I’m not trying to get out of doing any real work at three o’clock on a Friday afternoon. I’m not.
I swear.
So, I’m going to take Sky to the Lakes Region show on Sunday. My first instinct after the marathon that was Oak Rise this past Sunday was to skip this weekend’s competitive activities in favor of quilting and possibly some trail riding, but Lisa convinced me to go – against my better judgment.
I’m sure it won’t be as bad as I’m thinking – that is if the rain goes by Saturday and I can climb out of the worn-out rut I’ve been in all week. I swear - I could leave her alone for a week! I basically have. I rode Wednesday and I’ll ride today once I’m freed from this desk I’m chained to. I’m hoping her she’s not bitter in her horsey brain about the long day of work she put in this past weekend when she realizes she’s got another one ahead of her.
I tried in vain to find out how many entries there were in my ever-so-popular walk/trot adult division, trying to rationalize that if there were enough it would be worth it to go for the possibility of PAC points. It’s Senior/Adult (meaning 14+) this time, so maybe we’ll get to compete. I love showing, but not paying ten bucks for a two dollar ribbon that doesn’t mean I’m better than anyone!
So, now my weekend is busy. I’m too tired for busy, but here we go… Tonight I have to do laundry and show pack. Saturday I have a brunch date with a friend I haven’t seen in five years, and then I have to get Sky ready and packed up to Lisa’s for the night. She swears LRSS is always over by three, so I might be able to salvage Sunday night for some rest.
I’ll, of course, let you all know how it goes. If I’m less nervous than the last time, it’ll be worth it.
C
Friday, May 30, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Shows and Bows
Oak Rise, 2008 – first of the series. In the morning, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop somewhere – I was too eerily organized. I had my coffee, my stack of saddle pads and brushes were ready to go in the driveway and although she’d been roaming the field the night before, Sky was surprisingly still clean from her hurried bath the day before.
Lisa was right on time and we pulled out well ahead of Robyn and Cassie. We got there early and settled in, although my nerves were jumping… by the time I got her saddled and was up and riding in the practice ring, it got worse…
Now, I have little to no explanation why this happens to me – I have hosted Army Generals, & heads of State at the O’Club, I’ve performed for thousands of people while cheering in college and I’ve traveled all over the world in places where I didn’t speak a word of the language, but little open horse shows get the best of me!
It probably has more to do with the fact that my nervousness now affects another being. If I’m nervous, I’m tense and if I’m tense than Sky’s tense, which makes for a bad situation when we’re circling the practice ring with 50 other horses and riders. She’s spitting at the bit, tossing her head, going too fast at the trot – typical “Bad Sky” behavior. That’s when John’s wife Lisa, who recognized me before I recognized her, paused in coaching her own students to tell me John would be there soon. I was so grateful for the familiar face and kind words that I relaxed a little and so did Sky. On our next turn around Lisa offered a tip or two and this helped us even more.
Sky, who has never made a peep more than once in the two years I’ve owned her, decided today would be a good day to be vocal! She whinnied out to Lilly when the MMF crew arrived in the practice ring, and then called out to whoever was near!
By the time our first class arrived, things were better but not great. I was silently begging for a peracet or a beer to calm me down since I knew Sky was just fine and all of our nerves were solely on me.
Walk/Trot Adult Equitation turned out to be me and a forty + year old English rider on a short Appy. We chatted at the gate then did our walking and trotting in front of the judge. Lisa (my friend this time) perched herself at the rail and whispered tips to relax me as we went by… this in addition to my nephew Dale yelling to me in his two-year-old voice made me smile and laugh and there were no major disasters. When they had us line up at the end of the class, I prepared myself for second. I’d been tense and Sky wasn’t super soft and I really missed the patterns they gave us for Equitation in Texas. But, when the time came and the other lady’s name was called first, I was announced the winner. Yeah for us!
Immediately, I was myself again.
The rest of the day went very smoothly. We watched the girls from MMF go through the walk/trot green horse classes, chatted with John who finally arrived, and spent a lot of time with Karl and the family who had come to support us. Lisa and I got a good laugh out of the fact that Sky and her horse, Onyx, had decided to be best friends considering we had been worried about a fight when we’d tied them side by side. The hot day dragged on as class after class went by. Lisa and I both did the trail course before lunch and although I’m pretty sure I made one error, I was very proud of how we did. I did an extra sidepass move for extra points and I think that helped.
The rest of our classes went really well, with both John and Lisa whispering silly advice to get me to relax and remember how to ride and my family cheering from the stands. We had a repeat of the Equitation for the Adult Pleasure W/T, then got 2nd out of 4 for Western Pleasure W/T (beating two kids and losing out to an older lady on a seasoned horse), got 1st of 4 for Discipline Rail (beat three kids this time) and heard at the end of the day that we got 1st in Trail and the High Point for the day. Sky did particularly well in Discipline Rail when we performed a turn on the haunches and a turn on the forehand. Even now, I’m not sure if I was seriously inquiring or being a smart ass when my answer to the judge when he asked me if I could turn on the forehand was, “which way?” - I like to think I was being a smart ass.
The day did drag on. We arrived at 7:15 and didn’t leave until nearly 6. Lisa’s classes were late in the day and she was not thrilled with the drag of the schedule. Her classes had been crowded affairs, full of English and Western riders - she’d placed well in Halter but her riding classes weren’t the sweep I think she’d planned on. In one class, she had to contend with a dressage rider carrying a whip on a huge Fresian flying by on the inside, going a-buck-ninety at the canter in the tiny ring. Onyx stopped and nearly kicked the horse, resulting in Lisa placing 6th. John, Karl and I were standing at the trailer watching and he knew she’d be livid… but when she rode over I’m pretty sure all three of us reeled back a little when, still mounted, she threw the green ribbon into the dressing room before commenting on what had happened. Drama.
Anyway, I had fun and that’s what I went for. I wish there would be more people to compete against, but I guess for now we really have to ride for ourselves. It was good to have John around and to see the girls from MMF there. Lisa will be gone when the next one comes around, so I have to find another ride. I might skip LRSS next weekend b/c of money and tiredness and I know this week I’ll be doing some trail riding (and yes, John, riding over the stream this time – I’ll let you know how it goes and hopefully not from my hospital room).
See www.snapfish.com for the photos. I’ll send you all the invite to view them.
C
Lisa was right on time and we pulled out well ahead of Robyn and Cassie. We got there early and settled in, although my nerves were jumping… by the time I got her saddled and was up and riding in the practice ring, it got worse…
Now, I have little to no explanation why this happens to me – I have hosted Army Generals, & heads of State at the O’Club, I’ve performed for thousands of people while cheering in college and I’ve traveled all over the world in places where I didn’t speak a word of the language, but little open horse shows get the best of me!
It probably has more to do with the fact that my nervousness now affects another being. If I’m nervous, I’m tense and if I’m tense than Sky’s tense, which makes for a bad situation when we’re circling the practice ring with 50 other horses and riders. She’s spitting at the bit, tossing her head, going too fast at the trot – typical “Bad Sky” behavior. That’s when John’s wife Lisa, who recognized me before I recognized her, paused in coaching her own students to tell me John would be there soon. I was so grateful for the familiar face and kind words that I relaxed a little and so did Sky. On our next turn around Lisa offered a tip or two and this helped us even more.
Sky, who has never made a peep more than once in the two years I’ve owned her, decided today would be a good day to be vocal! She whinnied out to Lilly when the MMF crew arrived in the practice ring, and then called out to whoever was near!
By the time our first class arrived, things were better but not great. I was silently begging for a peracet or a beer to calm me down since I knew Sky was just fine and all of our nerves were solely on me.
Walk/Trot Adult Equitation turned out to be me and a forty + year old English rider on a short Appy. We chatted at the gate then did our walking and trotting in front of the judge. Lisa (my friend this time) perched herself at the rail and whispered tips to relax me as we went by… this in addition to my nephew Dale yelling to me in his two-year-old voice made me smile and laugh and there were no major disasters. When they had us line up at the end of the class, I prepared myself for second. I’d been tense and Sky wasn’t super soft and I really missed the patterns they gave us for Equitation in Texas. But, when the time came and the other lady’s name was called first, I was announced the winner. Yeah for us!
Immediately, I was myself again.
The rest of the day went very smoothly. We watched the girls from MMF go through the walk/trot green horse classes, chatted with John who finally arrived, and spent a lot of time with Karl and the family who had come to support us. Lisa and I got a good laugh out of the fact that Sky and her horse, Onyx, had decided to be best friends considering we had been worried about a fight when we’d tied them side by side. The hot day dragged on as class after class went by. Lisa and I both did the trail course before lunch and although I’m pretty sure I made one error, I was very proud of how we did. I did an extra sidepass move for extra points and I think that helped.
The rest of our classes went really well, with both John and Lisa whispering silly advice to get me to relax and remember how to ride and my family cheering from the stands. We had a repeat of the Equitation for the Adult Pleasure W/T, then got 2nd out of 4 for Western Pleasure W/T (beating two kids and losing out to an older lady on a seasoned horse), got 1st of 4 for Discipline Rail (beat three kids this time) and heard at the end of the day that we got 1st in Trail and the High Point for the day. Sky did particularly well in Discipline Rail when we performed a turn on the haunches and a turn on the forehand. Even now, I’m not sure if I was seriously inquiring or being a smart ass when my answer to the judge when he asked me if I could turn on the forehand was, “which way?” - I like to think I was being a smart ass.
The day did drag on. We arrived at 7:15 and didn’t leave until nearly 6. Lisa’s classes were late in the day and she was not thrilled with the drag of the schedule. Her classes had been crowded affairs, full of English and Western riders - she’d placed well in Halter but her riding classes weren’t the sweep I think she’d planned on. In one class, she had to contend with a dressage rider carrying a whip on a huge Fresian flying by on the inside, going a-buck-ninety at the canter in the tiny ring. Onyx stopped and nearly kicked the horse, resulting in Lisa placing 6th. John, Karl and I were standing at the trailer watching and he knew she’d be livid… but when she rode over I’m pretty sure all three of us reeled back a little when, still mounted, she threw the green ribbon into the dressing room before commenting on what had happened. Drama.
Anyway, I had fun and that’s what I went for. I wish there would be more people to compete against, but I guess for now we really have to ride for ourselves. It was good to have John around and to see the girls from MMF there. Lisa will be gone when the next one comes around, so I have to find another ride. I might skip LRSS next weekend b/c of money and tiredness and I know this week I’ll be doing some trail riding (and yes, John, riding over the stream this time – I’ll let you know how it goes and hopefully not from my hospital room).
See www.snapfish.com for the photos. I’ll send you all the invite to view them.
C
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Trail Rides & Show Prep
Hi all,
So, I’m glad people are missing my blog, but I gotta be good b/c blogging at work is frowned upon. Anyway, a quick note about what we’ve been up to… Sunday Robyn and I went on a trail ride – wow, I know… This is the first time since August when we got to MMF that I’ve seen her ride! She decided Colorado would be a good choice – a bay standardbred that is recovering from a skull injury after getting kicked by a stud… poor guy. He came to MMF a few weeks ago on a trial basis and is doing well so far – doesn’t know much although the previous owner claims to have ridden him often… anyway, he’s on a half lease out already to one of the lesson kids and seems to be a good horse with a good disposition. That can be worked with.
So, we head out and she’s pretty nervous. We head out the power lines and Sky surprisingly decides it’s ok to lead (shocker)… that is until we get to the stream and then she becomes the mule that she can be when she doesn’t want to do something. I don’t blame her for being scared, but I do feel a twinge when I know that when she wants to go somewhere, a little stream isn’t an issue. Because Robyn is nervous and Sky won’t go, therefore Colorado won’t go either I expidite the process by getting off and leading Sky over the stream (the snowmobile bridge put in this winter helped out by I still got mud on my boots).
After that we did ok – not great, but ok – we struggled through some big puddles and made it down a little bit of paved road and finally to the other conservation area up Shaker Road. But just as we were headed up to the fire tower I’ve always wanted to make it to, it started to rain and Cassie was headed to meet us. So, we turned around and made it back in half the time it took us to get out there, making for about a two hour ride. Sky decided she wanted to lead on the way home, but I made her go the back instead. Right before we got home, I thought she’d pop a tendon if she walked any faster , so I made her lose sight of the other horses – not making her a happy camper… she tried to jig but I made her stop and back and stand until she walked normally. When we got back, I rode in the ring more to prove to her that there was no rush to get home, ever. It was fun and that’s what counts, anyway.
So, this week I’ve been ring riding – trot/walk/trot – circle/circle/circle…. Walk/trot/walk…. Trying to get ready for the Oak Rise Show on Sunday. She’s started doing the same thing she used to do going from a walk to a trot, but in reverse – sticking her neck out and her head up when changing gaits… now it’s from a walk to a trot but I’m working on it. She’s doing ok. I’m less stressed than for the last show and I think knowing it’s not going to rain helps… also it always gets easier. John will be there to help, which is generous considering I can’t afford to do a lesson and the show in the same week. So, I’ll be riding today and tomorrow and Saturday morning, then give her a big bath, decide whether to go with the same old show shirt and pad or change it up to a white shirt and teal pad (maybe the red), and loading her up! Then, next week Robyn and I planned another ride together, then we have the “ride” at the barn, which isn’t going to be much considering we have no one signed up! And on the first, we have Lakes Region Show Series… I’m not sure if I can keep up.
One day at a time!
So, I’m glad people are missing my blog, but I gotta be good b/c blogging at work is frowned upon. Anyway, a quick note about what we’ve been up to… Sunday Robyn and I went on a trail ride – wow, I know… This is the first time since August when we got to MMF that I’ve seen her ride! She decided Colorado would be a good choice – a bay standardbred that is recovering from a skull injury after getting kicked by a stud… poor guy. He came to MMF a few weeks ago on a trial basis and is doing well so far – doesn’t know much although the previous owner claims to have ridden him often… anyway, he’s on a half lease out already to one of the lesson kids and seems to be a good horse with a good disposition. That can be worked with.
So, we head out and she’s pretty nervous. We head out the power lines and Sky surprisingly decides it’s ok to lead (shocker)… that is until we get to the stream and then she becomes the mule that she can be when she doesn’t want to do something. I don’t blame her for being scared, but I do feel a twinge when I know that when she wants to go somewhere, a little stream isn’t an issue. Because Robyn is nervous and Sky won’t go, therefore Colorado won’t go either I expidite the process by getting off and leading Sky over the stream (the snowmobile bridge put in this winter helped out by I still got mud on my boots).
After that we did ok – not great, but ok – we struggled through some big puddles and made it down a little bit of paved road and finally to the other conservation area up Shaker Road. But just as we were headed up to the fire tower I’ve always wanted to make it to, it started to rain and Cassie was headed to meet us. So, we turned around and made it back in half the time it took us to get out there, making for about a two hour ride. Sky decided she wanted to lead on the way home, but I made her go the back instead. Right before we got home, I thought she’d pop a tendon if she walked any faster , so I made her lose sight of the other horses – not making her a happy camper… she tried to jig but I made her stop and back and stand until she walked normally. When we got back, I rode in the ring more to prove to her that there was no rush to get home, ever. It was fun and that’s what counts, anyway.
So, this week I’ve been ring riding – trot/walk/trot – circle/circle/circle…. Walk/trot/walk…. Trying to get ready for the Oak Rise Show on Sunday. She’s started doing the same thing she used to do going from a walk to a trot, but in reverse – sticking her neck out and her head up when changing gaits… now it’s from a walk to a trot but I’m working on it. She’s doing ok. I’m less stressed than for the last show and I think knowing it’s not going to rain helps… also it always gets easier. John will be there to help, which is generous considering I can’t afford to do a lesson and the show in the same week. So, I’ll be riding today and tomorrow and Saturday morning, then give her a big bath, decide whether to go with the same old show shirt and pad or change it up to a white shirt and teal pad (maybe the red), and loading her up! Then, next week Robyn and I planned another ride together, then we have the “ride” at the barn, which isn’t going to be much considering we have no one signed up! And on the first, we have Lakes Region Show Series… I’m not sure if I can keep up.
One day at a time!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
An Update
Hey,
So, Sky's got a boo boo. Looks like a bite on her flank...ouch.
Lisa is going to go to Oak Rise as opposed to the four hour drive to the Maine Quarter Horse Show, so I have a ride to the May 25th show... yeah.
I gave her a couple days off after Silver Heels, then rode a few days, then Beth came up from Swanzey and picked us up to go to Canterbury to a Ride/Drive for Canadian Horses. She brought her Arab as well as her four year old Canadian (the three year old one stayed at home) with the idea of ponying one and riding the other and switching on and off. So, we got there and Sky had a time trying to figure out that this trailer wasn't the one with a ramp! Then she had to learn that Rhea (the Canadian) didn't want to be her friend (she's a kicker!)... but we headed out down the dirt roads without much trouble and although she wouldn't lead, I made her at least look where she was going and spread out - no butt following today!
Typical Sky, when we turned to go back, she was all about being in front! As if to say, "this has been scouted, it's safe".. When we returned to the farm, I made her go away from the other horses and walk around different areas. I was very proud of us because she didn't want to go certain places and was scared, but I got her to go. we even left the driveway again and up the road a minute. She's doing better and better on her own.
So, we had lunch and went out again with a different group. This time Sky was not as enthusiastic to go out and the bugs were worse, so it wasn't as pleasant. When we got back we took the horses into the back field and for a drink in the brook. I thought (silly me) "what a great time to do some training" and get Sky to cross the water alone. She's great following a horse, but by herself, not so much. So I got her to go in (yeah me!) and then she backed right out.... so we got into a little "discussion"... I did get her to cross another water place alone but then got help from another horse as well... we'll try again another day.
Yesterday, I rode and she was really good. I tried an exersise that I read in a magazine about setting up a grid of 9 cones (I used jump standards as the ring was littered with them!) about six feet apart and randomly weaving in and out of them to get her to go "between my legs"... it worked pretty well. We also worked on the half-halts which she would be good at if she stayed in a frame, which she doesn't always.
Then we went up the powerlines and got nearly to the subdivision road before we turned around. I got her through some mud but ahead was full out puddles and I wasn't ready for those yet. Maybe today. I made sure it was my idea to turn around though. We did some trotting in the woods on the way back and I am hoping to get the nice trot more often on the trail that she does in the ring all the time.
Next week we'll hopefully get another lesson and work toward getting ready for Oak Rise.
C
So, Sky's got a boo boo. Looks like a bite on her flank...ouch.
Lisa is going to go to Oak Rise as opposed to the four hour drive to the Maine Quarter Horse Show, so I have a ride to the May 25th show... yeah.
I gave her a couple days off after Silver Heels, then rode a few days, then Beth came up from Swanzey and picked us up to go to Canterbury to a Ride/Drive for Canadian Horses. She brought her Arab as well as her four year old Canadian (the three year old one stayed at home) with the idea of ponying one and riding the other and switching on and off. So, we got there and Sky had a time trying to figure out that this trailer wasn't the one with a ramp! Then she had to learn that Rhea (the Canadian) didn't want to be her friend (she's a kicker!)... but we headed out down the dirt roads without much trouble and although she wouldn't lead, I made her at least look where she was going and spread out - no butt following today!
Typical Sky, when we turned to go back, she was all about being in front! As if to say, "this has been scouted, it's safe".. When we returned to the farm, I made her go away from the other horses and walk around different areas. I was very proud of us because she didn't want to go certain places and was scared, but I got her to go. we even left the driveway again and up the road a minute. She's doing better and better on her own.
So, we had lunch and went out again with a different group. This time Sky was not as enthusiastic to go out and the bugs were worse, so it wasn't as pleasant. When we got back we took the horses into the back field and for a drink in the brook. I thought (silly me) "what a great time to do some training" and get Sky to cross the water alone. She's great following a horse, but by herself, not so much. So I got her to go in (yeah me!) and then she backed right out.... so we got into a little "discussion"... I did get her to cross another water place alone but then got help from another horse as well... we'll try again another day.
Yesterday, I rode and she was really good. I tried an exersise that I read in a magazine about setting up a grid of 9 cones (I used jump standards as the ring was littered with them!) about six feet apart and randomly weaving in and out of them to get her to go "between my legs"... it worked pretty well. We also worked on the half-halts which she would be good at if she stayed in a frame, which she doesn't always.
Then we went up the powerlines and got nearly to the subdivision road before we turned around. I got her through some mud but ahead was full out puddles and I wasn't ready for those yet. Maybe today. I made sure it was my idea to turn around though. We did some trotting in the woods on the way back and I am hoping to get the nice trot more often on the trail that she does in the ring all the time.
Next week we'll hopefully get another lesson and work toward getting ready for Oak Rise.
C
Monday, May 5, 2008
"riding in the rain" (silver heels show)
I don't have a lot of time, but here's the skinny on the show this weekend.
Saturday, Lisa picked Sky up at the barn. I spent a lot of time grooming her and getting her all beautiful and kept her in all day even though it was going to rain. Saturday's rain wasn't so bad, so I was still hopeful.
We get to Lisa's house and Sky (who hasn't ever been on a ramped trailer) tried to back off the trailer and slid like she was at a waterslide at Disneyworld and took a HUGE digger, hitting her knee and her muzzle on the ramp! Poor girl, she had dogs barking nearby and a horse bucking in the roundpen next to her and she just snorted and stood up and shook it off! Of course, I was a wreck over it, but she was ok - a scape on her knee and else just fine.
So, we clipped and we groomed and we did all the horse show prep stuff and when I arrived at Lisa's at 5:45 AM on Sunday, it was drizzling lightly... so we think, "we can handle this" and head out to the show. Poor Sky got on and off the trailer fine, got used to the show grounds and handled being out in the drizzle through the AM. ... so the halter classes start at 8 and Lisa goes into her first one and it starts RAINING, not drizzle, RAIN - ewww... So, I look around as I am holding Sky by the rail and trailers are pulling out left and right... the beautiful, professional looking Paints I saw started disappearing along with their silver show halters and handlers in full makeup and clear raincoats on over expensive show outfits.
Then our first class comes up "Paint/Pinto Halter" and it's me and one other girl with a sorrel tobiano, who has a tail down to the ground... so we got out and instantly my boots are soaked in the puddles and I start to wonder what I'm doing here. The judge looks her over and asks how old she is... and we are 2nd out of 2.
Then, it's "color model halter" and they're 4 in the class... short story is we got 4th. Still miserable.
So, we're both done our Halter classes and Lisa doesn't know if she wants to stay. she's not happy with the judge b/c she didn't place in any of her halter stuff and she's a little unhappy with how the judge acted... so, we decide to put the horses on the trailer with their hay and get in the truck to warm up. All the while, trucks are pulling out as the rain starts coming down harder.
We wait and watch as some English riders mount up for their classes and we're trying to count how many are left. The reason Lisa wants to leave is b/c she came to Silver Heels b/c she wanted to know the level of competition and if everyone left then it wouldn't be competition at all. But as the classes go on, we decide, "hey, we're here". So the decision comes that, as my classes are first, I'll tack Sky up on the trailer and get her off and get on her just in time to ride for my classes.
As I get her ready, they announce that competitors can where whatever they need to in order to stay dry, so I dawn my purple rainsuit and attempt to get Sky off the trailer. She decideds that's a bad idea and rears up twice while I'm in there with her (SCARY).. Lisa comes and helps us out and we get her off... the rain is coming down, my saddle is getting soaked and Sky is not happy. But I get on anyway and start riding around. After having been in for nearly two days and being out in the rain, she could have been worse, but she wasn't good... straining at the bit and not listening, avoiding puddles, and overall pretty bad...
I realize that I'm the only one in "novice walk/trot equitation 13 and over" and go into the ring (oh, and get this, I had to wear a helmet in these classes... I wasn't impressed).. the judge and I laugh about the weather and the lack of people and she makes it fast. I win. The next class "novice walk/trot pleasure 13 and over" is a repeat of the same. Sky gets better about the puddles but is all over the place otherwise.
I ride in the pratice area and do "novice walk/trot command 13 and over" with two others (both English). .We were awesome... doing everything well before the time allowed and she was very relaxed and looked much better. Except the judge was watching the other two more than me and when she asked us to back up, Sky took one too many steps.. 3rd out of 3...
It's POURING now and I'm soaked and cold and Sky is soaked and cold... we wait for the lunch break and for the trail course to be set up (an easy one for us).. Lisa starts practicing for her classes. By now I'm pretty unhappy being out in the rain. I know I'll be the only one in my trail class and I know that Sky and I can do that with our eyes closed. I don't need to prove anything to anyone and I really don't want another undeserved blue. So, I scratch and put Sky away, change into dry clothes, organize the trailer dressing room and by the time I am done and go to watch Lisa in her last classes, it's stopped raining. Grrr....
We head out without Lisa even finding out if she did well in her trail class. We collect ribbons from a woman who just asked us what classes and what place. I get two blues, one red, one yellow and one white, plus two trophies and I didn't beat a soul. Silly.
Lisa and I pull out, take Sky home, who gets off the trailer much better and shakes hard before going out with her mare friends. I'm happy to see her home.
All I asked God for that morning, was that I came home smiling and everyone would be safe. That happened. My husband came and was a super trooper, Lisa and I had a decent time together and I'm still invited to go to other shows with her... we got some experience being other places and out in the rain... whatever.. I'm looking forward to doing this again in good weather and without halter classes which I don't think I care for (I'd rather ride longer). I hope Lisa decides to go to Oak Rise instead of ME QH shows... I'm anxious to do some trail riding and relax a little. I'm showed out for a week or two!
Thanks for all the help, John.
C
Saturday, Lisa picked Sky up at the barn. I spent a lot of time grooming her and getting her all beautiful and kept her in all day even though it was going to rain. Saturday's rain wasn't so bad, so I was still hopeful.
We get to Lisa's house and Sky (who hasn't ever been on a ramped trailer) tried to back off the trailer and slid like she was at a waterslide at Disneyworld and took a HUGE digger, hitting her knee and her muzzle on the ramp! Poor girl, she had dogs barking nearby and a horse bucking in the roundpen next to her and she just snorted and stood up and shook it off! Of course, I was a wreck over it, but she was ok - a scape on her knee and else just fine.
So, we clipped and we groomed and we did all the horse show prep stuff and when I arrived at Lisa's at 5:45 AM on Sunday, it was drizzling lightly... so we think, "we can handle this" and head out to the show. Poor Sky got on and off the trailer fine, got used to the show grounds and handled being out in the drizzle through the AM. ... so the halter classes start at 8 and Lisa goes into her first one and it starts RAINING, not drizzle, RAIN - ewww... So, I look around as I am holding Sky by the rail and trailers are pulling out left and right... the beautiful, professional looking Paints I saw started disappearing along with their silver show halters and handlers in full makeup and clear raincoats on over expensive show outfits.
Then our first class comes up "Paint/Pinto Halter" and it's me and one other girl with a sorrel tobiano, who has a tail down to the ground... so we got out and instantly my boots are soaked in the puddles and I start to wonder what I'm doing here. The judge looks her over and asks how old she is... and we are 2nd out of 2.
Then, it's "color model halter" and they're 4 in the class... short story is we got 4th. Still miserable.
So, we're both done our Halter classes and Lisa doesn't know if she wants to stay. she's not happy with the judge b/c she didn't place in any of her halter stuff and she's a little unhappy with how the judge acted... so, we decide to put the horses on the trailer with their hay and get in the truck to warm up. All the while, trucks are pulling out as the rain starts coming down harder.
We wait and watch as some English riders mount up for their classes and we're trying to count how many are left. The reason Lisa wants to leave is b/c she came to Silver Heels b/c she wanted to know the level of competition and if everyone left then it wouldn't be competition at all. But as the classes go on, we decide, "hey, we're here". So the decision comes that, as my classes are first, I'll tack Sky up on the trailer and get her off and get on her just in time to ride for my classes.
As I get her ready, they announce that competitors can where whatever they need to in order to stay dry, so I dawn my purple rainsuit and attempt to get Sky off the trailer. She decideds that's a bad idea and rears up twice while I'm in there with her (SCARY).. Lisa comes and helps us out and we get her off... the rain is coming down, my saddle is getting soaked and Sky is not happy. But I get on anyway and start riding around. After having been in for nearly two days and being out in the rain, she could have been worse, but she wasn't good... straining at the bit and not listening, avoiding puddles, and overall pretty bad...
I realize that I'm the only one in "novice walk/trot equitation 13 and over" and go into the ring (oh, and get this, I had to wear a helmet in these classes... I wasn't impressed).. the judge and I laugh about the weather and the lack of people and she makes it fast. I win. The next class "novice walk/trot pleasure 13 and over" is a repeat of the same. Sky gets better about the puddles but is all over the place otherwise.
I ride in the pratice area and do "novice walk/trot command 13 and over" with two others (both English). .We were awesome... doing everything well before the time allowed and she was very relaxed and looked much better. Except the judge was watching the other two more than me and when she asked us to back up, Sky took one too many steps.. 3rd out of 3...
It's POURING now and I'm soaked and cold and Sky is soaked and cold... we wait for the lunch break and for the trail course to be set up (an easy one for us).. Lisa starts practicing for her classes. By now I'm pretty unhappy being out in the rain. I know I'll be the only one in my trail class and I know that Sky and I can do that with our eyes closed. I don't need to prove anything to anyone and I really don't want another undeserved blue. So, I scratch and put Sky away, change into dry clothes, organize the trailer dressing room and by the time I am done and go to watch Lisa in her last classes, it's stopped raining. Grrr....
We head out without Lisa even finding out if she did well in her trail class. We collect ribbons from a woman who just asked us what classes and what place. I get two blues, one red, one yellow and one white, plus two trophies and I didn't beat a soul. Silly.
Lisa and I pull out, take Sky home, who gets off the trailer much better and shakes hard before going out with her mare friends. I'm happy to see her home.
All I asked God for that morning, was that I came home smiling and everyone would be safe. That happened. My husband came and was a super trooper, Lisa and I had a decent time together and I'm still invited to go to other shows with her... we got some experience being other places and out in the rain... whatever.. I'm looking forward to doing this again in good weather and without halter classes which I don't think I care for (I'd rather ride longer). I hope Lisa decides to go to Oak Rise instead of ME QH shows... I'm anxious to do some trail riding and relax a little. I'm showed out for a week or two!
Thanks for all the help, John.
C
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Show This Weekend!
I don't know why I panic when I haven't ridden in a few days - probably b/c Sky used to be so young that a day off was like starting all over... as she gets older, though, a day or two off works her wonders... I rode yesterday after a day off to go to the ballpark with our friends and two days of rain and she was awesome! I seriously think she needs some time to "think about it", that is, what she's learned.
I saw Christina, one of the instructors there, and shared the ring while she gave a lesson... get this - Robbyn is half-leasing this horse who just got kicked in the head and barely knows anything to a 13 year old girl... While we were in the ring Christina tells me that Robbyn told her that the horse was "dead broke" but during the lesson, it became apparent that he doesn't even know how to move off of leg pressure. He seems level headed and easygoing but I'm not sure if I'd let my young daugter ride him...
Anyway, Sky and I tried out our new teal saddlepad (very good reviews, she looks good in everything) and also practiced some trail obstacles... she's a trooper at a backthrough L, ok at trotting through poles, great at weaving through the jump standards and improved with practice on my makeshift gate (I imagine I'd have better results if I wasn't trying to use a lunge line as a rope... it was a little long. I've got to get a scap piece of plywood in the ring to use as a bridge... we haven't done that in a while and I want to make sure she remembers about them... and I need to do a coat although I think she'll be good at that.
So, I've got a long list of chores to do to get ready for the show.... hope it's warm enough on Saturday to give her a bath. I'm a terrible groom! Lisa is picking us up on Friday afternoon and we'll do some stuff at her house.. I"m hoping she'll help me clip her 'cause i'm bad at it.
Anyway, gotta get to work... wish us luck.
C
I saw Christina, one of the instructors there, and shared the ring while she gave a lesson... get this - Robbyn is half-leasing this horse who just got kicked in the head and barely knows anything to a 13 year old girl... While we were in the ring Christina tells me that Robbyn told her that the horse was "dead broke" but during the lesson, it became apparent that he doesn't even know how to move off of leg pressure. He seems level headed and easygoing but I'm not sure if I'd let my young daugter ride him...
Anyway, Sky and I tried out our new teal saddlepad (very good reviews, she looks good in everything) and also practiced some trail obstacles... she's a trooper at a backthrough L, ok at trotting through poles, great at weaving through the jump standards and improved with practice on my makeshift gate (I imagine I'd have better results if I wasn't trying to use a lunge line as a rope... it was a little long. I've got to get a scap piece of plywood in the ring to use as a bridge... we haven't done that in a while and I want to make sure she remembers about them... and I need to do a coat although I think she'll be good at that.
So, I've got a long list of chores to do to get ready for the show.... hope it's warm enough on Saturday to give her a bath. I'm a terrible groom! Lisa is picking us up on Friday afternoon and we'll do some stuff at her house.. I"m hoping she'll help me clip her 'cause i'm bad at it.
Anyway, gotta get to work... wish us luck.
C
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