Long time no post?
So I ended up doing the dressage show and trying my hand at first level. At this point I was more than over showing and I was fried from the season. I just wasn't into it or excited. It was a freezing and windy day. Carino and another horse Merlin loaded into the trailer. Carino unloaded and tacked up without a problem, nice and calm. Walked over to the warm up field pretty calm as well, but when we got the field he began to show off his "passage" and "piaffe" for everyone..oh and even a little airs above ground...problem was I wasn't asking for this. The wind and all the movement for some reason set him off...this hasn't been a problem for him since the spring when we first started showing so I was completely taken off guard and frustrated with him. We eventually got him so we didn't have a scooting/bolt every other circle. It was time to go in the ring...I heard the bell and wished for the best. Was it my best test? No. Was he relaxed through his back? No. Did we get around quietly and politely? Oh, yeah! So, I was please we managed that test after that warm up and for our first time at this level. We scored a 60.667% and got a third place ribbon in the JR/YR division however I think there were only three JR/YRs. The other riders in my division got 65% and 67%. I placed 9th out of 12 first level test 1 competitors. I might try the test again at Pony Club Dressage Rally in the Spring. I wish I had a better warm up so I could have gotten better quality work in the ring, and I wish I had the chance to practice in a big ring since I kinda got lost in there which threw off my accuracy. Oh well, im pleased for it being our first first level and hey, Im qualified for that scholarship now!
Video of Test:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnSXPv20NdM
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wrap up...
As show season comes to an end I think back to the memories this year. Good, bad, frustrating, funny... all made great stories to tell.
Here are the results of mine and some of the other shows I attended or my barn attended. This is not all of them since many from our barn will travel to shows by themselves..but here are some we went to in groups..
UNH-Spring
Erin and Riff,BN-7th
Betsy and Keno, N-8th
Erin and Cosmo, BN-1st
Erin and Tucket, BN-5th
Lisa and Jericho-BN?10th
Erin and Beacon, P- 8th
Mystic Rec. HT
Alison and Cosmo, BN-E
Emily and Rocky, BN-E
Betsy and Keno, N-11th
Flatlands CT April.18th
Carino and I, pre. elementary-R
Cassie and Sunshine, BN-7th
Jericho and Lisa,BN-8th
Valinor Farm rec. HT
Alison and Cosmo, BN-9th
Brooke and Boo, BN-E
Emily and Rocky, BN -E
Betsy and Keno, N-11th
Sara and Diem, N.-17th
Flatlands HT July.3rd
Carino and I,E-6th
Emily and Rocky, BN-8th
Pipestave Hill schooling HT-July 10.
Carino and I, mod.BN-E
Allison and Cosmo,BN-3rd
James and Tucket, mod. BN-1st
Myopia Benefit HT July 24
Carino and I, E- 2nd
Alison and Cosmo, BN- RF
Sara and Diem,N-RF
Betsy and Keno,N-
Sarah and Riff,BN-6th
Emily and Rocky,BN-6th
Katherine and Harley,BN-
Kelly and Brumby;elm.-4th
GMHA August
Emily and Rocky, BN-13th
Alison and Cosmo, BN-12th
James and Tucket, BN -13th
Sarah and Diem, N-21st
Betsy and Keno, N -11th
Erin and Beacon, P-8th
Valinor Farm rec. August
Carino and I, BN-5th
Alison and Cosmo, BN-6th
Brooke and Boo, BN-11th
Samantha and Chance,BN-13th
Emily and Rocky, BN-8th
James and Tucket,BN-10th
Betsy and Keno, N-4th
Sara and Diem, N-8th
Jocelyn and Spot, N-13th
Stoneliegh rec. HT Sept.
Carino and I, BN-1st
Alison and Cosmo, BN-6th
Emily and Rocky, BN-11th
Katherine and Harley, BN-8th
Erin and Aladdin, N-RF
Betsy and Keno, N-RF
Kelly and Brumby, E-TE
Valinor Farm schooling HT
Carino and I, BN-1st
Betsy and Keno, N-1st
Erin and Aladdin, N-4th
Sara and Diem, N- 7th
Alison and Cosmo, BN-4th
Sarah and Rocky, BN-8th
Kelly and Brumby,E.-3rd
Jenn and Cosmo,E-RF
Beland Schooling Dressage
Carino and I, First Level -3rd
Gail and Tucket, Training Level-1st
Erin and Merlin, Training Level-6th
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Valinor Farm Oct. Jumper show and Schooling HT
OCT. 2nd- Jumper Show
This was the last jumper show of the season and I wanted to try to get some nice videos for my scholarship. Warm up was great but our courses were not...Our courses just felt sloppy and the the canter changing consistently at the last minute and taking the long spot. This of course resulting in me getting more and more frustrated. I was tied for 2nd for the 2'6 course and so a new jump off course was made. Of course being me I went for the speed and got the 2nd place. We then went to 2'9, same issues...sloppy and long spots. However, when I looked at the videos...It looked a lot better than it felt...it really came to a surprise to me since it felt like the worst jumping I have ever done. I need to let go of this perfection thing, and when one thing goes wrong to just forget about that jump. Every jump can't be picture perfect..right?
Videos can be seen on my youtube channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/MissaRissaJ?feature=mhum
OCT.11th-Schooling HT
This was Carino and I's last horse trials of the season. This was his first season ever showing and this was his third time going beginner novice. My morning started off rough with me feeling very dizzy and sick to my stomach in the car. I was sick the previous week with a bad cold and I think I just didn't get enough rest and food. When I got to the barn I had to get right to tacking up for dressage warm up. He walked right into warm up on a lose rein like he has been and I was pleased. Warm up was good, could of been better if I was on my game but I just wasn't 100% there and feeling right.
When we got to the dressage ring he became a little looky and we lost a little of that connection, but this always happens in the ring. Shows he still needs more mileage in the ring. The test overall felt 'average', I thought we would come out with our average score of a 35% since I just didn't feel a 'wow factor'...but apparently it was just me not feeling so wow because we came out with a 29% our second best score yet! And with a good number of 8's in our test to add. We placed second after dressage so I was surprised but then again we have been placing in the top after dressage pretty much all season.
I then had a good number of hours until I had to jump. So I took care of Carino and let him play in his paddock for a while when I walked my courses. Nothing in the course scared me or came as a shock which was good. Stadium warm up we all seemed to rush since we thought they were running quickly which they were but we all managed to get a perfect amount of time. Carino was great in warm up and listened to me very well. The stadium course ended up being our most fluid and flowing one yet. So, that made the day right there since that was a problem for us at the jumper show and Stoneliegh. We were clear stadium and still in second.
I then had 5 or 10 min. until we went to xc. So we walked around to cool out and have a little break. The first fence was very little and so that was no issue, we were then up the big hill to 2 and he went right over that but had a good look at the jump judges and photographer and took a big scoot type spook but I just kept riding to 3 which wasn't pretty but clear..he then wasn't sure about the hidden trail into the woods but went in warily since there was some sort of machine making scary noises in the neighboring property. Once we got to the bottom of the hill and I could focus him on the jump he knew his job and then up the hill and over the tires fine. A little spook after the tires since he saw all the people in the big field and had a horse galloping right towards him..but showed him our next fence and he was fine...until he decided we were off to the races and showed his big gallop up the hill to the bank which was no issue! He however came back very nicely for the down hill log pile and then flew up hill to the water where he again was surprised there was a person there. I had to 'S' him to the next jump due to rocks and branches but again once he saw the jump he was fine. Then right up the hill and everything was going great to the barrel jump until 3 strides away where we had another spook almost causing a run out but I somehow wiggled and kicked him over it. Then flew down over the ditch as another horse was galloping towards him and flew over the big barn at the end and we were done. The course was clear which was great since no matter what situation he would try and jump it..even if it was sticky. The course felt very fast but this was because he was scooting when he saw a person or something that caught his eye...just shows he still needs mileage to grasp the idea of people around any corner.
We moved up to first after xc since we went clear and the rider in first had a stop during xc giving her 20 penalties. It was a good end to his first eventing season, we have one more show but it is just a dressage schooling show, even though we are going to try our luck at first level for some fun!
This was the last jumper show of the season and I wanted to try to get some nice videos for my scholarship. Warm up was great but our courses were not...Our courses just felt sloppy and the the canter changing consistently at the last minute and taking the long spot. This of course resulting in me getting more and more frustrated. I was tied for 2nd for the 2'6 course and so a new jump off course was made. Of course being me I went for the speed and got the 2nd place. We then went to 2'9, same issues...sloppy and long spots. However, when I looked at the videos...It looked a lot better than it felt...it really came to a surprise to me since it felt like the worst jumping I have ever done. I need to let go of this perfection thing, and when one thing goes wrong to just forget about that jump. Every jump can't be picture perfect..right?
Videos can be seen on my youtube channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/MissaRissaJ?feature=mhum
OCT.11th-Schooling HT
This was Carino and I's last horse trials of the season. This was his first season ever showing and this was his third time going beginner novice. My morning started off rough with me feeling very dizzy and sick to my stomach in the car. I was sick the previous week with a bad cold and I think I just didn't get enough rest and food. When I got to the barn I had to get right to tacking up for dressage warm up. He walked right into warm up on a lose rein like he has been and I was pleased. Warm up was good, could of been better if I was on my game but I just wasn't 100% there and feeling right.
When we got to the dressage ring he became a little looky and we lost a little of that connection, but this always happens in the ring. Shows he still needs more mileage in the ring. The test overall felt 'average', I thought we would come out with our average score of a 35% since I just didn't feel a 'wow factor'...but apparently it was just me not feeling so wow because we came out with a 29% our second best score yet! And with a good number of 8's in our test to add. We placed second after dressage so I was surprised but then again we have been placing in the top after dressage pretty much all season.
I then had a good number of hours until I had to jump. So I took care of Carino and let him play in his paddock for a while when I walked my courses. Nothing in the course scared me or came as a shock which was good. Stadium warm up we all seemed to rush since we thought they were running quickly which they were but we all managed to get a perfect amount of time. Carino was great in warm up and listened to me very well. The stadium course ended up being our most fluid and flowing one yet. So, that made the day right there since that was a problem for us at the jumper show and Stoneliegh. We were clear stadium and still in second.
I then had 5 or 10 min. until we went to xc. So we walked around to cool out and have a little break. The first fence was very little and so that was no issue, we were then up the big hill to 2 and he went right over that but had a good look at the jump judges and photographer and took a big scoot type spook but I just kept riding to 3 which wasn't pretty but clear..he then wasn't sure about the hidden trail into the woods but went in warily since there was some sort of machine making scary noises in the neighboring property. Once we got to the bottom of the hill and I could focus him on the jump he knew his job and then up the hill and over the tires fine. A little spook after the tires since he saw all the people in the big field and had a horse galloping right towards him..but showed him our next fence and he was fine...until he decided we were off to the races and showed his big gallop up the hill to the bank which was no issue! He however came back very nicely for the down hill log pile and then flew up hill to the water where he again was surprised there was a person there. I had to 'S' him to the next jump due to rocks and branches but again once he saw the jump he was fine. Then right up the hill and everything was going great to the barrel jump until 3 strides away where we had another spook almost causing a run out but I somehow wiggled and kicked him over it. Then flew down over the ditch as another horse was galloping towards him and flew over the big barn at the end and we were done. The course was clear which was great since no matter what situation he would try and jump it..even if it was sticky. The course felt very fast but this was because he was scooting when he saw a person or something that caught his eye...just shows he still needs mileage to grasp the idea of people around any corner.
We moved up to first after xc since we went clear and the rider in first had a stop during xc giving her 20 penalties. It was a good end to his first eventing season, we have one more show but it is just a dressage schooling show, even though we are going to try our luck at first level for some fun!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Stoneliegh HT Sept.25.2010 PICTURES
Videos from the show are at: http://www.youtube.com/user/MissaRissaJ?feature=mhum
Stoneliegh HT Sept.25.2010
It just keeps getting better.
I was quite nervous about the xc of this show because it was off farm and I know there was a good chance of Carino taking a good look at some jumps and for us to get some stops. Also months ago the plan was to have my trainer Erin ride him and then for me to ride at UNH the following weekend. However, I could not afford UNH since my budget was running low after a long show season and I wanted to get one last sanctioned in under my own belt...so I decided to go for it. What did I have to lose? Elimination? I spent my first half of the season with elimination after elimination...
So I found myself not getting home until 10 the night before then waking up at 3 to drive to the barn to head off to Stoneliegh with 6 other horses.
Right when we got there we walked xc...parts of the course made me nervous for sure since I was thinking as if I was in Carino's mind. He will look at this, and this is different so this might be scary and blah blah...so I was nervous but tried not to think of it as I got into dressage mode. I went into warm up with tons of time before my ride since I didn't know how he was going to come out but he came out on a lose rein and completely relaxed. So we just walked for a good 10 min to loosen up. We then began to trot where I could let him stretch down all the way to the buckle. We did some canter, transitions, serpentines and circles and then took a walk break. I picked him back up again at the sitting trot and did some lengthening which we both enjoy. Another walk break watched some test and as the rider before me went in we went back to the trot and then went to start our test. I knew the judge was in a trailer at C and I knew Carino did not like this at our last away show and I was prepared for him to spook which he did but I stayed relaxed and made him go through/passed. This time took a lot less time to get over it but we still need to work on the scary judge in the trailer. This spook created a little tension and lost the quality of the trot we had but it was still a decent presentable trot. The test was not like our last show but was average for us and some parts were great. Unfortunately, the secretary lost my test so I could not see my comments and my collective marks but I did get a print out of my scores for each movement. I had a lot of 6's which I was not so pleased with since my last test I only had one and everything else was 7's and 8's. I just wish I could see why the judge marked the way she did for certain movements. But overall very happy with the test since it was our average score of a 35% and we were second after dressage. Can't complain!
Stadium warm up was spot on! He did take some long but that is something he has and always does. The course was clear with no time penalties. I do wish we got the spots better...since he took most of them a little long but none to the point where it was scary since I stayed with him. I was very happy with the results and now that the jumps are not a problem I can start working towards getting the great jumping I get at home schooling in the show ring.
XC warm up was the exact same as stadium warm up. We were the last rider so we waited and then headed up to the start box we walked around until the count down began and then we were off right to the first fence...I didn't know what he was going to do but he jump right over it and up the hill we went to fence two were he took a look at the fence judges and people but once he saw the jump was fine. We had a nice little galloping line then a tricky approach to fence 3 due to rock in the ground right on the perfect line...so we had to S around which got him a little confused to as where he was going and he was looking at all the people and jumps so he broke to a trot but then saw the fence and was over and on to the next long galloping lane. At the end of this lane there was a small red coup that was no problem then on to my first big fear; the ditch to roll top combination. But he flew right over it just giving a little curl at the base of it and right over the roll top and into the dark woods with no problem. However, inside the woods was quite scary for the little man. In the middle of the trail was a person walking and she saw I was coming but yet did not move and she was right in my line...so I screamed HORSE! and she moves a little..after a few seconds.. So I had to make a really squiggly S to the fence that was already in a weird spot I had to S too. So he spooked at her and then at the jump judges around the corner and broke to the trot but I kept talking to him like I did since the first fence and he trotted right over one of the biggest fences on course. Then right over another little log and out the woods..but looking at everything on his way out. Then we had a great galloping lane which I let him really go and when I asked him to come back for the coup like fence he did perfectly and jumped it the best out of them all. And then galloping up a nice hill were I passed my trainer and others from my barn walking their courses. But I had to prepare for my other big big fear which I saw a girl fall off earlier at; two coups set on a very steep hill in a related distance. But my trainer told me to ride it like a bank and that is exactly what I did and it was actually fun. But right after that was my last fear the up bank since Carino has never jumped one in a show situation..but I put my leg on and it was also fun. I had four more and over the wall over the two roll tops and then I made sure to ride the last fence since two of the riders from my barn had stops since they didn't ride it after a clear round and Carino jumped that fence which was the biggest one spot on and then through the finish we went. And that is when I realized that I was first after stadium since the person in first had time faults and moved down and that I just won. I was glowing..and couldn't believe it, still can't but I have a nice big blue ribbon to prove it.
I was quite nervous about the xc of this show because it was off farm and I know there was a good chance of Carino taking a good look at some jumps and for us to get some stops. Also months ago the plan was to have my trainer Erin ride him and then for me to ride at UNH the following weekend. However, I could not afford UNH since my budget was running low after a long show season and I wanted to get one last sanctioned in under my own belt...so I decided to go for it. What did I have to lose? Elimination? I spent my first half of the season with elimination after elimination...
So I found myself not getting home until 10 the night before then waking up at 3 to drive to the barn to head off to Stoneliegh with 6 other horses.
Right when we got there we walked xc...parts of the course made me nervous for sure since I was thinking as if I was in Carino's mind. He will look at this, and this is different so this might be scary and blah blah...so I was nervous but tried not to think of it as I got into dressage mode. I went into warm up with tons of time before my ride since I didn't know how he was going to come out but he came out on a lose rein and completely relaxed. So we just walked for a good 10 min to loosen up. We then began to trot where I could let him stretch down all the way to the buckle. We did some canter, transitions, serpentines and circles and then took a walk break. I picked him back up again at the sitting trot and did some lengthening which we both enjoy. Another walk break watched some test and as the rider before me went in we went back to the trot and then went to start our test. I knew the judge was in a trailer at C and I knew Carino did not like this at our last away show and I was prepared for him to spook which he did but I stayed relaxed and made him go through/passed. This time took a lot less time to get over it but we still need to work on the scary judge in the trailer. This spook created a little tension and lost the quality of the trot we had but it was still a decent presentable trot. The test was not like our last show but was average for us and some parts were great. Unfortunately, the secretary lost my test so I could not see my comments and my collective marks but I did get a print out of my scores for each movement. I had a lot of 6's which I was not so pleased with since my last test I only had one and everything else was 7's and 8's. I just wish I could see why the judge marked the way she did for certain movements. But overall very happy with the test since it was our average score of a 35% and we were second after dressage. Can't complain!
Stadium warm up was spot on! He did take some long but that is something he has and always does. The course was clear with no time penalties. I do wish we got the spots better...since he took most of them a little long but none to the point where it was scary since I stayed with him. I was very happy with the results and now that the jumps are not a problem I can start working towards getting the great jumping I get at home schooling in the show ring.
XC warm up was the exact same as stadium warm up. We were the last rider so we waited and then headed up to the start box we walked around until the count down began and then we were off right to the first fence...I didn't know what he was going to do but he jump right over it and up the hill we went to fence two were he took a look at the fence judges and people but once he saw the jump was fine. We had a nice little galloping line then a tricky approach to fence 3 due to rock in the ground right on the perfect line...so we had to S around which got him a little confused to as where he was going and he was looking at all the people and jumps so he broke to a trot but then saw the fence and was over and on to the next long galloping lane. At the end of this lane there was a small red coup that was no problem then on to my first big fear; the ditch to roll top combination. But he flew right over it just giving a little curl at the base of it and right over the roll top and into the dark woods with no problem. However, inside the woods was quite scary for the little man. In the middle of the trail was a person walking and she saw I was coming but yet did not move and she was right in my line...so I screamed HORSE! and she moves a little..after a few seconds.. So I had to make a really squiggly S to the fence that was already in a weird spot I had to S too. So he spooked at her and then at the jump judges around the corner and broke to the trot but I kept talking to him like I did since the first fence and he trotted right over one of the biggest fences on course. Then right over another little log and out the woods..but looking at everything on his way out. Then we had a great galloping lane which I let him really go and when I asked him to come back for the coup like fence he did perfectly and jumped it the best out of them all. And then galloping up a nice hill were I passed my trainer and others from my barn walking their courses. But I had to prepare for my other big big fear which I saw a girl fall off earlier at; two coups set on a very steep hill in a related distance. But my trainer told me to ride it like a bank and that is exactly what I did and it was actually fun. But right after that was my last fear the up bank since Carino has never jumped one in a show situation..but I put my leg on and it was also fun. I had four more and over the wall over the two roll tops and then I made sure to ride the last fence since two of the riders from my barn had stops since they didn't ride it after a clear round and Carino jumped that fence which was the biggest one spot on and then through the finish we went. And that is when I realized that I was first after stadium since the person in first had time faults and moved down and that I just won. I was glowing..and couldn't believe it, still can't but I have a nice big blue ribbon to prove it.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
August Valinor Farm HT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmIDLyO2Gn0
So, I have finally completed my first sanctioned. After many set backs with lame horses and bad timing I took the my first own horse that I have trained in both his and mine first sanctioned. This was also Carino's first time ever going BN!
This dressage test was the best test I have ever done. Warm up was great he was so relaxed which I was not expecting. I went in warm up did some walk trot canter then went out and went for a little walk then went back in picked him back up took a walk break and then picked him up again and he was calm, relaxed and listening. We got up to the new dressage ring on the top of the hill, he looked around a little but got a little more pep in his step which he kinda needed so It worked to my advantage but he was still relaxed. It was my most relaxed, consistent and smooth test. When I got my score I was very surprised a 28.5% this was my best score ever and this first time I ever got a score in the 20's! When I looked at the placing after dressage I was in 5th, kinda a bummer since I got so use to always being in first after dressage but I was only 1 1/2 points always from the first place score which was a 27%...so was not disappointed at all!
Jumping warm up was great also, super relaxed, spot on and listening. We did our thing and then parked it and waited, I then hopped over the oxer once more and then went in the ring. As we got to the first jump I had no idea what he was going to do...was he going to fly to the side like he sometimes does or just do a slam on the brakes..but no problem and then takes off down the hill to jump 2. We turned up the hill to two and he is on it. We pull a rail at 2 but I didn't care..he hasn't stopped! we turn to the bending line to three and its like I'm just sitting there for the ride. He completely was point and shoot. We leave the ring with just that one rail. I was so happy with that horse. However next time I would like to feel a little more in control..it doesn't look out of control but I would just like to have it more relaxed, and adjustable which will come with mileage. He was just in the zone and loving it.
We then head to xc, which after the awesome SJ round I completely forgot I had to do! We walked over, waited for the other rider to get a good ways on course and we were off. As we came close to the first fence I admit I tightened up because of nerves and uncertainty but then he just started to really GO to the fence! so I let him and he flew right over it and then we turned up the hill to 2, and right over that and then he LEAPED over the little bench at 3 (he knew it was small) and then was a little wiggly going down into the new wooded trail. We trotted and cantered down the hill sense he was a little tense and looky, but once he saw the fence he locked on it and flew over it and up the hill. We then came out to the field..took a little look then over the tires. He then came down too fast the next hill especially for the tight awkward turn at the bottom, so I trotted a few strides and then asked him to pick it back up, but when we turned the corner he saw the ditches and other jumps that made up the coffin to both sides of him and a jump judge up on the hill and came to a halt. I gave him a little nudge with my leg and showed him where to go and he went up the little hill to the bank type log then right over the log pile and leaped into and out of the water..making me lose a stirrup... so i jumped the pyramid with one stirrup and then tried to get it back at the gallop but it was flopping..so I was like maybe I can jump the other half with only one..but then I knew that was a BAD idea and he was in the need of a wake up call so I halted him. We then went on to the combo and that was great and then flew over the DITCH. Up the hill over the barn and then down the wooded trail to the skinny...now this is a fence I was nervous about and of course we have an issue but not fence related. We are going down the hill he is a little looky but Im getting him listening and looking at the jump not the other jump or the way out and right when I have to come off the edge of the trail to make that tight turn to the line he spooks at the judge and people walking and fly's to the other side of the trail and there is no way I can jump this fence this way sense it is angled the opposite way he is facing now so I kick him back to right and then kick him over it and he goes right over. It was so fast I couldn't tell if he stopped or went backwards without me feeling it but I was pretty sure it was all sideways and forward but I was still worried. He then tried to gallop home on the trail we usually take home but I turned him up to the rock cradle and he cleared it and then on to our last fence up the hill. And he does it perfectly. So I then bring Carino back to the barn untack him, hose him off and poultice him. My mom looked at the xc scores and it was CLEAN! yes!
Carino and I were 5th over all in a division of 16 riders both JR and SR. It was the best show ever, I couldn't be more pleased with the day. Especially for both our first sanctioned, his first BN, and for Carino not to even be cantering under saddle a year yet and only jumping since Feb. and doing xc since late Mar.
Erin will ride him at Stonleigh HT Sept. 25th-26th, this will be his first off farm sanctioned(second sanctioned) and then if money allows I will take him to UNH in Oct.
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