As simple as the two fractues are, everything I do now has turned into a big chore. Taking a shower is a new adventue: first we cover the arm in a plastic bag and tape it up (hubby has to learn he can't push on the injured arm!); then it's a grand effort to get into the bathrub for the shower; washing with one arm, shampooing with one arm is not as effective as it should be. Then, the enxt effort of getting out of the tub. Toweling off is yet another challenge during this event.
I can't knit; heck, I can't even cut my own food right now. I can't walk (with all the bruising), let alone thrink about running. I did a great number on myself; however, I say, if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing well. I certainly did well on this one.
Not to be outdone, Sara went running yesterday and fell down scraping her leg all up. Good grief! But the best part (kind of) is the person in my office who laughed at me and said he would never have any falling problems because he rides a bike, came into the office this morning with a scraped hand and partially scraped arm. Guess one can get hurt on a bike! Poetic justice!
It's only been a week; I have 5 more weeks of this?
Friday, September 21, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
No Shows For You!
As I was having a lesson in preparation for a horse show this Sunday, Smash and I walked over to th dressage ring to practice my tests. It was a windy day, and Steph and I were talking about the wind and its effect on riding. Meanwhile, "something" scared Smash and she did her little hop to the side trick, not once, but twice as the second time she stepped on the dressage ring fencing. Ack! I remember havuing her on a long rein, and as I started to fall, my thought was, "I better let go of the reins!" Good thing I did because Smash took off after she dumped me (as she always does).
Meanwhile, See this: Sara's Report of the Fall.
After I hit the ground (I do not remember the actual fall) my wrist was hurting and swelling up before my eyes! Usually, I get right back on the horse, but my wristhurt so much, there was no way. Reluctantly, I went to the ER and found out I have two simple fractures in my left arm! Good thing is, no surgery AND it's my left arm.
So, no horse show this Sunday nor on October 6. These were going to be my last shows of the season. Guess not.
Hand Doctor says in two weeks he will put on a cast, and more than likely, I can ride again. Yippee!
Meanwhile, See this: Sara's Report of the Fall.
After I hit the ground (I do not remember the actual fall) my wrist was hurting and swelling up before my eyes! Usually, I get right back on the horse, but my wristhurt so much, there was no way. Reluctantly, I went to the ER and found out I have two simple fractures in my left arm! Good thing is, no surgery AND it's my left arm.
So, no horse show this Sunday nor on October 6. These were going to be my last shows of the season. Guess not.
Hand Doctor says in two weeks he will put on a cast, and more than likely, I can ride again. Yippee!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
End-of-Season Dressage/Event Shows
I have signed up for two PVDA shows for September and October:
September 23 at By Chance Farm
October 6 at Schooley Mill
These will, more than likely, be the last two shows of the season. But, don't put that in concrete!
Sara has interest in the following: Loch Moy Starter Trials and Waredaca November 4 Halloween Starter Trials
She is also participating in a clinic at Waredaca with David O'Connor on September 18. Should be a really fun and informative clinic.
September 23 at By Chance Farm
October 6 at Schooley Mill
These will, more than likely, be the last two shows of the season. But, don't put that in concrete!
Sara has interest in the following: Loch Moy Starter Trials and Waredaca November 4 Halloween Starter Trials
She is also participating in a clinic at Waredaca with David O'Connor on September 18. Should be a really fun and informative clinic.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Learning More and More
Since moving to Waredaca in May, I have learned so much it is scary! Scary good! I have a new instructor who has helped me start from the basics on Smash (Smash is a very big horse and I have issues with feeling I might fall off!). Fortunately, Steph has taken me "by the hand" and has gotten me more balanced.
Update: September 2012
August 15 Waredaca Evening Schooling Show: I signed up to ride USDF Intro B test; Sara signed up to do two rounds of jumping: one at 2'3" and another at 2'6" (I think, anyway). Fortunately, we were scheduled to ride at better times than the show in July.
COMMENTS ON JULY 15 SHOW:
Sara was given 5:00 riding times, and of course, things were delayed, but she finished before my ride time. Smash had a short break, and then we tacked her up again, hoping that I would be able to ride somewhat on time! NOT A CHANCE! The judge was late getting there, but then she took more than the allotted 15 minutes with each rider, so the ride times were pushed back further and further. By the time I rode (30 minutes later than scheduled) I was fried, Smash had had enough and wanted to go back to her friends in the field. We made it through the test, it was not too pretty, but I did get some good feedback from the judge.
Back to August 15: This time I was scheduled to ride at 3:30 and Sara was scheduled to ride at 5:00 or so. Worked out so much better. I was the first rider in the ring with the judge, Peggy. I rode the test, and it was much better than the ride in July. My scores were better, but I still needed work on my circles to make them more round and not so much rectangles. My freewalk was ok, but I didn't release the reins down to the buckle (I'm still have issues with Smash wanting to trot when I pick up the reins, so I didn't release the reins as I should have); Smash did try to trot, but I caught her before she could really take a step. Yay, me! After the test Peggy showed me how I needed to make better circles and then she asked me to re-do the test, and she would take me step-by-step through it. Wow! That was great! How can you go wrong when being told exactly what to do and when! Really gave me more of an insight of how to approach the elements of the test. It was well worth the $25 I spent for that ride.
Sara got to the barn a little later, she walked/ran the course, tacked up Smash (who had a very nice rest eating grass); warmed up, went into the ring and had two wonderful rounds of jumping. Sara said she felt very confident for the show that was coming up on that Saturday, August 18. Sidebar: Sara had a great dressage score at the show, knocked down one rail in stadium jumping, but was detached from Smash going over the produce stand jump - her arch nemisis!
I have signed up for a dressage show on Septemer 23 at By Chance Farm with the PVDA. This time Sara and Nick have found a perfect way to get Smash on the trailer. Can you say, Lunge whip?
More practice with Smash, learning to use my core more efficiently, keeping contact with the reins, but not too much (I had been having a death grip on the reins, but no more!), using my leg and my seat to help maneuver her around. Quite frankly, I have learned more about riding in 4 months than I did in the 10 years with another instructor. I had my qualms about riding Smash, but with the consistent lessons with Steph, I am feeling more than confident riding Smash now. I figure if I can ride Smash, anyone can! Even as chicken as I was when I first started to ride her.
KNITTING: I have completed the Christmas stockings that I knit for Sara and Nick (Sara's fiance). I don't have any pics, but hopefully I can get one or two soon. Both are the Victorian Christmas Stocking by Donna Kay; You can see what it looks like here: Victorian Fair Isle Christmas Stocking. Sara's stocking is a deep purple, and Nick's stocking is a woodsy, earthy color. To embellish it I cross-stitched their names on linen cloth, put a small border on them, and stitched the names on the white area of the stocking between the heel and toe. This was Plan B. Plan A didn't work, so it's always to have something else to fall back on. As we know, there are 26 letters in the alphabet, so if Plan A doesn't work, there are 25 more letters to use. LOL.
Knitting a lace, short-sleeved pullover for myself: Lace Turtle Neck. Still working on the back of the pullover since I've been in a mad dash to finish the above-mentioned Christmas stockings.
CROSS STITCH: Haven't done much of this for probably over 20 years, but since I did cross stitch Sara's and Nick's names, and cross-stitched something for a pair of socks for Sara, the cross-stitch bug has bitten me. Found a cross-stitch pattern which is the State of Maryland. Here is a picture of the pattern: State of Maryland. Not sure what I will do with it once it's done; still thinking on it.
Phew! Guess I had a lot to say. May be more, but for right now this is it!
9/6/12 MORE: Sara went and had a pre-wedding hair and make-up session a few weeks ago. I almost didn't recognize her! The hair is really nice and the make-up really brings out her features. Pics:
Update: September 2012
August 15 Waredaca Evening Schooling Show: I signed up to ride USDF Intro B test; Sara signed up to do two rounds of jumping: one at 2'3" and another at 2'6" (I think, anyway). Fortunately, we were scheduled to ride at better times than the show in July.
COMMENTS ON JULY 15 SHOW:
Sara was given 5:00 riding times, and of course, things were delayed, but she finished before my ride time. Smash had a short break, and then we tacked her up again, hoping that I would be able to ride somewhat on time! NOT A CHANCE! The judge was late getting there, but then she took more than the allotted 15 minutes with each rider, so the ride times were pushed back further and further. By the time I rode (30 minutes later than scheduled) I was fried, Smash had had enough and wanted to go back to her friends in the field. We made it through the test, it was not too pretty, but I did get some good feedback from the judge.
Back to August 15: This time I was scheduled to ride at 3:30 and Sara was scheduled to ride at 5:00 or so. Worked out so much better. I was the first rider in the ring with the judge, Peggy. I rode the test, and it was much better than the ride in July. My scores were better, but I still needed work on my circles to make them more round and not so much rectangles. My freewalk was ok, but I didn't release the reins down to the buckle (I'm still have issues with Smash wanting to trot when I pick up the reins, so I didn't release the reins as I should have); Smash did try to trot, but I caught her before she could really take a step. Yay, me! After the test Peggy showed me how I needed to make better circles and then she asked me to re-do the test, and she would take me step-by-step through it. Wow! That was great! How can you go wrong when being told exactly what to do and when! Really gave me more of an insight of how to approach the elements of the test. It was well worth the $25 I spent for that ride.
Sara got to the barn a little later, she walked/ran the course, tacked up Smash (who had a very nice rest eating grass); warmed up, went into the ring and had two wonderful rounds of jumping. Sara said she felt very confident for the show that was coming up on that Saturday, August 18. Sidebar: Sara had a great dressage score at the show, knocked down one rail in stadium jumping, but was detached from Smash going over the produce stand jump - her arch nemisis!
I have signed up for a dressage show on Septemer 23 at By Chance Farm with the PVDA. This time Sara and Nick have found a perfect way to get Smash on the trailer. Can you say, Lunge whip?
More practice with Smash, learning to use my core more efficiently, keeping contact with the reins, but not too much (I had been having a death grip on the reins, but no more!), using my leg and my seat to help maneuver her around. Quite frankly, I have learned more about riding in 4 months than I did in the 10 years with another instructor. I had my qualms about riding Smash, but with the consistent lessons with Steph, I am feeling more than confident riding Smash now. I figure if I can ride Smash, anyone can! Even as chicken as I was when I first started to ride her.
KNITTING: I have completed the Christmas stockings that I knit for Sara and Nick (Sara's fiance). I don't have any pics, but hopefully I can get one or two soon. Both are the Victorian Christmas Stocking by Donna Kay; You can see what it looks like here: Victorian Fair Isle Christmas Stocking. Sara's stocking is a deep purple, and Nick's stocking is a woodsy, earthy color. To embellish it I cross-stitched their names on linen cloth, put a small border on them, and stitched the names on the white area of the stocking between the heel and toe. This was Plan B. Plan A didn't work, so it's always to have something else to fall back on. As we know, there are 26 letters in the alphabet, so if Plan A doesn't work, there are 25 more letters to use. LOL.
Knitting a lace, short-sleeved pullover for myself: Lace Turtle Neck. Still working on the back of the pullover since I've been in a mad dash to finish the above-mentioned Christmas stockings.
CROSS STITCH: Haven't done much of this for probably over 20 years, but since I did cross stitch Sara's and Nick's names, and cross-stitched something for a pair of socks for Sara, the cross-stitch bug has bitten me. Found a cross-stitch pattern which is the State of Maryland. Here is a picture of the pattern: State of Maryland. Not sure what I will do with it once it's done; still thinking on it.
Phew! Guess I had a lot to say. May be more, but for right now this is it!
9/6/12 MORE: Sara went and had a pre-wedding hair and make-up session a few weeks ago. I almost didn't recognize her! The hair is really nice and the make-up really brings out her features. Pics:
Monday, July 23, 2012
Riding Progress
Since moving to Waredaca in May, I am amazed at how well I have progressed in just a few months. I've gone from being stiff and tense because I thought I was going to fall off Smash (she is much larger than Bella and has a greater stride), to using my core, having leg on her side, not pulling on Smash's mouth, and learning how to come to a halt barely using the reins to slow her down (core at work here!). Yesterday I learned "shoulder in"; and what a difference it made when I rode my 20-meter circles in the test I'm doing.
Wednesday is a schooling show at Waredaca, and I will be riding Intro B for the judge to critique me. I'm hoping that it will go as well as it did yesterday when riding it in my lesson.
Sara will be riding Smash next Sunday at an event show; I'll be going as the groom and "go-fer" for the day. Ha!
August 5 - Liberty View Dressage Show; Sara will be riding her eventing dressage test, and I'll be doing my Intro A and Intro B tests. Liberty View is a very pretty place and very low key to do a show. The bad thing is all the tests are done in a 20x60 ring; usually the intro tests are done in s 20x40 ring. I'm not looking forward to the very, very long free walk across the diagonal of the big ring. But, on the bright side Smash does have a big stride, so we might make it in good time!
Two weeks later Sara will do a recognized show at Waredaca; another "go-fer" day for me.
We don't have anything scheduled for September; we did see one dressage show, but it was an hour away. Too far for a 10-minute ride! I did see a show in October that is close to Waredaca, so I might do that one. It's a PVDA (Potomac Valley Dressage Association) show, and one must be a member to ride in those shows. Sara isn't a member, so she can't participate in the PVDA shows.
Wednesday is a schooling show at Waredaca, and I will be riding Intro B for the judge to critique me. I'm hoping that it will go as well as it did yesterday when riding it in my lesson.
Sara will be riding Smash next Sunday at an event show; I'll be going as the groom and "go-fer" for the day. Ha!
August 5 - Liberty View Dressage Show; Sara will be riding her eventing dressage test, and I'll be doing my Intro A and Intro B tests. Liberty View is a very pretty place and very low key to do a show. The bad thing is all the tests are done in a 20x60 ring; usually the intro tests are done in s 20x40 ring. I'm not looking forward to the very, very long free walk across the diagonal of the big ring. But, on the bright side Smash does have a big stride, so we might make it in good time!
Two weeks later Sara will do a recognized show at Waredaca; another "go-fer" day for me.
We don't have anything scheduled for September; we did see one dressage show, but it was an hour away. Too far for a 10-minute ride! I did see a show in October that is close to Waredaca, so I might do that one. It's a PVDA (Potomac Valley Dressage Association) show, and one must be a member to ride in those shows. Sara isn't a member, so she can't participate in the PVDA shows.
June 24 Show
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! |
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.
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