A trip to Hunter Jumper land

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Britt

Yup, you read that right, for the most part. A plan is currently in the works to attend a C rated Hunter Jumper show 2 weekends from now. The idea being that I have the fun habit of forgetting to think when I head into the jumper ring, and so maybe if I make multiple trips around a course in one day eventually the synapses will start firing again.

Also, remember that goal of trying to move up to Training next year? Well, getting around a 3’3″ course would be a super handy skill to have.

because right now 3’3″ still looks kind of huge…

So as I try to make sense out of the class list (seriously, where is the book “Hunters for Dummies”?!) I think I’ll be doing the following classes on Saturday…

Adult Amateur (I assume that means me) 2’9″

Low Schooling Jumper Table II 2(b) (3’)

High Schooling Jumper Table II 2(b) (3’3”)

Seriously though, this in itself invites so many questions.. Such as:

What is the (b) in the Jumper classes?
What is the difference between High Schooling Jumper Table II 2(b) (3’3”) and Child/Ad Table II 2(b) (3’3”) .. or Child/Ad Table II 1, Sec 1 (3’3”) for that matter?
Since I’m thinking of doing one hunter class, what can I wear? Keeping in mind that the only coat I own is a Dressage coat….
What constitutes a division?

And then Sunday, assuming I have made sense of the above questions, I intend to do some sort of ‘division’ at 3’3″.

Why is this all so confusing?!

Lesson Recap: Dressage

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Britt

So, per my whining about needing lessons, I was able to get one in this weekend with Eliza. It was really good to check in and to verify that I have not been busy messing up my horse that last several months. Always nice to hear.

One of my concerns recently has been that Foster is not steady in the contact as much as I would like, and even having moments of dipping behind the vertical. So to begin with, we warmed up with a focus on him seeking the bit and pushing off with his hind end, rather than shuffling like he tends to do.

We also worked on the canter, which has always been Foster’s trickiest gait. Again, the focus was on encouraging an active hind end and getting the impulsion and ‘jump’ that his canter tends to lack. Some minor collection efforts were introduced to get him sitting on his butt. This proved to be the hardest exercise for the both of us, and I’ll definitely be practicing a lot!

Then we moved onto walk/trot transitions. As basic as it is, Foster still wants to use his forehand to transition, and that’s just not cool anymore. Thinking halt before moving up into the trot ideally will get him rocking his balance back and pushing off his hind leg instead of leaning into the transition.

Shoulder-ins made an appearance, and it was fun for me to see how they have improved over the last 6 months. While not yet perfect, the movement feels easier for him and more even in both directions. Our straightness has definitely improved, and I think all the lateral work we have done has helped strengthen his back left so that the work is easier for him to do.

Lastly, regarding both activating the hind end and thinking about extended trot/lengthenings, I got off and Eliza showed me how to do some in-hand work, but like the training of a horse for piaffe. Foster quickly picked up on the idea that he should lift his leg when touched with the whip, and ideally we will be able to introduce this concept at the walk as well. Eventually we will do this with his forelegs, a la the Spanish Walk, with the idea that he will get a feel for lifting his elbows and hopefully produce a better extended or lengthened trot. Super fun!

Overall, it was good to check in with all of the basics and get homework for the future. I’m glad to have these things to work on and feel some accountability for working on these goals and not leaving them on the back burner. It was also good to learn that when I feel him get heavy in my hands as I ask for more and more hind end work, I shouldn’t be afraid and for now, the extra contact is an acceptable way for him to go as he figures these things out for the first time. As Eliza put it (and this really resonated with me), Foster is very sensitive in the mouth, but a little stiff in the body. It’s always nice to hear someone put into words what you couldn’t say yourself!

Anyways, I am so happy to have gotten this lesson in, and encouraged to know that we are moving in the right direction. The rest of those many, many lessons that I want will only help!

Photography Friday: The story of Baron

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Britt

Alright, y’all. This is a photo shoot that has been on my mind and heart for a very long time before we ever picked up the camera.

Here’s why…

I met Ali and Baron when I bought Foster, as fellow boarders at the beautiful old barn I left not too long ago. Ali, an adult amateur like me, was bringing up a young horse with the intention to event. Enter Baron- a fiesty little 15.1 hh former racehorse whose sweet disposition and occasional exuberance made for an exceptional event horse in the making.

Ali and Baron have joined Foster and I on almost all of our adventures, and so I’ve watched them grow together. I saw them jump their first roll top, that first 3′ fence (both of these accompanied by exclamations from Ali that I can’t list here- did I mention his exuberance?), watched them master lead changes and find success in the dressage ring. Ali and Baron are a great pair, and it’s been joyful watching them progress so much in just a few years.

Fast forward to last April. I was riding a train through Scotland on my honeymoon, and I was reading an email from Ali about a bump that had formed on Baron’s face. We thought many things- maybe he had been kicked, maybe he had a tooth issue, but eventually the worst was thought; maybe he had cancer. A trip to NC State’s veterinary school confirmed that Baron had Plasma Cell Myeloma, a cancer that has only been diagnosed in 12 horses before. Heartbroken is the only word fit to describe that day.

Still, more than a year later, Baron has been mostly unaware of the sickness. He still does daily gallops around the field, begs for attention, and continues his normal antics. Ali was able to continue riding him for some time, until soreness in the sternum prevented him from being girthed and saddled. Now Baron is retired, enjoying his days steeped in peppermints and affection. We know those days are limited, but for now, he is happy, and that is enough.

I did this photo shoot with Ali and Baron, for two reasons. One is simply because I owe her so much- she has become a wonderful friend and I will never be able to pay her back for the generosity she has shown me over the years. The second reason, is that this horse deserves a moment to be celebrated, for all he has done and simply because he is a beautiful animal, and that is always to be celebrated.

With these photos, I attempted to capture some of the heart of Baron and the relationship he has with his owner, who is a brave, brave woman and so fully deserving of having these moments to keep with her forever.

Have a great weekend, y’all.

Getting desperate

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Britt

For a lesson, that is. I feel like I’m at a point in Foster’s training where I’m chasing my tail. Instead of progressing forward, I’m routinely checking in and picking at tiny nuances that are appropriate for the level we’re at. Case in point- I’ve been meaning to work on lengthenings ALL YEAR. Have we? Nope!

Getting Foster ready for another lengthening-less ride

So I’m ready for a lesson. Many lessons, in fact. Even if it’s temporary, I would like to start some kind of program where we are pushed to work on things outside our comfort zone. Like jumping combinations, and lengthenings. How the fritz am I supposed to move up to Training if we aren’t even practicing Training level things? Corners, coffins, triple combinations… I mean hello?! Wake up Britt and smell the sawdust- it ain’t happening at this rate.

Mane is show ready finally, with no show in sight

In an effort to get on the right track, I have a dressage lesson scheduled for Saturday morning. It’s been since December when I last saw Eliza, and I am very curious to see what she thinks of where we are now. And I am a little ashamed of not progressing much in the last 6 months. I guess craptastic weather + traveling + new barn + weight loss + mystery swelling are excuses, but still…

Also, my horse is a dirty pig. Another good excuse for not lessoning?

But I did say *many* lessons. And since 1 lesson does not many lessons make, I am on the hunt for what to do. Since I am gone every weekend in August (that’s right, every. weekend.), trailering out to our regular lesson place is not an option. So, I may be looking to what’s available at my current barn. Lots of trainers come in for various boarders, and I’ve just got to choose who to ask. But herein lies a question- is a lesson a good thing no matter what, or does it really matter who the trainer is? When you are desperate for feedback, does it matter who the eyeballs belong to? What do you guys think? How do you decide?

Photography Friday

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Britt

This weekend I will be doing a couple fun horse-related shoots for two wonderful friends and their equines who have been been on some rather eventful journeys. The first, Ali and Baron, is a rather poignant event. Here are some photos of Baron that I have taken over the past couple years.

Hug your horses, friends, and have a great weekend.

Riding Guilty

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Britt

Pair weddings/new job/actually-trying-to-see-friends-before-they-forget-I-exist with summer evening thunderstorms and really, I haven’t ridden much recently.

But here’s the crux- even when I know that it’s not safe, and it looks like God is getting ready to shower the earth with lightning bolts, I have to have an external discussion with someone (poor husband) justifying why even riding in a covered arena in a thunderstorm is bad news bears. Metal horse shoes, in a metal container, sounds like a bad idea to me. Plus walking the horse outside, however briefly, to get to the covered arena leaves me wringing my hands. But still, I won’t feel better until I have a ~~slightly scared~~ person on the other end nodding that yes, I am making the right decision, and no, my horse won’t fall to pieces if I’m not there to save him. Last night I actually needed two such persons. Yikes.

Foster loves his cuddles. And I swear my nose does not look that beaky normally.

Pretty much, I always feel guilty if I can’t ride, even if I have a stellar excuse not to. I know it’s my responsibility to keep him fit, that we won’t move forward without practice, and basically my horse loves a good cuddle, and it makes me feel like a bad person when I don’t see him for a long time.

Am I alone here, or does anyone else out there struggle with the guilt of not riding? How do you balance those feelings with having some kind of social life? Or how about balancing those feelings with basic things like a normal sleep schedule, and eating?

Catching Up: The Horse

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Britt

I have been more than remiss with this blog for the past week, and so, I apologize. The good news is, a lot has been going on and so I have stuff to talk about!

Sorry y’all!

Since our 3’9″ awesome-tastic jumping efforts a little while ago, things have gone a little downhill. As has happened in the past, summer has stolen a tiny part of Foster’s brain and run away until Fall. So, since I hemmed and hawed over a Calming supplement last year, and never did it, I’ve bitten the bullet and ordered SmartCalm to try out for the season. The theory, as I’ve been told, is that in the summer the horses sweat a lot (duh), and through the sweating process magnesium leaves the body. Magnesium is an active ingredient in calming supplements, and a supplement will help replace the mineral faster than the horse would normally replenish it. Hence, more sweat = more crazy/twitchy horse, more magnesium = calmer/less spooky horse that hopefully I won’t want to kill. We’ll see how it goes.

Please, please work!

In other news, I also received my new saddle! It is oh so beautimous and pretty and shiny and new! I’ve ridden in it a couple times, and while I feel fine posting in it, I am still trying to create the muscle memory for sitting the trot. My legs in my old saddle definitely crept forward into a chair seat, so that is what I am trying to fight with the giant thigh blocks I now have. Will take some time, but the end result will be oh-so worth it!

Other than his spooky moments, Foster has really settled into the new barn and we are loving the rubber footing! Between that and the new saddle (which really makes Foster lift his back in a way I haven’t felt before!), I think he is a happier horse already. Just hoping we will get back on track with the spookiness, and then I think this summer will be a positive one for our training and progression. At least here’s hoping!

New, new, new

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Britt

That is- new job (which of course y’all know about), new saddle (squee!), and new accomplishments!

How ’bout them knees?!

Today is my last day as an Experience Architect. It’s been really neat learning the proper in’s and out’s of user experience (how users interact with websites, and developing interfaces and interactions that make the web experience as optimal as possible), and it’s satisfied my curiosity and hunger for delving into the psychological aspects of design. However, I’m really excited to get my hands dirty in Photoshop and push pixels once more! My new role will encompass print, presentation, and web design, as well as brand development and a whole slew of other fun things- they do say variety is the spice of life!

Because Patrick Stewart in any meme is a win

In other news, I bit the bullet and bought myself a new saddle. I feel like I’m being adventurous, as I bought it on ebay, so I’ve got my fingers crossed that it arrives to me in the mint condition it was advertised as. This puppy has supposedly been sat in 4 times, and was offered at less than 50% its retail value- I’m taking a gamble on it, and I hope it’s a good one! It’s a Prestige D2000- as much as I love the Optimax model, they are hard to find! I think these thigh blocks will be super helpful in getting my leg where I want it though- can’t wait to sit in it!

My preciousss

And then lastly, last night N gave me another lesson. After the frustrations of last week, we decided to do a gymnastic and try and have fun with it while letting Foster find a spot on his own, so I’d stop picking at him for the deep spot. A little trial and error, but here is what we ended on!

That’s a new record for us- 3’9″! Foster handled it so easily, it’s exciting to think that 4′ may be within our reach, and Prelim might be possible after all! The adrenaline was really going, and the ride was definitely a confidence builder and I’m thankful to N for pushing us to make it happen!

3’9″!

I am so stoked about the last couple days, and the changes to come this week. It’s a balm to the soul to know you have good friends, an honest horse, and to think your career is heading in the right direction, and to say I’m feeling so blessed is an understatement. So very thankful!

What’s in a name

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Britt

A couple days ago Eventing Nation posted a fun article about horses with names that come to mind after 5. While I am not the most superstitious person, I grew up learning that there are a couple things that will bring luck to a horse- one being big ears (big ears make big jumpers!) and alcoholic names.

Scrumpy Jack, named after a British hard cider

So of course when I got Foster (then named Pilgrim- lady did you not read The Horse Whisperer?!), I started thinking about what boozey name I would brand him with. On The Rocks was taken, Kahlua and Creme too girly, so I looked to my favorite liquor- whiskey, for inspiration.

Kentucky Gentleman is my husband and I’s go-to whiskey for a nice mixed cocktail, or night out camping, and I think it’s a perfect fit. And since neither Kentucky nor Gentleman really rolls off the tongue as a barn name, we’d call him Foster for short. That’s Australian for beer 😉

So what about you guys? How did you come up with your 4 legged friend’s name? Was it planned, or did it happen in a more organic manner?

You know you’re a nerd when…

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Britt

You say you have to leave early from a social engagement, because you really have to find time to read today. Yeah.

So if I’m a little quiet at the moment, it’s because every other thought is devoted to the newest Outlander book. Oh, you haven’t heard of Outlander? Let me tell you all about it… Highly recommend, especially if you need time off from ~~life~~ horses and enjoy a well researched historical fiction with the best character development ever. EVER. Alright, I’ll stop.

Unfortunately cheesy title, otherwise COME TO ME, MY PRECIOUS

Other things I keep thinking about- how I turn my agency/I’m-not-a-hipster-but-I’m-still-kinda-cool wardrobe that I’ve been building up for the last 5 months into a business professional getup once more. (Read between the lines: SHOPPING!) While there’s no strict dress code at the new job, I will be working in the Executive building with all the fancy people, and I’m pretty sure my collection of different colored jeans isn’t going to cut it. Dern.

Speaking of spending money, I have been debating on shucking out the dollars and investing in some fly gear. My fly sheet is just too thick for Carolina summers, so we’ll start with some new fly boots to help the pony keep those pesky bugs off his legs.

And they come in green?!

Otherwise, since I can’t give Foster the time off that it would take me to finish the afore-mentioned monster book, I’ve still been riding and working a bit to keep him in shape. Thankfully, N is still around and was willing to give me my little lesson last night. Unfortunately I’d had kind of a crap day at work and came into the ride wanting the perfect day-saving ride that of course never happens when you really want it. Not that Foster was bad, actually he was great and did everything I asked of him. But I picked at him and was over-riding the jumps, and as I result we consistently got distances that were deep, deep, deep.

Rather deep than this! Ahh!

Luckily N knows me well enough to tell me to take it back a notch and have fun, and just let the jumps come to me instead of finding the deep distance. All things in time, and it’s good advice that I will take to heart. The next couple days are going to hit the upper 90s, and so Foster and I are going to get a little break and I’m going to work on my attitude! A little bachelorette fun is also on the menu for this weekend, and I think that will be just the ticket for turning that frown upside-down! Can’t wait!