ww: scenic strolls

The recent break in the weather meant basically errybody at the barn was trying to get out into the fields and woods to soak up the pleasantness. And naturally Doozy was super jazzed to join the parties!

I’m sometimes a little hesitant to take her out in very mixed company bc she’s so animated and energetic I worry she could trigger a nervous horse or instigate a race to the front. 

But that hasn’t happened yet! Most of our riding buddies either share Doozy’s electric joie de vivre or are satisfied to mosey along and occasionally trot to catch up LOL,

Doozy, for her part, doesn’t really seem to care one way or another what the other horses are doing.

Tho she definitely seems to generally prefer company.

And actually I think she likes following too. We often end up in front on the narrow paths in the woods just bc she’s the fastest walker, but if there’s a horse who wants or needs to be in front, she’s happy to relinquish the spot even if it means being stuck behind a slower walker.

There are a couple trees down in the woods right now actually that look like they’ll be fun to jump - hopefully they’re still there when Doozy’s ready!

Once we’re back out into the hay fields tho it’s easier to sorta mosey along as a group vs single file.

And natch, easier to get pictures of everybody LOL!

Doozy is so funny too… she obvi knows the route bc we take the same loop more or less every time, but she’s often her slowest when we turn toward home.

The happiest clam, I think she would have strolled along behind these horses forever haha.

Tho obvi it’s nice to be back at the barn too bc that’s where the #snax are lol…

“garçon! my snax!!!” - impatient mare

But there’s always another day, esp when the weather is this nice!

Doozy was super happy to go strutting off into the woods all proud of herself the day after her grand return to horse showing at Tranquillity haha.

Honestly, what a gorgeous day!

Tho Doozy was slightly sad that they’d been thru to cut and bale the hay already, it made her “grab ‘n go” snacking technique a little more challenging on the steep hills haha…

All good tho, obvi we stopped often anyway esp for pics!!

All my friends have phones with cameras so much nicer than mine, it’s insane.

Like honestly LOL… I knew my phone was old and clunky but maybe it’s finally time for an upgrade so I can return the favor of getting such nice pics (odd outfit choices aside!) haha.

As it is, tho, ain’t a bad way to spend a summer day, amirite??

ww: champion hacker outer

Doozy naturally got a couple days off after her fantastic weekend at the Area II Champs, especially after all that trailering oof! But life goes on, and we got back to it with a lovely evening hack with a barn buddy!

the days are noticeably shorter by now, with unmistakeable color changes in the landscape

 

especially out in the big hay fields! 

 

i really love and am grateful for how pleasant doozy is for this simple hacking routine

 

often we end up alone, but the horses seem to love having company! and the riders too, natch

 

there are apparently other (and longer) trail routes, but i actually quite like our little routine circuit

 

doozy is a very bold horse, but she’s also a typical thoroughbred — she likes knowing the answers in advance

 

so i think she appreciates this predictable path. no surprises, no work. just… marchin around lol

 

i’ll be sad when the clocks change, tho

 

especially given that our outdoor arena doesn’t have lights, it’ll be hard to prioritize hacking on weekends when we might otherwise be itching to school outside

 

there’s still time, tho. so for now, we take advantage of the daylight hours when we can!

 

“yes yes that’s very nice and all, but #NeedsMoarCookiesPls” — doozy, 100%

 

ww: show pics!!

I still miss the GRC Photography days — where they’d sell you a thumb drive on show day with every single photo taken of you for $99 ($79 if you brought an old thumb drive with you….). But I try to support this next generation of photographers. 

They’re out there all day long, capturing the moments, ya know? The current business model doesn’t make a ton of sense to me, as prices vary wildly across different vendors and prints are somehow cheaper than digitals… C’est la vie tho! I actually kinda like getting the prints anyway!

So here’s a collection of my favorite shots from our Loch Moy outing earlier this month, used with purchase from the excellent team at Erin Gilmore Photography <3 <3 <3

proof that we chilled: that is an actual honest-to-god-almost-loop in the reins after we’ve already entered the ring for show jumping!!

lolz and perhaps we were too chill (note the knocked rail) but the feeling was good!

getting into a nice balance in the middle section on xc

what a pretty shot <3 <3 
the colors kind of remind me of that one good shot i got of me and charlie at waredaca a million years ago 

and loookie at me not immediately snatching back on landing!
yes yes i know the e-brake is still on, but one step at a time, right???

hover dooz says “floor is lava water!!!”

i’m honestly convinced that this is her favorite game

sweet mare, can you believe we actually qualified for area championships??

ww: not again

Two big* concerns this week, guys. Ugh. 

First up: surprise surprise, it’s mid August and the mare has early signs of rainrot, again, ughhhh

 

i really thought we were past the worst of the season, but am determined to not be caught flat footed — so we did another chlorhex scrub-a-dub

 

lol, only did half the mare tho bc natch the *day* after our big show, the weather turned mild and cool. cross your fingers for us that we started treatment quickly enough!

 

ooh and Item #2, perhaps, in the grand scheme, a *slightly bigger deal, ymmv, my (un)trusty craigslist #redneckmobile started making HORRENDOUS noises on the way to Waredaca this weekend…. The drive home was, uh, stressful to say the least. 

 

mechanic literally heard me pull into his lot and met me at the door with a quart of power steering fluid. all things considered, not as bad as I feared. hopefully we can keep the voracious beast quenched with topping off the fluids until we can get in for our scheduled repair appt! 

That’s my drama for the week…. anybody else got any carnage going on?

ww: not me smiling!

Happy hump day, y’all. How about a nice selection of printed pro pics from Loch Moy, yes? Pictures chosen on the strength of just how damn happy I look, like I’m actually having fun competing — even if we aren’t exactly doing it ‘picture’ perfectly. 

pictured: so proud of this little mare

absolutely cruisin’ around show jumping in 77 seconds omg haha

yes yes one day i’ll learn to put my hands down, but omg look at us lockin’ on and going to our fences!

wheeeee jompies!!!

what a mare <3 <3 already looking forward to the next time!

ww: slow down