Show Recap: Jack’s Novice CT with another pilot

Posted on February 25, 2019 by Britt

While I was in sunny Florida stalking gorgeous [$$$] ponies, my own pony was trudging through the mud and muck, competing with another rider. Before the show she had taken a jumping lesson on him, and flatted him once on her own. Luckily though, she’s a talented rider (just placed 2nd at Pine Top’s Prelim!) and sensitive enough to absolutely have no problem with my occasionally spastic yellow pony.

Since I wasn’t there, I can’t go into the day in detail, but obviously it didn’t go too shabby. Together they scored a 27.9 in Dressage, which was fourth after a 3-way tie for 1st place (score 27.1 – dang it!). The video shows a test that is accurate with only small moments of tension, and I’m pleased that Jack had a fairly confidence boosting experience.

Then there was showjumping. Jack typically warms up beautifully for showjumping, then goes into the arena and ‘pings’ off all the fences in total sensory overload (the colors! the ferns! the poles! ah!). And you can see that A had a bit of that ride herself, though she implements the gag bit better than I to get his frame in a better shape so we wouldn’t go hollow over the fences.

They did get one rail, as you can see- where he got hollow on the approach and took out the back rail of an oxer. But overall, again, a really nice round that looked more settled than normal. Which is all I wanted!

Fake news

They accidentally recorded an extra rail, but Jack would have placed 5th overall. Since it’s a CT, and I wasn’t riding, I could care less, but it was good to see that overall he did fairly well in a course that looked like it caused lots of rails down.

In general, I’m happy with the experience that this rider gave him. I would say I would have preferred myself to be in the tack, but given the weather conditions, I won’t – Florida was glorious and that show looked wet and miserable. #sorrynotsorry

The next time we hit up the horse park it will be for a recognized show- and there’s a lot to prep between now and then! Thanks A for the great ride 🙂

Over the solid jumps we go

Posted on February 12, 2019 by Britt

Sunday was Jack’s first time seeing a cross country fence since May of last year. And where I expected spookiness and spasms, I was surprised to find I had a rateable and reasonable horse instead.

Honestly, there’s not much to say because he was so good! We kept things fairly small and simple to make for a confidence-building experience.

Mostly, Jack was brilliant, and I need to improve lots of things about myself to make for a more effective ride. I’m still working on being slower with my upper body, and I got plenty of reminders to keep my hands closer to his neck both as we’re cantering and over the fences.

Honestly, though, our main takeaway from the day was that cross country is SO fun, and I can’t wait to get out there again!

Handing over the reins

Posted on February 7, 2019 by Britt

Next weekend I intend to take an exciting personal trip to Welly world, taking photos of gorgeous creatures and soaking in the sunshine. The only real downside to this is that we will miss the opportunity to get out and show again before the recognized competition I signed up for in early March.

So, after some thought and consulting the trainer, I decided to let someone else compete him. Since she happens to be a well schooled Prelim rider, she should be set up to give him a great experience in the arena and give him a bit more positive mileage since his long break.

I’ve never had anyone show a horse of mine before, and the idea that someone other than myself would be hauling my delicate flower around, tending to his needs, and even jumping him without my even being in the same state- well, that pricks my anxiety in no small way.

But the stress of letting my baby bird leave the nest will hopefully be worth it, ideally with Jack being just that little bit more relaxed at the big show next month.

Tell me- have you ever had someone fill in for you at a show, on your horse? How did it go???

The Country Road Brings him Home

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Britt

Saturday I went to see Foster as planned, with not a little trepidation and all the options for him flipping through my head like a possessed rolodex. With me were 2 folks from my barn, who might have an interest in leasing him somehow but also were there as emotional support when the inevitable tears came.

And they did, though thankfully they were happy tears. Foster is hairy and fat, but happy, at ease, and still knows how to smile. I got to see him walk, trot, and canter on the lunge line briefly before hopping aboard for the first time in years. Despite not being quite as round and dressage-pony-esque, he was exactly the same. I was so tempted to drop the reins and canter around forever- but first, my friends had to experience the magic.

Feels like home

It didn’t take long before they convinced me to bring him home. Foster is as charming as he ever was, just as happy to trot around the arena as he is to be a couch and take a nap in the sun while we chatted. And they felt confident that between them, a lease situation could be worked out.

Plus- baby goats!

What we landed on: he would have a free lease situation, and my costs would be his monthly supplements (some Smartpak supplements so he can be enrolled in ColicCare) and any vet costs. So I contacted all the requisite people, and told them the news that Foster had a home and because of the gorgeous weather (60* in February, yes please!) I’d be picking him up in the morning.

My heart swelled as he hopped on the trailer with nary a thought, and the ride home was quiet as I’m sure he pondered what would happen next. When he stepped off the trailer at the farm, Jack was there staring down the situation- I’m sure he knows that’s “his” trailer, and to see another creature come off it was perplexing. Of course I immediately let them meet, and there was a mutual curiosity that lasted just long enough for me to snap a couple pics.

And so he’s home. He’s going to be the first face to greet barn visitors, just as he was before I retired him. I can’t wait for him to meet all the folks who have not yet had the opportunity to fall in love with him, and appreciate his kind eye and Fabio forelock. More updates to come as we begin this new part of Foster’s story. And a new chapter in mine- as I go just as suddenly from one horse to two horse family, and get to relish in seeing my old partner close by again.