I have been working with horses a long time now. I used to work for a big hunter/jumper barn with trainers that could sometimes be a little reckless, and so I have seen more than my share of incidents causing injuries. I also read horse related news and bulletin boards, so I read about needless tragedies that highlight the risks that come with working with horses, and how important it is to take reasonable safety precautions.
I realize though, that some of you are fairly protected from what can (and does) go wrong, and so take needless risk. Hopefully I can open some eyes.
#1; Footwear: Boots with a heel. And not just any heel...and heel that is at a right angle to the sole. A heel that slopes to the sole is pointless and just inviting the foot to slide through the stirrup. The heel needs to be sufficient that if the rider looses their foot position and weight ends up going down into the toe, that their foot isn't going to slide right through the stirrup. Why? so if they fall off, their entire leg isn't going to be caught up in the stirrup, leaving them hanging alongside a very likely frightened equine.
This weekend a small child was sitting on a pony with runners and her feet in the stirrups. Mom told me "oh, she is ok like that". To which I responded "well, me and my insurance company are not". All that had to happen for that kid to get very hurt is for pony to shake, kid to get shook off one side, kids foot to slide through stirrup and pony to spook from dangling child resulting in a hoof to kids face.
And then there were the two girls that rode up after the show in runners and no helmet. Watching them ride was painful as they had no concept of heels down.
Western or english, you want to minimize the risk of getting caught in the stirrup if something goes wrong...being dragged rarely turns out well, as even the most calm horse can panic when it finds its rider hanging of its side after a bad stumble!
Safety stirrups help prevent the risk, or hooded western stirrups.
But it isn't just a heel that keeps you safe, you also want to make sure the boot isn't too thick/wide for the stirrup. Those stupid winter riding boots drive me crazy as they are so thick that they pretty much wedge into the average stirrup, leaving the rider at a lot of risk if they happen to come off! Can you imagine having your horse spook, you falling off one side, but having both feet stay in the stirrup?
#2: Helmets: I am a big advocate of helmets. And no, I don't think adults should have the "right" to decide for themselves. If you ride at my barn you are setting an example to others, and have to wear a helmet. Plus, I don't think I could handle cleaning up brains.
The need for a helmet has nothing to do with level of ability or the horse's level of training. Courtney King-Dye was an international level dressage rider, riding an international level dressage horse....he tripped. She fell. Hit her head. Coma.
I really do NOT get the common perception that western riders don't need helmets. I dislike going to the little open shows where all English riders must wear helmets, but gymkhana rider's don't! I do not get the logic.
Do western horses not spook? Trip? Have heart attacks?
Look at what happened to that person at the Calgary Stampede in the Team Penning. Good rider, adult, on well trained horse. Horse has a heart attack. Falls on rider. Rider does not have helmet. Rider ends up in a coma.
I remember a while back...maybe 8 years, there was a news story that broke my heart. Girl used to ride down the road to meet her friends. Parents stipulated that she had to wear a helmet. Girl's friends did not wear helmets so girl would ride to the end of the road, take her helmet off, hang it on a post, and meet her friends, putting her helmet back on when she headed home. Went fine until one day horse made it home without her. Dad went to look for daughter. Found the helmet on the post. The saw his daughter laying in a pool of blood. No idea what happened as the horse was quiet and safe. Kid was in a coma for 3 days before mom and dad had to make the decision to pull the plug. NOBODY, not even a selfish self centered teenager should put someone else through having to make a decision like that, so even if you don't want to wear the gear to protect yourself, wear it to protect people that love you from having to go through that.
Parents tried to do the right thing by enforcing the helmet rule...although they should have gone a step further and told her she couldn't ride with friends that didn't wear a helmet. Of course I bet her friends do now...
Usually people don't use the proper equipment as they are either too cheap to buy it, too lazy to use it, too vain to wear it, or subcome to peer pressure. First year I showed dressage I was one of the few Pros to wear a helmet. Last year when I showed western, I was one of the few in the western classes with a helmet. That didn't stop YJ and I from placing very well...including beating some western pros in their Stetsons.
If you think wearing a helmet is cumbersome or uncool...imagine spending your life wearing a diaper because of a head injury...how cool would you be then?
Karen
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I have the pictures from the horse show up on Photobucket. Don't have nearly as many as last time, but if anybody wants a copy of one, just let me know.
http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd89/HillsideStable/Ride%20For%20Red%20August%2029/
Karen
http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd89/HillsideStable/Ride%20For%20Red%20August%2029/
Karen
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Reminder: Board is due!
Not teaching for the week feels odd...but a break was definitely warranted! I needed a break from my computer too, but I am now back on-line.
My next mission is to finish the accounting from the horse show!
Horse show #2 went well. Team Hillside moved up to some bigger classes and that went well. Weather held. Had a few falls this time, including our very own Kaitlin. One small child did get in trouble from me for whipping her horse after falling off. Not sure why her coach didn't yell at her...seriously, where is the logic in yelling and whipping your horse as soon as you stand up? Do you not think that maybe this will teach the horse to run far far away the next time you fall off? Perhaps with your foot still caught in the stirrup or a arm tangled in the reins?
Will post pictures from the show soon. Got some good ones!
Karen
My next mission is to finish the accounting from the horse show!
Horse show #2 went well. Team Hillside moved up to some bigger classes and that went well. Weather held. Had a few falls this time, including our very own Kaitlin. One small child did get in trouble from me for whipping her horse after falling off. Not sure why her coach didn't yell at her...seriously, where is the logic in yelling and whipping your horse as soon as you stand up? Do you not think that maybe this will teach the horse to run far far away the next time you fall off? Perhaps with your foot still caught in the stirrup or a arm tangled in the reins?
Will post pictures from the show soon. Got some good ones!
Karen
Saturday, August 28, 2010
A very odd commentary on the state of high level dressage:
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/6993811/
If you are wondering why it is so odd, it is a "text to speech" production.
Karen
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/6993811/
If you are wondering why it is so odd, it is a "text to speech" production.
Karen
Friday, August 27, 2010
And the entries are in!
Interestingly we seem to have the same number of entries as the last show, yet not that may of the same riders...which means highpoint will likely be pretty much up for grabs at this show as I am going to have the results from this show count higher than the other show so that I can guarantee the horse/rider can accept their award!
http://www.hillsidestable.ca/RR1Entrylist.html
http://www.hillsidestable.ca/RR1Entrylist.html
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Good going Tudor Tack
I went over to Tudor Tack today (Rob's heart rate just increased as he read that I am sure..understandably he gets nervous when the credit card and I go to the tack store...) to pick up the washed and repaired winter blankets and to show them the issue I had with the fuzzy girth I got for Tango. It had been obviously used by me, and had grey hair, so I wasn't really expecting them to take it back, I just wanted to show them the issue...much to my pleasure they took it back with a full refund! Hopefully the manufacturer takes it back...I think the design is flawed and I doubt it would do well on any horse.; the velcro holding the fuzzy on extended too far out and pinched her poor little elbow!
I used the credit to buy a shoulder brace/support that should hopefully help prevent horse's from being able to wrench my spine out of place again...it may also help my posture!
I also picked up more little prizes for the show...which Tudor nicely donated without my even having to ask!
We are going to have some nice prizes again, with prizes for 1rst and 5th place in the classics, as well as three gift certificates from LRM Equine Services (good for a massage or a bottle of specially formulated liniment), and some miscellaneous prizes that will be judged and awarded by the show volunteers...categories for these awards are to be a surprise!
We also have a cooler to award for the Delaney Jumper division, and saddle pads for the high points in the other divisions. And of course prize money.
Not to forget the reason for the show, we will have information provided by the Canadian Blood Services to hand out, as well as donor sheets where people can submit their past or future donations under Ride for Red as we are now a corporate donor! We need at least 15 donations a year to keep that designation, but I think we can do better than that! Lori at CBS even did up a donor sheet with a horse on it just for us.
I think we will have a few more entries than the last show, so hope to start promptly at 9am so that we can still allow schooling between divisions. I will email details once I have calculated how many tickets were sold and compare with last show.
Can you tell I am excited to hold Ride for Red #2?
Karen
I used the credit to buy a shoulder brace/support that should hopefully help prevent horse's from being able to wrench my spine out of place again...it may also help my posture!
I also picked up more little prizes for the show...which Tudor nicely donated without my even having to ask!
We are going to have some nice prizes again, with prizes for 1rst and 5th place in the classics, as well as three gift certificates from LRM Equine Services (good for a massage or a bottle of specially formulated liniment), and some miscellaneous prizes that will be judged and awarded by the show volunteers...categories for these awards are to be a surprise!
We also have a cooler to award for the Delaney Jumper division, and saddle pads for the high points in the other divisions. And of course prize money.
Not to forget the reason for the show, we will have information provided by the Canadian Blood Services to hand out, as well as donor sheets where people can submit their past or future donations under Ride for Red as we are now a corporate donor! We need at least 15 donations a year to keep that designation, but I think we can do better than that! Lori at CBS even did up a donor sheet with a horse on it just for us.
I think we will have a few more entries than the last show, so hope to start promptly at 9am so that we can still allow schooling between divisions. I will email details once I have calculated how many tickets were sold and compare with last show.
Can you tell I am excited to hold Ride for Red #2?
Karen
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
People
Yesterday was a crazy day, which landed me with one heck of a migraine last night.
Random drop in wanted me to show her two horses that are for sale. Seemed like a nice lady, so I lunged the two, but I had already ridden the one, and the other one had a try out later in the day, and it seemed unfair to that person to have the horse already ridden. I don't know why random drop ins irritate me, but they do. I like to keep a schedule.
Had someone come try a horse that greatly exaggerated the riding skills. Very glad I had horsey on a rope for the trot. Wrecked my shoulder, so off to physio in a bit to get that fixed up. Nice lady, has the right idea regarding needing more training, and likely will be fine with the horse, I just wish she had been a little more accurate on her self assessment as she could have been very hurt and horsey could have been very traumatized. Selling green horses is nerve wracking.
....
Lack of right arm use meant I decided to take it a little easy today. Rode the easy little Morgan Sparkie, and Lily who doesn't know how to pull, and took Dexter on a long trail ride. We saw a Snake! Well, I did. Dexter was too busy staring at something I couldn't see in the distance. Odd things seem interesting to him, yet things I think are scary barely register to him.
...
At the show it drove me crazy how some people dealt with their horse not wanting to go in the arena. It is pretty spooky to go from the bright outdoors, to the darker indoors, with the little step down and all sorts of funny noises. I don't think anyone should be upset by their horse wanting to have time to take it in. Most people were good. Let their horse look a little and then asked again to go in. A few had someone lead them in, and I led a few in.
But then there were the couple people who would be sitting there on a half asleep horse, hear me tell them they can go in...and suddenly start spurring the cr@p out of their half asleep horse! I thought one was going to go over backwards on the cement it was so shocked. Not sure the logic of inducing pain and trauma to help a horse overcome a very reasonable fear...
I was also not to sure about the two limpy horses in the ring. The one, not a big deal; the girl didn't have a coach and the limp wasn't huge. The other did have a coach though and the limp was VERY obvious even at the walk. I wonder what the judge did with that test? Poor horsie.
Karen
Random drop in wanted me to show her two horses that are for sale. Seemed like a nice lady, so I lunged the two, but I had already ridden the one, and the other one had a try out later in the day, and it seemed unfair to that person to have the horse already ridden. I don't know why random drop ins irritate me, but they do. I like to keep a schedule.
Had someone come try a horse that greatly exaggerated the riding skills. Very glad I had horsey on a rope for the trot. Wrecked my shoulder, so off to physio in a bit to get that fixed up. Nice lady, has the right idea regarding needing more training, and likely will be fine with the horse, I just wish she had been a little more accurate on her self assessment as she could have been very hurt and horsey could have been very traumatized. Selling green horses is nerve wracking.
....
Lack of right arm use meant I decided to take it a little easy today. Rode the easy little Morgan Sparkie, and Lily who doesn't know how to pull, and took Dexter on a long trail ride. We saw a Snake! Well, I did. Dexter was too busy staring at something I couldn't see in the distance. Odd things seem interesting to him, yet things I think are scary barely register to him.
...
At the show it drove me crazy how some people dealt with their horse not wanting to go in the arena. It is pretty spooky to go from the bright outdoors, to the darker indoors, with the little step down and all sorts of funny noises. I don't think anyone should be upset by their horse wanting to have time to take it in. Most people were good. Let their horse look a little and then asked again to go in. A few had someone lead them in, and I led a few in.
But then there were the couple people who would be sitting there on a half asleep horse, hear me tell them they can go in...and suddenly start spurring the cr@p out of their half asleep horse! I thought one was going to go over backwards on the cement it was so shocked. Not sure the logic of inducing pain and trauma to help a horse overcome a very reasonable fear...
I was also not to sure about the two limpy horses in the ring. The one, not a big deal; the girl didn't have a coach and the limp wasn't huge. The other did have a coach though and the limp was VERY obvious even at the walk. I wonder what the judge did with that test? Poor horsie.
Karen
Monday, August 23, 2010
Parents that don't love their children.
Hi, my daughter has only been riding two months, and I would like to buy her a horse. We don't want to spend very much, and don't want to buy something too old, so we have decided to buy something young and not particularly trained so they can learn together. It will be majikal. When can I come out and try the 3 and 4 year old horses you have for sale?
Seriously?
Would you send your child to a school that had someone their own age teaching the class so they could "learn together"?
Buying young/green because it costs less? It only costs less if you can do the training yourself...otherwise the cost will add up with training...and paying more for the horse is DEFINITELY cheaper than refitting your house to be wheelchair accessible.
But she is an "advanced beginner" and just loves horses. She will take weekly lessons to learn how to ride the horse.
Yes, because love IS truly all it takes to train a horse. Those of us with training issues just don't love our horses enough. And those of us who have taken YEARS of lessons to be able to ride a green horse are just really slow learners. And for those of us who are taking lessons to be able to ride well trained horses...well, you are REALLY slow.
It is just so darn hard to explain to some non-horsey parents about how much there is to riding and training. I am sure they mean well, but it is hard not to worry about the child's well being as you know someone is going to sell them something...suitable or not. The above parent was in sharp contrast to the parent I talked to on Sunday who had done their homework and knew enough to be reasonably safe horse shopping. I wish there was some pamphlet I could just had out..."How to not buy a horse that will maim or scar your child for life".
Sigh
Karen
Seriously?
Would you send your child to a school that had someone their own age teaching the class so they could "learn together"?
Buying young/green because it costs less? It only costs less if you can do the training yourself...otherwise the cost will add up with training...and paying more for the horse is DEFINITELY cheaper than refitting your house to be wheelchair accessible.
But she is an "advanced beginner" and just loves horses. She will take weekly lessons to learn how to ride the horse.
Yes, because love IS truly all it takes to train a horse. Those of us with training issues just don't love our horses enough. And those of us who have taken YEARS of lessons to be able to ride a green horse are just really slow learners. And for those of us who are taking lessons to be able to ride well trained horses...well, you are REALLY slow.
It is just so darn hard to explain to some non-horsey parents about how much there is to riding and training. I am sure they mean well, but it is hard not to worry about the child's well being as you know someone is going to sell them something...suitable or not. The above parent was in sharp contrast to the parent I talked to on Sunday who had done their homework and knew enough to be reasonably safe horse shopping. I wish there was some pamphlet I could just had out..."How to not buy a horse that will maim or scar your child for life".
Sigh
Karen
Horse Show Recap
Geeze, finally a show at Amberlea when the arena isn't flooded. It DID rain Saturday night, but not overly so, and not when anyone was riding so that was a pleasant change for the venue!
Team Hillside did well. The three year olds were the stars, with both Magnus and Triton getting good scores, including 70 for Triton, and 70 point something for Magnus! Edgar looked like he was going to collapse into a puddle during Amanda's last stretch trot, but was otherwise a much more obedient horse than her other attempt at that level, and they were able to do all the movements when they were supposed to, and for as long as they were supposed to! I imagine Amanda is pretty sore today from keeping him going!
Tommy was also pretty good, and is proving himself to be a sensible show horse. Tamara rode him well and also got some respectable scores and placings.
Got to meet Michelle's new horse, who is quite lovely...he just looked a little shocked all the time! I think he was a little out of his usual element of jumping and being in the bush! Nice horse though, and it will be good to see them jumping!
I had fun coaching and being the whipper in. I do vastly prefer keeping busy at a horse show, and volunteering is a good way to ,meet people and see all the horses.
Speaking of volunteering...looking for help for Sunday for the Ride for Red show! In particular for someone to do the gate, and to help with the early morning course build. Let me know if you can help out with these things!
Karen
Team Hillside did well. The three year olds were the stars, with both Magnus and Triton getting good scores, including 70 for Triton, and 70 point something for Magnus! Edgar looked like he was going to collapse into a puddle during Amanda's last stretch trot, but was otherwise a much more obedient horse than her other attempt at that level, and they were able to do all the movements when they were supposed to, and for as long as they were supposed to! I imagine Amanda is pretty sore today from keeping him going!
Tommy was also pretty good, and is proving himself to be a sensible show horse. Tamara rode him well and also got some respectable scores and placings.
Got to meet Michelle's new horse, who is quite lovely...he just looked a little shocked all the time! I think he was a little out of his usual element of jumping and being in the bush! Nice horse though, and it will be good to see them jumping!
I had fun coaching and being the whipper in. I do vastly prefer keeping busy at a horse show, and volunteering is a good way to ,meet people and see all the horses.
Speaking of volunteering...looking for help for Sunday for the Ride for Red show! In particular for someone to do the gate, and to help with the early morning course build. Let me know if you can help out with these things!
Karen
Thursday, August 19, 2010
I took Brie on a trail ride today. She was GOOD! I was warned that she was not good to trail ride and the last time I tried her on trails we didn't get far, but today she was walking out nicely and going up and down the hills on a loose rein. Not sure if it is the better fitness or that she trusts me more, but I think being able to trail ride will make her life better.
I have been in trail ride mode the last couple days as the wind has kept the mosquitoes a little at bay. Yesterday I took little Sparkie. She surprised me by being quite a brave little trail horse for her first time out!
Of course with the smoke it is great trail riding weather...a giant smudge to keep the bugs at bay...if you can breath! The smoke hit the barn at 12:30, just as I was coming back with Brie. I was just coming in from the trail as Rob was driving off (he brought me lunch from Tim Hortons...thanks honey!) and so at first I thought he had just made a smudge...which seemed odd to do when he was on his way to work again...but no...by 1:30 the smoke was in the indoor and my throat is raw from teaching/talking in the smokey air. Horses seem fine though.
Hopefully the smoke is not an issue at the show this weekend...
Karen
I have been in trail ride mode the last couple days as the wind has kept the mosquitoes a little at bay. Yesterday I took little Sparkie. She surprised me by being quite a brave little trail horse for her first time out!
Of course with the smoke it is great trail riding weather...a giant smudge to keep the bugs at bay...if you can breath! The smoke hit the barn at 12:30, just as I was coming back with Brie. I was just coming in from the trail as Rob was driving off (he brought me lunch from Tim Hortons...thanks honey!) and so at first I thought he had just made a smudge...which seemed odd to do when he was on his way to work again...but no...by 1:30 the smoke was in the indoor and my throat is raw from teaching/talking in the smokey air. Horses seem fine though.
Hopefully the smoke is not an issue at the show this weekend...
Karen
Ride times are up...
The ride times are up for the weekend.
All I can say is I am REALLY glad I didn't take a horse in first or second level, or in the Freestyle! It is going to be a very long day for the poor judge!
Saturday isn't too bad...with Clare starting us off at 8:18, and Tamara finishing us off at 3:30.
http://www.amberleameadows.com/images/Seasonal%20Images/Saturday%20-%20Tentative%20Ride%20Times.pdf
Sunday is less pleasant. Christine at 8am. Amanda at 4:19....so who wants to do chores on Sunday :) I figure we will have the other two horses loaded and Amanda can just ride Edgar into the trailer as she leaves her class.
That is a stupid long day...but I guess it is good that the show is being so well supported....
Karen
All I can say is I am REALLY glad I didn't take a horse in first or second level, or in the Freestyle! It is going to be a very long day for the poor judge!
Saturday isn't too bad...with Clare starting us off at 8:18, and Tamara finishing us off at 3:30.
http://www.amberleameadows.com/images/Seasonal%20Images/Saturday%20-%20Tentative%20Ride%20Times.pdf
Sunday is less pleasant. Christine at 8am. Amanda at 4:19....so who wants to do chores on Sunday :) I figure we will have the other two horses loaded and Amanda can just ride Edgar into the trailer as she leaves her class.
That is a stupid long day...but I guess it is good that the show is being so well supported....
Karen
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Still no ride times for Amberlea? Paula mustn't be the one doing it or she would have had it done by now.
Weather forecast seems to be improving. Fingers crossed that we have one dry Amberlea show. Of course it would be the one I don't have a horse at.
As an aside; beware the free horse ad. There is one floating around right now. Free horse ads make people who would otherwise not want a horse, get a horse. Or people looking for a horse, get the wrong one.
Here is the thing. The Free horse costs as much as the paid for horse. There is a good chance the free horse may need more in the way of farrier and vet up front as free horses tend to be free for a reason. And then there is the training or maintenance it likely needs...most free horses are either young, lame, or have a difficult habit.
So you are saving money with the "purchase"...but paying more to get the horse rideable...if it is ever rideable.
I am sure there are some nice free horses out there. Some track horses are given away. But I think people are less diligent in their prepurchase consideration when there is no price tag...but unless you are willing to dump a horse at auction, then that free, poorly considered horse could end up costing you thousands of dollars, heart ache, and perhaps personal well being.
Think about how much you would pay to keep yourself (or your child) safe, and if you have that money in the bank, that is what you should be prepared to spend....if you don't, you shouldn't buy a horse.
Just ask Amanda what cheap horses "cost" her.
So Beware the Free horse.
(although I wouldn't trade the time I had with my "free" horse Ziggy...although in the end, the amount Rob and I spend trying to save her likely made her our most expensive horse. I miss her.)
Karen
Weather forecast seems to be improving. Fingers crossed that we have one dry Amberlea show. Of course it would be the one I don't have a horse at.
As an aside; beware the free horse ad. There is one floating around right now. Free horse ads make people who would otherwise not want a horse, get a horse. Or people looking for a horse, get the wrong one.
Here is the thing. The Free horse costs as much as the paid for horse. There is a good chance the free horse may need more in the way of farrier and vet up front as free horses tend to be free for a reason. And then there is the training or maintenance it likely needs...most free horses are either young, lame, or have a difficult habit.
So you are saving money with the "purchase"...but paying more to get the horse rideable...if it is ever rideable.
I am sure there are some nice free horses out there. Some track horses are given away. But I think people are less diligent in their prepurchase consideration when there is no price tag...but unless you are willing to dump a horse at auction, then that free, poorly considered horse could end up costing you thousands of dollars, heart ache, and perhaps personal well being.
Think about how much you would pay to keep yourself (or your child) safe, and if you have that money in the bank, that is what you should be prepared to spend....if you don't, you shouldn't buy a horse.
Just ask Amanda what cheap horses "cost" her.
So Beware the Free horse.
(although I wouldn't trade the time I had with my "free" horse Ziggy...although in the end, the amount Rob and I spend trying to save her likely made her our most expensive horse. I miss her.)
Karen
Monday, August 16, 2010
I love the weather forecast. Cold and crappy tomorrow for when I have someone flying in to try horses...then a few nice days...and then cold, crappy and raining for the Amberlea show. And why wouldn't it be? Forecasters likely aren't even going by their charts and gizmos and are just looking at the Amberlea dressage show schedule.
Fortunately Amberlea makes wonderful hot chocolate complete with whipped cream.
Next year I am showing in California.
....
My dad has been doing surprisingly well with his blood counts continuing to improve and his need for transfusions decreasing steadily. The Leukemia cells are completely gone. Yippy! Still pisses me off that someone told him back in December he only had 1-3 months to live...what if he had believed them and given up?
....
It occurred to me that not everyone knows what is going on with Coregel and why she is in forced captivity (and doing well with it I must add). She has torn her collateral ligament that connects P2 and P3 (the small bones in the pastern). The ligament took some bone with it, but not enough to surgically reattach, so the hope is that if we keep it wrapped tightly and keep her from moving much it may find its way to reattach. We will re-xray in 22 days to see if it is healing. She also strained her suspensory ligaments in that leg, but that seems to have healed. The odd thing is that for the amount of damage she did, she wasn't very lame at any point...it was just the low/hard swelling that concerned be enough to finally do x-rays.
I am really not sure what the prognosis is for her if it heals or doesn't heal. I am just taking it one step at a time and trying to keep her from going crazy.
Karen
Fortunately Amberlea makes wonderful hot chocolate complete with whipped cream.
Next year I am showing in California.
....
My dad has been doing surprisingly well with his blood counts continuing to improve and his need for transfusions decreasing steadily. The Leukemia cells are completely gone. Yippy! Still pisses me off that someone told him back in December he only had 1-3 months to live...what if he had believed them and given up?
....
It occurred to me that not everyone knows what is going on with Coregel and why she is in forced captivity (and doing well with it I must add). She has torn her collateral ligament that connects P2 and P3 (the small bones in the pastern). The ligament took some bone with it, but not enough to surgically reattach, so the hope is that if we keep it wrapped tightly and keep her from moving much it may find its way to reattach. We will re-xray in 22 days to see if it is healing. She also strained her suspensory ligaments in that leg, but that seems to have healed. The odd thing is that for the amount of damage she did, she wasn't very lame at any point...it was just the low/hard swelling that concerned be enough to finally do x-rays.
I am really not sure what the prognosis is for her if it heals or doesn't heal. I am just taking it one step at a time and trying to keep her from going crazy.
Karen
Saturday, August 14, 2010
I have the new lesson schedule posted, so if you haven't signed up for a lesson time, please do so soon so I can add new students to the schedule!
I am not teaching Anugust 30, 31, and September 1-3. Just a little break for me and for the horses. Lease riders are still welcome to ride on their lease and lesson days.
And now for some humour:
http://www.cafepress.ca/+what_trainers_mean_greeting_card,152717170
http://www.cafepress.ca/dd/30376232
This one reminds me of Edgar and Dexter.... http://www.cafepress.ca/+horse_treats_note_cards_pk_of_10,155791695
Karen
I am not teaching Anugust 30, 31, and September 1-3. Just a little break for me and for the horses. Lease riders are still welcome to ride on their lease and lesson days.
And now for some humour:
http://www.cafepress.ca/+what_trainers_mean_greeting_card,152717170
http://www.cafepress.ca/dd/30376232
This one reminds me of Edgar and Dexter.... http://www.cafepress.ca/+horse_treats_note_cards_pk_of_10,155791695
Karen
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Look...it is mini Edgar!
Can you see the resemblance? Of course if it were the real Edgar there is no WAY he would be standing quietly so close to grass....
Coregel seems to be settling in to being indoors. Still not thrilled about it, but the walls are no longer shaking! Kokannee gets to be her day time friend. He seems pretty happy about the job; out of the hot sun, no bugs, no competition for his food...
I sent the entries in to the EAADA dressage show today...should be fun...and hopefully dry! Time to start reorganizing for my next little show though...time flies! Looking for more volunteers this time around...particularly with jump crew in the morning to set up the initial course.
Karen
I sent the entries in to the EAADA dressage show today...should be fun...and hopefully dry! Time to start reorganizing for my next little show though...time flies! Looking for more volunteers this time around...particularly with jump crew in the morning to set up the initial course.
Karen
Monday, August 9, 2010
If you are wondering what the God awful noise in the barn is...it is Coregel. Coregel on stall rest. Her hind leg injury is much more serious than first thought and I am supposed to try to immobilize the leg...she is not cooperating though. Hoping the vet comes up with a better solution than 30 days stall rest. I wish I could explain the consequences to her...I really do not want her to go the way of Ziggy.
I will have to leave someone in the barn during the day to keep her company. Not sure who yet. I may take Rob's advice and alternate two horses in the stall across from her...perhaps Lily and Bliss? I am sure they would be happy to be out of the sun for a few hours a day.
Although Rocket will be pleased to get Coregel's fly sheet for the remainder of the season...hopefully it fits him!
And now for a photo of a two year old who IS cooperating:
Doesn't Cara look all grown up and fancy in her bridle and braids? I think she will make someone a very fancy hunter one day.
And on the topic of fancy...I think it is a good thing Amanda does not have kids based on how she dresses her horse...seriously...his fly sheet looks like he is getting ready for a Richard Simmons sweating with the oldies workout... The poor fellow is so mortified he has even let Rocket and Tommy chomp on it.
(I am kidding...the shiny gold fly sheet is lovely Amanda...if only my horses should be so lucky...)
Karen
Thursday, August 5, 2010
So I was out looking at a horse today and saw some Cattalo. Any guesses what that would be? It is a buffalo crossed with cattle that looks mostly like a Bison. These guys (gals?) looked just like bison/buffalo, but had big white blazes, and one had a big belly splash of white! Pinto buffalo! How frightening would that be to encounter while trail riding...
On another note, I am putting together the fall lesson schedule, so please come talk to me about when you would like to ride. I am considering doing some dressage lessons Sunday mornings if there is enough interest. I so much prefer doing dressage with no jumps in the arena!
Hope you are all having a great summer and aren't being overly sucked dry by the insects!
Karen
On another note, I am putting together the fall lesson schedule, so please come talk to me about when you would like to ride. I am considering doing some dressage lessons Sunday mornings if there is enough interest. I so much prefer doing dressage with no jumps in the arena!
Hope you are all having a great summer and aren't being overly sucked dry by the insects!
Karen
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
It was bound to happen...a horse finally found the draw string on my jacket...grabbed the little plastic tightener and pulled while i was picking his hooves. And pulled. And pulled. Until it was quite stretched and I realized the dilemma I was in...unwittingly I went to reach up to open the horse's mouth...but as I did that he let go...and SNAP, ZAPPA, ZING....it snapped right back into my hand. Ouch. Very ouch. Lots of swearing from me. Horse looking innocent.
Must remember to make sure the new barn jackets do not have draw strings.
...
On a happier note I cantered Sparkie for the first time today! She is such an eager little trotter that it was hard to convince her to canter until today. That little horse can trot fast! Had a lovely canter though, so hopefully she agrees that it is easier than doing a speedy trot. I trotted the younger morgan Minx for the first time today too. She is also a lovely mover and I found her to have a very warmblood feeling trot which I didn't really expect. She is a very nice little mare. Both horses are for sale if anyone is looking for a very willing partner for show or trail riding. Make a youth or small adult a wonderful mount!
Karen
Must remember to make sure the new barn jackets do not have draw strings.
...
On a happier note I cantered Sparkie for the first time today! She is such an eager little trotter that it was hard to convince her to canter until today. That little horse can trot fast! Had a lovely canter though, so hopefully she agrees that it is easier than doing a speedy trot. I trotted the younger morgan Minx for the first time today too. She is also a lovely mover and I found her to have a very warmblood feeling trot which I didn't really expect. She is a very nice little mare. Both horses are for sale if anyone is looking for a very willing partner for show or trail riding. Make a youth or small adult a wonderful mount!
Karen
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Well my last big show of the year was a little anti-climatic. Tango was on the one hand much more obedient than usual, but she just wasn't her usual self. I could NOT get a medium trot out of her and she lacked the flare she normally has. She was just...flat. And Tango is never flat. Maybe she missed getting to splash in the puddles? More likely though is that she hurt herself kicking in the trailer on our way there...we were stuck in traffic for about 15 minutes and she shook the trailer the entire time. She will get some time off now and hopefully time will put her back to her old self.
Brie was pretty good. Friday was definitely our best day though. Saturday started with a very muddy warm up ring so another class where I couldn't warm up. At first not being able to warm up was a novelty, but by show three it was just tiresome and frustrating. She went in the ring and promptly slipped on the lengthen across the diagonal which threw off her confidence for the rest of the test. Our leg yields were at their best though. The freestyle went well, and she won the red ribbon for first level. On Sunday she did first level test 4. I was happy with her effort, although we missed the one counter canter (nailed the second one though!), and it was a good improvement over the last show. She is getting much straighter in her neck and relaxed in her jaw.
Came home absolutely exhausted. Horses seemed happy to come home too. Although I think Tango liked the novelty of getting grain at the show!
As an aside, remember how the music failed Tango for our freestyle at the last show? Well, it happened again to a few of the other competitors at this show...only the judges didn't know how to deal with failed music so instead of having the riders just come back later they held the ring until the amp was fixed and had them start over then...making the other riders later and later...adding 8 minutes or so with each music failure. In a sport where we are used to riding on time and warm up is down to an exact science, this can really throw a horse and rider's performance for a loop!
Karen
Brie was pretty good. Friday was definitely our best day though. Saturday started with a very muddy warm up ring so another class where I couldn't warm up. At first not being able to warm up was a novelty, but by show three it was just tiresome and frustrating. She went in the ring and promptly slipped on the lengthen across the diagonal which threw off her confidence for the rest of the test. Our leg yields were at their best though. The freestyle went well, and she won the red ribbon for first level. On Sunday she did first level test 4. I was happy with her effort, although we missed the one counter canter (nailed the second one though!), and it was a good improvement over the last show. She is getting much straighter in her neck and relaxed in her jaw.
Came home absolutely exhausted. Horses seemed happy to come home too. Although I think Tango liked the novelty of getting grain at the show!
As an aside, remember how the music failed Tango for our freestyle at the last show? Well, it happened again to a few of the other competitors at this show...only the judges didn't know how to deal with failed music so instead of having the riders just come back later they held the ring until the amp was fixed and had them start over then...making the other riders later and later...adding 8 minutes or so with each music failure. In a sport where we are used to riding on time and warm up is down to an exact science, this can really throw a horse and rider's performance for a loop!
Karen
Friday, July 30, 2010
Day 1
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
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
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
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Ghost horse
She arrived in the rainy mist of early morning...a pale horse against the trees. YJ almost fell over trying to get a look at her, and then spinning to run off. She, on the other hand, maintained her decorum as she walked up the driveway to her new home. Horses lifting their heads from their hay to stare in wonder.
....
We have our first "white" horse at Hillside. I have never seen a white horse before. Not sure if she is Dominant White, or Maximum Sabino, but she is definately white with pink skin all over. Rhiannon should get a sunscreen company to sponsor her. Very pretty horse despite the butcher job of a brand she had done to her at some point in her young life.
Hopefully she adjusts to life in Canada without incident.
Karen
....
We have our first "white" horse at Hillside. I have never seen a white horse before. Not sure if she is Dominant White, or Maximum Sabino, but she is definately white with pink skin all over. Rhiannon should get a sunscreen company to sponsor her. Very pretty horse despite the butcher job of a brand she had done to her at some point in her young life.
Hopefully she adjusts to life in Canada without incident.
Karen
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Wow...some storm! Sure came up quick and rained hard. Fortunately it ended before I had to feed night hay. Poor Edgar could not understand why I wasn't rushing out to get him in, and stood in the rain the entire time staring at the barn, thereby allowing Rocket and Tommy sole use of the shelter.
I now have 11 entries for the horse show.
Country Boyz is willing to bring out Pizza to the show if we so wish. I need to let them know by Friday afternoon. Other than that, I am just planning to provide beverages and snacks. Ideas welcome.
Also looking to borrow things like tables, chairs, extra coolers...looking for an easy set up gazebo thing too...looked for one today, but could only find the ones that take some building. I just want a cheapy unfolding one so the show office can be outside but out of the sun/rain.
AND! We are very fortunate to have none other than CHRISTINE THEW judging the horse show! She does accept bribes in the form of payments towards her board, vet, or farrier bills.
Karen
I now have 11 entries for the horse show.
Country Boyz is willing to bring out Pizza to the show if we so wish. I need to let them know by Friday afternoon. Other than that, I am just planning to provide beverages and snacks. Ideas welcome.
Also looking to borrow things like tables, chairs, extra coolers...looking for an easy set up gazebo thing too...looked for one today, but could only find the ones that take some building. I just want a cheapy unfolding one so the show office can be outside but out of the sun/rain.
AND! We are very fortunate to have none other than CHRISTINE THEW judging the horse show! She does accept bribes in the form of payments towards her board, vet, or farrier bills.
Karen
Paint is on my nose. I went shopping with paint on my nose. And my arms. and hands. At least I wasn't wearing breeches at the time. The jumps are getting closer to being completed...the poles are almost all painted so now the focus is on the fill and finishing the logo jumps. I think the paint fumes are helping me get a better nights sleep.
Fingers are cramped from being crossed hoping for nice weather.
Karen
Fingers are cramped from being crossed hoping for nice weather.
Karen
Monday, June 28, 2010
Well, I have two more entries for Ride for Red, so unless Mother Nature ruins it for me, the show is a go!
Of course that means I better get the jumps ready and painted! Apparently I was in Easter mode when I picked the colours...
Planning to have each jump noticeably different from each other to help make remembering the course easier. Also to give Sunny more things to spook at.
I lack any original thoughts today.
Must be the paint fumes.
You know what else the paint fumes do? Attract masses of bugs. It is sick how many bugs have lost their lives to the jumps....
Karen
Of course that means I better get the jumps ready and painted! Apparently I was in Easter mode when I picked the colours...
Planning to have each jump noticeably different from each other to help make remembering the course easier. Also to give Sunny more things to spook at.
I lack any original thoughts today.
Must be the paint fumes.
You know what else the paint fumes do? Attract masses of bugs. It is sick how many bugs have lost their lives to the jumps....
Karen
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Was it something I said?
Zero boarders out today. Zero. None. And it was a LOVELY day! I imagine Amanda was too crippled, but what of the rest of you? Sheesh.
Karen
Karen
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Pick a picture...
Photo 1: Charmer heading out to the road
Photo 2: View from the saddle
Photo 3: View from the saddle...less sunny.
Photos 4: Riding past Donver. I am saying hi to Jinx.
Photo 5: Crossing the road.
Photo 6: Being passed by traffic.
Photo 2: View from the saddle
Photo 3: View from the saddle...less sunny.
Photos 4: Riding past Donver. I am saying hi to Jinx.
Photo 5: Crossing the road.
Photo 6: Being passed by traffic.
Which pictures would catch your eye the most if you were looking for a nice (but still green) trail horse? I need something to catch people's attention for Charmer...she is a LOVELY trail mare and I can't believe nobody has snatched her up!
Karen
Rocky's lot in life
In case you wonder what it is exactly that Rocky does for us at Hillside; this is his main job...ponying bratty training horses. I usually start them off in the outdoor arena so they can't get away if things go awry. (I find the indoor too restrictive and boring).
But at some point they ALL decide to give Rocky a taste test! He is far to polite to correct a young lady like Cara though, so he just takes it. I need to get him a neck guard like at the track. 
So on Rocky's behalf I explained to Cara that tasting Rocky was wrong. She looks suitable chastised.
So off we went for a little walk in the wide open.
And we survived!
Karen
finally!
You may have noticed the severe lack of updating of the Hillside Website of late...we changed the hosting service and I just NOW figured out how to update it. Why we couldn't have stayed with Yahoo? No idea.
Anyway, to start with, I have put Ride for Red on the website: http://www.hillsidestable.ca/HorseShow.htm
With links to entry forms and the list of horses entered so you can check if you received your entry.
I will admit, I am starting to panic that it will either rain, or I won't get enough entries!
Karen
Anyway, to start with, I have put Ride for Red on the website: http://www.hillsidestable.ca/HorseShow.htm
With links to entry forms and the list of horses entered so you can check if you received your entry.
I will admit, I am starting to panic that it will either rain, or I won't get enough entries!
Karen
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Triton is in denile
I decided that today would be a good day to introduce Triton to a Western Saddle. He is good out on trails, and very surefooted, so I could see him one day heading up a mountain, and most riders on such a path would prefer a western saddle to a dressage...even a grippy equisuede one.
Triton looked pretty good in the western saddle. Not as good in the english, but not out of place either.
I lunged him first off, and wow...he was his Friesianist Friesian self (take that spell check!). Prancy and neck archy beyond what I have ever seen! He was NOT going to admit to his Paint heritage...he was all Friesian! His impressive trot hung on even while I rode him. He felt like almost as big a mover as Jelt. Perhaps I will have to get Sunny to have a chat with him and explain that even big dressage horses can go western once and a while...
Karen
Triton looked pretty good in the western saddle. Not as good in the english, but not out of place either.
I lunged him first off, and wow...he was his Friesianist Friesian self (take that spell check!). Prancy and neck archy beyond what I have ever seen! He was NOT going to admit to his Paint heritage...he was all Friesian! His impressive trot hung on even while I rode him. He felt like almost as big a mover as Jelt. Perhaps I will have to get Sunny to have a chat with him and explain that even big dressage horses can go western once and a while...
Karen
Where did June go?
Is June seriously almost over? It is those darn kids again...speeding up time so that school will be done sooner.
But...that means my show is in under two weeks! Yikes! The entry total for it is 6 so far, with the deadline for entries being a week from Thursday.
If anyone would like to Volunteer at the show, help would be greatly appreciated! I will have a sign up sheet in the barn or you can talk to me, or sent an email!
Help is needed for: Show office, jump crew, in gate, timer and such. You can help for the entire day or just for part of it. You don't have to have special knowledge for any of these positions.
We also need people to pray for nice weather for the 4th!
Karen
But...that means my show is in under two weeks! Yikes! The entry total for it is 6 so far, with the deadline for entries being a week from Thursday.
If anyone would like to Volunteer at the show, help would be greatly appreciated! I will have a sign up sheet in the barn or you can talk to me, or sent an email!
Help is needed for: Show office, jump crew, in gate, timer and such. You can help for the entire day or just for part of it. You don't have to have special knowledge for any of these positions.
We also need people to pray for nice weather for the 4th!
Karen
Monday, June 21, 2010
here's a shocker...
Some of you may remember the 5 (or maybe 6) year old Standardbred being sold as a "good confidence builder" for someone wanting to learn to jump. So calm and quiet. Even good for beginners! Sellers told someone who called that advertised herself as a beginner that he would be prefect. (fortunately she wasn't that naive!)
Now it seems the horse is being advertised as suitable only for an intermediate or advanced rider who has ridden more than just lesson horses...
Gee, you think? Maybe once skinny auction horse put weight on and got fit that he may actually have some green horse issues typical for his age and level of training?
And I LOVE the snarky little paragraph at the end of the ad admonishing people for over selling their riding skills.... seriously...when you advertise a horse as good for beginners and a great confidence builder, who exactly do you think is going to show up?
*sigh* I AM glad this seller has come to their senses about selling such a green horse to a more appropriate level rider as so many don't. I am shocked though that people actually considered this large green broke horse for a beginner rider, as it seems apparent they did have beginners out to try him.
I am equally shocked by the number of people who came out to look at the very green broke fillies I had here for sale and brought along their young kids to try them out! Fortunately they heeded my advice that these horses would need to be in training to be suitable for children and passed. Hopefully they weren't ensnared by a less honest seller though....people seem so desperate to find a pretty little horse for their princess that it really wouldn't be hard to mis-sell a pretty horse...or a tall horse.
Age doesn't always equal training and trustworthiness, but it does help.
Karen
Now it seems the horse is being advertised as suitable only for an intermediate or advanced rider who has ridden more than just lesson horses...
Gee, you think? Maybe once skinny auction horse put weight on and got fit that he may actually have some green horse issues typical for his age and level of training?
And I LOVE the snarky little paragraph at the end of the ad admonishing people for over selling their riding skills.... seriously...when you advertise a horse as good for beginners and a great confidence builder, who exactly do you think is going to show up?
*sigh* I AM glad this seller has come to their senses about selling such a green horse to a more appropriate level rider as so many don't. I am shocked though that people actually considered this large green broke horse for a beginner rider, as it seems apparent they did have beginners out to try him.
I am equally shocked by the number of people who came out to look at the very green broke fillies I had here for sale and brought along their young kids to try them out! Fortunately they heeded my advice that these horses would need to be in training to be suitable for children and passed. Hopefully they weren't ensnared by a less honest seller though....people seem so desperate to find a pretty little horse for their princess that it really wouldn't be hard to mis-sell a pretty horse...or a tall horse.
Age doesn't always equal training and trustworthiness, but it does help.
Karen
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Is it wrong?
Is it wrong to be jealous of a cat?
This is how Milo spent his ENTIRE Sunday; asleep amidst blankets and laundry on our bed. Sounds like a good way to spend the day to me...but Rob had other ideas. Silly things like fencing.
Cats can sleep pretty much anywhere, through anything and look peaceful and comfortable. And for some reason they possess some sort of power over me where I cannot displace or disturb them...despite the fact I KNOW that a pampered cat such as Milo has no pressing engagements he must rest up for. So rather than disturb a sleeping cat I will contort myself so as to not disturb them...occasionally only to discover that the lump I thought was a sleeping cat was, in fact, a lump in the blankets.
Karen
This is how Milo spent his ENTIRE Sunday; asleep amidst blankets and laundry on our bed. Sounds like a good way to spend the day to me...but Rob had other ideas. Silly things like fencing.
Cats can sleep pretty much anywhere, through anything and look peaceful and comfortable. And for some reason they possess some sort of power over me where I cannot displace or disturb them...despite the fact I KNOW that a pampered cat such as Milo has no pressing engagements he must rest up for. So rather than disturb a sleeping cat I will contort myself so as to not disturb them...occasionally only to discover that the lump I thought was a sleeping cat was, in fact, a lump in the blankets.Karen
Friday, June 18, 2010
Evil show organizers....the organizers of the Amberlea Dressage Festival just HAD to make the closing date for entries BEFORE the start date of the Gold Rush show. I was really hoping to use Gold Rush as a test of Brie's dressage skills and to see if Tango really was ready to do Second Level and then enter this show accordingly. But no. Entries close July 14. Gold Rush starts July 15.
Show costs are a little less than Gold Rush, but it is still over $200 WITHOUT any classes entered!
As an aside, I really like the art work on the cover of the prize list, although I find it odd when they picture horses all braided for a show, but with the polos/boots on. It not as if the drawing risks a bowed tendon...so is it just that polos are easier to draw than tendons?
....
I think someone should leave work early today and go with me on a trail ride once afternoon chores are done. Really, what is so important about your job that can't wait until Monday?
Karen
Show costs are a little less than Gold Rush, but it is still over $200 WITHOUT any classes entered!
As an aside, I really like the art work on the cover of the prize list, although I find it odd when they picture horses all braided for a show, but with the polos/boots on. It not as if the drawing risks a bowed tendon...so is it just that polos are easier to draw than tendons?
....
I think someone should leave work early today and go with me on a trail ride once afternoon chores are done. Really, what is so important about your job that can't wait until Monday?
Karen
Thursday, June 17, 2010
I like June. It is a nice month. Warm, quiet (kids are busy studying to make up for 4 months of slacking!), and a nice summer to look forward to. On the flip side though, June drives me crazy. Every year the longer days drive me over the edge with lack of sleep. My brain just can't seem to comprehend that I CAN sleep even though it is light out. By July I seem to have adjusted, but until then, if I call you by the wrong name, just deal with it...I am half asleep and semi conscious.
Whilst riding outside I saw all of the horses in the grass fields laying down for a nap...and I was jealous. Yesterday all I wanted to do was pick grass for the horses (no complaints from them), but I did find the energy to get on Ricco for the first time. Natalie videoed Ricco is oddly unconcerned by my presence on his back considering the things that DO concern him. Of course as soon as I was on there, he was like "hey, Karen's gone...I am SO out of HERE! Hey Natalie!" Today I didn't have Natalie in the arena and he was better able to recognize that I was on him and actually telling him to do something.
We did a video of Triton yesterday too...but I lack the energy to edit it down to a more reasonable length, so it will have to wait.
Karen
Whilst riding outside I saw all of the horses in the grass fields laying down for a nap...and I was jealous. Yesterday all I wanted to do was pick grass for the horses (no complaints from them), but I did find the energy to get on Ricco for the first time. Natalie videoed Ricco is oddly unconcerned by my presence on his back considering the things that DO concern him. Of course as soon as I was on there, he was like "hey, Karen's gone...I am SO out of HERE! Hey Natalie!" Today I didn't have Natalie in the arena and he was better able to recognize that I was on him and actually telling him to do something.
We did a video of Triton yesterday too...but I lack the energy to edit it down to a more reasonable length, so it will have to wait.
Karen
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