QPEE Novice A Dressage, XC Day

QPEE XC

 

What can I say about this weekend? Ups and Downs.

The dressage....just freaking awful. Worst test we have done in almost 4 years. I don't know if it was a combo of the weather (rainy ish), the ring (holey, sloping and soaking wet WTF) or yankee just being an idiot but after I thought I got stopped (at M I heard a whistle blow but it was for the other ring...this happened to about 10 other riders too) the test just went mega south. Brandon stopped taping when I stopped after M, but the judge waved me on so I kept going an he resumed from there.

The warm-up was exceptional, but our test, dismal. We got a 41.7 which is freaking terrible and it put us in dead last. I was crying down center line...I couldn't believe how badly he behaved. Its not like he is 4 again, he is NINE and has been eventing almost 6 years! I was about to just give the F up. At NOVICE we couldnt even rock out a dressage test with a 30 or less. I was beyond pissed and upset. He was dead to my leg, crooked to the left, bucked twice, tripped, broke gait 3 times and was just god awful. I was ashamed and hurt that my exceptionally well trained horse could be this bad. Someone comforted me by saying that since he knows prelim stuff, novice is too easy and he was just playing, but that playing put us in last in a field of 14. Beyond upsetting.

I can't say I was surprised though. The ring was AWFUL. Who the F gave permission to do dressage in a ring like that?? a rig should ALWAYS be flat and definetly not full of holes. I MUD STUDDED for dressage. WTF. It was slick as shit and he tripped twice, once pretty good at the walk near K. Many many horses fell actually t their knees or slipped badly. One horses even fell completely down! I will not be going back to Queeny Park unless they can fix the footing (terrible in all 3 phases). Not to mention, Dressage as 1.5 MILES from the barn. Least we had a good walk warm-up. HA!

But hey, whatever, I will take this as a learning lesson. I'm not so upset anymore, just wondering why he was so bad!

The braids I did for dressage. Getting better after ten years practice, haha.

Ok so after I cooled down from our worst test ever, I got ready for XC. I left his studs in since XC footing was retarded too. I was not nervous one bit. The course was a baby one and the only fence I was worried about was one -it was bright orange and pretty big  with tons of flowers. The course as a whole was just one big loop and not challeging by any means. I was going to give this run a chance for us to practice pacing ourselves. Yankee being a TB is always hella fresh and tends to blast through the course without me realizing it!

Warm-up sucked ass. not only was it almost THREE MILES from the barns, but the area was severly hilly and HOLEY. WTF is with the holes here. Yankee almost bit the dust 4 times. I was nervous about the footing so we did mostly cantering in large loopy circles away from the inside of the field. He was jumping well and not one bit sucking back. I've tried hardly warming up, or running him in the ground and either way, he is ALWAYS fresh, so I've decided on 45 minutes total is perfect. 10 minutes walking, straight to cantering some fences, chill for 5 then cantering fences about every 2 minutes. Keeps his brain engaged. No matter though, he is always looky and retared the 1st fence.

We went right on time at 1:06, and like I predicted, he looked hard at the 1st fence. There were tons of ppl around since the start was also the finish, but it was low enough he sailed right over it. Cantering to #2 he was looking all around for the big fences. He kept jumping 2,3 and 4 like, "really mom? This is it? PFFFT!" Literally, he was, I think, upset I subjected him to this torture. I made him trot #5, 6 and 7 since we were up on time, realizing how short this course really was. He jumped #10, 11, 12 and 13 like they were nothing and I began to realize we were down on time now. This always happens, we go too fast, then too slow then we have to kick it into gear to get OPT time. So I let him really run through the water (#14 AB), the table #15, the bank #16 and home to #17 which you can see below the dressage vid.

As a whole I came in 3 seconds under OPT which is perfect. Even if we were wishy washy on speed. Its hard at the lower levels with a TB to keep it together! We had a double clear round, which to be honest, I was expecting. But I am really happy! I'm definetly ready to move back up to T, but I am going to do one more just to be sure. He was a hungry jumping hound, so I am no longer worried about that.

Even though I though XC was easy, apparently some did not. One got E, and others had issues so I actually moved up to 9th! Out of dead last! I was pretty happy, but at the same time I felt like I was cheating since Yanks can jump prelim no prob. Haha!

After XC, I cooled him out, hosed him off and let him be for a few hours. We watched Super 8 at the local movie theater and it was AWESOME! After that we came back to liniment/wrap him and walk him out. I started linementing his back and noticed he was extremely touchy. Like his back was so sensitive he almost fell down when I put the stuff on and began to massage it. I was concerned, but not suprised given the amount of almost-falling he did  that day with the shitty footing. I went back to tenderly massaging his back and he stopped twitching after a few minutes. I walked him an extra 15 minutes and just hope he'd be ok. If he wasn't too sore in the A.M. I'd continue, but if he was too sore, I wasn't going to finish. XC was our issue, so scratching stadium wouldn't hurt me too bad.

I won't cliff-hang you...he was fine. Barely flniched when I massaged him the next morning..

to be continued...

HT Ready, T-Shirt Time and Tack Whoring!

So ready.

This will be a piece. 

Unfortunately...I might be a little sick and t-storms are predicted for the whole gosh dang weekend.

Yesterday I practiced some XC jumping with the Yankee Doodle...he was freakin brilliant. I'm not the least bit worried. I was a bit concerned though that he has already jumped all these fences with the exception of the hay bale oxer (which he refused twice!) and the ones at the show will be all flowery and spectatory. hmmm.

As for t-shirts, the design is as follows.... BUT the words will be computerized, not hand drawn.

They will be on grey t-shirts, unless you want a different color then you will have to tell me. I have yet to go to the actual t-shirt factory, so there might be discounts on group orders but a plain, one design t-shirt is $17. Depending on pricing (which I SWEAR I will get Monday since I am off BOTH jobs :)) I might get the slogan "red on right, white on left, insanity in the middle" on the back. ALSO, I am offering a Dressage T-shirt. It will have a line drawn dressage horse and rider extended trotting with the words "DRESSAGE: extend it". Or maybe "just extend it". Any ideas on the dressage shirts? I'm only offering those because not all of you are eventers! For shipping, I will be SUPER reasonable because I am NOT looking to make $$ on this endeavor, I just wanted to share a sweet T with you all. If successful though, I would like to try to start selling them. Think of it as an introductory offer :) Email me at mavg24@mail.missouri.edu with specs (Size, color, address, etc) and I will get all the orders together and made at one time. Payment...still figuring that out. Can Paypal accounts pay paypal accounts??

OK back to the jump pics! I know I post pics a lot, and of basically the same jumps, but there are a few different ones here this time. 

Using smaller fences to help him slow was a good thing, I didn't warm up at all, just started trotting low fences for about 5 minutes then moved to cantering fences and then moved up to bigger ones. Jumping right into things seemed to actually help. Weird. 

ALSO, check out the sweet ass German made breastplate/martingale combo with real sheepskin center and elastic breastplate part. OMG its beautiful. I got it for $98 including shipping on Ebay. Yay tack whoring! Aslso just bought a hackamore to test out for jumping....he worked well in a western one (had no idea it was a western one!) so I wanted to get the english one with sheepskin noseband and shorter thicker shanks. $23 on ebay. Frick yes!

(Western hackamore I jumped him in once)

the corner...jumping ahead I know....

Crouching....geez oh pete

Jumping ahead, but he took off waaaaaay early

He refused this twice...and when I felt him starting to, I braced, instead of riding (afraid of falling) which I think is half the problem...afraid of falling again. Not for the pain, but the shame and failure!! So then I realized I am an idiot, and rode the fence nd he jumped it fine, haha. Stoopid human.

I love my horse :) 

Stay tuned for Queeny park updates! Mostly on Facebook since I will not have the net over the weekend till sunday PM In which I will be scurrying to do my HW for my Business class!!

Wish me luck, I want to rock this shit this time!

Hate This.

I pretty much despise summer :(

Its so stinking hot.

99 today...heat advisory....not my thing.

Trying to ride when its not hot is totally incovienancing my life, haha. Like I have yet to buy my books for school, run necessary errands, or work out....or eat right. I cram riding in between my to jobs and now school. Along with other lifely things...it pretty much boils down to the fact that summer royally drags.

Not saying I hate riding by any means, just in summer! I hate profusely sweating....always being thirsty....bleached out horse coats....hot show clothes.  ugh.

Anyways, today I rode my dressage test for Queeny Park this weekend. It was to say the least, a piece of pie. If we don't get a 32 or lower I will shit. The most difficult part about it is getting the canter on a half circle which by all means, we could do about 3 years ago. I HATE this. HATE HATE HATE.

I should NOT be this afraid that I have to drop a level. Hell. We've been schooling prelim for over two years and we have ALL the necessary dressage movements for it as well. The Xc height used to not be the problem, it was the dressage, but I worked all winter on it and we've got our shit together (at home at least. Sometimes Yanks loses it at shows...). So, I;m pretty frustrate with myself. Just the thought of doing another XC course gives me the eeby jeebies (which I hate myself for) and reliving my fall scares me. I never used to be scared. I hate it.

To get away from all the hate though, I am very glad how well Yankee did today on our test. Even in the heat, he was a gem and totally just did work. I seriously love my horse. Even if we never make it to Advanced (He is 9 now and I am 20) I know he will be a super solid horse for my kids and I plan on owning him till the day I die. I love him so much! I hope he takes care of me this weekend and tomorrow (schooling XC).

Until next time

If You're Not First, You're Last...Or Fourth. Or Second. Oh Hay I Got First!

Haha don't you just love my vocalization. My OH GOD! at fence two and me yelling at him not to jump the outside line. :P

So to begin, let me just say...it was so. freaking. hot. yesterday. Like incineratingingly hot as balls. 97 with heat index at 102. No wind at all, just the freaking cicadas blaring all day. Thankfully, the show staff had 4 hoses for hosing and drinking and tents and shade spots set up for everyone. Even only being in the sun a total of like 20 min (the rest was chillen in the shade) I got a wicked burn (with sunscreen!). Yankee enjoyed his hosings I gave him (after every round) and since his favoritest thing ever is to drink out of the hose, he was pretty content.

Chillen by the big fan after hosing him off.

So, the show was pretty interesting jumping wise. I think its safe to say I will never win the Grand Prix. I got fourth, again. Dang. Yankee was an abnoxious beast in the grand prix, bucking every 3 seconds, no turning, etc. We missed our line to fence 8AB since he was just blowing through my aids, so we got that counted as a refusal. Something I did not know. We would have won if I hadn't taken a longer line, since I had the fastest time and no rails. Oh well. Next time I just need to enter the Gamblers Choice to let him blow off his first steam so we can win that GP next time!

In the Jumpers Level 1, I screwed up big time and got eliminated, lol. I jumped the last fence the wrong way....so, fail.

In Jumpers 2, A/B, we got our shit together and won both classes :) He finally had settled and those rounds were quite excellent! I took some longer lines since this was PRACTICE for eventing and during eventing stadium, we dont rip around like retards. I still won since Yankee is pretty fast and we had no rails all day!

In jumpers level 3, the video above, he was very good as well. He was a jumping HOUND and I was having a hard time controlling him! He ket just looking around and locking on random fences wanting to jump them! I thought this was better than him refusing like usual, so I wasn't upset or anything. Rather have him excited to jump than refusing!

Hahaha , suck it! Celebrating beating the woman I have been trying to beat in every class :) Yankee doing his best "I don't know this crazy girl" face.

So I am feeling pretty good about dressage and stadium for Queeny Park this next coming weekend. I hope to school some XC Wednesday, since I am already feeling jitters about it. I'm pretty bad about worrying and stuff, and I can't shake thoughts of falling off again. Its pretty destructive. Thankfully at Novice, Yankee can jump that height in his sleep, so I'm feeling better about that. For the dressage we better get like a 30 or something because it is the easiest test ever. I'm going to have a hard time getting him to NOT extend across the diagonal, lol.

What I needed to Get "Over" It

A T shirt post will be up in 3-4 days (when i stop working doubles, get situated for summer classes and get  home from the Jumper Show this weekend). Stay tuned if you want a T shirt!

WOW I Needed That!

Yesterdays ride was so freaking excellent.

I got on intending to do lots of lateral work but worked more on getting him to relax through his back and release and it went very well. His transitions were actually freaking great, even the up left lead canter transition, which is our stickiest.

The quality of his trot, canter and free walks were amazing and I couldn't have been happier! More stretchy work is definetly a must!

This saturday Emily and I are heading to STL for a jumper show (same one as last time) and I intend on kicking some ass. I want a first place this time :) Mwah hahahahaha!

Also, I am competing at the Show Me State Games in the Area 4 USDF Team Championships. The SMSG are like Missouri's version of the Olympics. Literally, there is an opening ceremony, the games and the closing ceremonies and whatnot. The Dressage competition will be super fun, since we get to match colors or whatever for teams. Each of us have to ride a different level and one has to be an FEI test. We only have 3 members, so hopefully we can snag that wild card FEI test ride since neither Hannah, Terri or I are ready for an FEI test just yet, haha. I think I am going to do 1st or 2nd Level depending on what Hannah and Pronto will be doing, since Terri will be doing training level. Its going to be really fun!

I jump real fences thursday, since I haven't jumped over 2ft since my fall/event.

In other news, I start Summer school June 6, not really looking forward to that OR buying books.....ugh.

Long Time No Blog

Its been a while, yeah?

While I was in Ohio, Emily (Cheryl's assistant trainer) rode Yankee twice for me. Did some dressage and then jumped him. She he said he was excellent, and I know that he was!

The trip to Ohio was a bit more stressful than I would have liked it to be, but it was nice having 4 days off from work. Unfortunately, I think I might've gotten a little bit of food poisoning last night and today I feel quite awful...I went to bed feeling quite sick and woke up feeling even worse. I could barely stand without wanting to run to the bathroom but I sucked it up and went out to ride anyways.

Yankee was really really good for me even though I was a shaky, sweaty hot mess. We just did some stretching at the trot, cantered a bit and did some stretchign at the walk too. Then went for a mini hack around the drive. he seemed to understand I was feeling off and behaved like a total gem :)

ALSO, just got my MCPC pics in the mail. Bittersweet since I didnt even finish the event, but East Eventing photograpers never take dressage pics, so I just HAD to buy some...

This looks kinda crappy cuz its a picture of a picture, but I bought it to frame it. This was our extended trot, which we scored an 8 on. At first glance, even to me, he looks on the forehand, but I feel he really isn't, even though he could be a touch more engaged.

His butt is lower than his withers and poll, if only by a few inches. BUT, his hind legs are trailing by a bit and his hind legs SHOULD be touching the ground as the front takes off, not vice versa. This lets me know he needs more engagement, even though his front looks really nice.

My position sucks ass and I'm not even going to make excuses for that, go ahead and tell me again it sucks, haha

This one is ah-mazing (to me at least-die hard dressagers might have some massive critiques, but to me its beautiful).

I wanted to get a big one of this, but 4x6 was $20 and anything bigger was out of my price range. I decided on buying the online version since I post tons of pics to FB and Blogger.

This is a photo of our extended canter circle and I love it. He is so engaged with his hind end, and look how uphill he is! WOW! And his tail...so dreamy.

Again, I realize, my position is not as perfect as is should be, but I make adjustments according to my horses' needs. At the canter, he apreciates if I stay off his back a bit more. Now, I'm not gonna go around in jumping position like I did when he was 4 and 5, but just a bit more forward works well for him, don't care what anyone says. If I "sit back" I feel like I am just pounding his back and making it worse. As you can see, he goes wonderful for me in this position. Still effective and we still score well. Whatever, haters.

Overall, I can say I am extremely PROUD of my horse. Not even 6 years ago, he couldnt even go around on cantact or walk without rearing or canter without bucking. I think even our "crappy on the forehand-ish" extended trot is a major win! I don't care what anyone says, we have come a long way, and since they don't know that, some automatically judge us for that! Others, recognize how far we have come and congratulate us and others who don't know either way usually compliment me anyways on his looks, crazy pony or not.

I love my horse.

June 4, Jumper Show (hopefully to help me get over my fear of jumping, entered in the Grand Prix, and Jumper Classes  level 1, 2 and 3)

June 10-12 Queeny Park HT