I got to have good rides with MT this weekend! I'm still working on learning about contact, how to get a correct, balanced, soft, elastic contact and keep it, and then modify it as needed. It's all about the feel, and that takes time. I know Reveille understands it, because she's lovely when MT rides her, even though he doesn't have it perfect all the time either. Just orders of magnitude better than I can do. ;) So he's helping me learn how to get that contact and how and when to change it. We're also working on getting her hind end to push better and more consistently.
A few observations -- when I have the nice steady contact and a strong, pushing trot, she's super easy to steer. This is probably painfully obvious, but ... well, there you have it.
I'd been asking for more push through the hind end by giving her a seat aid, a stronger and higher post, basically. MT recommends that I not do that, at least not start with that, because if I train her to respond to seat aids primarily, any bobble in my seat or loss of balance becomes an aid. So start aids with the leg, always.
Start the ride off with just looking to establish contact and control each step of the walk, and don't worry too much about where she puts her head.
Careful careful careful about how I use my leg -- which part I use, how often I use it, and how quickly I use it. MT has Rev well-tuned to the leg, and I have a bad habit of overusing my leg. I need to be very aware of what my leg is doing and communicating, all the time. Instead of clamping it, I need to close the leg, then release. Slight bump, release. If necessary, short kick, release. Reward a response by just letting her carry me, offering no aids or corrections.
As I was working the contact, I'd try wiggling the bit, try closing my hand, try raising my hand, opening my hands ... what worked best was when I wiggled and then softened. She'd come right down. But it would never last, so I need to figure out how to maintain that good contact when it appears.
Looking forward to this week's rides and next weekend's lessons. :) Looking forward to rejoining the jumping lesson whenever MT thinks I'm ready.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Ketchup? Again??
I've already used the "is this thing on?" bit before, so I'll skip it. I really need to blog better!! It helps that now I have something to blog about, though.
In a nutshell, then ...
Health: I spent the last several months, since the last update, out of the tack completely due to a torn labrum in my right shoulder. Rev's been in half-training with MT all along, which has been superb for her. She's learned a lot, and I've learned too, just watching him ride her and watching lessons.
I was supposed to have surgery today to fix my shoulder, but my insurance first denied, then took too long to approve, the claim so I had to reschedule. And if I'm going to reschedule, I'll be damned if I reschedule for now -- it hurts, yes, and sometimes hurts a hell of a lot, but I have had enough of standing around on the ground. I'm not going to spend another 3 weeks trying to schedule it, 4 weeks after that to do the surgery, and then 6-12 weeks out of the saddle in rehab after THAT. There goes my summer completely.
So we'll reschedule for fall, late September or early November, after all the fun horse stuff is done for the year. :) Rev can spend another few months in half-training while I heal up.
Stuff: I finally found a dressage saddle that fits Rev correctly!! It fits me mostly well, but it's motivation to keep getting smaller, eh? It seems to be a truism that Collegiate saddles fit my horse. My jump saddle is a Collegiate Diploma Convertible, and the new dressage saddle is a Collegiate Convertible Intellect. I bought it from a friend who doesn't love it, so I'm glad I could help her get some money to go buy something she DOES like. I picked it up yesterday, and I'm delighted to get to go ride in it today!!
I also bit the bullet and traded my Subaru for a truck that'll pull a horse trailer. :) It's different, for sure, but I like it. Now to save up to get a trailer to attach to it!
Plans for the year: This is going to be a good summer, I hope! There are a lot of cross-country clinics at the barn, lots of event derbies to enter, lots of Test of Choice nights, and lots of things to volunteer for. I plan to go to as many cross-country clinics as I can; right now, there's at least one a month scheduled, and I think I'll try to hit every one but the first one next weekend (4/9-10). I might try to hit the second day of the first one, depending on what MT recommends.
I'd also like to do all the derbies, probably except the one far off in Oregon. If the barn goes, I'll see if there's a way for me to go, but I'm not counting on it.
And for our biggest trick, I'd like Reveille to go BN at Golden Spike this year with MT on her. She's ready, I think, for a small debut like that -- I'm definitely not, though. Next year, yes, but this year, no. But I want her to have that experience under her belt (girth?) before I take her. I'd also like to school some cross-country there if I can. It'd be very very good for me personally. If MT and TW and TD, or some combination thereof that includes MT, will stay until the schooling opens after the event, I would love to school. We'll see how that goes, but that's my ideal. Even if I can't school at the course, I do want Rev to go, and I'll go along and just watch/groom. Learn how an event goes from the ground.
So that's what's up. I'll try to be a better blogger -- I have great examples now, so I'll try to keep up as things go. :)
In a nutshell, then ...
Health: I spent the last several months, since the last update, out of the tack completely due to a torn labrum in my right shoulder. Rev's been in half-training with MT all along, which has been superb for her. She's learned a lot, and I've learned too, just watching him ride her and watching lessons.
I was supposed to have surgery today to fix my shoulder, but my insurance first denied, then took too long to approve, the claim so I had to reschedule. And if I'm going to reschedule, I'll be damned if I reschedule for now -- it hurts, yes, and sometimes hurts a hell of a lot, but I have had enough of standing around on the ground. I'm not going to spend another 3 weeks trying to schedule it, 4 weeks after that to do the surgery, and then 6-12 weeks out of the saddle in rehab after THAT. There goes my summer completely.
So we'll reschedule for fall, late September or early November, after all the fun horse stuff is done for the year. :) Rev can spend another few months in half-training while I heal up.
Stuff: I finally found a dressage saddle that fits Rev correctly!! It fits me mostly well, but it's motivation to keep getting smaller, eh? It seems to be a truism that Collegiate saddles fit my horse. My jump saddle is a Collegiate Diploma Convertible, and the new dressage saddle is a Collegiate Convertible Intellect. I bought it from a friend who doesn't love it, so I'm glad I could help her get some money to go buy something she DOES like. I picked it up yesterday, and I'm delighted to get to go ride in it today!!
I also bit the bullet and traded my Subaru for a truck that'll pull a horse trailer. :) It's different, for sure, but I like it. Now to save up to get a trailer to attach to it!
Plans for the year: This is going to be a good summer, I hope! There are a lot of cross-country clinics at the barn, lots of event derbies to enter, lots of Test of Choice nights, and lots of things to volunteer for. I plan to go to as many cross-country clinics as I can; right now, there's at least one a month scheduled, and I think I'll try to hit every one but the first one next weekend (4/9-10). I might try to hit the second day of the first one, depending on what MT recommends.
I'd also like to do all the derbies, probably except the one far off in Oregon. If the barn goes, I'll see if there's a way for me to go, but I'm not counting on it.
And for our biggest trick, I'd like Reveille to go BN at Golden Spike this year with MT on her. She's ready, I think, for a small debut like that -- I'm definitely not, though. Next year, yes, but this year, no. But I want her to have that experience under her belt (girth?) before I take her. I'd also like to school some cross-country there if I can. It'd be very very good for me personally. If MT and TW and TD, or some combination thereof that includes MT, will stay until the schooling opens after the event, I would love to school. We'll see how that goes, but that's my ideal. Even if I can't school at the course, I do want Rev to go, and I'll go along and just watch/groom. Learn how an event goes from the ground.
So that's what's up. I'll try to be a better blogger -- I have great examples now, so I'll try to keep up as things go. :)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Determined to be awesome!
Ahem.
Is this thing on?
I am a terrible, terrible blogger! Well, okay, I'm a fine blogger who doesn't update often. I'm working on it, I promise.
The current status of me and Rev is that we were doing fine this fall. I felt like I sometimes used to when I studied aikido: I learn how to do something, it seems like I have it mastered and can move on, and then I forget how to do it. Or my body forgets. Or something -- with jumping, I had been doing really well and MT was talking about having me jump a little higher, and I was excited. But then things fell apart, and then they fell apart a little more, and then a little more ... I kept at it, until recently.
I have rotator cuff damage in my right shoulder. It's been there for a while, but it started to get markedly worse after I almost fell back in November and wrenched my shoulder around as I dismounted-on-purpose-really. And it's just continued to get worse since. So -- I'm grounded for a while, until I can get to a doctor and get a diagnosis and treatment plan. I really don't want to do any more damage than there already is.
So Rev's in half-training with MT, and I'm working on getting psyched up and slimmed down for the coming year. I'd kind of fell into a place where I didn't believe in myself any more, riding-wise, and I'm dragging myself out of it by the scruff of the neck by exercising so I'll be in better shape when I go back. I think a lot of my problems relate directly to not being strong enough in the quads and the core and having too much weight to haul around -- I think it affects my balance. And I'm planning on derbies and clinics and camps and all that kind of great stuff for the coming year! Change that attitude from head-hanging depression and mopeyness to excitement that it's all going to start soon!! That I'll be ready and excited to jump back in the saddle as soon as my shoulder's stable! Awesome!
And Rev will benefit immensely from being in half-training. It might be just through February 15, but probably through March 15. Eight weeks of MT riding her will be SO good for her. This is awesome! Awesome, I say! :)
I'll update more as I can. :)
Is this thing on?
I am a terrible, terrible blogger! Well, okay, I'm a fine blogger who doesn't update often. I'm working on it, I promise.
The current status of me and Rev is that we were doing fine this fall. I felt like I sometimes used to when I studied aikido: I learn how to do something, it seems like I have it mastered and can move on, and then I forget how to do it. Or my body forgets. Or something -- with jumping, I had been doing really well and MT was talking about having me jump a little higher, and I was excited. But then things fell apart, and then they fell apart a little more, and then a little more ... I kept at it, until recently.
I have rotator cuff damage in my right shoulder. It's been there for a while, but it started to get markedly worse after I almost fell back in November and wrenched my shoulder around as I dismounted-on-purpose-really. And it's just continued to get worse since. So -- I'm grounded for a while, until I can get to a doctor and get a diagnosis and treatment plan. I really don't want to do any more damage than there already is.
So Rev's in half-training with MT, and I'm working on getting psyched up and slimmed down for the coming year. I'd kind of fell into a place where I didn't believe in myself any more, riding-wise, and I'm dragging myself out of it by the scruff of the neck by exercising so I'll be in better shape when I go back. I think a lot of my problems relate directly to not being strong enough in the quads and the core and having too much weight to haul around -- I think it affects my balance. And I'm planning on derbies and clinics and camps and all that kind of great stuff for the coming year! Change that attitude from head-hanging depression and mopeyness to excitement that it's all going to start soon!! That I'll be ready and excited to jump back in the saddle as soon as my shoulder's stable! Awesome!
And Rev will benefit immensely from being in half-training. It might be just through February 15, but probably through March 15. Eight weeks of MT riding her will be SO good for her. This is awesome! Awesome, I say! :)
I'll update more as I can. :)
Monday, August 23, 2010
Jug Mountain Classic
So the weekend was a great success! Not quite a smashing success -- that would have required three blue ribbons -- but successful nonetheless. Bullet points, because I'm at work:
* I learned a LOT listening to Karen O'Connor -- both technically and about the temperament of the highest-level competitors/clinicians. I got so much out of her lessons, even if they're over our heads at the moment.
* Jumped my first "vertical" -- a brushbox. No problem. Stephanie says it was 2'3, I think it was pushing it to be 2'. :)
* Jumped my first grid, a 1 stride to a 2 stride setup. Had some difficulty until I remembered to SIT DOWN before the fences. I'm learning ... :)
* Did well on Intro A, though I got a mark I didn't think I deserved (a 3 for a good transition, only late? I can see a 4, but ... ah well. I are not a judge.). Good enough for a win on the test class, but only 3rd in the Intro division. Still, I <3 ribbons. They get me through dark days when I hate my riding and my horse. ;)
* Had problems on Training 1, because Rev stopped on centerline to poop. :/ That got me flustered and stressed, and then the rest of the test was inconsistent. Though we did get a comment of "some really nice moments to watch," which is encouraging. Didn't place, not by a looooong shot, in the Training category, but that's expected and totally okay.
* Jump round went well -- the warmup area left something to be desired, but was okay. We had a stop at a crossrail made of 1x8 planks painted black and white in this pattern: <<<<>>>>. I knew when I walked the course that that fence would be a problem, and I was really positive going in, but apparently not positive enough, since she stopped. On the other hand, she stopped dead center on the fence, so at least I had a good line going into it ... :) I kicked her butt over the fence the second time, and we finished with just that one stop. When we were done, I asked if I could school that fence a few times, seeing as it was a schooling show, and the judge said yes. So we did. She kept running out left, until the judge (a friend) helped me a little ... we got over the fence, but I didn't feel confident in her advice. I took a second schooling round over the whole course, and as I rode my circle before the whistle, I had a DUH! moment: she's running out left. So use your left leg, dummy! Sheesh. So I did. And she popped right over it. :) The second course ride went much, much better. :)
* Ended up in second place, even with a stop. Woot. :)
* Lots of riders on the show day seemed to have forgotten everything KOC said and made a lot of mistakes -- can't throw stones, since I had a stop myself, but there was one fence that was causing a LOT of riders to drop rails. I think, in my oh-so-vast wisdom, that they were just not on a good line, not getting enough strides in before the fence, and didn't have the impulsion they needed to get over it. I don't recall if the fence had a groundline or not, but I seem to think it didn't, from my course walk. Hm. I didn't have a problem at it, but then again, it was only 20 inches high for me. I wonder how I'd have ridden it if it were higher, whether I'd have had a problem.
* My friend who gave me a ride took a nasty spill and ended up with a mild concussion, but is okay now. We'll see how things develop.
More later, most likely. :)
* I learned a LOT listening to Karen O'Connor -- both technically and about the temperament of the highest-level competitors/clinicians. I got so much out of her lessons, even if they're over our heads at the moment.
* Jumped my first "vertical" -- a brushbox. No problem. Stephanie says it was 2'3, I think it was pushing it to be 2'. :)
* Jumped my first grid, a 1 stride to a 2 stride setup. Had some difficulty until I remembered to SIT DOWN before the fences. I'm learning ... :)
* Did well on Intro A, though I got a mark I didn't think I deserved (a 3 for a good transition, only late? I can see a 4, but ... ah well. I are not a judge.). Good enough for a win on the test class, but only 3rd in the Intro division. Still, I <3 ribbons. They get me through dark days when I hate my riding and my horse. ;)
* Had problems on Training 1, because Rev stopped on centerline to poop. :/ That got me flustered and stressed, and then the rest of the test was inconsistent. Though we did get a comment of "some really nice moments to watch," which is encouraging. Didn't place, not by a looooong shot, in the Training category, but that's expected and totally okay.
* Jump round went well -- the warmup area left something to be desired, but was okay. We had a stop at a crossrail made of 1x8 planks painted black and white in this pattern: <<<<>>>>. I knew when I walked the course that that fence would be a problem, and I was really positive going in, but apparently not positive enough, since she stopped. On the other hand, she stopped dead center on the fence, so at least I had a good line going into it ... :) I kicked her butt over the fence the second time, and we finished with just that one stop. When we were done, I asked if I could school that fence a few times, seeing as it was a schooling show, and the judge said yes. So we did. She kept running out left, until the judge (a friend) helped me a little ... we got over the fence, but I didn't feel confident in her advice. I took a second schooling round over the whole course, and as I rode my circle before the whistle, I had a DUH! moment: she's running out left. So use your left leg, dummy! Sheesh. So I did. And she popped right over it. :) The second course ride went much, much better. :)
* Ended up in second place, even with a stop. Woot. :)
* Lots of riders on the show day seemed to have forgotten everything KOC said and made a lot of mistakes -- can't throw stones, since I had a stop myself, but there was one fence that was causing a LOT of riders to drop rails. I think, in my oh-so-vast wisdom, that they were just not on a good line, not getting enough strides in before the fence, and didn't have the impulsion they needed to get over it. I don't recall if the fence had a groundline or not, but I seem to think it didn't, from my course walk. Hm. I didn't have a problem at it, but then again, it was only 20 inches high for me. I wonder how I'd have ridden it if it were higher, whether I'd have had a problem.
* My friend who gave me a ride took a nasty spill and ended up with a mild concussion, but is okay now. We'll see how things develop.
More later, most likely. :)
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Sweet relief
Oh, hallelujah. We won't be leaving until Friday morning. Dark o'clock on Friday, but that's okay. I'll still have Thursday night to do things like clean and cook. Not to say that I won't be cleaning tonight, but ... still, much easier to have two evenings to do everything.
Also, my friend is letting me sleep in the back of the trailer, rather than a tent -- another hallelujah!! I would absolutely positively any day of the week and twice on Sunday rather sleep in the trailer than in a tent. It'll be safer for the corgs at night, too.
Okay, a lot of stress just fell away. Deep breaths.
Funny -- it's not the riding that's worrying me! I know I can do it, and if things go pear-shaped there, I can scratch and have no harm done. It's all the life things included in Going To A Show that were stressing me out. Nice change, enh?
Also, my friend is letting me sleep in the back of the trailer, rather than a tent -- another hallelujah!! I would absolutely positively any day of the week and twice on Sunday rather sleep in the trailer than in a tent. It'll be safer for the corgs at night, too.
Okay, a lot of stress just fell away. Deep breaths.
Funny -- it's not the riding that's worrying me! I know I can do it, and if things go pear-shaped there, I can scratch and have no harm done. It's all the life things included in Going To A Show that were stressing me out. Nice change, enh?
Frantic!
Why is it that the week before a show is always when things go pear-shaped in my non-horse life? Yeeesh! Looks like I'll have a long day/night tonight to get everything done that needs to be done before the show.
Things like laundry, dishes, housecleaning, packing my own gear, getting the corgis' gear ready to go, getting the cats' care stuff ready for my friend who's taking care of them, cooking a potluck dish, grocery shopping ... ACK.
Oh, and riding. Somehow I have to get on my horse tonight, too. And I have to find a way to get up in time to longe her tomorrow morning -- I am pretty sure we'll need to be leaving tomorrow night, since my friend has a KOC clinic at 9 AM on Friday.
Aaaaaaaack! *flail*
Things like laundry, dishes, housecleaning, packing my own gear, getting the corgis' gear ready to go, getting the cats' care stuff ready for my friend who's taking care of them, cooking a potluck dish, grocery shopping ... ACK.
Oh, and riding. Somehow I have to get on my horse tonight, too. And I have to find a way to get up in time to longe her tomorrow morning -- I am pretty sure we'll need to be leaving tomorrow night, since my friend has a KOC clinic at 9 AM on Friday.
Aaaaaaaack! *flail*
Monday, August 16, 2010
Ketchup! (warning: long!)
I've been working a lot lately, both in the sense of long hours and the sense of being busy-busy while I'm at my desk, so I apologize for the lack of updates, for anyone following my blog. :)
So what's happened since the Derby? Well ... turns out I separated my shoulder and sprung my ribs. The shoulder separation was only a class 1, so it was as minor as they get, but boy did it hurt. I ended up taking 3 weeks completely off from riding to let my shoulder heal up. Better 3 weeks now than 6-8 later, if I re-injured the joint, right? My ribs are still sore, but they're healing. They take a while.
So in the last 3 weeks, I've been back in the saddle, working hard at things like canter departs and getting Reveille to accept the bridle better. One of the things that the dressage judge commented on at the derby was that she's resistant to my hand, which is the gospel truth. So we're working on it, and I am proud of the progress we're making in the medium walk and free walk! It's not consistent yet, so that's step 3, and then step 4 is getting the acceptance in the trot. We're approaching the "nose slightly ahead of the vertical" place, woohoo!
Up until last Thursday, everything I'd been doing was on the flat, no jumping. This last weekend, though, was Event Camp part II -- woohoo again!!
So I asked MT if I could have a jumping lesson before camp, just so that I'd not be in the position of not having jumped for a month before a weekend full of jumping. A few weather-related shenanigans later, Rev and I had a lesson on Thursday night. I had a really good time, actually, and I discovered that a lot of my worry and fear had dissipated after Rafter K and 3 weeks off. (Probably because, during that 3 weeks, I spent about 75% of my time thinking about jumping and how to do it better!) We weren't perfect, but we did a lot of things right, and I learned some new details.
Okay, I thought, we were ready for camp!
So. Friday we had 2 cross-country lessons of an hour and a half each. I had an absolute BALL. :) We started cantering fences confidently! I'm really learning how great Rev is to ride over fences, and it was super-fun. It was also super-hot, but ... well, that's summer in Idaho. Friday night, my quads and my core were much more tired than I thought they'd be, though. I'd thought I'd made more progress on the fitness scale!
Um, turns out I'd ridden all of Thursday and all of Friday with my right stirrup an inch shorter than my left. Whoops ... how embarrassing! I *thought* it felt weird!
Anyway, Saturday was more jumping fun, and a couple of other riders joined us. I love having more people in the group lessons (up to a point), because I get to pick up so much from their rides in addition to my own.
But by Saturday late evening, I was absolutely wiped out. I'd pushed past muscle fatigue into ... well, whatever comes after that. Enough that I overslept on Sunday morning and missed my course walk! ACK! Fortunately, the course was simple, and we'd jumped everything on the course over the previous two days.
Turns out, though, that all that fatigue and sleepiness was probably directly related to the fact that I came down with stomach flu about 30 minutes before I was supposed to ride the full course. I tell ya, there's nothing like leaping off your horse, shoving the reins at a bystander, and then bolting for the bathroom. :/ I was pretty annoyed at myself for getting sick right then -- it couldn't have waited an hour? I really wanted to finish camp, but I have a rule about throwing up -- one and done.
Anyway, I'm at work today, maybe inadvisably, but I have to earn money for our next outing next week!
We're heading to McCall for the Jug Mountain Classic, and I'm excited. :) A friend is generously giving Rev and me a ride up there, since I don't have a truck or trailer. I'm thrilled to have another chance to get Rev out and about, and what's more, Karen O'Connor is doing lessons at the show! I can't afford a lesson with her, and at this point it's pretty well over our heads, but I am definitely going to audit everything I can and absorb as much as possible.
So this week -- after today, which is a well-deserved rest day for me and Rev both -- we'll be practicing Training Level test 1 and balance in the canter, and we'll head north on Friday morning.
Squee!
So what's happened since the Derby? Well ... turns out I separated my shoulder and sprung my ribs. The shoulder separation was only a class 1, so it was as minor as they get, but boy did it hurt. I ended up taking 3 weeks completely off from riding to let my shoulder heal up. Better 3 weeks now than 6-8 later, if I re-injured the joint, right? My ribs are still sore, but they're healing. They take a while.
So in the last 3 weeks, I've been back in the saddle, working hard at things like canter departs and getting Reveille to accept the bridle better. One of the things that the dressage judge commented on at the derby was that she's resistant to my hand, which is the gospel truth. So we're working on it, and I am proud of the progress we're making in the medium walk and free walk! It's not consistent yet, so that's step 3, and then step 4 is getting the acceptance in the trot. We're approaching the "nose slightly ahead of the vertical" place, woohoo!
Up until last Thursday, everything I'd been doing was on the flat, no jumping. This last weekend, though, was Event Camp part II -- woohoo again!!
So I asked MT if I could have a jumping lesson before camp, just so that I'd not be in the position of not having jumped for a month before a weekend full of jumping. A few weather-related shenanigans later, Rev and I had a lesson on Thursday night. I had a really good time, actually, and I discovered that a lot of my worry and fear had dissipated after Rafter K and 3 weeks off. (Probably because, during that 3 weeks, I spent about 75% of my time thinking about jumping and how to do it better!) We weren't perfect, but we did a lot of things right, and I learned some new details.
Okay, I thought, we were ready for camp!
So. Friday we had 2 cross-country lessons of an hour and a half each. I had an absolute BALL. :) We started cantering fences confidently! I'm really learning how great Rev is to ride over fences, and it was super-fun. It was also super-hot, but ... well, that's summer in Idaho. Friday night, my quads and my core were much more tired than I thought they'd be, though. I'd thought I'd made more progress on the fitness scale!
Um, turns out I'd ridden all of Thursday and all of Friday with my right stirrup an inch shorter than my left. Whoops ... how embarrassing! I *thought* it felt weird!
Anyway, Saturday was more jumping fun, and a couple of other riders joined us. I love having more people in the group lessons (up to a point), because I get to pick up so much from their rides in addition to my own.
But by Saturday late evening, I was absolutely wiped out. I'd pushed past muscle fatigue into ... well, whatever comes after that. Enough that I overslept on Sunday morning and missed my course walk! ACK! Fortunately, the course was simple, and we'd jumped everything on the course over the previous two days.
Turns out, though, that all that fatigue and sleepiness was probably directly related to the fact that I came down with stomach flu about 30 minutes before I was supposed to ride the full course. I tell ya, there's nothing like leaping off your horse, shoving the reins at a bystander, and then bolting for the bathroom. :/ I was pretty annoyed at myself for getting sick right then -- it couldn't have waited an hour? I really wanted to finish camp, but I have a rule about throwing up -- one and done.
Anyway, I'm at work today, maybe inadvisably, but I have to earn money for our next outing next week!
We're heading to McCall for the Jug Mountain Classic, and I'm excited. :) A friend is generously giving Rev and me a ride up there, since I don't have a truck or trailer. I'm thrilled to have another chance to get Rev out and about, and what's more, Karen O'Connor is doing lessons at the show! I can't afford a lesson with her, and at this point it's pretty well over our heads, but I am definitely going to audit everything I can and absorb as much as possible.
So this week -- after today, which is a well-deserved rest day for me and Rev both -- we'll be practicing Training Level test 1 and balance in the canter, and we'll head north on Friday morning.
Squee!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
It was only a derby. :)
That went, overall, very well. :D
THE GOOD:
* Reveille was a star. She was pretty calm and quite rideable all weekend, even on Saturday when she was somewhat insecure.
* Our jumping rounds went beautifully -- not a hesitation or a spook at a jump anywhere.
* Stabling was comfortable, and Rev was a good girl with new horses.
* We -- the folks from our barn -- had a great time hanging out together and supporting each other.
* I met a lot of really nice people who I'll look forward to seeing again.
* I got to hang out with a lot of really nice people who I already know and only get to see at shows.
* The weather was beautiful and perfect.
* The facility we were at was gorgeous -- amazing scenery, lovely arenas and jumps, all of it; and the owner is a nice fellow.
* I felt very confident going into our jump rounds on Sunday -- I felt like I had my ducks in a row, and there was no fear. Just knowing what I needed to do, acknowledging that I could walk Rev if I needed to, and confidence that we'd get through just fine.
THE BAD
* I don't think I'll ever clinic with that particular teacher again. She started us off with obstacles way bigger than any of us were ready for, including a solid obstacle -- those aren't really okay at cross-rails level. She's not a bad teacher, I think, but she's not one I want to take more lessons from.
* The solid obstacle I mentioned ... well, it was much bigger than we'd ever jumped before. I decided we'd go for it anyway. Rev jumped it the first time, which was good, but I came way, way off balance after. I should have had my feet farther forward. I would have been able to recover if Rev hadn't started bucking. :/ As it was, I cussed once on the way down, then landed on my shoulder and ribcage, rolled all the way over, and rolled all the way onto my feet. I didn't think much of it at the time, but as it turns out, that hurt kind of a lot. I think I damaged some of the soft tissue in my shoulder, as well as an impressive deep muscle bruise. Go, go, gadget ice/ibuprofen/heat.
* Rev was kind of bratty when we weren't jumping. This taught me a few things: one, I can be much more forceful than I was being, and everything will be okay. Two, I shouldn't start warming her up for jumping so early. By the time we went for our cross-rails round, she was pissed. off. at not really doing anything for so long. She was ready to GO. So that's a good thing to know.
* Dressage ride times at 7:30 AM SUCK. SUCK SUCK SUCK. I'm so much better in the saddle when I've been able to get some sleep.
* I don't think I'll tent-camp at a show again. I'll sleep in the back of the car, in the back of the horse trailer, whatever ... I might even sleep in a much larger tent, but not my little dome tent again.
So ... yeah. A success. I will probably post more later, but for now, must work.
THE GOOD:
* Reveille was a star. She was pretty calm and quite rideable all weekend, even on Saturday when she was somewhat insecure.
* Our jumping rounds went beautifully -- not a hesitation or a spook at a jump anywhere.
* Stabling was comfortable, and Rev was a good girl with new horses.
* We -- the folks from our barn -- had a great time hanging out together and supporting each other.
* I met a lot of really nice people who I'll look forward to seeing again.
* I got to hang out with a lot of really nice people who I already know and only get to see at shows.
* The weather was beautiful and perfect.
* The facility we were at was gorgeous -- amazing scenery, lovely arenas and jumps, all of it; and the owner is a nice fellow.
* I felt very confident going into our jump rounds on Sunday -- I felt like I had my ducks in a row, and there was no fear. Just knowing what I needed to do, acknowledging that I could walk Rev if I needed to, and confidence that we'd get through just fine.
THE BAD
* I don't think I'll ever clinic with that particular teacher again. She started us off with obstacles way bigger than any of us were ready for, including a solid obstacle -- those aren't really okay at cross-rails level. She's not a bad teacher, I think, but she's not one I want to take more lessons from.
* The solid obstacle I mentioned ... well, it was much bigger than we'd ever jumped before. I decided we'd go for it anyway. Rev jumped it the first time, which was good, but I came way, way off balance after. I should have had my feet farther forward. I would have been able to recover if Rev hadn't started bucking. :/ As it was, I cussed once on the way down, then landed on my shoulder and ribcage, rolled all the way over, and rolled all the way onto my feet. I didn't think much of it at the time, but as it turns out, that hurt kind of a lot. I think I damaged some of the soft tissue in my shoulder, as well as an impressive deep muscle bruise. Go, go, gadget ice/ibuprofen/heat.
* Rev was kind of bratty when we weren't jumping. This taught me a few things: one, I can be much more forceful than I was being, and everything will be okay. Two, I shouldn't start warming her up for jumping so early. By the time we went for our cross-rails round, she was pissed. off. at not really doing anything for so long. She was ready to GO. So that's a good thing to know.
* Dressage ride times at 7:30 AM SUCK. SUCK SUCK SUCK. I'm so much better in the saddle when I've been able to get some sleep.
* I don't think I'll tent-camp at a show again. I'll sleep in the back of the car, in the back of the horse trailer, whatever ... I might even sleep in a much larger tent, but not my little dome tent again.
So ... yeah. A success. I will probably post more later, but for now, must work.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Holy crap, it's tomorrow?!
So, yeah. My original plan didn't work out quite the way I'd planned. I ended up having to work a bit late last night, then had to pick up a cot and a camp chair (which took me two stores to do), then had to get some food put together for the show, et cetera. I didn't get to ride, which is a real bummer.
I'll ride tonight, though, and get my tack and barn accessories loaded into the trailer. Then home to pack up the home stuff, test my tent, pack up the dogs, get the cooler ready, do laundry, pack the laundry, and try to get some sleep.
I doubt I'll have a chance to bathe Rev, but maybe I'll find someone to hold her while I wash her tail at least. She'll be clean enough if I just do the hot toweling bit, especially because this is just. a. derby.
Rev has nice neat feet, and new shoes on the front, too. Cliff decided to put nifty aluminum jumping shoes on her, and it's pretty fun. Very shiny!
We had a jumping lesson on Wednesday, too. I got some things right that I hadn't been able to get right in the past, and MT had some good things to say after the lesson. I did, however, find myself spooked about jumping her out of the canter, even though we didn't have any trouble with it. I just need to jump a thousand more jumps, honestly, and lose the nerves. I WILL get over it. As much because I really want to get over it as anything.
I also discovered that certain movements make my back hurt like a bitch. :/ I jumped ahead of Rev once, and when we landed my back seized up and it felt like things were grinding against each other ... ow. Fortunately, Rev seems to know when things are really wrong, as opposed to me just being worried, and she takes very good care of me then. She just walked slowly to the center, without me having to steer her much, and let me move around until I got my back unlocked and my head stopped swimming. Good horse.
But yes, progress is being made. Mantra: I have time. Mantra: It's okay to be scared. Acknowlege the fear, and then focus on what you have to DO. Feel vs. act -- choose act.
I also decided, while pondering fear, that the important part of the Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear, as written by Frank Herbert, is not "I must not fear."
No, the important part is: "And when [the fear] has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." I, and the knowledge of things I need to do. Thank you, Paul Atreides.
I'll ride tonight, though, and get my tack and barn accessories loaded into the trailer. Then home to pack up the home stuff, test my tent, pack up the dogs, get the cooler ready, do laundry, pack the laundry, and try to get some sleep.
I doubt I'll have a chance to bathe Rev, but maybe I'll find someone to hold her while I wash her tail at least. She'll be clean enough if I just do the hot toweling bit, especially because this is just. a. derby.
Rev has nice neat feet, and new shoes on the front, too. Cliff decided to put nifty aluminum jumping shoes on her, and it's pretty fun. Very shiny!
We had a jumping lesson on Wednesday, too. I got some things right that I hadn't been able to get right in the past, and MT had some good things to say after the lesson. I did, however, find myself spooked about jumping her out of the canter, even though we didn't have any trouble with it. I just need to jump a thousand more jumps, honestly, and lose the nerves. I WILL get over it. As much because I really want to get over it as anything.
I also discovered that certain movements make my back hurt like a bitch. :/ I jumped ahead of Rev once, and when we landed my back seized up and it felt like things were grinding against each other ... ow. Fortunately, Rev seems to know when things are really wrong, as opposed to me just being worried, and she takes very good care of me then. She just walked slowly to the center, without me having to steer her much, and let me move around until I got my back unlocked and my head stopped swimming. Good horse.
But yes, progress is being made. Mantra: I have time. Mantra: It's okay to be scared. Acknowlege the fear, and then focus on what you have to DO. Feel vs. act -- choose act.
I also decided, while pondering fear, that the important part of the Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear, as written by Frank Herbert, is not "I must not fear."
No, the important part is: "And when [the fear] has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." I, and the knowledge of things I need to do. Thank you, Paul Atreides.
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