still trying to learn from the past

A few weeks ago I wrote about returning to weekly jump lessons at OF with Trainer P, after spending the past year in more of a private individualized program with upper level rider K.  

It's honestly a fairly complicated subject for mainly uninteresting personal reasons, but... The gist is: I want / need more mentorship and individualized attention to take the next step in my riding ability.

2015 lesson with isabel coached by dan. i miss the mental and physical intensity of these rides lol

I often think of the halcyon days of 2014-15 as the absolute epitome of my riding education, when I took two jumping lessons a week. One with current trainer P at OF, and a second with 5* eventer Dan C. These two distinct coaches combined into what felt like perfect complements in the whole of my learning process. 

This 2015 post summarizes exactly why it felt that way -- and honestly that reasoning still holds today. Tho... by the time Charlie entered the picture and was ready for that degree of training, Dan had relocated farther north and weekly lessons were no longer logistically feasible. And actually, they've since moved the business down to VA. 

 

another 2015 lesson

We've managed the occasional "clinic" style lesson with Dan over the years... But it's really not the same. And I've been wracking my brain to try to fill that gap ever since. It seemed for a while that maybe trainer K was the solution. But, alas. No. 

I've also continued doing clinics and occasional lessons with other upper level riders, including Sally Cousins, Martin Douzant, Phillip Dutton, etc.... But again, that's always going to be a very different dynamic from a trainer you see weekly, ya know? 

One of my 2020 "themes" was prioritizing mentorship, and... Well. It remains an unresolved issue. Sigh. I'm still grappling with how to recreate that old magic, haha....

last lesson with Dan in Jan 2019, an XC clinic at Loch Moy

In the meantime, tho, I've been trying to learn "remotely" lol. There's so much great content online by all these amazing professional riders -- Piggy March's youtube channel is a new favorite. Obvi you've seen me post about Doug Payne and Martin Douzant's channels before, too. And Boyd Martin's been posting a TON of his own riding lessons lately as well. Which.... lol, listening to Peter Wylde give Boyd the same instructions I myself hear in lessons is.... idk, humanizing?? 

Dan, too, often posts training updates on his 4* horse Frank for the ownership group. And man.... Listening to the way Dan describes Frank reeeeeally makes me wish I could get Charlie in front of him for lessons too lol. They are obviously very different horses but.... There are also some key similarities, summed up fairly nicely in the particular video below. 

Specifically, one key theme really hit home: That tricky balance between riding a horse forward, and riding a horse in an uphill balance. 

Dan and Frank in the intermediate at Morven in spring 2019

Who remembers my last lesson with Sally before the covid shutdown? When, after what was a reasonably pleasant and productive session, she kinda bluntly and abruptly warned that I'm "not going to be able to do what I want to do" with this horse if I don't get him more uphill. 

And, who also remembers (not that you could forget bc I say it all the fricken time) me talking about "kinda giving up on dressage"?

These are related issues. And Dan describes it in this video in a way that maybe helps me understand not only how this dynamic is playing out for Charlie, but how to do better in our training. 

Basically, Dan notes that for some horses, like Frank (and also Charlie), if you focus too much on getting him uphill, he gets behind the leg. Simultaneously, focusing too much on forward puts the horse on his forehand. 

link to youtube here

It becomes this 'back and forth' dynamic between trying to get the horse's shoulder up higher, and riding the horse more forward. How much time are you going to spend getting the horse back on his hocks? Versus how much time will you spend getting him to go forward? 

Going forward tends to push the horse onto his forehand, but Frank is not a super forward horse so you have to work on it. Charlie, you will all recall, while occasionally an absolute madman at competitions -- is likewise not particularly forward in lessons or on the flat. 

So. We also spend a lot of time working on going forward. Which, similar to Frank, can result in more of a horizontal (vs uphill) balance, with Charlie's shoulder dropped. But then when I try to put Charlie back on his hocks, it's really really easy to get into a backward, behind the leg canter. Which... is also not at all productive for jumping. 

and then there was Charlie!! Dan's only coached this horse over fences twice, first this lesson pictured here in fall 2018 (and video below), and the xc clinic in winter 2018-19

In the video, Dan talks about how he has to spend time in both places for Frank -- and that he also sets up his exercises to address the same issues. Like lots of bending "S" turns that naturally help a horse pick his shoulders up. Or, long straight lines to angled fences or skinnies that require more lateral accuracy on a committed line (vs wandering side to side when the horse adjusts his longitudinal balance). 

I hadn't really thought of turning vs straight line exercises through this same exact lens.... but seems relatively easy enough to try out on my own with cavaletti and ground poles. 

He also talks about the value of conditioning the not-so-forward horse in company vs alone. This is.... less applicable for Charlie bc we don't really need extensive speed work in our conditioning for the low levels haha, let's be real. Plus, Charlie *does* get plenty forward in his gallops lol. 

But still, it's interesting food for thought to use riding in pairs to get the horse more in gear -- possibly as a way to counteract the endless plodding arena trot loops? Idk. 

13sec video coulda been a gif - but then you wouldn't hear charlie's turbo blasters lol 

link to youtube

So..... Watching a video of my former coach describe how he addresses with his horse something I perceive to be a major issue with my own horse is baaaasically the same thing as a lesson, right?? Lol..

At this point, I'll take what I can get haha. At least it gives me some ideas for exercises to set up. Most of my lessons with Dan were privates, which had the sad effect of very limited media. Tho it meant I spent more time diagramming what we worked on (all captured under the tags "danc" and "course diagrams"). 

 

grid is much harder than it appears

So I actually have both media AND a diagram from the one lesson where we specifically worked on (and kinda failed at) a short "S" bend exercise. Methinks Charlie might like to try something like this out haha. 

It's also super helpful to hear straight from a pro that these two major issues ("uphill balance" and "forward horse in front of the leg") CAN actually be conflicting functions for some horses. So rather than trying to always address both at the same time, it might be more effective to focus on each individual component separately. Kinda the Keep-It-Simple-Stupid method lol.

It's always motivating to get new ideas on how to keep chippin away at this stuff.... But what I'd really love is to find some sort of new regular coaching routine that gets me back to that educational balance I felt back in 2015. We'll see what happens, I guess ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

brown but not forgotten

I don't know about you guys, but I'm really a very visual creature. Like, I love to read and write.... but there's something about the act of taking pictures or video and knitting them into their own little self-contained stories and narratives that really gets my creative juices flowing.

you know the pic sitch is dire when i'm reusing a weeks-old pic that was only kinda meh the first time around lol.... 

Which.... Makes things slightly creatively challenging in winter time, when the entire visual landscape feels monotonous, dull and brown. 

also an old pic, but at least this version is new-to-you?? it's charles in a stream!

We're super lucky to have multiple well-lit arenas, tho, and you better believe I'm making use of them most weeknight evenings. Naturally, with the help of our Illumiseen breast collar that was a secret santa gift from Susan at Saddle Seeks Horse way back in 2017!

I gotta say, this thing is friggin great, and I use it every evening ride -- esp as y'all already saw how long our driveway is between Charlie's barn and the riding arenas. Add in that it's pitch black and twisty, and... yea, can be super sketchy. And I say that as a driver -- trying to see horses around a 90* turn when they're outside of my headlights is damn near impossible. 

bc... yea, basically every new picture is some variation of this shot. sooooo much brown!

The lights make a big difference, tho. And actually, since Charlie started sporting them back in 2017, gradually just about every single other evening rider at the farm has picked up some of their own. In allllll different colors too! Purples, pinks, whites, blues, oranges, reds.... 

Each strand of LEDs has its own micro USB charging port, and the thing is crazy adjustable. I don't even snap it to the D-rings, honestly -- I just snap the two clips together to make it a neck strap with girth attachment. Tho I've also worn it draped over my own body. 

with added bonus disco party!!
i generally just leave them on solid vs blinking, but this gif is more fun ;)

My particular breast collar is from Illumiseen, as mentioned before, and they're sold through various retailers (including Chewy and Amazon), along with various other LED pet products like dog collars and leashes etc. 

A simple google tho showed that there are wayyyyyy more companies offering a similar product now, presumably bc it's so practical and popular. For anybody doing any real amount of night riding, it's a nice thing to have. Esp bc the way the lights are positioned -- they create a fairly ambient glow around you, without shining directly in your or the horse's eyes. So it's not like a wall of darkness beyond where the light reaches. 

stand still charlie, lol

Anyway tho. Lol that was a tangent haha.... But also maybe a nice xmas gift idea for the equestrian who already has it all? Anyway. Moving on haha....

Our rides lately are never particularly long bc for some reason Charlie's barn / gate sourness is massively amplified in the dark. 

Which.... Is kinda a real challenge. He puts in good work, puts his nose to the grindstone. Does everything I ask him to do, when I ask him to do it. And then like... Ya know, he expects that that's good enough and aren't we done yet??

aw ponies are always cute even if they're brown too!

So last week I figured we'd switch it up and go to the jump ring for our evening ride instead. I typically opt for the dressage ring mostly bc it's easiest. I drive past the lights on my way in and can set them on a timer if they're not already on and in use. Alternatively, I can also reach the light switches from horseback. 

The jump ring, tho, the light panel is outside the ring so I have to dismount and climb over a fence. Not really a big deal.... But just sorta one of those lazy things. 

Damn, tho, idk if it's just bc I don't ride Charlie up there as often but he really seems happier. It's also so much more spacious, plus, ya know, is fenced in haha. 

remember when it was green out??? also, picture chosen as it includes the little rollercoaster line top left corner

We're still just doing a very little bit of work anyway, as part of our combined "couch to 5k" plan (lol). So it also felt like a good opportunity to torture my own self instead of Charlie. A few laps of two point at trot here, some laps of posting the canter there.... Ya know, the usual. 

But then... towards the end of the ride, the one lone crossrail, made of white poles and positioned right in front of the lights, kept beckoning. You know how they do. It's been ages since Charlie's been aimed at anything, but eh, what the hell, right? So we popped over it off both leads and... 

Gosh this horse <3 <3 Even little jompies are fun jompies with Charlie!

same line! but like... wow a million years ago!

So fast forward to the weekend when obviously we have to do whatever we can to escape the brown confines of our weeknight prison.... And, obviously we'd get out into the cross country fields!!

I figured we'd do the same exact interval sets as in the arena (using a run of the mill interval app). But also expected that the terrain (and baalmy high 60s temps!) would be plenty added intensity. Which.... It was, haha, Charlie was sweating like a pig omg. 

jumpin it with izzy!! (helmet cam video here for those interested)
lol who woulda thunk this pixelated potato-y gif would be resurrected for re-publishing?? desperate times, y'all

But again.... Being out there, being on my favorite brown horse and cantering around all those fields... Even down all the hills, which I hate... Idk, he was just being so good and felt so good and happy, that I couldn't resist popping over a little log next to the water. 

We did that off both leads, and then I more or less forced myself to push onward up the little roller coaster line too. It's kinda stupid, to be honest with you, but I'm not sure I've ever jumped this line with Charlie. Mostly bc I'm kinda a crazy person when it comes to expectations re: striding. 

From what I've observed, and from my experiences back in the day with Izzy, this line tends to school in a 5, but go in a 4 during competition. So I never really knew what to expect with Charlie or felt like it was worth a potentially awkward jump. 

But eh, what the hell. This past weekend, we went for it anyway lol. And, bless him, Charlie did a perfectly sedate five <3 <3. Ooh, and since obvi those two efforts kinda messed up our symmetry in terms of equal numbers of efforts off both leads, we went ahead and popped over the faux and then real schooling ditches nearby off the other lead. 

that's ok tho, old pics are still cute <3 bc let's be real, there's a whole season of brown ahead of us...

Obvi not exactly a "real" cross country schooling to write home about.... But, ya know, who the hell cares at this point??? Running and jumping is the absolute best sometimes <3

And maybe I'm kidding myself, but I like to think Charlie has a little more pep in his step now in our evening darkness, after remember that, "Oh Yea! We get to do fun stuff too!"

Whatever it takes to make the winter monotony a little more bearable, amirite? At least now that he's getting fitter and staying sound, we can start introducing cavaletti again. Anyone set up any exciting exercises lately?

The Good, The Bad & The Funny: 2018 on Video

Happy Friday, everyone!! It's gratitude season around here, and not only because of the rapidly approaching Thanksgiving Holiday!

But also because now is the time of year where it just feels right to look back and reflect on what's come to pass these last few months.

grateful for this amazing horse <3

I am grateful for so much. So so so much. Both in my horsey life as it's reflected here on ye olde blog, but also in life in general. This year in particular saw a few things come to pass that... ya know, are kinda a big deal for me.

Personally I'm not a big believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason... But things sure do have a way of happening. And like it or not, we all have to find a way to keep moving forward. This year, for me, was a year of forward momentum.

My plan is to pull together at least some variation of a recap summary of all the highs (and lows) in an upcoming post or series of posts before the year closes. Hopefully haha, bc let's be real -- those posts can be a real bear to write!! They're often worth it tho. Personally, I love reading them on other blogs, and love reliving my own too.

epic compilation video here!!! play with sound ON!!

For now, tho, I'm starting with my 5th 4th annual Compilation video haha. In years past, I separated the highlights from the blooper reels. This year, tho, the highs and lows were so intrinsically intertwined that it felt impossible for one to stand alone without the other.

So I changed up my formatting a little bit: combining everything together and segmenting by themes instead of adhering to a strict chronological order. First up, obviously, being the most immediate (gas-powered) comic relief haha, then recounting the best and the worst by phase.

And for shits and giggles, since it's a Friday anyway, here are the compilation videos from years past too. I love these videos so so so much. And it's so important for me to look back and remember what felt like a solid WIN back in 2014, for instance. The bloopers tho... ahaha, obvi they never get old either ;)

2017:::

2017 bloopers

2017 highlights

2015:::

2015 bloopers

2015 highlights

2014:::

2014 bloopers

2014 highlights

Have a great weekend, everyone!

my white whale

Novice didn't break my leg back in 2015, but it might as well have.

Preparing to move Isabel up that summer was all-consuming. It was my first real year as an eventer and we were out there doing the thing. My horse felt like a million bucks. I felt strong and capable.

We systematically checked each box off the list: 3' rounds at a local jumper show? Schooling higher at home in lessons, including some crazy big xc fences? Flirting with second level dressage moves? Finishing our last two BN runs on our dressage score for second place? Check, check, check.

oh isabel and all her majesty, so much personality and spunk in such a small package!!!

My coaches were challenging us with every step, and I was determined to grow from each mistake. To learn what my weaknesses were, inside and out, so I could get better.

I was still absurdly nervous tho. Not fearful, at least. But the anxiety and tension, the uncertainty and creeping shades of self doubt.... It's insidious, ya know?

At the time, one of my barn mates actually straight up questioned why I would put myself through this emotional wringer if I was going to get so bent out of shape about it.

Which, ya know, that question surprised me haha. Of course I wanted to move up. I knew this was where I wanted to go, and that the feeling coming out on the other side would more than make up for all the anticipation and nerves.

I also knew that progress and personal growth are often decidedly not comfortable. That pushing the boundaries of my bubble meant experiencing some growing pains.

It helped tho that our first N was at a venue well known for being friendly, inviting and soft. Plus I was going by myself. Which may not sound like an advantage, but sometimes when I'm really tense or uncomfortable I'm best left to my own independent devices. So it worked out haha.

And that first trial run went swimmingly for us. Izzy laid down a beautiful dressage test. Stadium was a little sluggish and behind my leg, but not bad. Cross country had all the important hallmarks: up and down banks, ditch, jump to drop into water, plus just enough big jumps to feel like we got our money's worth. And it did challenge us. Izzy seemed surprised to see so many "questions" all in one place, and needed me to ride her forward.

cruisin through her first BN stadium - funny how much bigger the jumps look with a smaller horse haha

It worked out tho, and we won that event on the strength of our dressage (and despite it being a small local starter trial, there were still something like 8-9 riders in the division). It's the only event I've ever won.

Leading up to our second N, my guts were still a churning mess. I knew that we'd get an entirely different experience at Loch Moy than at Olde Hope. And being totally honest, I was way more nervous. Many sleepless nights.

And the day was tough for us. It was a briskly cold fall morning, with early ride times for Brita, followed by hours of sitting waiting for my own afternoon times. Isabel was cold backed and uncharacteristically tense in dressage, actually kicking out a few times in warm up.

Stadium fortunately found the mare feeling much better, but I still made plenty of mistakes attributable to my nerves-induced tight riding. We had 3 rails, and a few more close calls to boot.

Cross country tho.... Ahhhh, cross country. It was like a dream! Isabel felt amazing. Like she owned the world. Nothing was too big for her. She conquered the three stride in the woods, faced down our first ever trakehner, and soared over the final jump like a total and complete badass.

In a word, it was thrilling. It was everything I could possibly have hoped for the cross country run.

And even tho the day was not without plenty of problems and weaknesses, I honestly felt pretty good with it all. I felt like we really were ready for the level. Sure, there was more to learn. And more mistakes to make.

first BN!! and this brush fence scared the crap out of me. she didn't care tho <3

But I felt like we could do it. And was eager for our last two runs of the season - with entries already sent in for another shot at Olde Hope and then a season finisher at Loch Moy again.

If you've been reading for a while tho, you already know how this sad story ends. I broke my leg the day before Olde Hope in the world's stupidest trailer accident. So, poof. There went the plan.

The pain from the leg wasn't too bad honestly - it was not a complicated injury. But the disappointment of losing the end of my season was devastating. I was crushed.

This was my first year as a horse person where everything just felt so good. Where I was calling my shots and relying on myself and nobody else to make my dreams come true. Like all I had to do was set my mind to something, and do my homework, and we'd be able to do it. Hell, I was even scheming on making a pilgrimage to Aiken that winter!

It felt like all that got taken away from me in a flash. Felt like I lost it all before I'd even really gotten to enjoy it.

That might sound melodramatic and overly defeatist considering the injury's prognosis was basically just 12wks to being back to normal. But.... That's how I felt.

Whether it was self fulfilling prophecy, or whether I was actually prescient, who's to tell. Bc I do ultimately consider that the beginning of the end with Isabel.

she has the best tail ever, too

We got back to work well enough that winter. Things actually started out really really well for us, even tho the time out of the saddle had revived all those confidence issues I'm constantly trying to stamp out. But Isabel felt good.

Things didn't stay good tho. It started slowly, some bad misses, some earned refusals and some surprise stops. It didn't feel right. Something was off. And that feeling grew and grew and grew, until suddenly we couldn't get through a jump course without a crashing refusal.

We stuck to BN to start the new season but barely held it together at our first show, were eliminated at the second, then withdrew from the third. Even when I tried to rebuild positive mileage with some 2'6 jumper rounds, I ended up eating dirt repeatedly in front of a stunned and moderately appalled crowd.

I did everything in my power to try to break the cycle. All the physical and medical interventions I was permitted to pursue (including some I opted to do unilaterally, as unfortunately I was not granted as many permissions in this area as I wished...). Brainstorming with all my trusted coaches and peers. Isabel even got her first training ride.

It was too much, tho. Again I know this sounds melodramatic, but the spell was broken. I was tired and discouraged. Didn't want to keep pushing if we couldn't rule out anything physical, but also was wracked with guilt and self doubt that it was all my fault.

So we stepped back from training, even from riding in the arena. Just went out exclusively for trail rides, before those eventually dwindled to nothing as well.

looking anything but boring at her second BN

I will never, ever be able to fully quantify just how important Isabel was to me as a horse. She taught me so much. She gave me so much. Honestly she gave me everything she had for 3.5 years. But those last 6 months? Well, she just felt done. Like she was over it. Ready to not be a sport horse in training anymore. And ya know. Who can blame her?

I will be eternally grateful for the time I had with her tho. She's just.... wow, such an incredible mare. She and I were never best friends, she was never the type of horse I would have chosen for myself. But yet she was perfect for that time in my riding life.

And I like to think she enjoyed being a fancy sport horse too. She had been bred and carefully started by a horsewoman entrenched in the local scene here. A product of Ann McKay's storied Arab and Arab-cross breeding program. Then, sold as a 5yo, she spent the next few years passing from field to field, living life as a pasture pet and occasional trail riding speed demon.

Her owners during this period were drawn in by her beauty and spirit, but simultaneously intimidated by her presence and sensitive hot blood. So she languished doing nothing, tho learned to be a little devilish about it anyway haha.

finally proving herself as a novice xc machine

So when I got the lease on her in the most random and serendipitous circumstances, she was basically completely raw material. Well-started as a baby, but with a slightly feral air.

Her raw talent shone through tho. And after a year spent getting to know each other, we were finally able to begin making real progress. Thus I began my foray into eventing. Everything we learned, we learned together for the first time. Real dressage. Cross country.

Our first intro level event was her first just as it was mine. And by our ninth event, we were leaving the start box to run N. It felt incredible. For that, I'll always be grateful.

Rebuilding tho after that... Was challenging. I rode so many different horses that summer, desperately trying to cling on to that strong, capable feeling I had had with Isabel. Instead, tho, I felt threadbare and empty. Ended up painfully falling off a bunch more horses that summer, shattering whatever was left of my confidence.

Even when I finally settled on buying a thoroughbred 4 weeks off the track, I was crippled by self doubt. Was I trying to hide my inadequacies as a rider behind the shield of a green horse??

i swear she had wings

It's interesting tho. In some ways, there are parallels between Isabel's journey and Charlie's. Both were old enough to have reached a state of emotional maturity when I met them. And both had a foundation from which I could build.

Isabel's foundation was her early start by a breeder who was thoughtful and careful with her. And even tho that foundation had grown rusty over the years as a pasture pet, it was still there.

Likewise, Charlie's foundation was having already had one successful career. He raced for four years, the bulk of which was spent with a single group of owners and a trainer who loved and cared for him, and were thoughtful in his training.

He therefore knew how to have a job already. Knew that there were expectations of him; and understood to a certain degree the balance between work and reward (tho that balance has shifted much more in the direction of "reward" since he became mine lol!).

Charlie's been such a great horse to work with bc he has let me continue building on this foundation. Has agreed to learn the rules to a new game. And to jump through new hoops to get those rewards.

Plus it's so freakin easy for him. He's bred for sport, bred for pure raw athleticism. And he's giant, too. Basically, as far as I am concerned, any thoroughbred with a willing attitude can do Novice, it was just a matter of finding one who was the right fit for me.

forever the most special mare <3

And that's Charlie. He's so easy to trust, and so easy to believe in, that it didn't take long for me to set my sights on getting back to where I was when everything felt so good, before I broke my leg and before things fell apart with Isabel.

It might seem small to an outsider, inconsequential or arbitrary. Or whatever you want, honestly. It hardly matters, after all. Except to me? It means everything.

For me, returning to this level, low level tho it may be, and doing so with yet another horse I brought along myself - one so different from the first... For me, this has been my one steadfast objective since deciding to buy my first horse nearly 2 years ago.

And somehow it still feels like just the beginning. It feels like the story is starting fresh again. Like I can finally put some of my demons to rest, and step away from trying to rewrite or recreate the past. It's time to turn my attention wholly to the future and whatever may come. It feels good and I'm just so so excited <3

fo' snizzabel

Aside from sitting around feeling slightly panicky bc my horse was out of commission again, I've actually mostly been chuggin right on along lately.

Mostly boring stuff, as I'm sure you've already figured out. Lots of soaking and wrapping Charlie's hoof, and lots of quality time spent grooming him in the meantime (not that he doesn't still look like a mud encrusted orphan for all my efforts....).

But I also got to do some fun stuff! Like going with my friends to Loch Moy! AND!! Going back to Isabel's barn to visit with her and get to know her new lease rider!!

had to order more vet wrap. got a sweet multi color pack. hopefully will never have to use any of it ever again ever, but if we do, at least charlie will look fabulous?

Her former lease rider M was such a great fit and did such a nice job with her (pretty sure Izzy loved M way more than she ever loved me), but ended up getting a horse of her very own last Christmas. This was great for M, but not so great for Izzy, who has been sitting idle ever since.

But she's got a new lease rider now - a college student new to the area. And naturally Isabel wanted to pull all the same tricks on this rider as she did with me during our early days all those years ago. Acting like she was feral, being a bear to bridle, and just generally giving off vibes of being a wild, spirited, untamed beast -- rather than the seasoned professional we all know her to be in reality.

also tho, seriously can not say enough of these syringes!! highly recommend!

So I got to go and visit and tell the new rider, O, all of Isabel's little secrets. Namely: if you visualize everything she does through the lens of her reclining on a chaise longue while servants fan her with palm fronds and feed her sweets and treats, all her behavior starts making a lot more sense. In other words, she's a princess.

Plus naturally there were many tips and tricks about getting the princess groomed and dressed in a manner that befits her royalty. New rider O found this very useful, having not yet been able to bridle Izamonster on her own without help. So we got that taken care of.

it's an Isabel!!!!!! with her new rider!!!

Then I also got to hop on for a little ride to see how Izzy's doing and give O some pointers. Squeeeeee Isabel!!!! 

The mare is honestly kinda a hot mess right now tho haha. Like, last lease rider M did a fabulous job with her, but hasn't ridden her in a couple months now. The mare's just been sitting. So she felt very rusty and weak. It was so cool to be on her again tho! To start moving her around, asking her to give this way and that way. To stretch and be soft, but not curl or get behind my leg.

It was tough bc we were in the small narrow (narrower than 20m) arena and the footing was really bad - deep and soupy all around the track and short ends of the arena, and Isabel protested this very much. But we couldn't really stay off the track bc then the turns all got too tight and Izzy really isn't strong enough to hold herself up in tight turns right now.

oh memories <3

We worked through it tho and I rode her for maybe 15-20min. Mostly at walk and trot, working on her straightness and pushing her out, from her natural tendency to fall in. We did a little canter tho and it was a hot mess haha. Oh Izzy. You a fancy mare, but your canter's got nothing on Charlie!!

It's funny tho -- last time I rode her, when helping M first get started, it felt like coming home again after green green Charlie. This time? She felt familiar and comfortable to me -- but no longer felt like *my* horse. Maybe bc she's so rusty, she's not really going the way I like right now? Or maybe bc Charlie has come so far in his training that now *he* is the horse who goes exactly to my liking?

Who knows, whatever the case it was fun to ride her. Fun to aim her at the little cavaletti that she jumped every time adorably even tho I only wanted her to trot it haha. But it was also just as fun to hop off and hand the reins to O, and give her a little mini lesson on Iz.

ooooh but there's my boy!! under saddle!!!!!! and out hacking too!!!!!

Bc.... as much as I love that horse, and as dear as she is to my heart, and as invested as I will probably always be in ensuring she's safe and successful with her riding partners..... She's really not my horse any more.

Ultimately, Charlie's my guy. And my feeling of "coming home again" was last night, getting to sit on him again finally after he got all his shoes put back on!! And he's basically sound!!! Yay!!!!

This was naturally so exciting to me that I hauled him filthy out of the barn, having just knocked the crusted mud off his back and picked his feet, and hopped on for our first real ride in two weeks!!! And in daylight too!! Yay!!

It was like 80* tho (weather, go home, you are drunk) so we just did a cursory w-t-c before wandering out to the xc fields to hack around in the setting sun, wading through the water and walking up and down some little banks just for shits and giggles. Yessss. Feels good, man.

charlie's best bloopers

Happy Monday, everybody!

For those in the States, we're counting down the days until the Thanksgiving smorgasbord. And thank god for that haha.

Tho, naturally, it might also be the time we're feeling thankful for a little bit more than just mountains of gravy-soaked poultry. In which case, I'd like to take this opportunity to expand on the feelings of gratitude I expressed last week for my birthday.

This time around, I'd like to remember with happiness all those... other moments. Not necessarily our *best* moments, but the funnier, oopsie moments that naturally come along with the territory of pushing ever onward for better and more.

blooper video here!

That's right: it's time for the blooper reel, folks. And it's a pretty good one! Charlie and I are that sorta partnership where there's seemingly endless source material for outtakes and goofs. In fact, we've got some examples for pretty much every month of our year-long+ partnership.

Naturally it's all annotated and captioned for your viewing pleasure. Recommended viewing with sound ON. ;)

While many of these clips have been featured previously on the blog, there are a few never-been-published moments in there too. Including an even better view of Charlie's infamous "free jumping" extravaganza (at approx. 0:30). You're welcome.

Should you also be inclined, here are also the blooper reels from the Isabel days, with videos from 2015 and 2014. Because funny moments of fail never get old!

2015 bloopers

2014 outtakes

Hope you all had a great weekend and are looking forward to all the approaching holidays with feelings of happiness, gratitude, and maybe a little mischief too!

things that make me happy: in pictures

Happy Monday, everyone! The general impression seems to be that Fall has officially descended on most states (excepting, naturally, the most southern and western among you) -- and in some case, winter has actually already arrived.

Normandale Lake in Minneapolis 

Things in Maryland are dialing up the wattage into full on gorgeous fall, finally.

duck butts!!!!

Unfortunately tho, we've been so dry for so long that the show probably won't be that impressive. Oh well. Can't complain too much about nice weather!

pretty pretty pretty

I've gotten to appreciate our mild temps tho by taking a brief foray up north to Minnesota for work. So sorry I missed you local bloggers!!! Next time for sure, as I'm up a couple times a year.

ermagerd eagle!!

For this time, tho, my work team was fairly well booked except for one gloriously free couple of hours spent wandering around a lake.

gosh i wish i had a better camera tho

Obviously I'm not the first horse person in the world to be like "wow nature is beautiful tho!" But yea, little wilderness breaks like these just make me feel so happy!

giiiiiiaaaaaaant tree stump

It's been especially tough lately too just bc I usually get my fix through trail rides and whatnot, but during Charlie's recovery that's been tricky. First bc .... well, obvi he was on stall rest. And then we didn't necessarily want to risk getting the site wet.

so pretty <3

But Charlie has since been cleared for all things walking: including up and down hills, over hill and dale, and through whatever streams may cross our paths.

shifting gears to the jaws theme song lol

Such a relief!!! I think Charlie has been appreciative of the time, too. I've actually been riding him for up to an hour or more -- walking all over the pace and even just standing around amid other friends as they ride.

these things are super convenient actually

Homeboy is officially off all his post-surgery meds too. Which like... Is kinda amazing to me. Poor guy has been on some sort of antibiotic, often with a painkiller too, for a while now.

fool proof dosage too

But he's free and clear again, which is great. Tho we'll keep the priobiotic train rolling for a little while longer just to help ensure his tummy stays healthy and happy (esp since he's still confined to stall rest).

These Probios gummies have been super convenient for our purposes. Slightly more expensive than the powder, but a safer bet when barn staff prefers pre-measured stuff.

only the best for sir!!

 (Also less likely to be murdered in cold blood if you have to pre-measure antibiotics AND probiotics into the same baggie for barn staff. I'm pretty sure Charlie's doxy straight up KO'd the probios powder I combined it with in baggies before realizing that maybe that wasn't a clever combination....)

aw but these two love each other

Anyway tho, Charlie continues to do well. We take a lot of walks. Nothing approximating "work" yet, but lots and lots of walks.

Both in hand and under saddle. It's especially gratifying to me to take him up in hand to the indoor and let him roll. Idk why haha, except that he REALLY seems to enjoy it. And naturally, in our most recent visit he very much enjoyed playing with the very very handsome pony on the other side of the wall.

They were fast friends indeed lol.

bc..... halloween?? oooooooh but those brown boots tho. those are intriguing indeed

Goofy pony. I swear, things he had never looked at when first turning into a riding horse are suddenly now new and intriguing as he rehabs. Maybe just bc he's bored out of his mind these days??? lol....

Izamonster!!!!!

I've been keeping my own self busy with ponies lately too. In the best possible way!

hard to tell who is happiest in this picture

I hinted a few weeks ago that I had plans for HRH Princess Isabel and her lease rider, and those plans finally came to fruition: We went to a local schooling dressage show.

I'm pretty sure this was lease rider M's first time doing stuff with a horse off property (tho she may have done a lesson off property in the past, I'm not sure), but this was definitely her first real off property competition and first off property outing with Isabel.

Actually, it was Izzy's first off property outing since I ended my lease on her. So. Ya know. It had been awhile.

airborne!!!!!!!!!!

And? They slayed.

these two horses are both by Admiral (by Enzio), of Ann McKay's Arab sport horse breeding program. the bay's dam was a thoroughbred, whereas Izzy's dam was an Arab x QH cross

It's so apparent that Izzy just adores M - it's so special to watch!

these two tho, such a team!

M's got a deep appreciation for both Arabs and dressage. And she's got quite the knack for allowing Izzy all the space she needs to move forward, while still being able to ask her for shape.

izzy freakin loves her

And obviously it was super gratifying for me to spend the day with them and show M just how cool of a customer Izzy can be at shows. Bc yea, Isabel continues to be the quintessential show pony. She LOVES it. Loves showing off, loves doing her thang.

And M had no idea. Sure, she had seen it before -- but without really realizing. Now that she's experienced it as the rider herself tho.... Well. She may or may not have been bitten by the horse show bug. Here's hoping!!

ahhh but there's our charlie sir!

Meanwhile, we just keep on keepin on over in Charlieland.

happily out walking between rain showers

And like.... It's a whole different sense of gratification. Where you wake up on a gray and dreary Sunday morning and just do.not.feel like driving out to the barn.

But you do it anyway.

And then you see the horse. And the horse is good. He's sweet, and interested, and happy to see you. Happy to have the opportunity to escape his box.

we took the road less traveled. and that has made all the difference.

Like that feeling where as soon as you see the horse, it's instantly worth all the effort it took to get there. And naturally we headed right on out for the trails.

photo doesn't do justice to the vividness of these yellow leaves

Charlie is still very much in a..... sassy period in his life haha. Hard to be anything else when you're a TB confined to a stall 24/7. But it's still so good for him to get out, even if it's just for half an hour. And it's good for me, too. Definitely counts as a thing that makes me happy haha.

happy charlie can't stand still for pictures

And so we keep on plugging away. Lots to be happy about for now, and lots more to look forward to. Hope you all had a pleasant and fun weekend as well!!!