My mom sent me this little relic this morning. Circa 1996. I was 10 and had just competed in my very first horse show. The sweet grey, that's Bonnie. The love of my equine life.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Tourney Weekend and a Jump.
Don't you love when my dad comes to visit? He is in town for the 2nd and 3rd round of the NCAA tourney this weekend. We spent ALL day on Friday at the games (go Heels, go Lehigh, go to hell Duke), but on Saturday dad came out to the barn armed with his camera. I set up a legitimate little jump (its a "oxer" with a 6 inch spread). We popped over it twice and Granite didn't obliterate it, he cleared it, and looked kind of cute. I may or may not get to the barn today, the games are late, but it's dad's last day in town and we are kind of all over the place. Mom comes in town next weekend, so maybe some more photos. Enjoy.
The big man picks up his feet (and its documented)
Simple Change
Tailgate, go Heels!
Yay NCAA Tourney!
Lovin' it.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Victory... and subsequent defeat
Coming at you live from my lunch break...
Ugh, I started a diet/exercise initiative this week. I hate it, but it has to be done.
Something new this time though. Our Occupational Health Clinic at work has been hawking this phone app/ website called www.myfitnesspal.com and everyone in my department has jumped on board. I've even convinced TK and my barn owner to give it a try. My thought is that if I surround myself with people participating in the same program as I am, that maybe they will be constant inspiration and support and I will succeed. We shall see. I've gained about 10 of the 22 pounds that I lost in 2010 back and per my 2012 goals, I need to lose them (and then an additional 15 more). Granite will appreciate it if I do, that's for sure.
So on to the victory... Tuesday evening, I rode the big grey horse. He was a total PIA! I had the new french link loose ring bit on him and he did. not. like. it! At. All! He tossed his head and chewed and tossed and chewed (He is getting 3 new teeth in as well, to his defense. But the bit fit and we had bit guards on just in case the loose ring pinched). He was behind my leg and just pissy. Typically, this is when I lose my patience and we get in a fight. And no one wins. But, some sort of zen came over me on Tuesday and I just started trying for small victories. I made sure my hands were way out in front, I didn't ask for collection but I asked him to move forward, and then into his bit. Before to long, he started to do just that. Then we worked on our lateral motion and before long, we had collection! Viola! So, while we were ahead, I got in my half seat and we went over our cross-rail. Success! He remembered how to jump again. We even landed at the canter (instead of halting as G is sometimes tempted to do after exerting THAT much energy over a 12 inch cross rail). We went over the jump 3 times at the canter and he really had a grand old time. I was so proud that I turned what could have been a waste of time in the saddle into a nice ride. For once, I wasn't demanding and Granite finally came around. Good Boy! PS-- the bit is going in the bottom of the tack box!
And then there was yesterday. Forecasted to storm, I didn't pack barn clothes or plan to ride. But at 5pm it was dry, so I went to my apartment to change and headed out to the barn. Of course, I was running later than usual so I figured, I'd save the time of tacking up and ride bareback. Also, I mentioned those new teeth coming in, so I figured I'd give the boy a break from anything else in his mouth. So I borrowed the barn owner's side pull (and wrapped some vet wrap around the nose-- my boy is sensitive). Armed with little more than my helmet and the sidepull, G and I went to the arena (btw, it is VERY windy although not storming...yet). G was rotten. I tried to channel that zen girl from Tuesday with no luck. Finally I took the advice of the all-knowing Jen who recently told me "if you aren't going to have a productive ride, at least you can get some exercise." So I let the reins go after 15 minutes of fighting for him not to ride around with his nose in his chest (can you avoid a bit when there is no bit??) and we hacked out on the buckle for 20 minutes. We even did a little canter. Yep, G would appreciate if I lose some weight. We didn't accomplish much, but he got some exercise (and so did I).
It is a top ten day today (77 degrees and sunny). So I'll be tacking up and using our trusty bit and we'll see if we can get something accomplished today.
Ugh, I started a diet/exercise initiative this week. I hate it, but it has to be done.
Something new this time though. Our Occupational Health Clinic at work has been hawking this phone app/ website called www.myfitnesspal.com and everyone in my department has jumped on board. I've even convinced TK and my barn owner to give it a try. My thought is that if I surround myself with people participating in the same program as I am, that maybe they will be constant inspiration and support and I will succeed. We shall see. I've gained about 10 of the 22 pounds that I lost in 2010 back and per my 2012 goals, I need to lose them (and then an additional 15 more). Granite will appreciate it if I do, that's for sure.
So on to the victory... Tuesday evening, I rode the big grey horse. He was a total PIA! I had the new french link loose ring bit on him and he did. not. like. it! At. All! He tossed his head and chewed and tossed and chewed (He is getting 3 new teeth in as well, to his defense. But the bit fit and we had bit guards on just in case the loose ring pinched). He was behind my leg and just pissy. Typically, this is when I lose my patience and we get in a fight. And no one wins. But, some sort of zen came over me on Tuesday and I just started trying for small victories. I made sure my hands were way out in front, I didn't ask for collection but I asked him to move forward, and then into his bit. Before to long, he started to do just that. Then we worked on our lateral motion and before long, we had collection! Viola! So, while we were ahead, I got in my half seat and we went over our cross-rail. Success! He remembered how to jump again. We even landed at the canter (instead of halting as G is sometimes tempted to do after exerting THAT much energy over a 12 inch cross rail). We went over the jump 3 times at the canter and he really had a grand old time. I was so proud that I turned what could have been a waste of time in the saddle into a nice ride. For once, I wasn't demanding and Granite finally came around. Good Boy! PS-- the bit is going in the bottom of the tack box!
And then there was yesterday. Forecasted to storm, I didn't pack barn clothes or plan to ride. But at 5pm it was dry, so I went to my apartment to change and headed out to the barn. Of course, I was running later than usual so I figured, I'd save the time of tacking up and ride bareback. Also, I mentioned those new teeth coming in, so I figured I'd give the boy a break from anything else in his mouth. So I borrowed the barn owner's side pull (and wrapped some vet wrap around the nose-- my boy is sensitive). Armed with little more than my helmet and the sidepull, G and I went to the arena (btw, it is VERY windy although not storming...yet). G was rotten. I tried to channel that zen girl from Tuesday with no luck. Finally I took the advice of the all-knowing Jen who recently told me "if you aren't going to have a productive ride, at least you can get some exercise." So I let the reins go after 15 minutes of fighting for him not to ride around with his nose in his chest (can you avoid a bit when there is no bit??) and we hacked out on the buckle for 20 minutes. We even did a little canter. Yep, G would appreciate if I lose some weight. We didn't accomplish much, but he got some exercise (and so did I).
It is a top ten day today (77 degrees and sunny). So I'll be tacking up and using our trusty bit and we'll see if we can get something accomplished today.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Photoshop Funsies
I'm taking an online photoshop class through our local community college for work.
Today for our assignment, I used one of my photos of Granite. We are learning to colorize photos.
This turned out a little darker in Jpeg form. But it's still a lot of fun and will totally help me at work (I create a lot of publications and it helps when you can edit or create your own graphic art).
Today for our assignment, I used one of my photos of Granite. We are learning to colorize photos.
This turned out a little darker in Jpeg form. But it's still a lot of fun and will totally help me at work (I create a lot of publications and it helps when you can edit or create your own graphic art).
Work doesn't feel like work when I get to play with horse photos.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Tack Sale, Hunter Pace, and Making Progress
Thought it was about time for an update!
I got to ride Granite 4 days last week, which is enough to make me happy. We had snow last Monday and it was in the mid-60s by mid weeks. So the ring has been slop-City, but we've been able to work pretty well in the dryer portion.
We've been working on our homework from February's lesson. I've been letting G have his head at the canter. We've been concentrating on setting up for transitions. We've been leg yielding. We've been going back and forth over a small cross rail at the trot and canter (me in 1/2 seat) to let G figure out how to get the feel for fences.
It is working :) I've had more consistent collection, more ease in lateral motion and on Wednesday, for a brief moment, it clicked and my horse learned how to jump! Of course, by Thursday, the munchkin forgot. But, you know what they say about young horses... 1 step forward, 2 back. He is trying however, and that's enough for me! The days are getting longer and last week and this week are relatively calm at work (meaning I can leave the office at 5:15 and be to the barn by 5:30). Unfortunately, it's raining and plans to do the same on Wednesday and Friday... just enough to never allow the arena to dry! I shall use the time to go to the gym and do some work on MY fitness!
I had a fabulously horsie weekend :) I spent Saturday at the Equestrian Exchange (Check it out, it's a huge consignment tack sale... amazing). I ended up with:
A used brown leather bridle with flash nose band and webbed reins -$25
very used Figure 8 Nose Band (for the heck of it)- $6
New (retails at $72) Avalon Standing Martingale (don't need it yet, but hopefully will)- $30
Beval Open Front Jump Boots - $12
Loose Ring, French Link 5.25inch bit- $14
Box of Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies- $4
He is sporting most of his new gear in the crappy cell phone photo bellow. Everything Fits! Score!
And no, I did not share the cookies :)
Oh and to top it off Eva and I traded girths. I had one (she gave me for my 24th bday) that was too small for G and she had a spare that was too large for her boys, so we swapped and the new one fit G! YAY.
I got to ride Granite 4 days last week, which is enough to make me happy. We had snow last Monday and it was in the mid-60s by mid weeks. So the ring has been slop-City, but we've been able to work pretty well in the dryer portion.
We've been working on our homework from February's lesson. I've been letting G have his head at the canter. We've been concentrating on setting up for transitions. We've been leg yielding. We've been going back and forth over a small cross rail at the trot and canter (me in 1/2 seat) to let G figure out how to get the feel for fences.
It is working :) I've had more consistent collection, more ease in lateral motion and on Wednesday, for a brief moment, it clicked and my horse learned how to jump! Of course, by Thursday, the munchkin forgot. But, you know what they say about young horses... 1 step forward, 2 back. He is trying however, and that's enough for me! The days are getting longer and last week and this week are relatively calm at work (meaning I can leave the office at 5:15 and be to the barn by 5:30). Unfortunately, it's raining and plans to do the same on Wednesday and Friday... just enough to never allow the arena to dry! I shall use the time to go to the gym and do some work on MY fitness!
I had a fabulously horsie weekend :) I spent Saturday at the Equestrian Exchange (Check it out, it's a huge consignment tack sale... amazing). I ended up with:
A used brown leather bridle with flash nose band and webbed reins -$25
very used Figure 8 Nose Band (for the heck of it)- $6
New (retails at $72) Avalon Standing Martingale (don't need it yet, but hopefully will)- $30
Beval Open Front Jump Boots - $12
Loose Ring, French Link 5.25inch bit- $14
Box of Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies- $4
He is sporting most of his new gear in the crappy cell phone photo bellow. Everything Fits! Score!
And no, I did not share the cookies :)
Oh and to top it off Eva and I traded girths. I had one (she gave me for my 24th bday) that was too small for G and she had a spare that was too large for her boys, so we swapped and the new one fit G! YAY.
After that lovely shopping trip, Daphne had a vet appointment and I found time to try everything on the horse and then ride him in (most) of it. We don't need the figure 8 or martingale at this juncture in our training. After that, our barn owenr invited us to join her family and some friends to roast marshmellows and hot dogs in the fire pit at her house. TK came out and it was nice to spend some time with everyone.
Sunday morning found me up in the hour of 6am... for the second day in a row. Dianne invited me to (OK, I invited myself) to ride with her and her friend Cheri at the YVH Hunter Pace (check them out-- great group!). I rode one of Dianne's horses (large, 8yo, Spotted Saddle horse mare) and met up with Jen and we all enjoyed a slow ride through acres of gorgeous trail. How lucky am I?! Loved it. We came in 6th (and the group we set out with who came in a bit behind us got 1st). But, ribbons aside, I loved getting to get out of the arena, even if it wasn't with G.
Sounds like, weather and circumstances permitting, Dianne and her friend Cheri may be willing to come pick Granite up (he is too large for our barn owner's trailer) and take us to a great park about 4 miles from our farm. Hopefully our barn owner can follow us over with her mare. And we can all ride together. This will be G's first trip ANYWHERE to ride. We've done some trails on adjacent properties that we have walked to, be we have never hauled him anywhere to ride. I'm stoked (nervous as well). Cross your fingers that it works out for us. But if not, we have LOTS of work to do and we can always venture to the nearby trails.
Yay for longer days and more time in the saddle. The pony is really coming right along and I sure do enjoy my time with him!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Perfect Saturday
Oh what a perfect Saturday!
My Daddy came in Friday evening to visit us (yay!). Unfortunately, my mom had something come up and decided not to join him for the weekend. That's OK thought, we'll have a girls weekend next time she's able to come up.
Anyway, Saturday morning Daddy I set out early to grab some Burlington bred Biscuitville before meeting the farrier at the barn at 9am. Dad and my farrier chatted it up.
Good news is Granite didn't need back shoes yet. But the farrier says that because of G's slow hoof growth, he will need all 4s by the time the ground gets hard and the days get longer (more riding).
After G got his new kicks, I dressed him and myself up to head out for a ride. Dad has never seen me ride Granite. He's come to visit when G was just a little tyke, and last year when G had been off with his knee injury, so this was our time to show him what my baby horse could do.
And, because he's awesome, he took lots of photos.
So, without further pause, check out our lovely Saturday ride: (Please excuse the dirty horse and his crazy mane)
So we had a relatively nice ride. I was proud of the big guy, we have a LONG way to go, but what I love is that I'm starting to see improvement. Although having tons of photos (and some videos) from the ride, I realize that I have more work to do on myself (to get out of the way of my horse's success) that I realized.
After we left the barn, I took Dad on a tour of my office and then we took Daphne for a walk in our City's biggest park. We drove through the University next to town and then went to get some frozen yogurt. Loved it. We watched the Carolina basketball game and I made dinner before TK, Daddy and I went to a little downtown bar and watched one of my co-worker's band. My Saturday was pretty fabulous.
Today its cold and rainy and threatening to snow. Dad is supposed to stay until Monday morning (he has the day off, lucky!), but we'll see considering the weather.
My Daddy came in Friday evening to visit us (yay!). Unfortunately, my mom had something come up and decided not to join him for the weekend. That's OK thought, we'll have a girls weekend next time she's able to come up.
Anyway, Saturday morning Daddy I set out early to grab some Burlington bred Biscuitville before meeting the farrier at the barn at 9am. Dad and my farrier chatted it up.
Good news is Granite didn't need back shoes yet. But the farrier says that because of G's slow hoof growth, he will need all 4s by the time the ground gets hard and the days get longer (more riding).
After G got his new kicks, I dressed him and myself up to head out for a ride. Dad has never seen me ride Granite. He's come to visit when G was just a little tyke, and last year when G had been off with his knee injury, so this was our time to show him what my baby horse could do.
And, because he's awesome, he took lots of photos.
So, without further pause, check out our lovely Saturday ride: (Please excuse the dirty horse and his crazy mane)
Love this stretchy trot, and my boy's sweet face.
Canterrr
Perhaps we don't have a jumper here...
Time will only tell.
Janey the Donkey = Presh
So we had a relatively nice ride. I was proud of the big guy, we have a LONG way to go, but what I love is that I'm starting to see improvement. Although having tons of photos (and some videos) from the ride, I realize that I have more work to do on myself (to get out of the way of my horse's success) that I realized.
After we left the barn, I took Dad on a tour of my office and then we took Daphne for a walk in our City's biggest park. We drove through the University next to town and then went to get some frozen yogurt. Loved it. We watched the Carolina basketball game and I made dinner before TK, Daddy and I went to a little downtown bar and watched one of my co-worker's band. My Saturday was pretty fabulous.
Today its cold and rainy and threatening to snow. Dad is supposed to stay until Monday morning (he has the day off, lucky!), but we'll see considering the weather.
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