Wow, I've really got to get better about updating this thing!
For starters, I would like to congratulate Jamie Aldrich of Ill. on her purchase of Stretch. He has found himself a wonderful home with her and her young daughter. It makes me so happy to know that he is with a family that loves him and that values his skill set and abilities. Best of luck on the show circuit this spring!
Next on the agenda is the fact that I DID IT! I graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelors of science in animal science production in December of 2012! Upon completion of my degree, I accepted a position at Woodridge Farm and Duels and I made the trip to Claremore at the end of December. I will keep y'all updated on this endeavor, but so far it has provided me with plenty of hard work, good foaling experience, and some more quality horses to ride.
Moving on to Duelly... He definitely keeps me on my toes! He came back from his little vacation (aka my injury) in top form and ready to conquer 2013, but then something began to change. He began getting more resistant to work, more cranky about tacking up, more unhappy overall. He didnt want his grain, he began dropping weight, among other things. We suspect ulcers. I took him to the Mary D'Arcy clinic at Feather Creek the beginning of February and that was when we knew something was wrong. He schooled really well overall, for being a green youngster with little cross country experience. Mary loved him and confirmed what we already knew about him having serious upper level potential. However, throughout the weekend he kept acting out in ways not typical of his "get'r done" attitude. While trying to figure out this puzzle he has had a couple of weeks off since the clinic. I am trying him on a couple of different supplements and we will see what happens. Hopefully I will be able to get him out to a local dressage schooling show in two weeks, but that is completely contingent upon whether he is up for it or not.
(Very) Tenative 2013 Schedule:
March 17: GCC Schooling Show - Claremore Expo
April 14: SHRA Schooling Show (beginner novice) - Okemah, OK
April 20-21: Holly Hill HT (beginner novice) - Benton, LA
I suppose this post is about remembering the past and never letting go of the future, no matter how dark it may seem sometimes. Things will always get better and tomorrow is another day. Horses really have a way of teaching us to slow down and take things a day at a time, even when we may want to plan two years in advance (spring 2013 BN, fall 2013 N, fall 2014 T). Well played ponies, well played. Until (hopefully a much sooner) next time, keep kicking!
Showing posts with label horses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horses. Show all posts
Friday, March 1, 2013
Friday, January 27, 2012
New Year. New Season. New goals...
I have successfully completed a few more chapters in Denny's book and continue to be inspired by the rider profiles and his advice. All of this has also made me start thinking about what I want to get accomplished this year with Stretch. This time I am definately taking into consideration his best interests and mine.
After talking with a good friend and judge, KC Campbell, I have decided that I am going to drop back down to beginner novice for a little while and work on some issues that really became evident with our move to novice. Stretch can easily jump height and has become very competitive in the dressage ring, but he still lacks alot of experience required to successfully and consistently jump clean around cross country. Thus, that brings me to some new and improved goals for 2012. I want to successfully complete a few more beginner novice horse trials, preferably winning some along the way, and want to earn a USEA medal with Stretch. If all goes well, I would like to move him back up to novice in the fall. That move will only be made if we can consistently go double clean xc, place well, and he tells me that he is ready to move up.
Looking back, Im not exactly sure what possesed me to make the move up a level. Especially considering that we had only done well in one horse trial, which we won. Both of us definately need to get some additional SHOW experience under our belts before we again try our hand at novice and ultimately the novice three-day at Heritage.
I have officially circled February 28th on the calendar. You might be wondering "What is so special about that day?!" and the answer is, other than my cow/calf exam, the closing date for the Meadowcreek Horse Trials. I am planning on moving Stretch back up to Stillwater next weekend, the first of February, and have full intentions of getting back to work! The idea is that I will be evaluating him for a few weeks and have an idea of whether I can have him ready or not by mid month. If he remains sound and willing, he will be entered into the Spring Social at Meadowcreek at the beginner novice level. Fingers crossed that on March 16th we will southbound and down to Kosse, TX!
"I wasn't a naturally gifted rider... But for some reason I always had this inner drive to succeed in the sport." -Mary King
After talking with a good friend and judge, KC Campbell, I have decided that I am going to drop back down to beginner novice for a little while and work on some issues that really became evident with our move to novice. Stretch can easily jump height and has become very competitive in the dressage ring, but he still lacks alot of experience required to successfully and consistently jump clean around cross country. Thus, that brings me to some new and improved goals for 2012. I want to successfully complete a few more beginner novice horse trials, preferably winning some along the way, and want to earn a USEA medal with Stretch. If all goes well, I would like to move him back up to novice in the fall. That move will only be made if we can consistently go double clean xc, place well, and he tells me that he is ready to move up.
Looking back, Im not exactly sure what possesed me to make the move up a level. Especially considering that we had only done well in one horse trial, which we won. Both of us definately need to get some additional SHOW experience under our belts before we again try our hand at novice and ultimately the novice three-day at Heritage.
I have officially circled February 28th on the calendar. You might be wondering "What is so special about that day?!" and the answer is, other than my cow/calf exam, the closing date for the Meadowcreek Horse Trials. I am planning on moving Stretch back up to Stillwater next weekend, the first of February, and have full intentions of getting back to work! The idea is that I will be evaluating him for a few weeks and have an idea of whether I can have him ready or not by mid month. If he remains sound and willing, he will be entered into the Spring Social at Meadowcreek at the beginner novice level. Fingers crossed that on March 16th we will southbound and down to Kosse, TX!
"I wasn't a naturally gifted rider... But for some reason I always had this inner drive to succeed in the sport." -Mary King
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