30 Questions I Hijacked

Yup, Jumping on the bandwagon. But hey, it was a fun post! Viva Carlos 

1. If your horse could talk what would they say? What would they be like? 
Well we know Poppy is the diva so she would probably tell me that she needs to be more spoiled and that I should stop riding like crap and just let her take care of it and we would win more.  Tank would just asked to be loved more.  More riding, more pampering, more treats.  Anytime he was naughty I think he would shreak and say the voices in his head made him do it.  Seriously.  I think he hears voices.  Or maybe sees dead people.  If he could talk I'd ask him about it.  I have no idea what Ketel would say.  He is so curious I would imagine, "what's that?  And that?"  He has to investigate everything.  Cotton would ask for more food and Hobbs would probably ask to be left alone.  I think he would tell me he did his time as a show pony and just wants to be a horse.

2: If you were a horse, what would you look like (color, markings, etc), what discipline would you do, and what would you be like to ride?
I would probably be a pain in the ass.  I am a picky eater, I hate dirt and mud, and I can't stand to be wet or cold.  Maybe I'd have a sense of humor now and then and throw in some quirky behavior.  Of course I would be a jumper.  Not sure what color, but probably a refined little Warmblood.

3. How many barns have you ridden at?
I'm not positive but I would say somewhere around 10.  Between starting riding in MD, moving to Austin and riding there, moving back to MD, going to college in Gainesville, moving to Jacksonville, then building my own barn I have been quite a few places.  The barn I train with now I started at as a boarder until we built our place and I have ridden with them since 1998.

5. Can you braid a horses mane? Tail?
Yes.  I have not done either in many, many years so although I remember how it probably would look awful.  I do want to learn how to do jumper braids!

6. Do you believe that you have to fall off in order to be a good rider?
If you have ridden for long enough and have challenged yourself, you fall off.  It is inevitable.  I can't imagine a good rider NOT having fallen off.  It happens.

7. What do you think is more important: eq or effective riding?
I know riders who ride pretty but put them on a tough horse and they couldn't get the job done.  I also know riders who are not pretty riders but could get a cow over a grand prix course.  The best riders are both.  Watch Maclain Ward.

8. Are there any “horse couples” at your barn?
Since I am my barn I can't really answer that.  I don't think there are any at my trainer's barn either though.

9. Favorite treat to feed your horse?
All of mine get carrots daily but they all LOVE peppermints and grapes.  Poppy and Ketel like Twizzlers.  Tank loves bread.  He loves a hamburger bun or bagel.

11. Strangest thing you’ve fed your horse.
I used to have a mare that loved banana peels.

12. Have you ever made any horse friends through the internet?
Absolutely.  I could talk about horses 24/7 so to find others who are the same way is awesome.

13. Would you buy horse furniture?
I would but I am pretty sure my husband would ban that quickly.  He would say he is submerged in horses enough.

14. Funniest horsey moment
Last year about this time I went to my trainer's to lesson on Poppy.  She had the jumps set pretty big 3'9-4'.  I was going into a one stride and Poppy overjumped the first oxer so big that she landed just about on the second jump.  She panicked and dove left to keep from crashing and I flew into the vertical.  I landed upside down hanging from the jump cup by my breeches.  N had to come help me get down.  I didn't have a scratch on me so it was funny however Poppy was scared of in and outs for a long time after that.

15. Post a picture of your horse (or any horse) making a silly face that you got on camera!

Ok does silly dog count?

16. What’s a moment with horses that you wished you caught on camera?
A video of #14 would have been epic.

18. How old was the oldest horse you’ve met?
My trainer had a lesson horse that was in her mid 30s.  She passed away last year.

19. Opinion on colorful tack? (like red or blue)
Please no.  No colored tack or colorful polos.  You can use basic colored saddle pads for schooling at home.  That's it.

20. Have you ever tried horse treats? Hay?
Nope.  I'm a fairly picky eater.

21. Have you ever felt like giving up on a horse?

Sure we have all felt like it, but as of yet I never have.

22. Tell the story about the horse that you first felt “click” immediately with you (and if you can’t remember, most recent)

The first time I rode Hobbs we clicked.  I was not even horse shopping but knew I had to have him.  He was the most fun horse I had ever ridden.  On him I felt like I could jump anything.

It was different with Poppy because she was so green but still from the first time I sat on her I had to have her.  There was just something...When I had her on trial I took her to my trainer's barn to see what they thought.  Both N and K told me to pass on her.  I followed my instincts and bought her anyway and am so glad I did.

23. Ever ridden side-saddle? How was it?

Nope.

24. Most interesting place you’ve ridden at

When I competed in the IHSA eons ago, I qualified individually for Nationals which were held in Burbank, CA.  I thought it was pretty cool to fly out there to compete.

25. What kind of horse do you like? (sport, stock, endurance, etc)

Sport

26. Do you feel like you have more patience with horses than people?

Absolutely.

27. Is the horse you ride very vocal?

Yes. Tank, Poppy, and Ketel are all vocal.  Poppy has whinny that is high pitched and sounds like a pony.  It's adorb.  When she is not getting the attention she wants she will bang on her stall door.  Ketel was quiet when I got him but now has picked up Tank's whinny.  I'm not sure I could even tell them apart.  They all only really get vocal at feeding time.

28. Ever ridden in the sunset?

Unfortunately once the time changes in the fall this is how I ride Monday through Friday.

29. How do you like a horse’s mane? roached, pulled, long, etc.

Pulled.  I ride in the jumpers so I like them a little longer, pulled, and neatly trimmed.

30. What is your dream name for a horse?

It's a secret.  I've had people steal names that I've shared so I have learned that lesson.  I'm saving this one for my next big jumper.

Rainy Weekend

It has been sort of a miserable rainy weekend.  The only thing positive is that the temps have been warm.  

In the afternoon it cleared up enough that I could work Tank and Ketel.  I haven't done much with Ketel since last month so it's time to get him going.  I worked with him on the lunge.  I will do this a few times before before getting on him.  He was good, a few bucks and galloping but nothing bad.  He also got some pampering---pulled his mane and clipped his muzzle and ears.

I lunged Tank before I got on but he was still wild.  Rightfully so after having 2 weeks off.  He wasn't naughty, just full of himself.  This is the downside of when I'm showing, the others sort of get neglected.

It was getting dark so Poppy got the day off.  She will be in full swing this week as we get ready for our next show.  I also ordered new clipper blades so I can clip her next weekend.

Hope you had a good weekend.  Did you get to ride?

2014

Here are the things I would like in 2014:

Poppy I have already talked about wanting to qualify for NAL finals.  It seems to be rather impossible but I am still throwing it out there.  My goal with her is more mileage and consistency at 1.10m & 1.15m.

Ketel get him going back in a program when we get more daylight. Work on flat work, continuing to canter courses, and work on lead changes.  He needs to improve his balance which will come as we improve the flat work.  I want to show him in the spring and begin marketing him.

Tank I don't know.  I'm considering trying to sell him again. I just don't have time to ride and show him and feel like it's not fair to him.  I just hate dealing with the selling aspect.

Hobbs & Cotton don't really have goals but to enjoy life as the resident retiree and pasture ornament.  Although husband keeps talking about getting a cart to teach Cotton to drive.  I try my best to keep a straight face...

Me.  I want to get more consistent in the show ring.  I need to make decisions earlier.  I also want to improve my blogging.  My goal is to learn how to insert tabs.  How do I do that???  This computer idiot needs help!!!

2013 in Review

January was exciting as I moved Poppy up to the High Adult Amateur Jumpers.  She did her first classic (finished second) and did her first 1.15m classic.  We had a fantastic Winter Series and I was on cloud nine.  

February was for Poppy to rest from 3 weeks of showing and focus on her first HUGE show HITS.  We were ready for it. I also started looking at young prospects and toyed with the idea of getting a TB or OTTB.  I looked at a lot of horses and nothing blew me away.

March brought the disappointment of HITS being under quarantine for the EHV1 virus.  This was an easy decision for me and I scratched from HITS.  I was not putting my horse at risk.  This was also the month I found and bought Ketel.

This was the picture from his sale ad

April was filled with awful rain and some disappointing rainy horse shows in Ocala.  It also marked the month I started blogging.

May was a blur.  I seem to remember a lot of rain.

June we were back showing in Ocala with Tank and Poppy.

Trainer N on Tank

July was showing in North Carolina.

August was slow and my horse show was cancelled. I also started having some training issues with Ketel which were disappointing.  It was also the month I was talked into my first and last dressage show that never happened.  Apparently some people don't ride in the rain so I got stood up by my friend who talked me into the show and lost my hundred bucks in entry fees.  Another lesson learned and I will stick with the jumpers.  

September was a big test for Poppy showing in a 1.15m classic that was a World Cup format over 3 days.  She came into herself and proved she is the super mare I thought she could be.  Ketel  went to my trainer's for some training and also started jumping courses.

Ketel and trainer N

Poppy showing in September

October was quiet.

November was Ketel's first show and he rocked the cross rails and was a super star in the flat class.

December here we are again.  I had a good show this month and feel ready to tackle Winter Series again in just 2 weeks.

It's hard to reflect back on the year.  It seems like a blur and I am sure I have forgotten many things and can't even remember some of the shows we went to.  I feel blessed with the string of horses I currently have and am proud of their accomplishments this year.  This makes my 78th blog post!  Hoping to keep with it in 2014.  

M. Toulouse Stirrup Leathers Product Review

Per Smartpak "Stirrup Leathers to match the Toulouse saddles, and designed by Marcel Toulouse, Master French Saddler. These half hold lined leathers are made of fine calfskin with a nylon lining for years of use. Buckle end is riveted in a metal sleeve to reduce bulk under your leg for a closer contact in the saddle."

These are my favorite stirrup leathers.  I purchased my second pair at the horse show last weekend.  They match my Anatares saddle, they are not bulky, they are soft, the last pair lasted about 4 years (riding multiple horses, 6 days a week), and they are reasonably priced.  At the tack store they were priced at $104 and were an additional 20% off (yeah sale).  Smartpak has them for $102 and Dover at $99.

I also had the tack store make me this bracelet.  I.  Love.  It.  In fact I am wearing it right now...

Veredus Boots Product Review

As I mentioned in Monday's blog I did some shopping at the horse show and figured I would do a product review on 2 of the things I bought.

While I was warming up on Saturday my trainer noticed that the strap on Poppy's front Equifit boots had come undone.  This is not good for many reasons.  I am not happy with these boots.  They just haven't fit her right since day 1.  Excuse to go shopping.  My trainer recommended the Veredus boots so I went to check them out.

These are the Olympus and run $149 (tack store price, $139 through Dover).  The insides are gel and the have a hard exterior with reinforcement at the tendon.  Description from Dover web site "Front boots with a dual density semi-rigid polyurethane outer shell for protection and EVA foam lining in the strike pad zone.  Easy-to-use quick release hook stud closures save you time."

I LOVE them!  They are stylish, they fit her perfectly, and they are easy to put on and take off.  For now Poppy will continue to use her Equifit hind boots but I forsee getting the Veredus hind boots in the near future.  Merry Christmas Poppy!

So what did you get your pony for Christmas?

Stay tuned, the review on the other item I bought will be next!

Horse Show Report- Classic Day

Sunday is the NAL Classic day.  I typically just do this one class on that day.  It was the last class in the jumper ring so I spent the day getting to watch my friends, watch the jumpers, shop, and spend time with my horse.  My favorite tack store was there so I did get some new things.  I will do a product review post on those because I think they are great products to share.

The show was in Ocala at HITS Post Time facility.  They are setting up for HITS so there are tents as far as the eye can see.  It's insane.  Before the place was bought by Tom Struzzeiri for HITS it was a race farm so there is a track, paddocks, and a number of permanent barns.  For those that don't know, HITS started in FL in the 80s and has since expanded coast to coast.

 Jumper ring

Spoiled Mini Nugget

Horse show life is exhausting

Poppy.  Love her.

Here is my classic course.

When it was finally time for my class I got ready and headed to the ring to wait for my trainers M and N.  They were at the hunter ring which has priority.  There were 3 of us from the barn in the class.  We were the last to go so we warmed up and waited.  Poppy was feeling especially spicey.  It's like she knows when it's classic day.  Slow was not going to be in her plan.  She felt like at any moment she was going to explode.  I actually like when she is like that.  It's her game face.

N and M made it over and warmed us up over the jumps.  Our routine is to jump an oxer on a figure 8 off each lead as they keep raising and widening it.  We then finish with a tall vertical.  Generally they try to get us to get a hard rub before going in the ring but Poppy hates to rub rails so we don't do that with her.  We focus on distance and rideability.  My barn mates voted me to ride first.  There were some tricky bending lines where they walked on the half stride so we all were curious how they would ride.  Jump 1 started with a big intimidating oxer which then was a left bend in 7.5 strides to jump 2.  I opted for a wider path so I could fit a nice 8 strides, then a going uphill 5 strides to jump 3.  Jump 4ab was a one stride then a tight bending 7 strides to a skinny jump 5.  6 was a huge oxer at the end of the ring.  It came up faster than I anticipated and got there long.  Super mare was good to me didn't bat an eye.  Then jump 7 to 8 was a really awkward 7 strides.  You had to ride it like a 90 degree angle.  This was tricky as jump 8 was a big oxer so you wanted to get there right on.  She was perfect and it was a really tight 4 strides from jump 8 and 9.  Jumps 10 to 11 was a 5.5 stride so I again made a wider path so I could fit in 6 which made it hard for me to fit the bending 7 strides to 12ab.  I rode hard to get the 7 and she looked really hard at the big oxer going into 12ab so I had to push hard to get out.  We were clean and thus far only 2 had jumped clean.  Jump off was jumps 2.3.4ab, 8,9,10,11.  Got to 2 a tad tight and she pulled the rail.  We turned tight and were fast everywhere else and I was able to slice 10 a bit and leave a stride out to 11.  I was thrilled with her.  It was 86 degrees and she is not clipped.  She was blowing really hard so I think she was just so hot and tired she just tapped that rail.

My barn mates were double clean and first and second.  With 4 faults in the jump off we finished 5th.

I'm very pleased with the weekend and our start to 2014.  We just needed to get back in our rhythm.  I have a few weeks until Winter Series starts to get her clipped and in a bit of better shape.  We were happy to get home last evening.  I turned her out, she took 3 steps and rolled. And rolled. And rolled.