REGIONALS 2018

What an experience!

Figured I would let the photos tell the story for the most part.

Hampton was amazing, and we were far more successful than I ever thought possible.

FRIDAY:
PSG AA Championship class: 61%+, landed us close to last place out of 17-18 riders I think. We had some bobbles, we really screwed up the 4s. Frankly I was happy with the score considering we were not set up for success. I had to work Thursday so I couldn't school him before hand. Plus the FEI warm up ring was INSANE. Hampton got really nervous and behind the aids. He settled once in the Rolex ring, but it wasn't the best preparation. Super proud of him though! It was as cool as I had hoped it would be!

SATURDAY
4th Level Freestyle: Scored a 66%+ - our best freestyle score EVER! And he cross cantered in the left piro this time (wtf horse). One judge still gave us a 70 even with that mistake! We squeaked into the awards ceremony in 8th place!!! This class was cutthroat, with several top pros in there scoring into the mid-70s. I was happy to get in the ribbons!

Awards ceremony!

Guess who else was a total pro all weekend? Earning the best scores of his career!

Royale makes the long walk to the Rolex arena

SUNDAY
We did a normal class PSG in the morning, which I thought was better than Saturday. A notoriously tough judge who was not a fan of Hampton's gaits and way of going. No mistakes, but a 59.9%. I'll talk more about this judging later, it was a little strange. Was happy with Hampton though and the more experience the better!

By the way it was in the 40s and raining on Sunday.
Fluffy was NOT PLEASED

NERD ALERT. Hampton and Royale

Then the AA equitation class. Oh dear. Well, I did not realize there was a pattern posted in the show office on Saturday. Because I checked in on Thursday, and had no reason to go back to the show office. And I thought that they would announce the pattern during the class. Or post it outside somewhere? Or make an announcement? ANYTHING. But everyone else was aware so I felt like a total dumbass. But my rail work was so strong, that I still earned a 79!

I was called second to do my pattern, so I only had the lady in front of me to try and copy. And she did not perform all the required movements. So I basically had to GUESS the goddamn pattern on the fly. I cannot describe the feeling of panic that came over me.

Even still, I ended up THIRD in a big class of strong riders. At the end, one judge came up to me and said I would have won had I done the pattern correctly. *FACEPALM*

Geez if only I wasn't a total dumbass and asked about the pattern.

All I could do was laugh this off because I just didn't realize. BUT NOW I KNOW.

And Hampton has found his calling as an equitation horse. He is THE BEST AT IT. I was so proud of him, the class ran for 45 minutes and he was such a good sport. I love this class because it gives an opportunity for those of us who do not have the fancy uphill horses a fighting chance at some awards. Not to brag but I had the best equitation horse. :) #biased

... and a bonus, our freestyle score is a wildcard score for Nationals. I am out of money, and really should be an adult and not go.

But ....

Live from Region 2 Championships!

IT IS REAL. WE ARE HERE.

We are here at USDF Region 2 Dressage Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park!

Hampton is settled in, and we show tomorrow in the PSG Championship in the Rolex arena. I am going to try and post each evening, but depends on blood alcohol content exhaustion level.

Follow Hampton and I LIVE on Snapchat!

And Instagram name flyingleadchange.

Here we go!!!

IDS Ride Offs 2018 results

All photos by Jen unless noted

Have to sent big shout-out to Jen for being a huge part of why I was able to make the weekend work. I could not get Friday off work, so I dropped Hampton off at the horse park, braided him, and then went to Jen's house 10 minutes down the road to work my shift.

My ride times were really early so had I not been able to do that, I would have had to run on like 3 hours of sleep.

But instead I got to work with Rocky the bird, and have a good dinner and drinks! :)

Did you know Rocky makes burping noises??? HE DOES.

Our first go was my freestyle. Hampton felt great in warm up, and I had planned on trying to put the pedal to the metal a little bit to see what happened.

Well, my plan worked a little TOO well? I ended up burning rubber so well that I ended up way ahead of my music. And added an extra circle or two. Oooops! We had a couple little bobbles in one zig zag, and one line of 4s but only because he got down in the bridle and then drops behind the contact.

Other than that I was pleased! We got a fair 63% which is consistent with what we have been earning this year.

Early morning light was really pretty!

A quick change of coat, and back in we went for the PSG. Overall, a nice test. Again, he got a little flat because I rode the energy too out instead of UP. My fault, not his. I was happy with the test though and it nabbed a 61%+, under a judge that gave us the same score last year at Third level. lol. Definitely need to keep his poll up better in the canter work.

It was a good prep for Regionals and a reminder of how I need to ride him. He feels great though and happily did his job.

Photo by J. Kaiser

I also got a new short coat! I took it in to the tailor today as it's just a tad big, but I think it looks lovely on Hampton. $89 at Riding Warehouse! Score!

Now we work and really polish the balance and transitions before our big Regional Championships.

ahhhh!!! rolex arena ahhhhh!!!!!

Road to Regionals 2018

We are down to the final two shows of the season already.

Geez, where did the summer go!

This weekend, we are headed to IDS Ride-Offs, where I will school the PSG and our Freestyle one more time before regionals. Somehow, this will be our first trip to the Hoosier Horse Park all year! We usually live there practically! haha. It will be good to be back, and I know Jen and Conner the wonder pony will be joining us. #teamboozewater

We are 3 weeks out from Regionals.

Our championship classes:

PSG AA
4th Level Freestyle (open, they lump everyone together. fml)
AA Equitation

I've been doing lots of riding without stirrups to prep for the Eq class.

(plus a spare PSG class in there to try and get a 2019 score)

But, let's be real here ok.

The real reason I even entered regionals - at the KY horse park this year - is because

I GET TO RIDE IN THE ROLEX ARENA.

I am so excited about this. It's been a bucket list item for quite some time!

Why you put pink polos on me tho.

Goals for Regionals?

Basically to have fun. And enjoy the fact we made it here! We are way WAY outclassed, and won't be very competitive but so what! I want to lay down solid tests and really make the most of arena. Hoping to score a 62%+. I'm not sure we will nab the 65% we will need for nationals. Depends on if the judges will forgive his conformation and way of going, or not. Thems the breaks. No sense in me getting stressed about it.

Hampton's job is not to go to regionals and beat 6-figure warmbloods and get 70%s. His job is to make me happy, and teach me how to train and show a horse up the levels. And put up with my shit. Which he does. And does quite well. haha.

And ... RIDING IN THE ROLEX ARENA. OMG.

Bring it on judges!

Blog Hop: The Horse You Bought

Loving this blog hop! Really neat to see the changes and progress in everyone's horses.
Posts from other bloggers:
Megan & TC
Amanda & Henry
Two and a Half Horses
Emily and May (our barnmates!)


I purchased Hampton in the summer of 2009 as a gangly 2-year-old.

A porkloin

Things he could do:

• Lead like a drunken sailor
• .... uh that's it.

And thus began The Education of A Porkchop.

Over these past 9 years he has grown into a reliable, safe gentleman - but still has his opinions on things.

Things he does now:

• Schools all the FEI!! 
• Shows successfully at PSG and will be ready for I-1 next year.

• Veteran trail horse. Will go anywhere, cross anything. No spook.
• Herds buffalo

• Body clips (no drugs)
• LOVES having his sheath cleaned. Disturbing, but makes the job easy.
• Gives pony rides
• Jumps around courses 2'3"-2'6"

• Schools small XC courses
• Reliable off the farm and at shows
• Can ride him bareback and bridleless
• Takes care of less experienced riders
• Ties anywhere. Anyhow.
• Baths, stands for vet, and the farrier (mostly. See below)
• I can take off a coat while on him.
• Can open, close gates while mounted
• Self loads onto trailer. And self unloads politely.
• Ground ties
• Puts up with my shit.

Things he still prefers not to participate in:

• Hot shoeing (needs dorm)
• Clipping his bridlepath. I've tried every tool I know. He insists this is offensive. Even though you can clip him literally anywhere else on his body with no issue. 

But at this stage, a Porkchop gets what a Porkchop wants.

The Safe Sport thing

Seems like there are some people who have their panties in a bunch over the new USEF Safe Sport training requirement.

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From USEF:

As of Jan 1, 2019 every USEF adult member (18 years of age or older) with a Competing Membership must complete USEF's Safe Sport Training.

A 30 day grace period to complete the SafeSport training will be provided to all members who renew or join on or after December 1, 2018. Members joining prior to December 1, 2018 will have until January 1, 2019 to complete the training. Those who do not complete the training within the grace period will be ineligble to participate in USEF activities, including competitions.

First, what is this Safe Sport training for? It's for your protection, and for the protection of fellow equestrians and children - specifically against misconduct. 

Misconduct includes:

• sex abuse
• intimate relationships involving inbalance of power
• sexual harrassment
• non consensual sexual conduct
• harassment
• hazing
• bullying
• physical misconduct
• emotional misconduct

I already took the training, and it took me about 30 minutes. To be honest, the training had nothing to do with equestrians. It used mostly other sports (football, soccer) as examples. But it does apply to everyone.

Certain industries are just aghast that OWNERS and AMATEURS are required to take this. Which is just plain ignorant in my view. It's not just professionals that spend time in the barn.

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I know more than one person who has been attacked and/or assaulted at horse shows. Often after hours, when everyone has gone home except the grooms. I've certainly experienced bullying within the horse world. Let's just all watch out for each other.

Look, USEF is just covering all their bases. Yes it's a bit of a pain, but if it brings awareness, if it helps just one person, then it is worth it.

Moral of this post: Just put on your adult pants and take the training. Quit yer bitchin.

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The Best of Bell Boots

As the owner of a Master Bell Boot Destroyer, I have spent hundreds of dollars on the damn things, and tried just about every brand on the market.

Each have their pros and cons, but here are some reviews of some I have tried.

Do remember that Hampton lives outside 24/7, so his bell boots really do get abused.

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Professional Choice ballistic overreach boots
Price: $28


PC has some cool colors, too, but only if your horse has normal size feet. Once you get into the XL, they only have black or white. Hampton wears an XL, and sometimes I will buy him XXL.

Pro: These things are TOUGH. I have had a pair last several months before. Mud, rain, riding, etc.
Con: They hold a lot of mud. And will still turn, especially when mud gets up under them. Basically making them useless, and trapping mud against the feet. Ugh.

Grade: B+



Horze ProBell boots
Price: $18


Pro: Another TOUGH bell boot, and it doesn't matter if these turn.
Con: The velcro seems to wear out fairly quickly, and the material is such that I think it might rub a more sensitive horse.

Grade: A - overall my favorite so far.


ThinLine Gatorbootz
Price: $50


I am a fan of Thinline products but man did they miss the mark on these.
Pros: Uhhh ....
Cons: These lasts two nights on Hampton before they were off. They are also flimsy, not well made and noisy when you ride. They are also expensive.

Grade: F



Roma rubber pull ons (and similar brands)
Price: $12


Pros: These last a long time as long as your horse is not one to *ahem* chew them off. Won't name any names. They don't trap mud, and are not likely to rub.
Cons: PAIN IN THE ASS to take on and off.

Grade: B+


I've got a few on my radar to try next including Kavallerie and Majyk Equipe.

Who has other suggestions?