Fabulous lesson!!!!

>Yesterday, Beast and I made the short trip to "A Bit Better Farm" where Sharon White was teaching.

First I had to go pick up my trailer at HR Collins, it needs to be serviced and my truck got a hitch put in the bed!!!!! Of course I had to take the rig back later in the day, to get my car, and also the trailer needs a few LED lights that they are waiting on.

I got my riding done at Darenth, then tackled Beast with a shedding blade. Oui this mare takes forever to shed out.

Then off we went!

This was one of the best lessons I ever have had!

Sharon has a very calm way about her and a fantastic way of explaining things. I rode with Sharon a bit 8 years ago, and had remembered that great calm energy. I was excited to see how I would mesh with her teaching now that I am further along in my career. I was not dissapointed!

I told Sharon in the beginning of the lesson that I wanted a brush up for Loudon, and to work on "staying over top" of Beast when she jumps like a firecracker.

Well, we started with some flat exercises, canter lengthening to a working canter, trot a few steps and repeat. It was great.

We moved on to a "simple" serpentine exercise, and Sharon tweaked a few things that really helped. She noticed that my jaw was locked, and just like in Yoga, this tension can carry through your whole body. I softened my jaw, and there was a clear change.

We then did related distances, angled lines, a corner and a corner in between two angeled oxers. Then we put the jumps up and did another course.

Beast was perfect, and when I worked on my true straightness, with the new tool Sharon gave me, Beast jumped even more amazing then usual. The best part? I stayed with her just fine!

I was so happy, and Sharon was very impressed with Beast, her eagerness to please, and her phenomenal jumping ability. She said she is just "the kind of horse that everyone wants".

Today Mags and I are hunkering down with our eye on the weather.

I will be doing some flat work tweaking this evening. I will be doing the tweaking with Beasts dressage and her warm up plans.

Callie I am sure will have a tweaking plan of her own.

A big thanks to A bit Better Farm, and Kim for setting it all up!

Hit the [TOWN]

How cool is this video, you can literally watch her learn how to navigate in the MUCK. How amazing is Hannah's Camera? You can't tell its pouring down rain! I am so proud of my mares, they try so hard for me!

All three girls were great yesterday!!!

Hannah and her mom looked great in their lessons, and Janet had a good lesson also!

Amazing photography by Katherine O Rizzo

Number one STUNNERRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Here is what Callie pulled out of her A** after literally having a meltdown the ENTIRE dressage warm up. We never did canter more then 1 to 6 strides with out bucking commencing. The steward really wanted us to go 10 minutes early, and when I said no she proceeded to count down minute by minute. Fortunately I had Vanessa's voice in my head...."There will be no freaking out".
I must say, I never get rattled on Callie. I suppose I know ultimately she is perfect so much of the time, the ATTITUDE is the edge she may need to be an upper level star.
I could not be more proud of my girls.
Callie was a STAR cross country. I told her so also. Oh yes, I seem to aim to be the female Peter Atkins saying "Callie!" when she is especially good.She loves it.
She was a gem in the show jumping, while it was raining! One unfortunate rail, which startled her! Callie is a very sure footed girl in the slick mud with no stud holes.
Beasty was also an ANGEL. I was not able to ride the way I have been practicing in show jumping. This was due to the MUCK that we were jumping in. I decided to ride a bit more forward and to take my time in the turns and approaches (thus the stupid time penalties). Beast was so great! Totally relaxed, and totally professional. In the past I would have to really ride (yet alone in the crappy footing) her to the fences. This would sometimes cause the flatter tense long, or buried distances. But as of late she is just there, IT is just there. Such a cool feeling. Even when I misread my line to a related distance in the show jumping, she took care of it for me. And carefully.

The hard work is paying off.
All I have learned can never be taken away. I am so fortunate to have such an amazing husband. He not only puts up with, but also supports and encourages me to chase this dream. I could not do any of this with out him. In return, I try to exist for him and Maggie first.
I love this sport, the work, the pay off when it happens. It is very important to try to keep it all in perspective though, whatever your perspective may be.
None of this would be worth it, I suppose none of ANYTHING would be worth it, If you don't have friends, family, or friends AS your family to share it with.

Speaking of hard work paying off, good friend Kristen Parris WON the 1* at Fair Hill International!!!!!!!!! She deserves that win, and has earned that win. Briley also has that "edge" at times and KP with all of her hard work and dedication has figured out a way to use it to their advantage. I hear her students had a pretty great weekend also!!!!!!

Em looked AMAZING on both her grey's. I can not believe how far Emily has come in the last year. She works her rear end off for it and again, it has paid off. Do I see some move ups in the near future?

Alexa made me so proud this weekend. Josie girl definitely has that "edge" about her. Alexa also has worked hard to get to where she is, and never complains a peep about any of the other things that may come her way. Josie seems to be much happier at Training level, I think it gives her a bit more to focus on. Show jumping clean on this talented mare is not a task many could achieve.

Em, Alexa, and team KP...Go on with your bad selves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHOOP WHOOP!!!!

Results from Redland.....
Mary and Beasty OT(Mahogany Beauteo) 1st
Mary and Callie BNH(California Comet) 5th
Alexa Henry and Josie OT(Organized Chaos) 4th
Emily Youngblood and Charlie BN (Crazology) woulda been 2nd .....Damn flags-TE
Emily Youngblood and Jazz N(It's a Jazz Thing) 2nd

Go team Red Hawke, WAY TO REPRESENT!!!!!
Videos to come

What a week!!!!

This has been a crazy week!
Every ones lessons have been fantastic!
I got to teach the wonderful Alexa Easton again this week! She does an amazing job on Buckshot. The two of them really click well! They worked on the same jumping exercises that my advanced jumping students (Hunter, Hannah, Elizabeth this week).
All looked amazing here is a clip from one lesson of Hunter and Fance pants!


I also taught the fabulous, amazing Courtney Swartz this week. What a COOL little rider and what a COOL little horse!!! Here is a little clip of them over a few at their XC school. Courtney is relatively new to the eventing world, and if she decides to start competing a lot, those junior divisions better make room for a new leader on the score board!


I am so excited to have the opportunity to teach such promising students! Hunter is planning his first event, and before we know it, we will be in full swing!!!

Callie and Beast are well, both received chiropractic and acupuncture yesterday.
I am amazed by this process and will continue to do this regularly for both mares.
On Wed, we (me, Beast, and Callie) had dressage lessons with the amazing Vanessa Swartz (Courtney's mom). It worked out so well because we rode at Serra Valley. Both girls were EXACTLY as they are the day of a show. Vanessa helped me work through it and told me to cut it out when I prepared to act like a 9 year old. (Beast was a drama mama, which was making my blood boil). Amazing how when I listened to V, Beast magically got better. A very sensitive girl this Beast.
Callie was in a mood where she wanted to give ME some chiropractic (kicking out) but we pushed through and got some nice moments.
I will stick to "plan a" at Redland, Callie will get lunged prior to her dressage. Then we will hope Callie is feeling like a good girl!

I rode the KING Knickerbocker yesterday, he was great!!!! Kari is doing an amazing job with the ridiculous amount of walking that he requires, and man is it paying off!!!
All my other students had a great week and I will be sure to high light them in upcoming blogs!

Today Mags and I snuck in some yard work before the sprinkles started. Soon it will be nap time for her and Yoga and tack cleaning for me. I am hoping to ride, Bathe and braid (Callie) tonight. Beasty wont stand for overnight braids, so she will get her hair done tomorrow morning.
I got my new Navy dressage helmet finally!!!!! I will test it out tomorrow! My Navy Jacket has not come in yet but team KP lent me one of her jackets to use for this weekend. THANKS KP and HAVE THE BEST WEEKEND EVER at Fair Hill!!!!
I am hoping my new lucky helmet will help Beast break her dressage score slump. This weekend is all about a relaxing positive prep for Beasty to get back in the swing of things. Here are two more pictures from this week......


I love matchy match. The best part? Her hair has pink highlights also!!!!



Can you get any cuter? Piper is showing Mags the ropes!!!

The most beautiful door I ever did see!!!!

All my life there has been one thing that I really did want. A gnome door.
You know an arched one that looks like a little man in a hat may pop out at any minute and perform a little dance?
Well, Dave, and I bought an old farm house with a few neat nooks and crannies, but no gnome door to speak of.

I have one now!!!!!!
Darenth farms Nick Dawson, carpenter, electrician, mower, fence fixer, pasture manager, and owner extraordinaire has built Sharon and I our very own tack room!!!! With our very own gnome door!!!!(he did this is after his typical 60 or more hour "regular job" work week!)
Now all we have to do is paint it, and put up our hooks, racks and accessories. (Im thinking white and a little yellow thrown in if Sharon will have it!!!!)
YAYYYYY Nick and his incredible work!!!!

Friday Saturday Sunday

Busy Busy!!!!
Walkersville lessons rocked it out!!!!
Emily on Jazz at the old Menfelt horse trials facility...

When I took this picture, I was thinking "I love my job!"

Emily had great lessons on both her horses. We practiced our different canters, show jump, gallop fence, coffin, and a notch above coffin. It all seemed to stick and make sense to Em and her horses.

Val and Hannah both looked AMAZING. Both had breakthrough lessons on their position. Val -oner the fences, Hannah on her approach and landing!


Jo looked great as usual on Misty mare!

After Walkersville, I traveled to home turf- Darenth.
Ameriah, Ali, and Riley had a great lesson. They all did different exercises and all looked great!
All the horses are really jumping and doing rails well!!!!!!

Alexis hacked Beast for me while I taught, thks Alexis!!!!!
I like to try to have Beast do two days a week of hacking, one just a hack, and one a hack in addition to a flat or jump school.

Then Alexis had a(n AMAZING) flat lesson!!!! Breakthroughs all over the place!!!

Saturday was the tack swap thingermabober in Carroll County (I believe). The Macklin Family visited it, and Maggie kept the Darenth farm table under control.
I found a couple treasures!!!!!
Then we stopped by the Stablemates tent sale, and came home for a lazy afternoon!

Sunday-Funday was very productive.
I met Team KP at Serra Valley.



First we schooled Briley and Callie in the dressage ring. In hind sight, Callie was phenomenal. At the time, I was not so happy with the first 15 minutes of objections (though the following 30 minutes was great). As I write this though, I remember she had not been ridden since ummmmm Thursday and was in last night and yesterday due to the rain. Whoops. Well it was probably good that I didn't give that much thought. I didn't baby the baby too much!
I really got some obedient lovely work out of Callie, the tension that marred it will be gone once this stupid weather holds steady!
Briley looked amazing, he's all ready to go kick patootie at the CIC at Fair Hill!

Next we took Ivan and Beasty out on a hack and for Beast to do a little refresher before her first event.
I tried out my new Hit Air vest, and Be Be's new XC get up. I forgot how much I love going XC on this mare.

Ivan thought all of this was Verrrrrrry exciting!

Do the pretty girl rock Beast!

Stephanie, Stephens sister was kind enough to share these photos with me from the clinic! Go Beasty!

Mary Mack

Summer

There is Summer being ridden by mama!!!!
Mary Mack

{Katie} {Riley}

Both videos were done by the amazing Hannah Youngblood.

{Mary (me) and Callie}

Any time I start to get complacent, a lesson with Mr. Bradley can slap me back into reality.
Things to remember for next time.....
*Do not do the 1 hour advanced yoga work out the day before SB clinic.
*Do not think you have grown out of the "Back on Track" products for Callie's cold back issues because it is Spring. The 50 degrees and raining thing kinda makes the flowers and green disappear.

Beasty was a total star, all though she did remind me at the very end to ride for straightness. She jumped perfectly, and we were able to really get, and stay in a rhythm.
Even when the canter required for the exercise changed, we were able to do it within the rhythm.

And then there is Callie. Callie did a lot of jumping. We jumped and soared. Often when a fence was nowhere near us! The good news? Callie is very brave. She did not bat an eye at any of the exercises, however I can't say we jumped them up to our usual standard.
My god my thighs were burning. I was trying so hard to find the beautiful canter that we have.....not so much.
All in all the little fire cracker held it together. She will be going back in her roller ball bit, as I discovered yesterday, she attempts to twist and grind even more in a snaffle!

I raced back (at a slow and safe pace with my girls in the trailer :) to teach Heather-awesome job, and my advanced girls-also Awesome! Hannah S looked amazing on Harmony, really developed the canter and had an amazing jump by the end of the lesson.
Then we (Katie C and I) headed to the indoor at Serra Valley to have our Wed night ladies lesson.

We had a blast!!!!
We again practiced the perfect canters, and did some "cross country" exercises in the ring. (We set up a fake half coffin using a plank on the ground)
Everyone looked great.
Julia really is getting Princess's canter stronger and stronger.
Taylors horse looks nothing like the mare I saw the first time she came last winter!
She is really starting to relax in the exercises.
Laney and Patsy had a series of break through moments- and continued to remember the courses!!!
Katie and Riley looked picture perfect.

Mags and I are catching up on some chores, then tonight brings some trot sets and a few lessons! Have a beautiful Thursday!!!!

This Girl Right Here

Who has the BEST mares in the whole wide world?
Who has the Best dressage trainer in the whole wide world?
Who had the best lessons yesterday, both taken and given?
Who has the ride on the most fabulous upcoming 3 year old ?
The best, most amazingly awesome, super students in the world?
I feel like this guy.......

Beasts dressage

Callie's Show Jumping!!!!

That is how we roll

What a phenomenal day at Loch Moy.
I just love this venue!
Beasty was a star in her dressage tests, earning a 36.8 on her prelim test!!!! Yayyy.
So I did EXACTLY what Vanessa and I have been working on. I did EXACTLY what she said, and it (of course) worked!!!
I really rode every step, and was able to, minus any pressure of actually "competing".
Little Be Be was a super trooper. She was also very confused about going back in the ring a second time (we warmed up with a training level test).
It was great!!!!
Callie was an angel for all three phases. She was great in dressage, despite the chill in the air. I had my good luck charm Alexa Henry, and my new good luck charm, Kristen P.
Kristen was spot on when I asked her about my test, saying everything the same as the judge. Kristen also rides with Vanessa (as well as the beautiful rider Lynn Symansky) so her pointers in warm up were all consistent with what I have been doing. I love having my friends there, it makes such a huge difference.
My wonderful husband and daughter were there, it doesn't get any better!
Callie ended 2nd on her dressage score of 34. Yayyyyyy Callie!!!
She show jumped like a champ (but I fear is all ready bored with the fence height) and was in it to win it XC!!!!

A Biiiiiig shout out to Alison B, Kari A, Kristen P, Alexa H, you guys are the best!!!

Kari did a superb job on Knick. He was especially "up" this weekend. She pulled off a dressage score of 41, a little harsh but due to his tense top line, about on target for that particular judge. She show jumped CLEAN and looked great, and careful XC. The footing was a little slippery.

Emily Y looked GREAT on both horses. Show jumped CLEAN on both, and had a clean XC on Charlie. She and Jazzy were overachievers on XC, jumping the training level first fence thus recieving a Technical Elimination.
When she was jumping yesterday, she looked amazing.

Katie C cleaned up on Riley! She shaved off like 6 points on her dressage, earning a 35, a test off all 7's. She show jumped CLEAN and went XC CLEAN. Now let me tell you, Riley takes some convincing to not jump by "braille", he is not always concerned with knocking rails out of his way.

Alexis made the hard, but responsible decision to withdraw after dressage. Packer still felt a little sore. Not lame, but just not quite right. A good and true horsemen takes their cues from their horse. Its not about one day, it's about the whole process. I am always proud of Alexis, and her ability to think things through.

Julia and Taylor looked wonderful!!! I got to see their show jump and XC and it was perfect!!!!! A few more dressage brush ups and this dynamic duo will be a force to reckon with!
Laney looked like a million dollars on Patsy, and she remembered her course!!!!!!!!!!! One small step for Laney, one large leap for Laney kind.

Alison, thankfully brought her daughter. Kaelyn aka "Hot Stuff" worked very hard at keeping the trunk to stay in the proper place in the trailer. She also made sure to try and tell us every time Maggie was making a beeline for the horses .
In other news I am now the proud owner of a DROID. I must admit I do like it better then the blackberry all ready. I feel bad saying it, but its true. I got an otter box-in case it makes any attempts to go for a swim.

This week looks BEAUTIFUL!!!! We have a busy week of lessons at Darenth. Perhaps another trail ride?
My girls will be going for their dressage lessons with Vanessa and the Stephen Bradley clinic that will be held at Waredaca!


Please note the syle trend that Kari is setting with her socks.

Crock Pot tragedies and Praying for rain....

There was a tragedy this morning.
My beloved Crack Berry had a fatal meeting with my crock pot.
Oh the anguish. I immediately took out the battery and tried giving it mouth to mouth. It then sat in a bag of rice all day (it draws out the moisture).
I have recovered the ability to give and receive calls (but only those with voice recognition and programed).
I can receive some texts, every "new" one. But I have no ability to use my mouse pad to see the others.

No Mouse pad means no Internet, VZ navigator, etc. I feel as if I have a pager.

My point is, if you need to get a hold of me, please call. But not after 8, I don't check it.

In other news, my little mares were stars today doing dressage. Beast was good despite the 7 inches of flesh she had removed from her leg. Callie was good after a very long, very traumatizing warm up in the rain. Oh poor Callie, she is truly a fair weather princess.
Time to take the crown off and get dirty.
I am all prepared with my warm up plan in the rain tomorrow, and have a basic expectation of how they will handle themselves in a shower.
So I am praying for rain, and will still be thrilled if I don't get what I wish for!

Flower Power

Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

Yesterday was busy, busy, busy!!!!
Three lessons in Walkersville, and a run in with an old coach and mentor.
Two lessons at Darenth .
A monster lesson with my ladies at Serra Valley.

I think every single student did amazing!!
I am really getting tough on Em now. She is ready for it. Her horses look great! Charlie has so much scope, he often jumps her out of the tack. It's a dance we have all danced. We get tousled, they buck, we anticipate, we get tousled, sit up early, they buck bigger.
What comes first? The chicken or the egg?
We continue to work on Charlie, not over jumping, and continue working on (convincing) Em to go with him in the air.
Jazzy jumps big also sometimes, but hers is different. This is more of a strength issue (for Em that is).
As Emily continues to practice, she will become stronger and be more able to stay over top of her in the air!
Its a common issue, but not one to become obsessed with.

A good rider rides the horse to the best of that horses ability.

Charlie likes to buck.....a lot. So we are also working on preventing the buck, rather then just riding it and waiting for it to end.
I am always amazed by Emily's ability to be able to switch from one horse to another, and adjust her riding accordingly. She holds up to the pressure and intensity that I often throw at her.
Another tough student of mine.

Jo looked amazing on her little mare Misty. I can tell Misty's mouth is feeling good from getting her teeth worked on!
Callie and Harmony enjoyed a hack at Serra Valley. We played in the water and I said to Sharon "I'm a little nervous that..."
"YOU SHOULD BE" she interrupted!
Callie was at that point "wiping" her face sideways on the water and buckling her knees.
She bit me earlier in the day.
Bad Girl.
Anyways, we had a blast! Callie loves to play in the water, and that makes me so happy!!!
Alison C and Riley were FAB. Working on some flat work and steering with our leg aids. Next week will bring some jumping.
My advanced group did exercises reminiscent of my Jimmy and Stephen lessons. They rocked out! All the ladies looked like a million dollars as we played musical horses.
We had "Happy",Hunters pony as one of our horses, HOLY COW. I had no idea how talented this pony is!
Kari rode Summer Reign. It was lovely.
We hustled our tussles over to SV and showed 27 (the road that the ring is near) how to kick a$$ in the show jumping.
Every one did great.
I have successfully snuck in ridiculously hard exercises with out any ones knowledge.
They were doing bending lines, angled lines, liverpools, and some other funky things.
I do have a method to my madness.
While I was talking about the canter and the balance, I was having everyone do courses with HARD turns, and HARD visuals that are as much or more important than going for a easy course with height. (Getting everyone prepped for this weekend or the future)
We have been working on height all winter.
I did however have Alison jump some good sized fences on her third ride on Buck.
:)
Kari looked amazing.
I am always very hard and sarcastic with Kari. I do this because she is such a good rider, sometimes I don't think that her concerns are even realistic. She rarely voices her concerns, but I see them.
I would like everyone to know, Knick is not easy. Especially in his older age, he needs a lot of help with his balance. It looks easy because Kari is riding her patootie off.
Show case rider of this blog entry-----Kari Archambault.
Kari is like Dave, works their rear off quietly and doesn't get enough thanks or affirmation.
Thank you Kari-consider yourself affirmed. You have arrived. Waredaca 3 day-if the soundness gods smile on us-WATCH OUT!!!!

Rider I didn't give enough attention to last night- Taylor.
Taylor is also quiet, and very self sufficient.
She will be sorry that I realized I didn't give her enough attention next week when I make up for it ;)

I love my students and their personalities. I continue to learn from them, and enjoy everyone that I currently teach.
Continue to have faith in me, and trust me. I won't let you down.

Lanesters tried out a Prelim horse for herself. What a great match!!!!This horse really showcases her riding!!
Julia continues to improve her canter work and her jump. Getting those heels down, and trying to tame her "Devil".
(She has a little devil that sits on her shoulder that tells her it was not good. Try harder-Canter-Canter-Canter!!!It quietly chants "intensity...intensity...intensity...")
She did especially well last night, considering I was intense trying to beat that sun from falling below the horizin.
Katie and Linda did well.
Bear was at the Kentucky derby at one point. Never did I know a Bear Behind could move so fast, and with so much bounce!

Katie is overly prepared for this weekend. Keep those hands down and that leg on!!!
Off to do some Yoga while the Magsters naps, then making Amish frienship bread and cleaning with my favorite.......Pledge!

raves and reviews!!!

It has been an amazing couple of days!
I just received some photos from Morven....Me talking about Alexa's dressage test with her, and her jumping her mare "Josie". The other two are of Be Be and Callie during their travels.


Monday morning brought two AMAZING lessons from Vanessa! I thought about calling my dressage blog entries "The V Diaries", but decided not everyone would think it was as funny as I do.
I had break through moments on both the girls. Callie was all about the warm weather and after she got her "kick outs" out of the way, it was all business. What a dream!
Beasty was impressed with the outdoor. It was the first time both girls were ridden in the outdoor, but Callie is not concerned about such things.
It worked in my favor, Vanessa got to see how Beast is in show warm ups. Much to my surprise, Vanessa thought we looked great! I started to have my breakthroughs then......
and it just kept going! The more I relaxed and heard affirmation that we were doing well, the better it got. I think I tend to do the opposite in the tests. I warm up great, then as I feel Beast tense around the outside of the ring, I react by trying to shove her together, thus making it worse. I need to allow Beast a moment. I need to appreciate her for who she is, and adjust my plans. I can't expect all my horses to fit in the same mold.

Last night my students rode well. The weather stayed beautiful all afternoon!

Today was the Jimmy Wofford lesson. Another AMAZING lesson. Beast did not touch a single rail, and she did some complicated exercises!
As the fences got higher, I anticipated the inevitable back cracking I was about to endure. I am really focusing on staying over top Beast in the air. I got some extra tips from Colleen Rutledge, who was in my group on one of her many horses. It was great!
I only felt like I had taken off for the moon once!
It's just so amazing how much this man knows, and can teach. Between Jimmy and Stephen, my horses and I are reaching whole new levels.
Did I mention the Jimmy lesson was in the outdoor? In the rain?
I love my horses so much.
They will be having a few easy days, Callie had today off and will hack at Serra Valley tomorrow, splashing through the water. Both girls will do dressage prior to Loch Moy this Sat. (Beast is going also to do a few dressage tests)
I learned over the winter, I have to be careful not to over do it with the traveling. It can wear on their tummy's and their minds.
Beast seems to be really growing, and learning how to deal with the mental strain of a green horse on her way to being an upper level horse.
Summer continues to BLOW MY MIND.
She will start soon with little field trips. Mostly trail rides, and little visits to other farms rings.
Tomorrow brings a super busy day of lessons, and I hear the weather will be great!

S-U-C-C-E-S-S

The dressage show was a hit!
Beg Novice
Megan McClain-Bandit-34
Alison B-SS Buckshot-34.5
Breanna C-Lila-38.5
Katie C-Riley-39

Intro B
Katie C-Freckles-30
Julia -Princess-33.1
Heather-Riley-36.1
Alison C-Sienna-40
Taylor G-Violet-42.5

Everyone did a great job! The weather held off for us, except for a dusting shower for Megs and a hail storm for Bre!

Today was a great day at Morven!
Alexa looked AMAZING!
She rode her patootie off in all 3 phases. Josie is not the easiest little lady to ride, but Alexa did a fabulous job. Her dressage has really come a long way in a short amount of time, and I can't wait to see where it takes us in the upcoming months!
She finished on her dressage score of 36.5 after two clean jumping rounds. This put her in 8th in a VERY competitive, VERY large division of 22! Way to start the season to one tough lady and a hell of a hairdresser !!!!!!!!

I was a little perturbed, along with the other 90% of the warm up participants in the show jumping, at the whole jump changing thing. A certain "professional" was standing, mounted on his horse on the landing side of the oxer in warm up, while his assistant continued to change the height.
Now I have no problem with someone tweaking heights quickly, with the attempt of not messing up anyone else, but this was not the case. He ignored the whole rule of how much he could adjust the height, he took his sweet time, and he obviously considered himself very much more important then the other people in warm up. Now I should have known how wonderful he thinks he is, as he has an affectionate nick name for himself.....(who does that other then a text book narcissist?)but it still amazed me.
We did say something to the poor jump steward, who tried to help in the situation, totally right and justifiably so, but was merely blown off by the new ruler of his own universe.
Guess what Internet? I happen to think my students and friends are much more important then he is. I happen to think that they have every right to that oxer-they paid the same entry fee, work just as hard, if not harder, AND happen to be much more considerate, kind people.
In fact, I think the actions witnessed by many of us today would be a little clip to go along with the saying "biting off your nose to spite your face".
While his horse may have show jumped well, every one saw the lack off professional behavior on his part. Not a good career move if you want an increase in clients or sponsors................

On a lighter note, we all learned of Brian Oconnor's strong feelings toward "schooling" the water before presenting your horse to jump it. I hear he is trying to get this rule changed, and has been for quite some time. I am not forming an opinion either way, a loop hole is a loop hole, and I can't say I would be above using it myself.
A rider ( I believe a teenager) was exploiting this "rule" for a while on course, and Brian was screaming all kinds of funny stuff at her from his eagle's eye view, in his trademark white truck!

Then came the change of the optimum time for novice......Oy vey. I am not even going to go there. I think the whole situation is ludicrous.

All in all a very entertaining weekend!
My girls have been fabulous since their lessons, we have a dressage lesson again tomorrow.
Next week is the Stephen Bradley clinic at Waredaca, can not wait!!!!!!
Time for bed, I can't wait for Thurs. Mags and I are going to be professional loungers for the day!!!!

Dressage and a RANT

My dressage lessons were awesome!
Both Beast and Callie were very happy to have Vanessa remind me how to ride properly! I think in the last few weeks, I have crept back into old habits. I tend to try to use speed to build the feeling (false feeling that is) of a connection. It doesn't work. All it does is make Beast fast and tense, and give Callie the perfect out to avoid a true connection.
I was amazed at how if I focused on having a relaxed correct horse, it all just came together. Callie took until the end to focus. She jumped on Wed, and had yesterday off, so she was still in jump mode. I think all that play on her old bit may have made her jaw muscles a bit sore also. She was tilting a bit.
Beast was all business, and relaxed also. It was wonderful! We were able to have some really classy work. Just when I was thinking "OK Beast, I will except what you are...a very plain, safe, good girl (albeit a bit dramatic at times)", she lifted her back-raised her shoulder and said "Watch this BEEEEEEP-f&*KAAAAAAAAA". (If you have seen "The Hangover", that scene with the Asian comedian when he rolls up the window? Kari and Alison you know ;) (I have edited this more due to Davey Pants Macklin)
Don't count her out is my point.
Ahhhh my faith in our progress is restored. I just have to keep on keeping on.

Now for my RANT
I have a pet peeve. A few pet peeves.
One of them is people who want to be great riders, but not great horsemen. I'm sure you know a few, we all do. Riding your horse is only a small part of the equation. Grooming, health care, preparation and knowledge are all necessary in this sport. There is no excuse any more for idiocy.
Do you jump? Do you know what a horses stride length is? A proper distance?
I am appalled at the people that go cross country schooling, or even schooling in the ring, and send their horses (or WORSE, their students) over a set of related fences, with out checking the distance.
What if it is set for 1 and a half? or in between a bounce and one stride? What if an idiot put the jump their? A hired hand that just set it down to come back and measure later?
Now very rarely will you catch me in a rant like this, but come on people.
Another thing is the water jumps at facilities right now are saturated! Checking the depth by walking a horse through is always a good idea! If it is too deep, jumping the bank into it may not be the brightest idea. This can cause your horse to have a major confidence issues, or worse.
Their is no shame in using Google. Their is not much time in looking up proper distances for show jumping on the Internet.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for fifth leg training and development, but I am not in it for suicide runs.
Please be smart when you are riding, just a little common sense can go a long way. If you are not sure, ask!
(Don't misinterpret this, all of my students show amazing sense-this is not directed at any of them! This is really just a Rant)
There are so many opportunities for continuing education! If you can't afford to ride in a clinic, or fear you are not ready, go watch! You can learn so much from watching each other!
As I get older, I may get more serious. I have seen too many dumb accidents that could be avoided. 99% of the time, everyone ends up OK, but it is very real that there is a 1% left over.
Riding liability releases exist for a reason!
As instructors, it is our responsibility to continue our education! To continue riding, competing, or at least auditing and researching. I take my job seriously, I care about my students and their horses as if they were my own.
I make mistakes, but damn I try hard not to. In this sport, with its ups and downs, we all need a mentor or mentors. We need stability, reliance, reassurance. We need a program. Please choose wisely, YOU are very important.

I hope that I can be the best that I can be at what I do, I promise to try my hardest, come hell or high water.

Thats enough of that.
This weekend brings up Morven Park!!!! Whoop Whoop!
Alexa looks ready! She looked like a million dollars yesterday on the flat!

First tomorrow we have the dressage brush up at Darenth, which is full!
A great weekend ahead, with great company!
Dave and Maggie will be doing what Dave's and Maggie's do best. I don't know what it is, but they sure are good at it.
Off to check out the Pack man and hopefully teach some lessons! Pray for the weather to hold!!!!

“Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time.”
Arnold H. Glasgow quotes
“Live so that your friends can defend you but never have to.”
Arnold H. Glasgow quotes
“Progress is what happens when impossibility yields to necessity.”
Arnold H. Glasgow quotes