I've ignored the blogspot world. :(
Sooo here's another brief recap.
Budi and Lilly finished 13th (or so) in Low Jumpers in VHSA. Not bad for like 5 shows.
I have goals to start showing her again. I'll post my show schedule soon.
She was a little off. Very mildly lame. Took her to Piedmont and her x-rays are clean. She's started on Adequan.
2012 is going to be crazy awesome! I can feel it! :)
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Sunday, October 2, 2011
a blah year
This time last year I was gun ho! I wanted to move up to first level, do All-Breeds in Dressage, Budi was going to show Lilly in jumpers, and Mitchell Sport Horses (with one horse) was going to dominate.
Well my job was uncertain.
My body was revolting.
Mentally I was in a stink.
The body is almost fixed. But whatever it's going to be what it is and I've started to ride again. My brain I think has reconnected with my head. Unless I go postal I still have a job. Just still uncertain with what company.
Budi did do well with Lilly this year. Right now she sits at 15th in the VA in Low Jumpers. Which considering we've only did 3 schooling shows is not to shabby.
I need a lesson like nobody's business. Just my schedule has been retarted as heck.
Lilly has two more jumper shows with Budi. So Sandstone next Saturday and then Magnolia Jumper show on Oct. 22nd.
Then we close out the show season with a costume dressage show on Oct. 29th. Then the new show season starts Dec. 1st. I've done some pre-planning the rated shows, but the schooling shows won't release their dates until later.
Well my job was uncertain.
My body was revolting.
Mentally I was in a stink.
The body is almost fixed. But whatever it's going to be what it is and I've started to ride again. My brain I think has reconnected with my head. Unless I go postal I still have a job. Just still uncertain with what company.
Budi did do well with Lilly this year. Right now she sits at 15th in the VA in Low Jumpers. Which considering we've only did 3 schooling shows is not to shabby.
I need a lesson like nobody's business. Just my schedule has been retarted as heck.
Lilly has two more jumper shows with Budi. So Sandstone next Saturday and then Magnolia Jumper show on Oct. 22nd.
Then we close out the show season with a costume dressage show on Oct. 29th. Then the new show season starts Dec. 1st. I've done some pre-planning the rated shows, but the schooling shows won't release their dates until later.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Never Forget
Sometimes the media drives me crazy, but I have to remind myself it is a 10 year anniversary. But every year I remember. Every year I tend to not do anything on 9-11. I don't sit at home in terror but I do remember those who lost their lives. Working at a federal agency 9-11 always seems to be a light day. It seems that our area is still not over the attacks. More people seem to just stay at home. So while it is a ten year anniversary and the media is pumping it up more than usual, no one has forgotten and people are still in terror of this day.
I was seventeen years ago sitting in English class. Our long-term sub came in with a morbid look on her face. She said one of the Twin Towers had been hit with an airplane. I looked at her and said "That's a really morbid joke." She said it was no joke. She said the reason she was late is that all the teachers were briefed not to let us watch it. We were all in lock-down mode.
She defied the principal like many teachers did that day and we watched the horror that was taking place. We saw the second plane hit the tower. My classmates were crying, shouting in rage, or sitting quietly watching everything unfold. Then reports of a plane hitting the Pentagon had many of us worried. Many of us had family or friends who worked in D.C.
Living so close to D.C. we all knew someone who was involved. One of my favorite sushi customers actually worked in the Pentagon. She got up from her desk to get an orange juice. She lost so many of her friends and co-workers that day.
We will remember this day. We will remember those who lost their lives. We will never forget.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
mini update
So lately it's been quiet. I found a lady who's half leasing Lilly.
I had plans to breed her next year, but the plan to buy my own property is growing stronger. So I'm trying to strap down the wallet some. Put more in savings. And maybe sometime next year I'll have my first mortgage.
Lilly is going to a show on Sunday at Fox Chase. So we'll see how she does.
I plan on showing in October and November. I want to do an abbreviate show season to try and qualify for All Breeds for 2012. So show in Nov-April-May and if I have my 8 scores be done with it.
I had plans to breed her next year, but the plan to buy my own property is growing stronger. So I'm trying to strap down the wallet some. Put more in savings. And maybe sometime next year I'll have my first mortgage.
Lilly is going to a show on Sunday at Fox Chase. So we'll see how she does.
I plan on showing in October and November. I want to do an abbreviate show season to try and qualify for All Breeds for 2012. So show in Nov-April-May and if I have my 8 scores be done with it.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
HITS Recap
Week 1
We went to HITS in Culpeper, VA first week in July. The weather was steamy. This is my second recognized hunter/jumper show. So it’s a little mind boggling. Atmosphere of a big hunter/jumper show is totally different from a big dressage show. But I do like the jumper crowd a lot better.
So we got to the showgrounds early. But the class had over 40 horses I think at the end of the day I think the class had 50 horses. Budi and I pretty much just relaxed for a bit. He studied the course and we got our number at the show office. We got to watch some of the class. Then we got the super mare ready.
Of course with Upperville fresh in my mind I was a little worried. Is she going to be demon mare? Would she be a good girl? Just never know with this quirky Appaloosa. After tacking her up we went to the warm up arena. The whole procedure at securing a warm up jump is something new to me. You kind of have to be at the right place at the right time to grab a spot before someone else.
We warmed her up and she was fine. She seemed loose, happy, and relaxed. Then we waited. And waited. And waited.
Finally it was show time. I was so nervous. Budi was like what’s the jump off. I’m like you’re hopefully today.
She did very well. Jumped every single fence. There were a few she backed off from, but clear round. She proceeded to the jump off. Budi came out of the ring and was smiling and relieved. He told me that he was smacking her the whole trip. He didn’t want her to refuse a jump.
She pinned 7th. We were pleased. So we chilled and waited under the shade and let Lilly eat grass. Then we waited.
Our second class came. I told Budi about the Bronze studbook and he was like alright let’s go. At the time I thought she had to be 1st or 2nd. So Budi put a little more speed and she did well.
Super mare had come out today.
Level 0 Jumpers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uMWRq9v5Ok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBgrHNCjPfk
Level 1 Jumpers
missed the first fence. *x* A lil unsteady with the camera as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r05VsvajupY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAfCOBKBPoU
HITS Week 2
Well this one will be brief. Demon mare came out to play today. Apparently the third and forth fence just did not sit well with her. She refused them in both classes. We were suppose to do Saturday as well, but Budi’s son got sick so he had to cancel.
One silver lining. I guess I over paid and had a $150 credit. I have no idea how I overpaid that much, but oh well. Pretty much have the next show paid for.
But I have a feeling she’s not feeling good. Not sure what, but she just looks blah. I gave her a whole week off. And I’ll start back riding soon.
We went to HITS in Culpeper, VA first week in July. The weather was steamy. This is my second recognized hunter/jumper show. So it’s a little mind boggling. Atmosphere of a big hunter/jumper show is totally different from a big dressage show. But I do like the jumper crowd a lot better.
So we got to the showgrounds early. But the class had over 40 horses I think at the end of the day I think the class had 50 horses. Budi and I pretty much just relaxed for a bit. He studied the course and we got our number at the show office. We got to watch some of the class. Then we got the super mare ready.
Of course with Upperville fresh in my mind I was a little worried. Is she going to be demon mare? Would she be a good girl? Just never know with this quirky Appaloosa. After tacking her up we went to the warm up arena. The whole procedure at securing a warm up jump is something new to me. You kind of have to be at the right place at the right time to grab a spot before someone else.
We warmed her up and she was fine. She seemed loose, happy, and relaxed. Then we waited. And waited. And waited.
Finally it was show time. I was so nervous. Budi was like what’s the jump off. I’m like you’re hopefully today.
She did very well. Jumped every single fence. There were a few she backed off from, but clear round. She proceeded to the jump off. Budi came out of the ring and was smiling and relieved. He told me that he was smacking her the whole trip. He didn’t want her to refuse a jump.
She pinned 7th. We were pleased. So we chilled and waited under the shade and let Lilly eat grass. Then we waited.
Our second class came. I told Budi about the Bronze studbook and he was like alright let’s go. At the time I thought she had to be 1st or 2nd. So Budi put a little more speed and she did well.
Super mare had come out today.
Level 0 Jumpers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uMWRq9v5Ok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBgrHNCjPfk
Level 1 Jumpers
missed the first fence. *x* A lil unsteady with the camera as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r05VsvajupY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAfCOBKBPoU
HITS Week 2
Well this one will be brief. Demon mare came out to play today. Apparently the third and forth fence just did not sit well with her. She refused them in both classes. We were suppose to do Saturday as well, but Budi’s son got sick so he had to cancel.
One silver lining. I guess I over paid and had a $150 credit. I have no idea how I overpaid that much, but oh well. Pretty much have the next show paid for.
But I have a feeling she’s not feeling good. Not sure what, but she just looks blah. I gave her a whole week off. And I’ll start back riding soon.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The Short of It
Sorry for the gap in posting. Life seems to be on light speed. And I’m barely keeping up with it.
Union Ridge
She was an absolute fabtastic super mare! She was calm, cool, and level headed. She listened to Budi was jumping awesome. Budi jumped an added fence and got eliminated in our first class. But the rest was fine. We ended up getting Champion in Low Jumpers or Schooling I can’t remember. So good girl.
Upperville Fiasco
So we were feeling quiet good after Union Ridge. So Upperville was next up. She was a freaking mess. She refused jumps and Budi fell off on the first day. Next day same thing, except Budi stayed on. When she did jump she jumped beautifully, but she never did complete a full course.
Budi and I started talking about things. Budi felt that she was scared. Her problem is that she lacks confidence and she’s much too careful about jumping. So when she gets scared she just flat out refuses. So we scratched out of Wed classes.
I think we got a little too excited and may have pushed her prematurely. Fences may have only been 3’3”, but when you add all the other elements the fences do look a lot bigger than they are. So we reevaluated our plans for HITS.
We talked about things and decided to do HITS, but Levels 0 and 1, which are 2’7 and 2’11. We think the smaller fences may be a little more inviting and friendlier for her. Get her confidence up. We don’t want to ruin her.
QRC Schooling Shows
So last little show update. My student who’s a cute teenager rode Lilly in her first dressage show. Lilly was a packer. She got in the show arena and basically had the look on her face, “Kid just steer and I’ll do the rest.” And so she did. It was a Fix-A-Test type clinic so Kaelin rode twice. The rider has a lot of potential and she has her issue when she gets nervous that her heels creep up and her hands do the same. So judge gave her a mini lesson and worked with her. Her next test she could have gotten a higher score if instructor had read her test correctly. My Ipod died and so I was doing Intro A from memory and well I missed a part. But regardless she still scored in the 60s% and did very well.
The judge fussed at me for not riding and so she convinced me to ride. She was one of the judges that convinced me to get into dressage in the first place. So I hoped on and barely remembered Training Level Test 3. Did it correctly, but of course it wasn’t the best showing. What the judge did help me with is show me how to properly do the stretchy circle at the trot. How she explained it I got it. So it was a good experience.
This Friday we’re doing HITS. Saturday my student will be showing her again. This week is going to be a busy one. Then next Fri and Saturday we’re back in Culpeper for HITS. Busy and fun times.
Union Ridge
She was an absolute fabtastic super mare! She was calm, cool, and level headed. She listened to Budi was jumping awesome. Budi jumped an added fence and got eliminated in our first class. But the rest was fine. We ended up getting Champion in Low Jumpers or Schooling I can’t remember. So good girl.
Upperville Fiasco
So we were feeling quiet good after Union Ridge. So Upperville was next up. She was a freaking mess. She refused jumps and Budi fell off on the first day. Next day same thing, except Budi stayed on. When she did jump she jumped beautifully, but she never did complete a full course.
Budi and I started talking about things. Budi felt that she was scared. Her problem is that she lacks confidence and she’s much too careful about jumping. So when she gets scared she just flat out refuses. So we scratched out of Wed classes.
I think we got a little too excited and may have pushed her prematurely. Fences may have only been 3’3”, but when you add all the other elements the fences do look a lot bigger than they are. So we reevaluated our plans for HITS.
We talked about things and decided to do HITS, but Levels 0 and 1, which are 2’7 and 2’11. We think the smaller fences may be a little more inviting and friendlier for her. Get her confidence up. We don’t want to ruin her.
QRC Schooling Shows
So last little show update. My student who’s a cute teenager rode Lilly in her first dressage show. Lilly was a packer. She got in the show arena and basically had the look on her face, “Kid just steer and I’ll do the rest.” And so she did. It was a Fix-A-Test type clinic so Kaelin rode twice. The rider has a lot of potential and she has her issue when she gets nervous that her heels creep up and her hands do the same. So judge gave her a mini lesson and worked with her. Her next test she could have gotten a higher score if instructor had read her test correctly. My Ipod died and so I was doing Intro A from memory and well I missed a part. But regardless she still scored in the 60s% and did very well.
The judge fussed at me for not riding and so she convinced me to ride. She was one of the judges that convinced me to get into dressage in the first place. So I hoped on and barely remembered Training Level Test 3. Did it correctly, but of course it wasn’t the best showing. What the judge did help me with is show me how to properly do the stretchy circle at the trot. How she explained it I got it. So it was a good experience.
This Friday we’re doing HITS. Saturday my student will be showing her again. This week is going to be a busy one. Then next Fri and Saturday we’re back in Culpeper for HITS. Busy and fun times.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Lease Headaches
I'm at a point in my life where I need to make tough decisions. I want my own farm. My horse costs money. My brain is starting to switch from a well I want to show and have fun to maybe we can do fun later and be a boring grown up for a while.
I told my friend back in high school I want my farm by age 30. I'll be 27 this year. My credit sucks. And I have a good dream and a great mare.
I've been fixing my issues with my credit, but it's a slow process. And I've been trying to figure out ways to maximize my savings and lessen my spending.
Easy stuff is well easy. Cut back on Starbucks. Maximize my trips. Shop less.
Hard things: the super mare.
The horse is the bulk of my expenses. She drains my paycheck quicker than a vampire at a blood drive. While Budi is paying for his own showing and stuff, I still have to pay the daily bills.
My drive this year has been lacking. My brain is concerned about so many things lately. I haven't talk to Budi yet, but I definitely will try and lease her out. The process is complicated.
She'd have to go to a good home. Of course.
I want her to stay on the feed program because it's a system I've found to work with her.
They'll have to agree to let Budi keep riding her.
Which also in turn means that she'll have to go to a barn convenient to him.
While she's calmer she's still a feisty mare, so she has to be matched to the perfect person.
They'll have to deal with me. I'm not going to be a passive owner who'll just forget their horse and maybe check up on it once a year. I'll probably want to see her every week.
So hopefully Budi has a client or a friend will have a student looking. I hate dealing with the tire kickers and annoying people who come and waste your time. My friend had a cowboy look at her TB hunter mare and was appalled that she didn't know how to rope. ::plain face:: She's a hunter not a cow horse.
I told my friend back in high school I want my farm by age 30. I'll be 27 this year. My credit sucks. And I have a good dream and a great mare.
I've been fixing my issues with my credit, but it's a slow process. And I've been trying to figure out ways to maximize my savings and lessen my spending.
Easy stuff is well easy. Cut back on Starbucks. Maximize my trips. Shop less.
Hard things: the super mare.
The horse is the bulk of my expenses. She drains my paycheck quicker than a vampire at a blood drive. While Budi is paying for his own showing and stuff, I still have to pay the daily bills.
My drive this year has been lacking. My brain is concerned about so many things lately. I haven't talk to Budi yet, but I definitely will try and lease her out. The process is complicated.
She'd have to go to a good home. Of course.
I want her to stay on the feed program because it's a system I've found to work with her.
They'll have to agree to let Budi keep riding her.
Which also in turn means that she'll have to go to a barn convenient to him.
While she's calmer she's still a feisty mare, so she has to be matched to the perfect person.
They'll have to deal with me. I'm not going to be a passive owner who'll just forget their horse and maybe check up on it once a year. I'll probably want to see her every week.
So hopefully Budi has a client or a friend will have a student looking. I hate dealing with the tire kickers and annoying people who come and waste your time. My friend had a cowboy look at her TB hunter mare and was appalled that she didn't know how to rope. ::plain face:: She's a hunter not a cow horse.
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