Hard to believe May is almost over. It's been a bit of a blur! We've got 3 weeks before Bromont, and then it will really quiet down. I'm ready for some down time, that's for sure! So are my horses. Kiwi and JB will have a couple weeks off after Bromont, and I'm hoping the weather will cooperate a little bit so they can live out for a while. The grass is tremendously good here at Willow Bend Farm, so I'm hoping they can fatten up a bit, relax, roll, and be dirty, happy horses.
I'm in a really great place with my horses right now. I started both JB and Kiwi from scratch as young horses, and to look at them now is very rewarding.
JB just ran around the Jersey Fresh CIC3* a couple weeks ago. That event was the culmination of many years of work, and practice, and patience, etc, etc. It's what we eventers live for, right? But reflecting on his career, and realizing that your horse now possesses the skill level to answer all those questions at the advanced level is pretty humbling. I'm pretty much awestruck by my horse! I'm amazed by what he does know, look forward to helping him with the things he doesn't know (ie dressage!!), and can't believe I am the jockey lucky enough to have the ride on him. Every day that I get to ride him, is a great day. People often ask me if I knew then, what he would become now. I do distinctly remember the first day I rode him. First, I didn't have a girth small enough for him. He is incredibly slabsided. There wasn't much to him then, or even now, for that matter. After we wheeled about 40 times on the way to the ring, with his forelock in my face, I picked up the trot, and the rest, as they say, is history. I immediately called KatyLou, whom I got JB from, and I remember telling her that he was the nicest horse I had ever ridden. She laughed, said "I'm so glad you like him", but I don't think she realized then what I really meant. I thought the horse was incredibly special. Did I think he'd be a 3* horse?? Not in a million years. Why? Mostly because it would never happen to me that a slabsided-quirky-insanely spooky-can't whinny from the tieback surgery- grass, grain, hay, water pour out his nose pretty much all the time- huge cracks in his feet- riddled with ulcers- field ornament would show up on my doorstep and morph into some uber-fantastic 3star worldbeater. Nope. Never occurred to me. I fully admit that. He is my Manna from Heaven. That's the best explanation I've got!
Reflecting on Kiwi is just as rewarding. He was such a bucking bronco when he came. He spent that 1st winter in Aiken with NO feet on the ground. I did not leave home without a neckstrap ever. That in addition to the standard breastplate all my horses wear! He could totally bust a move. As the years have gone by, his "enthusiasm" has become less spectacular, and I would have to say that this year he is downright civilized! Not only that, but he has run around just about every prelim track there is this past year like the scrappy kid he is, in his most genuine, generous way. He tries really hard for me. It's a great quality for a horse to have, and one that makes them valuable to their rider, every time you swing your leg over. I was talking to Kiwi's owner, Patricia, the other day about what a good boy he is. He isn't in the limelight most of the time. It's hard when Mo and JB are his stablemates! But he has never missed an event. He always shows up for work, clocks in, clocks out, like the worker bee he is. Pretty amazing actually. He has been a valuable member of the string, without a doubt!
It's a little early to be reflecting on my horses. Our biggest event this year is still on the horizon.
But they're both ready. They both know their jobs. And I can't wait to tackle the course! Like I said, it's a really great place to be when you trust your horses, trust your training, and have absolute confidence in your partnership. When you're in that place, it's just you and your horse against the course. That's what it's all about. I hope every event rider out there gets to experience that at least once with a special horse. There is definitely no other feeling like it in the world!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
I'm Back!!! by Cracker
What can I say? I've had writer's block. But my fans miss me, and Mom's tired of being asked when I'm gonna blog again. She told me to get on with it. Well at least now I have something to say.
You're just not going to believe what happened to me this weekend. I was sort of minding my own business. Ya know, strolling around, doing my meet and greet, keeping as low a profile as I can. It's hard when you're famous though. I might be little, but people can spot me from miles away. So I'm networking away, and all of a sudden, I got swiped. Out of nowhere, WHAM-O!, into the slammer I went. I'm usually adept at the "duck and dive" like a greased little piggie. I can see confiscation a mile away. Dagnabit, they caught me at a weak moment! Then they had to announce it over the loudspeaker that I was on the grounds. Duh, like everyone already knows that.
Even worse is that Mom was oblivious (case in point, people). Never heard my announcement, didn't even realize there had been a slight infraction of the law, depending on your point of view, of course. So Lara sprung me from the slammer. Thank god for that. I'd a been there for days otherwise. I thought the "incident" was buried and gone, but no, the fun police decided to post my offense in a very public place. The scoreboard. That's slander if you ask me. Now granted, I was not the only name on that list. There was another name on that list too. I mean, I can't speak for the other guy, but I can tell you, I was just in the wrong place, at the wrong time. It's as simple as that. So I guess I'm not famous anymore. I'm merely infamous. But if you ask me, there's no such thing as bad press. A little bad boy reputation never hurt anyone!
So I'm headed to Canada in a couple weeks. I am putting the miles on the odometer this year, that's for sure! Last year I got ditched, but not this year! I've got my tookie packed (it can be cold there, people), and I'm ready for a little cheese curd and gravy! What could be better than that? So there will be lots more to report then.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
April 2010
PHEW! This month has gone fast! When I look back at my calendar, I've only been in Middleburg a whopping 14 days this month! We packed our barn in Aiken up, and drove to The Fork Horse Trials. The Fork is a fantastic event with fabulous footing, unbelievable cross-country courses with manicured footing, and great competition as the host of the very competitive CIC3*. Most people use it as a qualifier for Rolex, so all the top horses are out, creating a great field of horses and riders. I was coming off a great weekend at Southern Pines, but knew that The Fork would be a whole other ballgame, and it was. They used Advanced Test B for starters. For Mo, no problem. For JB, big problem. For a horse still learning his flying changes, doing 4 of them in a test, 2 on a 20m countercanter circle proved too much for his little brain. He had a complete temper tantrum. So not our best day, but I couldn't really blame him too much. I knew it was over his head, and that I'd be lucky to "pull it off". I did at the trot, but not so much at the canter.
The cross country was very challenging, and big, as it always is at The Fork. My boys were perfect! Mo showed his true colors and I could feel all the experience he has, as we tackled the course. There aren't many horses in this world that can make a tough advanced track feel like a pony club round, but he did. He just hunted his way around, making quick work of each fence. It was very rewarding to feel that I have finally cemented my partnership with my "new" ride. No longer do I feel that I am riding "someone else's" ride, but I am riding "my own" ride. It was a job well done for the both of us. JB showed his huge heart, his courage, and his trust that Saturday. The course was A LOT for him. I did feel like I was squeezing a tube of toothpaste most of the way around, but he showed me his heart has no limits. He didn't always understand the question, or read it very quickly, but he tried to do right, and he did. He was absolutely fantastic. I figured I had either scared the crap out of him, or he had learned a lot, but either way, he got a huge education that day.
Showjumping went well, though I had an uncharacteristic 2 rails on Mo. Just when you get one part down, another part goes! I guess that's the sport! Always something to work on and improve. He really jumped well, felt great in his body, so I think am the one that needs the polishing! JB tried very hard to jump clear, and was stellar, though he didn't read the back rail on an oxer, and ticked it up front. It totally surprised him as he knocked it, like "ACK! Where'd THAT come from???". Good ponies and a great weekend all around!
We shipped home and immediately got ready for Plantation the next weekend. LV was pretty good on the flat and had a good score. He showjumped well, though did uncharacteristically "wear" one. It smartened him right up, and he carried on the better for it. He was really good cross-country on Sunday, and really feels like he has confidence in what he's doing now.
There wasn't much of a break before we turned around 3 days later and shipped up to Fair Hill with all 4 horses. JB and Mo did the advanced, though Mo only did the dressage. I decided to scratch him because the ground was a little hard, and he's been quite good. Unlike JB, Mo has a lot of experience and confidence at the level. JB, on the otherhand, needs to see as much as possible. It was a little nerve-wracking for me to be the very first advanced horse to jump the SJ, but great practice being in that situation! The next day, I was 2nd out of the box behind Sally Cousins. No chance for any feedback, so you hope the course rides exactly how you walked it!! It did for the most part, and JB made quick work of it where he needed to. LV had a tough weekend all around. He got very nervous for the dressage, which was right next to the grandstand. That was unfortunate, but onward and upward, off to SJ we went, and he was super in the big ring. Sunday started great, until I ran past Fence #8!! CRAP! Hate when that happens!! I thought they were pulling me up because someone fell off and they were having a hold. But no. Sigh. Tough sport. The star of the weekend was Kiwi. He was super on the flat, and seems to have become very reliable on the flat this Spring, which was our only missing piece! He jumped around just like he always does, and finished 3rd on his dressage score. I think he's finally ready to move up!!! Yeah! Go Kiwi Go!!!
I think I was about ready to crash after Fair Hill, but rallied enough to drive to Rolex on Wednesday. Wahoo!! We had an awesome rode trip, 3 girls, one who just arrived from New Zealand! It was great, just when my friend Jane crashed late at night, Carolyn, the Kiwi , was wide awake, so I had great company driving! We had a total blast. Dave and Patricia had purchased sponsor tickets, so we had great seats, great food, and lots of booze for 4 days! Oh yeah, and there might have been some nice horses and good riders there as well! All kidding aside, the event was fantastic, and inspiring, as always. It was brilliant to see horses you've known for years, as well as their riders clock around the cross-country. The Canadians totally rocked it, so hats off to them, and David for all his hard work! I love Rolex for the great competition, but you also meet some of the best, most interesting people when you're there. For us eventers, Rolex is the place to be!
I came back and off to Difficult Run Horse Trials. Thank goodness that's in my backyard! And now, we're finally into May. Jersey Fresh is this weekend, so Go JB Go!!!! A big weekend for my little horse. I can't wait!
I hope everyone is having a good Spring with their horses so far, shaking off the winter cobwebs! I hope to see you out and about, so until then, KICK ON!!!
PHEW! This month has gone fast! When I look back at my calendar, I've only been in Middleburg a whopping 14 days this month! We packed our barn in Aiken up, and drove to The Fork Horse Trials. The Fork is a fantastic event with fabulous footing, unbelievable cross-country courses with manicured footing, and great competition as the host of the very competitive CIC3*. Most people use it as a qualifier for Rolex, so all the top horses are out, creating a great field of horses and riders. I was coming off a great weekend at Southern Pines, but knew that The Fork would be a whole other ballgame, and it was. They used Advanced Test B for starters. For Mo, no problem. For JB, big problem. For a horse still learning his flying changes, doing 4 of them in a test, 2 on a 20m countercanter circle proved too much for his little brain. He had a complete temper tantrum. So not our best day, but I couldn't really blame him too much. I knew it was over his head, and that I'd be lucky to "pull it off". I did at the trot, but not so much at the canter.
The cross country was very challenging, and big, as it always is at The Fork. My boys were perfect! Mo showed his true colors and I could feel all the experience he has, as we tackled the course. There aren't many horses in this world that can make a tough advanced track feel like a pony club round, but he did. He just hunted his way around, making quick work of each fence. It was very rewarding to feel that I have finally cemented my partnership with my "new" ride. No longer do I feel that I am riding "someone else's" ride, but I am riding "my own" ride. It was a job well done for the both of us. JB showed his huge heart, his courage, and his trust that Saturday. The course was A LOT for him. I did feel like I was squeezing a tube of toothpaste most of the way around, but he showed me his heart has no limits. He didn't always understand the question, or read it very quickly, but he tried to do right, and he did. He was absolutely fantastic. I figured I had either scared the crap out of him, or he had learned a lot, but either way, he got a huge education that day.
Showjumping went well, though I had an uncharacteristic 2 rails on Mo. Just when you get one part down, another part goes! I guess that's the sport! Always something to work on and improve. He really jumped well, felt great in his body, so I think am the one that needs the polishing! JB tried very hard to jump clear, and was stellar, though he didn't read the back rail on an oxer, and ticked it up front. It totally surprised him as he knocked it, like "ACK! Where'd THAT come from???". Good ponies and a great weekend all around!
We shipped home and immediately got ready for Plantation the next weekend. LV was pretty good on the flat and had a good score. He showjumped well, though did uncharacteristically "wear" one. It smartened him right up, and he carried on the better for it. He was really good cross-country on Sunday, and really feels like he has confidence in what he's doing now.
There wasn't much of a break before we turned around 3 days later and shipped up to Fair Hill with all 4 horses. JB and Mo did the advanced, though Mo only did the dressage. I decided to scratch him because the ground was a little hard, and he's been quite good. Unlike JB, Mo has a lot of experience and confidence at the level. JB, on the otherhand, needs to see as much as possible. It was a little nerve-wracking for me to be the very first advanced horse to jump the SJ, but great practice being in that situation! The next day, I was 2nd out of the box behind Sally Cousins. No chance for any feedback, so you hope the course rides exactly how you walked it!! It did for the most part, and JB made quick work of it where he needed to. LV had a tough weekend all around. He got very nervous for the dressage, which was right next to the grandstand. That was unfortunate, but onward and upward, off to SJ we went, and he was super in the big ring. Sunday started great, until I ran past Fence #8!! CRAP! Hate when that happens!! I thought they were pulling me up because someone fell off and they were having a hold. But no. Sigh. Tough sport. The star of the weekend was Kiwi. He was super on the flat, and seems to have become very reliable on the flat this Spring, which was our only missing piece! He jumped around just like he always does, and finished 3rd on his dressage score. I think he's finally ready to move up!!! Yeah! Go Kiwi Go!!!
I think I was about ready to crash after Fair Hill, but rallied enough to drive to Rolex on Wednesday. Wahoo!! We had an awesome rode trip, 3 girls, one who just arrived from New Zealand! It was great, just when my friend Jane crashed late at night, Carolyn, the Kiwi , was wide awake, so I had great company driving! We had a total blast. Dave and Patricia had purchased sponsor tickets, so we had great seats, great food, and lots of booze for 4 days! Oh yeah, and there might have been some nice horses and good riders there as well! All kidding aside, the event was fantastic, and inspiring, as always. It was brilliant to see horses you've known for years, as well as their riders clock around the cross-country. The Canadians totally rocked it, so hats off to them, and David for all his hard work! I love Rolex for the great competition, but you also meet some of the best, most interesting people when you're there. For us eventers, Rolex is the place to be!
I came back and off to Difficult Run Horse Trials. Thank goodness that's in my backyard! And now, we're finally into May. Jersey Fresh is this weekend, so Go JB Go!!!! A big weekend for my little horse. I can't wait!
I hope everyone is having a good Spring with their horses so far, shaking off the winter cobwebs! I hope to see you out and about, so until then, KICK ON!!!
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