June 30 2010

  Addie was definitely the Big Red Mare today. I didn't ride yesterday, but dang she acted like I hadnt ridden her in three! She was definitely in La La Land today. I had to do lots of counter bending at the trot to get her head screwed back on, to remind her she knows how to be round and not bend like a 2x4. Maresy was madly swishing her tail during warm up at the walk, and bouncing like bees were attacking her. She finally she agreed with me that there wasn't anything bothering her.
 Today there were two other horses in the arena as well. That was very exciting for her, because she believed she had a reason to scream at them a few times while their riders looked at me like "cant you just shut her up?!". To say the least The Mare has a mind of her own and will scream until hell freezes over no matter how many times you "tell" her to shut up. Hopefully she wont ever do it in a dressage test.
 On the up side her canter work was pretty good, and she had some nice walk to canter transitions as well. Her canter to trot down transitions were another story. You would have never guessed we had just spent a whole ride on them the day before last, which were very nice if I may say so. Oh well. We did some free walking to cool her down which was wonderful, we then ended it on some turns on the forehand (which she apparently forgot how to do, but finally remembered) that were pretty nice as well.

  I thought I had figured out my saddle fitting issues, but they sprung up again today, so that didnt help my riding whatsoever. The pommel was really tipping forward. I switched from a SaddleRight pad I was borrowing from a friend to my Mattes Quilted Correction pad. That had helped for quite a while, but now I probably need to go a smaller gullet for my saddle (I have a crappy Collegiate Convertible Diploma I am trying to replace with a Stubben). Right now I have a X-Wide Gullet in it, so I'll have to get the next size down and see if that helps at all. When I go down to Meggan's on the 11th I am going to have her do a fitting to see what size she really is.

Long Time No Post

I am not being very good about keeping my blog up-to-date. So now I am going to promise to keep you all up to date.

Since my last post, Addie and I have finally begun to really click with each other. She has finally figured out that I am not just pretending to know what I am doing, to "okay you've got it boss" and tries her heart out. We still have our "red thoroughbred mare" moments, but who doesnt? There have more good days than bad, so I cant complain, but there has been reason to dub her "Mrs. Robinson". The show name "Sweet Adeline", is just that, too sweet for my fiery, big, red mare...So it just wont do. Now she is known as Mrs. Robinson, and Mrs. Robinson she shall be.

Addie has also been taken on her first xc school, and was great. She did everything asked of her, even though it was all new. I also took her to her first show, a H/J schooling show at the local equestrian park. Addie placed in three out of the five classes. We only did the 18" and 2' classes to keep things simple. She was also very hot, but "cooled down" after the first class.

I currently had to move Addie from the boarding facility to a new one, which I am very pleased with. It has a small scale xc course with a complete water complex, regulation sized outdoor dressage arena, and heated indoor- which will be great for cold Montana winters.

Moving up

Addie is doing great. Last week I jumped her up to 2'6" for the first time, including strange things like barrels and "picket fences" in them. Didnt even hesitate. I am so proud of her! I will post some videos asap.
I also took her to her first show last weekend. We did the following classes: 1)18" hunter under saddle w/t, 2)18" hunter o/f, 3)18" hunter o/f,4) 2' hunter o/f, and 5) 2' hunter o/f. We placed in the 2nd, 4th and 5th classes! We were going to do jumpers, but there were not any offered under 2'6". She was great, but I am definitely going to try a different bit on her! I will post some pictures from the show as well.
Ciao

Quick Update

  The weather here in Montana has been crazy. Last night it was snowing and last week we had several hail storms. Not fun weather to ride or even be out in. I was unable to ride all weekend because this "cowboy" came a gave a clinic on natural horsemanship. He was teaching people how to get their horses to cross tester-totters and jump on and off a large tire wheel full of sand. Huh. So the poneh got the weekend off, and boy is she getting fat. I am probably going to move her into a dry lot so she doesn't have access to pasture and because no one will clean out the shelter out there or the old round bale mess. Argg. I would do it but I would have to use a tractor. Its not healthy for her to be living out there.
  I also got my "new" '94 Logan Coach 2h, slant load on Sunday. There is a lot more that needs done to it that we first thought. Oh well. Hopefully we can make it safe for this weekend's h/j schooling show, and the Deep Creek Derby June 5th.

YAY!

So I have been trailer-less for almost a year now, and guess what! We found one! It is an older Logan Coach 2h slant load, that this cowboy had custom done for when he goes to rodeos. To say the least, it is awesome! It has a huge hay rack, permanent back tack with 3 saddle racks, lots of bridle hooks, blanket bars in the horse box (for when they aren't in there, a big front dressing room with a clothing bar, medicine chest style mirror, boot box, corner selves, and more! I am soooo excited! We went down to Ronan (where its located) a few weekends ago to take a look at it, and talked with the owner about making payments on it. Sure enough he let us put $1500 down on it, and hopefully we will be able to pay the rest of it and bring it home this weekend!
Since it is older, it doesn't have some cosmetic problems. There is a lot of surface rust that needs to be sanded off and primed over, as well as some nice sized holes that need cut out, sanded, primed, and welded. Otherwise it just got a new floor last year, has nice floor mats, and working drop down windows and vents. I will make sure to post pictures of it :).

Bozeman Here I Come!

In less than 12 days I will be making the 3 hour trip to Bozeman, Montana to hopefully find a horse. If Addie works out I will start the process of starting her over fences asap- to hopefully take her to Arrowhead HT in Billings Montana, in May at BN.
Also I may be attending Meredith Manor Winter 2010 in West Virgina to get teaching, training, and riding certifications.Wish I had more time to tell y'all  'bout it, but I have lots to do today!
Ciao

Countin' Down the Days

 After battling nausea and stomach problems for 3 years now it has all come to an end. On Jan 15th I had my gallbladder removed and as good as new! I have less than 2 more weeks to go until I can once again ride, and not be held back. I cant wait!! To know longer worry if I will make it through my pacing lesson because I may get sick all over my horse (almost did quite a few times galloping around), not fun.
 So know I am countin' down the days until I am able to go try out a Addie, the ISH mare I have told you all about before, and I get to start preparing for the season ahead.

This is her with her current owner doing some dressage.