Posting pictures of Babys first Schooling Clinic

UNH ~ photos by Flatlands Photography
Unfortunately I cannot afford her pictures at this time.
Maybe next time ~ sorry about the copyright logo.

Angels Second Session

Was able to save some money by sharing a farm call

with Joyce as King Elk needs chiro and acupuncture too.

After Elk was set to cook he scanned Angel. WOW! Stood tall and square with pressure on his back! AWESOME progress with first session! Thankful that the chi is flowing! Judith said she felt he was more grounded and balanced. I will take whatever I can get to get back on and move forward with his training. Too awesome an athlete to be stuck in neutral all summer.

WE have got to get out there! Only so many weekends in a season and we MUST get him onto a schedule. ME a plan. MUST do~go~see... jumper nite tomorrow with Candace at Wild Run Farm at 4pm. Lessons at 8 with Kaitlyn, Haley and Ronnie and Hayden starts hers at 9 a.m. What a good summer to be sharing knowledge with the youngsters and making them into future equestrians with good bases! :)

Hopefully post more pictures after tomorrow. Hoping to acquire some of me riding Angel and training Charlie too! That lug head! SEE BELOW!

Alot has happened since last we read....

Angel's session determined I would be taking Baby to the schooling clinics. Sunday was her first clinc at Rest And Be Thankful Farm in Lyman Maine. What a gem of a spot... I mean a real find! I happened across the website while scrolling through the MeCTA omnibus and happened upon Babette and the clinic that she was giving there. Perfect segway was my thought, into the following day at UNH with Babette and Tom Davis clinic.

Hmmmmmm well not so much. Although I have been making great strides maintaining rythm in my arena and at HEP ~ it was hard to do that while being coached to do several new techniques and then jump. It just was. It was informative for sure and will certainly give us a new direction of training to work on. I look forward to the next clinic with Babette at RABT July 18th & 19th.

At UNH on Memorial Day I was less than impressed. Babe wasnt in a positive mind set either, as many things werent in black & white and organizers ASSume that partakers know the ropes and/or have been to UNH before. Of course they all had, or most of them, because they are followers of Tom Davis' clinics or students of his. Some were new or had new mounts. I didnt bring my own water, so borrowed some from a fellow rider. I believe I was the only one that didnt have a stall for the day at $25 and BYOBedding and strip before leaving. I am lucky to be able to go to a clinic let alone spend additional fees to have a stall let alone a $13 lunch. It wasnt as organized as I would have liked to see. Then again I am the one that goes above and beyond to make sure everyone is at home, comfortable, part of any conversation, or goings on. That is just me. Thinking about things before they happen and trying to sort out all the what ifs. But anyhooo, it could have been better worth my while had I requested for "FIRST RIDE GROUP" instead of the getting what I got which was second ride group after lunch. So check in at 8:30 and ride at 2pm. OMG! Sun was hot. We were lucky to have the HUGE breeze that allowed everyone to be comfortable in the blazing sun. I tied her to the trailer on the shady side until noon and then opened up the 3 slants inside and gave her the whole trailer with bucket and dropped all three windows. She wasnt happy even though Chloe and I sat outside the her window and gave her an occassional treat and even grass clippings! Spoiled finally settled down with her pawing and tried to nap just before the riders reappeared for lunch.

The noon speaker stood us up, and therefore the second group would be ready to ride sooner than later. I tacked up while talking to a new found friend about our horses, only to find I had no helmet just moments before mounting up. Walking around frantically to anyone at a trailer asking, "have an extra helmet I can borrow?" with the most pitiful look I can imagine. One similar comes to mind when you throw up in front of people you dont know very well... you know that feeling and that look of pitiful. FUN!

All went well until Baby wouldnt take the LOG jump. 5 times they instructed me to try, NOPE NOPE NOPE>.... finally the 5th time I said in my most stern aids... YES YOU ARE! .... low and behold I found myself dangling between her ears.... and she lowered her head to eat grass in front of the log jump ... but also in front of two instructors, 6 other students on horses and endless autitors looking on to learn "what not to do" :) again FUN!

I was stuck in my stirrups because my leg aids were so firm and my legs were so tight on her but most of my weight was up over her shoulder and it was hard for me to get back into the saddle in that most awkward position. SOOOOOOOOO I had to do the most ungraceful dismount and walk her away from the jump and my heart was pounding, my face was red and my throat was aching so hard I almost started to cry ... but I swallowed them back and laughed it off as they tried to tell me all that I had done to make it work that time. WELL! If I could have just cantered to the jump and flew over it in my BRENDA fashion NONE of that would have happened. Then they could have said "well not the most pretty way to do it but it got the job done"... that was of course the vision I had over and over after the fact. SAD but TRUE. Next time ... another day... another way... a different log!

DONT think I wont be going over to school every single freeking day at HEP cross country... OH YEAH... and it will be over the table top, the coupe and rock walls Baby!.... well after my shins heal from the beating they took... and then the rain that we will have through the week..... BUT then we will master that course and will be able to jump ANYTHING!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! HAG!

Angel By Day ~ Acupuncture Day

Well.... today was his big day. A big thank you goes to Claire & Judith Tusch for working with Angel to make him all that he can be. A few more of these sessions and we hope to unlock all the potential in this mighty stead. He also had some Reiki work done to confirm the energy blockages that the acupuncture was to release. As we all knew, his back is really tight. He looks good, he feels good, but its not good. I cannot compete him until he is better. I want him to be happy and comfortable when we are out there competing as the great team we will be. Until then, schooling cross country will have to be with Baby~which is Sunday May 24th in Lyman and 25th at UNH with Babette & Tom Davis. I know Baby will enjoy it and have a great time. Sadly I will miss my partner in crime Angel & hope that this time off will allow him to regenerate.

The video has all the pictures and video showing what he did when ONE particular blockage was released.... this acupuncture is all new to Angel and I hope that he will understand that this is what will make him feel better. He certainly liked his "feel good" shot to relax him as he immediately turned his nose up as if to say... ya baby... likin' the drugs doc :)

Schooling Angel Cross Country

Found time this a.m. to get over to HEP and work Angel in circles, bending, transitions and then of course over the cross country course. All the while he is calling for his partner in crime ~ which leads me yet again to the conclusion... he must be seperated from the heard. Misty doesnt call for anyone... actually none of the others do... just Angel ... and HE IS LOUD! I was unseated a few times with him and his whipping around to get an eye on his lady friend. Which I had to tune him in real quick like.... one rein wait for submission... like a child. Listen to me... listen to me ... listen to ME. Pay attention to ME... Angel my boy ... by the way... ITS ALL ABOUT ME!

Finally... he gave me a few good trips around the arena... at the canter, bent and on contact. I was proud of him. Then I pat him and oooooops... that gave him that second to look for her and call and get all unorganized again... UGH... back to the drawing board. It was a good thing though. Life is not peaches n cream... a matter of fact... this is exactly what he would act like if we were out at a show... so why not go thru the moves that he will come to expect this summer? Its a good thing for him... exhausting for me. I was junk after an hour of that crap. STILL NO LEFT LEAD though I tried as much as my legs would allow.... then had to give up or get off. I have faith that my MON May 19th Acupuncture / Chiro appt with Tusch will lend insight to what is going on and hopefully allieviate whatever is ailing him. Although today he was not off, but a dinkweed... to be expected... when was the last time I actually "WORKED" him? Before I left Rolex... I am quite sure. How he stays so muscular and sheen I dont know... chasing the girls probably while he airs out his junk.... always on the run that boy :)

Anyhooooooo rain rain rain. Was supposed to go to UNH to school what Sat with Candance.... but rain had its way with me... and I am a fair weathered rider FOR SURE... I have done enough rainy day rides, shows, camping and motorcycling... which is what has made me the fair weathered rider I am today :). So cancelled that with her last minute unfortunately, and then again this afternoon she was having a schooling nite at Wild Run and NOPE... rain again... but they were going inside if the rain was too bad... well too many riders inside a not so big arena is not my cup of tea... so I opted for next weeks schooling instead. PLUS ~ who was junk after riding Angel today? I would have looked like a sak of crap atop poor Baby Jane... so eeegh.... next week is another week!

Alrighty then.... thats all for now!

RODE 3 HOSS'S

Mosquitos are out in force. Baby was acting like she had turretz syndrome.... running away from the bugs... stopping and then looking crosseyed and shaking her head and taking off again. Black flies arent much of a bother with fly sheets and masks on... but mosquitos drive me NUTS too if one is in the bedroom at night! Totally understand Babe... which is why I shut up the barn tight tonight and put the fan on for white noise for them. Poor things. I know I spoil them, but if I dont who will? :)

Rode Angel first. MY GOD... is he something. YOWZAAH... mmmm MMM! He is tall n handsome, muscled up and lookin' goood! Sick thing is.... I must be getting old... he looks as good as the firemen calender boyz with the six packs! SEE? Sick egh? Well, anyway... he wasnt off tonight. He thinks he is all that n a bag of chips.... with his alternating girlfriends, and junk airing out every day. Charlie, was good, headset, canter work and excellent bending. Also worked on transitions and he gets it quick :) Baby, was good too, she is just lazzzzE ... compared to the boyz, who trot right out. I needed spurs and dressage whip with her, then she is all about what you want. Her headset is perfect, but she needs to give more push from the hind. I hate to babysit her with leg, so the whip is effective but I feel bad about it. Hope that in time she will GET IT!

Wish I had pictures, but I dont. No place to set up video all by myself. I rode 2 out of 3 before someone showed up. So I didnt bother.... but some time soon I will post new vid to see how well they are all coming along.

Now that its summer, who wants to be editing video footage in the back office? NOT ME!

Rain... We Needed It

Well rain today, tomorrow, then next day and I guess it will be a wet weekend too.

Some breaks may allow for riding time if I can plan accordingly.

I rode Charlie on Monday. He went very well. Didnt even lounge him really. He just looked like he wouldnt be a problem and he wasnt. Does that mean I can read him? I wouldnt bet on it ;)

I wanted to ride Babe but she was FILTHY. Angel is still not right, hence the call to Dr Tusch to schedule the appointment to get him straight. Still waiting for a date. Guess I will have to call the office back and light the fire. I dont want to spend the money but I have to. He needs to be comfortable. I need to get there from here. I dont have any time to waste!

I gave up trying to get my website up and running with videography, therefore am just working on the Photography instead. I have a couple of websites that friends have asked me to assist them with. I have got to get mine done first before I can help others. I have misc things here and there and training horses to commit to, lessons which I have already committed to. So things are happening. This week will be a slow week, so dont expect me to talk about nothing. Next pictures posted will be of the leaves that our bursting out, and the horses up to pasture which I hope to secure on WED & Thurs this week with Mindys help. They are anxious, as I would be, to get up there and eat the green sweets! They have already broken out of the fence and took over the lawn and back lot that is trying to green up. My husband was less then impressed coming home to horses loose on HIS lawn. I was at softball practice to get a call from him stating so. OH well... it happens... at least once a year. Luckily our driveway is 800' long and off a dead end type road.

Charlie was letting me know that he was really PO'd at me at 4:15 today as it was cold and misting out. I had given a late lunch and then hit the bank and postoffice. I came back to clean stalls and then went in. HE threw an absolute fit. He was in the front pasture and from my livingroom window I watched his antics. He walked around on 2 legs, and pawed a hole to China in that front corner of the pasture and stopping occassionally to see if I were coming back to put them in. He was really really mad to hear the grain and then watch me walk back to the house... his way of saying ... WTF?!!!! It went on ... I am not exagerating... for at least 5 - 8 minutes. He was cold and I am sure that was why. But he is just fine... toughen him up. I came back out 45 minutes later... not like 8 at night. What a cry baby.... everyone else was fine... just MR impatient.

Sorry Charlie.... your not special like you think your are.

The Boyz Playing

Angel By Day ~ is the light bay

Charlie ~

Wapschocolate Moose is the brown bay.

I dont put the boyz out together because they play too rough.

I dont need vet bills, or need to tend to gouges, cuts, wounds,

& scratches as its bad enough they are sallys and need fly sheets and special

water based bug repellent, the tender little flowers.

BUT ... they both hold the key to my future.

They also both get alternated between the girls...

and the pastures to entertain themselves

I dont usually take my camera out but I made a special effort to do so for a short 15 minute photo shoot so that I could capture the antics without having their bug sheets and head nets on. These are my favorites out of the 300 or so I snapped off with my

NEW Canon 50 D boyz n girls! Mamma luvin her new toy!

Tack Swap Day ~ Lebenon

Overcast day apparently wasnt a deterrent for tack salers! YEAH!

I brought my truck load of misc equus articles that I am not using or dont need any longer. Some friends saddles to sell along with my own.

I brought my Dublin boots that I loved so much, unfortunately I have had to part ways with them as the last 2" of zipper is not ever going to go. :( I purchased on Ebay for $100 and sold them for $100. YEAH. Sold my Australian saddle for $100, some show close, a horse pic, another cardboard saddle, pads, all my bridles, leather goods, and I was happy to be done with it all! I walked away for $400 after I deducted my cash. I purchased a dog bed $2 and a 75 gal stock tank for $40. I was happy when I dragged that back to my truck as I needed another one for up to pasture this summer! I traded some silver pieces and misc for a Cole Haan pocketbook and a cow hide one. Intersting people to talk with for a change and a good day. 10 - 2pm and softball at 3pm so busy. Then the girls met me back at the barn after to help with cleaning and re~organizing of tack room and "stuff" so we can be all organized for our lessons that started this past saturday. Awwwwww... it was fun to see that they both actually retained some information thru the winter months and will be ready for the dressage tests this summer! Proud of my little wanna bees :) Its all in the name of fun and horses... and glad to share my knowledge with them and see that they appreciate the knowledge they have gained.

Check them out!

Kaitlyn "oh nooooo... no pictures!"

Happier now that she is riding I guess.

Side kick Haley ... Hard at work getting on same page with Baby.

Look at that bend... nice... inside rein inside leg Haley!

Keep up the good work girls... next weekend... NOVICE A TEST!

More Pics Anyone?

Thoroughbred Park

Very cool bronze life~like race horses in downtown Lexington

and others grazing on hill behind.

and crack in wall views the finish line by a nose!

NEAT!

Dapple Grey Mare on hillside somewhere carrying the next Derby winner!

Everyone for some reason brought their dogs to the Rolex...
BUT WHO would bring their GOAT>>>???!

answer: A HILL BILLY!




Another beautiful shot at the warm up ring.
LUV IT!




Pony Clubbers Gymkhana event... CUTE!

OOOOOO.... A must have if you want to spend $1000 on a pair of boots... nice!

These R Mint Juleps! Served at the Kentucky Derby.

I have to say... HOLY CRAP Discusting! I dont care how expensive the Bourbon is!

BLEK! BLEK BLEK!

KEENELAND Racetrack. Inside of the holding stalls prior to race.

Looking out on the courtyard where they display horse & riders

Jockeys that are painted every year in their complimenting silks

JOYCIE & I ... at the cross country water jump in & out.

LOVIN' d'sun and check out those soooo stylish visors!

:)

ROLEX ... what an amazing time!

IF you couldnt tell.... that's ME...

I finally made it to THE ROLEX!


OH you want pics? I GOT PICS! I had to go thru hell first.... being that my new Canon 50D didnt come in time before I got on the plane to head to KY - but my darling husband made sure to pick it up at the York UPS connection and ship in OVERNIGHT FEDX to my hotel! It made it... YEAH! I had quite the time figuring things out on the fly... and unfortunately some of the best shots didnt focus center out... :( big huge sad face... as I couldnt get into the menu to figure that out... and they all looked so crisp and sharp on the 3" review screen ... why would I question it? 2731 pictures later... YES... two thousand seven hundred thirty ONE pictures later and my battery finally died... but I had a spare... but we were headed out of the park at 4:30 on Sunday and the last 4 pics are of Joyce and I at the water log jump. Still had memory left though... blah blah blah ... enuf about my new sexy Canon ok... onto pics! 15.1 megapixel pics baby!

We couldnt wait for the dressage to start so we sat at warm up arena and took shots!

OK... so arrived on WED to scope the place out. Took pics with my trusty Sony Cybershot before my camera arrived... Ya... but no... WALMART screwed that up... memory disk full after that day so we went to download 1hr onto CD so that I could delete all on camera and start fresh in a.m. Didnt find out until arriving at home on MON night - NO pics on Walmart provided CD! I cried and cried... luckily there werent anything we couldnt possibly get again in the future.... but still may never replace them again???? SAD but true... lesson learned - NOTE TO SELF... always have extra memory cards and do not OUTSOURCE!

DRESSAGE started Thursday after NOON inspections, then continued all day on FRI.

RINGWOOD COCKATOO riden by Bettina Hoy of Germany

she took second at the end of the weekend & seemed quite pleased!

Hildago De L'ile riden by Nicolas Touzaint of France didnt do so well ...

although looks nice here...

... as he had overzealous changes....

.... the chap pictured below... also had trouble with his trusty stead throwing his head!

HEY ... we all have those days dont we? For some reason it does my heart good to see the PRO's having the same issues I do ... especially at this level! HEY ... there IS hope for me!

WOOOT WOOT!

CROSS COUNTRY JUMPING

was next on SAT. Boy that drew the crowds!

There were awesome jumps that riders made and I caught....

& then there were not so nice pictures caught on my camera .... woah!

& then some great shots.... with perfect landings....

& then again...

not so perfect landings which cost riders an elimination!!!!! OUCH

third and final day was

STADIUM JUMPING!

& I shall not bore you with those pictures as I am sure you have seen enough...

so the winner is....

Lucinda Fredericks from Australia

riding Headley Britannia

& boy was she happy~ crying tears of happiness with an $80,000 check and a ROLEX watch (which is probably at a retail cost of $15,000 or $20,000 !!!!

ALL IN ALL

a fabulous time with tons to see and do and money to be spent! I did find some great deals... as I got a $250 dressage bridle for $79, a stock tie for $6, dressage gloves for $13, working dressage pads $10 each, and a set of brown eventing boots for Baby $15 for hinds & $19 for fronts! I KNOW ... crazy deals! Wish I had more to spend -

... NEXT TIME!