Baby Mama

Ivy is looking very big these days. Only two weeks to go and she's very cranky. I think she still looks super and it won't take too long to get her back into shape.

Catching Up

Time seems to fly by. Baby is almost here! Only a couple of weeks left. I rode Ivy until her tenth month and now she's on vacation. Rubicon has come along way and has even taken me to my first trial. We ended up in third with no faults. Still working on bolting issues which are not related to pain or ill fitting tack. He has taught me a lot! I plan on showing him dressage and will be going out First level. I went to a clinic and was given advice to start at that level. He naturally carries himself more uphill and would look out of place at training. We are still working on grids and trot fences.

Ivy looking pregnant

Our first HT and we got 3rd!!

Adventures Continue at 2nd Level

It's been a big year for us and we have had a lot of fun over the summer.  I decided to give it one last try at the breeding thing.  If she takes, super and if not, fine.  Well, we are pregnant!  I am very happy and Ivy is just herself.  I am still riding her and showing.  I wanted to get my second level scores before the baby comes. I am happy about our 63.5 on our first try!! We only did one class and in retrospect it was a wise choice. There was heat wave that day and I think it would have been too much for the mare.  She is such a super horse and puts 110% in. She isn't fancy and will never move like the big lofty ones, but she has heart.  We got 7's on our free walk and our right lead canter lengthening. Our trot mediums were 6.5! We lost points on our simple changes.  We only got 6's on those.  Need to melt into them and not be so abrupt. Learned a lot and plan on one more show.

My project horse is moving along.  He still hates to travel by himself, but behaves at new places. I've been hauling him out at least 2-3 times a month.  Our goal is to attend a derby in September.  His canter is more balanced.  He couldn't even canter a 20 meter circle with out falling on his face.  It felt like a freight train going down a hill.  I've been doing a thousand transitions.  Our connection is so much steadier.  He really doesn't understand it and has a fear of being hit in the mouth.  We really don't know what happened to him when he was younger. He really needs a soft leader and not a passive one!

Rubicon

My friend and Rubicon having fun!!I think I will keep him for a while and see.  The goal is to go to a couple of schooling shows and then event him in the fall. And this is my other little jumper Chippy!!

Big Changes

Well, big changes have happened. Ivy never took, but will be bred again in the spring.  She is now working on third level and we are ready to show second this season.  Her changes are great and we finally have a medium!!She really enjoys the work and even gets excited about shoulder in or half pass.  I also got a free horse!! They are never really free.  He belongs to a friend and has been sitting in a field for over a year. Oh and he can jump!!  And did I mention he's a buckskin.  I have been taking it slow and just working on basic things.  He will not reach for the contact and he's very uphill (not a bad thing). I got him in mid October, and we finally have canter and some stretch in the trot.  I forget what it's like to ride a baby.  All wiggly and falling in or out.  Spooking at trash cans and trucks and who knows.  The thing he has what Ivy lacks, heart.  He will jump anything.  Ivy on the other hand isn't so sure and really needs an honest ride to each jump.

 His name is Rubicon and he's 12.  I think he will make a great eventer for me.  I of course needed to buy him a new saddle since he needs to be a dressage horse too.  Going to be paying this JRD off for a while.

Love this Story

I wish my horse had this type of heart and drive:
Olympia: Kauto Star set for competitive dressage bow in 2015

By Nick Hope
BBC Olympic sports reporter
Record-breaking steeplechaser Kauto Star is likely to compete in dressage in 2015, but will not take part in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The 14-year-old, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice and the King George VI Chase a record five times, was retired in late 2012.
He was introduced to dressage as a way of keeping him entertained in his post-racing career.
"He's ready to go whenever it works," rider Laura Collett told BBC Sport.
Kauto Star performed a demonstration routine in front of over 6,000 people at the Olympia Horse of the Year Show on Tuesday.
Collett added: "We threw him in at the deep end really and he got a bit of stage fright, but he's never been in that kind of atmosphere before and it's a huge ask for a horse like that who's used to open spaces."
Kauto Star's owner, Clive Smith, said: "I'm very proud of him and I feel he can do it.
"He won't do any three-day eventing with cross-country and show jumping, but dressage is harmless for him and he's intelligent, so he will learn the steps."
British Olympic Equestrian team performance manager Yogi Breisner said: "He is magnificent and very healthy and fit, but he has done his work and is a superstar who deserves a happy retirement.
"We won't be seeing him in Rio, that's for sure, unless they want a demonstration of what a real racehorse is like."

Catching Up

We have had a lot to work on this summer. Ivy did not take this breeding season.  I am not worried nor do I really care.  I will try one more time this spring.  We only went to one rated dressage show and received a 67% @ first, but had to scratch the second class due to Ivy not feeling well.  Jumping is coming alone and we have a derby in September and a few schooling shows.  I am riding with Heidi this weekend to confirm I am ready for second.  It's amazing how hard we work and yet we only slowly climb up the levels.  Ivy isn't a natural nor is she built for collection, but we are going to make it to third! I will do it without draw reins or a double. I just love this mare and we are happy being a Jack of All Trades, but Master of None!  Oh, and the 2' level is just my speed.