I somehow came across these videos on one of my many rabbit hole adventures on YouTube.
I thought they were well done with good information, even for experienced horse people.
Worth a watch!
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Monday, July 1, 2019
One Two
 |
| Just a little tenderloin in 2007 |
 |
| Classic Hampton move right here. |
The Porkchop is officially 12 years old. TWELVE! How did that happen??
This also means we are a week away from celebrating 10 years together. That deserves a better post than this for sure. hahahaha.
Anyway, happy birthday my main man!
 |
| Doin' a sit. |
Monday, June 24, 2019
I'm going to need a barf bag
 |
| You entered WHAT you crazy lady?? |
I pulled the trigger.
After running through the I-1 on Friday, my coach agreed that with another two months of polishing that we would be ready for the move up to I-1 in August.
My range of emotions while riding this test all the way through for the first time ever:
The trot work is not bad. It's very similar to 4-3 and flows really well. It gives you false hope.
But then. You canter.
And keep cantering. Zig Zag, extend, 3s, Full pirouettes, 2s.
Then I started to feel like this:
And finally it leaves you feeling like this:
I'm sure it'll be FINE right. EVERYTHING IS FINE???
I realize we probably shouldn't move up if I followed most people's standards. I mean, we haven't even been able to get a 60 at PSG in over a year. That's pretty dismal to many. OH WELL! #kissmyass
But the only way you will get to where you want to go, is to go there. So, we've got two months to polish it up. Still doing my PSG tests though, we are just doing one I-1 to get our feet wet.
Meanwhile, it keeps raining here in the midwest. This has made the grass the most lush I have ever seen it I think. It's nearly impossible to keep up with mowing. Sadly, that has lead to Lord Hampton being disgraced.
 |
| Contact ASPCA immediately please. |
 |
| Turtles have been all over the roads lately! Helped this guy the other day. He was cranky. |
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Let's chat about SafeSport shall we
via GIPHY
People were already cranky about SafeSport before last week, when a well known hunter/jumper trainer committed suicide. His death sparked quite a bit of controversy, as people blamed his suicide on his situation within SafeSport and allegations made against him.
You can read the statement released from USEF here.
And here is a quote from an article about Robert Gage's suicide:
“(Gage) was fighting SafeSport for allegations against him back in the late '70s, early '80s,” Emily Karp, a longtime friend and former pupil of Gage, told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday night. “It was very depressing to him, and it was really wearing him down, especially on social media. It was like cyberbullying. A lot of people didn’t know the whole story and didn’t know him. It was pretty devastating to him.” (USA TODAY)
Suicide is always tragic. And cyberbullying is not ok. But this is not a result of SafeSport, this is a result of him BEING CAUGHT, and secondly social media. I love how this person implies that it was a "long time ago" ... as if the victim(s) should forget about it?
Here's what I've been reading on the interwebs.
via GIPHY
"SafeSport is a lynch mob"
FALSE: What you are referring to is social media and the internet. That's where you find the internet lynch mobs, and on those platforms I totally agree that innocent people are drug over the coals, and once you are labeled something, it's hard to recover. Innocent people do get accused, even jailed and even executed. But SafeSport is not the problem here.
Here is a statement that really hits the nail on the head. Credit to Heath Curry.
USEF’s Safe Sport program is supported by grants from the U.S. Dept. of Justice, it is incumbent on all sports to have their Safe Sport programs in compliance not only with U.S. DOJ policies, but practices as well. In juvenile justice, the law does not take the same approach to accusations of wrongdoing, where minors are concerned. The due process is different, the burden on the reporter, organization or mandatory reporter and the agencies that carry out the investigation is “reasonable suspicion”. That’s the law. If you want it changed, I suggest you take that up with your state and federal legislators. So, any talk of “innocent until proven guilty” etc. is not relevant because prior to a trial, there must be an investigation. In almost all jurisdictions, the welfare of the minor is paramount, therefore, the adult can have no contact with that child, and all manner of protections are implemented to protect that child while the investigation is under way. This includes individuals who have pending investigations against them who will, or may, have contact with other children, regardless of the age of the current accuser.
Now, as to USEF’s program, it mirrors other the national Safe Sport program, as that is the cost of participation. We can all agree that there are pedophiles, ephebophiles, and all manner of sexually deviant people in our sport. We like to pretend that it’s “rare”, yet I can name at least 4 nationally and internationally competitive riders whom I know from firsthand experience with their victims or the families of those victims, that have committed any number of sexually inappropriate offenses. I am not a current trainer, or competitive rider. If I can name 4, I’m guessing you can name as many, if not more.
The point of Safe Sport is to protect children and others who by their participation in this sport could be made vulnerable by a person who holds power over them.
This includes clients that are children, clients that are women, clients that are men, employees that are women, or men and therefore particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment or assault.
You may not like the process the sport uses to investigate these allegations; however, it would be impossible to protect these victims, or current and future victims, without full disclosure of their claims, publicly. USEF, cannot go into each program, each barn, and confidentially suspend that alleged abuser’s contact with every potential or current victim, including the one making accusations, to say nothing of notifying the victim’s family, so they can take steps to protect that victim. This is the very reason why the program makes allegations public. To protect the victims, notify parents, and others, so they can take steps to remove their child from that environment.
We all know, and I do particularly well from both personal and professional experience, that many, including parents, would allow their children and their wives, daughters, sons etc. to remain in an abuser’s orbit, simply out of a desire to not “rock the boat”, or “make things worse”, and some will even flat out refuse to believe their own children, in order to maintain access to powerful abusers. That is a reality. Therefore, Safe Sport removes that shelter for abusers, alleged or otherwise, because we know from law enforcement data, juvenile court data, and psychological data that parents and other non-victims will not always do what’s best for the victim. This is a sad reality, but it’s played out every time there is an accusation in the news when people attack the victim. Just imagine in a country where every 9 minutes, DHS,CPS substantiates a claim of child sexual assault. So, if we are defending and gaslighting and otherwise not believing these PUBLIC claims, imagine what happens in homes around the country every 9 minutes, despite proof that allows the case to go to court.
We have an epidemic in this country of sexual assault against children, it’s not a new problem. Families cover it up to avoid embarrassment or loss of access to the power and influence of the abuser, think Michael Jackson and the parents who allowed their young children to share A BED, behind closed doors with a grown man, simply because he bought them houses, paid for their travel etc. This IS NOT a unique phenomenon; it is in fact UBIQUITOUS among victims’ families. We DAILY FAIL our children, women and men who are sexually assaulted.
Our legal system is not perfect. I know this, I have seen firsthand what can happen with an overzealous parent, and a sympathetic prosecutor. I have seen children go to juvenile hall, removed from their homes, and left to sit waiting adjudication, all for having photos, or videos, that they did not take themselves, on their phones. They just happened to be the unfortunate one that didn’t delete the material or were known to be the last to possess it.
No, the system is not perfect, for either victims, or alleged abusers. For too long, children and women, and yes, men too, have had their claims of sexual assault dismissed, in deference to their abuser’s “rights”. Now, the pendulum has swung back, perhaps too far, time will tell.
The system isn’t perfect, but until this country starts believing victims, as vehemently as we believe abusers, there will continue to be an inequity of justice. I, for one, would prefer, given what I know of this plague of sexual assault on children in this country, to believe the victims, until such time as the courts prove otherwise.
----
"If your kid is being abused, why don't you call the police, not SafeSport?"
Ummm you should call both.
"I'm a parent and I would NEVER allow someone to touch my kid while I'm in the room"
(a la Larry Nassar).
WHAT? Is that what you think? Do you think the parents of the gymnasts would have answered "oh sure!" to that same question if they were asked that before their children were abused? Don't be naive. You aren't immune to grooming and manipulation.
"There are just as many false accusers as they are actual victims."
NOPE. More stats on false accusations.
via GIPHY
---
What is really disgusting is the way the ASHA (American Saddlebreds) and its members have been reacting. Threatening to leave USEF (still won't exempt them from FEDERAL LAW), throwing fits, and posting ignorant comments. The American Driving Society already up and split.
It BLOWS MY MIND that some organizations and its members are claiming they cannot function under SafeSport. Why is that?
And then I read this:
USEF just reported that memberships were up to approximately 146,000 members. However, three groups have been the primary targets of Safe Sport convictions which include; 1) Saddlebreds 2) Hunter/Jumpers 3) Morgans.
No wonder they are angry. They are being exposed.
(I grew up with Saddlebreds and Morgans love the industries and I was never abused nor witnessed anything, however there were rumors that most certainly went around... just full disclosure) Are they being "targeted?" I don't know. I do know that in these particular industries, the trainers have more "power" than some other disciplines. Clients often buy them vacations, gifts, etc. There seems to be this mentality of trainer worship, where clients are always trying to be "cool" with the trainers and make sure they always like them. That's another can of worms though.
The president of ASHA did release a letter that was well written, (ie. some lawyer did a good job) and I it seems like they want to do the right thing. So hopefully, they do.
You can read that letter here, along with the Protecting Young Victims from Abuse and Safe Sport Act of 2017.
Saddlebred people break all sorts of USEF rules at their shows but I think they should comply with this one FFS. I adore the Saddlebreds and many of my friends in that industry but good grief people.
via GIPHY
--
My thoughts are this. SafeSport is provides a checkpoint to help stop the rampant abuse in sport. If t helps one victim, f it prevents one incident, then it is worth it. Is is perfect? No. But it's a start. It's something.
There seems to be some corruption on the SafeSport board and that clearly needs to be addressed.
You can read more about that here.
Perhaps we all need to remember that competing under USEF is a privilege. It is essentially a club, and if you don't want to play by the rules then smell ya later.
But most importantly ....
Believe victims.
If you see something, say something.
To read more check out:
US Center for Safe Sport
USEF Safe Sport
People were already cranky about SafeSport before last week, when a well known hunter/jumper trainer committed suicide. His death sparked quite a bit of controversy, as people blamed his suicide on his situation within SafeSport and allegations made against him.
You can read the statement released from USEF here.
And here is a quote from an article about Robert Gage's suicide:
“(Gage) was fighting SafeSport for allegations against him back in the late '70s, early '80s,” Emily Karp, a longtime friend and former pupil of Gage, told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday night. “It was very depressing to him, and it was really wearing him down, especially on social media. It was like cyberbullying. A lot of people didn’t know the whole story and didn’t know him. It was pretty devastating to him.” (USA TODAY)
Suicide is always tragic. And cyberbullying is not ok. But this is not a result of SafeSport, this is a result of him BEING CAUGHT, and secondly social media. I love how this person implies that it was a "long time ago" ... as if the victim(s) should forget about it?
Here's what I've been reading on the interwebs.
via GIPHY
"SafeSport is a lynch mob"
FALSE: What you are referring to is social media and the internet. That's where you find the internet lynch mobs, and on those platforms I totally agree that innocent people are drug over the coals, and once you are labeled something, it's hard to recover. Innocent people do get accused, even jailed and even executed. But SafeSport is not the problem here.
Here is a statement that really hits the nail on the head. Credit to Heath Curry.
USEF’s Safe Sport program is supported by grants from the U.S. Dept. of Justice, it is incumbent on all sports to have their Safe Sport programs in compliance not only with U.S. DOJ policies, but practices as well. In juvenile justice, the law does not take the same approach to accusations of wrongdoing, where minors are concerned. The due process is different, the burden on the reporter, organization or mandatory reporter and the agencies that carry out the investigation is “reasonable suspicion”. That’s the law. If you want it changed, I suggest you take that up with your state and federal legislators. So, any talk of “innocent until proven guilty” etc. is not relevant because prior to a trial, there must be an investigation. In almost all jurisdictions, the welfare of the minor is paramount, therefore, the adult can have no contact with that child, and all manner of protections are implemented to protect that child while the investigation is under way. This includes individuals who have pending investigations against them who will, or may, have contact with other children, regardless of the age of the current accuser.
Now, as to USEF’s program, it mirrors other the national Safe Sport program, as that is the cost of participation. We can all agree that there are pedophiles, ephebophiles, and all manner of sexually deviant people in our sport. We like to pretend that it’s “rare”, yet I can name at least 4 nationally and internationally competitive riders whom I know from firsthand experience with their victims or the families of those victims, that have committed any number of sexually inappropriate offenses. I am not a current trainer, or competitive rider. If I can name 4, I’m guessing you can name as many, if not more.
The point of Safe Sport is to protect children and others who by their participation in this sport could be made vulnerable by a person who holds power over them.
This includes clients that are children, clients that are women, clients that are men, employees that are women, or men and therefore particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment or assault.
You may not like the process the sport uses to investigate these allegations; however, it would be impossible to protect these victims, or current and future victims, without full disclosure of their claims, publicly. USEF, cannot go into each program, each barn, and confidentially suspend that alleged abuser’s contact with every potential or current victim, including the one making accusations, to say nothing of notifying the victim’s family, so they can take steps to protect that victim. This is the very reason why the program makes allegations public. To protect the victims, notify parents, and others, so they can take steps to remove their child from that environment.
We all know, and I do particularly well from both personal and professional experience, that many, including parents, would allow their children and their wives, daughters, sons etc. to remain in an abuser’s orbit, simply out of a desire to not “rock the boat”, or “make things worse”, and some will even flat out refuse to believe their own children, in order to maintain access to powerful abusers. That is a reality. Therefore, Safe Sport removes that shelter for abusers, alleged or otherwise, because we know from law enforcement data, juvenile court data, and psychological data that parents and other non-victims will not always do what’s best for the victim. This is a sad reality, but it’s played out every time there is an accusation in the news when people attack the victim. Just imagine in a country where every 9 minutes, DHS,CPS substantiates a claim of child sexual assault. So, if we are defending and gaslighting and otherwise not believing these PUBLIC claims, imagine what happens in homes around the country every 9 minutes, despite proof that allows the case to go to court.
We have an epidemic in this country of sexual assault against children, it’s not a new problem. Families cover it up to avoid embarrassment or loss of access to the power and influence of the abuser, think Michael Jackson and the parents who allowed their young children to share A BED, behind closed doors with a grown man, simply because he bought them houses, paid for their travel etc. This IS NOT a unique phenomenon; it is in fact UBIQUITOUS among victims’ families. We DAILY FAIL our children, women and men who are sexually assaulted.
Our legal system is not perfect. I know this, I have seen firsthand what can happen with an overzealous parent, and a sympathetic prosecutor. I have seen children go to juvenile hall, removed from their homes, and left to sit waiting adjudication, all for having photos, or videos, that they did not take themselves, on their phones. They just happened to be the unfortunate one that didn’t delete the material or were known to be the last to possess it.
No, the system is not perfect, for either victims, or alleged abusers. For too long, children and women, and yes, men too, have had their claims of sexual assault dismissed, in deference to their abuser’s “rights”. Now, the pendulum has swung back, perhaps too far, time will tell.
The system isn’t perfect, but until this country starts believing victims, as vehemently as we believe abusers, there will continue to be an inequity of justice. I, for one, would prefer, given what I know of this plague of sexual assault on children in this country, to believe the victims, until such time as the courts prove otherwise.
"If your kid is being abused, why don't you call the police, not SafeSport?"
Ummm you should call both.
"I'm a parent and I would NEVER allow someone to touch my kid while I'm in the room"
(a la Larry Nassar).
WHAT? Is that what you think? Do you think the parents of the gymnasts would have answered "oh sure!" to that same question if they were asked that before their children were abused? Don't be naive. You aren't immune to grooming and manipulation.
"There are just as many false accusers as they are actual victims."
NOPE. More stats on false accusations.
via GIPHY
---
What is really disgusting is the way the ASHA (American Saddlebreds) and its members have been reacting. Threatening to leave USEF (still won't exempt them from FEDERAL LAW), throwing fits, and posting ignorant comments. The American Driving Society already up and split.
It BLOWS MY MIND that some organizations and its members are claiming they cannot function under SafeSport. Why is that?
And then I read this:
USEF just reported that memberships were up to approximately 146,000 members. However, three groups have been the primary targets of Safe Sport convictions which include; 1) Saddlebreds 2) Hunter/Jumpers 3) Morgans.
No wonder they are angry. They are being exposed.
(I grew up with Saddlebreds and Morgans love the industries and I was never abused nor witnessed anything, however there were rumors that most certainly went around... just full disclosure) Are they being "targeted?" I don't know. I do know that in these particular industries, the trainers have more "power" than some other disciplines. Clients often buy them vacations, gifts, etc. There seems to be this mentality of trainer worship, where clients are always trying to be "cool" with the trainers and make sure they always like them. That's another can of worms though.
The president of ASHA did release a letter that was well written, (ie. some lawyer did a good job) and I it seems like they want to do the right thing. So hopefully, they do.
You can read that letter here, along with the Protecting Young Victims from Abuse and Safe Sport Act of 2017.
Saddlebred people break all sorts of USEF rules at their shows but I think they should comply with this one FFS. I adore the Saddlebreds and many of my friends in that industry but good grief people.
via GIPHY
--
My thoughts are this. SafeSport is provides a checkpoint to help stop the rampant abuse in sport. If t helps one victim, f it prevents one incident, then it is worth it. Is is perfect? No. But it's a start. It's something.
There seems to be some corruption on the SafeSport board and that clearly needs to be addressed.
You can read more about that here.
Perhaps we all need to remember that competing under USEF is a privilege. It is essentially a club, and if you don't want to play by the rules then smell ya later.
But most importantly ....
Believe victims.
If you see something, say something.
To read more check out:
US Center for Safe Sport
USEF Safe Sport
Monday, June 17, 2019
Brick by brick
Those 2-tempis have really been a struggle for me
(let's face it, it's probably me as Hampton is more than capable).
But then.
Almost overnight, it seemed like either I learned how to ride, or Hampton figured out what I wanted in spite of me.
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Clinic roundup Part 2: Lessons
Day 1
Our Tuesday lesson was at 3 pm in the blazing hot 1000000-degree KY weather and 1000000% humidity. We hauled in, oogled over the farm a bit and complained about the heat. But both Hampton and I sucked it up and worked out asses off.
Our main focus was the basics this first day, which I LOVE.
 |
| Trying to look professional so that no one notices I am actually total riff raff. |
Some basic notes:
- Add power, especially at the canter. I had developed a rather bad habit of letting him suck bad in the corners and that most certainly does not set you up for movements very well. You have to go with it, and not shut him back down.
- We spent a while leg yielding at the canter to the center line, and then shoulder-in. Rinse, repeat. Then leg yield to the CL, flying change, leg yield back to the rail, forward-half half- CHANGE. Repeat. Canter leg yields have always been magical for Hampton and doing these exercises really bring out his fantastic canter, and HUGE, straight changes.
 |
| I know, I know I need to keep my butt in the saddle for his giant changes. Keep in mind this photo is a MOMENT IN TIME, and I thought it was a lovely photo of us really concentrating, imperfections and all. |
Ellesse noticed that at times he evades my legs with the changes, so adding the leg yield forced me to put my leg ON and made him accept it. I think this may be part of the problem with our 2s.
A big take away is that BOTH of us have to become comfortable in these bigger gaits with more power.
After our lesson Hampton of course got many pats and treats, and Ellesse gave me a little bag of Mrs. Pastures and a hat! She is SO SWEET. A total class act and I was immediately looking forward to the next day's lesson.
 |
| I just love how he is just working so hard for me here. We were really in sync. |
Day 2
Well by the time it was my lesson time it was storming. Elmendorf has no indoor, but the nice thing about being in Lexington is that you just call up another farm and I was off to ride in a lovely covered arena about 6 miles down the road. No photos of day 2, sadly!
So I packed up everything and once at this other farm I took Hampton off the trailer and hopped on. It was thundering and lightning, mind you. In a brand new arena. He never once put a foot wrong.
We focused more on the actual tempis today. The 4s and 3s were solid and straight, but as I feared the 2s just were not there. One or both of us start to lose our balance and they start to become all over the place by change number 3 or 4. Hampton has huge changes and it's easy to lose your balance! I think it will just take some more time and schooling. We will get them.
 |
| He is very expressive. #swoosh |
Ellesse really gave me some excellent pointers are how to change my half halt timing to help him in the 2s, and it did start to help. We didn't want to drill him so we stopped, but I have good homework.
The last part of the lesson we did piaffe/passage work. Again, she really helped me finesse my aids to help with sitting, and sharpness in the piaffe, and then lift and balance in the passage. She helped me some from the ground and I really wish I had video because Hampton did some of the best passage I have ever gotten out of him.
---
Sorry this has turned into a rambling novel. Anyway I really got a lot out of these two lessons and would def ride with her again. She really helped me finesse all of my aids and really start to add more power to our overall balance. A super compliment to my training program at home. Onward!
 |
| I'm not sure here. |
Monday, June 3, 2019
Clinic roundup Part 1: The farm OMG
Remember the online lesson I took?
The instructor, Ellesse, was in Lexington for a clinic and for a price within my budget so I was all over that opportunity.
Before I get into my clinic notes, I want to do a post solely on the farm that this clinic was conducted at.
Because:
There is quite a bit of history out on the internet about Elmendorf farm.
Man O' War's sire and dam are both buried on the property, along with a number of other racing champions. It has a history if horse racing going back to the early 19th century.
We stayed at the Columns barn which was easily a half a mile from the main barn and arena. The farm owner suggested I trailer him up for my lesson, but I said it would be a treat for us to make the hack. So that's what we did.
I'm not sure how I found myself stepping foot on this property with my $500 Indiana Warmblood.
But there I was.
And if you are looking for a retirement home for your horse, Stone Column Stables at Elmendorf is top notch. If I am ever in a position where I can retire Hampton to horse heaven, this is my first choice. They don't just chuck them out in a field, they are cared for, grained in the field and have human eyes on them several times a day. You don't get much better than this farm. Shameless plug from me.
I mean it's just down the road from a little farm called Gainsway, too.
Once I was able to pick my jaw off the ground, I remembered I had two days of lessons!
To be continued ...
The instructor, Ellesse, was in Lexington for a clinic and for a price within my budget so I was all over that opportunity.
Before I get into my clinic notes, I want to do a post solely on the farm that this clinic was conducted at.
Because:
 |
| The original stone columns from the mansion. |
 |
| The mansion in 1901 |
 |
| Cute washracks |
 |
| Another shot of the columns |
 |
| This old building was mostly storage. I did snoop a bit and it was full of carriages. |
 |
| Adorable hunter pony in turnout. |
There is quite a bit of history out on the internet about Elmendorf farm.
Man O' War's sire and dam are both buried on the property, along with a number of other racing champions. It has a history if horse racing going back to the early 19th century.
We stayed at the Columns barn which was easily a half a mile from the main barn and arena. The farm owner suggested I trailer him up for my lesson, but I said it would be a treat for us to make the hack. So that's what we did.
 |
| A Hunter barn with a collection of ADORABLE ponies was also staying in this barn for the KY circuit. |
I'm not sure how I found myself stepping foot on this property with my $500 Indiana Warmblood.
 |
| The main barn |
 |
| Passed some stone lions on our hack to the arena |
But there I was.
And if you are looking for a retirement home for your horse, Stone Column Stables at Elmendorf is top notch. If I am ever in a position where I can retire Hampton to horse heaven, this is my first choice. They don't just chuck them out in a field, they are cared for, grained in the field and have human eyes on them several times a day. You don't get much better than this farm. Shameless plug from me.
I mean it's just down the road from a little farm called Gainsway, too.
Once I was able to pick my jaw off the ground, I remembered I had two days of lessons!
To be continued ...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)