tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9324399306947809982024-03-18T12:16:56.660-07:00'Fraidy Cat EventingFollow along with me and my OTTB Charlie Murray (First Samurai x Shahalo, Halo) as we endeavor to live the best horsey life possible! This blog outlines details lessons learned from riding and competing in eventing, show jumping, and dressage, plus whatever other fun adventures we get into.emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.comBlogger1603125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-13909023803100669432024-03-18T01:00:00.000-07:002024-03-18T01:00:00.342-07:00Hunt Club Farm CT<div>Doozy and I had a somewhat rare opportunity to fill an open trailer spot to Hunt Club Farm's spring starter trials this weekend!! </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ12DovgDdZHznlZOxsYwdgRSvdUBjT93WJ0ML7ci2rew6d-0zkSKUbfgMcWXnJS5tcAtnbu0fY-8BumErKgu9iKTTRBOncmbmFrWnj0vP9zhN3bbPGMtRB4Nrqmi5aiXMAecQkq2FBF0MERlfxAyrzXPow0xiyNfRz6__gITbGv6gv0QghrwvBj1TAlSk/s575/IMG_8460.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ12DovgDdZHznlZOxsYwdgRSvdUBjT93WJ0ML7ci2rew6d-0zkSKUbfgMcWXnJS5tcAtnbu0fY-8BumErKgu9iKTTRBOncmbmFrWnj0vP9zhN3bbPGMtRB4Nrqmi5aiXMAecQkq2FBF0MERlfxAyrzXPow0xiyNfRz6__gITbGv6gv0QghrwvBj1TAlSk/s16000/IMG_8460.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cute mare is getting out there and learning how to cart around her adult ammy owner!!</td></tr></tbody></table>On one hand, we are obviously not really ready for primetime -- just like last weekend at the schooling dressage show haha. Not exactly a whole heckuva lot of training you can do in the span of <i>one week</i>, right? <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC9W6hW3T5J25S95Xm80HuktYQNQBQWGLSa27-2OhQKxLe9TJR0jW3PotqFT41B6E52zQ1CkaYQL93Vu2bayU8-12rvL1N6oy-gseflK59Q0oJcRn3JBVrsZaMNUkJArvzEZARLtWcnXTkpGRgSs53Cwdd4H7hWJnlFd633FTnPC38SGE8nEEn1KMyjOe/s575/IMG_8546.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC9W6hW3T5J25S95Xm80HuktYQNQBQWGLSa27-2OhQKxLe9TJR0jW3PotqFT41B6E52zQ1CkaYQL93Vu2bayU8-12rvL1N6oy-gseflK59Q0oJcRn3JBVrsZaMNUkJArvzEZARLtWcnXTkpGRgSs53Cwdd4H7hWJnlFd633FTnPC38SGE8nEEn1KMyjOe/s16000/IMG_8546.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we learned a lot of life lessons and soft skills throughout the day lol</td></tr></tbody></table>On the other hand, tho, we'd be traveling with very capable and helpful company -- the best possible circumstances for ensuring Doozy gets all the support she needs. Plus. Ya know. It's a starter trial in March. Not the Olympics, right? </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsneGeTxO4iUXTeoas2qVSB90ACinEIkggYyLb3fiE1c3eUBGmt__pg9OXhEp3oD1Yr3XI0opIW4Ew4sHtptc-EB7xKXTmO3nvyBFtEXYgaNuCuLNIREyQrmImsMVauWBSRGeyq87-7_BfMrw9r9iFD3eE5Ry3-agUT5_uVVwp2nFipL1Jve0X13mr7Tdi/s575/IMG_8547.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsneGeTxO4iUXTeoas2qVSB90ACinEIkggYyLb3fiE1c3eUBGmt__pg9OXhEp3oD1Yr3XI0opIW4Ew4sHtptc-EB7xKXTmO3nvyBFtEXYgaNuCuLNIREyQrmImsMVauWBSRGeyq87-7_BfMrw9r9iFD3eE5Ry3-agUT5_uVVwp2nFipL1Jve0X13mr7Tdi/s16000/IMG_8547.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gotta seize the opportunities when friends have available trailer spots tho!</td></tr></tbody></table>So we signed up for the CT class in the lowest level division, which called for USDF Intro C as the dressage test, and cross rails and small verticals not to exceed 18" for show jumping.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2LDp_wKbq5X-GIBgP_kaj1l28RHFw8VMgueU2j7Vei36DV0MnM1d34qVMzryl-KxQ-mX6An5wqrYkpgiQP9JY0d_IhJpgc_ChFoqjopdSChbewCad9DtzrnuemvBe6UOnnqcsSpmcerD91-aHATEiAryNPBwqfYtaiGB-3nwvW5sfaJmtyh6lGmLLieI/s575/IMG_8548.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2LDp_wKbq5X-GIBgP_kaj1l28RHFw8VMgueU2j7Vei36DV0MnM1d34qVMzryl-KxQ-mX6An5wqrYkpgiQP9JY0d_IhJpgc_ChFoqjopdSChbewCad9DtzrnuemvBe6UOnnqcsSpmcerD91-aHATEiAryNPBwqfYtaiGB-3nwvW5sfaJmtyh6lGmLLieI/s16000/IMG_8548.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these lovely ladies may or may not have won their division!! despite rosette proving that actually, maybe she shouldn't ship with mares unless you want to spend the entire day listening to her sing the song of her people LOL</td></tr></tbody></table>It meant for a LONG day, since Katie's division went much earlier, and obvi we were basically the very last to go. But. Eh, it's like that sometimes, and we knew what we were signing up for! </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66RoN0uCceHVRvXi0Vf5-2cPkRO9gPDov5u26SLDhRbP5caCsbA7K0trS-MmzkSjrWZOzuslhX8XeGwXeOgtmnn37Ev2Y3clS97pRuMDAgIyAcb9a6uXaHvjDMAl2X7UnQAAyDuO5w_wZVz_bYGQXbreggmBp0MvG_sFmJmBqoV0wDYUbVzGVpQJ3NmaA/s575/IMG_8549.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66RoN0uCceHVRvXi0Vf5-2cPkRO9gPDov5u26SLDhRbP5caCsbA7K0trS-MmzkSjrWZOzuslhX8XeGwXeOgtmnn37Ev2Y3clS97pRuMDAgIyAcb9a6uXaHvjDMAl2X7UnQAAyDuO5w_wZVz_bYGQXbreggmBp0MvG_sFmJmBqoV0wDYUbVzGVpQJ3NmaA/s16000/IMG_8549.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">quasi-related -- Hunt Club Farms was super cute, nicely compact, easy to get around and nicely arranged. it's also a super interesting part of the world geologically, with a LOT of rock jutting up all over the place. they did a nice job orienting the xc field and grassy areas to make safe passage intuitive</td></tr></tbody></table>The long day was useful anyway for all the soft skills horses need to be successful competitors -- hanging out by the trailers all day, eating hay, drinking water, getting on and off the trailer repeatedly... Not being a menace to other people and horses parked nearby. Ya know. Normal manners that can make or break the overall experience.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFN7InR2Z2ZecDfhg_5yIJnZxcYdV0gnG-Jhz9DQZpbHywnVoMfat_H6dwxY8YEVk8SBLV4qQ7Yat_nKlTSynRk0djAc9wu-vVec4xnQ15lIMHpjI70RHXWzDXgw7uLWgv9uApgTdK9MB4ktvRC8UviRh2HRW1vTcglNC-6AhBdjCijtKy3m7lagefUwzI/s575/IMG_8684.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFN7InR2Z2ZecDfhg_5yIJnZxcYdV0gnG-Jhz9DQZpbHywnVoMfat_H6dwxY8YEVk8SBLV4qQ7Yat_nKlTSynRk0djAc9wu-vVec4xnQ15lIMHpjI70RHXWzDXgw7uLWgv9uApgTdK9MB4ktvRC8UviRh2HRW1vTcglNC-6AhBdjCijtKy3m7lagefUwzI/s16000/IMG_8684.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">holy moly we're cantering out in an open field for warm up!!<br />(tho i assure you, it was NOT smooth sailing lol... sorry if you were in that ring with us!)</td></tr></tbody></table>This was actually my first time at Hunt Club Farm, in Berryville, VA. And it's SUPER CUTE guys, omg! And really friendly. All the volunteers were really laid back, they had a nice selection of judges across three dressage rings, and cute but simple and inviting jumps for all phases. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOINDtL7OIeZ8KahsaOyWCCIKvi5ybbF8xgDiUveb5qEMGCwcw5laf6-mAKG4Pcq7qmhtY1pB1Z_qwTXu2Sm46aT_4GmmVLYQ_ltDmjsfhwaOrg2RREFHOJzbBxJ6vd7gIxvArheURJcUbk-7Ssog082EFcriE3vXowPtIHdhj1t4Nf3OMx8SAieMqvZtZ/s575/IMG_8685.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOINDtL7OIeZ8KahsaOyWCCIKvi5ybbF8xgDiUveb5qEMGCwcw5laf6-mAKG4Pcq7qmhtY1pB1Z_qwTXu2Sm46aT_4GmmVLYQ_ltDmjsfhwaOrg2RREFHOJzbBxJ6vd7gIxvArheURJcUbk-7Ssog082EFcriE3vXowPtIHdhj1t4Nf3OMx8SAieMqvZtZ/s16000/IMG_8685.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">omg she just went into the ring and.... trotted around</td></tr></tbody></table>And we got to meet <a href="https://3dayadventureswithhorses.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Nadia</a> (and Siri!!!) omg!!!!!! Long time bloggers know!!!! Nadia relocated to the East Coast just a few months ago, transplanting from the wide open (and spread out) world of the West into Eventing Central, USA --- beautiful Virginia! So it worked out perfectly for her to stop by the grounds while we were there!</div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry I somehow didn't snap a photo of us, but hopefully we'll get it next time -- and hopefully with Henry in the mix too!! </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z6zqZqNYB_pPLZqdgGaNSuRlbwE2LWUujyTEahm9EEyVBtMUXNJ1nXYpac17tsM16KpBVfd84jDo-8yJt7B6txyFjaLgbzgeko6Mz10ISV6mWaOmwJ1JCoTEs3T-op4HTK5kc5gqxSYO7wODqbRA7IOhrmGtjSB1Zvx553JW5abtBsrtytLK2l6Uu2N5/s575/IMG_8686.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z6zqZqNYB_pPLZqdgGaNSuRlbwE2LWUujyTEahm9EEyVBtMUXNJ1nXYpac17tsM16KpBVfd84jDo-8yJt7B6txyFjaLgbzgeko6Mz10ISV6mWaOmwJ1JCoTEs3T-op4HTK5kc5gqxSYO7wODqbRA7IOhrmGtjSB1Zvx553JW5abtBsrtytLK2l6Uu2N5/s16000/IMG_8686.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">got both her canter leads!!</td></tr></tbody></table>And guys, this is maybe the perfect example of why I'm so excited about getting back out and about with Doozy, even tho we are objectively "not quite ready" lol. Bc it's just such a cool community, such wonderful comradery, so great to run into folks and chat and basically just be a part of this thing again.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJf89oMRh63TnDVLseV5ohqHj05tFIbqhN6bFZVbu4OOmiuDR7dYJeHxdLPojz8k-SgA0wVrQlHsMoDBdXmy-6X8hO6T3rqdz0zIyIWu0McHG1ynhhGR0XRZV31OpW7itcm7s4aU6j9M2qFE4JT3g9WvSAQKy3E4ak5JoT7TTDmQUm8DQCr0NRnWRsmsQu/s575/IMG_8687.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJf89oMRh63TnDVLseV5ohqHj05tFIbqhN6bFZVbu4OOmiuDR7dYJeHxdLPojz8k-SgA0wVrQlHsMoDBdXmy-6X8hO6T3rqdz0zIyIWu0McHG1ynhhGR0XRZV31OpW7itcm7s4aU6j9M2qFE4JT3g9WvSAQKy3E4ak5JoT7TTDmQUm8DQCr0NRnWRsmsQu/s16000/IMG_8687.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i honestly kept waiting for something crazy to happen... but she just.... did the test lol</td></tr></tbody></table>Tho. Ahem... One might also argue that maybe I should wait until we aren't "that horse" in warm up so I don't just embarrass myself by almost making roadkill of former coach Dan C by nearly running sideways over him (all under his watchful gaze of muted disapproval LOL)....</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTK3OrhGGIngwXslxyGwIcugzMdKH3E_vv5fnRxTFOvjPomwHxMjL_m1KUAG-4o2Xn61MRgFqIksQe3KCx1xpxTFkikze9ZWpx0gg3yEYSyjx3EIjOV6FUi_CGSP5BAQ3miIEqILye4RvB6Y_U2lNH4yX5Anxxx5ViuAgOyRxiRUE1IWZho77QOYQY5tg/s575/IMG_8688.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTK3OrhGGIngwXslxyGwIcugzMdKH3E_vv5fnRxTFOvjPomwHxMjL_m1KUAG-4o2Xn61MRgFqIksQe3KCx1xpxTFkikze9ZWpx0gg3yEYSyjx3EIjOV6FUi_CGSP5BAQ3miIEqILye4RvB6Y_U2lNH4yX5Anxxx5ViuAgOyRxiRUE1IWZho77QOYQY5tg/s16000/IMG_8688.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">like. obvi there is a LOT to do here haha... but that's a problem for future emma lol</td></tr></tbody></table>All that to say --- this was, yet again, another big ask for Doozy. And our warm up was not really confidence inspiring. We were very attached to Rosette. Very unable to manage a straight line in any direction not facing Rosette. Very unable to do anything other than attempt to bolt when directed <i>toward</i> Rosette. It was a lot, and I had significant doubts. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2nLusPJIIjvCRCtXRBRuxCojXYVcvCWtvjUhCcc7MYa6Pvsvx5jPjAID6vq8g9kvZCleT2ep1-xWonzzx5e4DYlLRKwMfKXn7JqgK9D9kfPYaqq-DRD4uAm_Y7wljQeJXnJJ68OeRV4yp4_mD0NMA7hssSSr-waRpTjLnupfHrSeQnAH1-O9dnhgkAM3/s575/IMG_8689.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2nLusPJIIjvCRCtXRBRuxCojXYVcvCWtvjUhCcc7MYa6Pvsvx5jPjAID6vq8g9kvZCleT2ep1-xWonzzx5e4DYlLRKwMfKXn7JqgK9D9kfPYaqq-DRD4uAm_Y7wljQeJXnJJ68OeRV4yp4_mD0NMA7hssSSr-waRpTjLnupfHrSeQnAH1-O9dnhgkAM3/s16000/IMG_8689.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bc present emma is legit just happy to be here again!</td></tr></tbody></table>But, eh, I just kept the full length of my inseams on as strongly as possible, and tried to slowly expand our bubble, while not accidentally murdering anybody else in the ring (thankfully it was a fairly empathetic set of riders!). We managed to trot in a civilized manner. Then when Doozy broke into canter, I just rolled with it and managed to ease into something that felt ok enough. And then it was our turn!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEM6yYKPEpC2c3tDtClIDsONOsqL0ZkDceLoGoprCYGqt7YS24Frgmz8iyY6eFcdF8LP0Cp09k8-fafpAPfWrmX9h4Rd8vYG-wbcPkW2VbBNSn8kMg6fldb-Ksl3NbC-y9b-i_8-etv9vd2Vnu_ovlA3Wz0tD8UmJnYjLj_DmPxxauqK9Un63JtW4cMnMb/s575/IMG_8690.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEM6yYKPEpC2c3tDtClIDsONOsqL0ZkDceLoGoprCYGqt7YS24Frgmz8iyY6eFcdF8LP0Cp09k8-fafpAPfWrmX9h4Rd8vYG-wbcPkW2VbBNSn8kMg6fldb-Ksl3NbC-y9b-i_8-etv9vd2Vnu_ovlA3Wz0tD8UmJnYjLj_DmPxxauqK9Un63JtW4cMnMb/s16000/IMG_8690.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maybe eventually we'll have slightly higher expectations</td></tr></tbody></table>I had zero idea what to expect when we went in for our test. We had to walk away from Rosette, pass through a gate into a separate field, circle around the judge's car and all that, and then perform a test in a standard (ie wall-less) court for the first time. I honestly figured <i>literally anything could happen</i>. Except, even then, I was not expecting what Doozy did...</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-h6kPvpyrKx0vF_ZQPBiDjAZcJ7xMv6-I52le0AwpGkIaE_f1sjklzeWY9ljth5mj9DDcB7jfxqVLoAfcvegKZz9yf5Kt-dmwajkFiDsdZ0PUSc45lDp8rzPtI3o1r66K4vK_Ok3xQkjOuhd4HZ33bz0gdUedrmM8JMW6foSw5ujpaRQvfAyG09lXyqr/s575/IMG_8691a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-h6kPvpyrKx0vF_ZQPBiDjAZcJ7xMv6-I52le0AwpGkIaE_f1sjklzeWY9ljth5mj9DDcB7jfxqVLoAfcvegKZz9yf5Kt-dmwajkFiDsdZ0PUSc45lDp8rzPtI3o1r66K4vK_Ok3xQkjOuhd4HZ33bz0gdUedrmM8JMW6foSw5ujpaRQvfAyG09lXyqr/s16000/IMG_8691a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but we did it, yay!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Bc guys.... The mare just went into the ring and <i>did her test</i>. Omfg. Just like, "Sigh, ok, this bullshit again..." and went around, only breaking accidentally into canter once! Well, ok, I actually got rung out immediately for forgetting my first halt, so we exited and started again with the error on our first score. BUT STILL omg!!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXJF1Hr6S3j4SAQnFL1p5CRAaJaHEnLWjFHq9hB6mF76F6IOC_uhxC_lJSD4hJpUs8sd31CwEgDEganLRlneDamPrMd6fCIEENd79aWshfFf2iKMk5BhhItePjREEGbjVSOfESSe8rSignuPEV4G66qCFHVHBcwcyvTz5Za8spHzsmunv1nk-LDLO-cgO/s575/IMG_9566.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXJF1Hr6S3j4SAQnFL1p5CRAaJaHEnLWjFHq9hB6mF76F6IOC_uhxC_lJSD4hJpUs8sd31CwEgDEganLRlneDamPrMd6fCIEENd79aWshfFf2iKMk5BhhItePjREEGbjVSOfESSe8rSignuPEV4G66qCFHVHBcwcyvTz5Za8spHzsmunv1nk-LDLO-cgO/s16000/IMG_9566.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all the back and forth from the trailer throughout the day seemed to help doozy settle in</td></tr></tbody></table>Like it's not a "good" test and the scores reflect that. But Doozy also doesn't know what a "good" test IS, nor has she been trained to accomplish said test LOL, <i>let's be real hahaha</i>. But ya know. She CAN walk trot and canter-ish around in a 20x40m space, accomplishing approximations of various movements and patterns more or less on purpose. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFOkdkfuakfC6PLsJJVJbr8UeNyp_iLqziu1co8SI9nE2fF3sW7YZcu5l47PjV48YSEX1a5TONFEmN6dPYaNcQ5w0ne3MCQsIm59uDWDY3NlKU-EZ93X9n-zxASrU3lTPWmtxAOUx5PTMc9ExL3SUTJTSqC_VpzjkXy3wDJxPPktMGdt7MrxJ7OGgM0ad/s575/IMG_9568.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFOkdkfuakfC6PLsJJVJbr8UeNyp_iLqziu1co8SI9nE2fF3sW7YZcu5l47PjV48YSEX1a5TONFEmN6dPYaNcQ5w0ne3MCQsIm59uDWDY3NlKU-EZ93X9n-zxASrU3lTPWmtxAOUx5PTMc9ExL3SUTJTSqC_VpzjkXy3wDJxPPktMGdt7MrxJ7OGgM0ad/s16000/IMG_9568.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flash forward about 3.5 hrs lol... and it was time to show jump!</td></tr></tbody></table>As far as she knows, <i>that's the whole game</i> lol. So I was thrilled with her. If there's one big takeaway from this whole experience --- it's that, ya know, I just need to keep raising my standards and expectations <i>of myself</i>, bc the horse will get there. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADc_moS0T6Nus8NzXQ1IcVitbYWE_iVvZld3EWom0Ww4PDUqf1wcKPOBtF8w5P7t_S2XuaLSIjk9ceTst67Qq3WChXU2wdbv7pMZpJYIRfxhC7Q08Gbov1JeYw0GLIuX7gZvIqLGW2HX2bC6wTfSamXdn4j_0gMnNWOlXspS6imLATZjunZL6nH21PpuD/s575/IMG_9568a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADc_moS0T6Nus8NzXQ1IcVitbYWE_iVvZld3EWom0Ww4PDUqf1wcKPOBtF8w5P7t_S2XuaLSIjk9ceTst67Qq3WChXU2wdbv7pMZpJYIRfxhC7Q08Gbov1JeYw0GLIuX7gZvIqLGW2HX2bC6wTfSamXdn4j_0gMnNWOlXspS6imLATZjunZL6nH21PpuD/s16000/IMG_9568a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i stuck to the small covered ring on footing for our warm up as opposed to the more open grassy area</td></tr></tbody></table>Which. Ya know. Was basically the theme for our show jumping, too. We had a LONG break until show jumping, which was itself running about an hour behind schedule by the end of the day. Fortunately we could hear the announcer from the trailer and kept track of the order of go, so time management worked out just fine.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AEvwQ7MiEDGBzL06u4qFXws1bluw_UvdiBzasLGjQXvqKtdGqUzbLL0n1ZJ3hzgYYvNWdZIyO7nbyLO_SkM3DHmErpMfgxOnJUuphOPtwjGFGE8cittseRQwkAYjlDIecHg0KjXWSlk4GkJcugEwCgcxvvO8Se0ILabzbw36Rn_nOv0JhwjFqh_ieBpC/s575/IMG_9575.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AEvwQ7MiEDGBzL06u4qFXws1bluw_UvdiBzasLGjQXvqKtdGqUzbLL0n1ZJ3hzgYYvNWdZIyO7nbyLO_SkM3DHmErpMfgxOnJUuphOPtwjGFGE8cittseRQwkAYjlDIecHg0KjXWSlk4GkJcugEwCgcxvvO8Se0ILabzbw36Rn_nOv0JhwjFqh_ieBpC/s16000/IMG_9575.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she was so brave to these little Xs!! </td></tr></tbody></table>We spent some time up by the ring in hand, just watching things go, getting Doozy comfortable with the atmosphere and various lines of sight around the ring, with XC running in the background. She was totally fine, tho, and eventually it was time to get on while they reset the course for our little cross rails. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwOSHOhqiybdLYmA4yLGiUXXun7ZS6AQELEjmL_rZX9QumBrj9xC9q6ipKiQEFw4Ec4kSE2FERgtUfGOaEApEPWJ3TDwI65yerWk5y8jII910gQKocEf7AfArbrKtDltTqzdoMnm6p4-lTjeaR1PiUduxkBZS0Tzl2MYcsYBNryBoHX3IpbCvp_IuqXdG/s575/IMG_9576.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwOSHOhqiybdLYmA4yLGiUXXun7ZS6AQELEjmL_rZX9QumBrj9xC9q6ipKiQEFw4Ec4kSE2FERgtUfGOaEApEPWJ3TDwI65yerWk5y8jII910gQKocEf7AfArbrKtDltTqzdoMnm6p4-lTjeaR1PiUduxkBZS0Tzl2MYcsYBNryBoHX3IpbCvp_IuqXdG/s16000/IMG_9576.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">side note: the trial period ran out on both saddles before i could get a fitter out, so we're back in Charlie's l'Apogee</td></tr></tbody></table>Options for warm up were a little limited -- there was a very small covered ring with footing, and then a slightly larger grassy area. I opted to stay in the covered, thinking it would help with Doozy feeling all sorts of ways about her attachment to Rosette... But actually, in retrospect I wish I'd gone into the larger space. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnjDQcPZDvAMWvdfb64ARxsRLWrJPOJr8DvHcwNYH9gdlNNoTK-VdSMB09QceqQWIaCGct8WQTbxKftWQWBzwql2zdkls_42Y4c1Eip9XJKheJc0XvHXgDnNgIYfS9eqeaqmJUwEpYivwAtKyDIBxL2wUMgcYrMZc9h6RjVJt-943C8XwVRSc7cPLYIb_/s575/IMG_9577.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnjDQcPZDvAMWvdfb64ARxsRLWrJPOJr8DvHcwNYH9gdlNNoTK-VdSMB09QceqQWIaCGct8WQTbxKftWQWBzwql2zdkls_42Y4c1Eip9XJKheJc0XvHXgDnNgIYfS9eqeaqmJUwEpYivwAtKyDIBxL2wUMgcYrMZc9h6RjVJt-943C8XwVRSc7cPLYIb_/s16000/IMG_9577.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we got a little gung ho in places haha</td></tr></tbody></table>It's the same thing my young rider friend identified for me recently -- it doesn't <i>look </i>the way it <i>feels</i>. In my last jump practice with Doozy, I really tried to embrace that mindset and let her carry more pace, and it was great. But in the small covered ring, we didn't really have room for that, and I was not fully trusting the mare anyway. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oxZp-WqtZt-uQbj3qavHt8JcMf82qiEfcy6xtTfVWyXGxGcgUVHbjEkYFdSZriNk_axbe9rxTb1Jk9v0SmqiP7X5aNdz7qQbAdf1dtiFwqyI9ANIMoG6jX5-GjOiSe1W0Wq0GYN8QXfR7kRZXbMEjwesLpGK5NjJqHxd0gI9EtI2tclmnXVJtetZIYms/s575/IMG_9578.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oxZp-WqtZt-uQbj3qavHt8JcMf82qiEfcy6xtTfVWyXGxGcgUVHbjEkYFdSZriNk_axbe9rxTb1Jk9v0SmqiP7X5aNdz7qQbAdf1dtiFwqyI9ANIMoG6jX5-GjOiSe1W0Wq0GYN8QXfR7kRZXbMEjwesLpGK5NjJqHxd0gI9EtI2tclmnXVJtetZIYms/s16000/IMG_9578.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wheeeeee!!! </td></tr></tbody></table>So then in our actual round, I kinda forgot some of that feeling. I really had no idea what to expect, ya know? Like, I know the horse is brave -- she's actually been in almost as many different jump rings as she's had jumping sessions LOL. And she so far hasn't seen a jump she doesn't like. But I still felt like we needed to go slow to give her time to look at things.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UbpYwGV3ZgLlrVGqjOenFOGOTSU2Kpx5mhmNivZ0g-6SdOQHe6lVUJeyLO2YnKAlfkC0wbSTEpa1ao5dxmtA8UDz5oS-tP1jyKJlxqp-fp8UW2OeVl7Y5OGphk_Yd3C3QG87lnpaJ0sDPGK0RDfW0i6rGc50A1ioF-KUf2w406AulKJL-c_41kM4tYW4/s575/IMG_9579.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UbpYwGV3ZgLlrVGqjOenFOGOTSU2Kpx5mhmNivZ0g-6SdOQHe6lVUJeyLO2YnKAlfkC0wbSTEpa1ao5dxmtA8UDz5oS-tP1jyKJlxqp-fp8UW2OeVl7Y5OGphk_Yd3C3QG87lnpaJ0sDPGK0RDfW0i6rGc50A1ioF-KUf2w406AulKJL-c_41kM4tYW4/s16000/IMG_9579.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">were appropriately patient to the big brick columns tho!</td></tr></tbody></table>It all worked out, tho. Like we had a couple jumps out of decent trot, a couple jumps out of decent canter. A couple jumps out of a rushy canter (including one clobbered rail), and a couple out of a rushy trot that I probably could have let be canter. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnDFSuNja0ig3feh83wBeHI_b2nc25DloNOe1V_2EN0ltRixtKufIueV23vNcpqJ-LeFKfJ67hBV6LGuvx5B723khoaSNzABFY29JjFW8h0iKHoRL9anioG9gFPfNUXiJcbZLzJzNh_BSFSqq7lgCmKif_jXdOee7hwfiE2PIhALS4QOFgygqP18bfKHP/s575/IMG_9581.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnDFSuNja0ig3feh83wBeHI_b2nc25DloNOe1V_2EN0ltRixtKufIueV23vNcpqJ-LeFKfJ67hBV6LGuvx5B723khoaSNzABFY29JjFW8h0iKHoRL9anioG9gFPfNUXiJcbZLzJzNh_BSFSqq7lgCmKif_jXdOee7hwfiE2PIhALS4QOFgygqP18bfKHP/s16000/IMG_9581.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she seriously just clocked around the jumps guys, omg</td></tr></tbody></table>Tho, maybe in my defense, the one jump she wiggled to and seemed to think twice about was one we cantered, and we got there on a lovely stride -- but on the kind of open distance that is definitely still new to this mare and she wasn't immediately sure. But she figured it out, good girl. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBvTrM4n72AQxUzwU6wRiy-ZrS8vdKuGiyuWsqDzHmWYmouNrOWatOtIwO5lOYVlCUi_xxHCH7NPPKpdYPUKp2G-1LVXdaLISL5fiCRZgnaiNLkuo7cEq-PtT4VqMH8Bu62_LsxkkkAaJgc5-rnGtqxcLvACVMd0qzZXad-p1YVgp51xD0sPcWsl1-j9g/s575/IMG_9582.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBvTrM4n72AQxUzwU6wRiy-ZrS8vdKuGiyuWsqDzHmWYmouNrOWatOtIwO5lOYVlCUi_xxHCH7NPPKpdYPUKp2G-1LVXdaLISL5fiCRZgnaiNLkuo7cEq-PtT4VqMH8Bu62_LsxkkkAaJgc5-rnGtqxcLvACVMd0qzZXad-p1YVgp51xD0sPcWsl1-j9g/s16000/IMG_9582.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>booooring!</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Anyway, tho, actually the second half of the course was a bit more moderated. A few jumps (like the sails above) I thought she'd canter, but then she came down to trot herself. And she finished the course on a lovely effort with a pleasant little canter circle. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6_obitK8SeRbm3uybgoY_49cC8K-V5KwVwrK6mJj5-horQhTChSzVKByEWD1HlDLh0T-6stFgUB40jvnQCwT7QnKCkY0TK78ru4PKCILdXyk0Z3L2toQWCK4Lf0bVsEkZnrbFK3RRwS2ZrsluxZ-HF6imPmYV_1CYPuj9wgTZmqccJPdxFWC3mPpNr0B/s575/IMG_9583.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6_obitK8SeRbm3uybgoY_49cC8K-V5KwVwrK6mJj5-horQhTChSzVKByEWD1HlDLh0T-6stFgUB40jvnQCwT7QnKCkY0TK78ru4PKCILdXyk0Z3L2toQWCK4Lf0bVsEkZnrbFK3RRwS2ZrsluxZ-HF6imPmYV_1CYPuj9wgTZmqccJPdxFWC3mPpNr0B/s16000/IMG_9583.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice little canter over the last!</td></tr></tbody></table>So on one hand... I kinda wish I'd ridden better. Which like, duh, don't we always? On the other hand tho, it felt like we both learned a lot. And at the end of the day, that was the whole point anyway!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1DeXcdM5C3Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="1DeXcdM5C3Q"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/1DeXcdM5C3Q" target="_blank">show jump helmet cam!!</a></div><div><br /></div>We didn't win any ribbons for our efforts, but I'm just so pleased with this mare. She's challenging to me in many ways, but honestly is turning into a pretty game and forgiving creature. My hope is to really learn a lot from her, and hopefully have a LOT of fun along the way. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzjZX4g6hWkRNGblBuWbJV7T1bp27PHhebw7hlY27MbfZVlQ-wthp3SvA6TpuejFheziAQMuUS63DH2TsIuYQUhV1fFhMP8lD7cHWrc-PeZOgKJ3ceN1bujgIjychzVa4i2HMAiyGOAhvksWn_YidWEIwQ9d-hwa_q9G_tJSLMYq-ayVbF33PPIOaIvO2/s575/IMG_9663.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzjZX4g6hWkRNGblBuWbJV7T1bp27PHhebw7hlY27MbfZVlQ-wthp3SvA6TpuejFheziAQMuUS63DH2TsIuYQUhV1fFhMP8lD7cHWrc-PeZOgKJ3ceN1bujgIjychzVa4i2HMAiyGOAhvksWn_YidWEIwQ9d-hwa_q9G_tJSLMYq-ayVbF33PPIOaIvO2/s16000/IMG_9663.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crossing bridges --- literally and figuratively!</td></tr></tbody></table>Obviously we've thrown a LOT at her in just the last few weeks, if I'm being honest. This was only her 5th off property adventure. But it seems like she's figuring it all out? None of what we're actually asking of her is particularly hard. And in fact, maybe she actually <i>likes</i> the job?</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbNdMXd-idASI7h-o565Pacpqe-vyMu_qMQZDwyHtN_E7DByUAdZ3ozuBkJpgxr-H_MUguFb3nx6CTDjfHwZt1KSFg39AwYBNwYwHuWAGUlinzvtOtoGtDmLlLE7ycFMH8R-E29WyJ6b5IDnA7OTv5G6ehPnJH0Sbg8UOSq-7OqBQ3k997fOWSoOssEqh/s575/IMG_9665.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbNdMXd-idASI7h-o565Pacpqe-vyMu_qMQZDwyHtN_E7DByUAdZ3ozuBkJpgxr-H_MUguFb3nx6CTDjfHwZt1KSFg39AwYBNwYwHuWAGUlinzvtOtoGtDmLlLE7ycFMH8R-E29WyJ6b5IDnA7OTv5G6ehPnJH0Sbg8UOSq-7OqBQ3k997fOWSoOssEqh/s16000/IMG_9665.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little lady is growing up!</td></tr></tbody></table>Maybe the hardest next step will be getting more serious about actually properly training the creature (and/or myself, as the case may be). Maybe, lol.</div><div><br /></div><div>But for now, I'm just grateful for the experience -- and grateful for all the help we're getting along the way from friends like Katie! And grateful for gorgeous spring weekends to get out and do fun things with the ponies!!! <br /><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-35080369828489007212024-03-15T01:00:00.000-07:002024-03-15T01:00:00.140-07:00friday foto finish<div>TGIF, y'all!! I've been making daily pilgrimages to the barn for a couple weeks now for a variety of reasons.... some very practical (like giving Doozy her ulcergard!), and others... more just relating to keeping my happy place front and center. You know how that goes sometimes!</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, tho, so much barn time means I'm constantly snapping random pictures that don't always fit neatly into standalone blog posts, but are still memorable or pretty in their own right... So here they are!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFcdU0cqiLEfrZNMawPlN8_yGTUQEG1xcZ2XjFCp_rDVRlLSUDiebQYkSSmKrhvrch0l3zCLhXrM2DXkGU2XWteyUWoK-ciCnkPQ8ZdxOxsgvXffHpTYRm4NlSh2ojwPcdrZTNxE8zyWFAR9wa5rDykFl9Wqpd38UcI_jLnNKDB-pjhfJ8z-KoxkjV6gi/s575/IMG_9002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFcdU0cqiLEfrZNMawPlN8_yGTUQEG1xcZ2XjFCp_rDVRlLSUDiebQYkSSmKrhvrch0l3zCLhXrM2DXkGU2XWteyUWoK-ciCnkPQ8ZdxOxsgvXffHpTYRm4NlSh2ojwPcdrZTNxE8zyWFAR9wa5rDykFl9Wqpd38UcI_jLnNKDB-pjhfJ8z-KoxkjV6gi/s16000/IMG_9002.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This time of year makes for the BEST dusk rides --- esp when we accompany our friends who are out doing fitness sets on the hills. Obvi Charlie isn't doing trot sets at this moment in his life, but he can still hang out and enjoy the show!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig51bFiShT0uLW9NI_-xU_ru-UamJeRb8prHjWJfDNW1wkKLKunqzxavKE0O_yuSIsj8CDo6QsnV4fQXVwssNrhOyQroG8BPOFPLbPsYQygCduT4mQsoKYtrycpJEkOE409cxR2HD_itENNd4UpHjT3c3vzWDpDI1EPwoibaTdPnT3MNSu8-Lk4Kc4ldzR/s575/IMG_9003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig51bFiShT0uLW9NI_-xU_ru-UamJeRb8prHjWJfDNW1wkKLKunqzxavKE0O_yuSIsj8CDo6QsnV4fQXVwssNrhOyQroG8BPOFPLbPsYQygCduT4mQsoKYtrycpJEkOE409cxR2HD_itENNd4UpHjT3c3vzWDpDI1EPwoibaTdPnT3MNSu8-Lk4Kc4ldzR/s16000/IMG_9003.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weather has been <i>so mild</i>, tho.... Literally drove out the driveway past the 'rough board' boys, and *boom*!! Nap-O'Clock!! Just look at 'em all!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWTx_-uSjtjgEonnl7v6Wv67_kbFK_4yiABFWeHnVbGGVRuIIwSbhCtfqb3PrZawr3RCqqa3URaiU70RiTKKoWls8gav5QBefRsOEkG73NDPHMg0W9J4l9AC1z3ShUbDUgxQ1LbjhnGWFTIvH88r2XNizyMvbWrEhWNb_0CiAmZePYOteCeRIrW2JGZ68/s575/IMG_9380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWTx_-uSjtjgEonnl7v6Wv67_kbFK_4yiABFWeHnVbGGVRuIIwSbhCtfqb3PrZawr3RCqqa3URaiU70RiTKKoWls8gav5QBefRsOEkG73NDPHMg0W9J4l9AC1z3ShUbDUgxQ1LbjhnGWFTIvH88r2XNizyMvbWrEhWNb_0CiAmZePYOteCeRIrW2JGZ68/s16000/IMG_9380.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doozy, meanwhile, basically always has chill vibes in the field. There she is, on the far right side of this frame... Good girl just chilled at the round bale (you can kinda see the dark hay ring behind her) waiting for turn-in while the rest of the ladies jockeyed for position at the gate. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazKcVL59I4FJVWYgckt4jzQHtb2jLvFiF7dRbPFJ23rIUUBkNJT_iNXu8-2akhK4ElBg2ZFGKaJ38iOtGIE93wwkA4Ek82IG-sDx_cUIoaZXyMpazc-5fDT2AMxAEAeSf9QpK60dfzgIGTLHpipcDH_WhqMUlsr2kYTR0sWqcJ9Zfys8oEM0Yn4NUaH8c/s575/IMG_9382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazKcVL59I4FJVWYgckt4jzQHtb2jLvFiF7dRbPFJ23rIUUBkNJT_iNXu8-2akhK4ElBg2ZFGKaJ38iOtGIE93wwkA4Ek82IG-sDx_cUIoaZXyMpazc-5fDT2AMxAEAeSf9QpK60dfzgIGTLHpipcDH_WhqMUlsr2kYTR0sWqcJ9Zfys8oEM0Yn4NUaH8c/s16000/IMG_9382.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's getting more comfortable with all the little ins and outs around the barn too --- like stopping to sip from the central water trough when coming and going!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWaqt9y8vKxntC5tX842s44zXy3v7OixjKY0NvTXmGLStQQy6FLCw5Mv3VVZFbQGlnidLUoBc-ld1gTPZwY5gpfdoxST3ZdbzjNjr_hTNayggSHMYpB4ggtqCFgNI-PRP8Ikc_ctssD6iQggZRgjvGcWB_NJypLsQHYMPsjlFqpdBO8Fs313y8_64gLK1/s575/IMG_9493a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWaqt9y8vKxntC5tX842s44zXy3v7OixjKY0NvTXmGLStQQy6FLCw5Mv3VVZFbQGlnidLUoBc-ld1gTPZwY5gpfdoxST3ZdbzjNjr_hTNayggSHMYpB4ggtqCFgNI-PRP8Ikc_ctssD6iQggZRgjvGcWB_NJypLsQHYMPsjlFqpdBO8Fs313y8_64gLK1/s16000/IMG_9493a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lol, Charlie has <i>always </i>been comfortable around the barn tho... Maybe <i>too comfortable!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWvzdETMXwpWOwz5bGjYYmGcd1nPPpJcH4-1QwrAZYB7k5KSgp5xTCz2AkYe0yTUek6LVtkci8W2TZmtTGuyki9CNEN6dk9wBjMy9rumSh_xGK31TITKLFvL0sSgX_tSWZ_ewd9uy2rx-VetKw6a3hxxMAsJjzEgLB67OKBmn-P2EtBTschyphenhyphen6_bjUaWIJ/s575/IMG_9514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWvzdETMXwpWOwz5bGjYYmGcd1nPPpJcH4-1QwrAZYB7k5KSgp5xTCz2AkYe0yTUek6LVtkci8W2TZmtTGuyki9CNEN6dk9wBjMy9rumSh_xGK31TITKLFvL0sSgX_tSWZ_ewd9uy2rx-VetKw6a3hxxMAsJjzEgLB67OKBmn-P2EtBTschyphenhyphen6_bjUaWIJ/s16000/IMG_9514.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This time of year is kinda my favorite, tho. Longer days, mild weather, growing grass and pretty spring flowers!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bT_iaSsoD9TNuKVCoE5JjLqXoowubc55vzxkICOXEG18V89sAxZDPZR8aH4F4YKe69FStb_b52u7Lui29Bg31yIvslDQyzmGW9S_A_p7BMKfZUtLV6835XFHPkDL500NjzY1kKs-8jnB4CS4wMVE9FC4xQyL4TqQFs34gI7E5WKemGghkNz3bsHZZvkv/s575/IMG_9514a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bT_iaSsoD9TNuKVCoE5JjLqXoowubc55vzxkICOXEG18V89sAxZDPZR8aH4F4YKe69FStb_b52u7Lui29Bg31yIvslDQyzmGW9S_A_p7BMKfZUtLV6835XFHPkDL500NjzY1kKs-8jnB4CS4wMVE9FC4xQyL4TqQFs34gI7E5WKemGghkNz3bsHZZvkv/s16000/IMG_9514a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makes for way more opportunities to ride outside! And Doozy's getting to be pretty solid at all the outdoor riding spaces (tho we haven't been back out into the fields in a long time). Here you see some of the jumps we practiced the other day --- including this related distance from X to low caution panel.</td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ykpRSTYN1DBNqzOdcUNxvlPc2uF2oEWNNqNzC_c1LR3fP2AZ8D0tvRMhun3pKBdMBt-p8xnFNO1SPp2jUiPzfvG9c_M5X-3Vaim_FhX5l4uVt7G9or9VBm9vqkkUox8gXLQJIA4qgID4SsrksOrq-stnVdlUnkkGgEINC9vU7Yt5UzMXO_PPQ23o3QYc/s575/IMG_9514b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ykpRSTYN1DBNqzOdcUNxvlPc2uF2oEWNNqNzC_c1LR3fP2AZ8D0tvRMhun3pKBdMBt-p8xnFNO1SPp2jUiPzfvG9c_M5X-3Vaim_FhX5l4uVt7G9or9VBm9vqkkUox8gXLQJIA4qgID4SsrksOrq-stnVdlUnkkGgEINC9vU7Yt5UzMXO_PPQ23o3QYc/s16000/IMG_9514b.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we also had a fun (but dusty!) indoor ride one night with four horses and these fun diagonal trot poles --- we basically just did one big train of trotting thru everything, occasionally "shuffling the deck" if horses were approaching different diagonals at the same time. All the horses got totally into it, tho, and it was a fun way to all have a good time sharing small spaces!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITCwozwLKG7wIQ2T3qwpRPmd0rYZszS3xYTQRQMg4R_jxqePrJ-QZWAuVX41ArrAjDmOFJcgDuSIiej7uxsvRtOtjChRdkkB5iSnAI0N1HrlJoiYjlIRhludBbMLAEryPuSZshQ5R709lddq7_5S5Wlyyx76y-z5zIH9u6Vfd6O-Rwh90UlzXujUA6emN/s575/IMG_9514c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITCwozwLKG7wIQ2T3qwpRPmd0rYZszS3xYTQRQMg4R_jxqePrJ-QZWAuVX41ArrAjDmOFJcgDuSIiej7uxsvRtOtjChRdkkB5iSnAI0N1HrlJoiYjlIRhludBbMLAEryPuSZshQ5R709lddq7_5S5Wlyyx76y-z5zIH9u6Vfd6O-Rwh90UlzXujUA6emN/s16000/IMG_9514c.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dressage ring, meanwhile, is getting easier for us too! Not "easy" yet -- no no, there's too much activity with the lesson shed row right across the driveway and ponies and kiddos constantly coming and going... It's going to take time to fully normalize. But we're getting there! In this ride, I set up 3 ground poles spaced on a gently bending line about 18' apart center to center. Trots well, and also canters in quiet one-stride distances. Doozy nailed it!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwGHXAqiB9lRlgX_trcYNiGKVTtL41H75LzbfQ8iTheZmMLQ4X_MmcNuaIn8Qq8g-2NToKgSUq8QSCXwhLVEDEw_Lv6Fsq6b6ntxAg3BJwwv9UfZLlpjkHe25XIT_oSBIMZACEg_nZ7Oul_sNs6f0k0xPFagTw-9gDXtltXWZ1Be9br9H5m8zAPEM746f/s575/IMG_9526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwGHXAqiB9lRlgX_trcYNiGKVTtL41H75LzbfQ8iTheZmMLQ4X_MmcNuaIn8Qq8g-2NToKgSUq8QSCXwhLVEDEw_Lv6Fsq6b6ntxAg3BJwwv9UfZLlpjkHe25XIT_oSBIMZACEg_nZ7Oul_sNs6f0k0xPFagTw-9gDXtltXWZ1Be9br9H5m8zAPEM746f/s16000/IMG_9526.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forsythia season is the <i>best</i> season, change my mind.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0pLEbyG7W5IJxXRAlAjI_Mz7QR9d29gIlNygTfeQYFs5ylZhUUdCYqisXF2_zGgFcqUOGENP83GpENOCphnZ-j9mc5C7vy7YOVvymIxICO2Scet7BtCT6NKd_6qx6gjjyudPSVKvn0tMGv4Ck86EK2EzfKFBjF7zi0TKzUhJSGJtunUJUN7GW9Uc_bQb/s575/IMG_9532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0pLEbyG7W5IJxXRAlAjI_Mz7QR9d29gIlNygTfeQYFs5ylZhUUdCYqisXF2_zGgFcqUOGENP83GpENOCphnZ-j9mc5C7vy7YOVvymIxICO2Scet7BtCT6NKd_6qx6gjjyudPSVKvn0tMGv4Ck86EK2EzfKFBjF7zi0TKzUhJSGJtunUJUN7GW9Uc_bQb/s16000/IMG_9532.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And bath season!! It was 70* earlier this week so BOTH ponies got their first real big true bath of the year!! Not a day too soon, either, bc somebody (not naming any names) like sleeping in <i>her </i>pee... ew!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQkjxtbIwsjOI24S_8yJ1vi0276MEnTqKQBZF1xvZVRwYgMAkWZSMpHaOMR4pftv5TyD8Nj4-a6SIL7O3GtqlhWFdeTaaCmVqT33VY34w9mEkwaV7u9qszzG8cs56luYzCdTkS0e1kPfVmn_onCamNxJjB6_F6ekekkUlMJIY0W8w_17oBYpGEc9S5lBz/s575/IMG_9535a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQkjxtbIwsjOI24S_8yJ1vi0276MEnTqKQBZF1xvZVRwYgMAkWZSMpHaOMR4pftv5TyD8Nj4-a6SIL7O3GtqlhWFdeTaaCmVqT33VY34w9mEkwaV7u9qszzG8cs56luYzCdTkS0e1kPfVmn_onCamNxJjB6_F6ekekkUlMJIY0W8w_17oBYpGEc9S5lBz/s16000/IMG_9535a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, said someone also got a fresh little wound. Doesn't seem serious, but apparently bled quite a bit, plus kept oozing for a while. I think it was pretty fresh-ish when I brought her in. Luckily not on her cellulitis leg, but we'll keep an eye on it all the same -- and she spent the night in a standing wrap just in case!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8UR4b7hzXZy2_sx-lemoWM7qSZC7J_KSudi1EdJxBos9mlmiRiTsJ1-E7mDBxa5DTDqAOL1A4r-UuJ20fk6ylPsia6GR8muxJODx4kXrleCRFiD40xNawkI3WcpZp-ucypIXmNE5HLW71I1CDVNvQWk5CgY6QwzeGwy_7UZs3WzD7VEDowjrbGRpQNWY/s575/IMG_9536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8UR4b7hzXZy2_sx-lemoWM7qSZC7J_KSudi1EdJxBos9mlmiRiTsJ1-E7mDBxa5DTDqAOL1A4r-UuJ20fk6ylPsia6GR8muxJODx4kXrleCRFiD40xNawkI3WcpZp-ucypIXmNE5HLW71I1CDVNvQWk5CgY6QwzeGwy_7UZs3WzD7VEDowjrbGRpQNWY/s16000/IMG_9536.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyway, tho, the house critters are also well. Here we get a "between the ears" shot of my fat house cat Martini raptly watching me edit the gif of Icee doing Icee things lol....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQZRLb4pHFj_4TECALzYGn_GCX2okbpxZfjfnkCbG51bdqq96eXELER7vZSQlQ3_Itqe3xAZu2iUOwZvDNk4MX3Tbxqfkz6V2kNpTkl_b04BT6W3nibE53-CdppOLQB2FhcMThfLGfFaylrCmCga80O8uPEX-y9Pyzs5dODPdBRYST6KeTGuppMBbxwCB/s575/IMG_9537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQZRLb4pHFj_4TECALzYGn_GCX2okbpxZfjfnkCbG51bdqq96eXELER7vZSQlQ3_Itqe3xAZu2iUOwZvDNk4MX3Tbxqfkz6V2kNpTkl_b04BT6W3nibE53-CdppOLQB2FhcMThfLGfFaylrCmCga80O8uPEX-y9Pyzs5dODPdBRYST6KeTGuppMBbxwCB/s16000/IMG_9537.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He IS, after all, an entertaining critter. <i>Terrifying</i>, sure. But entertaining!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />So ya know. That's about all we've been up to lately. It's turning into a really pleasant end to winter (knocking on wood). Anyone else looking forward to the weekend??<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-9948658875828614892024-03-13T01:00:00.000-07:002024-03-13T01:00:00.134-07:00ww: murder machine<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR_LIWpYtJDgmSW7duLNDi0eYa2gsYDMe1FxLHMNbaCYiQlb0r0z4TkuPdeC__5WSrWogLIpGf8VFZ5zRBqxiIxiuKM7QtcLBuWItKai6RJeqjK5dw4Ow9KjsHWAlIup4U7vvxdd4lANisDzTFBj2cKo1b2Ci75aoSpWVYh-gL-1eCiv62ZSBylR8HKAG/s575/IMG_9488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR_LIWpYtJDgmSW7duLNDi0eYa2gsYDMe1FxLHMNbaCYiQlb0r0z4TkuPdeC__5WSrWogLIpGf8VFZ5zRBqxiIxiuKM7QtcLBuWItKai6RJeqjK5dw4Ow9KjsHWAlIup4U7vvxdd4lANisDzTFBj2cKo1b2Ci75aoSpWVYh-gL-1eCiv62ZSBylR8HKAG/s16000/IMG_9488.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it has been 3 days since our last barn panther related biting incident</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ybctBIT0qlrYefE-br4xaz4hO3_MuGzqeCyt4a6bg-DVtU5JtbVXOZIld4zSZs_7uU46ojB9YcEIKVd5MuAmGOJlr9eqUiNVVotPUDVKOvSs05EmAGW_HAC9Ymm5x6-m0WbNo5cNMWVaCb9cl9VOkXGAbRWpLANPixlDRmI4FqQSEcyIPmtYu5KJK_dR/s575/IMG_9488aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ybctBIT0qlrYefE-br4xaz4hO3_MuGzqeCyt4a6bg-DVtU5JtbVXOZIld4zSZs_7uU46ojB9YcEIKVd5MuAmGOJlr9eqUiNVVotPUDVKOvSs05EmAGW_HAC9Ymm5x6-m0WbNo5cNMWVaCb9cl9VOkXGAbRWpLANPixlDRmI4FqQSEcyIPmtYu5KJK_dR/s16000/IMG_9488aa.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the sponge never stood a chance</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWgkptdG3iKANrpd-4aggSPnCvQQ3MKGf_yHdL3bAvR3i8rmWr_TcccWVpv560JifcyJ4HiZqkknLmkKo-fYfjYVuRfv5ArMxlMZkUSbSzrEiLT-X9qeluhb6J2CTsrFQLVE9eer1UPQLtu-zhjpuMVSnLFsZyxDMYAIbFB6sWFPP1K3nmgX1-BzZkPn4/s575/IMG_9488ac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWgkptdG3iKANrpd-4aggSPnCvQQ3MKGf_yHdL3bAvR3i8rmWr_TcccWVpv560JifcyJ4HiZqkknLmkKo-fYfjYVuRfv5ArMxlMZkUSbSzrEiLT-X9qeluhb6J2CTsrFQLVE9eer1UPQLtu-zhjpuMVSnLFsZyxDMYAIbFB6sWFPP1K3nmgX1-BzZkPn4/s16000/IMG_9488ac.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">those claws tho, those eyes.... <i>nobody </i>is safe</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixSTmz1IPgrazwlE10tO9iTH1rSSECxwGFhzxDJkWwmJwvtaKxtNfJdq1lqeTyAq5nPdzdbpHN_QUzpiAbdkrMIquO6VhSd_WLD6vGgbB91PvkmerknSFc8-8CH4YqeCvP61z9BvX5qT8U-4TiXcerNNwSZtPr-LfG6K7x_VefWpH0psPYOy4iYotAptw/s360/IMG_9489.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixSTmz1IPgrazwlE10tO9iTH1rSSECxwGFhzxDJkWwmJwvtaKxtNfJdq1lqeTyAq5nPdzdbpHN_QUzpiAbdkrMIquO6VhSd_WLD6vGgbB91PvkmerknSFc8-8CH4YqeCvP61z9BvX5qT8U-4TiXcerNNwSZtPr-LfG6K7x_VefWpH0psPYOy4iYotAptw/w400-h225/IMG_9489.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>wild ferocious feline!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt4SlsrGUWuBUqGCCaFssy4QGufWcziUQViwiTlDXLn50E5fVNkzwZaZ2i570Zyu5JnafwYuPHhfBuymmm37cKwm5UX0lg28FcLtE6-WjkwAy_lYhNbz4YEtdE1AHe4iLW-fG42KHwP793slKpJD9LiHIdoqjFBsHFib8E9h1q8wLfCzCtxo_g-z73sHq/s360/IMG_9489a.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt4SlsrGUWuBUqGCCaFssy4QGufWcziUQViwiTlDXLn50E5fVNkzwZaZ2i570Zyu5JnafwYuPHhfBuymmm37cKwm5UX0lg28FcLtE6-WjkwAy_lYhNbz4YEtdE1AHe4iLW-fG42KHwP793slKpJD9LiHIdoqjFBsHFib8E9h1q8wLfCzCtxo_g-z73sHq/w400-h225/IMG_9489a.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">advised to maintain 3' distance at all times</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI267NBB-oi3UET162AFt0VzixUVHkWYkEJfZjrxzL_L_6mOFfgzdNuHoUcCwJGHD6APRQWbcJWKn1sHxckcGh1_eIvFNHkBw19LWuT0_b_GwyBuaFvOaVjQ8dVglqzZlMItK415G_f1syDrgSNjs-iAgqvnc6jTWoNbtBBsBhUHM_Um5B0oyRATBLZ_L/s360/IMG_9489b.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI267NBB-oi3UET162AFt0VzixUVHkWYkEJfZjrxzL_L_6mOFfgzdNuHoUcCwJGHD6APRQWbcJWKn1sHxckcGh1_eIvFNHkBw19LWuT0_b_GwyBuaFvOaVjQ8dVglqzZlMItK415G_f1syDrgSNjs-iAgqvnc6jTWoNbtBBsBhUHM_Um5B0oyRATBLZ_L/w400-h225/IMG_9489b.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">advised to also not be chubby fluffy rodent bc you'd <i>definitely </i>be a goner!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Laisl4gpCA3CdYBK7vXf_hewlcRCLPz3umIscIqoS5MFKu1skf0qFfsozcyYVHlAYw1LC_LAF8ljwaKwi14S_l0OiRaOqf-lnksOT4Wvw-nzKvyh6FErK8Scp958uU3LEQcIOak6DoBdvg2fyxAEKx-Ks-NvMi9L633Al7cOQ2BvikepfSU5KNhl6ve_/s575/IMG_9490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Laisl4gpCA3CdYBK7vXf_hewlcRCLPz3umIscIqoS5MFKu1skf0qFfsozcyYVHlAYw1LC_LAF8ljwaKwi14S_l0OiRaOqf-lnksOT4Wvw-nzKvyh6FErK8Scp958uU3LEQcIOak6DoBdvg2fyxAEKx-Ks-NvMi9L633Al7cOQ2BvikepfSU5KNhl6ve_/s16000/IMG_9490.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">icee, you're a character for sure!! slightly murderous, but still entertaining!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-17857989229006130972024-03-11T01:00:00.000-07:002024-03-11T06:06:27.509-07:00did it for the C(ulture)T<div>Guys, not gonna lie... I kinda feel like a kid again, omg.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDmPJvT23wbL42N3bZBKWOEfQx1m3FLRVyE6ua921123n4acVRje7LBR97RbNsDxKDp3ipSTHlh6nYr1vzSYbb9i6XOqZsdv-EYTB9hbDZ-jOgD_YvBi7whzPg9B74ZWiQ31LMc9iNPvC5zfAwmRZPrqfFe1IdVm1wx362aoCgZCJ2GLZMTC0uRjysXWu/s575/IMG_9449.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDmPJvT23wbL42N3bZBKWOEfQx1m3FLRVyE6ua921123n4acVRje7LBR97RbNsDxKDp3ipSTHlh6nYr1vzSYbb9i6XOqZsdv-EYTB9hbDZ-jOgD_YvBi7whzPg9B74ZWiQ31LMc9iNPvC5zfAwmRZPrqfFe1IdVm1wx362aoCgZCJ2GLZMTC0uRjysXWu/s16000/IMG_9449.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this lovely cooler was a very unexpected and generous gift, ngl i got a little teary eyed <3</td></tr></tbody></table>And let's be clear here, haha --- I mean that in a few different ways. On one hand, the innocent childlike glee of finally getting back out and doing things with my pony!! And also, the kinda childish feeling of taking an extremely green and rough-around-the-edges horse out in public. <div><br /></div><div>Mostly, tho, it's all about that first feeling <3 <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFJfwd1MNXoKznN0HXQ0kv_lGVAQWE_U7L1eMg0ol6AKVti7kkgB86MgbqpAgAtraNW-ocD1XHC41bDZfrEHifd1ZDCrVmlTJsMQkSsRpSa1CyOsktNyfTmMtO3xmE8ofBMuqFQ0IHB6M7Xs3z5XDNpRYBWiLauga-64sngOtGj99KguchxgI7ZsU8bBl/s575/IMG_9450.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFJfwd1MNXoKznN0HXQ0kv_lGVAQWE_U7L1eMg0ol6AKVti7kkgB86MgbqpAgAtraNW-ocD1XHC41bDZfrEHifd1ZDCrVmlTJsMQkSsRpSa1CyOsktNyfTmMtO3xmE8ofBMuqFQ0IHB6M7Xs3z5XDNpRYBWiLauga-64sngOtGj99KguchxgI7ZsU8bBl/s16000/IMG_9450.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">deep breath, dooz -- throwing you right into the deep end!</td></tr></tbody></table>Doozy and I participated in another schooling dressage show this weekend. This time, tho, it was an away show with an "L" judge and entries that included FEI horses (not to mention one of Boyd Martin's former Olympic mounts, omfg). </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVPGuFQMVqBRtZayyDTNzQXQjCFG1X8q7KJF7MPUlUMVzEfE971-8LwxM8zBQBzIblBGvrad-GFe_wD2JsO04QwFjlgOr0phBGHYYSpRkvEHmndGfaTk4ajYSYSHNP5_ndzYks8ZcRyWIV7e4SX31P0TnapGQFNScvwRWNGj2ad-R-KnWYwjsGItynB9f/s575/IMG_9451.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVPGuFQMVqBRtZayyDTNzQXQjCFG1X8q7KJF7MPUlUMVzEfE971-8LwxM8zBQBzIblBGvrad-GFe_wD2JsO04QwFjlgOr0phBGHYYSpRkvEHmndGfaTk4ajYSYSHNP5_ndzYks8ZcRyWIV7e4SX31P0TnapGQFNScvwRWNGj2ad-R-KnWYwjsGItynB9f/s16000/IMG_9451.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">going down center line of the large court for our dinky Intro B test like........</td></tr></tbody></table>We were, without a doubt, not the classiest entry on the order of go haha. But ya know, I wanted to be there, and Doozy was more or less on board. And so we did it!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS3IkcfAFJNu5zVfuteToUgadI_SzrKK7EiqYPXw5Hs0d-l1hv4lZ_vAq-OwtpInn6VwL2Ex_wQIZ9uvMtGiXKIdtX2p-nEfzBCzTgA_0Zi-QfJQ5KFbFT_h5b52t4gRCWEal0_tZjteJt8IhDeGhT06_srS_XDwdaO5-ASZRqHj6aDrN1-7SoUxwunN-/s575/IMG_9451a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS3IkcfAFJNu5zVfuteToUgadI_SzrKK7EiqYPXw5Hs0d-l1hv4lZ_vAq-OwtpInn6VwL2Ex_wQIZ9uvMtGiXKIdtX2p-nEfzBCzTgA_0Zi-QfJQ5KFbFT_h5b52t4gRCWEal0_tZjteJt8IhDeGhT06_srS_XDwdaO5-ASZRqHj6aDrN1-7SoUxwunN-/s16000/IMG_9451a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes i wore my stupid white gloves again <3</td></tr></tbody></table>I know not everyone would make the same decision. And some might say that our dollars spent on entries might be better utilized in lessons. And you wouldn't necessarily be wrong either, but I just don't see it as a zero sum equation. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's not "either / or," ya know? We can do ALL the things!!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA47iYnfZBzrvry0uiCeYyyyKS14e0qYNh1n8CwVbjjzVpk8mIBjgC_IDiMol7Z-GmyHH88L3PkrkYq2IMPIjz1z3PuRh1FOjdE_6ZVTVxln9cfVtszi6v2qbBHVDEG0xjYFDyTviBScG_Nahv-sqxHpt6_ko5hrmcwCT7rLl8RsfnYG-eZmL_AHShNLET/s575/IMG_9452.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA47iYnfZBzrvry0uiCeYyyyKS14e0qYNh1n8CwVbjjzVpk8mIBjgC_IDiMol7Z-GmyHH88L3PkrkYq2IMPIjz1z3PuRh1FOjdE_6ZVTVxln9cfVtszi6v2qbBHVDEG0xjYFDyTviBScG_Nahv-sqxHpt6_ko5hrmcwCT7rLl8RsfnYG-eZmL_AHShNLET/s16000/IMG_9452.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">only nearly fell off once, when passing the judges stand</td></tr></tbody></table>And this experience was itself instructive in many <i>many </i>ways. While also facilitating a generally positive set of circumstances for Doozy. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8KgwO21D16oDAX9Jh324TGTyz-GS9VXoY37j2pJdn4qJ7cU3BT5EB0A9xB7eEHQIfek2oJDsLJQWgNNP-jNepukUCBD-FWuKuBoYZGAbOpHmo_DSBaEXH7VO77_9_zD_91F_Bb-r8b0phP2iz1Ls7O6m_bEKnL9Z52S92NCQxOB3EJGvsWu9m264qat5/s575/IMG_9453.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8KgwO21D16oDAX9Jh324TGTyz-GS9VXoY37j2pJdn4qJ7cU3BT5EB0A9xB7eEHQIfek2oJDsLJQWgNNP-jNepukUCBD-FWuKuBoYZGAbOpHmo_DSBaEXH7VO77_9_zD_91F_Bb-r8b0phP2iz1Ls7O6m_bEKnL9Z52S92NCQxOB3EJGvsWu9m264qat5/s16000/IMG_9453.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cantering on purpose!! rider still can't seem to sit tho haha</td></tr></tbody></table>The forecast called for buckets and buckets of rain to start at some point around midday, so they set the schedule such that riders were arranged into blocks, with that set all sharing the indoor for warm up time (outdoor arenas were also open and available all day) and then doing their tests, and then giving way for the next 'block.' </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VTJbSyxDGHaBvXmm6mojV-M4hKz5-Jw6JQQ1VhER0-O_iG263DkduNtlaWnnKpQRlBIpQYkcofZXyOMfM5zNkB8A4_7d9pWwgAxowXNtxotcthyphenhyphenfXbE4_xzxCoWXeNH1MTBlJloHXryfCuSUtzp5dP-zzZDhfvbmFptW0_B6Gn4MIfUFnZgyltEfYPmB/s360/IMG_9453b.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VTJbSyxDGHaBvXmm6mojV-M4hKz5-Jw6JQQ1VhER0-O_iG263DkduNtlaWnnKpQRlBIpQYkcofZXyOMfM5zNkB8A4_7d9pWwgAxowXNtxotcthyphenhyphenfXbE4_xzxCoWXeNH1MTBlJloHXryfCuSUtzp5dP-zzZDhfvbmFptW0_B6Gn4MIfUFnZgyltEfYPmB/w400-h225/IMG_9453b.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">basically representative footage</td></tr></tbody></table>Our group was arranged into a block together --- meaning Doozy and I got to familiarize in the ring among a group of empathetic friends. We were also the first block to go, and in fact the first trailer to arrive on site. So it was a pretty quiet environment too!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5SdtEOulCFzfk9TpZQLzTp6t2m43QMQih5M8nHESbZdiTnB61nqRy7tvaTJMoucgOmCnR7gp2QiMeZDl-qe8riVNQI1hgLOLOxFoKLxseg9DMgLHTYokaiMuWBGVg7iRbwJZSpCwzv2F-yaXFMR5VZiBPV6at9zVkXtcEXOxuyV_JGa7rRGlXSx6lNKF/s575/IMG_9454.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5SdtEOulCFzfk9TpZQLzTp6t2m43QMQih5M8nHESbZdiTnB61nqRy7tvaTJMoucgOmCnR7gp2QiMeZDl-qe8riVNQI1hgLOLOxFoKLxseg9DMgLHTYokaiMuWBGVg7iRbwJZSpCwzv2F-yaXFMR5VZiBPV6at9zVkXtcEXOxuyV_JGa7rRGlXSx6lNKF/s16000/IMG_9454.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"is it even worth getting there if you don't get there <i>FAST</i>?!?" -- Doozy, probably</td></tr></tbody></table>Just like at Loch Moy, we basically proceeded from the trailer to the mounting block (<i>with a person at the block with us ((hai Katie!!))</i>), no hand walkies needed. And ring familiarization was fairly smooth too. </div><div><br /></div><div>Honestly, the biggest hurdles for our rides had to do with 1) Doozy was very preoccupied with Rosette; and 2) Doozy isn't exactly what you'd call "schooled" yet LOL. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh664gy_DrMORExJNNqWgxrhddUQJnl_a4XNIAMfa9mpp0-1kwZpjrgSvBP5m64chggXS_0itZ5Z2VeaCONHb4kPK_VuI7Vp3Tw72FoEe6T2HlQfJC01qd7ajnnDKxK7gNeviaQYriHU2F-rD1lY-izFKEONr6zTl7Tahy4lshjPy5X_YyK1Ztakt0c3ww_/s575/IMG_9455.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh664gy_DrMORExJNNqWgxrhddUQJnl_a4XNIAMfa9mpp0-1kwZpjrgSvBP5m64chggXS_0itZ5Z2VeaCONHb4kPK_VuI7Vp3Tw72FoEe6T2HlQfJC01qd7ajnnDKxK7gNeviaQYriHU2F-rD1lY-izFKEONr6zTl7Tahy4lshjPy5X_YyK1Ztakt0c3ww_/s16000/IMG_9455.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">halt, salute, survive!!</td></tr></tbody></table>It turns out, the stuff that's hard at home (like, ya know, trotting a circle on an even tempo with correct bend) doesn't magically get better at a show. We know this. And it's ok. And thus the quality of our rides was not any better than what you've seen in recent videos. </div><div><br /></div><div>NOTABLY, however, the rides weren't <i>any worse</i> either. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinp5RUaR9IEH0P0Ix5I8fKXmSxOzIayQCr-vL_VyF8OttzOblpL_e1v7OTUo6TDNlyr0lQSkyRtn5Aw4oI8zJ-_bH9OCsl0XEWfO-mqHzdI8zN4xJQTRLUTDzzuy96uCom1euTIuMttzDO06ex8VS0J0cHB0ghW7eqMSkQ488Lca14ikT_sioFvDMQYUZo/s575/IMG_9455ab.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinp5RUaR9IEH0P0Ix5I8fKXmSxOzIayQCr-vL_VyF8OttzOblpL_e1v7OTUo6TDNlyr0lQSkyRtn5Aw4oI8zJ-_bH9OCsl0XEWfO-mqHzdI8zN4xJQTRLUTDzzuy96uCom1euTIuMttzDO06ex8VS0J0cHB0ghW7eqMSkQ488Lca14ikT_sioFvDMQYUZo/s16000/IMG_9455ab.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#basically</td></tr></tbody></table>Doozy went forth and did the things. She did normal green horse stuff like sucking back going away from the in gate, and wanting to zoom going toward the in gate. We broke gait a number of times all over the place, and our 'circles' were anything but. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykilYYtiTlj17sWjVr-K6053Ul-jyHnPs-Cfha-cFsSpKIvcIS8HWSAotHzkLgcGYdbM3rrHZSIXNtqANAY3af1RRWHpo2oH4G_Ysm7wBRtRj-CM0VHUdLbwWiZOVwefujtPSjvh3hLxkd4XbKQv752JcvMAVbQKWuCEcGrzMtSlI5iBniSgRCDO_EAK9/s575/IMG_9455c.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykilYYtiTlj17sWjVr-K6053Ul-jyHnPs-Cfha-cFsSpKIvcIS8HWSAotHzkLgcGYdbM3rrHZSIXNtqANAY3af1RRWHpo2oH4G_Ysm7wBRtRj-CM0VHUdLbwWiZOVwefujtPSjvh3hLxkd4XbKQv752JcvMAVbQKWuCEcGrzMtSlI5iBniSgRCDO_EAK9/s16000/IMG_9455c.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the collection of unimpressive (but cute!!) satin grows!!!</td></tr></tbody></table>But ya know. We did eventually present three clear gaits in both directions. The horse did in fact execute two complete tests --- the only error being when I chose to repeat one of the Intro C circles after we misfired into the lead and were slow to fix it. #SchoolingShow, right?? </div><div><br /></div><div>AND. She also stood more or less quietly outside the ring while our friends took their turns. And experienced a lot of people and horses coming and going without fuss. Basically a big deposit into the "Soft Skills" bank, as far as I'm concerned!<br /><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSrXRBxkb4a9qzNeCG6u6IJHjQG3xGl8m813wZQ87JdLnBkdhN9jF4GnUaUQZexzB4eFxZuRXIenx_odYv1YS3KOAKsDrreMdDvvkbsnResatGLjC9OKv0pgRzcvmz_hT3TbiyBYWFvaW2oqgeuzura00ECiwiNnwwKfjr0SPfRinxAHq5QJ2FimWs_5Y/s575/IMG_9463.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSrXRBxkb4a9qzNeCG6u6IJHjQG3xGl8m813wZQ87JdLnBkdhN9jF4GnUaUQZexzB4eFxZuRXIenx_odYv1YS3KOAKsDrreMdDvvkbsnResatGLjC9OKv0pgRzcvmz_hT3TbiyBYWFvaW2oqgeuzura00ECiwiNnwwKfjr0SPfRinxAHq5QJ2FimWs_5Y/s16000/IMG_9463.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">onto phase 2!!!</td></tr></tbody></table>BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkGsvDN6l1RnQxD0NVYDogJC578_VXfa97DsLh_9jXx8nhaz9_16t1X5rHxD49gD1RQ_QIlup8eP_fGyYxJVyHlxxDuijGSuOLD6_mnVYQh9QvesE5HKBXYXkSjNFJ6pcxZpBjPDAz_vJVHnMCWuS6spFPvfTzCRRijEfcxMFkO5J9hwKmYOytdv31Q69/s575/IMG_9463a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkGsvDN6l1RnQxD0NVYDogJC578_VXfa97DsLh_9jXx8nhaz9_16t1X5rHxD49gD1RQ_QIlup8eP_fGyYxJVyHlxxDuijGSuOLD6_mnVYQh9QvesE5HKBXYXkSjNFJ6pcxZpBjPDAz_vJVHnMCWuS6spFPvfTzCRRijEfcxMFkO5J9hwKmYOytdv31Q69/s16000/IMG_9463a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">honestly this was a major part of why we joined the party in the first place</td></tr></tbody></table>Lol for real, the only reason I originally wanted to tag along was bc the group planned to jump around the cute little schooling xc field afterward. </div><div><br /></div><div>Y'all might remember the first time I came to the Stables at Fox Crossing back in February 2022, when <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2022/02/mid-winter-jumperlandia.html" target="_blank">Royal and Charlie did a little jumper show</a>. I swore then that we'd be back to "conquer" the xc field later... and now was our chance!!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LWkpbHOvwZGLwmhiBk1T9oVHJ3-KiVKI3IwAlt7pqpfyrma4zS40YZaATHZ1pjAkY-Xxh-bpbKyDn8d0gcnKmmvjWxO7I81ZcOk_LKCttBvbpqFpTjqxCVV6cujFD5r0MNII52SGrByoBgsuDeMAbm0gW8_lPdDIEf0xT3EFzy8aOOZooXdiO-SHFdMu/s575/IMG_9463ab.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LWkpbHOvwZGLwmhiBk1T9oVHJ3-KiVKI3IwAlt7pqpfyrma4zS40YZaATHZ1pjAkY-Xxh-bpbKyDn8d0gcnKmmvjWxO7I81ZcOk_LKCttBvbpqFpTjqxCVV6cujFD5r0MNII52SGrByoBgsuDeMAbm0gW8_lPdDIEf0xT3EFzy8aOOZooXdiO-SHFdMu/s16000/IMG_9463ab.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not much side view of us jumping, but plenty of helmet cam!</td></tr></tbody></table>Tho obvi, the forecast of "buckets and buckets of rain" kinda dampened our hopes that it would all work out... except that it did! We got lucky -- the rain held off and we squeaked in an efficient school for all involved, without mucking up any of their footing!!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0DCnz1e_9ycM3tIIg7YZIEFc6hetGd9ZMj0EjTZaU41s8V0n8ewIluPmtP4JZIuEBEsEtLZN5EkzVwfSg5WQS0AnVJVXtDrFpGUUTK42l2IxAY_f0vdjWVqX3szJ4UGohHWhZiOqVxhhlVUXxynEEnlJ3BFJet6kdwZcMzKaqQhDcSYlPGFX4gnPPumP/s575/IMG_9464.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0DCnz1e_9ycM3tIIg7YZIEFc6hetGd9ZMj0EjTZaU41s8V0n8ewIluPmtP4JZIuEBEsEtLZN5EkzVwfSg5WQS0AnVJVXtDrFpGUUTK42l2IxAY_f0vdjWVqX3szJ4UGohHWhZiOqVxhhlVUXxynEEnlJ3BFJet6kdwZcMzKaqQhDcSYlPGFX4gnPPumP/s16000/IMG_9464.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nonchalant about steps</td></tr></tbody></table>And guys. If Doozy was confused about me dismounting, changing some tack stuff (like adding the martingale), and getting back on again... she hid it well. And she was shockingly good out in the field too. Like started off a little herd bound, but grew increasingly bold about doing our own thing when she realized jompies were happening!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwjiAH37uCEU9-Key_ziPhWeRyAz7DBsu0w46k2kFlOnVjc5NCHrR9Ty6kcSHR1acg7afTIJzBMq1kdIxLslOHOlxs3ex2r-XHIeYVS6uRI22ybniP2CCnk7TCmkdBz3WhLDtGIohovdFaHu1ZrZL7ropllZjTsf5j6O7bgA66sKlioDb3hiU27vdpOj3/s575/IMG_9465.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwjiAH37uCEU9-Key_ziPhWeRyAz7DBsu0w46k2kFlOnVjc5NCHrR9Ty6kcSHR1acg7afTIJzBMq1kdIxLslOHOlxs3ex2r-XHIeYVS6uRI22ybniP2CCnk7TCmkdBz3WhLDtGIohovdFaHu1ZrZL7ropllZjTsf5j6O7bgA66sKlioDb3hiU27vdpOj3/s16000/IMG_9465.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wheeeee!! also, lol @ rosette's expression</td></tr></tbody></table>We basically stuck to all the little logs, and she was more or less game. Had one kinda distracted runout when Rosette was directly in our line of sight as we approached the jump, then Doozy was like, "<i>Holy shit who put that there!</i>" and squirted out to the side. Nbd, tho, jumped it the second time fine and had no further issues. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIOEBIsBRXkS1PSsYNCwLmrvHOb3PES8z1dkNy2lY7OU4LlhXerlwpQmZArQjrPGw3YneerSOnX7eSuoc2q3odnWJkTdSccbteo3qxRZtjZj8CraqVy74UNuzjsby9SxwZrhUuhf1tvNb5se6SJcJ18ifjs4rykT5KPxz1_9nzQpihbRUMh_r1mWz8CWn/s575/IMG_9468.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIOEBIsBRXkS1PSsYNCwLmrvHOb3PES8z1dkNy2lY7OU4LlhXerlwpQmZArQjrPGw3YneerSOnX7eSuoc2q3odnWJkTdSccbteo3qxRZtjZj8CraqVy74UNuzjsby9SxwZrhUuhf1tvNb5se6SJcJ18ifjs4rykT5KPxz1_9nzQpihbRUMh_r1mWz8CWn/s16000/IMG_9468.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cantering out in an open field. who woulda thunk!</td></tr></tbody></table>We also played around with the super fun bank complex around the water! It was like a jungle gym for ponies, guys, 100% recommend haha. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CcrW04k9F48" width="320" youtube-src-id="CcrW04k9F48"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/CcrW04k9F48" target="_blank">link to youtube video</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Doozy did get a little wild at times with our jumps -- but we finished on a few really positive notes and it felt like a really solid overall introduction to jumping on grass + terrain. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7WA9xSkGZG5J9vmVqNpFWD3q_oOkCBdGDVBpYBH1dF8UUPpGxThGliu8Trj87k9GrHsa2ttksNprr4gWaqmtt11W1HK9gKpIu0wqrZJ0YCAa6JtMlczZIShpIH_IEAjiLiQ1uZIm5wjp4pDYGc_b-do3cV2rdOX-39qRSD_cUHUpOOuIDlp372GFXP1o/s575/IMG_9557.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7WA9xSkGZG5J9vmVqNpFWD3q_oOkCBdGDVBpYBH1dF8UUPpGxThGliu8Trj87k9GrHsa2ttksNprr4gWaqmtt11W1HK9gKpIu0wqrZJ0YCAa6JtMlczZIShpIH_IEAjiLiQ1uZIm5wjp4pDYGc_b-do3cV2rdOX-39qRSD_cUHUpOOuIDlp372GFXP1o/s16000/IMG_9557.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">honestly pretty chill at the trailer this day<br />(also, i love the OTTB's innate ability to 'suck it in' the second you take a pic --- look at her nostrils lol)</td></tr></tbody></table>Honestly the whole day was a pretty big net positive for the horse. None of the "tasks" are individually difficult for her, she just needs to learn to be able to put it all together. As the judge said, tho, 'exposure + time' will be key for this horse. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UmJnCZlQRxmwEzudqMAvxfoytTJdARN_Kvpn0BdpdDgyMpROm9aPsUR3c7o0RCoi7sZDAsI1_XcuFqkDerjzeO3CKBS94wYwKZluCIyDSbVEKcJao9i1DRQYkH_L5BDixU9BNzcrCxx6K1MV194q7oTmxfpxsVifp7BGvF6Us9j-YhRHdUccQi2napdr/s575/IMG_9558.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UmJnCZlQRxmwEzudqMAvxfoytTJdARN_Kvpn0BdpdDgyMpROm9aPsUR3c7o0RCoi7sZDAsI1_XcuFqkDerjzeO3CKBS94wYwKZluCIyDSbVEKcJao9i1DRQYkH_L5BDixU9BNzcrCxx6K1MV194q7oTmxfpxsVifp7BGvF6Us9j-YhRHdUccQi2napdr/s16000/IMG_9558.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happy to hang out aboard too! good girl, Dooz!!</td></tr></tbody></table>As far as I'm concerned, <i>this is the good stuff</i>. It's been a long year+ sitting on the sidelines with all of Charlie's soundness issues. And I'm obvi still hopeful that there are future Charlie adventures still ahead of us!</div><div><br /></div><div>But in the meantime, there's Mondeuse. And it's a lot of fun so far!!! <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-14431287678905322262024-03-08T01:00:00.000-08:002024-03-08T01:00:00.137-08:00youthful wisdom<div>I'm coming to really appreciate the company of the talented junior who has started riding Charlie a little bit. She has... just this really fresh clear perspective that is wise beyond her years.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPtmaGKBvuqZ7Vn_1UNuVgoXQh32MA7prNuq58dLZTFfzgxYP8AaptkcAicreuewZgBdW1AgNys1iiFdvO6TFKEIAPwtcOakmhoZMWyrsY0reRE9fgAr3cyUC4nDGYPK6OIHUH2faKjcIS7y6NBOk8MPMJ2ATXA_xsLI8lN4EqWgAPsfY3ORmahuqhnC7/s575/IMG_9414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPtmaGKBvuqZ7Vn_1UNuVgoXQh32MA7prNuq58dLZTFfzgxYP8AaptkcAicreuewZgBdW1AgNys1iiFdvO6TFKEIAPwtcOakmhoZMWyrsY0reRE9fgAr3cyUC4nDGYPK6OIHUH2faKjcIS7y6NBOk8MPMJ2ATXA_xsLI8lN4EqWgAPsfY3ORmahuqhnC7/s16000/IMG_9414.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hacking up to the jump ring on a beautiful spring day!</td></tr></tbody></table>A few months ago, as I was tying myself in knots trying to prepare Doozy for <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2023/11/doozys-first-jomp-lesson.html" target="_blank">her first jump lesson, that clinic with Hadden Frost</a>... Her sage suggestion was to "maybe underthink it a little bit" haha. Gen Z, amirite?<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30kDyg5v2rdQt93x1ubPawnqH_CSGOeXPyXqYE2pehczSr-xH2ogJr30uzgo_RsCtITE83yQ7AFVJUQGgoxD0WPOpyYgJDEXWBasGPB5GVqM_2Dy7Nl2oRmw_AJyTbp6axDC7m6Rn5iFqrdx3za-uEH6BI2OGe2wvccr8ysA_Y11N3W_k3SEGGZubDwVS/s165/IMG_9415.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="165" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30kDyg5v2rdQt93x1ubPawnqH_CSGOeXPyXqYE2pehczSr-xH2ogJr30uzgo_RsCtITE83yQ7AFVJUQGgoxD0WPOpyYgJDEXWBasGPB5GVqM_2Dy7Nl2oRmw_AJyTbp6axDC7m6Rn5iFqrdx3za-uEH6BI2OGe2wvccr8ysA_Y11N3W_k3SEGGZubDwVS/w400-h230/IMG_9415.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ooooh and charlie was with us --- with talented junior enjoying the ride!</td></tr></tbody></table>We rode together again this week (she's on Charlie bc her own horse is laid up with a pretty significant soft tissue injury, ugh), and her latest observation was.... "I think it feels a lot different to you than it looks."</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_szA8N8YAuiLlMHG8RAnYXguM-tXqMuf_rOE7SO5cJnNlaZgfyG4pdV9EF_dnsYekuv5wyLri1AEC6cV1o15MJPcLR4PL6HJEweQdI9TFVGkEZRqQeKsWmWSd4vZDSx4S6GgUqQl4_NADGZlYnS4sB901HpfkfYOsy8P761lrspQfzbfCkAABE90Forzw/s575/IMG_9416a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_szA8N8YAuiLlMHG8RAnYXguM-tXqMuf_rOE7SO5cJnNlaZgfyG4pdV9EF_dnsYekuv5wyLri1AEC6cV1o15MJPcLR4PL6HJEweQdI9TFVGkEZRqQeKsWmWSd4vZDSx4S6GgUqQl4_NADGZlYnS4sB901HpfkfYOsy8P761lrspQfzbfCkAABE90Forzw/s16000/IMG_9416a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">selecting screen grabs for posts is always entertaining lol, bc we often kinda look like this </td></tr></tbody></table>Which like. Yea. I BELIEVE that haha. </div><div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBj96Yxab4GHFg2HSqinQChH1ecnWemsQXuImBxRHGS1DSajDF2gnxbl9deBcbiP4NH13npSMOPBPP1FZETkKuBtdaT8yLphdfZDBu44JZ1vLTUZj8THpDlO3vYYKVfqQD_m61M4HWuaFJdZLiJ289aATCUizodpuZw8CakXCLa62GLc7dWe-GVeDWeF4/s575/IMG_9416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBj96Yxab4GHFg2HSqinQChH1ecnWemsQXuImBxRHGS1DSajDF2gnxbl9deBcbiP4NH13npSMOPBPP1FZETkKuBtdaT8yLphdfZDBu44JZ1vLTUZj8THpDlO3vYYKVfqQD_m61M4HWuaFJdZLiJ289aATCUizodpuZw8CakXCLa62GLc7dWe-GVeDWeF4/s16000/IMG_9416.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lol and then there are millisecond frames like this, the "profile pic" screen grabs</td></tr></tbody></table>Who among us hasn't looked back at video footage and felt that sorta defensive pang of, "Wow that doesn't look as fast / intense / chaotic / out of control / {<i>insert whatever feeling here</i>} as I felt in the moment!"<br /><div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DLwsUMBDbfAzK7y4ISjnAsTukf6qTQm43urARG9_Kdd6kiudnCT6QBl0CVDNo48ZYc63ldCVGdW-1U8JTX0Cy-l1fCBMX3e_TYc4bo_CPXrpTITtQuh6kGgB81gu3pnopnY0dpkFFegVCQkC2jtaCCuWC_i2RPjDwVAX5qkaShJhOQeNtLQZznVJG95H/s575/IMG_9424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DLwsUMBDbfAzK7y4ISjnAsTukf6qTQm43urARG9_Kdd6kiudnCT6QBl0CVDNo48ZYc63ldCVGdW-1U8JTX0Cy-l1fCBMX3e_TYc4bo_CPXrpTITtQuh6kGgB81gu3pnopnY0dpkFFegVCQkC2jtaCCuWC_i2RPjDwVAX5qkaShJhOQeNtLQZznVJG95H/s16000/IMG_9424.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first jump of the day! we did this one a few times</td></tr></tbody></table>It's been really really helpful to get so much video footage this week, too. Like, superficially I'm asking for all the videos to help evaluate the saddles (this is the Amerigo again!), but I'm getting so much more out of it. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbU2rBpDHLel3sMj0mkV33jZcmwB6UlYxscX8x4hG2NcLjEoBB4_a8Sfyq6xF-OU_TgZQJnBAN4PIJQzbLJkfSWdmPTyh3kvS9QyvoH9EERPS8wMEEpjaSqLBgzqRs6Yy6XPTikEjGQ5T6TR5LzjTRiima0yNX8GflaTB98po5EUI6MEPj3zxBbFhSLYMI/s575/IMG_9425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbU2rBpDHLel3sMj0mkV33jZcmwB6UlYxscX8x4hG2NcLjEoBB4_a8Sfyq6xF-OU_TgZQJnBAN4PIJQzbLJkfSWdmPTyh3kvS9QyvoH9EERPS8wMEEpjaSqLBgzqRs6Yy6XPTikEjGQ5T6TR5LzjTRiima0yNX8GflaTB98po5EUI6MEPj3zxBbFhSLYMI/s16000/IMG_9425.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lolz and every time was different!! pictured here: an attempt you <i>won't </i>see on the video haha</td></tr></tbody></table>I had kinda laid off begging for video all the time bc realistically we're kinda at a normal plateau in the training. Doozy can more or less do the things, now we just need to go about the business of doing them again and again, hopefully refining our practice along the way.</div><div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kCwX1Hvb8xSN9AdGkvrDGLc2hhwore-ftG491hCzAKz0LOwUoRVGk7LOXgL4q6CQoNHeB-G4Xvjfh4uekKMULo5nYfdS0UboOScsdlyAcEVEPKXOnKf7sqcSAVWRjmDrAxfKTa-Jjh1rWOs7OGjcM6CF7llAPPaHMhKH5jdW2EFlT0_TvTNf87yKwXO9/s575/IMG_9427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kCwX1Hvb8xSN9AdGkvrDGLc2hhwore-ftG491hCzAKz0LOwUoRVGk7LOXgL4q6CQoNHeB-G4Xvjfh4uekKMULo5nYfdS0UboOScsdlyAcEVEPKXOnKf7sqcSAVWRjmDrAxfKTa-Jjh1rWOs7OGjcM6CF7llAPPaHMhKH5jdW2EFlT0_TvTNf87yKwXO9/s16000/IMG_9427.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this one made the cut tho ;) </td></tr></tbody></table>But now I have an excuse to ask for videos again, haha, and what media junkie would pass up that opportunity!?!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0Bb2po04cxaQDd2g0deYHEEMIUlCCN205Os1TT-x0E2KuXU3IppWd8uaqLmC0B2VV9zXhb9X-FkyElHkrTvlZm2HS9EahvNHkhxfri2B7msPtKEL7AJ_PE-ANoRRzMfysWOYWBP_XfJo1_2ee2SZdc0BDpnKW-vho3ERU8kyHSXV6mx_f-4co0Z5pvof/s575/IMG_9430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0Bb2po04cxaQDd2g0deYHEEMIUlCCN205Os1TT-x0E2KuXU3IppWd8uaqLmC0B2VV9zXhb9X-FkyElHkrTvlZm2HS9EahvNHkhxfri2B7msPtKEL7AJ_PE-ANoRRzMfysWOYWBP_XfJo1_2ee2SZdc0BDpnKW-vho3ERU8kyHSXV6mx_f-4co0Z5pvof/s16000/IMG_9430.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the video is so so helpful for me bc it does NOT look how it feels</td></tr></tbody></table>So. Here we are with our third video from this week's training sessions with Mondeuse, wherein we skip around a couple small verticals in the jump ring. Eventually I'll pull on my big girl pants and actually dismount to set proper jumps for us (to include oxers), and measure out distances in the lines etc. But for now.... we kinda just work with what's already set up.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MM9Cm_YHTuX3GywNciMk4ZtSSbQCjUYK5ttBa0pYCU_Jc_sUIkWWH4iA-o5h3XtYZH3mhmlxI1glU8NIEWc6Pqtusjvw8-WdfoX-Smiww96Rx3SW8MwN9asQy48hP9x8F45no8VwP2PcmLOYxPqltVvb_yWPT9CAI4QhSWnjzyXD_sOP6YCUi3muM9we/s575/IMG_9431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MM9Cm_YHTuX3GywNciMk4ZtSSbQCjUYK5ttBa0pYCU_Jc_sUIkWWH4iA-o5h3XtYZH3mhmlxI1glU8NIEWc6Pqtusjvw8-WdfoX-Smiww96Rx3SW8MwN9asQy48hP9x8F45no8VwP2PcmLOYxPqltVvb_yWPT9CAI4QhSWnjzyXD_sOP6YCUi3muM9we/s16000/IMG_9431.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tho ya know, it never really does, right?</td></tr></tbody></table>Which, in this case, worked out well enough to be mostly a bunch of small verticals. Tho the two related distances were close enough together that I opted not to get to experimental with jumping into a mystery distance haha. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like, sure sure there was that time a few months ago when <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2023/12/red-rockette.html" target="_blank">I rode in blind to a two-stride</a>... But I was pretty confident it was set at about 30', and Doozy was so green I didn't worry she'd bolt through on the short distance. And that was all fine. But eh, for this ride, we stuck to singles.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWD2KMkXvlrUObtNx7OIUo0YGpqkU0_8q0wp8rio12wJFhSmyW2gDodEZ4S2gmlVoF-tREGO0dwsPQYA_s7MWX8PTzmZ0IA-k1cdxlT2coB3nlRq4Ea0vCpL8-6SO9LzHuvX8qeuA24wUMzJsQkNEAfnD8dvwHqqJFvOez1qt8yLIQdAQi62g60Q-hEdc/s575/IMG_9432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWD2KMkXvlrUObtNx7OIUo0YGpqkU0_8q0wp8rio12wJFhSmyW2gDodEZ4S2gmlVoF-tREGO0dwsPQYA_s7MWX8PTzmZ0IA-k1cdxlT2coB3nlRq4Ea0vCpL8-6SO9LzHuvX8qeuA24wUMzJsQkNEAfnD8dvwHqqJFvOez1qt8yLIQdAQi62g60Q-hEdc/s16000/IMG_9432.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cantering small verticals!! from a variety of take off points LOL</td></tr></tbody></table>Anyway, it was a good ride! Instructive both in the moment, and also in watching the video. Doozy is a very good girl who definitely wants to go to the jumps, and I'm (slowly) getting my sea legs back after not really jumping at all for the last year.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbW_g6BJSNdwsw4GgUcgxXf-hpYte80MTF7jrADcAvpaBrZWvaG-4RFjfyROVis5wvZtTNytHDlfCLTPes8ub3tXDj7dO5aU2VzxQZUCfngHvQwv2dTWFyISXFx6ZI_elGYEIQOrbDRYIIEY3kAOgl_Z9x_T-XsE60oMV_LZVU1LT5bYQ6PbBIvzKp8XC/s575/IMG_9433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbW_g6BJSNdwsw4GgUcgxXf-hpYte80MTF7jrADcAvpaBrZWvaG-4RFjfyROVis5wvZtTNytHDlfCLTPes8ub3tXDj7dO5aU2VzxQZUCfngHvQwv2dTWFyISXFx6ZI_elGYEIQOrbDRYIIEY3kAOgl_Z9x_T-XsE60oMV_LZVU1LT5bYQ6PbBIvzKp8XC/s16000/IMG_9433.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">charlie ears <3 <3 <3</td></tr></tbody></table>Doozy is definitely raring to go, tho. Like, sorta the same thing with not wanting to trot -- when she's thinking about jumping, she's thinking about cantering. And the second you push the reins forward, she's <i>going</i>. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUduGr1CHlKFkc2zR4BYIN34rE6h1iaQea98QM71us3RgH4fkPP1yL39KwLySg3E5UwxhgEqpr6XNlxwcQLuBk0n6efCE1f2uP6QghzIAE-KzFLJu5jZ00LSQtDrk2iRmVMGwqd7rzOkQuO0F0VkwBsvofxaLXmjkZ1ilpolhA0F-QW1AaXuh_Oexxlo87/s575/IMG_9434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUduGr1CHlKFkc2zR4BYIN34rE6h1iaQea98QM71us3RgH4fkPP1yL39KwLySg3E5UwxhgEqpr6XNlxwcQLuBk0n6efCE1f2uP6QghzIAE-KzFLJu5jZ00LSQtDrk2iRmVMGwqd7rzOkQuO0F0VkwBsvofxaLXmjkZ1ilpolhA0F-QW1AaXuh_Oexxlo87/s16000/IMG_9434.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more gratuitous charlie ears bc c'mon what a shot!</td></tr></tbody></table>I spent the first few jumps trying to be more disciplined in "make her trot!" But, eh, eventually I kinda just gave in and allowed the canter. Still tho, it's kinda the same thing. The mare goes as forward as I let her go, which is sometimes more forward than I want her to be at the fences. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ATEOkLFzQf9AWWAFAtMCJrns3y4MGdqv3xLFETjmILLXYpbV4c2WZzBXRyqfBb-ZIjfPRFvE7Z0XMtewxUJ3_iVV9YJNwXeRHB6Ym_2209mdZd5oE1c-XQEIOXA1Hp1UsmJeM8oLgKFf518XXm6_0EHHicJDT578HhuiqX2Kwp23cQOvSKjoir6SDGW1/s575/IMG_9435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ATEOkLFzQf9AWWAFAtMCJrns3y4MGdqv3xLFETjmILLXYpbV4c2WZzBXRyqfBb-ZIjfPRFvE7Z0XMtewxUJ3_iVV9YJNwXeRHB6Ym_2209mdZd5oE1c-XQEIOXA1Hp1UsmJeM8oLgKFf518XXm6_0EHHicJDT578HhuiqX2Kwp23cQOvSKjoir6SDGW1/s16000/IMG_9435.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the mare is super cute even when i can't tell the difference between too forward or too backward LOL</td></tr></tbody></table>In an ideal world, we'd never really want to be shortening in the last step or two to the fence -- but would rather prefer to be in a forward uphill balance with hind legs stepping up and under. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7z7mXNVAhtwADz06lt01gmksov9RK8j7d7ZguwDLrRCxAbgKbC0uuxabtb8HIdMWac_dyrHr7NbzChRO_lqwm1Gc3tJeZ4UjjcADzYB73fcE37QEFExN2MGokGA1r693q6va1qH5tg4t5sIFNoa8_spuB661zOO9MQCnbmY4GnEjxvuM80XYm3_pJz_zG/s575/IMG_9436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7z7mXNVAhtwADz06lt01gmksov9RK8j7d7ZguwDLrRCxAbgKbC0uuxabtb8HIdMWac_dyrHr7NbzChRO_lqwm1Gc3tJeZ4UjjcADzYB73fcE37QEFExN2MGokGA1r693q6va1qH5tg4t5sIFNoa8_spuB661zOO9MQCnbmY4GnEjxvuM80XYm3_pJz_zG/s16000/IMG_9436.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another takeoff distance you won't see in the video haha</td></tr></tbody></table>In the real world, tho, sometimes fences come up funny, and sometimes I pull, and sometimes Doozy runs past her distance lol. C'est la vie, tho, right? </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YLx92oCRduqcdJB8fIwhsRR8fhYr32iZ27kbm6UYtXQFfgnrYSbLPrds9gOjFPeXHg-hPjRNGxYSWKHkEi4_CdqiLxrdS6K9M8ymtOq74vol1RdDERX80fsUsKAtOUNMK_aRXcnXzcY86L8b__YrFvUblxvU25zpgSbPZkFqVtc5qBKU9hnIlT6VK_Lm/s575/IMG_9437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YLx92oCRduqcdJB8fIwhsRR8fhYr32iZ27kbm6UYtXQFfgnrYSbLPrds9gOjFPeXHg-hPjRNGxYSWKHkEi4_CdqiLxrdS6K9M8ymtOq74vol1RdDERX80fsUsKAtOUNMK_aRXcnXzcY86L8b__YrFvUblxvU25zpgSbPZkFqVtc5qBKU9hnIlT6VK_Lm/s16000/IMG_9437.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">much happier jumping from this balance of canter</td></tr></tbody></table>But going back to my wise young riding buddy's advice above... There are probably <i>more</i> moments where I can allow more of that forward balance than I'm currently utilizing. Like, Doozy feels a bit faster and more chaotic than she looks. And actually, she has a nice forward cruising canter that is definitely fine and appropriate for these jumping exercises.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYDipBdGZ5_hsCWgfGJvl7qM4Ho_vVpgoCa6Xb9jaFaxFpmSL1XsJPlT-0OuZO53KL6GIkZnXHx6HBwxzDZX0isUxnw1P8E-OqWOckB1eTBFaueabr2TWcQfDSXIOX39FJZVtIgxj1r2cwW2GEoVk0TzmI_7vZu6R2wFbzPSxpaUmsq6CqxHLFyOEUZqG/s575/IMG_9438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYDipBdGZ5_hsCWgfGJvl7qM4Ho_vVpgoCa6Xb9jaFaxFpmSL1XsJPlT-0OuZO53KL6GIkZnXHx6HBwxzDZX0isUxnw1P8E-OqWOckB1eTBFaueabr2TWcQfDSXIOX39FJZVtIgxj1r2cwW2GEoVk0TzmI_7vZu6R2wFbzPSxpaUmsq6CqxHLFyOEUZqG/s16000/IMG_9438.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice boring jump from a nice comfortable distance -- that's the ticket, dooz!!</td></tr></tbody></table>So my homework is to just keep looking for those moments, right? And ya know. Remind myself to maybe don't make it harder than it needs to be, give the horse the benefit of the doubt lol. She's green, I'm an amateur, but we're having fun and that's what it's all about, right?</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OuI-0IhOVGo" width="320" youtube-src-id="OuI-0IhOVGo"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/OuI-0IhOVGo" target="_blank">link to a couple quick efforts here</a></div><div><br /></div>So it was a solid ride just in terms of logging more practice over fences. Plus the junior rider had a ton of fun with Charlie too -- including a little jumping!! She might actually be the first person ever to jump him other than me, and they looked great. Charlie had that glint in his eye that makes me so excited!!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxWPpgEX4XUE-3vAkWCrVg-J5Es01LJyjZR5R4py7LfDxARjDN0swII9RjvXrqnr3TWqiJUSRfBnW34QTBMHF3uHOsHr6VldrRrWQE-0X3rAYz3WPtfZNpXnNHO9xEjbOkvon9Up1eC_nf5ZwYfOJw_o0Xug5FVbDk4q44biOPdVkdkOZcw8dEeoTXwMr/s575/IMG_9438a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxWPpgEX4XUE-3vAkWCrVg-J5Es01LJyjZR5R4py7LfDxARjDN0swII9RjvXrqnr3TWqiJUSRfBnW34QTBMHF3uHOsHr6VldrRrWQE-0X3rAYz3WPtfZNpXnNHO9xEjbOkvon9Up1eC_nf5ZwYfOJw_o0Xug5FVbDk4q44biOPdVkdkOZcw8dEeoTXwMr/s16000/IMG_9438a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">charlie had to lead the way home bc there were scary sticks omg</td></tr></tbody></table>All in all, a pretty great way to end the week -- esp with the mild spring weather that's finally rolling in after what feels like ages and ages of rain. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hope you all had a great week too!!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-37377595181416471772024-03-07T01:00:00.000-08:002024-03-07T01:00:00.135-08:00Intro C canter squircles<div>Riding is such a funny thing, guys. Like. Sometimes I can maybe be proficient or whatever. And sometimes I just like... straight up forget to even <i>try</i> lol.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRiGHCtvQtz2oP3Qk-67pXg3idSlXfgECqt7QewF4Oo6Du1jwWHWrdWvMoFRuQAFfMGhFqyBmPJhZvZ5s3w2Ki2mhB_v3wAUxBAoJvrv3onjGeS11N5a4xThjzcFuMOhsgVrTiZS_gM6BYtczLH3B8T-HyjoaYMSjObT5vizuJXAS5WboQv7rqXjISgX9/s575/IMG_9397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRiGHCtvQtz2oP3Qk-67pXg3idSlXfgECqt7QewF4Oo6Du1jwWHWrdWvMoFRuQAFfMGhFqyBmPJhZvZ5s3w2Ki2mhB_v3wAUxBAoJvrv3onjGeS11N5a4xThjzcFuMOhsgVrTiZS_gM6BYtczLH3B8T-HyjoaYMSjObT5vizuJXAS5WboQv7rqXjISgX9/s16000/IMG_9397.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at this sweet cute thing!</td></tr></tbody></table>Like watching the video from <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2024/03/printemps-avec-mondeuse.html" target="_blank">last weekend of us trotting and cantering around</a> in the Voltaire trial saddle... I was like, "<i>Wow was I even thinking about trying to ride well? Or was I just so surprised to be cantering in the dressage ring that my mind literally went completely blank??</i>"<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XKAvZdfaznJopFF11M6gCAi20d4Y3iqRw16SAvMAlfT7_mSny19T-iPICUrjQY4R5sLWjJOXQcCMhx79EQMYu50VXZbEP1Fl8L4qm2x32KZZ0emNcXSd4FqxY0fYkYydZeBPjDYuYuIvyEPtmEP1b_mx4gkmCQcUfjX3X0XkOz6sNFwK6eWRh02YnjCZ/s575/IMG_9401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XKAvZdfaznJopFF11M6gCAi20d4Y3iqRw16SAvMAlfT7_mSny19T-iPICUrjQY4R5sLWjJOXQcCMhx79EQMYu50VXZbEP1Fl8L4qm2x32KZZ0emNcXSd4FqxY0fYkYydZeBPjDYuYuIvyEPtmEP1b_mx4gkmCQcUfjX3X0XkOz6sNFwK6eWRh02YnjCZ/s16000/IMG_9401.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oooookie dokie haha, let's take a quick pictorial review of practicing the canter circle from Intro C -- starting with this lovely shot of us falling in wayyyy off the wall haha</td></tr></tbody></table>Not that Doozy seems to much care, to be honest. If anything, she's a little more relaxed when I'm kinda just mindlessly tinkering around with her. Bc I guess sometimes when I try really hard to focus on my position or whatever, I start introducing more tension and rigidity into the equation? </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj188SLWoiXe5UAk5Y2SkYBiHZCHqqWtTqOldcsR4pXXU31_tg1VzthW4Q6X8Bd0esOzXFiHz6a6tx3pcMW4DRBebCIwxjrRkhUfHxpD0QNQUrAlHYHyrfVcN3EjQcysyQFaBAJunfVgo1I3v66nWTpkShfLsJ9JeRecJUai4kEK8cTfZAZ_L5iVwjNo1u2/s575/IMG_9402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj188SLWoiXe5UAk5Y2SkYBiHZCHqqWtTqOldcsR4pXXU31_tg1VzthW4Q6X8Bd0esOzXFiHz6a6tx3pcMW4DRBebCIwxjrRkhUfHxpD0QNQUrAlHYHyrfVcN3EjQcysyQFaBAJunfVgo1I3v66nWTpkShfLsJ9JeRecJUai4kEK8cTfZAZ_L5iVwjNo1u2/s16000/IMG_9402.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pictures are so helpful in isolating small but important opportunities that can sometimes get lost in the moment</td></tr></tbody></table>But ya know. It's also true that our circles are more... <i>circular</i> (ahem) when I am more proactive about steering and balance. And it's also true that Doozy can achieve better balance and rhythm when she's better prepared for each step. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUkVMNIV8BXuwwnQ1G-AZ1tSYaCCxdFXGavSxpq23kHwvmWGTZD2lMowF6bfTf7KdG6cffZgCJUsyX8tqdEKq1nbnZhwpv9s7UZPgUA_7MAZDggxTYji2EtN60CQ9TVG17bfhbGua5ksS1cv4LQCibCBCJxsdnjy9ZdX4B_w7ZY75Ga-frlucHlzoM1E6/s575/IMG_9403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUkVMNIV8BXuwwnQ1G-AZ1tSYaCCxdFXGavSxpq23kHwvmWGTZD2lMowF6bfTf7KdG6cffZgCJUsyX8tqdEKq1nbnZhwpv9s7UZPgUA_7MAZDggxTYji2EtN60CQ9TVG17bfhbGua5ksS1cv4LQCibCBCJxsdnjy9ZdX4B_w7ZY75Ga-frlucHlzoM1E6/s16000/IMG_9403.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we figured out how to trot again, hallelujah haha</td></tr></tbody></table><i>And</i> it's also <i>also</i> true that Doozy seems to prefer more snug inseam + thigh contact from me. Which, let's be real, is probably just bc thinking about having that thigh contact keeps my seat a little more still and stabilized overall. Regardless, the horse seems to like it.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGYViLlRZdN8WsPvY-RkTxlQ-iCravOlTMoBZu25-Q-fLZf7mem8npd7wtenwHnstMlzFtXC5RjY5ex9SbZUtE1hVfWCEWugNH4yQiXbBs0JavmtNIGdigfOiMMzljykyESK49bmKMlPi5k-cwErgrOBZvM_5MnjSYpy5JXmFjxUPXaKeQ0etouUzpFN-/s575/IMG_9404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGYViLlRZdN8WsPvY-RkTxlQ-iCravOlTMoBZu25-Q-fLZf7mem8npd7wtenwHnstMlzFtXC5RjY5ex9SbZUtE1hVfWCEWugNH4yQiXbBs0JavmtNIGdigfOiMMzljykyESK49bmKMlPi5k-cwErgrOBZvM_5MnjSYpy5JXmFjxUPXaKeQ0etouUzpFN-/s16000/IMG_9404.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rinse and repeat -- still leaning but honestly a relatively smooth transition</td></tr></tbody></table>All this to say, it's always a balancing act. Yea, I kinda want to lighten up on the intensity and pressure in our rides right now to "get back to the basics." But ya know. I still need to <i>remember to actually ride</i> lol.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPH7fCiMK8ms_M9IhWZXGGGLwSBJaLEa2kxoTAAWen_MP1zELSAFzECPjd6PYj89_aLge74CVbgvu0B3MMpOiMV8_1bcJ4j3cc_ygwE1Ch2i1gFgVZ800xEM7388Xmua35cXEaBZBRP4nCRIK3t0mCbvgIk0j8BFbIumbFUCQS7FU92sAnbUMl8XT0oVsQ/s575/IMG_9405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPH7fCiMK8ms_M9IhWZXGGGLwSBJaLEa2kxoTAAWen_MP1zELSAFzECPjd6PYj89_aLge74CVbgvu0B3MMpOiMV8_1bcJ4j3cc_ygwE1Ch2i1gFgVZ800xEM7388Xmua35cXEaBZBRP4nCRIK3t0mCbvgIk0j8BFbIumbFUCQS7FU92sAnbUMl8XT0oVsQ/s16000/IMG_9405.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">eventually i'll stop being caught off guard when doozy doesn't just automatically execute a circular pattern without being piloted LOL</td></tr></tbody></table>Practicing figures is proving to be a really useful structure to help, too. Especially now that we're riding more often outside the confines of the 20x40m indoor.... it's becoming increasingly clear that the walls are more influential in helping us achieve a 20m circle than is ideal LOL.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgrDNvRIBTaPW4U17e3FttExM2EV4OigBQVexpStOqChOEl82LbLXjC9POYUd9ILYj9SVQp1UhAA-n7A03JWFr8E0-EvCItS5KYNW7xq90_cHTKaBndm1dh3hic30SZk0SmASrQS7R815zxzxpPT1h0mskFT6x-i6i4FRhQBV5RMc7gguFH8I3cyTWTts/s575/IMG_9406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgrDNvRIBTaPW4U17e3FttExM2EV4OigBQVexpStOqChOEl82LbLXjC9POYUd9ILYj9SVQp1UhAA-n7A03JWFr8E0-EvCItS5KYNW7xq90_cHTKaBndm1dh3hic30SZk0SmASrQS7R815zxzxpPT1h0mskFT6x-i6i4FRhQBV5RMc7gguFH8I3cyTWTts/s16000/IMG_9406.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">feeling ok about this picture, tho ya know, falling out isn't such a big deal when there's a WALL right there lol... might be a different feeling if it were just a little dressage court board haha</td></tr></tbody></table>I also want to get a little more disciplined in our transitions. Recall we recently went thru a phase where Doozy didn't really want to trot, and would constantly slip into canter. Partly bc she's just a forward thinking horse and cantering is more fun than trotting... But also partly bc the aid to get Doozy to canter is basically just to '<i>think</i>' and '<i>allow</i>' lol, and she goes!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVRGXFjUPx70Wa7N4FZrg-1k4Jq_k3TPcYILhx0n_K6_NF3Up3RCI_tX7mVZDsRaJIExIQG3yt5mtFTjq4QaXMCWGA2_fNNsVjOTWuu-D7ofSegCuC1K-oypIHRW0Koiq9lXewosQH5yaw4tjxziprJtFA9Ab1wHdMrvUjnO9AL2-Z49Ao1y_fBPGS6lj/s575/IMG_9407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVRGXFjUPx70Wa7N4FZrg-1k4Jq_k3TPcYILhx0n_K6_NF3Up3RCI_tX7mVZDsRaJIExIQG3yt5mtFTjq4QaXMCWGA2_fNNsVjOTWuu-D7ofSegCuC1K-oypIHRW0Koiq9lXewosQH5yaw4tjxziprJtFA9Ab1wHdMrvUjnO9AL2-Z49Ao1y_fBPGS6lj/s16000/IMG_9407.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">learning to transition down! one day i'll figure out how to stay tall while doing so haha</td></tr></tbody></table>All that to say, we had another ride this week where I asked a friend to snag some video to help me evaluate the saddle (this is the Amerigo!), and figured I'd use the opportunity to do a practice session on those weird canter circles from Intro C. For the uninitiated -- this movement calls for trotting into a 20m circle at A,
developing working
canter in first quarter
of the circle, then coming back to trot before finishing the circle.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI065P70_UZITwmgBp3TcPUEEt7yJiP-YLAXMJL-AbYSSRo7Ob19s8UgfPTAXY_7Md7gli5MJSdgum458Tq_vEbxZih1gqKYPcxM0myu53UtT52exyej_Xo6tsbpeLNRQKSFWIIT5Pz4pnR1m43U_5yri4fHmZMyJIgV-PXoVsCnXFPSreP6_eqhB_a7i/s575/IMG_9408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI065P70_UZITwmgBp3TcPUEEt7yJiP-YLAXMJL-AbYSSRo7Ob19s8UgfPTAXY_7Md7gli5MJSdgum458Tq_vEbxZih1gqKYPcxM0myu53UtT52exyej_Xo6tsbpeLNRQKSFWIIT5Pz4pnR1m43U_5yri4fHmZMyJIgV-PXoVsCnXFPSreP6_eqhB_a7i/s16000/IMG_9408.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trit trotting around to change directions</td></tr></tbody></table>So we ran through the pattern a couple times in both directions (all in the video below!), and it was illuminating haha. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz66sLTLj3NQgAt7ex7So_hAJHPUotfwa8jGVcfaAJsD3HQ1rgoEZqSPJ9qA0hJWiH5zMqLk51h1XdjQXdOlS3KEAXS6bVu1yOxgUT672zCYLaoL8k4nqXcUF2JHIUZweCFIXSpoKoH6TmEAUMBjq4KvLHNu-0SmQd4YjlchPOkQttFiBswB-7fdV7pPpy/s575/IMG_9409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz66sLTLj3NQgAt7ex7So_hAJHPUotfwa8jGVcfaAJsD3HQ1rgoEZqSPJ9qA0hJWiH5zMqLk51h1XdjQXdOlS3KEAXS6bVu1yOxgUT672zCYLaoL8k4nqXcUF2JHIUZweCFIXSpoKoH6TmEAUMBjq4KvLHNu-0SmQd4YjlchPOkQttFiBswB-7fdV7pPpy/s16000/IMG_9409.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">whoops, misfired!! 100% expect to see this happening in actual tests too... </td></tr></tbody></table>Our circles are.... <i>not good</i>. But I'm also like... Very clearly not doing my part to fix that. In both directions, we fall in on the circle in the transition up into canter, and then fall out of the circle in the second half. I neither try to hold us out in the first half, nor do I appear to be proactive when crossing X to try to hold the round shape. And thus, we squircle. Charming, right?</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1QsvEq0NRTopZWG6BDaRrL8tVTcJ5MaiXwxRyXoVmzzkz1fwG5NEkVoPVQk6CIYd5kYGqxaxaXh6skcWrF7cZLvrB7vq3DE7h1InhyVJ_K7cBMq1DHud6v_IIS5AX1FplyieJXlRpWkXERZ65lXEmkfOAiHOoUZQLCwl26GCGsWLRAmf0qx0P_9b7y11/s575/IMG_9410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1QsvEq0NRTopZWG6BDaRrL8tVTcJ5MaiXwxRyXoVmzzkz1fwG5NEkVoPVQk6CIYd5kYGqxaxaXh6skcWrF7cZLvrB7vq3DE7h1InhyVJ_K7cBMq1DHud6v_IIS5AX1FplyieJXlRpWkXERZ65lXEmkfOAiHOoUZQLCwl26GCGsWLRAmf0qx0P_9b7y11/s16000/IMG_9410.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that's better! emma, shorten your reins!</td></tr></tbody></table>Tho, obvi, there's more to it than just ineffective riding. Watching the video frame by frame helps me see more of the mechanics in what Doozy is actually doing. And ya know. She's going like a green, untrained, and under-developed ottb: leaning on her shoulders and trailing a bit behind, vs stepping up and under from her hind end to hold herself up in the turns.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXpuimeO59q_FK6UGfx9F7hH83owzUkhhskVIILf-IWyN36HAJivGmr-nauPkeeRagswbszccfCF305GezIz0AuoAejMsNjkm1HguG1w0c7u_NUGw7VoUru62IhDxFv7-8wyng4S-dj3678AdVLmQ7pOEsVjlHZtmjVWi1ntD8gW4l4EzoCKxTVmrMalA/s575/IMG_9410a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXpuimeO59q_FK6UGfx9F7hH83owzUkhhskVIILf-IWyN36HAJivGmr-nauPkeeRagswbszccfCF305GezIz0AuoAejMsNjkm1HguG1w0c7u_NUGw7VoUru62IhDxFv7-8wyng4S-dj3678AdVLmQ7pOEsVjlHZtmjVWi1ntD8gW4l4EzoCKxTVmrMalA/s16000/IMG_9410a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cutie pie!</td></tr></tbody></table>The transitions themselves actually went a bit better than I expected tho!! The upward transition is relatively fluid, none of the flamboyant sass I used to get with Isabel, or the labored heave-ho from Charlie. Downward transition maybe needs better preparation -- tho actually the first couple steps of trot after the downward seem quite pleasant! </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQyGrnZlJdy_WtWVqX3jM7E6icn03WdejUKlgkPRn0WJgPNNEOVIv6kE-3jc9NR0RnaYT09Xc9FIIOtg4cMAr50BOX_rfSl7Y64tQvAotQdw68owT6QH8uMtg5uP4oOP6ObwpmooZZ1DL88SIlCu7QO4oVld3-8iFE9CjywqQdWJhP1-V3Kgcun__wv17/s575/IMG_9412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQyGrnZlJdy_WtWVqX3jM7E6icn03WdejUKlgkPRn0WJgPNNEOVIv6kE-3jc9NR0RnaYT09Xc9FIIOtg4cMAr50BOX_rfSl7Y64tQvAotQdw68owT6QH8uMtg5uP4oOP6ObwpmooZZ1DL88SIlCu7QO4oVld3-8iFE9CjywqQdWJhP1-V3Kgcun__wv17/s16000/IMG_9412.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lolzzz less cute haha goodness gracious a few things are going wrong here!</td></tr></tbody></table>It's like in that exact moment, Doozy is able to find the gear for pushing in the trot, vs pulling. But then we kinda lose it out the front door and start running again. Methinks it's all still related to helping her learn to transfer more balance to her hind quarters. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05hYuaTtM7VGR0g56EqKfNSI7Kgem1Zkzo38lAEF_pab6_b0-wFbf5i27sJKtAztsI24kIoZAoGO7KZ2zhOtM2psmd583j1EsQRgTurKZxs_GgmKjERWJiWnY1Q1pPKZsK3R3_V27aNs9rk1vdSuPHNIHZpJXqP8uGxX_P5XXeYGYj7dpLyK_kYc2J18-/s575/IMG_9413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05hYuaTtM7VGR0g56EqKfNSI7Kgem1Zkzo38lAEF_pab6_b0-wFbf5i27sJKtAztsI24kIoZAoGO7KZ2zhOtM2psmd583j1EsQRgTurKZxs_GgmKjERWJiWnY1Q1pPKZsK3R3_V27aNs9rk1vdSuPHNIHZpJXqP8uGxX_P5XXeYGYj7dpLyK_kYc2J18-/s16000/IMG_9413.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all in good time, amirite?</td></tr></tbody></table>So ya know. We continue with "going through the movements" so to speak... Tho with a gentle reminder to myself that providing clearer guidance to Doozy is good and normal and helpful, and not the same thing as putting more <i>pressure</i> on her. And that I shouldn't wait until after the fact, after the squircle (lol) to be like, "<i>ooh maybe I should have better prepared for that!</i>" Haha....<br /><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y5FgRrA8Ons" width="320" youtube-src-id="y5FgRrA8Ons"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/y5FgRrA8Ons" target="_blank">link to video</a></div><div><br /></div>The horse honestly feels pretty good tho. Increasingly chill vibes. Happy to do the work, open to input and influence from yours truly lol. And she overall continues to grow in confidence with recognizing riding patterns and exercises. Like she's not "waiting for the other shoe to drop" anymore. </div><div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6WsfV3f7M1HS5_CDUMiOKMZB3MhXNi-ygFoyfnuzrE5hv47RKPjzsCFMd68bL5-O4_Od4FlJ16N91Uz_3U3Fa5fnfW6TxRftj3NuBrvvj78PJf61Tbd7adUPcdiwzI6fvI2O4xkVhrJwhkHKzng8ra0Q_Dsoy24f5Y77OxY-AmlWHi79_bWkBo0zsrhf/s575/IMG_9414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6WsfV3f7M1HS5_CDUMiOKMZB3MhXNi-ygFoyfnuzrE5hv47RKPjzsCFMd68bL5-O4_Od4FlJ16N91Uz_3U3Fa5fnfW6TxRftj3NuBrvvj78PJf61Tbd7adUPcdiwzI6fvI2O4xkVhrJwhkHKzng8ra0Q_Dsoy24f5Y77OxY-AmlWHi79_bWkBo0zsrhf/s16000/IMG_9414.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">quite enjoying this trial saddle!</td></tr></tbody></table>Not sure we're gonna knock the socks off any dressage judges quite yet with our somewhat chaotic execution of the patterns lol... But, eh, when has that ever stopped me from giving it a shot anyway, right? </div><div><br /></div><div>Do you like practicing dressage tests or specific movements from tests in your regular riding too? <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-44549740056899446912024-03-05T01:00:00.000-08:002024-03-05T01:00:00.130-08:00tack trials + tribulations<div>Believe it or not, we're just a week or so shy of celebrating 7 months since Mondeuse joined the family! </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIBks8Lxts6dJ29vzwdtpQOiGuge9qcBNg-SJSl-ggKFFzoJ8bsYLe7b4UNBaNjM5Nt_oWwvd7A_rG2QlN2avZUyO7QA1sFlNxxe8rruOI92cHObPjIgoqZSVvKHPAVK87pxNYojGBhQMZWoPCB8mKk9LazyloJe_XsWIwSDnQrygZukAcF-Vb6Pskr1T/s575/IMG_9337.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIBks8Lxts6dJ29vzwdtpQOiGuge9qcBNg-SJSl-ggKFFzoJ8bsYLe7b4UNBaNjM5Nt_oWwvd7A_rG2QlN2avZUyO7QA1sFlNxxe8rruOI92cHObPjIgoqZSVvKHPAVK87pxNYojGBhQMZWoPCB8mKk9LazyloJe_XsWIwSDnQrygZukAcF-Vb6Pskr1T/s16000/IMG_9337.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my selected trio of trial candidates on display at the Maryland Saddlery!<br />L to R: County; Amerigo; Voltaire</td></tr></tbody></table>Things got off to a rocky-ish start when we descended into an alarming period of potentially serious unsoundness just 2 weeks into having her. Recall, Doozy's hind left leg -- which was recovering from significant wounds after a fence accident before I adopted her -- absolutely <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2023/08/well-that-didnt-take-long.html" target="_blank"><i>exploded</i> into persistent and systemic cellulitis</a>. <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfBDzd-C5Hh06W1vzjtq_4RdVSvUZxCkxs7qjm4eMt1B2VFYiOD0jxtx0Yq8TbnPDZEx-OQZ11RWBV48trVr4-0OfQi7Rozzc2mF4UK1GyBwx4ztZzOQFV1hAeTMPAdFlVLtsaoN58ODtoa6F5335NJRMsuCLC2KBbEyi1hRX_hhnQ1-QNr1aGzouJys6/s575/IMG_9338.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfBDzd-C5Hh06W1vzjtq_4RdVSvUZxCkxs7qjm4eMt1B2VFYiOD0jxtx0Yq8TbnPDZEx-OQZ11RWBV48trVr4-0OfQi7Rozzc2mF4UK1GyBwx4ztZzOQFV1hAeTMPAdFlVLtsaoN58ODtoa6F5335NJRMsuCLC2KBbEyi1hRX_hhnQ1-QNr1aGzouJys6/s16000/IMG_9338.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is all for you, Dooz! bc it turns out we kinda like you <3</td></tr></tbody></table>Even as that infection slowly subsided, we still weren't out of the woods -- and the mare blew an <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2023/09/ww-horse-people-love-grossest-stuff.html" target="_blank">enormous abscess out of her coronet band on the same leg</a>. Probably all related, ya know?</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplGQ7Vkwlj5Vx25bDhIPdnSYBETOPLgq1T4y5wlvo7PdctCvSwOrqsN4B6MIu7EvwvBzuxZCS3Gk2Fnrv1I0tHMWz3pHx2oBb0MEv1XYuZ8Xaid5RkoWQXROK7ep6FuVEKzOW1eeSJFCJvUVb3KpdljzFRkQWIkoZB7L3v6FTALZX-KKfH8effI9EwrPf/s575/IMG_9339.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplGQ7Vkwlj5Vx25bDhIPdnSYBETOPLgq1T4y5wlvo7PdctCvSwOrqsN4B6MIu7EvwvBzuxZCS3Gk2Fnrv1I0tHMWz3pHx2oBb0MEv1XYuZ8Xaid5RkoWQXROK7ep6FuVEKzOW1eeSJFCJvUVb3KpdljzFRkQWIkoZB7L3v6FTALZX-KKfH8effI9EwrPf/s16000/IMG_9339.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">only two actually came home tho -- another shopper happened to come into the store with the explicit purpose of taking the County home on trial, while i was still hangin out browsing the aisles. like, had apparently been searching for <i>that exact spec saddle</i>, and hustled over as soon as she could. the shop owner was basically like, '<i>Sorry it's already been claimed for trial!</i>' but c'mon, no way. i just picked it kinda on a whim, ya know? anybody who knows the pain of saddle shopping would pay that forward and let the lady take the saddle, and i was more than happy to just say, "please, it's all yours!!" to do anything else is basically begging to be cursed in saddle shopping for all eternity amirite?? lol...</td></tr></tbody></table>That whole song and dance consumed the better part of 4 weeks, with no clear answers on whether it was likely the cellulitis would be a chronic or recurring issue bc of all the trauma that leg experienced.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFahuncHS3UZeWD3Lba-_YEAQeJyuA64w-gn_2P299zc0HjH9aZ97QPo8DExKFEKkFEbxlVC09ja9LPRX8rr0i5xB-sqWgeTHv8S9WQG6gM32hHny8ML-LBGP3qCutSFHhH8ictKRTmDtghW5gmawX47F6DtHMiV2Nei6hC0dvo_y_ySSnuu0JhePu1HEx/s575/IMG_9340.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFahuncHS3UZeWD3Lba-_YEAQeJyuA64w-gn_2P299zc0HjH9aZ97QPo8DExKFEKkFEbxlVC09ja9LPRX8rr0i5xB-sqWgeTHv8S9WQG6gM32hHny8ML-LBGP3qCutSFHhH8ictKRTmDtghW5gmawX47F6DtHMiV2Nei6hC0dvo_y_ySSnuu0JhePu1HEx/s16000/IMG_9340.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first up - the Amerigo! not gonna lie, i have a strong preference for monoflaps</td></tr></tbody></table>Meanwhile, I was also getting to know Doozy better. She's a very sweet horse with a strong desire to connect with the people around her --- both qualities I'd observed at the adoption facility that played a large part in my decision to take her on.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lqx2OyXvgW_WmVabfaqi6cfOH_gPMTApZ0HXE3hciAbFfM7OgnoTKUyEZOw41seWqIaK6FzTyAWLOLYkR1KwBwwWaPz4Bwx8YVoDzJCshIK-fw8o8c3smyAkpEjmZ1qM88r1SPUm0ENXqeRK7kr9LnhyphenhyphenaN_HbtLtZBi_O6HVkVVHd28QnI8ldM07RhV9/s575/IMG_9343.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lqx2OyXvgW_WmVabfaqi6cfOH_gPMTApZ0HXE3hciAbFfM7OgnoTKUyEZOw41seWqIaK6FzTyAWLOLYkR1KwBwwWaPz4Bwx8YVoDzJCshIK-fw8o8c3smyAkpEjmZ1qM88r1SPUm0ENXqeRK7kr9LnhyphenhyphenaN_HbtLtZBi_O6HVkVVHd28QnI8ldM07RhV9/s16000/IMG_9343.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's hard to get a symmetric pic no matter what lol, but doozy def is not a symmetric horse either</td></tr></tbody></table>But ya know. I also thought she was on the quiet side of the spectrum. In retrospect, however, as she recovered from her infection it became clear that.... It wasn't so much that she was being "fresh" now; but rather that she'd likely been "subdued" previously bc of the brewing systemic infection. And I ended up with quite a bit more horse on my hands than planned. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41dAoSBGDVekyLUOROytjaJBSXW7UZyCgzNDXNins5tYObxMJL732FtV8_TvsN3iaRNqBZQIsyL0UcwTC2cyn8at11HIpk5daM1YkKJy2e0c-gy7vMBSODis9w5oPUqWSaMssNTTUVeNUen_ehA3eDIb_2ZsWo6zgyneUK55x28EAliPdCFSxzkq8db_7/s575/IMG_9344.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41dAoSBGDVekyLUOROytjaJBSXW7UZyCgzNDXNins5tYObxMJL732FtV8_TvsN3iaRNqBZQIsyL0UcwTC2cyn8at11HIpk5daM1YkKJy2e0c-gy7vMBSODis9w5oPUqWSaMssNTTUVeNUen_ehA3eDIb_2ZsWo6zgyneUK55x28EAliPdCFSxzkq8db_7/s16000/IMG_9344.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tried really hard to get her all straight and square for this pic, and this was still the best i could do</td></tr></tbody></table>C'est la vie, amirite?? Soon enough, tho, <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2023/10/you-could-say-its-getting-serious.html" target="_blank">we kinda got our sea legs under us</a> and, in October, I <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2023/10/tack-tuesday-v20.html" target="_blank">invested in a 'beater' saddle to get us going</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had hoped the saddle would be good enough to last us a few months while Doozy gained weight and I evaluated the relationship. Tho, things took a bit of a twist when the mare filled out enough to actually make <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2023/12/red-rockette.html" target="_blank">Charlie's drool-worthy French monoflap a passable fit</a>!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-9j_fsZStf-SSQ2y7Yf4UjHbyEqvRBTiBtJnf-To-FjLVPNLQdxj7-LaBSiPSh0PbVcufYchWGQIpS3gIrgBQuJac5wOO2tutz9NmJCtwKqPkmKANpFPiMsVZzOiPI2-C8pD4X2APLH_p1TVX5zXIvzNHZWIkrjnU_r7l9VToAF4HYGZEatui-5QfS3f/s575/IMG_9344a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-9j_fsZStf-SSQ2y7Yf4UjHbyEqvRBTiBtJnf-To-FjLVPNLQdxj7-LaBSiPSh0PbVcufYchWGQIpS3gIrgBQuJac5wOO2tutz9NmJCtwKqPkmKANpFPiMsVZzOiPI2-C8pD4X2APLH_p1TVX5zXIvzNHZWIkrjnU_r7l9VToAF4HYGZEatui-5QfS3f/s16000/IMG_9344a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">padded and girthed and ready to go!</td></tr></tbody></table>Tho ya know, Charlie and Doozy are... <i>not the same size </i>haha. Over time, Doozy has made it clear that "passable" isn't good enough any more, and there's just a little too much movement and "chatter" with Charlie's saddle. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoG8HsxNNcQ0ak-Cso8v5vWWdmLRI1mZ-ZtsNTX0zgKAp7cqw00anmGt-Jvdi-Y8AaZeyj2H8rQMPqhOZ65ANiEEXcmrSocVIZaD7NfwLC_c2cWVFpnVduX0_2R6ZUbC5tRf0ELashU2iiqREcMLVM1NiZ8e13h9eGK4uBHSTNPNRO9eB5NpBeoYiWz6c/s575/IMG_9345a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoG8HsxNNcQ0ak-Cso8v5vWWdmLRI1mZ-ZtsNTX0zgKAp7cqw00anmGt-Jvdi-Y8AaZeyj2H8rQMPqhOZ65ANiEEXcmrSocVIZaD7NfwLC_c2cWVFpnVduX0_2R6ZUbC5tRf0ELashU2iiqREcMLVM1NiZ8e13h9eGK4uBHSTNPNRO9eB5NpBeoYiWz6c/s16000/IMG_9345a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">second saddle: the Voltaire! i sorta wished this one would be instantly rejected</td></tr></tbody></table>Meanwhile, tho, Doozy has absolutely proved that she's a <i>pretty cool horse</i>. And has already started getting out and doing the things. She's also gained weight easily, put on condition nicely, and never misses a meal. So while realistically she probably will keep changing shape over time, I feel reasonably confident that she's a lot closer to a sustainable body condition now than she was 6 months ago.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnSbWB_CoihWHp2woW0auIcNfQzeDaHE40U6nYkmJKvIPx6AzGUc92qb4Exnljaz_p0WuT_U_SlGDmWjWIdrE_zdzN95Qx3N96TtfwicxY0H9Qr7D2b_3TZTiGNnB56izkEJpxpSSPZ8yJd6qHSZ_Flx3zf7_NSyhppcZY1Mnb72pvA-Wr4lfU_DRsi2I/s575/IMG_9346.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnSbWB_CoihWHp2woW0auIcNfQzeDaHE40U6nYkmJKvIPx6AzGUc92qb4Exnljaz_p0WuT_U_SlGDmWjWIdrE_zdzN95Qx3N96TtfwicxY0H9Qr7D2b_3TZTiGNnB56izkEJpxpSSPZ8yJd6qHSZ_Flx3zf7_NSyhppcZY1Mnb72pvA-Wr4lfU_DRsi2I/s16000/IMG_9346.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">was less careful with lining up square symmetric shots too bc i didn't want to like this one..</td></tr></tbody></table>All this to say, the next saddle I buy for her will be with a longer term intention. Which means... I have to <i>love it</i>, like I love Charlie's saddle. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6T8ofMd4NPZeRaYEMjO0mdTO6gA480joWrtknhtWhXMw8FV1u0Y2cK7VpVBDCtJhmQanylC-0Cg2mTXLDFgi68eW9TLKnvnqHghjsiEJi3EHq_kAx6IYyVJqLACtlUUhKxitZxQw-YN834h6G9mnddL-YVWNmbXh1fFNf5llvApQQUXF1QfWh09yXpWr/s575/IMG_9348.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6T8ofMd4NPZeRaYEMjO0mdTO6gA480joWrtknhtWhXMw8FV1u0Y2cK7VpVBDCtJhmQanylC-0Cg2mTXLDFgi68eW9TLKnvnqHghjsiEJi3EHq_kAx6IYyVJqLACtlUUhKxitZxQw-YN834h6G9mnddL-YVWNmbXh1fFNf5llvApQQUXF1QfWh09yXpWr/s16000/IMG_9348.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">alas, tho, this beautiful saddle <i>also </i>looked quite sittable!</td></tr></tbody></table>The best part about having a "normal" sized thoroughbred tho is that... <i>options abound!!!</i> It took approximately 3 minutes to select a few *very nice* trial options at our local consignment shop, and literally both of them so far look like strong candidates to actually purchase. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcKIbbDlM1iWoRQIjNn-0VidNkQsrgLRJRGh6VpZZNAdO-fE8nQw3yPnv5kazpCUmTd9EjnprNrqqw91q-DDBYPnJLJq03KCGfuOFHKnFpa8CnHzp7R_JObzE9-WNfwHJrfVG-R3scXxwYS17-X6AKBYEGNtCO742dOpwnqzEuj2s87HhP3fmYiFwbyjr/s575/IMG_9349.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcKIbbDlM1iWoRQIjNn-0VidNkQsrgLRJRGh6VpZZNAdO-fE8nQw3yPnv5kazpCUmTd9EjnprNrqqw91q-DDBYPnJLJq03KCGfuOFHKnFpa8CnHzp7R_JObzE9-WNfwHJrfVG-R3scXxwYS17-X6AKBYEGNtCO742dOpwnqzEuj2s87HhP3fmYiFwbyjr/s16000/IMG_9349.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and so it got padded up and girthed too!! sans sheepskin tho, bc it would need a lower profile half pad. good enough to go without for the trial tho!</td></tr></tbody></table>I really like a minimalist saddle when it comes to weight and layers of leather --- monoflaps strongly preferred. I like to basically feel like my entire inseam has direct connection to the horse, and particularly down the calf I don't like feeling like there's a 'ledge' or gap where the flap ends and my calf transitions from resting against the saddle to resting against the horse. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWv_5VWFSooNJGKfeE7UGLmH2qhIcdAxsQTxxLLGcVhY6yHYE3p9C99leIpj6dBVoskkZyfQn8grhTWtxsm8UuL_wpQy556-o71Z7v_bOIwXGxDStp6KNcKCILlzJiml73Hz09qlOjP1NIRajrmQJip5s07Tlz6KCPmDeiF9S6Csmf41foINOL7mdC1bMq/s575/IMG_9352%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWv_5VWFSooNJGKfeE7UGLmH2qhIcdAxsQTxxLLGcVhY6yHYE3p9C99leIpj6dBVoskkZyfQn8grhTWtxsm8UuL_wpQy556-o71Z7v_bOIwXGxDStp6KNcKCILlzJiml73Hz09qlOjP1NIRajrmQJip5s07Tlz6KCPmDeiF9S6Csmf41foINOL7mdC1bMq/s16000/IMG_9352%20-%20Copy.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amerigo!</td></tr></tbody></table>I also like a saddle that fits with a half pad. I dunno, ymmv. I like having that extra little bit of cushion there for when I inevitably do weird unbalanced things like get left behind or sit like a potato or whatever lol. This isn't exactly a requirement, but I feel like having that space also gives me more options for managing fit on a changeable animal.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidk7UfsHq-zGmIC9EF3doghQ0_9rU0Okp9JvgkaQUmcGWHcYa8IMqJ-3GVBvoJaMBvBMBoK55HaRgKAvicMPszXduCEMnTvvHz_ONOlp3tWYKjIjxB9L_al8CU-OmPwWR0RkiDAPzrt8xdQ9z7s-SWMKO3imWcwH5K4R2XnkzkGNH73H24LqHfDApGs6d/s575/IMG_9353.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidk7UfsHq-zGmIC9EF3doghQ0_9rU0Okp9JvgkaQUmcGWHcYa8IMqJ-3GVBvoJaMBvBMBoK55HaRgKAvicMPszXduCEMnTvvHz_ONOlp3tWYKjIjxB9L_al8CU-OmPwWR0RkiDAPzrt8xdQ9z7s-SWMKO3imWcwH5K4R2XnkzkGNH73H24LqHfDApGs6d/s16000/IMG_9353.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amerigo the second time (last night)!</td></tr></tbody></table>Both of these saddles are <i>very nice</i>, and extremely comfortable to sit in. And there aren't any immediate red flags with either --- tho potentially things to keep an eye on with both. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOikgQ1QEml2NKtheWLIkie7Mmmi8LwlfFJgR4c7HJhmJm3e661K8lFwrvYlIQR3ov2DoqtRlfaz2hHzvNRwJ9nOHWrOZwoOvWxi6POcZue-i1NSwjh3Y2iXmVk79HMNLMWU8_PamcBnAqRBjqtGp5GmPVUrjQz3mkPDMtYGUX7_2nlcxXSuTjzhCp5MH/s575/IMG_9365.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOikgQ1QEml2NKtheWLIkie7Mmmi8LwlfFJgR4c7HJhmJm3e661K8lFwrvYlIQR3ov2DoqtRlfaz2hHzvNRwJ9nOHWrOZwoOvWxi6POcZue-i1NSwjh3Y2iXmVk79HMNLMWU8_PamcBnAqRBjqtGp5GmPVUrjQz3mkPDMtYGUX7_2nlcxXSuTjzhCp5MH/s16000/IMG_9365.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voltaire!</td></tr></tbody></table>I am biased toward the Amerigo bc it's a monoflap, first off. But also I kinda feel like overall the flap shape gives me more options for stirrup length too -- which is nice bc I'll likely end up riding a lot of dressage tests in whatever jump saddle I buy. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I also liked the Voltaire a lot more than I wanted to, to be perfectly honest. And in every ride with both of these saddles so far... I've honestly felt like, "<i>yep I could buy this saddle.</i>"</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlScsERvbFfYwDq_8REhKzLLWq7YUP_7uemPp_RjWJMJFTMdJrJpAP7YYQTX4MZ-Byi94SImj1cVA8CwVvQENmocTW-APDrf-fI4erTK7GadH6H9bBYgYKu-OKnuQxXYc4TCJt5MhHlxXHslt-c3t8Ab1xHGnCVh3avD5evuvAXog9rEE-zk3LQnUxX9uL/s575/IMG_9388.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlScsERvbFfYwDq_8REhKzLLWq7YUP_7uemPp_RjWJMJFTMdJrJpAP7YYQTX4MZ-Byi94SImj1cVA8CwVvQENmocTW-APDrf-fI4erTK7GadH6H9bBYgYKu-OKnuQxXYc4TCJt5MhHlxXHslt-c3t8Ab1xHGnCVh3avD5evuvAXog9rEE-zk3LQnUxX9uL/s16000/IMG_9388.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ladies and gentlemen, take your bets!</td></tr></tbody></table>So I'll keep riding in both. Definitely want to jump in both, preferably at a time when I can get video to review. And more than likely, I'll end up extending the trial for at least one - if not both. Mostly to give Doozy a chance to make her opinions clear too. <br /><div><br /></div><div>So ya know. Wish me luck haha! And let me know what you think too --- tho, obvi, only if you're gonna be nice ;) </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-82510231733508833162024-03-04T01:00:00.000-08:002024-03-04T01:00:00.136-08:00Printemps avec Mondeuse<div>It's been such an odd season with Doozy. She is a surprising horse for me in many <i>many </i>ways lol. And we've been going through a bit of a phase lately.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNFeL1it-JKIhZnjoXybDK0SQXAjJpc_JFykOn0TZIoUdVByvnT4yiUWCHsZp-Vyhx0ixiRb1-_aoJF5O91TGSDgYeFem58HUhBM3DGgcT_meMbOGCEaHqlQV6Aq6-0a5Js1PpkqtqKWP6GnO6QSfWt6lmZeUOVBSxKOAtGK5WWtQnxut8G-3KRDyYQYx/s575/IMG_9295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNFeL1it-JKIhZnjoXybDK0SQXAjJpc_JFykOn0TZIoUdVByvnT4yiUWCHsZp-Vyhx0ixiRb1-_aoJF5O91TGSDgYeFem58HUhBM3DGgcT_meMbOGCEaHqlQV6Aq6-0a5Js1PpkqtqKWP6GnO6QSfWt6lmZeUOVBSxKOAtGK5WWtQnxut8G-3KRDyYQYx/s16000/IMG_9295.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">random ride last week in the jump ring during daylight!</td></tr></tbody></table>For example, it was like we lost the ability to trot. Entirely. And it's not easy to pinpoint an exact reason, either.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTMm_c4Bw9tW3vmNawF4WFU-rEP25ZaFeDtj2CJkeEHnafhsrB_BmWJoFiKO_H51ej2FHawv3J96yLTMgQCBf3Dz6N1v_dJtU6mjf4cZI3R_N9eYoPFP3Onm3SULZtCKmE1fUmfl8AZwICiMoH36JkTl8LAvU2CNSCyM4D9A2mrRms4K0pCDe1Yy8XBsC/s575/IMG_9296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTMm_c4Bw9tW3vmNawF4WFU-rEP25ZaFeDtj2CJkeEHnafhsrB_BmWJoFiKO_H51ej2FHawv3J96yLTMgQCBf3Dz6N1v_dJtU6mjf4cZI3R_N9eYoPFP3Onm3SULZtCKmE1fUmfl8AZwICiMoH36JkTl8LAvU2CNSCyM4D9A2mrRms4K0pCDe1Yy8XBsC/s16000/IMG_9296.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nature walks to and from the ring = fun with friends!</td></tr></tbody></table>She had more than a week off while I was in Cali after the dressage show -- which was itself kinda a stressful and weird ride in which she much preferred cantering to trotting. Then we immediately went to school the arena xc course at Loch Moy my first ride back. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMqZ_mtCUQJCrVhT_MhiS1hIfxYO5NXYYmf8356WvBajPbeAQ-bQtgHx5zxEtMFn3jQYErO7wmDZKTtxalfYQ8O7nvh5Y-ejDskV-hbj0Hb96XRwVkfhGOYR-68k5v2ziV8QYfT1p_d6yTwGb3lwtWrkT-R6vbRcMUDiHYEQ7Bjg6BrXq3h9WePg_cd2c/s575/IMG_9305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMqZ_mtCUQJCrVhT_MhiS1hIfxYO5NXYYmf8356WvBajPbeAQ-bQtgHx5zxEtMFn3jQYErO7wmDZKTtxalfYQ8O7nvh5Y-ejDskV-hbj0Hb96XRwVkfhGOYR-68k5v2ziV8QYfT1p_d6yTwGb3lwtWrkT-R6vbRcMUDiHYEQ7Bjg6BrXq3h9WePg_cd2c/s16000/IMG_9305.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">next up: solo survival in the dressage ring! the first (and hardest) of 3 forays into this ring in the last week</td></tr></tbody></table>And after that? Trotting was for the birds. <i>Boooring</i>. Too slowwww. Only two speeds --- walk and <i>GoFast!</i> </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8d9QGL-l_CsYHTQtsPsYoGhjyzqx9no2rfw7pdlmTqQ1XS1VCg-e0L4czTn5gZWaorFAxz1CnlDqVa6EHxwU7MWO8LKUfjy7Tn_UrAkTpuHKhr-JP8CH4cAekbNPJXJ6dJ55cKM6cbeY5TMD6hkmukqpqe21U2UkTMwYPuoYA-TN4Ujs49ifLDojtGMqO/s575/IMG_9328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8d9QGL-l_CsYHTQtsPsYoGhjyzqx9no2rfw7pdlmTqQ1XS1VCg-e0L4czTn5gZWaorFAxz1CnlDqVa6EHxwU7MWO8LKUfjy7Tn_UrAkTpuHKhr-JP8CH4cAekbNPJXJ6dJ55cKM6cbeY5TMD6hkmukqpqe21U2UkTMwYPuoYA-TN4Ujs49ifLDojtGMqO/s16000/IMG_9328.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more nature walks, this time heading back up for ride #2 in the dressage ring this week.<br />fun fact, it must have been dinner time for the sheep bc the F*ing thing <i>bum rushed us </i>literally right after i snapped this picture! luckily nobody died, but sheesh c'mon sheep!</td></tr></tbody></table>It didn't really seem to matter what ring we were in (even in the indoor), or whether we had company or not. And I tried a few different methods to address the issue. More or less determined that... Yea, it's mostly just a training issue on top of a horse who is perhaps inclined toward running anyway.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloiPylAL6ZAqHv5RTbuxg8B8vZyVXQcETDbjZTRdl8F6xwDPZwE6zHYMAxLPiJntPccyOYCAyRkGMONn05jiuWhIbm1LdE9PHbfqjjOhL0aWjqv809Za9PddVVRDgHgQXFYvMre3dTM58rdSTW5-eqLzC1C6Pf45LozLgXO6ByrT5cTNoGWcQy84Nv2PG/s575/IMG_9352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloiPylAL6ZAqHv5RTbuxg8B8vZyVXQcETDbjZTRdl8F6xwDPZwE6zHYMAxLPiJntPccyOYCAyRkGMONn05jiuWhIbm1LdE9PHbfqjjOhL0aWjqv809Za9PddVVRDgHgQXFYvMre3dTM58rdSTW5-eqLzC1C6Pf45LozLgXO6ByrT5cTNoGWcQy84Nv2PG/s16000/IMG_9352.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">also our third ride in the jump ring this week!! asked for a photo bc omg trial saddle lol, more on that later</td></tr></tbody></table>So ya know. Ok, cool. I kinda actually like finding opportunities to "pause" the progression -- or even hit rewind and go back to some basics. In this case, we canceled our planned dressage lesson, and I stepped back from higher pressure activities, and went back to high frequency / low intensity schooling sessions aimed at reinstalling our basic "wtc ride package."</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOyk5Ux51XfnxlZk_jnJm4tZ13z4M3lPIQuQpmR4xP7dzz-BzQFoHDV4ApPOEGwX5ATP_iNWpTNYhiI56Rl_iILToMkCa1dHjBgkwCJ03KwxNoqOKyA4lFJcPZCZKwgHZzyizPBihj6LXMJ3FWpmwGeu9KfuI9vAmBC58-1evi8LhOIr0WyceTWC8VeLT/s500/IMG_9353.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOyk5Ux51XfnxlZk_jnJm4tZ13z4M3lPIQuQpmR4xP7dzz-BzQFoHDV4ApPOEGwX5ATP_iNWpTNYhiI56Rl_iILToMkCa1dHjBgkwCJ03KwxNoqOKyA4lFJcPZCZKwgHZzyizPBihj6LXMJ3FWpmwGeu9KfuI9vAmBC58-1evi8LhOIr0WyceTWC8VeLT/w400-h300/IMG_9353.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she's clearly exhausted from so much mere existence lol</td></tr></tbody></table>Just easy, short, no-muss-no-fuss rides where we only really trotted a circle or two at a time, and kept things <i>reeeeally </i>basic. Letting the canter happen when it was more or less balanced and polite, but that was about it. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLZZXHvB6DuF3izfWFxExiMBGeGUB2ZcLpxPFLD5rErMFJBZQQ_ZHiBv25Xit3NhdKLJbezQJEf1lSXnJi_jPXXwXNm7TY2ik7yQFX4lTwkXL0hwISO9CQsmqdYetmKKs2e9jfM0zDYLWPdL9ydhaUvYa9ka-YPF7e5qDJVf4YYs6EOxOUUVStH_RuXUp/s575/IMG_9363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLZZXHvB6DuF3izfWFxExiMBGeGUB2ZcLpxPFLD5rErMFJBZQQ_ZHiBv25Xit3NhdKLJbezQJEf1lSXnJi_jPXXwXNm7TY2ik7yQFX4lTwkXL0hwISO9CQsmqdYetmKKs2e9jfM0zDYLWPdL9ydhaUvYa9ka-YPF7e5qDJVf4YYs6EOxOUUVStH_RuXUp/s16000/IMG_9363.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no rest for the weary tho -- i actually picked up <i>two</i> trial saddles, and so poor thing got ridden <i>twice</i> yesterday</td></tr></tbody></table>And along the way, we've been taking advantage of longer days and mild weather to get more serious about riding in new and interesting locations. I've kinda let the indoor become my crutch, especially on days when I was thinking about wanting to do a "real ride."</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCdYEGrqLUKquD75ztfkF-wvcQLX0DY-U8MsHvvFoY3tbWCSK_xur30jSxWoROhXYj_aWTl4EVwmKBzae2h3N0ZRkw2u5iIfdogzuCFpyZp314ZkMeQkPFKdXDjR8gKlfFNOZmugBnZMUE2rYccSSEuWQuHoHQpoP2YX2vDh3mCFSMZ4BfGkp-ZItIJ3_/s575/IMG_9365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCdYEGrqLUKquD75ztfkF-wvcQLX0DY-U8MsHvvFoY3tbWCSK_xur30jSxWoROhXYj_aWTl4EVwmKBzae2h3N0ZRkw2u5iIfdogzuCFpyZp314ZkMeQkPFKdXDjR8gKlfFNOZmugBnZMUE2rYccSSEuWQuHoHQpoP2YX2vDh3mCFSMZ4BfGkp-ZItIJ3_/s16000/IMG_9365.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">again, asked for photos to start evaluating the saddles -- more later</td></tr></tbody></table>But with stepping back the intensity... Well, that was less of an incentive for riding inside. Might as well get more exposure by exploring other areas! So this week we actually managed to get outside more often than in! </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrh9hybDJf8fnA0z9carWKG1-kFqoxwyWO72i6FwTedBfPn8VozRNqo7KOvSCwJb82m4AW7w4Y3d_bkzuLh8BTsR7RUTbgh_imsZ56HsHW_YrHSat_8jmVROubofXK-h0CYT6YdSJnmigUKgBpdaLhtoYT0qanUGar1K0U6JBSC1YNbsTCFmimrO7WTq3/s575/IMG_9370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrh9hybDJf8fnA0z9carWKG1-kFqoxwyWO72i6FwTedBfPn8VozRNqo7KOvSCwJb82m4AW7w4Y3d_bkzuLh8BTsR7RUTbgh_imsZ56HsHW_YrHSat_8jmVROubofXK-h0CYT6YdSJnmigUKgBpdaLhtoYT0qanUGar1K0U6JBSC1YNbsTCFmimrO7WTq3/s16000/IMG_9370.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">got more than i bargained for tho when friend offered to snap video too! yes pls!!</td></tr></tbody></table>And I think it's paying off, actually. Well. That, and riding daily lol. Turns out, routine consistency is a helluva drug lol. And just showing up every day to spend a little saddle time with Doozy has made a world of difference in getting us back into sync.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rSGtowf-F44" width="320" youtube-src-id="rSGtowf-F44"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/rSGtowf-F44" target="_blank">link to short video clip here</a></div><div><br /></div>Tho it's interesting watching the video. Like obvi the point of the video, for me at least, was to see how I look in the trial saddle. Again, more on that in another post. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4sqR_GUAkMOFSXWA_5RAxo9P2NS5AnYm95l14pV-lymM6gMwRl4cP7uInxBKfBQ7nJdNrnGIVztPx9T6sIM2miTZe-yZQfmFYZpkDvRNp_wzZak-OYCnGUWG9nSPt2DOejqFQhYlPO2gK2RxJtvEvPHgdx8aDPXxAzc-RDGSgkr_jHd6icbfsL0aU7vX/s575/IMG_9371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4sqR_GUAkMOFSXWA_5RAxo9P2NS5AnYm95l14pV-lymM6gMwRl4cP7uInxBKfBQ7nJdNrnGIVztPx9T6sIM2miTZe-yZQfmFYZpkDvRNp_wzZak-OYCnGUWG9nSPt2DOejqFQhYlPO2gK2RxJtvEvPHgdx8aDPXxAzc-RDGSgkr_jHd6icbfsL0aU7vX/s16000/IMG_9371.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">somewhat shocked at doozy's relatively chill vibes this ride</td></tr></tbody></table>But it's also pretty clear how quickly and completely I can revert to my deeply ingrained postural habits. Poor MP, she'd be so disappointed to see how I look lol!! Not that I'd made a ton of progress in the lessons, but you know what I mean.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gPx5hEYvwixQx1PtOjrrJcG3CHOq_m3XUK2BRfop3WcBID0Vxb1oiILBAjFDymGojfWi2n7FC5-PcZDXfYQEXK-S4zcmMtdztAXytinHxJaIU-KaFPg5WZ52NSOAgo7QEwIPOqRVSDBBBQz2cCWfl-VdLx_12UDFJwkjel4uPpmsCsSX36ltssTqRXxk/s575/IMG_9372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gPx5hEYvwixQx1PtOjrrJcG3CHOq_m3XUK2BRfop3WcBID0Vxb1oiILBAjFDymGojfWi2n7FC5-PcZDXfYQEXK-S4zcmMtdztAXytinHxJaIU-KaFPg5WZ52NSOAgo7QEwIPOqRVSDBBBQz2cCWfl-VdLx_12UDFJwkjel4uPpmsCsSX36ltssTqRXxk/s16000/IMG_9372.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">like, we actually were able to trot normal circles without zipping off into canter every other step</td></tr></tbody></table>Still tho... It's hard to argue with Doozy about this. Right now, she just goes better** when I ride her in my *me* sorta way. And right now, I care about just keeping us going, getting us consistent. The idea is always that we can refine the details later, I suppose, tho realistically it's getting pretty clear that change is hard haha!</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(**The word "Better" here is honestly completely subjective... and maybe MP would argue with me about this too. Some folks would rather see a horse solidify posture, balance, contact FIRST, even if that means never trotting or cantering until the horse can do so "correctly." That is honestly not my personal philosophy. I'm not a purist. I'd much rather get out there and enjoy the ride --- preferably on a horse who is ALSO enjoying the ride. Better riders than me can get better results in both categories, sure, but this is my compromise!)</span></i></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLe6HUVj24WWeP4ue5VL_HSSf3NNoSxY82SlkVFw50bDnN8tH5Q8DqpJ0xjRw12-KcARpR7sPkmKW3a3KPRKvrquW5ZoGF11NMgR9O2R4XMCjsyoZlJeY_UeHzo5ttwNY2eVfWFRUp3_FMiv08RP3xgcDjtzTx-Bc3qDbe6qdGYx-VKPuK2389rVeBjqz7/s575/IMG_9373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLe6HUVj24WWeP4ue5VL_HSSf3NNoSxY82SlkVFw50bDnN8tH5Q8DqpJ0xjRw12-KcARpR7sPkmKW3a3KPRKvrquW5ZoGF11NMgR9O2R4XMCjsyoZlJeY_UeHzo5ttwNY2eVfWFRUp3_FMiv08RP3xgcDjtzTx-Bc3qDbe6qdGYx-VKPuK2389rVeBjqz7/s16000/IMG_9373.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and in fact we actually cantered on purpose!! first time in this ring woot woot</td></tr></tbody></table>So I dunno. We're having fun, tho. Doozy actually jumped a couple times this week too -- just a few very simple reps of trotting a little X and small vertical in the indoor one night, and then a more intentional full jump school in the outdoor jump ring later. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuTacypmpzKPCUxPi1qufx6gWG9PlpewJvkvVMs7kl8NVlT9UHKTyMCQemkdLI6W-IHMe9TdB03FqCwdZwgQnPS0fNVOQwM63oFnE2Qwv6gVeoPcgRfumaQTnoA_llOLol0r1_0BHtF7mR-0SQlfDjaxnuZv14kjtVcT3n5ioR8AB9hMknVnj2eqRncfO/s575/IMG_9374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuTacypmpzKPCUxPi1qufx6gWG9PlpewJvkvVMs7kl8NVlT9UHKTyMCQemkdLI6W-IHMe9TdB03FqCwdZwgQnPS0fNVOQwM63oFnE2Qwv6gVeoPcgRfumaQTnoA_llOLol0r1_0BHtF7mR-0SQlfDjaxnuZv14kjtVcT3n5ioR8AB9hMknVnj2eqRncfO/s16000/IMG_9374.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kinda a weird shot but maybe helps give a sense for how the ring is sorta in some ways up above things with weird sight lines into various areas</td></tr></tbody></table>That outdoor jump ring ride was the first time we could finally actually just.... <i>trot around</i> without her squirting up into canter at every opportunity. Honestly, it felt like I should capitalize on those chill vibes and reinforce the good behavior by finishing the ride with the flat work. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNiUGUHVB27SuOZjy-uurEElLpJNKtnH66vcbXFTCcZ-FH5LjcZ1UHaT0Qz7IiKGLR95Ffpy1ob_JBR3fu7gItSfE9DbFFCX6ETF73XzKjr8e41QI7ORQUunnKSSBwEkVkyHwRBrSqzwDqaLq5cbumWZXwUGNk2tvKSs0p5X_gh8QI0cBiHoFfiHdao2B/s575/IMG_9375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNiUGUHVB27SuOZjy-uurEElLpJNKtnH66vcbXFTCcZ-FH5LjcZ1UHaT0Qz7IiKGLR95Ffpy1ob_JBR3fu7gItSfE9DbFFCX6ETF73XzKjr8e41QI7ORQUunnKSSBwEkVkyHwRBrSqzwDqaLq5cbumWZXwUGNk2tvKSs0p5X_gh8QI0cBiHoFfiHdao2B/s16000/IMG_9375.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">also, not gonna lie, i was kinda so distracted by having a relatively quiet horse and getting video to watch later of the saddle, i wasn't really focusing much on my equitation or whatever. c'est la vie!</td></tr></tbody></table>Buuuuuut... <i>ehhhhhh</i> jumping is FUN tho! So we went ahead and started jumping anyway, and yea she got a little faster and started wanting to canter everything. But whatever, right? It's my horse, I get to make the rules. So we cantered, and we jumped, and we actually cantered a couple jumps too! </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFFrTPsIPGcenUXiZ94dyiZSv8JIdeLBMBXi6mAiZqxT00xGU-Jfbw5v71z4O06tSyHAvh5arm_ZzfABVEIh6rL1_tzfOTZdXdpvlMmDmdtqM4oOC3CHD4ZQzZKa0Qeyee1xrQWIYOFt15R8MZKDd3iWAQMag5AHHHqpD5Q95EQS9LrRfh1XO4faEfYWD/s575/IMG_9376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFFrTPsIPGcenUXiZ94dyiZSv8JIdeLBMBXi6mAiZqxT00xGU-Jfbw5v71z4O06tSyHAvh5arm_ZzfABVEIh6rL1_tzfOTZdXdpvlMmDmdtqM4oOC3CHD4ZQzZKa0Qeyee1xrQWIYOFt15R8MZKDd3iWAQMag5AHHHqpD5Q95EQS9LrRfh1XO4faEfYWD/s16000/IMG_9376.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">growing up i guess! also i *swear* this is my happy face lololol wtf emma</td></tr></tbody></table>And then here she was in this ride, able to trot around again anyway! Actually able to do basically a completely normal ride in the dressage ring --- for the first time! </div><div><br /></div><div>So ya know. Sometimes there's a real advantage to just slowing things down, going back to the basics, keeping it simple. </div><div><br /></div><div>Doozy is such a funny horse bc the "hard" things seem to come most easily to her --- like jumping new and weird things in a crazy crowded schooling arena. It's just <i>everything else</i> that poses such a challenge, that is so hard. </div><div><br /></div><div>I like where things are at right now, tho. Feels like she trusts me and maybe honestly likes the job (esp the jompies part of it lol). And I suspect getting a saddle better fit to her delicate frame (<i>but still nice enough that I don't keep pining for Charlie's dreamy french monoflap lol</i>) might make a huge difference too. More to come on that situation soon!</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-31616835226061688122024-02-27T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-27T04:42:23.199-08:00routine charles<div>It's been so so nice to get back into a habit with riding Charlie now that his epic heel grab wound is all better. Obvi bc he's my favorite and most bestest horse haha, but also bc he's such a nice counterpoint to Doozy -- they are on opposite ends of the spectrum for sure lol.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxO_ksX4Q3jneuHGX0JuZzyM1P6DRq1oX8bgHFawTzppCZ9PmBD5fgfCW9UQ_BtsjoYNSlwCVYVXfcvaq3llzq2hVqAE7odAvLg_W-AOuVqiMRE5CH7FOljdwqvbYWHt1U-dvRQcIAWnNKXAzjdbc4b6zUjd4WK-JT6BYk4kkdo5zxvyxfiepiWR8sLd2A/s575/IMG_9288.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxO_ksX4Q3jneuHGX0JuZzyM1P6DRq1oX8bgHFawTzppCZ9PmBD5fgfCW9UQ_BtsjoYNSlwCVYVXfcvaq3llzq2hVqAE7odAvLg_W-AOuVqiMRE5CH7FOljdwqvbYWHt1U-dvRQcIAWnNKXAzjdbc4b6zUjd4WK-JT6BYk4kkdo5zxvyxfiepiWR8sLd2A/s16000/IMG_9288.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">charlie and royal never miss a meal</td></tr></tbody></table>So many things that are complicated, hard, scary or even impossible feeling with Doozy are just... old hat for Chuck. Like strolling around the farm on the buckle, visiting random areas to see friends of both the two- and four-legged varieties.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAPQ1k5KhHBZvvkbMr3680oSqLNHosD5lohRN80jeUMm2_WFBWc0cBeEW6FTQxBhsYoWPLIGXyp35Itr7p23C9gQSWLec3eKCbIoCGvDY_TJbTuEwQxlUvDv5FaJ8THAIlsraGk6loKjwCTcAqOoXGSxEM6hpDt41MCLLc1_JjeZyXwaDWrxVkzm0qbaE/s575/IMG_9289.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAPQ1k5KhHBZvvkbMr3680oSqLNHosD5lohRN80jeUMm2_WFBWc0cBeEW6FTQxBhsYoWPLIGXyp35Itr7p23C9gQSWLec3eKCbIoCGvDY_TJbTuEwQxlUvDv5FaJ8THAIlsraGk6loKjwCTcAqOoXGSxEM6hpDt41MCLLc1_JjeZyXwaDWrxVkzm0qbaE/s16000/IMG_9289.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"tell me it's round bale season without telling me it's round bale season...."<br /><i>(yes those are all little nips and bites, poor guy!)</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Or ya know. Things like trotting in a steady rhythm LOL.... I gotta say, spending all those years riding Charlie with a <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2019/12/metronomes-yellow-submarine.html" target="_blank">metronome app tick-tocking away in my pocket</a> really paid off. He just.... trit-trots pleasantly around in a way I decidedly under-appreciated in my pre-Doozy life haha.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rdN-W0LQS_5PHqd3QPiz9J8tpK2NvmjvFGwb4xhv-3SKfSP7NSuVJ4okCt1eYo0v887Z_SutR63gy0dj1s6a0wJHMnNRgNDZd16E06E3fiqvtUFDVCiH1LRFrVNSiZk1z0hxZ1jGijb1UtmRsXWXQu8ozmWJ9CnLZqEL-Wpe9v3qW4WWgG_x1Li5CqVa/s360/IMG_9289a.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rdN-W0LQS_5PHqd3QPiz9J8tpK2NvmjvFGwb4xhv-3SKfSP7NSuVJ4okCt1eYo0v887Z_SutR63gy0dj1s6a0wJHMnNRgNDZd16E06E3fiqvtUFDVCiH1LRFrVNSiZk1z0hxZ1jGijb1UtmRsXWXQu8ozmWJ9CnLZqEL-Wpe9v3qW4WWgG_x1Li5CqVa/w400-h225/IMG_9289a.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spirit + flynn demonstrating exactly how these silly boys chew each other up</td></tr></tbody></table>Bc... Well. Right now, Doozy ain't got no rhythm. And, in fact, is in a really special new phase of training that, ya know, now that she's a <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2024/02/doozy-does-arena-xc.html" target="_blank">big bad cross country horse</a> who boldly goes wherever pointed, trotting is boring and for the birds and she'd really rather not, <i>thanks</i>.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GCw9jf6WZDlcB4x2aNh7uC19bPYuu3WowMUM_naoGOZD6zs_pGGG853um4zy36OCflyfTtrSrixH06QfiIgbFpJuHuwTy6xa7zZmWwTQ7WZxMLZ-tOtP2k-ZkBGJOrH2OG3gdmvoviKVN1gueE-K-Bfzg8bDm822p3Dwq2x0dTM_mSZSddHaA-9eso12/s575/IMG_9290.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GCw9jf6WZDlcB4x2aNh7uC19bPYuu3WowMUM_naoGOZD6zs_pGGG853um4zy36OCflyfTtrSrixH06QfiIgbFpJuHuwTy6xa7zZmWwTQ7WZxMLZ-tOtP2k-ZkBGJOrH2OG3gdmvoviKVN1gueE-K-Bfzg8bDm822p3Dwq2x0dTM_mSZSddHaA-9eso12/s16000/IMG_9290.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ooooooh --- in the woods with charlie, for the first time in forever!</td></tr></tbody></table>Never a dull moment in the green horse journey, I guess! </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCw_Ff88WHtXnVk72h3GYbTP-xWUJy5EY8b4zNWJnN90EA1ExR2EjCxpQlKZJ2T8MEFthdVHk3GBTGHAifEVvw47fSgnGaQPdkRbRENRHkaYT96riLpCWCwdoqmyy89prGQdYVhYWqkXBz7v3OIIYUyfBDnjLCC8m91MUcBjqr_1pzK8fS3viR2zFePSCw/s575/IMG_9292.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCw_Ff88WHtXnVk72h3GYbTP-xWUJy5EY8b4zNWJnN90EA1ExR2EjCxpQlKZJ2T8MEFthdVHk3GBTGHAifEVvw47fSgnGaQPdkRbRENRHkaYT96riLpCWCwdoqmyy89prGQdYVhYWqkXBz7v3OIIYUyfBDnjLCC8m91MUcBjqr_1pzK8fS3viR2zFePSCw/s16000/IMG_9292.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with a pony parade, too!</td></tr></tbody></table>For real, tho, it's really helpful and reassuring for me to spend time riding Charlie right now. Our rides are very much focused on rehabilitation and therapy, helping him use his body and stretch his muscles in gentle low-impact movements. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5snGJCI93mLbj_KeyJxh7PGIqFHD-nkx_TnUBuV-XDpW9zYIihsZ0i5ZrvbmWO1gkTYu25-sQntMI_g-L1i1ZonJqb0xGhUBgEIYJNlNfndfjbuvY4aPr2vl4HACiC90XvBb7wlAED2rcL-I_6h_nLOFVU38ArVtw9qRXMg_bP3IC9J4s5ZGLDAHSrNN/s575/IMG_9293.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5snGJCI93mLbj_KeyJxh7PGIqFHD-nkx_TnUBuV-XDpW9zYIihsZ0i5ZrvbmWO1gkTYu25-sQntMI_g-L1i1ZonJqb0xGhUBgEIYJNlNfndfjbuvY4aPr2vl4HACiC90XvBb7wlAED2rcL-I_6h_nLOFVU38ArVtw9qRXMg_bP3IC9J4s5ZGLDAHSrNN/s16000/IMG_9293.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of the mares were very curious when we cruised by, esp considering our group included two of their herd members. doozy (second from top left) was notably disinterested. apparently seeing Candee Kisses outside of the field only blows her mind when they are BOTH out lol</td></tr></tbody></table>We're up to about 9min total of trotting, with 2-3min of cantering -- spread out obviously over the course of a ride. And all along the way, my biggest goal is to just really focus on my own posture, position, and balance. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5ufcql3iP0z92j4_I4-J1TRQNc00hGkyO0GS8EC7s_Z1L0QeO1pzySTKtToZAb04CGCAmyTyzGytcLZ3f8MgOZvzbCksX88i1syOZCYLkVV0bZrSUr0EwVrnPWFF3522tec2gh7YLV_nHbB1bQfz-M1d2u3QNBziW40sJxaqi-flME8wnOVJFbv6zP9y/s575/IMG_9294.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5ufcql3iP0z92j4_I4-J1TRQNc00hGkyO0GS8EC7s_Z1L0QeO1pzySTKtToZAb04CGCAmyTyzGytcLZ3f8MgOZvzbCksX88i1syOZCYLkVV0bZrSUr0EwVrnPWFF3522tec2gh7YLV_nHbB1bQfz-M1d2u3QNBziW40sJxaqi-flME8wnOVJFbv6zP9y/s16000/IMG_9294.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so fun to wander the grounds on this guy</td></tr></tbody></table>To be honest, it's actually been a little eye opening. Charlie's consistency has helped me understand that... actually, some of Doozy's jittery skittery inconsistency is kinda my fault (big surprise, right?). Bc ya know, spending the better part of a year not riding in any serious sort of way means I'm a little less balanced than the sensitive creature would like. </div><div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEdasPcexAlEKPftk4yzW73bVp3dTCfdDmvbU2GFiZJ7fYqwiy79EERI8s5bBYCd8-pV_uyAg9ZtbI668ezgMFi_wwKcIvhB01BUHj7Os1zWXWO7Gv4l6vFEswMOBUXPVtiKBvA1Or-RSSvFSLDStiKsXvS2Fr6vCo9gT04jng_xAIlJ_ldDd7doX11Dt/s575/IMG_1972.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEdasPcexAlEKPftk4yzW73bVp3dTCfdDmvbU2GFiZJ7fYqwiy79EERI8s5bBYCd8-pV_uyAg9ZtbI668ezgMFi_wwKcIvhB01BUHj7Os1zWXWO7Gv4l6vFEswMOBUXPVtiKBvA1Or-RSSvFSLDStiKsXvS2Fr6vCo9gT04jng_xAIlJ_ldDd7doX11Dt/s16000/IMG_1972.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">charlie is 100% a pony at heart <3 <3 <3 </td></tr></tbody></table>I also cultivated (through a lot of really hard and intentional work) a somewhat looser leg and style of riding for Charlie, to counteract his occasional dullness and my tendency to nag with leg aids. So ya know. Nbd, just need to master an entirely different style for each horse.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Kc-O5pSqJ1hMimByYDYtlIW5DS5yHbWMf258MjBuOEXwCjdhKoDTH1hhViRZ6LBFxppF6CldaqwweaoU1pjR79AAE_D_3s-19eRZtXszHCBVQsH4Ojk3HS_byIHgzpVtpUf3kBMdIbP4yRoWxQVCFPFDSadfESQRFwoMmpcpAY09TfOe1sKo98VVGIUG/s575/IMG_9294a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Kc-O5pSqJ1hMimByYDYtlIW5DS5yHbWMf258MjBuOEXwCjdhKoDTH1hhViRZ6LBFxppF6CldaqwweaoU1pjR79AAE_D_3s-19eRZtXszHCBVQsH4Ojk3HS_byIHgzpVtpUf3kBMdIbP4yRoWxQVCFPFDSadfESQRFwoMmpcpAY09TfOe1sKo98VVGIUG/s16000/IMG_9294a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"please come closer to pet me! i promise to only bite a little bit" -- Icee, probably</td></tr></tbody></table>A barn friend recently picked up an Equi Cube, this weighted block thingy designed to be held while riding. I've always wanted to try one, and figured these early easy rides with Charlie would be perfect test environments. So we gave it our first shot this weekend!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8GaWfu2TbhsxGf4Wv3QhGBvZSyhpHU_O1envmZC9jMIZMNSQb9FPSoJ-Ue4tMWBzN4HOukuBbpzPRg7DyqUhpY3AyPkA2TZ-sqJ0u0c27kJmxWoySVwSRO-0IS7ImP4-LNo3H17SuyMRurftcFQ7G2fCmJCjNvl_4V8XPjbZLrjQ_-opHc_H1v4gV6bx/s575/IMG_9294b.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8GaWfu2TbhsxGf4Wv3QhGBvZSyhpHU_O1envmZC9jMIZMNSQb9FPSoJ-Ue4tMWBzN4HOukuBbpzPRg7DyqUhpY3AyPkA2TZ-sqJ0u0c27kJmxWoySVwSRO-0IS7ImP4-LNo3H17SuyMRurftcFQ7G2fCmJCjNvl_4V8XPjbZLrjQ_-opHc_H1v4gV6bx/s16000/IMG_9294b.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tried one of these for the first time -- has anybody else used one regularly?</td></tr></tbody></table>I opted to warm Charlie up a bit first, then carry it once we were really going, in case I found it really fatiguing really quickly. But actually, it wasn't quite as hard to carry it around as I expected, at least in terms of exhausting the core muscle groups.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4l1VYQ9ewNX58Xff2v0ODPxU9w2Q6VZMA5lAH3NHWtJ6l7Ud_pb-UkduwgntpV-QiRd7uPk1wTeTqKh48sBD7YDTVALjC-hliTndIqbJqBGtTZl-IG-1Pk-syqoudkQZB6KRbl1yWb83KwW2OrLlB0AeUtIFneJIo9AYTSJRzkPRl0PsPM7AdrutOJQ6/s360/IMG_9294c.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4l1VYQ9ewNX58Xff2v0ODPxU9w2Q6VZMA5lAH3NHWtJ6l7Ud_pb-UkduwgntpV-QiRd7uPk1wTeTqKh48sBD7YDTVALjC-hliTndIqbJqBGtTZl-IG-1Pk-syqoudkQZB6KRbl1yWb83KwW2OrLlB0AeUtIFneJIo9AYTSJRzkPRl0PsPM7AdrutOJQ6/w400-h225/IMG_9294c.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oh charles, so sweet, expressive, and more than a little neurotic lol</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>The hard part was actually managing my reins and contact. Thankfully Charlie steers like a champ off my seat and legs, but he definitely relies a bit on the contact to help with his longitudinal balance (esp given the state of his hind end**). But I'll definitely need a little more practice to get proficient.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(**Cross your fingers -- he should be getting his hocks done at maybe the exact moment you are reading this!!!!)</span></i></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey3DUMoHMgDMOH8kaHkhqjCtOSC7et57vohidNfcbo6svUzP7ndtocrmZpJfPJMRpcJihVSqMaDd0opSzieADMQSI-ccZzuLWm0adKaF36cbRTdHlcjp_T8RK3JEiLdrAD-nvKNmGMgWAoWlL3rWmcTUpPMt2AZdcZb_8ld3L1DRAn4jB4Bk0I0nNX2Bg/s575/IMG_9294d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey3DUMoHMgDMOH8kaHkhqjCtOSC7et57vohidNfcbo6svUzP7ndtocrmZpJfPJMRpcJihVSqMaDd0opSzieADMQSI-ccZzuLWm0adKaF36cbRTdHlcjp_T8RK3JEiLdrAD-nvKNmGMgWAoWlL3rWmcTUpPMt2AZdcZb_8ld3L1DRAn4jB4Bk0I0nNX2Bg/s16000/IMG_9294d.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you really are the goodest boy</td></tr></tbody></table>Feels like maybe a cool tool to help tighten me up a bit. It's interesting with Charlie bc over the years I've utilized all these various external gizmos and gadgets to help passively instruct us in our rides --- like the metronome, the interval timer app (which I still use almost every ride with him) and maybe now this equi-cube. And some of them really make a difference! </div><div><br /></div><div>So things seem to be in a good place with Charlie. I'll be interested to hear the vet's thoughts on his overall condition and soundness at his appointment today, esp as it relates to his short and long term prospects as a riding horse. Cross your fingers for us!!</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-36426803261569963902024-02-21T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-21T01:00:00.138-08:00my weekend at Ram Tap<div>Over the years, I've worked to diversify my involvement and activities in eventing. Mostly because I'm really interested in learning more about the administration of the sport itself, and everything that goes into it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also because... Let's be real, I'm not super likely to reach the pinnacle of the sport as a rider -- but I definitely want to stay involved in other ways. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4V0zVoI9arSuzel70PoJb3Yjkh_xmmvNLMesISf5O-xhZsLVDhosvj6fI3m8xI6kyySn5_mxawBMnp2V7VVV5jk_mw2e9in5ImE1pu-uM7B4lWMaENsQqU-PBOYoeIZuzbP8tvva8zAvP_uWy1dWOgIIyci2t_IoFGrAyGq1fc5TXKlWHJkgJh-_wKlPH/s575/IMG_9002.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4V0zVoI9arSuzel70PoJb3Yjkh_xmmvNLMesISf5O-xhZsLVDhosvj6fI3m8xI6kyySn5_mxawBMnp2V7VVV5jk_mw2e9in5ImE1pu-uM7B4lWMaENsQqU-PBOYoeIZuzbP8tvva8zAvP_uWy1dWOgIIyci2t_IoFGrAyGq1fc5TXKlWHJkgJh-_wKlPH/s16000/IMG_9002.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">welcome to a very special place</td></tr></tbody></table>So a few years ago, I started getting involved in more formal certification programs. And it has been an <i>incredible </i>(and humbling) experience ever since! <div><br /></div><div>The program renewal came due last year, tho, with the seminar located far enough away that costs were prohibitive. So I deferred. Then this year... Well. Same story. Except, kinda worse.<br /><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9qmLOzK3L_nWd9Yoo1-YkDPLAyaC6Kyn9Me0wUdyCSvoy99pEWl6Fezn0TOJZ0hzB41Ea1XZ7uB1A76FLL2-sL7XWwkoQpmvUSzH77nRiqFPkYn_8S3GsaSIsUbu-o73iYwciwRJt9UPFLp1Yo9Ok2WGG1z_KyK5IUuBUqJMHKsay-nm6Tzmasu9mGpE/s575/IMG_9008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9qmLOzK3L_nWd9Yoo1-YkDPLAyaC6Kyn9Me0wUdyCSvoy99pEWl6Fezn0TOJZ0hzB41Ea1XZ7uB1A76FLL2-sL7XWwkoQpmvUSzH77nRiqFPkYn_8S3GsaSIsUbu-o73iYwciwRJt9UPFLp1Yo9Ok2WGG1z_KyK5IUuBUqJMHKsay-nm6Tzmasu9mGpE/s16000/IMG_9008.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tucked neatly between a power line field and railway line, this little plot of land has been fostering west coast eventing for decades and decades and decades</td></tr></tbody></table>It had been so long since I'd even competed myself... with no clear path toward change any time soon... It felt a bit ridiculous to lay out a big investment in renewing my certification when I'd honestly much prefer to spend that capital on my own riding. </div><div><br /></div><div>Gotta keep the main thing, the main thing -- right??</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8Tpt-FxTbdmQUI_MiQjRxs-yKaFDRR0iIwahUy-6s1VKq5mH5gNf9fvqTe0DDPav1kxzgBp4BBVmIUbCOjo_x94nPtm-6q_Rj6cQas0oxLNbihQoislAcepYK936sxndcR094Uzz95W6eEADC2xe7Ohj3alJ1v9UWwpqACojGJthp1WZc3I1laoV55ac/s575/IMG_9012.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8Tpt-FxTbdmQUI_MiQjRxs-yKaFDRR0iIwahUy-6s1VKq5mH5gNf9fvqTe0DDPav1kxzgBp4BBVmIUbCOjo_x94nPtm-6q_Rj6cQas0oxLNbihQoislAcepYK936sxndcR094Uzz95W6eEADC2xe7Ohj3alJ1v9UWwpqACojGJthp1WZc3I1laoV55ac/s16000/IMG_9012.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our esteemed panelists discussing the big impact from simple treatments like paint and plants</td></tr></tbody></table>So.... I did what "normal" people do lol: I let my association know my license would be lapsing, and bought a young horse instead (<i>hi, Doozy!</i>). Because... Let's be real, I need to keep gaining experience in the saddle, right?</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAJZSt_M34wJRwr5imPHb234ssA9JbfNKkWxIawKXGeXHuZHJvy32PRc7xkCt6CPHt9ekmlco3vt_vFTieFGu1rVIptlI5SINzE9MjFh2k7Ii-CLP0ZNiFLz965EcyZJznEXYZybSvdkPCevw0-TE1mFseVftiZIlr2pw9evhgUXhbLOmmqokJZQvgFMo/s575/IMG_9017.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAJZSt_M34wJRwr5imPHb234ssA9JbfNKkWxIawKXGeXHuZHJvy32PRc7xkCt6CPHt9ekmlco3vt_vFTieFGu1rVIptlI5SINzE9MjFh2k7Ii-CLP0ZNiFLz965EcyZJznEXYZybSvdkPCevw0-TE1mFseVftiZIlr2pw9evhgUXhbLOmmqokJZQvgFMo/s16000/IMG_9017.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yea, there's geometry involved. but eh, it kinda just makes sense</td></tr></tbody></table>But Lo! I'd applied somewhat haphazardly to the Broussard Charitable Foundation grant program for the "r" training program, never believing in a million years I'd be awarded-- but I was! </div><div><br /></div><div>Holy moly and THANK YOU to the generosity of families and sponsors supporting and developing the officiating pipeline!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuOXe4zACnWYB5MH1Z0CmU7ZeOltQXPaDJ5Zu3Iap1BFqJ1C1Jc4A4coPoQSAfMDjv3Auxhwaosas5xqzl82BEQl3aFHj6ZXB6hEAsG4eK8wmnysY78Syp5F6FhTh_Usbwxpn19s2gqzTsX5pAF0fBhzNSujQSuZh3g16UqsbP2CYxebSVyzVpq9KrxsY/s575/IMG_9188.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuOXe4zACnWYB5MH1Z0CmU7ZeOltQXPaDJ5Zu3Iap1BFqJ1C1Jc4A4coPoQSAfMDjv3Auxhwaosas5xqzl82BEQl3aFHj6ZXB6hEAsG4eK8wmnysY78Syp5F6FhTh_Usbwxpn19s2gqzTsX5pAF0fBhzNSujQSuZh3g16UqsbP2CYxebSVyzVpq9KrxsY/s16000/IMG_9188.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spent time walking and evaluating courses solo</td></tr></tbody></table>And thus we arrive on the West Coast in February, among a great group of seminar participants, warmly embraced by the Ram Tap family at the Fresno Horse Park. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibtCC4lxZfFm5Gx6M-O1U_R6giRhWEag2g0uuJXcvkIv5XCx9kf0f-UJRdT4qpnrHtYlRi_kCfVPgR10QcIPdwr7fGkkXGL6WG0IwVpCjmnOjm691jnikMhFzTF5nL4PYO7knx84YrqVZQf5sQFuw_FSLfu7Zref-eFSztjf2r3-TwTB9Z13nzKMpcEPd/s575/IMG_9189.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibtCC4lxZfFm5Gx6M-O1U_R6giRhWEag2g0uuJXcvkIv5XCx9kf0f-UJRdT4qpnrHtYlRi_kCfVPgR10QcIPdwr7fGkkXGL6WG0IwVpCjmnOjm691jnikMhFzTF5nL4PYO7knx84YrqVZQf5sQFuw_FSLfu7Zref-eFSztjf2r3-TwTB9Z13nzKMpcEPd/s16000/IMG_9189.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">very pretty fish!!</td></tr></tbody></table>And these seminars are incredible, guys. The topics covered are wide and varied, relating to fence construction, use of terrain, the impact of decorating, risk mitigation, and the biophysics of how horses perceive color and contrast. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qQHPPDLz2Fai6WF1FW6T3REHus4uumpliU06kfS-ZZhlaQsuvZe6vH7NjsWbEcJvOoGKo9SM5DMr-0WJf1WWPi_D3cxWA2-gaJze59K2FXB2Dnt3bmvo9RESw7T2rhbz4ja4KIBxmirSTYIqgow0fi8F7ynLKKX2-v8IDcJT_XTV4kPopf0isLxeRv9V/s575/IMG_9197.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qQHPPDLz2Fai6WF1FW6T3REHus4uumpliU06kfS-ZZhlaQsuvZe6vH7NjsWbEcJvOoGKo9SM5DMr-0WJf1WWPi_D3cxWA2-gaJze59K2FXB2Dnt3bmvo9RESw7T2rhbz4ja4KIBxmirSTYIqgow0fi8F7ynLKKX2-v8IDcJT_XTV4kPopf0isLxeRv9V/s16000/IMG_9197.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">color matters! consider the red corner B element on the left side....</td></tr></tbody></table>Much of this feels at least passingly familiar to the intrepid eventer -- <i>and it should! </i>But it also bears repeating, and often. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRboO6x1h1j1xUgsPpJBth6WnKbPF34CA8WXGf9-goZWCk6JbNEtlm68Xb8AwPNwpY3bKY9hGUGPcflYJn2b7vhpFrrXGHCHwFIcDzvQwO_jmu0Elqv8y6c3FRbj936oWUac6gsUgurFq2rSy0NYVkivctaG8i7JBIfhZ0bqdNkB7e3hNXkGFAMwPKR3q/s575/IMG_9210.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRboO6x1h1j1xUgsPpJBth6WnKbPF34CA8WXGf9-goZWCk6JbNEtlm68Xb8AwPNwpY3bKY9hGUGPcflYJn2b7vhpFrrXGHCHwFIcDzvQwO_jmu0Elqv8y6c3FRbj936oWUac6gsUgurFq2rSy0NYVkivctaG8i7JBIfhZ0bqdNkB7e3hNXkGFAMwPKR3q/s16000/IMG_9210.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just bc it's an older style of fence doesn't mean we can't make it work!</td></tr></tbody></table>Probably my favorite aspect of this seminar, vs when I was originally certified down in Aiken, was that we actually got to see the competition in action over the weekend. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCrdJBihWK5Ux0x92_wkzj4vIDHuU41h176NVAIh3lNIuplp2xoPOFGr2iPpEING7VffLKytY3_NdiYVj95gXRd_7HQzR1ycGoinMuKlHDwGqtyZYcTF8q_gx0KfiYmjVBgwnLbNaDh-v6nEXMNMTlwQ-HaydP_eGt7bFu_al9yoKfNg32Cfv6-p36f-6/s575/IMG_9211.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCrdJBihWK5Ux0x92_wkzj4vIDHuU41h176NVAIh3lNIuplp2xoPOFGr2iPpEING7VffLKytY3_NdiYVj95gXRd_7HQzR1ycGoinMuKlHDwGqtyZYcTF8q_gx0KfiYmjVBgwnLbNaDh-v6nEXMNMTlwQ-HaydP_eGt7bFu_al9yoKfNg32Cfv6-p36f-6/s16000/IMG_9211.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ground lines, yo!</td></tr></tbody></table>Like, we walked the courses first, evaluating them from a variety of perspectives (ie, design, construction, decoration, safety, etc.), assessed what we liked or how we might adjust or do differently... Then watched the riders go, and mapped actual footprints against our expectations afterward. <div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fSbnVB1IghM" width="320" youtube-src-id="fSbnVB1IghM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/fSbnVB1IghM" target="_blank">then we watched it go!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/fSbnVB1IghM" target="_blank">link to clips of most of the intermediate course</a></div><div><br /></div>Especially when it comes to conversations about fence profiles, terrain and distances in combinations, this was an extremely useful exercise. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XY2s6CiKezx0u3ujH_DoKBHfEfDTfP5zpOcfYWL_05AeexStwitsZPsLTaa8E5-3v1dJLGVkNgC1hdvnEPEYwxliXkXCDgqcaIH4cRZRsrlYeke0d998nfKg90hsileRsMqi3IpUaaNldN3IGwKaaoCeq4Cwhbs_zp_4sw9-jmMR026msKZKljVfeief/s575/IMG_9232.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XY2s6CiKezx0u3ujH_DoKBHfEfDTfP5zpOcfYWL_05AeexStwitsZPsLTaa8E5-3v1dJLGVkNgC1hdvnEPEYwxliXkXCDgqcaIH4cRZRsrlYeke0d998nfKg90hsileRsMqi3IpUaaNldN3IGwKaaoCeq4Cwhbs_zp_4sw9-jmMR026msKZKljVfeief/s16000/IMG_9232.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">checking out takeoff + landing footprints afterward</td></tr></tbody></table>The most interesting bits for me included how different the ground is on the West Coast from my usual haunts in Area II. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3YbJBUsjKwfy16O6aWdvBz-ugUszVTOLekWWWqIrLWEdioxTh1pddc97Rd5yvChXnCE7CxL36z_qE4QTQbuAAdgMSqh7J8-_GEOwXus8XFJuKzve3p4iilE7JT4PhyphenhyphenQEuhG59uCWRmV25iZc1A_PzIMTrtq7QQlrs9Y9-j8QR7o5OTjQi8WTll7zdotD/s575/IMG_9234.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3YbJBUsjKwfy16O6aWdvBz-ugUszVTOLekWWWqIrLWEdioxTh1pddc97Rd5yvChXnCE7CxL36z_qE4QTQbuAAdgMSqh7J8-_GEOwXus8XFJuKzve3p4iilE7JT4PhyphenhyphenQEuhG59uCWRmV25iZc1A_PzIMTrtq7QQlrs9Y9-j8QR7o5OTjQi8WTll7zdotD/s16000/IMG_9234.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">footprints aren't always where you'd expect!</td></tr></tbody></table>The travelling lanes on Ram Tap's courses are impeccably maintained -- scraped of grass, harrowed, aerated, watered, etc. It's almost like jumping on arena footing, except with terrain!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPquA3OhWCh7NwdZCTnVhEhWCVy6xN1Pd5iosjgnNz7DtJdNr5quCrMYni3prJolqVdaIBB1I4PRy2E3YXIagHFHAAlz0gWa14fBUmoIPjOf5GPlEp0Q5eCR94UJFLqlWwQHtg9aCsPx_2YfZjp0SNBeak6cLSS7yHcs0Ct1b_PHCgqL6DzwZ31LcKyp_M/s360/IMG_9237%20elsa%20warble%20fe%20unlimited.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPquA3OhWCh7NwdZCTnVhEhWCVy6xN1Pd5iosjgnNz7DtJdNr5quCrMYni3prJolqVdaIBB1I4PRy2E3YXIagHFHAAlz0gWa14fBUmoIPjOf5GPlEp0Q5eCR94UJFLqlWwQHtg9aCsPx_2YfZjp0SNBeak6cLSS7yHcs0Ct1b_PHCgqL6DzwZ31LcKyp_M/w400-h225/IMG_9237%20elsa%20warble%20fe%20unlimited.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful execution of the P sunken road by Elsa Warble on FE Unlimited</td></tr></tbody></table>Not that the horse park has a whole lot of terrain, let's be real, but they definitely put to use the roughly ~15m of elevation gain they have! (Compared to the roughly ~30-35m of elevation change you might expect to see at the Fair Hills or Plantations of the world).</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rWeDHxQlPJCYcyiaQ86xI_jDRGtKxPwvqm4YAkDIY5cJkbBRW6Az1HT4URW0STbQ8cPalDOXRAsK3ThXmA818qJYZ4Na_mU0dDu237vRlJejTOHM7XsdQPN43Xdx-RjXHlMjw6Bc0CZf5Xtq8tEYAQUwlST_h7quCMAAiTcVBZ-F21mNNFl0D9wvlKdt/s575/IMG_9237a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rWeDHxQlPJCYcyiaQ86xI_jDRGtKxPwvqm4YAkDIY5cJkbBRW6Az1HT4URW0STbQ8cPalDOXRAsK3ThXmA818qJYZ4Na_mU0dDu237vRlJejTOHM7XsdQPN43Xdx-RjXHlMjw6Bc0CZf5Xtq8tEYAQUwlST_h7quCMAAiTcVBZ-F21mNNFl0D9wvlKdt/s16000/IMG_9237a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blue line delineates the far-out landing zone from the sunken road, with human for scale</td></tr></tbody></table>Another interesting observation, at least imho, was the notably <i>high quality</i> of both the riders and horses at this event. Not that we don't have extremely talented riders and lovely horses here in Area II (obviously we do). But the uniformity was kinda amazing. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilO9-s2oXgYOjYhUPoABk2PxzZWPChKxM5WDs5cib087VjwUGLNBflNZKQR8VYAuOBepOH7a8PDVMq4AM7ThGokYKStkiIbSX8Ve-L6MJuU0qVVYykjJ8TtvgqLbz7n8LQd8tWqXP9zFLragM7Qb25Mzt9Ws1nv21VCsClAUwjL_2EwIlKKyPihcrf4lTM/s575/IMG_9241.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilO9-s2oXgYOjYhUPoABk2PxzZWPChKxM5WDs5cib087VjwUGLNBflNZKQR8VYAuOBepOH7a8PDVMq4AM7ThGokYKStkiIbSX8Ve-L6MJuU0qVVYykjJ8TtvgqLbz7n8LQd8tWqXP9zFLragM7Qb25Mzt9Ws1nv21VCsClAUwjL_2EwIlKKyPihcrf4lTM/s16000/IMG_9241.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">plotting hypothetical future combinations</td></tr></tbody></table><div>Maybe bc the format of events in Area VI is just so different -- all levels at this event ran across 3 full days, with each phase on a different day whether you rode at Intermediate or BN. Most riders shipped in with big programs from 4+ hours away (and often much farther distances). </div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzs01S8y6u8ln1_9aZJpi5v4SxjdHWzh68EKbFwgAiAHdne-8Wc3ZRMKZcdLm6XtLyL9ITMxmslsHq_hSrLfmiMHRTtXcon6ZXh34pUsEi77E7cVe53rJqCJ9OTlcf0kNPSQ10f3UoBoHfTYB1fgcUuwQQHM_ZlmRkCVJXYT9GFedxvcZPSj-ANixhuZgY/s575/IMG_9244.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzs01S8y6u8ln1_9aZJpi5v4SxjdHWzh68EKbFwgAiAHdne-8Wc3ZRMKZcdLm6XtLyL9ITMxmslsHq_hSrLfmiMHRTtXcon6ZXh34pUsEi77E7cVe53rJqCJ9OTlcf0kNPSQ10f3UoBoHfTYB1fgcUuwQQHM_ZlmRkCVJXYT9GFedxvcZPSj-ANixhuZgY/s16000/IMG_9244.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">behold, my hypothetical training combination -- raised log to angled palisade</td></tr></tbody></table>It was an expensive event for these riders who need to be highly committed to their performance. Compared to here in Area II, when you might be a bit more reasonably casual about entering a one-day event an hour up the road to show out of your trailer all day and still make your dinner plans that night. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNwu70AK_kVHQPzf2KSvdtxnr0RYnv2E6X2mbwIGhRWaAddFyTh3fh7IWgDFIfRmPmQwwErGGXreEGboDu4JGsr3h_pxOODlUhEIEXjJI-dzpsE2QXLnKoF9gryRxP41dgBF3XXCgVFjfIb_du6oF8_2zd4uO6-uFwYyIPxvV8LUyzv1EEAEBhXSJcMGl/s575/IMG_9244a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNwu70AK_kVHQPzf2KSvdtxnr0RYnv2E6X2mbwIGhRWaAddFyTh3fh7IWgDFIfRmPmQwwErGGXreEGboDu4JGsr3h_pxOODlUhEIEXjJI-dzpsE2QXLnKoF9gryRxP41dgBF3XXCgVFjfIb_du6oF8_2zd4uO6-uFwYyIPxvV8LUyzv1EEAEBhXSJcMGl/s16000/IMG_9244a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and my prelim combo -- drop to angled shoulder brush, set a bit farther back from water's edge</td></tr></tbody></table><div>Just a very different level of accessibility for showing, ya know? Which maybe makes for a broader range of execution performance. Or maybe it was just an early season event where everybody was riding well within their comfort zone? Who knows haha, just an observation!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstLQ0wLb0f4k8OEmi4bRZ1LdGhyphenhyphenamB8BwQvM6kfh2Z7j5SVnARe8baASRmQZAv8bo4VjZyUkEicNVzX0K_0vylghR2v383UOsyg4HivXBoUP2iqAyqIYZlqHZSFSKsyqZlPYp6oDp2DpoAsrRs8WiDKKvJOdpAba4lpuW1Y3ato__jZaZWQR3mj3jNNct/s575/IMG_9250.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstLQ0wLb0f4k8OEmi4bRZ1LdGhyphenhyphenamB8BwQvM6kfh2Z7j5SVnARe8baASRmQZAv8bo4VjZyUkEicNVzX0K_0vylghR2v383UOsyg4HivXBoUP2iqAyqIYZlqHZSFSKsyqZlPYp6oDp2DpoAsrRs8WiDKKvJOdpAba4lpuW1Y3ato__jZaZWQR3mj3jNNct/s16000/IMG_9250.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">organizers were so kind to us, we got to attend the Area VI awards banquet!</td></tr></tbody></table>Anyway, it was a very cool event. Apparently they've been running horse trials here for decades. Seemed like everybody had a fun story or memory of competing at the Fresno Horse Park as kids over the years, and they have a super dedicated core group of organizers, builders and volunteers. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQjtEQMq7dcl_50YVAdSFKuNG87JZtucNkd4EpV0giz8Z0CzpYv9lxXvgCVbygI6ADfU1Gss9qyYTkpy_cqr-cEvJmma9nchOfbfzEwmMANDEuZEYNzaZIAajYjaXYuDx3WWz3kZtQ3nx9XSuGZsnzawxH9iIB1-MP1aBlv1qqh0DztbCeHvdafGNueuj/s575/IMG_9250a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQjtEQMq7dcl_50YVAdSFKuNG87JZtucNkd4EpV0giz8Z0CzpYv9lxXvgCVbygI6ADfU1Gss9qyYTkpy_cqr-cEvJmma9nchOfbfzEwmMANDEuZEYNzaZIAajYjaXYuDx3WWz3kZtQ3nx9XSuGZsnzawxH9iIB1-MP1aBlv1qqh0DztbCeHvdafGNueuj/s16000/IMG_9250a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">again, this is a very special place, here's to many more decades of eventing at Ram Tap!</td></tr></tbody></table>I always love going to new venues -- esp in such a different geographic region from my own home base! </div><div><br /></div><div>The seminar itself was also super valuable and inspiring. It's exciting to see the USEA continue to develop and formalize curricula for future officials -- especially considering many eventing stalwarts are aging out and retiring. Thanks again to the Broussard Charitable Foundation Trust's Going Forward Grant for supporting this pursuit by offsetting the costs of registration and travel!<br /><div><br /></div><div>So. Overall it was a fun trip to California, and a weekend well spent with the experts! Curious if anyone else has also explored these sorts of seminars or certification programs, and what your experience has been. Or maybe you're interested for the future? </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-50893239542650938002024-02-20T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-20T01:00:00.144-08:00Doozy does Arena XC<div>Whew happy Tuesday, folks! More to come later about the rest of my California trip --- to include recapping the <i>incredible </i>weekend I spent at the Ram Tap Horse Trials. Wow, talk about a special place! </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnan18pTvI_Fs-QHEu39YXXvTbZIzFfyCytASgJ9DV6MehSawfmROdlQnOPKxxMneDtnfSV4tH2g7H9DN-NMsVnEMM8o_ZRNovJQ1lFk644Ly4oomIo0DMZc6BPvRmElvRhXajHoUfQwqIkRhvzlZoNPZlV9yx51t53esiek_GuefTsNv6-ixnvWvoFFFV/s575/IMG_9261a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnan18pTvI_Fs-QHEu39YXXvTbZIzFfyCytASgJ9DV6MehSawfmROdlQnOPKxxMneDtnfSV4tH2g7H9DN-NMsVnEMM8o_ZRNovJQ1lFk644Ly4oomIo0DMZc6BPvRmElvRhXajHoUfQwqIkRhvzlZoNPZlV9yx51t53esiek_GuefTsNv6-ixnvWvoFFFV/s16000/IMG_9261a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">exploring the grounds at Loch Moy</td></tr></tbody></table>But! No rest for the weary. I touched down in Baltimore at 2AM yesterday, and by noon was tacking Doozy up at Loch Moy to ride on their all weather arena xc schooling courses. <div><br /></div><div>Quite a few serendipitous things worked in my favor -- like my seminar ending a day early, and somehow all the stars aligned that I could actually get directly home... My friend Katie had been planning this schooling day for some time and I leapt at the opportunity to tag along.<div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFGqsfVBPL9P0wymwt3CUKWovYEsBHHmbS0E2DxRQqljpAMyN30Wc3FlpNhYDE9XrmqDEIQabfnVwero6p2dRpJrjumpGORETQs-wZwyh00oIWD6gHFDQt1EV_TAsqeGU-jr0NugSjDvJrU5f9NiJ5pT7y7tD2P86eRZM9feH60ZCqwWX8x1KXy_NopIV/s575/IMG_9266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFGqsfVBPL9P0wymwt3CUKWovYEsBHHmbS0E2DxRQqljpAMyN30Wc3FlpNhYDE9XrmqDEIQabfnVwero6p2dRpJrjumpGORETQs-wZwyh00oIWD6gHFDQt1EV_TAsqeGU-jr0NugSjDvJrU5f9NiJ5pT7y7tD2P86eRZM9feH60ZCqwWX8x1KXy_NopIV/s16000/IMG_9266.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">guys it was <i>crowded</i> --- but lookie at her omfg! #TrafficSkoolGraduate</td></tr></tbody></table>Tho ya know, obvi it was always going to be a somewhat big ask for Doozy. Not least bc she'd had a week off while I was away. But, eh, I figured... It was going to be hard no matter what, right? She is who she is. At some point we have to give her the opportunity for exposure, and go from there. So I went into the adventure with literally zero expectations and no agenda. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNV-JacvFGCrq_O8W8oXH7NeYe60ou-2olohOE2Mm9ZqvYxe5cbYEEZfuB3UPhk39NUUiBE3XeQiiJJNkyPsUMfYWqpsXbjWyy1q3OMLu6pAxfV0_zNRW8qaFT5mi2OT3dsNF9d6LsygxAyPqt91iqGLj1RbgfZhzaacqylweBEBWg9dMmznSk7wyhsuD/s575/IMG_9267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNV-JacvFGCrq_O8W8oXH7NeYe60ou-2olohOE2Mm9ZqvYxe5cbYEEZfuB3UPhk39NUUiBE3XeQiiJJNkyPsUMfYWqpsXbjWyy1q3OMLu6pAxfV0_zNRW8qaFT5mi2OT3dsNF9d6LsygxAyPqt91iqGLj1RbgfZhzaacqylweBEBWg9dMmznSk7wyhsuD/s16000/IMG_9267.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">closer up pic of doozy doing doozy</td></tr></tbody></table>But at every step... Doozy kinda just... Stepped up. She came off the trailer quietly. Tied right away (tho she did dance around a little and bonked her head at one point). Stood easily for the saddle and bridle, and more or less proceeded in a direct route to the big mounting block by Loch Moy's score board (which also features a whole bunch of flags). </div><div><br /></div><div>Sure, Katie was there with Rosette to assist with the process as needed. And we certainly needed the assistance, obvi. But everything went off on the first try with minimal fuss. YES! </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGS5_bpXbDtvZxYvVi8e1UpWA4DpAaY9QiKrtXZ63kfgiqtnojFNgJqnK-YmDoH-eOWv7n0n73xxWVZmhyphenhyphenfm6J0pWt6Ul1CYEz7kAB_Wl4VT0R-5FLuGc1L9FwdEuBgRwX3jffD4Oia2xQK5tOYGbttT2JcTkybqlXHVEdwH3_YJMSg74EKaMHCu1c1Jc/s575/IMG_9267a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGS5_bpXbDtvZxYvVi8e1UpWA4DpAaY9QiKrtXZ63kfgiqtnojFNgJqnK-YmDoH-eOWv7n0n73xxWVZmhyphenhyphenfm6J0pWt6Ul1CYEz7kAB_Wl4VT0R-5FLuGc1L9FwdEuBgRwX3jffD4Oia2xQK5tOYGbttT2JcTkybqlXHVEdwH3_YJMSg74EKaMHCu1c1Jc/s16000/IMG_9267a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we got comfortable with lots and lots of little logs at walk then trot</td></tr></tbody></table>Our warm up was more of the same. We started in the ring typically used for show jumping, and basically spent about ages familiarizing. Walked past the ivy wall and signage in both directions, observed spectators, experienced horses running and jumping in all directions... And didn't murder anybody. Tho we didn't really get much done either beyond a few little trots while Katie did her thing.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZ7G3FknuXMdeFhVE8AGA6qd7Afdv1xSzgnUbn74nhYyywHaucf-fM9zD5JZFWv5E1nYNszpd6O829FdwMiGfjhAa1mAgx6lkmH53R9-svJQdez7sljBv-6i0tgVvROrOO_0qU3hr8Ich_lddVO0mcjoSBEyZaEk4_aA5rM0l0gVnEcj4ZWP683FvQS2p/s575/IMG_9268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZ7G3FknuXMdeFhVE8AGA6qd7Afdv1xSzgnUbn74nhYyywHaucf-fM9zD5JZFWv5E1nYNszpd6O829FdwMiGfjhAa1mAgx6lkmH53R9-svJQdez7sljBv-6i0tgVvROrOO_0qU3hr8Ich_lddVO0mcjoSBEyZaEk4_aA5rM0l0gVnEcj4ZWP683FvQS2p/s16000/IMG_9268.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">then we did proper jompies!</td></tr></tbody></table>As we moved from ring to ring, tho, Doozy seemed to kinda figure stuff out. And by the time we made it to the lower ring, where a lot of the little stuff was set up, she was a lot more at ease with existence. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfIw3m-i8rxjdhKzHWjNIDID4AwTvJrb5xiHsWJvURYO2Fq3_cyrT0gjrO5CR1XaUJNnfsCDJ-Dbr_RA8uyCH3FIt4CDMHeP__q_WDEEv81e9m3awaR0tFwek2DjneNH7bDsTPCUKt_ZVtLFpBLd2BFVbhg_NM47DhwrdElC8zuwfOXD2ECUmXaJ6Rwu0/s575/IMG_9269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfIw3m-i8rxjdhKzHWjNIDID4AwTvJrb5xiHsWJvURYO2Fq3_cyrT0gjrO5CR1XaUJNnfsCDJ-Dbr_RA8uyCH3FIt4CDMHeP__q_WDEEv81e9m3awaR0tFwek2DjneNH7bDsTPCUKt_ZVtLFpBLd2BFVbhg_NM47DhwrdElC8zuwfOXD2ECUmXaJ6Rwu0/s16000/IMG_9269.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just cantering this little rockette out around wide open spaces omg</td></tr></tbody></table>The cool thing about this horse is that once she's thinking about jumps, kinda nothing else matters. The rest of the world melts away. It's.... honestly a wild feeling. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiGlAIP0rZdBLMifqxa2LwoLU5zjB1iJodJfkdZjhHKAPetsV6BOD5s11NZANfaDHdj2EwIIISAuOs1uUCAi744_gx6UQmQQqBkRSPN2d7mUI_k5qL42jAKaOCHnWoU0RcKRUQqFSJh3bhQPxiU6Hgd6WZT_xptUpG8kBOvUpUIzWQeq_-0ItPbd67kvM/s575/IMG_9270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiGlAIP0rZdBLMifqxa2LwoLU5zjB1iJodJfkdZjhHKAPetsV6BOD5s11NZANfaDHdj2EwIIISAuOs1uUCAi744_gx6UQmQQqBkRSPN2d7mUI_k5qL42jAKaOCHnWoU0RcKRUQqFSJh3bhQPxiU6Hgd6WZT_xptUpG8kBOvUpUIzWQeq_-0ItPbd67kvM/s16000/IMG_9270.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">her expression is honestly pretty incredible</td></tr></tbody></table>But there's just kinda a big hump to get over before she's ready for that. Like, gotta put the "bolting" feeling to bed first before starting with the jumping lol. And that... takes a while.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0FoZfltpkxvYAxRNWLhglcuSIr97PPhXuDSD3OKRSFRkxgSYWJzMnmyxxUsGomyh8nr_CvZEFzKrFjliHXs8li9KDgIIg2zqE2Rq_Py9BOdpfMso18Jowviull5mpYsE7lSWecMdhPB7FebsU5akOodcvQbH-ndK-ETExVFgOOSA_tzZ2ec05KlqSfaG/s575/IMG_9271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0FoZfltpkxvYAxRNWLhglcuSIr97PPhXuDSD3OKRSFRkxgSYWJzMnmyxxUsGomyh8nr_CvZEFzKrFjliHXs8li9KDgIIg2zqE2Rq_Py9BOdpfMso18Jowviull5mpYsE7lSWecMdhPB7FebsU5akOodcvQbH-ndK-ETExVFgOOSA_tzZ2ec05KlqSfaG/s16000/IMG_9271.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pictured: a relaxed horse making a small mistake about distance as she learns to be clever and more consistent with footwork</td></tr></tbody></table>But literally as soon as we started tinkering around with little logs, this mare was ALL ABOARD the schooling train. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9evCAipSbSXleapG_OoRzI0KfLMS1JnrhLlGTeCnSlUsE1dLlrFlBKfH6qh6evcz6CbwxR0AsUjSu8tJzqmQGQxCndCjkF7narMZyuPBIoD1wXoXuyilHV0PrtsYZkj-MMwW-amYiK8OjgY6fxPafi1WsnBVAAD2N-wu3m8cZWNs0Rw1iKu3I9-m1V2nF/s575/IMG_9273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9evCAipSbSXleapG_OoRzI0KfLMS1JnrhLlGTeCnSlUsE1dLlrFlBKfH6qh6evcz6CbwxR0AsUjSu8tJzqmQGQxCndCjkF7narMZyuPBIoD1wXoXuyilHV0PrtsYZkj-MMwW-amYiK8OjgY6fxPafi1WsnBVAAD2N-wu3m8cZWNs0Rw1iKu3I9-m1V2nF/s16000/IMG_9273.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is a FUN horse to ride, guys omg <3 <3 <3</td></tr></tbody></table>I aimed her for some of the ittiest of bittiest actual jumps, and she just... is a lot of fun haha. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EVDUm0-p2MbMNOaFnU4TegLxMUUORnKjObtw_NvvMYyi52CSBbnHbSR3QigM6_9Cc9r-pHbIHmkgg16vBlnmcxINFznHA5tEwBQUi4-UwC49MngqWoR0SgQ-0bLFT-rgb4c8ooEHjTxYB_ADrA3v9tSTGSn2ee8wiZwxdZkIJ_ic-MBPULReyz7MpT24/s575/IMG_9275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EVDUm0-p2MbMNOaFnU4TegLxMUUORnKjObtw_NvvMYyi52CSBbnHbSR3QigM6_9Cc9r-pHbIHmkgg16vBlnmcxINFznHA5tEwBQUi4-UwC49MngqWoR0SgQ-0bLFT-rgb4c8ooEHjTxYB_ADrA3v9tSTGSn2ee8wiZwxdZkIJ_ic-MBPULReyz7MpT24/s16000/IMG_9275.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bebe's first "table" lol</td></tr></tbody></table>So obvi we went for the next little level up -- the 2'3 fences. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58Jc4cF7qS3gw7-et07GgeD4HO33xjsMGXeZ6pL-fXyQLd8_bR2gsrKrykSWZmwbB5lLKXxLNmnbDBmF_VDyIj2B0oW4upgNoOGZQXyQGuD7dzjb7auKmSMQA2MI9wlgLkzOPLsACybYj8org9l0VryJL781ki1GBEDPzVQW2XEybhELZxjx6FUuwtx6S/s575/IMG_9276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58Jc4cF7qS3gw7-et07GgeD4HO33xjsMGXeZ6pL-fXyQLd8_bR2gsrKrykSWZmwbB5lLKXxLNmnbDBmF_VDyIj2B0oW4upgNoOGZQXyQGuD7dzjb7auKmSMQA2MI9wlgLkzOPLsACybYj8org9l0VryJL781ki1GBEDPzVQW2XEybhELZxjx6FUuwtx6S/s16000/IMG_9276.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ermagerd we got into the water and learned it's actually kinda fun!</td></tr></tbody></table>And she just jumped everything I pointed her at, some questions asked, but all answered correctly. And I didn't push things, ya know? Like, I didn't try to string things from different ends of the arenas together --- we kinda stayed in one "zone" at a time. And I didn't do anything with banks or ditches, tho we did get through the water nicely.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/keO_FSwQy_s" width="320" youtube-src-id="keO_FSwQy_s"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/keO_FSwQy_s" target="_blank">video includes: my helmet cam (which died early, womp), my friend's helmet cam capture of us, </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/keO_FSwQy_s" target="_blank">and some cell phone footage. enjoy!</a></div><div><br /></div>But I'm just so pleased with this mare, guys, omg <3 And she's getting exponentially better about life as Le Sport Horse with every single trailer outing. Like, sure, the first hour of our 1.5hr ride was spent keeping a lid on the powder keg... But the last 30min was worth it <3</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6u0A4VwA2dZon8KQCbL1gl1pt4KDB2RvmzMKJ20g0jeHiJ7j9voa6rxJUBwgC0pzi9lM00xpuHYlR3g9RhTmJgRKXKBAaJATOs2Bnz7B6xKEFKQFUFPRgHbcvZM8MKqHdprkygZbHlkkT-TG9QpAKbve6245tRsQt1Nrq__cMgu1wgXGQPtJskW_dGir/s575/IMG_9365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6u0A4VwA2dZon8KQCbL1gl1pt4KDB2RvmzMKJ20g0jeHiJ7j9voa6rxJUBwgC0pzi9lM00xpuHYlR3g9RhTmJgRKXKBAaJATOs2Bnz7B6xKEFKQFUFPRgHbcvZM8MKqHdprkygZbHlkkT-TG9QpAKbve6245tRsQt1Nrq__cMgu1wgXGQPtJskW_dGir/s16000/IMG_9365.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">guys, i'm so so so excited about this sweet little mare!</td></tr></tbody></table>It's honestly wild to see her grow in leaps and bounds from week to week. She's sensitive and reactive... but actually pretty darn sensible too. She wants to be good, wants to color inside the lines, and has an incredible and innate pressure response. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpTt63a_YP8mk3K5P10gVPnHfiWFtzm5YEh05wOSASkE79S6xuApoJ22SJZTBB-TeFUsPueyFUUWPGH4b96xdy7XYMqT576bdFNv9J3n4TVzUWzhrxHtZkq0B8vjFRu74hPdWY5ljLLFZlh7t08kxeZIHFXu14wl83efsuygsdp6-e2czzgmfSuoBR6XE/s575/IMG_9366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpTt63a_YP8mk3K5P10gVPnHfiWFtzm5YEh05wOSASkE79S6xuApoJ22SJZTBB-TeFUsPueyFUUWPGH4b96xdy7XYMqT576bdFNv9J3n4TVzUWzhrxHtZkq0B8vjFRu74hPdWY5ljLLFZlh7t08kxeZIHFXu14wl83efsuygsdp6-e2czzgmfSuoBR6XE/s16000/IMG_9366.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can you believe that's Charlie's Back on Track cooler?? maybe she's not that small after all...</td></tr></tbody></table>So. Another achievement unlocked, another milestone in the books. It all feels very exciting, and so good to get back to doing fun horsey adventures. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's actually kinda crazy, bc I really haven't experienced the same type of anxiety (yet) with Doozy that characterized some of the early days with Charlie. Maybe bc... Charlie just gave me a lot of confidence over the years? Or bc after a year away from doing the things I wanna be doing, the determination is winning out over the anxiety? </div><div><br /></div><div>Who knows, ya know? All I know is that this process has been a lot of fun so far, and I'm not really in any rush to change that!</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-57555354900974894602024-02-16T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-16T01:00:00.138-08:00friday foto finish<div>In this week's episode, we see a sculptural representation of Charles, looking like the trazadone just kicked in lol...</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz0fazJ8Z3rSbWCzgaivN9_QQn6JiszLIXL6__Bxda5lo33L9rstZ3g_Ydmzi_SENv8vNABClmlFw15iEXQxhXOOkshmE7vHLDiJTMUFTnFXvyYVl-P4MsFM9ZW_vt5DIr62EX8l_PoyvRtdHnHOHWO_iYLYAgKbBmLLpEcW6yEYiCSSCr7qBxjPV4gta/s575/IMG_9159a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz0fazJ8Z3rSbWCzgaivN9_QQn6JiszLIXL6__Bxda5lo33L9rstZ3g_Ydmzi_SENv8vNABClmlFw15iEXQxhXOOkshmE7vHLDiJTMUFTnFXvyYVl-P4MsFM9ZW_vt5DIr62EX8l_PoyvRtdHnHOHWO_iYLYAgKbBmLLpEcW6yEYiCSSCr7qBxjPV4gta/s16000/IMG_9159a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<i>feeling kinda funny, guys!</i>" - charles, usually</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdKA_zJqVb1IRtp9FuLdOXPagtXPIjUpTR4UBhONXbD6JBug_DYCU95JBeXVkLFneZLZ9NwQccyp1BpMZkhop7_b4s1Ipmcdj02u-WaaQCSl-3gylKuDs723fi2OHtk94wL0EUVE_eYNZRhmZtrIOMYNrrcT8P2HvWuDA9ObNGrFU9KvmueHxBV9soFCs/s575/IMG_9159b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdKA_zJqVb1IRtp9FuLdOXPagtXPIjUpTR4UBhONXbD6JBug_DYCU95JBeXVkLFneZLZ9NwQccyp1BpMZkhop7_b4s1Ipmcdj02u-WaaQCSl-3gylKuDs723fi2OHtk94wL0EUVE_eYNZRhmZtrIOMYNrrcT8P2HvWuDA9ObNGrFU9KvmueHxBV9soFCs/s16000/IMG_9159b.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<i>mmmmm tastes colorful</i>"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3u5cg0i9CIoCqTFhQV01a85zMZ0ULX02AqgoZ1jYV2cpx7es-BuGLwEkfbkL4hT8WCkngfD0w2rMhZ0xtMDdpzrMHfjoiuaej5IT5INNAT0AmLs9fnxNFzX8suSgxZHmHsGYZPH8R1tZt3Dga9h_vTncWTUsZ65l56lptqkNT3P_LatpCGtAgG57xpoT/s575/IMG_9159c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3u5cg0i9CIoCqTFhQV01a85zMZ0ULX02AqgoZ1jYV2cpx7es-BuGLwEkfbkL4hT8WCkngfD0w2rMhZ0xtMDdpzrMHfjoiuaej5IT5INNAT0AmLs9fnxNFzX8suSgxZHmHsGYZPH8R1tZt3Dga9h_vTncWTUsZ65l56lptqkNT3P_LatpCGtAgG57xpoT/s16000/IMG_9159c.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting ready to bask in his sedation for a full 45min longer than the vet said haha</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This <span style="text-align: center;">trippy fountain is brought to you courtesy of the Huntington Gardens lol... </span>TGIF y'all!!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-58457924463027385672024-02-14T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-14T01:00:00.128-08:00westerly wordless(ish) wednesday<div>Happy mid-week, y'all. Not too too many words today, bc I'm actually out of town so not a whole heckuva lot is happening! </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUlxFApQfeaHG3n255RJWk2YfZShrd6kFZiBpmAA1HvICvDoemXiw_JrauTJXiR1v_uVJMIp_jzrWjVbSMrRusjjDVB80cU3ilPCB9402xt6zdtSvsUKXXyod8z7Liu9MJwRwT4gEKyogyyZkZ_tUBUgrFXl6DWzvbQ5mwDVLSIHlDkwvkeKz1EjIVPTH/s575/IMG_6118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUlxFApQfeaHG3n255RJWk2YfZShrd6kFZiBpmAA1HvICvDoemXiw_JrauTJXiR1v_uVJMIp_jzrWjVbSMrRusjjDVB80cU3ilPCB9402xt6zdtSvsUKXXyod8z7Liu9MJwRwT4gEKyogyyZkZ_tUBUgrFXl6DWzvbQ5mwDVLSIHlDkwvkeKz1EjIVPTH/s16000/IMG_6118.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look closely -- this statuette apparently has an abscess-wrap on his hoof lol</td></tr></tbody></table>Or at least, not a lot for Doozy. She's getting a little vacation, aside from some extra TLC from barn mates. <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuA9iXvh7MtxqNnp9RTw45i1538DXKEbAc0SxTkkewKRmrfs-Xlf7Yw1ZbYVZ32jYY_P0ljmNUt8uI0otAnH5R7K1mnSbNVDDLrciJQ2t-zXOajVYp5bzwOCZTqp3mcuyFURI4Pn6lrHxTmr18tleP2CUerBLuCPNP1Lv0WRlwGCVz42Xq-srrSgrlTyc/s575/IMG_6119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuA9iXvh7MtxqNnp9RTw45i1538DXKEbAc0SxTkkewKRmrfs-Xlf7Yw1ZbYVZ32jYY_P0ljmNUt8uI0otAnH5R7K1mnSbNVDDLrciJQ2t-zXOajVYp5bzwOCZTqp3mcuyFURI4Pn6lrHxTmr18tleP2CUerBLuCPNP1Lv0WRlwGCVz42Xq-srrSgrlTyc/s16000/IMG_6119.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beachy with my aunt!</td></tr></tbody></table>I figure, she's been working hard and doing well. Plus she proved after the snowstorm last month that she can come back from a break without much fuss. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgyRI46kH5KEGScrmrNF-YXaeomXhtse0Zvgu5tqanW826WLVugK-dBsZ65ai5B8tYiCYoYCEG2rzZ5ILNzkZKT-pb0g598QtjhIBskY2pekWk9Bs9WhqE-HK95BfuHzcnModibrUqOAoFco7eW_9iLsUhxeK2VC9y7bRaO1RLQiuC20BEIDbpfToTw10/s575/IMG_6120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgyRI46kH5KEGScrmrNF-YXaeomXhtse0Zvgu5tqanW826WLVugK-dBsZ65ai5B8tYiCYoYCEG2rzZ5ILNzkZKT-pb0g598QtjhIBskY2pekWk9Bs9WhqE-HK95BfuHzcnModibrUqOAoFco7eW_9iLsUhxeK2VC9y7bRaO1RLQiuC20BEIDbpfToTw10/s16000/IMG_6120.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the wild west</td></tr></tbody></table>So, eh, what's another week or so, right? </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FIb8uHpKzVu98_Arj6d84U9_QEIYEHphEe04oDof5sQtCRE5vQVTJvJXDNIoddAW5Ve9VO5e4hyphenhyphengoK0o6l9mmJc8kuJEpdyOyav_7VjBBk_I0sgzKvMsO5pGMDkYnrZ9CqJ0-X3wKtWMzqN0jvXxNQQm_24b6ug2JB6oL6hvTPs2i0olz-9Gkx8tybZf/s575/IMG_6121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FIb8uHpKzVu98_Arj6d84U9_QEIYEHphEe04oDof5sQtCRE5vQVTJvJXDNIoddAW5Ve9VO5e4hyphenhyphengoK0o6l9mmJc8kuJEpdyOyav_7VjBBk_I0sgzKvMsO5pGMDkYnrZ9CqJ0-X3wKtWMzqN0jvXxNQQm_24b6ug2JB6oL6hvTPs2i0olz-9Gkx8tybZf/s16000/IMG_6121.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">garden at the Getty Center was incredible</td></tr></tbody></table>Charlie, meanwhile, decidedly does not thrive with neglect haha. And in his book, "neglect" means going longer than 36hrs without direct personalized 1:1 attention lol. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhoeeEkF-ALUDlDzPVXaTzdG1ItnTrHPttI6lucH50pXARWhX3hwkrhZaOU78SXzKXvX0FZCNWOh94iQIa_W18Q1iMicDwU4etsnV1YkBh5efHQpTl8H09k7P11Xs-nB1wteBHllRROyqTkklfNTFNEaWVftL9SckfkA3MuX8H0-G9sztE_PMmMkLqB3a/s575/IMG_8911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhoeeEkF-ALUDlDzPVXaTzdG1ItnTrHPttI6lucH50pXARWhX3hwkrhZaOU78SXzKXvX0FZCNWOh94iQIa_W18Q1iMicDwU4etsnV1YkBh5efHQpTl8H09k7P11Xs-nB1wteBHllRROyqTkklfNTFNEaWVftL9SckfkA3MuX8H0-G9sztE_PMmMkLqB3a/s16000/IMG_8911.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">certainly more scenic than late winter mud lol -- see charles spying from the bottom right?</td></tr></tbody></table>He actually started back under saddle about two weeks ago maybe, very simple rides spent mostly working on lateral suppleness at the walk, with adding trotting very slowly -- a minute or so more every couple of rides.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE6ITqNuZtrEJ-O6Ki9YnYIxXbKT9c8H8T8Y2UfB3oZezNGxOTrTj0yW1cqw3RumgDBsTDjMQlu9gIlJ-5WS0RpsJkka6Ybaaco2FDuC3Buv892_qIseBhIflOBlLayk1AUhSp5xqsMa9Mwgd7OfHDDWZz4w4LnQ1OOBz6ZL2I7mdjr978AVeN6AhaM-Y/s360/IMG_8912c.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE6ITqNuZtrEJ-O6Ki9YnYIxXbKT9c8H8T8Y2UfB3oZezNGxOTrTj0yW1cqw3RumgDBsTDjMQlu9gIlJ-5WS0RpsJkka6Ybaaco2FDuC3Buv892_qIseBhIflOBlLayk1AUhSp5xqsMa9Mwgd7OfHDDWZz4w4LnQ1OOBz6ZL2I7mdjr978AVeN6AhaM-Y/w400-h225/IMG_8912c.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">different day, same charlie <3</td></tr></tbody></table>His heel bulb wound is almost entirely gone, but recall he still needs his hocks done since he keeps interfering with those plans... Plus ya know, he's been out of regular work for a year. And at the end of the day we just aren't sure how his feet will respond to increased load again.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xh1YjVzuzoX9Ao8ZnfiPOJJ2oG4FOd7SNKLhxsavmgAJQM2SSRodP8d34PJ-x9FsYAKiBn1Xik_UaynK3kVxW2Zgg6XPVkdHf6o46EiwMX0PouBagDbUnKPsv_CtA6htI4gTEieKBPyDFaRtt4vO28kepOh2s1GoWi3HlMdGcFxAKMGG0_g0RvMRkET8/s575/IMG_8913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xh1YjVzuzoX9Ao8ZnfiPOJJ2oG4FOd7SNKLhxsavmgAJQM2SSRodP8d34PJ-x9FsYAKiBn1Xik_UaynK3kVxW2Zgg6XPVkdHf6o46EiwMX0PouBagDbUnKPsv_CtA6htI4gTEieKBPyDFaRtt4vO28kepOh2s1GoWi3HlMdGcFxAKMGG0_g0RvMRkET8/s16000/IMG_8913.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back to hacking!</td></tr></tbody></table>But I'm hopeful. Aside from the janky hocks, he honestly feels like a million bucks. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTqsO99Bv206bvsha-PiKGXgCSM528T27219UkZejMy59j_B5XgLRNlnQsLGRQhVGNOHgDlWbYVS_nkGOBdenV1HJ5FzXIObjlNKuvgZ95i5F0_wGGA8zsRk-1ADXWwGZxy8pfoU8jHxYjWoFAggOeOkNy2WvdVaIo2lfzELHE0ep_IdAtTtLFail5qVQ/s360/IMG_8976.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="360" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTqsO99Bv206bvsha-PiKGXgCSM528T27219UkZejMy59j_B5XgLRNlnQsLGRQhVGNOHgDlWbYVS_nkGOBdenV1HJ5FzXIObjlNKuvgZ95i5F0_wGGA8zsRk-1ADXWwGZxy8pfoU8jHxYjWoFAggOeOkNy2WvdVaIo2lfzELHE0ep_IdAtTtLFail5qVQ/w400-h300/IMG_8976.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots and lots and lots</td></tr></tbody></table>Like, feels so good that it's easy to get greedy haha. Bc damn it's just so nice to be sitting on him again!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqHjEr11jT4B4Upta9Pb63Rm-6l8YU15vq_adXKLVdEPhRg4Uj4utagAZ3hQ5AhMm1jZ4Xw23WIWTW425v_8u5tunbPV0XJZ7F1xa33O9_-44iXMqVu7xXfy7Wgxx6gNQ3Ie83hBbeSve_dgIPmAAWjbjA6unXn6We_mcXm2MWIwGzILoV6FvlVD8hKKY/s360/IMG_8976a.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="360" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqHjEr11jT4B4Upta9Pb63Rm-6l8YU15vq_adXKLVdEPhRg4Uj4utagAZ3hQ5AhMm1jZ4Xw23WIWTW425v_8u5tunbPV0XJZ7F1xa33O9_-44iXMqVu7xXfy7Wgxx6gNQ3Ie83hBbeSve_dgIPmAAWjbjA6unXn6We_mcXm2MWIwGzILoV6FvlVD8hKKY/w400-h300/IMG_8976a.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and lots and lots and lot and LOTS of hacking lol</td></tr></tbody></table>So I'm eager to keep up the (slow low intensity) momentum with him, ya know? </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEing3IHW-3_bvNfXYvmR5Nuum0bfnjIrBvcAxzdhK1j5BWVdb0LIyriHK0eSFgchw20BnibSzbRBBUPgtvqwtTfNQi9B7j56neD6FIVF-kLTdiApsSela3LpjGA5dl0De_ep38MmuoexCZ-MjfmXs6zN81kkw4Scfwf3sihKXDmtyiaGxiGRBJJEEZroZx9/s575/IMG_9275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEing3IHW-3_bvNfXYvmR5Nuum0bfnjIrBvcAxzdhK1j5BWVdb0LIyriHK0eSFgchw20BnibSzbRBBUPgtvqwtTfNQi9B7j56neD6FIVF-kLTdiApsSela3LpjGA5dl0De_ep38MmuoexCZ-MjfmXs6zN81kkw4Scfwf3sihKXDmtyiaGxiGRBJJEEZroZx9/s16000/IMG_9275.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a sma smidge of ring work too <3 talented junior got a lesson on him before i left town</td></tr></tbody></table>Fortunately, Charlie has a LOT of friends around the barn -- and he's reliable enough that it's practically worry free to hand the keys over while I'm away.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnnaYubDKHvzRxaY_XO3TF7t4aNlpFXxyo1QT0VrJc5e-EkKskCGJ32PioQyAj2xlwPORyneXM3r3aRrexXdaIvg7aeoG4dlYAFJ0xbyZUBEscoBFSEds039x27JqYKcJ_1uXdY_Cm6bKI5aZ8-D7LAlQM7zcZKZC5ZAEBGudpAy8lkCK1YQRPJSHmf24/s575/IMG_9277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnnaYubDKHvzRxaY_XO3TF7t4aNlpFXxyo1QT0VrJc5e-EkKskCGJ32PioQyAj2xlwPORyneXM3r3aRrexXdaIvg7aeoG4dlYAFJ0xbyZUBEscoBFSEds039x27JqYKcJ_1uXdY_Cm6bKI5aZ8-D7LAlQM7zcZKZC5ZAEBGudpAy8lkCK1YQRPJSHmf24/s16000/IMG_9277.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and got to enjoy hacking around too</td></tr></tbody></table>I'm never sure if he's the most classically "fun" horse to ride, bc he can be a little pokey and lazy... But then again, he knows a LOT. And maybe can teach a lot. At this point, basically all you have to do to ride him is hold a steady position with a clear forward intention... And he just... <i>goes</i> lol. </div><div><br /></div><div>So... Actually, maybe that IS fun for the typical barn rat junior who always ends up with the surlies or greenies lol.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuHKb2plFGafYSNthDlU4KE_Usf9iwTqgSmXTpf4ytyLIuVg-bSj2QLalEAms82m4A_QMsrty8839Of7fISkasCugtQGuM3Rbdw8NNvfJ64ixMjmCqMCveAQbL6H0vVGMBt_Mc4Po1MuRbwEtGgb4-c4nPpe0boDa-OkJ0p0u6AsiHSjLofs3AVG15vgt/s575/IMG_9281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuHKb2plFGafYSNthDlU4KE_Usf9iwTqgSmXTpf4ytyLIuVg-bSj2QLalEAms82m4A_QMsrty8839Of7fISkasCugtQGuM3Rbdw8NNvfJ64ixMjmCqMCveAQbL6H0vVGMBt_Mc4Po1MuRbwEtGgb4-c4nPpe0boDa-OkJ0p0u6AsiHSjLofs3AVG15vgt/s16000/IMG_9281.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he's in good hands! and so is she ;) </td></tr></tbody></table>All in all, I feel good about it -- and it definitely helps me feel a lot less guilty about leaving for so long (wish the same could be said for my guilt for my two little house kitties who are used to having me home almost full time....). Feels like a win-win, ya know?</div><div><br /></div><div>So anyway, more news later. Hope y'all are having a nice week!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-14342983084359166922024-02-12T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-12T01:00:00.259-08:00schooling dressage show<div>Guys!! Doozy did her first little schooling show this weekend!! My first show since April of last year, omg! Just a little at-home show in our normal indoor lol... So maybe not really anything significantly different for Dooz. But we did it, and we survived! And it was all ok!! Haha....</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTaY1FO-gzd-xE77rioEp3Ow78xz0fYTPCxhyphenhyphenBtL1iJNcyJNSdm4PUTC-YpaqFl8hRsm-6WIYOrLa82JIwpYIjKUu2vYy2R_ZWTvO-6eGwwvFBuejury2pF2SylHEGPWi4AQPt2GJTVgCFUKuavVDtHNvNk_zDPhSw42to76xMiTm9yc0DPDccXIYuOdz/s575/IMG_9054.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTaY1FO-gzd-xE77rioEp3Ow78xz0fYTPCxhyphenhyphenBtL1iJNcyJNSdm4PUTC-YpaqFl8hRsm-6WIYOrLa82JIwpYIjKUu2vYy2R_ZWTvO-6eGwwvFBuejury2pF2SylHEGPWi4AQPt2GJTVgCFUKuavVDtHNvNk_zDPhSw42to76xMiTm9yc0DPDccXIYuOdz/s16000/IMG_9054.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good girl post-tests, existing out in the open <i>*without*</i> killing anybody!</td></tr></tbody></table>For real, tho, I'm gonna skip right over our lesson from the day before bc... While it started out <i>really</i> <i>well</i> and we're definitely figuring some stuff out, Doozy's quarter <i>Ran. Out.</i> somewhat unexpectedly about half way thru the lesson and the rest was an absolute wash... <div><br /></div><div>Like, true story, the lesson finished so poorly that it didn't seem likely we'd make it through the tests for the show if Doozy was in the same condition the next morning... Fortunately, tho, we got a few lucky breaks for the show. <div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0MRu95YN5o19v_N14X6NzbLYg8ICHMxGq2LU_euYtyXSP36JVmx7Cvl6Q2a1Z-5ybp5w0cJNvrCYl0yTH313QHDWSuxlFvbDQQ9kkDTBTxuhnUUKfW9V5OLQJMdWIOF-iPQhe_wdNEyJAkENi66t0iDviEgCioO4wCxTgB1ADzzSJ5X3UANCMyodQ0ic/s575/IMG_9054a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0MRu95YN5o19v_N14X6NzbLYg8ICHMxGq2LU_euYtyXSP36JVmx7Cvl6Q2a1Z-5ybp5w0cJNvrCYl0yTH313QHDWSuxlFvbDQQ9kkDTBTxuhnUUKfW9V5OLQJMdWIOF-iPQhe_wdNEyJAkENi66t0iDviEgCioO4wCxTgB1ADzzSJ5X3UANCMyodQ0ic/s16000/IMG_9054a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">devil's in the details, like riding with the doors wide open for the first time!</td></tr></tbody></table>First of all -- I had the first rides of the day, so got to warm up inside the indoor instead of out in the dressage court. Secondly, my barn mate would be right after us -- and she also prefers warming up on the indoor footing. So Doozy had a friend to warm up with inside, which helped take the edge off coping with the doors being <i>wide open omg</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Said friend also parked her horse right in the middle of the doorway for our tests too -- plus there were a few spectators, so we had a nice healthy wall of bodies to prevent against unceremoniously bolting away lol....</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw2hEDQbcexDK3wqF2jMKhRLxgHnigziINWiDbmNaAVOGGqybFZRFtmJ1oD949r7K7PaBIkpfsO5K-3yWeGpgHG5HSJnO0gwptBjtIQV5pSLjw5hvJgxVg8E6tB_s26iQFPO-oCI3ZZ8mwHinRaUXfOyQuojtZ3_n8BuTyBCHO7WwNGoAKGMKKGM3G5f4/s575/IMG_9054b.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw2hEDQbcexDK3wqF2jMKhRLxgHnigziINWiDbmNaAVOGGqybFZRFtmJ1oD949r7K7PaBIkpfsO5K-3yWeGpgHG5HSJnO0gwptBjtIQV5pSLjw5hvJgxVg8E6tB_s26iQFPO-oCI3ZZ8mwHinRaUXfOyQuojtZ3_n8BuTyBCHO7WwNGoAKGMKKGM3G5f4/s16000/IMG_9054b.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting lectured by the judge for riding poorly. doozy is super cute tho!</td></tr></tbody></table>With that said, tho, the tests still weren't great. Realistically, we *can* do all the things required by the test, theoretically, but not necessarily within the parameters and constraints of the test itself. Like, yea... we CAN halt... but... mayyyybe not at X lol, ya know what I mean? </div><div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSEZc-6Z9c9FlJ82mI2RP9CeySsevZpzgqCmYbi59uWyRvig7KqWZyHAEH7EdYnv_oG-4gh792ZS4cu_8787To27T5lq5BVi4cOsFcKFalplPs0AkfKAW_SKzMUFiOoPyCZS_k-4ATZi78oe0_nZURZWPufhYpuQYO-_u3VG2ljB7JZfWLEttdLtFbyYK/s575/IMG_9067.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSEZc-6Z9c9FlJ82mI2RP9CeySsevZpzgqCmYbi59uWyRvig7KqWZyHAEH7EdYnv_oG-4gh792ZS4cu_8787To27T5lq5BVi4cOsFcKFalplPs0AkfKAW_SKzMUFiOoPyCZS_k-4ATZi78oe0_nZURZWPufhYpuQYO-_u3VG2ljB7JZfWLEttdLtFbyYK/s16000/IMG_9067.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">useful feedback from test 1</td></tr></tbody></table>And we also may or may not have cantered throughout the entire first test --- which, for the unaware, USDF Intro B <i>does</i> <i>not call for canter</i>. Oops. The judge really took me to task for that too -- told me that I was riding too crookedly and that this was why the horse kept stepping into canter, and that I'm basically going to ruin the horse by training the crookedness into <strike>her</strike> him if I don't fix my shit. </div><div><br /></div><div>Which like. Cool. Thanks judge for the deep diagnostic review of my training that you managed to accomplish in the last 2.5min... But maybe just give me the 5 and let's get on with it, yes? Thx. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ClnCYHDwWLgYKaxYxmOjXxE3Ls9LIXIOjZby4-GB143Pz_fuCpFeBg5SgnlYv3m92qXHXwjCq9wY92U_ltby-D3n5aY2aXgVKwb7mRnMR6ZAoJbXht13VomdySYZ0hq6uVD0kkp1zG9WMee2bsu2bmXHuecxLsCz7BKr3xsna6oyzGiWsFVF6qquCsAb/s575/IMG_9054c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ClnCYHDwWLgYKaxYxmOjXxE3Ls9LIXIOjZby4-GB143Pz_fuCpFeBg5SgnlYv3m92qXHXwjCq9wY92U_ltby-D3n5aY2aXgVKwb7mRnMR6ZAoJbXht13VomdySYZ0hq6uVD0kkp1zG9WMee2bsu2bmXHuecxLsCz7BKr3xsna6oyzGiWsFVF6qquCsAb/s16000/IMG_9054c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">doozy kept a lid on it with the help of her emotional support barbie dream horse lol... <br />also, my local consignment shop was selling <a href="https://phbarndoor.com/products/breast-cancer-ssg-gloves" target="_blank">these gorgeous SSG show gloves</a> brand new for $2/pair. sure, maybe the white draws too much attention to one of my weakest areas, but the gloves are NICE</td></tr></tbody></table>We rode our tests back to back, and a couple more things worked in our favor. First -- I was a bit more proactive about not letting Doozy slide into canter lol. Second, the mare was <i>sliiiightly</i> more on board with riding the pattern this time, just from having accomplished it once already. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtM-OpUc1yiCn7tNflq0g3g1iNObE7nKzLxjnT6ubcobbBOaujsjXhDQ0WDUlUNxQQeuXHI04rBJpyCeUBSUtiC2M3WTRpRrwx9opGnRIRzBmVLSFSHGwkA_D_ZEd4A57tdfsv_CHyIrEo3QfTO_Mdyya6LeA8OlbSS_ZFgaP_kEDucUT2jVJ8gkZVfPuw/s575/IMG_9054d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtM-OpUc1yiCn7tNflq0g3g1iNObE7nKzLxjnT6ubcobbBOaujsjXhDQ0WDUlUNxQQeuXHI04rBJpyCeUBSUtiC2M3WTRpRrwx9opGnRIRzBmVLSFSHGwkA_D_ZEd4A57tdfsv_CHyIrEo3QfTO_Mdyya6LeA8OlbSS_ZFgaP_kEDucUT2jVJ8gkZVfPuw/s16000/IMG_9054d.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not gonna lie, we did a lot of cantering considering it's a W-T test LOL</td></tr></tbody></table>There are definitely moments in the second test (<a href="https://youtu.be/cuyBpFPCG4Q" target="_blank">video below</a>) that excite me. Sure, it would be easy to get stuck on frustration for when I couldn't hold my position, or when Doozy would invert and run off on the muscle (basically any time we turned toward the door). And esp with these silly bright white (<i>but oooh-so-luxe</i>) gloves, there's no hiding any sins with my hands....</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dEFl4g0-BiyOfPcThLY17txCiKkPfy30aVMh3OHg7BqJxJwQfQm97yzdNj2hSsweipmnh6qfgaMHz2_WVua5xn5XE7MaMZOoYmZYWqbaE_HLJNT9AMDVbuLTYsb6ip9axtHhfUg0xX3VjLWjno8p6fhRKwCnMdRiY-vcLPFwfFTTlP9Hsc9TbsvF0Unc/s575/IMG_9054e.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dEFl4g0-BiyOfPcThLY17txCiKkPfy30aVMh3OHg7BqJxJwQfQm97yzdNj2hSsweipmnh6qfgaMHz2_WVua5xn5XE7MaMZOoYmZYWqbaE_HLJNT9AMDVbuLTYsb6ip9axtHhfUg0xX3VjLWjno8p6fhRKwCnMdRiY-vcLPFwfFTTlP9Hsc9TbsvF0Unc/s16000/IMG_9054e.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can cherry pick good moments for horse or rider (rarely both LOL).. you'll have to watch the video to see the truth tho ;)</td></tr></tbody></table>But idk, I kinda feel like if you imagine stepping back, letting your eyes get a little blurry maybe, and viewing this test more from a materiale perspective, it feels like a really solid effort. Like, in each movement we have little glimmers of development. Small moments of give and softness... We just can't hold it right now. Ain't got no rhythm yet! </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUY5eNYEsCDC3_Xas6PA9lWzTZR-hQs7X-srSpvdFicHUPtl0jqaRknkhYB9gV28QQBzP6yMD8A7sDPOWvFvvTXZJKitsVoSwOC0-OfJSdHBIsnkgvzgTfBOh6ePIG7yczoETtAFDVLOWnkQIT0TGSrBu6fqjJ4XYCUARcsxLLhIIHNrlMxomwz18HPGM/s575/IMG_9054f.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUY5eNYEsCDC3_Xas6PA9lWzTZR-hQs7X-srSpvdFicHUPtl0jqaRknkhYB9gV28QQBzP6yMD8A7sDPOWvFvvTXZJKitsVoSwOC0-OfJSdHBIsnkgvzgTfBOh6ePIG7yczoETtAFDVLOWnkQIT0TGSrBu6fqjJ4XYCUARcsxLLhIIHNrlMxomwz18HPGM/s16000/IMG_9054f.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">always amazed when she can walk out even when super tense</td></tr></tbody></table>Doozy is such an interesting horse bc she's tense, yes, but not quite in the tight taut way I might expect. Like, she can basically always walk nicely. Even when going from getting cantered away with in a trot circle, to not quite nailing the transition down to walk... It's still fine to push the reins forward in free walk and she just slinks her way across the diagonal in her lovely Doozy way. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tho, for some reason we got a 5 on our medium walk in this test. Idk. Looked fine to me, but eh, the judge disagreed** and gave it our lowest mark for the test. Idk, watch the video and lemme know what I missed??</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(**Truthfully, the judge was in my sightline and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">was </span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">noticeably not watching us in this moment, but was instead dictating a comment to the scribe. Weirdly, she was watching the scribe write, too, which seemed unusual to me. Found out when I picked up the test sheet, she had the scribe add a comment to the margins about my "tending to tilt left," and in the process missed the medium walk and then trot transition, two of nine scored movements. Opted to dole out a 5 anyway tho! Thanks judge!)</span></i></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwL4fAEeRrjecR1ERmoVBGkYz0D4k-EcF2Db7q9Qisvo58dtNWf_JF_WTvfS9_eAGdgGVZuc0bfXrLQFdedHnIIorULvMEgEbvNMwJJVzLIE5mQnCYDqo_OJmXTuKpCML0WA8GZG-3pJoGQ7wuOfS1bJkIe13d6z104-mKJep1wFId6TB-9PlWc38NkIo/s575/IMG_9054g.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwL4fAEeRrjecR1ERmoVBGkYz0D4k-EcF2Db7q9Qisvo58dtNWf_JF_WTvfS9_eAGdgGVZuc0bfXrLQFdedHnIIorULvMEgEbvNMwJJVzLIE5mQnCYDqo_OJmXTuKpCML0WA8GZG-3pJoGQ7wuOfS1bJkIe13d6z104-mKJep1wFId6TB-9PlWc38NkIo/s16000/IMG_9054g.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more or less representative</td></tr></tbody></table>Doozy is just so sensitive right now to where we are with respect to the door, a lot of how she goes is influenced from that draw. It's really up to me to be a bit more proactive about trying to keep things a bit steadier and more in line whether we're turning away or turning toward the door, ya know?</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qf8zfarOBim8GTw71CcNFRhq0M2RmlizfNKuB6ndOIYIcFAwCSIX7TJUvOVkMewd5_-RNKBIRlGJaqZ4BO6Ojh_npylg3kmeM-bFrRrJzfVz99KCURWs0Be0fO-XfaLTbRC2DdCG1KQHNBOHOcmNVyH-MFSGKp__6yk-g3K-LIjqUpaYZD1YsqGe83zZ/s575/IMG_9054h.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qf8zfarOBim8GTw71CcNFRhq0M2RmlizfNKuB6ndOIYIcFAwCSIX7TJUvOVkMewd5_-RNKBIRlGJaqZ4BO6Ojh_npylg3kmeM-bFrRrJzfVz99KCURWs0Be0fO-XfaLTbRC2DdCG1KQHNBOHOcmNVyH-MFSGKp__6yk-g3K-LIjqUpaYZD1YsqGe83zZ/s16000/IMG_9054h.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lolz pretty sure this is what <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK5AIJQ2tlA" target="_blank">the cool kids call crip walkin</a></td></tr></tbody></table>We're figuring it out, tho. Maybe haha. Maybe not totally ready for going out in public for real yet... But for a home show? Felt like positive mileage. </div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cuyBpFPCG4Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="cuyBpFPCG4Q"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/cuyBpFPCG4Q" target="_blank">link to video with scores & comments here</a></div><div><br /></div>And honestly -- maybe the biggest win of the day was being pretty darn mature about hanging out after we finished, while Pride took her turns. </div><div><br /></div><div>There wasn't necessarily a TON of activity, but there were a few horses warming up in the dressage ring (including Candee Kisses omg!), plus a few more wandering around here and there... And lots of spectators, natch. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYNDTwJRtiqMC_5Ruz0u_6GfZhOIS2LLYkTwDxIrgXa8Hy0NlQvaDvXQ8qz93b56X1QaH_yiilFhumjUlJKHraL-JQHtA5aMl8818i7NIO5Jcjb4euoKLq4FVMSOQyBAcTENkPFEb4wj0C23syttP4vYeHQTykZVBQiTQvPoQPrMCfN0YXLCwWleVXvZ3/s575/IMG_9055.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYNDTwJRtiqMC_5Ruz0u_6GfZhOIS2LLYkTwDxIrgXa8Hy0NlQvaDvXQ8qz93b56X1QaH_yiilFhumjUlJKHraL-JQHtA5aMl8818i7NIO5Jcjb4euoKLq4FVMSOQyBAcTENkPFEb4wj0C23syttP4vYeHQTykZVBQiTQvPoQPrMCfN0YXLCwWleVXvZ3/s16000/IMG_9055.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mare was grown up enough to exist out in the open amongst the spectators <i>and </i>in view of warm up with horses coming and going, while we waited for Pride to finish her tests - good girl!</td></tr></tbody></table>But it was all nbd. Doozy had <i>exactly zero</i> little episodes!! Progress!! Slowly but surely, we'll desensitize this little lady lol.</div><div><br /></div><div>So. Doozy's first show is in the books. It maybe wasn't "real" in the sense that, ya know, it was at home in our safe normal indoor. But, then again, it was a real judge who neither knew nor cared about our history and simply judged us as we were. AND it was a heightened and unusual level of activity "at home," which sometimes is more challenging than just going somewhere new. <div><br /></div></div></div></div><div>Apparently there are ribbons too, 4th and 6th place!! (Out of 6 I think LOL womp...), so maybe Doozy will get her first satin glamor shot soon ;) </div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-50150935579403486612024-02-06T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-06T03:50:21.597-08:00"nobody said there would be ponies"<div>I've been really reluctant to buy more stuff for Doozy, mostly bc... Let's be real, I already have a LOT of stuff. #borderlinehoarder over here, not gonna lie.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTla4P2Vp89KhspXlZVH7DnimAgXxAZgm1BHWPOXJaOc7ekqAHT4HdM8bo-z-epOerU2hl4NVPFbcNn246YRiX-XvI0hBgqpFP0mOi0u90ibq4GAXNVVBwXev4jFGNpC-7HrNkm0obfUs4I2f-D4E3nSNDcjDaigfs2SyVR8b7NG7Q45NiLjoOoaIjkl5/s575/IMG_9014.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTla4P2Vp89KhspXlZVH7DnimAgXxAZgm1BHWPOXJaOc7ekqAHT4HdM8bo-z-epOerU2hl4NVPFbcNn246YRiX-XvI0hBgqpFP0mOi0u90ibq4GAXNVVBwXev4jFGNpC-7HrNkm0obfUs4I2f-D4E3nSNDcjDaigfs2SyVR8b7NG7Q45NiLjoOoaIjkl5/s16000/IMG_9014.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shires 200g neck. would have preferred 0 fill... but for $20 in excellent condition, it'll do!</td></tr></tbody></table>But I also wanted to be really intentional about prioritizing the stuff we really need and will use. Which I think has paid off. <div><br /></div><div>Over the last 6 months since Doozy arrived, she's gotten a fly mask, halter, rain sheet and shoulder guard new, and has otherwise gotten all her blankets used, plus all her tack repurposed from Charlie. Except for that used Beval jump saddle she wore for 2 months to get going before she gained enough weight to fit Charlie's monoflap L'Apogee. <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLMoW1rgBZziKKQqIqROtkqGtlSWwyTgOtzXt0BkT9Ejd_5Zljl4VuJODbhm-VJRwjNNn0nQGE2i35163jUcggDVAfEngGLfcuIkLXqodP4b9-OQx0U8nPKJ1lDTreqaaPlQ_2MbaXOyd9nsneGwGbKuMho1jEej50PAcpl2hEWKre7XIL2HUGg7YEjor/s575/IMG_9017.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLMoW1rgBZziKKQqIqROtkqGtlSWwyTgOtzXt0BkT9Ejd_5Zljl4VuJODbhm-VJRwjNNn0nQGE2i35163jUcggDVAfEngGLfcuIkLXqodP4b9-OQx0U8nPKJ1lDTreqaaPlQ_2MbaXOyd9nsneGwGbKuMho1jEej50PAcpl2hEWKre7XIL2HUGg7YEjor/s16000/IMG_9017.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HKM cob-sized leg boots, super airy with lots of protection -- really happy with how nice they look!</td></tr></tbody></table>I do love buying new stuff, tho haha... Plus got a few gift certificates to our local consignment shop, Maryland Saddlery, for my birthday and Christmas. So I finally polished off the remaining credit this weekend -- with another neck attachment, a nice pair of show gloves, shipping boots, and front and hind boots for Doozy!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3E4A-Q8JWoXSUslWJAQzMacKFCqmd24xet-t3LALztNxArx4ZTaDO_j3vHvLfXmLaxBQVVXQslcudsDmQceJLnrJ5Ho7xxQEIVxI1QqXxyhKyHGTA-tmEpupHsdZikTmyVwOvZ16cCFZ7TPam1aN_coWIiYipYfESdxo6nwFAEll25nypUlpgkyHWxKT/s575/IMG_9020.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3E4A-Q8JWoXSUslWJAQzMacKFCqmd24xet-t3LALztNxArx4ZTaDO_j3vHvLfXmLaxBQVVXQslcudsDmQceJLnrJ5Ho7xxQEIVxI1QqXxyhKyHGTA-tmEpupHsdZikTmyVwOvZ16cCFZ7TPam1aN_coWIiYipYfESdxo6nwFAEll25nypUlpgkyHWxKT/s16000/IMG_9020.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on Track hind fetlock protection, bought to match the pair of brown Professionals Choice open fronts i already have that fit Doozy...</td></tr></tbody></table>I'm really excited about those white HKM boots, which will get used for xc and look super flashy omg! Let's just hope I can keep them clean tho.... I'm less excited about the Back on Track fetlock boots tho.... </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqJoR9viy4XnRsw7l3W0ScLPN5zxL-08Oi3WFe-J1FGh3Uj7k_yOpb0DgiTAi33pYJD5iQGvbMdGzzAk0fTc2HPwgTLk6CHP6Kj55Qoe40PTzDw2oj07PvHBoHo4l4ESRvuTAToJATk5Nb7pxDmoJYLw1plL411k12LzSY9xae3AkZbnMLSRw9JAkHn3m/s575/IMG_9021.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqJoR9viy4XnRsw7l3W0ScLPN5zxL-08Oi3WFe-J1FGh3Uj7k_yOpb0DgiTAi33pYJD5iQGvbMdGzzAk0fTc2HPwgTLk6CHP6Kj55Qoe40PTzDw2oj07PvHBoHo4l4ESRvuTAToJATk5Nb7pxDmoJYLw1plL411k12LzSY9xae3AkZbnMLSRw9JAkHn3m/s16000/IMG_9021.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fast forward to a post ride pic, however: these are not a fit and will either get returned or sold to somebody else. interested for $25?</td></tr></tbody></table>They're super pretty and would nicely match the brown open fronts Doozy inherited from Charlie... But the fit is just not right for her dainty little stems... Oh well, it was worth a shot!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI41_151THSoR-LiyHm3vKhmc0jn7p_XZO4zyRlUzpluRBstMsKy3BXb72Y3NbWxf7PGDwfN74aBXlDIZCTIl262r-WUXj-l89tnSIqO2UHxLVSSx-dD-yJhHR95ftRdkupSVbsdGHGgRYCu3v3SEtptsY62Alr6pkMa8WueaiAJBFTycv0bXzLFjPUvM/s575/IMG_9022.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI41_151THSoR-LiyHm3vKhmc0jn7p_XZO4zyRlUzpluRBstMsKy3BXb72Y3NbWxf7PGDwfN74aBXlDIZCTIl262r-WUXj-l89tnSIqO2UHxLVSSx-dD-yJhHR95ftRdkupSVbsdGHGgRYCu3v3SEtptsY62Alr6pkMa8WueaiAJBFTycv0bXzLFjPUvM/s16000/IMG_9022.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all dressed up and ready to play!</td></tr></tbody></table>Anyway. It's fun to dress this pretty mare up all nicely, esp when we go out in public and kinda embarrass ourselves LOL...</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uQTMMGSNFyGmb4TNVw9MPxyrwZ_N1_BqTCOE3D2BdaN3q24v9dr4DtpY3O3wYv_zyE9K6QV2unau8j-9mPxu7MQgvsvGUP2NsgjUHvPNX0maeUmLL4672nfTlVOpUBYlFty2oiGq5M1FMjsHYjPZ8mJ5aMrdJXZphFqEoZ4xVtZa0P1DGSpwz41vHbQt/s575/IMG_9024.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uQTMMGSNFyGmb4TNVw9MPxyrwZ_N1_BqTCOE3D2BdaN3q24v9dr4DtpY3O3wYv_zyE9K6QV2unau8j-9mPxu7MQgvsvGUP2NsgjUHvPNX0maeUmLL4672nfTlVOpUBYlFty2oiGq5M1FMjsHYjPZ8mJ5aMrdJXZphFqEoZ4xVtZa0P1DGSpwz41vHbQt/s16000/IMG_9024.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">descending into "death alley" following brave Punky lol --- there's just so much <i>stuff</i> down in this little clearing, can be spooky!</td></tr></tbody></table>Like on Sunday, when we thought the lessons were done for the day, and could not have been <i>more wrong</i>. The jump ring was crowded with kids and ponies and parents and various spectators...</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ke4ja4LwF7mFf9BdQiOSrVGMvGg5WNtG_fEGPd0_TizUvhodWfaFQHp7ZHVWxCYImYHJPsL5DUj46wzSRVBbPDILKogwfvC9durdN4yE-t9A3G0VErL89XLK3bS4agncyQSRNx6eyJiZpvObsep8HTW7O1_7b8SZU9DGC4qfWx_-K3Xz3YHPca4apOFz/s575/IMG_9025.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ke4ja4LwF7mFf9BdQiOSrVGMvGg5WNtG_fEGPd0_TizUvhodWfaFQHp7ZHVWxCYImYHJPsL5DUj46wzSRVBbPDILKogwfvC9durdN4yE-t9A3G0VErL89XLK3bS4agncyQSRNx6eyJiZpvObsep8HTW7O1_7b8SZU9DGC4qfWx_-K3Xz3YHPca4apOFz/s16000/IMG_9025.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we thought lessons were over but noooope --- there were SIX cantering and jumping ponies in the ring, including Candee Kisses (top right), which blew poor Doozy's brain that her field friend also existed in the riding universe too lol</td></tr></tbody></table>It was a lot for poor Doozy, not gonna lie. Especially considering one of the ponies is her pasture mate and she got really distracted and magnetized with trying to go say hi. Never mind that Rosette is <i>also </i>a pasture mate now and was with us... That's old news, bc we ride with Rosette all the time... But <i>Candee</i>??? Omg, earth shattering lol.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnunhmlFMynC2hq8sbpYKVKeNuGzW3FZF8EdAgGSPL_be_JBcpiCPaiBw5boh-fy-M3-YICEI56bNEvn6Pm4pzeMpMBaubM9lv63qIHWGPcklxQXZeVwIWh7DJImwg_43jc_hMvV7Vn3rLUtIcHynYhUNArXpLKZcwRF9XVLtOoAXWgC6VE-SM_o_62GPJ/s575/IMG_9026.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnunhmlFMynC2hq8sbpYKVKeNuGzW3FZF8EdAgGSPL_be_JBcpiCPaiBw5boh-fy-M3-YICEI56bNEvn6Pm4pzeMpMBaubM9lv63qIHWGPcklxQXZeVwIWh7DJImwg_43jc_hMvV7Vn3rLUtIcHynYhUNArXpLKZcwRF9XVLtOoAXWgC6VE-SM_o_62GPJ/s16000/IMG_9026.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the atmosphere chilled considerably once the lesson finally ended!</td></tr></tbody></table>Doozy held it together shockingly well, tho. Like, on one hand I was disappointed bc it was clear that we might have to abandon our plans for jumping around bc of the lesson... But, eh, this is real life and Doozy's got to learn to cope. And she did! Like, sure, we had a couple unexpected dance moves and a few sideways shies and bolt attempts. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdq_x15l-7BWE4aTM0vLh3jtNMKpt-YTXuNPl6LueYPt_TeOphX9xIu_O-MuPhO1Q4XdXnu-l6FPBfisaAHqxWz-MXLwO1Agn9_RJg_50YX9q0FbMSYFmg6BwYge4o4zP2t09jJPtwoWczyeRL2PM4yBV9wX44Ius8ewiFPow0Wq1zSHz8qnNe05kljCNz/s575/IMG_9026a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdq_x15l-7BWE4aTM0vLh3jtNMKpt-YTXuNPl6LueYPt_TeOphX9xIu_O-MuPhO1Q4XdXnu-l6FPBfisaAHqxWz-MXLwO1Agn9_RJg_50YX9q0FbMSYFmg6BwYge4o4zP2t09jJPtwoWczyeRL2PM4yBV9wX44Ius8ewiFPow0Wq1zSHz8qnNe05kljCNz/s16000/IMG_9026a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fun with artsy shadow shots lol</td></tr></tbody></table>But none of it was nasty. And in fact, most of it was more or less unobserved by the crowd, including my riding buddies. Which is further proof that Doozy is learning to be a bit more self contained. Even when I feel her vibrating with tension, she doesn't necessarily <i>look </i>it. Good girl!<br /><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wwooOX0P_U0" width="320" youtube-src-id="wwooOX0P_U0"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/wwooOX0P_U0" target="_blank">doozy's first helmet cam clip!</a></div><div><br /></div>And ya know, the ponies eventually left after about 30min, and the vibes chilled wayyyyy down in the ring. And our little trio were finally able to fully focus on our objectives for the day. Amy was trying out a very nice trial dressage saddle. Katie wanted to pop a couple fences up to height. And obvi Doozy wanted to do some little cross rails too -- with bonus helmet camera footage!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPqgRKJa49zsCs81U9y00CKYJyr9wKvqs1A_5LPmdAVc2Zz0De-zJSqzjcl30-7WIIlQOQPF3P0JYaYjXwB1fxDr-PiLehHaOAq_IuiYOQGWsawGHPqUxbPs4dTMk9OZEhs-T01KZG3EodSJAGwXpPgVLL8TpZ3dIgOGxgqSy19G3LJGN-MRX2oN7IJOG/s575/IMG_9027.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPqgRKJa49zsCs81U9y00CKYJyr9wKvqs1A_5LPmdAVc2Zz0De-zJSqzjcl30-7WIIlQOQPF3P0JYaYjXwB1fxDr-PiLehHaOAq_IuiYOQGWsawGHPqUxbPs4dTMk9OZEhs-T01KZG3EodSJAGwXpPgVLL8TpZ3dIgOGxgqSy19G3LJGN-MRX2oN7IJOG/s16000/IMG_9027.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chillin like a pro after we finished, while i caught video of my friends</td></tr></tbody></table>It's been a LONG TIME since I did anything worthy of the helmet cam haha... and I'm not even sure this ride really counts lol. But it's a nice helmet camera, I like using it, and maybe it's fun to switch up the perspective every now and again!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0sx-Ra3URfmwwBRSToCy2CZwkXTBw-fuV-8ADWkurdlkNiR3QUjxWR26uPcUgXH1_VOINPt9uU9g7TsGfMgXeocw95T4zKAzk0fVjS1k_7_kZ3LKlwgosISmAXpf4JFuCl8T8EO7SMyOMkuVPupyucmvMwmEfpSBgS_A18ea1E0Dy_UrLJg2LFCHAo1P/s575/IMG_9028.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0sx-Ra3URfmwwBRSToCy2CZwkXTBw-fuV-8ADWkurdlkNiR3QUjxWR26uPcUgXH1_VOINPt9uU9g7TsGfMgXeocw95T4zKAzk0fVjS1k_7_kZ3LKlwgosISmAXpf4JFuCl8T8EO7SMyOMkuVPupyucmvMwmEfpSBgS_A18ea1E0Dy_UrLJg2LFCHAo1P/s16000/IMG_9028.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">also a pro about the hack back down to the barn!</td></tr></tbody></table>Doozy for her part jumped around just fine. The cross rails were the most boring part of the whole endeavor, obvi lol, but we were able to string a few things together and I'm starting to get a feel for letting her take a more forward step to the jumps so long as she's steady in the approach.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06fXuxQx3lDPFGyPVMry3ZrhP908k9iPeU9YRfLckPUjKfi7EXun9tH67JNU6YLZwxhXNd9ZhrSP_KBdX602DR7YAMx-0O36mJcuHsSDVUtaOxPljjpoVf9ahyphenhyphenpKoZBo3MKBBY4uUqNODcWIh743mcixJb3UGLsHJgzrQKmzkFf9zvlIC-eAixcIS8oXM/s360/IMG_9028a.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06fXuxQx3lDPFGyPVMry3ZrhP908k9iPeU9YRfLckPUjKfi7EXun9tH67JNU6YLZwxhXNd9ZhrSP_KBdX602DR7YAMx-0O36mJcuHsSDVUtaOxPljjpoVf9ahyphenhyphenpKoZBo3MKBBY4uUqNODcWIh743mcixJb3UGLsHJgzrQKmzkFf9zvlIC-eAixcIS8oXM/w400-h225/IMG_9028a.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a pro about this stream crossing too!!</td></tr></tbody></table>Doozy really impresses me in her ability to recover from extreme tension or anxiety. Like, I'm still sorta learning about what triggers her, how she reacts, and all the related implications and all.... But it's becoming clear that she CAN recover and move on after being upset. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes it takes a good long while (like when I hand walked her for 60min at Kealani for her first Sally lesson)... But knowing that a meltdown doesn't necessarily mean game over for her helps give me confidence to be patient and let her work through the new experiences.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR6fcvtQKDgHrFHHQrDIQMINepZBMS8m3A0eakBNipUzvKe3oCCm5Skr_fMWIueg6AKsXKUr8M7sFjaGSy0e8fnSmh0zj3nZztqAK3dr1koRbdj8-ZHfir-1kTxLdfACsXj-OO3GAXPMbNRHznvMn-qbnS5Dp24X-mCuuSF4AdvFDDiJe3bwVrg-GBZ_N/s360/IMG_9028b.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR6fcvtQKDgHrFHHQrDIQMINepZBMS8m3A0eakBNipUzvKe3oCCm5Skr_fMWIueg6AKsXKUr8M7sFjaGSy0e8fnSmh0zj3nZztqAK3dr1koRbdj8-ZHfir-1kTxLdfACsXj-OO3GAXPMbNRHznvMn-qbnS5Dp24X-mCuuSF4AdvFDDiJe3bwVrg-GBZ_N/w400-h225/IMG_9028b.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she's real sweet, guys <3 <3 <3</td></tr></tbody></table>So ya know. Yea, my heart kinda sank when we realized the lesson was happening and we maybe wouldn't get the ride we planned... But maybe it turned into an exercise of getting what we <i>needed </i>instead of what we <i>wanted</i>. And we got to do all our little jompies eventually anyway! <br /><div><br /></div><div>Feels like a win, in the grand scheme of things. And another solid experience for Doozy lol bc that ring was 100% as chaotic (or more, let's be real) as a warm up ring. And we lived and eventually performed! We'll take it lol... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-18442753195197410642024-02-05T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-05T01:00:00.278-08:00doozy's dressage thunder coat<div>Doozy and I finally got back to dressage lessons after a little bit of a winter weather break! And it went really really well. So let's dig into details, yes? Yes. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aH7iACZpjVojS63Ih-vkUTX5PF64N8o412ZFDXZOySYJ1Nori5ID9QVdDH_LBG4abMOgIfC7C9slrAWd2SO6grg9su86Cd1hR4SGbdkg6QWPjAoVwyd23LpES-DpD5fyHcNJtXqFaOqnnW7QvPm1szpAL82RBf_abLv1a5ZzTmVXl0P2XFHxhM9fAyCB/s575/IMG_8986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aH7iACZpjVojS63Ih-vkUTX5PF64N8o412ZFDXZOySYJ1Nori5ID9QVdDH_LBG4abMOgIfC7C9slrAWd2SO6grg9su86Cd1hR4SGbdkg6QWPjAoVwyd23LpES-DpD5fyHcNJtXqFaOqnnW7QvPm1szpAL82RBf_abLv1a5ZzTmVXl0P2XFHxhM9fAyCB/s16000/IMG_8986.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unrelated but pretty: dusk vignette</td></tr></tbody></table>Basically, dressage trainer MP is pretty intensely focused on changing my posture and contact, and it's Exciting!! But also, at times, <i>deeply frustrating</i>. In the sense that... Ya know, I feel like I know how to ride, right? <div><br /></div><div>More than that -- I feel like I <i>can</i> ride. And this process of getting Doozy "going" has felt validating, esp after so many years of riding Charlie almost exclusively.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ111Ru1CcupYjqlzy5Q-PJ-XvB2wipGV6mAiCFZwmiT-WcgMbgcvYaJhvLcrjjDq9__2DhPygY7DuqmULVn8NR3RzDrWGfjBo5nyTctUUDDnwHvYGrN0igkEYYjbyNUpAOyFw651EzNz4wrBkLEIti85vZJ1uOPlpvbVlnA6zWe51MIvLezr5C-Jat4BP/s575/IMG_8987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ111Ru1CcupYjqlzy5Q-PJ-XvB2wipGV6mAiCFZwmiT-WcgMbgcvYaJhvLcrjjDq9__2DhPygY7DuqmULVn8NR3RzDrWGfjBo5nyTctUUDDnwHvYGrN0igkEYYjbyNUpAOyFw651EzNz4wrBkLEIti85vZJ1uOPlpvbVlnA6zWe51MIvLezr5C-Jat4BP/s16000/IMG_8987.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rosette and monduese --- two ladies who <i>never miss a meal LOL</i></td></tr></tbody></table>But ya know, I have a lot of bad habits, generally not fantastic equitation, plus a few holes in my education for good measure. Part of Doozy's role as my new, next horse is therefore to help me continue that education and break through those bad habits. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBfwmZzNx6jwZWykPfePQNe4jR2X6xR3sxQO0DiisaGFXylTq-Sk9Wx-W07yG_QsDmIG3MxK9B3NO8f_7l0Tn32kUMVrqc906aIIN0ZI-7vFnr7nCkXd67VmV6Szdu4vbRSJk_dpQ8GtTv6y4nEU1CspTsDGmg8J-U1tDlz16_HzrrBEGu359jF3BF1_t/s575/IMG_8988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBfwmZzNx6jwZWykPfePQNe4jR2X6xR3sxQO0DiisaGFXylTq-Sk9Wx-W07yG_QsDmIG3MxK9B3NO8f_7l0Tn32kUMVrqc906aIIN0ZI-7vFnr7nCkXd67VmV6Szdu4vbRSJk_dpQ8GtTv6y4nEU1CspTsDGmg8J-U1tDlz16_HzrrBEGu359jF3BF1_t/s16000/IMG_8988.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trainer MP snapped a nice shot of us out in the beautiful morning sunlight! this mare is blooming!</td></tr></tbody></table>So it's kinda perfect that MP is so intolerant of some of those habits, and insistent that I prioritize the changes. But ya know, on the flip side, it's <i>really hard</i> to be effective from an insecure, unfamiliar position, ya know? </div><div><br /></div><div>And I <i>hate</i> feeling ineffective -- like it sucks feeling like I can't even trot around this horse that I had going wtc + cross rails before ever having a lesson.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEL74FmPyfYwEWf_jc2aauJahzB40qawWhOvMH8j-ts-Z2JvQUImAHlpPNn5wtJ2bXBUIXslpZKkB-gkA5FYan8QVfyVd0207IPI1Y2S50uAKKOh0FgUQbElMlBREREDcvlO6iAfJOUzWCxZ4grcdzfzzOaOICFFzYV1DCe7iiEZP1c0pyAOZVKGmw9RC7/s575/IMG_8990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEL74FmPyfYwEWf_jc2aauJahzB40qawWhOvMH8j-ts-Z2JvQUImAHlpPNn5wtJ2bXBUIXslpZKkB-gkA5FYan8QVfyVd0207IPI1Y2S50uAKKOh0FgUQbElMlBREREDcvlO6iAfJOUzWCxZ4grcdzfzzOaOICFFzYV1DCe7iiEZP1c0pyAOZVKGmw9RC7/s16000/IMG_8990.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">feels like i'm starting to see more concrete shifts in my posture -- finally!</td></tr></tbody></table>And it felt like that frustration was translating through to Doozy too -- that, through the course of a lesson, we'd sometimes become increasingly tense and braced against each other. A feeling <i>I hate</i>. Like I was changing the rules, moving the goal posts, but not quite holding up my end of the bargain in terms of stability or timing in the release. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A0kIQIHSk9k7JF9thRX7MRqTk-gUK_d4Z0NaOTHDd2VaA6Vj_0wgkf65cHSONVGHUbv3XIUPv1kCO5pVWoqEgv55GPP-RLao5__i30n08XLvEpks_d0_O7MoayLyyhyphenhyphenKeLYFIwBkBULvciWyzBrHbZEQj5wYDeBe59QiY_rUXosVApP9MJtWVzNdpYGI/s575/IMG_8991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A0kIQIHSk9k7JF9thRX7MRqTk-gUK_d4Z0NaOTHDd2VaA6Vj_0wgkf65cHSONVGHUbv3XIUPv1kCO5pVWoqEgv55GPP-RLao5__i30n08XLvEpks_d0_O7MoayLyyhyphenhyphenKeLYFIwBkBULvciWyzBrHbZEQj5wYDeBe59QiY_rUXosVApP9MJtWVzNdpYGI/s16000/IMG_8991.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this would have been a "great for us" moment a couple weeks ago, but was actually only kinda mediocre for this ride! progress!</td></tr></tbody></table>So. Back to the little winter weather break from dressage. Recall Doozy went to her <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2024/01/jumping-clinic-with-sally.html" target="_blank">first jump lesson with Sally</a>, which was excellent, then we got hit with back to back snowstorms and Doozy ultimately got about a week and a half off from under saddle work. It felt restful. </div><div><br /></div><div>And even better -- getting back to business when the weather improved was drama free. Doozy picked right back up where we left off, minus some residual tension. And since then, I've prioritized relaxation in our rides, potentially at the expense of some of the connectedness MP has been coaching us into.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_HfO5JWVnRRCEdQfvYzVWak2Zy-vzmVqJ9HoEBkfcng7qZgMjdbEpEnYIEo7H0aUPb-pa_FUtJRgVWEw1oW5NConX3FFot7msXJM7i-ygkv1sU4HxzVJcDSGgGH-rGu0Gy02PKySe7_334QMlga1A7WdODkARHKZ5y6q7DQewag1uEmtX0Fgni4TAKJU/s575/IMG_8991a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_HfO5JWVnRRCEdQfvYzVWak2Zy-vzmVqJ9HoEBkfcng7qZgMjdbEpEnYIEo7H0aUPb-pa_FUtJRgVWEw1oW5NConX3FFot7msXJM7i-ygkv1sU4HxzVJcDSGgGH-rGu0Gy02PKySe7_334QMlga1A7WdODkARHKZ5y6q7DQewag1uEmtX0Fgni4TAKJU/s16000/IMG_8991a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mare can WALK</td></tr></tbody></table>PLUS. I started riding Charlie again --- more on that later. But the short story is, homeboy trots like a metronome <3 <3 Which helped me realize just how much of Doozy's erratic trot rhythm is really... <i>my fault </i>lol. First bc I just haven't been able to enjoy consistently riding a steady trot rhythm since... before Charlie's catastrophic hoof injury. Secondly, tho, Guys holy shit I'm <i>weak AF right now</i>, and have no muscle memory for strength / balance in this new posture.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's easy to miss that weakness when I'm feeling braced and defensive with Doozy. But on Charlie, where I'm relaxed and right at home, it's been a bit eye-opening to feel moments of slippage or imbalance.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7AOj3O2k98mCVCeu8o8ZEbRrJ3KYXdlRt1nqyO5tvOKRaHCYqnkQg-AscWgwJah7ASL4ADyfnA5kK-MBbd_JLBWmmpYsJOWkTzWmWPXdVcWFtPkUjsxHcdnaFT81HrhHKxXBDpMZwwrCLzcSfKddbQYS2k4Npg4xRC4SqgwQlG1YqiNjD1PvM1_dZwgC/s575/IMG_8992a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7AOj3O2k98mCVCeu8o8ZEbRrJ3KYXdlRt1nqyO5tvOKRaHCYqnkQg-AscWgwJah7ASL4ADyfnA5kK-MBbd_JLBWmmpYsJOWkTzWmWPXdVcWFtPkUjsxHcdnaFT81HrhHKxXBDpMZwwrCLzcSfKddbQYS2k4Npg4xRC4SqgwQlG1YqiNjD1PvM1_dZwgC/s16000/IMG_8992a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">postural changes still a work in progress obvi -- pictured: me reverting to a defensive stance -- but i'm feeling optimistic</td></tr></tbody></table>So. Back to this weekend's lesson. I fixed my attitude and perspective to really lean in to MP's directions, while still prioritizing finding moments of softness and release <i>within </i>the correct posture. As in, learn how to give without floating my elbows or pitching my upper body forward or throwing my whole posture away. </div><div><br /></div><div>And I also wanted to be more open minded about the erratic moments, recognizing that... as far as Doozy is concerned, *I'm* the erratic one lol. She wants me to be her thunder coat but suddenly I'm all over the place.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWJ5IKZr07c3IgdeYz9U65wxsmii4jrx3AjtB7qcdPDgtvPUDfhDyEho4ujTMLPzZMIrLT-EXfFhSbw3KpHpbhAlBl052kEIIdA2OHxgybomxB6R7C3busj3QgQb7rZ_UwjFBU4S92evhxE33A-6isv4Dl55CQ4HvD_Gx0u4G72px8g4iU3om31r_MZ_n/s575/IMG_8993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWJ5IKZr07c3IgdeYz9U65wxsmii4jrx3AjtB7qcdPDgtvPUDfhDyEho4ujTMLPzZMIrLT-EXfFhSbw3KpHpbhAlBl052kEIIdA2OHxgybomxB6R7C3busj3QgQb7rZ_UwjFBU4S92evhxE33A-6isv4Dl55CQ4HvD_Gx0u4G72px8g4iU3om31r_MZ_n/s16000/IMG_8993.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i feel like there's gonna be a big moving horse in here when i finally get my shit together</td></tr></tbody></table>MP had me continue to work on the idea of using lateral suppling to bring Doozy onto the aids, even just a few steps as needed. And it's really starting to click for Doozy too, now that she's better at understanding that my leg means something and is there for her -- not something she needs to bounce off of. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHt6NkSssPs03z8mwG79CPwpDT8iNniO8G7MxFw5mgCy-Eg8iha_880o5N60o7dnEeF7TMyap94YdqLZK22PkmMPmbBeeh5cmGyuFd1WdQ3zh7MhEI9HaUoJ2OJ04BgAR_BogcdpPW7IeKkW6mKKTQRPWDFaTYECzSFyIaHV8srNQWm4et54wP17ASqYvb/s575/IMG_8993a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHt6NkSssPs03z8mwG79CPwpDT8iNniO8G7MxFw5mgCy-Eg8iha_880o5N60o7dnEeF7TMyap94YdqLZK22PkmMPmbBeeh5cmGyuFd1WdQ3zh7MhEI9HaUoJ2OJ04BgAR_BogcdpPW7IeKkW6mKKTQRPWDFaTYECzSFyIaHV8srNQWm4et54wP17ASqYvb/s16000/IMG_8993a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trying to get a feel for moments of softness and release even as i try to be her "thunder coat"</td></tr></tbody></table>Bc actually, it feels like Doozy does her absolute best when I use a <i>shit ton</i> of thigh - something I noticed <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2024/01/kick-in-pants-clinic-with-sprieser.html" target="_blank">doing spirals in the Sprieser clinic</a>. It was <i>wayyyyy more </i>inseam contact than I've ever needed for Charlie. </div><div><br /></div><div>And I don't even know if it's that contact that Doozy appreciates --- or if it's just that the thigh contact helps *me* anchor the rest of my posture? I don't even know. Except that, for now, that seems to be a big ingredient in our primordial ooze / secret sauce.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvTAF8OLneDFlErAVutJc1wAd4euorrckxmA1MgDGcGAFjaIkIOe0s4sd7b9Q1fsrU57hZtPB6ofcr3_Ne96DkWjiOLsX23j353l9h3torGtV7EkvIGvHPlGhkL3j_a4NP5DB6h_lFSFZf9D6VOCKXU3POnB-gk8LNgjz-CrTi0rFOarb465-VIA9Uzvp/s575/IMG_8993b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvTAF8OLneDFlErAVutJc1wAd4euorrckxmA1MgDGcGAFjaIkIOe0s4sd7b9Q1fsrU57hZtPB6ofcr3_Ne96DkWjiOLsX23j353l9h3torGtV7EkvIGvHPlGhkL3j_a4NP5DB6h_lFSFZf9D6VOCKXU3POnB-gk8LNgjz-CrTi0rFOarb465-VIA9Uzvp/s16000/IMG_8993b.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ok so we need to practice halts on the center line LOL but we got there eventually</td></tr></tbody></table>And somehow, out of sorta nowhere, we found our trot again in this lesson. Like, not perfectly, not immediately, but then <i>*bang* </i>-- mare shifted gears, got suuuuper round, and actually seemed like she wanted to walk, like I had to add leg. But then she <i>held it!</i> Like she just sorta figured out how to push into round instead of pull onto the forehand. Wowee. </div><div><br /></div><div>It felt so good that MP immediately directed me into running through Intro Test B! We actually rode through the test twice --- all photos are from the second run through that MP videoed. By which point we naturally had lost some of the good vibes. And naturally riding a test makes it even likelier that I'm going to sacrifice posture for expediency... </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1zD710siey6dNquZAJ5dalUCKa8TpH_MgB37Z43wwGgSwXSn-_MiFlKL6gQcYutCmuGvoI-FC3jQXqtt_Xj0s4uRXzvJftjqK9K6RGdH5oOOAUW3L514S4wy1psu8LJl9rMmCaFvmRSu2u_zkOZNLJ_OzE7Lmpl-SA2HZSYKnR-ug5SQkJ_Srw8iwI6p/s575/IMG_8993c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1zD710siey6dNquZAJ5dalUCKa8TpH_MgB37Z43wwGgSwXSn-_MiFlKL6gQcYutCmuGvoI-FC3jQXqtt_Xj0s4uRXzvJftjqK9K6RGdH5oOOAUW3L514S4wy1psu8LJl9rMmCaFvmRSu2u_zkOZNLJ_OzE7Lmpl-SA2HZSYKnR-ug5SQkJ_Srw8iwI6p/s16000/IMG_8993c.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">also unrelated but pretty: full moon!</td></tr></tbody></table>But even recognizing that the pictures don't reflect our best moments from the lesson... they're still <i>way better pictures</i> than I'd have even thought possible from our pre-break lessons. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plus, as usual, the pictures and video are super helpful to study in comparison to the feelings I had in the ride. To help understand what's working, and how to keep pushing. <br /><div><br /></div><div>So. We're back on the bandwagon, and feeling <i>really good</i> about it. And MP wants us to do a test at our farm's upcoming schooling show haha. Which, obvi, why not, let's give it a go! Wish us luck?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-40189302247722591002024-01-31T01:00:00.000-08:002024-01-31T01:00:00.132-08:00After the Races Needs Your Help!Attention thoroughbred lovers! <a href="https://www.aftertheraces.org/" target="_blank">After the Races</a>, a nonprofit thoroughbred rehabilitation and adoption agency very near and dear to my heart, is in urgent need of your help!<br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSd9042NkMU_CYorRYVHGQgmN3hYGU-Y0FH_KiMp-CjcNFNKNQDfUmThJGN_zIgSyF6h93d-cxqpaggjJB33SUb6NCCCqfCO47-2sHMtlmQ1Gub1FH2vkREq0Eg-9U9jgtMWvncSDh1U60bbkTGyMwodX6uNeLXYCLORv38__lmtxR9HHBI47bI4q55K5o/s575/ATRvertical%20resized01.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSd9042NkMU_CYorRYVHGQgmN3hYGU-Y0FH_KiMp-CjcNFNKNQDfUmThJGN_zIgSyF6h93d-cxqpaggjJB33SUb6NCCCqfCO47-2sHMtlmQ1Gub1FH2vkREq0Eg-9U9jgtMWvncSDh1U60bbkTGyMwodX6uNeLXYCLORv38__lmtxR9HHBI47bI4q55K5o/s16000/ATRvertical%20resized01.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table>The farm ATR has called home for over 6 years recently went up for sale, and ATR is raising funds for the down payment. As any of my local readers know -- the market for equestrian properties around Maryland is limited and <i>competitive</i>, making the idea of simply relocating a lot more complicated than it might immediately seem. <div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, ATR has established an incredible footprint in the regional equestrian community, including their network of dedicated volunteers, veterinarians and farriers who all want to see this special organization stay local. <div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyrobWvRiKMi6uvjdsdUkou6vxrmgMOuW_L4x9tJ7syHy1CZmVAGI2o4Qx-9M4MoBHOqGCS4MYbIy-m7gAUCio9oUNOVtnnAPW7PCDK4S2308_4jaRq03evi3D1yNBngqTYLxj8LNDDYqzDbJ3hQXgf0ulYMnmfOF67AxSKrfT0MV_A61tHCuecLbEj2S/s575/IMG_4015.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyrobWvRiKMi6uvjdsdUkou6vxrmgMOuW_L4x9tJ7syHy1CZmVAGI2o4Qx-9M4MoBHOqGCS4MYbIy-m7gAUCio9oUNOVtnnAPW7PCDK4S2308_4jaRq03evi3D1yNBngqTYLxj8LNDDYqzDbJ3hQXgf0ulYMnmfOF67AxSKrfT0MV_A61tHCuecLbEj2S/s16000/IMG_4015.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adopting Charlie from ATR changed my life <3</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://rss.com/podcasts/ottbontap/">OTTB on Tap</a> interviewed ATR's program director, Bonnie McRae in a recent podcast to learn more about the organization, their impact on the thoroughbred aftercare industry, and why this funding initiative is so important <i>right now</i>.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://rss.com/podcasts/ottbontap/">This podcast</a> is available on Spotify, Apple podcasts and everywhere you find your podcasts. Please check out the interview to hear Bonnie's story in her own voice, and please consider sharing among your own networks to expand the reach of this important fundraising effort.<br /><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLdW4Dz-sXQ7D7o7XOivu9Gw4402ASpyomlcZwqwROOfRAf0ePYrg7wGQDquI8gbE25OxSCfxyizStoQQl9p-c0SUaQL_b5poyf7j0xa-06MHk75azTSLXlCU4DjkKZK_94FnZc4kBCIwTEaS5iw98X9I-5sbPjs1HnVUlFiwYQKFh7ATkHHJO9w53me-/s740/ATRvertical%20resized03.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLdW4Dz-sXQ7D7o7XOivu9Gw4402ASpyomlcZwqwROOfRAf0ePYrg7wGQDquI8gbE25OxSCfxyizStoQQl9p-c0SUaQL_b5poyf7j0xa-06MHk75azTSLXlCU4DjkKZK_94FnZc4kBCIwTEaS5iw98X9I-5sbPjs1HnVUlFiwYQKFh7ATkHHJO9w53me-/s16000/ATRvertical%20resized03.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table>The 77 acre horse property is listed for $1.4 million, and ATR has already raised more than $200,000 toward their down payment goal of between $600,000 and $800,000. </div><div><br /></div><div>But time is running out <i>fast</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, ATR announced an exciting matching gift challenge by The Carver Foundation, founded in 2021 by animal welfare supporters, Guy and Bridget Carver. This gift challenge means they will <b>match the next $10,000 in donations</b> -- making your gift of <i>any size</i> go twice as far!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTmPqgAhOLeL9_S543yOuGXbS37ZzuyRFBmQW58F7EqCsebtL0QQOZwhs0SEM0ktjmxoCPH3z1Aa7rnnf8JL52SaiJcEqkJ7lqVfmGM7HVMXRpxW85srjdGrefR29HwOLG4Zv1HwbOSvXoHsNoStVVrCWnmr3wGh4vS9IZAzNF14HJeYAH7SHT2pDej9Y/s575/ATRvertical%20resized02.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTmPqgAhOLeL9_S543yOuGXbS37ZzuyRFBmQW58F7EqCsebtL0QQOZwhs0SEM0ktjmxoCPH3z1Aa7rnnf8JL52SaiJcEqkJ7lqVfmGM7HVMXRpxW85srjdGrefR29HwOLG4Zv1HwbOSvXoHsNoStVVrCWnmr3wGh4vS9IZAzNF14HJeYAH7SHT2pDej9Y/s16000/ATRvertical%20resized02.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table>Support from the thoroughbred community of volunteers, adopters, racehorse owners, and trainers has been immense so far:</div><div><ul><li>Over $200,000 raised, in less than a month!</li><li>$113,000 of those donations came in the form of major contributions ($1k up to $50k!)</li><li><b>$95,000 in donations have come from small dollar grassroots donations</b></li><li>These grassroots donations range from $5-$500 and DO ADD UP!</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Please consider making a gift <b>of any size </b>TODAY -- especially given the advantage of The Carver Foundation's generous matching contribution!</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWO_Bgxe-V-mIHj0xBGvFF6ycfIIFsJoNm4qYsbFIwwNoNiNoSpaWMWUgUeCmZdBJsk4qE2UAU4MInlMamWdOK-PFsyqGwLnw1LRRMSovaFAu_yUntQoHrh5Y0ZJNM12Ei83Cmu80Sb3gDlsbv6PZAEkLLdO1ijsUx3DiPTmXeIYyMGz1CDpdzwI1Po4L9/s575/IMG_6601.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWO_Bgxe-V-mIHj0xBGvFF6ycfIIFsJoNm4qYsbFIwwNoNiNoSpaWMWUgUeCmZdBJsk4qE2UAU4MInlMamWdOK-PFsyqGwLnw1LRRMSovaFAu_yUntQoHrh5Y0ZJNM12Ei83Cmu80Sb3gDlsbv6PZAEkLLdO1ijsUx3DiPTmXeIYyMGz1CDpdzwI1Po4L9/s16000/IMG_6601.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mondeuse joined us by way of ATR this past August!</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Ways to Give:</b><div><div><ul><li>Monetary donations can be mailed directly to: After the Races, 3168 Telegraph Rd, Elkton, MD 21921.</li><li>You can also contribute via <a href="https://u39550847.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=UXgHvHB4Z9o-2FEEFDaT0e5hyAk0q4tb5OKaBE9SPYHdfiUZyibPUHnebWnAytmr6KF-2Br9IJD2k-2FIeoWdCwp9LbA-3D-3DukGP_2y1-2BIyoEgpCyjmTn4XDTlajDHK36JPh0IyaTdHEDH8ZLrRVwNPF94mace9t7SmzlFNs9FFFbOwS-2FLFNwG2e80E-2Fj8jK1vpsCWVETzAWfAYo7Ggggcy4krRZArf41-2BppFydDPtIJYRpnvTZO5vP6-2Feis5MpkNGJRl9Fq-2BOeYzS8wxe6aUS8y-2F4qExdIIMSFxnb9SPG8dQVn-2FZQN4YzxpjHAA4J0a9teKwYu-2FS9xgtdgWcPzyLdHK-2F5fXwsuy-2FC9pZsedKsrnekKu2y-2B9gD6FufJ7PBwtQNpV6zifxcasQ-2FBAP4vHLZo8Edaoxt8FK-2Fto760RShpO-2B9WrrfUhK9uRHr4odh1-2BJRCdE6SyWJ17aSh0kCd2qMh7mQ6MnCwfSx6x5">the website</a>, <a href="https://u39550847.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=jBQG-2FF0cPNkKbSqNXJsAC4OSg2I6skp2k79GwzANshtbB9cQFExcXd4pbSI0nsz06sStwqKxEddKKCrlpSEdEkv3bi-2B79w4UGKeqwuCqTtw-3D5UrI_2y1-2BIyoEgpCyjmTn4XDTlajDHK36JPh0IyaTdHEDH8ZLrRVwNPF94mace9t7SmzlFNs9FFFbOwS-2FLFNwG2e80E-2Fj8jK1vpsCWVETzAWfAYo7Ggggcy4krRZArf41-2BppFydDPtIJYRpnvTZO5vP6-2Feis5MpkNGJRl9Fq-2BOeYzS8wxe6aUS8y-2F4qExdIIMSFxnb9SPG8dQVn-2FZQN4YzxpjHAA4J0a9teKwYu-2FS9xgtdgXEeXnj3mIqzUbYmM8p5DPxTVq-2FBwvRXmBDXvYa4qLG3uLNUO0J4q4pWpOU3hT7BZktsaB22YqBDCFhQFsTl-2Bpi-2F6RfmTZuIYL1hKPCYRZhht9vD2lcKzkZ-2BjJjGplkD-2BYR-2FJuarqWJGwDzxV-2B-2FLuXR">Venmo</a> or <a href="https://u39550847.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=jBQG-2FF0cPNkKbSqNXJsAC4bx8sFcw8igakjiCWto3rpIPI4R75mmRBNhrFBJsYy2lcYSOz2EJ56ILqHVtLjufw-3D-3DEZph_2y1-2BIyoEgpCyjmTn4XDTlajDHK36JPh0IyaTdHEDH8ZLrRVwNPF94mace9t7SmzlFNs9FFFbOwS-2FLFNwG2e80E-2Fj8jK1vpsCWVETzAWfAYo7Ggggcy4krRZArf41-2BppFydDPtIJYRpnvTZO5vP6-2Feis5MpkNGJRl9Fq-2BOeYzS8wxe6aUS8y-2F4qExdIIMSFxnb9SPG8dQVn-2FZQN4YzxpjHAA4J0a9teKwYu-2FS9xgtdgXbGMPqeXcBXNubYBIgTv0RXTQybgG-2Bu5CuaJW5cuNpN0111l-2FnIkPEDhiwQquebTDAuntrEOK8-2FL9pVy2D-2FObrVAHzLtc7QSGy1RAcCAWzcVi7QRTNo5FF-2FxW2k2XRd-2BJxksmjbdwMCPdgMA0FyYiv">PayPal</a>. Please mention the purpose of your donation through Venmo and PayPal.</li><li>Please contact ATR directly if you are considering making a major contribution, or if you are interested in committing to a matching donations challenge.</li><li>PLEASE SHARE <a href="https://rss.com/podcasts/ottbontap/">OTTB on Tap</a>'s interview with Bonnie, news of this fundraising campaign, or any of these infographics with your network too! </li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>I know this isn't your typical 'Fraidy Cat Eventing blog content, but hopefully you'll appreciate the urgent need and importance of organizations like After the Races. My entire horsey life would be different if it weren't for Bonnie and this special adoption agency, all recognized as honest brokers who offer accessible adoption terms. These folks are known for their advocacy and commitment to giving good horses a great shot at second chances, and it shows. </div><div><br /></div><div>No amount of support is too small, and every little bit can have a big impact. Please feel free to contact me directly if you are interested in learning more or getting connected --- fraidycat.eventing {at} gmail. <br /><div><br /></div><div>Thanks all!</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-9129437128723517472024-01-30T01:00:00.000-08:002024-01-30T01:00:00.145-08:00grids with Sally<div>Happy Tuesday! Brace yourself for a whole bunch of nearly identical pictures lol, bc Doozy and I went to another lesson with Sally this weekend! And the lesson's focus? GRIDS!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrU7PEY_86TXh7seIQDL4cvD7tFwrA35xOe7yGq1AyxesN5kyYPTy6lPQJV4YzlCeykkPUckqddsiBDQhZWNvrVuiRrLTuzFzAR6nwIVXUe_J_VtBdNAkgQjwImRjmdT4jMqHJ1pj19KDjdfrnRqQzEv8NlhDm3z_zP4ZIewvzi7ASqFV3pc6UFjuhr8H/s575/IMG_8925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrU7PEY_86TXh7seIQDL4cvD7tFwrA35xOe7yGq1AyxesN5kyYPTy6lPQJV4YzlCeykkPUckqddsiBDQhZWNvrVuiRrLTuzFzAR6nwIVXUe_J_VtBdNAkgQjwImRjmdT4jMqHJ1pj19KDjdfrnRqQzEv8NlhDm3z_zP4ZIewvzi7ASqFV3pc6UFjuhr8H/s16000/IMG_8925.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first time tying to the trailer was nbd</td></tr></tbody></table>Now... In the grand scheme of things, did we really need to drive an hour each way and pay lesson <i>and</i> ring fees to take a few trips down a grid? Esp when <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2022/02/surprise-its-grids-again.html" target="_blank">we can easily set up the first 3 of 4 total elements in our indoor at home</a>? Maybe not lol...<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_PGhgZE2-zCjgvgkEWpUk5pySS4n-ULcelE6_vCrGIDRzRVgwsHhQKW3QmAdIGk0E-a1KEOZNIcrMRJiQPhsKZZQ5W_BdgAjWu7r-_bJ3xrB5RQts2wA2BFfTK3ypugNHW55NXOso3KApjLrelN6y3nNEhqo7rAwpIyP-Nf0Q8-RM203fNVT2A5rmjRy/s575/IMG_8926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_PGhgZE2-zCjgvgkEWpUk5pySS4n-ULcelE6_vCrGIDRzRVgwsHhQKW3QmAdIGk0E-a1KEOZNIcrMRJiQPhsKZZQ5W_BdgAjWu7r-_bJ3xrB5RQts2wA2BFfTK3ypugNHW55NXOso3KApjLrelN6y3nNEhqo7rAwpIyP-Nf0Q8-RM203fNVT2A5rmjRy/s16000/IMG_8926.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taking a pause from dragging me around ring familiarization to sniff the various jump fill stacked on the wall</td></tr></tbody></table>But realistically, a lot of the benefit from these off-farm lessons isn't derived so much from what we do under saddle, but rather from the whole "off-farm" bit. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdPjkDteggTSOpvr2OfCong4jlmuxApZWZI2v0dKZ30MEjqsZDD5PmPZHE7SgqbqGXBzD9tZRLhz6dVL28nLrcopZ8wNQEtcjECdJkmUn-grCot0bRUqV8T-2r1H3TCDAlSr_Q6RJZ36TRRtwqygU9dvlEv2nHx5cAZioxQV5Oim1VmvjOjy6s5kTXpAJ/s575/IMG_8929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdPjkDteggTSOpvr2OfCong4jlmuxApZWZI2v0dKZ30MEjqsZDD5PmPZHE7SgqbqGXBzD9tZRLhz6dVL28nLrcopZ8wNQEtcjECdJkmUn-grCot0bRUqV8T-2r1H3TCDAlSr_Q6RJZ36TRRtwqygU9dvlEv2nHx5cAZioxQV5Oim1VmvjOjy6s5kTXpAJ/s16000/IMG_8929.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seriously, the entire arena was lined with adorable and creative fillers!</td></tr></tbody></table>Going to a new place, existing at the trailer, familiarizing with the new riding space (while half a dozen other horses jump and canter and finish up their lesson) all while not disrupting said lesson or murdering me, and being manageable enough to proceed with our own ride. --> THAT'S the stuff that'll hopefully pay off big time when we do eventually start showing.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFuDQucr7Jw_noH-uV-EB5ZFA1gPxllGuCN0IPcUJrTL0lo2bw-NtfIOWRK0U8y41N_Hx7TwXFr7SgRvfGUOTCn2GWie7o-7T5o7zYJZZN070TOfYpwTgOUs0ZoAmYafAx6dQlZyF14ORB__U-s5TAXUEWU1TROITLh7_zgKyxFa0Fb2FQIIoz_gELh8b/s575/IMG_8944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFuDQucr7Jw_noH-uV-EB5ZFA1gPxllGuCN0IPcUJrTL0lo2bw-NtfIOWRK0U8y41N_Hx7TwXFr7SgRvfGUOTCn2GWie7o-7T5o7zYJZZN070TOfYpwTgOUs0ZoAmYafAx6dQlZyF14ORB__U-s5TAXUEWU1TROITLh7_zgKyxFa0Fb2FQIIoz_gELh8b/s16000/IMG_8944.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sally kept our jumps quite simple and unadorned tho</td></tr></tbody></table>None of this comes as easily to Doozy as it did Charlie. But ya know, she's better every time. She's still very triggered by other horses coming and going and doing things near doors or in the middle distance or outside windows... But her reactions are getting smaller and more self contained. Progress! </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgDZMShsA3SJnGGV2U4yr5J8kAnLCpyn3D7TneBpsEllrWwiibHFRHVdPFToHzDS4jpNXy-k4oHeKUSoWstK7RB3wvleewHO_0FKlWtlis7GZ0Eo5IBJc_l0GQsNDZHztYuk1j7tPJXYpmE5eVnWup9B5y9pF7DMKRQozhcE3IWR4oQeQsTf5N3rYjIsT/s575/IMG_8945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgDZMShsA3SJnGGV2U4yr5J8kAnLCpyn3D7TneBpsEllrWwiibHFRHVdPFToHzDS4jpNXy-k4oHeKUSoWstK7RB3wvleewHO_0FKlWtlis7GZ0Eo5IBJc_l0GQsNDZHztYuk1j7tPJXYpmE5eVnWup9B5y9pF7DMKRQozhcE3IWR4oQeQsTf5N3rYjIsT/s16000/IMG_8945.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's grid day, mare!!</td></tr></tbody></table>Tho, ahem, I *did* almost fall immediately off while getting on haha... Whoops. Doozy has made immense progress at the mounting block, but some days are always just going to be harder than others. C'est la vie. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPk5UkarwWCpcNQzEOg0aIS16ugkSECskyTRE9MnHdngK5QigrYLlKSdtntNKW-M12P4018LKAsWE8d4BkdAYvTVEQAzeS4iBScCUdntLNsIfSOKXFDwbeGm1DjOohukceFhhD7WRit919F2Dnt0cJfjAllTklDOAsT8RjsW-V11d5a8AMUGOBsbMdk8m7/s575/IMG_8946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPk5UkarwWCpcNQzEOg0aIS16ugkSECskyTRE9MnHdngK5QigrYLlKSdtntNKW-M12P4018LKAsWE8d4BkdAYvTVEQAzeS4iBScCUdntLNsIfSOKXFDwbeGm1DjOohukceFhhD7WRit919F2Dnt0cJfjAllTklDOAsT8RjsW-V11d5a8AMUGOBsbMdk8m7/s16000/IMG_8946.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">exercises were built progressively, one stick at a time</td></tr></tbody></table>Our warm up was uneventful, tho, and we did our little trotting and cantering around while barn mate Katie and Rosette had their private lesson. Katie then stayed in the ring with us for our turn -- and we shared the lesson with another boarder too.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHs4XXh5UTiRH-DdrQza27ADOfqubEugt0N9FQjt7DU1_Ez0qr7N1wN4spYVfxKhzTBMHdqa1lZG1gvmXfuq0fTpfrJrn5pStV3ZvAJo8ISsnshGuL4XlpEt0tEF3cXOWttUN6NasJ1PMrx3_n57cToOBAkNHjZAzic6gEXmi8BBffljUqV4JQpiMsw_j/s575/IMG_8947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHs4XXh5UTiRH-DdrQza27ADOfqubEugt0N9FQjt7DU1_Ez0qr7N1wN4spYVfxKhzTBMHdqa1lZG1gvmXfuq0fTpfrJrn5pStV3ZvAJo8ISsnshGuL4XlpEt0tEF3cXOWttUN6NasJ1PMrx3_n57cToOBAkNHjZAzic6gEXmi8BBffljUqV4JQpiMsw_j/s16000/IMG_8947.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not exactly sure of these distances, but probably closer to 18' than 24' for a short one stride</td></tr></tbody></table>Sally had a long grid set up for the higher classes -- a 30'-10'-30' set of verticals to go two-bounce-two, set on shorter indoor distances. So she decided to reconfigure this set up slightly to create a progressive "<i>baby's first grid</i>" set of exercises for us!!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK6WqylteyNfWqP9JQpi-14SJ-jv3eAjLQejo488pn7NOmD_iweOjtwi5X_FIcDyCB4F7Qvup7waaWRHkGd-zl78ic22Tk6Bf8Bb0_bZmQbvUQOjosSTVf0BhNLs2qK4rxW3nDOINDQYm7HmJxVmnaglhk6CwWCSW8GwA9M8f4XCkaZy7mnDUT3zxpnVo/s575/IMG_8949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK6WqylteyNfWqP9JQpi-14SJ-jv3eAjLQejo488pn7NOmD_iweOjtwi5X_FIcDyCB4F7Qvup7waaWRHkGd-zl78ic22Tk6Bf8Bb0_bZmQbvUQOjosSTVf0BhNLs2qK4rxW3nDOINDQYm7HmJxVmnaglhk6CwWCSW8GwA9M8f4XCkaZy7mnDUT3zxpnVo/s16000/IMG_8949.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i worked really hard on keeping softer hands and rein contact, which proved useful when doozy kept wanting to look down at the poles lol </td></tr></tbody></table>Each pass through the grid progressed very similarly to how <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2023/11/doozys-first-jomp-lesson.html" target="_blank">Hadden introduced Doozy to jumping</a>, which worked really perfectly. Tho for some reason, Doozy did seem a little distracted by some of the clutter --- like she wanted to stretch down in her neck and look at the stuff as it passed beneath her.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3OTu1mYmHjGujrFVGEtTBIBc11ZwMi8scd7xeE4D-towpMQLqLFmNprrVBEvfEJfagyAen1Kw2ex3VPupi4UuPpzHQuKc89Hv1-i0sQtLmeqW1NCTECEYpIwvvePP9n2U7FnyfXp6BEzKjv-AOfNSbdgQo_PE755PMgrU5Z9CD2gplB_0j15qUxTmX5C/s575/IMG_8950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3OTu1mYmHjGujrFVGEtTBIBc11ZwMi8scd7xeE4D-towpMQLqLFmNprrVBEvfEJfagyAen1Kw2ex3VPupi4UuPpzHQuKc89Hv1-i0sQtLmeqW1NCTECEYpIwvvePP9n2U7FnyfXp6BEzKjv-AOfNSbdgQo_PE755PMgrU5Z9CD2gplB_0j15qUxTmX5C/s16000/IMG_8950.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was hard to know when to just be soft and allowing and let her do her thing, vs when to add more support -- esp deeper into the grid</td></tr></tbody></table>For my purposes, I tried really hard to be more aware and intentional in my rein contact and release. I talked a little bit about it with Sally too -- like, "It's been so long since I've had lessons that I know I'm doing all sorts of weird things --- if you see something, <i>say something!</i>"</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUscBS9CXQc6c5yr1b3SeaVvPVYiyx4W_y0elwjg6HQ3GK12rIPfFq2ie0F91nWKbWPtpMzMa1JvgPET3EkbSzYHtG62_W-He2NZ9QHojTUn1naKsXiB5lRPMXHIWWxmCXkn8ClxTXMQAB7x4f-aDLUgLm93NdNSQ_rVDwnOltVctuX-FjpfZIu7__y5Gu/s575/IMG_8951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUscBS9CXQc6c5yr1b3SeaVvPVYiyx4W_y0elwjg6HQ3GK12rIPfFq2ie0F91nWKbWPtpMzMa1JvgPET3EkbSzYHtG62_W-He2NZ9QHojTUn1naKsXiB5lRPMXHIWWxmCXkn8ClxTXMQAB7x4f-aDLUgLm93NdNSQ_rVDwnOltVctuX-FjpfZIu7__y5Gu/s16000/IMG_8951.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">final element was 30' for a short two stride</td></tr></tbody></table>Which, obvi she was happy to do so. But she was also super practical with me: With a horse this green, sometimes you just need to focus on getting in the reps and doing what needs done. The refinement will certainly come, but I shouldn't get too bogged down in the details just yet. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu9gznsAOfYXIbWe7pdL4qrtgt_3nrQ3ZS3JOY-XlOjyICNSdlc0put6ud9P1pnHm-txycn3eKKO3EB38VvKCtAjlnh1mycv0bHO4v_WY5YTinVfFw2FuJidjjS-hcHP6UkMsqQKnp-EG0Y-0-QQ1WJsndUpioWliXbNx_cYi-fDn9jpxDYgQFdIVAJkN/s575/IMG_8952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu9gznsAOfYXIbWe7pdL4qrtgt_3nrQ3ZS3JOY-XlOjyICNSdlc0put6ud9P1pnHm-txycn3eKKO3EB38VvKCtAjlnh1mycv0bHO4v_WY5YTinVfFw2FuJidjjS-hcHP6UkMsqQKnp-EG0Y-0-QQ1WJsndUpioWliXbNx_cYi-fDn9jpxDYgQFdIVAJkN/s16000/IMG_8952.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">got pretty clever about trotting into the grid after all the repetition!</td></tr></tbody></table>She also reminded me that.... quite obviously, Doozy does not have the experience yet to totally 100% "let the grid train her." She doesn't know enough yet about using her eye, adjusting her stride, when to push, when to wait, or even <i>how to push or wait</i>. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnfxzEsrPXJWclFETR9Vvly2q3lhNKpanfdkgsQ7fPstecO1Qhau2EW85t3DJozk9muhBylrpCpi6goV30Zs_8VMXYhxH0ygoxKUzUf8FQuMSUgwr-oQj4xiO3UUKDSDGeouOeoNTXlRXupsWZy-SLJ0oNZ2LFinOqb6MyLzEigRCmFg7ZMQj0HhRSDDk/s575/IMG_8954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnfxzEsrPXJWclFETR9Vvly2q3lhNKpanfdkgsQ7fPstecO1Qhau2EW85t3DJozk9muhBylrpCpi6goV30Zs_8VMXYhxH0ygoxKUzUf8FQuMSUgwr-oQj4xiO3UUKDSDGeouOeoNTXlRXupsWZy-SLJ0oNZ2LFinOqb6MyLzEigRCmFg7ZMQj0HhRSDDk/s16000/IMG_8954.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">did experiment with exit strategies once</td></tr></tbody></table>So, yes, I need to give her the freedom and allow her to kinda work her way through the exercise, but I also need to use MY experience and judgement to add support when needed. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAi8NiF4VI2b-iR5mBdJgM7ygp0-MzZMQdMZK1frxgpl-34GEJscSMi00xU8gNdJiadfECorhgXLy1_Lip8QHZNxSsyN-uFKT03JQOuKo1xJ3ODILIDYY9UJpbcwU-q_3Y9w_IQnU73UsB13jmpvLgpCYjywbCeNQdqxz0YH5wf1S00vIWG0hN7iT7ZMN/s575/IMG_8954a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAi8NiF4VI2b-iR5mBdJgM7ygp0-MzZMQdMZK1frxgpl-34GEJscSMi00xU8gNdJiadfECorhgXLy1_Lip8QHZNxSsyN-uFKT03JQOuKo1xJ3ODILIDYY9UJpbcwU-q_3Y9w_IQnU73UsB13jmpvLgpCYjywbCeNQdqxz0YH5wf1S00vIWG0hN7iT7ZMN/s16000/IMG_8954a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2017/06/behind-every-great-show.html" target="_blank">throwback to charles circa 2017</a> --- bc, turns out, most normal horses will, eventualy, experiment with exiting lol</td></tr></tbody></table>Like, I didn't want to goose her or chase her through the exercise when she felt a little uncertain about going on the stride... But by the end we had a good feeling for how much leg to add to help keep her positive and support her instincts, which are already pretty forward thinking. That was maybe the best takeaway from the lesson --- feeling that moment when just the littlest support went the longest way.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogIHag8bMZ7XGXEx0FAencC8NUpBsPASgbib9_OIkA3auVkhhfAs9jWP9dJK5oX0XfSj-ZR8ZfqZUObX0PHpuMtXLiu16oTaG-F_ZOz_oGyhUWW5LvOAgkx8kkFA2F-Tq0Pq2M6KM0vjD3e2BcIh7UBMfMBofHt7GXjUXC2ex16U0YOSbiOdA6n1hmI7A/s575/IMG_8955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogIHag8bMZ7XGXEx0FAencC8NUpBsPASgbib9_OIkA3auVkhhfAs9jWP9dJK5oX0XfSj-ZR8ZfqZUObX0PHpuMtXLiu16oTaG-F_ZOz_oGyhUWW5LvOAgkx8kkFA2F-Tq0Pq2M6KM0vjD3e2BcIh7UBMfMBofHt7GXjUXC2ex16U0YOSbiOdA6n1hmI7A/s16000/IMG_8955.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nbd, tho, just go right on back around and do it again</td></tr></tbody></table>Doozy did try to run out once through the line -- which imho is pretty much inevitable with this particular exercise. It's hard work, it's repetitive, and it can be tiring. Horses are like water -- they like to follow the paths of least resistance. So it's normal for them to see if, 'hey, would it be easier if I just like, <i>didn't?</i>'</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7XBOQRGnkdlB0_gU_Wpz7TNs6U9Yv3bU0uxsmbv5Lb2Y0Cb2dL3B7r8pnOUyVnHPo6niTUmx8i2EtuFiak9V_bRjgTxkpDDC8QHdxARquJSebMP8Pg2JmayBHuREOyn5D8d7dNr0RY4M5hp-TlQOphYuXxGMFa-yMSYgy3cP6MSIf0uwWvB_UFoJC0Gd/s575/IMG_8956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7XBOQRGnkdlB0_gU_Wpz7TNs6U9Yv3bU0uxsmbv5Lb2Y0Cb2dL3B7r8pnOUyVnHPo6niTUmx8i2EtuFiak9V_bRjgTxkpDDC8QHdxARquJSebMP8Pg2JmayBHuREOyn5D8d7dNr0RY4M5hp-TlQOphYuXxGMFa-yMSYgy3cP6MSIf0uwWvB_UFoJC0Gd/s16000/IMG_8956.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little open right rein + sally passively sorta standing there was plenty to keep doozy on the straight and narrow</td></tr></tbody></table>And ya know, the answer is, "nope, not easier, try again." And again, most normal horses with the right support and general interest in the activity will say, "Ok, was worth a shot!" and will proceed as they were lol. Doozy was no exception.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRcY9UR65HSINrBjNoz4iWa6TbE1uGEt9_4t3Dvd1NbDn2nU88Dq80Dh_9RW_H7TkbqHdMQQlR0_Co1qYdZLZcHWBssEruAg8EmJk1pQcKZrVz7O3t4MjkU-r6H2-513DnHNB2NRbts1A1U2dNvxq8atciU5GsuGxKCRIOy5bvMNVvsIwvJ2xQ8uTBgR2/s575/IMG_8959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRcY9UR65HSINrBjNoz4iWa6TbE1uGEt9_4t3Dvd1NbDn2nU88Dq80Dh_9RW_H7TkbqHdMQQlR0_Co1qYdZLZcHWBssEruAg8EmJk1pQcKZrVz7O3t4MjkU-r6H2-513DnHNB2NRbts1A1U2dNvxq8atciU5GsuGxKCRIOy5bvMNVvsIwvJ2xQ8uTBgR2/s16000/IMG_8959.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">circling back for our final trip of the day!</td></tr></tbody></table>It was at this point, tho, when I had to let entirely go of the neck strap to better use all my tools for keeping Doozy straight and following Sally's instruction for a more open right rein. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was a bit worried that my hands would go crazy lol, but, ya know, practice is a helluva drug and my position stayed more or less where I wanted it even without holding the strap. Yay!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsk0FZe9F-_AHyiSDs-g4Q6tnn7hdxviCKFmNGjAPlWK9awNVgzS4WBQsYMVKkAQ5oWmZzOLvRPtCL0KHWQ1UNFupD-nTTphZWAXxx4OfSK9z9KCfscBfcdsysnUfgDC4FvDwdGP3NNW7DrZbcercl39INXz65aHiv7JQc247Y2xy0RGarNXXvo8iq8Wx/s575/IMG_8961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsk0FZe9F-_AHyiSDs-g4Q6tnn7hdxviCKFmNGjAPlWK9awNVgzS4WBQsYMVKkAQ5oWmZzOLvRPtCL0KHWQ1UNFupD-nTTphZWAXxx4OfSK9z9KCfscBfcdsysnUfgDC4FvDwdGP3NNW7DrZbcercl39INXz65aHiv7JQc247Y2xy0RGarNXXvo8iq8Wx/s16000/IMG_8961.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">added jussssst a touch of more calf support through the last line and it was perfect</td></tr></tbody></table>The amount of added leg was so so minimal, it was kinda crazy haha. Just like, the gentlest steady hug from the top of my calves --- just letting Doozy know I was there for her, plus a little extra verbal reassurance (and a cluck earlier in the grid) and she just <i>nailed it</i>. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGOVomS3NL09AlFOZiKmpiJKK0UwBFpTMzYZI0V-BNCnBeUkPabVD5mSu5wBvqGKGTt5NoCeNJMHUOAZS0oz5WELyZFhO72d3odImqMKKX9M9nWadxE6B6GroVE2cEVreTlp9T_Nm_H4HHJK9UdwSrZGRCHnOR1wXaVhe4DeT0NRWyJX8iAtf1l77MOpf/s575/IMG_8962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGOVomS3NL09AlFOZiKmpiJKK0UwBFpTMzYZI0V-BNCnBeUkPabVD5mSu5wBvqGKGTt5NoCeNJMHUOAZS0oz5WELyZFhO72d3odImqMKKX9M9nWadxE6B6GroVE2cEVreTlp9T_Nm_H4HHJK9UdwSrZGRCHnOR1wXaVhe4DeT0NRWyJX8iAtf1l77MOpf/s16000/IMG_8962.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good girl, dooz!</td></tr></tbody></table>Our final trip had such a pleasant balance, such an easy cadence, and we both felt very "together." Was definitely the right place to stop, even tho --- had I been alone, I would have called it on the trip before. Bc that one had been "good enough."<br /><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dHHzp7muAF8" width="320" youtube-src-id="dHHzp7muAF8"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/dHHzp7muAF8" target="_blank">quick video of every trip down the grid</a></div><div><br /></div>I actually asked Sally if we should call it there, and she was like, "No I think you need to do it once more." Which was obvi fine -- I was happy to do it again. But that's just something I'm trying to work on -- knowing when to be satisfied and when to ask for more. My tendency is to call it slightly too soon --- I'm afraid of getting greedy, or maybe of "running out of luck" or something. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYASh6ul7sNXguz3JpxTdfTLM5ZM8fOtPLm4BTMD6pc6a5MMxGmHjYaUCWjrkBd1sInk3hB2nZzylnp-Gw1VyV6RsiOmroxWO4w0HFxXZt5vdqgm83MMD31tcurC_2U-NbP_ED6s0fsiJfE8uwy6_FIZcmVzmTieddAoQRSxtP-yU7e9yn1-9pyxOSxcV/s575/IMG_8963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYASh6ul7sNXguz3JpxTdfTLM5ZM8fOtPLm4BTMD6pc6a5MMxGmHjYaUCWjrkBd1sInk3hB2nZzylnp-Gw1VyV6RsiOmroxWO4w0HFxXZt5vdqgm83MMD31tcurC_2U-NbP_ED6s0fsiJfE8uwy6_FIZcmVzmTieddAoQRSxtP-yU7e9yn1-9pyxOSxcV/s16000/IMG_8963.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this gorgeous stout lil barn kitty visited us at the trailer afterward</td></tr></tbody></table>But this last trip was the perfect reminder to me that "good enough" is good and all, but there's usually one more trip in there that might be a bit more on the mark, maybe even <i>great</i>. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFY5yInfKLMyc0JOZD_iWtdPYaiKlJJfaAk1hHKGaSyK-WzrtTU8fdygmZfsVWB77RlJILSOGY6I-Rj_oyGBuxZyxUKjQgajWQlpytH2y0s9wE2No6hRC23Bh3ElEQzO0U6bqjoUXWd4a2R__dCskj48hTQ6aCacu_qVP5u9t1JIjbg1spu83Om3ftFYG/s575/IMG_8964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFY5yInfKLMyc0JOZD_iWtdPYaiKlJJfaAk1hHKGaSyK-WzrtTU8fdygmZfsVWB77RlJILSOGY6I-Rj_oyGBuxZyxUKjQgajWQlpytH2y0s9wE2No6hRC23Bh3ElEQzO0U6bqjoUXWd4a2R__dCskj48hTQ6aCacu_qVP5u9t1JIjbg1spu83Om3ftFYG/s16000/IMG_8964.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">left a little present in the trailer too haha, thanks buddy</td></tr></tbody></table>So a lot of valuable takeaways from all sorts of different angles lol. Sally's suggestion for homework was basically to 'continue as we are.' Keep doing what we're doing, and the pieces will keep coming together. </div><div><br /></div><div>I really don't have any sense of timeline or anything with Doozy at this point. Like it would be nice to think about spring shows and stuff.... But there's just so much more preparation that has to happen (like, uh, riding out in an open field at speeds faster than walk and without the support of having a friend right next to us..... details details!). And it feels reasonable to expect that some of that preparation will be different than it was with Charlie. </div><div><br /></div><div>Charlie could go out, do a thing, experience something, and basically be like, "Ok yep I know what this is." Doozy.... may take more acclimatization lol. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's all good, tho, bc so far I'm really enjoying the process! And who knows, maybe Charlie will be back to fighting form by springtime if the allure of horse shows becomes irresistible?? lol...</div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-61253315313510832092024-01-28T01:00:00.000-08:002024-01-28T01:00:00.137-08:00tragi-mare<div>Ugh. This mare, guys. This fucking mare. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm gonna sell her to the Amish for a dollar, I swear to god. </div><div><br /></div><div>She just, ugh, she's just <i>so busy </i>with her pitiful little wisp of a tail.... Her worst toxic trait is constantly swishing <i>into everything</i> and literally <i>ripping out gigantic chunks. </i>UGH!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzkcUNXVdb1uxKBxIqo5lnjfVeHCiaCrUTK7pzS7EE0DQNUtetNYamBz5DPoLVPq4ThG2ADDFeyQH19hNXRx3L6e4eC_RWPtMoOG-04zkWFneEtXqXkEpcDyY7w1hZzoTcxdABpkCs7K9qLh1YONCPoktF8GZfbYW-RtveoxLjx7U8oH05GZI6XOIPlfK/s575/IMG_8909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzkcUNXVdb1uxKBxIqo5lnjfVeHCiaCrUTK7pzS7EE0DQNUtetNYamBz5DPoLVPq4ThG2ADDFeyQH19hNXRx3L6e4eC_RWPtMoOG-04zkWFneEtXqXkEpcDyY7w1hZzoTcxdABpkCs7K9qLh1YONCPoktF8GZfbYW-RtveoxLjx7U8oH05GZI6XOIPlfK/s16000/IMG_8909.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>whyyyyyyy</i></td></tr></tbody></table>I about <i>snapped</i> yesterday when I walked into her stall and saw.... <i>this</i>. <div><br /></div><div>Oh my god, Doozy. OH MY GOD.<br /><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl-DK_U0uXPH-3DM6PqO35dYE0Ql5hZqVW5fpywc6E20IzrCBwUYdL6wAnctQg6ujeqs9f83deVC6uLqhnvtDA_jM4moT8XsEzI2rAwlHOY-YdzjsYmAPOYlb17P9qzLHr3cb_n8F6NBu4fs_6WFnxKtNU8fYceLJclWoMKyP9iBwNJmUAhkxKSsaoTgk/s575/IMG_8909a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl-DK_U0uXPH-3DM6PqO35dYE0Ql5hZqVW5fpywc6E20IzrCBwUYdL6wAnctQg6ujeqs9f83deVC6uLqhnvtDA_jM4moT8XsEzI2rAwlHOY-YdzjsYmAPOYlb17P9qzLHr3cb_n8F6NBu4fs_6WFnxKtNU8fYceLJclWoMKyP9iBwNJmUAhkxKSsaoTgk/s16000/IMG_8909a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looks like maybe pulled out of the left side?? also, yea, that's a quarter-sized BALD SPOT on the top right from some other incident oof</td></tr></tbody></table>Like. I am at my wits' end here, not even exaggerating lol.... True story:: I may or may not have bought Charlie bc he's down with face hugs and HAS GOOD HAIR. </div><div><br /></div><div>Doozy?? Not so much, ugh. Like, the color is nice, and it looks like she could theoretically eventually develop some thickness.... </div><div><br /></div><div>BUT NOT IF SHE KEEPS RIPPING IT OUT OMG!! Ugh lol...</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItRMMa7TeZMIM9ZjocVfgW3lxsNdjgAFP0xe6ZSqhvhZjJROwYTp6fPuvCGkxvuUGuVzP6CJxh7IAsSLraR4iN69dGCS45VmkjwQNnJzAth5WXVS6QSLcLabHMhp_A82hHFnMomr7XW5AeGhJgESV4Z1Gx4b8xHrX4lp-1dMY77bxziYo4KTdFKbWwHtk/s575/IMG_8909b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItRMMa7TeZMIM9ZjocVfgW3lxsNdjgAFP0xe6ZSqhvhZjJROwYTp6fPuvCGkxvuUGuVzP6CJxh7IAsSLraR4iN69dGCS45VmkjwQNnJzAth5WXVS6QSLcLabHMhp_A82hHFnMomr7XW5AeGhJgESV4Z1Gx4b8xHrX4lp-1dMY77bxziYo4KTdFKbWwHtk/s16000/IMG_8909b.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just be beautiful pls :(</td></tr></tbody></table>I mean. I guessss she has other redeeming qualities or whatever. Like being super cute and cuddly, and also kinda fancy and fun to jump... </div><div><br /></div><div>But c'mon mare! Ugh.... Tragic.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I dunno. I guess lmk what products you swear by for tails, esp anything for conditioning, growth, or possibly to keep the skin happy (/not itchy).... Sigh.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-75606785248532062502024-01-26T01:00:00.000-08:002024-01-26T01:00:00.241-08:00friday foto finish: pics or it didn't happen!<div>In other words --- sometimes it DOES snow in Maryland, and sometimes it even sticks around for a while too!! Sure sure, it's all gone now.... But I have <i>pictures</i>!! Lol...</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVp_N_AV3lyXlZQECzAsu3F0dKnDWccQdnkPcPXoWuK6hYSKo3UTmRCNfifIhTKxW4u5r5By0GsjRIywv3vmbJU3yVovkNkdutFW-C2OszpLYLBBTDxh0AqCKJ4sN8rKI1tBQKyZMPmYm_-sStUtiudxU-7vaozIe2CjEXgJZlnpJRQtSvSVxOp_iPvS3/s575/IMG_8849.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVp_N_AV3lyXlZQECzAsu3F0dKnDWccQdnkPcPXoWuK6hYSKo3UTmRCNfifIhTKxW4u5r5By0GsjRIywv3vmbJU3yVovkNkdutFW-C2OszpLYLBBTDxh0AqCKJ4sN8rKI1tBQKyZMPmYm_-sStUtiudxU-7vaozIe2CjEXgJZlnpJRQtSvSVxOp_iPvS3/s16000/IMG_8849.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mares in the morning!</td></tr></tbody></table>For real, tho, we had two back to back snowstorms with a sustained period of below freezing temperatures around these parts. Not really terribly miserable or anything, or even that unusual.... <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3SNnnB65JpqSCZi2UeKUtsUIedZvY6fAYOxRLyhlfY7rnLHATZjD3FBmpTJI9U556uiPgqSFrKcQRv2bQCWG0HiBVgmEfWAotn-4D5LDR5ZQDntZ8wE0qUpIBsSAFwr3cdkGC3DpGnXpZOR2puCdzGoMIlJsWPPCch0rDyA3YYboJTKkS9NHqBqWKRkd/s575/IMG_8851.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3SNnnB65JpqSCZi2UeKUtsUIedZvY6fAYOxRLyhlfY7rnLHATZjD3FBmpTJI9U556uiPgqSFrKcQRv2bQCWG0HiBVgmEfWAotn-4D5LDR5ZQDntZ8wE0qUpIBsSAFwr3cdkGC3DpGnXpZOR2puCdzGoMIlJsWPPCch0rDyA3YYboJTKkS9NHqBqWKRkd/s16000/IMG_8851.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">geldings in the morning!</td></tr></tbody></table>But honestly, with the way things have been going recently (ie: <i>great</i>), it felt like a nice time to just slow down and ease through the weather. No powering through, no big pushes or ambitions. Just bundled up ponies and people haha, and not a whole lot else.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTx_0pDqYwEZoFfplwLH2fseUOicd0-1lMm3YLLpUISS4B2aEmhtUpgWcSNHhxmGl2kUut6KfEV9eqnpW4ragTPOgn45fFC_g7s4w2F9lqCpPaYhvfy6_ebBdYhQ6UFyB7TrpZqzQDnc4IgePiRq0mSMMJJlN9nOSmcuE5dKvcKXknY9o3RMVrf1Vb7XN/s360/IMG_8852.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTx_0pDqYwEZoFfplwLH2fseUOicd0-1lMm3YLLpUISS4B2aEmhtUpgWcSNHhxmGl2kUut6KfEV9eqnpW4ragTPOgn45fFC_g7s4w2F9lqCpPaYhvfy6_ebBdYhQ6UFyB7TrpZqzQDnc4IgePiRq0mSMMJJlN9nOSmcuE5dKvcKXknY9o3RMVrf1Vb7XN/w400-h225/IMG_8852.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">two boys, one <strike>cup</strike> stall</td></tr></tbody></table>Charlie had a few more days of being stall-bound due to conditions relating to his wound progress... But eventually we kinda just threw in the towel. It was legit too cold out for the duck tape or elastikon adhesives to even stick in order to wrap the hoof... And homeboy was DONE with staying in. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnTvNeDOK-JJz_YrbLVA35nfucBwtryux7DCgmv_SsdBI9ZgXinP0s5csA0FS3G53FtCi_TPwWZG3y56ghLx13pf4VNGY03f6y9zly6QK63oppaMTECqymVDZmGKPFw6TgJk-sGbvDQl07J4EDEmtZfZ_C8Ks31UGJAncBzMfPr0G7PVIIdMu63oPkqOn/s575/IMG_8853.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnTvNeDOK-JJz_YrbLVA35nfucBwtryux7DCgmv_SsdBI9ZgXinP0s5csA0FS3G53FtCi_TPwWZG3y56ghLx13pf4VNGY03f6y9zly6QK63oppaMTECqymVDZmGKPFw6TgJk-sGbvDQl07J4EDEmtZfZ_C8Ks31UGJAncBzMfPr0G7PVIIdMu63oPkqOn/s16000/IMG_8853.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chairlift lad's gorgeous halter is holding strong!</td></tr></tbody></table>So we released him to the snow, and the wound has done us the favor of basically continuing on as it was. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfIx3yXS3WBVEVaxHaIcB3SFT2YE-I-8QIYKxf4WgEJAPAMwpEzX83jI_N55dwANKZoBmFwTshnXbh495ykhT0YEdC6yyR5iFf0G8Jar9d4k9gbPYjXvLICv-9XunRkMhSz-IjTReqEOn6CLCTiuMmx04s_rSTQMDrCCz7dM9wX4m8Z2Cn1SGtTjw69F2/s575/IMG_8858.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfIx3yXS3WBVEVaxHaIcB3SFT2YE-I-8QIYKxf4WgEJAPAMwpEzX83jI_N55dwANKZoBmFwTshnXbh495ykhT0YEdC6yyR5iFf0G8Jar9d4k9gbPYjXvLICv-9XunRkMhSz-IjTReqEOn6CLCTiuMmx04s_rSTQMDrCCz7dM9wX4m8Z2Cn1SGtTjw69F2/s16000/IMG_8858.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">charlie, royal and punky --- the band's back together, guys <3 <3 <3</td></tr></tbody></table>Meanwhile, the path down to the gelding's big pasture got too iced over to safely lead horses in and out, so Charlie's whole group was split into paddocks around the barn yard. </div><div><br /></div><div>Which naturally created the perfect opportunity to start reintroducing Royal to his former friends --- recall Royal has been rehabbing a soft tissue injury for over a year now. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETvY0EQhTQPqIOV_RNgP2eZDx5jvUuyA-tOXNy32bpWX8OlAgoJx_cQ4WVRAlD32xFkvtvPannYBt2x54uW3eVrr6oKFvubaEjC7372wimR-eC_FlY-rUh-3meEoGwY86fVzXmn2Yi9dQMiWG4TX5-1_gfpZZ9Z9PLVCkKFglWT3EG3Wsdbdz3E2Zfq08/s575/IMG_8861.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETvY0EQhTQPqIOV_RNgP2eZDx5jvUuyA-tOXNy32bpWX8OlAgoJx_cQ4WVRAlD32xFkvtvPannYBt2x54uW3eVrr6oKFvubaEjC7372wimR-eC_FlY-rUh-3meEoGwY86fVzXmn2Yi9dQMiWG4TX5-1_gfpZZ9Z9PLVCkKFglWT3EG3Wsdbdz3E2Zfq08/s16000/IMG_8861.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">royal!!!!</td></tr></tbody></table>The plan was for Charlie to buddy up again with his longtime friend as the heel bulb wound recovered, and then they'd rejoin the group as a duo vs Royal kinda getting flung back out into the wild with no preparation. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqHWGM_AIaZDDfIUYm1NheE3x-lasLbHfY_rxTRpTqiYT82VS0oGzu-10nWleWboRpWszcQeIqhWZrPz2HOg-gRPlWqvBtdOAI1QT3iN5MwK4991wXCcWb4IDFEEeTNUUqoygiY5zK6YUez6bF6gukHPvTBI7SvGzZO_fpoCtaBzKGsYd-Uml3jIWQhA-/s575/IMG_8868.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqHWGM_AIaZDDfIUYm1NheE3x-lasLbHfY_rxTRpTqiYT82VS0oGzu-10nWleWboRpWszcQeIqhWZrPz2HOg-gRPlWqvBtdOAI1QT3iN5MwK4991wXCcWb4IDFEEeTNUUqoygiY5zK6YUez6bF6gukHPvTBI7SvGzZO_fpoCtaBzKGsYd-Uml3jIWQhA-/s16000/IMG_8868.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snoozin with the sun on his back</td></tr></tbody></table>So it actually all worked out perfectly --- Royal got to get reacquainted with Charlie first (lol), then with more friends in paddocks, and now that the snow is gone, they're all back out in the big field again!! WHEW!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjckV-xVW0OwOPDgdzxqLcrvnCB0wF0MBW0Jbh3lmAFF7Nl_fWAwOEVLHSrKEPFdznAd77OOYBRUvQOsKqhwAcxR6jjmPYOdJxQZa34Vr_iZxDGd5-QI3nUK6lmN_lDuY2O7dbqcMaKHKNvQxMtB86Hl31yeAtsq0gNOZvfxxqipHidEqVJ3DISx-GtZTP/s575/IMG_8868a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjckV-xVW0OwOPDgdzxqLcrvnCB0wF0MBW0Jbh3lmAFF7Nl_fWAwOEVLHSrKEPFdznAd77OOYBRUvQOsKqhwAcxR6jjmPYOdJxQZa34Vr_iZxDGd5-QI3nUK6lmN_lDuY2O7dbqcMaKHKNvQxMtB86Hl31yeAtsq0gNOZvfxxqipHidEqVJ3DISx-GtZTP/s16000/IMG_8868a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so so so slow with this thing, tho</td></tr></tbody></table>Charlie's wound isn't finished healing yet, and could still go backwards I guess. It's just so wet out, and will probably be wet for a long time to come. Plus now that they're on a round bale, the mud will start getting deep <i>fast</i>. But we'll see. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevl0CFhx-D40wGDA3aofPuBZ3lIQu9mo1wkK75dl54VrCsIP_8D5wQnC_r7Ik0bmOg9Oa-PLvkuSq34DmeefwC0lG9UtkxBvcJEhcBnJ5LkfiK1gTX4F5427BNwIVMkErR1uQ_rYUG-Z2VkDw9HUttrBLXmfm8DgBZoS6OnaMs1JiID-AYwV3GWWir1rK/s575/IMG_8869.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevl0CFhx-D40wGDA3aofPuBZ3lIQu9mo1wkK75dl54VrCsIP_8D5wQnC_r7Ik0bmOg9Oa-PLvkuSq34DmeefwC0lG9UtkxBvcJEhcBnJ5LkfiK1gTX4F5427BNwIVMkErR1uQ_rYUG-Z2VkDw9HUttrBLXmfm8DgBZoS6OnaMs1JiID-AYwV3GWWir1rK/s16000/IMG_8869.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#sunbathing</td></tr></tbody></table>At some point we'll try to do his hocks again (it's been almost 2yrs now holy shit), so if the wound starts looking squicky we'll just time it for that --- so he can dry out in his stall as needed.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB3rA08nMWm3flZ4wK2eY4P7SleTyeFdO8lSh1_yDTSHwFkaUZkf4yfxCtCaCxJbQPiYW4VLybxCZWOZMePWzpAL57eyw632d7-8DkIGuvO4JrRmKm6qz9BKZ9i7bC5fiSDKiDFLuWHK92JSqpQNFa4vqQ07XEi4VVDZKjxElLoGMWdxG983ZuQ3doTWf/s575/IMG_8870.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB3rA08nMWm3flZ4wK2eY4P7SleTyeFdO8lSh1_yDTSHwFkaUZkf4yfxCtCaCxJbQPiYW4VLybxCZWOZMePWzpAL57eyw632d7-8DkIGuvO4JrRmKm6qz9BKZ9i7bC5fiSDKiDFLuWHK92JSqpQNFa4vqQ07XEi4VVDZKjxElLoGMWdxG983ZuQ3doTWf/s16000/IMG_8870.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back out in the cold again haha, still snoozy tho</td></tr></tbody></table>Doozy had some herd rearrangements too. The elegant old bay matriarch of her group passed suddenly but peacefully overnight in her stall recently. Just came in from the field, ate her dinner, laid down, and left us. Very sad, but honestly a gift in how peacefully she went. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK79gtOLCfy6-PMPQSiV-6N7aV6gU949ma8_zmOXiXX6N3Bf47gWfyvv-Csov4iv3oY79FUg6Eks7rZ9W-jm8hbJU2D3UAO61zekVh4s7JC4EIfBMUorknFHdDhfOh2m86nBhWUqO9VM5s6Ure5VOwbFY9PLvvYtJXpr9JgspvGgpISrJaxzWIpMfjKfO/s575/IMG_8878.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK79gtOLCfy6-PMPQSiV-6N7aV6gU949ma8_zmOXiXX6N3Bf47gWfyvv-Csov4iv3oY79FUg6Eks7rZ9W-jm8hbJU2D3UAO61zekVh4s7JC4EIfBMUorknFHdDhfOh2m86nBhWUqO9VM5s6Ure5VOwbFY9PLvvYtJXpr9JgspvGgpISrJaxzWIpMfjKfO/s16000/IMG_8878.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back to dooz nooz -- poor thing got kicked :'(</td></tr></tbody></table>Since then, some mares who were on dry lots during the grassy season joined the herd -- Rosette and lil hunter princess pony Truly. There was a little kerfuffle during introductions, and Doozy ended up on the receiving end of a stern "lecture" lol.... But all has been well since, as far as I can tell.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsmzK180fK9rS3CSXvwu8RRRu-1QmybObFUbqW7r31evukRuac23LrcUihfmycjKb4vJZW1DgG-9qyCSSbg2S5QL-CtgaebYMBO0aOFETnGj7604vyJu2T1q8stCBu_DcGfxIdultqHVO7UlQKeit2xF0BxGb2s8GRc886GWDZr9X6EfrB-LhN982P9Ru/s575/IMG_8879.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsmzK180fK9rS3CSXvwu8RRRu-1QmybObFUbqW7r31evukRuac23LrcUihfmycjKb4vJZW1DgG-9qyCSSbg2S5QL-CtgaebYMBO0aOFETnGj7604vyJu2T1q8stCBu_DcGfxIdultqHVO7UlQKeit2xF0BxGb2s8GRc886GWDZr9X6EfrB-LhN982P9Ru/s16000/IMG_8879.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">also got a new Bartville halter bc she instantly broke the "new" consignment halter i got her for christmas.....</td></tr></tbody></table>And actually, Doozy went more than a full week without getting ridden! Her first significant break since the cellulitis situation!!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusnvfcs1-G4pXR8wReDJfeV9QPq39PhJDK-QTouET0v-E6UhBobdejPm_1i6MgmOZgIHnsy5FDx_O6DZbEYLPt-Ln6HB0i2j9HGgwgSg5QDYb0CLqHec_3wrb2L6UpdeIhy9QBq67zMTdI7QhkqXjNrjfZ-_-5EesMMVHkL1hhGnoW5XLD2TzpOUmAS9_/s575/IMG_8894.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusnvfcs1-G4pXR8wReDJfeV9QPq39PhJDK-QTouET0v-E6UhBobdejPm_1i6MgmOZgIHnsy5FDx_O6DZbEYLPt-Ln6HB0i2j9HGgwgSg5QDYb0CLqHec_3wrb2L6UpdeIhy9QBq67zMTdI7QhkqXjNrjfZ-_-5EesMMVHkL1hhGnoW5XLD2TzpOUmAS9_/s16000/IMG_8894.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ooooh back to work!</td></tr></tbody></table>I actually hadn't sat on her since our clinic lesson with Sally... Then finally pulled her out again about mid week this week. And guys. Wow. I just don't know what to say other than... It's amazing how much traveling and going places and doing things can <i>grow a horse up</i>. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQXR7buBWznoQJeFQQqxX9IXwrUmWLBUlM86PHeVcmR2h2XV1uk1OubkNBpNsRiyUPXG4NlVpHZKgMci1tr1n8gAwBLIPZflV8tvpSq7q8UzJ-JQvU5rEQxdbNQNjzzdo205zYzvl3dGQlI31UoRrehnuFk8gcMFoxBOufNTBa4_nvoZfDYA0on95vsWD/s575/IMG_8895.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQXR7buBWznoQJeFQQqxX9IXwrUmWLBUlM86PHeVcmR2h2XV1uk1OubkNBpNsRiyUPXG4NlVpHZKgMci1tr1n8gAwBLIPZflV8tvpSq7q8UzJ-JQvU5rEQxdbNQNjzzdo205zYzvl3dGQlI31UoRrehnuFk8gcMFoxBOufNTBa4_nvoZfDYA0on95vsWD/s16000/IMG_8895.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pics or it didn't happen</td></tr></tbody></table>Taking a couple turns around the indoor with friends now is so easy, so routine, so "normal," that my reactive sassy little red rockette just went about it, went thru her paces (admittedly volunteering to canter before I quite asked, but politely enough that who really cares anyway?) and was a sensible pleasant riding horse! Good girl!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63Aceo8I3-Txs53SHjv-Vm2KWUo_et1ev1Z0XETsIFLwfWEMpWeaEHW19Q_uVX2JXuVQTA5u6WU_o4o4Pe1No9q31iOA28-_aSjIDTnoaJ4_VuYnudVGpqpVbSwuSVAjGWDlBhYnqehIMkdvf-hd1-zQ3DSG_0pzjuEFCuA8kFTW4BjW-sUa6OtYBEWQH/s575/IMG_8896.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63Aceo8I3-Txs53SHjv-Vm2KWUo_et1ev1Z0XETsIFLwfWEMpWeaEHW19Q_uVX2JXuVQTA5u6WU_o4o4Pe1No9q31iOA28-_aSjIDTnoaJ4_VuYnudVGpqpVbSwuSVAjGWDlBhYnqehIMkdvf-hd1-zQ3DSG_0pzjuEFCuA8kFTW4BjW-sUa6OtYBEWQH/s16000/IMG_8896.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snow walks</td></tr></tbody></table>And has been ever since!! Our work isn't exactly like, "good" or "polished" lol... But, eh, does it need to be right now? <i>Nahhhh</i> lol... We just need to enjoy it, imho. We're overdue for an MP lesson, but actually might be doing something different (but kinda the same?) this weekend first. We'll see. Stay tuned.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvL-4gPnpGPfqp-vpTJ1Z9oXEGC9mGz_Cb7tHXfzFTIsE3q0W_ZWQ4NDbxVbTXY_E5k_MODAgByjP3LnwCg7aUoJS1lbPn2XTOsMY40DFZE0wqIFWw3yfxuKDlKJauxZlgmVW5XgNjhz89FKX6SOo66w6DL-OgJoYByeAprLC1JU3yG6xbmEx2aIYU1mUo/s575/IMG_8902.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvL-4gPnpGPfqp-vpTJ1Z9oXEGC9mGz_Cb7tHXfzFTIsE3q0W_ZWQ4NDbxVbTXY_E5k_MODAgByjP3LnwCg7aUoJS1lbPn2XTOsMY40DFZE0wqIFWw3yfxuKDlKJauxZlgmVW5XgNjhz89FKX6SOo66w6DL-OgJoYByeAprLC1JU3yG6xbmEx2aIYU1mUo/s16000/IMG_8902.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">omgggg and charles <3 <3</td></tr></tbody></table>And ya know. Now that Charlie has returned to his big field and is not quite as, er, <i>feisty</i>, as he was while in limited turn out.... Well --- it's back to the salt mines with him too <3 </div><div><br /></div><div>Jk jk lol.... I only just sat on Charlie long enough to say "we did it!" and take a picture lol. He's not gonna do anything serious until his hocks get done, whenever that is. But we can dink around a little in the meantime. </div><div><br /></div><div>So. Happy Friday, y'all -- you're officially caught up in everything that has (or hasn't lol) happened in the last couple weeks. Gotta say, I'm really loving this winter's relaxed vibes so far --- hope you're feeling similarly!! Have a great weekend!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-27296369904867784382024-01-16T01:00:00.000-08:002024-01-16T01:00:00.248-08:00storm warning<div>Not gonna lie, I'm super grateful that our last two weekends of pony adventures are behind us. Both clinic days were super cold and super windy, but somehow the weather has turned even worse since then...</div><div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oD0p2KHfeGiAqfEpcOaefBhokAi482T5M8H8tKKglST5as8uOrT8AsG9r5T84fR09fIc1VCg7OdHu6JKGmqBgpvesO-J5oBcJ8jCR7Yu1RcoRJJJXrqtfFjARWwi0km6d-ch7Ued_SGZRhBLDKEC9F5KOVcuwIGFvilByLcX1DRgj1bKUPg6XBZ179B_/s575/IMG_8776.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oD0p2KHfeGiAqfEpcOaefBhokAi482T5M8H8tKKglST5as8uOrT8AsG9r5T84fR09fIc1VCg7OdHu6JKGmqBgpvesO-J5oBcJ8jCR7Yu1RcoRJJJXrqtfFjARWwi0km6d-ch7Ued_SGZRhBLDKEC9F5KOVcuwIGFvilByLcX1DRgj1bKUPg6XBZ179B_/s16000/IMG_8776.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first round bale of the season -- out in january</td></tr></tbody></table>We've had inches and inches of rain, and this whole week will be a bit of an arctic blast. Super cold --- but somehow, still not quite cold enough to fully freeze the full depth of mud yet either. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciLR706E_8ljgvcxMRdQoyf5YPlTXNVhWelrzFlV8h0sp_HOM-HLnY56zLGcoa3L6f2MfkvNW42EV3I9VMaqgtXu_TvegtzVcHX047jNGb9UrTIYLtpJyhfQS5AoApc3DA7Qbwab_ivI80CAs-FlEzmpoWZ7_LA8rtwm26-TL4_rMyERgcQ4NdzP0N41v/s575/IMG_8777.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciLR706E_8ljgvcxMRdQoyf5YPlTXNVhWelrzFlV8h0sp_HOM-HLnY56zLGcoa3L6f2MfkvNW42EV3I9VMaqgtXu_TvegtzVcHX047jNGb9UrTIYLtpJyhfQS5AoApc3DA7Qbwab_ivI80CAs-FlEzmpoWZ7_LA8rtwm26-TL4_rMyERgcQ4NdzP0N41v/s16000/IMG_8777.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of my favorite things about this horse --- she never misses a meal!</td></tr></tbody></table>So Doozy is getting a few days to just sorta rest on her laurels before we inevitably return to the indoor for more boring flat rides lol. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SI11UFrpbPYf2Sjv63RYYBtMDGQ2FrGp7UY_VbhgiS6zX4DPYayowzzh9tqTOYsuOaeYIIyAqZ13__jkA3X8LJLNtsrnwZOMRMpfakWxImicbJ3cL0wQquMlWaAYrUto8o3gA7uNh0CjA8hR2gKztoaDIrXdOsWpmYMNwroQQhOfsuFrDMJGkoR2N21z/s575/IMG_8809.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SI11UFrpbPYf2Sjv63RYYBtMDGQ2FrGp7UY_VbhgiS6zX4DPYayowzzh9tqTOYsuOaeYIIyAqZ13__jkA3X8LJLNtsrnwZOMRMpfakWxImicbJ3cL0wQquMlWaAYrUto8o3gA7uNh0CjA8hR2gKztoaDIrXdOsWpmYMNwroQQhOfsuFrDMJGkoR2N21z/s16000/IMG_8809.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and then there's sad charles... unclear who is walking whom here</td></tr></tbody></table>Charlie, meanwhile, is having a tough go of it. We kept him stalled during the heavy rain days to try to protect his heel wound.... but the ground is just beyond saturated now and his whole paddock was literally under water. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU_i3TLzFhvBOR_7zs8UCeWmV35Bt_J6yGgKRQiu5fbgYkLHiMSXWJb9yp5LKlC5fgjJXaHb1M2HueTI1x_XRHnMK3kKqKLpK2d-sua7iuzrupk-3OE6K5Zu5KFYgRCd_cY5oOdobXEKeqFwFTL_pc93vd7lPJLrKmbeo_FfZ8vg-fibRrfUPWEywjzvC/s575/IMG_8811.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU_i3TLzFhvBOR_7zs8UCeWmV35Bt_J6yGgKRQiu5fbgYkLHiMSXWJb9yp5LKlC5fgjJXaHb1M2HueTI1x_XRHnMK3kKqKLpK2d-sua7iuzrupk-3OE6K5Zu5KFYgRCd_cY5oOdobXEKeqFwFTL_pc93vd7lPJLrKmbeo_FfZ8vg-fibRrfUPWEywjzvC/s16000/IMG_8811.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ring inspector inspecting the ring</td></tr></tbody></table>The bandages don't stand a chance in those conditions, and spending 8hrs a day with a wet bandage was starting to stall out the wound's recovery. It started to seem a little tender and like it was getting rubbed raw. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol7zz7iojZLvPEtm3VEx9Rg3qV_dcMzupkXLcr4iyROF2XCxxjGFQYqjscSaX-GFr7iQbefzhJkSovL1XfVmA8Pyx2sYxEjW857BvWo0YPGo0rSGXR4lwJaXWPmRUfrtqMxkUx3PcG1zXBKq4ifBOMEaI1ekTguElFyeqSaWoy0ezYMjPZ0NUoNfL34iM/s575/IMG_8813.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol7zz7iojZLvPEtm3VEx9Rg3qV_dcMzupkXLcr4iyROF2XCxxjGFQYqjscSaX-GFr7iQbefzhJkSovL1XfVmA8Pyx2sYxEjW857BvWo0YPGo0rSGXR4lwJaXWPmRUfrtqMxkUx3PcG1zXBKq4ifBOMEaI1ekTguElFyeqSaWoy0ezYMjPZ0NUoNfL34iM/s16000/IMG_8813.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hand grazing in wintry weather</td></tr></tbody></table>So unfortunately he's back in his stall again, much to his <i>extreme dismay</i>. At least we're able to leave him unwrapped for now. So the wound is developing a bit of a scab, which could be maybe the last phase in recovery? I dunno.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYEtFv-5dl7mGJjm8bFnAViH3HVnMtBNS1dggxlA3uxa085wOiWUaej5VZCCtPoDuvnAc-Z8Gw5HIn65I4e9lCSxNVWVvOIQqNSUPGUccA3dA21s-rvDag2cw1aZU9xCVP16lw9nOHomnZUmwsyZ9GD1162Lp7qFQWE2pq68BdkQPNCTaN1y7DvBtg4HN/s264/IMG_8813a.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="264" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYEtFv-5dl7mGJjm8bFnAViH3HVnMtBNS1dggxlA3uxa085wOiWUaej5VZCCtPoDuvnAc-Z8Gw5HIn65I4e9lCSxNVWVvOIQqNSUPGUccA3dA21s-rvDag2cw1aZU9xCVP16lw9nOHomnZUmwsyZ9GD1162Lp7qFQWE2pq68BdkQPNCTaN1y7DvBtg4HN/w400-h248/IMG_8813a.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">omg the shetlands were going nuts hahahaha</td></tr></tbody></table>My hope is that after another 24 or 36hrs of below-freezing temperatures, his paddock will be fully frozen through the full depth of the mud, and he can maybe go back out. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe57uiR3-i1_ZQmkYlrn174N99KwfTM9KsB6ODmYSHVyE-9_JC6Iu7nT5w4IjeklzlUaAwXyrsM8Dm3iEVSiCI5zAfpWXfnGxmjfFRhPtCDakmgBU860ljFDgKpShfD4Ame5RsAJ2ue8bSIw3eg6Vb8I_ZnCUiIVEuoiP8yxD4CFPvIzOqSVAMAN_P9QjT/s267/IMG_8813b.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="267" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe57uiR3-i1_ZQmkYlrn174N99KwfTM9KsB6ODmYSHVyE-9_JC6Iu7nT5w4IjeklzlUaAwXyrsM8Dm3iEVSiCI5zAfpWXfnGxmjfFRhPtCDakmgBU860ljFDgKpShfD4Ame5RsAJ2ue8bSIw3eg6Vb8I_ZnCUiIVEuoiP8yxD4CFPvIzOqSVAMAN_P9QjT/w400-h238/IMG_8813b.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">srsly look at these silly fluffy critters!</td></tr></tbody></table>Bc having him in the stall is pretty far from ideal, not gonna lie. He's miserable and literally no amount of hand walking can satisfy him. Yesterday I turned him out in the indoor for an hour and ran around and played with him.... Then hand grazed him in the snow storm for another hour....</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosufkQyWS-EI9eljeVm_iT9j9vx4Swn0kC3V4ORpUnF6T3lv0nzQo_9j8skXewsldwwp4bTVsuuVZ_x8On3vgIihHUV4_KjtjH5UT98TCB-dIb1ZFrgFgwF-dojaYWY98rPNACtGpyDuHcJBNK7ajKVxtL_QLv5CktS8CPh6_g9F6xLVLBMg-mgR9VyJx/s575/IMG_8815.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosufkQyWS-EI9eljeVm_iT9j9vx4Swn0kC3V4ORpUnF6T3lv0nzQo_9j8skXewsldwwp4bTVsuuVZ_x8On3vgIihHUV4_KjtjH5UT98TCB-dIb1ZFrgFgwF-dojaYWY98rPNACtGpyDuHcJBNK7ajKVxtL_QLv5CktS8CPh6_g9F6xLVLBMg-mgR9VyJx/s16000/IMG_8815.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">recovery stalled after too many days in wet muddy paddock</td></tr></tbody></table>Which is legitimately the height of boring for me. But barely a drop in the bucket for him. There's just no good place to turn him out right now that isn't either a) way too muddy; or b) not neighboring other horses he's likely to get in trouble with.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF98fQvysx_vNNv6sBiUTLd5-HU70whU5tDIt28eOl5NirsV_k3IPveBpEvrRpx0jxK3JVj8YfGWxZTY1Vtg3NN1iKf-l1Qx-Ge3KSY4bskrAcnNw2YlBnaMk0WRowVNkBo5Fu79ugv0Du7c_iSEOqqEi8mMf3J6n7hbSt3429A9CB6_aSGQOUjbYBUzn/s575/IMG_8816.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF98fQvysx_vNNv6sBiUTLd5-HU70whU5tDIt28eOl5NirsV_k3IPveBpEvrRpx0jxK3JVj8YfGWxZTY1Vtg3NN1iKf-l1Qx-Ge3KSY4bskrAcnNw2YlBnaMk0WRowVNkBo5Fu79ugv0Du7c_iSEOqqEi8mMf3J6n7hbSt3429A9CB6_aSGQOUjbYBUzn/s16000/IMG_8816.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">current state: unwrapped but stalled. new stage of healing i guess</td></tr></tbody></table>We'll see, I guess. He's <i>so close</i> to being fully healed up. And I'm <i>so eager</i> for him to return to his herd. They moved to a new field for the winter that actually still has a little grass, and a lot less mud. It'll be such a relief for EVERYBODY when he's out again haha.<br /><div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJcKff7EeMlFavlhgicyUU-y-hMHa74Mvo2qSzkGlkkHiYxSDBDpoKmhLhGhQXbc8gJlt1n3qTXZfxtUsOj9GVF_adFt0eSwZZgtDwHiDx_eNy0SHiZuIQarPnEqE93oAsHOXYIQRBps9qdblV8s5L5ge6E-sbs_elIosuBx3em2xm1p9mrkVMC4Rw4G8/s575/EYOPE7854.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJcKff7EeMlFavlhgicyUU-y-hMHa74Mvo2qSzkGlkkHiYxSDBDpoKmhLhGhQXbc8gJlt1n3qTXZfxtUsOj9GVF_adFt0eSwZZgtDwHiDx_eNy0SHiZuIQarPnEqE93oAsHOXYIQRBps9qdblV8s5L5ge6E-sbs_elIosuBx3em2xm1p9mrkVMC4Rw4G8/s16000/EYOPE7854.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">artsy fartsy bc y'all know i can't help myself<br />i was testing out apps to turn photos into stylized graphics to make a memorial gift for a friend who just said goodbye to her senior mare. any recommendations?</td></tr></tbody></table>In the meantime, we'll be in a bit of a holding pattern around here. Gross weather, other things going on outside my horsey life, and not much in the way of upcoming plans or activities. Not a bad time for a lull, LOL. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hope you aren't getting blasted with too much winter this week!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-8042119043112464732024-01-15T01:00:00.000-08:002024-01-15T03:01:53.583-08:00jumping clinic with Sally<div>So! Doozy did a jumping clinic with Sally this weekend! Let's dig into the details, yes? Yes.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFVhLqmafzqtCqq3P0AG4HgV6TcnYAq_xe_hupjKWN3Ss9zVwPNFawVRnnGABsdEDLAuYe8JkJM45CBkJmKHp__RLgM3fbrKO79ineCTz23vzj8C67c5j1Hzz0lf3dIA6DRIIB0v18r-VoBKF9EOdbo9oeYIXxToaR9snPoByLt4ABEBqOeWkUo1Lm_3B/s575/IMG_7361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFVhLqmafzqtCqq3P0AG4HgV6TcnYAq_xe_hupjKWN3Ss9zVwPNFawVRnnGABsdEDLAuYe8JkJM45CBkJmKHp__RLgM3fbrKO79ineCTz23vzj8C67c5j1Hzz0lf3dIA6DRIIB0v18r-VoBKF9EOdbo9oeYIXxToaR9snPoByLt4ABEBqOeWkUo1Lm_3B/s16000/IMG_7361.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lol @ my expression</td></tr></tbody></table><div>The trailer ride up was good -- Doozy traveled calmly and quietly with Amy's gelding Punky. She can be a little food aggressive and quick to kick, so we were extra careful in making sure both horses had solid leg protection... But it was drama free, whew!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqQGQ-H8SUrUl070hoR9-roCw_BBm0SPhH-wwOkTyf_bsqKFk1jcJOa9K_YeduDGHpffyEj5JhJITOtUq3RHTcNJkCwUR-VkhJlPoawzrbV1Mo59xSR3MsEMaufmTPAb6JUZ8LtJpxyq85NqSE-_e_BQhwwp9ZW2BBKogskn-xAIVmAZF9SD5S3o3hmdQ/s575/IMG_8748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqQGQ-H8SUrUl070hoR9-roCw_BBm0SPhH-wwOkTyf_bsqKFk1jcJOa9K_YeduDGHpffyEj5JhJITOtUq3RHTcNJkCwUR-VkhJlPoawzrbV1Mo59xSR3MsEMaufmTPAb6JUZ8LtJpxyq85NqSE-_e_BQhwwp9ZW2BBKogskn-xAIVmAZF9SD5S3o3hmdQ/s16000/IMG_8748.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">doozy aiming for her first jump of the day!</td></tr></tbody></table>Unloading and tacking at the trailer was also surprisingly drama free, even tho it was <i>freezing</i> and gusting wind. Like, easy enough that it wasn't such a big deal to hold her in hand even as I was moving around and grabbing gear from the truck and trailer. Good girl!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTAULOvMKhAOGWQmTznmoZYFfgU9YaT2jU_bh_zRA4VZQTNEFnp2k-8NV9kFXyjxNKoiRuZTkSLBtx4W959aQS3W7oHuYHna4iQOI3u3rs1aq6qg3MZ_vKmZmVIRUlcxT4GLMBhMF8EWvFT3pcZ4yeCX9PUDhFhJJM_ruT-y2HQfBicxRXAZNPl4vwvtM/s575/IMG_8749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTAULOvMKhAOGWQmTznmoZYFfgU9YaT2jU_bh_zRA4VZQTNEFnp2k-8NV9kFXyjxNKoiRuZTkSLBtx4W959aQS3W7oHuYHna4iQOI3u3rs1aq6qg3MZ_vKmZmVIRUlcxT4GLMBhMF8EWvFT3pcZ4yeCX9PUDhFhJJM_ruT-y2HQfBicxRXAZNPl4vwvtM/s16000/IMG_8749.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wheeeee!</td></tr></tbody></table>That all gives me a lot of confidence that she'll eventually be a little less explosive about other new things too lol. Tho on this day, the spell broke when she stepped into the arena, and she kinda lost it a little bit. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was nbd, tho. We had plenty of time, and it proved to be beneficial to come into the ring for some circles, then leave, then come in, then leave, rinse repeat. Exiting often helped break up the allure of the in gate, since there wouldn't be any door to close while we rode.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_12UdMw-uIpVBM6gCmkOGfck9VPsmg8Y8qa5CFuMkuUuYVYSOZZjj_qhyINIvC85Z8PZYI2aZ2S2qBAOZhOFjy5Ki-mM2SUhBAvce00aIQ8SOvoeOvrENLNZHh8tZTRWue5_GJZFhfjD6PpIyLvX265yHQoeQ-nNMcng8ykoHpJtWjgf1_X0J2GcDdWn7/s575/IMG_8754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_12UdMw-uIpVBM6gCmkOGfck9VPsmg8Y8qa5CFuMkuUuYVYSOZZjj_qhyINIvC85Z8PZYI2aZ2S2qBAOZhOFjy5Ki-mM2SUhBAvce00aIQ8SOvoeOvrENLNZHh8tZTRWue5_GJZFhfjD6PpIyLvX265yHQoeQ-nNMcng8ykoHpJtWjgf1_X0J2GcDdWn7/s16000/IMG_8754.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">second effort a little less extra haha</td></tr></tbody></table>And she was basically as calm as she ever gets by the time it was our turn. So bridling was fine, mounting was fine (tho Katie stood by just in case) and we proceeded to warming up under saddle basically fine. Definitely better than we'd been at the Sprieser clinic, actually! </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4U7Zln5vsd1HluYUnzXt9FENywaG8xNUrcVxQIcF6-xpdAdx0UtMdKoFjvfKFFw6ezyWhv1axSEpo6eYM4notxKzmiJVnZBOHPJun540FwuhwFZhFS8PtEdaIHFLcKaQa8X7RR4HrhKk6UtgDS3pi5wzC84r_3qIO5f9MgxiQAf4PO6oONV376YmL1c1/s575/IMG_8755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4U7Zln5vsd1HluYUnzXt9FENywaG8xNUrcVxQIcF6-xpdAdx0UtMdKoFjvfKFFw6ezyWhv1axSEpo6eYM4notxKzmiJVnZBOHPJun540FwuhwFZhFS8PtEdaIHFLcKaQa8X7RR4HrhKk6UtgDS3pi5wzC84r_3qIO5f9MgxiQAf4PO6oONV376YmL1c1/s16000/IMG_8755.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">deconstructed X's are my favorite</td></tr></tbody></table>Not sure if the difference was because we had horses with us this time, or bc the mare is just learning? I dunno, whatever the case, we'll take it! </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnFBKnX5pYorGfwNl-xEfGP8K9G3EV4fcBTPHCkj3bAxP_eV1QqkPS1E3qeq0nayB9v7Zzg6LAw7gkzF-LP7-b3UUdGKT1JkUWjtezjHhyVzlpu-swcFAXDJsyQEouGNrk8_7zI3n92xGgGUhXRWVl8YSms1bxeswbvSZkfh3wYPc3s-6NUG5Jyvga4qm/s575/IMG_8756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnFBKnX5pYorGfwNl-xEfGP8K9G3EV4fcBTPHCkj3bAxP_eV1QqkPS1E3qeq0nayB9v7Zzg6LAw7gkzF-LP7-b3UUdGKT1JkUWjtezjHhyVzlpu-swcFAXDJsyQEouGNrk8_7zI3n92xGgGUhXRWVl8YSms1bxeswbvSZkfh3wYPc3s-6NUG5Jyvga4qm/s16000/IMG_8756.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sally had other plans for us tho</td></tr></tbody></table>Then ya know, we started jumping. Started with a little X, that Doozy jumped beautifully. After all her silliness upon first arriving, it felt a little validating to have her actually step up so nicely for the actual point of the activity LOL. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA0aWj8oLe_zb6iqHVTFGpLMgpbADjYpNC_AV6qesGd4m5-gIEWVzTCK81oGUF84N-INIHPEip1R3qt6j6FxKCtw3y5ySc0S6WwSJRpup0uWtE4M1TRWSTNnxUfX_H7meNo-EiK5T84NLI1nMoFX6LIaQHbRm5mRj2D7vMPajSoJE1ZrM75ec2YmoQiik/s575/IMG_8757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA0aWj8oLe_zb6iqHVTFGpLMgpbADjYpNC_AV6qesGd4m5-gIEWVzTCK81oGUF84N-INIHPEip1R3qt6j6FxKCtw3y5ySc0S6WwSJRpup0uWtE4M1TRWSTNnxUfX_H7meNo-EiK5T84NLI1nMoFX6LIaQHbRm5mRj2D7vMPajSoJE1ZrM75ec2YmoQiik/s16000/IMG_8757.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sally observing to see if jumping straight toward the gate went as badly as i thought it might lol... <br />hint: it did not</td></tr></tbody></table>So we proceeded pretty directly through all of Sally's lines and exercises. She's a bit of a master at designing courses for her lesson days -- but in a subtle sort of way. The kind of way where the exercises look natural and appropriate no matter what height is riding. </div><div><br /></div><div>Her courses are simple, but offer a lot of opportunity for variation. There are usually outside lines, but also bending lines. Usually a low bounce line too, or some other grid or gymnastic type exercise. Lots of fill, and everything can usually be ridden in both directions. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJwtvBdHXQsXDFhMQJ-KluMmTFZBKb6hWrDHRkYgcvdkR2-Hp_zAL_GT8Qx6Br0fcqeGc5zWxYWm7o5MMA3knlb7fMDokneVTeRm-u67O7_zGg73e4EfH1Uo5EUy20bWWIyWfH6vITa_4YBFJwXigA2-wOoe4cpz0P-OqoF5aIdYOTD5vTOl6umd1YI5M/s575/IMG_8758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJwtvBdHXQsXDFhMQJ-KluMmTFZBKb6hWrDHRkYgcvdkR2-Hp_zAL_GT8Qx6Br0fcqeGc5zWxYWm7o5MMA3knlb7fMDokneVTeRm-u67O7_zGg73e4EfH1Uo5EUy20bWWIyWfH6vITa_4YBFJwXigA2-wOoe4cpz0P-OqoF5aIdYOTD5vTOl6umd1YI5M/s16000/IMG_8758.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bebe's first oxer!</td></tr></tbody></table>For our level, she had us jump everything going toward the in gate, as a way to channel the horse's natural draw, make it as easy as possible to go forward. In our case, I probably wouldn't have made that choice for kinda the same reason (ie, being afraid of getting run away with toward the gate lol), but actually think it worked well for us.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1V5AB8QtQGJElM4FFJCgLGNlZ3TBTmtTkEW_1XBEko-GSXj6Hi-cPhlIvLa9aj_RMTmtv-LBEN2hCnNEJcedyptjk_uYAGh1jtK_43nNjFkeRj6uvLIFDkVzhtCu0F0GIAN5BVv7iL76nqKzElrN030StPNaMIdBZQqz_BtJ5HMczbuoTChyphenhyphenMmYPdz9Rp/s575/IMG_8759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1V5AB8QtQGJElM4FFJCgLGNlZ3TBTmtTkEW_1XBEko-GSXj6Hi-cPhlIvLa9aj_RMTmtv-LBEN2hCnNEJcedyptjk_uYAGh1jtK_43nNjFkeRj6uvLIFDkVzhtCu0F0GIAN5BVv7iL76nqKzElrN030StPNaMIdBZQqz_BtJ5HMczbuoTChyphenhyphenMmYPdz9Rp/s16000/IMG_8759.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jumped a gate!</td></tr></tbody></table>Bc realistically, the purpose of the day for us was really simple: just jump around. Jump everything, show her everything. Start laying down positive repetitions, without too much concern or nitpicking on the details yet. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iDQOFt5LUoUQEOSEI9D-lWrmHJQgG90OjeU7av8noZ6K0Tn06kwK3IFvVCw5yF73k7IcxpWPg-eJuweZUthE17pU8IZ9yennK9CmhcWWQgZy9h47AL6X6eHNyxNph8no3-Ueg8rsSHtA8G_uSjfjWSiPGP5WdcOvIkcbSwIIdRRrJ3FGCeU8rRo4crJR/s575/IMG_8761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iDQOFt5LUoUQEOSEI9D-lWrmHJQgG90OjeU7av8noZ6K0Tn06kwK3IFvVCw5yF73k7IcxpWPg-eJuweZUthE17pU8IZ9yennK9CmhcWWQgZy9h47AL6X6eHNyxNph8no3-Ueg8rsSHtA8G_uSjfjWSiPGP5WdcOvIkcbSwIIdRRrJ3FGCeU8rRo4crJR/s16000/IMG_8761.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">already an expert about the plastic riser blocks</td></tr></tbody></table>Like, there wasn't a lot of conversation around my position, or my tactics. Or about our turns or steering or approaches or what have you --- other than to be <i>really clear</i> when we were planning on jumping the first in a line but not the second. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAkQtWcB3-PGo8XdfL-hBWXldgQ-avZK1gm0qkyZtGRIWRTHLW4D_li9tABlT2PbYLDitZtbuCSlUiHRipj4wNj4-zZgdBW-i283T3KQK_O1cDriX-yrzsrGlbU0qgLdhj4xEdkkFnc8GPY2mcBQctdQsLFgZVivT82kMGzx-z46Cq6EikosZ3CWVuOgP/s575/IMG_8762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAkQtWcB3-PGo8XdfL-hBWXldgQ-avZK1gm0qkyZtGRIWRTHLW4D_li9tABlT2PbYLDitZtbuCSlUiHRipj4wNj4-zZgdBW-i283T3KQK_O1cDriX-yrzsrGlbU0qgLdhj4xEdkkFnc8GPY2mcBQctdQsLFgZVivT82kMGzx-z46Cq6EikosZ3CWVuOgP/s16000/IMG_8762.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cantered out the full line!</td></tr></tbody></table>Certainly those details will come up in lessons sooner rather than later (and like, let's be real, even Stevie Wonder could see that my hands were not super great despite holding the neck strap the whole time lol). But for today? Just get out and jump those jumps! And we did!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11kY6Xjo58RCtwQPOTaaPT7yk0wUZJ5CJm3qVDcIB8gMTuqToLCt-Q_4i_E_2HH6XH3zO-Pqv68H_8DnRKUPoMRgzPYsqBuOC55trvlrccGyGN56cMqIKeD-9YlqhTHaUmE7I67J6SM_1rYWRXlrZXp1kgp8HrWJGzaul4sxWWT5t1Zzj8PizDr8x3OrE/s575/IMG_8764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11kY6Xjo58RCtwQPOTaaPT7yk0wUZJ5CJm3qVDcIB8gMTuqToLCt-Q_4i_E_2HH6XH3zO-Pqv68H_8DnRKUPoMRgzPYsqBuOC55trvlrccGyGN56cMqIKeD-9YlqhTHaUmE7I67J6SM_1rYWRXlrZXp1kgp8HrWJGzaul4sxWWT5t1Zzj8PizDr8x3OrE/s16000/IMG_8764.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">omg jumped the spooky boxes too</td></tr></tbody></table>Sally escalated the height and fill of the jumps basically immediately -- we did the first cross rail twice, then another deconstructed jump... and then, boom, vertical with fill. I was like, "<i>omg what are you serious?</i>" To which Sally just said, "Yep go jump it." Lol... and Doozy obviously did it perfectly.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JdWPWRXwZMU19kPd16i0RCGSUe7Tnjv2f4D1Y1dU7SjnyzW_uesqCK76iIAnv3hq_FX4HpkSzK_Jsyn1eWJ5TcPO8ji2wxlhQNlo11mEs3VZMkTlxgcZEkw9FeXXOa19KpaTjyBLlpdJPVkHj9B4l8w9jCIZmnk_u5IeEsIMpkba3SI70z5YnyknGmVl/s575/IMG_8764a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JdWPWRXwZMU19kPd16i0RCGSUe7Tnjv2f4D1Y1dU7SjnyzW_uesqCK76iIAnv3hq_FX4HpkSzK_Jsyn1eWJ5TcPO8ji2wxlhQNlo11mEs3VZMkTlxgcZEkw9FeXXOa19KpaTjyBLlpdJPVkHj9B4l8w9jCIZmnk_u5IeEsIMpkba3SI70z5YnyknGmVl/s16000/IMG_8764a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">definitely thought this would be harder than it was</td></tr></tbody></table>One of my goals with this horse is to be a little less controlling of the 'curriculum,' so to speak. Like with Charlie, I'm so protective of him, we have so many compromises and co-dependencies in how we go, that I'm not always super inclined to just 'do what I'm told' in a lesson. Which, obvi, it's important that we as riders advocate for our horses when appropriate. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglc5ff8-hLPplAyEjlt-XUD8P5-Dqgbrl1AqzFWn_lOLMMsFyxwo-1446cuZ4jJmA43JJm399rlh-kSmKPc-f_v3Kpx5wq1bLDjFeESfHIytgKpTGC29HtVb6ksx5JE6q-31KW9hbG81rTqz42FzvIc72n7P0sswcbrdhSqV9is20R9nWpbBpXuGyW53e_/s575/IMG_8765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglc5ff8-hLPplAyEjlt-XUD8P5-Dqgbrl1AqzFWn_lOLMMsFyxwo-1446cuZ4jJmA43JJm399rlh-kSmKPc-f_v3Kpx5wq1bLDjFeESfHIytgKpTGC29HtVb6ksx5JE6q-31KW9hbG81rTqz42FzvIc72n7P0sswcbrdhSqV9is20R9nWpbBpXuGyW53e_/s16000/IMG_8765.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes yes i'm aware my left hand is out of control.... but <i>lookie at that mare strut!</i></td></tr></tbody></table>But right now, sometimes I just need to shut up and do what I'm told lol. Like, isn't that the whole point of riding with experienced coaches who are masters of their craft? Like, Sally is the professional here haha, just listen to her. </div><div><br /></div><div>So when she told me to go jump the gate, and then the box -- two jumps I had completely assumed would <i>not</i> be included for us.... I did my best to choke back any protest, let the mare look at and sniff the fill (mare did not care), then went on ahead and jumped them. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JEE5K3cF2UePU175P_7FHUh16WqTC4rhxvSJSvWK9_O0-v27XlIpQ-afuXY1ZX8YycdTcU1QZ8nlXbMMMq_NwNJX87P07M_yNo-KPkUkyrSaXYiP-94ZkAF2HnAtWj37dRLgwUt2PC35bT2bUmmggNl5oDeRlVko69K6oUexnKwzISdc7HtMq0B1xmgf/s575/IMG_8766a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JEE5K3cF2UePU175P_7FHUh16WqTC4rhxvSJSvWK9_O0-v27XlIpQ-afuXY1ZX8YycdTcU1QZ8nlXbMMMq_NwNJX87P07M_yNo-KPkUkyrSaXYiP-94ZkAF2HnAtWj37dRLgwUt2PC35bT2bUmmggNl5oDeRlVko69K6oUexnKwzISdc7HtMq0B1xmgf/s16000/IMG_8766a.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">final fence of the day!</td></tr></tbody></table>We finished the ride with a trip down the last outside line that actually gave me a really good feeling even tho Doozy clobbered the rail. Like, mare has a big stride, getting the distance isn't going to be a problem for her. But... learning to wait and compress and adjust, that'll take some time. So I was super happy when halfway down the line I gave a heavy "<i>whoa</i>" and Doozy definitely tuned in and listened. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like, ok yea we still had the rail --- but who cares, right? It was good to feel that response in her, ya know? Tho we still went back and trotted just the one to finish there. </div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UGOeN7vWzVM" width="320" youtube-src-id="UGOeN7vWzVM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/UGOeN7vWzVM" target="_blank">posting the video link again for completeness</a></div><div><br /></div>I'm so grateful for all the videos and pictures --- again, millions of thanks to Niamh and Katie for capturing so much of the ride! I really live for studying the details. Like, again, this ride wasn't about the details, and I'm not going to give myself a hard time about anything. But I DO want to understand all the mechanics to help sketch out our homework. </div><div><br /></div><div>For me, my riding, there's nothing really new there. It turns out, going about a year without really jumping hasn't fixed any of my longstanding issues LOL! I'm still too reliant on my hands and lean on the contact when I should be offering more freedom and release over the fences. </div><div><br /></div><div>For Doozy, she still needs to figure out the footwork --- particularly when it comes to pushing off evenly behind. And we need to not let speed and momentum run cover for not having better technique. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d2iQRipVslgKRvkUjirqr4BVdu0BqFIDidOjPMnaT6CEf1LWuoe6XmVWmOmdJ0gbHqr8-rdB8dURwCIV5y-wNhj83zblxGxAhioFT-krapDhmL20qqD4iwg8IV-YE5Pmf5ZF9dEGMGeGy9PUeXcH2FpFYPFjLuaPFmzkUWdn9EGzZ1ud2ok1ZEdTXHIz/s575/IMG_8766b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d2iQRipVslgKRvkUjirqr4BVdu0BqFIDidOjPMnaT6CEf1LWuoe6XmVWmOmdJ0gbHqr8-rdB8dURwCIV5y-wNhj83zblxGxAhioFT-krapDhmL20qqD4iwg8IV-YE5Pmf5ZF9dEGMGeGy9PUeXcH2FpFYPFjLuaPFmzkUWdn9EGzZ1ud2ok1ZEdTXHIz/s16000/IMG_8766b.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good job, darling! </td></tr></tbody></table>So that's all ahead of us lol. I haven't really figured out what our jumping program is going to look like, yet. Lessons at home seem unlikely, so there will definitely end up being a fair amount of self-guided instruction lol. </div><div><br /></div><div>We'll see. It's winter, it's cold and muddy. There isn't a whole lot going on right now and I'm not in any rush. But it's exciting to think about the future haha --- and honestly just an exciting horse!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-43368858780914461972024-01-14T01:00:00.000-08:002024-01-14T01:00:00.131-08:00"i thought this was the x-rails class"<div>Happy weekend, y'all --- hopefully a long weekend for most US readers! I don't always post on weekends, but wanted to get this preview out now bc... well, to be perfectly honest there are a LOT of pictures to share so might as well break it up lol!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQC4nKtz_2Di5lGObA7bJSYHSCrObrd-EF1-_RKkSCDeo4G7Zb-e_MbkxwMgLet_EaIz9bXqmRnv6gEKBqPHD8o6fVqDAuh9mgb6iFBBbRQpONpqtg_XtjjerycG2y0jVdrMUEAsOrMO6l1vuxo_eb_f22E9JaAbr3WQWcv2VaIgV_Nn3JoURDkJ_8_MUu/s575/IMG_7360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQC4nKtz_2Di5lGObA7bJSYHSCrObrd-EF1-_RKkSCDeo4G7Zb-e_MbkxwMgLet_EaIz9bXqmRnv6gEKBqPHD8o6fVqDAuh9mgb6iFBBbRQpONpqtg_XtjjerycG2y0jVdrMUEAsOrMO6l1vuxo_eb_f22E9JaAbr3WQWcv2VaIgV_Nn3JoURDkJ_8_MUu/s16000/IMG_7360.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at this mare guys omg <3 i live for candid shots like this -- thanks Niamh!</td></tr></tbody></table>Sweet Doozy went to her second off-farm clinic this weekend --- this time with <i>jompies</i>, and the unfailing guidance of local hero, Sally Cousins!! <div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sLcC5vF95Pe3PnHccazZXZXEnoOWJHrGkf9PWlICOB7kZZr9pSLlafLDxwOx2qy6tvghhP3CFi-JTAVYbM_jN8-WYwgIGooD1jCh7o1xKKxh329ZN9GbbvHBaJOnz3doDOswgVTbRgy9NqxkO8F3HZ4avOp1tzgSXlfKe0ZZkd67kpUlNzaKhNNIdCBV/s575/IMG_7360a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sLcC5vF95Pe3PnHccazZXZXEnoOWJHrGkf9PWlICOB7kZZr9pSLlafLDxwOx2qy6tvghhP3CFi-JTAVYbM_jN8-WYwgIGooD1jCh7o1xKKxh329ZN9GbbvHBaJOnz3doDOswgVTbRgy9NqxkO8F3HZ4avOp1tzgSXlfKe0ZZkd67kpUlNzaKhNNIdCBV/s16000/IMG_7360a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">compare: this photo is undated but probably from right around May 2023</td></tr></tbody></table>Not gonna lie, I kinda thought this might be a.... er.... <i>big</i> ask of the mare. This indoor arena is legitimately gorgeous, but it is also a LOT to walk into. Charlie's first time in this ring, <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2019/02/bucket-list-lessons.html" target="_blank">he straight up froze and shit himself</a>. So ya know. It wasn't a huge surprise when Doozy experienced a minor existential crisis upon entering too.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XiBpkWItTqug_e9o7ZPk-OIvijvgGf-5wKtg1v8GfLx1slokSSdeJHFG9qe8zKGRq8Z9deII3ySLO0VJBmHOWJfdO2sg_lrAHIor8_AHCkx__jkFQtT2uzJO1Gv3lo94C7eUqRoon5vZZL4_LgGDjCBdMkNaEeJEAeJwEZjmeQcbWQu4OyNjJGE6UjoY/s575/IMG_7367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XiBpkWItTqug_e9o7ZPk-OIvijvgGf-5wKtg1v8GfLx1slokSSdeJHFG9qe8zKGRq8Z9deII3ySLO0VJBmHOWJfdO2sg_lrAHIor8_AHCkx__jkFQtT2uzJO1Gv3lo94C7eUqRoon5vZZL4_LgGDjCBdMkNaEeJEAeJwEZjmeQcbWQu4OyNjJGE6UjoY/s16000/IMG_7367.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">srsly tho, these candid shots <3 <3 <3</td></tr></tbody></table>Luckily, tho, the schedule worked in our favor. Three of us caravanned up together, to ride in three back to back lessons. Katie was first -- in a semi-private with another experienced (read: unflappable) horse/rider combo who were gracious when we had a few episodes during hand walkies / ring familiarization. </div><div><br /></div><div>Amy was second in a private -- and was similarly unfazed by Doozy's shenanigans. Which, naturally, were already starting to abate.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiqtgPs-ocwKNRFyffaX3oATnfVXl-2QfBznv5h5oMKkNTvlHmmMoGF8ujQ8gzRmbUk3IH0D3vGdlLO-RbnKDO93tAaLPcfgCNlDueEs0iZx_3GKBbfcuIGbK1AoSWjMExMHeMthkrcW3wofPoqSQMyRC1QnABVNQA58vM-SbcY3jhpsfoOolq2i9FkMd/s575/IMG_7385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiqtgPs-ocwKNRFyffaX3oATnfVXl-2QfBznv5h5oMKkNTvlHmmMoGF8ujQ8gzRmbUk3IH0D3vGdlLO-RbnKDO93tAaLPcfgCNlDueEs0iZx_3GKBbfcuIGbK1AoSWjMExMHeMthkrcW3wofPoqSQMyRC1QnABVNQA58vM-SbcY3jhpsfoOolq2i9FkMd/s16000/IMG_7385.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how i expected the lesson to go</td></tr></tbody></table>Finally, tho, it was our turn --- riding in a group lesson with two very lovely ladies -- one I'd just met (but who actually has connections to Doozy), and the other I've ridden with in lessons lots over the years! </div><div><br /></div><div>And <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2016/04/blaze-faced-chestnut-celebrity-meetup.html" target="_blank">Niamh was there</a>!! Longtime bloggers and readers will remember ;) And omg she captured so many pics and video clips -- seriously, <i>thank you <3</i></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWioYsSfb0OJ3MfX-HDlefPWM7tkJnbkCEFqgwHtzw1kEi9CuQUMu-w3m8Nkm4LR7BYnrSBQMkOKEWrShX0luw5-2EJplUAT3MFThGkOaJDWz3ghqiRE_s-7hL5urViBnSlFlry9fb19okKZH1yXYio-YJXwClatJgtvLhGZsqTWbbvTcrf1xfBQ0Rikd/s575/IMG_7387%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWioYsSfb0OJ3MfX-HDlefPWM7tkJnbkCEFqgwHtzw1kEi9CuQUMu-w3m8Nkm4LR7BYnrSBQMkOKEWrShX0luw5-2EJplUAT3MFThGkOaJDWz3ghqiRE_s-7hL5urViBnSlFlry9fb19okKZH1yXYio-YJXwClatJgtvLhGZsqTWbbvTcrf1xfBQ0Rikd/s16000/IMG_7387%20-%20Copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how it actually went!! holy moly, mare jumped a <i>gate</i> lol</td></tr></tbody></table>And as is often the way with Sally, the lesson ended up being a bit more than I bargained for, but in a very good way. I'm notorious for wanting to quit early, get a good moment and call it a day. And Sally was having <i>none of that, ma'am</i>. <br /><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UGOeN7vWzVM" width="320" youtube-src-id="UGOeN7vWzVM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/UGOeN7vWzVM" target="_blank">link to full video here </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">credit to Katie and Niamh, who each caught so many awesome moments and angles!</div><div><br /></div>She pushed us a bit, and was ruthlessly unapologetic about it too LOL. But Doozy really rose to the occasion! There's a lot to unpack from the ride itself --- including continuing to find opportunities to keep myself accountable even as we offer new challenges to the horse.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoE814OIaDXcSU3j89knyzUfwMgRHLggHOKjRkIPmqitjGTl4lG-vv4VS_pJEs9zy9TVtyo9JlP_T6-gT_b4P44ctxlmp-ytCNlmZzTY1D4jVDJX5TAEmHbImulI_XEYoAKeMsBbjQtxuUO-p9SZLF_h_zSiwMpv6fwiyXe2oqk1962w6_rGy3foHguy4/s575/IMG_7389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoE814OIaDXcSU3j89knyzUfwMgRHLggHOKjRkIPmqitjGTl4lG-vv4VS_pJEs9zy9TVtyo9JlP_T6-gT_b4P44ctxlmp-ytCNlmZzTY1D4jVDJX5TAEmHbImulI_XEYoAKeMsBbjQtxuUO-p9SZLF_h_zSiwMpv6fwiyXe2oqk1962w6_rGy3foHguy4/s16000/IMG_7389.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweetest lady --- there's work ahead for us, but i'm excited for it!</td></tr></tbody></table>And obvi we'll go there... probably at <i>far greater length</i> than the average reader really has appetite LOL. But for now I kinda just wanna bask in this good feeling of... <i>doing things again</i>.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdllnRse1-qnv9K-weEa9El6n_95QkalZ8oqWZ8X0shkIyoxsRPHeMnL12_0mK3wGdm3augYZbIjq1BG3o3M-W4EpsO6oylfHCPSICxOF1DMbvO8NAjSo8pTLYOo-DZVezbBrhfW66HhPin3opJPbJ6UXKaWyjPP6cl7NVv-2ujJqPUA3HidEbp8-cKt_/s575/IMG_8715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdllnRse1-qnv9K-weEa9El6n_95QkalZ8oqWZ8X0shkIyoxsRPHeMnL12_0mK3wGdm3augYZbIjq1BG3o3M-W4EpsO6oylfHCPSICxOF1DMbvO8NAjSo8pTLYOo-DZVezbBrhfW66HhPin3opJPbJ6UXKaWyjPP6cl7NVv-2ujJqPUA3HidEbp8-cKt_/s16000/IMG_8715.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">traveled with a friend this time too!</td></tr></tbody></table>Days like this are exactly why I went out on a limb with a new horse. I remain hopeful and convinced that Charlie will return to sport life. But ya know. He gets what he needs, no matter what. I'm #keepinghim.</div><div><br /></div><div>But *I* have unfinished business. So here we are. Doozy challenges me in ways very very different from Charlie, she's such a different type, a different person. And I can learn so much from her. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway. Long preview short, hope you all have a great weekend -- and stay tuned for more!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-8311038874047239022024-01-11T01:00:00.000-08:002024-01-11T04:18:41.537-08:00boring is good<div>I had just about talked myself out of riding last night.... Eh, I was tired, it's been rainy gross weather, so many zoom calls already this week, so tired... ya know. Normal stuff. </div><div><br /></div><div>Was just gonna brush the ponies, tell them they're pretty, change Charlie's wrap, and call it a day. </div><div><br /></div><div>Buuuuuut.... Then Katie said she wanted to play around with some little jumps in the indoor lol.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gtMq4GQV4VB2YCkwnDXAPE-ubGIWujmATziKnMOLFX2L4aLBsrHzsTHvdUY5AZxfO3gZ36nvju7N9wOmwDvYZcMNF416I3DO4PGHOKQUvRsHySxbJ8EHcMV2VTPoEbW9AuUr8Ehu_a2DlDa5y3NdEjXtNSq2aljYm28Hh9Jh3J0iV2VSR3dJCc-Ccd50/s575/IMG_8681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gtMq4GQV4VB2YCkwnDXAPE-ubGIWujmATziKnMOLFX2L4aLBsrHzsTHvdUY5AZxfO3gZ36nvju7N9wOmwDvYZcMNF416I3DO4PGHOKQUvRsHySxbJ8EHcMV2VTPoEbW9AuUr8Ehu_a2DlDa5y3NdEjXtNSq2aljYm28Hh9Jh3J0iV2VSR3dJCc-Ccd50/s16000/IMG_8681.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me when my friends say they wanna set up little jompies</td></tr></tbody></table>That obviously sounded a whole lot more exciting than yet another ride spent on endless walk-trot transitions and spiraling in and out, our homework from last week's dressage clinic. <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIpWoqgSoA4Ue1mvBntzxUbVwXG3upVjMSddeTk0Re-ZgjMOagf9j3NpkZ7aPfSOhBX8GIfPcoTcT1s1V6SHZ_UprAVyqMGHQACiZBRyaAITZvSDN2rag4ODPcZL5EZf1EpgafF0KaHf2wKRLB9W2zAJ0KmvJ9msei5k4pCqEqo4v9TnVYGpc9SmvnzBr/s575/IMG_8682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIpWoqgSoA4Ue1mvBntzxUbVwXG3upVjMSddeTk0Re-ZgjMOagf9j3NpkZ7aPfSOhBX8GIfPcoTcT1s1V6SHZ_UprAVyqMGHQACiZBRyaAITZvSDN2rag4ODPcZL5EZf1EpgafF0KaHf2wKRLB9W2zAJ0KmvJ9msei5k4pCqEqo4v9TnVYGpc9SmvnzBr/s16000/IMG_8682.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">doozy loves the mirrors lol</td></tr></tbody></table>Don't get me wrong, I love homework. The day in, day out nitty gritty minutiae is all part of the journey and joy for me and all that... But, eh, sometimes it's nice to change it up haha!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCapB7GpH1neNcgdvGkDKgJHzrD-yo5p9tDeh9TjJKAlZBCvNmp7GaawS6FPX8_oivKI2x62I-_ZI8gh5KQ617VOjSPnuMWNfi0TiKvySidL455cydFaQInC3jPWMefGlP4Scb2M0b9EcXxvqgBdfUcdoU9ioDZ592RNoJbgSUfX5KIte2dxJ0-AgoSPcI/s575/IMG_8693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCapB7GpH1neNcgdvGkDKgJHzrD-yo5p9tDeh9TjJKAlZBCvNmp7GaawS6FPX8_oivKI2x62I-_ZI8gh5KQ617VOjSPnuMWNfi0TiKvySidL455cydFaQInC3jPWMefGlP4Scb2M0b9EcXxvqgBdfUcdoU9ioDZ592RNoJbgSUfX5KIte2dxJ0-AgoSPcI/s16000/IMG_8693.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">power trotting around</td></tr></tbody></table>Tho, naturally, we spent our warm up on the same work anyway. Bc ya know, Lauren maybe had a point about the importance of zillions of walk trot transitions, esp any time I feel like Doozy might be trotting a bit away with me. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrt6178ruSSQP1XggRPiNP4EsskH6CHeizNs_laqhnMdubYD4Ochu9tVwD3lasr4A6wueutaYx3i-2l_zgD5R9PLMag8PF2UFd6pb4MS69UnJt_i_kr9wyYF2PBRCoiJXuMsP8Xnd0-f_iJ_W_Adf-9UZYchz8WyFSGP26R8BWSBqYYDCNYZ3gAar6T1U/s575/IMG_8694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrt6178ruSSQP1XggRPiNP4EsskH6CHeizNs_laqhnMdubYD4Ochu9tVwD3lasr4A6wueutaYx3i-2l_zgD5R9PLMag8PF2UFd6pb4MS69UnJt_i_kr9wyYF2PBRCoiJXuMsP8Xnd0-f_iJ_W_Adf-9UZYchz8WyFSGP26R8BWSBqYYDCNYZ3gAar6T1U/s16000/IMG_8694.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">traffic school graduate</td></tr></tbody></table>And I'm enjoying practicing the spirals too, bc it turns out that our blobular attempts in the clinic weren't only bc of imprecise steering. It's actually..... <i>not that easy</i> to keep Doozy turning on those smaller radius circles right now. Which like, <i>duh</i> haha. That's kinda the whole point. Needs intentional practice, so we practice intentionally!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXDyzsrhJEE8mKvmbTCWveMjDsFkAt1WNmrQgFWrLYtUd-rSW6ncrQxnB9Hd0Is8DMwlVzUZLaHlsYB1Bgt4kGU17Ue6d931fuhiMwIP718YTt0W3oasRx2DGWGwC4wo2obXTuQs0fLiCiu2eX1xxMSrOQOSsOB7FTmIu06ApEiNO2fzJik-0mIHQ7FW5/s575/IMG_8695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXDyzsrhJEE8mKvmbTCWveMjDsFkAt1WNmrQgFWrLYtUd-rSW6ncrQxnB9Hd0Is8DMwlVzUZLaHlsYB1Bgt4kGU17Ue6d931fuhiMwIP718YTt0W3oasRx2DGWGwC4wo2obXTuQs0fLiCiu2eX1xxMSrOQOSsOB7FTmIu06ApEiNO2fzJik-0mIHQ7FW5/s16000/IMG_8695.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">target acquired!</td></tr></tbody></table>But ya know, the main event was playing with colorful poles, yay!!! We set up three jumps along the E-B line, a simple straight forward X on the quarter line, and then two verticals on the diagonals. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahvZF3PTAlPliPXQLhToA7MaxKr7o_EkNOSgcB2AtAspUCO08g8-rCKwiGlUtLxKy9oQTDYZM6yqw_ce-O1ka9DZ35GlSQ5ve_yQaocLbHUXgHoiNCz-3DZXvF1kcoSxFW_DBoJxQF1lrS-AXkSbXSovj-Kib1OcfyfQ8UKsVIrhtAIfecgwxmt6i1SJF/s575/IMG_8696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahvZF3PTAlPliPXQLhToA7MaxKr7o_EkNOSgcB2AtAspUCO08g8-rCKwiGlUtLxKy9oQTDYZM6yqw_ce-O1ka9DZ35GlSQ5ve_yQaocLbHUXgHoiNCz-3DZXvF1kcoSxFW_DBoJxQF1lrS-AXkSbXSovj-Kib1OcfyfQ8UKsVIrhtAIfecgwxmt6i1SJF/s16000/IMG_8696.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>wheeeeeeee!</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Plus we placed a few single ground poles strategically --- one in line with the center line at A, the end of the arena where Doozy tends to fall in on her right shoulder the most. Another in line with the center line right around X, for catching on a circle. And another on the quarter line at B. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyidFqpKUTe8M6Tf6CAfIi3LGppA81p6ZqPkVektQnuy5S66wUs9nogo8P1ueV_21rtOIaI4MomfTHEylItO88nb3Rav1J5wwUYQXnNxItpZBGKL81J99K_7BRfZONHayU-RMMFqNVSidQ50CoaXyA1pV1UrbdW8Xhf8x77l_32XTLxxF2vxrkhW1smNmk/s575/IMG_8697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyidFqpKUTe8M6Tf6CAfIi3LGppA81p6ZqPkVektQnuy5S66wUs9nogo8P1ueV_21rtOIaI4MomfTHEylItO88nb3Rav1J5wwUYQXnNxItpZBGKL81J99K_7BRfZONHayU-RMMFqNVSidQ50CoaXyA1pV1UrbdW8Xhf8x77l_32XTLxxF2vxrkhW1smNmk/s16000/IMG_8697.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">landed on her correct lead!</td></tr></tbody></table>I obviously love a lot of ground pole exercises --- they are so helpful in keeping me honest in my steering and balance and all that. Plus they're useful in helping Doozy tune in too.</div><div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ks6NsOxjKlHS95lDTGUoRF1ybi0T3VBKV65HdwBI0hWHM4lrPW4dtc0brRzF7pmcLy5JzSJApY3l8ScE_n_TTmhYUl7Ja68UFqLatXrK62HU3xQ3sjIfIVmeDoZZ4zxC9l61AWvbdaVVQeEa1dlWqhivdYiwyH31cBHzW_m9kzg-rPU6q2CbFCnDnULc/s575/IMG_8698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ks6NsOxjKlHS95lDTGUoRF1ybi0T3VBKV65HdwBI0hWHM4lrPW4dtc0brRzF7pmcLy5JzSJApY3l8ScE_n_TTmhYUl7Ja68UFqLatXrK62HU3xQ3sjIfIVmeDoZZ4zxC9l61AWvbdaVVQeEa1dlWqhivdYiwyH31cBHzW_m9kzg-rPU6q2CbFCnDnULc/s16000/IMG_8698.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my left hand has a mind of its own lol but look at her go!</td></tr></tbody></table>After a long walk warm up, and some pleasant trotting plus some solid canter reps over the poles, we started aiming for the little cross rail. Obviously clobbered the whole thing the first time bc <i>#boooring</i> lol. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgn_ETVTa-EBkDIx3RvK9jQwH2zStDEtZqpGNmJYFwhtoeIyQagw7_k1i4fS5gyEm2mJZik9XfydkqmtKg4iA6sosF7wTkm7s2hodETa2zX6cwS7pkErOt6TsfZ9xMpnUXSAIhSAReCpVBaGG0jZXMOx9axnNel6R-tYwKHEYUuPaeuXHjIJUfyUKJoKLD/s575/IMG_8699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgn_ETVTa-EBkDIx3RvK9jQwH2zStDEtZqpGNmJYFwhtoeIyQagw7_k1i4fS5gyEm2mJZik9XfydkqmtKg4iA6sosF7wTkm7s2hodETa2zX6cwS7pkErOt6TsfZ9xMpnUXSAIhSAReCpVBaGG0jZXMOx9axnNel6R-tYwKHEYUuPaeuXHjIJUfyUKJoKLD/s16000/IMG_8699.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">get 'em, dooz!</td></tr></tbody></table>Dismounted to reset it, got back on, then went about jumping it back and forth a few times in each direction. And Doozy was basically just perfect. Kinda bored, tho got excited and cantered the last few steps to it once or twice. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkL0qLWpALwsHGkexkghxpzFDXo7-ezCb3mFPKg9XgZ9lcXdqZ0xXxFVCIF7aQO_8VQow6G5oaOOLty47PBsN53HCVYHT5LPkrW0NAY4Tn2vuNZf7Zxjl70j3rUoecnMhWGxVVxtM3eFP-svROeYZZqL-KgByi9DnorzsdPXgYA8-SeHNkBbqvkgH4oxL/s575/IMG_8700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkL0qLWpALwsHGkexkghxpzFDXo7-ezCb3mFPKg9XgZ9lcXdqZ0xXxFVCIF7aQO_8VQow6G5oaOOLty47PBsN53HCVYHT5LPkrW0NAY4Tn2vuNZf7Zxjl70j3rUoecnMhWGxVVxtM3eFP-svROeYZZqL-KgByi9DnorzsdPXgYA8-SeHNkBbqvkgH4oxL/s16000/IMG_8700.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clever already with her footwork</td></tr></tbody></table>So I opted to do one last little circuit around, but this time adding in one of the little verticals! Doozy has jumped a slightly larger vertical before --- when <a href="https://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/2023/12/red-rockette.html" target="_blank">we did that two stride in and out a few weeks ago</a>. But ya know. It still feels new to me. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab4fkkTc3BcF5yr2LLNFnRVqdaMM8I1h03jkCFaa0kt8W5A7eJLjRTEKHyY4A-279VS65-zjYWsaOcrAkMLPqfhRuugzOeEFQTCCByTFsoJ4gpTfodFFXRb0MJyuerrYy0InKeQ-wtiNy5NQ2pL7TumI40Hob8cYL6nBLA7P8Am7MUsg1LgqGtqciSO06/s575/IMG_8701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab4fkkTc3BcF5yr2LLNFnRVqdaMM8I1h03jkCFaa0kt8W5A7eJLjRTEKHyY4A-279VS65-zjYWsaOcrAkMLPqfhRuugzOeEFQTCCByTFsoJ4gpTfodFFXRb0MJyuerrYy0InKeQ-wtiNy5NQ2pL7TumI40Hob8cYL6nBLA7P8Am7MUsg1LgqGtqciSO06/s16000/IMG_8701.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adorably boring</td></tr></tbody></table>Not to Doozy, tho, apparently! This jump was equally boring to her, and she just trotted right on over and cantered away. Good girl! And obvi we videoed it bc I live for this stuff lol.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmigac4cdfWzQhunWwA1wbPRf9wPo_mxjv1dcWdy-YUuewQLo5pNM_-UaTdq1rObt8xkMUGLlgtxDkv3wm6qNCop1T-yOE07zIDqxkKtANL7bYUACK5IVC_OfFoKewTcgSaZUT2h4m5SRB4oSr6oI-mT7DswWk0E7tcg85CQa8_vwo_pl4jcIOHvXfPw7o/s575/IMG_8703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmigac4cdfWzQhunWwA1wbPRf9wPo_mxjv1dcWdy-YUuewQLo5pNM_-UaTdq1rObt8xkMUGLlgtxDkv3wm6qNCop1T-yOE07zIDqxkKtANL7bYUACK5IVC_OfFoKewTcgSaZUT2h4m5SRB4oSr6oI-mT7DswWk0E7tcg85CQa8_vwo_pl4jcIOHvXfPw7o/s16000/IMG_8703.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">landed that lead correctly too, good girl!</td></tr></tbody></table>Also notable about the ride --- we started in the ring with just the two mares, then Punky joined us as we were starting to jump. And then right as Doozy headed to her first jump in the video below, you can hear the sliding door as a fourth horse came in from the attached barn. <div><br /></div><div>And none of that mattered to Doozy. She is officially traffic-safe in our home indoor, good girl!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LLwaMvKOuPk" width="320" youtube-src-id="LLwaMvKOuPk"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/LLwaMvKOuPk" target="_blank">link to quick video</a></div><div><br /></div>And that's the stuff, right? Good clean simple fun with our ponies -- I'm so glad my friend convinced me to ride haha. And am excited to keep working on the jumping stuff with Doozy --- she definitely seems to enjoy it!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-45881651322035197892024-01-08T01:00:00.000-08:002024-01-08T01:00:00.259-08:00Kick in the Pants: Clinic with Sprieser Dressage<div>Happy Monday, y'all! So. Big Dooz Nooz this weekend ---- we went on our first off farm field trip!! A <i>wildly inappropriate </i>outing in terms of where we are in our actual training vs the cost / credentials of said clinician..... </div><div><br /></div><div>But, eh, it was also a very <i>right</i> outing for a few other reasons too. So we went for it!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjflLovDAUlCHignu8qgV8M5tKfjY_1gbmlBlElvJctN21Tus2GHA709NHcXMO43JfON6kvBzqxYr4HrVelIARzXZUZA3eoNQHSccP7weuWe-f-Qw6rXQd-9mGwyToo5tUbHBPCEk58CCy8aENiVBDwNIsfYyBGKQ8NSVhfHktNH2pG0fQcHEKFKXL8h-/s575/IMG_8659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjflLovDAUlCHignu8qgV8M5tKfjY_1gbmlBlElvJctN21Tus2GHA709NHcXMO43JfON6kvBzqxYr4HrVelIARzXZUZA3eoNQHSccP7weuWe-f-Qw6rXQd-9mGwyToo5tUbHBPCEk58CCy8aENiVBDwNIsfYyBGKQ8NSVhfHktNH2pG0fQcHEKFKXL8h-/s16000/IMG_8659.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty giant storm blew through on saturday, including snow, sleet, and 1.5" of rain... see the white stuff?<br />also, doozy got a no-pull hairdo courtesy of my friend. lmk if you wanna know details!</td></tr></tbody></table>Basically, the short story is that Lauren Sprieser had an unexpected availability in her clinic schedule and offered to return to a <i>lovely</i> local facility, should there be sufficient demand. And ya know, among my friend set, demand was indeed HIGH. <div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ge131ESUP5SlQMc7lw1BP8dcX6cRT-7ZX0fpc8O-HibGCuPQBnTNrFZdtfN_3LQTY_L52qSKpg5j3y7rinZ0E-V6oK6v5m1aMApfaR09AFS3j-qX2RpWM3Kit15L3JpjNzNBIdDZy35JV1t1uBRKhYvU4dxLgjfTiZi8mzNOqS5BxjD-WlmOJXi7yxQV/s575/IMG_8665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ge131ESUP5SlQMc7lw1BP8dcX6cRT-7ZX0fpc8O-HibGCuPQBnTNrFZdtfN_3LQTY_L52qSKpg5j3y7rinZ0E-V6oK6v5m1aMApfaR09AFS3j-qX2RpWM3Kit15L3JpjNzNBIdDZy35JV1t1uBRKhYvU4dxLgjfTiZi8mzNOqS5BxjD-WlmOJXi7yxQV/s16000/IMG_8665.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dressed like a #hobo to ward off the weather + mud</td></tr></tbody></table>I figured... It's a nearby farm (15min drive), legit gorgeous, plus indoors... with someone who will, beyond a doubt, be able to facilitate our walking and trotting of wonky oblong circles. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plus, given that my excellent barn mate was quite literally trying to will this clinic into existence, she was also happy to act as "all hands on deck" for Doozy's big first outing. Perfect, sign us up!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziUBZZBoGg0rq36quIzxO7xu_f2lKdmVRwEzobOg0WC9vEV43thldUX2tlJvnc_Z2pOI9uWCEZcjvKj3on_q5xYk88WE0fXfRP2VxDSgiQnFBAmcoa4Y1JAylxadeLnvxDhCme_iVwIwqUOdmBcZr4tZ90NUZvC5oC9qQXXCsJhLeeMD9IVY-BW9dYhU9/s575/IMG_8666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziUBZZBoGg0rq36quIzxO7xu_f2lKdmVRwEzobOg0WC9vEV43thldUX2tlJvnc_Z2pOI9uWCEZcjvKj3on_q5xYk88WE0fXfRP2VxDSgiQnFBAmcoa4Y1JAylxadeLnvxDhCme_iVwIwqUOdmBcZr4tZ90NUZvC5oC9qQXXCsJhLeeMD9IVY-BW9dYhU9/s16000/IMG_8666.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ugly but effective!</td></tr></tbody></table>I went into the experience with a really heavy focus on preparing Doozy for the "all of it" aspect of going somewhere new and surviving. Realistically, it wasn't really going to be about the riding --- tho I fully expected (and felt quite fulfilled) that we'd walk away with important nuggets of wisdom no matter what. </div><div><br /></div><div>And to be perfectly honest, the day went just about as well as I could reasonably expect. Which might sound kinda like a "shrug" of a sentence --- except, it absolutely is <i>not</i> lol. I was <i>thrilled</i>. There are so many ways in which the day could have gone poorly. And probably, realistically, not too many ways where it would have gone better. Great!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1SWQTuve3eUJFNmqr_VuxULZ6L_arCMPWSFvk0wQCkLISqRCk1Zplm0FHR12t0ojdX-medfGbvOBRdQ1VvKS2FGHUfEJBrSbgoI8evfTvP9ui9Gs2wXAg9f7G6GNB9ZiIdSvB69RKMMA05bFcclVu1SwKYlw4xUj-CH7XjHSYwAKxn3Qho2lQfDeTzVx/s575/IMG_8666a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1SWQTuve3eUJFNmqr_VuxULZ6L_arCMPWSFvk0wQCkLISqRCk1Zplm0FHR12t0ojdX-medfGbvOBRdQ1VvKS2FGHUfEJBrSbgoI8evfTvP9ui9Gs2wXAg9f7G6GNB9ZiIdSvB69RKMMA05bFcclVu1SwKYlw4xUj-CH7XjHSYwAKxn3Qho2lQfDeTzVx/s16000/IMG_8666a.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">your chariot awaits, ma'am!</td></tr></tbody></table>Doozy loaded up fine (with snacks). Unloaded at the farm fine. Was mostly ok hand-walking around for 20-30min, bc obvi we were super early #justincase. Like, ok, she kinda wanted to drag me around at times, and reared and got wild once when there was a CAR OMG. But also was able to chill and graze intermittently too.</div><div><br /></div><div>And obvi we were Pony Club Careful in getting her all tacked and bridled and whatnot, but she was honestly fine. Entered the new-to-her barn fine, walked into the gigantic indoor wide-eyed but... (wait for it) <i>fine</i>. Hand-walked around for a minute fine, and was similarly <i>fine </i>at the mounting block, tho Katie was there just in case.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kxGS0M_XeMr15_DmC2ufW7cj8Cg_cHpj23fJldfZIdG4e27BsHe97JAW8_aK4FIvc-OeIarh4xYL2WLHnYkssRmrgqvj7YHhqAT5UbQOS-6NHDkwXjLJvglJZ3hpMeicbl20d025M43kWAVw1ENmKsS0n0RnXnH78z8ezxTczPIYAxm4HJyKlUj2uHCV/s360/IMG_8667.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kxGS0M_XeMr15_DmC2ufW7cj8Cg_cHpj23fJldfZIdG4e27BsHe97JAW8_aK4FIvc-OeIarh4xYL2WLHnYkssRmrgqvj7YHhqAT5UbQOS-6NHDkwXjLJvglJZ3hpMeicbl20d025M43kWAVw1ENmKsS0n0RnXnH78z8ezxTczPIYAxm4HJyKlUj2uHCV/w400-h225/IMG_8667.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">practicing with snacks even tho the PIG IS RIGHT THERE OMG</td></tr></tbody></table>Then ya know. Lesson time!! And, um, ahem. Welllllll. There are a few big takeaways from this lesson haha. Primary among them: <i>ride the horse</i>. But like, <i>now</i>. And <i>mean it</i>. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkhXdOKHBxD93B8mcegaEXJ4IBySMyd0Y6y3FPUX9vrn1PtnAyoPhc82E70896B71M1iMPu8dUE6IH2XAVMDhO-73JaVa8bewZZzY3BoOz5JRGCxLRrqcUU9PW_SLpIuBjBv_0z9u7urEQPWDyc44TKXrvU17v6jPvDlbU07lfdOepAMvDwauYzoci_kr/s575/IMG_8668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkhXdOKHBxD93B8mcegaEXJ4IBySMyd0Y6y3FPUX9vrn1PtnAyoPhc82E70896B71M1iMPu8dUE6IH2XAVMDhO-73JaVa8bewZZzY3BoOz5JRGCxLRrqcUU9PW_SLpIuBjBv_0z9u7urEQPWDyc44TKXrvU17v6jPvDlbU07lfdOepAMvDwauYzoci_kr/s16000/IMG_8668.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">omg off farm and about to get tacked!</td></tr></tbody></table>The short and the long of it is that, as far as Lauren was concerned, it's unacceptable for me to let the horse waffle around for 10min blowing me off. Mare has a job, tell her what it is. Like, don't be mean, don't beat her up. But be a <i>whooooooole lottttt morrre</i> black and white about it.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU79kE7ug9d22F-opcvN6ftuZ-eC2ZlccUmeSLbE9d6RyPgMuTH-UnNwFNFTqaIQjr51bjMYDzuq-9-4QFqMHtxy6ocz7vOJXXsHfk7rimqgFkV-hMkeLVtQbh08L8sK813QYmzbRQN1IJco06A1Hj-wQy354ckQX_5aGeCFQfOVKDu8vlp8rODJmcK6T/s575/IMG_8669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU79kE7ug9d22F-opcvN6ftuZ-eC2ZlccUmeSLbE9d6RyPgMuTH-UnNwFNFTqaIQjr51bjMYDzuq-9-4QFqMHtxy6ocz7vOJXXsHfk7rimqgFkV-hMkeLVtQbh08L8sK813QYmzbRQN1IJco06A1Hj-wQy354ckQX_5aGeCFQfOVKDu8vlp8rODJmcK6T/s16000/IMG_8669.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">omg off farm and <i>tacked</i>!!! <br />true story, all the pics are of her eating bc when she wasn't eating, Dooz was <i>on the move</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div>An example: don't hang and be dull on the contact. Go from 2 on the dial straight up to 9 if we need it. Don't just linger endlessly at 6. If I feel like Doozy is trotting away with me? Walk. <i>Now</i>. And don't wait to be told, either. Just do it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Transitions <i>forever</i>. </div><div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBtCuW07bESfyXM5FeiLm4Jm9EbM5g7GuvS_8Zw2sBsVhBfrQ23CfAY2XjMYqdlFvMTeJx9g0Yz_DsdpvyhU0Yk7DcWdSAH50OEOto4cloB9rfY-_q8p_qJiBYoNkxNf-jnns0eJLR186cutZFwExuPtyR6sBCAMzb94TZQ4OfqrRO8WLbpQphQX5IiP0/s575/Snapshot%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBtCuW07bESfyXM5FeiLm4Jm9EbM5g7GuvS_8Zw2sBsVhBfrQ23CfAY2XjMYqdlFvMTeJx9g0Yz_DsdpvyhU0Yk7DcWdSAH50OEOto4cloB9rfY-_q8p_qJiBYoNkxNf-jnns0eJLR186cutZFwExuPtyR6sBCAMzb94TZQ4OfqrRO8WLbpQphQX5IiP0/s16000/Snapshot%201.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dark blurry screen shot of of trotting left</td></tr></tbody></table>So we probably spent like the first 20min of our ride in that walk-trot transition space. Which, go figure, had the desired training effect on Doozy. From there, we could move on to what seemed like Lauren's go-to exercise for first time clinic students: the spiral. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcaxN-V0zAdJSBp44ERd1CdjcfXChgGNOwD7CG_xMkjcJAKy4RTI0jMs3ejwQzEc-uBOsctwyOX9YMYlZmDroHcXkqLQ93LezACxeaKyp7PgH57csdryOKoh3UIbUBdOjtbXk7N80WrzUG74gmDT5m_-pk8tkeOZBEDZ5bWmdhCOiV79lzNoTNkz_Df7N/s575/Snapshot%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcaxN-V0zAdJSBp44ERd1CdjcfXChgGNOwD7CG_xMkjcJAKy4RTI0jMs3ejwQzEc-uBOsctwyOX9YMYlZmDroHcXkqLQ93LezACxeaKyp7PgH57csdryOKoh3UIbUBdOjtbXk7N80WrzUG74gmDT5m_-pk8tkeOZBEDZ5bWmdhCOiV79lzNoTNkz_Df7N/s16000/Snapshot%202.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dark blurry screen shot of us trotting right</td></tr></tbody></table>She wanted me to be lighter in my contact, and more precise in my steering. And, go figure, Doozy finally seemed to settle into the work -- at least, to the degree that is attainable for us at this moment in our combined training. </div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xoTUybcQps4" width="320" youtube-src-id="xoTUybcQps4"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/xoTUybcQps4" target="_blank">lengthy video of final segment of work</a> for diehards who really wanna see what's up</div><br /></div><div>I'd encourage you to watch the video to get more specifics in Lauren's instruction, or to see in real time how we actually rode. But that was honestly the general gist. Be accountable for my own ride. Be more clear in my aids, not a dull steady roar, but an ON and OFF.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnsjYig7MIaGGE0JcNqRiIa-BzAcG8JkZDX8TbkDbY7zlngfq4jPxiq21o4QvEtdfm6FKlVTGSH40NIE_tPWtlYaFRDSxJWoN9PPWpi9JzqYKZXsPkuHZBMCmkQwyy-2TDl8ngMdNa9erPOFS7Rn9YAFIH28Xst_4_l1hZo398r1pz2sfFj_fpw4tzD4Q/s575/IMG_8670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnsjYig7MIaGGE0JcNqRiIa-BzAcG8JkZDX8TbkDbY7zlngfq4jPxiq21o4QvEtdfm6FKlVTGSH40NIE_tPWtlYaFRDSxJWoN9PPWpi9JzqYKZXsPkuHZBMCmkQwyy-2TDl8ngMdNa9erPOFS7Rn9YAFIH28Xst_4_l1hZo398r1pz2sfFj_fpw4tzD4Q/s16000/IMG_8670.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back on the bus to go home</td></tr></tbody></table><div>While there were some slight differences in Lauren's instruction vs what we're doing with MP (particularly as it relates to contact), I actually see a lot of really positive overlap. And I think they're both kinda saying the same thing to me in their own ways. </div><div><br /></div><div>They both want me to be more proactive, less wishy washy. Fair, but clear. And don't take so long to get there. </div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9dFcmbzQK8p_7wqROln_sOwnsfButMs1hCK6N_UF5mJn53CFVOtO4I7y-7Piwtvpux4zxJiMWn63QN1xzjMzU37ayjh9vSdkgzicSGhYcBSiST_FhTFiRIU_1ToAYNZ30I8P3KikZSemJZIBpyzagppA6Uz5Ld5m8RsN37uM8bX4zm7ma2AyujhyphenhyphentPCR/s360/IMG_8671.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9dFcmbzQK8p_7wqROln_sOwnsfButMs1hCK6N_UF5mJn53CFVOtO4I7y-7Piwtvpux4zxJiMWn63QN1xzjMzU37ayjh9vSdkgzicSGhYcBSiST_FhTFiRIU_1ToAYNZ30I8P3KikZSemJZIBpyzagppA6Uz5Ld5m8RsN37uM8bX4zm7ma2AyujhyphenhyphentPCR/w400-h224/IMG_8671.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and released back to her ponies!</td></tr></tbody></table>It honestly felt like a really timely lesson, in that regard. I'm so excited to have a 'regular' coach again, but it's been hard. Getting to know a new person and a new posture. I'm still not sure I'm fully understanding everything MP wants me to do... And some of the changes aren't as comfortable or as natural to me. </div><div><br /></div><div>But this ride felt like I could channel what I think MP is saying, while focusing on Lauren's 'in the moment' demands, and maybe get a clearer understanding overall. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuYvmTIF2yeepA2NrvqqEseblT5x16OjROwcY1SkkH-3QlhnEL94u8791iZIn9Gi7MnEbVxPgS7zg6z4ZSaYQT9noS1cpzFsTFlqk18-O-QkXaVXNbF-Mvl7LZQWnsaWMVLWC7JomvtjrZLRno0B_bWRx9T8Tla1FWWt5iKVDPOSK5Y7AVR4IUSBAWrAU/s575/IMG_8672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuYvmTIF2yeepA2NrvqqEseblT5x16OjROwcY1SkkH-3QlhnEL94u8791iZIn9Gi7MnEbVxPgS7zg6z4ZSaYQT9noS1cpzFsTFlqk18-O-QkXaVXNbF-Mvl7LZQWnsaWMVLWC7JomvtjrZLRno0B_bWRx9T8Tla1FWWt5iKVDPOSK5Y7AVR4IUSBAWrAU/s16000/IMG_8672.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">then back again with the next bus to help my friends who were so generous in helping me!</td></tr></tbody></table>And ya know. Overall, the whole experience was super productive for Doozy. Hard, but good. Went through all the motions, and came out the other side without much fuss!</div><div><br /></div><div><div>It's honestly just super exciting to break that seal, and prove to myself that, actually, the pieces are there to start going out and doing educational things. That, in fact, the responsibility is really on *<i>me</i>* to make the training really happen. Feels like a start! </div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div>emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.com18