Alas, I will put pictures up later in the week. So sit tight for those!
Friday
Harry went into the trailer really well today, so I was happy. By the time we packed everything up at home and got to the barn and packed there, we were about 2 hours behind. So we left around 6pm and made it to Springfield at 8pm. We settled them all in and went to grab some dinner, hit the hotel, and then went back at around 11pm to work. This ended up being a mistake, but we worked until 1230. Everyone worked pretty nicely and everything and we hit the sack at about 2.
Saturday
Woke up early today! I was sooo tired. We fed at around 8pm and got Harry and Nina all groomed up and washed really well after we worked them a bit in the morning. We ended up rushing at the last minute because we got stuck in lines for lunch and I missed my mom's class with Nina (3rd place) because I was changing to get ready for my own class. I hopped on Harry with barely time to go around the warm-up once before my class was called, in which I got 3rd from one judge and 4th from another! So I'd say that was pretty good for being pretty disoriented at the time! They were both a little groggy, and my brother took a 2nd and a 3rd (he was really disappointed, since Nina usually gets 1sts). We both qualified for the championship class (my first one ever!!!) but we didn't place. My mom took Nina in for the championship class and got an honorable mention. We finished out the day early, hung around and chatted before we hit up Walmart for a dog crate -- we brought Bella with and she was driving all of us nuts! We had this little tent for her but she figured out how to roll around in it and was moving the tent around. So we got a solid crate that turned out to be amazing.
Sunday
Last day of showing! We were prepared today, but the horses looked significantly more tired than yesterday. My mom took Harry in the professional's class today and she took a 3rd, beating out one of the better known trainers. Then I hopped on to cool Harry before my class while my brother went in with Nina and came out with a 4th (again, really disappointed). I ended up with a 4th because Harry was not getting pumped up at all. I could tell he was trying, but he just couldn't get enough oomph to get an amazing gait. My brother ended up with another 4th and that was it for showing today!
In the end we ended up with: two 2nds, four 3rds and four 4ths.
I felt really bad trying to get Harry into the trailer. It started storming and we backed up the trailer into the barn to load him because we figured it would be better. I tried a couple of times and he refused and then he ended up rearing and slipping on the concrete and falling with his legs all splayed out. I was so scared that he was going to break a leg or something but I kept up for a couple more times until my mom said that she would do it. We ended up pulling the trailer back out while it was raining and when my mom was about to bring him in, Colin came running down the aisle out of apparently no where, running from the arena with someone from his barn to help us. The worker must've seen Harry fall and called Colin to help us, so he went over to my mom and asking if he could help really quick before he had to run back to help his client in the class, and he and the worker got Harry into the trailer with some yanks and whacks on the behind. He had both Harry and Nina in the trailer in about 30 seconds, said he'd see us later in the week, and ran back to his class.
Boy, did I feel stupid. Just as I thought that Harry had it down pat, he goes and does this. Looks like it's back to square one.
Showing posts with label Springfield Show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Springfield Show. Show all posts
Monday, May 23, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Day 147
So it looks like we fired our farrier today. I won't know about my bet until later in the week/month.
We didn't ride today, but we brushed them all really good and put everything together so we're not running around like crazies on Friday afternoon. It's gonna be hectic, my parents have to bring in the dogs to the kennel, load the car, pick me up from school, go back to the house so I can pack quickly, then head out to get the horses, hopefully Harry won't magically forget that he's been loading in the trailer quite normally for the past couple of weeks, and then head on down to Springfield, settle them in, grab some dinner, then come back and train for a while then wake up early on Saturday morning to start more madness! Hopefully we do well!
We didn't ride today, but we brushed them all really good and put everything together so we're not running around like crazies on Friday afternoon. It's gonna be hectic, my parents have to bring in the dogs to the kennel, load the car, pick me up from school, go back to the house so I can pack quickly, then head out to get the horses, hopefully Harry won't magically forget that he's been loading in the trailer quite normally for the past couple of weeks, and then head on down to Springfield, settle them in, grab some dinner, then come back and train for a while then wake up early on Saturday morning to start more madness! Hopefully we do well!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Day 146
Important news: I have a bet running with my dad for $400. I won't tell you what it's on yet, but just know that it's horse related. It's one of those things where I'd love to win the money, but for the greater good, I'd rather lose.
So, the farrier showed up this afternoon, way past the time that we expected him to and so he didn't do our horses today. I just have a question: Is it that all farriers don't like you watching them work? We've only had one who hasn't openly complained about it. I mean, as concerned horse owners, you'd think that it would be understandable. That would be like not going with your kid to the doctor if you didn't watch, in my eyes. Hoof care is just as important as getting shots and their teeth floated if you ask me, so why not be there?
Anyways, he's supposed to be doing shoes tomorrow. We're putting shoes on all three of them most likely because it's going to be summer time/show season and their hooves get cracked up from going across the rocks outside and to and from the arena at the shows. We'll see how that goes. Let's just say that I have a dislike for this farrier and would rather get another one, but what do I know, I'm just the kid apparently.
Brie looked loads better today. She even looked better in her eyes. My mom lunged her so I could watch if she was limping and she was only skipping a bit going counter-clockwise. I groomed her really good (every time I do she sheds the amount of a small dog because it's getting warm) and then did about a half hour of walking with her before I got on Harry. She walked very easily, was very relaxed, and slipped into a trot here and there, but I mostly kept her quiet. Don't want to overwork her, especially if she's coming off some muscle soreness!
Harry was very impressive today. Not so much with gait, but with overall concentration. We got a new rolling rack for saddles and brushes at the shows and we put it in the trailer today so we won't have to mess with it on Friday when we leave. Our trailer doesn't have a tack room. It's a straight-load that has about 3 feet of space for storing hay (or in this case a rolling rack) in front of the bar that keeps the horses tucked in properly, so we put it there. I walked Harry in, leading him, went under the bar onto the rolling rack side and hooked him up while my mom closed the back. I moved out of the way and as soon as he saw the rolling rack, his eyes got huge and he started snorting! Like it's a new monster! But as soon as he realized it's not going to move or kill him, he was fine. We did find wasp nests in the trailer though...good thing we found them now! I'd hate to have arrived in Springfield with two horses all swollen from bites!
So I rode him after my mom warmed him up and he was pretty patient. He had a couple little bucks because I wanted him to walk, but other than that he was great. Especially because Ray was in there riding and if you remember he really gets freaked out when Ray's riding. We passed him up very smoothly and Harry didn't even seem to be nervous. I really hope we do well at show, especially because my mom's making us adorable new jackets. It would be such a waste to get all dressed up to not place high enough!
So, the farrier showed up this afternoon, way past the time that we expected him to and so he didn't do our horses today. I just have a question: Is it that all farriers don't like you watching them work? We've only had one who hasn't openly complained about it. I mean, as concerned horse owners, you'd think that it would be understandable. That would be like not going with your kid to the doctor if you didn't watch, in my eyes. Hoof care is just as important as getting shots and their teeth floated if you ask me, so why not be there?
Anyways, he's supposed to be doing shoes tomorrow. We're putting shoes on all three of them most likely because it's going to be summer time/show season and their hooves get cracked up from going across the rocks outside and to and from the arena at the shows. We'll see how that goes. Let's just say that I have a dislike for this farrier and would rather get another one, but what do I know, I'm just the kid apparently.
Brie looked loads better today. She even looked better in her eyes. My mom lunged her so I could watch if she was limping and she was only skipping a bit going counter-clockwise. I groomed her really good (every time I do she sheds the amount of a small dog because it's getting warm) and then did about a half hour of walking with her before I got on Harry. She walked very easily, was very relaxed, and slipped into a trot here and there, but I mostly kept her quiet. Don't want to overwork her, especially if she's coming off some muscle soreness!
Harry was very impressive today. Not so much with gait, but with overall concentration. We got a new rolling rack for saddles and brushes at the shows and we put it in the trailer today so we won't have to mess with it on Friday when we leave. Our trailer doesn't have a tack room. It's a straight-load that has about 3 feet of space for storing hay (or in this case a rolling rack) in front of the bar that keeps the horses tucked in properly, so we put it there. I walked Harry in, leading him, went under the bar onto the rolling rack side and hooked him up while my mom closed the back. I moved out of the way and as soon as he saw the rolling rack, his eyes got huge and he started snorting! Like it's a new monster! But as soon as he realized it's not going to move or kill him, he was fine. We did find wasp nests in the trailer though...good thing we found them now! I'd hate to have arrived in Springfield with two horses all swollen from bites!
So I rode him after my mom warmed him up and he was pretty patient. He had a couple little bucks because I wanted him to walk, but other than that he was great. Especially because Ray was in there riding and if you remember he really gets freaked out when Ray's riding. We passed him up very smoothly and Harry didn't even seem to be nervous. I really hope we do well at show, especially because my mom's making us adorable new jackets. It would be such a waste to get all dressed up to not place high enough!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Day 145
Brie was still limping today, so we let her rest. We put them all out in the paddocks and she didn't want to do much, so we put her in the round pend and asked her to lunge and her limp wasn't noticeable at a walk, but when she started trotting/gaiting, you could see her limping. So we decided that another week of rest would be good, and if she's still limping next weekend, we'll call the vet out.
We also found out that the baby across the aisle from us was weaned yesterday. How horrible, of course Ray had to do that for Mother's Day. Jerk. I mean, horses don't know the difference, but still. It was sad =[ He was watching us and kept crying when we took all of them outside or in the arena to ride.
My mom warmed up Harry and then I got on. He gaited super fantastic until Ray came in the arena with his horse, then he tensed up really badly until Ray left. He's got to get used to distractions! Personally, I think it's just something he has against Ray. Luckily, Ray doesn't have any geldings to ride in show =] After we gaited some more when Ray left, we worked on WALKING! The hardest thing in the world! I worked with him for about a half hour trying to make him walk. Every time he started to pull me forward, I made him stop and he was getting very antsy about me on his mouth almost constantly because of that, but as soon as he realized I'd lay off the pressure when he slowed down, he was a doll. And he went in the trailer like an angel today too! We didn't even need to nose chain lead to walk him in! Now watch, he'll magically forget everything when we're trying to come home from Springfield, right? Isn't that how luck goes?
Next weekend the farrier is supposed to be out, and then it's off to Springfield the week after! I'm so excited, but I only get to be entered in one class now that I'm no longer a Youth competitor, so I'm just going to be in Amateur Owner's class. We better get a ribbon!
We also found out that the baby across the aisle from us was weaned yesterday. How horrible, of course Ray had to do that for Mother's Day. Jerk. I mean, horses don't know the difference, but still. It was sad =[ He was watching us and kept crying when we took all of them outside or in the arena to ride.
My mom warmed up Harry and then I got on. He gaited super fantastic until Ray came in the arena with his horse, then he tensed up really badly until Ray left. He's got to get used to distractions! Personally, I think it's just something he has against Ray. Luckily, Ray doesn't have any geldings to ride in show =] After we gaited some more when Ray left, we worked on WALKING! The hardest thing in the world! I worked with him for about a half hour trying to make him walk. Every time he started to pull me forward, I made him stop and he was getting very antsy about me on his mouth almost constantly because of that, but as soon as he realized I'd lay off the pressure when he slowed down, he was a doll. And he went in the trailer like an angel today too! We didn't even need to nose chain lead to walk him in! Now watch, he'll magically forget everything when we're trying to come home from Springfield, right? Isn't that how luck goes?
Next weekend the farrier is supposed to be out, and then it's off to Springfield the week after! I'm so excited, but I only get to be entered in one class now that I'm no longer a Youth competitor, so I'm just going to be in Amateur Owner's class. We better get a ribbon!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Day 144
Usually I hate waking up early, but I loved waking up early today. I actually got to be relaxed and not rushed when I rode!
I am very worried though -- Brie is a bit lame. She keeps kicking her stall, I don't know what's her problem. It's not like she's cooped up in there all day or next to a horse she doesn't like. All of them go out whenever it's sunny now and she's next to Nina. We're increasing her food now because she's starting to look a little bony. We usually like to keep her a bit underweight because of her insulin resistance, but her hips are starting to noticeably stick out now that it's getting warmer and she's going outside and spending all that energy up from the winter. Maybe that'll cure her kicking, maybe she's just hungry.
I rode her today, because I thought that she would work it out. Usually she's a little skippy when we start working, she always has been, but her skip lasted all throughout the ride, and we just mostly walked the entire ride anyways. When I got off and brushed her and hosed her off is when I noticed how much she was favoring her hind right foot -- she wouldn't even put weight on it for me to clean out her other hoof. So I put some liniment on both of her back legs after I showered her and I hope that she gets better...Mom said that if it's a ligament or muscle damage from kicking too much she might have to have the entire summer off and I'm not looking forward to that possibility. I hope she's okay, but otherwise we'll have to call the vet out tomorrow.
Apparently Mom had a really rough time with Harry today...He wasn't paying attention to her at all and it was like "some ghost was chasing him from behind" and he kept trying to bolt. We should've known...he went in the trailer like a perfect angel, so of course he would give a bad ride! I hope he's better tomorrow. He needs to get his act together tomorrow and next week because the week after that is Springfield! We need to beat some people! Any body! We just need to beat them!
I am very worried though -- Brie is a bit lame. She keeps kicking her stall, I don't know what's her problem. It's not like she's cooped up in there all day or next to a horse she doesn't like. All of them go out whenever it's sunny now and she's next to Nina. We're increasing her food now because she's starting to look a little bony. We usually like to keep her a bit underweight because of her insulin resistance, but her hips are starting to noticeably stick out now that it's getting warmer and she's going outside and spending all that energy up from the winter. Maybe that'll cure her kicking, maybe she's just hungry.
I rode her today, because I thought that she would work it out. Usually she's a little skippy when we start working, she always has been, but her skip lasted all throughout the ride, and we just mostly walked the entire ride anyways. When I got off and brushed her and hosed her off is when I noticed how much she was favoring her hind right foot -- she wouldn't even put weight on it for me to clean out her other hoof. So I put some liniment on both of her back legs after I showered her and I hope that she gets better...Mom said that if it's a ligament or muscle damage from kicking too much she might have to have the entire summer off and I'm not looking forward to that possibility. I hope she's okay, but otherwise we'll have to call the vet out tomorrow.
Apparently Mom had a really rough time with Harry today...He wasn't paying attention to her at all and it was like "some ghost was chasing him from behind" and he kept trying to bolt. We should've known...he went in the trailer like a perfect angel, so of course he would give a bad ride! I hope he's better tomorrow. He needs to get his act together tomorrow and next week because the week after that is Springfield! We need to beat some people! Any body! We just need to beat them!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Day 143
I can't believe I forgot to do this yesterday.
I'll just write this from a "sunday" approach.
So today, Harry got in the trailer for me on the 2nd attempt! He was such a good boy, I'm so proud of him. We'll be on the road in no time flat =]
While it looked like a beautiful day, the ground was very soggy, so no outside romping for us =[ My mom wanted to start Harry today, so I worked with Brie. She's super furry after the winter and sheds a ton whenever I brush her. I come home covered in horsehair. Lovely.
We worked on just walking since her leg looked a little swollen and we hadn't worked yesterday because of the vet. Nice and relaxed walking was the goal, so whenever she started to rush me forward I just gently pulled back into a halt then started right back up. We took this to the outdoor arena where she did this wonderfully! I was so impressed, she usually kicks the dirt right up when she gets out there because for Brie, outside = TIME TO RUN! So after I got a nice relaxed walk outside, we went back inside and worked on a little bit of corto. Her corto is turning into a half-canter looking thing, so I just checked her side to side to get her to change her step until she was in gait. I love how much she's come along...I just hope she's like that when we take her to the show!
I rode Harry afterward. He was a little stiff in the neck from the shot yesterday, poor thing, he was probably sore around the injection site because when I hugged him he got really antsy and tried to spin me off of his neck. So for being stiff, he worked quite well! You could tell he wanted to work, so we let him work. After being a little disappointed with his board, my mom reminded me about his neck, so I was actually pretty pleased. I can only imagine what he would've been like if he wasn't sore.
Two more weeks until the Springfield Show! I'm kind of nervous -- I hope that I do well with Harry.
I'll just write this from a "sunday" approach.
So today, Harry got in the trailer for me on the 2nd attempt! He was such a good boy, I'm so proud of him. We'll be on the road in no time flat =]
While it looked like a beautiful day, the ground was very soggy, so no outside romping for us =[ My mom wanted to start Harry today, so I worked with Brie. She's super furry after the winter and sheds a ton whenever I brush her. I come home covered in horsehair. Lovely.
We worked on just walking since her leg looked a little swollen and we hadn't worked yesterday because of the vet. Nice and relaxed walking was the goal, so whenever she started to rush me forward I just gently pulled back into a halt then started right back up. We took this to the outdoor arena where she did this wonderfully! I was so impressed, she usually kicks the dirt right up when she gets out there because for Brie, outside = TIME TO RUN! So after I got a nice relaxed walk outside, we went back inside and worked on a little bit of corto. Her corto is turning into a half-canter looking thing, so I just checked her side to side to get her to change her step until she was in gait. I love how much she's come along...I just hope she's like that when we take her to the show!
I rode Harry afterward. He was a little stiff in the neck from the shot yesterday, poor thing, he was probably sore around the injection site because when I hugged him he got really antsy and tried to spin me off of his neck. So for being stiff, he worked quite well! You could tell he wanted to work, so we let him work. After being a little disappointed with his board, my mom reminded me about his neck, so I was actually pretty pleased. I can only imagine what he would've been like if he wasn't sore.
Two more weeks until the Springfield Show! I'm kind of nervous -- I hope that I do well with Harry.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Equestrian Team Day 11
We haven't had lessons for two weeks. It depresses me. Our lesson coordinator is a little overwhelmed, but there is hope. You know why?
Today I rode another new horse (for me). His name is General. Apparently, he's for the more experienced type (yesssss). He was really fun. He was such an easy ride, such light contact was necessary. He did want to break into a canter after we cantered around the first time, but I managed it. When our instructor asked us our summer plans, I replied "I'll be training horses". She then remembered that I have Paso Finos and replied "Well you'll be going back with a better seat!"
Uhm. About that. I think it's a little funny sometimes when people comment on Paso Finos because they're so different than other breeds. You don't even have to concentrate on a good seat, you just have one. You don't have to check your diagonal because there is none! You can spend all your time devoted to making sure your heels are down and that the horse is behaving. It's basically a no-brainer ride---until you get to the brio, the spirit of the horse. If I ever am a riding instructor, I will make all of my students, at one point or another, ride a Paso Fino. Then they can tackle anything that comes their way!
In short, I had a great ride. She complimented my improved seat on the canter and I got my diagonals right 75% of the time! Improvement!! I'm stoked for the summer when I can get more lessons and hopefully show so I can start off at a higher level in IHSA in the fall.
Speaking of showing....we're not going to the Springfield show this weekend anymore. After Paco informed us that we would need to be taking our own hay, grain, and bedding, we remembered how horrible the show was last year, how no one showed up, and how Randy won pretty much everything. So we're going to spend these next two weeks (since we're not going to Spectrum either) to work with Nina on her head-shy business.
I'm looking forward to the weekend so badly. Until then, happy trails!
Because I'm the new lesson coordinator!!
Yup, I'm gonna be scheduling everything for the next year. I'm so excited for it, I really want to prove how good of I job I can do that way I can run for president of the team.Today I rode another new horse (for me). His name is General. Apparently, he's for the more experienced type (yesssss). He was really fun. He was such an easy ride, such light contact was necessary. He did want to break into a canter after we cantered around the first time, but I managed it. When our instructor asked us our summer plans, I replied "I'll be training horses". She then remembered that I have Paso Finos and replied "Well you'll be going back with a better seat!"
Uhm. About that. I think it's a little funny sometimes when people comment on Paso Finos because they're so different than other breeds. You don't even have to concentrate on a good seat, you just have one. You don't have to check your diagonal because there is none! You can spend all your time devoted to making sure your heels are down and that the horse is behaving. It's basically a no-brainer ride---until you get to the brio, the spirit of the horse. If I ever am a riding instructor, I will make all of my students, at one point or another, ride a Paso Fino. Then they can tackle anything that comes their way!
In short, I had a great ride. She complimented my improved seat on the canter and I got my diagonals right 75% of the time! Improvement!! I'm stoked for the summer when I can get more lessons and hopefully show so I can start off at a higher level in IHSA in the fall.
Speaking of showing....we're not going to the Springfield show this weekend anymore. After Paco informed us that we would need to be taking our own hay, grain, and bedding, we remembered how horrible the show was last year, how no one showed up, and how Randy won pretty much everything. So we're going to spend these next two weeks (since we're not going to Spectrum either) to work with Nina on her head-shy business.
I'm looking forward to the weekend so badly. Until then, happy trails!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Day 60
Bobcats and tractors and dump trucks, oh my!
That's what was at the barn today. The owner is digging a very large pond in the back of his house/barn. I'm sure it'll be beautiful when it's finished, but it was a bit of a pain in the butt today.
Nina. Is. A. BRAT.
I don't know whether something happened to her that she doesn't want to give her head to us or if she's just playing games, but she was acting completely unacceptably today. It took me, my mom, and Paco to hold her down to put the bit hanger over her ears and I felt horrible because Paco had to twitch her ear. I'm completely against twitching and sorts of related techniques, I think they're mean and will only harbor mistrust from the horse towards you. While it may help in the short run, I believe the horse will then never want to give you her head because she anticipates being twitched, which will result in more problems.
I've decided not to bring Harry to this show. I don't trust him enough. I feel like that's a valid reason. I don't trust that I'll be able to get through the class with him. I've only had a couple of experiences with him so far riding him with other horses and the majority of those are with Brie and Nina. Today I had an experience with another horse and he wasn't too keen on it. While I would've liked to work with him longer today but I didn't feel completely comfortable with the new horse in the arena and the machinery outside so I only went once around the arena after multiple circles on the far end of the arena.
Brie is ready for show =] Finally! We have to take her off the calming supplement though because apparently it's USEF illegal for shows. I hope she still does well. I have a strategy in my mind: Last year when I won the third place, I didn't have any time to warm her up because I thought I had more time than I really did so we just had to go straight into the class. I'm going to lunge her for a while before my first class, which is Costume, and since I'm usually the only one in that class, it'll be a good way for her to calm down around her surroundings. Hopefully it works! We can only wait and see.
I'm a little worried about Nina at the show. I don't want my brother to get hurt if she gives him a hard time. He needs to gain more confidence and pay attention to everything we tell him about handling a rough horse. Even though she's not "rough", she's still playing games similar to Brie when she was 4 years old. Hopefully we don't make idiots of ourselves trying to get the bit hanger over her head.
Wish me luck!
That's what was at the barn today. The owner is digging a very large pond in the back of his house/barn. I'm sure it'll be beautiful when it's finished, but it was a bit of a pain in the butt today.
Nina. Is. A. BRAT.
I don't know whether something happened to her that she doesn't want to give her head to us or if she's just playing games, but she was acting completely unacceptably today. It took me, my mom, and Paco to hold her down to put the bit hanger over her ears and I felt horrible because Paco had to twitch her ear. I'm completely against twitching and sorts of related techniques, I think they're mean and will only harbor mistrust from the horse towards you. While it may help in the short run, I believe the horse will then never want to give you her head because she anticipates being twitched, which will result in more problems.
I've decided not to bring Harry to this show. I don't trust him enough. I feel like that's a valid reason. I don't trust that I'll be able to get through the class with him. I've only had a couple of experiences with him so far riding him with other horses and the majority of those are with Brie and Nina. Today I had an experience with another horse and he wasn't too keen on it. While I would've liked to work with him longer today but I didn't feel completely comfortable with the new horse in the arena and the machinery outside so I only went once around the arena after multiple circles on the far end of the arena.
Brie is ready for show =] Finally! We have to take her off the calming supplement though because apparently it's USEF illegal for shows. I hope she still does well. I have a strategy in my mind: Last year when I won the third place, I didn't have any time to warm her up because I thought I had more time than I really did so we just had to go straight into the class. I'm going to lunge her for a while before my first class, which is Costume, and since I'm usually the only one in that class, it'll be a good way for her to calm down around her surroundings. Hopefully it works! We can only wait and see.
I'm a little worried about Nina at the show. I don't want my brother to get hurt if she gives him a hard time. He needs to gain more confidence and pay attention to everything we tell him about handling a rough horse. Even though she's not "rough", she's still playing games similar to Brie when she was 4 years old. Hopefully we don't make idiots of ourselves trying to get the bit hanger over her head.
Wish me luck!
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