Sometimes you're the windshield. Sometimes you're the bug.

Meadow Lake Equestrian Center. We were stabled at the farm at the top of the hill.

I hope you're comfortable for today's post. It will be a doozey. (doozie?)

Chapter 1: The Bank Incident

On Thursday I had everything packed and ready to go for Friday's departure for the show. My car was packed, Hampton ready to go. We would only need to load 2 bales of hay and shavings ... and the horse.

A few minutes after I arrived at work Thursday evening, I got a notification from my bank that my account was low (under $100). Now, I get this notification a lot but I knew this week that by my calculations I should had plenty of money for gas, hotel, food, etc etc. So this worried me. I checked my account.

I had been hacked.

And by hacked, I mean someone in North Carolina had DRAINED my account and bought themselves some groceries.

*%&^(&( !!!!!!!!

I called the bank in a panic and they canceled my debit card and said they would refund that money, but it could take 90 days. Um mmmm ... I don't get paid again until NEXT Friday so I was in a panic on how I was going to survive not just the horse show but the next week! You can imagine the cuss words flying outta my mouth.

Well some stupid debit card hackers were not going to keep me from a horse show, so I jetted out of work early Friday and followed the trailer down to just south of Lexington at the beautiful Meadow Lake Equestrian Center. Thankfully, my parents had planned on coming to the show on Saturday and promised me some cash so I would be able to eat. Gotta love good old Bank of Parental Units. The truly saved my week this time. (*note, the money did end up getting back into my account on Saturday some time).

Chapter 2: The trailer incident

As a baby, Hampton and the other colts his age were often herded onto a step-up stock trailer, brought into the barn, given shots/wormed, etc etc) and then trailered back out to the field. So when my instructor pulled up with a step up, slant load trailer I was pretty sure Hamps would load up. What I didn't think about, was unloading him. As a baby, they turned around and jumped off going forward. He would have to back out this time. But he is a smart horse, I figured he would do just fine.

*cue ominous music*

Hampton actually loaded up like a champ! He did not even hesitate. I was super proud of him. He was so good, and I was a nervous wreck. Those that have been reading this blog for a while may remember my previous horse, T-Bone almost killed himself on a slant load. He was also a very good traveller.

Hampton road along with a little Mustang mare to the show (who is pony size ... lol ... what a couple). When we arrived and tried to unload, he was very unsure of what to do. He had to back up AND turn a little bit to get out. He finally put a a foot on the ground and stepped right back up into the trailer. Hmmmm. We kept gently asking him and eventually he put both back feet down ... and then ... COLLAPSED. He literally sat down like a cat. J said both of his hocks were touching the ground (I was at his head). His front legs were shaking as he tried to stand back up. I feared his back legs would slide under the trailer. At this point I am having a heart attack. This whole incident maybe lasted 30 seconds but he did stand back up and back away. Could you be any more dramatic, horse!?

I am not sure what that was all about but I think he thought he was stepping off the edge of the earth. The look on his face was so pitiful and scared. Poor guy!

Meadow Lake is beautiful

Chapter 3: The actual show

After we unloaded, we went for a ride. Hampton was on his very best behavior and I walked him for a long time to make sure he was OK from the trailer ride and dramatic exit. He seemed fine and was extremely calm. I rode maybe 40 minutes and put him up with lots of pats.

Saturday rolled around. Our first test was Second 3. Our warm up went well. Unfortunately, this became a prime example of why I prefer to show alone or with friends and not with a trainer or instructor. Don't get me wrong, I do love my current instructor but at shows I really need to be left alone or I become obsessed with doing what the trainer says and not listening to the horse underneath me. We warmed up a bit and she said he looked locked in the poll and to work on unlocking that. She was right in saying that, but the REAL problem was that he was behind my leg. I should have fixed that instead of obsessing over his poll for the rest of the warm up. And you'll see why here in a minute.

I will say that trotting down the center line as a USDF recognized show for Second Level almost made me cry. It is such an accomplishment for me. Especially on a horse I have raised and trained myself. My family was there to watch, too, which made it even more awesome. (Although they are still really clueless about this dressage land. lol). Anyway, the test went pretty well. Until the walk-canter transition at K. I asked for the canter and it felt like Hampton thought I wanted haunches in (the aids are the same). I thought "Shit, he isn't picking up the canter" and I crammed my spur into his side. And because he was so behind my leg at this point, he BUCKED. And I mean all four feet off the ground complete with kicking out, too! There was a LOT of air between my butt and the saddle. After we landed, I asked again - nicer this time - and off we went. The rest of the test went fine. The first thing I said when leaving the ring was "please tell me you you that on video!". SADLY ... my brother, who was taking photos, missed it. And my mom, who was taking video, missed it too because my dad's head was in the way. DANG IT!!! lol. I had so wanted to share that with you all. We did get a big fat 3 on that movement. Judge's comment was "strong resistance." lols.

Next up was First-3. I found myself alone in the warm up ring and took advantage and gave Hampton I big fat SPANK on the fanny. Ah, much better! The test was alright, our only terrible bobble was leg yield from K to the centerline. He did not want to move over at all. It was pretty ugly. He also spooked at a growling flower at C, too. Eh well. I put the blame mostly on my riding, but also I think he was just tired and weak. The footing in the warm up (an indoor) was very deep. He isn't really used to that.

Sunday's tests went a lot better - but we showed under a much harsher judge so the scores didn't really change. Second 3 was really nice except one bobble when he broke from the canter. My fault really. I knew he was tired and I should have ridden a little harder there. Not a big deal. First 3 was pretty nice. No big mistakes there. Just lack of sparkle.

Overall I am really proud of Hampton. I have never had a horse be so calm and downright lazy at a show before! In the future I think he may get his grain increased a few weeks before a big show like this. Also, on Sunday he had a bit of an upset tummy. He was very gassy and his poo was ... um ... very soft serve. He was eating and drinking  A LOT, and otherwise alert and acting normal (no temp either) so I don't know what caused it. He certainly did not ACT stressed out all weekend. My parents did feed him like 4 or 5 apples but I don't think that caused it either. Anyway, he may get probiotics at future shows, too. Today (Monday) the poo in his stall was back to normal.

Chapter 4: The results

Well, I did manage to scrape by with 3 out of the 4 Bronze medal scores I had hoped to get this weekend. We got a 60.9% in Second 3, a 64% in First 3 and a 63% in First 3. BLAMO!!! Sunday's Second Level test got a 58.9%, so we missed that one. But like I said that judge was pretty harsh and the highest score for that test all day was a 62% so while I am just a bit disappointed, it's not the end of the world. We will just get that other score another time.

Chapter 5: The aftermath

Today I have major horse show hangover. I am also pretty sun burnt. I ate a nice big order of Hooters hot chicken wings last night to celebrate surviving. So, I am also hungover from THAT decision.

Here are some things I have taken away from this weekend:

• My family rocks
• My horse takes really good care of me
• I need to learn to sit the medium trot without my feet coming out of the stirrups
• I need to be more accurate in my tests
• Hampton needs to be in front of my leg always. It solves about 90% of our issues.
• The dressage crowd takes themselves too seriously
• Beer makes me ride better
• Avoid miserable, bitchy people (nothing new here)
• My horse is pretty cool.

I TOLD you this post would be a doozie! If you are still reading, well, good for you! And thank you!

Enjoy these photos from the weekend. :)

Kentucky is so ugly, isn't it?

Preparing for turn on the haunches.

Argh. I left his braids in over night and they looked sorta shitty on Sunday.

Medium canter! Haunches just a touch too far inside ...

Why is my head crooked?

Our mediums need work.

Weeee!

Bit check. Hampton being a dork.