Sara and I walking back to the barn so Smash can take a break on the June 24 show.
 |
| This is a picture of me riding the Intro B dressage test on June 24. One of my only shining moments of the test! |
Monday, July 23, 2012
June 24 Show
Sara and I walking back to the barn so Smash can take a break on the June 24 show.
Friday, June 29, 2012
June 24 Show
Sara and I competed in a show on June 24 (my birthday). She did the Beginner Novice Division, and I rode two dressage tests only. Below are to pics of my riding and then Sara and I taking Smash back to the barn. We both rode Smash at this show. Smash had a full day, but she was loving the jumping, especially in the cross country part of it.
All of the dressage riders were lumped into one big division, so I did not get a ribbon. I was happy with my ride (but not so much the score) as I had learned quite a bit from my new instructor, Steph T. Wasn't the best in the world, but using my new skills was hard and my brain had quite the workout!
Sara's jumping has vastly improved and so her technique is the best I've seen in a long time. She was pleased with Smash except when Smash refused to pick up her feet and knocked down a rail in the Stadium portion. At XC they went over every jump clean. Sara also took videos with her helmet-cam. It's really an interesting view of the course, but you don't really feel or see the horse jumping as you do when watching from the sidelines.
and
From the ground:
Photos courtesy of Steve Talabac.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Going Solo!
Saturday I went out to the barn by myself wondering if I would be able to a) find Smash and b) catch her. Fortunately, the "herd" was up by the trailers so I didn't have far to go to get her. After taking the tack up to the stalls and driving the car back to the trailers, I ventured out to get Smash. Sara's trick of bribery really does work. As soon as she heard me call her, Smash came, although slowly, to me to get her treat. The ride was good; I did some work in the arena, then went out into the field. Going out was great; however, coming back was so much scarier because things were now in a different location. Gotta love them horses!
Sunday I was not so lucky; there were no horses to be seen. So, I did the, taking the tack up to the stalls and getting myself ready. As I went into the field to look for Smash, I had no idea which way to go, so I just started out along the fence line and hoped there would be some horses soon. I saw horses! What luck, now I had to make sure one of them was Smash. Yep, there she was. Another bribe and she came with me willingly. We had an escort all the way back to the gate. A black/white paint apparently thought he was going to get out, as well, or he has his eyes on Smash.
Sunday was the first lesson I had with Steph T. It was a really good lesson; we worked on walking and relaxing. Amazing how long I could let the reins get and pushing Smash in the direction I wanted her to go.
Sunday was also our 34th wedding anniversary! How quickly time goes by. It's hard to believe. We went to a, somewhat nice restaurant in Ellicott City. Dave bought a Groupon for the place, so we could try it out. Unfortunately, neither of us was impressed with the food or the service. For as fancy a place it looks, it is not so fancy with the service. The food, I would say, was "ok" only. Nothing to write home about. Good for us, it was within walking distance so we got a short hike home in the hopes we could walk off some of the food. I doubt we even walked off 1/100th of what we ate.
The food served was a lot: melted mozzarella cheese on french bread; i had a caesar salad; we both had a small portion of spaghetti and meatballs; i had a steak (eh); Dave had a crab cake; dessert was two cannolis (we had no choice for dessert; that's what we got). And I had a glass of wine in a very large glass with very small amount of wine in it for $10!
The usual prices for the food at this place are very, very high. So, if we were paying full price for the food, we would have been even more disgusted with the meal.
Our overall grade for this place would be a "C", not even a "C+". We will not be going back there unless someone else is paying! hahahaha!
This weekend I'm babysitting dogs. Two of them. For three days.
Sunday I was not so lucky; there were no horses to be seen. So, I did the, taking the tack up to the stalls and getting myself ready. As I went into the field to look for Smash, I had no idea which way to go, so I just started out along the fence line and hoped there would be some horses soon. I saw horses! What luck, now I had to make sure one of them was Smash. Yep, there she was. Another bribe and she came with me willingly. We had an escort all the way back to the gate. A black/white paint apparently thought he was going to get out, as well, or he has his eyes on Smash.
Sunday was the first lesson I had with Steph T. It was a really good lesson; we worked on walking and relaxing. Amazing how long I could let the reins get and pushing Smash in the direction I wanted her to go.
Sunday was also our 34th wedding anniversary! How quickly time goes by. It's hard to believe. We went to a, somewhat nice restaurant in Ellicott City. Dave bought a Groupon for the place, so we could try it out. Unfortunately, neither of us was impressed with the food or the service. For as fancy a place it looks, it is not so fancy with the service. The food, I would say, was "ok" only. Nothing to write home about. Good for us, it was within walking distance so we got a short hike home in the hopes we could walk off some of the food. I doubt we even walked off 1/100th of what we ate.
The food served was a lot: melted mozzarella cheese on french bread; i had a caesar salad; we both had a small portion of spaghetti and meatballs; i had a steak (eh); Dave had a crab cake; dessert was two cannolis (we had no choice for dessert; that's what we got). And I had a glass of wine in a very large glass with very small amount of wine in it for $10!
The usual prices for the food at this place are very, very high. So, if we were paying full price for the food, we would have been even more disgusted with the meal.
Our overall grade for this place would be a "C", not even a "C+". We will not be going back there unless someone else is paying! hahahaha!
This weekend I'm babysitting dogs. Two of them. For three days.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Moved to a New Barn
For various and sundry reasons, Sara decided to move Smash to a new barn. It was a good idea, and Sara is learning some new tricks of the trade, so to speak. She wants to get Smash trained up to Novice Level Eventing and sell Smash next spring. She is getting married next year and with their plans, Smash must be sold. Boo......
I have ridden Smash several times at the new place, but not without its trauma/drama on Saturday. Here goes: 1. She coughed all over me. 2. She kicked me in the thigh. 3. She reared up, pulled her bridle part-way off and ran away from me while breaking the noseband on her bridle and the reins.
After Sara and I caught her we found some makeshift reins and got her into the ring to ride. Smash was perfect! Of course, she couldn't understand what we were so upset about.
Sunday was a much better day for tacking up, etc. A huge welt of a bruise on my thigh never stopped me! We bought a new bridle at the tack shop on Sunday, so now Smash has a new outfit to go with her new barn.
I had signed up for a show on May 13, but after our two-day experience of trying to get her on the trailer, we decided it was better to scratch. And after Saturday's ordeal we feel it was a good decision.
This weekend I will be venturing out by myself to the barn.
I have ridden Smash several times at the new place, but not without its trauma/drama on Saturday. Here goes: 1. She coughed all over me. 2. She kicked me in the thigh. 3. She reared up, pulled her bridle part-way off and ran away from me while breaking the noseband on her bridle and the reins.
After Sara and I caught her we found some makeshift reins and got her into the ring to ride. Smash was perfect! Of course, she couldn't understand what we were so upset about.
Sunday was a much better day for tacking up, etc. A huge welt of a bruise on my thigh never stopped me! We bought a new bridle at the tack shop on Sunday, so now Smash has a new outfit to go with her new barn.
I had signed up for a show on May 13, but after our two-day experience of trying to get her on the trailer, we decided it was better to scratch. And after Saturday's ordeal we feel it was a good decision.
This weekend I will be venturing out by myself to the barn.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Second Dressage Tests with Smash
Intro A
Intro B
I was very happy with my scores this time. First test was a 63.something% ; the second test was a 61.something% test.
Yay, me!
May 13 is my next show; I have many things to practice before then.
Intro B
I was very happy with my scores this time. First test was a 63.something% ; the second test was a 61.something% test.
Yay, me!
May 13 is my next show; I have many things to practice before then.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Update to Update
Herring Bone Coat - Finished, but not happy with the hem; it was crooked when I sewed the lining and coat together so the wool is sagging; have to undo all that and re-pin.
Christmas Stocking - One done; second one on the needles. This one is going well, too.
NEW PROJECT!!!!!Shawl for the Wedding - I found a wonderful beach-inspired shawl to make and wear at Sara's wedding next year. The yarn I found is a silk/sea cell (Kelp) mix; no wool in this; it's going to be way too hot for any type of wool in this shawl. Order the yarn last week; awaiting the delivery of it -maybe today, but probably tomorrow.
Jumper - Fabric still sitting in the Mood bag.
Slacks - Still waiting to be sewn.
Exercise - Continuing; My left foot gave me some problems last week but it seems to be ok now. I did do strength training last week, but nothing that would have any weight put on my foot. However, I'm going to do elliptical and weights today - just to be safe!
Riding - Rode Smash on Saturday and a lesson on Sunday; the more I ride her, the better I am at getting balanced with her big stride. And a milestone! Actually got her to canter without bucking me off or totally ignorming me! See? I told you it would get better.
Christmas Stocking - One done; second one on the needles. This one is going well, too.
NEW PROJECT!!!!!Shawl for the Wedding - I found a wonderful beach-inspired shawl to make and wear at Sara's wedding next year. The yarn I found is a silk/sea cell (Kelp) mix; no wool in this; it's going to be way too hot for any type of wool in this shawl. Order the yarn last week; awaiting the delivery of it -maybe today, but probably tomorrow.
Jumper - Fabric still sitting in the Mood bag.
Slacks - Still waiting to be sewn.
Exercise - Continuing; My left foot gave me some problems last week but it seems to be ok now. I did do strength training last week, but nothing that would have any weight put on my foot. However, I'm going to do elliptical and weights today - just to be safe!
Riding - Rode Smash on Saturday and a lesson on Sunday; the more I ride her, the better I am at getting balanced with her big stride. And a milestone! Actually got her to canter without bucking me off or totally ignorming me! See? I told you it would get better.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)