Return to XC

Today we are headed to Santa Ynez for a cross-country schooling. This will be Hannah's first XC school, and my first time going XC since the accident back in January.

I've given myself permission to turn the outing into a trail ride if I'm not comfortable jumping solid jumps. In all honesty, I am completely open to "Hunter/Jumper In Color" if I can't enjoy XC anymore.

But I have a feeling it will be okay. In fact, I'm excited for it. I've seen pictures of Hannah jumping an up-bank as part of a hunter derby some years back, so let's see what she thinks about banks, ditches, and water at the schooling. The facility has lots of intro sized jumps, so we can take it easy, see how we both feel, and focus on having fun.

Wish us luck!

Majesty - The Pony for Adults

This adorable creature is Majesty. I have had the pleasure of riding him for my trainer a couple of times. We refer to him as "the pony" and somehow he's simultaneously one of the most fun and uncomfortable horses to ride. You can't help but giggle while discovering new muscles in your thighs you didn't think were needed for posting.

I don't know much about his history, other than he was ridden by kids and that didn't go so well. He certainly has that pony attitude so I image he has dumped his fair share of kids. But overall I've actually found him to be willing and rideable and I hope to continue adventuring with him every so often.

A Smashing Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to the winner of Eventing in Color's 500th Post Giveaway, who was selected by random draw via random.org:

Nicole Sharpe 

of Zen and the Art of Baby Horse Management

But it turns out everyone is a winner because Beka is graciously offering 20% off for the rest of the month! Just use code "eventingincolor" for your discount at Straight Shot Metal Smashing.

Check out some behind-the-scenes shots of Beka's metal smashing:

And if you don't already, be sure to follow her and Archie's adventures over at The Owls Approve.

Equitation In Color

REMINDER: The 500th Post Giveaway ends tonight! All you have to do is go comment and you'll be entered to win a gift set from Straight Shot Metal Smashing!!

Riding Hannah has been fun. She has many buttons installed and it's been interesting and delightful to continue discovering them.

For example, we know that she does flying lead changes. I've been working on finessing how I ask for them, specifically: get completely straight, then ask for new bend, ensure connection to new outside rein, then move new outside leg back and do a little squeeze. This weekend we found out quite by accident that there's a shortcut: just lift the new inside hand and voila! Lead change!

She is a good girl but needs to have a job at all times during our rides or else she will find something to get silly about. So I've been doing all the great exercises you've suggested (keep 'em coming!) and I've also been going through the equitation tests found in the USEF Hunter Seat Equitation Manual (which I found out about in a post at Viva Carlos - thanks L!).

What a privilege to just work on me for a change instead of the horse. The equitation tests have shown me that I need to be more precise. She'll do it all perfectly - if I ask for it properly.   I've also continued to really work on my position and not ride so defensively.

Meanwhile Hannah and hubby continue to get along really well.

They are just too cute! She follows him around the arena when turned out. 

Bareback!

I got brave last week and tried riding Hannah bareback for the first time. She was great! She stood perfectly for mounting and dismounting.  We kept it walk-trot, and she was completely relaxed the whole ride. 

I used a regular saddle pad for a little bit of cushion, but would like to invest in a fancy bareback pad in the near future. 

It was nice to just hang out and relax with Hannah. She didn't spook or take advantage of my saddle-less position in any way. I think that means our "trust bank" is in the positive. 

:)

500th Post Giveaway!!

Eventing In Color has reached a milestone! 500 posts!

To celebrate and thank you for following along with my journey, whether for a day or all 4+ years, I'm hosting a giveaway. All you have to do is comment on this post and you're entered to win by random draw.

The winner will receive a gift set from:

Straight Shot Metal Smashing

created by the fabulous Beka of The Owls Approve (a must read for your blogroll)!

She recently launched her etsy shop and I ordered a few things. They are awesome!

You have a full week to enter. Simply comment on this post by 11:59 PM next Monday 5/11/15 and I'll do the drawing later that week!

And to all readers (lurkers included!) THANK YOU SO MUCH. The blogosphere is an amazing place due to wonderful people from all over the world being encouraging, supportive, and horse-crazy together!

'Fraidy Cat Blog Hop: Fav Prize

From 'Fraidy Cat Eventing:

What is your favorite ribbon / prize / award that you've won in relation to horses? Is there a story behind it? Or was it a bucket list prize you'd been chasing for ages? It doesn't have to be from a traditional horse show, and ribbons that are the favorite bc they are the prettiest are just as awesome as awards with a great story.

Oh boy I've got a good story. At our very first registered horse trial, Hemie and I came away with a beautiful satin ribbon, a reserve champion team neck ribbon, and a prize of Daniel Stewart's "Pressure Proof Your Riding" disk.

USEA ribbons are lovely!

"Wow! You must have had an amazing performance for your first registered HT to come home with such loot!" you may say.

Yes. It was amazing. Amazingly bad.

Stadium wasn't the only bad phase. Dressage was full of cross cantering and voluntary half-tempi-changes, and XC had several "exit stage left" moments and time penalties (yes, time penalties in INTRO!).

For obvious reasons, we came in last place at this show. It just so happened that there were only 8 competitors in my division, so even last place was good enough for a lovely ribbon. Plus the show happened to be the Area VI adult team challenge. The organizers had put me on a team (I didn't sign up for it - didn't want my score bringing anyone else down lol) so since there were only 2 teams, I got the reserve champion team neck ribbon and prize.

I look back on that show smiling and shaking my head. I learned a lot from the experience. And it serves as a reminder that sometimes ribbons are more about circumstances than they are about performance. Though I truly am proud that we finished with a placing versus getting eliminated.

If you want the full story on that show, here's the full recap post, and here are the full videos for each phase:
Stadium
Cross-Country
Dressage