Finally.

Saturday I jump judged all day with my trainer Emily at Fairhill Starter Trial. We were assigned jump #2 which couldn't have been a better learning experience for me. The first fence coming out of the start box had you heading back towards show jumping and warm up, then you had to make a 90 degree turn to get to fence two which for all levels but elementary, was a sizable red coop of varying heights... then you cantered away from all things familiar and down a hill to a ramp. This was nearly the same type of scenario I was faced with on Riley at St. Augustine so it was incredibly educational to see how everyone navigated it. There were a few takeaways from watching 200 people go (yes, 200!!!). Those that had a sticky jump or a run out at fence #2 nearly ALWAYS had a run out at at #3. The horses that were shaky coming through the turn away from stadium were distracted and really needed a positive ride. I saw a few riders who could feel their horse bulging toward stadium or not paying attention that simply brought the back to a trot and refocused them before heading to our fence. There were a ton of young riders on brave ponies that gave really good rides. It made me want to channel my inner pony girl and get out there again! There were also a couple of riders that seemed completely over faced either with their horse or with their level. One girl in particular was on a bratty grey pony that refused twice at our fence and got eliminated at the next fence. Because it was a starter trial they let her continue but she nearly fell off at our fence and #3. We listened on the radio as it took her at least 4 tries to get over every jump and was overtaken by at least 4-5 riders. I think that someone should have pulled her off course, one because she wasn't going to teach the pony anything new and two, because she was becoming a hazard to the other riders. I have no idea how far around the course she got, but by fence 8 she had at least 20 refusals. There was another girl on a huge black horse that seemed very keen but she was a tiny, wisp of a rider and I would have to guess she was maybe 10-11 years old. The horse was very athletic and they jumped around stadium well, but he had a sticky jump at our fence and he DUMPED her at 3 and bolted. I have never seen a horse bolt like that in my life and he was headed straight for stadium. it was really scary, he was caught pretty quickly, luckily, but it was hairy to say the least. There were some other great rides as well, including Jane Sleeper on a few of her youngsters (she was literally the only person that came off the first jump on the appropriate lead) and Courtney Cooper on some really nice looking horses. All in all it was a really fun day, but it was blazing hot and I am going to have a permanent tank top tank for the rest of my life. Best part? We get a free xc schooling out of the deal! Woo hoo!

Sunday I finally rode Riley as his old paddock was ready again and riding him to and from his field was a royal PITA.

I made a super awesome diagram to show you:

The light blue line is the path I took yesterday. That has you going through into the woods, through a stream and past the cows, around Riley's usual turnout and back to where the new ring is. The green line is the path I normally take when going out for a hack. Both of these are roughly 1.2 miles. So I drive my car and tack over to Riley's old field (marked with a star), grab him, brush him off and pick out his feet, tack him up and ride him to wherever I want to school on the property. It's a bit of a hassle, but I am really not complaining, I promise. *Though I do hate having to mount from an overturned feed bucket. Having 140 acres to ride on and now a lovely ring is pretty incredible. We have even started putting in some XC jumps near the woods including a coop and proper ditch (yet to be schooled).

Also, the red arrow on the left of the diagram is the view I captured in this photo:

Chester County loveliness.

Riley was really good for our ride despite having two weeks off, save for one lunging session where he tried to kill me. The only problem was mounting. He's still doing this thing where he will move sideways as soon as I put my foot in the stirrup and I just cannot tolerate that. he knows how to stand quietly. He got a pretty severe reprimand the first time he did it and stood stock still on the second attempt (thank you jockey whip). Don't get me wrong, I don't like to get after him that much, but again, this is a dangerous habit and he's beyond this stage in his training. Anyway, we had a lovely hack where he was awesome about leaving his buddies. We trotted through the woods and the stream up a hill to where the cows are. As you know, he likes to pretend he's afraid of the cows so I figured that trotting him wayyy before the cows would help keep him focused on me. They were all piled up under a tree and he definitely kept one eye on them and one on me, but he was very brave. We hacked back to barn mostly trotting along the sides of the fields and headed to the NEW RING!

It was such a delight to ride on footing again! I think a few more rains on it and it will feel even better, but it's beautifully level. I also like that the owner decided not to put the fence line right up against the edge of the ring because I feel like that tends to give horses something to lean on instead of truly going straight. We did some trot work which is still challenging tracking right, and some canter work. I got a lovely walk-canter transition and even a few 20 meter circles! He felt really nice! We cooled out in the adjacent pasture and I let him have a nice long drink in the stream. Such a good dude.

Being the bravest.

So, he's back by the barn now and he's coming in during the day and out at night. He had more bites on him then I would like and was starting to get a bit hive-y. So I think the night time turnout will be the best thing for him. He'll get ridden hopefully by Emily one day this week and with me on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and we're thinking about going XC schooling Sunday! Vacation is officially over, mister! We can start jumping in the ring this week and I cannot wait to start making some plans for him.

So much to say, but just this for now...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Footing is IN!!!!

Orange is the new black -- a facebook plug

Hi gang!

Please join our group on facebook "Orange is the new black" to support all things chestnut!!!!! Even if you don't have a redhead you can still post fun stories. we're going to have contests and other fun things too!

That's all for now.

Blogger meet up and CTJ moments

At least the weekend ended on a good note.

Saturday I spent most of the morning getting hives and sunburned while I helped set up a large temporary paddock in a 28 acre field. With our ring almost complete, we're trying to keep several horses near the barn and paddock space is limited until they get the perimeter fence near the barn finished. Anyway, we made a nice big paddock that can be moved around and included a section of the stream so we don't have to worry about watering those horses. Later in the afternoon we decided to go do a little flat work and jumping (followed by a nice hack). it was about a billion degrees outside so we didn't do too much in terms of jumping but Riley decided to pick that time to act like a total butthead. Keep in mind we were schooling the very same gymnastic as last time, but this time just two cross rails. It basically rode like a 3-4 stride line. The cows had recently been moved and he used them as an excuse to not pay attention to me, but we got through the line a couple of times successfully albeit with one ear on the cows. The three of us took turns schooling it and then we set up a bounce going in a different direction (essentially perpendicular to the gymnastic). Riley's never done a bounce so it was first set as a tiny cross rail and a pole for the second fence. Whne I tried to get him to leave the other horses, he pulled his nappy behavior again and I booted him forward. I head toward the X and at the last second he decided to spin-duck-bolt left... fucker... I took one look at Emily and she thought I was going to hand him over to her, but I was PISSED. Now that I know what his evasion is, I can prepare for it much, much better. Came around again, same thing, this time I grabbed my right rein and slammed him into the standard. I stood him directly in front of it and made him crawl over it. I came around again and this time cracked him on the shoulder with my whip and he leapt over it. You see... I'm not asking him to do anything hard. No, he hasn't schooled a bounce yet, but he knows how to go over a cross rail and a pole. So we continued to school it until he went through without sucking back. We put the second X up and he sort of fumbled his way through but didn't touch anything...a few more times and he was bouncing through like he's been doing it forever. Good boy. He was all too frazzled that I actually got after him though. He's the type of horse that doesn't need a beating, but if you are going to use your whip, you have to use it once and MEAN it. Our Come to Jesus moment was when he realized I was serious and that I am not falling for his bullshit anymore. After we ended that on a good note the three of us headed for a nice trot hack around the property. It's about a 2 mile loop up and down hills and through the woods and over a stream. Riley was pretty agitated, but settled once he realized that work was not over. We let the farm owner lead as her horse had some trouble riding around all alone the day before and we wanted to boost his confidence. Everyone was lathered by the time we got back to the barn!

The "S" word and a mini photo shoot

I don't like using the "s" word around here after last year's shenanigans, but the farrier extraordinaire was out yesterday and after a few days with his feet packed with magic cushion, he was non-reactive to the hoof testers. Phew. He said he seemed ever so slightly off when jogged on pavement, but wouldn't have noticed if he didn't know he was looking for something. I guess his soles had just gotten soft from being outside in all the wet grass. He'll stay in for another couple of days (with daily turnout in a smaller paddock with his new buddy) and then go out in to his old turnout again this weekend. I think he should be good to go. My co-op buddy has been applying hoof freeze and I put some durasole last night.

He was head to toe covered in mud (even though there's none in his paddock) and I really wanted to get some photos of his. It seems crazy that I don't have any nice portraits of him, but that's what happens when YOU are the photographer right?

I also took some conformation photos, but he's looking a little crummy because he's still shedding out his coat (his summer coat is gorgeous, I can't wait). I'm going to worm him with another type of wormer also to see if that helps:)

Handsome Beast.

He has such a sweet, kind face.

Looking like a beefcake.

Not looking as fit as I would like, but he has heels!

Hunter pony, take one.

Hunter pony, take two.

Love him.

Baby's first gymnastic with me.

Hot mess.

It appears someone does not approve of Riley's flymask and insists on taking it off despite the fact that he's wearing a halter... grrr. I found it the other day (the day after I got it) in shed half-buried. Best part? It was still fastened! Crazy horses. One of the ear covers had a nice size bite out of it so maybe I'll just stop buying the kind with ears? Anyway, this is how I found him Saturday evening. No worse for wear and still able to graze so he didn't really care that much. It was entirely too hot during the day so we opted for a near sunset ride which was glorious. We had been running around all day moving jumps, I used a chainsaw/hedge clipper thing for the first time ever, we helped the farm owner move her horse in, and I walked up and down the same hill too many times to count. Our ring is soooooo close to being finished, but we needed a space to set up some jumps so Em could show Kiwi to a potential client. We set up a small gymnastic out in the field and I hedge-clipped a path in the knee-high grass.

Courtesy Post -- looking for an amazing mare?

Hi!

Conformation photo taken today!

Please pass the word along about this fantastic mare. My trainer has a gorgeous 16.1+hh chestnut mare for sale (actually a steal). Just turned 5 year old OTTB named Kiwi Gal (for the pedigree nerds). She needs a confident rider who wants to take a horse up the levels. The girl can jump the moon! Recently an upper level rider tried her as a possible horse for a client and said, "I bet she's as brave as a lion". She's been carefully brought along and is an exceptional mover with a very forward attitude. Hacks out, has xc schooled, and went to a starter trial at Plantation last year and loved it! Oh, and if it helps, she looks like California Chrome! She's the first horse to greet you in the field and is not mare-ish at all.With several other horses in the barn to ride she's looking to find her a great home with the perfect competitive rider.

At liberty last fall

1st xc school

About a month ago playing around

Free schooling last month.

Located near Unionville, PA... but even if you're not close she's such a good deal you could toss her on a trailer headed your way!

Free Jump Video

Ad on the Retired Racehorse Training Project

Contact Emilark@gmail.com for more info!

Last chance at 50% off!

Only 3 more days left of my spring sale:

Go to: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TraceALine to place your order now!

Just finished a beautiful piece for a fellow blogger and have another in the works!

Quintus. Adore.

So much to update!

2nd solo hack from his field.

Saturday I worked a 12 hour freelance job and was pretty wiped out come Sunday morning but I really wanted to ride. Again, I had to drive around to Riley, tack him up at his field and ride him the mile back to the barn to meet up with my friend to school in the big field. He was a champ. I can now successfully mount him from a bucket without too much trouble (standing for mounting is not a strong suit of his, but I won't tolerate goofiness when I am half-on). The farm owners had just moved the cows to the field directly across from Riley's so he was a bit looky. As you will recall, the last time I fell off him was because OMGCOWARETHESCARIEST. But we marched down the road past lots and lots of cows and calves and then he stopped and tried to back up and spin. You see in the corner of the adjacent field the grass was so high that all you could see were these dark shapes moving around making noises. I let him stand quietly to figure it out and then his pasture mates whinnied for him. Great, I'm screwed. But after a minute or two of talking to him and having him stand politely, I urged him forward and he obliged. He kept on ear on the scary cows and the other ear on me, so I'd call that a small win. Luckily there were no balloons or scary pinto donkeys to deal with on the way back to the barn. We met up with my friend and practiced his hard bound issues. Riding with them, away from them, back to them etc. Sometimes completely out of sight, sometimes in sight, all over the field. He was really very, very good, until the mares started galloping around screaming. He screamed back and got stuck wayyy behind my leg. I pushed him forward and made him work. If was going to act like a butt head, we'd trot up and down hills, we'd serpentine, we'd work on the bit and he would get in front of my leg if it killed me. He threw a few little tantrums, but nothing I couldn't handle. I think he's finally starting to realize that I won't back down. It was a short ride as I wanted to give him a good bath so I could take conformation photos the next morning before going xc schooling.

Lucy in tow for a big adventures Monday

Just really quick

Add caption

Yep that's our ring being upgraded! The ground finally firmed up enough to allow the trucks in to put down the layers for footing! Woo hoo!

The story of my Big Girl Pants and how Riley thought he could outsmart me. **Picture heavy

Saturday I spent the day in the city the pups walking around a really cool arts festival. I had to feed that evening and I had been offered the chance to go ride at a nearby indoor (but not until 7pm or so), but I didn't want to make it a late night. I opted instead to see what kind of information Riley had retained from his lunging session the day before. Again, I generally don't lunge that much, but I also want to know that it wasn't a fluke that he was so well behaved. It also wasn't nearly as muggy as the day before and he's plenty fit, so off we went.

Wait, where are they taking my bff?

We started off well enough. Relaxed and forward. But while we were working his best bud was leaving to go to a new home so he was taken from the paddock next to us, and his herd mates started galloping around like a couple of butt heads. Still he stayed focused on my verbal cues and was attentive. We changed directions and I could feel the tension beginning. There was a time where any time I tried to lunge him tracking right we'd have a major blow up. He'd get frazzled, I'd get frustrated and it never really ended well. Since then, I've been able to learn some really valuable tools (while watching him pull the same shit with my trainer), so I'm well able to deal with whatever he throws at me.

Lunging -- revisited.

Yesterday I had a horrible dental appointment in the afternoon which meant taking a half a day off work... the only silver lining being that I could get to the barn early as my dentist is just a few miles from the barn. Riley is being kept toward the back of the property right now, which means that when I want to work with him I have to pack up my car and bring everything out to him, groom him outside his field and then get on and hack to wherever I want to ride. He's pretty good about it, though his pasture mates like to mess with him while I trying to do this. Henry literally unbridled Riley one day while we were getting ready. Cheeky!

Oh, but first. I arrived to the Riley's pasture only to find a new born lamb stuck in the electric fence. Poor little dude was being shocked over and over again, so I unhooked the electric and held him until the sheep guy came over from the barn...

He was fine, just a little worn out and hungry. The fence doesn't hold a typical charge:)

I was all numbed up from my crown procedure so I opted not to ride but to lunge (you know, in case I accidentally bit my tongue off or something). This was partially an experiment as 1.) we haven't lunged in weeks and he's MUCH fitter and 2.) I would be forced to lunge him right next to his buddies with lots of distractions and in an unfamiliar area. So a good test for both of us. Plus we had to walk away from his buddies on this out of the way path to get to where we could lunge. He was UP but attentive to me, even while his friends did everything to distract him. I do love that fact that I can tie him just about anywhere and he stays put, when he feels tension on the line he stops moving around and he was quite patient as I grabbed everything out of my car and slapped it on him. Not to worry, I gave him a quick curry, brushing and picked his feet.

We had the best lunging session to date. The spring grass has been really good to him. His winter coat (what was left of it is nearly gone) and he really feeling full of himself. I need to get a new conformation shot of him while he starts regular work so I can compare in the fall. He was forward, happy and focused despite the peanut gallery watching from the next pasture.

Warm up trot, actually focused on me.

We mainly worked on transitions. I want to make sure he really understand WHOA. We also worked a lot on walk-trot-walk and canter-trot-canter with plenty of walk breaks as it was a million % humidity. His upward transitions are really coming along and I barely had to fuss at him to keep tempo (something we've always struggled with). He even looked great tracking right which is his stiff side and although picking up his right lead was a challenge, I was able to force him to do TWO flying changes on the line to fix it. Laziness is not tolerated on the lunge line! After a successful canter depart right without the need of a change we called it a day, he was sweaty, I was sweaty and he got plenty of praise throughout to reinforce the RIGHT THING. Sometimes I forget just how important this is with the young ones!

Some highlights, tracking left:

He looooves to stretch. This is the easiest setting for the Pessoa. Once we've warmed up, I like to set it so his head is a few inches ahead of the vertical when he is relaxed. He's capable of carrying himself and keeping mostly steady contact now.

Warm up canter left. Zoom! You can see the Pessoa is at rest here giving him full freedom.

Carrying himself nicely, love his back leg here.

Tracking right:

Warm up trot, tracking right. Hunter pony in the making -- too bad I banged his tail:)

A little resistance, but he was brilliant tracking right yesterday, he never stopped or fought me and was always in front of my leg (so to speak)

This is where we ended up. What a fancy dude. His neck is looking great and his muscles are starting to really come in. I just love how relaxed he looks really striding out here and just slightly in front of the vertical.

I've been riding him in a Dr. Bristol full cheek and he really seems to like it. I think the Happy Mouth was just getting a little too light for him, plus it made him fussier in the contact.

So much slobber.

I know a lot of people don't care for lunging and I keep my sessions short (usually 5 minutes warm up in either direction and 5-10 both ways doing "work'), but I do think it's a beneficial tool for a variety of reasons:

*Sometimes there's no one around and you don't want to ride alone (safety first)
*It allows them to work on straightness and balance without the weight (or imbalance) of a rider
*Certain tools (like the Pessoa) can teach them to push from behind, unlocking their backs and helping them understand carrying themselves correctly
*Verbal transitions are always helpful
*It's a good bonding experience between horse and rider
*You never know when you might NEED to lunge your horse (ie, at a show and what happens if he doesn't know how to without scaring everyone)
*It mixes up your routine

**When I lunge I don't always stay on level ground nor to I stick to a 20 meter circle. I like to walk around a bit to make the circle more of an oval and to not allow them to lean on the shape (if that makes sense)

What are your thoughts about lunging?