a solid leg stretcher

This post is a little late coming out bc as I sat here last night, in the happy fog of a horse show high.... Well, honestly? I didn't really know what to write. Didn't really have the right words, or expressions for what I wanted to say, or how I wanted to say it.

"i'm here to eat carrots and tear shit up. and i'm all outta carrots." - charlie, probably

Sure, there will be plenty of nitty gritties to dig into from a phase-by-phase perspective (aren't there always?). But first I generally like to spend a little time evaluating the impact and impression of any particular event as a whole.

So. What is there to say about Charlie's 2019 season opener at Loch Moy Farm's MDHT Spring Starter?

good boy jumping around the construction zone

The long and the short of it is that I couldn't be happier with this horse. I still don't know how I got so lucky with him. He's an amazing athlete, so sweet and pleasant to be around, is infinitely forgiving, and truly seems to enjoy and want to do all the things I want to do. He is FUN to ride, and light years more capable than I am haha.

What more could a girl want?? My inner 12yo is rejoicing <3

grateful as always for being able to enjoy these moments with friends! also, brace yo'selves, Austen Photos are coming!

Our dressage is still not "classically" good haha, and you already know from my last lesson recap that we're currently a bit weak and under powered. The judge agreed haha, and our score was not competitive. That's only a fraction of the story tho, right?

Obvi more to share on that later, but overall Charlie gave me an extremely satisfying dressage test. He carried his own self in a steady balance, was reasonably soft across his topline, and generally was very obedient. We had a couple oopsie moments, but nothing major and I was extremely pleased with the test.

From Charlie's perspective, he would have left the ring feeling like he did exactly what was asked of him, and that he was a good boy. Yes sir, good boy.

helmet askew, lost stirrup... all manner of shenanigans lol, but charlie seez da jompy!

For the jumping phases, I worked extremely hard on my own attitude and mindset. Reminding myself that "This is the FUN part" and that I'm "Excited" to do it. And?? It WAS fun!

Obviously I'll have a ton to write about each phase, with all the corresponding media, per usual. From a high level perspective, tho? It all went really well.

the reason behind the previous photo's absurdity haha: the Charlessaurus strikes again!! ("jumping" into the water lol). in his defense, it was a surprise blind turn into the water. honest boy really went for it tho!

Charlie put in a surprisingly rideable show jump round over a course that was mostly pretty well suited to our strengths vs our weaknesses.

And cross country?? It was so good <3 <3 <3

I had walked the course the day prior while there to scribe for the YEH/NEH jumping tests, and felt pretty good about everything. All the jumps are obviously a little small at this point, but the course involved enough technicality to properly test our mettle. It looked FUN, and I figured if I repeated that to myself often enough, maybe I'd finally believe it lol...

let's see that from another angle, please LOL

Still plenty of room for improvement tho haha, as always. Right off the bat, Charlie was perfect out of the start box. Not a single hint of napping or sucking back toward the trailers. Yessss!!

The middle part of the course contained the two elements that loomed largest in my mind: a bending line half coffin to a skinny; and a down hill single. But before we even got there, I legit almost took a bath when Charlie ATTACKED the water after a sneaky blind turn into it. Haha. Hahahaha..... Oh dear god.

Luckily I did *not* fall off (tho lucky you, I have media of the whole thing omg, stay tuned!) but it was jarring enough that, knowing we had some challenges ahead, I ended up riding Charlie quite a bit under pace for most of the mid section of the course.

It didn't matter tho - he was a star. Jumped everything from wherever I put him. Locked on easily, never questioned anything. Never got distracted. Remained extremely rideable - esp to that downhill jump, much to my amazement haha.

Finally for the last portion of the course we had an uphill climb wherein I finally let him move out a bit more, and he stayed perfect. Good good boy, Charlie.

it all worked out tho <3 charlie got to strut like the champion he is all the way back from the finish line

So overall, all three phases were conquered, and we moved up to finish 5th on our dressage score. Yessss!! The work I put into my mentality going into the event really helped - it was fun. Even in the moment haha.

The work Charlie and I have done in our training has been good too. The jumps feel very small for Charlie, and the course's technicality was totally within his abilities, even with the, er, ahem, surprise at the water haha. And as with any event, we'll be able to walk away from the weekend with a better idea of what needs more work, and how to keep improving.

And at the end of the day tho, it felt really good to get out there and do the things again. For whatever reason, whenever we have any lengthy drought between outings (even if it's just bc of normal "winter off season" haha), my self doubt and impostor syndrome always creeps back in.

This weekend was the perfect way to dispel all those feelings tho, and help knock the rust off. We got out there, both of us knew what was up, and we were able to execute effectively as a team. And enjoy it in the moment. Again, what more could a girl ask? Stay tuned for more details soon!