I saw you with a ticket stub in your hand

WE'RE GOING!

(Not sure how I am going to find the money but where this is a will, there is a way!)

But first, we have IDS championships this weekend. 

Hopefully I won't forget to HALT AND REINBACK this time.

No rest for the wicked!

The aftermath

Sunday morning I was up early to help Liz get ready for her ride, but Hampton and I otherwise took it easy. Going on a long stroll and some grazing.

Sunday morning walk with Hamp and Simone.

Later on we took the opportunity to take some photos in front of the big sign with Jan and Penn. Hampton and Penn were instant friends (of course) and were very cute for the photos. Because that is what they both do.

Big bay, little bay?

We ended up heading home around 1. I decided to drive home, and we were about 3 miles from the show ground when we came upon a tight right hand turn.

I couldn't swing as wide as I wanted because a car was stopped at the light going in the opposite direction. I didn't think much of it ... until there was a HORRIBLY LOUD CRUNCHING METAL noise coming from the trailer.

I believe there was lots of "oh shits! and fuck!" from me and Liz. Then I heard the hissing sound of a tire going flat.

Dead.

Great driving, Karen

FML.

I immediately pulled over into a parking lot to assess.

I had done a number on the trailer, and killed the tire. Immediately I started to panic and have a melt down because I thought for sure we would be stranded and I had to work in just a few hours.

However.

In spite of recent events in the news, humans are actually good. My faith in humanity was restored. Within minutes, an officer pulled in and started to help us. In another 10 minutes, the owner of Majestic also pulled in and helped finish the tire change. There was also probably half a dozen other random people who stopped to check on us.

Another employee of Majestic pulled around the same corner during this time and did the EXACT SAME THING and ripped the fender off her SUV. Bummer, but sort of made me feel better that the concrete block took another victim.

The shoulder also dips down when you turn, so it sucked my
trailer down so the concrete block could attack.
FUCKER.

Man, this area of Ohio is full of super nice people!

I had also called a handful of friends (including blogger Amy - owner of Steady) to keep them on standby should we need additional help or a ride home.

We had the spare tire on, and the wheel well pounded back into place in probably less than 30 minutes. I made it to work only 15 minutes late. WHEW.

I am definitely going to be paying that forward. I was really humbled by all the people who stopped to offer to help. I have had that trailer for probably 6 years and that is the first time I have ever hit anything, or even had a flat tire. Guess I was due. Hopefully good on that for a while.

Still holding a grudge against that concrete block though. It can go DIE. BURN IN HELL.

REGIONALS!!

New browband arrived just in time!

We are back! I have so many photos!!

*cracks knuckles*

We decided to haul over to Majestic Farm on Friday morning. I had a 4-1 open class around 2:30. Our Third level championship class was Saturday so I wanted at least one warm up go. And Liz didn't show until Sunday so there was so real reason to go earlier. Perhaps this isn't ideal, as we did not get to school in any of the show rings before arriving but turns out it paid off.

Plus you all know I like to wing it at times.

I had plenty of time to get ready and for once timed my warm up pretty perfectly. Our test was in the indoor arena (and thus no photos). We have shown in this indoor before - at a early spring show 2 years ago where Hamp was rather spooky and snarky. Thankfully I have a much more experienced horse than 2 years ago and he marched in there and put down a pretty solid 4-1 test.

Awkward horse is awkward

My only real complaint was the footing. I didn't have as much sit and ooomph as I usually do, especially in the extended trot. I think he felt like he was slipping or something. But even so, it was an obedient test. Late changes (always left to right) continue to plague us. May mean another vet call in the future as I suspect it might be his stifle. But still, it is what it is and we still got a 62+% and won the class!

I was thrilled with how he felt and I spent the rest of the day pouring booze down my throat casually drinking and getting to know Jan and Penn. I think Jan might be my spirit animal because she is seriously awesome.

Our stall neighbors had this bar. ... I mean, I have to say it was pretty amazing.

Our farm setup. We had Hampton, Simone, Penn, Lionus, Sisu and Fetti!

Saturday morning we actually got to sleep in since I didn't ride until 2:30 again.

I gave Hampton a light lunge around 830, then watched Jan and Penn go.

You guys.

Penn is the CUTEST. He is such a nice horse! I mean he looks cute in photos, but photos still don't do him justice. Jan is super cool. SUPER KEWL and we got along immediately. Like, if we lived closer she would be the type of friend I would hang out with on a regular basis.

 I thought her test was fluid and solid. I'm sure she will post her own re-cap, but I will just say that our rides were very similar. We both rode great, but had a forgetful moment. I'm sure both Penn and Hampton were rolling their eyes.

Selifie with the famous Penn!
He is SO SWEET and hilariously quirky.

My ride time started to approach and by this point in time I was feeling pretty sick. I didn't sleep much the night before, and I had not been eating due to a fussy stomach. I was probably also dehydrated. But a couple of Cokes and I was feeling better and got on and headed to warm up.

My barn sista Alison in the background. She got Reserve Champ in her freestyle!!!

Stretching out

Counter canter is an essential part of our warm up. It loosens his back and gets those
hips oscillating. 

My breeches were so tight they were causing acid reflux!

Sidenote: Many thanks to Jen (Conner's human) who made the drive to come watch and take these amazing photos! I expect to be showing with her at Regionals in the future!

Much to my delight, Hampton lit up in the busy atmosphere. He felt fresh, strong and happy. He was just a bit tense (probably feeding off me), but I was able to work most of that out of him before we went into the ring.

8 on this halt

Then it was time! In we went.

Overall the test was very organized and smooth. My ONLY mistake was forgetting the FUCKING HALT after the second extended trot. How many times have I done this test? A zillion. I have NEVER forgotten the halt. And yet I pick THAT DAY to do so.

Medium

Shoulder In

10m circle

This was right about the moment I was supposed to halt.
Kept on going tho. At least the horse looked good.

I was pretty mad at myself, but them's the breaks. Hampton was amazing and I was so proud of him.

After waiting around for the rest of the day for scores, we were holding in the top 6 for a long time until finally being pumped down to tie for 9th. If I had not gotten the error on course, we would have been 6th.

BOING!

Another 8!!

Me: "Good boy. I'm so sorry"
Hamp: "I need a new pilot"

So, we didn't make the awards ceremony BUT we were still in the top 10! There are only 8 ribbons given out. And we scored a solid 65.1% - a personal best at a rated show in 3-3! There were 2 judges, one gave us a 66+% and the other a 65% so the scoring was very consistent. (A lot of times it isn't when there are multiple judges). Some good comments, 8s on halts, our lowest score was a 5.5 on that dumbass late change. Everything else was solid.

Jan gave Hampton a massage before our test. Guess it worked!

The whole experience exceeded my expectations. Hampton really held his own against some cut-throat competition. Regionals (especially Region 2, one of the most competitive Regions) was such a cool show. So busy with a quality of horses I normally do not show against. I watched the open PSG championship class and had to keep picking my jaw up off the ground. Several international quality horses in there. Holy smokes.

I spent the rest of the day obsessing over the heartbreak that is 9th place with Jan. We decided we would have our own awards ceremony where we would prance around the ring together. Because why else would you come to Regionals? The entire goal is to prance in the ceremony! Am I right?

Hampton and his slaves (Liz, Jan, myself)

He is so handsome and apparently knows it.

The competitor's party Saturday evening was pretty cool! Decent food, live music and BROWNIES that were so good. I motor-boated them.

... and I am going to write a separate post about Sunday - the aftermath - because this has already turned into a novel. haha.

But it did involve me crashing my trailer.

(everyone OK!)

to be continued ....

Show horses welfare?

Taking a quick detour from #roadtoregionals posts for something controversial.

#pokethebear

Saw this gem posted on the site of a well-known American Saddlebred training stable. Someone is selling these signs for $20. It's not clear to me whether or not the UPHA actually endorses posting these.

I immediately thought SHADY SHADY SHADY when I saw this.

I love saddlebreds, I do. And while I don't agree with some of the training practices, most trainers are not what I would consider outright abusive. (There are some that of course are, as with any discipline).

In any case. This isn't spinning the ASB industry in a positive light in my opinion.

UPDATE: This particular stable took down this post. A number of people also thought this sign was not putting ASBs in a good light. Interesting.

Next we spoil the rider

List of luxurious things myself as the rider, owner and trainer get in prep for regionals:


1.







... oh. No money left after spoiling the horse. DAMMIT.


:)

First: We spoil the horse

Oh hey kids. Don't try jumping this big in a dressage saddle mmm k?
#LowerlegFAIL

How do you all prepare for a major championship competition?

(I mean besides randomly jumping your horse through grids?)

I'll be honest. I have never competed at USDF Regionals before. And the last time I competed at anything close to this level was probably in college when I catch-rode a horse at the Morgan Grand National and World Championships in OKC.

I think it's important to treat Regionals as "just another horse show." Because it is. No use in putting extra pressure on myself or my horse.

But it is pretty special to be there, so I am doing extra things here and there to help us prep.

THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY CLASS
OH SHIT.

Spoiling the horse

Hamps is getting two magnawave treatments (he LOVES magnawave. After freaking the F out during his first treatment, he now thinks it's the bee knees)

Fresh shoes. Had my farrier do tiny adjustments to help Hamp have more traction in his hind end. Very minor, but makes a huge difference.

New DSB boots. Got him a fresh pair of white DSB boots to school and warm up in.

Nexium. So this is interesting. I started Hamp on Nexium - yup the same OTC med I take - to see if it would help some of his random spooking and teeth grinding. I toss in 3 pills a day for him. Now, it could be a coincidence but his spooking is GONE and the teeth grinding and chomping now only occurs during high pressure training. Interesting. So, I'm keeping him on it through regionals. I should buy stock in Nexium. Between myself and the horse, we go through about 2 bottles A WEEK. I will also have some GUT on hand, and probios for closer to show time incase he gets the nervous poos.

Clipping. Will be going all out for clipping. Hind socks, cornet bands for sure. And the usual under the jaw and general tidying of his ear hair. His tail has already been dyed.

Next up: Spoiling the rider
What do you all do to prep? The horse and yourself?

#RoadtoRegionals

We've been taking it easy the last week and a half. I am still riding the post-silver-medal high, and Hampton seems to know that he is kind of a big deal now. People know him.

I've been going back to basics, working on suppleness, throughness and transitions. Then Hampton went head-bobbing lame on Thursday. Hurricane Harvey remnants showed up Friday so I didn't ride then either. And then Saturday Hamp was sound so .... VERY FUNNY JOKE HAMPTON HAHAHAHAHA. Guessing he just grabbed his heal or had a little stone bruise.

I'm turning my focus to Regional Championships now. I am super excited as this is the first time I have ever gone. We are going to do a 4-1 warm-up class, and then the Third Level AA Championship is on Saturday.

I don't expect to get a ribbon (um there are 40+ people qualified!), but I do need a 65% to get a wildcard invite to Nationals. I'm making the elusive 65% my goal. Either way, it will be a fun experience in a big atmosphere. I'm proud of Hampton no matter what. He has been a superstar this year.

Time to make 3rd level super polished if we are going to compete in the big leagues.

Let the #RoadtoRegionals begin!