OUCH.

...says my bank account.

Not only is this the time of month that all bills are due, but I just paid for my first  HT, a schooling dressage show, and XC schooling for mid-April PLUS bought a lever noseband off eBay for $65.

I should be happy...but an empty account gives me anxiety. Like, lie awake at night anxiety.

Lets hope I make big money this week or I may have to curl in a ball and sob over what is my life. WHY DID I HAVE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE MOST EXPENSIVE SPORT. Well. The one that is the most expensive in relation to how much you get from it. Which is basically $0. Unless you count happiness. But happiness doesn't pay my entry fees. Or gas.

I shed a tear. Or few. BUT I am looking forward to them! I just have to sob for a while over my literally hard earned money getting pissed away in less than 10 minutes.

We had a glorious ride today though and it really put me in positive spirits. The pony was absolutely a gem; loose, free, relaxed, obedient. I didn't ride earlier this week due to the winter blues, but I plan on doing our weekly conditioning ride tomorrow, Thursday off, jump Fri, light work Sat, off Sun. due to my busy sch Thurs/Sun.

The schooling show is on the 7th and then we have two opps for XC schooling- the last two weekends in April. I'm not going to Rolex anymore, but its just as well since I NEEEEEED to school. Need.

Wish I had more flat pictures. Words are boring.

Also I'm sorry I ruined WD for a few. I was just...so traumatized.

Confidence Boost

These winter blues are a reoccurring thing apparently. Shitty rides (leaving me in doubt for this season) and missing my boy have made my life seem bleak. I've literally slept till 5PM the last two days thanks to being overworked and a lingering cold. It was miserable.

But, nothing like getting hit on at a gas station at 1am to make one feel better about things though.

oh wait.

No, nothing like buying things on Ebay you don't really need to make you feel better.

oh wait.

No, no, its, nothing like making bank at work because of March Madness. Yeah. Thats it.

Despite my boy being gone for a whole week without cell coverage (I feel like I'm dying not be able to talk to him. Oh the curses of growing up in a technology driven age.) it hasn't been too hateful.

oh wait.

I forgot. It snowed 7 inches last night...

WHERE THE HELL IS SPRING. Like seriously I have an event in less than 2 months and XC schooling in 3 weeks. But really, Yanks wasn't hateful this week, the whole two times I rode.  He had a bit of the Spring willies and jumpies but he was well behaved for our dressage school and put forth a lovely, soft effort.

I just LOVE that he is finally using his back end and really pushing through, even lunging. AND this is his worst direction, so I have high hopes for our scores this year.

I'm not being too optimistic about the AECs since there is no chance in hell that we would ever score a 29 with his TB trot and that tends to be the leaders' score from beginning to end. BUT if we can just twerk out with a solid XC school before the event, I feel confident going out training the first time and possibly scoring in the top 3. Maybe. That's be the tits.

We've been in relative work all winter and jumped once a week. His dressage is improving AND we've been at this level for 4 years.

Thanks to my unpreparedness in the past, we've been less than successful but I'm doing all I can to make sure we are 110% for Mill Creek. Last year I fell off there thanks to a last ditch decision to go and even at Queeny (2 months after) we barely prepped. I'm an idiot.

This is one of the most disjointed posts I've ever made but my brain feels like jelly.

I THINK I'M TRAUMATIZED BECAUSE MEARLE TURNED TO A ZOMBIE.

I promise I'll post better this week.

Spring Training

I am supremely jelly of you people who are eventing already or working with Becky Holder and shit :P

I already missed TWO schooling shows because of work so I'm getting anxiety about our first outing in less than two months time. Not only because of the missed schooling shows, but I will most likely miss our ONLY XC schooling opp as well. In addition, the first show of the year for us just so happens to be the ONE AND ONLY time I've ever fallen off Yankee, AND at a show. After 17 yrs of riding and 7 with Yankee, I couldn't believe I had never fallen at a show, but my one year anniversary is coming up and making it all the worse that we haven't schooled XC.

I'm trying my damndest to squeeze in some schooling sessions inbetween my 40-50 hrs of work a week. On top of that I've had this damn cold for over three weeks and I'm on the struggle bus to maintain energy throughout the day.

This week I had 2 dressage schools, a 2 mile gallop/hack and a jumping school. None of which were really great. The dressage sessions were dismal at best with Yanks flipping his face, hollowing his back, sidestepping/pacing, resisting contact and pretty much sucking in general. Frustrate. The hack was OK- I took Levi along and he had a grand ole' time galloping along with us. Yankee listened but was so crooked I felt like I was going to slide off his back. UGH. The jump school was pretty horrendous, in that horse charged the fences, bucked afterwards and never got his leads. Not a great start to our "spring training".

The boys after our run

3 loop serpentine exercise over 3'6-3'9 fences

I give up for this week.

I blame it on the wonky weather. One day it will be 75 and the next 30 degrees. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I just want summer to be here so the temps will at least REMAIN at a constant blister.

Perhaps next will will be better. Here's to hoping.

Calling OTTB Owners

OR anyone with event horses that pull on XC.

I've been debating for a year or so what I should switch Yankee to since he outgrew his horrendous out of control baby phase and only now needs a little more "HEY THERE".

Before anyone else says Pelham, I've tried it and the curb chain is too much. Weird considering his hackamore has a curb, but its also not in his chin groove and its leather. For some reason it doesn't bother him, but when attached to a bit he literally can't handle it.

The Meyler combo was a little too much as well with the curb AND three rings AND noseband PLUS its ridiculously expensive.

I've narrowed it down to two options but have zero experience with either tool and am calling out to anyone who has use one of either or has advice. I feel these are a nice alternative to curb chain and uses just a little extra nose pressure in addition to a plain snaffle.

First up, the Kinton (in red)

From what I can deduce it uses the pressure you put on the bit and transfers it to the nose. I like this option better but its the one I CANNOT find on eBay and as a cheap tack ho', I kind of was hoping it'd be there.

Second, the Lever Noseband

This is everywhere on eBay and for about $15-$60, thats not bad. What I dont like it the leather piece right in the chin groove. PLUS, I have no idea how it works. It seems like a fancy figure 8-whenever the horse resists, it uses the horses' jaw against itself and puts pressure on the three straps.

But, I dislike flashs of any kind. I used to use them, but I learned you cannot MAKE a horse accept the bit and if they open their mouth to resist, you must be doing something wrong. I don't like the thought of strapping their mouth closed and ever since I took Yankee's flash off his dressage bridle its been a huge difference. Granted I still have a  figure 8 on his XC bridle, BUT I keep it hella loose. I'm just too poor to get a new noseband. I feel if its loose its fine and their is no need to buy a new one. HOWEVER, I need a whole new bit anyways so with either of these purchases it will be bye-bye figure 8.

Please help! I honestly don't know anything about either of these pieces of tack.

Riding NInja

Found a sweet new shop on FB. A few of you  might know about it already but I couldn't resist getting this adorable tee...

They have TONS of other adorable and witty stuff. Go to Facebook and search "Riding Ninja Apparel". VERY reasonable priced and the owner is super sweet!

Chicka chicka yeah!

I'm Wanty Again

Its that time of year again. That time of year a few months after Christmas and birthday, and a few months before eventing season begins. the season where where my inner tack whore becomes greedy again. So greedy. And wanty. The most wanty.

Its an ongoing sickness among equestrians. We are never satisfied with our current tack trunk. IT JUST HAPPENS. No one can stop it. Even if you try to crush it with reason, the whore persuades you to gaze longingly at Dover magazines and peruse Bit of Britian online. There are always new and improved things coming out. Things to buy! Money to spend! Must haves.

This Wanty season I don't actually want for much but what I want is expensive. Per usual. Some of the things I've always been like, "one day". Some of the things I actually NEED (need in the equestrian showing sense). Some I want but will never ever own because they are as much as a down payment on a car.

Things I "Need"

XC Bit: 

I'm still debating what would be best for Yankers on XC. The 3 ring elevator is too strong for him now that he's trained, but a plain snaffle is not enough. He pulls, but not enough to rip your shoulders out. He just needs a little "one-two" half halt and he comes right back, but he completely ignores the waterford snaffle and the slow twist full cheek I've tried.

 I was thinking either using a kineton noseband with the waterford, trying the gag converter hanger Dover sells or getting a combination Meyler bit, but even the meyler seemed a bit strong.  

Any suggestions from those with over exuberant OTTBs?

Kineton -$80

Meyler $90-$130

Gag converter-$70

Field Boots: $250

 

My current field boot are slowly dying and are 4 yrs old. I have a GIANT rip on the inside calf of one, they look like shit and are too small. I just have never been able to afford new ones. Ever since my half chaps quit on me two years ago I've been riding in my SHOW BOOTS instead of buying new half chaps. Mistake. I am an idiot. One of these days I will have to work some double shifts and snag a pair, hopefully off eBay, but seriously I need them NOW. My boots are nowhere near show (or regular riding quality since they don't fit) quality and make me look like a noob.

Things I Want

XC boots: Dalmar $80

These became popular last year with eventers and I've lusted after them since the first time I saw them. ALL of my eventer friends have them and swear by them. Lightweight, breathable and study, they are JUST want us eventers want and NEED in a boot for XC. Heat dissipation is a major issue to worry about with the tendons in the legs and these are specially ventilated just for that. I am in love with the look of them, especially since our XC are blue/white and they already have blue on them! I REALLY am going to save up for these this season. First thing on my list actually behind a bit.

Cool-Support Polos: Equi-Fit $85

Our BO and a few dressage riders use these and I've always liked the idea behind them. They are like polos, but they are meant for extra support and have a cooling effect on the legs, which polos do NOT have. Again, in summer (or anytime really) I always worry about the tendons overheating. They really do work but at the price I've never really been able to justify it. Maybe I will suck it up and buy some for our summer schooling sesh's. I feel Yankee is worth it.

Back on Track Blanket: $260

This would be nice to have for events to help ponyface feel a bit better. I don't know if they really work, but a few boarders have them and seem to think they do. Anything to help my baby after the exertion of a show. If only.

Thing I Will Never Have

Phillip Dutton Saddle: $I don't even wanna know

I will always want for this saddle. The first time I ever saw it I sat my ass in it and fell in love. It was like sitting on a perfect cloud. I heart the look of this gorgeous hunk of cowhide, the holes for breathe ability, how lightweight it is and the perfection it exudes. I love love love love it. Maybe one day when I win the lottery..

So gorgeous. I can't even.

So another Wanty season comes and will probably go, but I will give it my best effort to at least get field boots, XC bit and XC boots. I feel those are the most prudent, right? In the perspective of a tack whore who just wants the best for her pony..

Fun in the Sun

After a WHOLE week of not riding, I finally got some time off and the OK to ride outside in the snow. You know what that means...

PHOTO SHOOT!

We had a blast running through the snow with the ponies and havin' a good ole time. The horses were hella fresh and a little wild,  but we still had an amazing time.

oh hay!

It still makes me sad at how wimpy his tail is now. But the  mohawk is legit.

Fancy feelin' fresh!

My legs were so tired after two hours that when I jumped down, they collapsed. HA.

I love this horse so much!

Aren't they gorgeous??

I missed the ponies. Seeing them breifly at feeding times wasn't enough! I'm still sick, but I didn't care. Today was most likely the last day the snow would stick around since the temps were actually in the 50s and more than half of it melted. Before we know it everything will be mud and the horses will be digusting.

I HATE MUD SO MUCH WHY CANT SUMMER JUST BE HERE AND DRY EVERYTHING UP.