Support System

I learned a long time ago to know better than to question the timing in my life. It's easy to get caught up in all of life's ups and downs and get distracted by what isn't going right for us vs. finding the positive (hint: there's always something). But I am guilty of getting caught up in negative thinking too... so when everything in my life is seemingly coming together, I look around with bated breath waiting for the other shoe to drop. Maybe it's my Irish Catholic guilt setting in, you know the theory that if something good happens something bad must follow???

But maybe, just maybe all of the things ARE coming together in the right way at the right time?

It's possible, right?

I've been given the most amazing support system. I have a wonderful trainer who believes in me, my horse's ability and pushes me to become a better rider and horse woman. I have a family who support my insane love of horses (since I was a wee little girl) from 4000 miles away in whatever ways they can. And now, my wonderful SO has assisted in making more of my dreams/goals come true.

For Valentine's Day, he told me I was going to the MDHT Adult Eventing Camp in May. You see, he knew I was interested in it, but also knew that it was a luxury I probably wouldn't allow for myself (not to mention is would account for a large portion of my yearly competition budget). I am not into Valentine's Day AT ALL and I made it very clear that I felt like it was a silly holiday and I'd rather treasure someone sporadically throughout the year etc. But he insisted in a very sweet way that he was going to do something whether I liked it or not:)

So imagine my surprise when he told me what he wanted to do! I maybe mentioned this camp once to him in passing!

!!!!!!!!

 

The camp consists of 3 days of lessons (private Dressage and small group SJ and XC -- 2 lessons per day), evening sessions on various topics with a focus on rider fitness. Instructors include: Lesley Grant-Law, Tim Bourke (brb, dying), Peggy Pariso, Suzy Floyd, Nicki Carson and others TBA. From what I've read about previous year's camps it sounds like a pretty action packed few days with lots of fun for everyone involved. I'm really eager to meet more riders from Area II and get to spend a few days away with Riley! I'm nervous, to be sure, and we've got our work cut out for us between now and then (including getting to a few HTs) but I didn't make goals and plans to sit around on my ass now did I?

I think we know what time it is...

I filled out my paperwork and it will get sent off today. I signed up for USEA and registered Riley for the level(s) we'll be competing this year. It might seem a bit premature to register but the camp ends with a recognized HT that we might enter (it's encouraged by the camp organizers that you do, I just need to see if I can do everything logistically) and since my year end goal was to do one recognized, it makes sense right?

In the meantime we've been plugging away at our goals even though winter keeps rearing it's ugly head, seriously it's snowing AGAIN. Last week we had a quick flat lesson in what could only be described as wet concrete for footing. The ring had pretty much thawed out, but wasn't dry and certainly not drag-able, so we made do. My theory was that riding conditions are not always going to be perfect so it wouldn't kill us to have a lesson in less-than-ideal conditions.

Gingerly prancing while I slump around on his back:/

Hey Niamh, if you keep staring at the sloppy footing you're going to be face first in it.

After a brief warm up, Emily had us work on our inside leg to outside rein connection with lots of changes in direction and transitions. It was the best we could do given the conditions, but we did school our canter departs a little despite Riley trying to convince me/us that he could not canter on sloppy ground (please, I've seen you in your muddy paddock). We schooled some canter poles (in which his canter felt amazing) and hopped over a teeny X with canter poles following it (working on the whole "land and canter" thing). I was pretty pleased with his attitude, but I was riding like complete garbage. I think I had decided that the ground was too slippery and so as a defense I thought that leaning forward and curling into the fetal position was the best idea. Grrrr. I was able to magically fix some of this issue by keeping Dom Schramm's advice of "show the jump the bottom of your boot" which essentially forces my center of gravity back a little and keeps my shoulders over my hips. Light bulb moment indeed.

I also got in some Lola time on a lovely hack around the property -- love her.

And we discovered in addition to our already amazing hacking that there's a petroleum line carved out for miles of hills! (btw, how cool is this baby TB? This is his 6th ride with Emily up)

Unfortunately this week we weren't able to get any riding in because it's been incredibly cold and icy and Riley popped a big abscess in his RF heel. He had been a little tender the last few times I rode but I chalked it up to all the mud/rocks and his thin soles since he's still barefoot. When I brought him in Saturday he was very sore still and we noticed a blowout in his heel. Phew. He earned himself a week full of evenings in his stall to get off his feet if needed and his shoes go back on Thursday! When I came out on Sunday he was covered in shavings so I think he really likes coming in for the night!

The baby got a new turnout halter because his leather one was really bothering whatever is going on with his face. This week the hair and skin look MUCH improved and there's lots of new hair growing in. M-T-G is kind of a miracle worker!

I hope you guys all had a wonderful Valentine's Day with your two-legged and 4-legged friends. I know that I stand a little taller, smile a little bigger and try to work a little harder knowing that I am supported by such wonderful people and the best horse a girl could ask for.

And this one? He's one in a million.

***Giveaway winner will be drawn this Friday!