am making progress, even though the last three to four weeks I have been bad on my diet.  I have a new motivation though and I am setting out to accomplish my goals!  Forward from here!