So Amberlea was this past weekend.
It's a Bronze show and I think it's affiliated with the Canadian Equestrian Federation, so it's expensive and there's a lot of people who go with super fancy horses.
I went on Saturday to go watch, take pictures and help out my two friends who were competing, since Rocky is not in shape enough to compete and to pay the huge entire fees for only two 2'3" class was not at all worth it.
It was a lot of fun, but my one friend had the same rail down in 2'6" and 2'9" and was insanely upset about it. Understandable in a way because she lost out on ribbons but you can't win prize money until Sunday anyway so it was pointless to be upset about missing pay from work when there was no chance on Saturday anyway. I just thought she didn't take the knocked rails down very well, but that's just my thoughts.
I couldn't make Sunday because I had uni homework and had to go see Rocky.
Talking to both of them and reading K's blog it sounded like they did super well on Sunday and kicked the asses of several snotty circuit bitches.
The warm up ring was still a gong show. I hate warm up rings and they are the bain of my riding existence because people are just so snotty, rude and stupid. Especially the circuit bitches.
It was really disappointing not being able to ride in the show though, especially because I think me and Pony could have done amazing, and pretty much the whole time I had her I was looking forward to possibly going to Amberlea. But at the same time, I'm really happy that I was able to go watch and get the feel for how that show is run. So I think that will be some comfort for next year.
I've actually had a few chances to go to this show, in grade 11 I had the option to go with Diesel but the show was the same weekend as the uni open house so I decided not to go. Last year, I think it was sort of a possibility but not really. I spent 5 weeks of the summer in Australia and missed a lot of riding and shows so we weren't really prepared and so I think that was the reason I didn't go, but maybe it's not? I don't remember.
Fingers crossed me and Rocky can go next year...or me and who ever because as we've all seen this past year, who the hell is to say.
Showing posts with label Show Season. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Show Season. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
What?! There's boys?! :O
So this weekend is the Amberlea Meadows show, and there was actually guys competition at the show! That never happens!! Ever! In 8 years of riding/showing, I have never been at a show (besides Spruce Meadows) where there's actually guys competing. It wasn't as exciting after we all realized that they were either super old or super ugly and all super dumb. *tear* but even if they had been hot and this still happened:
*in pompous, yet some what surprised tone* greasy zit man says
"I just realized I have to memorize 16 courses for this weekend"
...well that just ruined everything, since brains appeared to be lacking in this situation as well.
Since 1.) this is JUMPING you remember 1 course at a time (this time it was 2 b/c of the immediate jump off, but it was like 5 jumps so really just 1 super long course).
2.) you can forget it right after it's over
N over heard to and said she was pleased he could do basic math. Maybe we were being to mean? But we were all so excited to actually (possibly) meet guys that also ride English and showed! How exciting would that be, when you never meet guys like that? Well they were a bit of a let down. Although the one 65 year old guy had some stylin' flames zocks on.
But anyway. I MISS Pony sooooooo much!! God damn, why did she have to sell before Amberlea? I love Rocky, I do and they're actually quite similar but he's not a show pony who's shown at 3'3" over super wide oxers. She's the one I would want at Amberlea, we could have done so well, and there was loads of other ponies there too. There was no point in even considering taking Rocky, he's out of shape and we haven't been together long enough and there is zero point in paying $300 to ride in 2 classes (4 counting jump off) and have basically no chance of winning money back.
I have (somewhat) more interesting stories about the show, but now I think I'll go be miserable about not having Pony and missing out on Amberelea. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to have had the chance to go to and see what the show is like before having to compete but next to whim catering, I'm also very good at wallowing in my own misery and since I haven't done that for a while....
But tomorrow, show stories, possibly uni stuff from psych and equine science and Rocky, since I get to go see him and no one else will be at the barn!
*in pompous, yet some what surprised tone* greasy zit man says
"I just realized I have to memorize 16 courses for this weekend"
...well that just ruined everything, since brains appeared to be lacking in this situation as well.
Since 1.) this is JUMPING you remember 1 course at a time (this time it was 2 b/c of the immediate jump off, but it was like 5 jumps so really just 1 super long course).
2.) you can forget it right after it's over
N over heard to and said she was pleased he could do basic math. Maybe we were being to mean? But we were all so excited to actually (possibly) meet guys that also ride English and showed! How exciting would that be, when you never meet guys like that? Well they were a bit of a let down. Although the one 65 year old guy had some stylin' flames zocks on.
But anyway. I MISS Pony sooooooo much!! God damn, why did she have to sell before Amberlea? I love Rocky, I do and they're actually quite similar but he's not a show pony who's shown at 3'3" over super wide oxers. She's the one I would want at Amberlea, we could have done so well, and there was loads of other ponies there too. There was no point in even considering taking Rocky, he's out of shape and we haven't been together long enough and there is zero point in paying $300 to ride in 2 classes (4 counting jump off) and have basically no chance of winning money back.
I have (somewhat) more interesting stories about the show, but now I think I'll go be miserable about not having Pony and missing out on Amberelea. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to have had the chance to go to and see what the show is like before having to compete but next to whim catering, I'm also very good at wallowing in my own misery and since I haven't done that for a while....
But tomorrow, show stories, possibly uni stuff from psych and equine science and Rocky, since I get to go see him and no one else will be at the barn!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Disasters...are sometimes hilarious.
Thursday was a very...interesting jumping lesson with Rocky.
We have a jump that reminds me of Spruce Medows..on a much smaller scale. Usualy our jumps are only one or two poles, but this time one had 3 so it was special =P.
Rocky was really good for the first part, and he jumped beautifully, just round so it feels bigger than it is.
Over the practice/warm up jump, I was thinking he would take of long, but he didn't (since they usually don't over the first jump of the day so no idea what I was thinking) but after we got that one cleaned up he did really good on the first course.
Then she changed it and I forgot the turn after the second and jump and was still doing the first course by going straight through the line.
And some where between the third and forth jump Rocky lost his mind (this was also his first time jumping inside in ages). On the forth jump he put his feet through the rails, like he hadn't seen the top bar and it was like he was jumping inside the jump. Not sure if that makes sense. But anyway, the fifth jump (second in the bending line we were doing was okay, he might have knocked the top pole I don't remember) but then the last jump in the line he tried jumping inside it again. I don't know what he was doing, so we stopped after that so he could settle down and get his head back.
K said she's never laughed so hard, and that she wasn't sure if she should have been laughing at her students. But it was funny (since no one was hurt).
We started the course again, which starts over the 3 pole jump (2'3" ish) but he was not having it, he ran out several times so we went for a little hand gallop around the arena, and she lowered the top bar. So he went over that pretty well and we managed the rest of the course leaving all the rails up, when we came back to the 3 bar jump, it was 3 again, he did it perfectly, but I gave him a really retarded release, I had my arms out like chicken wings instead of straight forward, but other than my terrible arm form over that jump he did super well the last time through. Poor guy.
Hopefully Wednesday will be better for him.
There was a show on Saturday and because of our not so great lesson on Thursday I decided not to enter, but did go just to watch my two friends that were competeing. Kind of mad I didn't go now! There was 5 people in the 2'3" class and just my two friends in the 2'6" class. Could have gone! But the hosting barns outdoor arena was only finished on the 18th of August and there's a lot of sand in the arena, the footing is stupidly deep, so maybe that was good we didn't go. Rocky isn't in the best shape yet, so that would have been hard on him. It was on N's horse and he's in way better shape than Rocky or L's horse.
The next possible show is Amberlea Meadows and I'm not sure about that one, it's a big fancy show that's two days long at the end of September, entries are due this Friday but I'm thinking we won't bother this year. It's like $300 or more to enter because of stabling and I don't know that we have a chance to win anything back. Maybe next year.
We have a jump that reminds me of Spruce Medows..on a much smaller scale. Usualy our jumps are only one or two poles, but this time one had 3 so it was special =P.
Rocky was really good for the first part, and he jumped beautifully, just round so it feels bigger than it is.
Over the practice/warm up jump, I was thinking he would take of long, but he didn't (since they usually don't over the first jump of the day so no idea what I was thinking) but after we got that one cleaned up he did really good on the first course.
Then she changed it and I forgot the turn after the second and jump and was still doing the first course by going straight through the line.
And some where between the third and forth jump Rocky lost his mind (this was also his first time jumping inside in ages). On the forth jump he put his feet through the rails, like he hadn't seen the top bar and it was like he was jumping inside the jump. Not sure if that makes sense. But anyway, the fifth jump (second in the bending line we were doing was okay, he might have knocked the top pole I don't remember) but then the last jump in the line he tried jumping inside it again. I don't know what he was doing, so we stopped after that so he could settle down and get his head back.
K said she's never laughed so hard, and that she wasn't sure if she should have been laughing at her students. But it was funny (since no one was hurt).
We started the course again, which starts over the 3 pole jump (2'3" ish) but he was not having it, he ran out several times so we went for a little hand gallop around the arena, and she lowered the top bar. So he went over that pretty well and we managed the rest of the course leaving all the rails up, when we came back to the 3 bar jump, it was 3 again, he did it perfectly, but I gave him a really retarded release, I had my arms out like chicken wings instead of straight forward, but other than my terrible arm form over that jump he did super well the last time through. Poor guy.
Hopefully Wednesday will be better for him.
There was a show on Saturday and because of our not so great lesson on Thursday I decided not to enter, but did go just to watch my two friends that were competeing. Kind of mad I didn't go now! There was 5 people in the 2'3" class and just my two friends in the 2'6" class. Could have gone! But the hosting barns outdoor arena was only finished on the 18th of August and there's a lot of sand in the arena, the footing is stupidly deep, so maybe that was good we didn't go. Rocky isn't in the best shape yet, so that would have been hard on him. It was on N's horse and he's in way better shape than Rocky or L's horse.
The next possible show is Amberlea Meadows and I'm not sure about that one, it's a big fancy show that's two days long at the end of September, entries are due this Friday but I'm thinking we won't bother this year. It's like $300 or more to enter because of stabling and I don't know that we have a chance to win anything back. Maybe next year.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Bye Pony part 3? Ride For Red Show Pictures
Because the computers are beings "special" there's going to be a part 4 to this Bye Pony saga. Also I have to re name the blog eventually, but I guess I have to find out which horse I'll be riding. Not til Tuesday then.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Yay Show!!
So we had our show today and Pony was brilliant!!
I was worried she'd do what she sometimes does at home and just take off or buck, stuff like that. But she was amazing, no bucking, no real big freak outs or getting frightened by sand hitting the jumps. During the coarse she would sometimes get a bit quick but she always came back when I asked.
In the 2' clear round we went clear, even over the trucks, which she doesn't like. Then we placed 4th in the Classic. Take that full sized horses. She can do all the super tight turns and she's super quick, not like a horse with longer legs, but whatever. Loads of people were telling her how cute she was.
In the 2'6" clear round we had to do it twice because the first time she stopped at the grey box jump and then the tudor tack plank jump, but she hasn't seen either of those two at home so that was part of it, but she worked so hard! Then the second time we did the course she didn't stop at the boxes but did at the plank, well actually we didn't really stop and when we came back we didn't cross our tracks so we still got a clear round ribbon. But since she was so good and it was boiling hot, I didn't take her in the classic, so we only got one ribbon.
Which is great because I wasn't expecting us to get anything at all. So I'm very happy with her and how we did.
Once all the pictures are uploaded I'll put a few up :)
Ahhhh, so I start my first year of University in less than two weeks and I'm kind of freaking out. I got an email from my English professor saying we needed to sign up for some website thing and then it talks about what we can expect from the class and, god damn it, we have write. Not a big surprise since it's uni but there's also "peer revision" and other equally horrifying things such as group work. So I'm really, really not at all excited about this class, but I'm sure the other classes will be like that too. It makes me miss high school when we didn't have to do that crap. At least the classes are only what 40 or 50 minutes? Then I can run away to math class. Hopefully I can find some decent people in that class, and all the others, haha I'm actually hoping that I have at least one of my friends is also in that class.
Everyone I know that's graduated from uni have always told me how much they loved it and that it was the best time of their lives and stuff like that. But they're also all super outgoing friendly people, which I think makes it easier. But this is starting to sound like a diary or something so, yay horse show was good and that's all that really matters!
I was worried she'd do what she sometimes does at home and just take off or buck, stuff like that. But she was amazing, no bucking, no real big freak outs or getting frightened by sand hitting the jumps. During the coarse she would sometimes get a bit quick but she always came back when I asked.
In the 2' clear round we went clear, even over the trucks, which she doesn't like. Then we placed 4th in the Classic. Take that full sized horses. She can do all the super tight turns and she's super quick, not like a horse with longer legs, but whatever. Loads of people were telling her how cute she was.
In the 2'6" clear round we had to do it twice because the first time she stopped at the grey box jump and then the tudor tack plank jump, but she hasn't seen either of those two at home so that was part of it, but she worked so hard! Then the second time we did the course she didn't stop at the boxes but did at the plank, well actually we didn't really stop and when we came back we didn't cross our tracks so we still got a clear round ribbon. But since she was so good and it was boiling hot, I didn't take her in the classic, so we only got one ribbon.
Which is great because I wasn't expecting us to get anything at all. So I'm very happy with her and how we did.
Once all the pictures are uploaded I'll put a few up :)
Ahhhh, so I start my first year of University in less than two weeks and I'm kind of freaking out. I got an email from my English professor saying we needed to sign up for some website thing and then it talks about what we can expect from the class and, god damn it, we have write. Not a big surprise since it's uni but there's also "peer revision" and other equally horrifying things such as group work. So I'm really, really not at all excited about this class, but I'm sure the other classes will be like that too. It makes me miss high school when we didn't have to do that crap. At least the classes are only what 40 or 50 minutes? Then I can run away to math class. Hopefully I can find some decent people in that class, and all the others, haha I'm actually hoping that I have at least one of my friends is also in that class.
Everyone I know that's graduated from uni have always told me how much they loved it and that it was the best time of their lives and stuff like that. But they're also all super outgoing friendly people, which I think makes it easier. But this is starting to sound like a diary or something so, yay horse show was good and that's all that really matters!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Show Tomorrow
As long as it doesn't rain like it has for every other show this year.
Sadly because of the rain we aren't even at the height we were in June, for SM we were supposed to be a 2'9" to 3'. This time we're at 2'.
Oh well, I don't mind to much since 2' is still a good height for Pony but it gives us a bit of a break to make more mistakes and she won't have to be exactly perpendicular to the jump like she likes to a the bigger heights. I have no idea how high we'll get to, but I don't think it will be more than 2'9".
If I remember right, the 2' class is actually 2'-2'3" and then 2'6"-2'9".
It's supposed to be a pretty small show, there's about 28 people entered. But the 2' class is usually the most popular so the warm up ring sucks ass. It's always packed and everyone is in everyone elses way (and there's less of a chance of getting a ribbon). Plus since I've never had Pony in a jumper warm up ring, I have no idea what she's going to be like when the other horses are that close to her. K has only ever taken her in dressage shows and she's said Pony is not exactly spooky, but things catch her attention a bit more than they do at home.
We're also bringing one of her stronger bits, since her owner has told us she needs it at jumping shows. That's great, makes me so much more confident going into this [sarcasm :)]. Hopefully she'll be good and we can ride in the normal bit. She has a few different bits and one of them is insanely harsh looking. I can't remember what it's called, but it's two separate skinny bars, each twisted and when it bends it looks like a W. We aren't taking that one and I would never want to use it, but even a normal snaffle can be harsh in the wrong hands.
A few things to remember for this show:
She doesn't like sand hitting the jumps, so be ready on the land after a box or plank
She looks around more at shows than at home
Think of her as a spring and remember to collect her but not lose speed/compulsion so she can extend again if she has too
Try and get her as straight to every jump as possible
Speed doesn't count in the first round, just go clear
I think that's all the advice she gave and all that I can remember. And my child slave has abandoned me!
My sister, she's got a big babysitting job so she won't be at the show to help out. Once I wrote a social presentation on the advantages of child labour. It was a joke of coarse, but my sisters friend presented it in her class and got 75%. Good stuff.
Fingers crossed all goes well tomorrow.
My all time favourite advice from a pro rider about showing (sadly I can't remember his name, so lame) "if you stop getting nervous you should go find a new sport". Maybe it's just me, but it's nice to know even the pros get nervous before a show.
Sadly because of the rain we aren't even at the height we were in June, for SM we were supposed to be a 2'9" to 3'. This time we're at 2'.
Oh well, I don't mind to much since 2' is still a good height for Pony but it gives us a bit of a break to make more mistakes and she won't have to be exactly perpendicular to the jump like she likes to a the bigger heights. I have no idea how high we'll get to, but I don't think it will be more than 2'9".
If I remember right, the 2' class is actually 2'-2'3" and then 2'6"-2'9".
It's supposed to be a pretty small show, there's about 28 people entered. But the 2' class is usually the most popular so the warm up ring sucks ass. It's always packed and everyone is in everyone elses way (and there's less of a chance of getting a ribbon). Plus since I've never had Pony in a jumper warm up ring, I have no idea what she's going to be like when the other horses are that close to her. K has only ever taken her in dressage shows and she's said Pony is not exactly spooky, but things catch her attention a bit more than they do at home.
We're also bringing one of her stronger bits, since her owner has told us she needs it at jumping shows. That's great, makes me so much more confident going into this [sarcasm :)]. Hopefully she'll be good and we can ride in the normal bit. She has a few different bits and one of them is insanely harsh looking. I can't remember what it's called, but it's two separate skinny bars, each twisted and when it bends it looks like a W. We aren't taking that one and I would never want to use it, but even a normal snaffle can be harsh in the wrong hands.
A few things to remember for this show:
She doesn't like sand hitting the jumps, so be ready on the land after a box or plank
She looks around more at shows than at home
Think of her as a spring and remember to collect her but not lose speed/compulsion so she can extend again if she has too
Try and get her as straight to every jump as possible
Speed doesn't count in the first round, just go clear
I think that's all the advice she gave and all that I can remember. And my child slave has abandoned me!
My sister, she's got a big babysitting job so she won't be at the show to help out. Once I wrote a social presentation on the advantages of child labour. It was a joke of coarse, but my sisters friend presented it in her class and got 75%. Good stuff.
Fingers crossed all goes well tomorrow.
My all time favourite advice from a pro rider about showing (sadly I can't remember his name, so lame) "if you stop getting nervous you should go find a new sport". Maybe it's just me, but it's nice to know even the pros get nervous before a show.
Stupid Blogger.. and riding of corse
Stupid blogger will not let me comment on my own blog even though my email is a google account.
Right, so terrible news first: Gross, bad rider girl is now riding Pony too. Turns out Pony doesn't test her dressage riders the same way she does the jumping ones, which kind of sucks because apperantly this girl really likes her. Damn.
If it was someone who wasn't horrible, I'd be sooo happy that someone was doing lots of dressage work with her, it would get her back in shape faster and would be so helpful for jumping. But no such luck. Fingers crossed the other horse gets better quick.
Last Thursday we had a decent lesson, we were inside because it rained again. It was a pretty simple coarse that was designed with her some what lower fitness level in mind and she did quite well once we go going.
We have a reoccuring problem when coming to jumps off the rail, she knows they're coming and will cut of the end of the arena and start to turn to soon and no matter what you change she will keep doing it! It's super frustrating and there's only so much you can do to get her back to the wall and turn straight before you get to the jump, so I'll have to find a way to deal with that on free rides.
We had a couple run outs and then I fell off on one, Pony still ran away, but this time she just walked instead of doing the whole canter and buck around the arena. Once we got on real coarse pace she did great, as she usaully does. I don't get why it's taken so long for this "think sports car" to properly sink in. But I think it finally has.
On Tuesday we were back outside and doing a longer coarse and it was really hot, thank god for the wind or I might have passed out.
It's a bit lame but the jumps we are doing now are about 2'6"-2'9" and that's what we were warming up over in June and July but we haven't done 2'9" in a while so they seem so much scarier, pathetic. This coarse had two oxers; one was the red fan jump and the other was a yellow plank/yellow pole parallel oxer. I thought we would have more trouble with the oxer but that's just me, Pony didn't care at all.
The one she did care about was the lattice jump, she was fine going to the left but when we were on coarse going to the right, she just freaked out and wasn't pleased to go near it. Again we had the same problem with her turning on her own and to soon, even though we came at it off a circle but she knew she was jumping.
She did run out at the brown and white jump we had problems with last week but the second time we came at it, she felt a bit backed off and was looking at it, so I "yelled" at her and she jumped it, if a bit close.
She was good on the lines, didn't care about the oxers, she did run out at the fan, but we didn't have a distance so it wasn't her fault.
But she's starting to use her back end a bit more so thats really helping.
The green verticle she ran out on in the second coarse, we just didn't have a good approach I think was the reason, but we came back to it, stopped again. Came a third time and she was so determinded to get over it that she caught me a bit of guard and we missed the short turn to the next jump and had to take the long way. But she jumped it fine.
The last line was seven pony stirdes and she took off so far from the lattice jump, my friend said her horse could have fit into the extra distance and her horse is HUGE! It was kind of like hitting a turbo button, she had this nice canter heading into the jump and then wham! she took off super long and then was off like a shot to the second jump. It was actually kind of funny, but my friend was like "aren't you terrified?". No, she has done scarier things than that, and Tommy liked his longs so I'm a bit used to them. Did not catcher her in the mouth which is great!
My usual release is grab mane 1/4 up her neck and then full realese with the left hand, which has got us into to trouble before, but now that I'm actually aware of it, I've been able to work on it and now most of the time I can give her the full realese (grab mane with both hands!) and not catcher her and that's also helped a lot.
We have a show on Saturday, just a tiny one but hopefully it won't get rained out like every other show this season.
On Thursday, we had a pretty good lesson, the jumps were pretty small and she did well even over the scary looking ones so hopefully she'll have some confidence going into the show on Saturday.
Right, so terrible news first: Gross, bad rider girl is now riding Pony too. Turns out Pony doesn't test her dressage riders the same way she does the jumping ones, which kind of sucks because apperantly this girl really likes her. Damn.
If it was someone who wasn't horrible, I'd be sooo happy that someone was doing lots of dressage work with her, it would get her back in shape faster and would be so helpful for jumping. But no such luck. Fingers crossed the other horse gets better quick.
Last Thursday we had a decent lesson, we were inside because it rained again. It was a pretty simple coarse that was designed with her some what lower fitness level in mind and she did quite well once we go going.
We have a reoccuring problem when coming to jumps off the rail, she knows they're coming and will cut of the end of the arena and start to turn to soon and no matter what you change she will keep doing it! It's super frustrating and there's only so much you can do to get her back to the wall and turn straight before you get to the jump, so I'll have to find a way to deal with that on free rides.
We had a couple run outs and then I fell off on one, Pony still ran away, but this time she just walked instead of doing the whole canter and buck around the arena. Once we got on real coarse pace she did great, as she usaully does. I don't get why it's taken so long for this "think sports car" to properly sink in. But I think it finally has.
On Tuesday we were back outside and doing a longer coarse and it was really hot, thank god for the wind or I might have passed out.
It's a bit lame but the jumps we are doing now are about 2'6"-2'9" and that's what we were warming up over in June and July but we haven't done 2'9" in a while so they seem so much scarier, pathetic. This coarse had two oxers; one was the red fan jump and the other was a yellow plank/yellow pole parallel oxer. I thought we would have more trouble with the oxer but that's just me, Pony didn't care at all.
The one she did care about was the lattice jump, she was fine going to the left but when we were on coarse going to the right, she just freaked out and wasn't pleased to go near it. Again we had the same problem with her turning on her own and to soon, even though we came at it off a circle but she knew she was jumping.
She did run out at the brown and white jump we had problems with last week but the second time we came at it, she felt a bit backed off and was looking at it, so I "yelled" at her and she jumped it, if a bit close.
She was good on the lines, didn't care about the oxers, she did run out at the fan, but we didn't have a distance so it wasn't her fault.
But she's starting to use her back end a bit more so thats really helping.
The green verticle she ran out on in the second coarse, we just didn't have a good approach I think was the reason, but we came back to it, stopped again. Came a third time and she was so determinded to get over it that she caught me a bit of guard and we missed the short turn to the next jump and had to take the long way. But she jumped it fine.
The last line was seven pony stirdes and she took off so far from the lattice jump, my friend said her horse could have fit into the extra distance and her horse is HUGE! It was kind of like hitting a turbo button, she had this nice canter heading into the jump and then wham! she took off super long and then was off like a shot to the second jump. It was actually kind of funny, but my friend was like "aren't you terrified?". No, she has done scarier things than that, and Tommy liked his longs so I'm a bit used to them. Did not catcher her in the mouth which is great!
My usual release is grab mane 1/4 up her neck and then full realese with the left hand, which has got us into to trouble before, but now that I'm actually aware of it, I've been able to work on it and now most of the time I can give her the full realese (grab mane with both hands!) and not catcher her and that's also helped a lot.
We have a show on Saturday, just a tiny one but hopefully it won't get rained out like every other show this season.
On Thursday, we had a pretty good lesson, the jumps were pretty small and she did well even over the scary looking ones so hopefully she'll have some confidence going into the show on Saturday.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
It's Quite Sad...
How large Alberta's dumb ass population seems to be.
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The idiot people who own the land next to the barn were setting of fire works last night and the quiet ones were apparently okay but then they set of these super loud ones and the four young mares just went crazy and started freaking out. K was out doing night fee and her husband came out to help try and calm down and control them. She yelled over and asked them to stop, but they yelled back "deal with it, it's a birthday". How fucking retarded do you have to be? Seriously, can you not hear the screaming and horses freaking out? Are the bangs and glittery lights really so fucking important to you that you feel it's necessary to endanger the horses lives?
Stupidity should be a crime.
Anyway, I worked Thursday morning and I was alone, except for the dog and one of the cats, cleaning stalls but the big side doors were open and out of the corner of my eye I saw this big white dog that looked like a wolf walk in. I wasn't totally sure what to do, but the barn dog got up, ran over and they went outside. The cat was not pleased, even though he's pretty much best friends with the barn dog, he went a bit crazy. He'd been sitting on the stairs hand rail, soon as he saw the white dog, he ripped up the banister, and refused to come down even after the white dog left.
Turns out she is part wolf and belongs to the neighbours, not the idiot ones, lucky for her.
Not to much excitement after that really, racked the arena, and cleaned tack and brought in/turned out a few horses.
No one else was in the lesson, which was fine, Pony was much better! We practiced collecting her trot and getting proper cross overs on the leg yields. She did pretty well, still lots of work to do, on both our parts.
For the jumping we only had one refusal, but it was for good reason. The ground line was a bit farther back than usual and we both thought we had a long, then she realized "No we don't!" so she stopped. Not her fault at all and she didn't get crazy like she sometimes does after because she thinks she's in trouble. I can't remember much else for the lesson, but I'm going out to see her tomorrow.
There was supposed to be a show today, but it's been raining all week so SURPRISE it's been cancelled. The third one in a row.
The idiot people who own the land next to the barn were setting of fire works last night and the quiet ones were apparently okay but then they set of these super loud ones and the four young mares just went crazy and started freaking out. K was out doing night fee and her husband came out to help try and calm down and control them. She yelled over and asked them to stop, but they yelled back "deal with it, it's a birthday". How fucking retarded do you have to be? Seriously, can you not hear the screaming and horses freaking out? Are the bangs and glittery lights really so fucking important to you that you feel it's necessary to endanger the horses lives?
Stupidity should be a crime.
Anyway, I worked Thursday morning and I was alone, except for the dog and one of the cats, cleaning stalls but the big side doors were open and out of the corner of my eye I saw this big white dog that looked like a wolf walk in. I wasn't totally sure what to do, but the barn dog got up, ran over and they went outside. The cat was not pleased, even though he's pretty much best friends with the barn dog, he went a bit crazy. He'd been sitting on the stairs hand rail, soon as he saw the white dog, he ripped up the banister, and refused to come down even after the white dog left.
Turns out she is part wolf and belongs to the neighbours, not the idiot ones, lucky for her.
Not to much excitement after that really, racked the arena, and cleaned tack and brought in/turned out a few horses.
No one else was in the lesson, which was fine, Pony was much better! We practiced collecting her trot and getting proper cross overs on the leg yields. She did pretty well, still lots of work to do, on both our parts.
For the jumping we only had one refusal, but it was for good reason. The ground line was a bit farther back than usual and we both thought we had a long, then she realized "No we don't!" so she stopped. Not her fault at all and she didn't get crazy like she sometimes does after because she thinks she's in trouble. I can't remember much else for the lesson, but I'm going out to see her tomorrow.
There was supposed to be a show today, but it's been raining all week so SURPRISE it's been cancelled. The third one in a row.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Damn Rain
R4R was supposed to be today, but nooooo, it had to rain. And not just a drizzle, but a complete down pour, thunder and everything. Which normally I like, but not when it ruins what probably would have been an awesome show.
There was only about 10 people in it this time, so it would be a nice small show for me and Pony to start with, so I can find out what she's like in a totally different environment.
So yeah, not happy.
There's a show next Saturday (HU), that we might be going to. Originally it was a three day AM show, but no one wants to go having not done a single show this season. I'm a bit worried about HU, just because I was there a couple years ago with Diesel and we did well, but the arena is smallish and it's really crowded for warming up in. So that sucks, and we were at 2' or so, which tend to be the bigger classes. But the second class there was only 5 of us (because me and D got 5th out of 5), so if the classes are like that again... that would be perfect. Just to see what Pony's like, because I really don't want to deal with her freaking out and doing one of her crazy run offs that she sometimes does at home. We start at about 2'6" now, so maybe they'll be less people there, but I'm not hopeful.
I guess we'll have to wait and see and just deal with it. Because the next show for us won't be until August 14th. And if she's really way to crazy to deal with, then I guess we'll end up dropping out.
Did anyone else watch the Queen Elizabeth II Cup today?! Crazy jump off, it's always so intense when it comes down to two riders and they just go all out. Rich Fellers lost by a single poll on the very last jump, if not he totally would have won. But I was absolutely cheering for Eric Lamaze, I have a friend who just bitches about how much she doesn't like him because of the 1996 Olympic crap, but I love that he over came all that and now look! He's number one in the world, won the QE II cup four times in a row. Plus he's Canadian which just makes him that much more awesome.
There was only about 10 people in it this time, so it would be a nice small show for me and Pony to start with, so I can find out what she's like in a totally different environment.
So yeah, not happy.
There's a show next Saturday (HU), that we might be going to. Originally it was a three day AM show, but no one wants to go having not done a single show this season. I'm a bit worried about HU, just because I was there a couple years ago with Diesel and we did well, but the arena is smallish and it's really crowded for warming up in. So that sucks, and we were at 2' or so, which tend to be the bigger classes. But the second class there was only 5 of us (because me and D got 5th out of 5), so if the classes are like that again... that would be perfect. Just to see what Pony's like, because I really don't want to deal with her freaking out and doing one of her crazy run offs that she sometimes does at home. We start at about 2'6" now, so maybe they'll be less people there, but I'm not hopeful.
I guess we'll have to wait and see and just deal with it. Because the next show for us won't be until August 14th. And if she's really way to crazy to deal with, then I guess we'll end up dropping out.
Did anyone else watch the Queen Elizabeth II Cup today?! Crazy jump off, it's always so intense when it comes down to two riders and they just go all out. Rich Fellers lost by a single poll on the very last jump, if not he totally would have won. But I was absolutely cheering for Eric Lamaze, I have a friend who just bitches about how much she doesn't like him because of the 1996 Olympic crap, but I love that he over came all that and now look! He's number one in the world, won the QE II cup four times in a row. Plus he's Canadian which just makes him that much more awesome.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
No Show =(
So we didn't end up going to the show today, it's been pouring all day! And the barn hosting the show has no where that we can tack up and stay dry or anywhere to warm up. They do have a sperat barn with a bunch of stalls but we didn't want to use them because of the Equine Herpes outbreak and it is a western barn.
So I got up and went with my dad to the barn at twenty to eight, and brough her in from the rain. Poor Pony, she did not look happy to so wet. Dried her off and then tacked up and did my lease ride. She was okay, but all of the downward transitions where terrible. And she was spooking at everything at the far end of the arena. The rain actually wasn't that loud, it was much worse on Thursday so I'm not totally sure what her problem was. She spooked at then end of one of the circles and i didn't even know what happened all of a sudden i was slipping off her shoulder, with my arms around her neck. Luckly she stopped moving so I didn't actaully fall off.
When she's all spooky and weird she carries her head up really high but then she gets mad when you shorten the reins to keep contact but she won't put her head down with the longer reins. So after the first trot and canter we stopped and walked for a while and then did a bit more work. She was much better the second time around. But she was not happy to go back out in the rain.
So I got up and went with my dad to the barn at twenty to eight, and brough her in from the rain. Poor Pony, she did not look happy to so wet. Dried her off and then tacked up and did my lease ride. She was okay, but all of the downward transitions where terrible. And she was spooking at everything at the far end of the arena. The rain actually wasn't that loud, it was much worse on Thursday so I'm not totally sure what her problem was. She spooked at then end of one of the circles and i didn't even know what happened all of a sudden i was slipping off her shoulder, with my arms around her neck. Luckly she stopped moving so I didn't actaully fall off.
When she's all spooky and weird she carries her head up really high but then she gets mad when you shorten the reins to keep contact but she won't put her head down with the longer reins. So after the first trot and canter we stopped and walked for a while and then did a bit more work. She was much better the second time around. But she was not happy to go back out in the rain.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Show Nerves
I haven't had a problem with them all day until now! Which is to bad 'cause I want to sleep.
I've been showing for about 6 years and this isn't even a big show! It's just a little fun one that doesn't count for anything really, but I haven't been back at this barn for years, I've never been to a show with Pony and now the schedule has been screwed up because of the rain.
Original just the jumping was going to be inside and there's only about 6 jumps in the course and theres 3 jump classes, but now everything would be inside so the jumping won't start until about 11 or possibly 10:30 according to the lady in charge, so we'll see.
I still have to get up early because I have to clean Pony's white socks and feet and either ride, lunge or free lunge her so she's not to crazy before we get there because K isn't sure of warm up space anymore.
Went out the barn this evening to clean her tack and my helmet and boots. Spent ages picking the masking tape of my one half chap that the zipper was broken off, but my new ones feel awesome and they're all pretty and black and new, so I might wear them tomorrow.
Still have to pack all the stuff I need for tomorrow and find black shoe laces for my boots...
But yes, show nerves need to go away so I can sleep instead of watching re-runs of American Dad.
I've been showing for about 6 years and this isn't even a big show! It's just a little fun one that doesn't count for anything really, but I haven't been back at this barn for years, I've never been to a show with Pony and now the schedule has been screwed up because of the rain.
Original just the jumping was going to be inside and there's only about 6 jumps in the course and theres 3 jump classes, but now everything would be inside so the jumping won't start until about 11 or possibly 10:30 according to the lady in charge, so we'll see.
I still have to get up early because I have to clean Pony's white socks and feet and either ride, lunge or free lunge her so she's not to crazy before we get there because K isn't sure of warm up space anymore.
Went out the barn this evening to clean her tack and my helmet and boots. Spent ages picking the masking tape of my one half chap that the zipper was broken off, but my new ones feel awesome and they're all pretty and black and new, so I might wear them tomorrow.
Still have to pack all the stuff I need for tomorrow and find black shoe laces for my boots...
But yes, show nerves need to go away so I can sleep instead of watching re-runs of American Dad.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Rodeo Mare!
Indeed, Pony seems to think that the rodeo will make a good career for her.
We had our first complete jumping lesson outside today! It was interesting to say the very least. On one long end of the arena there was a triple combination, and then off the second long side there was a vertical and next to that, a second vertical on an angle.
First we did the grid both ways (to and from home) and she did great, at the canter she was very good away from home, but got stronger and stronger heading to home. Not much of a surprise because that's what she like last week too.
We seem to be making some progress on getting more of the left bend too!
As for the jumping, the jumps were small 2'-2'3" thank god because she was CRAZY! Going away from the out gate (which is also on a slight down hill slant). Anyway, she got way out of control going home over the grid, after the second jump she was just out of control!! I turned her towards the middle of the arena and tried to get her to just relax and stand, but then she started doing little rears and kicks. She is a crazy mare!
K says she just has loads of energy and then she stood on a long piece of grass(?). Well that's what K thought too when she picked it up of the ground, so maybe?
After that we trotted around for 10-15minutes to try and burn off some of her crazy energy.
Anyway, after that we didn't end up doing anymore jumping towards home. And for the most part she was really good, she did listen when I asked her to slow down and collect, but after the second jump in the grid she did start to get quick again, but nothing like her first freak out.
K also thought that it might have to do with how I carry my lower leg. That it should be farther back than it is when I ride flat, which is where it tends to be when we jump and she's so sensitive to leg that she might think I'm asking her to go faster when I'm not. So on Thursday K's planning on tying my stirrups to the girth and I'm going back to the library to find the book about correcting riding position
Me and my friend N where talking about the classes we're planning on entering for the SM show coming up, I guess we can't cross enter and do 2'6" and then 2'9" which is what I wanted to do. She's doing the 2'9" and 3'4".
So that's what I'm doing as well! Aren't you excited? Apparently that's what we jump normally! I was so insanely surprised, I didn't think that at all! Usually we do about 2'9" but then there's usually a couple other jumps that are 3'4"! Isn't that insane?! Especially for Pony!
The good thing about SM's opening show is usually not a lot of people go, so even it's horrible, not many will see!
I need a show name for her! For the little ones I don't have to use Lil' Miss (thank god!) so what do you think would be a cute name for her?
We had our first complete jumping lesson outside today! It was interesting to say the very least. On one long end of the arena there was a triple combination, and then off the second long side there was a vertical and next to that, a second vertical on an angle.
First we did the grid both ways (to and from home) and she did great, at the canter she was very good away from home, but got stronger and stronger heading to home. Not much of a surprise because that's what she like last week too.
We seem to be making some progress on getting more of the left bend too!
As for the jumping, the jumps were small 2'-2'3" thank god because she was CRAZY! Going away from the out gate (which is also on a slight down hill slant). Anyway, she got way out of control going home over the grid, after the second jump she was just out of control!! I turned her towards the middle of the arena and tried to get her to just relax and stand, but then she started doing little rears and kicks. She is a crazy mare!
K says she just has loads of energy and then she stood on a long piece of grass(?). Well that's what K thought too when she picked it up of the ground, so maybe?
After that we trotted around for 10-15minutes to try and burn off some of her crazy energy.
Anyway, after that we didn't end up doing anymore jumping towards home. And for the most part she was really good, she did listen when I asked her to slow down and collect, but after the second jump in the grid she did start to get quick again, but nothing like her first freak out.
K also thought that it might have to do with how I carry my lower leg. That it should be farther back than it is when I ride flat, which is where it tends to be when we jump and she's so sensitive to leg that she might think I'm asking her to go faster when I'm not. So on Thursday K's planning on tying my stirrups to the girth and I'm going back to the library to find the book about correcting riding position
Me and my friend N where talking about the classes we're planning on entering for the SM show coming up, I guess we can't cross enter and do 2'6" and then 2'9" which is what I wanted to do. She's doing the 2'9" and 3'4".
So that's what I'm doing as well! Aren't you excited? Apparently that's what we jump normally! I was so insanely surprised, I didn't think that at all! Usually we do about 2'9" but then there's usually a couple other jumps that are 3'4"! Isn't that insane?! Especially for Pony!
The good thing about SM's opening show is usually not a lot of people go, so even it's horrible, not many will see!
I need a show name for her! For the little ones I don't have to use Lil' Miss (thank god!) so what do you think would be a cute name for her?
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Tuesday
I'm soooo tired, I don't even want to write this, but if I don't I'll forget what happened by tomorrow.
She was actually pretty good, and didn't run out on the first jump! Yay! She did run out at two others, just being naughty. She got a smack on the ass at the skinny jump and got all pissy (hence her nickname Pissy Pony), but she has to learn that she can't run at a jump just for the hell of it. Then second one she didn't get a smack 'cause I fell off and she took off as per usual. But she slowed down and came back much quicker than usual, unfortunately the cheek piece on her jumping bridle broke though, so that sucks ass.
We have to work a lot more on getting and keeping the left bend, because she just keeps getting stronger and stronger on the right.
K is taking her to a dressage show on Sunday, so I hope they do well! Going out to the barn on Friday so she can show me all the stuff to do for afternoon chores and ride Pony, then Sunday I do afternoon chores and ride Kokanne. Exciting! =)
She was actually pretty good, and didn't run out on the first jump! Yay! She did run out at two others, just being naughty. She got a smack on the ass at the skinny jump and got all pissy (hence her nickname Pissy Pony), but she has to learn that she can't run at a jump just for the hell of it. Then second one she didn't get a smack 'cause I fell off and she took off as per usual. But she slowed down and came back much quicker than usual, unfortunately the cheek piece on her jumping bridle broke though, so that sucks ass.
We have to work a lot more on getting and keeping the left bend, because she just keeps getting stronger and stronger on the right.
K is taking her to a dressage show on Sunday, so I hope they do well! Going out to the barn on Friday so she can show me all the stuff to do for afternoon chores and ride Pony, then Sunday I do afternoon chores and ride Kokanne. Exciting! =)
Monday, May 16, 2011
$$$
Yay, 9 followers! Awesome!
Oh my jeez, show clothes are insaaaaanly expensive!!
To Get:
- either new half chaps or tall boots (preferably tall boots, half chaps aren't accepted at AM shows)
- breeches
- at least one show shirt with rat catcher
- a show shirt without a rat catcher
- helmet cover (or new helmet)
So, we went looking for tall boots/half chaps. No luck with half chaps with I don't mind, I can use my hillbilly ones at home and then use tall boots for shows...and at home. No point in spending a crap load of money and only using them a few times a year.
I tried on a pair of size 8 wide, by Ariat, which fit nicely until mid way up the calf. Because I have ginormous calves. Would need to get them stretched a bit so I can at least zip them up. They were $375!! The Tuff Rider ones were not as nice and only $85. Going to the English tack store in the city because they usually have better prices.
I also think I should talk to K, because I need to know which boots to buy. I like the field ones, but they're for jumping and hunters. Dressage needs to be special, so you need dress boots instead....the only difference is the dress boots have no laces. Fail. I really hope I get to work for K, if I have to buy two pairs of Ariat or Dublin boots, plus a new helmet (and other no horsey crap).
No luck with breeches either, they didn't have the full seat ones I really wanted. They did have Tuff Rider, which I don't like, I have two pairs but they both keep getting little holes along the inseam and I hate having to repair them all the time.
Didn't really look for a helmet, my friend is going to lend me her velvet one for now, but I've had the same helmet for like 7 years and it's take a lot of beatings and still looks okay, but a new one would be nice. Not at the top of the list, but still an idea.
This is when it would be nice to have money like the circuit bitches at AM! =P
So yeah, more shopping on Thursday.
Lesson tomorrow! Hopefully we can finally ride outside again.
Oh my jeez, show clothes are insaaaaanly expensive!!
To Get:
- either new half chaps or tall boots (preferably tall boots, half chaps aren't accepted at AM shows)
- breeches
- at least one show shirt with rat catcher
- a show shirt without a rat catcher
- helmet cover (or new helmet)
So, we went looking for tall boots/half chaps. No luck with half chaps with I don't mind, I can use my hillbilly ones at home and then use tall boots for shows...and at home. No point in spending a crap load of money and only using them a few times a year.
I tried on a pair of size 8 wide, by Ariat, which fit nicely until mid way up the calf. Because I have ginormous calves. Would need to get them stretched a bit so I can at least zip them up. They were $375!! The Tuff Rider ones were not as nice and only $85. Going to the English tack store in the city because they usually have better prices.
I also think I should talk to K, because I need to know which boots to buy. I like the field ones, but they're for jumping and hunters. Dressage needs to be special, so you need dress boots instead....the only difference is the dress boots have no laces. Fail. I really hope I get to work for K, if I have to buy two pairs of Ariat or Dublin boots, plus a new helmet (and other no horsey crap).
No luck with breeches either, they didn't have the full seat ones I really wanted. They did have Tuff Rider, which I don't like, I have two pairs but they both keep getting little holes along the inseam and I hate having to repair them all the time.
Didn't really look for a helmet, my friend is going to lend me her velvet one for now, but I've had the same helmet for like 7 years and it's take a lot of beatings and still looks okay, but a new one would be nice. Not at the top of the list, but still an idea.
This is when it would be nice to have money like the circuit bitches at AM! =P
So yeah, more shopping on Thursday.
Lesson tomorrow! Hopefully we can finally ride outside again.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Thursday and Sunday. Show Schedule?
Holy mother of hell Thursday was a scary day!
Both me and N where kind of bored at 2'6" so we asked K if we could jump higher today and she said yes. So we did.
It was one of those days where everything seems harder than it is. It was also a "think sports car" day for Pony. The jumps were about 2'9" but I think the Swedish Oxer was around 3. That was a TERRIFYING jump. It's practically at eye level for Pony and me (not actually, but that's what it seems like). The first time we either knocked the whole thing down or just one rail and the second time we did the opposite of the first. The third time we just did the line, a one stride to the three stride with the oxer, and made it over! Yay! Pony's such a good girl, my little sports car!
Today I went riding with L, although it's nice to have a riding buddy, its really annoying when they keep you trapped on the rail and want to warm up and do all the things you need to work on when she doesn't want to get out of your way. Especially when you don't want to offend them or be rude so you can't really get away to work.
She was a bit spooky at the wind and the jumps against the arena wall, but still good. I reallly want the wind to die down because central Alberta seems to be trying to steal Chicago's title of "the Windy City".
I almost got to ride alone today, but the only way to have done that would have been to go to the show with L today. Actually it was all planned out and was probably going to be fun. She was going to get up before 6, come get me at 6 and then we'd go to Timmys, then get her horse and groomer up. Her mum would be there with the trailer and take us to the show, my dad would come get me at three so I could go riding and workout. Probably would have been a decent day. But this was good too.
So excited! L has a load of old show stuff that doesn't fit or she doesn't want so I can potentially buy them for cheap! Including a realllly nice hunt coat 'cause mine isn't comfortable. I'm not totally sure whats wrong with it, but something is. It just doesn't fit quite right, and she was a nice show shirt she wants to get ride off, which is good, because a couple of the shows we're planning on going to require the really nice stuff. Damn hunters. That's whats great about jumpers, polo shirts are totally fine, but nooo hunters and dressage have to be special. Haha, oh well, hopefully all will go well.
Possible Show Schedule! =)
June 18th- SM open show
-Jumpers start at probably 2'6" and possibly 2'9" have to wait for K's thoughts on that.
- English equitation and pleasure. Not sure about these two yet.
June 19th- WW Dressage Bronze Show
- L thinks we should do a dressage show before AM, so we might do this one, but it's also the day after the SM show, so we'll see about this one
July 9th- R4R
- Jumpers, same height as SM or even 3', we can do it at home, but not sure if we should bother at
a show
July 15th-17th- Hunter/Jumper Novice AM
- Shows at AM are SCARY and I've never been there, but it's one of the nicest barns in the area
and their shows are serious competition ones and that's kind of scary, so we'll have to see about
this, but I want to do at least on AM show this year and I think this is the one N is going too and
it would be awesome to have a show buddy for this terrifying experience.
August 14th- Hunter/Jumper KF
- This one I can do either hunters or jumpers, but jumpers don't start until 2'6". But I can
compete in both classes at the same time because the arenas are right next to each other
and the hunter classes usually run way behind schedule anyway.
August 20th- SM open show
-same as the first one in June
August 21st- WW Dressage Bronze Show
-same as the one in June, but if I go to the SM one in June and not WW, I might go to this
one instead of the one on the 20th
August 27th- R4R
- Pretty much the same as the last R4R show
September 11th- Hunter/Jumper KF
- Same as last KF show
September 30th- October 2nd- Hunter/Jumper/Dressage AM Harvest Show -Bronze
-Haha another scary AM show
AM shows are insane, at least that's what everyone who's been there tells me. This is were all the circuit bitches and crazy horse people show up. The ones with the imported warmbloods and think they are soooo much better than everyone so instead of unloading in the parking lot like everyone else they unload in front of the barn blocking everyone elses way to the the lot. Leave their shit everywhere and get in your way ALL the time because they think they are sooooo much better. Ahh circuit bitches, such a treat!
Both me and N where kind of bored at 2'6" so we asked K if we could jump higher today and she said yes. So we did.
It was one of those days where everything seems harder than it is. It was also a "think sports car" day for Pony. The jumps were about 2'9" but I think the Swedish Oxer was around 3. That was a TERRIFYING jump. It's practically at eye level for Pony and me (not actually, but that's what it seems like). The first time we either knocked the whole thing down or just one rail and the second time we did the opposite of the first. The third time we just did the line, a one stride to the three stride with the oxer, and made it over! Yay! Pony's such a good girl, my little sports car!
Today I went riding with L, although it's nice to have a riding buddy, its really annoying when they keep you trapped on the rail and want to warm up and do all the things you need to work on when she doesn't want to get out of your way. Especially when you don't want to offend them or be rude so you can't really get away to work.
She was a bit spooky at the wind and the jumps against the arena wall, but still good. I reallly want the wind to die down because central Alberta seems to be trying to steal Chicago's title of "the Windy City".
I almost got to ride alone today, but the only way to have done that would have been to go to the show with L today. Actually it was all planned out and was probably going to be fun. She was going to get up before 6, come get me at 6 and then we'd go to Timmys, then get her horse and groomer up. Her mum would be there with the trailer and take us to the show, my dad would come get me at three so I could go riding and workout. Probably would have been a decent day. But this was good too.
So excited! L has a load of old show stuff that doesn't fit or she doesn't want so I can potentially buy them for cheap! Including a realllly nice hunt coat 'cause mine isn't comfortable. I'm not totally sure whats wrong with it, but something is. It just doesn't fit quite right, and she was a nice show shirt she wants to get ride off, which is good, because a couple of the shows we're planning on going to require the really nice stuff. Damn hunters. That's whats great about jumpers, polo shirts are totally fine, but nooo hunters and dressage have to be special. Haha, oh well, hopefully all will go well.
Possible Show Schedule! =)
June 18th- SM open show
-Jumpers start at probably 2'6" and possibly 2'9" have to wait for K's thoughts on that.
- English equitation and pleasure. Not sure about these two yet.
June 19th- WW Dressage Bronze Show
- L thinks we should do a dressage show before AM, so we might do this one, but it's also the day after the SM show, so we'll see about this one
July 9th- R4R
- Jumpers, same height as SM or even 3', we can do it at home, but not sure if we should bother at
a show
July 15th-17th- Hunter/Jumper Novice AM
- Shows at AM are SCARY and I've never been there, but it's one of the nicest barns in the area
and their shows are serious competition ones and that's kind of scary, so we'll have to see about
this, but I want to do at least on AM show this year and I think this is the one N is going too and
it would be awesome to have a show buddy for this terrifying experience.
August 14th- Hunter/Jumper KF
- This one I can do either hunters or jumpers, but jumpers don't start until 2'6". But I can
compete in both classes at the same time because the arenas are right next to each other
and the hunter classes usually run way behind schedule anyway.
August 20th- SM open show
-same as the first one in June
August 21st- WW Dressage Bronze Show
-same as the one in June, but if I go to the SM one in June and not WW, I might go to this
one instead of the one on the 20th
August 27th- R4R
- Pretty much the same as the last R4R show
September 11th- Hunter/Jumper KF
- Same as last KF show
September 30th- October 2nd- Hunter/Jumper/Dressage AM Harvest Show -Bronze
-Haha another scary AM show
AM shows are insane, at least that's what everyone who's been there tells me. This is were all the circuit bitches and crazy horse people show up. The ones with the imported warmbloods and think they are soooo much better than everyone so instead of unloading in the parking lot like everyone else they unload in front of the barn blocking everyone elses way to the the lot. Leave their shit everywhere and get in your way ALL the time because they think they are sooooo much better. Ahh circuit bitches, such a treat!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
YAY!!!
The show was awesome!! Tommy did soo well! I'm so proud of him!
We got clear in both the 2' and 2'6" but unfortunately didn't place in either. We were to slow in the first one and the second he refused the very last jump, the same very last jump he had a rail down on last time.
It wasn't really a refusal, it was the last jump in a big bending line, we did great over the oxer, but he had to much speed so the turn was difficult and then my trainer yelled something and I got distracted and pulled to hard on the reins so he was going to slow to jump.
But I couldn't possibly be mad at him! It was mostly my fault so I can't blame him for that. It was great that he was totally fine with moving up in height too, I was really surprised. I thought we'd be having rails down all over in the 2'6".
I have a couple stories about two dumb ass that were there, but I'm trying to go to bed early, because tomorrow is the first day of school. BLAHH! I've already lost my locker combination, so I'll have to go get that from the office. Its weird, because I saw it just the other day, thought "I better remember this" and now its lost. Nice.
We got clear in both the 2' and 2'6" but unfortunately didn't place in either. We were to slow in the first one and the second he refused the very last jump, the same very last jump he had a rail down on last time.
It wasn't really a refusal, it was the last jump in a big bending line, we did great over the oxer, but he had to much speed so the turn was difficult and then my trainer yelled something and I got distracted and pulled to hard on the reins so he was going to slow to jump.
But I couldn't possibly be mad at him! It was mostly my fault so I can't blame him for that. It was great that he was totally fine with moving up in height too, I was really surprised. I thought we'd be having rails down all over in the 2'6".
I have a couple stories about two dumb ass that were there, but I'm trying to go to bed early, because tomorrow is the first day of school. BLAHH! I've already lost my locker combination, so I'll have to go get that from the office. Its weird, because I saw it just the other day, thought "I better remember this" and now its lost. Nice.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
It's Been A While...
Been really busy studying and riding so I haven't had a lot of time to blog.
Anyway I passed all my classes fairly well, so next year should be decent now that I have my science diplomas out of the way, unless of course I need to up grade. But I really, really hope I won't have too.
As for Tommy, we had our first show on Sunday and we did really well! The clear round 18" was a breeze, and the classic was too. Then in the 2' class we ran into problems. We had a rail down over the first clear round, but we bought another ticket and did it again, and went clear. But in the classic, we had a heart breaking rail down. The very last rail, and until then it was perfect, I can say with all honesty, we would have placed high if that rail had stayed up.
We ended up with two clear round ribbons and a very pretty and well earned 3rd place ribbon with a $42 cheque!
Our next show will be for sure on the 29th of August, I'm on holidays for the next 5 weeks so I'm not sure about anything before then, but that show is the same as the first so I'm hoping we'll do well in it too. If Tommy is in good enough shape and we are doing well enough I would hopefully be in the 18", 2' and the 2'6". At this show they go up by 6".
He is amazing he was so calm and quiet at the show, it was amazing. In the past I've always had horses like Diesel, which are crazy! They are loud and don't listen and just crazy. It was lovely to have a change. My coach was talking to my dad and she said that she was happy I finally had a horse that was well behaved. Honestly I was so surprised because he's very energetic and in the outdoor ring at home he gets really ahead of himself so he's going to fast and then skids out at the jump
Oh! And on Saturday I got my drivers license, today's my 17th birthday, I'm going shopping with one of my best friends tomorrow and on Saturday I'm going to Australia!! Defiantly a very good week!
Anyway I passed all my classes fairly well, so next year should be decent now that I have my science diplomas out of the way, unless of course I need to up grade. But I really, really hope I won't have too.
As for Tommy, we had our first show on Sunday and we did really well! The clear round 18" was a breeze, and the classic was too. Then in the 2' class we ran into problems. We had a rail down over the first clear round, but we bought another ticket and did it again, and went clear. But in the classic, we had a heart breaking rail down. The very last rail, and until then it was perfect, I can say with all honesty, we would have placed high if that rail had stayed up.
We ended up with two clear round ribbons and a very pretty and well earned 3rd place ribbon with a $42 cheque!
Our next show will be for sure on the 29th of August, I'm on holidays for the next 5 weeks so I'm not sure about anything before then, but that show is the same as the first so I'm hoping we'll do well in it too. If Tommy is in good enough shape and we are doing well enough I would hopefully be in the 18", 2' and the 2'6". At this show they go up by 6".
He is amazing he was so calm and quiet at the show, it was amazing. In the past I've always had horses like Diesel, which are crazy! They are loud and don't listen and just crazy. It was lovely to have a change. My coach was talking to my dad and she said that she was happy I finally had a horse that was well behaved. Honestly I was so surprised because he's very energetic and in the outdoor ring at home he gets really ahead of himself so he's going to fast and then skids out at the jump
Oh! And on Saturday I got my drivers license, today's my 17th birthday, I'm going shopping with one of my best friends tomorrow and on Saturday I'm going to Australia!! Defiantly a very good week!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Show Season Will Be Starting Soon....
And I'm totally nervous about it!
I've been reading trainers blog while she's been away at a 3 day dressage show, and even she's nervous about her shows!
It would be soo nice to live in England, horses shows every weekend! Then you'd probably be more used to them, but I only go to a couple every season. Last year I went to one with Diesel because after a while he was starting to have back problems. In the total of 3 show season I had him for: we sucked the first year (only had him for a couple months). 2nd year: placed 4th in one show and in the second show we got a 4th and 5th. Last year we just didn't place at all. So that was a big bummer.
Tango, I only had her for about 6 months in the winter. We just weren't as good a match as originally anticipated, but I defiantly learned a lot from her...like how to fall off. So me and her never did end up showing, but I've seen her around at a couple shows and all I can say is thank god.
Rocket, my first horse...we did well. First show season we did two shows. Placed 1st 4x!! Twice on the flat, twice jumping. As well as a second and third. The next year we probably would have placed but he spooked at a jump and I fell off, so no ribbons that time around.
Part of the reason me and Diesel didn't place that last year is because I forgot the courses so then we didn't place. But now I'm always worried about forgetting the courses....I read on a forum about just drawing the course on your hand and then you can remember it because its always with you. Defiantly going to try it out, but I'm worried about Tommy because he's a bit hot headed in new places so...yeah...things could get interesting.
I've been reading trainers blog while she's been away at a 3 day dressage show, and even she's nervous about her shows!
It would be soo nice to live in England, horses shows every weekend! Then you'd probably be more used to them, but I only go to a couple every season. Last year I went to one with Diesel because after a while he was starting to have back problems. In the total of 3 show season I had him for: we sucked the first year (only had him for a couple months). 2nd year: placed 4th in one show and in the second show we got a 4th and 5th. Last year we just didn't place at all. So that was a big bummer.
Tango, I only had her for about 6 months in the winter. We just weren't as good a match as originally anticipated, but I defiantly learned a lot from her...like how to fall off. So me and her never did end up showing, but I've seen her around at a couple shows and all I can say is thank god.
Rocket, my first horse...we did well. First show season we did two shows. Placed 1st 4x!! Twice on the flat, twice jumping. As well as a second and third. The next year we probably would have placed but he spooked at a jump and I fell off, so no ribbons that time around.
Part of the reason me and Diesel didn't place that last year is because I forgot the courses so then we didn't place. But now I'm always worried about forgetting the courses....I read on a forum about just drawing the course on your hand and then you can remember it because its always with you. Defiantly going to try it out, but I'm worried about Tommy because he's a bit hot headed in new places so...yeah...things could get interesting.
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