Photo shoot

Almost forgot to share some of the photos from our little photo shoot while we were up at the Indy Classic. Keep in mind it was 90 degrees and this was maybe 45 minutes after our ride for the day. Thus why I look like total crap. I was also bloated. #girlissuessuck

But nonetheless I think they turned out pretty cute.

Anyone know how a horse becomes a Dover model? I think Hamps has some serious potential! :)

I'm 5'7" and can barely see over his back

Did you have fun today Hampton?
No?? lol

So stately

"Oh god. My human is so weird."

Updated conformation shot

Sorry about my pasty ass legs. sigh.

#nodressage

We're taking a mild hiatus from intense dressage for a couple of weeks. This is for a couple of reasons.

1) I have already accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish this year as far as competitive dressage. We aren't aiming for regionals because they are too far away, so instead I was after my 4th level scores for my silver. Done and done.

2) It's f-ing hot

3) It's good for our souls and minds. Hampton has been having days of his weird spookiness again. It hasn't been this bad since last spring, so I am going to treat him for ulcers and back off the work a little bit. He only does it in the ring at home. And it isn't a "hot spook" it is a "totally fall behind ALL YOUR AIDS and spook" He does not do this out in the fields, on the roads, or at shows. He is getting his teeth done and a massage in the next week, too. Last year taught me not to push it - that is is trying to communicate something to me, as he just isn't this spooky by nature.

Beeetch, please. This DQ can still equitate over fences.
Sort of.

4) It's fun.

5) Money is tight (no shows for a while) ... due to a significant event about to happen in my life. (it's a good thing, and NO I am not preggers or anything horrific like that)

So enjoy these videos of the Porkchop and I SLAUGHTERING a grid, and making a little oxer look easy. Hampton was immediately forward, perky and the spooking vanishes when we do things like this. I think we both might have been mildly burnt out from a rather intense spring of showing.





And of course we are hitting the trails a lot, too!

We are still dressaging in the ring 2-3 times a week, with really only 1 "intense day" ... the others are stretching and suppling.

I'm not sure when our next show is. I only had things planned out until June. It's kinda nice - for the moment - to just be able to focus on the training. And not prepping for a particular show. There are a couple of clinics I am eyeing here in the future, but for now .... we relax.

Buckley has the right idea.

We brought our drum and this is how we dance

aka ... round up of the Indy Dressage Classic ... aka dressaging in 90-degree heat.

Coats were waived. Praise Jesus.

We arrived Friday afternoon at the HHP, and I decided to not ride Hampton at all. It was hot, he was sweaty and he thinks the Hoosier Horse Park is his second home. For pete's sake he has been showing there since he was 4 years old. I did hand walk him some, but tried to conserve energy for what I knew would be a sweltering weekend.

Saturday morning I was the warm-up ring steward - which was actually a really good time. I got to sit in the shade with my gatorade, and listen to area trainers warm up their students. I got quite the education standing there. And I only had to yell at one person for not going to the ring in time (after I already gave her a heads up once.)

My 4-1 ride was at 2:30 and I walked for about 10 minutes, and then tried to "Warm up" for another 10. We were both melting. I had zero horse to work with, and I was not helping matters. We both had a big case of "don't give a f---s." Hampton was downhill, leaning on my hands, and behind my leg. This is usually a recipe for bucking/naughtyness but he was so hot and tired he didn't even bother.

Did you know that 4th level is 10x more difficult with zero impulsion?

I managed to nurse him around the test, but it wasn't pretty. We made a lot of mistakes, including trashy changes. Hamps kept tripping, and falling out behind. He felt a little foot sore again at times. I walked out pretty disappointed. But later decided to blame it totally on the heat. We scraped up a 58%.

He should be a Dover model.

Sunday our ride was at 2:20 again. I had a different game plan. If I had to work in this heat, so did he. So I jazzed him up. Piaffe, walk, turn on the haunches. Piaffe, SMACK with whip, turn on the haunches. Rinse repeat for the majority of the warmup. I tossed in a couple of changes each way and went in.

This test went MUCH MUCH better. He was still downhill, but at least somewhat better. The only mistake we made was we totally bombed the left canter half pass. He pulled that 'stuck' maneuver he ONLY does in the ring. And I wasn't having it. I turned it into a leg yield and nailed him for it. The movement was already blown, so in the moment I decided to go ahead and make an ugly correction.

We got a nice slew of 7s, and even an 8 on the extended canter! woot! Some good comments, too. Even with the big bobble, we earned a 61.7%! That's my other 4th level score toward my silver.

Hamps was hot and exhausted after, so I knew he really did give me all he had. What a good boy!

Overall a great show, and a major learning experience for how I have to ride him. We still have a lot of work to do before we can do PSG, but this year even our "bad" tests are better than last year's "good" tests.

Perspective people,  perspective!

... and for now we will be doing all the trail riding and relaxing. Maybe amp back up in another week or two. We have accomplished so much and it is only June!

Also, new fly bonnet with BLING! 

All systems go

After several days of babying Hampton with Magic Cushion, time in a stall, and a little bit of bute - he seems back to normal today. In fact he felt fantastic, offering his floaty show trot and in general just being pleasant to ride.

Keeping my fingers crosses he continues to feel good. I don't know what it is about this year, but A LOT of horses have been throwing shoes, have been foot sore or otherwise mysteriously lame.

After I rode today, I let the BO's 12 year old daughter take Hamps for a spin. She is a decent little rider, although a little timid. Hampton packed her around like a schoolmaster. She rode him quite well. I was so proud of him.

What an adorable pair! Hamps is going to make one amazing lower-level packer
one day. Once I am done torturing him at the upper levels!

We are showing 4-1 this weekend. Did you know it's going to be 95 degrees? I am happy that I only entered one test each day. I get heat exhaustion easily so I am going to have to be careful. My warm up is going to be mostly walking, because I don't want Hampton to cook either. Obviously I am going to try and ride my best, but the safety and health of my horse and myself come first. I am armed with electrolytes (for both of us), fans and will have a cooler of water. No booze this show I am afraid. How will I ride?!?! #dressagealcoholic

We just need one sixty for our other 4th level score toward my silver. Don't screw this up, Karen.

Let's get this done!

A little sore

Headed to Indy Classic next weekend!

In true equine fashion, Hampton has come up a little sore this week.

Naturally, since we have a rated show next weekend.

My gut instinct says he is foot sore. He threw BOTH front shoes last week, and while he was sound - I am wondering if going without shoes for those few days with the ground being hard made him a little foot sore. He got shod on Wednesday, and was still not right for our lesson on Thursday. I wonder if the farrier took off too much sole ...

He isn't lame, but he is incredibly spooky and distracted, short strided, flat and just not right in his back. It's almost as if he is bracing because his feet are ouchy.

So I am going to Magic Cushion him for a few days, and perhaps school out in the grass instead of the arena - which by the way, is not helping matters as it needs raked badly. It is choppy and hard, and Hampton is a bit of a footing snob anyway. (The harrow is broke, or I would do it myself).

He also has a chiro appointment tomorrow, a massage next week and plenty of Theraplate time. Hoping the big doofus feels more comfortable by the weekend.

(and he will be getting some omneprezole, too, as is my custom the week before and during shows).

oh ... what's the sound? Oh that's my bank account crying.

Rock Star! (sort of)

(Thank you to Bakers Field Dressage for the inspiration!)

This horse personality quiz (and book!) and pretty hilarious and entertaining. After I took the quiz for Hampton, I found it to be rather accurate.

Not surprisingly, Hampton is:

A RELUCTANT ROCK STAR
"This horse has a big ego, loves attention, loves to be in the limelight, but doesn't really like all the work it takes to be there. That is where you come in. You will need to push, persuade and motivate every inch of the way."

And the chapter in the book about these Reluctant Rock Stars goes on to say:
"They try very hard for you. They are sensitive, kind, and pleasant to be around and will be totally forgiving. DLCF’s will keep on going and giving even when they are sore or being mistreated. Stoic comes to mind. Most Dominants will not put up with much mishandling as they are only too happy to fight, but in these horses it is balanced out by the Lazy and the Friendly. They don’t want to put in too much effort, and they do want to be liked."

"In general, this horse is an easy horse to train, because he wants to please you so much. An added benefit is his confidence and curiosity. He is not likely to be the dangerous type as he is not flighty. He would much rather get along than create problems."

"Negative training with this horse will create a quiet passive resistance. If they are not being listened to, they will start to shut down either physically or emotionally"



The chapter was pretty darn accurate to describing Hampton! He needs motivation most days, but is quite happy to work all day just for a pat, carrot or a "who's a good boy?!" He hates it when he feels he has done something wrong, and when treated unfairly will act out and let you know you are being a bitch.

Try the quiz, it's entertaining if nothing else!

You can take the personality quiz HERE.

IDS Show Part 2: Hampton's turn

My main man
I left his forelock unbraided. Opinions?

... picking up where we left off. Royale was perfect.
Hampton was ... just blah?

I was really happy I was able to patch him back together for the show. His face swelling vanished, and we got his shoe tacked back on.

Friday night I went to school him and he was borderline wild. I was doing a decent job of keeping the lid on it, until we were counter-cantering down a long side and before I even knew what was happening his head shot up and we went FLYING backwards, damn near 40m down the arena. We came close to mowing down a child on a pony, and while I tried to bend his neck his jaw and neck were LOCKED.

Some rail bird commented on how he "looked like a western pleasure horse" until he did that. Thanks for the back-handed compliment, lady.

So I worked his ass some more until he was obedient and no longer spooking at who knows what.

Oh, I must mention that during some "turbulence", somehow my back seized up. It was so bad I had to stop Hampton and slump over in pain, hoping for the spasm to stop.

After I was done riding, I could barely bend over. Braiding nearly made me cry. I still have no idea what caused it?! I never get back pain like this!

Thankfully my BFF Liz had a heating pad at her house, which I cuddled with all night. Also I mixed booze and Advil with wild abandon. In the morning I was quite a bit better, but still pretty painful.

We showed 3-1 first and Hampton was clearly tired. I was riding like shit to top it off, so I did not have him supple, or really in front of the leg like I need. Even so, we managed to get through the test with no mistakes and pulled off a 64%+. That's actually pretty darn good for us. But I was bummed because my back was bothering me still and I could not really make a real half halt without losing my breath from pain.

Jen took nearly 200 photos of us!
Including this great shot!

After chugging some booze rehydrating, it was time for 3-3. I switched to the snaffle this time to see what happens. I also tried to light him up a little more in the warm up ring with some half steps and forward/back. It did help, but once in the ring we started to fall apart again. I just could not anchor myself to the saddle to support him. And he kept getting more downhill and sucked back. No major mistakes or anything, but not the ride I had hoped for. We managed a 61%+ ... which actually is great because that's the score I needed for year end awards and championships. Woot!

3-3 half pass

Hampton held up his end of the bargain, but I didn't. I was a little disappointed in my riding, and for using up all of Hampton's energy on Friday night. That's my fault. But was still quite an enjoyable and BUSY show. And hell I got the score I needed so I will chalk this one up to "it was doomed to be a clusterfuck from the beginning so way to hang in there."

Hey look! his poll is UP!

Turn on the haunches, I will make you my bitch.

We also hung out with Jen from Cob Jockey, and I got to watch the amazing Connor and Jen SMOKE FIRST LEVEL. I don't think Jen gives herself enough credit on her blog, but these two are a true pleasure to watch. Such correct basics and a really wonderful flow to their tests. Won't be long until Second Level for them.

Let's have a moment to admire Connor's tail.

So overall a very fun show, and a success even though my riding is subpar!
Onto the next sandbox.