Masked blue ribbon bandits

 

Mascot Fluffy in compliance with USEF rules

Indiana Dressage Festival was another fun, well run and successful show. We seem to always do well here, even though logically I know that has nothing to do with anything.

(I think it's silly to blame a venue for both failure and/or success)

Hamp and Fluffy

I didn't even school Friday evening, just did a handwalk and graze. And we rode early Saturday morning and had a solid I-1 test. He got a little flat toward the end and a couple of our twos were late, but I could have half halted better and helped him there. That was our ONLY bobble.

We got a solid 63%, won the class and got high point I-1. This judge was pretty tough and quite a few rides, especially in the FEI, were not in the 60s. So I was really happy with this score and our ride. We are just so much more organized and polished, and Hampton is able to maintain a cadenced trot in the show ring for longer. A lot of movements we used to just get a 6 on, I have now raised up to a 7 so that is helping me out when I do make those mistakes.

We had all day to chill and then a freestyle around 4:45 pm. I did a very abbreviated warm up and went on in. He was still kind of flat, but obedient and we managed a solid 64%. 

I decided since he was SO good for two weekends in a row, to scratch Sunday's freestyle. I rarely scratch tests, but felt like he had earned it and I didn't want to make him stand in a stall another day just to do another freestyle when I had the scores I needed. SO I THOUGHT.

At the time I THOUGHT it was a regional qualifying score, but I had forgotten they raised it from 63 to a 65. So infact I am still one score short for a freestyle. FML. It's likely I just won't take my freestyle to regionals at this point.

All for the Tiktok

I schooled him in the morning instead. We did the entire I-2 with the exception of the ones! 

Then I took him home and tossed him back out in the field as a reward for being The Best PorkChop.

So that means we are all qualified for Regionals. And that's IF they happen. If they do, we will be ready. And if not, well that's how this year is going so either way!

And if we go, we will be going to Region 4 this time around. St. Louis! HINT HINT bloggers in that area! :) *Cough LEAH cough*

Watermelon sugar high

 

Spoiler alert:

We went to a horse show and absolutely killed it!

I was totally prepared to scratch at any moment due to foot issues, not sweating, covid, astroids, or whatever else 2020 has in mind. But Hampton is just getting better and better so off we went to Ohio's Majestic Farm. 

We had absolutely PERFECT horse show weather all weekend, and while we did have to  wear masks when not mounted, it was really quite easy to follow covid protocol and still have a fun time showing. So there's no excuse not to comply people. 

Saturday I rode the I-1 in the morning and Hampton was a total rockstar. Businesslike, obedient, just right there for me. Unfortunately, I miscounted my twos AGAIN and only did 5 instead of 7. I realized it as soon as I did it. Sigh. Pat the horse, slap the rider.

We ended up with a solid 62+% and great comments and scores. And won the class! We missed high point by just a fraction, too.

Step brother Royale came too and scored nothing less than a 65 at First level all weekend!

Schooling Friday afternoon

Sunday afternoon was my freestyle. In typical Karen fashion, it was the first time I've actually ridden it to the music. Whoops. lol. But it went pretty well. I only had to add one extra circle because I was off my mark in the music. Hampton was a little more down on front, and not as sharp but still a good boy and much to my surprise we got a bangin' score of 69.8%! (Under judge Tom Poulin)

I nearly fainted as that is the best score of my LIFE at recognized dressage. 

We are now qualified for the I-1 at regionals, and just need one more freestyle score.

(If regionals even happen. Sigh)

Evening graze in PJs

Just Royale standing by the tailgate to be mounted. lol Liz did a bomb job this weekend.

We had 5 of us from our farm at the show, plus honorary members Liz and Royale. Everyone had great rides and great scores. It was such a fun time. 

And now I get to do a bunch of laundry and do it all over again this weekend at the Hoosier Horse Park!

Liz took this of us walking around after Friday schooling

Thank you Gods of Sweat

Glorious sweat marks

If the God of Sweat existed I would be singing my praises to her.

Hampton is back to sweating normally! 

I'm not religious but PRAISE THE BABEH JEZZUS

I did double his dose of One AC, and at the same time the weather finally broke to much more comfortable temps in the 70s/low 80s. So not sure which one finally did the trick but Hampton is much happier and back to his normal self, and his owner no longer has to develop ulcers from worrying about him.

Freestyle practice day

We are on track for a horse show this weekend. Things are always dicey with covid, but at this point in time I feel the risk of going to this show is within the acceptable range for me. (It is a private facility in Ohio)

 And of course I will comply with all mask and distancing requirements. If they cancel, they cancel. But boy do I feel bad for those kiddos who were already on the grounds for the Pony Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park, only to have that canceled. Talk about heartbreaking.

It's a funny balance. On one hand, I don't want to take unnecessary risks. I want to keep myself safe, and those I care about. On the other hand, I don't want to live in fear. I'm trying to do the best I can while following all protocol. Is going to a horse show being foolish? I'm not sure.

in the meantime, I literally threw together our freestyle. I had let it go because of the soundness issues we were having. I figured show season was probably done. Jokes on me. So, I will be winging that particular test this weekend. Fine by me though! I'm so thrilled that Hamp is back to sound and happy. 

A little on the chonky side but ... we will just call that his covid bod.

hey it's no sweat!

Spot the swamp monster

Do you want the good news or bad news first?

The good news is that Hampton has not only been sound since his bursa injection, but he is starting to feel AMAZING again. He hasn't felt like this all year. So I am keeping my fingers crossed that we finally got him and whatever was bothering him. Things could go downhill again of course, but we are now almost 2 weeks post injection. Total best case scenario right now.

Thank you everyone who reached out with thoughts for Hamp! 

....BUT

(there's a BUT)

Saying hi to May from May As Well Event!
#bloggershoutout

This week Hampton decided to stop sweating. He has come in from the field twice now with increased respiration, flared nostrils, not sweating and generally looked miserable.

Thankfully after hosing him for 5-10 minutes he is back to normal and is otherwise drinking, pooping and peeing just fine. I have never dealt with a horse with anhydrosis before so all tips and tricks welcome.

I did run out and get him some One AC, and I think I'll try giving him a beer with breakfast as well. And of course we already school in the mornings to help beat the heat. He already gets electrolytes, too.

He has always been one to tolerate the heat very well. And has always been a profuse sweater, so much so that people make fun of him. So I'm pretty worried that he has suddenly shut down. I imagine because it's been 90+ degrees daily for a month straight with 10000% humidity, and no real relief at night. 

2020 is just giving everyone all sorts of hell. I mean geez!

And as of this blog post we are still on track for 2 shows in August. With covid surging everything is always up in the air but that's the plan for now!

Back to the drawing board

After a couple good months after his coffin joint injection and Tildren, Hampton's soundness started to rapidly decline again. 

So I decided to take him to Rood n Riddle Equine Hospital for a second opinion, and also because it's one of the top clinics in the country.

Thanks to covid, I was banished to the truck for 2+ hours while Hamp was in the clinic. I spotted him a couple of times being walked in between buildings. I was like a nervous helicopter parent. It drove me nuts to not know what was going on, and to ask questions.

Spotted! A porkchop

To pass the time I watched other cases come and go. it is a BUSY place. Horses and vans in and out constantly. Many mamas and babies, young fit racehorses and one especially gruesome case where a horse had gashed its side so bad you could see pink intestine peeking out. Yikes. Once we have a covid vaccine, and tours are back open, I encourage everyone to tour Rood n Riddle (and the other equine hospitals in Lexington!). It is truly impressive.

Lots of babehs coming out of surgery!

Eventually the doctor called me. "Your boy is really lame," were the first words out of his mouth.

On a straight line he was a 2/5 lame at the trot. And a 3/5 on a tight left circle.

He "blocked beautifully" to the foot according to the doctor, and was sound. So the problem is in he foot, which is what we had been thinking all along.

He got brand new XRays of both front feet. They were actually pretty good. The vet even said he did not think Hampton was a true navicular horse. This is when I started to get conflicting information as our normal lameness vet had told me he was. Does he have some changes? Yes. But this vet did not think they were alarming, and did not think shoeing was an issue. He thought he was shod appropriately. (This was GOOD news)

getting released!

So we've been treating Hamp as a navicular horse for TWO YEARS. Is he or isn't he?

So ... they ended up injected his navicular bursa. If he does not improve in 10-14 days, then the vet recommended an MRI (OF FUCKING COURSE) because it would then be suspicious of a soft tissue (tendon or ligament) injury in the foot. So you wouldn't be able to see it via ultrasound or XRay.

I'm just trying to process this information. I'm not really sure what to make of it. Have I been working him on a torn ligament for TWO YEARS??? Is he just an odd case and only shows navicular symptoms in one foot? (most horses will be lame in both feet). 

That was a long day

Should I go ahead with an MRI? Besides the outrageous cost, the general anesthesia is a risk on its own. It's a big deal. And for what? Basically information, and to hopefully have a plan. I wish there was a standing MRI within a few hours drive. 

A soft issue injury in the foot (like a collateral ligament) would mean at least 6 months off. It's a very guarded prognosis for return to full work. But I'd also like know if it's an injury he cannot come back from, because then I won't put him through the stall rest and rehab. He can go be turned out and be a pasture puff. .... (worst case scenario though. Hi anxiety!)

So for now we wait and see.

View from the truck

Vogue

Photo by Lisa Dean

Hampton was chosen as a lucky model for a local equine photography clinic recently and he did not disappoint.

He may not the world's most fancy dressage horse, but he can pose with the best of them! He needs a modeling contract. He will stand all day and look like he owns the place. 

Photo: Kristen Young

We did a lot of black background shots, and then I climbed on bareback and did some romping around the fields and through a water complex. This old lady is not used to riding bareback so I was definitely hurting the next day lol! But this is exactly why I continue to pay Hampton's bills. He can be an I-1 horse one day, and then turn around and canter pack me around like a school horse the next. 

Not pictured: Me saying "Oh shit don't fall off"

Photos by Kristen Young

And I have plenty of fresh media for the blog now - woohoo! 

Finally, competitive prancing!

Geez I have some catching up to do! Sorry! lol

--

A couple of weeks ago, we finally made it to a horse show! It was a one-day USDF rated show, hosted in Lexington on a random Wednesday. I was curious as to how things would roll with all these new covid requirements, but I'm happy to report that at this particular show people were very compliant, no one complained and the show ran smoothly. 

Hamp and Shiloh

Because horses are horses, I went to pick Hampton's feet before getting on the trailer and discovered that part of his left front shoe was missing. He wears a bar shoe and the bar part was just ... gone. And that's his bad foot because OF COURSE. I jogged him and he was sound so off we went and he did fine but JEEZ.

At the show, I think pretty much everyone just hauled in for the day and showed out of their trailer, although the show did offer stalls.

I did an equitation class which was a non-event, just to warm up Hampton's muscles and then we did our I-1 about an hour later.

PC: Lisa Dean

I was pretty show-ring rusty and made quite a few mistakes including forgetting to count my tempi changes and did too many. Ooops. Those mistakes were expensive. C'mon Karen!

Hampton got a little behind the leg and stopped in one pirouette (but I caught it quick and recovered). I had to float his teeth is one corner because he started to just run and haul on me. But other than those things it was an ok test for not showing in about a year. 

We got a respectable 61% and some change. Which is one score for regionals, and now I am half way done with my gold medal. Mostly I just needed to get in the ring and knock the rust off.

The last time we showed at this facility, we were a sketchy first/second level pair. It was really neat to be back here as an legit FEI pair. He has come so far.

We looked like this the last time we showed at
this facility. Totally different - both of us!

---

Getting back out there made me super motivated for the rest of the year (as long as the pandemic doesn't shut things back down). 

Hampton has had a slightly lighter work load lately because of this oppressive heat but we are aiming for two shows in August.

And lastly, WEAR A MASK!!