BACK to the drawing board!

Ignorance is bliss isnt it? I mean really... you go along your whole life... its grand. Your smiling... having fun.... no work involved really with actually riding your horses..... you jump anything, you show, its fun, you team pen, cut cows..... do a few clinics... improve your horsemanship.... get better horses, tack, do bigger shows.... everything is great.... life is grand.... you have high hopes.... you have HIGHHHHH HOPES....

You decide your going to pay for lessons, there has got to be a right way to ride to get to where your going. You work your horses often, you take a few lessons, and then ....

WHAM!.... you have a TON of work to do or your never going to get there.... well how unfair is that? What they say is true too... you can never go BACK... back to the ignorance is bliss part.... NOPE forever gone like virginity... NOW I have to move forward.... work at it, perfect it... do the best I can with what I have been blessed with. Fix the problems that arise and make chicken salad from chicken crap. I have been told that the rider makes the horse. I can understand that, but I have always thought that its that ONE horse that makes the rider. I believe there is a perfect horse for every person .... I just happen to have three. Working diligently with one right now... but will be working equally hard with all three once spring hits.

I have been riding in bliss.... happy to be riding along without the drama and then I decide I want to just go big as you only live once.... and here I am. I cant quit now, and now I have to be steadfast and keep on keeping on.

So I am heading off to the indoor now to work on what needs to be worked on and will post later with vids and pictures.

ITS ROLEX TIME!!!!

That's RIGHT ... ROLEX time! I cant wait! I am going! I got my flights, my hotel, my car, admission tixx and stadium seats and headset! I AM THERE! What a great opportunity to learn, soak up the knowledge, atmosphere, smells of sweet Kentucky air and decide... which direction shall I go today :) WOOOOOOOOOOOOT WOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

Awesome day it shall be, my first big step into the new world of intense competition! What am I in for? Flights werent bad, accommodations still surprisingly plentiful, and stadium seating during the dressage and jumping test hopefully will be confirmed soon. April 22 - 27.

On another note the Lindenwood Farm clinic with Tom Davis will be rescheduled for March 14th and that will be another good start to Spring. Angel will be a perfect darling as we are working diligently on, transitions, headset, rythm and cadence. Once I feel that he is more consistant we will start working dressage patterns and master them before Spring. I hope he surprises me with his willingness to perfect! I know he can jump over 3' without trying, so now I am going to just put the nose to the grindstone and be consistant in groundwork groundwork groundwork. He also needs to build some muscle so that we can realize that LEFT LEAD my boy! Momentum and forward motion is another small issue, as when we collect we loose both. In time... in time. If interested in more information on the clinic go to: http://www.lindenwoodsfarm.com/ for the schedule. I am also keeping a list of other events close at hand at http://www.flatlands-equestrian.com/events/index.html which is where Tom trains out of. He is a good clinician/trainer as he breaks it all down to horse and rider and then builds them up. He edifies the good in both horse and rider, encourages rewarding your horse and never talks above you or the audience. I saw great changes in both horse and rider during the clinic and hope that will be me during his next clinic!

Once the dust settles and I feel like it would be worth the money to make the decision & sign up for a week of eventing in VT at http://www.tamarackhill.com/AdultCamp/adult-camp.htm

AND that my friends would be the icing on the cake for us in JUNE.

I have to be fully vested in order to make great strides forward and develope the knack needed for these summer events.... this would give us the perfect opportunity to "KNOW" where we stand. After a week camp you would definately know to BE or NOT to BE eventing! right? RIGHT! So... I am 90% sure I am going.

I am posting this video showing small progress at the trot with headset. I can almost maintain good headset at the walk but the trot he seems to bob. I think the reason being he needs it to maintain rythm? As he isnt muscled up? He is very giving so its not that he is trying to take it away, I think he would offer more if he could. I hope to post an edited version so that you can see in continuation of progress he has made in another couple of weeks.

The Good The Bad & The Ugly....

I have been googling the crap out of this computer it seems for weeks. Whether it be supplements, eventing clinics, Rolex info, flights, accomodations, more eventing clinics, dates, Herbal stuff, local event farms, calenders, group clubs, blah blah blah... its no wonder that Mon Dr appt determined I had moderate carpal tunnel. Wonder-fn-ful. I am just trying to get my life in order and set myself up for sucess in the coming weeks, months, years. GEEZ. I cant seem to find much in the way of clinics in the cold Northeast. Rather you have to bring your horse down to FL, SC, NC for "eventing camps" - NOW WHO can afford that? Who? Even if I was working? I mean is that what "they" all do in the winter months? UMMMM ....Equestrian Gypsies? C'mon... where is reality? Do they have lives? I mean I would love to live and breath horses, actually my husband would beg to differ to say I havent been all these years but how do people afford to do this and afford to live let alone pay for all of it? I know horses are an expensive "hobby" but I have tried my best to make sure they all earn their keep. When I was younger they WERE just hayburners, BUT now... if they dont get worked at least once in a week I start wondering if its worth having them. I love them and want them, but I MUST utilize THEM.
When Tessie was laid to rest, I felt that I was free to go and do all that I wanted to do.... I dont know why that is. Maybe out of guilt ... I made some hard choices in the days that followed in order to simplify so that I could afford to do more with my horses. I determined, you do need two, its the insurance for "just in case". Well two under age to led to, "I cant wait anymore!" - and now I have three! If I would have only waited I wouldnt be worrying about who gets worked every week equally. It kills me. I am always justifying who what when and why.

Time and energy allowed me to attend Sundays clinic in NH with Tom Davis. What a knowledgeable man. He breaks the whole session down into bite size pieces for horse an rider to digest. Amazing transformations within an hour session in horses and riders - something they could take home and work on. I (well ....we - 2 students & fellow dressage enthusiast Joyce) sat there freezing but taking mental and physical notes on what I needed to work on before next months clinic. I have another goal... FINALLY!
I couldnt wait to get on and ride Angel today - but as fate would have it... I was unable to catch him. FIRST TIME for everything... no respect.... from now on... he will be waiting for me ... ALONE in the front paddock... EVERY DAY... and he will be happy to see me come for him when I do. Instead I took Baby and worked her. Headset, rythm, and transitions. Exhausting. She will be 4 April 27th... and I will be eventing her this summer - but not without fixing all that needs to be fixed first. Isnt it the simple things that trip you up?... and watching my newly purchased video "Step By Step" for riding the USEFD tests for eventing - I can see that my coming 4 year old is plenty mature to start - actually what we are working on now are things she should already have mastered. Regretfully I feel like I have let her down - but thankfully Charlie coming 3 will be working very hard on these things this summer and he will be on schedule for next summers EVENTING - Finally! OMG yes! It is coming quicker than we realize!
On another note as darling as Angel is... he needs some polishing and MUST find his new rider - as I will not have time for him with the two youngsters in training fall of 09. None other than a mindful, knowledgeable rider with soft feel and assertive aids & loving heart need apply. I have several books coming and ordered the 09 USEF Rules for Eventing.
Jumping in both feet which I should have just done YEARS ago! I am not only setting my sights on attending the Rolex this Spring but also heading to VT for a week of Eventing Camp at Tamarack Hill Farm - check it out: http://www.tamarackhill.com/AdultCamp/adult-camp.htm and Tom Davis just happens to be one of the trainers there too. I guess it would be perfect experience for me and whatever stead I chose to grace myself with. Well kids.... its time to turn on the charm... who's it gonna be!

A Spoiled Canter Queen....

I told The Diary of a Mad Horsewoman that I had changed her blog name to show HOTANDSPICIE because friends always ask how she is doing in her new home. Waps In Yo Wallet's mom was a very talented mare. I happened upon her from an Uncle Henrys add that only stated, "Blue Roan Mare, 10yrs old. $1500. Oxford." NOW WHY OH WHY would I have gone? Because my mom said to go check it out. I had just sold my red roan standardbred mare SASSY to a forever home and was looking for my next jumper. Tessie was getting on in years, and I wanted something that I could enjoy. When we got there ... she shared a meek barn with low roof, and pallets for stall doors with two other horses. One her son, cob cross and a standardbred. Come to find out the guy found her registration papers... she was a ApHA! No Way!

Within a week of having Spicie home I went to a Terry Mclare clinic in NH. Great idea... NOT! ... If you knew Spice, you would have advised against that! She made sure to embarrass me before the days end by bucking me off after she accidently stepped on a moving tarp. AHHG! Sprained my thumb... but moreso... bruised my ego. I dont fall off EVER... very few horses can say they have unloaded my ars. A pony when I was 14, a friends newly purchased american warmblood that I just had to ride... and Spicie.

I wish I would have heeded the vets persistant advise to "breed that fine mare" but only after 7 years of enjoying everything from team penning to cross country jumping. I gave lessons on her, as well as, did 50 mile overnight trail rides in groups. She was up for anything and that is what I liked about her!

She finally blessed me in April of 05 with a baby girl - my first born - and only child. I had 2 people check on her every day and she made sure to squeeze that filly out in a two hour period of time. I arrived home after work... early that day ... I found a WAP still wet behind the ears.... I cried.

I tried to A.I. Spicie back for another Wap.... but she expressed in the most expensive way she could that she liked to see her men in the flesh. So instead I purchase babys cousin - a healthy 9 month old colt instead. Waps Chocolate Moose. His mother being 17h TB mare - Brenda's Dancer.... Ya! It was a sign! You can watch both of their vids in my video bar.

blah blah blah .... long story short... Spicie now has her own website..... http://spoiledcanterqueen.blogspot.com/

Of course she would.... she has much to say about her goings on at Hope Brook Farm.

A new beginning for them. A lesson program and kids summer camp...

alot to do and enjoy there!

So please take the time and visit her and tell her you miss her and wish her well!

How Amazingly Perfect...

Sunday... a day for rest & HORSESCAPES

... by taking pictures of course. Being a photographer... I love to take pictures of all my kids...

I have been googling all day... I guess you could say I am "googling off"... stayed in my jammies only to pull on the insulated carharts, muckboots hat and mittens to put them out, lunch them up then at 4 to clean them out and put them in. Then it was back to the computer to see what we can see.

I have been desperately trying to find clinics for dressage, jumping and or english seat ... just to get us out there... to no avail. What is UP NORTHEAST????? Frozen up are ya? C'mon... spring is coming soon! I know it doesnt feel like it but really NEWSFLASH! ... ITS FEB and then March and April showers bring May flowers right!

AYYYHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHYA YA

I feel like I am behind the eight ball already! I need to ride ride ride! I wish I would have attempted my driveway today... but I already had to pull my husband out twice! Last night plowing down the drive he got pulled in and I had to yank him hard 6 times before the Chev got hold... as she has bald tires in the rear. This a.m. husband was bringing a utility trailer with snowblower up over the hill with the jeep and NOPE... had to get out the Chev again and pull it up over.

SO NO ON THE HORSE trailer frieghted with my most prize posessions ok!

It was jammie time... with Chloe at my feet pecking away at the puter... and its now 9:50 and I am still pecking away at the puter? GOSH ... I have got to hit the sack!

BUT hold on Charlie Horse! Forgot my news ... researching tixx to ROLEX for April 22 - 26!

I know I KNOW! Exciting since... HELLOOOOOOOOOOO ... the US Olympic team will be riding there in 2010!!!!!!!!

Anyway... I have a goal and that is... to just get there & to relish in my existence to someday event there... for at least a few days and dream the big dream .... visualizing it into reality!

All the while keeping my eyes on the prize!

( & what darling eyes he has!)

The Po' Po' Chev....

My poor 97 1/2 ton Chev with 260K on her... I tell you.... she really gives me 200%. I dont look forward to the day I have to let her rest, because you know they just dont make them like that anymore. She was loaded to the gills today. 5 passengers, and 3 horses with all our gear. Leaving is not a problem as its all downhill ... but its YIKES on the way up the 800' drive as 4 wheel drive may not make it up snowy road loaded... but honestly and who wants to jack knife back 1/2 way up? NOT ME! So thank you MISS BLUE and MY OL' CHEV another day & we made it.

ANYWAY A PRODUCTIVE day it was. Charlie Baby and Misty all ridden and ridden by a couple different people. Misty got her cantering in by both her riders which is a huge plus. Charlie got his side passing in and release worked on. Even some cantering! YAY! I am so proud of him as he will be 3... March 27th. Baby will be 4 April 27th.... exactly a month apart? Wow I didnt realize that.... guess I wont forget it now! Baby worked on her head set in rythm and cadence. Hard for her with her naturally extended gait in the forehand, its almost like her ass cant keep up.... hey babe... mamma knows what you mean :)

Even Taylor worked on the "feel" through the reins with me double up behind her on Baby. Then trotted a little on her Misty girl. Well enjoy the video.... just showing you what we all worked on today.... hoping to hit the beach on Thursday and maybe next weekend.... weather permitting.

Any day that we ride is never a day wasted :)

Its time to look in the mirror....

First OFF ... thank you mom for freezing your bubushka off waiting for me to "get it"

Well I was quite tickled at what I accomplished today.... admittedly not so much at first.

I will admit right here and now that it is tougher than I expected, training 3 horses, with all the time I NOW have, but still it doesnt seem to amount to much when you figure it around weather or daily events. I want to ride more, but the fact is, I AM putting forth the effort & it doesnt seem to be getting better than this unless I board ONE of my horses at an indoor.

On a seperate note, spending what I do on gas and arena times for 3 horses, I dont have the funds for lessons. We all need them, really we do. The knowledgeable eyes to tell you what to do & when is great but at $40-$50 hour, I just cant right now. I'm saving for"clinics" or "jumping events" for this spring and summer.

With that said, I can now move on to ....

THANK YOU VI!

Inside rein, inside leg and his head dropped nicely with the correct leg and hand position. Once he got his grove on ... it was like I was riding a trained horse! It was only for a few moments that we were in unison and it felt great... my job will be maintaining that feel throughout our sessions over time. I cant believe it was my postioning that was holding back our progress! Amazing!

Although it seems like I was not absorbing at the time with my fussing screaming stead, I was subconciously and can honestly say it was the most productive time I have spent with Angel since I have had him! Someone to give me their 2 cents on what they think is going on with me and him and why we arent jiving at times is priceless! I cannot wait to work on that with him again. Hopefully it will take half the time to get to where we were at the end of our freezing cold session.

You think you know what you need to do to get the job done, but then someone comes in and shows you a more efficient way to communicate with your horse ...WAM! It hits you, you knew that... why werent you doing it? What is the excuse for poor posture and hands anyway? You have mirrors in the indoor and you havent utilized them? LOOK AT YOU... FIX IT!

Well, I feel like the clouds have lifted and blue skies are coming through! The sun should be shining in a few more sessions and we will be making great progress!

WE thank you... again and again. Hopefully when you come next time... it will be warmer (for MOM!) and we can move on to greener pastures!

JANUARY.... I cannd feeeel m' finnahs!

We all can agree that winter riding in New England is a challenge to say the least.
Its more than that to me ... its exhausting! No really. By the time you shovel your trailer out, hook it up, load it up with everything (still knowing in the back of your mind ... I am forgetting something), then fetching the horses, loading them up, driving 15 minutes to the indoor, unloading your gear and horses, tacking up, warming up - you then realize either you (A) Have to pee or (B) cant feel your fingers or toes.
The horses dont like the cold either. You can tell by how choppy their strides are or by how long it takes you to actually get a correct head set or rythm. It seems like it takes the whole time your there or limbs start freezing (which ever comes first) to feel like you are in unison with your horse. Some days are worse than others. Like for example when the snow is coming off the metal roofing while your riding... that would be considered = "shit hitting the fan"
I have told myself to just realize that I am not going to get as much done as I had hoped due to the fact that this year I have 3 horses I am training and with weather and the cold I am alternating who goes to the indoor for riding - so they all get riden equally. I am constantly feeling guilty for one or two.
Angel needs to be worked the most as he is the furthest behind in language. Baby is an old standby at only 3 (yes three folks) Charlie will be 3 this Spring - as long as I just stay consistant with him and work him he is good - but really should be worked more. Its like trying to roll three barrels at the same time across the arena - one is going to lag in momentum. Almost getting to your destination and you just say screw it and roll one at a time the remainder of the way. We will see what Spring brings.
A compilation of last winter and this winters indoor activity is good to watch to see what we were working on last year at this time.
Angels jumping progress will be available to see this week in another post.
We are hoping that next weekend will bring temps back up to 30 so we can ride indoors more comfortably.

GOALS This Week.

Left fri & drove 3 hrs to visit my dad this weekend. Didnt get back until Sat nite. Sun it snowed so couldnt go to the indoor. Its still spitting today. Fingers crossed TUES with Angel in Lyman. Wed ride Baby on trails. Thurs take Charlie to Indoor with Misty in Buxton. This weekend would like to trail at beach with 3 horses, but first hit indoor to make sure all the buttons are working :)

Until then.... its curry at 5pm and after brings Hot Bran Mash & Oats on this evening menu specials.

NOT spoiled would you say?

At Last.....

Me & Angel Darling....
working on our goals & having fun.

A good start to a new year of opportunities!

Cant wait to have them come to fruition this year!