With all the holiday excitement and year end reflection, I realize it's been too long since I've actually posted about Hemie and I in our training.
We got our first jumping lesson in over a month last Saturday! Laurie can't drive yet (shoulder still recovering) but her dear friend Debbie brought her to the barn and graciously acted as jump-setter too.
We set the jumps fairly low (+/- 2') but I must have still been a little nervous at first because I had a hard time giving him the reins on approach and properly releasing them over jumps. We settled into normalcy soon, though, and I could tell Hemie was happy because he was trying to lock onto every jump!
We did 2 exercises: first was our old standby of getting more or less strides in a line. We did a 2-stride vertical to oxer in alternating 2 strides and 3 strides, both directions. Then we worked on doing some tight turns directly after fences, and we had no problem. Hemie was a rock star. By the end of the ride we just were adding jumps left and right, no set course, just free flowing through all of them.
Laurie paid us the huge compliment of saying "you are so ready to move up" which is good since I had already mailed in our entries for the Galway Downs winter HT in February for BN!
Laurie can't do weekday lessons yet, so we've been dressagin' on our own still. I've been doing exercises from the Dr. Christian Schacht clinic, focusing on using more seat and body and less hands. I'm working on finessing the canter cue as well as keeping the right lead when bending right (so hard for Mr. Ex-racehorse!).
One concept promoted by Dr. Schacht (and also Chemaine Hurtado back in March) stands in fairly direct conflict with the approach Laurie has me do: and that is whether or not to ask the horse to get on the bit right away in the ride, and with the help of rein contact/half-halts. Laurie has me asking for contact and shape right away, using rein squeezing in addition to inside leg, whereas Dr. Schacht and Chemaine promote patience and having contact arise organically through bending exercises.
My dear readers, kindly please share your thoughts and methods for when and how to get your horse on the bit! What do you think of these 2 approaches?
I love goals. They don't always love me, but I love them anyway. I have both action goals and results goals, so that I feel accomplished by doing things even if I don't produce desired outcomes.
Sarah & Bohemian's 2014 Goals
XC school at 2 new venues.
Show at 2 new venues.
Participate in 4 clinics and/or lessons with other trainers.
Improve our dressage scores from 2013.
Become 100% solid at Beginner Novice.
Set and review specific goals each quarter.
By the end of the year I want to feel that we are getting to be more competitive at Beginner Novice. Not necessarily in the ribbons, but hopefully in the top half of the field (rather than towards the bottom/dead last).
I really love how some other bloggers regularly review their goals, and that's something I'm going to try this year. Setting specific goals (say, learning to canter from the walk) will help give structure to working towards our annual goals.
Note I didn't specify "good" photos/artwork.
Blogging Goals
More photos & artwork.
Regular design updates.
Overall beautification & streamlining.
Continue posting 2-3 times per week.
Only during this past year have I started to think about blog improvement, and with helpful and inspiring posts such as this one from TSB and this one from SMTT I think that Eventing In Color can become a better blog in 2014.
Personal Goals
Keep better track of horsey budget & expenses.
Lose 15 lbs.
Organize my garage.
Be better about remembering birthdays.
Wishing Hemie and I and all of our readers best wishes for a great 2014! May all of us either reach our goals, or go with the flow to whatever the universe has in store for us this coming year!
January started off a bit rocky. I was still recovering from a knee injury. We had some girthiness issues, a small colic scare, and our boarding facility was so poorly maintained that we couldn't ride or even longe with any regularity. But we had some good too: I got my lovely Stubben jumping saddle, I audited a clinic (and watched others online), Bohemian went barefoot, and I went a tad silly with the clippers.
'Mom, why did you clip pac-man on my neck?"
"Uh...it's a half-moon...?"
February was very hard, with the unexpected and abrupt loss of my God-horse, Storm, and subsequent human drama which tends to come with extreme grief. Hemie and I moved to the beautiful Castle Rock Farms and therefore got back into the swing of regular rides.
Blame the Champagne, aka Storm.
Marchsaw the real kick off to our year. We had some excellent lessons at our lovely new facility, with a string of "aha" moments. We took a dressage lesson with Chemaine Hurtado of Symphony Dressage. We did a cross-country schooling at The Meadows. Hemie came up a tad lame, but then recovered in time for us to compete in our first competition of the year: a combined test derby at the Meadows. It did not go well (we had a major freak-out), though with the passing of time I now can find humor in the memories.
TK on Roxy and myself on Hemie at Meadows XC school.
Aprilwas great. We did another XC schooling at the Meadows. We had our first bareback jump and came along in our training, especially with dressage. I started dabbling with "touch-ups" to Hemie's hooves. We had some wormy fecals but took care of them. We did two shows: a hunter show at the facility next door, and another derby at the Meadows. Both were fabulous outings (with no freaking out).
Our first bareback jump.
Maywas fun! Amid late rain showers, we did a hunter show at Camelot and Hemie was great. We got our first blue ribbon together at a Ventura CDS dressage schooling show, and did a cross country schooling at El Sueno equestrian center. Plus Hemie turned 8!
2 Sarahs with their winning OTTBs =)
Junesaw a pause in our show schedule. I finally had our vet out to do a thorough exam and radiographs of Hemie's legs, and all went well. I added supplements to Hemie's diet to help with weight concerns. My husband rode Hemie for the first time. The weather was perfect so we hit the trails quite a bit.
Trail ride, with Reagan Library in the background.
Julystarted off with a mess. Hemie gashed his leg so I played nurse twice a day for what seemed like forever, and we had to cancel our participation in a clinic with Debbie Rosen (which I still audited) and a schooling show. I did a 21-day "paleo-esque" elimination challenge to help me kick-start weight loss. When Hemie recovered we had a great time XC schooling at Shepherd Ranch.
Hemie winning at hide-and-seek.
Augustwas mostly consumed with preparation for our first official horse trial. We kept a consistent lesson schedule and did a final cross-country schooling at the Meadows. I also changed farriers to a barefoot specialist and added an extra flake to Hemie's feed schedule. I crowned Hemie an official pleasure horse since I finally felt comfortable riding him bareback outside of the confines of an arena. We competed Intro level at Shepherd Ranch Horse Trial and it was a very mixed experience, though we technically achieved my goals.
Screenshot of us facing the wrong way at jump #2 in stadium at our first HT.
September came the crack down! We developed a plan to address our issues at the show, which included changes in tack, training, and trying to find more crazy warm up arenas. We did 2 shows: the first was a hunter show at Elvenstar next door, where even though we had to do the 2'6" instead of 2'3" due to scheduling, we came away with a blue ribbon (the first blue where we actually beat other people! amazing!). Soon after we went to El Sueno for back-to-back combined tests (Dressage & XC/Stadium), and did very well. Hemie of course was perfectly behaved at both shows.
Video of our BN XC/Stadium jumping round at El Sueno, 9/14/13.
October was a busy month, what with my birthday, hubby's birthday, a wedding, a baby shower, guests visiting from out of town, and -oh yeah- our 2nd official horse trial. We had an awesome XC schooling at Twin Rivers in Paso Robles, and had our first real gallop together. We participated in the 2-point challenge as we prepared for our event. The Fresno County Horse Park H.T. was quite a drama-filled weekend, but overall I was very proud of mine and my horse's improved performance. We even got a team blue ribbon and completed one of my life's goals: finishing a horse trial on my dressage score.
Having fun on course!
November was 30 Days of Thanks and no-stirrups month (my thighs still cringe in recollection). I took a week long vacation with my husband which was an excellent recharge mentally and emotionally. Knowing we were done showing for the year, and due to my trainer's surgery, Hemie and I took it easy together. Workouts shortened due to after-work darkness, and I'll admit I got more laundry and dishes done!
No daylight, and no stirrups.
December is almost over! We've been focusing on dressage mostly. I audited a clinic, which renewed my enthusiasm and re-freshened my perspective. We finally got Hemie's ribs covered up, but unfortunately he tested positive for worms again. Plus his hind legs stocked up, though he's healing quickly. We just had our first jumping lesson back with Laurie and are looking ahead to fun in 2014.
derp.
But no ribs!
All told, in 2013 we:
competed in 3 hunter shows
competed in 1 dressage show
competed in 3 derbies (dressage + combo stadium/cross-country)
1. Get through a horse trial with a score (ie, don't get eliminated from any section) at any level.
I've had this goal for 3 years and am so happy that it finally was accomplished. We achieved this at our first horse trial, at Shepherd Ranch in August. Though it wasn't the best show experience, we got through it.
2. School XC at 2 places we've never been to before.
We accomplished this as well by schooling at El Sueno, Shepherd Ranch, and Paso Robles. We topped it off by competing at Fresno County Horse Park without having schooled there previously, so all in all we got to try 4 cross-country venues Hemie hadn't seen before.
I'm so very blessed to have such a snuggly, loving, silly, brave, and handsome horse, and look forward to our adventures in 2014 and beyond!
Tracy of Fly On Over came up with an amazing idea of the blogger holiday gift exchange, and I was very happy to participate! I hope this becomes an ongoing tradition. It sure beats the heck out of awkward white elephant exchanges at work.
Tracy and her horse Miles do hunters in beautiful Ohio. Her blog is always upbeat, inspiring, and easy to read - even though she's been doing it for less than a year! Go check out and follow her blog if you haven't already.
Thank you so much to Dragon of I Trot On who sent me beautiful custom note cards! Not only is the design lovely and refined, but the card-stock has perfect thickness and the envelopes seal with sticker-peel. I've already started using them.
Dragon and her lovely Appy/Belgian Draft cross mare Sydney do dressage out in Michigan. It looks beautiful but cold! Dragon and I seem to have quite a number of things in common, with the exception that we're on opposite sides of the country and she has mastered the art of inserting gifs into her posts (there must be some secret to it that I haven't figured out yet). Please check out her blog here!
My blogger gift recipient is Hilary of Equestrian at Hart. Her horse Houston is a Belgian Warmblood and they do eventing together. She's only been blogging for about 6 months but (Correction: she's been on blogger platform for 6 months, but has been blogging for longer. Thanks L!). She's a great writer and I really enjoy her blog. Please join me in wishing Houston a speedy recovery following his recent leg trauma. I really like the gifts I got her - UPS guaranteed delivery before Christmas so hopefully she gets it soon!
At horse trials, the highest level of cross-country offered at that competition. Exciting and inspiring.
At hunter/jumper shows, the crazy high jumper classes. Those horses are just amazing athletes.
At dressage shows, the freestyles. Horse and rider dancing to music - love it!
At saddleseat shows, the 5-gaited Open. Rack on!
22. What's in your cooler at horse shows?
Water.
More water.
V8.
Coconut creamer for my morning coffee (finding dairy-free, soy-free creamer at shows is impossible).
Fruit, typically apples, peaches, etc. Things without peels.
Veggies, oftentimes lettuce with cut tomatoes, with balsalmic vinegar on the side.
Gluten-free pasta salad.
Dolmas from the Whole Foods deli.
Lara bars (they don't need to be cold, but I just throw them in there anyway).
23. One thing about showing (or riding in general) you wish you could change?
I wish that show programs and premiums listed the trainer and coach for each competitor. People have to put it on their entry forms, so why not put it in the programs or premiums? It would help people learn of and evaluate trainers and coaches better.
24. Your ringside crew.
My trainer, Laurie Canty. And that's it. Sometimes I'll have family or friends come to my shows, but generally speaking they are there to watch and give moral support - not very much in the way of actual "ring crew" service. But Laurie gets in there and really helps - she helps me get ready, ponies me up the arena when needed, holds my jacket or whip or whatever, and afterwards when I'm exhausted and thirsty she always kindly starts un-tacking and even washing Hemie while I quickly cover my show clothes and grab some water.
Fermie!
Although, I must recall that I had the privilege of a groom's service at a few shows earlier this year. Fermie the fantastic. I could get used to that!
25. Best prizes.
Saddle pads. I won a pad with Spirit back in August 2011, and that was my favorite prize. Every time I used it I remembered that happy triumphant day, not to mention it's much more practical and lasts longer than other things I've won (including chocolates, grooming supplies, and horse cookies). Although winning a gift certificate to the local tack store was a nice treat this year (and quite unexpected). Hunter shows have way better prizes than horse trails. Well, actually, that may not be true, since I haven't won any horse trials yet so how would I know? Maybe I really should consider switching disciplines!
The saddle pad we won. We got Spirit's name put on it!
16. One thing you'd like to change about your horse.
His ability to keep his sh*t together at large, exciting shows. We've done a total of 14 shows in our 1.5 years together (plus schoolings!), and he's lost his mind at exactly 4 of them: his first ever show, our first show of 2013, and our 2 official horse trials this year. The common denominator seems to be a high energy, exciting atmosphere. We have worked on it quite a bit, and at this point it's about exposure to more high-energy situations and giving Hemie opportunities to live through them and get used to it.
Weee! Laurie aboard Hemie (who has lost his marbles) at his first ever show.
17. Your horse's future.
Barring any major life changes, Hemie will continue to be my pet and personal pleasure horse forever. For the foreseeable future we'll be competing in eventing. Though we are at Intro/Beginner Novice level, I do see Novice or even Training as a definite possibility over the next several years. I'm not in any rush, and he's not super competitive so I doubt he's in one. I do allow for the possibility of side-stepping into hunter/jumper land.
18. Your worst show ever.
I'd have to go with our first show of 2013. Between my horse completely and unexpectedly wigging out in the warm up while my trainer was away at a different show ("I'll be fine, Laurie, you just go on with your other clients"), and the senile judge not ringing the bell when I went off course in dressage, let's just say that it was not the best day. Makes for funny memes though.
19. Favorite horse show venue.
Out here in California we are blessed with many great show venues, but I'm going to go with Twin Rivers in Paso Robles. I haven't shown there yet, but I've attended shows there and I've cross-country schooled there. It is one of the most picturesque places, with the showgrounds laid out well for both the competitor and spectator. They are known for having good courses that are neither especially easy or too difficult. They always have a great selection of vendors, and always have good turnout at shows (which makes for great spectating!).
My show days start about 2 weeks before the actual show, with me updating my "show prep" google document about what needs to get done and when I'm going to do it, from cleaning tack to grocery shopping to sorting my show clothes, etc. The night before each show I create a day plan for where/when/what, I review the rulebook and show premium, and then do positive visualization exercises.
On the actual show day, I generally wake up early, get dressed in my show clothes covered with sweats, make some coffee, and then hit the road. My car is already packed with everything I need. I get to the barn, groom my horse, longe him, and then do last-minute trailer prep. We load up and head out. Upon arrival, the horses are left in the trailer while I check in at the office and review my day plan (kept in my pocket at all times!). Then the horse gets settled in a stall or tied to the trailer and I either start getting ready or check out the lay of the land, depending on the time and my familiarity with the venue.
We warm up, have an amazing show performance (thinking positive, right?) and then we pack up and head home. I tuck Hemie into his stall and go home where I half sleep, half shower. Then I really sleep. If I'm lucky, eating is in there somewhere.
With all the holiday excitement and year end reflection, I realize it's been too long since I've actually posted about Hemie and I in our training.
