Eventer turned hunter...for a day.

So yesterday Lauren and I packed up our ‘ponies’ and headed out for a day of schooling at a local hunter show. Now, I showed hunters waaaaay back in the day and was actually really good. I went to state twice and got two firsts and an eleventh. lol. But my 13 year old self still considered that cool. I always rocked it at 4-H shows and hunter circuits However, I grew tired of endless rounds in the ring, snooty, bitchy girls and mothers and the hunter look. With hunters though I found my passion in jumping and I learned how to PUT MY HEELS DOWN! That’s about it.

Anyways, we were entered in the hunter flat class and two jumping classes which were that last 3of the day (27, 28, and 29) and since the show started at nine we decided leaving at 11ish would be good to get the horses settled and warm up. I got up at 7 to braid Yankee (even though it was a schooling show for us and I wasnt taking it seriously, I always braid) and load my two horses up to go to Lauren’s barn. Z was coming so I could shave her fat pony butt.

Got to Lauren’s around 9 and grabbed Z off the trailer and started braiding Patchy- it only took about 20 min, and then we geared up the clippers to shave Z. WELL, she was having none of that. AT ALL. Little brat pony decided to rear up and twist around and about break her little neck. God, bad pony! We had about an hour and a half to kill so we decided to play w/Z a bit. Enjoy the pics…

Z and her new trick

A flying pony!

Well after our pony escapades, we ventured to the show grounds and discovered parking sucks, and I got a wee bit stuck in the wet grass, but WHAT-ERR’.

And then we waited. FOR HOURS. Another reason I remembered why I hate hunters. I got hella burned even though I slathered sun screen on. Which is very unlikke my skin, to burn. See I am, you could say, perpetually tan. I gues SEVEN FREAKING HOURS in the sun will do that to you.

Oh, and when it came time to tack up, my bloody horse kicked me. KICKED me. I couldn’t believe it, my sweet, lovely, gorgeous, tame horse, kiiicked me! With evil in his eyes. I was so taken aback.

Well that was the first of many faux paus. I forgot many things, my belt, my gloves, a hairnet, AND my boots didn’t fit. What a fat ass I am. Now I have to go get them stretched or something. Damn.

Me trying desperately to zip up my boots

So I ran around trying to find boots to wear….no such luck. I tried on like 6 pairs…we ended up vet wrapping them closed. Hot mess.

After those conundrums, we warmed up (too early it turned out) and the horses were gems.

Yankee told me he does NOT enjoy being a hunter. In fact he said “I much prefer running around and being a psycho freak on cross country. What is this trotting slower and not bucking during canter transitions and being told not run like a fool because it reminds me of once long ago when I was a racehorse.” He was displeased but tried his best to behave. He put on his hunter face, and unwillingly calmed his shit down.

So after waiting a while in the hot sun for our classes Lauren and I finally went in to our flat class. I know I was there for ‘shit-and-gigs’ but I still wanted my horse to behave. Lots of people I knew were there and plenty of eventers, AND the judge was my fellow competitor in eventing and previous instructor. I wanted to look calm and collected but I didnt care if we won or not. AMAZINGLY we placed 2nd out of about 12 in the flat class even though he bucked in almost every corner b/c he wanted to race, lol. Race pony brat.

My dressage horse lookin like a spiffy hunter. Weird I know!

Note the Ghetto boots, lol! After that we did our two jumping classes which we TORE around at lighting speed. Yankee said “BOO, these are too tiny to take seriously. I’ll show girl by running like a mad fool between fences.” THANKFULLY our endless dressage schools came in handy and I was always able to bring him back down to a collected canter. We placed 6th in one class cuz I couldnt get him to switch his leads, and 3rd in the other.

WEEE!

"Too easy mom, make harder"

Lauren and Patchy being equally wicked fast as Yankee and I, lol

After all was said and Done I SOMEHOW managed to win grand Champion, very strange considering we didn’t even get a first, but hey I’ll take it seeing as we came just for practice. 7hrs later and one hellava sunburn later (and a few steals from the tack sale-woof boots, scrim sheet, lead rope since Yankee broke his(idiot) and blue stable wraps all for 18 dollars!!!) we packed the horses up and left, satisfied but exhausted.

We need to school a bit of stadium before we head to KY for Spring Run. Fact.

Our unexpected winnings

The Championship ribbon I don't know how I won.

First SC school in 8 months

I know I’ve trained my horse right when I can ride him in a hackamore and still get a beautiful, collected canter. I know even better when I can tie a leadrope to his halter, jump on bareback, gallop, and quickly halt with no argument. We were rescuing a camera case. He is indeed awesome.

So yesterday I woke up and saw how beautiful it was outside and knew our XC school would go splediferously.

I went and got Patchy and Lauren and we were off, after a very frightening adventure trying to turn the trailer around at her barn. MY GOODNESS, it was difficult. To turn around I had to back past her car, through a gateway, DOWN a hill, trying not to run the trailer off the ledge or hit the fence. But alas, my backing prowess got us through

After we arrived at Twin Towers park, we started off with a warmup, with the sheriffs shooting near us (target practice). Our horses were golden, didn’t even bat an ear. This is why they are awesome.We moved to baby jumps to get the kinks out and onto a swift gallop. Yankee does not like when horses are in front of him, lol. Racehorse in him.

I won’t say much more, but that the 8 months off did Yankee well. I, however, am still getting my strength back, so I didn’t ride the best yesterday. We conquered prelim fences though! We are ready for the season. Enjoy the pics!

Doesn't he look happy? Tiny Training level fence

Lauren and Patchy over a Training level fence

Solid Training fence

Good sized Training level fence Yanks did well over

FAVORITE pic! His least favorite type of fence though

A mAsSiVe prelim fence Yanks cleared with room to spare!

Another huge prelim fence he breezed over

His new trick!

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!!!