One more goal

Photo by the wonderful, generous Ed Van Meter. 12.27.13

I can't believe I forgot to write this goal down.

But it is a big one.

Create and ride a Third Level Musical Freestyle!

This is an entire new realm for me, but I am really excited to try it out. I have a friend who is a genius at editing music who will help put together the sequences and match the music with Hampton. I just have to create a test.

Goal is to have it ready by fall. :)

Anyone have any tips?

Goals, goals, goals

Both Hampton and I were treated very well by Santa this year. I got a BOMBDIGGITY Ariat jacket, a trailer aid thingie, clothes, candy, money and Hampton got a nifty Horsewear quarter fleece (it's the one that matches my own Horsewear fleece. haha, yes I am now THAT girl that matches her horse) and a Back on Track saddle pad! My family still laughs at me when I get so excited over items for the horse.

"Oh a saddle pad!! YAY!! Oh I can't wait to try this!! ..."

[bewildered stares from family]

My mother once again outdid herself and gave me a Shutterfly book with a collection of old photos throughout the years. Last year she gave me a DVD of old horse show videos. These are the best gifts - not very expensive but they take a long time to compile. I'll be sure to share some of the photos in the book here - there are some doosies.

Anyway, I have put together my goals post. There are realistic ones and lofty ones. Of course the only thing that really matters is that Hampton stays happy and healthy.

At the end of 2012, I set these goals for 2013:

• Show First and Second Level. Hit up at least 1 rated show, hopefully more. YES! In fact far exceeded this, showing First and Second successfully and making it to 2 rated shows.
• Earn scores toward USDF Bronze Medal YES! I have 4 out of 6 scores needed, just need my Third Level scores.
• Lessons, lessons, lessons Averaged 1 a week, CHECK!
• FHF adult dressage camp Didn't make it this year since I don't have a truck. :(
• Participate in 2 or 3 mini horse trials. Possibly move up to Beginner Novice during the summer. Eh, only made it to 1 mini trial. No chance in hell of moving up to BN. Just did not get enough jump schools or lessons at all this year.
• Qualify for USDF regionals? If so, attend them. Since Regionals were all the way up near Chicago, I didn't even try to qualify.
• Start saving $$ for a new dressage saddle. Sort of! 
• By late fall, start schooling more solid 3rd level. YES! And beyond!

Goals for 2014:

• Show Third Level, get my bronze medal.
• By fall, show a kamakazie Fourth Level test.
• Attend FHF adult dressage camp
• Attend JJ Tate clinic in April (Lexington). At the very least, audit.
• Buy a new saddle
• School more Fourth/PSG
• After I blow all my savings on a saddle, start saving for a used truck
• Always always put Hampton first, let him tell me what he's ready for
• Host a clinic at the farm
• Attend 2 rated shows if financially possible

A walk into the field

I am sure you all have experienced this inner dialog.

This morning:

Start walking out into the very muddy, very wet field to capture horse.
Glance out into distance and see a horse COVERED in mud.

"Haha, someone is going to be pissed when they see that."

Look around for Hampton.

"Hmmmm."

Glance over at mud covered beast.

Nervously keep looking around field hoping that Hampton is maybe behind the shed.

"HMMMMM. That looks like Hampton"

Keep hoping that maybe it is not my horse. (But I know it is)

"($%(*#)#$*%*(!!!!!!!!" (under my breath)

"Please only be one side ... please only be one side ..."

Hampton sees me and starts to wonder over in search of a treat.

... "Yes!! Yes it is only one side!!"

2013 Blooper Blog

And now for the 2013 Bloopers!

Sexeh winter wear.

Nearly getting beheaded by low hanging branches

I don't know about this one

You missed the moment before when he bucked and kicked out after I merely tapped him
on the shoulder for more ooomph.

WTF is that? A jump?!

Trolls in the shrubs!

How to jump up your poor horse's neck when the jump is a mere 2 feet.

One of our classic croop-high canter transitions.

Not a second level movement

dorks

I mean seriously maybe I should spend more time warming up my horse, and less
time doing things like this

Poor Hampton lobbying for a classier rider

Also not a second level movement

Steering malfunction

Barn pest control hard at work

Spotted these winners at the Kentucky State Fair.
In the cow barn.

:) 

2013 Year in Review

Year in Review

2013 was a pretty awesome year. The progress Hampton and I have made still blows my mind and I owe that to my two instructors, my family, my super friends and a lot of time and hard work. And luck. :)

This will be the year in review post. If you have been following my blog for more than a year, you know what blog post is next. The blooper reel!! Stay tuned.

JANUARY

We clinic with Dorothy Crowell. Otherwise we keep plugging away at Second Level movements. Hampton starts to learn super-collected canter.

FEBRUARY

We hit up a local dressage schooling show and debut at Second Level. It is my first time showing at this level, and obviously Hampton's, too. We ride First 3 and Second 3. I look back and laugh at this now but we score a 71.5% in Second Level and a 69% in First Level. I think the judge was smoking something for sure! Maybe dropping acid? But anyway I now had my feet wet at Second Level.

MARCH

We make our first attempts at flying changes.

(It sucks)

APRIL

Hampton gets 4 shoes. We prep for our first rated show of the year (my first rated show in nearly 6 years). We go to Meadowlake and show First 3 and Second 3 again. It's a weekend show. Our scores are ok ranging from 58% to 64%. BUT I get 3 scores toward my bronze. Rolex happens and I go to watch.

Meadowlake was not a disaster, but I could have done way better.

MAY

We keep working on Second Level. Hampton battles some over-reaching injuries 

and gets fat off the spring grass.

JUNE

Hamps and I stay home another month and keep doing what we do. 

Meanwhile, Rex comes to visit!

First ride

JULY

The flying changes start to get better. And by better I mean we start to actually DO flying changes 

SOME of the time. Rex makes big strides and is makes himself a barn favorite very quickly. 

Hampton gets a full bridle.

AUGUST

We finally make it out to another show - this time a schooling show at Masterson Station. 

It goes amazingly well! We pull off a 63% in Second Level for First place and a 62% in First Level for a Second Place. Sexy Rexy continues to grow up.

Masterson Station, Lexington

SEPTEMBER

On a whim, I enter a local horse trial. I wouldn't call it a disaster, but it was obvious we had not been jumping all summer. ha. Rex goes home to his owners.

He turned into a wonderful riding horse.

OCTOBER

We attend the KDA Fall Show - another rated show. This time at the

Kentucky Horse Park. I nearly go off course and make numerous other mistakes, but Hamps is good and 

I get my other score toward my bronze in Second Level. Plus we get second place ribbons and decent scores of 61% and a 62%. In other news, my sister has a baby.

LOVED showing at the KHP.

NOVEMBER

We focus more on Third Level work. Hampton gets his shoes pulled in preparation for winter, gets

body clipped and we work on developing piaffe and passage.

DECEMBER

Intense training has slowed down, mostly thanks to the weather but it's good for both of us.

I focus my money on trying to save for a new saddle. Or a used truck. #horsegirlproblems

Happy Holidays everyone!

Love,

Karen & Hampton

5 Things for Christmas (a plea to Santa)

I'm copying off a few other bloggers who have done a similar post. :)

Dear Santa, 5 things I need want must have crave would like to have for Christmas this year:

1. County Perfection saddle. I've started saving up for one. But it seems like whenever I start to make progress on saving, something happens and I have to spend it. Like a car accident. So maybe Santa will just drop one off for me?

2. A truck. (Preferably another Chevy, but I'm not picky at this point, Santa). 

3. A pair (or two) of Pikeur breeches. Full seat. I can't afford these, unless I dip into my saddle fund. So c'mon Santa, hook a girl up.

4. Back on track blanket. I think Hamps would like one of these, especially in the winter to wear before and after rides. And overnight at horse shows (that are not too hot). Santa, you can throw in the BOT hock boots, too, if you are feeling jolly. ho ho ho.

5. Brown dressage boots. Preferably the DeNiros. Oh I want want want!! Yes I'd probably only school in these but they are so gorgeous. Only $700 worth of gorgeous.

This of course is my dream Christmas list. My actual Christmas list was far more realistic.

What are you all dreaming of for the holidays?

A reminder

Hug your horses.

Sometimes they leave us much too soon.

(Hampton is fine, but a fellow blogger and also a college friend of mine lost their horses this week.)