Hug a Golden Pony

Today I hugged my Golden Pony and, in his way, he hugged me back. We have a silent understanding.  A language no one else can hear.   He carries me.

    And that's really all the updates I have for today.

Photo courtesy of Brenna Koester

You have Arrived at Your Destination: Beginner Novice

Everyone, 

I have great news. Nova the Wonder Pony and I completed our first BN this past weekend. I took in a lot of advice and mainly focused on having FUN. We got down to the event on Saturday and my horse was in good spirits and happy to find his accommodations pleasing to him while me and my entourage walked the XC and Stadium Courses. I had been practicing some Novice Height at home so really the jumps didn't seem all that big to me. The Stadium was set for Training so that was great to see the jumps so large and knowing they would come down two levels by the time I was jumping around. 

I cannot thank Tommy and my friends Becca, Brenna and Victoria enough for all their help. photography and encouragement, not only this weekend, but the support and instruction leading up to the weekend.  This is not a sport that you succeed at alone. And it goes much deeper than just a rider, a horse and a trainer. There's a whole slew of people who are on "Team Golden Snitch" that set us up for success and for that, I'm eternally grateful. The list is too long to name everyone, but my hope is that I'm gracious enough day to day that these people know who they are and know they are so deeply appreciated.



Ironically, after all the worry about the jumping, the dressage ended up being the most difficult. It was raining, and Nova took one look at the people in ponchos and basically had a firecracker up his rear the entire time. After watching the video, it actually improved our trot work, but he was running through my aids in preparation for the canter departs so we blew both canter leads initially. However, the trot and walk work was so good, we were still in first after dressage! I seriously could not believe it. 




Next was on to XC. There was one large hanging log at max height that was wigging me out a little, but once we got on course and he got into his rolling canter, I knew it was going to be fine. He is such a star on XC it's ridiculous. He just hopped over everything like it was no big deal and we had a blast. I did some trotting b/c they had a slow optimum time on the course and I didn't want to get any time penalties. So I mixed in some trot here and there and we came through with no penalties!




Stadium was immediately after XC, so I was a little concerned about his stamina and carefulness going in, but once again, he proved to be a rock star and just hopped over everything like no. big. deal. We had one very slight bobble with a jump under a tree so the lighting was a little funny to him but he jumped it anyway. 

We ended up in 1st place on our dressage score of 36.  I could not be prouder of my boy, and I can't believe I was so worried about the move up. I have another schooling BN scheduled this fall. Not sure what's next after that... maybe onto our first recognized??
Here are the videos from the day. Thanks again so much for all your kind words of encouragement and shared experiences. That is why I love this sport so much. 

Dressage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVX9vKrmORA

XC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-T4sU0E674

Stadium
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd06FZ8FETg

Life's a Rodeo (Except You Should Aim to Stay On Longer Than 8 Seconds)

Whew.  I'm telling you, sometimes life just picks up speed so fast you don't even know what hit you.  The weather has picked up and the days are longer and therefore, I was spending every waking moment at the barn, other than when I was doing the necessities like eating, sleeping, and working. Here's what I've been up to, numerical-style:

1.  Operation: Vacay.  I had an awesome horse vacation to Aiken, SC (aka Horse Heaven) which consisted of wine, great rides, great friends, great food, and wine. And Bailey's. Oh, and Breakfast. Nova was awesome as usual- always the solid citizen, he always makes traveling fun for me because out of all the things I worry about, his (potentially bad) behavior isn't one of them.  Also, we cleared some rather large jumps out in Hitchcock Woods which makes me know two things: a. Don't ever jump with your extra long trail riding length stirrups again and b. We are more than ready for Foxtrack's Beginner Novice Event this month.

2.  Operation: Brenna Boo Boo.  Nova and I have been educating one of my favorite people, Brenna (aka Brenna Boo Boo), one of Thalia Farm's Working Student Goddesses. After two consecutive falls, Brenna needed some confidence building.  Nova was totally up for the task and he has been safe and steady while also challenging her to actually RIDE.  They are doing so great together, it really warms my heart.  Especially since Nova himself came from a less than confident place in his mind and now has bloomed into a horse that can not only BE confident but pass that confidence onto people who need it. Not to mention, our lessons with Brenna are some of my favorite times of the week.  It's a positive experience for all of us and I thoroughly enjoy it.

3.  Operation: Paint Baby.  So, as it goes, us horse people can't stay off of Craigslist.  So when an extremely low priced paint/draft cross showed up who clearly needed me popped up, well there wasn't much the husband could do about it, so of course I get the trailer, bought him, and brought him home.  Poor horse was in okay shape body-wise, but his feet needed help and he was VERY jumpy and scared of people.  Additionally, they were calling him Paint Baby, which--no offense-- I think is not a great name.  I am not sure what happened to him but it will take some time to gain his trust 100%.  He is making huge strides though, and is already getting easier to catch and is going for short rides around the property. We have re-named him Neville and I think he's going to be awesome. 

After weeks of nonstop equestrianism, I realized I probably need to add some balance to my life.  So, I rescheduled my week so I have a few days at home to take care of business at the homestead.

However, all of these projects have taken their toll and now I'm 2 weeks away from Foxtrack and haven't even ridden my dressage test once. I need to get on this-- stat.  Operation FoxTrack, Beginner Novice B and a 2'7" stadium school with Becca and I'll be feeling much better.  OH, and I should probably locate my coggins and my checkbook--- it's almost show-time!!!

Good Advice

I've never been the type to be all "I can do this all by myself, I don't need anyone's help" type of person. So, I seek help and advice from all areas.

In the sport of Eventing, I have found one of the best places to look is the Chronicle of the Horse Forums.  It's a bunch of people all trying to do the same stuff I'm trying to do (or have been there, done that) and have lots of tips and tricks.  So, recently, I posted the following in the Eventing Forum:

So, I am moving up to Beginner Novice this year and am kind of a wimp about Stadium (and certain things on XC like Tables). When you first made the move from Maiden to Beginner Novice, what did you wish someone told you? What surprised you? Was it really a big jump up from Maiden or was it no sweat? Did your horse even notice?

I'd love to hear your stories about when you moved up to BN and any advice you might give to an adult riding a pony (who is super bold, luckily) going out on their first BN Horse Trial together.

Thanks!

And I received lots of great advice.  Don't walk right up to the fence if it's going to wig you out, because the horse sees it how you see it approx 15' away.  Walk the bigger levels first so your jumps don't look so scary.  Go ride a 2'6"/2'9" course at a hunter show. Lots of this advice, I'll be taking to heart... but below was by far the best I received and I wanted to share with everyone from xctrygirl aka Emily:

Ok different approach here. I will mention what happened my first Intermediate. (I know... not the same... but it is)

I was scared out of my gourd. I had schooled tons, both horse and I are well prepared yadda yadda. As we all know when the vest, pinny and watch are on and you're in the warm up, lots of nerves can be overwhelming. I looked over in the warmup and saw Bruce D. Now I had purchased a nice horse from him, I had done clinics with him, we're event-friendly. I walked up and flat said "Bruce I am scared... this is my first Int. Please give me some good advice."

He nodded and did not laugh at my pithiness. He smiled and said "Ok Emily. Keep one leg on each side of the horse."

Really.

It is that simple. When you're ready at the heart of the ride all you have to do is keep one leg on each side of the horse. Sure there are 5 million things whirring in your head at any one moment, heels down, eyes up, hands low, not too fast, bend in the turns, remember not to yank his teeth and so on.

But I have found great success by accepting my imperfections, nerves and rider errors and sticking to don't get lost, and keep one leg on each side.

Bottom line, we are all nervous in some way. Be it our first event, a new level, a new horse, a new trainer watching us at a show for the first time, a course you've had bad luck at... and it goes on. Do not make yourself feel like an outsider for emotions that in fact make you a true eventer. Nerves are a vital piece of the pie and you'll know when you are ready to move up when you feel less or no nerves at the level you have been competing at.

I know BN isn't that big to me, but I get it is to you. ENJOY that feeling of seeing a "big" BN table. Don't negate it. Because when you soar over it, your pride in yourself will blossom. You're only a new BN rider for a bit. And then it's old hat. Enjoy this time and let yourself believe that you can do it, even if you have to rally your heart to kick for a long spot to the biggest fence on course. (Note, do not do this at INT without a very nice horse!!! :-)

We want a full report. We want pics and most of all we want for you to be grinning afterwards with all the new things you learned about your horse and yourself.

We've all been there.

~Emily

Taking the Plunge: The (beginning of) the Road to Beginner Novice

They say a goal is just a pipe dream until you write it down.  And 5 years ago when I plucked Nova out of a field with all his semi-feral Haflinger brethren, I thought that he might be my Beginner Novice (or better) Event horse pony. That was a pipe dream which I have been slowly but surely chasing for half a decade.  

So, after having moved to Thalia Farm and riding with my new friends some of whom are now competing at Novice level, it was just the push I needed to make my pipe dream of Beginner Novice into a reality.  You may wonder what has been holding me back all these years. And here is the short list of things we now have that allow us to proceed:

1. We have a canter, and we can make 20 meter circles with it.  Yay!
2. We have banks, ditches, water, drops.  Nova a.k.a. Mellow Yellow does not blink an eye at the woodland obstacles at all.
3. We have won at Maiden semi-repeatedly.
4. Nova now knows his job and carries his often discombobulated pilot through hill and dale and doesn't complain.
5. We have someone to help aforementioned pilot with dreaded Stadium (more on this in a moment).

Here are the things we need:

1. Someone to help us with dreaded Stadium... check.
2. Jump confidently and consistently at 2'7" and above... in progress/trending green (green is good for the non-project manager that might be reading this).
3. Get my shoulders back so that we can accomplish #2... in progress
4. Develop a plan for the move up... check!

So- who is this wonderful human that is helping quite literally catapult us over BN?  The lovely Becca Macanas, that is... We have this plan where we are trading out lessons (me helping her in the dressage, and her helping me over fences).  So far it's been quite awesome.  I really enjoy helping her in the flatwork because it makes me think my flatwork through a bit more than normal, and she is someone who's been to the chicken house when it comes to jumping and pulled herself out of it so she knows the terror that I face cantering towards these jumps that seem somewhat massive (okay everything is massive in comparison to Tadpole and Maiden). (Okay just in my brain. We are only talking a 4" difference! sheesh!)

We both are pretty hard on ourselves and have a healthy dose of self deprecation.  I like to think we help keep our nerves, successes and non-successes (not failures! see I'm trying...) in perspective with a little whoop ass and understanding to help usher us along. 

So this weekend was a winner on the road to BN (which is happening this May at a Schooling Horse Trial Near You). Becca had a epic show on one of the boarder's horses, had great scores in the dressage and I was so proud of her, I wept. Seriously.

And, I found out that I can keep my shoulders back and ride like a real person through a 2'6"/2'9" gymnastic.  Also, Nova can jump 2'11" (with me on his back).  So it was a great ride and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish this year.

Withdrawals are for Drug Addicts and Equestrians

So December Started with a BANG...  Just moved to a great new barn (Thalia Farm) and have lots of great things to look forward to- namely lots of fun riding things to do in the winter and spring.  Nova and I had been taking it easy since the Rivendale show in October and his Chiro appointments to straighten his back out.

Meanwhile, I'd been helping Robyn and Becca get the Barn ready for move in day.  Barn work is one of those types of jobs that is immediately gratifying.  Even though it's hard and your arms feel like T-Rex arms the next day, you still feel really good about what you did.

So just when I set my sights on getting us both back into shape, enter the ugly, evil, horrible Bronchitis.  When I get Bronchitis, I REALLY get Bronchitis.  It makes me so sick and I cough so hard I end up puking and it's just all around unpleasant.  I also miss work.  And most importantly the barn.

When I have Bronchitis, I literally can't stand being at the barn b/c of the dust.  So it's been about 2.5 weeks since I've felt like myself but I'm finally feeling better.  I rode this weekend and it was glorious.  Even just to get on and walk around made me feel like this:

The next day, I got to canter around the perimeter trail with my dog and I felt like this (imagine a dog in the picture below obediently following the horse):

After quite possibly the best two days of my life, the holidays hit. Now as much as I love my family-at this point I was having some major riding withdrawals.  Like full on shakes and cold sweats withdrawals.

And today it rained. A lot.

I guess there's always tomorrow to chase the next horsey high.  Until then, there's always YouTube & Chronicle of the Horse...  

Adjustment Period

Well a lot has happened since the last post in the life and times of me and Super Nova.

1.  We won our division at Rivendale.  I actually wasn't too happy with our performance to be honest.  I'm not upset about it at all- just know we could have done better. We had a wrong lead in dressage and a rail down in stadium.  We still won, but I just didn't feel like we earned it properly. Nova was a star though and was SUPER chill all day like a show veteran. It definitely makes showing more fun when your horse is really laid back about it.

2.  We had the vet out to check his hocks.  I am happy to report, that wasn't the problem!  Dr. Whaley, supervet extraordinaire recommended we try out some chiropractic to straighten Noviepants back out.

3.  Chiro came today so we'll see how it worked out!  Had a lot of adjustments in his back and neck. He should be feeling like a new man.

4. I am super excited to announce that I am moving Nova to a new barn Dec. 1. We are moving to Thalia Farm which is 2.1 miles from my house.  I am so excited to be a part of this great team of people.  Becca and Robyn are both so great and I already feel like a part of the group.  The farm is in the process of getting upgraded and I've been helping some which is fun!  I'm mostly excited because now I have no excuse not to ride more.  The barn I'm at currently is pretty far and sometimes I have used that as an excuse not to ride.

So that's it for now!  I'll be sure to take some pics of Nova's new digs soon.