It has been a crazy week (as always). On Sunday, Beth and I packed up Bastian and headed out to Grand Haven for the NODA Encore show. I was showing Training Four and First Four. Let me add in just two little bits of background:
-On Tuesday I dropped a table on my right foot. Holy Bruising Batman. On Thursday I went the to Dr. and got x-rays. Friday morning his nurse calls me and tells me I have two fractures in my foot but that the Dr. said I was allowed to ride on Sunday and that I could wear my boots. (What an awesome Dr., eh?) So I rode with a broken foot. Not that it is that big of an accomplishment since I a)doubt the fractures are more than hairline and b)since I can't really feel my feet I wasn't in unbearable pain. But still, it sounds friggin' cool right?
-On Saturday night I went the barn after the first day of the show to lunge Bastian and pack the trailer. We got the most badass storm that I have ever been in that night. I left the barn at 7:30 to come home. ALL the roads home were blocked by downed trees. I had to turn around twice before (thankfully) I found firemen at the last tree working to clear it. So what is normally a 20-25 minute drive home turned into an 1 1/2 hour ordeal. It was just not my week.
So I know that I shouldn't let outside things bother me, but I did. I was distracted and a little grumpy and just overall not 100% committed to the show. Beth and I headed toward Grand Haven under the greyest most depressing sky ever. No rain...yet. As we pulled in, it started :(
My first ride was 9:32 for Training 4. We warmed up in the indoor since it was POURING down rain. Grand Haven's indoor is nice! The footing is very fun. He felt pretty good. We went out in the pouring rain to do our test. Our first centerline was okay until we halted and he swung his haunches really far to the right. almost like we were going to salute a judge at H instead of C. Oh well, our trot loop was great, then he bucked into his right lead canter and for the next three strides he felt like he was going to buck again. I froze and let him break (we scored a 4) then we trotted 3/4 of our canter circle at E, he was ignoring my leg and I was afraid to use my whip (we scored a 3) then we got the canter and our canter from E to C scored a 6 (thank god they break the score up!) After that our test was pretty peachy keen. He had a tiny spook during left canter when we started our circle, but it was miniscule. The rest of our test was all 6s and 7s, he got a 7 on gaits and I got a 7 on rider (yay!). Our final score was 60.8% and we finished 9th overall.
Aside from our right canter it was a great test for us. Now we are soaked. My helmet is drenched, my coat is drenched, my saddle is drenched. This is a strong point against the Wintec Isabella. It absorbs water like a flippin' sponge. My breeches were a mess so they came off and I put on my second pair for my later test.
My saddle was not even close to being dry for my second test. In fact it only just now, after sitting in the sun all last night and this morning is finally dry.
Then we got to our First 4 test. Let me just get this out of the way: We bombed it. Hardcore. Okay, here's the rest..... I thought we warmed up well, I was happy with him and myself, I was THINKING at least and reacting. We go in for our test and our mojo got a bit messed up because the judge stopped us and said that we weren';t supposed to be in the ring then and it was about four minutes before we got that sorted so our flow from warm up was interupted and thats why we sucked! No, just kidding, but it was a convenient excuse huh? He blew the whistle and I got tense and stopped thinking and riding. I was pretty much just a passenger doing minimal steering and guidance.
He was very fussy with his head and ignoring my leg, a lot. Our leg yields were stuck, I'm glad I didn't do the "diagonal" leg yield, but we basically got stuck and there was a huge disconnect between our front and hind end. There was no trot lengthening. Our walk was great!!! Free walk looked good. Our left canter stunk. There was no lengthen, he broke a ga-zillion times on our loop. We picked up the wrong lead after the change of rein at X, our canter lengthen on our right was great! We were headed towards the barn so I just kinda let him go and figured I would find a way to get him stopped at the other end. Our canter loop was much better (as in we didn't break!) but we did break at C, our stretchy circle was good and our final centerline was okay. Our final score was a 50%. I haven't seen the actual test yet, I had to leave before scores were posted. I am assuming I was last in the class though.......
I watched the video of the test this morning and surprisingly it wasn't as hideous as I thought it was going to be. Yes, we had a ton of mistakes, stupid mistakes, but there were a few nice moments and when I did ride and think and he listened to my leg we looked good. So we are (or will be) capable of doing this test and doing it well. We need to develop our lengthenings more. They need to happen the instant I ask, not halfway across the diagonal or longside. I need to balance my leg yields more, keep the hind end in rhythm with the front end. And keep my leg on at the canter. I know that he'll break, I know better. I need to develop a better flow through the actual test itself, think ahead more movement to movement.
So lots of work, but I know that he and I are up to it and that we can and will accomplish this. Will it be when I want it to be? (Two weeks from now) Don't know, but we are sure as heck gonna try.
Our next shot at this is the WPDA Summer Sizzler at Grand Haven August 14-15. We've got a lot of work to do between now and then!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Weekend Full of Win
This update is long overdue, but this past week just got too crazy with all the little projects I had going on. I actually get to breath a little this week, and a blog update was needed, absolutely.
Bastian and I returned not only unscathed from our first dressage show, but as winners!! WOOT! I am so insanely proud of him and so stinkin' happy about how we did I don't even have words to describe it, but as this is a blog, I'll do my best. I was nervous overall going in, in the past no matter how good I thought we were doing at home on any horse I happened to be riding, I would get to a show and learn that we still pretty much stunk. Whether I just wasnt' riding well enough or I never had an "exciting" enough typy horse I don't know. But basically I was always just an "also ran" in whatever class or event I was in.
Kristin rode him first on Thursday when we got there to school. We decided that since it was his first time at these show grounds she would make sure he wasn't going to be spooky about anything. And he wasn't. He wasn't a good boy though, he decided to have one of his little teenage temper tantrums and not go forward off the leg. But Kristin worked him through it and when I got on he was FABULOUS. Absolutely fabulous. I was feeling better about the whole show thing. Thursday was also ungodly hot and humid. Yuck.
It rained all night Thursday and was cloudy and overcast on Friday. Our first test went okay, it was Training 2 and I was very tense and nervous. We scored a 58%, came in fifth and received a beautiful pink ribbon. Its really pretty. (I know, sorry, I'm having a total kid moment here!) Our second test of the day wasn't until 3:40 something. By then the arenas were a mess, it had rained off and on all day. It was not raining as I started my test but right as I did my first diagonal the skys decided to open up along with the wind. Every letter blew over during my test a few as my horse walked past them. He didn't flick an ear in the wrong direction and finished his test nicely (I was proud of myself for not rushing to get out of the bad weather!). This is where it pays off to know your arena layout since you couldn't see the letters anymore, LOL. Poor Kristin had to go in right after me and no one was running out to set the letters back up again so she didn't have them either. Heck she didn't even have a scribe. Sometime during her test the scribe disappeared and the judge was writing down scores...crazy!
We won our Training 4 class that day with a 64.2%. So we got an almost as pretty as the pink, Blue Ribbon and our first Qualifying score!! I was estatic.
Saturday was dry and at lunch they finally dragged the arenas. I felt that both of my tests rode better that day, but the judge in my arena was being conservative with her scores. I earned a 62% and a Red Ribbon for my Training 2 test and a 60% for my Training 4. My Training 4 class was huge, like 15 people, I came in 9th overall in that class. So despite not getting better scores, I was still very pleased with him. I felt like we were relaxing more and being more consistent in our tests.
Sunday, we were exhausted. But Bastian being the quick learner that he is almost has this dressage thing figured out. We scored an awesome 70% in our Training 2 test and won the class (by the skin of our teeth, 2nd place had a 69.5%!). He was great. Here is the awesome video:
Our Training 4 test that day rode almost as well, we scored a 66% and got our second qualifying score (the show was actually two shows: Fri/Sat and Sun) for Training Level. So guess who's going to Regionals!!!!!?????? WE ARE! Yeah! Our Training 4 Class was just as big as on Saturday and we finished in 7th place, just out of the ribbons. I could not be happier with our performance at the show.
We still have work to do to fix the bobbles we had, but coming back from a 10 week layup and getting our act together in just three weeks for a show I think shows that we have what it takes to play with the big kids.
Our next stop is the NODA show at Grand Haven this weekend. We are only showing on Sunday and are signed up for Training 4 and First 4. I'm hoping I can eek out a First Level Qualifying score. As long as I continue to focus and ride every step of the way I think we can do it. Bastian has been so good this past week as we've been preparing. Just five more days!
After that we'll be showing at the WPDA Summer Sizzler at Grand Haven, just on Saturday: First 4 and then the VADA-CH Twin Shows I and II in Culpeper, VA at the beginning of September.
The BEC team did fantastic in Delaware and I am excited and honoured to be considered part of the team! :) We had so much fun and it was a positive experience for Bastian and I, I can't wait for this weekend!! (Look at that pretty pink ribbon!!!!)
Bastian and I returned not only unscathed from our first dressage show, but as winners!! WOOT! I am so insanely proud of him and so stinkin' happy about how we did I don't even have words to describe it, but as this is a blog, I'll do my best. I was nervous overall going in, in the past no matter how good I thought we were doing at home on any horse I happened to be riding, I would get to a show and learn that we still pretty much stunk. Whether I just wasnt' riding well enough or I never had an "exciting" enough typy horse I don't know. But basically I was always just an "also ran" in whatever class or event I was in.
Kristin rode him first on Thursday when we got there to school. We decided that since it was his first time at these show grounds she would make sure he wasn't going to be spooky about anything. And he wasn't. He wasn't a good boy though, he decided to have one of his little teenage temper tantrums and not go forward off the leg. But Kristin worked him through it and when I got on he was FABULOUS. Absolutely fabulous. I was feeling better about the whole show thing. Thursday was also ungodly hot and humid. Yuck.
It rained all night Thursday and was cloudy and overcast on Friday. Our first test went okay, it was Training 2 and I was very tense and nervous. We scored a 58%, came in fifth and received a beautiful pink ribbon. Its really pretty. (I know, sorry, I'm having a total kid moment here!) Our second test of the day wasn't until 3:40 something. By then the arenas were a mess, it had rained off and on all day. It was not raining as I started my test but right as I did my first diagonal the skys decided to open up along with the wind. Every letter blew over during my test a few as my horse walked past them. He didn't flick an ear in the wrong direction and finished his test nicely (I was proud of myself for not rushing to get out of the bad weather!). This is where it pays off to know your arena layout since you couldn't see the letters anymore, LOL. Poor Kristin had to go in right after me and no one was running out to set the letters back up again so she didn't have them either. Heck she didn't even have a scribe. Sometime during her test the scribe disappeared and the judge was writing down scores...crazy!
We won our Training 4 class that day with a 64.2%. So we got an almost as pretty as the pink, Blue Ribbon and our first Qualifying score!! I was estatic.
Sunday, we were exhausted. But Bastian being the quick learner that he is almost has this dressage thing figured out. We scored an awesome 70% in our Training 2 test and won the class (by the skin of our teeth, 2nd place had a 69.5%!). He was great. Here is the awesome video:
Our Training 4 test that day rode almost as well, we scored a 66% and got our second qualifying score (the show was actually two shows: Fri/Sat and Sun) for Training Level. So guess who's going to Regionals!!!!!?????? WE ARE! Yeah! Our Training 4 Class was just as big as on Saturday and we finished in 7th place, just out of the ribbons. I could not be happier with our performance at the show.
Our next stop is the NODA show at Grand Haven this weekend. We are only showing on Sunday and are signed up for Training 4 and First 4. I'm hoping I can eek out a First Level Qualifying score. As long as I continue to focus and ride every step of the way I think we can do it. Bastian has been so good this past week as we've been preparing. Just five more days!
After that we'll be showing at the WPDA Summer Sizzler at Grand Haven, just on Saturday: First 4 and then the VADA-CH Twin Shows I and II in Culpeper, VA at the beginning of September.
The BEC team did fantastic in Delaware and I am excited and honoured to be considered part of the team! :) We had so much fun and it was a positive experience for Bastian and I, I can't wait for this weekend!! (Look at that pretty pink ribbon!!!!)Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Hi-Ho-Hi-Ho, its off to Show we go.....
Just two measly little days. Two. On Thursday we load up and head out to Delaware Ohio for the Mid-Ohio Classic, two shows held over three days. Bastian's first ever recognized dressage show and my second. We are riding the same two tests each day, Training 2 and Training 4. I"m hoping to get my qualifying scores in Test 4, we need to get at least a 63%. We'll be keeping our fingers and hooves crossed.
Bastian has been going wonderfully. I had a lesson the Wednesday after our schooling show and it really clicked. Kristin had me riding every stride and got me back into "thinking rider" mode instead of just being a passenger. We had about 8 minutes of beautiful work, then Bastian and I were both exhausted. Actual riding takes a lot out of you! LOL
She also suggested that I get back to lunging him. For us, lunging is about breaking through his stiffness and making sure he is forward. I have to over-do it on the lunge forward-wise, this way under saddle he is more willing to move off my leg and actually go. Bastian is by nature, a lazy boy, he would be happy to just trot and canter around nice and slow. Too bad he doesn't have the movement for western pleasure, he sure as heck has the mentality for it. So lunging is a great way to do our warm-up. 15 minutes and he is through and forward, not to mention he is just a sweet, sweet boy to lunge. I've lunged some jerks in my life and Bastian is a saint, thank goodness.
So we've spent the past week lunging then riding for 20-25 minutes. He has been a totally different horse, he's gained a lot more muscling and fitness and so have I, but we still have a ways to go. If I keep my stuff together and breath, sit straight and THINK about what I am doing, we may just have a chance of pulling this off.
Today's lesson was good. We had some moments of brillance, but I need to sustain them longer. Moments don't get good scores. I'm feeling more and more comfortable with my tests and just need to relax and let the test happen instead of rushing it. Dressage is not a race, dressage is not a race, dressage is not a race...... (although if it were, Bastian's and I's chances of winning might increase!)
I also spent last week freaking out about my dressage coat. I had gotten a new one for this year, my other coat was very old and had some other issues, so I ordered a new one. It looked like I was wearing a black circus tent. Seriously. I tried to find a tailor to take it in, no luck. Finally on Friday, another boarder at the barn, Wendy, told me she was going to The Paddock and Schneiders and asked me if I wanted to go. I jumped on that bandwagon as fast as I could!
We get to The Paddock and I, thinking I wear a size 18 don't see any dressage coats that will fit. Just for giggles I try on a 16. Not too bad, it actually fits. The sales associate came over to help me out and has me try on a 14, I'm thinking, no way-too fat! But it fit perfectly. The only thing I need to do is let the sleeves down a smidge and I mean a smidge. So I finally have an elegant dressage coat to show in. Although I am disappointed that I wasn't able to get a velvet collar or silver piping :( Sorry, the ex-eventer needs her bling!
Today my mom helped me to pack up Bastian's show things. Everything is packed minus his Saddle, bit, and lunging equipment. I've got all my show clothes ready to go, I just need to pack up my sundries and multiple accessories for travel. I'm excited to finally be showing Bastian at a recognized show!
Wish us luck! ♥
Bastian has been going wonderfully. I had a lesson the Wednesday after our schooling show and it really clicked. Kristin had me riding every stride and got me back into "thinking rider" mode instead of just being a passenger. We had about 8 minutes of beautiful work, then Bastian and I were both exhausted. Actual riding takes a lot out of you! LOL
She also suggested that I get back to lunging him. For us, lunging is about breaking through his stiffness and making sure he is forward. I have to over-do it on the lunge forward-wise, this way under saddle he is more willing to move off my leg and actually go. Bastian is by nature, a lazy boy, he would be happy to just trot and canter around nice and slow. Too bad he doesn't have the movement for western pleasure, he sure as heck has the mentality for it. So lunging is a great way to do our warm-up. 15 minutes and he is through and forward, not to mention he is just a sweet, sweet boy to lunge. I've lunged some jerks in my life and Bastian is a saint, thank goodness.
So we've spent the past week lunging then riding for 20-25 minutes. He has been a totally different horse, he's gained a lot more muscling and fitness and so have I, but we still have a ways to go. If I keep my stuff together and breath, sit straight and THINK about what I am doing, we may just have a chance of pulling this off.
Today's lesson was good. We had some moments of brillance, but I need to sustain them longer. Moments don't get good scores. I'm feeling more and more comfortable with my tests and just need to relax and let the test happen instead of rushing it. Dressage is not a race, dressage is not a race, dressage is not a race...... (although if it were, Bastian's and I's chances of winning might increase!)
I also spent last week freaking out about my dressage coat. I had gotten a new one for this year, my other coat was very old and had some other issues, so I ordered a new one. It looked like I was wearing a black circus tent. Seriously. I tried to find a tailor to take it in, no luck. Finally on Friday, another boarder at the barn, Wendy, told me she was going to The Paddock and Schneiders and asked me if I wanted to go. I jumped on that bandwagon as fast as I could!
We get to The Paddock and I, thinking I wear a size 18 don't see any dressage coats that will fit. Just for giggles I try on a 16. Not too bad, it actually fits. The sales associate came over to help me out and has me try on a 14, I'm thinking, no way-too fat! But it fit perfectly. The only thing I need to do is let the sleeves down a smidge and I mean a smidge. So I finally have an elegant dressage coat to show in. Although I am disappointed that I wasn't able to get a velvet collar or silver piping :( Sorry, the ex-eventer needs her bling!
Today my mom helped me to pack up Bastian's show things. Everything is packed minus his Saddle, bit, and lunging equipment. I've got all my show clothes ready to go, I just need to pack up my sundries and multiple accessories for travel. I'm excited to finally be showing Bastian at a recognized show!
Wish us luck! ♥
Monday, June 28, 2010
Schooling Show Success
This past Sunday Bastian and I went to Grand Haven in Jefferson Ohio for one of their Dressage Schooling Shows. We rode Training Level Test 2 and Training Level Test 4. Bastian has only been back to real work for two weeks now and is still lacking in physical condition. I've only been riding again since last Monday and a lot of those rides have just been me getting comfortable and confident on him again after my fall.
I'm riding much more timidly again and while Bastian is a great guy, he is lazy and is only going to give me what I ask for, especially since he's been off work. So he's a bit behind my leg. Our timing is still off, although its getting better. Definitely a work in process, we will have it together before the show next week (eeeeek! Just a week and half....can't wait!). Today Bastian is enjoying a much deserved day off and I'm enjoying a "get everything done that I haven't done for the past two weeks" day. Which was sarcasm on the "I'm enjoying" part in case you weren't sure.
Back to the show. It was hotter than the gates of Hades, luckily there was a bit of breeze so it was barely tolerable. I was going to lunge him to get him forward, but then opted against it since it was A) Super hot and B) I figured a bit slow and behind my leg would be 'safer' for me. He has been to Grand Haven once before, a year ago and he was really good there, so I wasn't overly concerned he would be a fruit loop or looky. And he wasn't. We went in the warm-up ring and walked around a bit then did our warm-up, he felt pretty good, nice transitions, fairly consistent. I couldn't have been happier.
Our first test was Training Level 2, an easy test where all your transitions are between letters and it has two diagonals, my favorite movements because if I can get him in a nice place, its a great place to showcase his gaits and his rhythm. Overall the test rode pretty well. There were some very nice moments, but more just "eh" moments due to our lack of fitness and my own show nerves. I get nervous about kinda silly things and fixate on them. Like while I'm doing my 20 meter circle at E, I worry about having to trot past the opening at A and wonder if my horse will try to leave the arena. I need to learn to refocus on whats happening and not worry about that other stuff. We scored a 63.214%, which I was very pleased with. I was shooting for a 65% and had I not had a few bobbles in the test we would have made it. We were actually tied for second place, so the other rider must have had better collective remarks. We were only 1% behind first place, so we were right up there. ☺
Here is our test:
(Thanks to Tawny for videoing!)
Our next ride was nearly two hours later, so he got untacked and went back on the trailer to munch his hay. I got him back out and tacked up for our next test. I was about 10 minutes ahead of schedule so we took our time warming up. He warmed up great, he felt even better than he had felt that morning. *sigh* then it went away. We entered the arena to start warming up around the outside of the ring and as soon as I turned him to go down the long side Bastian decided that he was tired and done. He sucked back and balked at my leg (we were just walking), I smacked him with the whip and he kicked out at the whip, which made me nervous. He went forward, but was still cranky. Once we got past B, he was fine, then he was wonderful going back toward the barn/trailer, then we turned the corner again and same thing. I didn't want to get into a big fight, mainly because I'm too scared too. I know what he is capable of. I also know that if you make your point known once, without question, he'll say "yes ma'am" and carry on being a good boy.
We started our test finally (the judge was talking to the previous rider) it was Training Level 4, the one I really need to master so I can hope to get my qualifying scores at the recognized show next week. (NEXT WEEK!!) We quietly "argued" for the first half of the test. He didn't want to go and I wasn't about to anything to jeopardize me. It culminated in one of his half hearted teenager moment bucks between A and K where we were supposed to pick up a right lead canter. Of course in the corner closest to the barn and going away from them. We scored a 3 on that movement, lol, the judges kind comment was "late." I didn't ask for the canter again until we were halfway through our 20 meter canter circle at E. After that Bastian capitulated and said "okay mom, we're doing this and I'll behave." Our scores improved towards the end, but not enough to save us. We ended up with a 56%, not exactly the best, but given the circumstances and the fact that I eventually won our argument I was happy. We stayed in the ring, I stayed on and I didn't miss any movements in the test.
The judge was Joanna White and I really liked her. We talked a bit after my test and she asked if he was young (yes!) and said she thought that in six weeks we would be right on par with putting in a good test. Hopefully I can fastforward that six weeks into a week and half. I'm pretty sure that if I just stop pussyfooting around with him we'll be okay. Had I resolved our argument the moment he balked we would have been fine and had better scores. So lesson learned, he'll be getting pulled out twice a day a few times before the show to get used to the idea that sometimes he'll get ridden twice a day. Silly Pony.
I placed second in that class and overall, the test felt better. I was actually prepared for it this time unlike last time when I looked at it as I was going into the ring. I need to be more assertive in my riding and remember to prepare prepare prepare.
Overall I am very happy with our experience!
I'm riding much more timidly again and while Bastian is a great guy, he is lazy and is only going to give me what I ask for, especially since he's been off work. So he's a bit behind my leg. Our timing is still off, although its getting better. Definitely a work in process, we will have it together before the show next week (eeeeek! Just a week and half....can't wait!). Today Bastian is enjoying a much deserved day off and I'm enjoying a "get everything done that I haven't done for the past two weeks" day. Which was sarcasm on the "I'm enjoying" part in case you weren't sure.
Back to the show. It was hotter than the gates of Hades, luckily there was a bit of breeze so it was barely tolerable. I was going to lunge him to get him forward, but then opted against it since it was A) Super hot and B) I figured a bit slow and behind my leg would be 'safer' for me. He has been to Grand Haven once before, a year ago and he was really good there, so I wasn't overly concerned he would be a fruit loop or looky. And he wasn't. We went in the warm-up ring and walked around a bit then did our warm-up, he felt pretty good, nice transitions, fairly consistent. I couldn't have been happier.
Our first test was Training Level 2, an easy test where all your transitions are between letters and it has two diagonals, my favorite movements because if I can get him in a nice place, its a great place to showcase his gaits and his rhythm. Overall the test rode pretty well. There were some very nice moments, but more just "eh" moments due to our lack of fitness and my own show nerves. I get nervous about kinda silly things and fixate on them. Like while I'm doing my 20 meter circle at E, I worry about having to trot past the opening at A and wonder if my horse will try to leave the arena. I need to learn to refocus on whats happening and not worry about that other stuff. We scored a 63.214%, which I was very pleased with. I was shooting for a 65% and had I not had a few bobbles in the test we would have made it. We were actually tied for second place, so the other rider must have had better collective remarks. We were only 1% behind first place, so we were right up there. ☺
Here is our test:
(Thanks to Tawny for videoing!)
Our next ride was nearly two hours later, so he got untacked and went back on the trailer to munch his hay. I got him back out and tacked up for our next test. I was about 10 minutes ahead of schedule so we took our time warming up. He warmed up great, he felt even better than he had felt that morning. *sigh* then it went away. We entered the arena to start warming up around the outside of the ring and as soon as I turned him to go down the long side Bastian decided that he was tired and done. He sucked back and balked at my leg (we were just walking), I smacked him with the whip and he kicked out at the whip, which made me nervous. He went forward, but was still cranky. Once we got past B, he was fine, then he was wonderful going back toward the barn/trailer, then we turned the corner again and same thing. I didn't want to get into a big fight, mainly because I'm too scared too. I know what he is capable of. I also know that if you make your point known once, without question, he'll say "yes ma'am" and carry on being a good boy.
We started our test finally (the judge was talking to the previous rider) it was Training Level 4, the one I really need to master so I can hope to get my qualifying scores at the recognized show next week. (NEXT WEEK!!) We quietly "argued" for the first half of the test. He didn't want to go and I wasn't about to anything to jeopardize me. It culminated in one of his half hearted teenager moment bucks between A and K where we were supposed to pick up a right lead canter. Of course in the corner closest to the barn and going away from them. We scored a 3 on that movement, lol, the judges kind comment was "late." I didn't ask for the canter again until we were halfway through our 20 meter canter circle at E. After that Bastian capitulated and said "okay mom, we're doing this and I'll behave." Our scores improved towards the end, but not enough to save us. We ended up with a 56%, not exactly the best, but given the circumstances and the fact that I eventually won our argument I was happy. We stayed in the ring, I stayed on and I didn't miss any movements in the test.
The judge was Joanna White and I really liked her. We talked a bit after my test and she asked if he was young (yes!) and said she thought that in six weeks we would be right on par with putting in a good test. Hopefully I can fastforward that six weeks into a week and half. I'm pretty sure that if I just stop pussyfooting around with him we'll be okay. Had I resolved our argument the moment he balked we would have been fine and had better scores. So lesson learned, he'll be getting pulled out twice a day a few times before the show to get used to the idea that sometimes he'll get ridden twice a day. Silly Pony.
I placed second in that class and overall, the test felt better. I was actually prepared for it this time unlike last time when I looked at it as I was going into the ring. I need to be more assertive in my riding and remember to prepare prepare prepare.
Overall I am very happy with our experience!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Rodeo Bronc or Loveable Dragon, you decide!
Well, Bastian has been back to work for almost three weeks now, I on the other hand have only been really back to work for about four days. Believe you me, this will teach me to brag about how awesomely calm my horse is. We were hacking around quite nicely last Tuesday, Bastian was a little full of himself, but nothing too bad and he was tired. I asked for a canter, which he picked up and we were going well until he started to slow down and was about to break to a trot, I sat to push him forward and he scooted. So I sat up/back more because that is my emergency response and Bastian said "No mom!" bucked pretty darn hard and I came off.
Long story short, I went to the ER to get checked out, nothing serious, just bruising and muscle pulling. But boy did it hurt. I was a bit nervous because I didn't know what had caused Bastian to turn into a rodeo bronc. Kristin rode him the next day for me and he started to do the same thing to her when she sat at the canter, but she had a better reaction than me, get up off his back and kick him on. She did the rest of the canter in half-seat and he was perfect, the good old reliable Bastian we know and love. He was extremely back sore, and bucking my fat butt into oblivion was his not so subtle way of saying "OW!"
At least now I had a reason for his unusual behavior. I had the chiropracter out last Thursday and Bastian was all sorts of out of whack. When the chiro was done with him, Bastian was only half as reactive in his back as he had been. This with a combination of having lost all of his muscling on his 10 week hiatus equals a sore back. Poor Guy! I've also added a thinline saddle pad to our equipment. I think it will have great benefits for both him and me.
So I officially started riding again on Monday. I had a lesson Monday, Wednesday and today. Part because I totally need lessons and part because I didn't feel comfortable riding without supervision, I'm very paranoid about accidently sitting too hard on his back until he feels 100% better. Aside from being exhausted after my ride, I don't hurt so that is a good thing. Bastian is struggling too, his fitness needs about another two weeks before we can really be back to a basic "normal." But we'll get there.
This Sunday I'm taking him to Grand Haven for the Dressage Schooling Show. We are doing T2 and T4. I don't expect a whole lot considered we're both so out of shape. At this point is more of a just getting him out there kind of a show, which is something that we both need anyway. I just hope the weather is better than last time!
I'll be sure to update and post video of our tests after the show!
Long story short, I went to the ER to get checked out, nothing serious, just bruising and muscle pulling. But boy did it hurt. I was a bit nervous because I didn't know what had caused Bastian to turn into a rodeo bronc. Kristin rode him the next day for me and he started to do the same thing to her when she sat at the canter, but she had a better reaction than me, get up off his back and kick him on. She did the rest of the canter in half-seat and he was perfect, the good old reliable Bastian we know and love. He was extremely back sore, and bucking my fat butt into oblivion was his not so subtle way of saying "OW!"
At least now I had a reason for his unusual behavior. I had the chiropracter out last Thursday and Bastian was all sorts of out of whack. When the chiro was done with him, Bastian was only half as reactive in his back as he had been. This with a combination of having lost all of his muscling on his 10 week hiatus equals a sore back. Poor Guy! I've also added a thinline saddle pad to our equipment. I think it will have great benefits for both him and me.
So I officially started riding again on Monday. I had a lesson Monday, Wednesday and today. Part because I totally need lessons and part because I didn't feel comfortable riding without supervision, I'm very paranoid about accidently sitting too hard on his back until he feels 100% better. Aside from being exhausted after my ride, I don't hurt so that is a good thing. Bastian is struggling too, his fitness needs about another two weeks before we can really be back to a basic "normal." But we'll get there.
This Sunday I'm taking him to Grand Haven for the Dressage Schooling Show. We are doing T2 and T4. I don't expect a whole lot considered we're both so out of shape. At this point is more of a just getting him out there kind of a show, which is something that we both need anyway. I just hope the weather is better than last time!
I'll be sure to update and post video of our tests after the show!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Back in the groove
Its been a while, but then there really hasn't been much to report until about a week ago. But by that time things got so insanely busy, that I just haven't had the time to sit and think up a decent blog entry. So here's the scoop:
After the frustration of the no-show vet, I finally got to take Bastian to Dr. Genovese, who is by far the coolest vet EVER. I love him. Seriously. ♥ Anyway, he was flexed, lunged, trotted, ultra-sounded, and x-rayed and the good Dr. found nada. Aside from a slight positive after flexing, he was sound. His ultra-sound and x-ray were clean as a whistle, they didn't even show that there had been something and here was the evidence of healing. I was told to start him back to work, bute him for a few days and see what happens.
So far, so good. He's been back to work for a full week now (with the exception of this past weekend because as much as I wanted to ride him, I was just too exhausted) and felt great. And just to prove that I have the most awesome horse in the world: He has now been on stall rest for 9 full weeks. He has not batted an eyelash or gotten his tail in a twist about riding. He hasn't even thought about being a bad boy. Today I had to use my whip to encourage him to move out more. How many 6 year old Thoroughbreds with only a year under saddle do you know that would be that steady and sweet??
He'll get to return to the world of turnout either tomorrow or Wednesday, which should make both him and his buddy RW happy. As it turns out, we are going to a show that was not originally on my schedule and I'm really excited about it. I just filled out my entry for the Mid-Ohio Dressage Classic I and II in Delaware, OH. Since we're coming back from time off (both me and him) we are only doing Training Level and if we're lucky we can get our qualifying scores over the weekend. If I can just get one I'll be happy. That is the weekend of July 9-11, I can't wait! In the meantime we are going to do the Grand Haven Schooling Show on June 27 to get a gauge on where we are and what we need to focus on.
This past weekend was the WPDA and Dressage at Grand Haven recognized show, I wasn't able to take Bastian, but I went as a groom for my instructor. She had four client horses going in two classes each every day. She was the first ride at 8:00 AM and then went steady every hour until 4 or 5 PM, I was the tacker-upper/lunger/untacker. We really did basically just trade horses at the barn door a couple of times. It was a blast. I did a pretty good job and only messed up once when I tacked up the wrong pony.....we caught it just as Kristin got in the saddle, and I tried so hard to keep Good Pony and Bad Pony straight. LOL Next time I'll have it for sure.
Everybody got a qualifying score or two, one of Kristin's client's horse got High Score Arab at the show, Kristin got the High Score Open Training Level award. Despite some crazy weather, going from pouring down rain to incredibly humid it was a good time, I can't wait until the next one! Although I think it will be a few more days until I am officially physically recovered, I was getting home at 9 every night, going to bed at 10:30 and getting up at 4 the next day.
Lil' Magnus went to the show on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. She was awesome and is going to make an incredible horse show dog. Everyone loved her snuggly fluffer-nutter cuteness and she was excellent about having to stay in an empty stall when things got hectic, she barely barked or whined.
This coming weekend I'm off to the Lost Hounds Pony Club event in Edinboro. My friend Jess from NC is bringing up her awesome eventing pony Bug and going Intermediate. I get to groom for her :) Cindy, the owner of the barn where I board is bringing her awesome horse Banff and going Training, hopefully I get to groom for her too. At the very least I'll be cheering everyone on! Including my Erie locals :)
I'm looking forward to a lesson on Bastian on Thursday! Its been so long, I love being back on my pony ♥
After the frustration of the no-show vet, I finally got to take Bastian to Dr. Genovese, who is by far the coolest vet EVER. I love him. Seriously. ♥ Anyway, he was flexed, lunged, trotted, ultra-sounded, and x-rayed and the good Dr. found nada. Aside from a slight positive after flexing, he was sound. His ultra-sound and x-ray were clean as a whistle, they didn't even show that there had been something and here was the evidence of healing. I was told to start him back to work, bute him for a few days and see what happens.
So far, so good. He's been back to work for a full week now (with the exception of this past weekend because as much as I wanted to ride him, I was just too exhausted) and felt great. And just to prove that I have the most awesome horse in the world: He has now been on stall rest for 9 full weeks. He has not batted an eyelash or gotten his tail in a twist about riding. He hasn't even thought about being a bad boy. Today I had to use my whip to encourage him to move out more. How many 6 year old Thoroughbreds with only a year under saddle do you know that would be that steady and sweet??
He'll get to return to the world of turnout either tomorrow or Wednesday, which should make both him and his buddy RW happy. As it turns out, we are going to a show that was not originally on my schedule and I'm really excited about it. I just filled out my entry for the Mid-Ohio Dressage Classic I and II in Delaware, OH. Since we're coming back from time off (both me and him) we are only doing Training Level and if we're lucky we can get our qualifying scores over the weekend. If I can just get one I'll be happy. That is the weekend of July 9-11, I can't wait! In the meantime we are going to do the Grand Haven Schooling Show on June 27 to get a gauge on where we are and what we need to focus on.
This past weekend was the WPDA and Dressage at Grand Haven recognized show, I wasn't able to take Bastian, but I went as a groom for my instructor. She had four client horses going in two classes each every day. She was the first ride at 8:00 AM and then went steady every hour until 4 or 5 PM, I was the tacker-upper/lunger/untacker. We really did basically just trade horses at the barn door a couple of times. It was a blast. I did a pretty good job and only messed up once when I tacked up the wrong pony.....we caught it just as Kristin got in the saddle, and I tried so hard to keep Good Pony and Bad Pony straight. LOL Next time I'll have it for sure.
Everybody got a qualifying score or two, one of Kristin's client's horse got High Score Arab at the show, Kristin got the High Score Open Training Level award. Despite some crazy weather, going from pouring down rain to incredibly humid it was a good time, I can't wait until the next one! Although I think it will be a few more days until I am officially physically recovered, I was getting home at 9 every night, going to bed at 10:30 and getting up at 4 the next day.
Lil' Magnus went to the show on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. She was awesome and is going to make an incredible horse show dog. Everyone loved her snuggly fluffer-nutter cuteness and she was excellent about having to stay in an empty stall when things got hectic, she barely barked or whined.
This coming weekend I'm off to the Lost Hounds Pony Club event in Edinboro. My friend Jess from NC is bringing up her awesome eventing pony Bug and going Intermediate. I get to groom for her :) Cindy, the owner of the barn where I board is bringing her awesome horse Banff and going Training, hopefully I get to groom for her too. At the very least I'll be cheering everyone on! Including my Erie locals :)
I'm looking forward to a lesson on Bastian on Thursday! Its been so long, I love being back on my pony ♥
Monday, May 31, 2010
Bastian 3 Vet 0
Well, the vet did not show up yet again on Thursday. There was another emergency. I might have been able to handle that information if the vet had felt that it would be good customer service to call and inform me that he was either going to be late again or he needed to reschedule. The fact that I had to contact him 2 hours and 15 minutes after my appointment time to see if he was till coming or not is NOT good customer service.
Not only that but to have emergencies three appointments in a row? It may be legit, but something doesn't seem right to me. My theory is that I wasn't a big enough $$$ client to really matter to him. Which in the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman: "Big Mistake. Huge."
So now I have an appointment at Cleveland Equine Specialty with Dr. Genovese (no idea how to actually spell his name), the Dr. House of Equine Lameness. I'm hoping that he'll ultrasound and x-ray and say "Well your problem was ___________, but because of the length of time he's been off and the extraordinary care you've given it is mostly healed and he can start back into work..." Wishful thinking I know, but a girls gotta hope.
In the meantime, here is Bastian's opinion on his whole lameness induced vacation:
I've continued to ride him at the walk and he's doing well. I figure by the end of this I had better be scoring 9s and 10s on my working walk, free walk and halts since I am spending 25 minutes a day mastering them. LOL
On a pretty much nothing to do with my horse note: I'm getting a puppy on Monday. I reserved a puppy this past December and have been waiting oh so patiently for her to be born and grow up enough so I can bring her home. So on Monday I travel to Columbus OH to pick her up. Meet Magnus D. Doodle, a cream labradoodle pup:
Not only that but to have emergencies three appointments in a row? It may be legit, but something doesn't seem right to me. My theory is that I wasn't a big enough $$$ client to really matter to him. Which in the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman: "Big Mistake. Huge."
So now I have an appointment at Cleveland Equine Specialty with Dr. Genovese (no idea how to actually spell his name), the Dr. House of Equine Lameness. I'm hoping that he'll ultrasound and x-ray and say "Well your problem was ___________, but because of the length of time he's been off and the extraordinary care you've given it is mostly healed and he can start back into work..." Wishful thinking I know, but a girls gotta hope.
In the meantime, here is Bastian's opinion on his whole lameness induced vacation:
I've continued to ride him at the walk and he's doing well. I figure by the end of this I had better be scoring 9s and 10s on my working walk, free walk and halts since I am spending 25 minutes a day mastering them. LOL
On a pretty much nothing to do with my horse note: I'm getting a puppy on Monday. I reserved a puppy this past December and have been waiting oh so patiently for her to be born and grow up enough so I can bring her home. So on Monday I travel to Columbus OH to pick her up. Meet Magnus D. Doodle, a cream labradoodle pup:
♥♥♥♥
So cute!!!!!
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