Walnut Trace Schooling Show

"whoa there turbo!'

After taking it slow this year, Ruby and I decided to get out to a Walnut Trace schooling show (a jumper show with fence heights tailored to the eventing community). We signed up for 2 rounds of the Pre-Novice class (2'7").
















I just want to say: I REMEMBERED MY COURSE! Wooo!

Not gonna lie, we went into this show a bit unprepared- we have not been jumping much since the hock injections (too busy feeling that hind end in dressage!). Ruby was a little strong over the fences, but went right where she was pointed. Go pony!

No current plans, but training and looking forward to the fall season!

Add a Spring to Your Step

"So this is what is it supposed to feel like?'

After putting it off for a couple of years now, I finally caved and got the pony some hock injections (thanks to Dr. Mike at Tennessee Equine). In the winter, she has always gotten a bit stiff, but works out of it eventually. Wanting to move up the levels, which of course includes an inevitable dressage advancement, we went for it.

What a difference! At first I actually though she felt a bit off (as in lame off). Debi laughed and told me that she looked amazing- it is probably the hind end hip action I was not used to feeling. The next logical step: throw your best friend up there and see for myself!

She's so pretty <3!
Thanks Caitlin!

New Horse Survival Kit

"I just bought a horse today!"

My sister just got her first pony, a nice grey TB named Lady. After owning Ruby for almost 10 years, I have acquired a tack box full of stuff and have found out which brands I like the most.

Here is the start of a 'buyers' guide to get ready for your new horse/pony:

Horse Care:
Farrier-every 5-8 weeks depending on how fast her feet grow
Vet- for Spring/Fall shots and to be on call
Chiropractor- if you ride a lot, it is good to have this one a few times a year
Dentist- usually only need once a year
Saddle Fitter- you should have your saddle checked and adjusted 1-2 times a year
Insurance- optional; I use EMO Agency

Tack:
Bit- I would have 2, one for a dressage bridle and one for a jump bridle; basic bits are a dee ring snaffle for jumping and an eggbut snaffle for dressage
Bridle (jump, and dressage with a flash)
Saddle- good fitting saddle makes a huge difference in performance and back health; I have a Hastilow for jumping and a Custom Steffen's Advantage for dressage but there are a ton of brands out there
Support Boots- I use open front boots for jumping (thinline) and brushing boots (woof) for dressage; some people prefer polo wraps for dressage, so ask the trainer what he/she prefers
Saddle Pad (support)- if your saddle doesn't fit perfectly, use a half pad; I use the thinline sheep
Baby Pad- to keep your nice pads clean or to use if your saddle fits really well; I use the generic smarkpak baby pads (free monogramming days occasionally!)
Stirrups- obviously; I have the flex ones which some people love and other people hate
Girth- if your horse has sensitive skin, look for a fleece lined girth; otherwise the leather ones are fine

Horse Care:
Turnout Blanket- I would get a heavy for the winter if she doesn't grow a lot of hair and a light rain sheet for rainy days. Weatherbeeta is the brand I use, but the high end is Rambo
Fleece Cooler- for those sweaty rides in the cold
Leather Halter- always good to have a nice one for shows and photos
Breakaway Halter - for all other times
Fly Mask- fly barrier

Grooming Supplies:
Hoof Pick- get one with the bristles on it
Curry comb- most horses prefer the rubbery ones
Hard Brush- for body
Soft brush- for face
Mane and Tail Comb
Sweat Scraper
Scissors- spend the extra money on shears, not just cheap scissors
Solo Comb- if she doesn't like her mane being pulled, you can thin with a solo comb
Grooming Tote= super convenient for traveling; I like Kensington
Sunscreen- especially for grey horses, she will appreciate this in the summer on her nose

Medical Kit:
Farrier's Fix- hoof oil
No Thrush- Thrush
Shampoo- get a normal shampoo and a conditioner, but also an antifungal for rainrot season
Detangler- I like cowboy magic products a lot
Wound Ointment
Wraps
Fly Spray
Fly repellant (I love EquiSpot)

Shows:

Haynet

Water and Feed bucket

Trailer Clips

Mucking supplies

Other
Tack cleaning supplies- cloth, sponges, soap, conditioner

Work, Work, Work

"I think your candle is burning at both ends."

Happy Holidays! Sorry for the absence- I picked up a new, very time-consuming project at work and have had no time to do anything really! My loaned-to manager actually said to me 'you need to learn how to say no"- and he really isn't wrong.

Here are the pictures from the Riverdale show back in October :) We entered in the 2'3" division, but the jumps were on the small side so stayed for one of the 2'6" classes. Pony was awesome, but I obviously need to work on my pattern memorization haha (whoops).

Thanks to Savannah for the photos, to Caitlin/Dan/Valerie/Shane/Amir for the support, and Nance for the trailer ride!

Finding Pony Distances

"Go for the long five or the short six?"

Shout out to my best riding buddy Caitlin for putting together this course, and to Caitlin and Ashley for babysitting me as I tried to figure out how the heck to get through it!



1a to 1b was a related distance that was the most difficult for Ruby and I- it was either a long 5 or a short 6, then a 3 stride from 1b to 1c (which was also occasionally wonky based on what we got from the first part. Five strides through element 2, the scary green roll top to 3, six strides though element 4, and the mini grid at 5 (2 stride to 1 stride).

We practiced the first element a few times before doing the course to get a feel for how it would ride. At first we added in each, but that gets harder for us to do the fewer strides there are between jumps...so we pushed for the actual distances for each. We got them, but she did get a  little bit flat (which she tends to do in these situations). The first time through, I think we also added at 4. The second time through the course, we did very well! Ruby made some good decisions and took a long spot here and there instead of the usual horrible chip. Go pony!!

We are tentatively scheduled for a show next Saturday. Yikes! It's been almost a year since we competed, so I will of course have some serious show nerves. However, this is a small local schooling show- the key is to go in with 0 expectations.

9 Year Anniversary!

"pony is rockin' the blue!'

I did a sappy post last year, so this one will be quick and to the point: I love my pony, pony sometimes loves me (when I have treats), everyone wins!

Glad to have found my 'Heart Horse.'
#almostadecade

Thanks for the photo Valerie!

Position Issues

"whyyy do my toes do that?!"

The best way to see how well you really ride (which may be different than how you think you ride) is to have a friend get a video. Unfortunately, I don't yet have an SD card (which has since been ordered from Amazon) to write HD video to my camera fast enough to take more than 10 seconds of video. Second best option: pictures.

From these pictures, I have learned a few things:

1. My right foot is retarded and has a mind of it's own (I've mentioned this before in past posts)- I don't know if I lean left or what, but my right leg/foot is never where it is supposed to be...but both toes turn out the stride before (and over, apparently) the jump.

2. I sometimes tilt forward instead of folding over at the hip when I jump (yikes). This causes my leg to swing back, my center of gravity to go forward, and my pony to rush off with me because I can't stop her on the landing side.

3. My landing pictures show that I have a hunch that would put Igor to shame (damn).

The first part of improving it knowing that you have things to improve upon! Cheers to the upcoming training where I will attempt to fix my gimp-legged, stiff-backed, hunch-shouldered self.

Thank you to Caitlin, my riding buddy and schooling coach for the pictures and the input :)