L.A. Clinic: Day 1

Hampton and I spent the weekend participating in a clinic with Liz Austin.

You can find out more about here at her website, HERE.

We have ridden with Liz before, as she was based in KY for a short time last summer. I loved her teaching, and it's really difficult to find that level of instruction in our area. So of course I jumped at the chance to ride in her clinic. Plus, my local GMO gave me a scholarship which paid for it. Because, you know, I has no monies.

The clinic location was a mere 20 minutes away so that made things even easier.

We rode early afternoon, and as I was tacking Hampton up at the trailer - a thunderstorm rolled in and promptly SOAKED us. I had the saddle on, but quickly grabbed my helmet and bridle and ran for cover in the barn.

Nothing like showing up to a clinic looking like drowned rats (and I was wearing a white shirt!! fml)

Sorry, this is how we roll here in Kentuckeh.

Hampton was unphased (he probably appreciated the cool rain as it was 90+ degrees), and we went to work. The footing in this indoor area was quite deep, and right away I could feel Hamps struggling a little with it.

So no one worked on any lateral work, but there was plenty of other homework.

We spent a large portion of this lesson making Hampton's canter more jumpy. This has always been a struggle. Not really for him, but for me. I tend to sit up there and enjoy his wonderful, rhythmic almost QH-like canter. That's all fine and dandy, but that's not what you need for the upper levels in dressage.

Make that canter bouncey!

Some little tips:

* Counter bend, bump bump with outside leg
* Literally bounce with your seat in the saddle (not push or pump, but bounce)
* Once the canter jumps, sit quiet
* Counter bend, think medium canter

We then started working on the changes. Right to left is reliable, and we had some beautiful changes. But we just had a hell of a time with left to right. I got it a couple of times, but no matter what I tried it was just always late behind. Or Hampton "lurches" into it. I'm not sure if he was just tired from the footing or what? We always struggle with this change, but it's not usually THAT awful.

We ended on a little trot work. Passage feeling to letting that feeling out into a more forward trot. This will help make his very average, normal trot - much more expressive. A work in progress but some good moments here.

Overall a very good first day. Lots of information and I find Liz to be a very pleasant, straightforward teacher. She does not f*** around, and will tell you if you do something that is shitty. She is not for people that need constant validation. If you cannot handle the truth, she probably isn't for you. She is quick to say "Good for you!" when you do nail something, however. And all of the horses really seemed to like her.

Hamps got a good rub down and some bute that evening, in hopes that he wouldn't be too muscle sore for Sunday. Next up: Day 2!

(sorry for lack of photos!)

Artistic body art

You guys.

I think my horse may one day be in the Olympics.

Equine artistic body art competition perhaps?

Enjoy this series of photos from a day in the life of Hampton. This was, of course, after our ride and after I gave him a very cooling bath. Meticulously picking mud off his face, and lovingly washing it from his mane and tail. Then giving him a good soaking of expensive fly spray.

:)

"Hmm. She is still watching me. Where should I grind mud into next?"

Seriously no modesty here.

Hashtag Problems (hilarity ensues!)

Thanks guys for participating in my little hashtag contest! Mostly I just wanted to make everyone laugh, and I knew fellow bloggers always come through especially when it comes to making fun of ourselves! So enjoy!

#YellingTimber
(from L. Williams at Viva Carlos)

From SprinklerBandit

#JumpingProblems
#PonySaysNo
(thanks blog reader Elizabeth!)

#MoshPit
(L. Williams)

#WantMyIronsBack
(L. Williams)

#wheezinginwinter #toocoldtohorser
(From Micaylah)

#displeasedwithyouraid #orwegoup? #wronganswer
(Micaylah)

#takemewithyou
(Micaylah)

Royale and I rode in the pouring rain on Tuesday.
#everythingsoaked
#seahorse?

Bronzed

Credit: FEI

USA Dressage team nabbed the Bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics!

SO exciting. (Am I only the only one OBSESSED with the olympic equestrian events?!)
I thought everyone on the team rode so well. The horses are just so talented. I don't believe the USA has had a medal in dressage since 2004?

Freestyles are Monday, and show jumpers start soon, too! yay!!!

Also, one last reminder to send in your #Problems contest entries! I have a good collection so far, but wanted to give you all a little more time to send them in! CLICK HERE for original post.

#Problems reminder!

Just a reminder to send in your hilarious photos and hashtags for my #Problems contest!

More on the contest HERE in case you missed it.

... and now, BACK TO WATCHING THE OLYMPICS!!!!! squeee!

Not an Olympic pair. 

#Problems contest!

I am sure many of you are aware of Eventing's Nation's series, #eventerproblems. It is a hilarious collection of bloopers, situations, mishaps, and everyday hilarity from equestrians, not just eventers. In fact my barn friends and myself have made the list more than once ...

#Ihopethatisjustmud
#mudmaskatthebarn

In the interest of making everyone laugh (especially myself), I'd like to host my own little #EquestrianProblems contest!

WHAT TO DO: Send in your photos. It can be bloopers, falls, horse shaming, barn cats, anything hilarious, sarcastic or even wonderful and amazing. Send in as many photos as you want! But, with each photo you must create a hilarious hashtag to go with it.

Don't wear grey shirts in the 80% humdity, 90 degree weather that is
KY summer.
#brasweatline
#savedbythebell
#classy

WHERE TO SEND: Send your photos and hashtags to me via email: finalchapter.karen@gmail.com

WHAT YOU WIN: Ummm I'm not sure yet?! Mostly just a good laugh when I collect them and publish them in a post. Or multiple posts if I get a good response! Or would you rather I set up a poll and we all vote on the best ones?

Here are some more examples from my collection of "moments." Hopefully they will inspire you!

#notfuckingaround

#expertcatlady

#theclassicsloppyjumpphoto
#wearebetteratdressage

#whattheactual

#ISaidTURNpony!

#Dressageyouannoyingsometimes

Ok ... ready ... go!!! I will see what I've got next weekend, and publish everyone's awesome photos and hashtags!

Our own room

The boys!
(I'm not sure they could be any more different ....)

Time for some updates blog land!

Hampton

-- At the risk of jinxing myself AGAIN, Hamps is currently sound and feeling fantastic. I never did find a spot where the painful abscess blew out. So, maybe it reabsorbed? In any case, I am not asking questions. Just moving on.

-- I started him on Pentsosan. (May do a separate post on this later ...)

-- We have been working on the basics this week. Just transitions, forward-back, ground poles,  stretching and suppleness. I threw in some leg yields today, and he stayed sound within those. I think later this week I may ask him for a session of "real work" and see where we are. I am sure he has lost some fitness, but I am totally ok with that. We can get that back.

Royale, Hampton and Spot.

-- Unfortunately the arena has a crap ton of large gravel rocks that are surfacing. I am not sure it is fair to continue to ask Hampton to school the level that he does on this footing. It also has random sink holes, and the kids are doing donuts in the ring with the ATV. It needs totally re-done. And that likely won't be happening. This has been on my mind. Am I being a total footing snob? 

-- We are still aiming for a clinic at the end of August.

-- Not sure about future shows. Have some options on Sept, Oct and even Nov. I'd like to try 4-2 at some point, and maybe even go buck wild and try 4-3 just because I hate myself at times. ha.

Royale

-- Working on taking a steady contact. He likes to curl some, and bop around the contact at times. This usually happens when he falls behind the leg.

-- Turn on the forehand. He picked this up rather quickly!

-- Leg yields. Will start more of these now that TOF has been established.

Royale's first hack in KY!

-- Lots of serpentines, changes of bend.

-- Canter departs. Working on becoming more prompt and less "OMG LEGS EVERYWHERE". Sometimes he picks up the wrong lead, but I'm not worried about it at the moment.

-- Lunging in side reins (once a week). Will help him learn to balance himself at the canter. 

-- Stand quietly in crossties/washrack. CHECK!

-- Accepting baths/showers. He had made big progress here. He used to FREAK the fuck out, but now I can get him to stand in the washrack for a shower. Of course I can't turn the nozzle on full blast yet, but he will accept it now. (with the help of a chain over his nose).

Why you tie me in here?

-- Next up: FLY SPRAY

-- Hills, trail rides, general exposure.

... It's actually sort of nice not to have anything exciting/frustrating to report. We are just plugging along in our little routine. I think some changes are on the horizon, but isn't that always the case?