Hampton spam!! Dressage camp.

Hamps and I had a safe trip and weekend at dressage camp.

I'm really debating on how to write the next post which will give more detail on the 3 days. I could take it 2 different ways. I could share some of the information that was discussed. Or I could be a bitch. I may do a little of both. ;)

So for now, here are some photos. Hampton was a really good sport about riding twice a day and staying in a stall for the weekend. He was a real champ and never gave me a problem. Such a good boy he has turned into. I could not be more proud of him.

(We shared our sessions with this pair. Kinda a weird moment in time here, but
they were very lovely!)

 

If it makes you happier

I changed Hampton's dressage bridle. I switched him to my "fancy schmancy" brown bridle with tons of padding and a crank noseband (I like them because they are padded). I also switched him over to an eggbut french link, instead of his fat loose ring french link.

The difference. Oh my god.

He takes contact. NO fussing around with his poll. Supple, easy to ride. Quiet with his mouth, soft in the jaw (lots of slobber). I really didn't think I'd feel much of a difference, but there it is people. I mean he was a solid 2nd level horse today. And I'm not delusional. All lateral work - easy. Counter canter serpentine, mediums, 10m circles - easy. Walk - canter -walk like he does it in his sleep. He was going so well I thought do I: 1) quit for the day and reward him or 2) push the envelope. I chose door #2 and ended up baby half-passing from the center line to the rail. !!!!! I love days like this!

We also did the below exercise. Counter canter down the long side. Walk, true canter around the short side. Rinse, repeat. You are supposed to do more transitions than that but I thought I'd keep it easy. A real test of obedience, and a building block for introducing flying changes.

This week I have a lot of stuff to do to get ready for dressage camp. I clipped up the beast today and still have to clean my tack and clean out my very stinky trailer. SOMEONE left a gross, sweaty saddlepad in my dressing room and now is reeks. :)

We leave Thursday for Lafayette! I should also probably pack a bag for myself and find a place to sleep for those 4 days.

And also, WHO are these friggin adorable boys? Check them out nailing this Guster cover, "Happier." Not sure you can get any cuter. They make the band look bad!

Windows are rolled down

_________________________

We abandoned the sandbox over the weekend and instead went trail riding & camping in southern Indiana. A few of my Indiana friends were there. (and Hamptons former pasture pals. He very clearly remembered JJ and there was a relapse of his annoying bromance). 

Good enough excuse for me to go!

Hamps

Rear view 

Hamps, again.

We rode out Sunday evening for a little over an hour. I would classify these trails as fun, but not for the chicken. There were certainly some steep hills and rocky terrain. There were times when I was really nervous that Hampton may fall down on me again, but it became clear that he has really grown up in a year. The boy has started to really THINK about where to put his feet. By the end of the ride I was riding on the buckle and totally trusting him to get us down (or up) the hills.

Are we lost?

Union break.

Monday morning we rode out to a treehouse. Hampton stood trying to untie himself and get into trouble mostly obedient while I climbed to the top. Sorry but I don't get to climb treehouses very often. :)

In the tree house with former barn owners from Indiana

I love reading people's scribbles! Although
one person had wrote "I love Justin Bieber." ... Gross.

the tree house

view from the tree house

Camp

Despite the 90 degree weather, both the horse and I held up really well. I made sure to pump us both full of electrolytes and Hampton was really awesome about drinking whenever we came across a creek. The trails were mostly shade and I did do the pinch-test frequently to make sure he was staying hydrated. There was really only one time that he started blowing pretty hard because of the hills. He will probably be somewhat muscle sore so he'll get a couple of days off. The hills were no joke, even for a somewhat fit dressssaaaaage pony like the Hamper.

The Evil Loudly-Tweeting Bird

At one point we came upon the above bird. This little bastard DID NOT MOVE. I thought for sure he would fly away. Nope. He stood there even as Hampton almost touched him nose to nose! And this bird was not just tweet tweeting away, he was all puffed like like "TWEEEEEEEET!!!!" and standing his ground! I was laughing hysterically. Anyone know what kind of bird this is?

This guy lives on the property I think. He is abut 70% wolf.

I got up at 5:30 am to watch the sun rise and check on the horses.

Camp firrrrrrre. (Use a Nelly accent)

Some of the farm property

I had never been to this place before to ride. It's FREE (perfect for cheapskates like me!), plus there are stalls for your horse, picket lines, camper hookups, a couple of arenas, roundpens. Just a really nice place to camp and ride. There were some drunk rednecks hillbillies hicks cowboys? on the other side of the property. One offered me a beer - then called me sweetcheeks - but I decided to go ahead and decline that offer. Ew. But mostly they stayed away from our camp.

More of the main property

the old crew.

Monday morning I was out riding a little early and came upon a group of teenagers taking a jumping lesson in the arena. Hampton and I watched for a bit, both of us secretly wanting to join in on the fun. Eventually the instructor took pity on us and invited us in!! The lesson had already worked up to jumping 2 verticals in a line. (about 2'3"). The kids in the lesson were making it an awkward 3 strides (these were, uh, beginners who maybe should not have been jumping but ... not my problem. Not a single one had any sort of solid lower leg. It was actually sort of frightening), but Hamps and I marched in there and cruised through in a solid 2 strides. I only went down the line maybe 4 or 5 times and only 1 time we hit an awkward distance. No biggie. Mostly he made me look good. Like maybe we knew what we were doing? I actually have no issue staying back with my upper body when I jump in my dressage saddle. Weird.

Weeee blurry.

You suck, iPhone

Some of the wider trails.  I guess some people bring mules and
carts and drive these.

This view was GORGEOUS. 

Yes. This exists.

One of the trails we took on Sunday led us out to what I can only describe as fodder for a horror movie. Some guy has built himself a bunker, you know, for when the world ends. There was so much random and creepy stuff in this part of the woods. His little compound was even creepier. It looked like a scene out of "Wrong Turn." However when I spotted the above van, I had to appreciate the awesomeness.

:)

I spent the drive home blasting country music (and some Paula Abdul in there. Whatevs! I still love "Rush Rush" and "Straight Up." Don't judge me!!!!). A damn good weekend. Except when I realized I forgot to turn in my time card at work. So after I dropped Hamps off, I had to go into the office (after camping and riding in 90+ degree weather). My gut was hanging out because I had just downed 44 ounces of Dr. Pepper. I looked like hell on wheels. Filthy, dehydrated, exhausted. In gym shorts and cowboy boots and a tank top. Keep it classy! Thank God I was wearing a hat. Helmet hair + humidy + my own genetics = hair that would survive a nuclear holocaust.

Back to dressage this week! I'm also checking out another barn and instructor on Friday.

Louisville - home!!

And also, Amos Lee, I love you.

A is for Apesh*t

Potential Barn A

• Indoor arena. OK footing, large enough to work in.
• Outdoor "arena" is bumpy grass pasture with some jumps scattered about.
• Some questionable fencing.
• A few of the horses looked rangy thin. Not skinny, but just lacking that "bloom."
• Plenty of turn out. About 25 horses in the property.
• BO supplements with hay when grass gets grazed down.
• Only full board is offered, no pasture board.
• Affordable.
• Stalls are 10x10. Yes I know this was the standard at one time but Hamps would probably be a little cramped in that. If that makes me a DQ to say that, then fine.
• Seems to be a pretty laid back barn. Easy parking. Trailer parking, too.
• Same distance away from home as Current Barn.

... and then I talked to the BO.

"I'm a FOURTH-LEVEL rider!!" she bellowed at me as we were discussing instructors in the area. Boy did I have to bite my tongue and not say, "Well LA DEE FUCKING DA! What do you want, a damn cookie?" I mean seriously if you are going to wave that kind of crap in my face, I don't want to be around you. I have ridden horses trained through the FEI movements but I do not consider myself an FEI rider. No way. Anyway, the BO just sort of rubbed me the wrong way but she did seem like she takes good care of the horses.

I do have to say that she was a stickler about safety and for that I do give her credit.

I labeled Barn A as a big "maybe."

... to be continued.

The Great Went (to a new barn, maybe)

I've been barn shopping again. It's not my favorite thing to do in the world. I spent a quarter of a tank of gas today driving around Lville and I only saw 2 farms. I have emails in to a few more. Oh, goodie.

Here's the thing about our current barn. It is absolutely gorgeous. The grass is so lush that Hampton is now borderline fat. I stopped feeding him grain as soon as we got here. Hamps looks probably the best he ever has. He lives in a massive field with plenty of shade, a run-in, a friggin pond, his own flock of geese and other horsie friends. The trail riding is unbelieveable. We are literally next door to other eventing facilities. There is a nice dressage arena and pleasant jumping field.

Our hack back to the field. Oh boo hoo.

... BUT. Here's the part where I sound like a spoiled brat.

Because I chose pasture board (for financial reasons, and because Hamps likes living outside. Plus he is a PIG in his stall.), we are banished at least a quarter of a mile out away from the main barn and arenas. When I want to ride, I drive my truck out and park next to Hampton's field. If I'm lucky, the horses will be somewhat close. Some days, I can't even find them and have to start hiking.

To tack up, I tie him to the fence. Fine and dandy, no biggie. But there is no hose, NO source of water at all, no electricity. A minor annoyance, really. But what really bothers me is that should I get hurt (kicked in the head or otherwise unable to call for help), NO ONE would find me for HOURS. Possibly days. From Hampton's field, you cannot even see the main barn due the hills. The day Hamps almost got stuck in the fence scared me because no one would hear me scream for help. I felt helpless.

I know, I sound spoiled. It's a gorgeous farm and I should feel lucky. But frankly, riding alone like that is stupid. It takes us a good 7-8 minutes to walk from the field to the arenas to work. I have encountered numerous deer on this walk. Again - what if I get dumped? Most mornings I am the only one riding (the barn is mostly weekend warriors).

 I dunno. Maybe I am turning into a spoiled DQ.

So I started looking around for other barns.

Ugh is all I have to say.

... to be continued.

Who made cross country their beeeotch? BLAMO!

I've been waiting on the photos to be posted before I spilled the beans. :)

We. schooled. cross country.

The farm across the street has a cross country course (they hold horse trials, too) so we hacked over there and had a blast. I'll let the photos tell most of the story.

We jumped barrels!

Crappy scenery huh?

we jumped the rolltop in the background, too!

We had ... uhhh ... a few of these.

Splashing through the water!

Ok this jump was NOT a pussy jump thanks!

Little house after the water

We jumped logs!

just cantering my horse in Kentucky heaven!

A bench with brooms.

Hamps was such a good boy. We had a few stops, but all at scary jumps and because I need to grow some balls and kick him to the fence. At least he doesn't stop dirty. He's pretty honest about the whole thing.

I still jump ahead pretty badly. I need to ride in 2 point and develop a more stable lower leg, too. I think that will help. Otherwise, we had a total blast and I feel it was a positive experience for both of us. We did not do the banks because they were Novice height and I just didn't even want to go there. 

Tomorrow we have another dressage lesson with James Houston. I LOVE Kentucky!!