ladies horse camp

Well, I made it through an all day horse camp...I am sore as can be, but I got through the day with minimal injury. Most importantly, I stayed on and did not look like a flailing mess riding (I even watched the video to confirm this -- do I ever look like a quiet rider these days?)

My mount for the day was Charlie, a 6 year old thoroughbred (and my favorite horse to ride at the barn). I was keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I would be able to spend the day with him (instead of ahem, a chestnut horse I have been avoiding) after 6 weeks off. Phew.

Winter Charlie -- looking a little goofy and bleached

Summer Charlie -- svelte, fit and gleaming

We started our day helping with morning chores, which for me included emptying frozen water buckets, picking out ice and refilling. Instantly I got my hands and feet wet (I kept kicking the ice in the buckets until I got through to water...a good idea, except my waterproof boots are um, not so waterproof anymore) but we successfully got everyone inside watered and left the remaining buckets outside to thaw in the sunshine. We went over our itinerary for the day and collected our respective mounts. Charlie lives in one of the back pastures down a main aisle between the paddocks and it was super slippery walking back there to get him. He had just been turned out with his best friend and was pretty annoyed that I was pulling him from his morning hay snack, but he followed along anyway (he doesn't have a bad bone in his body). He's a bit of a worrier (which I think is a cute horse quality) and he had this terrible look of concern as we gingerly made out way back to the barn. I was curious why he was walking along at such a snail's pace until the woman collecting his best bud from the same paddock said he slips all the time in the snow! Aw, poor guy. So we took it very slow (I don't have a ton of experience with horses in snow), and the aisle was packed very hard with snow from the truck going up and down it.

Our first lesson was all flat work (thankfully) and since there were 6 of us in the indoor, it made for some tricky coordination to stay out of everyone's way. Charlie and Luc (his BFF) were both UP...in a way I have never seen Charlie before, and then B told me that none of the horses had been worked lately (fantastic)...Charlie was just gnashing the bit and poking along like a giraffe for the first part of the lesson. I discovered something while riding Charlie on Saturday...I feel incredibly calm on him...more so than most horses. He doesn't intimidate me with his size, and since I know his antics are not coming from a malicious source, I feel as though he and I meet each other half way. Even when he gets pretty frazzled, I am VERY quiet on him. He doesn't rattle me the way say, Arizona does. This is going somewhere, I promise.

So after warming up a little we did a little exercise where I led the group for our trot work. Luc was racing up behind us and Charlie responded by sucking back and pinning his ears...eventually I got him focused on me and we got a nice working trot to lead everyone around. Only one of the doors to the indoor were open which made Charlie and Luc for looky at that end of the arena, and as we trotted around in two point, Charlie decided there was a horse eating monster outside and spooked right about 10 meters right and then let out a little buck. I'm happy to say, I didn't fall off (after watching the video and seeing my instructor jump out of the way I probably should have) though, in my effort not to catch Charlie in the mouth and drove my hand into his neck and he sprained my pinky pretty bad...whoops! Luc proceeded to dive in the same direction feeding off of Charlie's energy. Luckily we both diffused the boys quickly enough that it didn't get too goofy. We finished our lesson with some pole work and sitting trot (torture when you've been out of the saddle for 6 weeks). Luc managed to get in another couple of meltdowns at the scary end of the arena, but this time I was a little more prepared and wasn't bothered in the slightest.

We put our ponies back out and went inside for lunch and a video on conformation. We would be doing conformation analysis of our horses after our lunch break. The video was awesome, though a little dated and long, and despite what anyone thinks they know about conformation, it always helps to look at examples of the good, bad, and what you can live with. It was neat to go back and look at our horses to pick apart the little weakness in their confirmation and to notice how it affects their overall performance in a particular discipline. After lunch we had a lesson in equine massage, which was awesome (except for my now throbbing pinky) and treated our horsie friends to about an hour of nice massage work. It really is a fantastic way to bond with your pony when it's too cold/wet to ride.

We then took pairs of horses into the indoor and reviewed what we had learned about conformation. It was very interesting to see how the way a horse is put together effects their overall performance and their tendency to excel in certain disciplines.  Charlie has nearly ideal conformation as a good all rounder, with our only complaint being his slightly upright shoulder.

We spent the afternoon playing mounted games on some very frisky horses. Charlie and Luc especially had a tough time keeping it together and I nearly got bucked off during the egg and spoon game. Charlie, sensing my focus placed somewhere else than on him paired with me bridging the reins in my left hand and therefore losing all contact with his mouth encouraged him to act silly. We were trotting around lovely with the egg still perched on the spoon and WAAHOOO! BUCK! I stayed pretty well seated but the egg went flying! Our last game was called the catalog race. Horse catalogs were placed at one end of the arena and you had to race down, dismount, rip out a page (my instructor shouted a number on our way down) and run back with our horses in tow on foot. Everything was going swimmingly for me until ripped out the page (*see: horse eating monster) and Charlie wanted nothing to do with chasing after me and that thing flapping in the wind! All in all, it was a pretty good day, but even after the games were over Charlie was still jumping out of his skin...I would much rather be mounted than on the ground when horses are acting nervous or spooky.

The day finished off with a pot luck dinner (I made strawberry shortcake) and cocktails, and of course, some horse tv courtesy of WEG.

**I am just going to post this rather anti-climactic entry now...sigh.

In the meantime

**I am working on a lengthy post about Saturday's adventures, but here's a little something to hold you over (assuming anyone reads this!)

Two things:

1. My riding instructor made little notebooks for everyone with one of my horse portraits

i'm nearly famous...sike

 2. When I'm not riding, and it's just awful outside, few things make me happier than crafting. After purchasing a gorgeous foursome of new pillows yesterday and collecting my old ones I had a lightbulb moment! *Ding* These would make a great dog bed...Last year I made Hugo a lovely "bagel bed" during a similar moment of insanity inspiration and it's lasted several washes and nightly slumber for at least a year. This time I photographed the progress:

I piled the pillows in the corner after laying them out to see if they'd be big enough for a bed --when I told Hugo to go to bed at the end of the evening, I found him here, on top of the pile

 

step one: sew the long ends of two pillows together (my finished bed measured approx 36 x 32)

step two: tuft the pillows to create an even surface (it also helps keep the four pillows together)

 

 

 

step three: see if the dog likes it -- the jury is still out

step four: sew two pieces of fabric (I used heavier stuff leftover from the last bed I made him) leaving a 3 inch allowance on all side for depth, sew 3 sides with right sides touching, flip inside out, stuff with pillows and sew up the last side!

Hugo is currently snoozing away on his new bed...he didn't seemed bothered at all by the design change and knew instantly it was for him...best of all, the bed already smells like me! Ha!

Apologies again for the lack of horse material here.

my spoiled four-legged friend

Hugo is soooo shy

He is the best

um, progress?

I still have not ridden in 5 weeks -- I was supposed to have a lesson tonight but there's a dumb snow storm headed our way (again) and I'd rather not risk getting stuck in a ditch on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, in South Jersey.

However, I am making small progress, and here's a list of horse related things to prove it:

• signed up for an all day riding camp Saturday -- two mounted lesson, one unmounted and a whole day of fun with great ladies from the barn -- finishing up with a potluck dinner, wine and a horse movie.
• contacted a potential new instructor -- we talked for over an hour on Friday. she seems like she would be a good fit for me but her rates are considerably higher than my current instructor, and from what I gathered from our conversation, she only has one 100% sound horse to take lessons on (the other four are in various stages of rehab -- either physically or mentally). The horse she does have available sounds pretty great, a large russian warmblood...but, eh...I dunno. The mare that I mentioned in my previous post is there and I'd like to meet her before making any decisions.
• emailed a different girl about a free lease opportunity -- a girl in college wants someone to keep her thoroughbred gelding in shape while she is in college. it would be flat work only (he's a little older), but it's practically cost free (just feed and half farrier) plus...she boards him at a place with a heated indoor (swoon)...she just wants someone to give him lots of love and attention, keep him in steady work and spoil him rotten -- I think I would be great at that.
• emailed about a horse to lease at a REALLY nice facility -- the rates weren't listed for this mare, but she's 17 hh of dark bay gorgeousness and looks lovely on the flat and over fences. The facility is run by two eventers and they have a XC course on the property -- this might be the best options, albeit the most expensive, and they are only 30 minutes from Philadelphia. 
• finally cracked open my Rider's Fitness Program here -- if I am going to suffer this winter without consistent lessons, I am going to have to stay in (riding) shape for the sake of myself and the horses I will be riding. I stay in good shape without really trying, but we all know that riding uses a particular set of muscles that turn into jello when we're not using them regularly. This book has customized each exercise depending on your particular riding weaknesses...everything from balance over fences, sitting trot, maintaining your position going up and down banks, you name it...

There. See? I am doing something! 

shit, or get off the pot

I did it...I finally made an inquiry at another barn for a new instructor. I feel like I am cheating on my boyfriend. Ha. It's weird, this decision would be so much easier if there was something I didn't like about my current instructor/barn. The truth is, I love everything there and they have been incredibly generous with me in the year I have been taking lessons there. Christ, they knew me for 2 months before offering Kiki to me to ride as a free lease. But, deep down, something is missing. I know it, and it's been eating away at me since Kiki left for Florida. I am sure that some of it was just me feeling disorientated after she was gone and I am certain that everyone there was handling me with kid gloves for awhile, but let's face it, I am not the bread and butter of that operation. I barely fit in when I DID have a project and no I just find myself flailing around when I am there wishing I had a reason to hang at the barn all day. My lessons have been good -- split between two advanced horses that have a lot to teach me -- but I don't feel connected to them and that something I am really craving.

I have been trolling the internet night and day looking for potential lease options and nothing has really sparked my interest (*well, there was a fun looking draft/paint cross recently but I waited too long). The girl I mentioned a while back who used to ride at the advanced event level offered her two 3 year old projects to me if I am ever interested -- I honestly don't know if that would be the best thing for me right now, but a lovely offer none the less. So today, while sifting through the usual bad listings I found a girl who has a problematic mare she wants to lease out to someone. The ad is pretty simple just stating that she's a hot headed and high strung mare who can walk, trot, canter and jump 3'6" when she's in shape. The girl who owns her is looking for something easier to ride but can't afford two horses. Normally I wouldn't be interested in this kind of arrangement, but she happens to be boarding her at one of the facilities I was interested in when I was searching for an instructor a year ago. So a little light bulb moment occurred and I thought maybe I can start taking lessons over there and hey, maybe that mare and I would be a good fit? Event instructor AND a project pony? Now that sounds like a good idea.

Not to use a bad pun here but, let's not put the cart before the horse. I wrote the instructor an email and she has already responded back. I obviously didn't mention the ad about the mare, but will likely bring it up when we meet. It would be awesome to go take a look at her farm this weekend! She has a gorgeous outdoor ring and a full cross country schooling course! Woo Hoo!

Although I feel a little funny about writing to a new instructor, I know it's ultimately the best thing for me to do right now. I want to keep moving forward and I'm not sure I can where I am right now.

Phew!

xmas time is here...

My roommate (*see: best fake husband ever) and I decorated our lovely little fraser fir tree tonight. He helped me pick out a super cute tree -- I had an image in my mind of the perfect one this year. Hugo got involved and a wonderful evening was had by all. Take a look for yourself.

I guess I don't mind skipping a riding lesson in -5 degree weather when I get to stay in and do things like this!

**I had one hell of a time getting him near that tree. He's not scared of it, but he doesn't really want to be right next to it either -- his default reaction to scary things is to lay down...which is not helpful when you just want a seated pup next to a tree. He's such a cutie pie! The tree is missing some things (like the tree skirt that is buried away), but we wanted to get it up and decorated tonight!

Birthday!

Today I turn 32. It seems a bit surreal. I have a riding lesson scheduled for later today...I hope my instructor goes easy on me and we have some fun. It's alos freezing and I haven't ridden since Virginia so hopefully she'll go easy on me. Doubtful. I have a one hour semi-private...fingers crossed.

Also, I realize I have left the 30 day challenge behind, I will catch up...it would be nice if I could just finish it thoughtfully rather than try to cram it in under 30 days. I'll do my best. Promise.

name change

I changed the name of the blog as Kiki is no longer the main source for my adventures -- I felt a little funny writing so much about other horses etc under her title. I will make a page dedicated to her and her inspiration for chronicling my horse passion.

Hope is doesn't cause too much confusion.

birthday dress options

um...yea:

The Gallop with Glamor dress from Modcloth, or...

The Highest Accolades dress from Anthropologie.

I tried on the Anthropologie dress and even though I usually hate strapless dresses, I noticed on their site that it has detachable straps. Also, the sweetheart neckline is quite flattering. The best part about this dress is that the rosettes have little cartoon horses drawn on them that look just like my tattoo!

I probably won't end up getting either, but a girl can dream, yes? How cute would they be with a pair of red heels, or tall brown boots???

Swoon!

teaser and disclaimer

Disclaimer: I WILL resume my daily challenge tomorrow...I was in the middle of the woods without reception for the last four days!

Teaser: A panorama I made while car-topping during the Thanksgiving Hunt in Virginia this weekend:

DC 3 - Your first love

Since this is a horse blog I will answer today's challenge accordingly.

DC Day 2- Meaning behind your blog name

This blog was inspired a little chestnut mare named Kiki, who's name grew on me as much as she did during our time together. A home bred Hungarian WB/Thoroughbred cross she flopped into this world with a mind of her own. Apparently, from B's recounting, she refused to be born on schedule. People waited day and night for her to drop but she decided she'd enter the world in the middle of the night out in a field. B ran to see her new bay colt out in the field, picked up a leg and realized her bundle of joy was a chestnut filly!