Ride #8

It's been pretty boring around my barn.  That's actually a good thing but not exciting to blog about.  We finally have a show on our calendar.  I will be taking Poppy to an A show in Ocala the weekend of May 30th.  We haven't showed since HITS March 1st.  I am working on getting her in shape and adjusting to the heat.  In FL we go from cool to hot.  No in between.  My farrier M also says she is too fat.  I guess her diet isn't working.

I have cut her feed some more and I need to amp up her work schedule.  It's not healthy for her joints to be stressed with extra weight.  Especially for jumping.

Also note the poop stain on her eye.  Why?  How is it comfortable to sleep in that??

I took Luxxx to M's last evening.  It had been 2 weeks.  We had lots of rain last week so he didn't get worked at all.  As expected he was wild.  M had a 2 yo "hunter to be" there for training that was doing some time tying and kept whinnying to Luxxx.  He thought that was exciting and ran more.  What I love is that he eventually settles and gets tired and focuses.  Yes, there is a bottom.  Even still I made M get on first.  He likes to give me a hard time for my wimpyness and tried to convince me Luxxx is broke.  Ummm not by my standards yet buddy.  M worked him in the round pen, figure 8's, starting, stopping and he was great.  I got on and walked.  He really didn't need to work more but I need to get comfortable  with getting on him.  We turned, stopped, started, etc.  His steering is improving and he is the best at stopping.  I was a chatty Kathy and didn't snap photos.

YHS also announced where finals will be held.  Luxxx is qualified however it would be an 8 hour trip for me.  Something to think about...

Transformation Tuesday- Poppy

I bought Poppy in May/June 2011.  She had no muscle or top line and she was GREEN.  I knew the owner so she let me have her on a 2 week trial.  I was already planning to take one of my horses to an A show in Ocala so my trainers talked me into bringing Poppy (who was named Lola at the time).  So I took this green little mare who only jumped cross rails, no changes, and didn't steer and I showed her in her very first show in .85m.

We had lots of time faults as she mostly trotted but she jumped everything.  Trainers N and K weren't in love with her and didn't see what I saw so I ignored them and bought her anyway.

3 months later in September of 2011, I showed her again.  This time we had better steering and a couple months of flat work under our belts.  We worked up to showing in the Low Adult Jumpers 1m.

I spent time taking her to lots of schooling shows and schooling her at my trainer's farm.  She just needed lots and lots if mileage.  It also took me a year to get her changes.

And we eventually worked up to 1.10 and 1.15m where we show today.

Most of the time you should listen to your trainer, but in this case I am so glad I didn't.  I love to tease N and K about it too...