Time is flying… ( day 29)

Wow, so I looked at my blog and saw it has been 4 days since I last talked to you guys!!! So sorry! Time both fly’s and crawls by here, it is kind of weird! its been one of those weeks were you know you have done a ton, but cant quite say what you did, ya know??

 

The big thing that happed in the last few days is Leo had a relapse of hives! L Not fun. He broke out all over, and the same story of supper sensitive…so we are back to the beginning  and trying to figure out WHAT it is that he is allergic to ( or what he is getting into, or what he has!). it is frustrating to say the least, and your prayers are appreciated.

 

So today, we went on a hack (Leo is feeling better, and was ok to ride lightly today.) andwe had no crazy stuff! And made it back to the barn alive!

The lecture this evening (yes…it was after dinner) was SO INTRESTING!  Schleese Saddlery came out and gave us a through talk on saddle fitting (complete with pulling a horse out and drawing on him!) he showed us the WHY behind the things we do, pointing out how the muscles and the skeletal system of the horse, and how it relates to how we fit saddles.

Day 24

So today! Ha-ha today is my day off…. Well ok, that means I get to wear jeans and do laundry and take a nap! But still… I’ll tell you guys all about yesterday!

 

We all were EXSAUSTED yesterday…but I had a great lesson and a relay good day.

 

We (Leo and I) road with Jaimie Nunn ( our barn manager)  yesterday. It was an eventful ride!   After warming up, I went to get off so Jaimie could get on….and Leo spun away from me and I went over his right shoulder and landed on my butt! It was a shock! I got up, dusted off my pride and swung back on!

We had a lesson with Jaimie on Sunday, and she got on Leo. It is cool to see someone else ride your horse, seeing them from a different perspective. Let me start with saying Leo is one good-looking boy! ;) Jaimie loved him and after riding a little, she found were we were getting “stuck” ( I was using hand before leg) so I got on and She was able to tell how to get him going forward and into the contact! It was a relay refreshing ride. And I felt like Leo and I got our stuff back together and will be ready to move FOWERD!

 

For the afternoon we went to the Kyra Kriklen clinic. It was relay interesting to see her methods. I took away one relay good quote form her (along with many awesome ideas!);

"If you always do what you always did, you always get what you've always gotten."

~Kyra Kyrklund   

Well until next time!

J

day 21...day 21!?

Wow what a week!!!! Its been a long ( and a good!) couple of. Filled with running, working, learning, and fun!

Ill give a quick rundown ( so I can go to bed ASAP…ya I know it’s only 8:30 I’m becoming more and more like my dad ;-) )

 

On Wednesday, we had a Platies lecture/ platies session with Janice Dulak. This was FACENATING!!!! She is a dressage rider, and a dancer. So she combined the two and created different exercise that simulates what the horse is doing when they use there topline, and that uses lingo that horse riders understand. let me tell you it takes a lot of CORE I relay enjoyed her take on platies.

We also went to Kim’s (the owner of HG) PRE party and watched the show as well as enjoyed some great food. It was a lot of fun to just go and hang out as friends with the WIT group!

 

Thursday I had a lesson with Andrea Landis. She focused on me ( and man did I need it!) she is very good at spotting things I do that make it hard for Leo. she asked me questions like how can I except him to be consistent if I’m not? I enjoyed the perspective she had! She also lead the morning workout which was fun! ( we had music! Yes! Made it much more fun!)

 

Today was a long day, I think it’s just because we are all so wiped out from the week! But it was good as well. In our lesson we got given ONE draw rain (made of blue baling twine) and run though Leos nose band. This tool gave me the stability I needed to help Leo come through. He ended up fighting himself, not me. It was really cool the difference it made!

Oh and we went and watched the GP freestyles! So cool!

All righty….time for me to hit the hay!

A shout out to all of you at home….sorry your freezing! Drink some coffee and stay warm!

J

Pic post!

So here are some random pics I have on my phone! Haha. 

Bath day.....

Oatmell baths to help with hives.... He wanted to eat it!

Watching Nick Fyffe at Stillpoint

FL sunset.....

The clinic! ( this is Steffen!)

On a hack at HG. 

day 17

1-20-14

Today…more working at the Clinic. We did some work, but then we also got to audit! It was really cool to watch Steffen ride! Wow!!! I have to admit I’m a bit star struck by him….just a little!! ;)

That was the whole day, and I’m wiped! When we got to the barn I jumped on Leo and hacked around bareback…so fun! Ha-ha he was a good boy to.

Well…night all!

J

day 16

1-19-14

Today was a good day!

We are all volunteering at the 2014 Succeed/USDF FEI-Level Trainers' Conference for the next 2 days. Steffen Peters and Scott Hassler are teaching and Steffen is going to ride some of the horses!!!!! But today was the basics….. We set up tables and chairs and did all stuff that goes on in organizing and running a big ordeal like this!  Fun fun! Ha-ha

After working all morning, we went back to the barn to Christmas!!! Well…at lest it felt like Christmas! Remember how I said that Lisa Wallace was giving us all DSP??? Well they came!!!! Ahahah so nice I love them! Leo got the new black patent boots and they looks sharp! I’m saving them for a special occasion, but I will most defiantly give you pics! We also had a “photo shoot with them so that was fun.

After that Judy Westlake came and gave a Lecture/stretching lesson about rider fitness. Using Eckart Meyners theory and book. I must say I’m adding in some of the stretches daily! It made so much since! I found some stretches I can use to help with my position faults ( like slumping, and looking down…in Eckarts book he has moves for lots of different things) it was vary cool.

THEN! We had a group lesson. Frist of all it was a great ride. Leo is feeling back to normal. :D Happy day! I can’t wait to add on to the foundation of thoroughness we have been working on. Secondly….i am now ready to counter the craziest warm up ring! We had 5 people riding at once, all doing their own thing in perfect harmony! Ha-ha it was impressive if I do say so.

 Well that was today!

J

day 15....and more!

HI! So It’s only been three days since I talked to you guys last….but it feels like its been forever!! Im going to give you a quick run-down of the past few days…

 

1-16-14

Thursday morning we went to Stillpoint farm (owned by Tuny Page ) to watch Nicholas Fyffe ride Fiero ( with Robert Dover) as well as watching him school a nice GP sales horse. It is so cool to see what goes into making that amazing jaw dropping test we see at the show (its not as glamorous as one might think! Nick schooled a lot of the basics with both horses.)  Both Robert and Nick were amazing teachers, letting us ask all the questions we wanted!

After that we rushed over to the show  and did a “Lunch and Learn”. This is my new favorite kind of lecture!  A Nutrena Nutritionists ( that’s fun to say) gave a presentation on horse nutrition. It was quite interesting ( and thought provoking, I cant wait to luren more) During this we got served an amazing lunch!  Then it was back to the barn for lessons and chores! Leo’s and my lesson was good. We are both still recovering, and it showed! Then (ya this was a crazy long day!) Some of the WITies went and rode a mechanical bull….random I know! But lodes of fun!

So that was Thursday!

 

1-17-14

Yesterday. Yesterday we had the amazing opportunity to be invited to Tina Konyot’s farm about an hour away from wellington. Tina ad her horse Calecto V rode for the USA in London. We got to watch her school three horses; Calecto, a training project, and her young horse. Tina is an amazing horse women, and watching, and hearing her talk about training and horses was a one of a kind opportunity.  The one thing that really stuck out to me as I watched her ride (Calecto in particular) was the sharpness of the aids both she and her horse had. Both of them were completely in tune to one another.  It was truly art in the making! I know it will be forever in my mind as a goal to one day be able to ride like that!

Yesterday was hack day! Ha-ha we took our horses “out on the town!” ( ok, we walked around the block …but still!) It’s amazing how horse centered this place is! The hack itself was…interesting ( for any of you guys who know how Leo trail rides….add in barking dogs, trucks, gardening, and polo players!) but we lived through it and I can’t wait to go out some more!

 

TODAY!

Today for me was pretty chill…. There was a “ schooling show” ( riding a test to see were you’re at) but since Leo and I have been sick we did not push it and ride a test. Instead we  schooled a little by ourselves ( it was good to work on all the new stuff we have been lruning!)  We all went to watch one of the girls show at Global ( she did awesome!!!! So much fun to cheer her on!) That and we all worked out and did chores! I’m wiped out and ready to sleep! and things start up full blast tomorrow!

 

I’m going to try to do another one of my “ photo post”  soon so keep an eye out!

Night!

J

YES!....and then not so much.

So I’m going to start off by telling you guys about YESTERDAY!

(1-14-14)

 Leo was better and it was our first day back at it!  However, I woke up not feeling well…. despite that I was determined to ride, and I went ahead with my lesson.

It was great! We took it super essey (not even cantering) and worked on getting him to be submissive all the time. Leadon gave me a “bag of tricks” to help with this as Leo seems to figure out one "trick" out just as soon as it starts to work! We finished on a good note. And his hives seamed under control!

I on the other hand, ended up making a trip to the Dr. to get checked out. ( all is fine!) it turns out I’m having a allergic reaction to something, (its a lot like what Leo had, and comes with the same treatment! Go figure….) I got the meds in me and started to feel better. Meaning I made it to our 6:30 talk, and I'm so glad I did.

Carol Lavell (She won a bronze medal in team dressage at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona) gave sort of a bio of herself, and her horse Gifted. at the tack shop ShowChic.  It was amazing to hear someone who had been there and done what we all our striving for talk about her life. She gave advice, and told amazing story’s!

(1-15-14)

So then…today! it was a rainy cloudy day! ( never that fun!)

I am feeling better (thank goodness!) but Leo broke out in more hives this morning, so we missed our lesson. L he was not sensitive on the hives, so I was told to “tack walk” him ( which means walking around under saddle….I did not know that!) today, and ride him tomorrow. however he is not allowed outside until this clears up, poor boy!

He also is going on some antibiotics to nip this in the bud! please keep us both in your prayers!

Also our lecture was canceled today. So all in all it was a rainy, slow day!

 

 

Well that’s all folks! Tomorrow is a new day! Lets hope for the best. we are having our first " lunch and Learn"...I wonder what that is all about!!!

J

Road to Recovery!

So these past couple of days have been a roller coaster! With Leo not feeling good, and then I got a little sick as well (allergies), its been rough, but we are getting thought it!

Here’s what we found out about Leo; On Friday he broke out in hives ( it was ugly, I wont share the pics!), We found out (after a vet call…) that he got a fungus.  Not fun! He got put on some meds, as well as given oatmeal baths! The hives have been clearing up and we are guessing that the fungus/hives were the case his sore back, so in a way I am thankful! He is feeling better and I’m going to lesson tomorrow on him and see how he does! Be praying!

 

The past couple of days we have had some really cool lectures,  

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we watched the CDI's at Global ( wow there are some amazing riders! ) it is so cool! I can say “hey I’m running to the show” and go five minutes and watch some of the top riders in the country compete! What an amazing experience!

Saturday during the show we had a Q & A session with Elisabeth Williams, an FEI Chief Dressage Steward at FEI, and a USEF Technical Delegate. It was interesting to hear what all happens “behind the scenes” at shows! Two of the things I took away from it were, A) read the rulebook! And B) don’t be afraid to go to the TD and ask a question!.

Sunday we did pilates with Robin Shehan.  It was really fun! I have never done anything like a platies class, and found I enjoyed it. We did mat pilates; a mix of stretching, core work, and yoga. I came out feeling relaxed, stretched, and ready to go! Its amazing how much you need the core, and balance for good ridding. I know I’m going to want to do it again!

Today ( Monday) is our day off!!! YES! I fed Leo and then went back to bed, yes I know crazy.....but I needed it.

well, talk to ya later!

J

 

 

 

Day 6

 

Today started off well. we had an interesting lecture by Laura King, about how to relax. (Relaxing helps your ridding!) She is being kind enough donate her time to us the entire three season. I am interested in seeing what she has to say, and how it affects riding.

That however, was the up part of the day. When I stared to groom Leo for our lesson, I discovered that he is extremely sore through his back. L   Because of this we had lunging lesson. Did you guys know that lunging a horse correctly is just as complex as ridding one!? I have now found a new skill that I want to perfect! The rest of the day was filled with watching people ride, and dogging the rain

 

We are trying to figure out what the problem with Leo's back is (I have a feeling it is my saddle, he has changed so much since it was last fitted) . Pleases send us lots of prayers as I try to find the problem and fix it!

J

Day 5

Today was a cold  (ok, not THAT cold….but still!) windy day! The wind lead to some spooky horses all day...fun stuff!

I’m going to take a moment to brag on my pony! He was amazing in today’s lesson! I have never had him feel so though and adjustable! It is so exciting to see how far he has come in just 4 lessons. Way to go Leo! (I’m going to try to get some video of our next lesson and show you all.) The bad news is I was informed today that I’m going without stirrups for a while.... I’m going to be in so much pain! (But it’s good for me, so I won’t complain too much!)

 

Today’s lecture, given by Lisa Wallace, was very interesting. She talked to us about buying, and selling horses. It was a privilege to be able to talk to someone who has been in the horses world, and making a living at it ( the goal of many of us!) for quite some time. Lisa also is the maker of dressage sport boots, and she vary generosity is giving us all a pair! WOW! I can’t wait for them to come!

Well! Until next time

J

Oh! And if you guys want me to talk about anything, just let me know! So much is happing sometime I find it hard to choose what to talk about!

One week.

It’s only been a week! I’m shocked! The time has both flown, and crawled by. I can’t believe how much I have learned, and seen in such a short time. I am truly blessed to be here.

Today was my “day off” ( all we had to do was take care of our horses). Leo was glad for the rest!

Today was also the last day of the Robert Dover Clinic. They did something very fun for the riders. Janet Foy (FEI 4* judge) and Linda Zang (FEI 5* Judge) watched  and judged the riders doing a test of their choice. Then they talked to them about the test afterwards. It was relay cool to hear what they had to say! Do you want to know what took off most of the points?? Accuracy!  That’s right! Note to self; accuracy can make or break your test.

Also today is my first night for night check..,fun fun!

well, Ill talk to ya'all latter! 

And may I just say…. It’s warm here ;)

J

day one.

The first day!
Today was a good day! 
We started off with a fitness test at 7 (my skipped workouts showed!) and after that fun event...we went on to lessons! 

I had the last lesson of the day, and as the clinic is still going on, we had partial lessons. I rode with Jaime, (who is a lovely rider) I’ll just give you guys a brief rundown of it!

After warming up (Lendon has us do 15 min of walking before every ride, I relay like this!) we got in the ring. To be honest I was a bit nerves. But that quickly went away as we started to working! 
Our goal today was keeping Leo bent, and through to the contact, and on me staying soft and with him throw the bend. Over all I was very happy with how it went! I saw an improvement in Leo, and I can’t wait to build on to it. 

Things are starting to run more on a schedule! (For that I'm thankful!) Because of that tonightI get to chill a little more than I have been! (No swimming though...the cold front is hitting FL too!! it was in the 60's today! wink wink...)

alrighty, so I'm on to the chilling!
J

Pictures!

Ok let's see if this works! They are just some quick shots I took......

Geting to wellington talk about a horse world!

Ya this boy was just chilling.....I Had some tourist moments....

In the store..... I wonder who for??

I fixed his clip! ( many thanks to those who helped!)

The clinic. 

Just a quick note...

Hi all! So I think I'm figuring out this whole blog site...I THINK! I am also extremely tired so I'm just going to tell you about one thing today!

Today... I got to audit the Robert Dover Clinic, and may I just say, wow. Robert has such a way of explaining things so that the mechanics, and the art blend, and make complete since together. The lecture this morning focused mainly on the half halts. Something that really stuck with me is what he said during one of the lessons we watched "half halt is not a subtraction, it is and addition of engagement"(Robert Dover).  I am thrilled that we get this opportunity to watch this clinic.

Tomorrow starts the program! we are having a fitness test, and then lessons begin! ( ill be sure to give you the run down on mine).
Night all!
J

 

Made it!

 ok I wrote this last night, but did not have wi-fi!  I’ll post todays as a separate thing!

Hi guys!! Sorry it took so long to get this up! ill give you a quick run down of things.

We got to Wellington around 2 on Monday, and then began a whirlwind of activity! The first day kind of went by in a blur to be honest… it was full of getting Leo settled, moving into my new home, and meeting lots of people! (I hope I’ll be able to remember names!) This is a whole new environment for Leo and I, but I think we are going to quickly adapt t!

 

This morning. I was at the barn at 6:30 to take care of Leo, Then I got to audit some lessons! Wow I have already soaked up so much! I can’t wait to have my first lesson ( which is on Friday).

This afternoon involved running around, getting lost a time or two (anyone surprised?) and getting to know people.

 

Leo got trund out this evening for the night. He was SO happy, and a little bit frisky ;)!

Its New Year’s eve (this I remembered around 3 today….) so Happy New Year to all! I’m ready to hit the hay (and its only 10??? ;) ) I most defiantly will post pictures , after I figure out how that is!

Tomorrow is up and at’em! I’m planning to hack Leo, he was a bit of a wild man in his field, so lets hope for the best!