Royale grows up in 2 hours

I'll admit it, I was not sure what exactly to expect of Royale when I decided to take him out on a trail ride Friday.

He is so wittle.

And we are not talking just the back hills and fields, we are talking down to the creek which involves mud, hills, logs, creek crossings, rocks, woods, branches, and eventually the big creek.

Thankfully we were with a group of experienced, calm horses. So I figured what better time to take him out?

My concerns were not needed.

He took to this trail riding thing like a fish to water. Immediately into a wonderful stride, neck down, ears up. He was fine with leading (except during some iffy spots like the creek or major mud bogs, but that's quite understandable). He was fine with following. He was fine with other horses coming up beside him. He was fine with everything!

Even when he was insecure, it just took a long rein and a lead from one of the calmer horses and he would go. Surprisingly, I even got him to go into the big creek! And we have had some major rain lately so it was high, and the current was quite loud. In he went after some mild encouragement.

This from the saddlebred who freaks the F out when you try to give him a bath.

He was a really good sport about all the usual stuff that happens on the trails - like getting hit in the face with branches at times, his rider having to duck (although I certainly did not have to duck NEARLY as much as I am used to! ha!), horses splashing behind him, rocky terrain, etc.

He never offered to spook or be naughty, or take off or anything stupid.

We even had moments where he STOOD STILL like a pack horse. It's a Christmas miracle people.

And he had plenty of gas in the tank when we got home ... which started some wheels starting to spin in my head.

Hey, if this dressage thing doesn't work out for him. He may just fine his niche in endurance.

Which then led me to look up endurance events in the area ........

Pillow of Your Bones

Twerp 1 and Twerp 2

Hampton's behavior at Mid-Ohio really ate away at me. It was the main reason I decided to have the vet out to give him a look see. Even though Hamp was great at IDS, I could tell he still wasn't his best. There was something not quite right.

I had probably one of the best vets in the area, if not the state of KY, come out today. He gave Hamp a thorough exam. Even a neuro exam, because I had mentioned that Hamp sometimes stumbled and feels like not the most foot-sure horse in the world.

He passed the neuro exam mostly with flying colors. He did test slightly positive one time on the cross exam - where he crossed his front legs. Hampton let him the first time (positive diagnosis), but the second he yanked his legs back to normal (which is what they should do).  So, I dunno. Everything else was normal and equal on both sides. Whew. I asked if I should test for EPM just in case.

The vet said no, he said EPM tests were "a colossal waste of money." And Hampton was not showing enough signs to warrant treating him at this time.

However, Hamp was VERY back sore. Upon palpation he became agitated, even trying to bite me. He was sore exactly where I thought he was - behind the saddle and in his sacrum.

So the vet recommended we inject the hocks AND sacrum - due to his level of pain.

A drunk Porkchop

Of course I immediately said let's do it. For crying out loud the horse deserves it. He is 10 this year, and giant, and doing upper level dressage. I'm not a big fan of injecting, but if this makes him feel better than I'll do it.

Interestingly enough, I suffered for weeks with a painful tooth - refusing to get a root canal because of the money. But as soon as the vet says my horse needs injections? TAKE MY MONEY. TAKE ALL OF IT.

Horse people are so sick in the head. What is WRONG with us?!

In any case, Hamp will have a very easy week. A few days off followed by light riding. I am hoping he feels like a new man after this.

MEANWHILE, this little pipsqueak gets to take a turn as main squeeze for the week! He settled right back into KY life without missing a beat. Despite being a wild man at the IDS show, he has actually matured quite a bit!

Careful Royale, your brain may fall out again

I have some plans to take him out cross country schooling at some point. And by XC schooling, I mean walking through water and trotting over little logs. I think it will be good for him! Will make great blog fodder if nothing else. Ha.

DAP (+/-)

I said DAP, not DERP.

DAP = Diagonal Advanced Placement

Say what? And what does this have to do with dressage?

DAP refers to one put of a diagonal pair landing a fraction of a second before the other.
Namely, DAP happens in the trot (and canter but I'm not going to get into that in this post)

A horse has positive (+) DAP when the hind foot in a diagonal pair lands a fraction of a second before the front foot.

+DAP :)

A horse has negative (-) DAP when the front foot in a diagonal pair lands a fraction of a second before the hind foot.


And there are horses who have zero DAP when both diagonal pairs land together.

Sometimes DAP is rather difficult to see with the naked eye. In more severe cases, the horse will appear to be irregular in his gait. Or he may appear tense and unbalanced. You can also hear DAP on proper surfaces.


Ok, so is +/- DAP good? Bad? Nothing to care about?


-DAP is not desireable, but is very common. Even in the top levels of the sport. Because I don't want to slam anyone on my blog, I will use my own example. Hampton happens to have some fantastically horrible -DAP, but makes an excellent example! -DAP usually means the horse is not through, and on the forehand.

Check out this photo, where he is downhill in a medium trot, his right front is going to land well before the right hind. Horses with -DAP tend to be more on the forehand than those with +DAP. As you can see, my body is now behind vertical in my attempt to lift up his front end. (PSA: That doesn't work)


Granted, photos like these could simply represent a loss of balance, a moment in time. But this is Hampton's usual way of going for the most part.

A different part of the stride, and he is a touch more uphill here, but you can see that his left front is going to land a fraction of a second before the right hind. I'm still fighting to keep us uphill (more on that later, it's the DAMN SADDLE.) Also, some horses simply travel this way.


Even so, Hamps does tend to score pretty well on his mediums and extended. I suppose if you had a truly classical/purist judge, we may not. His does offer lots of power from his hind end, but his shoulders stay on the ground for too long and so they miss the wave coming from behind. Thus, he falls on the forehand and has -DAP.


It's something we are always working on. Also, it seems I am a huge moron and some tack changes have already made a huge difference.


More on that later!

IDS Show: Redemption Song

Spoiler alert: I have my well behaved Hampton back. :)

He hauled perfectly, and was perfect on Friday for schooling. I did give him a light lunge early Saturday morning to loosen his back, but only for about 10 minutes if that.

Our first test was 3-3 and it was a mistake-free test, clean changes and good rhythm. In my opinion it was still flat and down hill, but that is a struggle I will ALWAYS have with him. I was very pleased that 3-3 felt EASY. I never thought I would say that! The judge awarded us with a 67.9%. That is a personal best for me in 3-3.

Paul Wood photo

By the time I rode 2-3, I was exhausted from dealing with Royale for more than an hour. Hampton was tired, too. But even so we floated through the test with zero mistakes other than one transition where he tripped and went splat. Again, quite downhill and flat but still got a 69%. I will certainly take that any day of the week!

Paul Wood photo

Hampton never put a foot wrong. Never offered to back off to be naughty or anything but act like a perfect seasoned gentleman. It was a great confidence booster for both of us (he got SO MANY COOKIES and also some cranial-sacral release treatment after his second class). This show accomplished exactly what I hoped it would.

Hanging out ringside with Jen and Conner.
SUPERB side-eye, Conner.

I have to say to say it was incredibly refreshing to go in the ring and KNOW that I got this. Instead of showing at the level where we aren't quite confirmed and hoping for the best, I could march right in at 2-3 and 3-3 and have the confidence that we were not overfaced and could do these tests no problem. SO REFRESHING. And that is saying a lot about our progress because those tests are not exactly cakewalks!

... and as for Royale. Well, he is good boy but the gerbils in his brain fell off the wheel. I put on facebook that he was like riding a squirrel high on meth. He was wiggly. Weird in the contact. Avoiding my aids. Running away. Backing off. Running through his shoulders. All I could do was laugh and stay as quiet as I could.

I did get a 7 for rider position for being "quiet and tactful." So there is that.

His first class including lots of bucking in the canter, and a flubbed right lead canter. He started to charge down the last centerline so I floated his teeth once. Sorry not sorry. After that class I went back to the warm up and make him work more. By the second class I had fixed the right lead canter and had better contact. He managed a respectable 62% in Training 2. So I was pleased that he did settle and make improvement.

Jesus H. Christ, Royale. This is what happens when he starts to run off from my leg. So I close my fingers,
and squeeze him like toothpaste. Eventually he won't curl up like this. I hope.

His big thing is that when you put your leg on, he runs. That is not forward, that is running away from my leg and not allowed. What horses like him do is go really fast - making you THINK that they are so good and forward! - when in reality they are training you to take your leg off. No sir, not allowing it. So there were times when he was super curled, and times when he was a giraffe. Because guess what man, I am going to keep my leg on AND keep contact no matter what you do!!

He will come along. He is just green and ... a saddlebred.

Kelly and Fergie head to the ring, with help from hubby Paul who took
fantastic photos of me! Thanks Paul!!!

He is now home with me in KY so maybe Hampton and the herd will wear him out for me. hahaha.

So overall a really great show. Hampton won both his classes and Royale got a 4th and a 5th I think. Perfect weather and I got to watch both Kelly and Fergie, and Jen and Conner absolutely rock their classes too! Wait until you hear the score Jen got!!!! Sadly I did not get to hang out with them as much as I would have liked because I was literally riding for 2 hours straight.

Still having the vet out to give Hamp a look-see this week I hope. Will update on those results.

Other than that, back to work for both boys!

Going back, not giving up

Photos courtesy of Aimee

We have a schooling show this weekend and I'm actually looking forward to it in spite of the fact that it was will be CHAOS and INSANITY because I am showing Hampton and Royale in 2 classes each, and they are all scheduled within about 2 hours of each other. Bring it on though.

I decided to enter Hampton in 2-3, and 3-3. Here's why:

Confidence. Not only did I have my confidence shattered at Mid-Ohio, but Hampton's was, too. He is a laid back dude, and very stoic, but also incredibly sensitive emotionally. When he thinks he is in "trouble" he gets highly over-reactive. He knows when he has messed up, and knows when he has done really well. There was no reward at Mid-Ohio. We both need to go in the arena, have a really great ride and feel like we can do this again.

Need to feel like this again

Just in case. On the other hand, should Hampton decide to act like a mule again, it is far easier for me to make corrections in a Second Level test, rather than fight my way through Fourth level and have to do tempis or pirouettes with a horse who is a hot mess. That is not setting myself or him up for success.

Something NQR. Hamps has not been the same since Mid-Ohio. He has been ok, and not lame per se, but he has been extra spooky, and argues about silly shit. For example, today we were cantering and I asked for some counter bend. He threw a total fit about it. Swapping leads, canter sideways, popping up on front. WTF? To me this says he is uncomfortable somewhere. He did cooperate eventually, and we had a nice moments. But something just isn't right. I have a call in to a super lameness vet to look at him next week. I am afraid it might be time to inject stifles or hocks. He is already on several ulcer-preventatives, but will do a round of omneprozole, too. In the meantime, there is no reason to push him past his comfort zone. And 2-3 is well within his comfort. Third-3 we may run into some problems, but we'll see. He should be ok if I warm him up and let him unlock appropriately.

This please.

Year-end awards/Regionals. Here's the thing. I spent a shit ton of money on memberships, registry fees, etc thinking that I would aim Hamp for some breed awards and regionals this year. I simply do not have the money to keep chasing 60% at 4-3 this year. I can only afford to enter 2, maybe 3, rated shows a year if I am lucky. One of those is already gone. I would really like to go to Regionals this year because it is so close. How about I show at 2-3, and 3-3 and get better scores, qualify for Regionals, and have a better chance at some breed awards, rather than continue to throw money down the drain and hope and pray for a 60% at 4-3? Then get CLOBBERED at Regionals? This comes down to setting myself up for success and I would much rather do that, then continue to feel defeated and overfaced this year. Getting score after score in the 50s is very discouraging.

I am not giving up, just going back to rebuild.

Later this summer I still plan on debuting at PSG (yeah, fuck 4-3. It can eat my butt) and hopefully getting my silver medal! Just need to get Hamp comfortable, and confirm those tempis and pirouettes! Also need to play more with the double bridle. Haven't quite found the perfect combo of bits yet.

I KNOW we are capable, but in horse training sometimes the wheels fall off the bus and you have to go back a step or two. We are in one of those phases right now. And that's ok, we will push through.

This crap we are going through is EXACTLY why people send their horses off to trainers, or just sell them. I could do that, but what would I learn? Nothing. Hampton is always teaching me, if I listen.

So I will.

In other news:

Jen and Conner, and Kelly and Fergie are also showing this weekend! Can't wait to watch them!

Royale, who has been hanging out with Liz all winter, is making his Training Level debut! Very excited to hop back on my favorite saddlebred. Hopefully the weather holds for us. Indiana has been a flood plain lately.

Will hopefully return with plenty of horse show media. :)

Hampton gets a day with two 12-year-olds

After the whirlwind of Rolex, Aimee and I spent Monday morning out torturing playing with Hampton. We had Aimee's shiny new bridle to test out, plus my new browband and halfpad. All outfits! Because we are 12.

(Hampton was properly compensated with cookies)

I never have anyone to take photos of us at the barn these days, so it was a real treat to have Aimee snapping photos of me and Hamps! And let me tell you, the girl is a wizard with an iPhone! I had my "real" camera just in case, but it wasn't needed.

The sky was UNREAL that day.

There are way too many to post in one blog post, but they will provide me with blog media for quite some time!

After prancing around for our photographer, I handed Aimee the reins.

I don't think I even gave her any instructions - she just got on and off they went! Aimee is a much better rider than what she claims to be on her blog, and it was quickly apparent to me that she is a sensitive, thoughtful rider.

She spent some time feeling out Hampton's buttons, and proceeded to walk, trot and canter him around - on the bit, in the double bridle. I really had nothing to say but "Well, that looks good!" There have been a number of people who have not been able to ride him that well. I told Aimee that Hampton will put in as much effort as you ask of him. No more, no less. He quickly figures out the rider and whether or not they are serious, or if he should just take care of them and give a pony ride.

At the end, I took the whip and helped her play with a little piaffe. We didn't get great photos of this because I cannot be the whip person and video at the same time, but they looked great!

And the good thing about photos is that I can see now that Hamps has an issue with this new bridle (or the bits? Which are the same but maybe they lie differently?) So if you notice his mouth is open, or my curb is at too much of an angle, rest assured I have corrected the issue. He just wears a mullen mouth curb anyway but still. Yikes. Yay for media? Sorry Hampton!

Wish we looked like this at Mid-Ohio

Anyway, I LOVE sharing Hampton with people. No, he is not going to be "ruined." You are not going to "un do" any training. I get it with more sensitive, green horses. But Hamp rolls with the program and is happy to do whatever. I wouldn't let anyone on him that I thought would be cruel or dangerous. And if I did, Hampton would take care of that for me. He does not tolerate stupid riding. :)

INSERT COOKEH

Check out Aimee's blog for her point of view! It makes me so happy to hear she enjoyed him.

And yes I am aware of bears!!

Rolex 2017: EPIC

"Michael Jung looks more relaxed during dressage than I do on the toilet."

Austen, Aimee, Leah, Liz, myself ... and random cleavage. 

I know there are probably a zillion Rolex wrap-ups out there in blog land, so I'll keep mind short and sweet. Maybe.

Aimee and Leah stayed with me and were the two greatest people to hang with for the weekend! While we had not met each other before, we got along right away and had a total blast.
These girls are something else, not only did we get along great but they helped me with morning barn chores for 3 of those days! THANK YOU ladies! Truly wonderful gals.

(Aimee also brought me a custom browband and Leah brought me Rum and eggs! I mean where have you guys been all my life?!)

Gotta take the photo with Bruce.

I also knew I would get along with these girls when they wanted to start drinking at 10 a.m. So we did. For 3 days.

Other notable events:

- Morning barn chores in a tornado (confirmed EF1)
- Nearly hitting a deer
- Leah rear-ending a car (she was on foot ....)
- Aimee eating powder electrolytes on mistake
- I accidentally burnt Leah's boobs (sorry girl!)
- 3 college-educated women spending way too long trying to open the hatch of the Jeep
- Day drinking
- A rather bomb-diggity taco party thanks to Amy! (I know how Indiana eventers roll, so I was not shocked at the events ... and possibly partipcated ... but I think some people were taken aback! lol!)
- Lap dancing (see above)
- Free drinks from "Charlie" at my favorite dive bar
- Free shots of bourbon
- My cat Buckley being a creeper to my houseguests
- The Terminator winning Rolex 3 years in a row (is he a robot?)
- Some of the most lovely, consistent dressage I have seen at Rolex.


I scored some great swag!

Right before Rolex I found out I was going to be furloughed from work, so I tried not to make too many bad decisions. But I did buy some things anyway because I'm just not able to adult, and who needs to eat?!

Not a fan of the red, but otherwise WHO do I have to sleep with to get this saddle?!?!

I kicked butt getting free samples, and signing up for drawings. I even WON a bucket full of grooming stuff!

The shopping was off the hook as usual. And obviously watching the best horses and riders in the world is phenomenal. It never gets old, no matter how many times I come to this event.

It was SO FUN meeting up with so many fellow bloggers! Might be too many to list, but here are the ones I remember. I am super horse-show hungover so forgive me if I forget you!

L-R: Myself, Jen, Renate, Lead, Aimee (and Bitsy the best dog!)

You can find more photos and better Rolex coverage on their blogs I am sure.

AIMEE: http://iamthesprinklerbandit.blogspot.com/
LEAH: http://www.dressagebarbie.com/
HILLARY: http://www.equestrianathart.com/
AMANDA: https://the900facebookpony.com/
RENATE and friends: http://grainbeforegroceries.blogspot.com/
STEPHANIE (ack  I need your blog address)
JEN (who I see on a regular basis but still counts!) http://www.cobjockey.com/
AUSTEN (who I also have met and partied with. ha.): http://guineaforaguinness.blogspot.com/
LIZ: https://liz-stout.blogspot.com/
AMY (another long-time friend) http://slowandsteadysmilerwinstherace.blogspot.com/
ALANNA: https://pony3express.blogspot.com


On Monday Aimee did not have to fly out until later so we tortured Hampton for a few hours with photo shoots. Then Aimee got to take a spin on him! More on that in the next post.