Crunching the Numbers

No, it’s not some super yummy new breakfast cereal, although that would be nice wouldn’t it…. Nope, I’ve started to do the math that is California and frankly its downright frightening, but between sheer determination and a little bit of luck, Bastian and I will be making this trip. Here is the initial fiscal breakdown:

Hotel for 10 days: $800

Plane Ticket Roundtrip: $500

Rental Car + fuel: $500

Food for 10 days: $500

Show Fees: $1000

Additional Stabling: $300

Hauling: $???? (I haven’t heard back from any shippers yet….)

Sooooo…..that means that not including hauling I’m looking at $3600. :^O

Damn! So between now and then I’m going to have to do some massive fundraising. I’ve cut out everything I could possibly cut out of my everyday life that costs me extra money (good bye TV!) .

I’m still selling Polo Shirts and Saddle Pads and would love to put on a schooling CT in May to help raise funds. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated! And anyone who wants to plan and organize something I would really appreciate that! This isn’t a cop-out, I will do whatever it takes, but between two jobs and full time grad school and trying to ride and train it gets a bit overwhelming…. But I am definitely all ears and I need help-I can’t do it on my own.

On the Bastian front, there is still something a little wonky going on and its back and forth between his LH and RF. The vet wants us to do a round of Tildren in March and then to have his hocks done in May. Its looking like the Kentucky show is going to be nixed from the schedule-it’s just too much between extra vet money and the trip to CA. Viriginia in July is the same way. It looks like it will be CA in June, NODA in July and WPDA in August then (hopefully) onto the USDF Festival of Champions (Para-Nationals) in October followed by Regional Championships.

I’ve got a very light work week this week so I’m looking forward to spending lots of time with the hairy chestnut monster ;)

Suggestions on how to make this all happen are welcome!!!! Be sure to check out our website for the most up to date news: www.luckdragondressage.vpweb.com

Bastian enjoying the spring mud-he's very into exfoliating his skin....

Plan B

So much has happened since last time I posted and I needed some time to get my thoughts in order, so bear with me as I try to explain everything....

Everything that I have been working for has had to shift. Of the many ways I occupy my time, one of them is my full time job as a high school English teacher. Due to the nature of the job, we do not get vacation days and we only receive a limited number of personal days (3) that we are permitted to use throughout the year. I used my personal days for Regional Championships because at that time none of this was really in the works and there weren't any shows on the schedule. As the schedule was decided, there were only two opportunities for me to choose from in order to show and attempt to achieve my qualifying score. Both options involve a good deal of travel. Option one and the most economically feasible was Wellington Florida in March. In November I approached my immediate supervisor about this issue wanting to know what my options were concerning days off beyond my personal days. I explained the situation and what I was working to accomplish. They made it sound like getting the days off would not be an issue-I could take unpaid leave. Fast forward to 3 weeks ago. I am happily making my plans and when I try to confirm exactly what they were willing to allow me to take I am told that my request cannot be accommodated because it would set a precedent (my para-phrasing here)and they would have to approve unpaid leave for whenever people wanted to travel.

If you are scratching your head, as I did saying "huh, don't you understand what it is I am trying to do here? This is so much more than just travelling...." then thank you. And I do understand the districts point of view, but I was requesting at a minimum two days-Thursday and Friday and offered to teach summer school (something that I have done for the past two years) for free (flex time)-I usually earn close to $800 in order to have just those two days off. Basically I was told that (paraphrasing again!) "its nice to have goals and you have a great story, but we don't want to support you." I am not impressed and the only thing I can respond with is this. Game. On.

This leads me to the two options I have left:

Option One Give up. I don't even feel the need to elaborate here-its self explanatory, being that there are so few opportunities for Para riders here in the United States, I give up live a satisfactory but unfilled life as a 2nd level dressage rider.

Option 2

Go to Sacramento, California and attend the only other CPDI*** Dressage Show offered this year. More expenses, and another 11 hours of travel. So....guesss who's going to California! This girl! Admittedly, the whole idea of travelling that far is overwhelming, the logistics of how I'll manage to get Bastian there as well as myself is a bit much to think about. I will happily take suggestions on shippers, overnight locations and if anyone else wants to go....I here the horse show is really nice....lol

35 hours. 35-friggin-hours. I have it mapped out in the event that I am driving/hauling B and it works out to just over two weeks with travel time, recovery time, showing, then driving back. Instead of the 4-7 days that Florida would have meant. Now I am faced with more hotel fees, more gas money, more pet-sitting money for my sweet little Lucky dog and Doodle.....okay I'm getting whiny here, I'll stop. Like I said; Game on. I will be going to California and I cannot wait. Bastian and I will get our chance to show in an international ring against the best of the best.

So to continue on the bad news front, Bastian has had some hind end wonkiness, so I had the vet out today thinking maybe its just his hocks-he is 9 years old this year and we have never done anything joint wise. Alas, it was not hocks. We actually have an awesome mix of things going on....He has a splint on his left hind leg. Solution was an injection (can't remember off the top of my head), then he was off mildly on his right front, we blocked his foot and his ankle before he was sound. Then a-gazillion x-rays later and we have (insert big fancy word here) changes. (I don't have the vet report in front of me-its still sitting in my tack locker at the barn...) So injection there of stuff (different stuff than his splint injection), followed by 5 days of hand walking (hooray!) two weeks of bute and back to normal work in 7 days. If he's still off when we go back to normal work then I call back and we re-evaluate. I need to give a huge thank you to Dr. Berthold from The Cleveland Equine Clinic, he was so easy to talk to and he knows his stuff. I feel very lucky that I have such a wonderful vet clinic so nearby-they have always taken excellent care of me and my Chestnut Nugget of Joy. As long as he's sound we have a few more steps to complete over the next few months, but Bastian should be 100% in time for CA. Unfortunately my stress level has skyrocketed. I bought a box of little debbie cakes on the way home and well...they are almost gone.....

Here is our updated schedule:

KDA Spring Show, KY (May)

CPDI*** Rancho Murieta, CA (and because I am travelling I will again miss the June WPDA/Grand Haven Show :( )

Lexington, VA (July-still only a maybe, depends on if anyone else is going!)

NODA + Encore (July)

WPDA Summer Sizzler (August)

Para-Nationals, KY (October)-providing I Qualify at CA!

Regionals-Lexington, VA -October

It also looks like there is a training session with Robert Dover at some point for Para-riders, keeping my fingers crossed that I can A) be selected, B)its a reasonable distance and C)it doesn't interfere with my silly school

The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft agley, -Robert Burns (1785)

Unwillingly Waylaid

First off- almost 5000 page views! How cool! :) and I'm up to 16 followers *thumbs up* thanks guys for reading/following!!!

Due to being scheduled at work every night this week and the week before along with having a flat tire two days in a row I have missed out on A LOT of Bastian time, but in order to have that Bastian time I have to work or else I won’t have the income necessary to do what I want to do. I’ve got some projects in the works to get me through the this “off” season, although it not really an off season since I have a show in about 45 days…..which I should note is still not a definite, there has been a slight monkey-wrench thrown into my plans and I don’t know if I’ll be able to work it out but as soon as I know for sure one way or the other I’ll be sure to update. So here’s more of the Good News/ Bad News:

Bad News:

Fast forward to Saturday…I get off work, head to the barn all excited to finally get to ride. I decide to lunge him first so we didn’t have to worry about too much goofiness and he’s lame. Something was off with his right front. Cindy and I poked (mostly Cindy) and prodded him and couldn’t find anything other than a titch of a titch of heat inside of his cannon bone. *sigh* I iced, poulticed, wrapped and buted him. Today he was much better, he looked more stiff/soar rather than actually off, and not a severe stiff/soar, just a "I need to stretch and warm up kinda stiff" in his right front. I’m thinking he maybe slept funky? Can horses do that? Anyway, I rode him today at the walk for 50 minutes and worked on walky-things and halts. We trotted a few times on the long sides and he felt good-he wanted to go and was stepping evenly. So I’m thinking that he is better, but he did have bute with breakfast I want to take every precaution so I’m playing it safe. He was iced and pouticed and wrapped again and is getting bute through Monday night. I work tomorrow so another day off will be a good thing and then I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he’s ready to rock and roll on Tuesday.

Bastian isn't a fan of the poultice!

Good News:

My freestyle is complete! I worked with Cynthia Collins of Luna Tunes Freestyle and although my initial musical choice wasn’t a good fit I was able to find some great Celtic music and Cynthia did a fabulous job organizing it and splicing it together. The choreography is excellent too, I think it will really showcase Bastian’s and I’s strengths. I’m working on learning the choreography but will have to wait until I am in a full size arena before I can actually practice with the music. I’m looking forward to it, I’ve always wanted to be able to ride a freestyle. I even already have plans for music for our next one-I’m hoping by next year Bastian and I will be ready for a freestyle that involves some third level moves.

Another project I’ve got in the works is refinishing a tack trunk I picked up. It was a steal of a deal for just $35. Aside from a missing hinge, the box itself is really in excellent shape, it needs some sanding and I’m working on stripping the paint. My plan is to refinish it with a dark stain and I have Kim working on designing a plate or such to place on the lid that has our awesome logo on it. Once its finished it is going to look super super classy and between that and the rolling saddle/cart basket do-hickey that we recently acquired I should be able to transport everything I need other than hay, shavings, and grain to a show. The trunk is a little bigger than I really wanted but for that price I just couldn’t pass it up. And I will be able to fit things like his water/food buckets in there as well as my helmet, boots and some other larger items. Like I said, everything but hay, grain and sawdust! I’m an organizational freak and so I’m also excited that I was able to order some pretty awesome stuff from Thirty-One to help organize mine and Bastian’s things. I’ll be sure to post pictures as I get farther along in the process! So far I am having a blast working on it, I’m all about doing projects like this and I will appreciate it all the more because I did it. (cheesy, I know!) Here it is on the day I picked it up (I took it apart-it was all in one piece when I got it!)

And from the side....

Not exactly horse related, but another project I’ve started is that I finally managed to enroll in Graduate classes. I am taking a full course load this semester in addition to everything else I’ve got going on. To quote Corey from Empire Records “There are 24 useable hours in every day!” I’m excited about taking the classes, if there was money in it, I would be a professional student, I really love taking classes and learning. If everything stays on track, then I will have my Masters by next spring.

I’m looking forward to getting out to the barn tonight and spending some time with the B-Monster. I’m sure he’ll be a bit of a fire-breathing dragon since he hasn’t been worked in forever and that’s the problem with having a super fit, young, healthy horse. I can lunge him for an hour tonight and then hop on him and ride for another hour and he would still be raring to go! And I’m not lazy when I ride, we go for 20-30 minutes before we take a legit walk break, like I said, he is super fit! But when he’s fit he ends up being more through and wow will he have some nice movement!

I’d like to encourage anyone out there who is currently looking for a new saddle whether it is a jumping or dressage saddle to visit www.hastilowusa.com The Hastilow Saddle Company custom fits their saddles to you and your horse and do an amazing job at it. Since switching to our Hastilow Concept Saddle, Bastian has been coming more through his back and lifting his shoulder more. His mediums have made major improvements and he is staying softer through his bridle because he has less reason to brace through his back. We’ve finally found a great balance of the right equipment, the right training and the right farrier that we are making huge strides in our training. Because all of the basics were there, now as I throw new things at him he takes them by storm. The difference in his way of going improved when I got the Concept Saddle and then improved again once I had the saddle fitter out to make a few minor adjustments to the flocking.

Until next time Bastian says “"In order to get from what was to what will be, you must go through what is." ;)

Spring Fever :)

Last Saturday’s warm temps gave Bastian and I a pretty bad case of Spring Fever. I wanted nothing more than to ride on the outdoor, the sun was shining and the snow had all melted off and it was in the mid 60s. Alas, I don’t really care for mud and will avoid it when I can, and when it rains and you have about a foot of snow melt in the matter of 48 hours, that is what you get so we stayed inside, lol. I mean who wants mud all over their *white* polo wraps….what is it with Dressage and white anyway….

Bastian and his new groom-its never to early to start training them to do things the right way.... (not that I *normally* use a come to brush his shoulder...but hey its a start!)

But it got me thinking about my “dream” schedule of shows, this year it’s all about dressage. Goals include:

*Earning my 60% or higher at a CPEDI***

*Earning 61% or higher at Second and 62% or higher at First so I can qualify for Regionals

*Attend either the Para-National Championships or the First Annual Dressage National Championships

*Get my Second level scores for my Bronze Medal

*Attempt a 3rd Level (Like 3-1) test sometime in the fall…..probably at a schooling show

*Learn how to do flying changes so that we can do a Third Level Test…..

I think they are all doable and will keep me super busy all year long. Bastian has been a Dressage Beast this past week. We’ve got the right mix of stuff going on, awesome training (thank you Kristin), awesome feet (thank you Ray) and an awesome saddle (thank you Hastilow). He is a happy camper and I am a happy Katie.

So on to our show schedule:

March and February: Schooling Shows at Chagrin

March: The *Show* CPEDI*** In Wellington

April: none--but going to apply to ride at Equine Affaire with Jan Ebling, which would be pretty cool! I don't have high hopes of getting accepted, we have a lot of talented horses and riders in our area, I can only hope most of them went south for the winter and aren't around to apply for Equine Affaire....lol ;P

May: Grand Haven /NODA Schooling Show, KDA Spring Warm Up and Show

June: WPDA/Grand Haven Show

July: Dressage at Lexington, VA, NODA + Encore

August: WPDA Summer Sizzler

September: Regionals?

October: Regionals? Nationals?

Not entirely sure what Regional show our Barn is aiming for. Region II is at Lamplight and in September, Region I is in Lexington VA and in October. Plus I’m hoping that the Para-Nationals will be combined with one of those or maybe at HITS Saugerties? So that will determine where and if I go as well. So until then it’s all on the calendar.

This is of course the *Dream* list, who knows if I’ll make it to any of them, but I’m gonna try!

Our plans for Wellington are starting to come together. I have secured transportation, lodging for both Bastian and for myself in Wellington as well as overnight facilities for Bastian in Georgia (haven’t booked for myself yet).

Our Freestyle is in the works and Bastian is officially micro-chipped (I want to take him to a store and scan him cause I’m a geek like that…. ).

If you haven’t checked out our website yet, be sure to head over: http://luckdragondressage.vpweb.com/

More updates as they happen!

Bastian's New Years Resolutions

December 31st, 2012. Its been a long year, filled with measures of success and measures of WTF was that? Bastian and I have grown exponentially and have barely even scratched the surface of what he is capable of and what I hope to be capable of. Thank you to each and every person who has believed in us and helped us out along the way, without you I would never have gotten as far as I have so far.

Highlights of 2012

1) Jumping 3' while in a lesson. Yup, we sure did that! Still keeping my fingers crossed that para-jumping becomes a part of the WEG/Olympics. Bastian would be a Rock-a-saurus rex.

2) Competing in 3 recognized events, 2 at the Starter Level and 1 at Beginner Novice. They were tough, but I truly love eventing and perhaps one day I'll get to do it again. But the important part is that I proved I could and Bastian could. Which is proof that if you want something badly enough, you will accomplish it no matter what your limitations are.

Mark Your Calendars....

For Bastian's Winter Fun Show featuring the first ever Egg N' Spoon Off Championship!!! Yup, you read that right an Egg N' Spoon Off. Right here in Brookfield Ohio, Bauer Equestrian Center will be hosting the Egg N' Spoon Smackdowns of Smackdowns, winner receives bragging rights, a custom Egg N' Spoon Crown and a cup of victory wine (provided the winner is old enough to partake of said wine). I can already tell how insanely jealous all of you who live no where near hear are.... lol

So that's the highlight of the evening, but there are lots of other classes to be involved in as well! Here is the class list:

1) Barrel Race

2)Flag Race

3)Potato Race

4)Holiday Spirit Class

5)Trail

6)**Egg N' Spoon**

7)Catalog Race

8) 18" Jumpers

9)Choose your Own height Jumpers (2'3" and above!)

The Cost is $30 per entry-you get to ride in whatever classes you want, ribbons and prizes for each class and there will be a junior and senior division :)

The show will be on December 28th at 5:30 PM. We're also hosting a pot-luck at the same time so bring a dish to pass and let the good times roll! If you would like an officail show flyer, just send me an email at bastiandressagedragon@gmail.com

This is out kickoff fundraiser event as we start to work towards making it to Wellington Florida March 14-17 for our first ever CPEDI***. Bastian really has his heart set on going, so lets not disappoint him! lol

Come out and visit even if you don't plan on riding, you aren't going to want to miss the Egg N' Spoon Championships of the World!

And one more friendly PSA: Saddle pads and Polo Shirts are still available for purchase, look sharp in your next riding lesson as you sport some "Luck Be a Dragon in France" wear ;P Email me for order forms!

See you at the show!

Of Boot Camp and WEF

I need to start off by saying I am exhausted! This past weekend was phenomenal and both Bastian and I got our asses kicked. I was feeling pretty good when we got home last night, but this morning I woke up sore and tired and it was a struggle to get through the day, all I wanted to do was take a nap.....

So Kristin and I pulled out of the barn around 11:30 on Friday and began our trek to Coatesville PA and Blue Hill Farm. The weather was great and we made good time until we hit Route 30 at 5:00 on a Friday night...holy traffic batman! It took forever. My first riding lesson was set for 6:30 PM, we rolled into the barn around 6:18....nothing like cutting it close. LOL

No worries though, Kristin and I tag teamed Bastian (and when I say tag team I mean Kristin pretty much did everything, she was fabulous!) and I was in their lovely indoor with fantastically foof-a-licious footing by 6:35.

Our first lesson was a bit of an evaluation, seeing what I could and couldn't do, where my weakness were and where Bastian's weaknesses were. I think I can sum it all up by saying we have quite a bit of homework to do! We rode again early Saturday AM and we really got down to business. Missy had me focusing on my body position, keeping my shoulders back, staying centered, keeping my eyes up and turning with my hips. She had us working very hard. I had to keep Bastian between my legs, pushing forward, putting more weight on his hind end along with being steady and rhythmical. Easy-peasy! NOT! By the time we got to our lesson on Sunday morning, both of us were exhausted, we had done some intense work, I have to step up what we're doing at home! For as exhausted as we both were on Sunday I felt like we showed progress from where we had started on Friday, I was sitting up better and was feeling it quicker when I dropped my shoulders or wasn't moving my hips or shoulders in my turns. Bastian was trying his enormous Thoroughbred heart out, not only to listen to my not always so clear directions, but trying to make his stride more collected and rock back on his hind end.

On Saturday night I also got to take a lesson one of Missy's horses that was donated to the Para-Program. His name was Hugh, Hugh Knows. So if you're an eventing fan you should recognize that name. He was one of Karen O'Connor's Rolex Mounts.

So given my current situation, I doubt I am ever going to get to cruise around the Rolex course, so this has to count vicariously somehow....lol. But I digress, Hugh was awesome, very responsive to my seat and light off of my legs while at the same time being very accepting of my excessive leg movement. His canter was to die for! Super fabulous. And as soon as lost my position, he changed so he was really great for keeping me focused! I got to school trot half-pass, turn on the haunches and counter canter. I even managed to do an unintentional flying lead change, a quite nice unintentional flying change if I do say so.... lol He was just an ideal lesson horse, he didn't get frustrated as we went around and around I tried to figure him out and he figured me out, no crazy reactions to my mistakes. It was quite the honour to have the opportunity to ride such a great horse.

The lessons and the riding were phenomenal, but pale in comparison to how welcoming, supportive and kind everyone was at Blue Hill. I got to meet Rebecca Hart and James Dwyer, two wonderful people who made me feel right at home and were incredibly friendly :) Missy Ransehousen is a great instructor! She was easy to follow while she was giving instruction and kept everything positive and upbeat. Everything she had me doing was right in line with what I have been doing-just more intense, more precise. I really liked this-its always nerve-wracking when you ride with a new instructor: are they going to change everything you're doing or are they on the same page as you (or in this case, are you on the same page as them). I also got to meet Hope Hand, one of the most important people in keeping the Para-program going and keeping everyone informed as far as which shows to go to and rule changes and deadlines. Like I said, everyone was so friendly and supportive, it was wonderful! Not to mention everyone has the greatest sense of humour. Not to mention all the others we met in the aisle and in the arena at the farm. Thank you everyone for making our stay at Blue Hill Farm so wonderful.

So, you may be asking what is on the agenda for Team Bastian now. Well, if we can manage to swing it, we're headed to Wellington, FL in March 2013 to compete in our first CPEDI***. All I have to figure out is how to raise enough money to get it done. Saddle pads and polo shirts are still available and we're having a fun show at BEC at the end of December. But that still leaves me quite a bit short....I'm estimating costs of about $4000 so I want to try and raise $5000 so that I don't have to take any shortcuts with B and he can have the best of the best care.

So that's our story. We're going to try and hit the Chagrin Valley Farms Dressage Schooling shows in December, January and March so I can ride my test and get my geometry and flow down. Oh I almost forgot, the new 2013 Para Test are in the large arena!!! I'm soooooooo excited that I don't have to cram everything into a small arena ;P

More updates soon! Thanks for reading!!!