Beginning to a very horsey summer!

Well after this winter and Yankee being handed from Grace to Lauren, he is in tip top shape and ready to rumble this season. Lauren spent a lot of time this winter giving him a much needed break from constant dressage schooling, and really just focused on keeping him happy and comfortable. She spent a lot of time legging him up for me, and for that, I am grateful!

Lauren conditoning Yankee this winter

So now, summer is quickly barreling its way here and I have already sent my entry in for Spring Run HT on June 12-13. This will hopefully be the one of many HT this summer.

This is a bittersweet summer however, because we will be moving back to Missouri to finish up school and there are like 2 shows in Missouri that I could possibly attend. Maybe I could turn Yankee into a barrel horse....BA HA, right. But in all seriousness, I have considered the options and tossed them back and forth many times and I feel that if I am to make it in the future, I need to have a backup plan. Which is my degree.

Enough of that though, I've ridden twice since I've gotten back to Ohio, and MAN am I SORE! taking a good 7 months off riding is not conducive! I took Yanks for a hack Sunday, and yesterday trailered him to a local arena to school dressage with Lauren and one of her project horses this year.

Some trot work to warm up

Lauren on her Hunter, Zippy

He was a complete angel! We warmed up with some long, low circles at the trot and canter and he felt just amazing. He was truly on the bit, seeking contact and connecting through his back. I couldn't stop thinking, "if only he was this relaxed and through at shows, we'd be golden". For the main school, I decided to concentrate on mixing up transitions and practicing our halts. To get him in gear, I did figure 8's at the canter with simple changes and progressed to trotting down long sides, turning in, halting at X, moving immediately into a trot and reversing direction. We did this a few times then I switched it up by asking him to canter from the halt (which he did like a pro), canter down the long sides, turning down centerline and halting at X, repeat. After a few times of this, instead of canter from halt, I walked to C or A asked for a trot, then asked for shoulder-in or shoulder-for down the long side. He is getting SO GOOD at this! He can trot the whole long side now, it's amazing how strong he is now. But anyways, that was our workout and he was stellar. I couldn't believe it!!!

Some very nice canter work

Our horses are legit homo's

Mud horse

Well, spring has definitely sprung, and it’s fantastic!!

Yankee update from Lauren, he is doing very well, seems to be settling into his new barn just fine and is enjoying the big stall and his new friends.

She rode him a few times already and she said every time he really enjoys himself. I think he is really, really happy with the change of scenery and the major break from constant dressage drilling. Lauren took him out for a few gallops already and she said he was full of it! thats awesome, cuz he was really a grumpers for a while.

I bought him a gel pad for the saddle, and soon a new fly/UV ray sheet. I hate spending money, but for him I don’t mind.

Having a few butterflies for this upcoming season for many reasons. Mostly because I haven’t ridden him in over 8 months, even though he has been schooled, and I don’t have much money to compete. UGH.

Anyways here are a few pictures of him enjoying the first nice day. his blanket is a wreck!! Eeek!

I LOVE my horse!

So Starstrukk

So its one in the morning and I have to be up in 6 hours for an exam I spent all day studying for and I simply cannot fall asleep no matter how badly my eyes burn from watching Planet Earth reruns and pounding management and accounting information in my head today. And why can't I sleep you say? I've been struck. Starstruck. (or in Gaga terminology, starstrukk). I am in love. Head over heels, fantasizing, dreaming, madly in love with.....a horse.

Of course.

Now, I love my Yankee, and strangely our saga began the same way my current infatuation has.

I saw Yankee on a website for rescued racehorses and simply was, starstruck. I had to have him. And I did- that day. Mom and I bought him on the spot and it was an amazing, risky decision and it paid off! My horse is brilliant and I wouldnt trade him for the world.

But I already love another. I found him the exact way I found Yankee. Browsing this website, a curious eventer-always looking for new prospects if one came along.

I found him.

Gorgeous, dark bay, 3 year old, 16.3 hands already! Great sloping shoulder, nice pasterns, long graceful neck, and strong back and powerful quarters. I want him. I can feel it in my bones that he has talent. I am confident one day he will be a champion. I feel the same way I felt when I saw Yankee the first time. It's hard to explain, but I'm sure some horse people know what I'm talking about. You feel it in your gut. It's almost an ache. You just KNOW. You can see yourself riding them already-competing, winning, and being successful.

His name is Hawke and I am obsessed already.

I can envision him in a dressage ring, his long sweeping legs powering his trot. His giant graceful body swinging through the canter. I can see him soaring up over the Rolex water complex. I can see him thundering down the galloping lane. I can see us on trail rides. I can see him next to Yankee in the trailer on the way to Fair Hill.

It's depressing because I know there is a slim chance of me ever owning him. I know it's so unlikely. I'm already depressed about it. I can afford to purchase him, but to provide his upkeep and show bills along with ANOTHER (amazing) Thoroughbred, is damn near impossible as a poor college student. I wish I had sponsors right now.

I would snap him up in an instant.

Being the rational person I am, even with my starstrukk-ness, I know there is a slim chance he wouldnt be successful as an eventer. His left heel is slightly lower than his right. His neck is ever so slightly ewed. His quarters need more muscling. But Yankee looked that way too and Hawke is still growing! Yankee redeveloped muscle with proper training, and I feel Hawke would too. I think he would mature at at least 17 hands. Perfect for me. Yankee is ever so small with my long legs.

If i could wish upon a star I would have two amazing horses to compete with.

Glimmer of Hope?

During Valentines weekend I wet home to see my bf Alex, and he took me to go see Yankee!!!! Well, I made some pretty hard decisions based on what I felt and saw that Sunday.

1. He wouldnt come to me in the field. WTF. He never ever has done that! EVER!
2. He was incredibly cranky. My boy never nips, and he tried quite a few times, even when I offered his favorite peppermint treats. I was sad.
3. He was cranky in the barn too, again he loves being brushed ad loved and all he had to give me was nasty looks.
4. His back was super sore. I know why too and the situation wont get better.
5. His did not want to go in the arena, this tells me he was a) sore b) tired of the arena
6. His gaits were crap. Plain and simple. Could have been that I was riding badly because of my injury, but I ighly doubt me not being able to use my left leg made him tranter.
7. Almost the entire ride he had his ears back. AGAIN, very unlike him

I was concerned.

So I thought long and hard for two days including many things in the equation of my thinking. I wont go into details but mostly included my injury, our season this summer, money and his conditioning and current soreness.

This led me to Lauren Stewart, a VERY good friend and rider of mine. I asked her if she would be willing to take over from Grace’s duties of keeping Yankee sound and fit. Grace recently got a new job but with that less time to ride my boo, and I’m CERTAIN he is sick of an arena. Yankee is so used to running around outside conditioning and stuff and not doing dressage every time he is ridden. So its time for a change. A good change.

Sometime in the first few weeks of March we are moving him to Tiffin college so Lauren can take over preparing him for our upcoming season. I’m pretty happy with our arrangement. Mother has agreed to help me out and pay all his bills for me since I am unable to work, but as soon as I get back to work I am going to take over again.

Things are looking up and I hope they stay that way!!!

My boy and I

I thought this was a cool pic of our canter

Good news, Bad news, Better news.

For those that know me, I have been shit on by fate lately with injuries.

First in August, partial severing of my left achilles tendon which put me out of action in may. It still bothers me alot, and I cant run or walk very fast still.

Then in December I was an idiot and went skiing thinking if I kept it slow I'd be ok. WRONG. Lovely tumbling, bone jarring crash. I instantly couldnt walk and was very upset since I was home for Christmas and was looking forward to riding my horse or a month. Well after only 3 times, I went and wrecked myself bad. I couldnt walk or extend my leg for two weeks straight. Rents thought I was being a big baby and shrugged it off but here almost 2 months later I still cant walk well and I am always in such terrible pain.

So I told my mom I AM GOING TO GET THIS LOOKED AT. Good decision on my part. I was scheduled for an MRI this morning and went in to get it done, feeling quite nervous...and made the mistake of drinking coffe beforehand=jitters and really having to pee. Oops. It was loud and I could actually feel the magnetic waves, twas cool.

So then I went back to MU Hospital for the consultation with my fingers crossed.

Good news, bad news.

Good news, very insignificant miniscus tear, if at all (they think it healed on its own). SO=no surgery!! Bad news, it seems I have a tibia fracture, but as long as I stay off of it I should be ok in the next 3 months. But that means crutches for 3 months. Awesome. BUUUUUUUUUT, that means I can ride in the summmmmmer!!!

MY SEASON IS ON!!!!

I am SO relieved, like you have no idea. I was FREAKING out for a while.

FFFFSSSSSHEW!!!

Hopeful Lineup

Well, I looked through my Omnibus and decided on a few (lol) shows I hope to attend if funds suffice, horse is going well, and I have transportation means.

The 2010 line-up

Trail (State)-Level; Date

• Greater Dayton(OH)-Novice refresher-urgh; May15-16
• Maydaze (OH)-Training; May28-30
• Spring Run (IN)-Training; June 12-13
• [?]Training level 3-day(?); July 2-4
• Champagne Run(KY)-Training; July 9-11
• Gemwood(OH)-Training/Prelim[?]; July 24-25
• Hunters Run(MI)-Training/Prelim[?]; August 13-15
• [?] Flying Cross Farm HT(?)-Training/Prelim[?]; August 21-22
• South farm HT(?)-Training/Prelim[?]; September 3-5
• AEC’s (Georgia)-Training/Prelim[?]-September 9-12
• Hagyard Team Challenge(KY)-Training- October 20-24

Website for AEC’s-http://useventing.com/competitions.php?section=aec

(I don’t know how to link yet, oops.)

It’s frustrating I will most likely have to take a Novice event just to referesh Yankee and myself on how to compete again. Since Grace won’t show him, I believe he has forgotten a bit how to perform in front of a crowd. Hopefully he will bounce right back and moving on to our regular level of Training will not be a difficult one.

It is nice though that the Novice Greater Dayton HT is only 20 min from my house, so not much will be spent on hotels, gas, stabling or food. WIN. The longest trek will definitely be to Michigan, 6 hours. The trip sucks, but the grounds are so gorgeous and the trial was so professionally run I will try to compete there as much as I can. My favorite thing about that place was the dressage rings-very quiet and out of the way of everything. Fantastic if you have an ADD horse like me, detrimental if you have a clingy, herd-bound horse. Kentucky is another place I enjoy just because Yankee is suuuuper familiar with the grounds, however the dressage rings are right by the warm -up which is distracting to me and my horse. I do love the Cross country. However, the Stadium rings are usually too small or mucky. Bleh. But I still love it! I’ve never competed in Indiana, so that will be a new experience!

Unfortunately I don’t think I will qualify for the Training Level 3 Day since I will only have 2 trainings before that event and we have to go double clear on both jumping phases. Difficulty. We still havent, and we did 5 T. in 2009. Yankee is frightful of spectators on XC and focuses too much on them instead of the jumps, or he knocks a rail in stadium because he gets to excited. We must work on this. I really hoped to qualify for TL3D because I think it will be a great experience to introduce Yankee and I to the format of higher level events. I can only hope! I qualified with Spirit, but we didnt get to go because of finances.

I do hope to Qualify for the AEC’s this year. I have 2 Training levels set up with a hopeful 4 Prelim’s but we first have to kill it jumping before that can happen. I will be happy to qualify for AEC’s at Training. I also qualified for these with Spirit, but again, couldn’t go because of finances.

Blast money.

Anyways, it comes down to money and my parents being willing to let me use the truck and trailer. Expenses as we all know for horse shows include but are not limited to: entry fees, stabling, food for human, hotel if preferred (myself, I’d rather set up a tent and camp out. WUSSGOOD.However if mother comes with, she usually puts us up in a hotel, something I dont have to pay for.), & gas and lessons during or before events.

I sure hope I get a good job this summer.

The Lifestlye

So for those who say riding isn’t a sport, I’m here to prove you wrong.

I have gone my whole life trying to explain to my friends and prospective friends that horse riding is indeed a workout. People will ask me in conversation, “So what sport do you play?” and I’ll say, “I ride horses.” Cue dirty/skeptical look. I’m quite sick of this!

I thought of the topic for this blog post while hauling water for my horses in these frigid winter temperatures. Not only do I have to chop ice, but hauling water buckets full of h20 back and forth, back and forth- really is a great way to exercise. I was puffing by the second trip. Example one.

Another wintery chore (or summer. or spring. or fall.) is stacking and unstacking hay. My bales weigh anywhere between 50lbs and 75lbs, and I can usually pick one up in each hand if I have gloves on-a product of baling hay and stacking my own since I was 10 Throwing bales, picking up, moving and stacking is very physically demanding, not to mention itchy and gross. I always end up with blisters on my hand, sore back and shoulder muscles the next day, and sweaty as all get out-even in winter. Example two.

For everyone who DOES ride/care for horses, we all know stalls have to be cleaned once, if not twice, daily. This involves scooping the wet bedding (which can be surprisingly heavy) and precariously balancing it until one can dump it into wheelbarrow. This works the arms and shoulders baby! Then, the poo, which is handled the same way as the wet bedding, but 1st has to be shook out of the clean bedding. Dump heavy ass wheelbarrow (sometimes trudging through snow, rain, mud, muck etc.-YOU try pushing a 150lb wheelbarrow full of excrement through all that and TELL me its not hard). Then shoveling new bedding into said wheelbarrow. This literally breaks my back in half. Next, here comes the water buckets again! I like to dump and scrub my buckets every other day. For those who are lucky-hoses, for those who are not so lucky-hauling. Example three.

So the care of a horse can be exhausting alone, but have a non-rider ride my horse in a lesson. I PROMISE that you will be tired in five minutes. Basic riding-walk, trot (yes, posting) and canter is hard enough for beginners. It took me a year to really learn how to post properly at the trot and be able to manage long periods of trotting. It takes more muscle than you would expect to post. Thus my fabulous six pack. Thank you, riding. Move past beginners stuff and move onto galloping, jumping and collecting a horse. Good luck with that Try to collect my crazy, ex-racehorse, in warm-up for dressage when he is intent on pulling your arms off and running around like a little bastard. Also, good luck with that. Also try to keep him calm and cantering correctly during a jumper’s round. It can be a fun time Not even gonna worry about cross country-there is no WAY a beginner could ever take my horse, or any horse for that matter, and jump a full 23 jump XC course while maintaining a two-point seat (standing in the stirrups in non-horsey people talk). Example four.

So. Non-horsey, looking down upon me, ignorant people, have a go at it. Let me know how you feel the next day. I’m sure you’ll wonder what train hit you.

On a lighter note-here are some pics from Ohio!

Cowgirl being silly-this was before the massive snow storm

Cowgirl snuggly in her blanket

Early morning

Sunset Jan. 14th