Things have been hectic lately, but I love being busy!! Hopefully exciting things are coming our way :)
Had a great little condition ride with my Regal man yesterday. We went next door to our facility where there is an awesome conditioning track, looping all around and up and down a giant hill. I didn't want to do a huge blow-out since it's only been a few days since the show, but I do know that we need work in this area. Regal acts very fit. But for some reason, his recoveries take a long time after hard work. He looks fit, acts fit, and doesn't tire out incredibly easy, but he takes a while to get his breathing back to normal. So I'm really trying to step it up and work on our recovery times. What I really wish is that I had a truck and trailer and could take Reg out to the trails I know from when I used to ride endurance. The way we conditioned those horses was something else!! Heart rate moniters and the whole gig. I might invest in one someday. I would ideally love to cross train eventing with a little endurance, because I feel that if my horse is fit to do a 25 or 50 mile ride in good time, a cross country course would pose no threat to their stanima. I don't think I'd every put Reg up to a 100...those rides are so dang hard!! But anyways, one of these days!!
This morning was another dressage ride (you can probably tell by now where we spend most of our training time...) and we actually had a really good ride!! It was less of a fight for a more through and forward frame, and about halfway through the ride Reg started getting so forward it was almost too much. I had to slow him down!! If you knew anything about how Regal usually goes, you would find this amazing. haha. But it was great and we're starting to get the hang of how this grown-up stuff is supposed to feel.
I am EXTREMELY excited because I might have a glimmer of hope at having someone help me find a sponser!!! I don't even want to talk about it much because I'm afraid I'll jinx it or something!! I have been giddy for days. More to come on this as we figure everything out. FINGERS CROSSED!!!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Back to work
Today was one of those growing up lessons. Regal and I are now comfortable with the baby stuff, and ready to move on to more grown-up work. Our trainer Chris really wants to get us going well so we can come out even more prepared for Twin at the end of September.
Today was spent in the dressage saddle, bringing Regal up into my hands and more accepting of the bit...more of a first level frame instead of a long and low. Oh he was shocked!! All this time he's been feeling pretty cocky about how good he's doing, and now this, something he has to work at!! Well after a "few baby Regal fits" as we call them, he began to get the idea. It felt amazing! I began to get the feeling of power coming up from behind and into my hands, the feeling I'm going to need and perfect as we continue to move up. Regal wasn't the only one working hard...I had some major tweaking of my body mechanics to do. Coming from a hunter/jumper background I tend to let my lower back arch instead of keeping it solid, and because Regal makes you work for any impulsion he gives you, my legs and butt were getting quite the workout...especially when we started trying to improve the clarity in our lengthenings :/ I sense sit-ups, squats, and longer jogs in my future, Regal isn't the only one who has to be in good condition!! haha.
It was a great day overall. I'm really excited to have new things to work on and integrate into our routines. My boyfried actually came out to say hi to Regal and see our ride, and being a typical non-horsey boy he finds the jumping and cross country more exciting. But I think today, with all of our impulsion and almost airs above ground, Reg and I gave him a new respect for plain old flatwork, and how much work it actually takes to make it all seem so effortless.
Today was spent in the dressage saddle, bringing Regal up into my hands and more accepting of the bit...more of a first level frame instead of a long and low. Oh he was shocked!! All this time he's been feeling pretty cocky about how good he's doing, and now this, something he has to work at!! Well after a "few baby Regal fits" as we call them, he began to get the idea. It felt amazing! I began to get the feeling of power coming up from behind and into my hands, the feeling I'm going to need and perfect as we continue to move up. Regal wasn't the only one working hard...I had some major tweaking of my body mechanics to do. Coming from a hunter/jumper background I tend to let my lower back arch instead of keeping it solid, and because Regal makes you work for any impulsion he gives you, my legs and butt were getting quite the workout...especially when we started trying to improve the clarity in our lengthenings :/ I sense sit-ups, squats, and longer jogs in my future, Regal isn't the only one who has to be in good condition!! haha.
It was a great day overall. I'm really excited to have new things to work on and integrate into our routines. My boyfried actually came out to say hi to Regal and see our ride, and being a typical non-horsey boy he finds the jumping and cross country more exciting. But I think today, with all of our impulsion and almost airs above ground, Reg and I gave him a new respect for plain old flatwork, and how much work it actually takes to make it all seem so effortless.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
...arg...
Frustration. Should be used to it by now. I don't know why I'm constantly surprised and hurt by the fact that what it all comes down to is money. How long have I been learning this the hard way? 16 or 17 years now...since I first started riding and realized it was a money sport. Sometimes its humiliating, but I just keep fighting for everything, trying to prove that talent still counts for something and determination actually can get you places. I have the best people around me who help me as much as they can; and it means the world to me :) I think somewhere in me I know I'll make it, thats what keeps me pushing forward day after day and let down after let down. I have a once in a life time horse, an incredible trainer, and the perfect facility to school everything I need.
If your wondering where all this is coming from, in retrospect it seems like a silly reason. Can't go to Woodside this next month. Not sure when our next outing will be. Irritated because there will be little to no advancement without getting me and Regal out. And he's so ready. It just kills me to have to sit out while him and I are both coming into our prime. I'm learning to grit my teeth pretty well, stay positive, and look to the future.
Step 1: Now that we've moved up, its officially time to register me and Regal with the USEA...$120.
Step 2: We're going to try for something else this year. Hopefully two events at roughly $400 an event if you include entry, stabling, and travel. Two events would make me a verrrryyyy happy Tosha. Next after Woodside will be Twin Rivers I think. We'll aim for that one maybe.
Step 3: Breathe and smile :)
If your wondering where all this is coming from, in retrospect it seems like a silly reason. Can't go to Woodside this next month. Not sure when our next outing will be. Irritated because there will be little to no advancement without getting me and Regal out. And he's so ready. It just kills me to have to sit out while him and I are both coming into our prime. I'm learning to grit my teeth pretty well, stay positive, and look to the future.
Step 1: Now that we've moved up, its officially time to register me and Regal with the USEA...$120.
Step 2: We're going to try for something else this year. Hopefully two events at roughly $400 an event if you include entry, stabling, and travel. Two events would make me a verrrryyyy happy Tosha. Next after Woodside will be Twin Rivers I think. We'll aim for that one maybe.
Step 3: Breathe and smile :)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Mission Accomplished!!
We made it through our first Training level!! Regal was a superstar :)
My team and I got to the event (Hiskens Summer Moon) on Friday afternoon and settled the horses in and set up our camp. Regal had an awesome hack that day, totally relaxed and happy. He always settles right in eating and drinking like a champ. My ride time for dressage Saturday morning was 7:42 am, so I was up by 5 so I could feed, clean, and braid. Regal is sure catching on!! He can now tell the difference between my regular clothes and show clothes. The instant I came out of the trailer changed into my whites he stopped eating, started watching me, and stood by his gate waiting to be tacked up. He did that before every phase once he saw me change!! I was hoping for a dressage warm up exactly like my hack the day before...but of course I got the opposite. Regal was pumped up and shooting around like a firecracker. To say the least it was a very forward warm up. My trainer and I made the best of it and I headed for my dressage court. I'm not sure what happened, but when Reg and I stepped into the court he was all business. He still felt like a ticking time bomb, but he was much more together. My major goals for our test this time was not to break gaits and to have a smoother ride, both accomplished!! He was a little tense into some of his upward transitions and his halt, but we ended up with a 36.4 on our first Training dressage test- not bad!! Me, being the competitive person I am, was bummed that our score still landed us in 8th after dressage. But my team mates and trainer cheered me up and I got my mind off of being too competitive.
Since this was a horse trial, we had show jumping in the afternoon; usually where Reg and I shine. I had the warm up I wished I could have gotten for my dressage, and I think our ride time must have been when Regal usually naps. The fences didn't look overly challenging, and the course was fun! We had two unfortunate rails, which was pretty upsetting to me only because I know we can do better. Between the heat, Regal being a little lazy, my eye being off, and me trying to over-correct, it wasn't exactly the ride I wanted. After a talk with my trainer I once again shrugged off my negative vibe. We ended Saturday in 9th place.
Sunday...cross country!! By this time I'd metered my course once, and walked it 4 times. I was excited. Like in stadium, I hadn't seen anything that looked overwhelming, always a good feeling. We had a good warm up, and I could tell Reg and I were on the same page. We left the start box, he picked up his ground eating gallop and flew over the first log like it was nothing. I was already smiling. I am still so excited about how he rode that course. Second log to the coop, easy. Jump four was a full coffin, which he had never seen before. Bounced on through. Big log to trakenner to log cabin, turn to down bank two stride to coop. Like a pro!! I am so glad we schooled those down banks, he dropped off exactly how he should, no more baby launches!! A friend came by and told me before I went to the start box that jump 17, the log down into water was getting a lot of people, so when I came to that one I sat Reg up and drove him forward. Without a second thought he leapt down, but I think he was surprised to see the water on the other side! He did a funny little bobble which made me lose my stirrup, I rode out over a log without it and was trying to get it back as we headed for another big coop. In my effort to grab my stirrup back Regal didn't get a clear look at the fence and breezed past it, so I circled him back and he jumped it easily. Last fence over a litte wooden truck, down through a ravine (where we almost ran a lady over who was standing right in the way. She somehow didn't hear my screaming at her and Regal galloping towards her!) We finished with just 7.5 time faults, which put us up to finish 6th place at our first Training!!!
My Regal was a proud boy, but I was an even more proud horse mommy :) As always, so many lessons learned. You can only be so competitive, because really your competing against yourself and doing the best you and your horse can do. And I was once again reminded of the simple goal to just finish. Though we had faults all weekend, we still ended up 6th because we made it through every question. Just goes to show the craziness of this sport.
We're going back home knowing exactly what we need to work on, and already trying to plan the next outing. Woodside is 2 weeks away, and I'm trying with all my might to scrape some money together for it. My camera decided to die this weekend, but I'll get some pictures up that my team and trainer took!! Everyone had a fun, safe weekend...couldn't ask for more!!
My team and I got to the event (Hiskens Summer Moon) on Friday afternoon and settled the horses in and set up our camp. Regal had an awesome hack that day, totally relaxed and happy. He always settles right in eating and drinking like a champ. My ride time for dressage Saturday morning was 7:42 am, so I was up by 5 so I could feed, clean, and braid. Regal is sure catching on!! He can now tell the difference between my regular clothes and show clothes. The instant I came out of the trailer changed into my whites he stopped eating, started watching me, and stood by his gate waiting to be tacked up. He did that before every phase once he saw me change!! I was hoping for a dressage warm up exactly like my hack the day before...but of course I got the opposite. Regal was pumped up and shooting around like a firecracker. To say the least it was a very forward warm up. My trainer and I made the best of it and I headed for my dressage court. I'm not sure what happened, but when Reg and I stepped into the court he was all business. He still felt like a ticking time bomb, but he was much more together. My major goals for our test this time was not to break gaits and to have a smoother ride, both accomplished!! He was a little tense into some of his upward transitions and his halt, but we ended up with a 36.4 on our first Training dressage test- not bad!! Me, being the competitive person I am, was bummed that our score still landed us in 8th after dressage. But my team mates and trainer cheered me up and I got my mind off of being too competitive.
Since this was a horse trial, we had show jumping in the afternoon; usually where Reg and I shine. I had the warm up I wished I could have gotten for my dressage, and I think our ride time must have been when Regal usually naps. The fences didn't look overly challenging, and the course was fun! We had two unfortunate rails, which was pretty upsetting to me only because I know we can do better. Between the heat, Regal being a little lazy, my eye being off, and me trying to over-correct, it wasn't exactly the ride I wanted. After a talk with my trainer I once again shrugged off my negative vibe. We ended Saturday in 9th place.
Sunday...cross country!! By this time I'd metered my course once, and walked it 4 times. I was excited. Like in stadium, I hadn't seen anything that looked overwhelming, always a good feeling. We had a good warm up, and I could tell Reg and I were on the same page. We left the start box, he picked up his ground eating gallop and flew over the first log like it was nothing. I was already smiling. I am still so excited about how he rode that course. Second log to the coop, easy. Jump four was a full coffin, which he had never seen before. Bounced on through. Big log to trakenner to log cabin, turn to down bank two stride to coop. Like a pro!! I am so glad we schooled those down banks, he dropped off exactly how he should, no more baby launches!! A friend came by and told me before I went to the start box that jump 17, the log down into water was getting a lot of people, so when I came to that one I sat Reg up and drove him forward. Without a second thought he leapt down, but I think he was surprised to see the water on the other side! He did a funny little bobble which made me lose my stirrup, I rode out over a log without it and was trying to get it back as we headed for another big coop. In my effort to grab my stirrup back Regal didn't get a clear look at the fence and breezed past it, so I circled him back and he jumped it easily. Last fence over a litte wooden truck, down through a ravine (where we almost ran a lady over who was standing right in the way. She somehow didn't hear my screaming at her and Regal galloping towards her!) We finished with just 7.5 time faults, which put us up to finish 6th place at our first Training!!!
My Regal was a proud boy, but I was an even more proud horse mommy :) As always, so many lessons learned. You can only be so competitive, because really your competing against yourself and doing the best you and your horse can do. And I was once again reminded of the simple goal to just finish. Though we had faults all weekend, we still ended up 6th because we made it through every question. Just goes to show the craziness of this sport.
We're going back home knowing exactly what we need to work on, and already trying to plan the next outing. Woodside is 2 weeks away, and I'm trying with all my might to scrape some money together for it. My camera decided to die this weekend, but I'll get some pictures up that my team and trainer took!! Everyone had a fun, safe weekend...couldn't ask for more!!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Off to the show we go!!
So tired I've given up on doing anything else tonight, and set my alarm early and on its loudest setting. I'll be MIA for a few days since we're camping out at the event and among many other things, there won't be internet. I'll have a ton to say when I get back though I'm sure!!
Regal and I had our last tune-up ride tonight. He warmed up SOOOO brilliantly on the flat!! My trainer and I were amazed. Maybe the dressage work is sinking in...haha. What we really wanted was to take him through a triple since that will be our big stadium question. Turns out he handles those like a pro, but the measly little verticals must not have been up to his standards. Some body adjustments on my part, and we were sailing around. The triple rode so smooth, and Regal popped out over the big oxer at the end with such little effort, it totally blows my mind. We're as schooled as we're gonna get for this show, now its just time to let all our hard work pay off : ) and hopefully luck will be on our side!!
I have a checklist a mile long that I don't want to think about until the morning...pictures and news when we get back!!!
Regal and I had our last tune-up ride tonight. He warmed up SOOOO brilliantly on the flat!! My trainer and I were amazed. Maybe the dressage work is sinking in...haha. What we really wanted was to take him through a triple since that will be our big stadium question. Turns out he handles those like a pro, but the measly little verticals must not have been up to his standards. Some body adjustments on my part, and we were sailing around. The triple rode so smooth, and Regal popped out over the big oxer at the end with such little effort, it totally blows my mind. We're as schooled as we're gonna get for this show, now its just time to let all our hard work pay off : ) and hopefully luck will be on our side!!
I have a checklist a mile long that I don't want to think about until the morning...pictures and news when we get back!!!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Dressage, dressage,dressage...
I have learned it is the name of the game. Sets up your entire score for the event. Sad for me, it is not my stongest point. So that is where I usually work the hardest. Regal and I have been drilling upward transitions, downward transitions, collection, impulsion, throughness...and he is so bored. My trainer Chris and I had to shake things up in our lesson today when we realized, yet again, that our little superstar was so bored he was coming up with his own games. "Up the ante on him, Tosh," she shouts at me. And we launch into shoulder in, haunches in, leg yields, ten meter circles, lengthening, collection...its easy to just list these things but they were hard!! haha. FINALLY...Regal's ears perk up and start swivaling around, listening to me. His movement is brilliant, bit is light, hind end is coming through...all the best feelings in the world. Our canter work is a perfect tempo, and though my left arm is burning from fighting with him earlier, I can't help but smile. Oh if only our test can go like that this weekend. I think we have a pretty good shot. It just reminds me of something a coach told me a long time ago; practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Bear with me...
Hello! This is my first try at a blog, I'm not extremely computer literate for my generation I think.
Today was a frustrating ride. Incredibly hot. Dirt particles sticking everywhere, and my baby horse Regal did NOT want to work. Show four days away. Our first Training level HT and he tries to pull the "I'm just a baby horse" routine. It used to get me and I'd cave in and let him off easy, but I layed down the line and got a nice dressage terrain ride in. Little bit of heat stroke never hurt anyone....right?!
Regal's hair is growing back on his face where he rubbed it off. I consider today a good day.
P.S: I'm still at work on the layout of this thing, and pictures will be up soon!! Thanks for reading!!
Today was a frustrating ride. Incredibly hot. Dirt particles sticking everywhere, and my baby horse Regal did NOT want to work. Show four days away. Our first Training level HT and he tries to pull the "I'm just a baby horse" routine. It used to get me and I'd cave in and let him off easy, but I layed down the line and got a nice dressage terrain ride in. Little bit of heat stroke never hurt anyone....right?!
Regal's hair is growing back on his face where he rubbed it off. I consider today a good day.
P.S: I'm still at work on the layout of this thing, and pictures will be up soon!! Thanks for reading!!
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