Long Strange Trip: 10 years of blogging

You guys.

This blog turns 10 years old this year.

WHAT.

I started out as a random blog. Horses, concerts, photography, random personal thoughts. It evolved into a horse-only blog around 2009 when Hampton came into my life.

I really just wanted a way to document progress, keep photos in order and write down my thoughts, training tips, videos, etc. But really it has turned into a fun little project that has given me numerous amazing friends - some I have met, some I have not (yet).

I want to thank you all for reading, commenting, supporting me, offering advice and in some cases even giving me a place to crash, feeding me (ahem Jen and Nick!), making me a drink, taking photos and in general sharing your journeys as well.

"What a long, strange trip it's been."

I want to do something to celebrate. Maybe a contest or give away or something? Stay tuned.

But for now, here are some stats and most popular blogs.

Most popular posts
1) The horse gets a bib (Feb. 2011): Hampton gets his first trace clip. (I think this might be so popular because I had the word "strip" in the post? lol)
2) In which Hampton channels his inner Black stallion (Aprl 2011): I ride Hampton bareback in a halter for the first time. It was a non-event. Man imagine how popular the post would have been if something wild had happened. ha!
3) Blame it on the rein, rein, reining (Nov. 2011): I watch a reining clinic and ... like it.

Followers: 176

All-time page views: 184,239

First post: Introduction (Aug. 28, 2007)

Number of posts: 860

And some of my favorite photos:
(sorry, there are so many!)

That time I bought a 2 year old unbroken draft cross ...

Hampton's first ride!

Adventures in pony-ing. (RIP Pamela, sweet girl)

Visiting Hampton's half brothers

Learning to steer.

Hamps is 3 and we move to what I now call "crazy batshit lady's farm"

We move back to original farm, and Hamps goes to his first show!

We even try out some combined tests.

Hamps starts to learn half steps

I get a new horse trailer!! And have Bruise, my Chevy truck, Ahh I miss her.
But not the spending $100 a week on gas.

On a trail ride, Hampton slips in some mud and falls down on me. We are both fine.

Stepson Sampson spends a few months with me learning how to horse.

Hampton learns to pull a sled.

We move to a lovely barn where I have a job cleaning stalls in the morning.

we attend a clinic and learn how to HERD BUFFALO.

We make the move to Kentucky!

We clinic a couple of times with James Houston.

We participate in a handful in mini trials and do pretty well

We lesson with Dorothy Crowell a couple of times fall 2012.

... but then my focus shifts to dressage and we debut at Second Level in Feb. 2013.

In 2013 we earn all of our 1st and 2nd level scores for our bronze.

Stepson REX comes to stay with me for a few months, to learn how to horse.
He went from awkward, gangling and green to ....

Quite handsome and lovely to ride!

I fullfill a dream of showing at the Kentucky Horse Park.

My first niece is born. Making me Aunt Karen officially!
(yes I said first, a second one is on the way!)

I get a taste of the KY state fair.
(that's not me, btw)

We work hard all winter hoping to debut at 3rd level in the spring.

I also ride some OTTBs for Second Stride and love it.

We clinic with Courtney King-Dye

I earn my USDF Bronze medal in May 2014. But our 3rd level debut left much to be desired.
I start looking for more competent, and more professional instruction.

We take a few trips back home to Indiana for inspiration from my long-time instructor.

Someone gets cellulitis.

We survive our first (AND LAST) Hunter Pace in which I almost die when
Hampton reared like a goddamn black stallion.

We move barns and start to get more serious about Third level

We clinic with JJ Tate. Still to this day my favorite clinic ever.

I take a liking to rescued Saddlebred mare, Lady. RIP.

In the spring we are back at it at Third Level.
But we are having problems communicating, I am down 20 pounds, weak and emotionally unstable.

Over summer we keep working at it, and our partnership starts to heal.

My long-time friend Grover develops cancer and I euthanize him.
I was devastated and never really talked about it

We explore around the neighborhood

Our scores improve a little in the fall, and I try a freestyle.

Buckley comes into my life

One of the most important people in my life dies.
Miss you Susie!

We clinic with Lainey Ashker a couple of times

baby Royale enters the picture!

Spring 2016 we debut at Fourth level and it goes rather well!

We clinic with Liz Austin

And now here we are!

Whew - it was fun to go through all those photos.

Cheers to a great 2017!

Love,

Karen & Hampton 

(and Royale and Buckley)

To belt or not to belt

Well we all know I am not Miss Fashionista ... but, I would prefer not to look like a total hilljack in the show ring. At least I make an attempt, anyway.

I have a little issue.

The Shadbelly.

Ok, so the plan is to show PSG in 2017 (when? still undetermined). I have my shad, but here's my major first-world problem.

Does one let their belt show, or not?!

Belt showing. Sort of makes my eye twitch.

Must you even wear a belt?

The Queen of Dressage does not wear a belt.

I am sure I am going to need a new pair of white breeches anyway. The thing is, I HATE HATE pants that come up above the waist. Like literally cannot stand it. I don't even like bras with an underwire because I hate any sort of pressure on my chest or stomach. #whine 

Hunter peeps always let their belts show, as far as I can tell.

Which means, if I get high-waisted breeches, they would need to be rather loose/stretchy. Which means (because I have ZERO butt) that I would need a belt anyway.

I mean a serious first world problem here people.

Opinions?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

Jan. 1, 2017

I spent the morning doing farm chores, and then Hampton and I went on our traditional New Years Day ride. It was one of the warmer ones, I must say.

Pretty foggy morning, too.

Wishing you all the best in 2017.

Love,

Karen, Hampton, Royale and Buckley

The Making of a Freestyle: Part 1 (music & elements)

I am going to attempt to write a series about how I go about making this new freestyle. I am hoping it helps others in my position who can't afford the $800+ for a professional to make them one, or would just rather do it themselves regardless.

SO ... here is Part 1.

Selecting music and choreography elements

I really loved everyone's input on my theme selection. I have decided to go with the Talking Heads. They are obviously da shizznit, I love the music, and there is plenty of variety plus their songs often have decent portions with no lyrics but plenty of funk.

Right now I am listening to a couple of their albums while I drive to the barn in the mornings, making notes on which songs I think might fit Hampton and/or certain movements. Once I have 5-6 songs to choose from, I will listen to them while watching video of Hampton to match them with his gaits.

The first thing you should do is determine how many beats per minute (bpm) your horse has in walk, trot, canter. Then you can match that gait with a song with the same bpm. With the right software, you can slow down or speed up the song but don't go overboard or it will distort the song. Unless you are into that kind of thing I guess.

Once I have a more solid idea of songs, I am going to burn those on a CD/iTunes and play them while I ride. Then I will be able to make final decisions.

The process of finding songs is still in progress, but meanwhile you can also familiarize yourself with that movements you can/should/cannot do at the level of freestyle you are aiming for.

CLICK HERE for the PDF of the 4th level freestyle score sheet. Has more details.

Since I will be showing at 4th level freestyle some things I need to note:
MAX time: 5 minutes
SCORING: You are scored on both technical and artistic impressions
MOVEMENTS: I am allowed to perform any movement in 4th level, or any level below. In addition, trot/canter zig zags, 8m circles, canter half pirouttes, and 4 and 3 tempis are also allowed.
Movements that are required include: halts, walk (collected and extended), shoulder-in, trot and canter half pass (both directions), extended trot, flying change every 4th stride, working half pirouette at the canter, and extended canter.

WARNING: If you sneak in movements ABOVE the level you are showing at, you will get knocked 4 points from your total for each illegal movement. So, for instance, I could not be like "Look at these amazing 1-tempis we can do!" ... or piaffe or anything like that.

So that's where I am at!

Next up: Qualifying for a freestyle

Thinking of a theme

A picture from summer because it was 13 degrees this morning.

One of my goals for next year is to do a freestyle.

My Third Level freestyle was ... not good. It was not what the judges want, even tho it was fun to ride for me personally. Unfortunately, in order to get good scores I am going to have to sell out and play their game. Which means, I am going to create a brand new freestyle for 4th level. I will have the help of my coach this time, too.

Her instructions to me were to start picking out music.

And - it should preferably have a theme.

I am going to save a Phish freestyle for Grand Prix, so that's out.

Also themes I refuse to ride to include BOR-ING classical music, twangy country, bluegrass, anything remotely resembling Nickelback, and emo.

So I am coming to you - my dear blogging friends - for your opinions.

Below you should find a poll on which theme you like best. Help me decide! Also, please feel free to leave specific song suggestions in the comments, too.

What should Hampton dance to?

80s theme (general)

80s theme (funk. i.e. Golden Earring, etc.)

The Talking Heads

Dave Matthews Band

90s theme

Disco Biscuits (untz music theme)

The Development Year

How is 2016 almost over?! Holy crap.

2016 loot. Not bad!! 

I didn't really set many specific goals for this year, because I knew that it was probably going to be a development year for us.

It was time to really make the move up from Third level to "upper level" and that is so easy task. No more fucking around. For real.

We did do a fair amount of showing in the spring and early summer, but after that I decided to really get into a regular lesson program and spent my (very little) money there, instead of shows. Let's be real, I am now in territory where I really have no utter clue what I am doing. Tempi changes, canter pirouettes, zig zags!? It is by far the most challenging riding I have ever attempted. Somehow Hampton manages to figure out what I want most of the time, and for that he is a Saint.

Staying in regular lessons has really been one smart decision because we are making some great progress. Granted, we are still very much a work in progress but we do not look as drunk and clueless as we used to in certain movements. ha.

I invented a new dressage salute.

I think I'll do a separate post for 2017 goals. But of course my top priority is that my horse and myself are happy and healthy. If you and your horse are healthy, you have everything. You really do.

So anyway! Here is a quick roundup of 2016:

JANUARY
 -- Basically just froze our asses off

FEBRUARY
-- We participated in a clinic with Lainey Ashker. A really good time, and Hampton got to show off what a great jumper he is.

-- Ooops I purchased a saddlebred with BFF Liz! Welcome Royale!

Right off the trailer. Little squirt.

MARCH
-- We go to a local schooling show and have pretty good rides. We pulled off a 69.5% at 3-1, and a 64+% in 4-1.

APRIL
-- We head out to Majestic Farm for our first rated show of the year. It is WINDY, COLD and fucking SNOWED. Hamps got a little naughty about the indoor, but overall we had a good show. We got our first score toward our Silver medal. Scores were 61% are 3-1; 61% at 4-1; and 64% at 4-1.

Remember this comment we go though?!? LOL!!!

MAY
-- After losing a shoe and his face swelling up, I manage to get to the IDS schooling show with Hampton AND Royale. The 3-year-old saddlebred is basically perfect at his first show ever, pulling a 66% and a 69% at Intro. (Remember, he was barely broke at this stage in the game). Hamps was a little tired, and my back was in terrible shape but we earned a 64+% at 3-1, and then a 61% in 3-3 while in the snaffle. It was just not my best riding, but we got it done.

JUNE
-- We show at the Indy Dressage Classic. Temps are sweltering. Borderline dangerous, actually.
In 4-1, I had zero horse and zero energy to hold him up. We struggle through the test and squeak out a 58%. On Sunday I decided to quit f-ing around and got after him a little, had a much better ride and earned our second Silver score with a 61+%.

So hot coats were waived and I took them up on it.

JULY
-- I go back to another IDS show, but leave Hamp at home this time. Baby Royale in the spotlight! He is completely unphased by the heat, and in fact was fresh and squirrely in the first test! But was much more focused and won the second class with a 70% in Intro B! Can't forget that I got to spend time with Jenn from Cob Jockey who kept me well fed and laughing, when really all of us just wanted to stick our heads in a bucket of ice. Meanwhile, Hamps is struggling with feet issues. And Royale comes to KY.

Good chicken nugget!

AUGUST
-- No shows this month (frankly I was burned out), but we did have the amazing opportunity to ride in a clinic with Liz Austin.

SEPTEMBER
-- I bought a condo, and we moved barns. Focus on training & lessons.

Hamps works on his artistic body art

OCTOBER
--Hampton starts cribbing. UGH. But we keep plugging away at 4th/PSG. Royale goes back to Indiana at the end of the month.

NOVEMBER
-- More training. And we earn 5th place in 4th level AA from KDA. Donald Trump somehow gets elected President of the United States.

DECEMBER
-- Back to freezes our butts off, but the footing in the covered arena has not frozen yet so we keep working!

Whew. Onto 2017!!