Family Tree

Old photo from our eventing days.

Love all the family tree posts!

Hampton is a very elite breed called an Indiana Warmblood.

He was bred and born in the town of Lebanon, Ind. Probably best known for its meth problem than horse breeders. (I'm not kidding, I lived there for a year and a weirdo came to my door asking if I wanted any "ice" and he was not talking about frozen water.) But anyway!

Favorite movement: Free walk

I have posted about Hampton's heritage a few times before.

PEDIGREE GEEKS UNITE

ABOUT HAMPTON'S PEDIGREE

HAMPTON'S HERITAGE: MY KING

Hampton is technically 3/4 Thoroughbred, and does have some decent sport horse bloodlines in him.
Unfortunately, I only know his dam's TB side. His grand-dam on his sire's side was half TB/half Clyde and I do not have any idea what those TB lines are. No clue about the Clydesdale lines either.

His grand-dam is named Bonnie Bloom. She was born in 1996. She is all all-breed pedigree.com but it does not have her sire and dam. Bonnie was a big girl, solid red bay with a beautiful face.

He most certainly does not have an ugly face.

He's got some nice Hannovarian lines that I talk about in the above links, including My King who was a GP dressage horse AND a GP jumper.

Click on the links above for photos and more details.

Anyway, some great TBs he has in his lines include:
Never Bend
Proudest Roman
Nasrullah (*links to him several times)
Red God (the sire of Blushing Groom)
Sir Gallahad

He also has some Irish and English TBs back in there, too, through a stallion called Double Jump.

Perhaps that is where he gets some of his stubbornness? And his stoic nature?

Grade A Dork.

Some year-end recognition

Despite our somewhat short show season, Hamps still managed to win a year-end award from KDA (Kentucky) this year!

I know it's just a measly fifth place, but I think it might be the first GMO YEA I have earned?

Fifth place in AA Fourth Level. And for what's it worth, KY is a rather competitive region and at the Region 2 Championships in Ill., the TOP 4 finishers in AA fourth level were all KDA members. So, to be amongst company like that is nothing to be ashamed of! Several were also in the top 5 at Nationals!

We also earned a high score achievement plate, too, which is being mailed to me. I think you have to get so many scores over 60%? I can't remember how we earned it, but I will take it. ha!

Good boy, Porkchop!

I missed out on any IDS (Indiana) awards because we did not go to enough shows.We did not qualify for any USDF or All-Breed year end awards because I did not renew my PM membership, thinking that it would be a waste since I wasn't going to try to qualify for regionals. I just have a GMO membership but you need a PM membership, too. USDF sure likes to take your money!

I'm usually not that big of a point-chaser, or YEA ribbon-ho but it is rather nice to be recognized for a year of hard work and accomplishments.

I'm off to start renewing memberships for 2017. CHA-CHING! *vomit*

By the way, here's a photo of my cat sleeping in a box.

Before and After

I love before and after posts. I may or may not post a lot of them.

Welp, you are getting another.

First time trotting under saddle. My goodness.

Same horse and rider. I swear.

Spurred on by a current bloghop, and some recent reader comments on how they cannot believe Hampton is a grown up. Don't worry, some days I can't believe it either.

Baby Hamper! (2007)

Now ginormous.

For all intensive purposes, he is a made horse now. No, he isn't some Grand Prix dressage horse, but he is "made" in that he is a solid citizen, pretty much anyone can ride him and not die, he does pretty much whatever you ask (with the exception of clipping his bridlepath ... whatever, horse.) , safe on the ground, has tons of miles, solid at shows, just a general all around good citizen. The dressage is just his "master's degree."

As a 3 year old his signature move was to buck and get squirrely in the neck.

Uhh. ... Still does this as a 9 year old.

Pats after showing Intro level

3rd level. Same show grounds.

Rangey, weak topline, no muscle (but still cute) ... to ...

damn, son.

I think he was just 4 here?

Still my main man!

Don't worry, he comes with his own set of quirks. Some cute, some incredibly annoying. But it has been an absolute pleasure to raise this horse. I wish I could clone him.

A wish list

Oh I have grabby things for so many items. But my lowly media job barely keeps my and my horse fed, so it takes creativity to purchase anything special.

No, I am not stripping or working the corner.
(However stripping has crossed my damn mind on numerous occasions. The places your mind goes when you are desperate!)

Here's what's on my wishlist at the moment:

Total Saddle Fit Stretch Girth | $170+
I've been saving up for this incredibly expensive piece of leather that straps my saddle on my horse's back. But I feel like it would be a good investment, and have heard good things about it. And I might as well get the elastic version.
Status: Currently have about $40 saved. Late Christmas gift to myself hopefully?



DeNiro shiney boots | $949
Yes I want the shiney ones. I want a pair of shiney dress boots dammit. But at this price? Let's file them away in the not-in-a-million-years category. Anyone have a more affordable shiney dress boot option out there? Halp.
Status: Admiring from a far and wallowing in my first world problems

20x60 Double Bridle | $298.95
This is the Prades bridle. With patent leather noseband, a browband that will knock your socks off and a clean, elegant look. I sort of promised myself that I could get a new double for Hamps when we reach PSG. And since that is approaching reality now ... I'm putting this on my list. His current double bridle is OK, but the cavesson pinches under his chin - even with extra padding or no padding at all. I think it's just too small.
Status: Hoping to save and purchase before 2017 show season

New river boots | Depends on brand. Goal: Under $200
My faithful Dublins kicked the bucket this summer. While I'd love a pair of Dubarry's, they are way out of my price range. So I am eyeing the Dublins and other similar brands.
Status: Putting on Christmas list




Thinline half pad | $233
Seriously the prices on half pads are asinine. Right now I have a cheap ($50!) memory foam knock off that does just fine. Feels just like the other memory foam pads, and has shims. But I really think Thinline is where it's at. I used to have one, but sold it to pay rent years ago when I was on furlough. Now I want it back.
Status: Keeping an eye out for a used one



DSB boots white || $44
I already have a patent silver set (they are awesome!). I have been so pleased that I want to add a white set now. That way the silvers are not constantly getting the abuse. And also, white boots look so sharp on Hamps. The price is reasonable, and worth it.
Status: Keeping an eye out for sales. Odds are purchase are high. lol



Back on Track mesh sheet | $238
Now this I have flip flopped for years about buying. This is really only something I would use at horse shows, or before clinics. Since Hamps lives outside, there isn't a lot of opportunity for him to wear this on a daily basis. He also runs hot, and since most showing is done in the summer - would putting this on him (even overnight) - make him too hot? I do have a BOT saddlepad, which I like. But I'm still undecided on this sheet.
Status: Still flip flopping. Wish horse could contribute to decision.




... and of course there is always breeches, gloves, etc. that I can always add to the list. It's never ending!

And do feel free to click on any of the amazon links. If you end up buying something, it kicks back some change to me. Told you I was being creative on creating some cash flow!

Although I dunno ... you sure do make some serious cash as a "dancer."

Parachute

It seems to me that maybe more people in this country should own horses.

Yes, the election stressed me out. I work for the media and of course it seems that if you work for the media you are a dirty libtard with an agenda. I saw a photo of a man wearing a shirt that suggested journalists should be lynched. What a nice fellow. 

As you can imagine, Tuesday was not a fun night at work. And I certainly am not going to get into politics on this blog.

But I will say one thing.

When I went to the farm Wednesday morning - exhausted, numb, shocked. Hampton was there, as cheerful as ever. He greeted me like he always does. He gave zero shits about what had just happened. He gave me so much peace, because no matter who was elected - the horses still need fed, the stalls need cleaned, water buckets filled. We have to kick on.

Porkchop

Meanwhile, we have been training training training. I haven't been to any more clinics or shows because I am flat broke. I'm not sure how I will show next year, but I always figure something out. 

What's been on our plate lately?

- Making him hotter off the leg. 

- Softer connection

- Right bend (it has gone to shit lately. Which in turn has destroyed the right half pass. Please right bend, come back!)

- Challenging him in the collection

Half steps

- Developing the pirouette for the show ring

- Half pass zig zags

- Tempi changes

Yes ... we now get clean changes 95% of the time. Now we have to start learning to count.

FINALLY.

No stirrup November!

- Riding without stirrups.

(and by that I mean I did so .... ummm ... one day so far)

- Enjoying our morning hacks/warm up walks

- Body clipped!

He looks so good. So shiney and well muscled right now. I am super pleased with the feeding program at this farm. His cribbing also seems mostly under control with the collar. I did just pull his hind shoes for the winter and he seems to be just fine with that arrangement. He gets to keep his front shoes, but at least I'll save a little cash.

I wish I had more exciting news to report .. or at least better photos. Booo.

Bloggers - is there anything you want to read about in my blog? I need post ideas! 

___

Sun comes up and goes back down
And falling feels like flying till you hit the ground
Say the word and I’ll be there for you
Baby, I will be your parachute

Back home again in Indiana

Royale is back at his Indiana home now. Liz came and picked him up Sunday.

#nerdalert!

Before she left, we took the boys out on a brief trail ride around the farm. Supposedly there is a way to ride to Flying Cross Farm, but I could not find the trail. There was a lot of bushwhacking and I really did not want to get lost. Although it wouldn't have been the first time.

But nevertheless Royale (and Hampton, duh) was very good for our stroll and short little hack in the arena. He has come so far and I will miss having him around everyday. Feels weird to be down to just one horse again! So much spare time!

These two tho

The plan is for the little nugget to come back down to KY in March, and then we will start to actively list him for sale. Right now he is about ready to show Training 1. I'd like to have him just a little more solid before listing him officially though. He is a good boy, just still a little wiggly and unbalanced. Totally normal and to be expected.

Meanwhile Hampton and I just keep plugging away! He is due for his first body clip of the year. That's on the list for this week.

Bye, felicia nasty hair!

The Kick Ditch

Cameo by Liz and Atti, along with myself and Royale.

There is a blog post I would like to share with you all.

This author puts into words something so important, and something that I think many of us - especially for some reason dressage riders - lose at times.

It's about appreciating the little things. Appreciating people. Maybe the next time you want to judge someone on how they ride, or what their horse is - maybe think twice before making a snide comment. We are all just trying our best on our own journeys. Be kind. Be a kick ditch.

Here is the link.

***

After finishing an amazing novel, The Fault In Our Stars by John Green, I put down my hard-copy and marveled at the power of the written word. This power was most evident by my multiple ear-tagged pages--pages that held expertly chosen words construed into sentences, paragraphs and chapters of brilliancy by this gifted author. Simply put, Mr. Green's eloquence affected my core, constantly leaving me in awe at how he pierced my emotional protective shell with his intimate portrayals and intrusions into the struggling lives of others. 

At one point in this book, a main character was sitting on her lawn, staring at her aging swing set, wistfully remembering the innocent beautiful moments of her childhood. Moments that were no more. And with this visual of her swing set, I was suddenly transported back to my own childhood--back to the powder-blue swing set that sat in our family's yard alongside the lilac bushes and sandbox. Back to the rusted swing set with the plastic pony sitting under the mulberry tree at Gramma's house. Back to my small town's playground of numerous swings dangling from both rigid piping and clanging chains. Back to the numerous handmade swings crafted from wood planks and tires hanging from old roping that we hinged along obnoxiously obtrusive tree branches that overshadowed our chosen paths. Our paths of childhood...

Perhaps the most stunning visual of these revisits to my past, though, were not the swing sets and random swings themselves, but rather that linear trench of worn earth that seemed to befriend each and every swing. You know that trench, right? I would bet that each of you had at one point or another in your childhood also dragged your toe through one of these trenches during an innocent, happy moment of your promising youth.  It was a time when the big old world was held at bay and your smaller, more intimate world was all you pictured your future to be. This trench sat unassumingly right underneath each swing, below ground-level, filling up with water after a hard rainfall, catching a loose flip-flop off the ill-prepared foot of an eager child or housing that stubborn rock that lied in wait to stub our toe.

The kick ditch.

I attributed my high-flying on the swing of life to my proper leg-swinging, straightening them to touch the sky when going up and bending them at the knees to reach back as I came back down. My legs I could control. Yet, that little ditch kept my momentum going always, even allowing me push off to gain higher altitude.

This darn "kick ditch" image. After seeing it time and again with every memory of every swing I've ever screamed from, I began to think of what the kick ditch represents to me--of the many things that are present in my life that I did not give the proper attention. Things and people who have helped me with my forward momentum. Things that sit right in front of me, lost from my attention because something more glossy and glamorous distracted me.  Things that were content in sitting back within their clouds of anonymity. Things that I have not properly given the silent thanks and the appreciation they deserve.

My kids. Friends. Family. My spiritual lights and guides. Work. Simple gestures of kindness from strangers. Appreciation from patients and co-workers. Understanding and love from people whom I would least expect it. Compassion from non-judgmental people. Kick ditches that continue to support my momentum throughout my ride in life thus far. Kick ditches that I am now giving more cognizant attention.

Besides my legs, I also believed the people who stood behind me as I swung, pushing me to higher gains, would always be there. And yet, they aren't. Without blame and for a variety of reasons, it seem that the people pushing us on our swing are constantly changing with the snapshot moments of our lives. While reading this pivotal scene in the book, my mind was finally able to recognize the power of my little ditch in allowing my forward-motion. The power of my own legs to go higher and higher. All along, it may have been these "kick ditches" and my own legs that were most responsible for thrusting me forward in my life.

Recently, I turned 47 years old. Not a memorable birthday for most, but probably the year that I will remember most vividly in my lifetime. It has been a tortuously unpredictable year, a year of countless and uncontrollable changes. A year that I am blessed to have survived. A year of very intense internal work and self-reflection (accompanied with a significant amount of self-laceration). I have come to learn some really amazing things about my life and life in general. About the power of me. Clearly, I have learned that I am fractured. That each and every person around me is fractured. Mostly,  I have learned that we all have the opportunity to embrace, ignore, or further trample our fellow neighbor during life's struggles. I have learned to embrace. I have learned to appreciate those who embrace. I continue to appreciate those who want to push my swing forward. I appreciate the power of my own legs in controlling my gains in altitude. I appreciate the "kick ditches" that only want to help support my forward motion.

It is humbling to learn that our choices and behaviors can affect so many people in so many ways. It is humbling to learn that others' choices and behaviors once had the power to affect me in so many ways. I am thankful for the people who can forgive. I am regretful and sorry to the people that can't forget. I am appreciative of the people who remember the goodness that makes me special in my own way.

Most importantly, I've learned that love, kindness, compassion, friendships, and family can sustain one through just about anything. I have also come to learn sad realities; that each and every one of us have people in our lives that can judge and abandon us the minute our fractures are exposed. The people who once offered you the most support, who tirelessly pushed you on the swing, might just up and leave. If they do, are you prepared to dip your toe into your kick ditch? Are you prepared to swing your legs as hard as you can to control your own flight through life? Instead of allowing another to sit in judgment and trample you, are you prepared to offer your too-proud hand to the one who wants to help you from the ground on which you are plastered?

Don't be one who forgets that you too are human and will never be immune to your own fractures and missteps. That one day you too may need forgiveness. Be the one who offers a hand to help up a fallen neighbor so that when you need a hand, your fallen neighbor will be there for you. Be the one who forgives so that when you need forgiveness, it will come for you. Be the one who strives to see the goodness in another the same way you want someone to see the goodness in you.

Be the one who helps another swing higher when they dip their toe below ground. Be the one who keeps those around you moving forward to higher ground in their lives.

Be a kick ditch.