Saturday and Sunday Sara is going out of town with Nick and has asked that I stay at her house and babysit her two pups. Well, one is a pup, the other is grown, but they are all pups. Not a problem, but now that she has Smash, my other order of the weekend is to ride Smash on Saturday and ride her in my lesson on Sunday. What's a person to do? Ride horses and take care of dogs.
To top it off, Dave is going to Florida on Sunday so airport shuttle has been added to my responsibilities of the weekend. I will take Dave and Romeo to the airport, but Romeo will come back with me to Sara's house and the pups. Then, I chill for the rest of the day waiting for Sara and Nick to come home or if they are going to be too late, put her pups in their crates and go home with Romeo.
Today I have strength training day at the gym. What, I don't know, but I'm sure it won't be pretty. That's about it for now. Maybe something will come to me later.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Jumping Smash or Smash Jumping
Yesterday I rode Smash in our lesson, and things were going well (except for when Smash did not want to canter and did a buck with one leg)until Cathy decided it was time to jump. Jump! Are you serious! This horse is amazingly tall, and I'm still used to "little" Bella's jump. We went around over an "X" jump; not pretty, but we got over it; then Cathy made it a vertical jump, which freaked me out. Don't know why; I guess I still have to get used to Smash's gait.
After that Dave and I went into Baltimore to the Inner Harbor; he saw there was a craft show there. As we drove into the city, we kept looking and looking, but could not find the show. Finally, we saw a few tent-like cubicles. Ah, the crafty people! There were a lot of photographers there; some jewelry, some other crafts, but nothing that jumped out at us. All in all a big bust.
On the way back Dave wanted to pick up the pictures he had sent to COSTCO to be printed. Very nice ones from Chincoteague. He will be coming ot my office in the beginning of November for another "Show".
Speaking of Shows, I do believe Sara, Theresa and I are doing the Waredaca October30 Halloween Event. I've decided to make Bella a dressage ring; I'm ordering the letters A, C, B, and E, and will attach them to Bella somehow; I'll wear "X" on the front of my shirt and buy some light chain to connect the four letters around Bella so it looks like a real ring. On my back I'm thinking of a sign that says, "Enter at A, then what?" Or "Where am I going?" Or "Enter at A, Where do I go from here?" Still have time to put it together. It will be cute and easy. My last costume was so detailed. Here it is:
After that Dave and I went into Baltimore to the Inner Harbor; he saw there was a craft show there. As we drove into the city, we kept looking and looking, but could not find the show. Finally, we saw a few tent-like cubicles. Ah, the crafty people! There were a lot of photographers there; some jewelry, some other crafts, but nothing that jumped out at us. All in all a big bust.
On the way back Dave wanted to pick up the pictures he had sent to COSTCO to be printed. Very nice ones from Chincoteague. He will be coming ot my office in the beginning of November for another "Show".
Speaking of Shows, I do believe Sara, Theresa and I are doing the Waredaca October30 Halloween Event. I've decided to make Bella a dressage ring; I'm ordering the letters A, C, B, and E, and will attach them to Bella somehow; I'll wear "X" on the front of my shirt and buy some light chain to connect the four letters around Bella so it looks like a real ring. On my back I'm thinking of a sign that says, "Enter at A, then what?" Or "Where am I going?" Or "Enter at A, Where do I go from here?" Still have time to put it together. It will be cute and easy. My last costume was so detailed. Here it is:
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Riding and Updates
We found out that Amy, the owner of Smash, wanted to sell Smash and have Sara 1/2 lease Smash, then sell the horse for a commission. Obviously, that was not a good deal for Sara. Anyway, to make a long story short, Sara outright bought Smash from Amy. Sara is now owner of a Holsteiner Thoroughbred, 17HH, black and full of spunk! Maybe too much spunk, but good.
I had been riding Smash alternating lessons because I wanted to try her out on the Intro Dressage Tests at a show. We went on Sunday to Loch Moy, along with another rider from another barn where Cathy teaches. The bad part is that the timing of the rides could not have been worse: Allison rode at 7:40 a.m., I rode at 7:54 a.m., Sara rode at 10:30 a.m., then 1:22 for her stadium, then 1:30 for her XC jumping, meaning we had to get up before the crack of dawn to get the horses, pick up Allison and get to Loch Moy in time to tack up, warm, and ride. We were all tired even before we rode, but we muddled through it all.
For having ridden Smash only about 3 times, my scores weren't too bad. My first ride was really off, but I came back and rallied to increase my score by 5.6 points. Not bad, I say.
Allison, who rode her horse, did well with 65% on both of her tests. Way to go, Allison.
Sara rode a wonderful dressage test, but we think the judge was a bit harsh on scoring. We noticed that the judge was harsh with everyone. Sara then went clean on the stadium jumping, which really made her happy. After that she decided to excuse herself from the XC because Smash still is not in best cardio shape. But, the decision was a good one, and Sara felt much better about herself and Smash.
Today Dave is going to Chincoteague (sp?) with his friend to photograph the wildlife out there. I'm glad he's going because he really needs a break from his parents, who are 93, his mother has a broken hip, has dementia, needs 24-hour care, and his father is on his way to dementia, if he is not there already. Dave will be gone until Friday evening for a much-deserved vacation.
Ran yesterday for the first time since the Friday before the Labor Day Weekend. It was not pretty, but it felt really nice to get outside. Today I'm staying in and doing cardio/running combination of exercises. I believe that tomorrow will be cooler, so I'll see about going outside tomorrow.
In the knitting arena, i'm going back and forth between two projects: one is a sweater I started awhile ago, the other is a new one that I'm making for Sara.
I had been riding Smash alternating lessons because I wanted to try her out on the Intro Dressage Tests at a show. We went on Sunday to Loch Moy, along with another rider from another barn where Cathy teaches. The bad part is that the timing of the rides could not have been worse: Allison rode at 7:40 a.m., I rode at 7:54 a.m., Sara rode at 10:30 a.m., then 1:22 for her stadium, then 1:30 for her XC jumping, meaning we had to get up before the crack of dawn to get the horses, pick up Allison and get to Loch Moy in time to tack up, warm, and ride. We were all tired even before we rode, but we muddled through it all.
For having ridden Smash only about 3 times, my scores weren't too bad. My first ride was really off, but I came back and rallied to increase my score by 5.6 points. Not bad, I say.
Allison, who rode her horse, did well with 65% on both of her tests. Way to go, Allison.
Sara rode a wonderful dressage test, but we think the judge was a bit harsh on scoring. We noticed that the judge was harsh with everyone. Sara then went clean on the stadium jumping, which really made her happy. After that she decided to excuse herself from the XC because Smash still is not in best cardio shape. But, the decision was a good one, and Sara felt much better about herself and Smash.
Today Dave is going to Chincoteague (sp?) with his friend to photograph the wildlife out there. I'm glad he's going because he really needs a break from his parents, who are 93, his mother has a broken hip, has dementia, needs 24-hour care, and his father is on his way to dementia, if he is not there already. Dave will be gone until Friday evening for a much-deserved vacation.
Ran yesterday for the first time since the Friday before the Labor Day Weekend. It was not pretty, but it felt really nice to get outside. Today I'm staying in and doing cardio/running combination of exercises. I believe that tomorrow will be cooler, so I'll see about going outside tomorrow.
In the knitting arena, i'm going back and forth between two projects: one is a sweater I started awhile ago, the other is a new one that I'm making for Sara.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Riding and Teeth
Sunday I rode Smash in the lesson; Sara rode Rizzo. Then I practised my tests and Sara jumped off Rizzo to ride Smash for her tests. And, it did not rain.
Monday we had another lesson; Sara rode Smash and I rode Bella. We warmed up in the ring; i did Intro A on Bella and Cathy liked my transition from trot to walk so much she said she would havegiven me a 10! I will have to keep that 10 for a long time. Sara changed Smash into her dressage saddle and practiced her test. Then, I got on Smash and practiced Intro B. Not too bad, but I did have a few off-balance moments.
Now we wait for ride times for Sunday's show. {chewing nails}. I see that a show is coming up, get excited, sign up for the show,get nervous and then wonder why the heck I signed up. It usually goes away after awhile (like after the show)!
Yesterday I had a bone graft and it was not pleasant. I'm still suffering from the laughing gas; yesterday I spent the entire day sleeping off the gas; i was dizzy and my stomach was upset all day, as well. At work, but needing a nap. Guess I'll go to the lunch room and eat my sandwich and fruit.
That is all.
Monday we had another lesson; Sara rode Smash and I rode Bella. We warmed up in the ring; i did Intro A on Bella and Cathy liked my transition from trot to walk so much she said she would havegiven me a 10! I will have to keep that 10 for a long time. Sara changed Smash into her dressage saddle and practiced her test. Then, I got on Smash and practiced Intro B. Not too bad, but I did have a few off-balance moments.
Now we wait for ride times for Sunday's show. {chewing nails}. I see that a show is coming up, get excited, sign up for the show,get nervous and then wonder why the heck I signed up. It usually goes away after awhile (like after the show)!
Yesterday I had a bone graft and it was not pleasant. I'm still suffering from the laughing gas; yesterday I spent the entire day sleeping off the gas; i was dizzy and my stomach was upset all day, as well. At work, but needing a nap. Guess I'll go to the lunch room and eat my sandwich and fruit.
That is all.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Horse Update
August 21 was a scheduled PVDA show; I wasn't riding until 3:03 and 3:57, so we didn't have to get up at the crack of dawn. The bad thing is if I ride early, then the day is salvagable. I drove to Cathy's, we got Bella on the trailer, started out to the show and Dave called to tell us that there was thunder and lightening at the show and the show had been put on hold. Oh, well, we were on the way, so we continued on. Got to Schooley Mill, the show was still on hold, and we could see the lightening and hear the thunder. After a few minutes the show was back on; I tacked up, got on, warmed up, and was ready to ride! Just as I was getting ready to go into the ring, the show was put on hold, AGAIN. Then, it started to rain and pour buckets! Finally, the show was called. So, back in the trailer, untacked Bella and home we went. Since I was at the end of the day, there were about 15 people who were scheduled to ride. Not sure how many did not ride, but there were only about 5 riders there when I got there. So far, no news about a make-up show or refund of money.
So, since Hurricane Irene came through, there was no riding Saturday or Sunday. Sara and I drove up to Cathy's, but unfortunately, we drove right into more rain. We went to Dunkin' Donuts and got a bagel, coffee for our breakfast. We were very fortunate that our electricity never went out; well for about 2 seconds, no trees fell on our house, and water in the basement was minimal. Saturday it rained all day and got progressive worse when the eye of the storm hit in the early hours of Sunday. The Patapsco River is raging right now and did overflow its banks. Fortunately, it did not flood Ellicott City.
Once I got home, I took a shower, and upstairs I went to sew my skirt. I got a lot accomplished, but ran out of steam. I have only a little bit more to do; hopefully, I will have enough energy to finish the skirt tonight. That is probably a pipe dream, but I can plan. There's always tomorrow!
With the weather being so nice today, I will run; I do need to do some strength training, but I can't pass up good weather.
Hopefully, I can ride this weekend as Sara and I are both riding Smash in a show on September 11. Ack!
So, since Hurricane Irene came through, there was no riding Saturday or Sunday. Sara and I drove up to Cathy's, but unfortunately, we drove right into more rain. We went to Dunkin' Donuts and got a bagel, coffee for our breakfast. We were very fortunate that our electricity never went out; well for about 2 seconds, no trees fell on our house, and water in the basement was minimal. Saturday it rained all day and got progressive worse when the eye of the storm hit in the early hours of Sunday. The Patapsco River is raging right now and did overflow its banks. Fortunately, it did not flood Ellicott City.
Once I got home, I took a shower, and upstairs I went to sew my skirt. I got a lot accomplished, but ran out of steam. I have only a little bit more to do; hopefully, I will have enough energy to finish the skirt tonight. That is probably a pipe dream, but I can plan. There's always tomorrow!
With the weather being so nice today, I will run; I do need to do some strength training, but I can't pass up good weather.
Hopefully, I can ride this weekend as Sara and I are both riding Smash in a show on September 11. Ack!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Big Event on Sunday
Yesterday, Sara and I were given different horses to ride. The reason? Sara is planning on riding Smash in a September eventing show; I wanted to then ride Smash in two dressage tests only. I had ridden Smash a few times, the first time being a total disaster. She totally shut down on me, and that, people, was the end of the lesson. The next time I rode her, it was only for about 2 minutes after our lesson. Sara wanted me to feel the power of the horse, and power there is. So, yesterday, I rode Smash the entire lesson, and Sara rode Cathy's horse, Rizzo. Sara had never ridden Rizzo before, nor had anyone except for Cathy. It is her horse, you know.
So, we start the lesson with the normal walk, then trot. I worked on not falling off, learning a new rhythm for posting since Smash's stride is so much bigger than Bella's. Getting that perfected took about the entire lesson. Sara spent her lesson figuring out Rizzo and how her brain worked. A feat, for sure. Then, Cathy says to canter. What? On this huge horse with a huge stride? Are you nuts? I had earlier told Sara I wasn't sure if I wanted to canter with Smash. But, I sucked it up and did it anyway. That horse has a great canter! Very smooth and not as chunky as Bella's.
We both had an exciting and interesting lesson; we both learned how to ride completely different horses than we usually ride. Sara has ridden Smash a lot and has done a great deal of training with that horse. She did all the hard work, I got on and rode! I certainly like that arrangement.
So, we have decided that it is very possible for me to ride Smash in two dressage tests after Sara has completed the eventing portion of the show. Of course, we will have to let the farm know that we are riding the same horse so they don't schedule Sara's dressage/jumping/XC jumping at the same time that I want to ride the dressage tests.
Cathy said that if I am going to continue to ride Smash, now I have to learn to jump her. Again, What???? Seriously???? I do know that I am my own worst enemy, and once I get over the jitters, I'm ok.
Sara and Cathy came up with a traininig schedule that Sara would ride Smash next week, I ride Bella (I do have a dressage show coming up); then on alternate weeks, she will ride Rizzo and I will ride Smash.
I'm very excited about this new adventure with Smash. I was almost petrified of her; one; she is very big; two; she is very strong; three; I didn't have confidence in myself to ride (this is a very bad thing to do to oneself). I fooled everyone and rode Smash well.
Onward and upward, apparently.
Feeling better from the cold I had since Wednesday. The last time I exercised was Wednesday morning, when I felt ok enough to run, but I went downhill fast. Stayed home on Thursday, but went back to work on Friday. The only exercise I have done is the riding. Today I have to get back into the swing of things. I'll probably do some running/weight work so as not to overdo anything. Sure. That's the ticket.
So, we start the lesson with the normal walk, then trot. I worked on not falling off, learning a new rhythm for posting since Smash's stride is so much bigger than Bella's. Getting that perfected took about the entire lesson. Sara spent her lesson figuring out Rizzo and how her brain worked. A feat, for sure. Then, Cathy says to canter. What? On this huge horse with a huge stride? Are you nuts? I had earlier told Sara I wasn't sure if I wanted to canter with Smash. But, I sucked it up and did it anyway. That horse has a great canter! Very smooth and not as chunky as Bella's.
We both had an exciting and interesting lesson; we both learned how to ride completely different horses than we usually ride. Sara has ridden Smash a lot and has done a great deal of training with that horse. She did all the hard work, I got on and rode! I certainly like that arrangement.
So, we have decided that it is very possible for me to ride Smash in two dressage tests after Sara has completed the eventing portion of the show. Of course, we will have to let the farm know that we are riding the same horse so they don't schedule Sara's dressage/jumping/XC jumping at the same time that I want to ride the dressage tests.
Cathy said that if I am going to continue to ride Smash, now I have to learn to jump her. Again, What???? Seriously???? I do know that I am my own worst enemy, and once I get over the jitters, I'm ok.
Sara and Cathy came up with a traininig schedule that Sara would ride Smash next week, I ride Bella (I do have a dressage show coming up); then on alternate weeks, she will ride Rizzo and I will ride Smash.
I'm very excited about this new adventure with Smash. I was almost petrified of her; one; she is very big; two; she is very strong; three; I didn't have confidence in myself to ride (this is a very bad thing to do to oneself). I fooled everyone and rode Smash well.
Onward and upward, apparently.
Feeling better from the cold I had since Wednesday. The last time I exercised was Wednesday morning, when I felt ok enough to run, but I went downhill fast. Stayed home on Thursday, but went back to work on Friday. The only exercise I have done is the riding. Today I have to get back into the swing of things. I'll probably do some running/weight work so as not to overdo anything. Sure. That's the ticket.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Horse Show Recap - July 31
Theresa and I participated in the Liberty View dressage show on July 31. The farm is nice, it's fairly close to Cathy's, and it is a very laid back place to be. The weather was warm, but not as boiling hot as it has been, so the show did go as planned. Theresa and I got tacked up, took the horses into the indoor arena to warm up, and for some strange reason, both horses thought that was the show. They were both "up" and moving forward well. As soon as we walked out of the indoor ring, both of them put their heads down and acted as if the end of the world was coming.
Bella is still in love with Satchmo, and she followed him everywhere, even tried to follow him into the ring when Theresa went to do her first test. After Theresa another rider did Intro A, then Bella and I went to do Intro B. A few more people did Intro B, including Thersa. However, the ones who were supposed to go after me were not ready to ride. I was asked if I wanted to go early, and I said no, I would wait. But..... these people were so late that when Theresa was finished Intro B, I was the only one there. So, instead of waiting for another 20 minutes, I went ahead and rode Intro C. Bella and I had our usual conversation when she's decided that the show is over and she doesn't have to listen to me. Luckily for me, the judge couldn't hear that conversation, and she even said that we were very relaxed! Cathy couldn't believe it, but I told her that Cathy, Bella and I were the only ones in that conversation.
Me: Bella, we have to go across the diagonal; Bella: No, we don't; Me: Bella, it would be nice if you would keep trotting towards M; Bella: I'm thinking about it; Me: Bella! Change rein! Bella: Ok, if you insist.
This type of conversation seemed to carry over to circles at E and B, canter circles at A in both directions, and our free walk. Our scores were not too shabby, and ended up with a third place and a second place. Theresa earned second place in both her tests. (Tried to put the videos up that Sara took, but keep getting an error message, etc.)
Of course, being a glutton for punishment, I have signed up for the next PVDA show on August 21 to, again, attempt conquer Intro B and C tests.
Never give up; never surrender, as Tim Allen says.
Caught a cold the other day; it has put me down for a few; I went into work early to run on the TM as there was a staff luncheon, which ruined my noon-time exercise regimen. I had a runny nose (more than usual)and felt a slight ache. I left work early on Wednesday, stayed home on Thursday, but was able to get back on Friday. Now all the germs have moved into my throat. However, no fever. I am armed with cough medicine and Ricola cough drops in case I should go into a fit of coughing.
No running or exercise yesterday or today; I must save myself for my Sunday riding lesson.
Bella is still in love with Satchmo, and she followed him everywhere, even tried to follow him into the ring when Theresa went to do her first test. After Theresa another rider did Intro A, then Bella and I went to do Intro B. A few more people did Intro B, including Thersa. However, the ones who were supposed to go after me were not ready to ride. I was asked if I wanted to go early, and I said no, I would wait. But..... these people were so late that when Theresa was finished Intro B, I was the only one there. So, instead of waiting for another 20 minutes, I went ahead and rode Intro C. Bella and I had our usual conversation when she's decided that the show is over and she doesn't have to listen to me. Luckily for me, the judge couldn't hear that conversation, and she even said that we were very relaxed! Cathy couldn't believe it, but I told her that Cathy, Bella and I were the only ones in that conversation.
Me: Bella, we have to go across the diagonal; Bella: No, we don't; Me: Bella, it would be nice if you would keep trotting towards M; Bella: I'm thinking about it; Me: Bella! Change rein! Bella: Ok, if you insist.
This type of conversation seemed to carry over to circles at E and B, canter circles at A in both directions, and our free walk. Our scores were not too shabby, and ended up with a third place and a second place. Theresa earned second place in both her tests. (Tried to put the videos up that Sara took, but keep getting an error message, etc.)
Of course, being a glutton for punishment, I have signed up for the next PVDA show on August 21 to, again, attempt conquer Intro B and C tests.
Never give up; never surrender, as Tim Allen says.
Caught a cold the other day; it has put me down for a few; I went into work early to run on the TM as there was a staff luncheon, which ruined my noon-time exercise regimen. I had a runny nose (more than usual)and felt a slight ache. I left work early on Wednesday, stayed home on Thursday, but was able to get back on Friday. Now all the germs have moved into my throat. However, no fever. I am armed with cough medicine and Ricola cough drops in case I should go into a fit of coughing.
No running or exercise yesterday or today; I must save myself for my Sunday riding lesson.
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