Artistic body art

You guys.

I think my horse may one day be in the Olympics.

Equine artistic body art competition perhaps?

Enjoy this series of photos from a day in the life of Hampton. This was, of course, after our ride and after I gave him a very cooling bath. Meticulously picking mud off his face, and lovingly washing it from his mane and tail. Then giving him a good soaking of expensive fly spray.

:)

"Hmm. She is still watching me. Where should I grind mud into next?"

Seriously no modesty here.

Hashtag Problems (hilarity ensues!)

Thanks guys for participating in my little hashtag contest! Mostly I just wanted to make everyone laugh, and I knew fellow bloggers always come through especially when it comes to making fun of ourselves! So enjoy!

#YellingTimber
(from L. Williams at Viva Carlos)

From SprinklerBandit

#JumpingProblems
#PonySaysNo
(thanks blog reader Elizabeth!)

#MoshPit
(L. Williams)

#WantMyIronsBack
(L. Williams)

#wheezinginwinter #toocoldtohorser
(From Micaylah)

#displeasedwithyouraid #orwegoup? #wronganswer
(Micaylah)

#takemewithyou
(Micaylah)

Royale and I rode in the pouring rain on Tuesday.
#everythingsoaked
#seahorse?

Bronzed

Credit: FEI

USA Dressage team nabbed the Bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics!

SO exciting. (Am I only the only one OBSESSED with the olympic equestrian events?!)
I thought everyone on the team rode so well. The horses are just so talented. I don't believe the USA has had a medal in dressage since 2004?

Freestyles are Monday, and show jumpers start soon, too! yay!!!

Also, one last reminder to send in your #Problems contest entries! I have a good collection so far, but wanted to give you all a little more time to send them in! CLICK HERE for original post.

#Problems reminder!

Just a reminder to send in your hilarious photos and hashtags for my #Problems contest!

More on the contest HERE in case you missed it.

... and now, BACK TO WATCHING THE OLYMPICS!!!!! squeee!

Not an Olympic pair. 

#Problems contest!

I am sure many of you are aware of Eventing's Nation's series, #eventerproblems. It is a hilarious collection of bloopers, situations, mishaps, and everyday hilarity from equestrians, not just eventers. In fact my barn friends and myself have made the list more than once ...

#Ihopethatisjustmud
#mudmaskatthebarn

In the interest of making everyone laugh (especially myself), I'd like to host my own little #EquestrianProblems contest!

WHAT TO DO: Send in your photos. It can be bloopers, falls, horse shaming, barn cats, anything hilarious, sarcastic or even wonderful and amazing. Send in as many photos as you want! But, with each photo you must create a hilarious hashtag to go with it.

Don't wear grey shirts in the 80% humdity, 90 degree weather that is
KY summer.
#brasweatline
#savedbythebell
#classy

WHERE TO SEND: Send your photos and hashtags to me via email: finalchapter.karen@gmail.com

WHAT YOU WIN: Ummm I'm not sure yet?! Mostly just a good laugh when I collect them and publish them in a post. Or multiple posts if I get a good response! Or would you rather I set up a poll and we all vote on the best ones?

Here are some more examples from my collection of "moments." Hopefully they will inspire you!

#notfuckingaround

#expertcatlady

#theclassicsloppyjumpphoto
#wearebetteratdressage

#whattheactual

#ISaidTURNpony!

#Dressageyouannoyingsometimes

Ok ... ready ... go!!! I will see what I've got next weekend, and publish everyone's awesome photos and hashtags!

Our own room

The boys!
(I'm not sure they could be any more different ....)

Time for some updates blog land!

Hampton

-- At the risk of jinxing myself AGAIN, Hamps is currently sound and feeling fantastic. I never did find a spot where the painful abscess blew out. So, maybe it reabsorbed? In any case, I am not asking questions. Just moving on.

-- I started him on Pentsosan. (May do a separate post on this later ...)

-- We have been working on the basics this week. Just transitions, forward-back, ground poles,  stretching and suppleness. I threw in some leg yields today, and he stayed sound within those. I think later this week I may ask him for a session of "real work" and see where we are. I am sure he has lost some fitness, but I am totally ok with that. We can get that back.

Royale, Hampton and Spot.

-- Unfortunately the arena has a crap ton of large gravel rocks that are surfacing. I am not sure it is fair to continue to ask Hampton to school the level that he does on this footing. It also has random sink holes, and the kids are doing donuts in the ring with the ATV. It needs totally re-done. And that likely won't be happening. This has been on my mind. Am I being a total footing snob? 

-- We are still aiming for a clinic at the end of August.

-- Not sure about future shows. Have some options on Sept, Oct and even Nov. I'd like to try 4-2 at some point, and maybe even go buck wild and try 4-3 just because I hate myself at times. ha.

Royale

-- Working on taking a steady contact. He likes to curl some, and bop around the contact at times. This usually happens when he falls behind the leg.

-- Turn on the forehand. He picked this up rather quickly!

-- Leg yields. Will start more of these now that TOF has been established.

Royale's first hack in KY!

-- Lots of serpentines, changes of bend.

-- Canter departs. Working on becoming more prompt and less "OMG LEGS EVERYWHERE". Sometimes he picks up the wrong lead, but I'm not worried about it at the moment.

-- Lunging in side reins (once a week). Will help him learn to balance himself at the canter. 

-- Stand quietly in crossties/washrack. CHECK!

-- Accepting baths/showers. He had made big progress here. He used to FREAK the fuck out, but now I can get him to stand in the washrack for a shower. Of course I can't turn the nozzle on full blast yet, but he will accept it now. (with the help of a chain over his nose).

Why you tie me in here?

-- Next up: FLY SPRAY

-- Hills, trail rides, general exposure.

... It's actually sort of nice not to have anything exciting/frustrating to report. We are just plugging along in our little routine. I think some changes are on the horizon, but isn't that always the case?

IDS show round up

First off, I spoke too soon about Hampton. On Monday I found him 3-legged lame on his left front. The inside of the hoof is raging hot, so I suspect (and hope!) it's an abscess. I've been soaking and packing his hoof, and letting him stand on the theraplate all week. He is much improved today - he is at least walking on the foot now, and just has a mild limp at the trot. Ironically, he popped a damn abscess out of the GOOD foot this morning, too. Horse, WHY?! *slams head on desk*

So hoping he continues to improve ....

****

But in the meantime:

Baby Royale is a superstar!!!!

Saturday we schooled a bit at the HHP and he was a total star. Just trots around with the best little attitude. It was of course 5000000 degrees out, so I kept it short and sweet.

A little BTV here, but it's just because he is weak and behind my leg

Better here!

Thanks to Jen for taking all of these wonderful photos!!!

Saturday night I crashed at Jen's house, and her hubs made I think the most delicious dinner I have had all year. No even exagerating! Then we drank sangria on their porch. You guys, their house is so dreamy and cool! Plus, Jen is great company. I felt a little old because I was ready for bed by 10 pm after eating so much and drinking sangria ... lol ... Jen I promise I can hang sometimes!!

Sunday morning we had out first ride - Intro A- at about 830. I decided to only warm up for 10 minutes because the heat index was HELL. NINTH RING OF HELL. But it seems I needed to burn a little more energy out of Royale as he was a bit distracted and skittery. I had some trouble keeping the gerbils on the wheel, leading to an "unfocused" test. But - that's why we do this! I just stayed calm and kept giving him direction and he was fine. One little spook but he gets a pass because he is 3, and because saddlebred.

Tense but trying for me

Spooking! lol SQUIRREL!

Yes!!! Good moments, too

Our second test ... he was a totally different horse! He was relaxed and focused and we nailed Intro B with a 70% and first place!

He is still obviously all over in the contact, and wiggles his shoulders. But all that is normal. He got a great education and I was super proud of his wonderful behavior. He is still a bit bewildered at times but tries so hard and looks to his rider for confidence. I think he will have a great future!

Example of a "saddlebred moment"

In fact, back at the barns I kept looking at him and saying to myself:

HE IS A SALES HORSE.

Did everyone read that?

HE IS A SALES HORSE.

Ugh. But he is just so stinkin fun!

Just love the little squirt

Many many thanks to Jen again for these fab photos.

Also Liz kicked ass as well with her two horses. Our little crew really cleaned up!

Me, Connor (notice I am trying to steal him ... heh heh), Jen and Liz

And since Royale is in KY now, I will have blog fodder this week that includes things besides boring hoof-soaking photos with Hampton.