The Adventures of The $700 Pony and Her Entourage.....

Lovely!

2012-02-03T10:38:00.001-05:00

Another GORGEOUS day today! Waking up sore, cranky and really not feeling like riding isn't normally the way to have a great ride, but it worked for us today! Was feeling pretty rocky this AM but knew I really needed to ride, but by the time I made it out to the barn it was so darn gorgeous outside that I was feeling MUCH better (ok my back still feels like a Mack truck hit me, but mentally, MUCH better!). M was in a great mood this AM after her peevishness yesterday, and I was very interested to see how that attitude translated under saddle. I had planned on working on some gymnastics today if the ring was dry enough, and low and behold, the footing in 98% of the ring was EXCELLENT, and the other parts were very easy to avoid so I didn't tear up the footing.

Put M in the hackamore today, since its our normal jumping set up, though my running martingale has lost itself in my last move (note...I NEED a new one lol WHY are affordable pony sized items of good quality so darn hard to find!) and had a nice warm up w/t/c starting out nice and long and low to stretch her back out, then asking her to come up a bit and she was actually great in both directions. Still more stiff to the left, but overall much happier stretching down. Only equipment change from yesterday was the hack as opposed to the French link/fig. 8 set up. Had the barrels set up end to end at first for a nice simple vertical (with a little depth as its MUCH easier for me to see) and M just calmly trotted up and hopped over, both directions, and continued at the trot, no rushing, no long spot, which was great since those are our bugaboo areas. Then we moved on to our TINY crossrail gymnastic. I had two 2' crossrails set up in a bounce, with placing poles before the first and after the last. Took M one trip through to figure it out then went through nicely with no "fiddling" from me (ugh that's hard not to do with her sometimes), rating herself and really using her hind-end and not diving at the 2nd element, so overall really well. I wanted to end with something a little fun, so using the barrels I set up a fairly small corner, not too wide, and probably 2'3-2'6 in height. M, to my knowledge, has NEVER seen a corner, and tends to be fairly easily, shall we say, impressed with new things. Not one to stop, more to leap and attack..which she did! Coming around the bend she locked on, and definitely gave it a bit of a look, but other than leaving just a smidge long...and quite possibly over-jumping by 2'...she took it in stride. VERY quiet after the fence, no rushing, nothing. Coming a second time she jumped it like she'd jumped a million. Really worked on keeping her between my legs and not drifting, and she jumped from wherever I asked her (both at the apex as a VERY skinny skinny, or farther out to simulate more width. She was a rockstar!

Ended our ride with a nice walk around the farm, and over the little squeeze bridge, and back up to the barn where we untacked, did a few stretches and settled her back in her house. Definitely a great day! VERY ready for a great weekend, that's for sure!

(Pictures uploading from my phone all end up at the bottom, but are my "mini corner", my bounces set up and a view of the whole ring set up for this AM!)

Drumroll....

2012-02-02T12:25:00.001-05:00

Drumroll please.....

We have our first tentative plan of the 2012 season! I know I won't be able to compete much due to budget and time and everything else, but there are a few special things that I really wanted to do this season, and I've just gotten word that we WILL be able to do the BN3DE held in conjunction with Heart of the Carolinas Three Day Event held at Southern 8th's Farm (www.so8ths.com/) in May! Yes its a big deal! Sure, its "only" BN, but it means we can confidently attack it and learn as much as humanly possible with the seminars, and get a chance to do ALL the phases at an attainable level NOW for the Pony and I, which is a lifelong dream for us. Getting the QR's for a higher level would be VERY hard for us since my show schedule has been, and probably will be for the next few years, quite light, so the opportunity to get to do this is just mind-blowing! Didn't think I could pull all the pieces together to make this a possibility, but it seems like things keep working out to keep us moving forward, so we're going to attack it while we can!

My grand plans to ride yesterday were thwarted by the nasty rain, but this morning it dawned foggy with some sun peaking through, and though most everything was still soaked, it was quite nice enough to ride! M's feet looked great after her "pedicure" yesterday, I'm VERY happy with how Josh handled her, and he was AMAZED at how great she is for the farrier. I think she truly likes getting her attention and pedicures, and it shows! We tacked up after a little bit of massage, and headed up the hills to the XC field for a light school (didn't want to tear up any ground I'd have to fix later!). Spent a lot of time working long and low at the walk and trot with lots of figure 8's and asking her to stretch down. She was VERY loose and swingy today, which is actually fairly abnormal for her right after the farrier, so I was definitely happy. We did have a few rocky moments at the canter, all of a sudden she scooted right out almost from under me in a bolt. Took me a second to bring her back. Hopped off and checked for any soreness on her back (none) or hips (none) or anywhere else. She was acting a bit witchy for a few minutes so I put her back to work and she settled down. Movement was consistent, still loose and swinging, so I'm really not sure WHAT set her off because it was NOTHING like a spook bolt, more of an F-U bolt, so I am definitely glad Kate is coming out to fit both of her saddles, though I can't find ANYWHERE that she is uncomfortable. Walked calmly back down all the hills to the barn, even over the bridge.

Not sure what her little issue was, does anyone have any suggestions? Everything looks to fit well, no soreness anywhere that I can find. I don't like to attribute anything to "Chestnut Pony Mare" but....

Paging Noah? I need that ark!

2012-02-01T10:41:00.001-05:00

The best laid plans of mice and men.....

Got up, all pumped and ready to ride this morning...to be met with torrential downpours. Great. Well I was up, and already dressed (ok so I'm a little slow on the uptake! I blame my dear friends for keeping me up WAY too late last night!) So off to the barn I slogged, in my completely ridiculous (but hey, I was DRY!) rainy day barn gear to groom and love on M, which is just as good as riding!

I'd like to take a moment to mention that from all my years around horses, and horse people, that we tend to lose whatever tenuous hold we have on "fashion" when we head to the barn. Granted, I have the fashion sense of a color-blind toddler sleepwalking, but usually I manage presentable quite well, as do most of my fellow barn-mates, at least in the "real world" where horse slime green isn't a widely accepted color. There are the few among us who are just not capable of dressing "normally", and there are also the select few who manage to look fantastically put together regardless of their location, but I would consider those to be the exceptions rather than the norm! My barn rain gear is...special. It ALL has its specific purpose, and it performs that purpose admirably...just not fashionably! We start with plain long sleeve T. Can't go wrong there. Its plain, its black (so its not stained!), and its comfy. Its even socially acceptable outside of the barn! It goes downhill from there. To that we add my BELOVED bright bright green hoodie that boldly states "Kiss Me I'm Irish". In my defense...I AM Irish. And I've also been taken up on it regularly. Sometimes with more success than others! Over that goes the BRIGHT yellow Columbia rain jacket. Hey! Won't lose me! The lower half...on go the military ACU's, tall obnoxiously colored socks (kids won't steal them that way! Apparently they have better sense than I...) all tucked in to black rain boots. Ok, that's being nice....Black galoshes brightly adorned with loud colored polka dots. *sigh* And yes, I do tend to have to stop somewhere pre or post barn (so either with dried horse slime, or dried horse slime topped with FRESH horse slime) in this get-up. Today that place was work as one of my dear coworkers called me begging me to bring in rice as she'd dropped her iPhone into OJ....Honestly Boss! I PLANNED to go home and change before coming in! Good thing I keep spare work clothes in the truck! (And the iPhone survived its untimely OJ infusion as well...)

SO...back to M...Groomed the girl, and she just ate it all up. She loves being spoiled and fussed over, more and more. And her massage. And getting her feet done. Had to make sure her feet and legs were nice and dry and clean as the farrier is making his rounds today, and it'll be the first time he's done her, so must have her all up to snuff...And I can't abide by leaving a nasty muddy legged horse for the farrier to do. They have a hard enough job as it is, why make it worse! I feel bad enough that I can't BE there. I DO have the best barn owner ever who will be holding her and texting me, and I can't thank her enough!

Definitely going to attempt riding tomorrow (and actually LOOK at the weather this time....), and Saturday has now been designated pony primping day...her poor tail is out of control, and there are a TON of places they missed when her kid had her trainer clip her! Have to fix that before we venture out in public again!

Exciting Plans!

2012-01-31T14:49:00.001-05:00

Well looks like we have a fun and full weekend planned! Meeting up with some friends Saturday to ride and play, and evening up the Pony's clip, then Sunday Kate Wooten Diamond is coming by to fit M's saddles then we are headed to Walnut Trace Farm to school some XC and see how good we feel over some solid Novice fences for the first time in a while. I am completely thrilled to test out my new Rodney Powell vest for the first time, and also get to enjoy my very favorite thing...XC! Definitely looking forward to a great weekend and getting to see some new and old friends, and enjoy some quality time with my best friend, the M!

Planning on starting small with some BN stuff, maybe even tadpole to warm up then start asking her the questions that use her brain more. Height isn't an issue, even though she's tiny, but engaging her brain and having her USE it on the fly, those are the things we need to work on together! Looks as if Oleg is going to be nice enough to tag along with us, so hoping for some great photos and maybe even some video if I ask nicely enough, so just can't be beat!

I will post an update of our dressage ride tomorrow, and then we shall go from there!

Been a few!

2012-01-30T19:43:00.001-05:00

WOW. I feel like such a bad blogger! Haven't updated in a bit! Honestly haven't been to the barn. :( I love having M in a place where I just don't worry about her, and between the kids being sick, me being SLAMMED at work and getting ready to move to a new house, its been a bit nuts to say the least! BUT the plan is that Wednesday AM we get back on track, and hopefully the weather will agree with me!

Planning on a nice dressage ride Wednesday AM, then Thursday AM I will probably set up some interesting gymnastics, just so that we have something to work over for fun and to have her rocking back on her haunches AND engaging her brain. I've decided to do most of our dressage work up in the XC field, as it keeps her more interested, and for some reason, its actually easier for me too! I seem to stay ROUND when I don't use physical landmarks as much, because I don't use them to depend on, I actually have to focus on M's body more. And its prettier. There is definitely something to be said for a gorgeous field lined in trees with the sun coming up!

I HAVE enjoyed my mini-vacation, weekend before last in Knoxville with Kent was truly lovely, had a blast, caught up on lots of Dr. Who, Black Adder, and even learned how to roller skate! (Thanks Chris Range!) Then this past weekend with the kids, with none of us feeling great, so we decided that it would be a great weekend to snuggle up and get some inside stuff done, like packing and getting ready to move, and refinishing and reupholstering our new kitchen stuff kept me busy, to say the least! Days like today is when it gets me...WARM, gorgeous, sunny...and I'm stuck inside at work and can't get out to the barn, and knowing by the time I do get off work it will be too late, and getting the kids from day-care and everything. So...just 2 more days and my butt will be happily back in the saddle!

A new week

2012-01-19T11:06:00.001-05:00

Well its been a busy few days! Spent the past weekend in Chattanooga, getting to see friends, let the kiddos see their grandparents, and to have a well earned break from all the hustle and bustle. It was WONDERFUL! Definitely enjoyed having a long weekend, and am now happily back in the swing of things.

Had a GREAT ride on M the other day. When I drove up to the barn she was in her paddock, and she jogged right up to say hi. Sometimes it's hard to believe she's the same slightly aloof pony who I met a few years ago! Peep bribery works wonders! Pulled her out and gave her a really good deep grooming, felt good for the both of us I think. It was very cold, but sunny, so not nearly as bad as it could have been. She looks like a copper penny. Went ahead and tacked up, and meandered down to the arena. The footing was a bit wet, though not too slick, and we planned a dressage day. Spent our warm-up going long and low, both walk and trot, bending right then left. She was actually fairly willing to give me a decent left bend both stretching down, as well as more on the bit at the walk, and it did translate into the trot fairly well. Not great, but she's definitely trying as opposed to flying me the hoof, so definitely better. In our trot work we went back to our handy figure 8, asking for a clear change of bend on the center line, and keeping a VERY steady outside rein while pushing her forward into consistant contact while tracking left. She braces very hard for the first part of the circle, then slowly relaxes into contact by the end. As we consistently work that resistance is getting smaller, slowly but surely. As it was fairly slick we nixed our canter work for the day, just having a nice canter depart on each lead then called it a day and went for a walk.

Plans are as follows. Looks like I'll ride before work tomorrow morning, then Friday-Sunday I will be in Knoxville visiting a dear friend, then back to regularly scheduled riding Monday! Definitely looking forward to a nice consistant schedule, makes life so much easier!

Am I Really that scary?!

2012-01-12T14:40:00.001-05:00

Is chivalry completely dead, or am I really that scary?! While the threat of "Sn..." is still in the air (ok its actually rather coming down, albeit not sticking much), it was time to tag, title and emissions test Vera. Emissions testing passed with flying colors, as did actually GETTING the tags and submitting the title....APPLYING the tags was another story!

I would like to make an aside that I actually CAN dress well for work. I can, and I do. Business slacks, low heels, dress shirt and all (did you really think you'd get me in a skirt? I think not...) So when I have to run errands at lunch I look less like a raggamuffin and more like an actual banker. Or some close approximation...

Upon exiting the local police station (which is where the County Clerk is...John Arriola. Yes. It really is his name.) in the snow, I have to get down on the ground (with my handy multitool, I AM prepared) to fight with Vera's somewhat stuck screws to get them off, attach the plate and tignten everything back down. Its wet. Its fairly dark, and its COLD. And several men walked by just staring at me. Not an offer of help, make sure I was OK or anything. UGH. Apparently I'm either scary or people are just that rude. And I really don't think I'm THAT scary, at least in work clothing! So while my tag IS properly attached and tightened down now, I am a soggy, cold, sniffling mess. *sigh* I thought southern men were supposed to be chivalrous! At least we know I can do it....same thing with my tires and oil changes!

Snow is a southern 4 letter word!

2012-01-12T12:13:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year, when in TN the fatal words (or more aptly said, partial words) "sn..." comes out and the world grinds to a screeching halt. Growing up MUCH farther north where snow is a normal, and a well enjoyed (for the most part...unless you're the one with the shovel!) part of the winter landscape, down here in the balmy south its a recipe for disaster. Today we have a bit of the dreaded "sn..." in the forecast. I am not looking forward to driving anywhere NEAR a grocery store, Wal-Mart, gas station, or any retail location that carries milk, bread, or eggs.

And that brings me to another thought; WHY milk, bread, and eggs? Very substances that require refridgeration, preperation and don't last well in a non-stable temperature environment? Never have understood that one. TP, canned goods, jerky and fire-steel seem like better ones to me, but heaven forbid I forget the milk! (Coming from one who is very lactose intolerant and not even a casual enjoyee of that substance anyway...)

M is all bundled up in her blankets and in her stall, kids are all bundled up and eagerly awaiting any fluffy white stuff that may deign to fall from the sky, and I am holed up at work grumbling about the hazards of driving downtown in the "sn.." tonight surrounded by southern drivers who know nothing about it to see a game ironically played on the ice! Assuming the weather is fine in the morning, I will be heading out to the barn to at least lunge the M before work, then we will see what the weekend holds depending on weather and what the kidlets have in mind to do!

Meet Vera!

2012-01-11T12:12:00.001-05:00

Introducing Vera!

I'd like to start by offering HUGE thanks to Roy for being my chauffeur and sanity keeper, and helping wrangle two toddlers (According to Ellen each being equal to 48 orphaned puppies!) and FIND Vera....As well as to Oleg, Rain, Peter, Dorothy and the poor model at Oleg's who got hit with meeting all of us and seeing me flip out mid truck search! And VERY much to Kent for keeping me laughing and calm all day while handling everything, and laughing long into the night!

We had grand plans of picking the kids up, heading straight to Lebanon to see, test drive, and bring HOME the Tahoe. Let it be known when you let the 'Verse know your plans, it tends to mess with them....Made it to Lebanon early. Tahoe was late. Orphaned puppies voiced their very decided opinions on being stuck in Roy's LOVELY Jeep Myrtle. It was..interesting. Seeing the Tahoe pull up both Roy and I were VERY concerned as it was a slightly different color than advertised, beat up and needing new tires. And sounded...rough. I let Roy take point, since I am NOT the car savvy one, and he heard it run and gave me a look. After hearing it run he turned it off and restarted it..roughly. Off and on one more time and it would barely turn over. NOPE not coming home with me! Made a wrong turn leaving the parking lot and passed back by to see the sellers with the hood up attempting to start the darn thing. Crisis averted....but new crisis ahead....My rental was due back FIRST THING this AM. I can't PAY for the rental. Way to go. SO. Frantic Craigslisting ensues on the way to Oleg's to eat dinner for ALL of us, and get toddlers out of the car for at least a bit. They were doing really well...but too much car time makes FIDGETING toddlers. Spongebob cures all.

Dinner was AMAZING! (Thanks Peter, sorry I couldn't eat much due to stress, and THANK YOU for packing me lunch!), and we DID find a great candidate: 1999 F150 XLT extended cab with only 139k mi. Downside? MUCH more expensive, but we decided to look at it. Loaded orphaned puppies BACK into the car (I'd like to mention that it was well after 8pm....) and drive to Greenbrier to see it. LOVE at first sight. Great body condition, cleanest interior I've seen on almost ANY truck, and ran like a charm. Offered the fellow a fair bit less than asking price, and he took it! (Cash is a lovely thing!) Looking at it, truck charming just said Vera to me (Browncoats will get the Jayne Cobb connection!) Also has the HD tow package installed and is already wired for lighting and brakes....WIN! So a very very rough day turned into a much better one. Loaded the toddlers into Vera and trundled home to get us ALL in bed. Got toddlers in bed and had a lovely chat with Kent, burning off the remaining stress from the day. So Team Pony has transportation, Sadie is in LOVE (Vera is teal. Sadie is in LOVE with teal.), gets good gas mileage, and we all love it! (Sadie may have mentioned something about it being time to load up the bikes and ride more places now too....)

The rest of this week and whole weekend are kidlet exclusive time, so we may head to the barn if Sadie and Will want to ride, but we have plans to hike and play outside, so not sure if I'll be riding before Monday, but I know M is going to have a ball with Ashton this week, and I'll be having a ball with the toddlers! Can't beat that! Probably will head to the farm just for the wide open spaces and outdoorsy time if its nice out regardless! Carpe Diem!

Happy birthday to me...

2012-01-10T10:29:00.001-05:00

On a slightly different, and rather non-horsey note, I'd like to say a few things about 2012.

I'd like to propose that we all make 2012 the year we get rid of the negatives in our lives. The people who are destructive to our psyches, our emotions, our physical bodies and our spiritual ones. Whether those people be family, "friends", or places in which we put ourselves, this should be the time that we focus on ourselves and extricating ourselves from the traps that we put ourselves in.

I've noticed for myself that I have allowed certain people to try and define me, and walk all over me, for the sheer fact that they are "family". Its not healthy for me, my children, or my life. The only person who truly knows me and my life is ME. And the one responsible for my children, our health and our lives is ME. And I am lucky enough to have a very good father for my kids, one who though we couldn't make our life together work, are extremely committed to making our children's lives as rich and wonderful as possible. I am also blessed enough to have a wonderful support network of excellent friends and extended family, both in the gun community, the horse community and in my work environment. I am also lucky enough to have a wonderful barn, a lovely Pony who my children and I can share, and a WONDERFUL barn family who helps me out so that no time with my kids is spent trying to juggle priorities, its solely for THEM.

So 2012, bring it on. I am a Mom, I am a Woman, and I am a Horseman. I can take any challenge you throw at me, any twist you sling, and I can overcome it. I will not be drug down by petty threats and manipulations; I will not second guess my mothering and life skills by someone who can't handle seeing me succeed in a way that they don't prefer and can't manipulate; I will not beat myself up trying to fit a mold I was never designed for and don't even want to fit; and I will be true to myself, my children, and my life goals. I am a strong, opinionated and passionate person, and I will no longer hide that. Here I am , take me or leave me. If you can't support me then it's time to leave me and stop dragging me down to your level.

Thank you to all of my readers over the past two years. You've been wonderful to me and the Pony and the kids. I appreciate you all more than you know. I look forward to many more years of writing about my adventures with M and hopefully soon the kids adventures with M. Lets attack 2012 and see where it takes us, leaving the negative behind. We are ALL worth it, and its time to start acting like it!

Roll Tide!

2012-01-09T14:14:00.001-05:00

Well its BCS Championship Game today....so M and I would like to heartily state, ROLL TIDE ROLL! RUN TRENT RUN! NEAUX TIGERS!

Well now that that is out of the way, M was lovely yesterday. My back was in really bad shape, so we just had a short flatwork day, really working on our 10m figure 8's, letting HER refigure out that she CAN bend to the left and stretch into the left rein, while remaining steady in the change of bend for me. We worked up on the XC field and she really was happy to work on the grass for the most part. Also had some GREAT canters to the right, and some OK ones to the left. Hopped over a rustic crossrail a few times as well, working on staying steady on approach, landing on the left lead and cantering off without dropping the left shoulder and falling in. I've also got to work on having a stronger more active left leg!

After I was done with M, we rode back down to the arena for Ashton to hop on the Pony. Ashton has offered to ride her a few times a week on days that I can't get out to just do trot sets to help the Pony fit back up, and I can't thank her enough! They did very well together, though it'll take them a bit of time to get in sync fully, I think it'll end up being great for the both of them! She's a very competent teen rider, and I look forward to watching them!

Best of Intentions

2012-01-06T10:29:00.001-05:00

Well so much for riding this AM....Felt pretty rotten so decided a few extra hours of sleep would probably be a better idea, and want to make sure we start off nice and slow for M too. And due to reasons related to the accident and insurance companies (that I can't mention yet), spending the early morning on the phone ended up taking priority. All I can say is I thank my lucky stars that *I* have USAA not anyone else!

Robin emailed me to let me know that M is settled and having a good night last night and a good day thus far today, I can't say how much I enjoy getting updates! Depending on how I feel tonight I'll head out and groom and love on her a bit, then working all morning tomorrow, then heading out to Parker's place in Watertown to the range then to a Predators game! (Thanks work for free tickets!) Headed to ride Sunday and Parker has volunteered to get some video for us, so I should have some good feedback for where our starting point is. Planning on getting her back to long lining to really build her back back up. Also going to see if some of the self titled "barn rats" in their teens would like to hop on her for some fitness work at least, once she settles a little bit more and gets used to everyone. That will definitely be something nice to have on hand, especially for busy weeks! Really can't say how much I am enjoying HQ yet, I just love it!

Also, having to thin out my tack collection again, so if anyone has anything in specific they are looking for, let me know! Have a few nice Nunn Finer breastplates, NICE rubber reins, pads, bell boots, a REALLY nice Baker Blanket (sz 72), among other things. Most of it is cob or horse size, and just doesn't fit M!

First Ride Back

2012-01-05T13:53:00.001-05:00

Well my work schedule was a bit wonky this week, as I have to work Saturday, plus it being a holiday on Monday (for us bankers at least! Some HUGE perks to banking!), so it took me until today to get M her first ride. It actually worked out in our favor as it gave her some time to settle into her new routine and barn, though she's made herself right at home! She's still being cranky with all the other horses, but enjoys her stall and her still solo turnout and LOVES her food and hay. Beautiful hay.

I figured M would probably be pretty stiff and I was not proved wrong! I know her kiddo hadn't ridden her in a while, and I don't think her trainer had been on her much at all, so her left side was beyond locked up, but to the right she loosened up really well and used her back. To the left we achieved some good walk work, some passable trot work and we didn't even try the canter until we can get actually decent trot work. Also going to have her back looked at to see if she has a rib out anywhere or anything in her neck, because its never been this bad. Think it may just be from disuse and kiddo not knowing how to ASK a horse to bend in the least, because everything else was fine. Also a bit sticky in upward transitions and we'll have to reinstall the half-halt again, but overall we've got some great stuff to work on.

Spent a lot of time on our 20m circle really working on keeping a steady active outside rein and giving away the inside to see if she was really on the bit. To the right we did very well...to the left it was nonexistent to begin with, but by the end she was starting to realize her steady outside rein was back and starting to offer a little bit more. Overall very decent. We hopped over a few small verticals that were in the ring just for giggles and she surprised me by quietly cantering up, hopping right over nicely. It felt like coming home! We worked for about an hour total, and afterwards we took a nice slow walk around the small XC area to cool down. So gorgeous, sun everywhere, perfect blue sky, just lovely. Can't beat that start to a day! Hopefully riding again before work tomorrow, though it will be a lot earlier (yuck!), then giving her Saturday off and back to work Sunday! Can't wait to see how she goes. Definitely liking how she feels in the Ultra Thinline, and my back loves it too. Definitely one of my best purchases to-date.

Viva Nashvegas!

2012-01-04T12:08:00.001-05:00

Well, sorry its a few days late, but M is home, happy and quite full of herself! She walked off the trailer, looked around, had a big sigh and just chilled. I think she finds it quite to her liking! And it seems she's already found a fan club!

Monday was COLD! Very cold! Robin and Ashton met me at the BP just off 75N to follow me the rest of the way to Break N Run, and they had a lovely mare named Hannah who was meeting up with her owners to head back down to Atlanta. Definitely a win-win situation! M was chilling in her stall when we arrived, and decided that Ashton's hands tasted fantastic, lip flapping and all! We got everything loaded into the trailer (Thanks Jeanine and Ashton!), and M took a look at the ramp and hopped right in. That pony loves to travel! Turned around and got on our way to Nashville!

I'd like to interject that I can't thank Jeanine at Break N Run Farms in Ooltewah enough for how she's taken care of M over the past 8mo. She's never looked so good or been so relaxed, and that says so much! She has some full board openings and an AMAZING facility...so give her a call! She's awesome! Also big thanks to Amy and Tate for doing so well with her!

We got on the road and had a great uneventful trip. I followed the trailer and got the silly sight of barely seeing pony butt over the back door of the trailer, and watching her ears take everything in. I think its like going to a movie for her, you can see how much she loves it! Pulling in to Horse Quarters the wind was blowing like crazy, and the temperature had dropped even further, so I wasn't sure how quiet she'd be, but M hopped right off, looked around and was completely at ease. We took a little walk around the farm, then after adding a blanket layer (nekkid shaved ponies get COLD!), turned her out in her temporary paddock before she meets her new buddies. I honestly expected some running or at least SOMETHING fun to watch...nope. Nose in the hay, big swig of water, and then meandering around checking the grass out, and meeting her new fan club who was equipped with carrots! After she was out for a few hours (and a trip to the feed store with Robin for me), she went into her stall for dinner like she owned the place, looked imperiously at Bing and Toby, and proceeded to scarf up her dinner. I think she likes it!

Due to work, I didn't make it out to the barn yesterday, figured M needed a day to just settle in and survey her new turf, and I'll be going out to groom and massage tonight after work (darn it getting dark so early this time of year!). Tomorrow I only work half a day, so will definitely be out in the AM to give M her first test ride of both the new year and new barn! Going to take a nice long walk around the farm, then just see where our baseline is so we can start building up top-line and some butt again and see where we go from there. Hopefully talking to Bill Hoos this weekend, he said that he may have room for us in his program, so its definitely something I will be looking into!

T minus 3ish days

2011-12-30T11:23:00.001-05:00

Well we're down to the last few days. All my tack that is in Nashville is already cleaned and oiled (And I've caught up on my movie watching while doing so, so that was a win-win), all I have left to do is get my big tack truck from the storage unit in Chattanooga, assuming I can get the key from either Chris or Richard. I certainly hope I can as a significant amount of M's essential stuff is in there!

I'll be driving down after work today to meet up with the kids and enjoy a nice New Years weekend with no plans as of yet, which is actually rather relaxing. Just have to get some things organized, and a lot of time to rest, which is very well needed. Monday midday I'll be meeting Robin with the kids to load up and head back to Nashville with a very exhausted Pony in tow! She WILL be glad to note that her new pasture buddy is a purely LOVELY TB cross in a big gray suit named Bing...I am going to be jealous of her new company! I'm sure she'll have him sufficiently cowed quite quickly, and trained as a pasture servant. HRH M is quite good at getting what she wants!

Planning on a picture heavy post to chronicle our journey back to Nashville Monday, so be on the lookout! Sadie has already informed me that she plans on using the camera AND riding M, so it should be an interesting endeavor all around!

One More Week

2011-12-26T10:56:00.000-05:00

One more week until the Pony makes her Nashville Debut, and we are all very ready. Sadie has been asking when "her" pony (Silly child...Pony's are for MOMMY too!) will be arriving so she can get back to riding. Its adorable. And I'm ready to get back on the ball starting to do in hand walking with M to get us both feeling better and stronger, assuming the Dr. decides to clear me for movement any time soon. If not, god bless fun with lunging over poles to start rebuilding butt and topline.

Spending this lovely Boxing Day perusing internet tack shops for different bit variations for the Pony, as I have a few ideas I'd like to try to help our dressage become less braced and more fluid, especially after spending 8mo working on my core so darn hard I think it will be a great difference working with MY body. Thinking of a nathe type, since they are a lot softer than the happy mouth versions, but man is that little rubber bit expensive. We shall see. Attempting to find one to borrow, since I'd rather find out first if it works well. eBay ho!

Victory Gallop at Area 3 Championships

I am more than ready to get back into a good routine, and start having the kids ride more, and we're almost there. Kids are ready, I am ready, LOVELY new barn is ready (HUGE thanks to Robin at Horse Quarters for all her help, and for being willing to help me procure the Pony!), and we are about set. Stocking up on whitening shampoo to get that lovely tail glimmering in the mud season and we'll be set!

T minus 11 Days

2011-12-22T12:16:00.001-05:00

Another day closer to M's arrival, and still trying to get everything ready. Due to a nasty wreck last week (got rear ended by a distracted texting driver, and YES she even told the cop that!), my car is out of commission and highly likely totaled, so I am beginning the process of looking for a new (to me) truck. If anyone has any leads, I'd be very grateful! I'd rather deal with vets than human doctors any day...and horse insurance companies as opposed to car insurance companies..... I'm just ready to be done hurting and get a move on enjoying 2012 once it gets here.

T minus 11 days and counting.....

Also, has anyone tried the SmartPak bridles? How true to size do they run? I find M is in need of a flash bridle, and while I know the quality has been raved about, I haven't heard much about how the sizing tends to run!

And they're back.....

2011-12-21T15:41:00.001-05:00

Well I know I've been a truly terrible blogger...but so much has happened the past 7mo it's been hard to keep up! M has spent the last 7mo leased out to a lovely young lady who has done very well with her, but it was time to bring her home after a few quirky moments with a child riding, do some long low hill work and evaluate from there. She's looking fantastic, and I can't say enough good things about Amy and Jeanine at Break N Run farms in Ooltewah, M looks amazing! January 2nd is our move date, and M will be residing at Horse Quarters Farm (www.horsequartersfarm.com) with Robin and a lovely crew of fun people we can't wait to get to know better, and only 10min from home! I know we're ready to figure out what's going on and get back to what we do best...entertaining ourselves cross country!

In addition to living arrangement changes, I have to say that this is going to be a harder but interesting year; my husband and I have divorced and have joint custody of our kids, and Sadie is quite insistent on riding M as soon as she gets in! That one sure does have the horse bug very strongly. Will is happiest to just watch and play with his dump trucks in the sand, though he seems to enjoy grooming and just being around the barn.

So here we begin again, in lovely Nashville (or more accurately, Antioch...but Nashville sounds better to me) finally reunited, my missing half returns.

Thank you all for caring about M and I over the past years and we can't wait to get back out and about and meeting people in the Middle TN area!

Competing With Kids

2011-08-04T08:30:00.000-04:00

Competing With Kids

I get asked a lot “How do you manage to go to shows with two small kids?!” My answer is (other than completely AMAZING husband), a LOT of really excellent planning! I know that many moms end up setting horse showing aside until their kids are older, and while I did briefly consider that, horse shows are a part of my life, and now have become a fun thing for our entire family to enjoy.

Both of my children attended their first local horse shows by the time they were a few weeks old. Thankfully living in the sunny south, the weather agreed for the first few outings. At that age we were all just spectating, getting into the swing of things. A second dedicated adult is a definite necessity! Both kids and horses require a lot of mental focus, and neither one deserves to get less than a whole brain.

The Youngest Goode’s First Show at 3wks old

The second way to horse show with kids is to make it a full family affair. My wonderful dear husband was drug into the whole horse world when we started dating, and to date hasn’t looked back. While not an active rider himself, he’s found that horse shows can be a great place to, A. meet other husbands who get drug along to shows, B. a great way to bargain with one’s wife for weekends off, and C. see your kids learn responsibility, confidence and have a heck of a lot of fun! Schooling shows with the Goode family are always a hoot to behold. From the Pony cruising around large jumper courses to checking out lead line with the Elder Child (now nearing 4yrs old), showing isn’t just something for me, it’s for my kids now too! And what can be cuter than a little kid in pigtails thinking they’ve won the world on a dear loving pony? Nothing!

The Elder Goode winning her first lead line ribbon at 18mo

Now granted, this isn’t always easy. Lists for show day are a must; just the same as you have for your horse. It’s extremely important to keep your kids, your horses and everyone else safe. I prefer to keep babies in a front carrier on their dedicated adult as opposed to in a stroller because some horses are scared of strollers, and it is much harder to move a stroller, even one designed for off road use, around uneven ground and large animals. It’s also a great idea to keep kids out of in-gates and other busy areas. Older toddlers and children are much easier to keep around, as long as they have great manners. At a longer show it’s extremely helpful to have a nice shady place out of the way (such as at the stalls) to have a place for children (and mom too!) to rest. Snacks are imperative, as is sunscreen, drinks, toys, and an excellent sense of humor. Finding time to all have a picnic lunch is another great way to bring everyone together, and can be very refreshing on a more spaced out show day (or a larger, longer show). My two love to help groom (keeps small hands occupied, if they are used to being around horses and you have a nice quiet horse), mix feed, check water buckets from outside the stall, and then collapse with books in front of a fan, or tear up dancing at a competitors party! How many kids can say they’ve danced with Olympians?

I never thought that I’d be a horse show mom in every sense of the word, but we are now a horse show family! I have never had so much fun with my husband, kids and pony, and I am still very actively showing, both at local shows as well as USEA Recognized Horse Trials. Showing with your kids and family can be an extremely fun and rewarding experience when you take the time to plan and have a family dedicated to being together! Happy horse showing!

Still Searching

2011-07-24T14:55:00.000-04:00

I think I've looked at roughly one million barns lately. Granted I'm sure that number is quite a bit smaller, but man am I glad that I've started quite early! Some AMAZING barns in this area, though so many are too darn far away! Sure having an awesome trainer and facilities is great, but if I can only make it out 1x per week it kind of defeats the purpose. Last night I checked out the barn that my manager boards at and went on a trail ride. It was about 40 min from home and 20 min from work (kind of in a triangle), so I don't think its going to be our ultimate choice, but man we had fun! Rode my first "real" gaited horse....and that was a definite experience! Nice trail through the woods, got up to some serious speed racking on the long straights and it was AMAZING! Definitely not trading in the event horses for that, but man, OldGrayMare is a darn spiffy horse! Anyone in the Lascassas area, Maplewood Stables is the place to be! Great huge arena with lights, awesome stalls, and a boatload of highly entertaining people! So its definitely still on my short list. Friday after work I drove into 'actual' Nashville to visit Hidden Acres Farm. Could not be more appropriately named! Just off Briley Parkway and BAM 80 acres of truly beautiful land. Great stalls, and quite possibly the coolest (temp wise, amazing insulation) most peaceful barn I've ever seen. Nice stalls with pretty dutch doors, and a GORGEOUS indoor. Tons of pasture too. BM is a really sweet fellow too, with kids near Sadie and Will's ages. Downsides? Very quiet place, no one else other than the BM really rides, mostly absentee boarders. Pluses? 10min from house, on my way home from work, and I wouldn't have to fight anyone for arena time. So thankfully I have some time to keep thinking and looking, but I do have guarantees from both barns that I will have a spot since they both know that they are the two I have to decide between! And I've got an open invitation to come ride at Maplewood, which is great, and once the Pony is down here, we will DEFINITELY be heading that way to ride!

Having some serious jonesing for a good XC run about now, even with the heat. Trying to stay in great shape without riding as a motivation has DEFINITELY been a challenge, so my dear hubby and our friend Richard found a solution: Warrior Dash! If I don't DIE doing it I think that it will be an absolute hoot. Definitely fits with my inner adrenaline junkie, and keep me good and fit for Em's triumphant return! Or if I don't survive...I'll have time to heal lol

Em's been being a little doll for Tate this week, even working on some hand gallops out in the field. Can't post the video, but it was so cute! HUGE thanks to Amy for keeping me with lots of videos and pictures! I'm ready to be back in Chattanooga next weekend for a great little ride on both Em and hopefully (if you still want me to Amy) Roxy! And a great welcome home party for my dear friend DJ. So all in all still going well, just slowly but surely counting down until Em comes home! And so thrilled that Em and Tate are having a ball while I can't be!

Research!

2011-07-20T22:31:00.000-04:00

Man I had forgotten how much I hate searching for barns! And I'm VERY glad I decided to start very early! There are some amazing barns in the area, but they all seem to be at least 45min to an hour away, with traffic on top of it, and that is definitely pushing it for me! Especially driving the truck everywhere, and not wanting to sacrifice very much time with the kids. I want lights if at all possible, room to ride out (trails, field, not picky there!) and above all excellent care. So far I'm finding parts but not the whole! Have a few good leads we will be checking out, so thus the process begins! The Pony has been awesome the last 2 days with Tate, they were working on Tate's first simple changes. I got a video of it and it was adorable! So if any Middle TN people on here have a clue about a decent (not Ghetto Fabulous) barn with possible lights and not break the bank expensive within 30min of Hermitage (exit 221B off of 40), please pass it along!

Long awaited update.....

2011-07-18T19:47:00.000-04:00

I know I've been absolutely HORRIBLE about updating lately, but honest, I have a reason! We've just moved us and the kids to Nashville, TN. Chris got an amazing job offer that we couldn't turn down, and my company was able to transfer me up here, so here I am! In Nashville! The upside is that this move will make competing a TON easier next year, the downside is that we will be taking the rest of this year off. Em is staying in Chattanooga with a dear friend of mine being hacked by a student to stay fit and I'm back in town riding every other week about, and then in December she'll be coming up once we get everything settled with the kids and work and school. Then back on the competition trail!

Emmy Getting Stuffed with Peeps by Tate

Pony can TROT!

I am SO thankful to have wonderful friends and lessees to make this move happen so smoothly, especially since it had to come together so quickly. I can't wait to have Emmy here in Nashville and get back to riding daily, but thanks to Amy and Tate I know Emmy is being spoiled ROTTEN *AND* I still get to ride! Win-win! And Em is loving having a kid spoil her rotten and have some fun! SO...I'll keep updating with daily life, and hopefully will get some pictures of me riding her at the end of the month when I'm back in Chattanooga!

I know I'm Horrible...

2011-05-20T07:53:00.000-04:00

OK I know I've been horrible not updating since Poplar, but its been, in the non horse world, a VERY rough two weeks. So here is a quick recap of Poplar/Area 3 Championships!

Thursday: I am definitely NOT leaving after work to drive to Poplar again. Really tough drive after working 10hrs. And on Cinco De Mayo! Not cool! Made it down in pretty good time though, got Em's stall set up and her all settled in record time. Got the trailer parked and the tent set up and while the air mattress was blowing up I took Em for a short walk and checked in. Knew Friday was going to be an early morning because I was going to be the ring steward for the main dressage competition arena, and that was definitely a new one for me! Dianna had more faith in me than I did! Hit the mattress as soon as I could carry it back to the tent since 5am came WAY too quickly!

Friday: Started out the day VERY early, got Emmy fed and taken on a walk and graze before meeting my partner in crime, Angela, up at the main office to get these rings under way. Em was REALLY settled overall and was quite happy to just chill and make extremely ugly faces at the large chestnut behind her. She hated him. He hated her. This caused problems later in the day, but more on that later. Had an absolute BLAST stewarding. Got to see some LOVELY tests, and even saved the day a few times getting riders to drop their whips for championship tests. About noon it was time for me to head out and get Em ready for our 356 ride time. She was VERY good. Extremely loose and fluid and reaching. I was thrilled, our best dressage warmup EVER. Went in for our test, which was in the big main arena with multiple dressage arenas going and lost it a little bit (never done that before, not that many horses around) Overall had a good test, though we had a bobble going into our right lead canter. But I was really thrilled at how much more relaxed she was overall, so ended well. We know what we need to work on. And we are definitely ready to move up. Gave the Pony a bath afterwards and a walk. As I was cleaning her stall while she was chilling the lovely horse behind her got his nose through the stall bars and bit the TAR out of her butt. She leaped and kicked out (I was by her shoulder) and she got me good in the left thigh. GREAT bruise, still working on getting it to go away. Not a fun moment. But not her fault. So overall a great day. Went on to the welcome party and met up with Stacy and Lauren and their crew (awesome to finally meet you all!) then off to crash!

Saturday:

Saturday started out GREAT! Jump judging XC, for Intermediate I had the sunken road to old fort, and it was really awesome watching riders go through. With the lighting conditions I really expected more trouble (So did the TD, she stayed with me for any iffy calls, it was my first more than one part jump to judge). It was awesome. Moved jumps for prelim to the Confederate camp to the corner (which was reversed for prelim championships), then on to the corner in the woods for training championships. Had a ball! I was VERY ready for a rest then getting Em ready for our go after that, it was HOT! Can't say enough good things about how Poplar takes care of their volunteers though, I was stuffed silly and hydrated! The BN CH course was a great little course, but man I know I'm ready to move up when it looks boring and tiny! Had a great (if hectic) warmup, Em was ON. Jumped like a son of a gun. She was awesome. Used inhaler (Me). Headed out the start gate. First fence was a small log roll. Headed up the little hill for the chip car. Bent left around a big cabin to jump the small red roof cabin. Down the hill for Brush on By (hehe talking to the volunteers saying thank you all the way around. yes I know I'm weird). Back up the hill to the Lincoln Logs, bending left towards control for the barrels. Jumped it really well then down the hill again for the hedge hog. Slight angle left for the coop 2 strides to the down bank. Rode excellent. Almost a left roll back for the garden gate. Back up around control for fence 10a mellow mushrooms. It was set on the edge of the hill so it was almost a drop fence 2 strides to a big chevron coop for 10b. LOVED It. Keeping down the hill and back up the backside for Thru the Woods, and out over the Log Out. Then back down the hill for the marina and a really pretty canoe. Bent right off the canoe for Sadie's Shack, snuck through the woods for the Flower Garden and finish flags. It was AWESOME. Rode great, was perfect in the time and moved up 2 spots for 6th. I couldn't have been happier. Got Em stripped down and walked, was setting her back in her stall and had a HORRIBLE asthma attack. HUGE thanks to Harris County EMS, they got me back in business where my nebulizer couldn't seem to, so thank you all so much! Was back in the game for the competitors party, though I sure wasn't moving much! And also huge thanks to Diana at Poplar for GETTING me to the EMT's so quickly. You're the best. Definitely crashed early Saturday night, I was exhausted and hurting, but so freaking thrilled with the Pony!

Sunday: Decided to take Sunday AM early, no jump crewing after that darn attack. Em and I spent the morning just chilling out and walking around eating. It was really nice and relaxing. Em met the famous Taco (and his super cool mom Stacy)and it was nice to just relax. I knew we weren't going to have stadium until late afternoon, so I went ahead and packed everything up that could get packed, loaded and hitched the trailer and prepared as much as I could. Em had a GREAT stadium round, we had a rail, but it was completely my fault, I just couldn't SEE a spot and I got ahead of her. Rails were falling on that course all day though so I didn't feel quite as bad. We even moved up to 5th! Which got us our last score for AEC's. I could not be prouder of the Pony. We even got an awesome victory gallop and a TON of awesome swag.

There will be a picture post soon, and hopefully more details, but thats what I have for now! Pictures this weekend hopefully, and more stuff, because there is so much more to tell! Overall, my Pony freaking ROCKS. She's getting 2wks or so off while we deal with "real life" and may have some updates in that area soon, or not. Not sure yet. Keep us all in your thoughts, adventures abound!

Almost There!

2011-05-01T21:02:00.000-04:00

We're in the final count down to leaving for Poplar for Area 3's! Had a VERY eventful week with the tornadoes, but overall were VERY lucky. The farm was perfect, no damage at all. Home was a slightly different story. 4 days with out power, limbs to clean up, gutters torn off, but all the important things are fine, my amazing family. Next door neighbor had a tree straight through their roof; and with some baseball sized hail, made for a VERY eventful week!

Em's been working like a CHAMP this week, storms and all. Obviously took Wednesday off, Thursday was a great dressage ride with some of our best canters to date. Friday was farrier day, so Em got the day off. Yesterday we worked on some gymnastics, and put together a great full course. I set everything 3' - 3'3", and she jumped around BEAUTIFULLY. Worked on rollbacks, adjusting stride length within a line, and had a ball. Today I came down with a wretched bug, severe sore throat, fever, weak all over, and had 5 client horses to ride, so Em just got a spa day and a nice long walk/graze. We have clipped face and legs, clipped and banged tail, and looks like a million bucks. I on the other hand, look like death warmed over. Especially after getting tossed by a new horse! (Darn spooky thing, put my leg on lightly and got the "duck, buck, spin, bolt", OWW.)That's what I get for saying just yesterday that it'd been a while since I'd come off of anyone! Thanks Karma....thanks.

We are almost all the way packed, working on finding my new trailer a way home, and getting everything settled in at work for leaving for a few days. Monday I've got to teach a lesson or so, Tuesday is going to be a dressage day for Em, Wednesday teaching again, and a light hack for Em and finishing packing the trailer for leaving Thursday afternoon. Tentatively I'll be getting off work at 3pm to head down so I don't have to drive all night, and then its on to show! Waiting on ride times, which I should have Tuesday at some point, and we're ready to go. Other than being sick as a dog, I feel REALLY good going into this show, so here's hoping that my awesome horse show dog Qwerty will be my good luck charm again!

Some Videos from Yesterday

2011-04-26T08:09:00.000-04:00

Can definitely see improvement! Sorry about the fingers, lovely buckskin pony and distance away. Technophobe had the camera!

Definitely still stiff to the left, and don't ask me what my darn right hand is doing.

She really is getting a lot more confident in multi-horse situations. Its amazing how one instance of a bad warm up (ok epically horrific) experience can have such long lasting and far reaching ramifications. For both of us.

OK That's about what we got! Still going through the other videos to see what I can pull from them!