tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31546097560240380252024-02-22T02:14:36.552-05:00Smooth StridesSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.comBlogger311125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-46537217842095906682019-12-26T19:59:00.000-05:002019-12-26T19:59:56.801-05:00Year End Review Well the year is basically over. In some ways I feel like I’ve gotten really far with Curtis. And in other ways I feel like we’ve hardly moved on from where we were a year ago. I try really hard not to compare my process to those of other horse and rider teams. But it’s hard. It’s not like I’ve only had Curtis a year. I’ve know him since he was a baby and handled him all through his racing career and injury recovery.<br />
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Our biggest problem is tenseness. On both our parts. I’ve been trying to build my confidence all year. And during the last 6 months especially I’ve been trying to work on teaching him to relax and that when you relax we all have more fun. </div>
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Our 2019 show career was not very successful. I might have had to have a glass of wine to get through my tests without freaking out. We have a plan for next year which is quite a bit like this past year’s only now I have a routine to relax him (hopefully) before getting on to show. And now I know how effective extra magnesium and tubes of SmartCalm are so will be taking advantage of that. </div>
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We went to USDF nationals at the horse park in November and all the horses in warm up had their shit together. No one was rank. And I thought as much as there is going on here, Curtis would probably hold his shit together here with other horses who aren’t acting like nut jobs. Only I don’t want to go to recognized shows until I know we can get through a test successfully and have our routine down and there is minimal tenseness and blowing up. But horses at schooling shows can be wild 😬</div>
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Honestly I am giving it another year. If we get to October or November next year and I’m still dealing with the same issues I’ll just ride him at home, trail ride and maybe I’ll keep taking lessons and train him through the levels but not show him. I understand giving him a grace period and is needing time to figure out shit out. But I don’t want to be still super nervous on a horse who is still blowing up at shows and unable to make it through an Intro test without a tanty. I’m all for moving up slowly but there comes a time when you have to decide if you’re the right team for shows. I am going to keep giving it my all to work through our many issues. But not forever. Curtis is a lifer though. Even if I don’t show him, he will always be in our family. And I do love the little shit to pieces. I really do. </div>
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Sneaking a kiss to the horse who hates kisses 😘<br />
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On a happier note, all this lunging Carrie has us doing has Curtis getting hunky. And I can see the quality of his gaits improving as well. Due to my lack of freaking footing as usual I can’t always ride after I lunge him but when I do I can feel his trot getting bigger and floatier. He’s lighter too. He was never a really heavy horse but he is carrying himself better. </div>
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I absolutely refuse to let him get scrawny again. The grain change alone has done so much for his body condition and the lunging has done more. </div>
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My goal for 2020 is very simple: teach us BOTH to relax!!! No tension!!! </div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-79091690856858923802019-10-29T18:33:00.000-04:002019-10-29T18:33:08.601-04:00Lunging until I'm dizzyBetween lunging SJ and Rascal and working with the yearling (he still needs a JC name!) and working with Curtis, all I've done is lunge lately. The baby is a smarty pants and if it wasnt for my person's sliced fingers we would be riding him already .<br />
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As for Curtis, lunging him like Carrie said to do is hunking him up. I took him to T's to lunge and ride on a flat surface and we discovered he gets his leads better on a bigger circle. Which means I need to buy a longer lunge line. I dont know if my arena at home is even 20m wide.<br />
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When I got on to ride he was forward and relaxed and felt great. I haven't been riding much because by the time I lunge him and the baby I've spent 2 hours in the barn and my tiny human is done.<br />
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I don't even know what I'm doing half the time but he looks great and is filling out nicely. Where was this horse all summer? I switched his grain in late August and it has made all the difference. He's on a 1/3 scoop tribute seniority and 1/3 scoop of oats. And that am all change put some weight on him and is helping him bulk up. I wish I'd switched him sooner. Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-81947725704249401312019-09-24T20:19:00.000-04:002019-09-24T20:19:33.020-04:00Back to basics and wardrobe change.... Sorting out CurtisWent for a lesson Sunday and after telling Carrie how our shows have gone since we saw her last (2 months ago! 😬) and her seeing how tense we both were as his girlfriend left him in the arena all alone, Carrie asked if I lunge him. Yep and he's pretty respectful on the lunge. Do we at shows? No! I was told that would make him hotter. She said to get off and let's see how he goes and show me how to lunge him to eliviate tension on the ground.<br />
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She had me use sliding side reins which I need to buy asap. And push him out on the lunge. He was tense. You could see it and he'd come above the bridle but instead of lunging forward like he does with me at shows he'd hit himself and fly backwards, punishing himself.<br />
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As he worked, he relaxed and you could see him move through his back more. He endes up working down to being a more relaxed horse in all 3 gates to the left and we started over to the right. When we got right and started all over. Any time Waverly screamed I was ready to chase him forward before he threw a tanty. and he would not canter right. He was very stiff and kept hitting himself.<br />
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Carrie said she does this with horses she starts to make sure they have a solid foundation and doesn't get on them until she can see from the ground a horse that looks like a nice boring but enjoyable ride. She said to build a routine at home I can take to a show. Lunge with the aliding side reins until he's relaxed and moving free then ride. She said for a while I'll be lunging longer than I ride. And once we take it to shows (schooling first for a few shows) we'll spend more time getting a rideable horse than I'll spend riding or in the ring. D told me later Carrie said I was very brave to ride Curtis the way he's been the last year. I don't feel brave. I need calming tubes of stuff for him and liquid courage for me to get me through shows.<br />
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I also asked her to give me an honest opinion on my set up. She said she's not a fan of micklems and she rides with a clinician who hates them. She said he's incredibly sensitive and the micklem is restrictive and I should try a basic bridle. Which I haven't used on him since he was a tiny baby. I borrowed one from T and he looks very handsome in it. We rode in it today and it's different but so far not better or worse. Carrie also said to try an eggbutt. She says they are a bit better for horses that are sensitive and avoid contact vs the loose ring which she says is better for horses that pull. So a new bit will be ordered with the side reins.<br />
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Of course a bridle won't magically change anything but a setup he's not 100% in won't help. And hopefully a winter of back to basics with a tack change will help me get a horse I'm not afraid will kill me.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-17198654903833624312019-09-19T21:01:00.000-04:002019-09-19T21:04:11.964-04:00We bought a yearling!We brought the trailer which was the first mistake as we really were planning to wait until Sunday when they practically give them away. But seriously though, how gorgeous is this kid??<br />
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Damsah 2018 by Mshawish (em-shah-wish). If you go by the book he's bred to run long on the grass.<br />
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He walked right on the trailer like a big horse too. Has a good head on him.<br />
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He's going to need a kickass name. SJ is calling him "Sprinklehead" but I can't imagine that being called as he runs down the stretch 😂<br />
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Twister is a babysitter again and I can't say he's thrilled. But he's the only one I trust not to beat the crap out of little Sparklehead. He's going about putting little shits in their place without going overboard.<br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-79311525251264827172019-09-12T14:12:00.001-04:002019-09-12T14:12:44.996-04:00Canter all dayOk well trying to get more canter work in anyways. Now that I'm done showing, the 3 days or so I ride a week I'm focusing on getting leads and an even, consistent canter. Someday we'll be able to show without dying being a possibility and when that day comes I want to be ready to ride a training level test immediately.<br />
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Curtis loves to canter and his canter is smooth and generally up hill. It's those pesky leads. We still have some trouble with the left lead. And he picks up the right every time but then gets stiff when asked to bend that way. So we're working on it.<br />
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I introduced simple changes which get better the more we do them during a single ride. And Monday with T's help to call out "wrong lead! Correct lead!" I was able to do a shit ton of transitions. And yes....and still cannot always tell if he's on the wrong lead. We've also done come hill work because we're both sick of the arena. He loves a good gallop, thoroughbred that he is.<br />
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Also we just got blacktop laid down so now I'll have a place to ride no matter how wet it gets this winter.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-49118126109817299302019-09-05T08:55:00.000-04:002019-09-05T08:55:24.223-04:00Burnt outI'm not really sure how I can be burnt out when I only ride 1 horse a day and only 4ish times a week. In general though, horses and family combined, I've been on the freaking go for months. And I'm losing steam. We didn't go to Carrie's on Sunday due to multiple truck issues and as much as I needed the lesson I'm not really bummed out. We'll go back in a couple weeks.<br />
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And Curtis who was a beast right after I got home from NY seems a bit too chill lately and I think he is just sick of arena work. We have been galloping in the field to mix it up a bit and I didn't take him to T's on Monday. We were going to take a family trail ride yesterday but I talked my person out of it and glad I did because it was 95* and the horse flies were nasty. We went to lunch and the mall instead. A.c. everywhere while Curtis stood in front of his fan all day.<br />
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I know the good weather is very limited this time of year and I should be super gung ho to ride until the 6 months of monsoon season starts but I just took 3 days off because eh. After his awesome mini show ride a test thing I should be all gung ho but unless Carrie has a schooling show at her place this fall (probably wont happen until spring) I won't be showing again. The next schooling show is in Nov and Curtis would probably have to live at T's for a week to do that because of the crap weather we seem to get every fall.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geese!</td></tr>
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And if I'm 100% honest I'd say maybe I'm a little burnt out because I've been working every day with this horse...and myself...and all we've managed to successfully do is not explode during a not real show at the end of the summer. I know every horse is different and my confidence isn't helping us along but I'm so worried I'll be starting from square 1 come spring 😑<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-33904745895783818002019-08-29T13:03:00.000-04:002019-08-29T13:03:34.193-04:00Shenanigans free "show"So this week has not gone to plan. It rained like crazy Monday and Tuesday so in preparation for going to the ride a test I had to ride Curtis at T's and leave him there over night. Then I bring him home for 1 night and my daughter's nasty shitty appy beat him up. Luckily pretty superficial but Rascal is no long allowed in the same paddock at Curtis.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fucking rascal</td></tr>
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Curtis has handled the complete lack of routine well. Trailered well to Lexington. Stood well at the trailer like a big boy. Then I gave him a syringe of Syncalm, which btw works amazing without have a dead head horse. I'm going to buy a shit ton more for trail rides and someday hunter paces and actual real shows.<br />
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So I got right on warmed up for 5 seconds then asked to go in because I didnt want the other 2 horses warming up to go and leave and him lose his shit. He was a little looky and my hands where nervous and all over and definatelh pissed him off. The judge (a grand prix rider named Judy) said at the end it was good buy she'd like to see more energy and QUIET hands. My hands. The bane of my dressage existence. But Curtis did so well compared to past being judged experiences that I decided to ride a 2nd test.<br />
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I kind of forgot intro a. I went over it super quick right before I went in and almosy did a free walk where I was supposed to change rein. But quickly remembered and picked that trot back up. Our 2nd time around was fantastic. For us. I'm basing my adjectives against our first outing in May. We have a LONG way to go but the judge said she can see that Curtis has a lot more potential that he showed last night. And no lunging and jumping through the test which is a total 1st.<br />
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Sorry it's sideways...<br />
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I am really super thrilled. Maybe it was the fact that there were only 2 other horses there and it was super quiet compared to a normal show or maybe it was the calming stuff he got 30 minutes before we rode or maybe he's just growing up? I don't care. It's taking us forever but we are at least getting somewhere.<br />
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We are supposed to go to Carrie's Sunday and I'm kind of getting burnt out and after this week I'm not sure I have the energy. We'll see though.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-64526413175896590992019-08-20T08:26:00.000-04:002019-08-20T08:39:05.007-04:00Back at itSJ and I are finally healthy and I've started Curtis back into work. He's so happy. He really isn't a horse that likes to do nothing day after day. I do think some time off did him good because he put some weight on and has a new burst of energy. Which is great until I take him somewhere....<br />
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Yesterday we went to T's and he was strong and playful but making sure everyone knew how fancy he is. We had a couple of spooks just because stupidass and repeatedly kept looking at the standards T was trying to put away. But he felt fantastic.<br />
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Also I have a new saddle. It's shorter in his back which I think should make him happier but mainly it's a saddle that fits me better. And I'm probably preaching to the choir but having a saddle that fits you so that you're not fighting your body to stay upright or keep your legs back or keep your pelvic where it belongs is incredibly helpful. No it's not magic and I will always have a ton of work to do on my eq. But I feel more secure and I'm not fighting the saddle. It's another wintec, this time an Isabel. And I need a smaller gullet for Curtis but really it fits him pretty well because he's beefed up so much this summer.<br />
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There is a mini show every Wednesday at Masterson and I am planning on riding Intro B on the 28th. And then a lesson with Carrie soon after. And I'd love to ride another test in the fall but the shows are either too big or too far. So we may be out of shows for the year...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napping at T's after our ride</td></tr>
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My wintec pro 18" is for sale if anyone is looking. $400 shipped.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-19011186998762400902019-08-12T11:20:00.000-04:002019-08-12T11:20:04.363-04:00Never flying againAfter the show I gave Curtis 2 weeks off while I went to Buffalo to visit family. He had been working hard so 10-14 days off would do him good. We got home and I lunged him for 20 mins one day and he just galloped around me both ways like a beast. The next day I rode him and he was strong but behaved.<br />
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And now SJ and I have some nasty virus we must have picked up in the airport or airplane and I've barely left my couch in 3 days. It's making my asthma horrible and I haven't even made sure he gets his magnesium.<br />
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I'm never flying again 😩Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-86045426699549905242019-07-28T19:58:00.001-04:002019-07-28T19:59:41.159-04:00Attempt at being a dressage horse: 3.0Took Curtis to another schooling show yesterday to actually show. So it was his 3rd trip to be judged total. November, May and yesterday. I love schooling shows because the judges are so lenient and are completely okay with things like silent ear bonnets, throwing your whip out of the ring mid-test, occasionally talking to the horse (yes, I need to quit that but he was naughty) and wearing a vest to make me feel better about potentially eating dirt. What I don't love about schooling shows is the rank horses everywhere. There is a giant xc field behind us and several people with really bad horses (ok, yes Curtis was this horse only 3 months ago) getting all the other horses worked up (we took Curtis away from the warm up and schooled him on his own where he wouldn't get horses pumped and people hurt....). One horse was being extremely common and the steward asked them to leave. That's how dangerous they were.<br />
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I learned so much about Curtis yesterday. Like nothing phases him....not bright red tents, car doors slamming, 500 kids screaming and playing soccer across the field, not people in tiny boxes watching you (he stuck his head in there to see if the judge had any food for him). What bothers him is in short, other horses. If they are behaving or walking he doesn't much mind. Get one acting up and he can't even. Even a good strong canter from another horse bothers him. I wish I could show him in blinkers. He raced in them. Clearly for obvious reasons.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all the tenseness. the braids make him look awesome tho</td></tr>
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I also learned that Curtis only has 1 test in him.<br />
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Our warm up was barely a warm up because of all the stupid ass horses and my main goal was to keep him calm and relaxed. While waiting our turn in the ring he stood pretty relaxed watching everything. We were both a bit tense but there had been no serious shit fits or antics.<br />
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We got in the ring and kind of fell apart. He was hardly listening to me, so I talked to him a lot which is a no no but the judge said she didn't count against me. But i got 3s and 4s so I guess she didn't want to make it even worse? We had one momo during our first circle at A and I was surprisingly chill about it. Told him no, put him back on pattern and kept riding. It was a shit test but compared to the last 2 shows it was a huge improvement.<br />
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We only had a couple of minutes until Intro B so we just stood around chilling out and maybe that was our problem.... he though he was done. Just trotting around near A waiting for the bell he was starting to throw shit fits. I know when he hollows and acts stupid I'm supposed to put my leg on and ride him forward into the bridle, but I'd put my leg on and he'd get pissed again because he kept throwing his head up and hitting the bit. Some of it was me (esp in test A) but some of it was him just being a dick/just being done. We had like 3 moments during B and though I was almost done and saluted, said thank you and got out of there.<br />
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Once we picked up our tests later that day I realized I should have kept riding. As bad as I felt it was he had 5s, 6s, and some 7s. Or maybe the judge just really liked her visitor from earlier (judge for test A was a different judge) or she was just more lenient being it's a schooling show.<br />
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I told my friend H about it and she said "My Sarah, you didn't tell him if you act like a shit you get to be done. You told him you're listening to him and understood he was fried and let him be instead of forcing him." Or something along those lines. She's right. Maybe someday we'll have more than 1 test in us but right now he can't do that. The warm up is it's own giant test for him and by the time we get through with the test he is mentally done.<br />
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I'm thinking the next show we go to, I find an empty field far away from any horses and warm him up and then just walk him to the warm up, check in and ride the test. Only give him limited exposure to the zoo that is warm up.<br />
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I paid the prereg for photos because I expected a bit better of a ride but hopefully she got a few where we don't look like half broke, fresh off the track idiots. But she did offer some good advice. She said while I'm feeding daily magnesium and even upped his dose quite a bit this last week, before we tack up I should give him a tube of calming stuff to really get him to chill. She also said if I'm afraid of his lunging and bucking I should be taking jump lessons on a steady school horse to learn to sit that movement and be confident about it. I'm such a nervous jumper so maybe it's not a bad idea. And also, I need to get my confidence back and my seat by maybe riding a school master or well broke horse. I'm thinking maybe it's time to pull Twister back out and take him places. Maybe even a dressage show. He can throw shit all day everywhere and we both know it won't go far and I never get phased by it.<br />
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Plus side of the day, he got on and off the trailer all day and stood quietly with a buddy in the shade on board as each horse had a turn at the dressage ring. Winning.<br />
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In the end I just need to keep going with Curtis. Because he was better. So much better. It's not great but it's slowly getting there. We got 5th place and I'm over at the office all excited because I wasn't the worse in the class for once in my life and then after I pick up my ribbon I notice the other 2 horses in my class scratched. So I actually only got it by default. But if anyone asks there were 9 horses in my class. And even if it was last place, to me it's a "yay we didn't die and did better than May" ribbon. We fucking earned that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we all got ribbons!!</td></tr>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-27698653827911133172019-07-22T19:18:00.000-04:002019-07-22T19:18:15.767-04:00What a Monday this had beenSJ and I were up early and took the trailer to have her NEW TIRES put on. Which my person said should take 20 mins but took them like an hour. I should have walked SJ over to the dollar store but whatevs.<br />
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So we get home and I a quick U-ie and go to throw Curtis on and the mother fucker would. not. load. My person saw me struggling and came down and couldn't get him on.<br />
(backstory)<br />
SO like 4 years ago when he was racing he was great in the trailer until one night he just wasn't. No no reason anyone could decide. Just didn't want to leave the track and it took my person and his racing partner hours to load him. If I remember correctly it didn't take him long to bounce back, and really, he didn't have much choice as he was being trailered somewhere every other week. And since I've been riding him, he has loaded awesome. Going on and off like a pro every time ad last Sunday loading up to go to Carrie's he literally, no exaggeration, drug me up the ramp. He couldn't wait to go places. Then Sunday afternoon when we dropped Waverly off I took him off for 30 mins and then he refused to load again and he had to spend the night. The next day it took a while but I got him up with grain. Today he wouldn't load for anything and got really hot and stupid. My person ended up having to blindfold him and back him up.<br />
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So after our ride a neighbor who is really great with horses helped me load him. She worked with him for a while. If he took his attention off the trailer she got after him and made him listen without getting him worked up and hot. I was really impressed. By the end of the hour or so we worked with him, you pointed and he went in. End of story. I'm not sure why his brain occasionally says fuck you to trailers, but it's not cool. But now I know how to deal with it in a positive and productive way.<br />
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Our ride started out with me wanting to beat him or shoot him but after a while he settled in and focused his little adhd brain on me. Our canter took a little work but felt really awesome. And at the very end he stood in the middle of the arena chill as can be for another 30 mins which is absolutely unheard of, so as mad as I started the day at him, I ended our ride pretty happy. I'm going to bring him over Friday afternoon before the show to work with him again on the flat. My arena is terrible and slanty and now the guys are here fixing the pond so that should be fun.<br />
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AND!!!!! I won the Riding Warehouse giveaway from last week so I have so fancy white show breeches coming to me and a new pair of paddock boots!!! So freaking excited!!!<br />
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As wild of a Monday as it's been, it's actually been pretty awesome.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-43869662058471490972019-07-17T08:55:00.000-04:002019-07-17T08:55:57.657-04:00More amazing dressage instructionOn Sunday, D, T and I all hauled back down to Carrie's for lessons. Or as Carrie calls it "formal dressage instruction". Waverly was in heat and during the trailer ride Curtis decided he was in love. But he actually did awesome unloading and settling in to his stall. Even with all Waverly's screaming for him I was able to get on and warm up without it looking like T was taking me to a leadline class.<br />
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Whether is the magnesium or the constant trips off my farm, this kid has made a total turn around and even if he looks at things or gets concerned he doesn't/hasn't blow up. Carrie says a lot of it is how I've been riding him. Whatever it is, I wanted to cry happy tears again after our lesson because of how well we did and how I "did the right thing" when he needed<br />
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Carrie could see that I had been doing my homework, riding with the whip to teach my hands to be quiet and riding the diamond at home (which is SO hard to do in my slanty arena). When we started trotting she made me hold the whip to quiet my hands but after a few minutes wanted me to use the whip on the shoulder as a whip/aid instead of hand-quieting tool. I was nervous about this because my person says that Curtis never liked the whip. I used it a bit behind my leg to make him march in the walk and on his shoulder to help control it.<br />
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Curtis is right handed. going to the left he pulls to the right. <i>Taptap</i> on the right shoulder. And to the right he falls in, especially at the canter. <i> taptap.</i> At first I was hesitant to use the whip at all but once I had him moving forward and he was relaxed I started using it independent of Carrie's instruction, knowing when he needed a <i>taptap</i> and giving it to him.<br />
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One of the biggest things Carrie told me this week, which makes perfect sense, is to be the sursingle and sidereins. My body should be still and constant. If he comes up and pulls, stay constant, "do the right thing" and ride him forward into the bit. Don't move my hands, don't pull at his mouth. Ride forward and let him come back to me. When his right shoulder inevitably drifts off the line of travel, use that dressage whip at his shoulder <i>taptap.</i><br />
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We worked on coming off the diamond into a circle. She said after the diamond, a circle should be easy, which so far for me it is not. I'm a bit worried about my 20m circles in my tests but I'll just keep doing this exercise. For example, if I'm riding the diamond to the right, at the top of the diamond instead of going to the next point, I make a 10m circle to the right and go back on the diamond. When we came off the diamond, he would pull and try to lift his head and I'd have to push him back into the bridle with my leg. When that right should fell out, <i>taptap.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only media so far</td></tr>
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Then at the very end when we were working on our canter, Carrie's husband brought a stud colt into the arena to longline in the corner. The kid was a kite. All 4 feet in the air, screaming at Waverly who was also in the arena walking around waiting for their lesson, and screaming at the stud colt. And I was able to keep Curtis' attention. I was getting after him, taps on his shoulder, a kick, whistling at him or a "HEY! NO! PAY ATTENTION!" I never get after him when we are someplace new. I hardly get after him at T's and he thinks that is his 2nd home. But I was confidently getting after him and making him listen to me even though there was a lot going on, drawing his attention.<br />
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It was a fantastic lesson. And I gave him a big hug and told him he was amazing. Carrie is amazing. What 2 lessons with her have done for my confidence is amazing. I don't have any media yet. D hasn't sent it to me, she's a busy lady. But I was afraid if I waited too long to write it up I'd forget the main bullet points.<br />
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One more thing..... I rode in those Majyk Equip dressage boots and it was 90* and when I took them off his legs were cool and tight. And we were both soaking wet. He's also been on SmartTendon for 3 weeks and I really think that's helping keep his bad leg from carrying heat. Recommending both, just in case anyone needs ideas for post-tendon injury boots and supplements. </div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-45272047060516314962019-07-05T13:45:00.002-04:002019-07-05T13:45:42.466-04:00SmarkpaksBesides my bulk bag of super cheap magnesium oxide (for getting a chill pony), I've been thinking about adding some supplements to his tiny handful of grain. I ended up going the smartpak route and getting smart dark & handsome for his orange summer coat and the smart tendon for the heat he's been carrying in it the last month or so. I just got all the stuff in the mail today and I'm super excited. And thanks to being a smart perks member I got him some neoprene-free Majyk boots (for protecting his legs without adding more heat when he gets stupid on outings) which were on clearance with an extra code to boot (pun intended) and free shipping because smart perks. So seriously the free shipping on anything is probably going to get me in trouble..... $80 boots for $35. Honestly who wouldn't?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange gelding<br />sporting mare-glare</td></tr>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-42418110666310505672019-07-01T21:31:00.000-04:002019-07-01T21:31:24.105-04:00Best ride to date!!!!I went 1.5 hrs away Sunday with T who was riding her mare and our horse adventure partners in crime, SJ and D, for a lesson with Carrie who T and D rode with last week. As usual I was a bit worried to ride in a new place. I've been there and scoped it out and it's a quiet farm, gorgeous indoor arena and even if Carrie's husband is working with a horse, the arena is big enough for there to be 2 things going on at one time.<br />
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I was going to let T ride 1st but then decided it would be better to go first because Curtis might get pissy if I'm just getting on and Waverly leaves the arena. I got right on after a walk around in hand and T walked next to us but he was pretty relaxed. Looking at things but not being reactive.<br />
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So we started our lesson. Carrie has you ride a diamond, not a circle or rectangle. The biggest thing about riding the diamond is about controlling the shoulders and making sure they are even and under him and he is turning from the shoulder and is even in reins and a bridle. It is very hard to ride the diamond but it definitely made knowing what Curtis was doing wrong easier for me to feel and then correct.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the dreaded diamond</td></tr>
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So we walked for a minute on the diamond and she asked me to trot and in 30 seconds had me stopped to discuss my loud hands. I had a good feeling this was going to happen. How many times have I said my hands are so LOUD and have been trying for a year to QUIET them??? So what Carrie did was put a dressage whip in my hands, holding it in 2 spots shoulder width apart with my reins. I feel like my reins were too short but I was told to shorten them more. What does the whip do? I can't cross over his neck. I can't seesaw. I can't annoy him. I have no choice but to ride with my seat. Keeping my reins level and steady. So now I'm riding the diamond with a whip under my thumbs. So now I can basically only steer with my seat. I was told to turn from the hips, like riding a bike. Silke said something similar when I was riding Twister. If he brought his head up to resist, I did nothing with my hands but rode him more forward with my legs. Kick kick. Wake him up and make him march.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can kinda see how <br />I'm balancing the whip</td></tr>
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We started at the walk and then eventually did the trot both ways. The longer we did it the more relaxed he became. BECAUSE I WASN'T FUCKING WITH HIS MOUTH. I was riding from my seat. He was licking and chewing and lifted his back and tracked over and became round JUST FROM MY SEAT. He was LISTENING to me. Actually paying attention with out the adhd moments. His ears kept flickering back and forth and our transitions were better. And I forgot to be anxious, nervous or afraid. Actually, I couldn't stop smiling. I kept saying "he feels amazing! he feels so floaty!" Curtis is a smooth horse and enjoyable to ride but this was above and beyond. I couldn't believe how awesome he felt.<br />
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And then Carrie asked if I did much cantering on him. I admitted I do at home and T's but hadn't anywhere else in a very long while because I'm so afraid of an explosion. She said to trust her. That she could see how relaxed and happy this horse is and that under her supervision we should canter even just a few strides so that I got the confidence for it. AND WE DID IT. A few strides to the right and a whole diamond...yes, cantering on the diamond with the damn whip still under my thumbs because she said I was absolutely not dropping it for this because it would make it so much better. And she was right. His left canter was the best canter I've ever ever had on him. What an absolute confidence booster. I don't think I've ever been that confident and relaxed on him anywhere but home.<br />
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Carrie is super positive. She doesn't yell or insult. If you make a mistake or the horse stops doing as asked she says "it's ok" and to just try again. She says he is more likely to blow up with he's ridden hollow and with me in his mouth all tense. I really needed a lesson like this. I wish I could afford the time and money to go back weekly. I will probably try to go monthly though. Next time I hope to go right before the show. Meanwhile, I am going to ride the diamond and practice with the dressage whip to teach my hands to be quiet. It's going to be even harder in my arena because it tilts but I am going to make the most of it!!! It can only get better!<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-21318173907849059392019-06-27T09:09:00.000-04:002019-06-27T09:09:30.741-04:00Confidence. My daily struggle.I know we've all posted about this before at one time or another. The battle with confidence in the saddle is real and on going for many of us. I've always been a bit anxious in the saddle in certain circumstances but usually was able to compartmentalize it and do the thing. High school I was my bravest. College I started having some trouble qualms now and then but always womaned up and go through anything.<br />
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The older I got the less confidence I seemed to have but usually a good experience and I was fine (like jumping a new height at a show with Twister the first time. Knots in my gut turned into excitement with how easy we did it).<br />
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Since having SJ, I have more anxiety when it comes to riding than ever before. I have this motherly instinct of self-preservation that takes over. Don't. Get. Hurt. I have a baby who needs me. It's really effected my riding and I know it's in part why Curtis can get so stupid.<br />
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Tuesday I went jumping at T's. The jumps were 18"-2' and yet, 5 weeks into weekly jumping days, I am still trotting them and holding him back. I know he would jump so much better if he cantered and if I got out of his mouth and started following his motion instead of grabbing mane and oh shit handle.<br />
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I don't NEED to jump so why am I? Because each time I get the tiniest bit braver. That as long as I'm still trying I'm at least not quitting. Because I don't want my daughter to ask why I won't jump. Because I'd have to tell her it's because I let my anxiety win.<br />
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It's not all teeth grinding, jaw clenching, knots in my gut bad. Usually after the 1st few I relax even if I don't relax enough to do a proper release or canter. And I do have fun. And Curtis needs to mix it up now and then. And T is a great cheer leader. She encourages me to step out if that comfort zone when I get stuck and exerts just enough peer pressure to keep me from sitting there going "nah I think I'll just jump xrails forever" (Curtis trots xrails not actually jumps so it doesn't even count lol)<br />
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We did our 1st baby oxer Tuesday and I rode in my cc saddle and rode like shit but Curtis was extremely forgiving. My person says if I can't trust Curtis I need to go back to riding Twister but the truth is at this point in my riding life I'd have a hard time in Twister too. I for sure did at both hunter paces last year until we were way into it and even then certain spots or jumps had me wishing I could just not.<br />
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My person I think tries to egg me on to get me to want to grow a set and do the things I'm struggling with. But I'd rather he just be positive about the little things we do great. He says if I've been riding horses more than half my life I should know how to deal with horses when they give me shit or shouldn't be afraid. But I spent so long riding school horses and never learned how to deal with super naughty shitheads. He has been riding since a kid and has nerves of steel and can ride any horse. Not everyone can ride like him and he doesn't get that. And my confidence has regressed with age. Maybe someday when SJ gets older I'll get it back. Who knows.<br />
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The way I see it is that as long as I'm doing the thing that sometimes scares me and give me anxiety I'm still braver than someone who quits. And when I get through it, it's the best feeling. Sometimes I wonder if I should give it all up. But then the weather sucks for a month and I can't ride and I miss it so bad, anxiety and all, that I know giving it up isn't an option.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-16365093832729889432019-06-17T07:42:00.001-04:002019-06-17T07:42:46.331-04:00Hope for us yetYesterday I went with the girls to Blackhorse Stables to a schooling show to try and have a non-explosive ride on Curtis in a show environment. I love Blackhorse. I did a CT there with Twister 4 years ago and it was probably my favorite show I took him to. Everyone is super friendly and helpful and it's a relatively quiet show.<br />
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Curtis spent the night at T's with Question so we had at least 2 of 3 in the same place and good thing too because the weather on the way to the show is terrible. Raining so hard we could hardly see.<br />
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It stopped raining by the time we got there and we had stalls so we could all just relax. After T's awesome rides on Question (his 1st show and getting 2 1sts) I started walking Curtis all over. No tack. Just let him see everything. We visited the dressage and the jumping warm-ups and he went in the indoor(he's never been in an indoor) and got a good look at the jumps in the stadium ring and checked out the food trucks. He was very relaxed the whole time. When D went to warm up for her test I tacked up Curtis and lead him back to the warm up.<br />
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Even tacked up he was still being really good but I was now so nervous I could puke. He was being good and I was under no pressure to ride him or be on time for a show. T had him on a lead when I got on and lead us around for a bit while we determined whether or not he was going to turn into an explosive animal.<br />
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I really didn't care that I looked like a leadliner. If they saw Curtis in May they'd all be thankful he was on a lead and not able to kill anyone. But he stayed mostly focused and after a few I went solo on him and started walk-trot transitions and a big circle around some xc jumps.<br />
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There were 5 or 6 other horses out there warming up but all the riders were very respectful of our space and it was a huge field so plenty if room for all of us. At one point a horse went into his canter somewhat near us and I could feel Curtis briefly tense under me as if he was going to buck or bolt after the horse and I sat deep (a finger hooked in my neckstrap so I didn't pull on his mouth) and gave him an "nuh uh!" And he instantly returned his focus to me.<br />
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I was all smiles. He was amazing. I was amazing and now I know we got this. It's going to take more time for him to fully learn shows don't = races and for me to get my full confidence back on him but we can do this.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCVJ24pCgpz_X-bql0xoX9jYtzHQC9-HBoNRp-uDSRzUQULDe-wxA9ykv9SeUP0xtATQn6Wze3_Xp5oLpUMw8N-Ocq64lGrhvryxLk2g0L1QQH0s3pTl3EIC2pjOqf9E_sMKDMrP2VJ-M/s1600/received_2204465499600855.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCVJ24pCgpz_X-bql0xoX9jYtzHQC9-HBoNRp-uDSRzUQULDe-wxA9ykv9SeUP0xtATQn6Wze3_Xp5oLpUMw8N-Ocq64lGrhvryxLk2g0L1QQH0s3pTl3EIC2pjOqf9E_sMKDMrP2VJ-M/s320/received_2204465499600855.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He hates kissies but I wanted<br />to give him all the kissies</td></tr>
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I don't know if it's the magnesium working or the sound reduction bonnet or the fact that I wasn't worried about being on time and riding a test or the glass of wine I had before I tacked up or the quieter venue or the weekly trips off the farm.....so many factors. But whatever it was something worked. And I am thrilled.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOyw9J9ZVztprEdU-HVWxlVoPHloOM786gkhysvUPs5CU9sWGSWx5WEJfYXugIB_PWaOxQisxuzBkE5g1oZOCZ71yjasimFA1b7E2JF7-C_qO6_zZbaY8J1yV0mzMGtm2E-O5lTKO4fsU/s1600/received_459047248187680.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOyw9J9ZVztprEdU-HVWxlVoPHloOM786gkhysvUPs5CU9sWGSWx5WEJfYXugIB_PWaOxQisxuzBkE5g1oZOCZ71yjasimFA1b7E2JF7-C_qO6_zZbaY8J1yV0mzMGtm2E-O5lTKO4fsU/s320/received_459047248187680.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back home with his buds</td></tr>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-87756450514255088872019-06-14T08:34:00.000-04:002019-06-14T08:34:45.826-04:00Fit horses get friskySo Monday was jumpies day and when I warmed Curtis up he was giving me so gorgeous trot. His canter over there is not so great compared to home and also his transitions into it are terrible. I don't understand. It was a beautiful day and I think the cooler weather was getting to him because he kept spooking at things he's seen there 100x. Like the pigeons. They'd flap. He'd leap. Repeat 54x because you clearly have never seen them before. Or cows. Or other horses. All foreign. *insert giant brain viewing eyeroll here*<br />
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The sound reduction bonnet I bought didn't fit so I sent it back and ordered another which still isn't here but should have been by Monday.<br />
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He's also been on magnesium for over a week now. I was doing it to use as a calming supplement but he also ticks almost every box in the magnesium deficiency chart. It's a cheap thing to try too if you can find a store that sells it really cheap in bulk. I probably won't see a change for a few weeks though. It has to get into his system.<br />
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So anyways...I'm rambling. The best part of Monday's ride is when I went to canter him over a little verticle. He hit the ground throwing his head and trying to prop. It probably felt worse than it looked but at one moment I was hanging pretty far off the left side if him and thought I was going to hit the ground. BUT I STUCK IT. Of course I made him do the jump again and behave and I was just so thrilled I stuck the friskiness out because I am not a sticky rider. When we cooled our he went in the creek like a big boy, no hesitation.<br />
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Then Wednesday during our canter he had the wrong lead and when I put my leg on to ask him to switch he threw his legs over his head and tried to take off out of the arena. Fun stuff. Needless to say that yesterday when it was unseasonably cool and very windy I gave him the day off. Yes. I am a chicken shit. Personally I call it self preservation.<br />
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Sunday T, D and I are loading the ponies up and going to a show. They are riding tests and I am schooling without the pressure of riding a test or being on time for something. I probably need to drink a beer so I'm not the reason Curtis is tense. 😂 The plan is that Curtis will see his buddy Question acting calm and unworried and will copy his behavior so I can ride him a bit and go home feeling like maybe we can ride a test next month.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not jumping in a dressage saddle<br />
might help us a bit..</td></tr>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-79111849665415282722019-06-04T11:10:00.000-04:002019-06-04T11:11:42.154-04:00Monday jumpiesLast Tues I rode at T's and Curtis was perfect. Even got him in the creek with T's help. Then he had 4 days off due to rain and Saturday he was full of it. Crow hopping and bucking. Good stuff. I stayed on we finished on a good note. And Sunday he was great again and yesterday we went to T's again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jan (top) vs June (bottom)</td></tr>
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This kid is a pro over there now. It's his home away from home. We warmed up nicely and jumped our 1st full course even though I'm sure it looked terrible and it was a trot-canter mix. At least he was behaved.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">And then I got to ride T's mare. That was a blast. I was leg-yielding without even meaning to because she is so sensative. I want to show her now 😂</span><br />
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And we got talking about Curtis and how he is really sensative and while he knows his job and works well he's a bit adhd. Which I just attributed to him being a tb. But I came home and did some research and I'm ruling out ulcers and believe he is probably magnesium deficient. He ticks many of the boxes for it and only 1 for ulcers. And I'm putting him on a magnesium supplement anyways so hopefully I see some results.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When mom is riding another horse<br />
and you jelly</td></tr>
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T, D and I are going to a show in 2 weeks. Them to actually show and me to school Curtis. I'm picking up my 50lb bag of magnesium tomorrow and am going to start loading him up.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-49836558325754865312019-05-27T14:58:00.001-04:002019-05-27T14:58:41.640-04:00Revised summer plansHad to change my plans this summer with Curtis. I have a big bag of magnesium waiting dor me I need to go pick up and I might even ace the kid. But we will learn how to behaved at shows. Probably wouldn't hurt to sedate myself as well. We will go somewhere every week and learn how to behave in a warm up ring. I will school and school even if I never get on him at first.<br />
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I bought a soumd reduction bonnet but it's too big on him. It's Horze brand. Anyone know a better fitting brand? The ears were pretty much oversized and came off after a canter.<br />
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Last Monday we went to T's to ride. She and I both rode at the same time which gave Curtis something to think about. He did really well. One almost run out because mare friend was near the jump. He also got off the trailer and behaved beautifully to be tacked up where as 8 months ago he was a spaz. Improvement.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afraid of his own reflection though...</td></tr>
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I've also been weaning him from his pals because he ia buddy sour and dependent. He's gotten much more relaxed on his own, especially if he's been allowed some time in the barn, with or without the others.<br />
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I'm riding over there again tomorrow and I'm hoping next week we can plan a trip to Masterson to school. He needs to be out of his comfort zone more often and so do I.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-60360160212354415002019-05-14T19:57:00.000-04:002019-05-14T19:57:07.464-04:00Flying Cross Part2- The hot OTTBAfter SJ and Rascal won the day, I had to deal with Curtis....<br />
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Curtis who came off the trailer calm. Stayed tied nicely with Rascal to the trailer and walked up the hill to the dressage ring only mildly alert. We got up there and he seemed ok. We walked around and looked around. But after 10 mins I got on him he was a completely different animal. He wanted to take off the moment I got on him and when I tried to pull him up he wanted to buck and prop.<br />
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Anyone who knows me or has been reading my blog for a while knows that I'm not gutsy. I've never had to deal with a lot of dangerous shit with horses from the saddle and would rather just not. Since I became a mom, I'm even more timid. I do not want to get hurt. It's not falling. It's the fear of something terrible happening once I hit the ground.<br />
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My person is not very understanding. "Ride through it or get off before you break your neck". He's right of course but instead of being pressured and yelled at I need someone saying "it's ok. Just sit up. Ok. Give him a little rein. Make him circle. Breathe." Curtis was bad though. Like a switch had flipped. It was the other horses in the warm up. And the horses out galloping xc. And the person walking past the pond. And the fountain in the pond. And the stack of brightly colored jump standards and poles. It was the whole damn thing. He has no business being there.<br />
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My person ended up on him. He had him doing flying changes and going WTC, quite hotly, but doing it. In short he rode the shit out of that horse. Let him get it out of his system and when he tried to buck he kicked him forward.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">someone buy this man a shadbelly and some white breeches.<br /><i>HE</i> needs to be showing Curtis</td></tr>
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Then I got back on and the damn horse was trying to drop me again. Finally the warm up cleared out a little and I had him in the warm up with only 1 other horse and made him walk and trot and circle and felt sort of okay. There was some hold up in the dressage ring so we ended up down the hill there where it was actually way better. He couldn't see the pond as well or the xc and the horses in the warm up were further away. We rode in there for a minute and luckily T was there and talked me through a bit of warm up just like she did at the show in Nov. Seriously need to start paying the woman a training fee.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">scary shit EVERYWHERE</td></tr>
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I rode both tests back to back. We scored terribly and it wasn't until the very very end of Intro B that he broke out the relaxed fancy trot. And then spooked at himself in the mirror (for the 5th time) as we came down the center line and our halt was super wonky. I praised him like he just won a gold medal rode out and got the fuck off. I was done. I was crying. I couldn't even.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfZUNE7vKPw5vQeoAs_agUZnk3OJxRuLYI6i6l0IaSmDcx_tz1kA5uSXtlM2_1spS3ATAfjAJVv7TsRQIweqAXnVRAIVotCqY8taV2zeQKzKEVmzuKrvWNyYeyW3sEKT5rACsmUsA3kRq/s1600/IMG_1860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfZUNE7vKPw5vQeoAs_agUZnk3OJxRuLYI6i6l0IaSmDcx_tz1kA5uSXtlM2_1spS3ATAfjAJVv7TsRQIweqAXnVRAIVotCqY8taV2zeQKzKEVmzuKrvWNyYeyW3sEKT5rACsmUsA3kRq/s320/IMG_1860.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">if my face does not say it all....</td></tr>
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It was not fun. I don't show because I'm particularly good at it. I'm a mediocre rider at best and have to practice my ass off to manage to do things other riders do with God-given talent. And that's fine. But I enjoy showing. Going out there and trying to beat my personal best. Showing off with my horse. Getting all glitzed up. I enjoy the weeks and months of training leading up to a show because it gives me a goal to work on everyday that reminds me that I was a horsewoman before I even became a mom. That I can be a mom and a rider. But this sucked. My horse was a monster. I was stressed and embarrassed even though everyone was incredibly understanding and nearly every other rider and the ring steward and the judge all said "it's ok! we get it! we've all taken <i>that</i> horse to a show." Thankfully it was a schooling show and they worked with me. That even though I rode the tests way after my ride times, I still rode them. And other riders let me cut in front of them or understandingly kept clear of us in warm up. Almost made up for how they acted about SJ.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">girl power for sure! </td></tr>
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I haven't gotten Curtis out as much as I had planned this spring. But I've purposely been riding him during all the shit and construction and next door auctions we've had going on here since October. He never cares about a damn thing. When SJ and my person ride I purposely go to another paddock and ride him alone. We went to Masterson and he was so mellow and I was even schooling in their dressage ring at one point when they rode over the hill and <i>he did not fucking care</i>. But being at a show clearly reminds him of his racing days and makes him way too hot for me to deal with. I didn't even bathe him until an hour before we loaded up to go and had him out the whole night before.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pYt9WrDR29Wi9T49_g8qPskKNdE3-1y84SHkQ5vThbah8AMaGl5uQeIQ3DJzIzsHTTdxZEWkymqAxufLDH9p7_pP90sIfLlRCCvBFX71qSEnDjp_W1yfdCe33i4IKcb115tPeRnfPJxs/s1600/IMG_1878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pYt9WrDR29Wi9T49_g8qPskKNdE3-1y84SHkQ5vThbah8AMaGl5uQeIQ3DJzIzsHTTdxZEWkymqAxufLDH9p7_pP90sIfLlRCCvBFX71qSEnDjp_W1yfdCe33i4IKcb115tPeRnfPJxs/s320/IMG_1878.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10 seconds of half way decentness</td></tr>
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I was, and still am for the most part, very discouraged. I expected him to at least be better than November, which was also a shit show, not worse. My person says I either need to figure it out and grow a set and ride him through the shit or sell him. I'm going to spend the summer and try to work through it. No actual showing until the fall. I'm going to take him somewhere every week, even if it's only to T's house. We can both ride. Leave all her horses out in their paddocks to run. She can leave me and he can learn to do his own thing. We can go back to Masterson. We can trailer to shows with her and alone just to school. Even if schooling is just standing next to the warm up ring with tack on, dismounted, learning to not be an idiot just because horses are going fast. He's also being weaned because I think part of the reason he might have been worse is because he realized his buddy wasn't there. So he's on solo turn out from now on. And then in Sept or Oct I'll take him to another show. If he isn't any better, selling or just trail riding might be an option. He's very athletic. He's fancy. But maybe I'm not cut out to be his partner in crime. Even the idea is killing me. I've been waiting for years to get my hands on this horse as a dressage horse. But it is what it is.<br />
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I'm also planning to give a calming supplement leading up bigger outings. If anyone has any suggests please let me know. I know magnesium is good. Horses often get that as an injectible a day before a race. I'm thinking more like a pellet or powered.<br />
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I want to prove my person wrong and my self. I don't think either of us are entirely convinced I'm going to succeed with this kid, being the chicken shit I am....Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-6838243295530754152019-05-12T12:56:00.003-04:002019-05-12T12:56:48.975-04:00Flying Cross Horse Show- Part 1: SJThis will be a 2 parter because the part about me and Curtis is a long one. So stay tuned.<br />
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Yesterday I hauled Curtis, Rascal and SJ to a show. We pulled Rascal off and tacked him up and got SJ geared up. Left Curtis on the trailer alone and after we were out of sight he stopped screaming and worked on his hay net.<br />
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We walked up the hill to the dressage ring and he was looking at everything but behaving. He's not a fan of cars coming up from behind him but there was no spooking. Once in the dressage warm up, SJ and Rascal weren't even on the steward's list. So that annoyed me. Because were were on the check in list. Shouldn't they be the same????? So 15 minutes after she was supposed to do her test we start the test and little Rascal and SJ were awesome. That big appy is worth his weight in gold. And that's saying a lot because he looks 9 months pregnant.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cutest thing EVER</td></tr>
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We went down to the stadium ring and again they had no idea what was going on or that there was even a leadliner. Kind of put up a stink saying they had to change the course. Well we paid for this so let us do our 6 "jumps" and you can do your course. After we got through our short course everyone clapped and cheered and she told Rascal "GOOD BOY!!!!!".<br />
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And then the "xc". I get there 20 mins past our ride time. Leadline was supposed to go between divisions and they just went on because we weren't on their list....again. Whatever. They wanted me to wait another 20 minutes for the division to be over but I said no. It's not my fault we were late. We'd been jerked around at the dressage ring because they didn't even know why we were there. And I had another horse to ride so could you please give us 5 minutes to walk over our 6 poles on the ground and call it a day for my leadline pair. They said yes. But then. They sent riders out on the course after we were in the middle of it. Send the 2nd one out even after the 1st horse galloped by us spooking Rascal and nearly throwing SJ. Who luckily thought it was funny and has a great fucking seat for a 3 yr old. We didn't even finish our last "jump".<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i got a workout for sure</td></tr>
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I was so proud of SJ and of Rascal who mostly kept his shit together. It wasn't his fault! But I had words with the show secretary. I paid for this! Do NOT act like my daughter, doing what she has a fucking right to do as a paid rider in a division you added for kids like her, is an inconvenience. You don't even let more than 1 horse on a course for baby starter. WHY THE HELL would you for leadline?! I was so pissed. I still am. I won't go back there. Not for leadline. I need to find 4H shows because this kid is hooked. Even if it means we don't show the same day. (more on this in part 2).<br />
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She was the only leadliner that day to show up and won a huge blue ribbon and she is hooked. She is in her room right now "napping" but really laying in bed sounding like she's reading a dressage test and telling stuffed Rascal "good boy! there ya go! x halt salute!"<br />
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God, please give my kid all the guts on a horse I lack.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-90869927416719100252019-04-30T13:27:00.001-04:002019-04-30T13:27:34.322-04:00Choosing TestsI need to place my entry asap for the show on the 11th. I've been getting plenty of riding time and Curtis feels great. He's looking fantastic too. Actually, they all are. Especially Twister who no longer looks like a borderline rescue case. His age showed this winter and he will be getting senior feed all winter from now on.<br />
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I need to pick my 2 tests to ride. I <i>think</i> I can handle 2 tests plus hoof it for SJ's leadline. I should have some help and if not then I will scratch a class when I get there.<br />
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I desperately wanted to do Intro C or Training 1. But our canter transitions turn into a gallop at the track. He starts out calm for our first transition each way and when we go all the way around. But when I try to trot-canter-trot-canter-trot-walk-trot-canter-etc he gets hot on me. He jumps into the canter and I have a hard time keeping him on the 20m circle even for the half circle of canter required for Intro C. He gets beastly. I don't think I'm going to fix any of those problems in the next 10 days or so. I'd love to run over to T's and see how he behaves off the farm in a proper arena but rain is coming and I wouldn't have time before I needed to enter.<br />
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In all other things, Curtis has been great. Our walk-trot-walk transitions are beautiful (finally). And although he juts his nose out the moment he comes to a halt, the transition to halt is smooth and square. I'll figure out how to keep him on the aids while halted eventually.<br />
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Side note.... why am I just now getting into the sunshirt game???? I am super fair-skinned and even when I'm tan...ish and have sunscreen on I burn. I should have a huge ass collection of them by now but I'm just figure it out. I got a few SmartPak brand ones at the event previously known as Rolex and I have a Dublin brand one from RW coming in the mail. And I think Imma have to get more.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-49958224092137971892019-04-20T13:23:00.000-04:002019-04-20T13:23:33.090-04:00Scratched and No RegretsIt's so gross here. Not even 40. It snowed early this morning even. And it hasn't stopped raining. I emailed the show secretary yesterday and said if we scratched could SJ's entry just be moved to the show 3 weeks from now. They were amazing about it and said to check early next week as they would add her to the entries for the 11th! I'll have to reenter Curtis which is fine because in 3 weeks I might have decided to up my ride a test game.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">why do bay horses take 1000 years<br />to shed out????</td></tr>
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Curtis and I have been working very hard to keep our upward and downward transitions round. And the last few rides they have been amazing as well as semi-round and completely square halts. I was really looking forward to today because I thought we would ride a pretty great Intro A test if he could keep his racehorse brain under control.<br />
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In addition to doing some hill work to build his muscle back up, I've been asking him to be on the aids and collect his canter for a few strides at a time. I get half a circle or one pass down the long side and let him go then ask again. He's getting better but taking a lot of effort. The moment I sit deep, half halt and as him to come back to me he wants to break gait and I have to really push him to keep up with the canter. Probably I should have a lesson. I almost want to try Training Level 1 in 3 weeks, but we shall see. Might do Intro B and C.<br />
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SJ is really bummed. I told her we couldn't go to the show because it rained too much and they closed it. But then was like HERE! COLOR EASTER EGGS! and she's been successfully distracted. I promised her after her birthday we would take her pony to a horse show.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">goofball</td></tr>
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And Rolex is next week already! We are planning on going to XC day! And the week after that is SJ's 3rd birthday and Derby day. So 3 weeks is going to fly by!!<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-58375526273300788202019-04-18T13:29:00.000-04:002019-04-19T08:40:20.624-04:00Pre Show Stuff - editedA show that gives ride times several days in advance? Awesome. It being gorgeous all week just to have it be cold and rainy on show day? Not awesome. The fact that my scrawny thoroughbred has put on some weight and top line? Also awesome.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the best angle but he is<br />
starting to get his summer bod💪</td></tr>
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Honestly I would scratch if it was just my test we'd be missing because in my old age I've become a fair weather show-er. SJ is so freaking excited to take her "beautiful pony" to a show that I guess we'll just tough it out. Can't be raising no sissy 😂<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C7JKtCh6tlgLf8B2iESFZs5rzKxi14Ruy2kKsZniJUO2GpieBC5-qcCTrTTTCixW-g-LEPaSLDBmczcKc-TK2ZLIuzt2O3rU5hI-alCn_aTplexnmdw_ut1cg0O2nje8R-2-3HtH7_3U/s1600/20190406_125743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C7JKtCh6tlgLf8B2iESFZs5rzKxi14Ruy2kKsZniJUO2GpieBC5-qcCTrTTTCixW-g-LEPaSLDBmczcKc-TK2ZLIuzt2O3rU5hI-alCn_aTplexnmdw_ut1cg0O2nje8R-2-3HtH7_3U/s320/20190406_125743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know this is a tiny schooling show. Very low-key. But I always get major pre-show jitters. Buy having to get SJ ready and worry about her and ironically kept me calm. It's so weird.<br />
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And now I'm like 99.9% sure we're scratching because I don't want SJ's 1st show and her tender little age to be a freezing, raining mess.<br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154609756024038025.post-89446030487147330632019-04-13T21:53:00.001-04:002019-04-13T21:53:26.556-04:00I hate saddlesEnded up at the tack shop today. Just for fun I sat in my saddle but a half size smaller. And I'm pretty sure I need a smaller seat size. The smaller saddle felt amazing. More secure. Not that my saddle isn't comfortable but I've had a lot of problems for almost a year now that I've blamed on leg and core weakness. I've spent all winter trying to stay semi fit and have done a better job of it this year than most. But maybe at least half of it is that I'm swimming in a saddle that is too big. So after this little show I'm going to see about trading my 18" for a 17.5". I'll call around to some of the consignment tack shops in Lexington before I try to deal with Facebook nonsense.<br />
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I also need a smaller gullet plate for mister lost all his muscle tone this winter...<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543984663767954777noreply@blogger.com3