FORE!!!!!

I realized that I had not yet told the story of how we became a horse family.... so here goes.

Imagine if you will lush green grass, a magestic club house, grounds manicured to perfection, yes all the trappings of a elite private country club. Hubby and I are were members. Its a wonderful July day and Hubby has taken me for an outing at the "club", we have on the approved club gear, me crisp white sleeveless (risky) polo with tan and white checked capri pants to match. Hubby who already looks like a Kennedy is decked in country club attire. Now keep in mind this is a BIG stretch for a ranch girl like me. But what the heck they had good cocktails. At this point Hubby has paid a bunch of $$$ for my lessons and I am yet to improve at all. We are on the driving range, well he is on the driving range. I am laying on the grass spinning my driver like a baton singing the Donald Duck song ( for those of you that dont know that tune, you sing Donald Duck and then sing every four letter word you can think of that rhymes with duck). Now hubby may have already caught on that Golf was not my gig when he caught me the week before removing crab grass clumps from the yard with a 9 iron. It works really well.

Its is also about 100 degrees and I have been stung by a bee and I am very crabby. Hubby turns to me after a spectacular drives and utters the words I will never forget...."What do you say we get you that horse you are always taking about wanting"

I was up and waiting for him in the care about 5 minutes later. Hubby strolls to car from clubhouse, hops in, looks at me and said I just resigned our membership, lets go horse shopping.

The rest is a whirlwind of finding a boarding barn etc oh yea and falling in love with Abu.

For the first few monthes Hubby came to the barn with me every day, he cleaned, groomed, picked up poop and just took it all in. Hubby was not a horse person. Hubby was a city boy. One day in November Hubby says " I want my own horse" So not being a control freak on anything I say "OK but it has to a Chestnut Gelding with 4 hi matching white socks and a white blaze", this was really a tactic just to slow him up a bit. With in hours Hubby has car keys in hand and we are on our way to look at the exact horse I described. By the end of that day Tonka (formerly Sundancer) was snug in a stall next to Abu. Hubby and Tonka have not looked back once. Tonka was VERY green so Hubby bought books and videos and brought him along for the first year all by himself. He did have Trainer Tracey ride him a bit just to help.

The rest is History. We now spend every evening we can together with our boys at the barn. Hubby still golfs, but he says he would rather be on a trail ride.

Todays picture is Tonka the first time we saw him...He is just so CUTE!!!

Transitions

Well had two very good lessons over the weekend. Abu seems to be in better spirits now that he has returned to his pasture with his buddy Lefty. They could actually be Bevis (sp) and Butthead.
His canter transitions are amazing, from extended to collected felt like I was shifting a car down to a lower gear. Trot extensions are still a work in progress and 10 meter canter circles are amazing. Shoulder in and Haunches in both nice as well. I rode him Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. By Sunday we were speaking close to the same language again, it was nice. I removed his stitch on Saturday and the leg looks great. The sitting trot is getting better and I think we are at the point that for it to get better I need to be riding him more. I did go ahead and order a thinline pad and am anxious for it to arrive.
Todays picture is of Trainer Tracey riding Chynna a lovely Anglo mare that she will be riding PSG possibly (most likely) I1 this season. Chynna is the typr of mare that Abu would love to be... a DIVA :). They are show buddies and traveled all over together last year.
I am feeling much more ready to now. We rode the tests this weekend and there is nothing that we cant do in them. I think I was just having a crappy week and went to the bad place, whew its good to be back among the living.
Tracey and Chynna [Photo]

An Old Enemy came calling

Ewww my old enemy DOUBT showed up on Friday. I was not expecting DOUBT to come around. Am I really ready for First level. Is Abu really talented enough to move up the levels. Will I even qaulify for anything. How low are my scores going to be. What the hell is this?? I normally pretty darn confident and now DOUBT is just eating at me. OK I know that Abu looks great when Trainer Tracey rides him. I dont know how he looks when I ride him. I will say in taking a few monthes off and while he is in training has shaken me a bit. He and I are not super connected right now, but it had to be done. I will resume him full time March 1st, hopefully we will get to know each other again quickly. I used to feel like I knew his every move and now we are struggeling. I know it will be OK, and maybe I just need to get in front of a judge and ride. I know part of it is that I have yet to ride these tests, so of course I am anxious about it.

In an effort to calm myself I thought I would list a few of our accomplishments for the 2007 show season.

Idaho Dressage Fest. 1&2= AA Training Champion day 1 - AA Training Res. Champion day 2

ODS league Championship Show= AA training 3rd.

Dressage At Lake Oswego Hunt= Arabian High Point overall 3 day show(all levels and divisions)

ODS Rated Championship Show= 6th (25 riders) and Swept Arabian Hi Point Awards for entire show (all levels and Divisions)

USFD all Breeds AHA 4th Training Level AA to ride

USEF Region 4 3rd HOTY Training Level Dressage

I also had a few scores over 70% and my average was a 68.8 for the year.

I think I would have been unhappy riding training another year. I guess only time will tell. I think that doubt just saw an opening a crept on in as I am a bit weak right now, and have one hell of a case of PMS. In the last 60 days my beloved Mr Wiggles passed, my company has lost 2 giant accounts , the pressure is huge and I think it just all smacked me bewteen the eyes. Thank you all for listening I just needed a moment.

The picture today is from the Sport Horse Classic last March, I think it is so beautiful, it just touches me.

Abu was a good boy

Just got home from barn. I had an awesome ride. I really think the bareback work with Tonka has helped me. It was nice, there was no one else at the barn tonight so I had the whole full court to myself. I needed some just Me and Abu time. My job at the Fruit Factory has been very stressful lately with many changes and I think more are coming. I needed a release. Abu was just on. His right was the best and still wanted to be strong in the left and race out of the corners like a nascar driver. Thank heavens for the half halt. I did manage to ride about 45 minuted total in the sitting trot and it felt pretty good, I never had that bouncy out of control moment. I really need to focus on my hands as I feel like they are bouncy. I am doing back to back lessons this weekend so I am sure we will work on that. In the sitting trot I mainly focused on the down part of the movement and that seems to help more, it is entirely possible that I am over thinking all over this. I am rather type A. If anyone has ever taken the Briggs and Meyers (sp?) tests, I am a sensor sensor. Perhaps this is way dressage was a good fit for me.

Oh thank heavens tomorrow is HAPPY HAPPY Friday. I have big plans to ride, and take at least one big fat nap.

I would love to hear back on your thoughts on breeches. brands, full seat, knee patch, deer skin, etc etc. I think my new favorite is the Kerrits Grip Tek, they really do make you stick and I Kerrits seem to fit me well, in case you are curious they are pear shaped to begin with and the fabric always seems to be very stretchy.

On another note any feed back on Thin line pads??

On the best note, for the first time in a month the baby doxies slept all night, no 3 am peeing. I had forgotten how great a full nights sleep was...

the Tonka and and Carrot Pic from Yesterday

SIT the trot

Abu and Tonka are doing carrot stretches. Notice Abu is like "is that carrot organic?" while Tonka is saying "CARROT CARROT GIVE IT TO ME"

Well I dont think I have talked about this much. Sitting the trot on Abu is much like riding a spastic jackhammer on speed. Even trainer Tracey has commented that he is difficult. Its getting better it seems to be just the right combo of correct breeches and me staying relaxed and getting worn out enough to force relaxation. So last night at the barn after spending some LOVE time with Abu, I spy Hubby lunging Tonka. A light bulb goes off over my head. Mind you I am not dressed for riding (sweats). I grab a helmet and a lead line. A few short moments later I am on Tonka bare back with a lead rope tied around his neck and Hubby is lunging us. It really helped. I am excited to try Abu under saddle, to bad for Tonka he will be my merry go round pony till Abu is out of training at the end of the month.

I will not make it to barn tonight as I must catch up on non barn stuff. Groceries, laundry etc etc.

However tomorrow I ride ABu, the Booster, I miss my boy.

My First Tag!!!

Yipes this is my first tag so you all can let me know if I do it correctly. The first thing is to link back to the tagger....Ms tagger is www.risingrainbow.blogspot.com

Now the rules: the top FIVE things that are my pet peeves: I will be ranting in the horse/animal area.

1. Dirty tack...thats just gross. You have to cool your horse out anyway so there is time. Would you like to stick a dirty bit in your mouth? Perhaps take your toothbrush out and run in around in the grass for awhile and then let it sit over night and use it the next morning.

2. Show Moms/Dads are crazy people. I hear them at shows complaining about..if only we could afford princess a better horse...if Junior had a new saddle...I could go on but I am sure you get the picture.

3. Show Brats, usually in tow of show Mom or Dad. Whining that horse is not good enough, when we all know that show brat just rode horse for first time in weeks at the show. This is when I feel sorry for Trainer who could have done very well showing show brats pony, but what can they do. They will most likely be attacked by show mom/dad wanting to know princess/junior isnt riding at a higher level.

4. Horse owners who forget they own a horse. It is not OK just because you keep horse at a boarding barn to never come see horse. Then when they do show up a few monthes later ask barn owner and manager why is horses body condition poor. Barn owner is not responsible for every aspect of the horse. Owners should visit horse as often as they can, show horse a bit of love and respect.

5. White Breeches...Why USDF? WHY? the thighs of a 40 year old were never ment to be wrapped in white clingy fabric. I really think in your collective marks that there should be a space for the VPL ( visible panty line) you should be scored 1 for not acceptable and 10 for perfect, just like gaits and rider position. White is the color of cottage cheese but a dressage show should not be a living breathing advertisment for the American Dairy Council.


Ok thats my rant...whew I feel better.

On another note nobody ( Charly and Eddie) pooped on the floor today, things are looking up.

I spoke with Trainer Tracey and she said Abu was very good. He enjoyed his round pen time and was much better under saddle. I am excited to ride him on Thursday night. I need my barn time to keep me sane after my days at the fruit factory.

I am supposed to tag someone and it seems like every blog I have been reading has been tagged lately, so I will waive my tagging rights for a bit if thats ok, I know you will let me know if it is not.

Rodeo Stock or Dressage Horse

I know an interesting title. I got to the barn early knowing Abu being locked in stall would have a bit extra muscle. Tacked up and got him in side reins and proceed to lunge whirling gray dervish. I am think I am still ok as I still have about 35-45 miutes till Trainer Tracey arrives for lesson. Once he calms enough I go ahead and get on and do a slow walk warm up, long and low, shoulder in just big stretchty movements. Still OK 15 minutes till Trainer Tracey arrives. I go ahead and go up to trot thinking I will do more of the same. As long as we are going large he is Ok. I take up the reins a bit and start some 20 meter circles and 3 loop serpentines,,,, all hell breaks loose. I can hear him thinking "oh hell no lady...Abu does not want to work that hard I want to PLAY". I proceed to ride several bucks, kicks, roots and explosive canter departs. Then on to hopping, rearing and a popping a few changes just to keep me guessing. I say OK, you will just go forward and I will ride deep till you soften you little gray jerk. Trainer Tracey arrives and comments on how sweaty and tired we both look. We went ahead with lesson and once Abu decided it wasnt going to stop he softened and started to listen. Today we did shallow single loop surpentines at the canter, leg yields, transitions, canter lenghtenings, shoulder in, some really good trot extensions , and 10 meter canter circles. Tracey will ride him on Monday and I am curious to see how that goes. Starting tomorrow he gets a half day turn out in the round pen so hopefully that will improve his mental state.

Hi Ho Silver AWAY

Well I got to ride Abu last night. He was awesome, a bit on the muscle as they say. I am taking a lesson with Tracey today and one tomorrow. I must be insane. The leg is healing nicely and it appears that we will have nothing more than a memory scar.

On a non horse realted note the puppies Fast Eddy and Charly are progressing with house training and it is almost safe to walk in the house bare foot. Doxies are very hard to house break and HATE the cold wet weather so that has been in challenge to get them outside. I am sure I have been reported to the HOA for standing in my back yard at 3 am in my robe and muck boots pleading with them to pee. I will get some pics up of these demons soon.

I am riding in the ODS adult team show next month, so the other team members and I went to pick out our team outfits yesterday. Our team name is "chicks with whips" so we are doing a biker chick theme. We got denim vests at a thirft store and are decorating with skulls etc. I am not sure how well this will be revieved but what the heck you only go around once and the rules did indicate that this was ok. The picks from last year had lots fo tiaras and sparkly stuff, so this will be fun. They are offering an award for best team name, I think we are in the running. This is just a league show that we are using as schooling show. The scores dont count towards year end awards. I just need to get the Abu in a real enviroment before we go to the first "real show" of the year. We here in Oregon have the option to show on 3 different levels...Schooling shows..League shows... and Rated shows. With the costs involved it gives all riders who wish, a chance to compete at some level. Its pretty cool. ODS does a good job with shows etc.

SIGH!!!!

Well I removed the HUMONGO bandage that vet had applied last night. Wound looks really good, a bit of heat and swelling but all to be expected after being probed with a metal poker by vet. I did not re apply HUMONGO bandage, rather returned to good old reliable telfa and elasticon with magic neosporin. Very lame

Stopped by barn today. Wound looks great. Telfa and elaticon are wonderful, so is neosporin. Happen by chance that Barb Crabbe was at barn while I was there. She had me trot him for her, magically a bit stiff and but not lame. He has been stuck in stall so stiff is to be expected. She says telfa and elasticon are OK. No heat No swelling. I visited with her for a bit and I have decided that she will be my new vet. I have never changed so thats a bit stressful. My old vet actually brought Abu in to the world and has been his vet since his first breath. Unfortunately I dont always get him, sometimes one of the partners comes and I am OK but not great with that. It was a tough decision, but I do know that Barb is pretty wonderful and she has an amazing reputation.

I will go back out tonight and see if he is up to a bit of movement. He is tired of stall. Thank heavens this is not Tonka as he would have ripped barn to shreds by now. Tonka has ADD, unless its food related. We are fortunate that he is one of those horses who could remain round as a butter ball eating straw and bark. He is actually just about the most low maintance horse I have ever seen. Abu on the other hand is a bit of a hot house flower and has NEEDS!!!!

Truth is they are both spoiled and we would not have it any other way.

When the phone rings....

OK its a normal monday and I am at my office, cell phone rings. Caller ID says "trainer Tracey". My mind races, could it be she just rode him and magically he has transformed to an FEI horse, did he try to kill her, did he run away or is he hurt. Turns out the latter. Small strange slice on inside of right leg, open, bleeding and kinda deep. Heart pounding call vet. Leave office, race to barn. Abu is not lame and could care less if wound is poked or prodded. Wait for vet. Vet shows up probes wound and not serious but does need a stitch, antibiotics, bute etc. Stall rest till wound closes. UGH Abu has a way of knowing when show season is about to start and gets injured. He will be fine no tendon /ligament damage. Exactly a year ago he got a major cut om his knee that severed an artery, stitches, stall rest etc. Its that moment of not knowing that drives me crazy. I imagine he will be sore tomorrow but should be on the move soon.
I am still waiting for the call when Trainer Tracey says he has transformed to an FEI horse. I will keep you posted on that.

Just a Great day!!

Wow I love the weekends. Today we did not have rain only sun glorious sun and in Portland this time of year thats a luxury. I was able to go to the barn twice today, HUGE TREAT. On my first adventure I just took the boys out of the muddy pastures and let them graze on lush green grass while I sat in the sun and just enjoyed being around them. Sometimes with the training etc I forget to do that. Later in the evening I went and rode and it was just one those "on" days. We had those moments tonight that keep you coming back for more.
As I write tonight the two babies of the family are curled up at my feet. Fast Eddie and Charley the baby doxies are just a joy right now. They have gotten into our routine and the sounds of their nails on the floor warms my heart. After our beloved Best Buddy Best Friend Mr Wiggels passed I could not bear the silence in our house. I marvel how all the Four Leggeds touch a place in us Two Leggeds that is so deep. My Husband and I dont have children, so for us these are our "kids", all of them. We have the horses. the dogs and two very old and crabby cats.
Tommorow is lesson day and I am really looking forward to it. I sometimes go home thinking I will never get this and magically as the week goes by the pieces fall into place. Tonight we had succesful counter canter, and travers. All of the lateral work is very easy for my clever rubber bodied pony. Sometimes I wonder if he is double jointed. Perhaps at times far to athletic and very clever with his hind end. Tracey has had him in training for about a month and half now and WOW has he come around. I love having him in training for the outcome but I really miss my after work rides. I commited to 60 days possibly 90, but I think 60 will be enough for now. I need to ride, I miss my boy.
On another note does anyone have any suggestions for saddle cleaning products. I am pretty anal about my tack and clean probably to much. I got a Bates Caprelli saddle in late November (new) and it seems that all soaps and leather care products strip some of the color off. I am now just cleaning 1x weekly with leather CPR and wipe it down nightly with needsfoot oil. My Stubben bridle does not have this problem and my old Bates Isabell did not have this issue. Any ideas out there. Possibly is it just a new saddle thing? I have never had a NEW saddle before, well Dressage Saddle. My western saddles never had this problem and neither did my Close Contact saddle. Hmmm

I got a blog

OK so this is my first time. I hope I dont do anything to messit up. I have been reading all these Dressage blogs lately and thought well I need one of those. This blog will be devoted to the pursuit of excellence in my sport and the day to day agony we all go through.
Each day of the last year and half has been an adventure with Abu as we travel this high way together. I have an amazing husband who supports this 125% and a trainer that saw potential when no one else could. Between these two people and and a throw away horse, we have become a team.
First let me explain Abu, he is a coming 8 year old oops by breeding 15.1 grey gelding. He has at best an Oscar the grouch personality and was wild when I bought him a few years back. The first year was spent just taming the grey devil and being fired by trainers and told to sell him and give it up. Then I met Tracey, she got arabs, she got me and she got Abu. To date she and my husband are the only 2 people he has not sent flying across the arena. He tolerates my hubby Steve due to the endless treat pocket. I took my first lesson and we were hooked, finally something that was type a enough for me and kept his mind busy. Well we were at our first schooling show in 2 monthes and I was really hooked. By spring 2007 we were doing the rated shows and I was beyond hooked. We rode 2007 at training level and now our first show in 2008 is about 40 days away but who is counting. I am commited to riding first level this year!!! Watch for pics etc, but I have to wait for hubby the computer genius to come home and upload for me.