Menacing blades of grass

Stella and I went out for another solo ride Saturday after our plans to camp fell through when one person had truck trouble and the other was out of town.  I couldn't find anyone who wanted to go with me close to home so I decided to take Stella out for a longer ride by herself.

Once again we were the only horse at the park, it was very busy Saturday with lots of people at the baseball fields, and a big tent set up at the trailhead for a mountain bike work day with lots and lots of bikers around.

This was the first time in quite awhile that I've ridden Stella up from the trailer, since she was so balky last summer I dealt with it by leading her up to the trailhead and about 50 feet down the trails, then getting on. Today I figured what the heck and to my pleasure she didn't have a problem besides some snorting.

The first trail we hit is along the ridgeline, is very twisty turny, and has a steep drop off.  Nothing to worry about as Stella was great!!

After that we headed to a nice doubletrack trail so we could do some trotting.  First we came across a deer which didn't go as horrible as I thought!  I caught this on my helmet cam for your enjoyment.

A few minutes later we came to screeching halt.  Stella was intently staring at something and would not budge.  I looked and looked as she has gotten pretty good with all the suspicious rocks and logs.  Finally I saw what had my horse shaking in her socks.....

A blade of grass with a fluffy top.

Serious.

Some whacking and clucking and I got her moving again, she wasn't quite as dramatic at the second blade of grass and after that she was good.  I did quite a bit of trotting, tested the brakes a few times, and even trotted right past the short cut she usually has a fit at.

After we came out into the parking area I decided to ride her back up to the trailhead to reinforce the I'm In Charge.  She was reluctant but didn't put up too big of a fight.

Then I rode  her down toward the baseball diamonds but didn't get too close.

Overall I was quite pleased with her, she's so much more confident on the trails than last year and she is getting stuck less and less.

I hope you enjoy the video and let me know how scary that blade of grass was on camera!!!

First 2016 XC school goes great

This weekend was my favorite horse trial at my favorite place, Come Again Farm, and I didn't go.  Not only did I not go, but I didn't even enter.  It was part of a very grown up decision to put my money toward lessons where I could work on our cohesive unit problem under supervision.  I didn't need another show where I struggled to get over tiny fences because my leg wasn't on well enough and Stella decided things were optional.  

We all know what happened at the last horse trial I attended at the same property in October.  It's been in the front of my mind for months.  

So when I showed up for my lesson, already nervous about show jumping, and found out we were going XC schooling I almost packed my ass right up and left.  Instead, I put on a brave face and tacked up my steed.  For some bizarre reason I felt much more comfortable out in the field jumping the (tiny) fences than I thought I'd be.  Perhaps because I'm in general more comfortable in "nature?"  I have had accumulatively fewer bad experiences XC?  Who knows.

As usual my instructor had many more things to say to me than the other students.  I have not figured out if this is because I'm generally more terrible, or if she pushes me harder than others to achieve my goals.  

This lesson was about precision.  Who picks the direction?  Me or Stella?  Who picks the speed of the trot?  If the speed of the trot is a mutual decision, change something anyway to emphasize that I am the boss.  Half halt before the fence to establish control and put the horse on its haunches, even if I am trotting to a 10 inch fence.

  Jump the middle of the fence.  The actual middle.

No, like the middle middle.  

I had a run out at the bank up because I had chosen to jump the shallower edge but wasn't specific enough and Stella thought it was easier to skirt around.  My fault.

I did not have a stop at the jump from the grass into the arena, even though that fence has always terrified me because I think the change of footing should be spooky.  I kept my damn leg on and rode.  

Yeah!!!!

No problems at the water, and I am ever thankful I spent so much time getting Stella over her water issue when I first got her, thanks to a good friend of mine.  

I did have a snit fit on the long trot out to a fence in the back 40.  I think because we went by the exit gate headed back to the barn?  Trainer had me go by this a few times so I could practice what I needed to do in this situation.  Be decisive. Leg on.  Wide hands.  Go forward.

It was a great lesson and I left feeling disappointed that I didn't get to jump anything bigger!  We'll see if I feel the same way when I HAVE to jump something bigger!

Stella roughs it

Last weekend Stella and I went camping, this wasn't our first camping trip but it was our first trip in my new trailer, and my first time setting up my own camp by myself.

I managed to get my trailer backed in reasonably straight, eventually.

I tried out my 10 minute awning design I saw on another trailer online somewhere and was really pleased with the results.  With a silver tarp it didn't look that redneck at all!  I just used step in posts in this picture but raised it up when my boyfriend brought his car loaded with random PVC pipes.  I have a few other changes to make for next time but I was pleased as punch!

Here are my sleeping quarters, I have a foam wood puzzle floor in and one of those As Seen on TV screen doors up to keep bugs out.   I had one of the saddle racks sawed out and my cot fits perfectly in that spot, with my feet under the mangers.  I have still not decided if I should insulate the inside or just paint it up nice and fresh.

My Sterno stove did a great job cooking all my meals for one for the weekend!

Here's my little hand/dish washing station!  

Stella's electric corral went up pretty easy for the first time ever, especially considering I cobbled it together in order to save money.  She respected it, and the fence charger kept it nice and hot just in case

I had a really great view all weekend!

Saturday we did 10 - 12 miles at a pretty good clip.  Stella was a very good horse and enjoyed being in front and had to learn how to enjoy being in the middle and bringing up the rear.  On Sunday my boyfriend brought his GoPro up so I got to try it out on top of my helmet.  It took great video but we went quite a bit slower since he went with us and only did about 4 miles.  The only issue I have with the Gopro is that my computer can't handle the large files due to my older graphics card so I had to borrow a laptop to get this short video.

Hope everyone enjoys it!

Two very different shows

Last weekend was Stella's first Combined Test and show of the year and the weather couldn't have been worse for it!  Pouring rain, driving wind, quite cold.  Stella's starting to warm up on the bridle when we go places but we still aren't carrying that from a location she's been in for a bit to our new location so more work to be done there.  Plus, I looked at an entry from a year ago which had Intro A listed instead of Intro B so I got run out of the arena, had to download the test on my phone, then went back into the arena.

Jumping I'm still totally a spazz about for various unknown and known reasons.  Stella needs a very supportive ride or she will stop, even over crossrails.  Not that she doesn't WANT to do it, but she doesn't WANT to do it if I'm not committed.  I need to find a way to calm my warm up arena nerves so I can be a more productive rider.  In the ring we had two stops where I wasn't riding with a supportive lower leg.  The fences I let her maintain her canter to, and rode more aggressively too she had no issues.  The fences I let her trot to we had issues.  I think maybe I'm more focused and plugged in at the canter then at the trot?

Either way quite a mixed bag of emotions there.  On the one hand I don't feel like I've been riding well enough to deserve to get around.  I had a good lesson a few weeks before were we were connected and plugged in and she only stopped at the fences I thought she'd stop at because I failed to do anything about it.  Our lesson before the show was a different matter and Stella stopped at everything.  Without the support of other horses in the ring she really needs that from me.  So while I went into the show commited to ride better, did I really keep my promise to myself?  On the other hand, it's a freaking crossrail and it's obvious we're going over it, so do I want a horse that questions everything?  Will Stella always be that kind of horse and do I want to ride that kind of horse?  Can I learn to ride that kind of horse?

Yesterday I took Stella to an open show.  A friend was originally going to take her young mare to get her used to the busy show atmosphere and get some ring time with other horses but her mare was injured so instead she took her green gelding who did quite well!  I was pretty on the wrong side of the fence about this show.  I realized that Stella isn't an arena class or conformation horse, I'd just been to a horse show, and I came up short on fun money.  But we went and we gained experience!

Stella is pretty good when she goes places on her own, but she gets really attached to her trailer buddy.  I am hoping that more experiences where she has to leave her buddy will help calm her nerves down.  She did basically scream the entire time she was separated from her buddy though.

Here we are being failures at halter horses.  She was anxious, noisy, and she just doesn't have the conformation that these judges are looking for.  I do admit that her neck sets in low and she needs more muscling there to make up for it, but I don't think she's built too awful bad.

This is Sport Horse in Hand.  I didn't think she did too bad here, she was happy to trot in hand which was great as we have not really practiced this since last summer.

Here's our under saddle class.  I picked a walk trot class as I didn't think I could maintain her canter in that big of a group and wanted to give her a more relaxing experience.  She handled herself really well.  I got a great spot all by myself so I didn't have to contend with anyone bumping into me.  I did question it a bit at first as I was hoping to be behind someone especially down the side with the bleachers in case she got spooky.  She wasn't on the bridle the entire time but she didn't back off or spook at anything so I was pleased.

There are 14 other horses in our class!!!

Our next trip is this coming weekend and we will be hauling 2 hours away and camping for the entire weekend!  EEEECKKK!!!  I hope Stella stays in the pen I have to make for her and that I don't freeze in my trailer dressing room.

What says "I went to Rolex?"

Rolex is a pilgrimage, a rite of passage, meca for eventers and non eventers alike.  Certain things at Rolex scream I WENT TO ROLEX.

Here are three things that scream Rolex to me, what about you?

1.  Free STUFF!!!!

Several of the big companies hand out free samples of their supplements every year and I always try to stock up and see what I like and what I don't like.

This year the Finish line booth was fantastic.

I got a sample of the Fluid Action HA which is a joint supplement, Apple a Day electrolyte, and a tube of Quia Cal.

I've used the joint supplement before on Annie but never noticed any difference movement wise, although she was a pretty sound horse to begin with.  I'm interested in seeing if there is a change in Stella.

I'm going to look into using the electrolyte at shows or hard trail rides. I know that some people swear by electrolytes, some use their own combination of salt and tasty goodies in water, and others say that electrolytes can do more harm than good if not used in the right applications.

I wish this was around when I was riding Nikki!  The rep said this supplement would not "test" and only contains Magnesium, Calcium, and Thiamine.  All ingredients that might have mild calming effects if the horse has a deficiency of one of them in the first place.  Does it work, do you deserve to ride because you are drugging your horse you scum, or is it a rider placebo effect?  

At the entry gate we got mobbed by someone pushing a free 30 day trial of a Probiotic, so when we stumbled across that booth I swung in and asked for my sample.  The container says it helps gut flora in the GI tract and assists with the digestion and absorption of essential nutrients and it is formulated to reach the hindgut. The idea is that in stressful circumstances the intestinal tract is upset and the good bacteria die off and you can replace them by feeding a probiotic.

The Purina booth was giving away samples of Purina Supersport which is a targeted amino acid formulation for muscle performance, exercise, and recovery.  Most balanced horse diets already contain the 9 amino acids your horse needs (he produces the rest himself for a total of 21) but there is a murky area if horse feed contains ENOUGH of the right ones so people sometimes supplement.  If you feed your horse too many amino acids in his diet he will create excess urine to remove them from his body.

2.  BOOOOOOOTSSSSS!!!!!

Walking around the grounds it seems like you can't get a ticket without wearing a pair of country boots.   You know, the calf high waterproof leather boots that are the quintessential english equestrian fashion statement.  From the top of the line and status symbol Dubarrys to the less expensive brands, everyone seemed to have a pair.  I've always boycotted the boots as an anti establishment movement.   It's pretty silly when it's 80 degrees out and people are in shorts and calf high leather waterproof boots.  However, last year I wanted to take someone behind a porta john and mug them for their nice dry boots so I was half heartedly looking.

Lo and behold, the Frenches Shoes and Boots booth had some on mark down for $60!!!  They are by a British company called Kanyon and you can see them here, along with my next item of discussion....

3.  The Cosequin Bucket!!!  You know that 5 gallon piece of advertising people stand in line 45 minutes for.  The bucket that says I WENT TO ROLEX and all I got was this bucket.  I've got one protecting my trailer jack, one filled with my grooming supplies, and now I have one for what I think is going to be a wash bucket!  Happy Rolex!!!

Rolex, some shopping!

ROLEX!!!  Yesterday was our annual trip to Rolex  The shopping was so great we totally missed all of the dressage tests but one, I plan on catching up on some of the dressage today while I'm home waiting for XC to start.

The weather was FANTASTIC, although it doesn't like it will be as nice today!

I'm not a huge spender, it helps that I just bought a truck and trailer, so I did lots and lots of window shopping!

Here are a few things I loved but DID NOT buy.

The Alexus riding top by Smartpak.  First, duhhhh, purple!  This is a tech fabric shirt with a UPF rating so you're good in the sun.  The stand up collar buttons up under your dressage coat to provide a very traditional look but folds down and shows some nice color on the neck, plus the slimming color contrast side panels.  Loved it!

The Romfh lace show shirt another very traditional show shirt with some non traditional flare under the arms acting as nice ventilation.  The lace was soft and could only be seen without a coat, although I think this was a little "risque" to wear without one.

The Fits Ruffle Show Shirt  I really loved the waffle weave texture and having your stock tie built right in!

I liked the ventilated mesh back of the FITS show coat, a smart idea when you want to wear your coat for dressage and it's a summer day.

I sat in a bunch of saddles, just because.  I wanted to sit in the CWD saddles since so many people have been swooning over them and I wanted to figure out why.  I liked the saddles, but I didn't find anything SPECIAL about them for me at least.  They felt fine to sit in, but nothing that said "you will be at PSG in two months."

I loved the feel of a Stackhouse similar to this one.  It was made of this interesting suede like material that you were supposed to oil and make it look like normal leather while retaining the grippy texture.  These saddles are entirely custom, made by the owners of the company and they are produced to your exact measurements and your horse's measurements separate.  I liked that it was a smaller company who could be more focused on each buyer and not on mass producing almost identical saddles.    It did mean that all of the saddles I sat in were total customs so none made exactly for me, although I think if you sat in enough you'd get a good idea of what saddle worked for you.  This saddle was a work of art, and I love the flap design.  Very unique.

I LOVED the innovative design of the Bliss of London Paramour  Dressage saddle.  Sometimes I'm disappointed in monoflap saddles because even though there is only one layer, the leather is so thick it doesn't really make a difference.  The Paramour saddle had a thinner panel of leather and one of the reps put her hand underneath the flap and you could clearly feel it.  The flap really felt almost extraneous which I really enjoyed, something to keep my breeches from getting sweaty, but not enough to put a mountain between me and my horse.   My favorite part is that little dip between the seat of the saddle/the panels and your leg, it gave this ultra close contact feel as the supportive seat dropped away under your thigh to provide a great feel of your horse.  The thigh block also felt supportive but not restrictive, I'm a big fan of being able to feel like I can move around in my saddle when I need to.  With the hoop tree I think this would be a great saddle for someone on a wider barreled horse without making the twist so wide it was uncomfortable.

I hope everyone liked my reviews and I'll continue to add more as I remember all of the great things I saw!

What's in YOUR trailer?

I've been moving things into my trailer that I want to live in it so I don't always have to load every single thing every time I want to go somewhere.  I've got brushes, an extra lead rope, extra halter, stud chain, lunge line, plus some whips that are living in the trailer.  Most of my "show" supplies such as my showsheen, detangler, quik braid, are all in my 

Stanley travelling tack box.

Which is also where my Finish Line Fura Free Salve was living when Stella turned herself around in the trailer and scraped herself up.  

Luckily, eventers are awesome people and I was able to borrow some Corona Ointment from a friend.

It did get me thinking about what other things of things need to live in my trailer.  For sure some sort of first aid things, but what?  What kind of basic supplies do I need for minor horse injuries while at a show/lesson/trail ride?

How about tools?

What's in your trailer?