Schooling Show Results & Details, Details.

I started a post earlier, but didn't manage to finish, so here's my second go.

Ink moved into a new area today.  He is now in a 12x16 stall with an attatched paddock.  The creme da la creme of all the barn spaces.  Can you say spoiled horse?  I like these spaces for many reasons for Ink.  You have the stall space and the ability to put stall guards up to lock him in if needed, he can walk in and out as he pleases and the attatched paddocks have all-weather footing in them which is nice for the winter.  Today I got to the barn for Ink's farrier appointment and he had blood down his front pasterns and hooves.  He opened up his fetlock joint sores again.  These things are annoying!  I swear I only hadn't put bell boots on him for two days and he riped them back up again.  It's all because he acts half-goat during feeding time.  - Knealing down and reaching under the fence for loose specs of hay.  And probably when he lays down as well.  Having the stall and footing paddock will help me heal this dang things.  Grr.

Onwards to the farrier appointment.  After the farrier talked to me about this option, we decided to put pads on the fronts.  I think this will be good for Ink. 

The schooling show on Sunday went really well.  Ink and I placed second in our first two classes which was just a pole course.  It was great for him and he was absolutely wonderful.  We also got two thirds, a fourth and fifth.  Everything went well, I even did a 2' course on him which was excellent.  I made the mistake of riding him later in the day in a 2'3" class, which was a disaster.  He was tired and I just didn't think about stopping while I was ahead.  He refused not because the fences were scary, which I do have to admit, I was totally proud at how Ink was brave and un-concerned about the different jumps, but he refused because he was tired.  As soon as we started the course, I could tell.  I should have pulled up and just said heck with it.  But all in all, I was so proud of Ink.  I noticed a big change from the show on the 3rd of Oct to the one on Sunday.  Ink is becoming a show pro :).  He's getting the idea, which is in itself, exciting. 

The above photo was from the 2' - 2'3" class.  We were able to go around without any refusals, hesitations, etc.  We did our first pole and x-rail course earlier (x-rail course photos are the first two) and then did this one.  Our first course with 8 jumps lol away from home.  It was FUN and Ink was awesome!!  - In the above photo, in the right-hand side of the background, there is that little ascending-ish oxer?  Well that was part of a double and Ink went through like a champ.  Aww, I'm so proud of hammy :).

Doublestuff!!!

I'm a DOUBLESTUFF!!!  "Why are you a doublestuff?"  "Because I'm trying to fit Ink's big butt between these two tiny standards!"  MmmmHmm, yes, Ink has a big butt and after his complete run-out, stop, ditch rider, thing the other day, the goal has been fitting his big hiney between the jumps which he thinks are too small to fit between.  "Oh no," He says.. "I can't quite possibly be expected to fit between those things!!"  :)

Ink RULED this evening!  We jumped all the jumps in the arena, including the gymnastic where I crashed landed into a standard.  I felt him hesitate, but used my outside rein pre and mid-jump to steer him back to center.  It was sweet.  We jumped the wanna-be liverpool, the curved hanging rail, the roll-top, the solid swedish oxer and a fan jump.  And this whole school NO REFUSALS, NO RUN-OUTS!!  Can you say...Yeeeahh!  We did bendy lines too, which was fun. 

Then my coach jumped on and schooled Ink over the 5 bar because she is going to be riding him in a 5 bar class on Sunday at this weekend's schooling show. 

I think I have Ink's show name down too....  "THINK INK"  What do you all think? ;)

There is so much learning that has gone on the past couple days.  Today was the cream of la crop.  I'm getting my last minute show things together.  It's going to be soo much fun!  I haven't shown on Halloween in what, 7-8 years!!!    

Pics for sure, lots of updates via Facebook and videos.  Wish us luck!

Falling is...not Hard to Do.

First fall in 5 years.  First fall off Ink.  First fall while jumping in 7 years +!!  I can't even remember when I fell off jumping.  I do remember it was a black lesson pony named Bartles and he was a stopper just 'cus.  He'd shove a complete dead stop and send all the kids flying over his neck and in my earlier years learning to jump, I was one of them :D.  I landed on and took down the jump poles.  Doing it in style!

Today, Ink stopped right in the middle of a 6 bounce gymnastic, ducking so far down to the ground at this jump, that I couldn't even think about what in the world was going on.  I remember him coming to the jump and in a brief milla, milla-second, stop.  The next thing, I was eye to eye with a standard and ended up lying on my back on the ground.  I could only see the brim of my helmet as my coach (and mom who was there) stood next to me.  I wasn't worried, I was OK.  It just shook me a little and I had to catch my breath.  But no broken bones, no nothing!  The sad thing is, I've been such a wuss with jumping lately, I know in the back of my mind (and probably everyone who lacks confidence jumping) goes, "OH I hope he doesn't stop and I fall!"  I mean that's what we're all afraid of right?  It really didn't shake me when I was lying on the ground.  My coach asking me.."Who's the president, what day of the week is it?" 

My wicked awesome, seriously bamf coach gets on and rides Ink like he's never been ridden.  Rocks it through the gymnastic and jumps all the jumps, giving him a good school.  Oh ya!  Then I got back on and jumped over a little cross-rail.  I sensed more determination on my part.  Maybe I just needed to fall to get back up better?  Hmm...

Although sore.  My head hit the standard.  From my left cheek-bone to the temple hit the side edge of the standard and I had a good head-ache afterwards.  My hip is saying, "help!" But it's all good.  On top of getting a cold, I've been soo tired lately and was kind of just blah when I got on to ride, but got my stuff together and rode. 

I KNEW, I KNEW, that I was going to be falling off soon.  Maybe this thought in my head has been eating away at me?  Now that it's happened, I think I feel a weight lifted.  I do believe, just like your not a rider until you fall,  It also applies to each horse you own/ride.  Your going to fall off sometime!

Here's to falling off - bruised butts, arms, legs, heads, ego's (hey, it happens to the best of us ;) ), hips, etc. 

Forward Momentum.

Within the last day, I've had some interesting thoughts come into my head.  I've also been totally energized because even though Ink and I do well and then sometimes not, he's been HAPPY and so relaxed lately.  I don't know, if you've been following consistently on this blog, you'll notice a pattern.  When Ink has an injury, which is more times than not or things become mis-aligned in my own life, it takes about 2 months of consistent move in the forward direction to get him to his happy place mentally.  He starts working well, feels better and his body is happier, things are just GOOD. 

I'm seeing some new developments in Ink's training.  We're working on the canter departures.  His canter going right is balanced and coming along just as hoped.  The left side is taking longer and although I work on it, I kind of have to baby it along so not to over-stress it but still keep it moving forward.  Now, in addition to developing the consistency and rhythm of the canter, I'm working on the departures from the trot and down-ward transitions too.  Things are moving right along.  So that's good, eh?

I'm still learning about balancing the exercise routine.  From hacks, to Dressage, to jumping, lunging, to conditioning.  It all has to jive and now I'm getting down to the nitty gritty in balancing each within their own.  So on days we jump, I do gymnastics for a certain focus or work on mini-courses (which we have barely just scratched the surface with).  I gave Ink yesterday off, almost.  I thought he needed some movement still, so I did a small lunge and then took him on a walk, hand-grazing and then he had a serious pampering session.  - For the show that was supposed to happen today.

Speaking of the show, we didn't go.  The show wasn't what we thought and decided to not go and plan for another one next weekend.

Tired But Exhilirated. + The Halloween Show

This week has been wonderful for progress and work.

Ok, I'll start off with Monday...

After a nice, relaxed jump ride on Sunday, I went to Dressage work on Monday.  It was a bleh ride, but I now know why.  (Insert; My hands.)  After I rode about without much effort on my part, I sat and chatted with C* and then K* got to the barn, we went to chat with her, then she hopped on Ink.  She rode him around getting the feel for him then relaying some good tips.  - Keep my hands up, especially the outside rein to give Ink something to balance on.  He tends to curl his neck and go behind the bit, so I need to encourage him into the contact with the balancing rein and driving aids.  Ink had moments of really, pretty-ness.  He could so nicely excel at Dressage.  He's just stunning. 

On Tuesday, yesterday, K* came and coached me over fences.  We worked on a gymnastic exercise.  It was very rewarding.  I've got the tools in my belt now to move forward work on my issues to better Ink and I's jumping.  And, I was reminded of how extremely athletic Ink is despite what he may lead on to be ;).  We did a 2'6" gymnastic which is the highest Ink and I've schooled together.  He felt amazing, using his neck and bascule to fly over the fence with grace and athleticism.  K* got some videos, so I'll get those up when she sends them to me. 

Today was another flat ride where we did casual stuff in the outdoor.  My mom rode too, so I was coaching her and we were working on her posting trot.  So Ink played assistant coach for most the time.  Then we cantered and trotted through the puddle in the arena while I worked on my "opening" and "closing the door" aids and concept.  Ink is amazing, he's just so wonderful!  Needless to say he gets it and well too. 

After we did some flat stuff, my mom and I headed out for a walk-hack through the vineyards.  The sights were beautiful.  The vines, well leaves on the vines, have begun to take their fall colors of yellow's, oranges and red's. 

Ink has been doing wonderful and all this work is really starting to shape his mind and body.  He's been rather quiet, agreeable and happy.  I think I've found the good balance between diet and exercise to maintain and enhance him both mentally and physcially. 

Ink has been tired though the past two days and I think it was from spending two hours at a brisk trot and canter in the field on Tuesday.  I had turned him out, thinking he was going to love it.  Green grass sprouted from our last rain storm, but the field was soft, yet good and solid if he decided to move around.  I had put some hay in there too for a lunch.  I turned Ink out, went to do some things around the barn like dragging the outdoor for the day's later jump school and left about 30mins later.  He must have gotten nervous and began running the fence line from there.  I came back about 2 and a half hours later to find him soaked in sweat, anxious, but tired.

Tomorrow, I'm going to do my course school because on Saturday we're going with the barn to a local schooling show to do some over fences and flat classes and even a costume class!  I haven't even decided what Ink and I are going to be yet..lol  His hooves and body are doing better, so I'm feeling good about going.  Then on Friday he's getting the day off to rest up.  Then Sunday off and a lunge Monday.

Everything is going well.  I'm looking forward to the schooling show!  Mostly because it's going to be a fun event with the barn.