Slightly different weather than I am used to this year at Amberlea! Rob hauled me out on Thursday and walked Brie while I rode Tango. Tango needed the work, but Brie seemed pretty flat in the high humidity, and with the show only in the outdoor rings I didn't think steady Brie needed to really see the rings. The show barns were pretty sticky so we didn't blanket last night..so Tango was a pinto when I got there this morning!
I rode Brie first, and it went much better than last show. She seems happy in the hard warm-up ring footing. The footing in the big ring was still a little deep to her liking, but much better than the mudfest of last show! Both her scores were in the 60's, and she received a second and a forth. Brie's second class ran a little late, causing me some stress as Tango's was set to go 35 minutes after Brie, so time was tight. Fortunately Marlene (Brie's owner) was there to help...unfortunately Tango decided to have a lay down nap while I rode Brie! Thankfully her stall was clean, so no new spots!
My ride on Tango wasn't as satisfactory as Brie's. She wasn't comfortable on the hard footing (shoes next year!), and I think I was starting to get over heated and not working as hard as I should. Still, our first test went fairly well and we received a 2nd. Next test was about 35 minutes later...and I was way over heated. And I forgot my first 10 meter circle...I have to stop messing up my tests! Arg. Tango also broke to canter for both our medium trots. No idea why. I felt I was sitting ok, but I guess not...or maybe she was hot/tired to. Parts of it were quite good though, so I have to build on those good parts. She also got a second and a forth.
I rode all four tests within 2 hours and 20 minutes, and was done riding by 12:45. It felt good to be done, but at the same time I wish I had had more time to cool down between classes! Tomorrow I just have two morning classes and two afternoon classes, so it should be an easier day. And in case jackets are waived for the afternoon classes (freestyles) Marlene bought me a pastel pink shirt to wear! It has a silly snaffle bit zipper pull thingy I will have to chop off, but otherwise it is a nice shirt....very fitted and perhaps tighter than I would normally wear, but I think it will look sharp in the show ring.
Rob and I went back tonight to look after the girls. He walked them while I cleaned stalls and got their dinners ready. Quite the lightening show on our way there and home! It followed us home and I fed the horse's dinner with the thunder overhead. Hopefully the thunder is done so I can get a good nights sleep tonight.
Karen
Friday, July 30, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The grande adventure
When I was much younger I remember having a book about a baby horsey that used to follow his mommy as she pulled the buggy to the town market/fair each day. Baby horsey fell in love with the merry go round horses that he could see from the distance and wanted to be one, so one day he escaped the paddock to go join the merry go round horses only to find they were too stuck up to talk to him or move. (He was a horse. He did not understand they were wood.) But by then it had gotten darker and baby horse couldn't find his way home and got scared. After reading books like Black Beauty I had trouble believing a horse could not find its way home...baby or not. Not the most gripping story line, but great art work!
.....
Usually in the morning I take bug spray out with me when I put the babies out so I can spray them off before they go out on grass, but this morning Coregel was horribly bug bitten (for some reason the pintos do not seem as affected) so I thought I would go a step further and furnish Coregel and Piper with fly sheets. I had a couple from when we had the ponies, and so I sewed up the rips and put them on the girls. Piper got a off white one and Coregel got a bright blue. Neither fit great, so I called Tudor to see if they had better sizes, which they did, and Rob picked them up for me, delivering them that night (thanks honey).
Coregel took one look at Piper in her new blanket and seemed angry...and kicked at it! Later on natalie and I noticed Coregel behaving a little odd...staring to the North and nickering like she was looking for someone...perhaps she didn't know Piper was still Piper in the blanket?
But my day continues. Riding horses, taking pictures, cleaning up Tango. Farrier comes to do Brie's shoes and trim Dexter, but arrived early. No big deal, I get Dexter to start with, and bring in Brie so she can eat a bit before being reset, and then start feeding the outside horses. All is going fine until I see some odd hoof prints outside the training mares pen...but I thought maybe Natalie took someone for grass down there. Then I get to Bliss's pen...and notice the babies' gate to their grass pasture is open...and so is there night pen gate (I momentarily thought someone brought them in for me). AHHHH. Drive a bit ahead and feel relieved as I see two pintos and Piper...but no Coregel. I grab a halter and catch Pipe thinking perhaps Coregel is just over the hill...but still can't see her. I lead Piper back to her pen while the other two follow along and get them contained...but still no Coregel....and no one is whinnying!
I go to the other side of the arena to see if she is flirting with the boys...but no. A quick tour of the horse paddocks and the front yard turns up no Coregel. Cr@p. Call Rob who calls the neighbour across the way to see if she is with the TBs. While waiting to hear back I get out back to see if she is on our hay feild. Instead of Corey I find a well fed Coyote. A very brave Coyote who doesn't seem to care about me...but then sees Ginger and is off like a rocket which I think did a lot for Ginger's ego!
Neighbour comes over, and nope, she is not there, but John comes over to help me look.
Meanwhile I call Wyn who is always complaining how bored she is to check the roads, and call the RCMP to see if a loose horse has been reported. Nothing. So I leave the farrier working on Brie and Christine T to bring in the last of the geldings (THANKS!) and John, Ginger and I head out to broaden the search. A search through tall, bug laden grass.
I searched along the fenceline between our neighbours and us, paying close attention to the forest thinking she may be caught in trees or fence and came across the coyote again. Assuming it was the same one. It stared at me.
Meanwhile John searched to the south. You know where she was? TWO properties over in the furthermost south east corner. Apparently completely turned around. John led her back from his Gator, and I followed behind with a tired and muddy Ginger in the Mule to keep Corey going (she kept stopping and spooking). She was THRILLED when she saw the yard again though! Piper and the other kids seemed happy to see her too!
She must have turned an ankle, and was ravaged by bugs, but overall seems ok. Put her fancy new while fly sheet tonight...make her easy to spot if she decides to go on another tour of Ardrossan (she better not...this was very stressful for me!) Piper got a fancy blue plaid blanket.
I do NOT deal with stress well and when she was not on our property I started to image the worse like a broken leg in the bush. No idea what did happen though. Coyote chase/spook her? Was she looking for the "real" Piper, not believing the horse in the blanket was her sister?
But I guess that shows that horses really can get lost.
Karen
.....
Usually in the morning I take bug spray out with me when I put the babies out so I can spray them off before they go out on grass, but this morning Coregel was horribly bug bitten (for some reason the pintos do not seem as affected) so I thought I would go a step further and furnish Coregel and Piper with fly sheets. I had a couple from when we had the ponies, and so I sewed up the rips and put them on the girls. Piper got a off white one and Coregel got a bright blue. Neither fit great, so I called Tudor to see if they had better sizes, which they did, and Rob picked them up for me, delivering them that night (thanks honey).
Coregel took one look at Piper in her new blanket and seemed angry...and kicked at it! Later on natalie and I noticed Coregel behaving a little odd...staring to the North and nickering like she was looking for someone...perhaps she didn't know Piper was still Piper in the blanket?
But my day continues. Riding horses, taking pictures, cleaning up Tango. Farrier comes to do Brie's shoes and trim Dexter, but arrived early. No big deal, I get Dexter to start with, and bring in Brie so she can eat a bit before being reset, and then start feeding the outside horses. All is going fine until I see some odd hoof prints outside the training mares pen...but I thought maybe Natalie took someone for grass down there. Then I get to Bliss's pen...and notice the babies' gate to their grass pasture is open...and so is there night pen gate (I momentarily thought someone brought them in for me). AHHHH. Drive a bit ahead and feel relieved as I see two pintos and Piper...but no Coregel. I grab a halter and catch Pipe thinking perhaps Coregel is just over the hill...but still can't see her. I lead Piper back to her pen while the other two follow along and get them contained...but still no Coregel....and no one is whinnying!
I go to the other side of the arena to see if she is flirting with the boys...but no. A quick tour of the horse paddocks and the front yard turns up no Coregel. Cr@p. Call Rob who calls the neighbour across the way to see if she is with the TBs. While waiting to hear back I get out back to see if she is on our hay feild. Instead of Corey I find a well fed Coyote. A very brave Coyote who doesn't seem to care about me...but then sees Ginger and is off like a rocket which I think did a lot for Ginger's ego!
Neighbour comes over, and nope, she is not there, but John comes over to help me look.
Meanwhile I call Wyn who is always complaining how bored she is to check the roads, and call the RCMP to see if a loose horse has been reported. Nothing. So I leave the farrier working on Brie and Christine T to bring in the last of the geldings (THANKS!) and John, Ginger and I head out to broaden the search. A search through tall, bug laden grass.
I searched along the fenceline between our neighbours and us, paying close attention to the forest thinking she may be caught in trees or fence and came across the coyote again. Assuming it was the same one. It stared at me.
Meanwhile John searched to the south. You know where she was? TWO properties over in the furthermost south east corner. Apparently completely turned around. John led her back from his Gator, and I followed behind with a tired and muddy Ginger in the Mule to keep Corey going (she kept stopping and spooking). She was THRILLED when she saw the yard again though! Piper and the other kids seemed happy to see her too!
She must have turned an ankle, and was ravaged by bugs, but overall seems ok. Put her fancy new while fly sheet tonight...make her easy to spot if she decides to go on another tour of Ardrossan (she better not...this was very stressful for me!) Piper got a fancy blue plaid blanket.
I do NOT deal with stress well and when she was not on our property I started to image the worse like a broken leg in the bush. No idea what did happen though. Coyote chase/spook her? Was she looking for the "real" Piper, not believing the horse in the blanket was her sister?
But I guess that shows that horses really can get lost.
Karen
Pictures from today
I am willing to admit that I am a tad big on Flirt...but isn't she cute? Not sure why I left my stirrups so short on Ricco...makes him look bigger than he is!
I really wanted to get them both out of the arena for a mini trail ride before they went home...but out and around the dug out is about as far as I could stand the mosquitoes. They don't seem to respect the bug spray enough and come out of the tall grass in cloud!
Karen
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Hillside: behind the scenes
- When teenage girls decide to wear decorative scarves when it is hot out in the summer it is NOT a fashion statement.
- Single females will go to long distances to get the notice of a man/men...including staging frightening props in their garage so that they can call out hunky policemen...next she will be throwing herself off her giant horse so she can get reacquainted with the cute paramedics that came out last time...
- It is a good thing Brax is aimed at dressage. Lunge jumping showed that he has as much enthusiasm for launching his body over an object as his owner does. It is not that he won't go over...he just wanted to do it veerrryyy slowly.
- YJ REALLY hates hitting jumps as poor Janine found out...he was not taking a chance at hitting the jump a second time! Perhaps he will need a full set of brush boots as well as his bell boots for jumping...he seems to have a lot of potential though....just needs to chill a bit.
- Summer vacation for the kidlets is about half over. Enjoy it while you can!
- Ooohhh, and guess what? Rain/thunder planned for this weekend...because it just wouldn't be a dressage show at Amberlea without rain! Perhaps vacation goers should check with the Amberlea dressage schedule before planning any Alberta vacations...
Karen
- Single females will go to long distances to get the notice of a man/men...including staging frightening props in their garage so that they can call out hunky policemen...next she will be throwing herself off her giant horse so she can get reacquainted with the cute paramedics that came out last time...
- It is a good thing Brax is aimed at dressage. Lunge jumping showed that he has as much enthusiasm for launching his body over an object as his owner does. It is not that he won't go over...he just wanted to do it veerrryyy slowly.
- YJ REALLY hates hitting jumps as poor Janine found out...he was not taking a chance at hitting the jump a second time! Perhaps he will need a full set of brush boots as well as his bell boots for jumping...he seems to have a lot of potential though....just needs to chill a bit.
- Summer vacation for the kidlets is about half over. Enjoy it while you can!
- Ooohhh, and guess what? Rain/thunder planned for this weekend...because it just wouldn't be a dressage show at Amberlea without rain! Perhaps vacation goers should check with the Amberlea dressage schedule before planning any Alberta vacations...
Karen
Monday, July 26, 2010
They have info up on the planned changes for the dressage tests for next year (assuming Canada once again uses the US tests): http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/NewDressageTests.aspx
I like the idea of only 3 tests...I think. Of course I am slightly worried that this will mean they will drop the friendlier tests and make the step between levels a little more distinct...and that I am not so sure I like. It does mean less tests for me to memorize though!
I do like the change for first level so that riders can post the trot as I think this has been a hold back for many otherwise decent riders.
If anyone is interested in coming to watch the dressage show this weekend, they have the schedule posted: http://www.foxvillage.com/fvdsqlnetdisplay/(12vj4kio5w5lw045kx2nqg55)/ClassList.aspx?sh=624&st=1
Freestyles are Saturday afternoon starting at 4:30 with Brie!
I finally have the new music for Tango done and was able to try it out. I think it will work, but I want a slightly longer entrance.
It was finally nice enough to ride outside today...but the swarms of mosquitoes make me unsure if I want to teach outside any time soon! They seem impervious to bug spray.
Karen
I like the idea of only 3 tests...I think. Of course I am slightly worried that this will mean they will drop the friendlier tests and make the step between levels a little more distinct...and that I am not so sure I like. It does mean less tests for me to memorize though!
I do like the change for first level so that riders can post the trot as I think this has been a hold back for many otherwise decent riders.
If anyone is interested in coming to watch the dressage show this weekend, they have the schedule posted: http://www.foxvillage.com/fvdsqlnetdisplay/(12vj4kio5w5lw045kx2nqg55)/ClassList.aspx?sh=624&st=1
Freestyles are Saturday afternoon starting at 4:30 with Brie!
I finally have the new music for Tango done and was able to try it out. I think it will work, but I want a slightly longer entrance.
It was finally nice enough to ride outside today...but the swarms of mosquitoes make me unsure if I want to teach outside any time soon! They seem impervious to bug spray.
Karen
Friday, July 23, 2010
I finally went to Greenhawk today. Wanted to see what they had to offer, and to see if it would replace Tudor as my tack store recommendation.
First impression was that they have a nice store front and decent parking. The layout in the store is nice. What I didn't like? The obnoxious and too loud music that was better suited to a young adult clothing sore than a tack store. I really didn't want to spend much time in there. I did buy some stuff though; Venice Turpentine, a neat bathing brush (a body brush with a sponge in the middle), and white gloves. Yes, I finally bought white gloves (with the money Brie won at the last show). Clare told me not to buy SSG gloves, so I got these super fancy ones that have super grippy leather that is machine washable. I am quite excited to show in them!
The gloves were listed as On Sale. Regular $54.95
Sale Price: $52.95
$2.00 off. Less than 4% off. That is less than the GST. Not sure I consider that a "Sale" price. That annoyed me to.
I did see a rather pretty double bridle there that I briefly considered...until I noted the padding on the crown piece was such that it pressed the crown piece closer to the ears rather than holding the crown back from the ears...which is another reason I am not super keen on Greenhawk...they are limited as to what they can offer as they only offer "their" stuff.
So off to Tudor I went. There I found pleasant back ground music. And I found a helpful, but non-annoying sales rep who agreed to special order in a specific girth that they don't regularly carry with no pressure to buy it if I don't like it. They have also ordered in the special high wither pads that I recommended as they work well with mono-flap saddles. No pressure to buy them once they come in. Also got a good deal on a pony bridle as I seem to be a pony trainer these days and it is a pain to adjust for the three ponies in training right now.
Discussed my concerns about the one staff person who gives less than stellar advice, so hopefully that is addressed as well, as that is my only source of discontent with Tudor.
I still haven't been to Horse Life's actual store, but with its distance it would be impractical to shop there. I do like their travelling store.
So Tudor Tack Shoppe remains my tack store recommendation.
Although I did like the fly sheets and Greenhawk if anyone is looking for a rain sheet!
Karen
First impression was that they have a nice store front and decent parking. The layout in the store is nice. What I didn't like? The obnoxious and too loud music that was better suited to a young adult clothing sore than a tack store. I really didn't want to spend much time in there. I did buy some stuff though; Venice Turpentine, a neat bathing brush (a body brush with a sponge in the middle), and white gloves. Yes, I finally bought white gloves (with the money Brie won at the last show). Clare told me not to buy SSG gloves, so I got these super fancy ones that have super grippy leather that is machine washable. I am quite excited to show in them!
The gloves were listed as On Sale. Regular $54.95
Sale Price: $52.95
$2.00 off. Less than 4% off. That is less than the GST. Not sure I consider that a "Sale" price. That annoyed me to.
I did see a rather pretty double bridle there that I briefly considered...until I noted the padding on the crown piece was such that it pressed the crown piece closer to the ears rather than holding the crown back from the ears...which is another reason I am not super keen on Greenhawk...they are limited as to what they can offer as they only offer "their" stuff.
So off to Tudor I went. There I found pleasant back ground music. And I found a helpful, but non-annoying sales rep who agreed to special order in a specific girth that they don't regularly carry with no pressure to buy it if I don't like it. They have also ordered in the special high wither pads that I recommended as they work well with mono-flap saddles. No pressure to buy them once they come in. Also got a good deal on a pony bridle as I seem to be a pony trainer these days and it is a pain to adjust for the three ponies in training right now.
Discussed my concerns about the one staff person who gives less than stellar advice, so hopefully that is addressed as well, as that is my only source of discontent with Tudor.
I still haven't been to Horse Life's actual store, but with its distance it would be impractical to shop there. I do like their travelling store.
So Tudor Tack Shoppe remains my tack store recommendation.
Although I did like the fly sheets and Greenhawk if anyone is looking for a rain sheet!
Karen
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Watch out for Elves...
It seems we have elves at the barn, that sneak out in the middle of the night at train the horses...that is the only explanation I can think of for the ease with which Ricco picked up cantering. Yesterday was his first attempt and I more or less trotted him into it and then told him what a hero he was...but today all I had to do was get my body in canter rhythm, and a trained horse amount of leg on, and off he went with a fairly balanced canter. I tried again in case the first time was a fluke, but it was not. Someone taught this horse to canter off of light canter aids! This is even more impressive if you understand that Ricco was not a fan of lunging (he didn't understand why I was chasing him and would get concerned) so I never cantered him on the lunge, so he had no way of understanding vocal commands and had never cantered with a saddle on. This horse keeps surprising me with his seeming pre-understanding of the rules of being ridden.
I also got on little Minx for the first time. She could care less. What a cute little girl. Very deep chest.
Reminder that there are no lessons next Thursday Night, or a week from Saturday due to the next horse show!
Karen
I also got on little Minx for the first time. She could care less. What a cute little girl. Very deep chest.
Reminder that there are no lessons next Thursday Night, or a week from Saturday due to the next horse show!
Karen
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
If you are wondering why the barn is quiet...
It is because Milo is TERRIFIED of the Additionelle advertisement on the radio. it starts out with a cat fight and finishes with an angry meow...poor Milo jumps up and runs scared with hair on end trying to figure out where the attack is coming from! Not worth traumatizing the poor kitty! I have no idea who the marketing genius is behind these ads. It just seems a little insulting to imply that women with "catfight" over the sale prices.
....
Another day with a crazy downpour. Goody. Went to visit Larry today and his little island is completely submerged. Can ducks sleep and float? At least he has some goose friends to help keep him safe. I had hoped he would come up to me, but their dog wanted to play so the birds wisely stayed in the water.
....
I cantered Ricco and Flirt for the first time today...it was uneventful which is how I like it! Also cantered Lily for my first time. She has nice gaits and is built in a way that makes my leg hang so nicely. It would be interesting to know her breeding! I am thinking she has something Spanish in there somewhere.
We have 14 mares on the property right now and 16 geldings. This is the most gender balanced we have ever been! Usually there are many more geldings than mares! A large percentage of the mares are just here for training though.
Karen
....
Another day with a crazy downpour. Goody. Went to visit Larry today and his little island is completely submerged. Can ducks sleep and float? At least he has some goose friends to help keep him safe. I had hoped he would come up to me, but their dog wanted to play so the birds wisely stayed in the water.
....
I cantered Ricco and Flirt for the first time today...it was uneventful which is how I like it! Also cantered Lily for my first time. She has nice gaits and is built in a way that makes my leg hang so nicely. It would be interesting to know her breeding! I am thinking she has something Spanish in there somewhere.
We have 14 mares on the property right now and 16 geldings. This is the most gender balanced we have ever been! Usually there are many more geldings than mares! A large percentage of the mares are just here for training though.
Karen
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Started today to redo the music for Tango's Freestyle in 10 days...guess what seems to match her trot? The Charlie's Angles Theme song! How fitting is that! Wonder if anyone would recognize it though?
May use Peter Gunn for the intro.
So far the A-Team is winning for her canter, but it is still not quite right. I like how it changes though...would be good for the medium canter transitions. Chip also almost works...but not quite. MacGiver is close but its beats are irregular...although that may work for the lead changes...
So...how many of you actually know of the shows of which I speak? I will admit I do not know Peter Gunn...I just liked the music.
New horses came Monday; Sparkie you may remember, and her roly poly friend Minx. Minx is only three, and is exactly what I think the original morgan looked like. Pretty, solid, with an air self confidence. I sat on her today for the first time. Bareback and bridleless. Ok, she was laying down so my feet were firmly on the ground, but still, she didn't get up or look worried. I figured it was a good opportunity to get her used to the feeling of my legs and the sight of my body behind her little morgan ears.
We should have a poll on how many days until we finally have a day without rain.
May use Peter Gunn for the intro.
So far the A-Team is winning for her canter, but it is still not quite right. I like how it changes though...would be good for the medium canter transitions. Chip also almost works...but not quite. MacGiver is close but its beats are irregular...although that may work for the lead changes...
So...how many of you actually know of the shows of which I speak? I will admit I do not know Peter Gunn...I just liked the music.
New horses came Monday; Sparkie you may remember, and her roly poly friend Minx. Minx is only three, and is exactly what I think the original morgan looked like. Pretty, solid, with an air self confidence. I sat on her today for the first time. Bareback and bridleless. Ok, she was laying down so my feet were firmly on the ground, but still, she didn't get up or look worried. I figured it was a good opportunity to get her used to the feeling of my legs and the sight of my body behind her little morgan ears.
We should have a poll on how many days until we finally have a day without rain.
Monday, July 19, 2010
and we are home...and still it rains!
The final day of the show tried to cooperate a little weather wise, with only a little rain in the morning...but too little too late for the rings really. The warm up ring had strips of decent footing, with mud in between, and ring 2 started out wet...and worked its way to chewed up by the end of the class.
Brie went early in Ring 2, again with only a walk warm up and just couldn't find confidence in the footing. We fishtailed a bit down centerline, and struggled with some of the early movements, although as the test went on she seemed to find her footing and it did get better. Tango went MUCH later in the same ring/class, but by the time we went there were significant chewed up spots I had not been expecting and we struggled with consistency.
Brie's second class was indoors, and again she was spooking at the concession. It surprised me as she had been fine indoors for the freestyle, so not sure if it is the light coming in that end or the concession itself. Perhaps she doesn't like the smell of hamburgers? I really wasn't sure what to do when she completely stopped in her tracks, so after a moment of consideration I just turned her across the ring as close to the end as I could and continued on. Interestingly she did not spook going the other way, and her gaits were much more expressive for the rest of the test!
Tango's last test was Second Level test 4. My hardest test of the show. We were both tired for this class and it was hard to summon the required energy to do some of the movements well (for example we just pivoted for our turn on the haunches left), but I was overall happy and it was good to get a chance at all the tests so I know what to work on for the next show (with Tango I need to work on lateral suppleness, and with Brie better acceptance of the bit).
Overall I was at first disappointed that I wasn't getting the same scores as last show, but then I considered that I had moved up a level on Tango, and it was Brie's first real dressage show, so in that light I was pretty satisfied with our performance and results. I did manage to get a ribbon for each class entered with many seconds and thirds, and the one first and reserve champion.
Magnus improved greatly during the show and won walk/trot champion. Clare had mixed feelings about that; proud of her horse on the one hand, and a little embarrassed to be beating 7 year old kids on the other hand.
So...under two weeks to learn, improve, and prepare for the next show!
Karen
Brie went early in Ring 2, again with only a walk warm up and just couldn't find confidence in the footing. We fishtailed a bit down centerline, and struggled with some of the early movements, although as the test went on she seemed to find her footing and it did get better. Tango went MUCH later in the same ring/class, but by the time we went there were significant chewed up spots I had not been expecting and we struggled with consistency.
Brie's second class was indoors, and again she was spooking at the concession. It surprised me as she had been fine indoors for the freestyle, so not sure if it is the light coming in that end or the concession itself. Perhaps she doesn't like the smell of hamburgers? I really wasn't sure what to do when she completely stopped in her tracks, so after a moment of consideration I just turned her across the ring as close to the end as I could and continued on. Interestingly she did not spook going the other way, and her gaits were much more expressive for the rest of the test!
Tango's last test was Second Level test 4. My hardest test of the show. We were both tired for this class and it was hard to summon the required energy to do some of the movements well (for example we just pivoted for our turn on the haunches left), but I was overall happy and it was good to get a chance at all the tests so I know what to work on for the next show (with Tango I need to work on lateral suppleness, and with Brie better acceptance of the bit).
Overall I was at first disappointed that I wasn't getting the same scores as last show, but then I considered that I had moved up a level on Tango, and it was Brie's first real dressage show, so in that light I was pretty satisfied with our performance and results. I did manage to get a ribbon for each class entered with many seconds and thirds, and the one first and reserve champion.
Magnus improved greatly during the show and won walk/trot champion. Clare had mixed feelings about that; proud of her horse on the one hand, and a little embarrassed to be beating 7 year old kids on the other hand.
So...under two weeks to learn, improve, and prepare for the next show!
Karen
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Saturday
Finally sunshine at Amberlea! It was too little too late for the warmup ring and for the middle ring, but it was far better than the rain we had been having, and the nice breeze helped to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
The morning started with Brie in the CDI ring. The warm up ring was way to muddy for me to even want to risk walking her in, so we walked up and down the center alley until the steward gave me the ok to walk in the CDI warm up. I am getting better at walking warm ups! The CDI ring was quite wet still, and poor Brie had trouble getting to X; we were going side to side trying to find some secure footing! Other than the center line though, the footing was manageable (otherwise I would have excused myself). We struggled a bit with the lengthenings, and my brain was on vacation so I asked her to trot WAAAAY too soon. Not impressed with myself and I earned us a 4rth. Poor Brie was sick of mud and water by the end of that class and didn't even want to walk through the puddles heading back to the barn. I was glad she was done for a while.
Then Tango was in the middle ring. I considered scratching, but decided to give it a go...I could always stop part way through. Again I felt the warm up ring was too slippery, so we walked back and forth to warm up. The test was second level, so asking a fair bit to go in without warm up, but Tango is a trooper. Test started ok, with just some minor slipping and muck avoidance...but then I seriously messed up and forgot the halt rein-back! Judge whistled me out, and I had to redo it (with a -2 for going off test). At this precise moment Tango seemingly had something go in her ear...so she started shaking her head like mad, and continued to do so for the freewalk, which went from M to X, then back to F. She went from head shaking to a full body shake at X. never had a horse do that before!
Judges comment..."You need to wake that horse up for your walks!"
We placed 4th. Tango deserved higher, but I sure didn't. I was disappointed in myself for messing up a test again!
So got the horses put away, then home for a nap. I think it took me 5mins to fall asleep...which is a record for me!
At 4, Rob, Shinaya and I headed back to the show for the Freestyles. I got off at the show office to do a new sound check for the music as they had moved the freestyles indoors and I learned from last time that what sounds good outside, is LOUD inside! Both CDs checked out ok.
The grounds had dried up considerably and we had the CDI warm up ring to school in, so I had a nice warm up on Brie. We were first in for our freestyle and I was happy with how it went. She is still a little nervous about the open door and the concession area, but no major issues and we won the 1st level freestyle and were Open Reserve Freestyle Champion. Quick horse change and then on to Tango 40 minutes later.
My warm up with Tango was brief. We both lacked the energy and so I decided to go in the place of the scratch rather than wait for my time.
Tango went into the indoor with much more confidence than in the past, and our test was going well...until part way through...when the music stopped! I had no idea if I should stop or keep going, so I kept going and the music restarted...then stopped...then restarted. AHHH! It would stop for seconds at a time, and then restart where it left off, completely throwing me off my timing. By the rules I could have stopped and had a redo, but Tango was being so good (we got ALL our counter canters and simple changes...both of which we had struggled with this show), so a redo seemed unfair to her and too much work for me, so we just continued on, adding an extra circle at the end to add some time.
Her score was still decent, and she was second at second level. She was only 0.3% behind Brie for reserve champion. The odd thing is though, that the judges scores were quite varied for Tango. For Brie they were all within 3% of each other. Tango's were 9% apart! Perhaps some were more forgiving of the music issues, or perhaps it was the vantage point they were at? Regardless, I was very happy with my riding and both my lovely mares!
Thank you Shinaya for helping out, and Rob for videoing (and driving!).
.JPG)
Magnus was also very good today, and won his class with a very good 66%! He looked like a been there done that show horse and a vast improvement from yesterday! Clare is thrilled and she should be, Magnus is growing up to be one heck of a nice horse!
The morning started with Brie in the CDI ring. The warm up ring was way to muddy for me to even want to risk walking her in, so we walked up and down the center alley until the steward gave me the ok to walk in the CDI warm up. I am getting better at walking warm ups! The CDI ring was quite wet still, and poor Brie had trouble getting to X; we were going side to side trying to find some secure footing! Other than the center line though, the footing was manageable (otherwise I would have excused myself). We struggled a bit with the lengthenings, and my brain was on vacation so I asked her to trot WAAAAY too soon. Not impressed with myself and I earned us a 4rth. Poor Brie was sick of mud and water by the end of that class and didn't even want to walk through the puddles heading back to the barn. I was glad she was done for a while.
Then Tango was in the middle ring. I considered scratching, but decided to give it a go...I could always stop part way through. Again I felt the warm up ring was too slippery, so we walked back and forth to warm up. The test was second level, so asking a fair bit to go in without warm up, but Tango is a trooper. Test started ok, with just some minor slipping and muck avoidance...but then I seriously messed up and forgot the halt rein-back! Judge whistled me out, and I had to redo it (with a -2 for going off test). At this precise moment Tango seemingly had something go in her ear...so she started shaking her head like mad, and continued to do so for the freewalk, which went from M to X, then back to F. She went from head shaking to a full body shake at X. never had a horse do that before!
Judges comment..."You need to wake that horse up for your walks!"
We placed 4th. Tango deserved higher, but I sure didn't. I was disappointed in myself for messing up a test again!
So got the horses put away, then home for a nap. I think it took me 5mins to fall asleep...which is a record for me!
At 4, Rob, Shinaya and I headed back to the show for the Freestyles. I got off at the show office to do a new sound check for the music as they had moved the freestyles indoors and I learned from last time that what sounds good outside, is LOUD inside! Both CDs checked out ok.
The grounds had dried up considerably and we had the CDI warm up ring to school in, so I had a nice warm up on Brie. We were first in for our freestyle and I was happy with how it went. She is still a little nervous about the open door and the concession area, but no major issues and we won the 1st level freestyle and were Open Reserve Freestyle Champion. Quick horse change and then on to Tango 40 minutes later.
My warm up with Tango was brief. We both lacked the energy and so I decided to go in the place of the scratch rather than wait for my time.
Tango went into the indoor with much more confidence than in the past, and our test was going well...until part way through...when the music stopped! I had no idea if I should stop or keep going, so I kept going and the music restarted...then stopped...then restarted. AHHH! It would stop for seconds at a time, and then restart where it left off, completely throwing me off my timing. By the rules I could have stopped and had a redo, but Tango was being so good (we got ALL our counter canters and simple changes...both of which we had struggled with this show), so a redo seemed unfair to her and too much work for me, so we just continued on, adding an extra circle at the end to add some time.
Her score was still decent, and she was second at second level. She was only 0.3% behind Brie for reserve champion. The odd thing is though, that the judges scores were quite varied for Tango. For Brie they were all within 3% of each other. Tango's were 9% apart! Perhaps some were more forgiving of the music issues, or perhaps it was the vantage point they were at? Regardless, I was very happy with my riding and both my lovely mares!
Thank you Shinaya for helping out, and Rob for videoing (and driving!).
.JPG)
Magnus was also very good today, and won his class with a very good 66%! He looked like a been there done that show horse and a vast improvement from yesterday! Clare is thrilled and she should be, Magnus is growing up to be one heck of a nice horse!
here is hoping the weather holds for tomorrow so we aren't loading up to come home in the rain!
Karen
Friday, July 16, 2010
Day Two
Forecast: Light rain in the morning, followed by sun and a high of 21. Possible thunderstorms in the evening.
Reality: Rain Rain Rain Rain Thunder Lightening Thunder Rain Rain Rain Thunder Rain Rain Cloudy Rain Rain Rain.
It was fun. Really. Hard to really take the day all that seriously when the rings are under water. Literally.
It seems other people's horses were able to be ridden in the warm up ring, but Tango just didn't feel secure with the footing...perhaps because she is barefoot? I figured if she was slipping a bit it was putting her tendons at risk, and so I kept her and Brie out of the warm up ring, instead just doing walk-halt-walk transitions to warm up for 30 minutes before our classes.
Clare went first for Hillside, and opted to just get on right outside the indoor and started her test. Mags was pretty good. Ok, it took her a while to get to X to start her test, but once started it went pretty well.
One more rider went...and then the thunder and hideously hard rain came and the show was stopped for about an our with all horses/riders sent back to the barn. The outside rings were hammered with rain.
At this point I figured I would scratch the afternoon class at least with Brie and called to let Shinaya know not to come to groom as the ring Brie was scheduled in was too mucky to risk her legs in.
The rain and break meant the show office had to scramble to redo and replan ride times. Many people scratched, and a few people complaining expecting the show office to work miracles and move all the tests either indoors or to the nicer CDI ring, but as it was they opted to move the CDI indoors for the afternoon which meant more reorganizing, kept a few tests in ring two, and moved two tests to the CDI (fortunately my afternoon tests were one of the ones moved!)
I do think the show office did a great job, both with tolerance and with being able to reorganize on the fly. The stewards also did a great job informing people of the changes and being ever so patient!
So finally I had my tests. Brie first indoors. Brie was going well, particularly considering no warm up. We were getting 6s and 7s. Then it thundered just as we went past the concession. Brie doesn't like thunder. And now she thinks the concession is the evil thunder maker. So our next trip towards the concession she wanted nothing to do with that end. We came across the diagonal and came to a full stop and reverse. I opted to just sit there and let her settle a bit until I felt her breath, and then continued. She spooked again at that end later on and I had no hope of getting her near C for my stretch circle...so not a good score for the circle. Interestingly I got a 6 for the diagonal she stopped at the end of. I guess the key is to have the big spooks between scores! I really need to stop messing up the double coefficient scores though, which seems to be a pattern this show! Even with the dramatic spooks, we got a 61+% for that test.
Then a 2 hour break to get Tango cleaned up before her test in the indoor. She was ok, but tense and I was having trouble getting her round through her back. I did have some steering issues with the canter serpentine, but I just didn't want to do some unplanned flying changes! I was still happy with her though and we scored 59% which is acceptable to me.
Then another break before Tango's class in the outdoor ring. This was First level test 4, and leg yielding, counter cantering, and doing the smaller circles was a challenge in the water, but at the same time it was kind of fun. Splish splash in the puddles! Brie went 35 minutes after Tango, and also did well. Both horses broke for the first counter canter...you think I would learn after the first one broke, but apparently I am a slow learner. Had some trouble with both horses in certain areas of the arena; the entrance and X in particular, so I tried to alter my paths a little, but still managed to get bogged down a bit.
My mares did well, but not as good in the mud as perhaps a younger horse would be, but I figure there is nothing anyone can do about the weather, so I may as well do what I can and enjoy it anyway. No point paying money to be miserable and whiny! There really was something fun about riding though the puddles when I felt confident in my horse's footing.
Anyway, Hillside ended the day with a second, two thirds and a fourth.
Now I am worried they will move the Freestyles indoors tomorrow...I really want them to be outside!
Ah well, here is hoping for nice weather tomorrow!
Karen
Fortunately though, for me, my first two classes were indoors, with Tango going first in her Second Level test. It went ok, and she is being better about the indoor that she was at the last show., but without a proper warm up it was difficult to get her round and loose.
Reality: Rain Rain Rain Rain Thunder Lightening Thunder Rain Rain Rain Thunder Rain Rain Cloudy Rain Rain Rain.
It was fun. Really. Hard to really take the day all that seriously when the rings are under water. Literally.
It seems other people's horses were able to be ridden in the warm up ring, but Tango just didn't feel secure with the footing...perhaps because she is barefoot? I figured if she was slipping a bit it was putting her tendons at risk, and so I kept her and Brie out of the warm up ring, instead just doing walk-halt-walk transitions to warm up for 30 minutes before our classes.
Clare went first for Hillside, and opted to just get on right outside the indoor and started her test. Mags was pretty good. Ok, it took her a while to get to X to start her test, but once started it went pretty well.
One more rider went...and then the thunder and hideously hard rain came and the show was stopped for about an our with all horses/riders sent back to the barn. The outside rings were hammered with rain.
At this point I figured I would scratch the afternoon class at least with Brie and called to let Shinaya know not to come to groom as the ring Brie was scheduled in was too mucky to risk her legs in.
The rain and break meant the show office had to scramble to redo and replan ride times. Many people scratched, and a few people complaining expecting the show office to work miracles and move all the tests either indoors or to the nicer CDI ring, but as it was they opted to move the CDI indoors for the afternoon which meant more reorganizing, kept a few tests in ring two, and moved two tests to the CDI (fortunately my afternoon tests were one of the ones moved!)
I do think the show office did a great job, both with tolerance and with being able to reorganize on the fly. The stewards also did a great job informing people of the changes and being ever so patient!
So finally I had my tests. Brie first indoors. Brie was going well, particularly considering no warm up. We were getting 6s and 7s. Then it thundered just as we went past the concession. Brie doesn't like thunder. And now she thinks the concession is the evil thunder maker. So our next trip towards the concession she wanted nothing to do with that end. We came across the diagonal and came to a full stop and reverse. I opted to just sit there and let her settle a bit until I felt her breath, and then continued. She spooked again at that end later on and I had no hope of getting her near C for my stretch circle...so not a good score for the circle. Interestingly I got a 6 for the diagonal she stopped at the end of. I guess the key is to have the big spooks between scores! I really need to stop messing up the double coefficient scores though, which seems to be a pattern this show! Even with the dramatic spooks, we got a 61+% for that test.
Then a 2 hour break to get Tango cleaned up before her test in the indoor. She was ok, but tense and I was having trouble getting her round through her back. I did have some steering issues with the canter serpentine, but I just didn't want to do some unplanned flying changes! I was still happy with her though and we scored 59% which is acceptable to me.
Then another break before Tango's class in the outdoor ring. This was First level test 4, and leg yielding, counter cantering, and doing the smaller circles was a challenge in the water, but at the same time it was kind of fun. Splish splash in the puddles! Brie went 35 minutes after Tango, and also did well. Both horses broke for the first counter canter...you think I would learn after the first one broke, but apparently I am a slow learner. Had some trouble with both horses in certain areas of the arena; the entrance and X in particular, so I tried to alter my paths a little, but still managed to get bogged down a bit.
My mares did well, but not as good in the mud as perhaps a younger horse would be, but I figure there is nothing anyone can do about the weather, so I may as well do what I can and enjoy it anyway. No point paying money to be miserable and whiny! There really was something fun about riding though the puddles when I felt confident in my horse's footing.
Anyway, Hillside ended the day with a second, two thirds and a fourth.
Now I am worried they will move the Freestyles indoors tomorrow...I really want them to be outside!
Ah well, here is hoping for nice weather tomorrow!
Karen
Fortunately though, for me, my first two classes were indoors, with Tango going first in her Second Level test. It went ok, and she is being better about the indoor that she was at the last show., but without a proper warm up it was difficult to get her round and loose.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
News from the show
Just driving to the show was exciting yesterday with numerous idiots determined to pass the trailer at the last minute forcing Rob to put on the brakes. People need to learn to drive around horse trailers! They can't stop on a dime, and it rattles the horses each time the brakes are applied. Oh, and there was the lady who was busy staring off to the west as she merged to the east and pretty much ended up in the next lane. How hard is it to look where you are going?
As we drive up to the show it is apparent they were not spared from the wrath of the cloud Gods and the rings were rather wet...and barren of horses. No schooling in the show rings for us, other than the indoor. This was smart of the organizers, but it is nice to be able to get in the rings before the show. They did open it up to be walked in the morning...so Clare and I got there earlier than planned to hand walk the three horses in the two outside rings.
When we approach the show barn to unload, there is of course the grey haired man with the poodle unloading right at the barn entrance...so that there was a line up of trailers trying to get past...seriously, how hard is it to unload where everyone else does? There is an entrance on the SIDE of the barn too! Oh, and later he was parked in the same place while he waited for his passengers to get done in the barn because apparently they can't walk to the parking lot. For some reason this same person/horse trailer is always loading/unloading in the entrance. Not sure how they can be so clueless/rude.
Horses settled in well, and we schooled in the indoor. Brie thought the open man doors were frightening, but otherwise obedient. Tango was quite good. Magnus was great and did not cause any disturbances.
So on to today. Weather cooperated with the hot weather helping to dry the slop, but man was it humid. I was rather moist and hot after each test and my helmet didn't have nearly enough time to dry between rides. I dislike the feeling of a cold sweaty helmet upon my head! (as an aside, I was surprised by all the non-helmet riders....seriously, after the recent publicity of Courtney King Dye's incident where her horse TRIPPED landing her in a coma and the even more recent accident at the stampede where the horse had a heart attack and landed its rider in a coma too...I don't care how safe or good your horse is, you can't prevent tripping or a heart attack!)
I started with Tango in the indoors. It was second level test three. Not an easy test to start with...but she was pretty good. Spooked a couple times, likely because the tractor was zooming in and out of the barn ,but I was pretty happy with her as she was not nearly so rideable last show in the indoor. (Not sure why the barn staff couldn't have the barn alley near the arena done by 9:54 but oh well).
Then I was busy braiding Brie for her test in the outdoor. She was VERY obedient and I actually had a lot of fun in the test, but the deep/wet footing was not to her liking and she didn't feel comfortable moving out and would stall out when we got to a super deep spot. I figured she was protecting herself and gave her the benefit of the doubt.
I had a two hour break before Brie's next test. Indoors. She was less spooky than for warm up the day before, but still staring out the end door and spooked at the concession. Oh, and she did added a flying change when I half halted to get ready to go back to the trot. Unasked for flying changes seemed to be a theme for today.
An hours break and then Tango was in the CDI ring. I was less impressed with this test as she wasn't really that attentive. The test I was trying to do had simple changes and counter canter. The test she did had flying changes. Nice flying changes, but still, netted us scores of 4 for movements with coefficients of 2 (worth double the other movements). It surprised me as at home she is great at counter canter...so my freestyle has a fair bit of counter canter...
Both horses ended up with a second and a third. I am ok with that, but hope to improve my scores.
Magnus had his first class today too; the 3 year old Material class. Poor Mags was so overwhelmed once he got in the ring that Clare had trouble keeping him going, so the judge brought the 4 year old in for its class to judge concurrently. This helped and Clare was able to demo walk/trot, and canter one way before Mags had enough. This was good enough to give Clare a good score to earn a red ribbon (in dressage, you need a certain score to qualify for a ribbon) and she won PRIZE MONEY! $50!
Prize money at a dressage show! (when I heard about the prize money I began to rethink my decision to not show Coregel in the 3 year old tests...only a horse person would think that spending $300 to earn $50 in prize money made sense).
A crazy thunderstorm hit as I was leaving. Hopefully the rain didn't fall too hard and rewreak the arena...
I was exhausted. Rob kindly refueled the truck for me tonight.
Now to go to bed and prepare for tomorrow!
Karen
As we drive up to the show it is apparent they were not spared from the wrath of the cloud Gods and the rings were rather wet...and barren of horses. No schooling in the show rings for us, other than the indoor. This was smart of the organizers, but it is nice to be able to get in the rings before the show. They did open it up to be walked in the morning...so Clare and I got there earlier than planned to hand walk the three horses in the two outside rings.
When we approach the show barn to unload, there is of course the grey haired man with the poodle unloading right at the barn entrance...so that there was a line up of trailers trying to get past...seriously, how hard is it to unload where everyone else does? There is an entrance on the SIDE of the barn too! Oh, and later he was parked in the same place while he waited for his passengers to get done in the barn because apparently they can't walk to the parking lot. For some reason this same person/horse trailer is always loading/unloading in the entrance. Not sure how they can be so clueless/rude.
Horses settled in well, and we schooled in the indoor. Brie thought the open man doors were frightening, but otherwise obedient. Tango was quite good. Magnus was great and did not cause any disturbances.
So on to today. Weather cooperated with the hot weather helping to dry the slop, but man was it humid. I was rather moist and hot after each test and my helmet didn't have nearly enough time to dry between rides. I dislike the feeling of a cold sweaty helmet upon my head! (as an aside, I was surprised by all the non-helmet riders....seriously, after the recent publicity of Courtney King Dye's incident where her horse TRIPPED landing her in a coma and the even more recent accident at the stampede where the horse had a heart attack and landed its rider in a coma too...I don't care how safe or good your horse is, you can't prevent tripping or a heart attack!)
I started with Tango in the indoors. It was second level test three. Not an easy test to start with...but she was pretty good. Spooked a couple times, likely because the tractor was zooming in and out of the barn ,but I was pretty happy with her as she was not nearly so rideable last show in the indoor. (Not sure why the barn staff couldn't have the barn alley near the arena done by 9:54 but oh well).
Then I was busy braiding Brie for her test in the outdoor. She was VERY obedient and I actually had a lot of fun in the test, but the deep/wet footing was not to her liking and she didn't feel comfortable moving out and would stall out when we got to a super deep spot. I figured she was protecting herself and gave her the benefit of the doubt.
I had a two hour break before Brie's next test. Indoors. She was less spooky than for warm up the day before, but still staring out the end door and spooked at the concession. Oh, and she did added a flying change when I half halted to get ready to go back to the trot. Unasked for flying changes seemed to be a theme for today.
An hours break and then Tango was in the CDI ring. I was less impressed with this test as she wasn't really that attentive. The test I was trying to do had simple changes and counter canter. The test she did had flying changes. Nice flying changes, but still, netted us scores of 4 for movements with coefficients of 2 (worth double the other movements). It surprised me as at home she is great at counter canter...so my freestyle has a fair bit of counter canter...
Both horses ended up with a second and a third. I am ok with that, but hope to improve my scores.
Magnus had his first class today too; the 3 year old Material class. Poor Mags was so overwhelmed once he got in the ring that Clare had trouble keeping him going, so the judge brought the 4 year old in for its class to judge concurrently. This helped and Clare was able to demo walk/trot, and canter one way before Mags had enough. This was good enough to give Clare a good score to earn a red ribbon (in dressage, you need a certain score to qualify for a ribbon) and she won PRIZE MONEY! $50!
Prize money at a dressage show! (when I heard about the prize money I began to rethink my decision to not show Coregel in the 3 year old tests...only a horse person would think that spending $300 to earn $50 in prize money made sense).
A crazy thunderstorm hit as I was leaving. Hopefully the rain didn't fall too hard and rewreak the arena...
I was exhausted. Rob kindly refueled the truck for me tonight.
Now to go to bed and prepare for tomorrow!
Karen
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Note to boarders
Please note that if this rain continues all boarded horses under 16 hands are required to be provided with water wings. We will also be requiring 10 volunteer hours per client to aid in the building of the Ark. Wood chewing horses will not be allowed on the Ark. Sorry Dexter...better learn to swim!
.....
I am beginning to think that God hates dressage shows. That would explain the torrential rain that accompanied the last show, and this current rain making sure the rings are a sloppy mess.
The upside is that I don't really have to worry about destaining Tango's legs...who is going to notice?
Karen
.....
I am beginning to think that God hates dressage shows. That would explain the torrential rain that accompanied the last show, and this current rain making sure the rings are a sloppy mess.
The upside is that I don't really have to worry about destaining Tango's legs...who is going to notice?
Karen
Monday, July 12, 2010
Dear Shoppers Drug Mart
Dear Shoppers Drug Mart,
Believe it or not, many of your customers come to your DRUG store, as they are ill. Perhaps they have been suddenly stricken with nausea. Perhaps they have a blinding headache. Perhaps they are looking to fill a prescription for allergies.
So what do these unfortunate people find upon entrance to your store? A full frontal assault to their olfactory senses as they are forced to wade through a cacophony of mismatched scents and perfumes on their way to the main section of the store. Trapped in a hall of spray bottles and samples. Yes, that is EXACTLY what someone with a migraine, allergies, or lowered immunity needs. Hospitals just don't know what they are doing when they ban perfumes, scented deodorants and many flowers from certain hospital wards.
I walked into your store today only to be lambasted by smells that set my throbbing headache afire in my temple. It was all I could muster to find my way to the exit before the nausea hit. I then made my way to the unscented Save-on-Foods across the parking lot.
I shall not make this mistake again.
Perhaps the marketing and design department forgot that your store is called Shoppers Drug Mart and not Shoppers Perfume and Cosmetic Mart.
Yours Truly,
Karen Nelson
Do you think they will reply?
Believe it or not, many of your customers come to your DRUG store, as they are ill. Perhaps they have been suddenly stricken with nausea. Perhaps they have a blinding headache. Perhaps they are looking to fill a prescription for allergies.
So what do these unfortunate people find upon entrance to your store? A full frontal assault to their olfactory senses as they are forced to wade through a cacophony of mismatched scents and perfumes on their way to the main section of the store. Trapped in a hall of spray bottles and samples. Yes, that is EXACTLY what someone with a migraine, allergies, or lowered immunity needs. Hospitals just don't know what they are doing when they ban perfumes, scented deodorants and many flowers from certain hospital wards.
I walked into your store today only to be lambasted by smells that set my throbbing headache afire in my temple. It was all I could muster to find my way to the exit before the nausea hit. I then made my way to the unscented Save-on-Foods across the parking lot.
I shall not make this mistake again.
Perhaps the marketing and design department forgot that your store is called Shoppers Drug Mart and not Shoppers Perfume and Cosmetic Mart.
Yours Truly,
Karen Nelson
Do you think they will reply?
Friday, July 9, 2010
Now I know why the show photos are so popular...Amanda's panty ribbon is hanging out the back of most of hers and attracting the fetish element. Apparently Christine waited until the end of the day to point this out. I, on the other hand don't look at Amanda's bum and so was oblivious to her fashion faux pas.
1275 views of the R4R photobucket album so far. Less today than yesterday. Apparently people are motivated to actually get work done before the weekend.
Karen
1275 views of the R4R photobucket album so far. Less today than yesterday. Apparently people are motivated to actually get work done before the weekend.
Karen
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Sometimes when I am teaching adults, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
....
I posted more show photos on photo bucket. Still more to go through, but there are some of Hillside horses now!
I added some photos to the old folder, and then added a new folder called Ride For Red July 4 Part 2. I would give you a link here...but I am afraid if I do anything I will cancel the upload which is at 32%.
This batch of photos includes the one where Michelle had a rail....
Enjoy!
Once I get them all edited and uploaded, then I will need to go through them I decide which ones to use for promo....anyone want that job?
Karen
....
I posted more show photos on photo bucket. Still more to go through, but there are some of Hillside horses now!
I added some photos to the old folder, and then added a new folder called Ride For Red July 4 Part 2. I would give you a link here...but I am afraid if I do anything I will cancel the upload which is at 32%.
This batch of photos includes the one where Michelle had a rail....
Enjoy!
Once I get them all edited and uploaded, then I will need to go through them I decide which ones to use for promo....anyone want that job?
Karen
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The first of the photos from the show. Nobody from our barn (except Kelsey's winners photo that Zander is trying to escape) as I was too stressed to take photos until after our horses were gone and things were all going smoothly! Couple of Michelle though.
Now to go through Laureen's 200 or so photos....
Karen
Now to go through Laureen's 200 or so photos....
Karen
Monday, July 5, 2010
A fitting end to a long, but good day.
This was the scene I encountered when I went out to feed hay last night: A very bright rainbow stretching across the skyline while the rain fell oh so lightly.
I feel a little lost today without the horse show planning and jump building/painting cluttering my thoughts. I expected to be mentally tired today, but was shocked at how physically tired I am. First horse I rode today was Brax. I got on, we walked, we turn on the forehanded, then I went to ask for trot. My legs were like Jelly. I felt like a beginner bouncing my legs off a tired old lesson horse. Fortunately Brax eventually got the hint and we did manage some trotting. I didn't even consider cantering him! I did manage to ride 7 horses today...now is time for a nap!
I will post pictures from the show tomorrow. I got some decent ones of the higher divisions...although none of our crew as I was too stressed during the first part of the show to take photos. I think Laureen and Amanda may have some pictures though.
I am very impressed with how everyone from Hillside pulled together to make our first Hillside run show a success! It was a bit of the blind leading the blind, and fly by the seat of our pants as none of us had ever done such a thing, but I think we did great! Now we need to make notes of what worked and didn't so we can improve on things for the August show!
Special thanks to our wonderful show office: Wyn, Laura and Madison. To our gate people: Nicole & Friend, and Laureen. To jump crew; Cam, Christine K, Renee, Shinaya & sometimes Jessie, our timer, Jessie, our Judge Christine, my poop picker helper Amanda, and of course Rob who ferried horses back and forth for us! Rob's parents for building the white standards. Natalie for helping with jump building and helping at the barn Sunday morning. Oh, and to Michelle, who guarded the show grounds for us the night before, and was, as always a source of entertainment and general positiveness. Did I forget anyone? Likely. I am tired and a cat has fallen asleep on me. Hard to focus with a purring cat on my shoulder.
Amanda noted last night that we managed to run a show where NO ONE fell off! I didn't see any crying either, or loose dogs!
I will be updating the website with results and photos tomorrow!
Thanks everyone!
Karen
Friday, July 2, 2010
Only two more sleeps to Ride for Red!
Address for the show: 52029 RR224 Sherwood Park. The arena/facility has signs leading to it that read either "Fultonvale" or "Strathcona Olympiette Centre".
Final list of entrants: http://www.hillsidestable.ca/RR1Entrylist.html
I was a little surprised not to get any entries today...but then we got no mail today at all...so perhaps the post office took a longer weekend? I hope people don't show up expecting to be entered that aren't! I am pretty content with the number of riders I have as is.
Rob and I picked up the beverages and some snacks for the concession, and ordered the pizza that will be delivered at noonish. Hopefully people don't all want to pay for a $1.00 pop with a $20.00 bill! I think we will try running a prepaid tab to keep the change giving out to a minimum.
Now I am off to get the prizes organized! I love the ribbons...I hope they are well received.
and..
Before I forget...
HAPPY Birthday Jerk Face! (wait...I mean Edgar....)
Karen
Address for the show: 52029 RR224 Sherwood Park. The arena/facility has signs leading to it that read either "Fultonvale" or "Strathcona Olympiette Centre".
Final list of entrants: http://www.hillsidestable.ca/RR1Entrylist.html
I was a little surprised not to get any entries today...but then we got no mail today at all...so perhaps the post office took a longer weekend? I hope people don't show up expecting to be entered that aren't! I am pretty content with the number of riders I have as is.
Rob and I picked up the beverages and some snacks for the concession, and ordered the pizza that will be delivered at noonish. Hopefully people don't all want to pay for a $1.00 pop with a $20.00 bill! I think we will try running a prepaid tab to keep the change giving out to a minimum.
Now I am off to get the prizes organized! I love the ribbons...I hope they are well received.
and..
Before I forget...
HAPPY Birthday Jerk Face! (wait...I mean Edgar....)
Karen
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