I like backsides and I cannot lie

This is the most glorious time of the year to live in Kentucky.

Railside

Random horse working

First the LRK3DE, and then a week later the Derby. It's a big party here in Louisville for 2 weeks straight, and everyone celebrates the horse.

A barn friend of mine scored owner's passes and invited a couple us to the backside of Churchill Downs on Tuesday of Derby week. I have never had the opportunity to go to the backside so jumped at the chance, even waking up at 6 am would not deter me!

One of the gates to the track

Spotted Derby horse Hofburg warming up by walking shed row
(all Derby horses had these yellow saddle clothes)

Ganna have to say it was a super cool experience, as I expected it would be. The organized chaos, the wild horses, all the exercise riders, trainers, owners and other people who seem to think they are important. Drinking mint julips at 7am is hardcore. I did not participate but many others were.

Of course snuck around the press areas too. Each radio station has their own little tent, and other media are scattered about. I may have to see if next year I can ask a big wig for a press pass. My job has perks sometimes!

Saddles sitting out

A Derby horse gets a bath. I think this was Vino Rosso

It was quite interesting to walk around the barns. The smell of DMSO permeates the air, as employees work diligently to bathe horses, and walk them around the shed rows.

I could tell that people were on their best behavior. (ie not as much rough handling of horses as I expected I would see). As Derby week brings in many more people to the backside than a normal day. Some of the horses were still wild though. hahaha. Those riders have nerves of steel.

I think this was one of those saltwater jet things

I will say it is definitely still male dominated part of the horse industry (unlike dressage and other sport disciplines). It also felt a little shady at times. I made sure I had my purse buttoned shut. No one did anything, but it just gives you that feeling. I most certainly would not survive long working in the race industry. And to be fair, Churchill Downs is in a TERRIBLE neighborhood as far as Louisville goes. If you ever go, don't walk around Churchill Downs alone after dark. Or at least have some mace.

One of Todd Pletcher's Derby horses getting a bath

The Derby and Oaks horses had a designated time slot to come out on the track for an easy work. Most just jogged and went for an easy gallop.

Vino Rosso stretching his legs

Firenze Fire. I think he is the 50-1 longshot.

More waiting for the Derby horses to finish so they can have a turn

View toward the barns

I am absolutely no good at picking race winners, but I thought My Boy Jack, Audible and Justify looked good. So that means they will probably come in last. haha.

Well worth getting up so early for! And highly recommend.

Happy Derby Week!
(even schools are out on Fridays of Derby week, that's how insane it gets here hahaha)

LR3DE abbreviated

How did I not know this?

Due to the fact I am broke from entering the first show of the year dumb money, I had to abbreviate my Rolex LR3DE experience this year. I managed to go Thursday, which is the BEST day to go for shopping. Barely any crowds, so easy shopping.

And by shopping, I mean walk around getting free shit and entering all the contests!

It took ALL THE WILLPOWER not to buy a unicorn horn.

I didn't even buy anything other than a $12 strong mixed drink, and a mother's day gift for mum.

Other things I did:

While entering a contest, I was a little surprised to find that I was in the middle of a Boyd Martin signing. Ooops. Rude.

I'll take one Boyd to go please.

I rode the race horse simulator. It was REALLY HARD TO DO. My arms still burn.
(After a mimosa, and a slushie drink with two shots of rum, this seemed like a good idea. You had one minute to try and beat the amount of "steps" set by a previous person way better at this than I am)

Drank a mimosa at the Dubarry tent of course. In my knock offs with holes in the feet.


Watched Elisa Wallace give her Mustang demo. So cool! I'm inspired to teach Hamp some tricks.

I think this is Rune.

Fledge and Rune with Elisa.

Toured a Land Rover car. The guy said they "aren't that expensive. This one starts at $38,000!" ... LOL ok dude. Yeah that's not what I call reasonable. But the Land Rover people were super nice and I really like what they have done with the event. Smell ya later Rolex, no loss there!

Boyd and Steady Eddie looking sharp

And finally spent some time watching riders school in the Rolex arena. I just love watching how each schools their horse. I was most impressed with Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. The way she worked her horse in such a methodical, thoughtful way. And holy smokes Covert Rights is FANCY AF when she picks him up. I will take him anyday! I also saw Boyd and Steady Eddie worked nicely, and ML and RF Scandalous. The mare is a freak, and while I don't like her rider the horse has a hind leg to die for. And is also in my fantasy league so I rooted for her haha.

Drop into the head of the lake seemed smaller this year?
Not that I would EVER attempt it still.

So hey while I had to skip the action the other days, and had no Aimee and Leah to drink with - that's ok! Maybe next year???? #2019ReunionInternetStrangers

Shameless side hustles

Hampton trying to look majestic. .... almost nailed it. Not really tho.

As a horse poor, single gal in the journalism industry - I don't roll around in money obviously. But I'm not going to whine about it, instead I like to have a variety of side hustles. I thought I would share some with you guys because they do help just a little. They aren't going to pay for a show entry, but they will buy some supplies, or a polo shirt, or something. Anything helps!

And if you click on my links I get a referral and more points.

Basically I am whore-ing out here.

SWAGBUCKS
The surveys are a pain in the ass and I rarely qualify for one, but I do see points back from various shopping that I was going to do anyway. You could rack up the points fairly quickly here, and get pretty much any gift card you want. Even PayPal cash.




---

DROP
You get points for spending money at places you probably already spend money at. Like Starbucks. Before I knew it I had $10 to use! Useful when you need something like bell boots, or show sheen.
Use my code to sign up and you get $5 off the bat!
Download the app on your phone.
CODE: i13vk

---

SHOPKICK
Another app that kicks you back points for shopping you already do. Infact, at some stores you get kicks just for walking into the store. I like to go to the mall and open the app and rack up points just by walking around! haha. You can trade kicks in for a variety of gift cards. It adds up!
You can go to https://www.shopkick.com/ or download the app on your phone.
CODE: JOY805518


ok I am done whore-ing. At least for today.
Back to Porkchop stuff next time!

3-tempis!

Here's a video of our 3-tempis from the KPG clinic!
(turn sound off unless you want commentary from a toddler. lol!)

Ice-Ice-Landics

Really wanted to stuff this one in my purse.

Last week a dear friend of mine drove down to visit and to "casually horse shop." She is looking to add another horse to her family and has an interest in Icelandic Ponies. She asked if I would be interested in taking a riding lesson with her at a farm about 30 minutes from me.

YES. DUH. PONEHS. Was my answer.

It was snowing and freezing cold that morning but we were not deterred.

I have lived in KY for almost 6 years now and STILL the farms in some areas are mind blowing. As was the case with Lettleiki Icelandics. Absolutely gorgeous farm. They have a straight track on one side of the property that was clearly for TOLTING PONEHS REALLLLY FAST that just about made me squeal.

Our riding instructor was really lovely and nice, kindly answering all of our questions. We took a tour and got to meet a number of insanely adorable ponies.

This is Svali fra Tjorn 

Check out more on Svali. He is a Breyer horse, too! Super sweet stallion.

This forelock is just a damn blessing.

Then she assigned us our steeds for the day and we quickly tacked up and headed to the - also insanely gorgeous - indoor arena. I was assigned Leifa, a 20 year old pinto mare. She did not look 20 and surprisingly I did not feel too big for her, even though she was maybe 13 hands? I could tell she was a schoolmaster type - she wasn't going to put in any effort that was not required. But when asked, she was more than happy to work. My friend Steph had a more green mare, Rimba.

Me with Rimba, left, and Steph with Liefa

Icelandics are either 3, 4 or 5-gaited. They walk, trot, canter - and tölt and pace are the bonus gaits.

I found the tölt to be really similar to the slow gait in Saddlebreds. I was able to get Leifa to tölt easily but simply picking her head up, slowing the walk and basically making her really lateral. Then with a cluck they simply fall into the tolt.

The footfall of tölt:
1 = left hind foot
2 = left front foot
3 = right hind foot
4 = right front foot

Entrance to the farm

After giggling like a 12 year old, I played with more buttons. I actually had a hard time getting her to trot. The aid for trot is to give a super long rein, and lean forward a bit. I would say that the trot was pretty flat, and has very little suspension. And I got the impression that the canter was pretty ignored in their training. In order to canter, you had to ask in a corner to get the right lead - again lean forward and make your seat light. Leifa cantered right off but it was flat and strung out. Kind of like the Saddlebreds, I think the canter is sort of ignored and treated as a necessary evil. They don't really work on it, because it starts to interrupt the tölting. If I had an Icelandic I wouldn't canter either. I would do nothing but tölt lol!

But the ponies were well educated. They took a nice contact, and Leifa knew some lateral work.

I am always fascinated by how different people manage their horses. At this farm, they have double fencing. Which is not uncommon, but how they use it is something different! They will run small herds of ponies in between fences and chase them with an ATV to simulate running in the herds in Iceland. Great exercise!

I had a total blast and would def go back again for another lesson. Learned a ton about a new discipline and different training methods.

And as for Steph ... she is starting her search for an Icelandic!

More information about Icelandics:

The 5 GAITS

MORE ABOUT THE TOLT AND FLYING PACE

... and then we get our butts kicked

After the clinic ended on Tuesday, I decided to send Hampton home with Liz because I had two days of lessons planned up north at my long-time instructor's farm, FHF. That way Hampton would already be half way there and I would drive up and get the rig on Wednesday morning. (Liz and I share the truck and trailer)

Porkchop and Chicken Nugget butts.

His hotel was at Jen and Conner's old digs. Hamps was well behaved and loaded right back up Wednesday morning for the last hour drive up north.

Hi Hampton. I am creeping on you.

"um, where am I?"

---

While I really enjoyed Kasey's lesson the day before, I knew we were probably in for it at FHF. Kasey's lesson was challenging, but I knew with my instructor who really knew me and my horse that we would be pushed beyond our comfort level, and probably have our cages rattled.

And that's exactly what happened.

--

Our first lesson with JK at FHF on Wednesday kicked my ass. I was huffing, puffing, and felt like I was flopping around everywhere. She really got after me that Hampton really needs to have his poll UP, and his shoulders need to be over his left hind.

All riding photos by: Jennifer Kaiser

She was able to figure out the source of why Hampton gets a little wonky in the turn on the haunches, and why some movements are not as pure as others. It is because he throws his left hind out to the side like a kick stand, instead of sitting and bending on it. It's a difficult problem to fix, so the best bet is to try to keep him from doing it in the first place.

---

She had me lengthen the canter, and then think left yield left within it. It does no good to do shoulder-fore or shoulder-in, because he is still stuck in the shape of a "C", allowing him to fling that left hind around. I needed to actually bring his shoulders to the left, almost think fall on that left shoulder and that finally started to fix the problem.

Swishy tail level: Expert

--

Day 2 was some of the same and he was MUCH more uphill. Sometimes the suppleness is lost while we work on getting that poll up, but that's ok for the moment. He is a croup-high horse. He cannot have his poll down anymore, or everything is destroyed especially at this level.

You have to work with your horses's conformation. Because you can't do anything about it!

--

We worked on rapid exercises in succession and on Day 2 I was more on my game. We should be able to just pump out 4s and 3s now without 5 minutes to prep for them. You should be able to half pass, shoulder-in and transition to passage within strides. You should be able to do a flying change at ANY TIME, and ANY WHERE in the arena, including in the corners.

Now the poll is finally up. Now we have to get more sit.

--

Our changes improved dramatically in straightness. Have to always think leg yield left! And we worked on some half steps and really getting him up in the poll.

We worked for probably an hour and a half on Day 2 and while we were both tired, our fitness held up and Hamps never shut down on me. I was so pleased with him. What a good sport working that hard for 3 days in a row!

After these lessons I am feeling good about showing PSG this year. Still a lot to polish and work on, but he is becoming much more reliable and confirmed at this level. I have mad respect for people who make this look easy because it is not!

I had a large Dr. Pepper for breakfast. Can you tell.

--

I almost didn't post these photos because Hampton is pretty thin. Despite my best efforts he dropped more weight with this insane weather. But the grass is coming in, and along with that and all the extra food he gets I am sure he will pack on the pounds here soon. So be kind, I know he is skinny. He is fit though, that is for sure!

But man he is animated in those changes! haha! Who would have ever thought.

Forgot to post this photo of how much rain we got after the clinic on Tuesday.
That is raging rapids over the road out of the farm. errr.

--

We hauled home safely on Thursday and he had a few days off ... but I didn't, I had more adventures planned. Including tolting!! .... to be continued.

KPG Clinic: In which all the stars align

Just us and a 2016 Bronze Medalist. No biggie.

This is the story about how the stars and universe aligned for one day of awesomeness.

---

About a month before the Kasey Perry Glass clinic, there was some problems finding a date that worked for everyone. Kasey is prepping for WEG, so she could not make it to the originally scheduled date, Saturday April 7.

So after some back and forth, we finally had to decide on a weekday for the clinic. Unfortunately, I lost a couple of clinic participants but there was really no other option.

We decided on a Tuesday, April 3.

Um so an Olympian is teaching IN OUR ARENA!

--

My coach and I spent a day cleaning up the farm and arena and everything was looking great.
Only problem was that it has been COLD and CONSTANTLY RAINING OR SNOWING in Kentucky for an obscene amount of time.

As the clinic drew closer, the forecast was at least warmer but still said severe thunderstorms. When it rains, you can't really hear well in our covered arena. Would the weather be a factor? A couple of people were also hauling in and I was a little nervous about their travels, too.

Liz and I discussing world problems before my ride.

--

So the day of the clinic rolls around. Other than Jen having to haul down in a storm (sorry Jen!), the day was ... perfect. It was in the 70s, and sunny. No rain all day! It was a bit windy at times but nothing major. It wasn't until the clinic ended when a wicked storm finally marched in.

Talk about lucky!

--

As far as the clinic itself. BOMBDIGGITY.

It made me so happy to see my friends enjoy their rides. And Kasey was about as pleasant and sweet as could be. She was very humble and quite positive. She worked through problem areas with patience and thoughtfulness.

Clinic riding photos by Leah Strid

Hi Kasey so uhhh we sturggle with tempis. And staying uphill. Also he isn't the most
supple creature. OK WE NEED HELP WITH IT ALL.

I found out during my ride that this was her first clinic - EVER! haha!

We worked on our tempi changes - with Kasey really encouraging me to make him hot hot hot and bubble up under me. This really helped improve our 3 tempis especially.

Stay straight. On the aids. Listening.

Toward the end we touched on some half steps and passage feeling. Hamp really wasn't offering his passage trot. He hasn't been lately, and I think his SI needs injected. But we got some OK half steps. He really needs to lower his croup now, and get off the forehand.

Good hind leg, but still on the forehand.

Not really doing anything

THERE. Croup lowered, poll comes up. Getting there.

We also touched on some pirouette canter - going in and out of working canter.

We both worked pretty hard and I was super pleased with our fitness. Neither one of us ran out of gas.

Love that left hind finally under the horse.

Better in the poll, but could be higher

Loved how Kasey was active in her teaching. She never sat down!

--

After riding we took many photos - making Hampton feel like a celebrity. Man he is really going to get an ego! lol! I did a short interview with Kasey, too. I was pretty nervous but it went ok! There should be an article up sometime soon on Dressage Today. Everyone from the magazine was SUPER NICE.

As for the saddle, that should be fitted sometime soon. So excited about this.

We also got swag bags from Triple Crown and Custom.

Aww Hamps. Not sure what I am saying.

Pretty accurate photo of me and my barn friends lol

---

A pretty surreal day that could not have gone better. Such wonderful horses and riders of all levels and varieties. I loved spending the day with my friends and seeing them have fun.

Also the amazing Leah drove all the way up to take all these awesome photos of all participants! It is settled, I will be inviting myself to her place sometime!

Chatting

Hampton you dweeb.

... oh and that original date of April 7? It was 32 that day and snowed!