Ride times posted. And rut-ro.

This.

I got our ride times for this weekend's Octoberfest show.

9:37 Green As Grass Dressage Combined Test

10:12 Training Level Test 1

11:15-12:15 GAG CT stadium jumping

3:58 Training Level Test 3

This is a good schedule and normally I'd be happy ...  but I'm not sure when I'm going to be able to squeeze in schooling cross country. By the time we finish out final dressage test, he's going to be a tired pony. And I'm going to be a tired rider. That's not really fair to either of us.

So, I may school on Friday or on Sunday. Depending on what is going on. I'd like to come back home Saturday evening, but that will depend on my exhaustion factor.

I suppose I COULD wrestle my way into stadium first - like 11:15 - and have some time to school after that. That could work. But I hate feeling rushed and would really like to get out there on course and enjoy myself.

But other than that little sna-fu ... I'm pumped. AND we are stabled next to Steady's owner - Amy - a fellow blogger. Oh I do foresee good times and possible mischief. (beer? Oh yes please!)

The weather looks like it's going to hold as well. So I think if I can scrounge up a sleeping bag and blankets, I'll just sleep in my trailer or truck. And hope I don't freeze. That way I don't waste money on a hotel room and can perhaps afford a good dinner and some cocktails instead. *smirk*

I am sort of nervous about making the drive down there. It's the longest distance I've ever hauled Hampton. And most of it is interstate driving. And I'll be alone. Meh. *whine* Which is why I'm going to leave early Friday afternoon so maybe I can avoid rush hour traffic on the hellhole that is I465. I guess there will be a lot of singing to myself (it makes me keep breathing).

I've squeezed in 2 dressage lessons this week to help us prepare. Gee, seems as though my study habits have not changed since college. Slack, slack, drink, eat, slack ... SHIT we have a test this week? Cram cram cram! ... drink drink ... zzzzzz.

To Andrea and GoGo

I have followed Andrea's & Gogo's blog for a while now (years). Go back and read her blog from the beginning.

It's educational - especially for those of us with barefoot performance horses, -  and you really get the full effect of how much she loves GoGo (and her previous two horses).

My heart breaks for her.

I'm so sorry Andrea. Godspeed GoGo.

New! The SDTDEDDA award!

I've decided to start my own award.

You've all seen these types of videos. You know, when you start to go off on a tangent when you are slacking off at work watching YouTube in your spare time.

And today's Such a Dumbass They Don't Even Deserve a Darwin Award title goes to:

These guys.

The current low-down

"Ladies? Anyone? Stud muffin is here!"

After 2 years of struggling with His Highness's weight, I am going to knock on wood and say that I may have finally found a combination that works.

The beast looks fantastic right now. His weight is good and his coat ... oh shiny! Guuurrrl, he is turning out to be quite the ladies man. He is looking so good right now. I hope that I can maintain it through the winter.

Anyhow. He isn't on a bunch of supplements. He has been eating Tribute Kalm Ultra - a fantastic feed that a friend of mine turned me on to.

And I also give him just 2 scoops a day of Super 14. I credit this product for his shiny, healthy coat and growing hooves. And maybe some of his weight gain. And he isn't even getting the recommended dosage.

He also gets a scoop of soaked alfalfa cubes on days when the horses are not allowed to be out grazing on the grass. I also hand graze him as much as I can stand.

When winter rolls along, I'll give the cubes every day. Nom nom nom.

No more ribs on the poneh!

As far as work, he's been going well. It's now crunch time for Octoberfest. I have 2 dressage lessons next week. My goals are to improve on my dressage score. I was quite happy with a 65% at the CAF show but I know we can do better. And as long as we complete the combined test (we're just doing Green as Grass, crossrails) - then I'll be happy. I. cannot. wait. to. school. cross. country!!

We usually work hard one day (and by work hard, I mean leg yields, shoulder-in, side pass and walk, canter transitions). And then the next couple of days we won't do lateral work but do forward and back, transitions, trot lengthenings and bending. I will usually do one day of "dick around" riding - like taking a hand gallop, lunge or a lazy trail ride. And he usually gets 2 or 3 days off. At the moment we aren't learning anything "new" since I need to concentrate on the show, and he needs to build strength. But my goals for over the winter are to develop better haunches in, and then half pass in the spring or summer of 2012. (and whatever else my instructor tells us to do, haha)

We'll need to pop over a jump or two before heading to the Horse Park. I don't have time to drive down for a formal jumping lesson so ... uh ... we're just going to wing it there.

So there you have it - things are going well with Hampton. I'm so, so thankful for that. Because others are not so lucky.

Not just free stuff, BOMBDIGGITY stuff!

Blog land has a couple of SUPER RAD contests going on right now.

Remember this bombdiggity saddle pad I got for Hampton?

Well, Kate over at The Adventures of Lucy is hosting a contest where you can win one! (She has several choices of awesome designs that don't refer to my favorite counter-culture hippie jam band)

Check out her contest HERE!

This girl has found such a cool niche and even if you don't enter the contest, you should check them out. seriously neat!

***

And popular blogger Stacy over at Behind the Bit is giving away a BLING BROWBAND. OMG, want want want! Watch her blog for details, but srsly ... what an amazing give-away!

Check out the browband contest preview post RIGHT HERE BABY.

***

I'd love to host a contest but the only thing I have to give away at the moment is ... uh, Ramen noodles? Lame.

Sammy the stepchild

Sampson, the Percheron who belongs to a friend of mine, has made some pretty remarkable progress in the past week or so.

He went from super nervous and easily startled, so a laid back, easy going dude who I now have to ride with spurs and a whip. He has had zero meltdowns in the barn in more than a week. He now stands quietly to be groomed and tacked up. He is so easy to bridle now it's almost humorous. I'm telling you, sugar cubes cure that problem within 1 day. He used to draw his tongue back constantly and would have a very busy, agitated mouth. He now chews softly and his tongue stays put.

His steering has also improved. And while he doesn't yet steer off the legs, he has to steer off the reins first and that is coming along well. He's also learning that legs mean GO. He seemed to already know that 2 reins means stop - probably from his days as a driving horse. (We assume).

He's uncomplicated, never been naughty. I've cantered him a couple of times so far and I pretty much have to chase him into it. So that needs work. This week we'll also venture out of the arena if I can get someone to go with me. Or, I may pony him off Hampton.

I know he will make a great horse for her. Makes me happy to be able to help and send her back a safe, educated poneh. He is probably staying until the end of the year so I hope by then he will be easy walk, trot, canter and leg yield.

Here's a video:

Debbie Downer draws for you

Life isn't treating me so well right now. Thus, I try to make myself laugh. :) For the record, this was done 100% sober. Perhaps I will repeat this activity when drunk. Then we can compare and discuss.

Hampton and Sampson are both doing really, really well. I'll have video of Sampson within the next few days. He is under saddle now and is a good boy. Hampton and I are prepping for Octoberfest.

My job hunt isn't going anywhere and I otherwise keep making the same mistakes over and over. Part of me wants to pack up and move across the country. Sorry to sound so depressing and vague but I'm just bummed out.