Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Human Nutrition

My 21 day elimination challenge concluded this past weekend. Theoretically I'm to start adding back some of the eliminated foods to see how my body responds, but I'm putting that on hold for now pending further conversations with my health coach.

I came to realize that the diet has been causing me to have "brain-fog" -- word-fumbly, disorganized, forgetful, and a little lost. I'm doing some research and will be playing with increased carbs (fruits & high-carb veggies) and/or increased fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts) to see if that helps. 

As to weight loss (my goal) the scale is moving downwards but not as fast as either my health coach or I thought it would. So I'm meditating on that, balancing patience (eww) against increasing exercise (eww).

The most challenging part of the challenge is cooking. All of my go-to recipes were thrown out, and with them went my pitiful amount of kitchen confidence. I've been trying lots of new things, but to be honest they haven't been working out great. Several flops, zero slam dunks. Just gotta keep on trying though. 

Time out for a mini rant.
I've decided that the 3 most frustrating words are: don't get frustrated. People tend to say this to you when you are already frustrated, and in that moment it feels patronizing and unhelpful. Instead of saying what I shouldn't feel, tell me what I should focus on to move forward in a more positive direction. Something like: focus on your strengths, or, plan your next move. Something constructive.
End of mini rant.

On a more positive note, we signed up for the Abundant Harvest weekly delivery of organic, local fruits and vegetables. I' am enjoying it much more than I thought I would. We're getting great value considering quality and quantity of produce. Plus, the home delivery cuts down on grocery store shopping, so I'm saving time too!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Fashion advice needed!

To sparkle, or not to sparkle, that is the question.

These are our 2 browband options for our dressage bridle for our upcoming horse trials. Thoughts?

Option 1 - Silver Bead & Sparkly Browband





Option 2 - Our Normal Browband







Thursday, July 25, 2013

More jump video

A huge thank you to Karen from Bakersfield Dressage for the video!


This is from a casual practice ride while Karen was visiting for the Dr. Christian Schacht clinic late June.

Videos are so good because they really do show us what we need to work on. Note to self: get a handle on the lower leg situation! And stop holding him back so much, sheesh!


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Training update


In the last few days I've been feeling a little mentally out of it. Lost and confused. Disorganized. At work, at home, at the barn. Hopefully I'll snap out of it soon because...

our entry has been mailed in for the Shepherd Ranch August 23-25 Horse Trials in Santa Ynez!!!

This will be our first real horse trial competition. We've signed up for Intro even though I think we could handle Beginner Novice, because I'd rather just feel more confident.

My goal for the event is simply for Hemie and I to have fun.

Deep in my heart, though, my wish is to complete the HT with a score (ie, don't get eliminated in any phase). My big Es while riding Spirit are still haunting me. However, I'm not gonna focus on that. My focus is fun. And if we get eliminated, we will keep on practicing and then try again in the future. After all, we have our whole lives ahead of us to reach that goal (and hopefully some more exciting ones too lol).

Anyway, it's been a while since I've thought about where we are in our training. It's important for me to reflect and ruminate - it really does help me to be a better rider.

Dressage
We had a few weeks off from dressage lessons due to the puncture wound. When I could finally ride him again I felt safer in my jump saddle (air vest hookup, smaller knee rolls, easier to find seat if he gets spooktastic). But now we are back in the regular scheduled riding program (1 dressage lesson during weekday evening, 1 jump lesson on weekend) and we've got our eye set on BN Test A for the show.

Generally Hemie has a very workmanlike attitude. He likes figuring out the little puzzles we give him - he's quick to try and slow to get flustered.

But sometimes he gets a little silly and A.D.D., looking around with big eyes for things to spook at. The liverpool that he walks over regularly will magically be cause for a bulge and a hop, especially if it's on his left side and he can dodge right. Of course, if it's on his right side it won't be an issue and he'll continue straight ahead.

On good days our warm up is very straightfoward: asking for forward motion and maybe some stretching. On the silly/ADD days he gets put to work right away with a quick-changing set of tasks. Bend then straight then bend then leg yield then shoulder in then haunches in then small circle then make it bigger then smaller again, and on and on, until he gives up the silly face and gets back to a normal workmanlike attitude.

Once we get down to work we've been focusing on lateral suppleing - bending left and right while on a straight line or a circle, to overcome any stiffness or resistance and encourage roundness. Hemie is doing great with accepting contact throughout the ride and I need to be better about keeping it - of the two of us, I'm the one to drop it. His balance and impulsion are improving by leaps and bounds: he is really figuring out how to reach those hind legs forward and lift his back.

My goals for dressage in the coming weeks is to:

  • memorize the test.
  • work on our worst element: the free walk (it's the first to go out the window when Hemie's tense).
  • work on our best element: the working trot. Make sure it's as good as we can get it - roundness, lifted back, and good energy.


Jumping update I'll save for another day.


Sunday, July 21, 2013

XC Schooling (with video!!)

Last weekend we went up to the beautiful Shepherd Ranch in Santa Ynez for our first cross country schooling at a horse trials facility (up to this point we've only schooled at the local, smaller courses). Hubby very kindly came along and videod our adventures.


Funny how when you're riding cross country you feel like a badass pro going mach-9. The rush of the wind, the squeak of the safety vests.

Then you watch the video and it's more like a hunter round. Doing-de-doing-de-doing. Haha.



Saturday, July 20, 2013

Famous Ears

Pretty nifty when you're browsing through good ol' Horse Nation and go "hey...I recognize those ears...and those ones too!"

Carly and Bobby




Aimee and Cuna
aimee



I have to say, my favorite ear photo from the post is this cute one of "Remi" submitted by Rachel:
rachel
What a cutie!!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Photos

Hack around the property.


Playing hide-and-seek. He found me.