tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41800061514213486932024-03-13T11:20:53.745-07:00Slow and Steady Wins the Race.Not your average OTTB given another chance at a new life and a mostly average busy Mom who never gave up on her dream to ride again. An unlikely pair at an unlikely time, learning to event and loving life! Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.comBlogger479125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-72390374798937724402017-06-02T07:23:00.002-07:002017-06-02T07:53:46.722-07:00Overly Ambitious part 3: The Results!Wow we made to the final phase and the final 4 of 13 rides in 5 hours. Cross Country is what we all do this all for anyways. We were off to walk the course. I needed to walk the course with my itty bitty 10 year old. It was her first full XC course so I wanted to make sure she got it down. We had a friend showing in the same division as Elaina and I so I had those 2 walk it together. The courses followed a similar tract with some occasional spots where they went off down a different path but met back up again. If I noticed something that stood out that they needed to pay attention to I would point it out to them. My main focus was to make sure the little one got it and was confident. We walked the entire course and set back to the barns. It was a nice course. Decently long with several different questions. A few of the Novice jumps were small but then there were several that were legit questions so it evened out. As we made our way back it occurred to me that I did not walk my course. LMFAO! Who does that? Who rides a XC course without having walked it? I did half pay attention to it as the girls were walking it but there were complete sections that I didn't even see. I asked the girls a few questions as we were tacking up. Like, "how many jumps do I need to find back through certain areas of the course? How many jumps are there on the course?". I am still in disbelief that a person would ride a course with a prep like that. <br />
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I tried to mentally go through what parts of the course I did see then keep track of the number of jumps I didn't see. Oh My! Let's see how this goes! We tack up and off we go to warm up. We are the very last rides to go. Our friend goes first. Kelcie went next and my nerves were on high alert for her. The start box guy was very nice. I told him there was no way I could set off on course until I knew she was nearly finished, for my nerves sake. I asked my big kid if I could go next to keep Steady from loosing all his shit because everyone left him. And she was kind enough to let Mama go next. And off we go! Jump 1,2 and 3 Steady jumped like a calm cool and relaxed old school horse. It was upon landing at jump 3 that he realized we were NOT schooling and that this was the real deal and OFF HE WENT!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My gallopy horse galloping</td></tr>
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In true Steady fashion he turned into a jump eating freight train. After landing jump 4 it was a pretty steep incline to a pretty long low incline hill so I tried an experiment. I let him go thinking maybe me not fighting him and the incline it would self regulate a bit. HAHAHA who am I kidding. I let go and he was off to the races up the hill. Macy who is back at the start box watching commented when we returned, "you were going really fast up that hill MOM!) HAHAHA yes child that was a failed experiment on my part. Well, now we know. The rest of the course rode, like, well, a XC course on Steady. Me using every ounce of energy I have to hold him back in between fences and the fences are just kinda speed bumps in our path. Riding this horse you never question whether or not you will make it over any of the jumps. It's more of a matter of hoping you can get him to agree to the speed in which to go over them. The line up of jumps after the stone wall at 4 was: 5- little bench, 6- baby trakhenner, <br />
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7-1st water and out over a hanging log, 8-second water and a zig and a zag to red ramp, <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Steady and I over 7</td></tr>
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9- ugly railroad ties, <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lego and Kid over Ugly railroad ties</td></tr>
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10-steep mound with tiny log on top, 11- hanging log of sorts, 12- took the less muddy option of a decent size trakhenner, 13- ditch, 14-ramp, 15- stone wall.<br />
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About the 2/3rd mark I was questioning my sanity of being out there competing after a 9 month recovery and only 2 months back riding. I was exhausted but I found another gear and we powered through. It was not ideal. I have never been that winded on a XC course. I've always made sure I was fit enough to handle a XC course on my beast with out being winded. But I was anxious to get out there since I lost so much of last year to my damn leg. I don't know if it was the entire day that had me worn out before I even started or if it was the course itself but I know I need to up my fitness level big time!<br />
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I was anxious to find out how my girls did. Lego and E were still out on course when I finished and I didn't see them for several minutes and my Mom nerves started to worry something had gone wrong. But it was just a long walk back from the end of the course and all was well when I saw them rounding the line of trees. She was beaming, I was beaming and the little one was already back at the trailer cleaning up little miss Penny. Kelcie and Penny had an amazing first time on XC! They did have one refusal because of a weird approach to one of the bigger jumps on their course but they cleared it on the second attempt and the rest of the course went great. As the start box guy said, "she looks great out there! Much better than most of the adults that went through today."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dey is so cute!</td></tr>
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Lego and Elaina too had one refusal. It was at jump 2. But it quickly made her wake up and ride like she meant it. She can often times get complacent and go on auto pilot. But Lego isn't that horse. He makes you work for it.<br />
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Steady and I went clear like Steady does.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy horse, tired horse. Happy Mom, tired Mom</td></tr>
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Couldn't have ended the day on a better note! Oh wait! That isn't the end I had another dressage test to ride. Hahaha who willingly does dressage after you get to go XC? Not me. I happily scratched that class and called it a day. 12 rides was plenty enough for this exhausted group of people and ponies. And to top it off we met someone at the show that rides with our trainer and lives around the corner from us that were happy to haul one of our ponies home! DAY MADE! I don't have to make 2 trips. <br />
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Final placings:<br />
Kelice 2nd in Mini trial, 4th- Intro C test<br />
Macy 2nd in 2ft jumpers, 7th in Intro C<br />
Elaina 5th in Novice Mini Trial<br />
Momma 1st in Novice Mini Trial<br />
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Bonus: When your 14 year old daughter watches her Mom ride her beast of a horse with pretty much zero prep and just coming back from a major injury and win she still thinks her mom is a total bad ass! So I'm pretty much winning at the Mom thing right now too!<br />
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And now I think it's time to look at 4 horse trailers this 2 trips thing is for the birds!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-19234206157029913512017-05-24T06:16:00.000-07:002017-05-24T06:16:15.347-07:00Unorthodixically Overly Ambitious Part 2Shortly after I "decided" I am going to scratch the rest of my rides for the day, a friend comes up and says. "Amy you can't scratch!" uhhhh why? "because you're in 1st place!" Are you kidding me? That seems impossible after how I felt it rode and making an error. I went to pick up my test and low and behold even after all that I scored a 32.5...lol. Not our best score but still a completely respectable score even on a good day. Well that didn't make the decision any easier. I then decided that I'd take it one ride at a time. If warmup went bad I'd scratch, good then I'll go in and so on. So let the chaos continue. The next set of ride times were again all close together.<br />
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I went to untack and sent LK to tack up for her first dressage test. She gets all ready we head over and no one is around. Apparently there was a weather delay announcement that we did not hear. Back to the trailer, untack load horses into the trailer and put one in the our nice neighbors trailer and wait out the storm. The storm that never showed...haha. Not complaining but it was anti climactic. Back on for LK and over to warm up. The little break actually helped Penny's energy level come down a bit which made LK's job a little easier than normal. Like mother like daughter right? She had and error too. In her defense she had to memorize 2 tests and got them mixed up. Well and she is 10! They were perfectly adorable and perfect in my eyes.<br />
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Then it was off to quickly tack up and warm up for my ride in 15 minutes. BE was already on and warming up. Man it's nice to have independent amazing kids! Macy would have had my horse tacked up for me but I didn't trust that job to anyone after the morning episode. I get to the warm up and trot all of about 4 steps and realize I will not make my horse even trot in that mess that was the warm up, let alone actually jump something. So I guess my warm up was some walking and my dressage test from earlier? Meh whatever, we'll see how it goes. My warm ups are typically unorthodox as it is anyway. Why change now? I go in, trot to the other end(that can be considered part of my warm up too right?) pick up my canter my horse feels lovely and off we go. He was superb. He jumped like an old pro up until about fence 5 then he, in typical Steady fashion, started rushing. He rushed 5, 6 and 7 the worst. With a tight turn to 7 we had to trot a couple steps. 8, 9 10 a and b were a little rushed but he wasn't unmanageable. People wonder why I put up with some of his issues but have you ever ridden a horse that you never had to question if they would jump for you or knock a rail? One that you know will do anything you ever ask of them? If you have you know why this horse has my whole heart. If you haven't it's hard to explain but there is no ride like it.<br />
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And then BE and Lego go in and kill it too. The day is starting to look up.<br />
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I untacked and headed over with LK for her Stadium round. We are in warm up and she says "MOM you never told me what the course was!" What goes through my head: M(&^$%&F*^&^%^%! You're a f*#*%%$ failure as a mother and coach! What I say to the kid. "No worries honey we'll go over it real quick, it's simple. You'll have no problem." Honestly how do these children survive? We do go over it she says she gets it.. She watches a couple people go and goes in. Another thing I didn't mention to her is that those jumps made me nervous with Penny. They have had too many experiences where she has come off at a competition and I hate it for her. She is a perfectionist and it always crushes her little heart. And I thought her jumps looked big. They went in and stole the show though.<br />
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(A short aside here. This little one has always struggled with her lower leg and the base of her position. She has always come off easier than I'd like and could never figure out how to fix it. She is a tiny thing so that doesn't help but I wish she was more secure. She took a lesson with a really good local trainer a couple weeks ago and she told her something that I would have never told her to do. And it literally changed LK's position and security 180 degrees. Which also gave her confidence like I've never seen in her before. Night and day! ) She went into her round and was awesome! <br />
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They did have one minor run out but it didn't bother either of us because she went in handled it all with confidence and didn't come off because she is now more secure in her lower leg. HUGE win for LK and Penpen!<br />
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If you noticed LK has 2 ride times at the same time. They told us to just go to dressage on time and go XC when ever she is ready. Oh good considering it's a big course, she has never ridden a full XC course and we haven't walked it. <br />
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I thought we'd have a minute to breath but nope with the weird weather delay some how the jump rings were running behind and the dressage rings were running ahead and they are calling MM and LK over the loud speaker to go to their dressage tests. LK heads over and starts to warm up. I stayed back to help MM because she was running behind. By the time I made it over I only caught the tail end of LK's ride but they did really well. MM went in after and did great. Again the least experienced and Lily not good at dressaging. She is the perfect hunter pony in her way of going but we don't do hunters. The most you can hope for with them is accuracy and good tempo. She does not get contact, connection or any such things. Which is all fine. MM was happy that she didn't get a comment about her circles this time. So that's a win. They were accurate with good tempo which makes momma happy.<br />
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Look at that! So far we have survived 9 rides and only 4 to go. It's all down hill from here right? Well one can hope!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-75818358347077446172017-05-22T09:00:00.003-07:002017-05-22T14:49:04.690-07:00Overly Ambitious Part 1I cannot realistically cover every step of this unimaginably crazy day but I will attempt to get the point across without making 20 posts about a single day. We must first start with a recap of the cast of characters that are my tribe. This will make writing and reading a bit easier in the long run. Remember I have so many children and animals that even I am unable to keep them all straight. Most the time they are referred to as That One and Her. Names are hard. This story contains myself and my wild steed Steady. Elaina the 14 year old with lovely Lego she will herein be referred to as BE= Big E. Macy the 12 year old and Lily the Happy Haflinger= MM=Middle Macy. Kelcie the 10 year old and the pouncy Penny Pincher= LK= Little Kelcie.<br />
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It started out with a cheap and very close one day HT being put on by a local Pony Club. I couldn't pass up this rare opportunity and signed each of us up. Myself for the Novice HT and Training Level 3 test. BE for the Novice HT. LK for Starter HT and an extra dressage test. MM for a dressage and 2' jumper class because they aren't quite ready for XC yet. That is 13 rides between the 4 of us in one day. Things I didn't think about before mailing the entries: That I am their coach and thus need to be available to warm them up for each ride, walk 4 stadium courses and 3 XC courses and still be able to groom, tack up, warm up and ride my own horse. See if you haven't seen a theme with me I have a tendency to underestimate and over extend myself pretty regularly. Also I failed to mention that having a 3 horse trailer and 4 horses meant I had to make 2 trips in the morning just to get everyone there.<br />
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The day started with getting dressed and kids starting to wash ponies. I helped wash a pony then we started with load #1 while BE stayed behind to wash the other 2 horses so they were ready when I returned. I dropped MM and LK off with their ponies and headed back home. On the drive back it all the sudden hit me that while I knew we would be short on time to get tacked up and to dressage that I had not yet once looked at my dressage test. I made a sad attempt to glance at it on the drive back. Great Prep right? Who has time to think about your own test when you have a bajillion kids and ponies to worry about. Picked up BE and remaining 2 horses.<br />
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We arrived with the final trip at approx. 9:45 and the day began.<br />
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Here is the ride schedule for the day:<br />
Me Dress. 10:23, Stadium 12:11, XC 3:54, Dress 4:54<br />
BE-Dress. 10:32, Stadium 12:06, XC 3:45<br />
MM- Jumper 10:30, Dress 1:51<br />
LK-Dress 11:40, Stadium 12:51, XC 1:45, Dress 1:45<br />
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I quickly came to the harsh reality that I am a complete dumbass for thinking any of this was a good idea when 3 of us needed to be on our horses ready to go into our tests within 45 min of arriving plus the Jumper course walked with MM. I did the course walk with her told her to go over it again until she was confident then come back and tack up, get on, warm up WTC and wait until I get out of my test and I'll send her over some warm up jumps. Don't worry kid, I am not feeding you to the sharks I promise, you'll be fine. I still needed to get my show clothes on so I put LK on saddling Steady. Elaina was already on and warming up and finding out how Lego was going to behave that day. I am nearly done getting ready when I hear a big ruckus outside. I come out and LK is holding Steady by the halter. She had tightened his girth too quickly and he set back and broke his halter and busted his lip. No time to fret it was fine. I loosened his girth and bridled him. Then I put it up one hole when I was about to mount and my goddam horse almost fainted, fell backwards and pulled away from me. WTF?! He didn't go any where and was quite stunned himself. This has happened maybe 4 times in the 7 years I've had him but as long as you go up one hole at a time he us usually fine. I grab him and go to walk to the mounting block and he does it again. Except this time I was even more caught off guard, I had my back to him so when he fell back he drug me backwards. I spun around only to see both of his front shoes a foot or so from my face. I was already off balance and the reins were yanked once more and I hit the ground. Thankfully on my butt. He came down, again quite stunned and I got up as quickly as I could and ran over to loosen his girth. I was rattled to say the least. I was now even more behind and thankfully the ring steward was nice enough to switch BE and my ride times which gave me a few more minutes to make it on time. I left the girth looser than I'd normally but I was NOT tightening that again. Did I mention I had my white FITS breeches on? Of course, spend a stupid amount of money on a pair of pants and roll around in dirt and gravel before you even mount the horse, awesome. I mounted and headed over the ring. I watch BE and Lego go and they put in a very respectable test. No thanks to me. They were on their own %100 but I knew they could handle it and they did. They have improved tremendously in the 1 year she has had him and they will continue to work on his dressage this summer as she is now a working student for a biggg name dressage trainer.<br />
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As I sat there in the nasty muddy warm up area deciding that my only warm up would be the walk to the ring and maybe 90 seconds of trot work at the end of the arena before the bell was rung. I also realize that vaguely reading through your dressage test once while driving down the road is probably NOT the best show prep plan. But I could do nothing about it at that moment except go in and hope for the best.<br />
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My test- I would like to post the video but it's really quite painful to watch. You must be kind and remember I am slightly insane and really had no business being out there in the first place. I could take the time to edit it and make it look like we are rock stars but I don't have patience or time for that and I am sorry people but my life is fucking real and if I have to face reality of when I really screw shit up then that is what you get to see.<br />
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I can pick the whole test apart but the worst part about it is that I forgot the test and couldn't get my head on straight and figure out where to go. UGH!!! I was SO rattled still from what just happened with Steady just a few minutes ago, I was shaking and my head was not in that ring. I rode crappy. What's with my hands? Why are they in my lap? Why won't they give? Over all it was a complete mess in my mind. My kids watching their Momma completely flub it up. Proud moment. But remember I have ZERO time to wallow. I have poor MM waiting to get warmed up for her class. I jumped off because Steady started hopping and being stupid and I could not mentally handle him at that moment. I handed him off to LK and headed to jump warm up.<br />
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Lily was a bit rowdy after the first warm up jump so I had Macy put her on a tight figure 8 until she decided it was not worth the work to get excited. Best thing about having a horse since she was 8 months old is you know the exact buttons to get what you want. The rest of her warm up went great and we headed over to the ring. It was the first jumping class of the day and the stewards didn't really have it together yet so they were randomly sending people in. First kid goes, maybe early teens and after an ugly jump at jump 3 she hits the ground HARD. She ended up getting up and being OK but I could see Macy's face start to worry. Next rider goes in, she's an older lady with her coach hollering at the in gate. Same jump #3 has a refusal. There is NOTHING interesting about this jump and completely coincidental that these two went before Macy and had problems. She then has 2 more refusals and is excused. MM eyes kept getting bigger..lol. Poor kid she has the least experience of all the kids and this is not a great way to build confidence. As we watched I assured her that they are %100 prepared and that nothing in that course concerned me in the least. I knew they would be fine. She wasn't as sure about it as me but she did go in. And of course did awesome then went straight into their jump off round and did awesome! It was kinda cool for her too when they announced that she was the first clear round of the day! She comes out beaming! At least something went right that day so far.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2oiQzDGQE7WprpdprpAyzGPwS8inxrxQnxIIgWn6HqBHlNgaFP_P1xHkHN5fnLN6sMo7YfrMQvJ6LnZtw7GRtFzd37yF6yxEqt8oBP3m1YIyjPAykr5PxO1IQSlvxED9cbUHKJyyJS_Y/s1600/13423993_10154315654637502_8789033832593773665_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2oiQzDGQE7WprpdprpAyzGPwS8inxrxQnxIIgWn6HqBHlNgaFP_P1xHkHN5fnLN6sMo7YfrMQvJ6LnZtw7GRtFzd37yF6yxEqt8oBP3m1YIyjPAykr5PxO1IQSlvxED9cbUHKJyyJS_Y/s320/13423993_10154315654637502_8789033832593773665_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not from the show but same kid same pony <3</td></tr>
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The more I thought about it the more I didn't want to continue for the day. It just seemed like the best decision to scratch the rest of my day and just focus on the kids. I was shaken up. Though I had no time to process what had happened at the trailer with Steady it was one of the most dangerous things that has happened to me with a horse. I could have been hurt very badly and was still unsure how I wasn't either kicked in the face and/or landed on, on the ground. I was pushing it to get to a show after only being back on for maybe 2 months after an 8 month recovery. I was out of shape and out of practice and it was not going smoothly. Not to mention that this is supposed to be fun. My mind was made up and I was going to scratch. Only 3 rides down, 10 more to go and I already felt like I was stick a fork in me d.o.n.e.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-54359504822097801782017-05-09T10:26:00.003-07:002017-05-09T10:27:26.432-07:00How to go broke in 4 simple stepsI am posting this super helpful tutorial in case anyone was hoping to find a fun and simple way to go broke and go broke fast.<br />
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I kid, I kid, hahaha sort of. This is actually another Rolex post for those who were hoping the best weekend all year would never end.<br />
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<b>Steps to going broke-</b><br />
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<b>1. Love horses</b><br />
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<b>2. Have kids</b><br />
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<b>3. Have kids who love horses</b><br />
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<b>4. Take yourself and said kids to Rolex</b><br />
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Done! Yes folks it is just that simple. This isn't a gimmick. It is all true. You too could be broke like me if you just follow these 4 simple steps!<br />
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All kidding aside Rolex IS the best weekend all year and I look forward to it as soon as I pull away on Sunday. This year I tried some new things for our annual adventure and some were a success and some I learned I need to stop being dumb AF.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4779DEkh7n9x90_DTcPV4PRa5CRSAjGX8SIP2V9NLiD6PkKnek1LmecyDcQKD3sQjBpIF6Q9Uv64TEIZhP-yAtXvxjzkQgLdEoXgF9mNuK2rY-r3ikdPYaZAJKOzxjtgxAdgmEctUm2l/s1600/18402557_10155368124472502_155071521322686430_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4779DEkh7n9x90_DTcPV4PRa5CRSAjGX8SIP2V9NLiD6PkKnek1LmecyDcQKD3sQjBpIF6Q9Uv64TEIZhP-yAtXvxjzkQgLdEoXgF9mNuK2rY-r3ikdPYaZAJKOzxjtgxAdgmEctUm2l/s320/18402557_10155368124472502_155071521322686430_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fan girl photo and signatures with the winner and amazing creature that is Micheal Jung? Why yes!</td></tr>
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New thing #1 I rented this thing with my Rolex BFFs!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7hXItovxRiFj00uDKhcuCP-z71Kavk168qPHTwUqCd0xsyoWG30iLjBrxU8c0XF_voU5lvx0BbzvoWQvxIIJPRHy2n97x2gP_ypf5uLo0MMD_0X4RrnJTnpe0oZwsGcPQBjEpD-IInDW/s1600/18423833_10155368265387502_1919467886730854405_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7hXItovxRiFj00uDKhcuCP-z71Kavk168qPHTwUqCd0xsyoWG30iLjBrxU8c0XF_voU5lvx0BbzvoWQvxIIJPRHy2n97x2gP_ypf5uLo0MMD_0X4RrnJTnpe0oZwsGcPQBjEpD-IInDW/s320/18423833_10155368265387502_1919467886730854405_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is a 35' beast to haul!</td></tr>
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I'd do this again with some minor changes but so fun!<br />
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New thing #2 I decided to have a party and feed like 30 people. This is the only photo I got from the entire nights experience.<br />
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I must preface this section by saying that I am REALLY glad everyone came and that it seemed like everyone had a good time. That is the only bright spot about all of this is that at least someone enjoyed it! I am not upset at anyone or blame anyone else but my own dumb ass
self. I know better than to commit myself to such things. You'd think
at 36 I would have learned my lesson by now.<br />
But I will NEVER do this again. It sucked. Well not for anyone other than me but I spent a shit ton of time and money making it happen in prep before leaving, getting food out at the party and making sure everyone was fed and in cleaning up after. I can tell you it SUCKED balls. I did not enjoy myself because I was working my ass off, completely exhausted and stressed trying to make sure everything got done. I didn't get to know any new bloggers which was kinda the whole point in doing it. And I learned that even my kids clean up after themselves better than some grown ass adults. Beer cans, bottles, cups, plates all over my site when I woke up in the morning and no one bothered to take the trash to the dumpster which meant I got to pick up a bunch of nasty garbage bright an early in the morning. Again all of this is on me for doing it. Lesson learned!<br />
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A few photos of the night stolen from a friend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RjHv3di45E2jniEZlixKcrelqzswWaR0_YHktmpE3bXsbC8XUlb19Q0Mx6Ro-MGHZ190xl_XcOo2_MhTSTtKO7C1g5ErlUxraX3HFBq-ntd7f-m9CRaOKj6HN61agv0M8XQaYJWDBYSB/s1600/18194206_10100621937549172_4127993472895796960_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RjHv3di45E2jniEZlixKcrelqzswWaR0_YHktmpE3bXsbC8XUlb19Q0Mx6Ro-MGHZ190xl_XcOo2_MhTSTtKO7C1g5ErlUxraX3HFBq-ntd7f-m9CRaOKj6HN61agv0M8XQaYJWDBYSB/s320/18194206_10100621937549172_4127993472895796960_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just LOVE these two ladies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pndRXK97UH4jFOuiLSTIvXrlS1tiDm0j4zggGI28E87Bv4x27aJ7LnwoeBwjmE8oqlG7mMNyngT20WGvBe23n5VpDyzoBVdQzz0ikcr48_2CBkHqgpgk-RLhgTb0YIYJMbRAVtf5rhsM/s1600/18157646_10100621937494282_5961317809244305194_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pndRXK97UH4jFOuiLSTIvXrlS1tiDm0j4zggGI28E87Bv4x27aJ7LnwoeBwjmE8oqlG7mMNyngT20WGvBe23n5VpDyzoBVdQzz0ikcr48_2CBkHqgpgk-RLhgTb0YIYJMbRAVtf5rhsM/s1600/18157646_10100621937494282_5961317809244305194_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking by and popping in some random photo. I only new one person in this photo...lol. but the next day I got to know the other two lovely ladies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwCsbInudH8bW94es_be0y7y3wJQyRDYsZlrsmUJqDKz05BSs6rkvzj06e7-vRG6VsNVHWrS1cV-NBhU9WjwtgDDZJckyd1GRwuw3gOVPJQv689mUQWwAptHZ03VBt4VxMupjJlNV5vtd/s1600/18119125_10100621937683902_1360183777134330660_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwCsbInudH8bW94es_be0y7y3wJQyRDYsZlrsmUJqDKz05BSs6rkvzj06e7-vRG6VsNVHWrS1cV-NBhU9WjwtgDDZJckyd1GRwuw3gOVPJQv689mUQWwAptHZ03VBt4VxMupjJlNV5vtd/s320/18119125_10100621937683902_1360183777134330660_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again don't know this person and I'm not sure how amused he was by my friend putting $ in his beard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-y2XmV39KXsXUi44zGBkFscKRPKCOYEqOvU5C6HEQiNmMCT3U2Qm5IGECwZaFqp4FCynCd0FcFs_pMTSZdn55yzHnPJLYUKz1faUkI7HY8yvYh-6CkeFetpV_FcX6dI5e_s4_01NaXqe/s1600/18198322_10155294243467990_3673192655810348926_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-y2XmV39KXsXUi44zGBkFscKRPKCOYEqOvU5C6HEQiNmMCT3U2Qm5IGECwZaFqp4FCynCd0FcFs_pMTSZdn55yzHnPJLYUKz1faUkI7HY8yvYh-6CkeFetpV_FcX6dI5e_s4_01NaXqe/s320/18198322_10155294243467990_3673192655810348926_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This did happen. Again me walking by and one of my besties grabbing me trying to make me dance I indulged her for a moment.</td></tr>
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The rest of Rolex did not disappoint. I just love all of it. Catching up with old friends, drinking to our hearts content and laughing, laughing, laughing until the camp office shuts us down for pissing off the neighbors! I figure that is a step in the right direction from the cops being called last year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyjGRPMnP4fidiJY3HkgA7el_VvKEU6GoDRxv43lfjlcyI96XHyk-XwzZWNFdMkMMiihMMemreKuL1BwQRfuvFU7kxI5OXn8cNzs5VEeQzGoDr8W-fpS5kBCtOhpn_kUoiXqcZYFHL6tN/s1600/18403497_10155368124272502_6243921735344878020_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyjGRPMnP4fidiJY3HkgA7el_VvKEU6GoDRxv43lfjlcyI96XHyk-XwzZWNFdMkMMiihMMemreKuL1BwQRfuvFU7kxI5OXn8cNzs5VEeQzGoDr8W-fpS5kBCtOhpn_kUoiXqcZYFHL6tN/s320/18403497_10155368124272502_6243921735344878020_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corgi's love Rolex too! He has a large fan club at the event as well.</td></tr>
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My favorite things about Rolex:<br />
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Shopping I always save lots of money to shop at the vendors because it's just what I like to do.<br />
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Here is the total haul! I'll go over deets later.</div>
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I watched a total of one dressage ride on the big screen in the covered arena so that was a win. Haha spoiler alert I don't come for the dressage.<br />
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My afternoon with friends at Dubarry's! It's kinda tradition to head over to the Dubarry tent and get our drink on and try things on Friday after dressage. We always have at least one friend buying something so it's how we justify taking over the place. Spoiler alert! This year that person was me! I also learned this year that they have more than just champagne at The Dubarry tent! Uh hard liquor anyone...hahaha<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc9zsp8N3cxjQO6ynDMxuUmrKZqu9YXzHw_j7HLUsJJ9aRCzv4oyRMfLN2RFqY5vVgfChQGbwoAsStY4SgLL9oKTalTI2cDxoT_m7qSdoxDZjYzN-X9AXcu2wEyzLEat_Qt2RuG7N8K-j/s1600/18301852_10212603850841805_7567464160806126356_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc9zsp8N3cxjQO6ynDMxuUmrKZqu9YXzHw_j7HLUsJJ9aRCzv4oyRMfLN2RFqY5vVgfChQGbwoAsStY4SgLL9oKTalTI2cDxoT_m7qSdoxDZjYzN-X9AXcu2wEyzLEat_Qt2RuG7N8K-j/s320/18301852_10212603850841805_7567464160806126356_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE these PeePs! and photo bomb by sales guy..lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfdixwRxRq1noF2v-z4vhu80ClZndNz3EVSrgWaCSa9jMcwZ66VZj8nvrstfc9EhQcsR-f0yyDxS7a-s_q3vyn0ytbQWVnWBi0TFNSPZdE3-YR3s0MnWTPbWiq9KL3E9r_SMZ7kC6FUud/s1600/18222590_1686475624711060_5288162373383799745_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfdixwRxRq1noF2v-z4vhu80ClZndNz3EVSrgWaCSa9jMcwZ66VZj8nvrstfc9EhQcsR-f0yyDxS7a-s_q3vyn0ytbQWVnWBi0TFNSPZdE3-YR3s0MnWTPbWiq9KL3E9r_SMZ7kC6FUud/s320/18222590_1686475624711060_5288162373383799745_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><3 I'll always be an IEAer at heart. <3</td></tr>
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<br />
XC day of course! I think no matter how many years I've been tears will always well up when I am standing a few feet away as a competitor makes beautiful work of one of those jumps and gallops away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoSvtFnrjCsJiuXbljFtSBYB3d5vUKNcD0mdtxpTOcjGrUDEUyYco0V0H4EV2G_Djh3g3KKJVjoF_LC2alo3Vo-NDDXbCiJpYlNOjnwspUdY4Tu1OqY4a-C70djC-lCZfGjItMNG1OcsB/s1600/18301208_10155368124767502_3766041155968817534_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoSvtFnrjCsJiuXbljFtSBYB3d5vUKNcD0mdtxpTOcjGrUDEUyYco0V0H4EV2G_Djh3g3KKJVjoF_LC2alo3Vo-NDDXbCiJpYlNOjnwspUdY4Tu1OqY4a-C70djC-lCZfGjItMNG1OcsB/s320/18301208_10155368124767502_3766041155968817534_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best of times!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aKJIWxhlYvZC8ZIksHldVSZKSOS_K0-V1HB2VM1yeJlGmYL1nQGXfzgJJTMRWGFFd0kCq_Q226yUKLIYXXAl8Pad9SmqGQESbUkm6LR4VqgVGghV1Z5gRsifJcd4yXLM2uZD_bDdBKdQ/s1600/18402839_10155368124707502_2320696974069289680_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aKJIWxhlYvZC8ZIksHldVSZKSOS_K0-V1HB2VM1yeJlGmYL1nQGXfzgJJTMRWGFFd0kCq_Q226yUKLIYXXAl8Pad9SmqGQESbUkm6LR4VqgVGghV1Z5gRsifJcd4yXLM2uZD_bDdBKdQ/s320/18402839_10155368124707502_2320696974069289680_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have THE best hook ups. Land Rover Tailgate party!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3sRMgB4pdfCQJLrB4qadpZF2iIO4MfWKMsj6cjPewwoE5toOoskN7ZRKDuh3mNGC5Nzm1gkvrO4G1P5nhT-6VcYKqxKiQzse9wcYwK9KzPSylOHN5wpbOQZvDN-GBR_fsbGwdYTyhWLL/s1600/18301519_10155368125237502_3868269431813817445_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3sRMgB4pdfCQJLrB4qadpZF2iIO4MfWKMsj6cjPewwoE5toOoskN7ZRKDuh3mNGC5Nzm1gkvrO4G1P5nhT-6VcYKqxKiQzse9wcYwK9KzPSylOHN5wpbOQZvDN-GBR_fsbGwdYTyhWLL/s320/18301519_10155368125237502_3868269431813817445_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom fail! Not used to seeing the sun on XC day. I did sunblock the rest of the kid just not the back of her legs obviously.</td></tr>
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Our annual visit to the Liquor Barn! Made even more exciting by my friend's broken foot and the use of their super handy wheel chair cart. Just in case you need some serious liquor but are unable to walk through the store but happen to bring a friend along to push you? Is driving a wheel chair intoxicated in KY legal?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLLD-WUEMasmv3_c8km01J2stqj6ss1kb_LOc5wd5HkjOukeWEcgakwOGxJpZraVWhmM02ju0wtR-jPukMPUEMzs39uGjuREhsIQgAJipqqSkGRohNDyqSqDnjpqqnZoc4N2YedhJ5oCC/s1600/18194003_10100622774207502_8585850833565974759_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLLD-WUEMasmv3_c8km01J2stqj6ss1kb_LOc5wd5HkjOukeWEcgakwOGxJpZraVWhmM02ju0wtR-jPukMPUEMzs39uGjuREhsIQgAJipqqSkGRohNDyqSqDnjpqqnZoc4N2YedhJ5oCC/s320/18194003_10100622774207502_8585850833565974759_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48Bws_g0kp5X5ukAmtkIOvqKk47HfeB3ewMNLS77a-GT_t5GJxweBB8wKFWzIObjBOAGdi_3ymwk1oaY2HqFqHCHimrtnRRIG48Js_pNpCnO2RVuzWaGN9by5EROZg2KKlAJSBPhzy6dE/s1600/18194005_10109031111107809_1966466083656271591_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48Bws_g0kp5X5ukAmtkIOvqKk47HfeB3ewMNLS77a-GT_t5GJxweBB8wKFWzIObjBOAGdi_3ymwk1oaY2HqFqHCHimrtnRRIG48Js_pNpCnO2RVuzWaGN9by5EROZg2KKlAJSBPhzy6dE/s320/18194005_10109031111107809_1966466083656271591_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GJVLvLPRP90F8fozCdylUJ0QWOfHJ5m95ksPcpv5tILNKpMa-vTy41vtu8zGT1JCkd6Udet8juVpba_lGaSs6gw2XBdt_MRjthYuAbKGbPFcSfHqLubWJyJp4hDbXd-vf9mJjn_DhREk/s1600/18194601_10100622774237442_4086365574634373277_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GJVLvLPRP90F8fozCdylUJ0QWOfHJ5m95ksPcpv5tILNKpMa-vTy41vtu8zGT1JCkd6Udet8juVpba_lGaSs6gw2XBdt_MRjthYuAbKGbPFcSfHqLubWJyJp4hDbXd-vf9mJjn_DhREk/s320/18194601_10100622774237442_4086365574634373277_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Time with my girls. They all came all 4 days this time for the first time and it is going to have to be tradition. School Schmool...I decided last minute to let them miss 2 days of school for Rolex because they haven't missed a day of school all year and every single one gets straight A's all year. They really wanted to go so I caved. I am so glad I did. They are the coolest most self sustaining kids evar! And we are making irreplaceable memories. Some of them might be of their Mom being drunk and acting afool but mostly of watching horses, shopping and fan girling with them! It is THE best!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotdYLu782Yola3OMdC6aPHT-7I-483RshYgUL3nPneiVelkLfZMxh0AxywISG9NgE0uMdlHh3-HCBYpC0k4-Fd6zaaHhVtfu96DtQYvDfdyrd9Utul4Q4Tl66BkyY08mT7dx9BQEPKM_f/s1600/18423725_10155368124852502_2200803356564777058_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotdYLu782Yola3OMdC6aPHT-7I-483RshYgUL3nPneiVelkLfZMxh0AxywISG9NgE0uMdlHh3-HCBYpC0k4-Fd6zaaHhVtfu96DtQYvDfdyrd9Utul4Q4Tl66BkyY08mT7dx9BQEPKM_f/s320/18423725_10155368124852502_2200803356564777058_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick the Mini horse~</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBLiNQbUjRJv8b6B-4zTznaQh0dmWpfzG1aMXkQzB9tZ9XQEL9y2snhoM5n7luZUU1la9Mp323djKV99saoPcv8i0rjSntRzoFNQ-HGlT_PiyjAq-i58KXt04gv_xyx0TpMGjtBFgYQSn/s1600/18402856_10155368125457502_4377473698382179538_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBLiNQbUjRJv8b6B-4zTznaQh0dmWpfzG1aMXkQzB9tZ9XQEL9y2snhoM5n7luZUU1la9Mp323djKV99saoPcv8i0rjSntRzoFNQ-HGlT_PiyjAq-i58KXt04gv_xyx0TpMGjtBFgYQSn/s320/18402856_10155368125457502_4377473698382179538_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gratuitous Head of the Lake water testing of our new Dubarry's!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjren5eaJol4i-fhKCZpcD7zb8qajhHAvPp-wKmhgDktz-y5KGE75Utb0XeaNebneKrjW4tYwOuQ_7TRLTN5wdqqE2XJt2AdIkCC8KbKfzoICI8qKLzMqa8AO0klrCxeYv2QmRmZvI9eYaU/s1600/18342523_10155368125027502_6338970634954349331_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjren5eaJol4i-fhKCZpcD7zb8qajhHAvPp-wKmhgDktz-y5KGE75Utb0XeaNebneKrjW4tYwOuQ_7TRLTN5wdqqE2XJt2AdIkCC8KbKfzoICI8qKLzMqa8AO0klrCxeYv2QmRmZvI9eYaU/s320/18342523_10155368125027502_6338970634954349331_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd4eOsVGD8Q1KeAK0IFtXqo21Uo8SOfVG1JZRNdOgzrJJULTncU4da-8QkDGweMMguHQkPRjUfHLrlVv_8Y6iYoLuz2_iIdJH8snwIQTcsbav9i01CF2AMtCifm73HLDjIwTWYCJp5L7x/s1600/18301909_10155368125102502_5413353571501045853_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd4eOsVGD8Q1KeAK0IFtXqo21Uo8SOfVG1JZRNdOgzrJJULTncU4da-8QkDGweMMguHQkPRjUfHLrlVv_8Y6iYoLuz2_iIdJH8snwIQTcsbav9i01CF2AMtCifm73HLDjIwTWYCJp5L7x/s320/18301909_10155368125102502_5413353571501045853_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mah gurls <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTSXS_I0Uf6L59tElDd8iRfDu617B-W-7NGOkH0BKmLjILb_CeV6TCzaYYCevDXCx-6oy1UWizsVLk0txM5d0bRubrE5MJFDg7vS-u4YP59CSVleoGGSwd2dydLSG1wMkqgqrG-CrdD2M/s1600/18301730_10155368124392502_9016188533596268932_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTSXS_I0Uf6L59tElDd8iRfDu617B-W-7NGOkH0BKmLjILb_CeV6TCzaYYCevDXCx-6oy1UWizsVLk0txM5d0bRubrE5MJFDg7vS-u4YP59CSVleoGGSwd2dydLSG1wMkqgqrG-CrdD2M/s320/18301730_10155368124392502_9016188533596268932_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am noticing a trend in the riders the girls pick out to get photos with. Clark Mongomery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZgcZu43NlQqYEEM9fWc82nvmmVw_19mXRhl1sTlQjf7jRUQe-dd1lROSD9QcW86dk6P_mekq49ypMeqe_Hb4yxX5PaXp88p2ubfPFW-5qSLIQOaDHwtVcJJLdiqdQR9bMpIPaEGNWVgZ/s1600/18301341_10155368124917502_2909577026574329053_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZgcZu43NlQqYEEM9fWc82nvmmVw_19mXRhl1sTlQjf7jRUQe-dd1lROSD9QcW86dk6P_mekq49ypMeqe_Hb4yxX5PaXp88p2ubfPFW-5qSLIQOaDHwtVcJJLdiqdQR9bMpIPaEGNWVgZ/s320/18301341_10155368124917502_2909577026574329053_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boyd was a good sport though I could tell would rather not be oogled by a few hundred tweenage girls after a not so great ending to his day on course. His son is adorable.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Damage</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG78oQtP8iVesg1xl7gmXeyOKUN64Mkiouvh9v-Vqds2Hc-mxeGvtlQSOV10gXuhSvmJrPvljqNjSIzN7ineDniQMZmfi_nPskwaxbjcIkckl3ZxT_GvJ3_8aQLvXvlLYchuqkw6cn2AHv/s1600/18403732_10155368285362502_369811036437603112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG78oQtP8iVesg1xl7gmXeyOKUN64Mkiouvh9v-Vqds2Hc-mxeGvtlQSOV10gXuhSvmJrPvljqNjSIzN7ineDniQMZmfi_nPskwaxbjcIkckl3ZxT_GvJ3_8aQLvXvlLYchuqkw6cn2AHv/s320/18403732_10155368285362502_369811036437603112_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The overview</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZGy-bX9YaprXqY7KbZgXrEIAV9C_obApKnunlPKKZEXDJNAg2Zl0DifppCwlz4QsHdEBpNWA8XATbW-zVT1-wr75lCuP-Z6ANCnUcIJdidinHlb1AAyTcVPNteGetLYLxlUwCHlHwPUx/s1600/18301888_10155368285437502_1509144387119633820_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZGy-bX9YaprXqY7KbZgXrEIAV9C_obApKnunlPKKZEXDJNAg2Zl0DifppCwlz4QsHdEBpNWA8XATbW-zVT1-wr75lCuP-Z6ANCnUcIJdidinHlb1AAyTcVPNteGetLYLxlUwCHlHwPUx/s320/18301888_10155368285437502_1509144387119633820_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My boots left. I went with a newer more contoured model and I love them! I went out to dinner and drinking in them one night then traipsing through mud puddles XC schooling at KHP the next! Sexy and functional! Elaina's boots right, damn spoiled kid! and Macy's jacket center.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGIy81Yb5U11TWqCCLUpLfx1ZOGkoPcTI-ChyIBc5Moli-Jh1dqYWm8wWawUgeBwnOFmjJRSZVF_kDur-Q90qzW_FOOTwi63mA0fJggLY8g5xhEhZh9CfLqHHX9kBfWLOxpcuH3wWjk7i/s1600/18403419_10155368125952502_5926939335052785536_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGIy81Yb5U11TWqCCLUpLfx1ZOGkoPcTI-ChyIBc5Moli-Jh1dqYWm8wWawUgeBwnOFmjJRSZVF_kDur-Q90qzW_FOOTwi63mA0fJggLY8g5xhEhZh9CfLqHHX9kBfWLOxpcuH3wWjk7i/s320/18403419_10155368125952502_5926939335052785536_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Gatsby bridle for Lego.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6QzxeOPxGpGlSGH4AuGoiYoW2wFQeYskHuluWfv9oyTbkvzLbe7mUNu6FmQF4E65rOndQGpxEQiuK7Igd4G1tATjONBB4y4L_s0QmnbTo48nPrp2kcOKi1UNXPsp5mtoSY9ubZvP4tlY/s1600/18446997_10155368125837502_1385716229281161288_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6QzxeOPxGpGlSGH4AuGoiYoW2wFQeYskHuluWfv9oyTbkvzLbe7mUNu6FmQF4E65rOndQGpxEQiuK7Igd4G1tATjONBB4y4L_s0QmnbTo48nPrp2kcOKi1UNXPsp5mtoSY9ubZvP4tlY/s320/18446997_10155368125837502_1385716229281161288_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of two adorable back packs for M and K that they got many autographs on.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAp_ktz3J5gCWFqlqn73MQkRnvTY7bvEFgw1QlU2XHdWmXfSvk6HKT70Fk58er6AsXXtGPLXiFtV90u1AGWG2BUttCwHftnza5DDZYbWkK9_pBEtCWoTMxzwf4-92f0vKEJfVbNgrviSbL/s1600/18424211_10155368125887502_4224748530883772036_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAp_ktz3J5gCWFqlqn73MQkRnvTY7bvEFgw1QlU2XHdWmXfSvk6HKT70Fk58er6AsXXtGPLXiFtV90u1AGWG2BUttCwHftnza5DDZYbWkK9_pBEtCWoTMxzwf4-92f0vKEJfVbNgrviSbL/s320/18424211_10155368125887502_4224748530883772036_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new sun hat and E got a show shirt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3wZ_hKGfg3wPXZ59Cxbn8ASCUALxPN04ucPOznjBDMpn5d7v5TPr_KKhU0PJFbPAAYwPM8jp32igCW6wi1oubj89RwNWJk9UD7_wbBOUkYqNKH5MG7eWNc7ttz-B3DcffjgrlFD68Ruc/s1600/18301525_10155368125757502_2572792419534011272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3wZ_hKGfg3wPXZ59Cxbn8ASCUALxPN04ucPOznjBDMpn5d7v5TPr_KKhU0PJFbPAAYwPM8jp32igCW6wi1oubj89RwNWJk9UD7_wbBOUkYqNKH5MG7eWNc7ttz-B3DcffjgrlFD68Ruc/s320/18301525_10155368125757502_2572792419534011272_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of Pipers and gloves for E. A pair of pony rubber reins for M and a pair of extra long rubber reins for me. This year was the year of the hat! We scored 3 Horseware, 3 Land Rover and 1 Purina fo free!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPdes7lR9dOMyttyLTBxmgSVhcsyPzrJsAPIUtSjCl515okgEt7KOCiqzuyCBqJ54QTnrDsCeRCCAnemF22cJsMlVuQv0_0Djjhetw31OaKKOQvTReAEgG7BGrdV63OT-HLwxmSQonG_1/s1600/18424192_10155368125512502_3054880103473412559_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPdes7lR9dOMyttyLTBxmgSVhcsyPzrJsAPIUtSjCl515okgEt7KOCiqzuyCBqJ54QTnrDsCeRCCAnemF22cJsMlVuQv0_0Djjhetw31OaKKOQvTReAEgG7BGrdV63OT-HLwxmSQonG_1/s320/18424192_10155368125512502_3054880103473412559_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horses got a bag of treats, E a new lime green glow in the dark C4, M hunter green pony polos. And another hat.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And this is what we all feel like after 4 days of RK3DE!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until Next Year My Friends!</span></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-89994493198280708782017-01-11T09:16:00.000-08:002017-01-11T09:16:11.476-08:00Ch-ch-changes: Farm nameHere we go again. First it was with the tack room and now with the farm name. We have this entry to our place that is quite grand. I don't necessarily feel that our 6 acres with 4 horses, 2 goats, a few cats and a dog really constitutes a farm or ranch or the grandiosity of a name to go along with it. But if you have ever pulled into our driveway and seen the entrance it appears naked without some sort of sign. There are actually two really great spots for a sign. The previous owners had a sign. You can see their sign hanging in the spot that now has sat empty for 2 years.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfklbDnYr8RHwtOdALJojfaElt3jS0jcdZGvV5hiFsiRFfqqsyl44X5SvvMBIw-T-nrOda3HhNLDhmvIx7A_FWkrFcbe-iCSc6QdQ0O3Dmx5u_Nscs0im1O-NCVpWq5pKgEBEagkpbRqOk/s1600/11009101_10153237978587502_2531177241524735692_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfklbDnYr8RHwtOdALJojfaElt3jS0jcdZGvV5hiFsiRFfqqsyl44X5SvvMBIw-T-nrOda3HhNLDhmvIx7A_FWkrFcbe-iCSc6QdQ0O3Dmx5u_Nscs0im1O-NCVpWq5pKgEBEagkpbRqOk/s400/11009101_10153237978587502_2531177241524735692_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then there is that huge over hang, arbor thing that would look amazing with some sort of sign. It might work with a farm name sign on the posts and maybe WELCOME on the arbor. BUT the problem with that is we aren't really all that welcoming...lmao. Unless I know you, you are FedEx or you have given me notice that you plan to come down my driveway you will be greeted with a hello and one of our many guns in tow. So welcome seems a bit inappropriate. We also plan to put a gate in and gates don't really scream, welcome. So we will most like just have to leave the arbor empty.<br />
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I heart our entrance so I do not plan to change that. So I've determined that a sign is a must. The problem is I always feel I'm terrible at naming things. My husband is no help and I am not quite ready to pull the trigger on my ideas. That is where you all come in to help. Help me decide on a name for my farm. <br />
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The only name I have come up with is, <span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fly by G Farm</span></span></span>. It has a personal meaning but I am not 100% convinced it makes sense to the outside world as a farm name. But then again does it need to? It is a dressage reference with a pun on the letter G for our last name Grayson. It came from a specific dressage test with my trusty, yet exuberant stead, where I commented that I thought I was going to "fly by F" in the test. The person I was talking to said, "that would make and excellent farm name". And I thought yeah that does have a ring to it. That is the only name that I have come up with that has stuck at all.<br />
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Here is where you come in! Make your suggestions, ideas and thoughts on that or any other name you come up with. Then I can put it to a poll if there are other options you recommend. If any of you have the super power of design skills you are more than welcome to come up with sign options which of course would need horses on it.<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-55573168044801343042016-11-18T19:45:00.000-08:002016-11-18T19:45:08.112-08:00No Stirrup November Look! I got to participate in no stirrup November! Such a happy day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbG2HecaZqKsLxe8cUfzpjZ4O2jfRXQ59OTHjFhA0d6HKfMD9izq-rBkxfOU-fa4iNATiRIFsFWVsMT_ucW2ykaur0E4jOzrzn82_45f4fDC9NC2oIW2iPxvyltxE-osYkK19mDMPEYZp/s1600/20161118_171239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbG2HecaZqKsLxe8cUfzpjZ4O2jfRXQ59OTHjFhA0d6HKfMD9izq-rBkxfOU-fa4iNATiRIFsFWVsMT_ucW2ykaur0E4jOzrzn82_45f4fDC9NC2oIW2iPxvyltxE-osYkK19mDMPEYZp/s320/20161118_171239.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's been a long time since I've had this view. </td></tr>
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I also received the go ahead from the surgeon that it's time to start walking again! 2 months post op this is fabulous. So I am weaning myself off of the crutches. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter by the day!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-16628803902845854532016-11-10T13:24:00.001-08:002016-11-10T13:24:56.454-08:00Ch-ch-changes: the tack roomI have a decent enough sized tack room. It could stand to be a bit bigger but it is workable with some creative space saving ideas. Ideas I've been kicking around for going on our 2 years here. My plan is to ask for the tack room remodel for Christmas. I am not sure how that will go over or if it will work. But seeing how it was going to be my fall project this year and that didn't happen for reasons we all know by now Then maybe I can work those sympathy points one last time to get this project done. I have decided to offer a contest for the best tack room design. This is not an easy task so a measly $20 gift card may not be worth it and I get like 0 entries. But if you're into that sort of thing, have some creative space saving brain, have had some tack room envy in your life then have at it!<br />
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There will be several requirements of what needs to fit in the space. You all pretty much know all the things you have and need space for? Multiply that by 4. That's what has got to fit in this space.<br />
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Things to keep in mind in your design. <br />
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I am a everything has it's place and every place has it's thing kinda person. Also kids work better when they know exactly where something goes. <br />
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Everything is on the table. I will not buy fancy items just for the sake of being fancy but I am not against spending on items that are helpful, organizational and attractive. <br />
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There are 4 people that need their own space for each item of tack for their horse/pony. Saddle or 2, saddle pads, girth, bridle, whip, helmet, gloves, boots/horse and human, wraps, grooming kit and extra tack box stuff, etc.<br />
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I am fine with a communal space for things like saddle pads but ideally I would like each person to have a spot for each thing they have. Not sure if it's realistic but that is the goal.<br />
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Your favorite organizational products for the tack room.<br />
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What you have to work with: 12 Ft long, 6 Ft wide and 8 Ft high. With a door at each end.<br />
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It can be in any format.. If you are computer savvy or would rather hand draw. Links to items, picture examples even better for this visual learner.<br />
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So please blog land I need you show me what you've got!<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-58560961403088970662016-11-09T05:35:00.000-08:002016-11-09T05:35:38.512-08:00Oversharing; post op recapMy little oversharing series continues. I realized I never shared all the fun post op photos and X-rays with all my new hardware.<br />
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Recovery is coming along. PT was a bitch yesterday. New Therapist was way rougher on the ankle. I'd actually like to give her a swift kick, with the good leg of course. I got scolded for taking steps in my walking boot with out crutches...oops.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I first saw the repair job at 2 weeks post op.</td></tr>
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I am 8 weeks post surgery going on 10 post injury. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a photo from today. Remarkable, right?</td></tr>
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My surgery actually went very well. It was longer than expected and they did end up putting 2 plates and 12 screws.<br />
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Geesh! I kinda feel like they put my leg back together like my husband would have done a remodling project...just one more screw ought to hold it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMg05zz3IjouCjeXNdvepIE-z3DUuieZhQYJmHYJDRmgAAKlww8-m5X_8E_vXBSfwU1VddGU9IxsyPiOaPJzahyHn3oV7fF0tjk6kmG_PuUow2jzjc-Iv4gkiIF00VBd7sitzexKt_c4M/s1600/14516605_10154619239427502_2158661574264364831_n%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMg05zz3IjouCjeXNdvepIE-z3DUuieZhQYJmHYJDRmgAAKlww8-m5X_8E_vXBSfwU1VddGU9IxsyPiOaPJzahyHn3oV7fF0tjk6kmG_PuUow2jzjc-Iv4gkiIF00VBd7sitzexKt_c4M/s320/14516605_10154619239427502_2158661574264364831_n%255B2%255D.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah and throw a couple long ones in there for good mearsure.</td></tr>
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But I cannot actually complain I have had no issues and am healing as quick as can be expected. <br />
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Getting that dorsiflexion back like it's my job.</div>
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Gotta get those heals down again!</div>
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Aaaand just because you sat through another post about my goddam leg here are some photos of the most adorable little creatures ever.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgx0yxbGXumZkVIvVbKUKN-2st7YXW-yfKPKt3mIX1gvLj9k8qZn4Am40P00zm3Z9UvPG52Y4HY5qI8yRBrwE50FBI0uGoROipsCMCH-hWZ53DSzEpkFaasyRL5hPW5Um1pAJel2G6jU6/s1600/14632948_10154731273552502_2435329675314416721_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgx0yxbGXumZkVIvVbKUKN-2st7YXW-yfKPKt3mIX1gvLj9k8qZn4Am40P00zm3Z9UvPG52Y4HY5qI8yRBrwE50FBI0uGoROipsCMCH-hWZ53DSzEpkFaasyRL5hPW5Um1pAJel2G6jU6/s320/14632948_10154731273552502_2435329675314416721_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Started with 4 all but 1 found homes and his new Mom is coming this evening to get him.</div>
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I really wish I could keep them but I already have 3 cats don't need a 4th.</div>
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Mr Moley or Cindy.<br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-58516578952847244342016-11-08T07:01:00.000-08:002016-11-08T07:01:05.094-08:00Oversharing; clinic recapThank you all who are sticking with me through this crappy time. I most likely over share online and question myself on that regularly. One thing I realized I hadn't shared with you all is the Clinic I rode in, in August. Get ready for some retro postings!<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The Cathy Weischhoff clinic</span></b><br />
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I got to ride one day and Elaina's trainer gave her the opportunity to ride both days. It was quite a while back so I can't recall every little detail but can expound on the take-aways.<br />
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It started with grid work. Grid work is amazing, and a fabulous training tool. Unless your horse absolutely hates anything that appears to be a grid. Yes that horse is Steady. He hates them. He gets very frazzled. He has a huge stride so making 1 or 2 stride bounces generally set him off. And they did. He rushed, he flailed, he bucked after going through. Then for the course work he was all worked up and was very rushy. Cathy was at a bit of a loss as to what to do with us. Like literally said those words, "hmmm I'm not sure what to do with you two so wait for a while". I love the honesty..lol. <br />
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Still in our snaffle. Mr. Toad's wild ride but nothing I haven't gotten used to. </div>
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Cathy had the silly idea that I should actually have a bit more control whilst jumping.</div>
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She then puts a bubble elevator bit with a curb strap on him. I use the most very mild bit you can imagine on him, a loose ring, French link snaffle. I use it for everything, dressage, XC and Stadium. The strongest bit I've used to ride him in is an egg butt snaffle..haha. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IvdRfN512XSynM8hye0MiZYrGm9ko5VIIWhG3nbx-15mv9GF6AA6wy2eEicwjHIuiLEI2on34IE0vHpBmPXv5mnhCxZRu9UVJKK7zADS_c358hjIYmJh3FQPWqapSkmFbtMr59zq30LO/s1600/14601072_10154724811497502_8639885697824082718_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IvdRfN512XSynM8hye0MiZYrGm9ko5VIIWhG3nbx-15mv9GF6AA6wy2eEicwjHIuiLEI2on34IE0vHpBmPXv5mnhCxZRu9UVJKK7zADS_c358hjIYmJh3FQPWqapSkmFbtMr59zq30LO/s320/14601072_10154724811497502_8639885697824082718_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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This is after the bit change. I can actually see the look of confusion</div>
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in his eye. "WTH do you want from me lady? I thought we had an understanding.</div>
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I run around and jump all the things and you hang on for dear life."</div>
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I've tried out stronger bits in the past and have gotten adverse reactions so I was a bit skeptical. But it actually helped a great deal. It backed him off a little more than what either of us desired but at least I found something that will back him off, this is a first after 7 years. He didn't throw any fits but was a little confused as to what I wanted. "do you want me to go forward and jump the things or stop?" <br />
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He never actually stopped but got sticky in front and took some deep spots. I really enjoyed my experience in the clinic and was glad to find that this bit was a successful training tool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-nxL68mY4VGkAJE7p4uX6rq4JEMUEBTWgy1ZSa0cnzfbgfn5ZR56YYsq34ig5fgAatuF8GW67iLU5fQDvEGjLs32bMorr-vU5bij92f7YGvH3lSE-Ccc_PEjdhsd2KFoKgCtT-_ZBn8N/s1600/14595658_10154724804542502_3136668252627891346_n%255B3%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-nxL68mY4VGkAJE7p4uX6rq4JEMUEBTWgy1ZSa0cnzfbgfn5ZR56YYsq34ig5fgAatuF8GW67iLU5fQDvEGjLs32bMorr-vU5bij92f7YGvH3lSE-Ccc_PEjdhsd2KFoKgCtT-_ZBn8N/s320/14595658_10154724804542502_3136668252627891346_n%255B3%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still hard for me to believe that in just a few short weeks we went from this...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClWLlhW9XMVfW8WYJlo98qG9Ebp8EICR_VGqqUPGtgoBVPeTkQu-tngwI8FrMItZA5pMr7_w0Yh7fHi7wMuunD__C3nk-940liFZdXn9HrX2wF67KUcmeOw2CCVfYsNkxgUDn5ymGxSY1/s1600/14322730_10210004987657272_2846151799351767773_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClWLlhW9XMVfW8WYJlo98qG9Ebp8EICR_VGqqUPGtgoBVPeTkQu-tngwI8FrMItZA5pMr7_w0Yh7fHi7wMuunD__C3nk-940liFZdXn9HrX2wF67KUcmeOw2CCVfYsNkxgUDn5ymGxSY1/s320/14322730_10210004987657272_2846151799351767773_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To this.</td></tr>
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Elaina's rides were great.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOk1qiAgpScBpLdlOdD76MaBMLyHCRFV7Risdck_YvVHwV9nTyxLn1SvJRvZ1jBHGTBf3FjIAmuALNOsGrRc2LbWRpj1MBiUUt7KHlOWElOqrpB1xYQ4QtGJbZx6qEbDlbkYe2NVFm6gCt/s1600/15032218_10154752364287502_2747791696963245390_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOk1qiAgpScBpLdlOdD76MaBMLyHCRFV7Risdck_YvVHwV9nTyxLn1SvJRvZ1jBHGTBf3FjIAmuALNOsGrRc2LbWRpj1MBiUUt7KHlOWElOqrpB1xYQ4QtGJbZx6qEbDlbkYe2NVFm6gCt/s320/15032218_10154752364287502_2747791696963245390_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
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Not enough <3 emojis in the world for this. </div>
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Thinking of getting it printed on a canvas for her </div>
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bedroom for Xmas. What do you think?</div>
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She and Lego are making great progress as a team and when they aren't perfect I have to remind myself that she just got him in April and they are progressing so quickly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFVtU9qXLv-t5yj5iIyWVZw4703yOnbbff-dmG6ghM1yRziWjUGaAhXhZ4AbYn4Rr0ryCKoiv1DwJorqX9XYRmiFMayMeMwpqilTLsvJ7gDhTuz4jiLVvpNUOJPIchXpAAXJLsaShRlyy/s1600/14910402_10154752364427502_8623916560128205742_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFVtU9qXLv-t5yj5iIyWVZw4703yOnbbff-dmG6ghM1yRziWjUGaAhXhZ4AbYn4Rr0ryCKoiv1DwJorqX9XYRmiFMayMeMwpqilTLsvJ7gDhTuz4jiLVvpNUOJPIchXpAAXJLsaShRlyy/s320/14910402_10154752364427502_8623916560128205742_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great team, indeed!</td></tr>
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I wasn't there for their XC ride the second day but it sounds like it went even better than the stadium lesson.<br />
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Ahhh I love those two together!<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-6150425171986941352016-11-05T08:00:00.000-07:002016-11-05T08:00:21.531-07:00Reminiscing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remembering the good ole days.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WinJan, my first horse. We had some good, slightly dangerous times together. But even at 8 months my 2 point was on point.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">In all seriousness though I am healing quite well. I haven't had any setbacks. It's just a slow going process when you snap your leg in two. I am %50 weight bearing which means I can get around most places on crutches alone which is HUGE! Tough I am still quite limited in the things I can do because I am still on crutches. I am now in Physical Therapy twice a week for the next couple months. The Therapist is actually surprised at my range of motion. I have only lost a few degrees in all directions. Her comment was, "you know most people would love to have this range of motion." Um, well I am not most people. But while I do have a pretty good range of motion considering, the stiffness and pain is still present so it's not comfortable to do it. It is ridiculous the size of my injured calf. It has to be a good 3 inches smaller than my other. Ugh, so ugly.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The good ole days when my left heel went down like a boss.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">This was at the Cathy Weischoff clinic I rode in 2 short weeks before the big accident. God I miss this! Think my horse has scope?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I was doing some interneting the other day and was looking up injuries in the professional eventing world. After a little bit I realized I am in some good company. Odd as it may be reading and hearing about other's injuries is strangely comforting. I have spoken to many ammy's with similar injuries. I have met others who had nothing to do with horses and have same injury by silly things like taking a bad step. But when you hear that those at the top of the sport at sometimes the peak of their career had the same thing happen. It just makes my problems seem smaller and it helps. I think we can all remember Boyd's bad couple years. In particular the time the he <a href="http://chronofhorse.com/article/boyd-martin-breaks-leg-carolina-cic" target="_blank">broke his leg</a> just weeks after Silva's major brain injury and weeks before he was set to ride in Rolex. Ok, Ok yes my problems seem quite small. Then <a href="http://atkinseventing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Peter Atkins</a> already traveled to Europe with Henry and in training to compete in Burghley in just a few weeks and on a hack had a silly fall and had the exactly injury I have. He was in top shape riding at the highest level and was determined to still ride in Burghley but ultimately when it drew closer had to withdraw because he knew he couldn't safely make it happen. Then at his six week recovery mark signed up to compete at Luhmuhlen. After dressage decided to withdraw since he wasn't quite ready and with their dressage score the risk didn't seem worth it. It is a tough really shitty injury that is recoverable in otherwise healthy individuals but it is just a bitch. Life just goes on hold for many months and there is nothing anyone can do about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I mostly appreciate comments of sympathy. The I'm sorry's and get well's are uplifting to the spirit. But one comment I had another mother make to me in a conversation that she was explaining how busy and hectic her life is says, "I could never do it". Referring to being sidelined for a couple months. What dumb remark. Believe me if you dislocated your ankle broke both bones in your leg and had to have surgery to repair it with 2 plates and 12 screws you "could" do it. Not that I was given a choice on the matter. Again why I stick with animals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Speaking of animals, all of them are doing well. The girls are riding and I am even getting out to the field to teach them. Elaina has been riding Steady in preparation for her to ride him in a lesson next week with a big time show jump trainer. It is good for him and great for her. Wild as it may sound he is more like a school master and is teaching her how to ride correctly. Haha my Steady teaching someone the ropes. Lego, Penny, Lily are all fat happy and fluffy with their winter coats. The goats are pretty much always finding trouble and simultaneously providing entertainment. Not many things in life can be so bad but so funny at the same time. Hank is great. Still begging any unsuspecting newcomer to play fetch. And the cats, they keep procreating. Yes I know get them fixed. I plan to but unless you have a farm in the country you will never understand the frustration of people dumping cats and me automatically getting more vet bills because if I don't take them to the vet and get someon else's cat fixed then I end up with a million cats. The end product is adorable and I usually don't have much trouble finding the kittens homes. Two are getting picked up today.</span></div>
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You have to admit they are pretty hard to resist.</div>
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We took one last trip around the lake on the boat to look at all the fall colors. I am grateful I was able to get out and do that at least once before the year is over.</div>
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I have much to be grateful for.</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-18310587962463096702016-09-26T06:23:00.000-07:002016-09-26T06:23:09.972-07:00Getting Screwed
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Literally I got all screwed back together. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am doing fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had surgery 2 weeks ago and all went well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first few days were really rough but
after that the pain started to subside quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At a week post-op I was pretty much pain free when I was resting with my
foot elevated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a great thing
after nearly 3 weeks of straight pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am happy to be off of all narcotics and now take the occasional dose of
acetametaphen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I would be off
of pain meds completely had a not had a minor set back by falling a few days
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I instinctually attempted to catch
myself by putting weight on my leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pain
shot through my leg and I then face planted onto the ground skipping my phone
across the pavement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My leg has now
started to ache again and some of the pain has returned but otherwise I believe
I didn’t do any lasting damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
lasting damage to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My phone on the
other had is a total loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had it
a total of 6 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not really been
my month. The same evening of my fall my goats and kids were also attacked by a
swarm of ground bees, getting stung several times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully though there was no lasting damage
was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But still universe you can
stop now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You win!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess I never mentioned we have goats now. 2 Nigerian Dwarf does. They are entertaining to say the least.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The boredom is as awful and miserable as one might think and
the fall just reemphasized my fears that if I don’t get my inability to sit
still under control I am going to do more damage than good for myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elaina has started riding Steady a bit here
and there to keep him working at least minimally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been considering leasing him out so he
can stay in work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s not likely
that I am going to find a 6 month lease over the worst months of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have potential interest in a year lease but
then that just screws me over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ryan says
I should share Lego with Elaina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
not sold on that idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And could I
really trust anyone not to screw up my horse?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Doubtful.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my spot on the couch. She is like Snow White in the wooded forest :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Summer, it was so much fun and a lot of chaos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am grateful we at least had a really good
summer before I was grounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can
pretty much be summed up with Pony Club, boat and Jetski activities and all
American family road trip vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can
I really complain?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok yes I could
actually complain for a good amount of time about how it’s not fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That I want to compete and after so many
years of putting everything on hold finally everything was exactly where we needed
it to be to have a really successful end of season at Novice level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But who wants to read paragraph after
paragraph of my pity party?</span></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-20142471929237804622016-09-08T11:43:00.000-07:002016-09-08T11:53:29.587-07:00The Winds Have ChangedThings were all going my way! Finally after this long term plan of school and establishing my career to then be able to pursue my passion and fulfilling goals. Just as soon as I finally burst out of the gate ready to conquer the world. The area 8 Novice world at least. We were ready. Our dressage was balling our XC was on point and our Stadium was finally at a place where it was mostly controlled. We hit our one schooling Event before we were to head into the fall ready for USEA events. I even, for the first time in my life, joined USEA for myself and for Steady (talk about a wasted $130). I had two entries filled out and ready to mail with coggins copies printed and ready. Then life decided to make my plans a great big joke and just laid me out.<br />
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I was not able to write about this until today. The reality of all of it was just too much for me to bear emotionally. But I've been doing my best to work through the emotion and get down the practical reality of what my life will look like for the next several months. So what is it that has set me back? Well here is the story:(get some snacks, its a long one)<br />
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Saturday late morning my 3 girls and I went on a trail ride. I decided to ride in my dressage saddle because my stirrup leathers on my jump saddle were being borrowed by E. This is relevant to the story that is why I point it out. The weather was beautiful. Such a perfect day. When we entered the woods we heard a chain saw. Figured the neighbor was downing some trees. As we got farther into the trail we saw that was indeed the case. There were a couple newly downed trees. Which of course the horses were a little snorty at, but walked past completely uneventfully. Everyone was well behaved. We stopped over at the neighbors house for about 30 minutes to visit then started making our way back. We came around the trail on a different route then we passed the first time around. Steady stopped and froze when he saw the downed tree. I let him look for minute and kicked him on he moved forward. When we approached the tree I initially was going to walk around it. At the last second I thought, "I want to jump that log". I trotted a few strides. Steady reluctantly popped over it then upon landing came to a complete halt. Being in my dressage saddle I had no forward stability like I would in my jump saddle. I fell forward onto his neck and he balked at that a little. I knew I was coming off immediately because of my loss of stability when falling forward. I got myself upright he bounced left and I did a flying dismount off his right side. I say flying dismount because I knew I couldn't help coming off but I also knew it was slow enough I could control it. I came down landed on my feet but mostly on my left foot. As soon as my feet hit the ground I heard a snap and saw my left leg just above the ankle go completely 90 degrees. I knew immediately I had just broke my leg. From that moment forward it was like an out of body experience. I am sure it was the shock of it all that kept me going.<br />
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First thing I said was, "No way I just broke my leg" I then quickly grabbed my foot and put it back straight. I could not stomach looking at it sideways. I then said, "girls you need to get my phone, call your dad and tell him I just broke my leg and I need help fast." I guess it was the fact that I knew I needed to get myself and the girls out of there before I could let the reality set in of the amount of pain I was in. Because I kept thinking, wow this is really bad and I knew in my head that it hurt like hell but I didn't actually physically feel very much pain. I was extremely calm. Macy pointed out that I am the one with my phone. Elaina had immediately dismounted and grabbed Steady. Steady BTW was just as shocked as all of us that I had come off. Last time I actually came off of Steady was over 4 years ago and only 2 times in 7 years have a come off of him. Then for something so completely uneventful he did not see that coming. He didn't really do much of anything. Definitely not anything that should typically warrant a fall and by no means a fall bad enough for that kind of injury. Anyways, I get the phone and decided to call Ryan myself then there couldn't be any miscommunication about the problem or location. My words on the phone were, "Ryan I broke my leg really bad. You need to come get me as fast as you can. I am down at the shooting range. I am not joking. Are you going to come?" He said yes and I hung up.<br />
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The wait:<br />
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To add to it Lego got a big horse fly on his butt. He was panicked and started spinning in circles. Elaina tried to stop him but she was also holding Steady. Lego came inches from trampling me and wasn't calming down. I knew I need to move. So I grabbed my leg with one arm and drug it while I army crawled to a log safely away from Lego. I told Elaina to let go of Steady and get the horse fly. She did and of course Steady wasn't going any where. I waited what felt like 2 hours but was more likely about 30 minutes. The whole time I was just in disbelief that this was actually happening. I could not wrap my head around it. There was a moment that I started to black out. I explained to the girls that I might pass out. That if I do do not panic. That it isn't a huge deal if I do and that it will be fine. That I was going to lay down just in case I do I don't fall over. Thankfully I never fully lost consciousness. It was wild to me that I was so calm and in control in those moments. Ryan showed up with the neighbors Gator, two pieces of wood and some ace bandage for a splint. I was freaking out about my boot. I knew the swelling was getting worse. I knew as soon as I showed up to the hospital that they were going to want to cut it off. I kept saying I need to get my boot off. Ryan refused to oblige my request assuring me that it was a terrible idea. I finally conceded and he held the wood while Elaina wrapped. Those Pony Club wrapping skills sure came in handy! The nurses were impressed with their splint job. Our neighbor came down with Ryan and took the girls and the horses back to the house to get them settle back at home. Thank God for amazing neighbors.<br />
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The drive:<br />
The trip there was wretched. We don't live close to anything and I am usually grateful for that fact. But taking a trip to the ER in that much pain I wished we were closer. Ryan was my complete and total hero. He drove as fast as he possibly could. Running red lights when he could and determinded to get me help as quickly as he could. He never once mentioned anything negative as he well could have in that situation given his feeling towards the whole horse thing. He just kept reassuring me that he would get me help as fast as he could and that he is just grateful it was only my leg and that I was OK otherwise. I was angry. Very angry at myself for doing it. I knew anger at myself wasn't rational but I felt really stupid for letting it happen and I think that is where the anger came from.<br />
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The Hopital:<br />
They got me in immediately and I'd say within 15 minutes of arrival were administering Fentenal. It didn't do a whole lot for the pain. They then gave me a double dose of Fentenal. That finally knocked off the edge. It was time to address the leg. I asked them to try to pull off my boot first. They said they didn't think it was good idea but would try it if I wanted to. BAD IDEA. OMG Mind you we didn't know exatly what was wrong with my leg at this point but as soon as he tugged a little it felt like he was ripping my foot off. I screamed and cried from that moment on. I was out of my mind in pain. He felt awful for even trying. He cut my boot as fast as he could.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RIP my lovelies</td></tr>
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And that was that. I couldn't bring myself to look at my leg so I do not know what it looked like. I just couldn't handle that image in my head. I am glad I didn't because the flash backs of the sound of the snap and seeing my leg at 90 degree angle haunt me over and over.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope NOT supposed to look like that.</td></tr>
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But I knew from how it felt what it most likely looked like. They told me it was mildly deformed and obviously broken. I was still hoping for good news at that point but the more and more I was realizing there was very little hope to be had. But to be honest I knew it was as bad as it was the second it happened. I just hoped I was over reacting. I got xrays and then the Doc came in to explain my injuries and the immediate plan. First off my foot was dislocated badly and that has to be put back into place. Secondly you have a fracture of your fibula and Tibia. The piece on the Tibia is floating and we are a bit concerned about where it will go after the dislocation reduction. Of course I asked, "how realistic is it that I would be able to ride in a competition in 4 weeks?" He laughed and said, "You could be looking at 6 months before you are back on a horse." That was the moment I realized the actual severity of it all and it was crushing. He said it so flippantly like he almost thought I was joking. I guess I can't blame him pretty much no one on earth understands how serious we take this thing that we do. That it's not just a hobby we do to pass that time. They can't fathom the commitment and effort put into the "hobby" we do. It's not his fault he doesn't get it but damn if it doesn't sting my heart with equal amounts of pain that a pretty much severed leg does my body. The best news I heard since arriving was that they are going to put me under to put it all back into place and splint it. I as terrified to let anyone touch me so I was relieved I wouldn't remember any of it. And that was that. They put it back and we were on our way home shortly after that with a referral to the Orthopedic DR. <br />
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We won't get into the last several days I've been at home writhing in pain and waiting to get into the ortho. But I am extremely blessed to have a doting husband and children that have done everything humanly possible to make this as easy as anyone could possibly make it. The kids are on full barn chore duty and Husband has taken over the running of the place. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Hank don't forget the miraculous healing powers that the Corgi possesses.</td></tr>
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I just get to sit and heal. Well not healing yet because I am not officially put back together yet. I finally got into the ortho today and got the run down of how to get me on my road to recovery. It all starts with surgery that is scheduled for Tuesday. They will put in a plate and several screws. They are not sure exactly how they will put it all together until they get in there but they may just leave the Tibia piece to do its own thing because they don't feel it will make me any less stable if they leave it alone. The bad part is surgery means full recovery will take significantly longer but the good news is that once the surgery is complete my leg will be much more stable than it is now. It looks like 10-12 weeks before I can even consider starting up normal tasks or getting back on a horse. I am happy to find out they do not plan to permantely cast it at any point and most of my recovery will be spent in a boot. I can't walk on it at all for 8 weeks but at least with a boot I will have more movement and less loss of function that I will have to regain after recovery. And I can take it off and itch my leg if I need to :) I will be completely couch bound for another 2-3 weeks. I forsee the mental game of all of it being a bigger struggle for me than the physical one. Thanks all for reading and am sorry there will be no horse content on this blog for quite some time. Maybe I can do some fill in's with the kids stuff?<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-14346000006999727022016-08-23T10:05:00.000-07:002016-08-23T10:05:27.380-07:00We're baaaaack....Here we are again. At a place where there is vast gap in blogging. In that gap sits hundreds of stories and experiences that were fully lived, fully enjoyed yet completely undocumented. Yes that is ok. Life does actually happen whether the internet knows about it or not. But I like to lay it out on here. I still have not decided why. But mostly it is therapeutic for me to think out life this way. I really look forward to comments but don't typically get many and I understand why. I haven't decided if I am to just start in as if the last 3 months didn't happen or go back and try to cover it all in retroposting. Still undecided on that one. For now I am going to cover this past Sunday. <br />
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I re-became an eventer again! I think I had even gotten to a point where I wondered if I would ever actually get out there and do it again. But it happened. It wasn't a recognized event but a one day horse trial. Oh and I think it was our first real Novice experience in all 3 phases! So I guess it was a re-intro to eventing and a move up!<br />
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I was a bit apprehensive going in. I knew we could do it but it was a matter of, would we? You know all the, what ifs, and I'm too old, and I'm too out of shape, what if Steady doesn't want to play todays ran through my head as I am driving on the open roads at 4am on my way to Spring Run Farm Near Louisville, KY. I decided not to over night the night before and hoped for a later ride time. Lo and behold when ride times came out I was the first rider of the day. Of course! So it was an early morning. The other part of this story is that Elaina and Lego were also competing in their first full beginner novice event! The two littles came along too to help out. And of course Hank the wonder Corgi came along. 2 Horses, 3 kids, 1 Corgi, 1 adult and 6 ride times in 5 hours! Talk about hectic!<br />
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The day started with me in dressage. It has rained an ungodly amount in this part of the country last week. Dressage warm up was out side on not awful but kinda sloppy footing and morning dew. I decided to go with the unconventional dressage warm up. The only advantage I have sometimes with Steady is that I know him very well. And I know if I even attempted to canter in that mess he would slip and ultimately begin a downward spiral into his stressed out frenzy he does so well. All I need is relaxation out of him and we can figure the rest out. Perfect and ideal? No but nothing in this sport ever is. I walked for %95 of my 20 minute warm up and trotted around once both directions and called it good then made my way to the indoor where my test was. I didn't like the indoor one bit. It was a tight space. Steady was relaxed, behaved and obedient. I ask nothing else from this horse ever. I could have rode better. Like usual I get put off in a test and ride with less leg than normal but one big improvement I have made is that I didn't ride with too much hands. That has been a big fault of mine in the past when I get nervous in a dressage test. I felt my shapes left much to be desired. Steady had one bobble in the canter to the left he broke but picked right back up. Just a miscommunication on our parts. I knew he was getting behind the vertical in places (read lack of use of leg) but not too excessive. And if the horse can do nothing else he can kill a free walk. Over all I was happy with the test. To my surprise when I checked scores my test was better than I imagined. We started the day out with a 27.3 and in first place!<br />
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There is something about starting in 1st that puts the pressure on. Like don't screw this up! But I did my best to shake those thoughts. I really just wanted myself and my daughter to make it around safe and go home with some experience and learning under out belts. Stadium was shortly after. Again my unconventional warm up for my unconventional event horse. Jump warm up was Sloppy, sloppy sloppy. Far worse than dressage. So my plan was as little as possible to know that he knew it was time to jump the sticks. After so many years of all of this it is nice to be on a horse that you know knows his job. He doesn't always want to listen to me but he does like his job and knows how to do it. We trotted the X the cantered the Oxer. First time over he ran off a bit after so we did the oxer once more he was polite enough for me and that was it. Then it was to stand around at the gate to get him relaxed. I am pretty much a, do as I say not as I do person when it comes to this. I would not do this on any other horse but this one. But I know that for Steady the, Picking up your feet and jump the things is the easy part. Keeping your head in the damn game is the hard part. Life goals with him; keep his head in the damn game, nothing else matters. We went in and did our thing. We don't really go for the hunter round but we do typically go in and jump all the things. That's what we did. He got fast in really only one spot after the 6a-b combo to 7. A couple arrogant head tosses in tight turns but clean and clear. We are holding steady on our dressage score.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/photos/list?sid=cab4b3c408147301edc1f49ddc329331922eb9f2-2ba157b2-65d4-3aa8-a44f-281500cbc5c4&did=28c2ad8a23659c06aae7725e6b432da17525bb6a" target="_blank">Our Stadium round</a><br />
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XC got a bit exciting before it even started. I asked for permission to ride out of turn because Elaina's dressage time was 5 minutes before my scheduled xc time. I had to coach Elaina and get her through her test before I could head out on XC. I was completely ready and holding my horse while walking her to her test so I could jump on and go once she was done. There should have be enough time. Buuut they were running ahead and apparently were calling for me over and over on the loud speaker. I got scolded by several people and tried to get the message through that I was riding out of turn with permission. I made sure Lego didn't do his signature jump out of the arena on the canter circles. I told the ring steward to tell E that, I love her, she did awesome but I had to go. The start box was a bit of a trek so I decided that would be my warm up. I trotted down the path, yelling excuse me to the pedestrians then cantered the up the hill. Told the warm up steward I just need to jump one jump and then I'll go to the start box. But the first jump was a mess. I am sure Steady was like what the hell is going on here, oh shit we're jumping again. I lost my stirrup and the thought crossed my mind, shit I'm gonna fall. Thankfully I didn't. I kept on cantering and thankfully the organizer saw the awful jump and said I could do it more. I was like, sweet because that was shit. He sailed the second time and I cantered to the start box. I have to tell you that after over 2 years not hearing them, it felt amazing to hear these words again. "One minute! 30 Seconds! 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 Have a good ride!!!" They are music to an eventers ears! We are BACK Steady let's do this!<br />
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He started off great. He was adjustable yet still in his Steady fashion of attack mode on XC. WHAAA my horse adjustable on xc? This was a first! Yes he still got fast in a few places and I had to brake check him but he was listening! He was thoughtful and careful on the slippery hill down to the water. There was a decent galloping distance up a hill and he was cantering along nicely I thought. Hey this is a change, I'm going to ask for more just to let him know he can go when I ask. That I am not Always the party pooper. I said the phrase, "Git it, Steady!" and holy shite! It was likened unto hitting a nitrous button in a race car. Mid steep hill he just accelerated like lighting. God he is a effing cool horse. The power he has is mind blowing. But before you know it we were at the next jump..lol and I had to do some break checking..lol. But he did come back and that is all I ask. I even got the trot step before the down bank that I wanted. I most likely can't properly convey what it is like to ride XC on this horse. He just swallows the jumps whole. Never takes a second to <br />
look at them. I say go and he just goes, no questions asked. There is nothing like it. 18 jumps later and we were on that XC high just passed the finish flags. Double Clear for the win!<br />
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That's the way a 36 year old mother of 3 makes her way back into eventing! With a fucking BANG!<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-64699404196448193972016-06-01T17:34:00.001-07:002016-06-01T17:34:28.176-07:00Marathon Weekend Post #3Thanks to those who comment. I love reading your comments and knowing that taking all this time putting this stuff out there that people are actually reading and enjoying it despite my typo and grammatical errors. So thanks!<br />
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There was a lesson between K and E so it was a couple hours later before it was E's turn to go out. She was supposed to be in a group of three pony clubbers but one didn't come. The trainer had two of her older students ride out with them. On their REALLY hot horses. Great, sweet and capable riders but their horses were hot AF. I thought Steady was hot? He looked like 30 year old trail blazer next to them. I was not a fan on how she structured the lesson. She basically had all the horses follow her student over each jump. That's fine if we were in a fox hunting clinic because that is essentially what a fox hunt is. But this is XC schooling to prepare for rally in a month where you do not get a lead over any jump so you better know that you and your horse can get over them. Alone. The following soon turned into chasing. I've never seen Lego get worked up over anything but chasing hot AF horses apparently does it for him. Elaina had no brakes. She rides in an egg butt snaffle. Used to ride in a Pelham jumping but he has always been so perfect we decided that it was unnecessary. Well we may reevaluate that decision. He wasn't awful or out of control at any point but it is not a good feeling when you are on a horse and feel like you have no brakes. She handled it well but I could tell she was a bit rattled which is unusual for her. I told her she needed to speak up to the trainer for herself and her horses sake. So I know what it feels like when you speak up to a trainer about something that isn't going well or you aren't comfortable with and they blow you off like you are chicken or ignorant. It is frustrating at least and demoralizing at most. You already are scared, nervous, don't want to speak up. Then they treat you like your opinion doesn't matter. I am sorry if I am the one on the 1000lb animal then my opinion matters most. If you want to take over the ride and then tell me I don't know what I am talking about then that's fine with me. It is just as frustrating watching your shy daughter build up the courage to speak up to an adult and get blown off. But I didn't step in at all because honestly that is a lesson she has to learn on her own. It will happen and she is old enough to have to figure out how to deal with it. I know speaking up is really really hard for her. It is hard to do when you aren't shy. Then add in that you are super shy and never like to be the center of attention. This can be crippling for some. But that is why horses are far more than just a hobby or extra curricular activity. Because while it may be ok to not speak up for yourself when you are a horse owner it is your sole responsibility to be that animal's advocate. No one else will make sure your horse is being thought of and they can't speak up for themselves. She has been taught that it is her sole responsibility to be the voice for her mount. Huge life lessons in there, huge.<br />
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So I watched as she told the trainer that following the other horses was getting her horse too excited. I watched as the trainer blew her off. Mind you I am not upset or offended that the trainer reacted that way. Clinicians have it hard. I do not envy their position. It happens and it is ultimately our responsibility to handle the situation for ourselves and our equine partners. At the next jump the trainer told her to follow the horses and I watched as she made the right decision and waited. Waited until the other horse got far enough in front of her that they were no longer chasing. I saw how when the trainer said, "GO, go now. I told you to go." She just waited. Waited until she knew it was safe for her and her horse to proceed. She wasn't being rude. She wasn't purposely ignoring the trainer. She was being responsible. She was advocating for her horse when words weren't working. She was making the best decision for herself and her horse despite what was going on around her. I watched as she was growing up before my eyes.<br />
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After that the lesson went great well for Elaina at least. They jumped all sorts of fun stuff ranging from Starter- Beginner Novice. They too ended up at the water and the trainer did the same thing that she did with the little ones. Which was far more ok. Elaina has done banks plenty enough times to add in a couple challenges. The other girl I don't know all she has done but she is a good rider and super brave. She asked who wanted to go first and the other girl volunteered. She said trot up, turn around and canter down. I was still thinking really? See I have never seen banks, let alone banks into water schooled this way. Any time I have seen it done you start walking then build up to each gait. To make sure the horses are understanding the question and you are riding it correctly. And for the other little girl in our lesson it ended quite the same as it did for Kelcie. Scraped up and in the water. It was warmer out by then which was a bonus. But she had a point two air vest on which is what I think had her the most upset because it scared her when it went off. Her horse stayed close by and was adorably concerned about what just happened to his little girl. After a good cry and a "I'm not getting back on" before she got back up and continued on like a badass. By the next jump she was composed and ready for action again. Moral of the story? Why the push to canter down the banks? Who knows. I still trot off banks at events and a bank into water. They don't ask that question until Training and typically any bank that is a jump down into water there is a significant ground line to help them jump it well. None of which were things we had in this situation. Elaina actually never got to do this because once we got N back on she moved on to something different.<br />
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They did, ditches, banks, strung together little courses going away from the group and coming back. Covered how to do each of those things. Jumped a cool brick wall. TROTTED, thank God! off the training level banks. <br />
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Practiced what different speeds of gallop feel, sound like. It was all great and fun learning experience after the rocky start. But I always tell my kids that every experience is a learning experience. One way or another you will learn something. Sometimes we learn what not to do.<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-57872621360675132182016-05-28T10:11:00.000-07:002016-05-28T10:11:38.513-07:00Marathon weekend post #2We left off Saturday at the games lesson. Well that evening we got home and still had birthday parties and school projects to deal with. Monica at one point asked how I do it and if there was copious amounts of coffee involved. I'm not a big coffee drinker so that's not it. Really the trick is to never slow down. Slowing down is when you run into problems and under no circumstance must you sit down! You will never get back up! Even if you try your body will just say no. And while I did have to sit down while I drove the trailer that doesn't count because I'm never really relaxed hauling horses.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But some things are just worth it.</td></tr>
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That evening when I did sit down at 1 am I was dead to the world. But only for a few hours because we had to be back up by 6:30 to be back on the road hauling to go XC schooling. This was for Kelcie and E. I thought about brining Steady but if anything went wrong or he was having "a day" I didn't have the energy to deal with all of that. K was up first. It is actually really hard to explain how painfully cute this whole thing was. There aren't enough synonyms for cute in the thesaurus. K and Penny schooling XC is already one of the cutest things on the planet. But when we show up and a girl was riding a tiny white pony too! Oh my! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4uF6_R_wd6zqPZisYf5BKXOKPCv3ZOM2G4xn7l1e3CtZkGmnSv6qSz_DjIEgM6OimOdHkeK_s_xPuFU4XaLNeyIg1PJyXzouq41bXlwIY1TgzVqTTmsjPRgo2xhdAm-SgXYn3FGK0bZq/s1600/20160522_092142+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4uF6_R_wd6zqPZisYf5BKXOKPCv3ZOM2G4xn7l1e3CtZkGmnSv6qSz_DjIEgM6OimOdHkeK_s_xPuFU4XaLNeyIg1PJyXzouq41bXlwIY1TgzVqTTmsjPRgo2xhdAm-SgXYn3FGK0bZq/s320/20160522_092142+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a matched pair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Then they decided they were going to do a pairs class at the Hunter trials in the fall so they better practice everything side by side. Ok now I'm just dead from the adorable. The pictures, yes there are pictures, will do most of the explaining.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZBW6ZYjdZSWZk2f8fQ1QtUGLm_BOXCCYSelT8fTruSWjBCKxqJYlhZYGBx9wJKkmFEKQGPYJjB0TM3UBSVVY3jyCFIHl5PS7dFxaH7PkgtU7elnhYqiRJEKHE7LrFNBgTcYe7IvtsOWy/s1600/20160522_102405+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZBW6ZYjdZSWZk2f8fQ1QtUGLm_BOXCCYSelT8fTruSWjBCKxqJYlhZYGBx9wJKkmFEKQGPYJjB0TM3UBSVVY3jyCFIHl5PS7dFxaH7PkgtU7elnhYqiRJEKHE7LrFNBgTcYe7IvtsOWy/s320/20160522_102405+%25282%2529.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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Even though they are the cutest pictures it's still nothing like watching this in person. Literally every single jump everyone spectating simultaneously sigh with a, "that is so cute".<br />
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Recap of the lesson. This is tough because I am Mom but I am also trainer for my kids. So having someone else teach my kids can be hard for me. But really most of the time I can behave and keep my mouth shut but at times it is hard. I know those kids and those ponies inside and out. Some may think I'm a helicopter mom when it comes to my kids and riding and maybe they're right but in the end I don't give a shit what they think. Because "they" weren't given the responsibility of keeping these kids alive to adulthood. Nor do they have to pay the medical bills. And 9 times out 10 when I see something that I think will not go well with them/their pony, guess what? I'm right. Then I get to watch as my kid comes flying off. I'm not against falling off and for the most part I'm not phased when it happens. Buuuut what I'm not for? My kids (or anyone for that matter) being put into situations where they are bound to have a bad experience. All that to get to the actual happenings of the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwr-bjJssqq1zPA3YIIaqh9_sJ1gvI9dc8VlvikhX1si3jnbpOrE9-PdAG-79rRhdLKUbOPaEGEvYIuAtxDxY69zL_bH7le4Z2HwPeW4MKXYzTr75wI4xxRnIMicecYFX-Rsx8OFqfxMm/s1600/20160522_102400+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwr-bjJssqq1zPA3YIIaqh9_sJ1gvI9dc8VlvikhX1si3jnbpOrE9-PdAG-79rRhdLKUbOPaEGEvYIuAtxDxY69zL_bH7le4Z2HwPeW4MKXYzTr75wI4xxRnIMicecYFX-Rsx8OFqfxMm/s320/20160522_102400+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really ponies? Stop with the cute already.</td></tr>
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The day started nicely. A bit chilly but hopes of 70 as a high and there were even random rays of sunshine. Something we haven't seen in ohio in a few weeks. Another mom brought her horse along so I decided to ride along with her and the kids on Lego. There were also the other moms who walked on the 2 feet. There were 4 girls in her group. All on varying sized ponies all equally fun to watch. And all pretty much game for everything. The trainer is a hunt rider. I do really like her. I do have some strong opinions on a couple things she did as you will hear but let me first point out the things I really liked about her and that are pretty indicative of a typical hunt rider. She is straight up balls to the wall. Get the kids out there and make them do shit. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0ifDe2NJ1P2aaFq3cHkU4arDFf85uRCu_qRZ0gnsSisdJ2vhqSQl7F3QWOJNlT35gg80P1UlbcxF_1ltpWrgE6X2H8YiSmx9kwqCn_yX5URh7u-7hUqCnMKlBW12YgCTWmCx8kxu7_CT/s1600/20160522_103259+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0ifDe2NJ1P2aaFq3cHkU4arDFf85uRCu_qRZ0gnsSisdJ2vhqSQl7F3QWOJNlT35gg80P1UlbcxF_1ltpWrgE6X2H8YiSmx9kwqCn_yX5URh7u-7hUqCnMKlBW12YgCTWmCx8kxu7_CT/s320/20160522_103259+%25282%2529.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes! do all the shit because my kid is badass!</td></tr>
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I do appreciate that mindset. Because most people are so cautious, especially when it comes to kids that it can take some of the thrill out of it. I want my kids to get that rush of pure adreneline. And the satisfaction of overcoming something you thought was too hard for you. I also think you should allow them take risks. Let them find their own boundaries and sometimes when appropriate push them out of them. Teach them not to be afraid of the risk. Even if that risk doesn't turn out right don't be afraid to take it again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3tI3OhyJ-rkxxGPlViMQyiXY3T8ni7Qc0XfnkoYSqttE3P3-bPIG2v7JeTODSP0x6oOdH16Ixf2_3NmvhPebSHIyihwjV_TXv8XWaKNjiMH-DXW_a94vV8HPpcDcXNagjo1b4AZtXF4m/s1600/20160522_104811+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3tI3OhyJ-rkxxGPlViMQyiXY3T8ni7Qc0XfnkoYSqttE3P3-bPIG2v7JeTODSP0x6oOdH16Ixf2_3NmvhPebSHIyihwjV_TXv8XWaKNjiMH-DXW_a94vV8HPpcDcXNagjo1b4AZtXF4m/s320/20160522_104811+%25282%2529.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go Ponies go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
What I'm not for? Sending the sheep to slaughter. Forcing them into a situation that a) they aren't comfortable with and b) that you KNOW they cannot do with their skill set. Alllll that to get to the start of the day. They started out warming up in a big field. K and Penny cantering around warming up in a big XC field like a big person. Yep guess what? Adorable. And with the other white pony. They jumped a couple little logs. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipL7C-LBG7LUMU4q3oRo0aUg9WqkKDrkz88S4E70kT0Bo8qzc9-oF5Rb5btjPDaxRpA2wcXMRTWwx84aAEWt7WcmKPXszb-virUuuokZS-aENuWPtXVmWvdYNL2gOzesuEEi9r2w1KpLxl/s1600/20160522_101359+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipL7C-LBG7LUMU4q3oRo0aUg9WqkKDrkz88S4E70kT0Bo8qzc9-oF5Rb5btjPDaxRpA2wcXMRTWwx84aAEWt7WcmKPXszb-virUuuokZS-aENuWPtXVmWvdYNL2gOzesuEEi9r2w1KpLxl/s320/20160522_101359+%25282%2529.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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Penny was game all day and did all the things K asked of her. Then they made their way to the water. Which the trainer had paid to have filled. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjPt06Gla81kXR4D2ZGANr7AA_zGSmB0PgbiJ0OH2S1gFFtybp3kAy2mS_adRCrbMh-4ly9CEX5VapdBM95gBvRWnYvQmD-5wqypRXmDx9KLKTmJv7yOhLP2WpI8Nct5ZsQmZGBzJKBQs/s1600/20160522_093737+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjPt06Gla81kXR4D2ZGANr7AA_zGSmB0PgbiJ0OH2S1gFFtybp3kAy2mS_adRCrbMh-4ly9CEX5VapdBM95gBvRWnYvQmD-5wqypRXmDx9KLKTmJv7yOhLP2WpI8Nct5ZsQmZGBzJKBQs/s320/20160522_093737+%25282%2529.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have I mentioned my kid is 9 and pretty much Boss?</td></tr>
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They walked through, trotted through then cantered through. Kids LOVE cantering through water. They would do it all day if they could.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEZ43-JA0kFSp4L_gi0fiqs038zHQAlhnjFSs1l45v2nioSEgMXohsOy3Ti1jvz6ruyaoMEgzrcrKG0l4YTjsTzq734QjctaMFrK7JkJN_0DoNSQlgUAG287xZMmfMTczOxj-vx_quDhH/s1600/20160522_104733+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEZ43-JA0kFSp4L_gi0fiqs038zHQAlhnjFSs1l45v2nioSEgMXohsOy3Ti1jvz6ruyaoMEgzrcrKG0l4YTjsTzq734QjctaMFrK7JkJN_0DoNSQlgUAG287xZMmfMTczOxj-vx_quDhH/s320/20160522_104733+%25282%2529.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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Then they walked up the bank. Then trotted up the bank. They walked down the bank, trotted up. All fun stuff. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHBZWhk7VZ9byHBPhZF3C1ODL1oDFLpt5fUgcrauOxNnzVwX-vcjVWpvBG-YvkPvejuCXdhkI7pkCFdePAEgACsUAjiGBPAROly-O22GtOTQs3SzyhRqIELO2pSddq5zU83NWoKSLQuFQ/s1600/20160522_094113+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHBZWhk7VZ9byHBPhZF3C1ODL1oDFLpt5fUgcrauOxNnzVwX-vcjVWpvBG-YvkPvejuCXdhkI7pkCFdePAEgACsUAjiGBPAROly-O22GtOTQs3SzyhRqIELO2pSddq5zU83NWoKSLQuFQ/s320/20160522_094113+%25282%2529.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's got the going up, down.</td></tr>
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Then the trainer said, "canter up the bank turn around canter down". I was like, wait, what!?! Did she just tell these 9-11 year old kids to canter off a bank into water? I looked at Kelcie from across the water and lipped, "do NOT canter down that bank. " Only one girl actually cantered down. Which was ugly and scary but she did make the save and stayed on. K wasn't that lucky. With next to no instructions on how one rides a bank and stays on. She rode it like she would any other jump. How would she know any different? She's never done it before. So she made sure she only trotted down but in reality wasn't ready for even that. Naturally when you jump a bank the same way you'd jump a jump it doesn't end well. She was too far forward and didn't know to let her reins slip. So when she landed already too forward and then the reins yanked her hard. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYp3VNyEucRSYcruRbephj1_cpPa4ZANeqjUP0S6BfL5s0GPOdsNUhbPP_NNcDyfILpIvrwAmPeqmVf-o8p3na8eXY-RgTtQT-wek_zLZJCSqwmwPAMN0VXirhDyEkSt-ndTCKuhtgKSv/s1600/20160522_094425+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYp3VNyEucRSYcruRbephj1_cpPa4ZANeqjUP0S6BfL5s0GPOdsNUhbPP_NNcDyfILpIvrwAmPeqmVf-o8p3na8eXY-RgTtQT-wek_zLZJCSqwmwPAMN0VXirhDyEkSt-ndTCKuhtgKSv/s320/20160522_094425+%25283%2529.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reins too short. Too far forward. Asking for trouble. But Pony is perfect</td></tr>
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And that's how K took a nose dive into the water on a chilly morning. I saw she was moving right away so nothing MAJOR was wrong. I think it all scared Penny half to death. She did everything K asked but where did her kid go? And she ran for the hills. The other mom on horse back suggested we go after her on our horses. Good idea. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDrWA39j8VpmLRBx6XwFPPgKGGRtpHFzoWmXR_-Ibc9DJSil_M0MHRalh0Mvm2cELj6pP_6iHzNBczh_P918CZ4rfx9_SWDSjixNRVMncpJCNsEvgfYMh7xeNymbXNopnomQnPuVrQdCe/s1600/20160522_105616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDrWA39j8VpmLRBx6XwFPPgKGGRtpHFzoWmXR_-Ibc9DJSil_M0MHRalh0Mvm2cELj6pP_6iHzNBczh_P918CZ4rfx9_SWDSjixNRVMncpJCNsEvgfYMh7xeNymbXNopnomQnPuVrQdCe/s320/20160522_105616.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and "other mom".</td></tr>
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I knew there were ground people tending to K so we cantered away. Or so I thought. Lego was so good and just cantered off after the pony. A minute later I look around and the other mom is no where to be seen. Huh? But I continued on after Penny. Imagining by the time I finally got to her all her tack would surely be in shambles and the thoughts of, I really hope Kelcie is ok are running through my head. P ran straight to the trailers and stood there facing the trailer like she was tied..lmao. And to my surprise the reins are still over neck and all tack is still entact. Win! I'm still wondering what happened to the other mom but I reach over grab her reins and pony her back. As I'm trotting along with P in tow the other mom is still no where to be seen. We make it to the top of the hill and I see her still back by the water. Huh? We make it back and they are all still getting the water out of K. Pouring water out if her boots, water pours out of her helmet when she looks down. And she is cold. Poor thing. Her lip was busted open and swollen. I thought she'd still be game to get back on and wanted it to be her decision to do so. So I asked if she wanted to. Her reply was, "no". Aww damn. "Ok well it wasn't actually a choice honey. I am sorry you are in pain and I am sorry you are cold BUT, you HAVE to get back on and you have to go down that bank again. You can walk it but you do have to do it." She did get on. She did go down the bank and about two jumps later the smile was back and we were back in business. I won't get into details but just say this was preventable and was not good training. IMNSHO.<br />
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Are you wondering what happened to the other mom on our heroic quest to save the pony? Well when she went to canter off with me her horse said, NOPE. And bucked her off. Oh my! The drama. And so early. Thankfully she was fine and we all continued on. <br />
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The rest of the ride went great! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbPdsAV-5qNhOmzKDARvJv8DmeB30YoBxtge7H7CHiy_cGjpw-FBhIECoiOibryiiqmWMZRIB4PRPNe3A8Y8n7MVd4bu2YaoDtZWD0-RExBXGHXZx30x4eqqdXETS-gHXtzkOW1XwCAbb/s1600/20160522_101349+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbPdsAV-5qNhOmzKDARvJv8DmeB30YoBxtge7H7CHiy_cGjpw-FBhIECoiOibryiiqmWMZRIB4PRPNe3A8Y8n7MVd4bu2YaoDtZWD0-RExBXGHXZx30x4eqqdXETS-gHXtzkOW1XwCAbb/s320/20160522_101349+%25282%2529.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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They jumped a bunch of stuff, did the ditches and all had a blast. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDHSiYS6myBfzyABWCwFO1gUgF8xv5tB7BjpRNA4htgWsy7_pYwT46Zg6A_3E1Usf54VuGgmlzUEp79g82Dz3vWzdu6bQe2yfk-ymBH2h4zqkPOpmKSrnlMoZjg6AsQJxkChbVaJhPOhW/s1600/20160522_102747+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDHSiYS6myBfzyABWCwFO1gUgF8xv5tB7BjpRNA4htgWsy7_pYwT46Zg6A_3E1Usf54VuGgmlzUEp79g82Dz3vWzdu6bQe2yfk-ymBH2h4zqkPOpmKSrnlMoZjg6AsQJxkChbVaJhPOhW/s320/20160522_102747+%25282%2529.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ditches alone are fun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzmgqv8zkNKeBTZ1StAAwn7j2-XRZMzGW0WblvNqwMoykAX3Kwo33KQeYv_Urskn7QVwkgAN5wWGzC30PuJYGbZrL86_PdstJhGFgfdrSj60ko_qBq5yGckJlJwRKl08HOs_sT60TzCPj/s1600/20160522_102855+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzmgqv8zkNKeBTZ1StAAwn7j2-XRZMzGW0WblvNqwMoykAX3Kwo33KQeYv_Urskn7QVwkgAN5wWGzC30PuJYGbZrL86_PdstJhGFgfdrSj60ko_qBq5yGckJlJwRKl08HOs_sT60TzCPj/s320/20160522_102855+%25282%2529.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But ditches with friends is a blast!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
She had them gallop hills and navigate terrain changes. Canter the log on top of a little hill. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtO1hZ-23ELn8OL1QyXTnXz41o6F89dj_vdIUyljIJ-zexqkAm-Go1W-wbYnkNUwngGgFXC8OES2ASrdF_17s_if25opK47qso6GmEWyi2fCR8I5QzznfrEVtNfBj1HUnceTEiDKw9MwQ/s1600/20160522_103708+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtO1hZ-23ELn8OL1QyXTnXz41o6F89dj_vdIUyljIJ-zexqkAm-Go1W-wbYnkNUwngGgFXC8OES2ASrdF_17s_if25opK47qso6GmEWyi2fCR8I5QzznfrEVtNfBj1HUnceTEiDKw9MwQ/s320/20160522_103708+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It may be hard to tell but this is actually a pretty cool/challenging element of terrain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Fun, fun stuff. K did tell me her front teeth felt wiggly. Holding back my real reaction I calmly tell my child. "Don't worry honey I don't think they bled enough to do any lasting damage they will stop wiggling in couple days. Now go jump the jumps." File that under, " the things you never thought you'd say as a parent", file. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHPUGane7iYkZBg25Xm5GveUimLPdIr2LwckK50jHUxzoPVnQrbqEKnybVc7pjnmHS_K-DYiAzC8fJxrTMAAti9pPYNpxjlweJOU_wRRVm7tnaY0hX-_KHup3vzi8lvOvj4MqBxcwpQhy/s1600/20160522_101919+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHPUGane7iYkZBg25Xm5GveUimLPdIr2LwckK50jHUxzoPVnQrbqEKnybVc7pjnmHS_K-DYiAzC8fJxrTMAAti9pPYNpxjlweJOU_wRRVm7tnaY0hX-_KHup3vzi8lvOvj4MqBxcwpQhy/s320/20160522_101919+%25282%2529.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't even.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The pictures can explain the rest. Pure joy, fun and excitement!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRq4JfRb910WWURSTR3mFllBSJTJUwQqzENVl02k5ooKzTYHTAZboVDetbd4ec0Ntqfk00gUZLkWfJmSowxctlnzcqQgI3WcQNwWy2trjI5PEBDLJn311gFA2rthNIaMjoDiAXhBcqHOV0/s1600/20160522_092654+-+Copy+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRq4JfRb910WWURSTR3mFllBSJTJUwQqzENVl02k5ooKzTYHTAZboVDetbd4ec0Ntqfk00gUZLkWfJmSowxctlnzcqQgI3WcQNwWy2trjI5PEBDLJn311gFA2rthNIaMjoDiAXhBcqHOV0/s320/20160522_092654+-+Copy+%25282%2529.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfection!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Now I was hoping the drama was done for the day but we wouldn't get that lucky. Next up...Elaina and Lego.<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-16052677850260684582016-05-26T09:42:00.001-07:002016-05-26T09:43:04.178-07:00Marathon weekend post #1This may feel like a marathon of a post. As it also felt like a marathon of a weekend. I will squeeze all Friday and Saturday horse activities into this post and save Sunday for another. Because so much adorable media for Sunday. I am severely lacking in media from the show. My phone has no memory left.<br />
<br />
SO we've got a lot to cover and not a lot of time to do it. It's pretty much nonstop in my life so documenting it all is tough. This past weekend was a busy one. It was exhausting. A bunch of running and not much sleep. And I am taking the advice of many of you to heart about not worrying about cleaning and just focus on making memories because that is what really matters. I completely agree. So long laundry pile! We've more fun stuff to do. Though you are not allowed to be offended if you ever come visit and there is no where to sit due to laundry covering the surface of all my couches! Deal? Deal!<br />
<br />
It all started Friday evening with a Pony Club tack cleaning party. Not much to cover there. Pretty much self explanatory. Haul massive amounts of tack to someone else's house so the kids can sit together and clean tack. It is far too much work to haul everything around but it did get the kids to clean their and MY tack while I drank sangrias so that's not so bad.<br />
<br />
Saturday we slowly got moving to head out to a little show that had a few jumper classes mixed into the combined tests. We were meeting Monica and B out there which was the most exciting part! I like the fact that there were times given for the jumper classes. Showing up to do our classes at 11? Not bad at all. The plan was to take myself, Steady, Elaina and Lego to do the 2ft, 2'3" and 2'6" classes. Kelcie was watching us pack up and asked if she could go. I wasn't planning to take her because she was to go to her games practice that evening but who can resist my sweet adorable Kelcie wanting to jump? Not me. So she too loaded up all her stuff and off we went. I think Monica thought we were crazy rolling in 15 min. before the first class opened. But I am probably one of he least likely people to get stressed out that you'll ever meet. Like stress is not in my constitution. I'm pretty sure that is the only way one could survive the hectic life I lead. If I easily stressed I would be the most miserable person on the planet. I work best under pressure and everything must be done quickly but NEVER rushed. I got on Steady and he was, well, Steady at cold, windy spring show. Not awful, not mean just his high energy can't stand still self. 6 years into this with him I think it's time to accept that is just who he is. This behavior used to stress me and frustrate me. I used to think I could train him out of it, or he would grow out of it. Nope it is just him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMMW-I0re4bhs8GovlHS0cf0zuTT1rL8HDazKtlq9w_1t8ivikDlvMr_yel-sutv71XMse2J5UidMcuz_ws277q3fzpWCU9eWF_A1OM-1Yg-a_gsVLYdl0jrPqkLQ1BaxnLGxuo-1t70v/s1600/13260204_10154265450307502_5540092409899908343_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMMW-I0re4bhs8GovlHS0cf0zuTT1rL8HDazKtlq9w_1t8ivikDlvMr_yel-sutv71XMse2J5UidMcuz_ws277q3fzpWCU9eWF_A1OM-1Yg-a_gsVLYdl0jrPqkLQ1BaxnLGxuo-1t70v/s320/13260204_10154265450307502_5540092409899908343_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dis horse, Dis face, Dos eyes</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
I didn't want to jump in the warm up before the first class. A) I could feel the ball of energy under me that I did not want to unleash. B) it was a sloppy wet day and the footing was questionable. And C) we were going to jump 10 2 ft jumps in the class. That kind of sounds like a warm up if you ask me. My trainer convinced me to take him out and jump a couple things in warm up. Well it was interesting and I'm glad there weren't too many people out there with us. Less people to mow down with my wild horse. I tried slowing him down without hauling in his face. I mean that's an actual goal of mine right now in my riding. Yes I set goals that ridiculous because I really ride that bad.<br />
<br />
Anyways I'm dragging this out and there is no need or time for that. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2 ft class:</span></strong><br />
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</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>Amy and Steady</strong> - really fast, he has no respect for 2 ft jumps. I circled him in front of jump 8 because it was a tight turn and he was barreling a bit out of control by that point. But otherwise an uneventful round.</li>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_qUATTHlsQ8" width="560"></iframe>
</ul>
<ul>
closest thing to media I have. It cut out right at jump 6 where he really started ignoring me and getting fast.<br />
<li></li>
<li><strong>Elaina and Lego</strong> - They were prefect. Of course.</li>
<li><strong>Kelcie and Penny</strong> - Kelcie asked if she should trot or canter. I told her it's up to her. If she felt penny wad listening then canter or if she was getting too fast then trot. I could tell when she picked up the canter and jumped jump 1 that penny was going the, too fast, route and Kelcie made the right decision and trotted the rest of the course. As always penny is very obedient and the sweetest pony but she vang easily barrel around at ridiculous speeds which is no good for jumping.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong>Placings</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong>1st Elaina and Lego</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong>3rd Kelcie and penny</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong>4th Amy and steady</strong></span><br />
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They actually told me Kelcie got 4th and me 3rd but I'm not completely positive the correct way to score jumpers but if Kelcie is a slower time yet I circle in front of a jump then I should be counted a refusal and Kelcie should beat me out. The kid deserved a better placing than me. She rode better and her pony behaved better.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2'3"</span></strong><br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Amy and Steady</strong> - this class was better. He started to relax after standing around at the gate for an hour. I started to speed up 3/4 the way through and wasn't adjustable the way I'd like but he does know how to go out and jump all the things. We went clear and went clear on the jump off.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Elaina and Lego</strong> - Do I need to say it? Besides them needing to fine tune and more tactful things of making a good horse and rider pair. They still go out with control and knock out a course. Clear for them in both rounds.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Kelcie and Penny</strong> sat this out. I thought she might be able to do this class also cause they can jump 2'3". But after seeing that they really jacked up all the jumps and put in like 5 oxers I asked if she wanted to and she said nope. Which I was happy about. So Kelcie spent the next couple hours cantering around the warm up. :) their adorable. And at a really small low key show this isn't an issue so I let her have at it.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Placings</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">1st Amy and Steady</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">2nd Elaina and Lego</span></strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An dat tail make erryone jealous. M and B in background <3</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2'6"</span></strong><br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Amy and Steady</strong> - by this time Steady was chill and this round rode perfectly. He was adjustable, listening and I wish every round could go so well. Clear in both the class and jump off.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Elaina and Lego</strong> - as if your doubted they were great. Don't get me wrong he is not the easiest ride. But she is a good rider and can get him there. Though I'd be happier if she got him there straighter but they have only been together a couple months and they will get there with the finesse. Both rounds double clear.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Placings</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">1st Amy and Steady</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">2nd Elaina and Lego</span></strong><br />
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It was really fun competing against my kids. We've never done that before. And it was pretty awesome that my kids got to beat their mom. At least in one class. They deserved it. They were better. But let's be clear I'm not the mom who will "let" their kid win. If they want to beat me then they better work to earn it. But I'm also truly happy when they do beat me fair and square.<br />
<br />
We were not able to stick around until they placed the 2'6" class So the amazing M picked up our ribbons for us. We had to quickly load up and head home. Swap out horses for ponies and head to the games lesson. K and M ride Penny and Lily and a Pony Club family brings and extra pony for E to ride. I won't labor on about the games lesson. I'll just say the kids love it. They are starting to get the hang of some of the games and getting a bit more brave and adding a little speed into the mix. My kids are pretty good riders but it adds a whole new element when you are talking about weaving poles with one hand holding an object and leaning halfway off your pony to set the object on a cone or into a bucket. They are working on their running mounts and doing quite well. M has a hard time with it though. She is just not built for it right now. But E can mount from a trot now and is working on the canter and K can actually now hop on from a stand still so next will be working on walking. That is one of the most fun things to learn. It's just cool to be able to run along side your pony and jump on. <br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-21421879010707265892016-05-17T12:32:00.001-07:002016-05-17T19:24:22.350-07:00Horse MomI am going to wrap up into one post the many Lessons and clinics that I have been to lately. No, not as a participant but as a chauffeur, brunt labor, hydrator and spectator. It seems my life is becoming more and more of that and less and less of me actually getting to participate in the horse activities. There is a sadness and a feeling of loss there. But it is freaking amazing getting to do this with my kids and all my kids no less. No being torn in different directions with different interests. Nope we all just get to gorge ourselves to our hearts content on all things equine. Some times probably a bit too much. But it is hard to resist when it is so much fun! Like the other night. We set out for a "little" trail ride at about 6pm while hubby is cooking dinner(I know it's sickening how spoiled I am). All 4 of us on our perfectly matched equine partners. We got so engrossed in trails and fun and jumping things that we failed to return home until about 9:30! Hubby was a tad irritated that dinner he had made was now cold. I can't blame him but he quickly got over it because we all had smiles ear to ear. I have concluded that I am probably the absolute worst at adulting. I have a messy house, piles of laundry and so many chores to be done and an entire unscheduled weekend to do it. Guess what I got done? A boat ride, a trail ride, trip to a tack store, a hike, hanging out in the hot tub about 2 hours each day and that is pretty much it.<br />
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Well here is a run down of all the clinics and lessons that have kept me in the barn and got me out of the house chores!<br />
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All girls took a vaulting lesson. It's a strange sport but fun. I think all the kids liked running around the barn in socks just as much as flying around on horses.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelcie practices vaulting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macy's turn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to see but that is K standing up.</td></tr>
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Show jump lesson with David Beisel. E and K both had a lesson with David. It was Elaina's first outing with Lego and he was bit amped at the beginning. It didn't take long for his draft roots to show and he calmed nicely. He did everything asked of him and E really liked David. Kelcie had to spend most of the lesson slowing Penny down. That is par for the course with those two..lol<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K in the adorablest pony lesson evar!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much blur but ermahgerd so much cute!</td></tr>
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2 Games lessons for K and M and even E got to borrow a pony for one of the lessons. These are always really fun for the girls. If you are not familiar with games it is one of the Pony Club sports but it is also an international competitive sport. The kids really enjoy it and it is a fun way to improve your balance, seat and stickability without even thinking about it because you are playing games. They involve all sorts of props. Too many to list but watch some you tube videos and I'm sure you'll be pulling out all kinds of barrels, poles, coffee mugs, cones, tennis balls, buckets, sticks etc wanting to get your game on. Watch these hard core gamers do running mounts. It's super fun. E has been perfecting her running mount on Lily. No photos of games but here is a video of a badass girl and her pony and a gratuitous Corgi eating ice cream photo.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And M grazing L after a games lesson.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://youtu.be/kCuRNzLltbU" target="_blank">Watch this video to see how crazy fun Games looks!</a><br />
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Kelcie did her D2 Certification. We hauled Penny to Twin Towers the local horse park and basically hung out while K was tested all day. If you aren't familiar with a Pony Club Certification Test. Well it's intense to say the least. They are tested in every single aspect of horsemanship, horse management, veterinary care, riding on the flat, show jump and XC. They and their horse must be impeccably turned out and know their stuff. K passed with flying colors! She studied and practiced hard to do so.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">XCing like a badass</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nailed it! Then braided her pony's mane with her friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinew5gbRYzUVLe9WTEPwcnEHSnqrOYml5fI1mJOBEwHqPl4LGqt_3-_2pDFSQdK1PvUi6dlvVckw2qPvz2z4CBr9c_MJuzNJrGIp9LXIvxmmq-GEhwwvUm-f8Z-Y3vHSFBpC6QaPO8wgdq/s1600/13260142_10154245068697502_6567966506675865316_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinew5gbRYzUVLe9WTEPwcnEHSnqrOYml5fI1mJOBEwHqPl4LGqt_3-_2pDFSQdK1PvUi6dlvVckw2qPvz2z4CBr9c_MJuzNJrGIp9LXIvxmmq-GEhwwvUm-f8Z-Y3vHSFBpC6QaPO8wgdq/s320/13260142_10154245068697502_6567966506675865316_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking out to XC course.</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
Eventing clinic for all 3. This was a one day clinic with each having a lesson in each phase over the one day. OMG! Mom overload. This day was exhausting. The kids had fun and learned a lot and that was the point. But dammit all if it did like to kill me! Lego was perfect. Lily was for flat and SJ but as per normal lost her shit a bit XC and unseated M. Then she did enough theatrics for Mom to get to ride that day. I always make it a point that if I have to get on you because you are misbehaving for a child you better believe that you sure as hell will regret it. Macy was able to get back on after Lily's time out with mom and Got to go over Couple things to end their otherwise great day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLcqsgbj5rIa4Oy2X6PEqffOrGbXIFL5C4Hcx35ZE7XpIF0fXwiAJkkBCiOMkPGgwwdg4afyshkcKn2U7n34k7kNR_IhlP5z-B4ituICujb-CqH0QLxfLj3pWfibTsx72_ZGcnMdtSFdm/s1600/13164310_10154245068957502_8696921133369290726_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLcqsgbj5rIa4Oy2X6PEqffOrGbXIFL5C4Hcx35ZE7XpIF0fXwiAJkkBCiOMkPGgwwdg4afyshkcKn2U7n34k7kNR_IhlP5z-B4ituICujb-CqH0QLxfLj3pWfibTsx72_ZGcnMdtSFdm/s320/13164310_10154245068957502_8696921133369290726_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her quote of the day, "MOM I LOVE THIS HORSE!!!!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0LYHHlHNNS2iJeZf-Wk5Qbw7eQR_Oa5ku6r0sMCyOmWTlprftXWo6pxHu75TyMKTLZKXtiC3hUSWxTwTpieuBnlJcEpHIG-hSikfhd3kqVTWuHVK07rmZE-40MLNNgNWpGMJudt6kgtw/s1600/13220860_10154245069272502_2766474982591253674_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0LYHHlHNNS2iJeZf-Wk5Qbw7eQR_Oa5ku6r0sMCyOmWTlprftXWo6pxHu75TyMKTLZKXtiC3hUSWxTwTpieuBnlJcEpHIG-hSikfhd3kqVTWuHVK07rmZE-40MLNNgNWpGMJudt6kgtw/s320/13220860_10154245069272502_2766474982591253674_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our pretty regular view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib_dGWtQAAYx8x3QDgPzATFBcqLZvHXR3cbuwHMhyMZAcuztWB-VFVnlTraoLr8ssH7VvUiPuE5lWey3waluLmHSX7ELbBpe5aV8t2UlvRZGgIm50lhhrUh6CEmOu_iKF6G9vpntWh51W/s1600/13254470_10154245068897502_8814083949144740439_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib_dGWtQAAYx8x3QDgPzATFBcqLZvHXR3cbuwHMhyMZAcuztWB-VFVnlTraoLr8ssH7VvUiPuE5lWey3waluLmHSX7ELbBpe5aV8t2UlvRZGgIm50lhhrUh6CEmOu_iKF6G9vpntWh51W/s320/13254470_10154245068897502_8814083949144740439_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K and her friends that all passed the Pony Club Certification the day before all rode in the clinic together.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20Z3U6uejeISNeN0SVX1IjluEBhtl3cK8Hm2bLEdFuHCceyZSp4XLgB0VhSnjTiPawgIL563gtH2MZfuGBpYKL-BKu0l1G48TfI5W9VXeGpo4G48JbfCk71_5YXDJ28k194SFzvAOc8mr/s1600/13256228_10154245068847502_9449766197724179_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20Z3U6uejeISNeN0SVX1IjluEBhtl3cK8Hm2bLEdFuHCceyZSp4XLgB0VhSnjTiPawgIL563gtH2MZfuGBpYKL-BKu0l1G48TfI5W9VXeGpo4G48JbfCk71_5YXDJ28k194SFzvAOc8mr/s320/13256228_10154245068847502_9449766197724179_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhyphenhyphengSiUJNuBQan1UiABXEh7B6MNa-44UWi2SqhX0kp4CtLwHsBJ5bLMuhG4eA0FV0tvIURrocHqJrgq1_Tu_iZWyQyv028vi2Echbr9B2Kw-uHuJDpNoVfuFJlcnEm6o02rXSgNyrgpDZ/s1600/13256481_10154245069037502_8055032808284721008_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhyphenhyphengSiUJNuBQan1UiABXEh7B6MNa-44UWi2SqhX0kp4CtLwHsBJ5bLMuhG4eA0FV0tvIURrocHqJrgq1_Tu_iZWyQyv028vi2Echbr9B2Kw-uHuJDpNoVfuFJlcnEm6o02rXSgNyrgpDZ/s320/13256481_10154245069037502_8055032808284721008_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What you find at the end of 2 really long, tiring, fun horse filled days. Smiling collapsed 9 year old in the trailer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARUaOO8sasaw6J8C94-2iVXvpHhXseGJJv5i3Yw06lXO-1eD_2JEX5jbErm1KSbOknCvzlhGDOaXVPtL5AL68M6MmzW2DrjCe0c9qQ8cCgUzXYSGciYBIG_KYeKwsDhCeZo3bEJdVtYYh/s1600/13266002_10154245069162502_8142201814938415012_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARUaOO8sasaw6J8C94-2iVXvpHhXseGJJv5i3Yw06lXO-1eD_2JEX5jbErm1KSbOknCvzlhGDOaXVPtL5AL68M6MmzW2DrjCe0c9qQ8cCgUzXYSGciYBIG_KYeKwsDhCeZo3bEJdVtYYh/s320/13266002_10154245069162502_8142201814938415012_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does it get more perfect?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHegKuItxKtKmrA6bFkhKsHGLjYqV-A7r8oVszZPqRVUDfKSZAty7lTHL1fpKHxksY-y4aXPNiipqr-eUfVGGxUSpF0KXGhlmgNROXo4hPdelxI3TuhZIdVy5OJAGbVA5qeqTWY963ol4K/s1600/13254413_10154245069362502_2002717526974958601_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHegKuItxKtKmrA6bFkhKsHGLjYqV-A7r8oVszZPqRVUDfKSZAty7lTHL1fpKHxksY-y4aXPNiipqr-eUfVGGxUSpF0KXGhlmgNROXo4hPdelxI3TuhZIdVy5OJAGbVA5qeqTWY963ol4K/s320/13254413_10154245069362502_2002717526974958601_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What does she do when she gets home? Read a horse book of course.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkxh9e2g1dftqsoYgEhXpsbgellVpQU_DRcdsUBy0cyw2ZvvG4cg5vtxyBoalwpo2B4tSk6qXqfI8P2pZY5LkPl5jQJBeAhXaKfaurCieN6misnp4Gp9IxuRymAxxDnXWbqQRoQVSuJTr/s1600/13233024_10154245069087502_3500335580206543832_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkxh9e2g1dftqsoYgEhXpsbgellVpQU_DRcdsUBy0cyw2ZvvG4cg5vtxyBoalwpo2B4tSk6qXqfI8P2pZY5LkPl5jQJBeAhXaKfaurCieN6misnp4Gp9IxuRymAxxDnXWbqQRoQVSuJTr/s320/13233024_10154245069087502_3500335580206543832_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mah girls!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
XC schooling for E and Lego. That horse has not disappointed. He has over and over proven to be the coolest horse I have ever owned. Jumps anything and everything you point him at. Is not lazy and never gets overly anxious about anything. He is a dream. We hadn't really seen him go XC before and again he proved to be a saint. Jumped everything he was pointed at. Popped over the ditches with no thought, up banks, down banks. In the field completely alone? NBD. Such a cool horse. Damn lucky kid.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdPNeB34ZC-sO4hzWppENWHjZY3ZrCAHBPk5t9kVeqOW-rO6V3No3Mfw0kMgM_BkBYbXYiIfIfqezgpbsjKnFIWlXjfAG9qMAvo1_3pMji-DI9Dsbpd0nyYL9R5lRtU7sJvk6EEm0-hxv/s1600/13245296_10154245069577502_5822091039865415576_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdPNeB34ZC-sO4hzWppENWHjZY3ZrCAHBPk5t9kVeqOW-rO6V3No3Mfw0kMgM_BkBYbXYiIfIfqezgpbsjKnFIWlXjfAG9qMAvo1_3pMji-DI9Dsbpd0nyYL9R5lRtU7sJvk6EEm0-hxv/s320/13245296_10154245069577502_5822091039865415576_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damn lucky kid!</td></tr>
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<br />
M jump lesson. It was a brisk, windy day and all 3 horses in the lesson were feeling it. All being pretty green riders on enthusiastic horses they ended up doing a lot of flat work with a gymnastic line worked in at the end. M and Lily did great!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSRDiXbxIZjJ4CtsBjCgM14PhB7YxopoNtq-J12LJlQEp8pf3TFW1YH1bMBJBRo9igrwL_czGPvCyo3T_FaG9B5f5_9aH1Kg-QO0Ae_nsn4KHqWPT0wN7hAbBAnuk9InFBcEWGRhqk1qj/s1600/13265929_10154245070147502_1682088777205734920_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSRDiXbxIZjJ4CtsBjCgM14PhB7YxopoNtq-J12LJlQEp8pf3TFW1YH1bMBJBRo9igrwL_czGPvCyo3T_FaG9B5f5_9aH1Kg-QO0Ae_nsn4KHqWPT0wN7hAbBAnuk9InFBcEWGRhqk1qj/s320/13265929_10154245070147502_1682088777205734920_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not from actual lesson but Macy and Lily <3</td></tr>
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<br />
Coming up on the docket? Me spending all my damn money on these kids. I will keep complaining about it. Even though I am still going to do it I just have to vent that to the universe once in a while.<br />
<br />
<br />
Wednesday weekly lessons for me with M.<br />
Kids having a tack cleaning party with PC Friday (think I can sneak my tack in on this party?)<br />
Little jumper show Saturday for me and E with Monica and B!<br />
XC schooling for K and E this weekend<br />
E starts working for trainer at her barn 2 days a week and Lego over nighting and lessoning both days. So excited for this opportunity for her.<br />
Following week is Pony Club camp all 3 kids for 4 days<br />
the next week a lesson M and K<br />
the next week is Mega rally for all 3 girls at Kentucky horse park. 3 days for M and K. 5 days for E. We will be camping there. Maybe I will do the Midsouth horse trial that weekend. Maybe?<br />
That will take us through June and by then we will all need a break. My bank account included!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-85498137038516691022016-05-12T07:57:00.001-07:002016-05-12T07:57:25.743-07:00Late BloomerWhile all of you have been at it this spring. Competing, lessoning, clinicing. I've been here just loading up the trailer and hauling my kids around to lessons, clinics and XC schoolings. That's as close to a lesson that I have gotten in a long, long while. That is, until yesterday.<br />
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I finally got to pack up the trailer for me and Steady and headed to EME for a jump lesson. I had no idea how it was going to go down because I haven't ridden in a solid 2 maybe even 3 weeks. YIKES! How has time gotten away from me? I won't go into long detailed play by play of the lesson. I will say that the more lessons I take from M the more I love her. She knows exactly what my horse and I need. It was one of the most "in control" jump experiences that I have ever had on Steady. She was trying to get me to avoid getting him strung out and running at fences. It started Ok but he did start getting too excited for the tiny x bounce we were doing. She got on him and got him sorted out then told me how to ride him. It is all about straightness. I didn't even realize how crooked he would get jumping. But if he was straight and I sat and waited to the base of the jump he was like a different horse. No more holding on for dear life, pulling and dragging to the next fence. I was actually learning to ride my horse from back to front and it was amazing. There was a whole heck of a lot of right leg involved and as soon as I would forget to use it he would immediately drift his hind end right. She told me I need to bring it back down a notch and go to some shows and just do baby stuff so I can just concentrate on having a thinking ride and not thinking about jumps. So we may be hitting up the little local hunter/jumper circuit and play around in classes with little kids...lol. Maybe I'll enter the same classes as Kelcie. Watch her and Penny beat me!<br />
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On an unrelated note but something that has been bugging me.<br />
Has anyone else noticed how nasty the horse industry can be to itself? It is disheartening. I will just say when someone bad mouths another trainer in any way I immediately lose some respect for the one bad mouthing. Not the one they were hoping to bring down. Can I just say I don't care, how you know them, if they were mean to you, what they did to you or even how much money they owe you. Whether or not you think they are a qualified to teach it is really none of your business. It is unprofessional and tacky to spread that around the horse world like it's your job to ruin them. Damaging their reputation doesn't just hurt their business but it also hurts yours. So you are kinda shooting yourself in your own foot. I have been around long enough to know that everyone pisses off someone at some point in their life. And that we all even screw up sometimes but for those screw ups to follow us around by way of our competitions mouths. Yuck. So please unless a person has abused a horse(then I am all for you telling people) then STFU! Stepping off the soap box now.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-64450641684779321992016-05-11T11:49:00.001-07:002016-05-11T11:49:42.510-07:00The HaulI am NOT a shopper. I do all I can to stay out of stores as much as humanly possible. I don't like spending money and I don't like looking through a thousand items saying, "omgee isn't this so cute?!" That actually makes me want to poke out my own eyeballs with a hot fire poker. I don't believe in retail therapy. Going shopping stresses me out and I feel like I need therapy afterwards. See I just don't like it. So Rolex is actually perfect for the I hate to shop shopper. It is a one stop shop. Anything you could want will be there for purchase. If you know where the vendors are you can stop in get what you need and walk out. Or you can peruse to your hearts content or you can go watch horses. So I save up for this reason. I'd rather pay a bit more at Rolex then look for 2 months online for the best deal. See I don't even like online shopping either. Because I have saved up for it and have the money set aside specifically to spend that weekend I don't get the guilt that come with typical shopping and spending money that I usually get.<br />
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This year I had a smaller list than in years past. I had no 'big' item to purchase and I had 3 kids that could use a few things. Get your kids into horses. It'll be good for them. And you'll regret it every time you try to balance your budget. Just got questioned by the husband yesterday why I have about $200 a month each month in just pony club expenses. Opps, my response is. I actually have purposely not been keeping track. You should try that coping method. I think it works a bit better than the checking the bank account and balancing the budget. <br />
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So a budget of only $500 will get you pretty far. There were some cheap but functional purchases, some needs fulfilled, some wants, possibly a drunk purchase, some super good deals AND one purchase that will make the whoriest of tack whores proud.<br />
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4 Pairs of schooling breeches 2 for M and 2 for E that were $11.99 each. They had to do a bit of digging and trying on but they are old enough I left them to it and went to buy some other fun stuff.<br />
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1 Pair of XS Woof Boots for K and Penny. Those are not pictured because we had to purchase them and have them ordered and shipped because they did not carry the XS pink boots. These where actually a good deal for $26. I haven't been able to find them on sale and are usually $38. They were one of two things on Kelcies list. The other was a fly mask for Penny. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/WOOF-WEAR-Sport-Brushing-Boots/dp/B004BQ5TVE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462989590&sr=8-1&keywords=woof+boots" target="_blank">The boots.</a> I can't wait to see how tiny and adorable they will look on Penny.<br />
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1 fly mask for Penny $21.<br />
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Purple slow feed hay bag $42 for K and Penny<br />
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Pink and black cotton lead $5. K and Penny<br />
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Noble Equine athletic wear shirts 8 assorted colors and sizes for all 4 of us. ranging from $7-$11. Awesome deal!<br />
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3 Pairs of Noble Equine schooling gloves. $6.95 I am actually kicking myself I didn't by more of these. You can't have enough schooling gloves with 4 people riding. Me, K and M.<br />
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Things I needed:<br />
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SmartPack Lined dressage leathers $52. You can get this price online right now a SP but they were a nice leather and the best price I could find from any of the vendors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2xy7k42qqxalKIkJ-RXuDt21sFlRAppC-ptpyK0Z-khbMlcwuiA_RSODTxIblzx9VrwSWtAypsZc_5r45GIAhWGxQT1ea2hs183xGBrXAcwok8dQ7Ofx7lCDUKebmWReLOWHIO-zrlCI/s1600/20160504_085401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2xy7k42qqxalKIkJ-RXuDt21sFlRAppC-ptpyK0Z-khbMlcwuiA_RSODTxIblzx9VrwSWtAypsZc_5r45GIAhWGxQT1ea2hs183xGBrXAcwok8dQ7Ofx7lCDUKebmWReLOWHIO-zrlCI/s320/20160504_085401.jpg" width="320" /></a>Compsiti Irons with royale blue grips $37 They are a good quality less expensive composite stirrup. I wasn't sure if I was ready to buy into the composite thing but for that price who cares really if they are only a fad for a year or two.<br />
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A splurge for the super Corgi was a new rolled leather engraved brass collar and lead. Cause the best dog ever needs fancy. This was a day drinking purchase so I am not %100 on what I paid. Most likely far too much for a collar and lead but it was worth it. I am thinking it was in the range of $85ish.<br />
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I happened upon some nice free t-shirts for the girls and I. $0<br />
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And lastly my purchase that would make a tack whore drool. Thanks to my friend that knows her tack and how to sniff out a good deal. I now own a bridle that is far more fancy than any of my animals. I told Elaina she could have it for Lego but I may have to steal it back if I ever make into a fancy dressage show. It is a Vespucci Rolled leather Dressage bridle. It is double bridle but it is easy enough to take out the extra piece. I find it funny that the bridle my daughters horse will wear retails for the same amount as the actual horse cost. I paid $75 for it. <a href="http://www.adamshorsesupplies.com/vespucci-rolled-leather-weymouth-bridle-202787?fee=1&fep=31420&gclid=CNr4ocXR0swCFZGIaQodo4kB0g" target="_blank">This is the bridle.</a><br />
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Which totaled up left me at about $435 which is about right because I even made it home with a few dollars in my pocket.<br />
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Over all I am super happy with all my purchases. We got practical things and some fun stuff.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-52800732548277571002016-05-06T12:58:00.000-07:002016-05-06T17:27:59.360-07:00Doing Rolex, the right way.Sooooo it's been a while. Many, many amazing things have gone on that has pretty much made the month of April a wash as far as any productivity in real life goes. Hint; Real life is over rated. Really though I love my real life and am grateful for all the fun stuff I've gotten to do but I am ready to just stay home, ride, boat and play in the woods. And maybe work here and there...lol What? You mean that shouldn't be considered real life? Haha then you are not doing life right. <br />
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My April consisted of a week on vacation on St. Augustine FL. Pony club clinics and activities galore. A week in Ocala, FL exploring horse country and attending Ocala International (more on that trip later) and to close out the month, an EPIC Rolex adventure.<br />
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I will be covering the Rolex adventure in this post. I love reading everyone's Rolex experiences. For some it was their first time. Some traveled halfway across the country to attend. Some loved it, for some it was just Meh. I have been going to Rolex for several years now. For a few years I did the just XC day, which is OK. For the past 4 I've gone full bore 4 full days but this year I think I finally perfected how an Eventer does Rolex! There are many factors that go into the perfect Rolex experience.<br />
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1. It's all about who you know. I have a massively amazing group of ladies that I have been doing this trip with for the last 4 years. I have the shopping conasuere. She is quite the tack whore that knows where and how to find the good stuff. Remember I am a tack slut. My only requirements are a) is it cheap b) is it functional. But this amazing lady can sniff out buttery soft leather and fancy Dubarry Jackets like she was born to. It also helps to get he champagne flowing in the Dubarry tent when you have a friend that will actually drop $600 on a "I'll only wear it a few times" coat. Really it's all in who your friends are. Then you have the encyclopedia. Seriously a girl that knows every rider, their horses name, where they have competed recently, the breed of their horse, where every course walk is, who is where and when and make sure we are at the right place at the right time. I just pretty much drink and follow her. The best jump to see Phillip Dutton at? Well she has it timed out and planned out how to be there. Then you have the mother hen. Who makes sure you can find the potty when all the Day drinking catches up and you have to pee and remind you that you probably should eat at some point. A liquid diet is only responsible if it involves more than alcohol. And what do I offer to the group well I am really quite good at sniffy out free stuff, providing music, yummy food and a camp site.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my amazing crew.</td></tr>
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2. In the prefect Rolex experience. Don't be ashamed of day drinking. Really and after a few glasses of champagne in the Dubarry tent you won't really notice the dirty looks from the Responsible Pony Club moms.<br />
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3. Have really awesome kids that will trek all over kindom come without a peep of complaint. Even when your mother accidently drops you in the water jump in front of an entire group of course walkers and you have to walk the rest of the day in wet tennis shoes. How does that even happen? Trust me I'm talented. Hey I have never claimed to be a good Mom. I mean who does that to their kid? They really are troopers. And when mom has had about 4 too many they even clean up dinner and put themselves to bed despite the obnoxiously loud music and carrying on outside the camper. Not mention when the police showed up...OPPS! Yep. That happened.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was just the start of a very wild night. </td></tr>
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4. All the other things I have done the passed 3 years which has made Rolex our highlight of the spring but what made it absolutely perfect? Camping at the park. I never want to do Rolex another way. No worries about having to drive after all the day drinking. Pretty much my entire Indiana Eventing Posse camp which makes for a wildly fun party in the evenings. And is there anything better than campfires, music, dancing and horse friends? Not often that we get to hang out with our horse buddies and not be at a show or a clinic and have horses to care for and actually have to be sober to ride. But a Rolex? All bets are off. We most likely took it a step too far and that became more clear when the police rolled up and we all scattered to our rightful campers. But it was SO MUCH FUN!<br />
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Why do I do all 4 days? I can assure you it is not because I am interested in watching the same dressage test ridden a million times because I saw all of 2 tests. They were good ones though, Mark Todd and Phillip Dutton on one of his mounts Copper Beach, and that is all that counts. Quality not quantity. Why the home body that I am and would rather stay home than almost anything looks forward to Rolex next year before I even pack up to go home on Sunday?<br />
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Thursday, to shop. You get to see everything, touch everything and search for the few and far between deals. All without being touched by cracked out shoppers that only show up one day and think they deserve to push their way through everyone just to get their fix. And drinking<br />
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Friday is for a bit more shopping, read- go back and buy all the things you scoped out on Thursday, talked yourself out of but couldn't stop thinking about lying in bed that night so you run back and buy as soon as the trade show opens. And course walking. Following around big time riders, not being able to keep up or hear a word they say but it doesn't really matter because your back pack has drinks in it. And the Dubarry tent. Because if you're smart at all, all your hunting type shopping better have been done Thursday because people. And now we wander, drink all the alcohols we can find and scope out free stuff. Oh and drinking.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Course walking with Doug Payne. Someone needs to explain to these people that us mere mortals cannot walk at 10 mph up hill in tall grass. Think of the Corgi's people and old ladies.</td></tr>
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Saturday, you won't catch me dead spending any amount of time shopping. Nope, no way. Freaking madhouse. Saturday is all about XC. Seeing 2-3 horses at each jump then moving on to the next. Following my encyclopedia around getting the low down on every rider. She makes it so easy to have a drink in one hand an umbrella in the other and still be in the know. And pretending that we have the authority to critic these bad ass riders. "Ooooo they jumped that so nicely", "Oh man! they really took a long spot there.", "Is that a chickenmonkey on that horse or is that Buck?" Seriously that man is amazing but sometimes he makes you close your eyes. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What Corgi's think of a wet XC day. Why mom, why?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shout out to the awesome corgi umbrella!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just Done.</td></tr>
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Sunday we've done several ways. Watch some SJ from the sidelines. We've bought Stadium seats but this year we opted to do the Pony Club Stadium course walk with the course designer, which is really an amazing opportunity. Then pack up and head home to see the ponies and skip the exit crowd and traffic.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool Pony Club opportunity is they take the PCer's out on the stadium course Sunday morning and the course designer talks to them about the course. RAD!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sea Serpent. Loved the drop into the head of the lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look Rolex barfed in my kitchen.</td></tr>
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Which was perfect because it was a beautiful day and we made it home in time to dump every thing from the camper and truck into the kitchen, literally. Hook up the jet ski and play in the lake for a few hours. Can't think of a more fun way to end Rolex weekend. Sure we were exhausted from walking probably 20-30 miles over the past 4 days. Had so much crap to unpack it is stupid. But while I am not REALLY good at much in life I am actually really good at avoiding all adult responsibilities and playing instead (if you hadn't ever noticed it's kind of my specialty)<br />
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So that my friends is how one does Rolex. It is some what about the huge international competition, big time horses and riders but really it is SO much more. I will have to do a separate post on what I love about shopping at Rolex. I've read many that were disappointed by the lack of good deals. Having done this for many years I can tell you that there are some good deals that are out there but they are few and far between. It if far more about all the touches and all the feels. Getting to see everything in one place. Things you have heard about our seen online but really want to see what they look and feel like. Create want lists for future reference. Trying on every kind of breech out there to find out what fits you best so you can watch for good deals online. Putting your butt in fancy saddles and trying on all the XC vests. Just in case, you know, one day you're a millionaire. . But I can see if you show up Saturday, Sunday and even Friday the crowds start rolling in why none of that is that much fun. And you should always budget for at least 2 or 3 of those, "I really should not buy this but I drank just the right amount and it's SO pretty!" purchases That's what sick days and Thursdays at Rolex are for. Next Post what swag made it back home with me???? Now I am off to see a girl about a saddle. Or to see a saddle fitter.<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-19048225049980254592016-03-23T08:50:00.000-07:002016-03-23T08:50:17.731-07:00Having it all; Kids Edition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3D9sqQmXfuFPmxH80OYIpvZJs0CZ90JzKoh0kNvL1LVEFhYimsdJsgl8It7yA6gJb82wa0a4RIbNs8WkZ0c8nsK4UmxqkQKzrm11KNxp92mAxqsj5XUua-CT6q0f4yNXT7cHHpxikXBEt/s1600/12799232_10154094578657502_2211528978245674219_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a>This one is the toughest part of it all. If you ever want to feel like you are being ripped in 15 different directions both physically, mentally and emotionally to the point that you might just come apart. Then I recommend have a bunch of kids. And bonus points if you have them really close together in age. It feels like a game of Operation where your soul is picked apart slowly with some shaky hands and a pair of tweezers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting in your back yard watching this it just makes the heart burst.</td></tr>
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OMG did I just make having kids sound awful? Haha every parent knows what I am talking about but maybe not brave enough to admit it. But the secret that every parent also knows is that the unconditional, indescribable love that you immediately have for these little life sucking aliens makes every bit of it beyond worth it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWQhXW1JXLSlRLybXyjsNoLD5nk4U721Unk7eHfAIDvNpBRtjltkHf6VAX9NdVQvZDjr-L2B3CFaGN0t5lxVzTEJXpB3dxVy_B_Q5kpgPUq7wVqVrl7NLn7BC3bXXBLkrOs5qMg6VM7yj/s1600/10398518_70524132501_4460559_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWQhXW1JXLSlRLybXyjsNoLD5nk4U721Unk7eHfAIDvNpBRtjltkHf6VAX9NdVQvZDjr-L2B3CFaGN0t5lxVzTEJXpB3dxVy_B_Q5kpgPUq7wVqVrl7NLn7BC3bXXBLkrOs5qMg6VM7yj/s320/10398518_70524132501_4460559_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids and Horses they just go together.</td></tr>
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Then try to have a hobby or your own interest or even want a moment of your own so you can pee in peace! It's a laughable attempt at retaining your own identity. The good news and the sad news is that they don't stay little and helpless forever. For as exhausting as they are we really just never want them to grow up. God they are precious! It's a double edge sword, two sides of the same coin, painful and beautiful, exhausting and exhilarating. There is no experience like it and you wouldn't trade it for the world.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really they just do.</td></tr>
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When they were little it was a lost cause. I didn't even attempt to do the horse thing. Kudos to those of you who babies and still find a way to get out and ride. It was not in the cards for me. I had a husband that worked 70 miles away at a very stressful job. NO family and no real support system. So if my babies were gonna stay alive it was up to me. So that is what I did for about 6 years. Then when my youngest was 3 and could feed herself, go to the bathroom herself and could sit in front of the tv for an hour with her sisters I did not hesitate and that is when I got back into horses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTLdyjNgyW1ld8eoTKeDihvC3EQCX1nwMyYzIww1Mj0ovdc8TDORP6rJC9EK_RbWa-PemkV-asGCxaWQIVNC7_ttHUDa5hp7-1ovvfVt9deEdsp6kbeDB7GluuxedrOIrm0jMgDD3uVZY/s1600/1506394_10154058003397502_3715344227382557573_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTLdyjNgyW1ld8eoTKeDihvC3EQCX1nwMyYzIww1Mj0ovdc8TDORP6rJC9EK_RbWa-PemkV-asGCxaWQIVNC7_ttHUDa5hp7-1ovvfVt9deEdsp6kbeDB7GluuxedrOIrm0jMgDD3uVZY/s320/1506394_10154058003397502_3715344227382557573_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been blazing trails with this kid...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since before she was this kid.</td></tr>
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It then became my peace and restoration. It made for a happy Momma. Since then we've gone through countless changes but each year I still continue to get out on my horse and do something. Now I have all 3 kids that ride and still the name of the game is continuous change. You must be adaptable to survive at all. We've cycled through a few horses over the years as the kids riding ability grows and interest increases. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPx68ZdpAt0epo8hiapNbnc0B7HfQH92uNJmyQjPtbJ_tnW3pDLRbsWg-_rw-Vdm9kxskUuY8ji9vu5qqWRZJv_0M7ln4yLaUnWE6Jan_QSNY71K_KAqhPeN7NzE8gXe0AKJLufae1jLOb/s1600/11693824_10153514259367502_7748048956792206135_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPx68ZdpAt0epo8hiapNbnc0B7HfQH92uNJmyQjPtbJ_tnW3pDLRbsWg-_rw-Vdm9kxskUuY8ji9vu5qqWRZJv_0M7ln4yLaUnWE6Jan_QSNY71K_KAqhPeN7NzE8gXe0AKJLufae1jLOb/s320/11693824_10153514259367502_7748048956792206135_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You get to watch as they get brave and good...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJhrIk0L3g-3z5t2DO2JRCVxrgIC-WPe0IUaRqzTWoQQe9XCp1L1lA6BlZhxHrPqJiDq2B05mb8qBcv3fsIooBeAdhd8KL4dQWo21HHH9XK57Tp_CPF1tMOsOUTkaHOGqPrTwr-JaiGvq/s1600/11049461_10153541850007502_1926843509864983385_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJhrIk0L3g-3z5t2DO2JRCVxrgIC-WPe0IUaRqzTWoQQe9XCp1L1lA6BlZhxHrPqJiDq2B05mb8qBcv3fsIooBeAdhd8KL4dQWo21HHH9XK57Tp_CPF1tMOsOUTkaHOGqPrTwr-JaiGvq/s320/11049461_10153541850007502_1926843509864983385_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and be there when they start to get really good!</td></tr>
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What I have always made abundantly clear and is the key to making it all work is, that I am not your caretaker, your groom, your maid, your cook. I am not one of those self sacrificing Moms who will go through 2 decades of her life not pursing or having any personal ambition. I won't. My husband knows this and my children get that. I'm not sure what that makes me appear to be to the outside world. Selfish? Neglectful? Mean? Who knows but actually I really don't care. It is working from the inside. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiai1W4ph4kyCReJgwCY0i4ZdE20Csg3gsFH2GkNfuICjDOXh_DjmFoagKBJI3tHcS1i7szZDzRAPDIVWi9hexF25OoxMnrzZEgoVd2_ImOp-SwaedkPH8V2bsmMc9uD5kPgePIeSLruFsJ/s1600/12799232_10154094578657502_2211528978245674219_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiai1W4ph4kyCReJgwCY0i4ZdE20Csg3gsFH2GkNfuICjDOXh_DjmFoagKBJI3tHcS1i7szZDzRAPDIVWi9hexF25OoxMnrzZEgoVd2_ImOp-SwaedkPH8V2bsmMc9uD5kPgePIeSLruFsJ/s320/12799232_10154094578657502_2211528978245674219_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having your very own pony is really really hard. </td></tr>
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My kids must and do carry their own weight around here. It's like a time warp to 150 years ago where on a farm everyone was expected to chip in. I have made it quite clear to them that they do not have to do so much work. But that would mean they wouldn't have so much privilege. With great privilege comes great responsibility and that my friends is pretty much the gospel of this family. If you want it then you have to work for it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9N9Bj59-YIcJQpw0ldTfaeQUDfFM_3dn_Xz119-IZgLaCyRL9ZZDMGqDd6bb8vhKee-kE-Z4LZIgqAc_sN0wuqfOTJl2q1SmW6NX2L12TBccyK-evlj27j50ues6hams3jKTiklpdQtBi/s1600/10520096_10153453510682502_8020622399594204942_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9N9Bj59-YIcJQpw0ldTfaeQUDfFM_3dn_Xz119-IZgLaCyRL9ZZDMGqDd6bb8vhKee-kE-Z4LZIgqAc_sN0wuqfOTJl2q1SmW6NX2L12TBccyK-evlj27j50ues6hams3jKTiklpdQtBi/s320/10520096_10153453510682502_8020622399594204942_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And if you don't go through all the trouble of having all those kids and your horses at home then you will never get the opportunity to have your child and pony knocking at your front door.</td></tr>
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That means on top of your obvious priority of school you must, get up early to feed your animals, after school clean stalls and ride a reasonable number of times a week to keep your horse working, healthy and happy. You will help clean the house, cook food and maintain the farm. You will not get a monetary award for doing any of these things because they are your responsibilities. Now if you go above and beyond and help with extra things it will not go unnoticed. They understand that the privilege of owning horses, taking lessons, Pony Club and showing are not things that other kids get to do and that is their payment. As my daughters will tell you, "we are paid in Pony".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLKeh4Nk57oX87JL_DV9kS_-NokPpsvtES8O_cCNfkkWNHKJrWrWDG5VNGjqkRucuY1X3RZNRkCuYFlRs-9Qzg-_dYlg7xOObIx5ptLfzV1fSWWUgt-Atw4TVbuK1oiDvaOXm7yv-A_Mj/s1600/1901255_10153485719227502_997070047532250542_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLKeh4Nk57oX87JL_DV9kS_-NokPpsvtES8O_cCNfkkWNHKJrWrWDG5VNGjqkRucuY1X3RZNRkCuYFlRs-9Qzg-_dYlg7xOObIx5ptLfzV1fSWWUgt-Atw4TVbuK1oiDvaOXm7yv-A_Mj/s320/1901255_10153485719227502_997070047532250542_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They even make cold, wet shows fun.</td></tr>
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You won't hear them whine or complain. They understand that it is just the way it is. They know that most of their friends spend most of their time watching tv or on an Ipad or cell phone with parents that cater to them. But they are ok with the way it works for them. I do get pressure from my peers that I am too strict, make them work too hard or am boarder line mean for the requirements I put on my kids. But they will openly admit that my kids are light-years more capable then their own. And you know what? I'm Ok with that trade off. Will my kids need therapy as adults? Probably, it's an on going joke around here. But even now my kids say that they have it really good and are the most grateful and respectful kids I know.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5rWRQq5Sg3gILWzU69gQ5APDlKDGuQTo5m9nPf2s2dpte4ywOTxO5LKw0d-8VM_jEgbh1zsnPr5ekjvfjGp1SU7wtZlUZRyB9wsMLmtc8P43B_nC0tB3M0Tt9veKgsmCCxMsXnF-fHMB/s1600/12009705_10153671774167502_7400724739064943357_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5rWRQq5Sg3gILWzU69gQ5APDlKDGuQTo5m9nPf2s2dpte4ywOTxO5LKw0d-8VM_jEgbh1zsnPr5ekjvfjGp1SU7wtZlUZRyB9wsMLmtc8P43B_nC0tB3M0Tt9veKgsmCCxMsXnF-fHMB/s320/12009705_10153671774167502_7400724739064943357_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a part in this moment...it's just worth it.</td></tr>
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I kind of look at it as if they are working students. It is kind of similar. Some manual labor for the opportunity to ride, train and compete. Hey they get free room, board, food, tack, horses, clothes, transportation, lessons, entry fees and any other physical need met. I'd take that working student position any day. My parenting style is not for everyone I know that but there is no way I could have a job, 4 horses, 3 kids, 3 cats, a dog and a farm without them pitching in. NO WAY! So that is how having it all is even possible. The kids have to carry their weight, period.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgru1oFQD2Kt8u0ZR1Q9e7KBZqBeaDCjpF0r_1h_XBuUnzjGwev9h9MS1kDxHuxpDnX8uxYBlgFFOJWDvagsUrPuRkImk0REnvR5zTB5EWGIJ3vuH-hYXhBcHqaJXD8EDg2iunzr6EsP3Gz/s1600/12321275_10154077967522502_4327176714326701993_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgru1oFQD2Kt8u0ZR1Q9e7KBZqBeaDCjpF0r_1h_XBuUnzjGwev9h9MS1kDxHuxpDnX8uxYBlgFFOJWDvagsUrPuRkImk0REnvR5zTB5EWGIJ3vuH-hYXhBcHqaJXD8EDg2iunzr6EsP3Gz/s320/12321275_10154077967522502_4327176714326701993_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Few in this world will ever get to experience what is in this photo. Not just the kids and the horses but the unique privilege to experience a shared passion with all of their children. I know it is special I acknowledge that amazing fact. Tough, expensive and exhausting, yes. But there is nothing like it in this world and I will cherish it.</td></tr>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-5562423533762538102016-03-16T11:03:00.000-07:002016-03-16T11:07:33.230-07:00Having it all : Farm Life EditionWe've all heard and most likely believed at some point that the grass is greener on the other side but is it really? This is the first installment of a many part series discussing whether the idea of "having it all" is really all it's cracked up to be. Owning your own farm as a competitive horse rider is a multi dimensional topic. So many Pros but also many cons. And it is mostly only for certain lifestyles. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBnSNx0faOVZSc9_ZPOElFS3IvyYbfUV1p1pIgbMQdcwGRaTHaOJPPpougnNGyhsa4ZCcBeX48DZCcm_GN2gZ-Bu0O8swhebyC-OjLF_M0k4EVchb5AigDsdAbFN4-XAWNnW3OYPyYdwu/s1600/12814019_10154051238347502_4569914531654409157_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBnSNx0faOVZSc9_ZPOElFS3IvyYbfUV1p1pIgbMQdcwGRaTHaOJPPpougnNGyhsa4ZCcBeX48DZCcm_GN2gZ-Bu0O8swhebyC-OjLF_M0k4EVchb5AigDsdAbFN4-XAWNnW3OYPyYdwu/s320/12814019_10154051238347502_4569914531654409157_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeing this as you sip your morning coffee from your dining room table is obviously a big pro.</td></tr>
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1. If you don't have the ability to only have a part time job or even not work at all then I would not recommend it. I know many people who have their horses at home and it is working for them. The one thing they all have in common is, they have very flexible work hours. If you work 40+ hours in a week and have your horses at home the only interaction you will be having with horses is cleaning up after them, fixing fences, finding hay, picking up shavings and feeding. There are just too many tasks on a farm and it takes up far too much time to fit it all in. I can't imagine working more than I do(which is 15-20 hours a week) and be able to keep up at all. It was pretty much stress free and doable for the many years I didn't work at all. Now even with as little as I work it can be a struggle to juggle it all. And I can't say that the kids are a reason it's hard to keep up because they honestly are one of the only reasons that it works at all. They are far more help than they aren't. It all sounds quite entitled, privileged or spoiled but even my husband knows that me working a fulltime job is off the table. I'm not giving up enjoying my life and if I worked any more than I do it would be all work and no play. But I do know that that is not a realistic option and in those cases boarding is the way to go.<br />
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2. If you enjoy a social life it is not for you. If you love riding with friends and half of the reason you look forward to going to the barn is because you know you'll see, Suzy or your trainer or the BM. Riding is fun, we love spending time with our horses. But if you also enjoy talking to a living being that can also talk back on a frequent basis then you most likely won't be happy with your horses at home. Yes you can haul out for lessons or trail ride with friends. But the every day grind of conditioning, schooling will be solo and for many that can just suck the joy and motivation out of it all. <br />
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3. You think you enjoy barn chores, cleaning stalls sweeping the barn aisle, feeding. Well then I would take a test before you make the plunge. Volunteer at your current boarding facility to 2-3 times a day do all the barn chores. Not the occasional, OH I have nothing else to do with my time I'm going to help out at the barn. No, more like the, I have a million and 1 things to do for work, my family, my house, my friends, myself but instead I am going to go out to the barn and spend a few hours cleaning, organizing, feeding in the freezing cold for FREE! You should try it. Your BM will love you. Actually I am happy to let you come do all of mine to see if you are cut out for it! Cleaning a stall does not a good farm owner make.<br />
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4. Do you like traveling? Or even the idea that some day you will be able to travel? Whelp, don't buy a farm. Does it make traveling impossible? Maybe. But no matter what it will definitely limit it. I know people who haven't gone on a trip in over a decade because they can't leave their horses. I am lucky enough to have the amazing Monica in my life that I am able to get away at times but there have been many years that wasn't the case. And even though my vote is that Monica never moves or gets to a place that she can't just pick up and care for my babies I know that will not be the case forever. Finding a person that is available and that you can trust not to kill your animals while you are gone is far harder than one might think. And take the word spontaneous out of your vocabulary. It takes days if not weeks of planning to go anywhere ever for the rest of your life.<br />
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5. If you think you'll save yourself money and time by eliminating a board payment and a drive to the barn I will try my best not to chuckle in your face. After you factor in the expense of a farm, a tractor, a truck, a trailer (you can get away with ride sharing at a boarding barn but not at home), hay, feed, shavings, fuel costs to pick up all of those things, fence repair, electrical bill etc.. The time it takes to shovel manure for hours, fix fences, manage pasture and the hundred other things that come up you are far better off driving to the barn, showing up riding your horse, writing a check and leaving and driving home. So that can't be the reason you decide it's right for you. I can assure you that the board payment you make every month is worth every penny. And barn owners aren't getting rich off of board.<br />
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6. If you are eternally obsessed with perfection PLEASE don't have you horses at home. You will be miserable. If you can't handle mud on your horse or walk into your boarding barn and huff because the aisle way was left a mess. Or gasp what would you do if your horses stall didn't get cleaned for a day? Or two? OMG the neglect! Well the ugly truth is it will happen if you are the sole caretaker of your horses. Perfection is not realistic anywhere but one person and a barn of horses will be a far cry from perfection. What if your buckets didn't get washed regularly enough? Or your horses blanket didn't get put on at the right time? Or your horse didn't get fed on their clock work schedule? Would you flip? Would you immediately text your BM and explain how your fluffy prince/princess will surely die because of their shortcomings? If any of those things are something you cannot fathom your fuzzy Foofoo having to suffer then your horses at home is NOT for you. It just isn't humanly possible to make all of these things happen when you cannot employ someone to be there do handle it all the time. You might be surprised but horses are not as fragile as one might think and while inconvenient for us they do survive such travesties. <br />
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Those are the realities of having your horses at home. It truly becomes a way of life. You plan every thing you do around your barn responsibilities. Going out for a fun evening has to be thought out and planned for. Your plans can change because of weather, water problems, mechanical problems, electrical problems. Something always comes up. You will undoubtedly have to choose between, a show and paying the electrician to fix your barn lights. Or fence repair instead of XC day at Rolex with your friends. Or you clinic fund be spent on a tractor repair. Or miss out on a fun day shopping at the tack store because you have too much crap to deal with, literally. Or forego blogging for months on end because you just can't keep up....ahem... You will likely not show as much or advance as quickly as your peers in your discipline because of all of the time and money that go into having your own farm and that can be a hard pill to swallow over and over again. And you will have many days you have to forego a ride because you just have too many things around the property to accomplish.<br />
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If I make it sound all bad it really isn't but I will say it is not for most. It is for me for now. I imagine when my kids are grown and moved on that I will most likely board. For many reasons but freedom and flexibility at that phase will be a nice change. Right now I do enjoy the brunt labor and will look for any reason to get out of a social event even if it is for shoveling shit. I love the ability to just walk out to the barn and get a little therapy. Or look out the window and soak in the beauty of my beloved creatures. The freedom to just run out for quick ride when time is limited. To get a daily dose of equine interaction and not have to sometimes go days in-between seeing my horses. These reasons, for me, outweigh the hassle and trouble of the previous 6 points. But I know for many that is not the case. It is just not the lifestyle that many want to lead. Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-43319426584711109452016-03-10T08:53:00.000-08:002016-03-10T08:53:15.583-08:00ExcursionsIt's all glitz and glamor over here. Yep, feeding horses and cleaning out the horse trailer after last nights excursion, in my pink heart pajama pants an oversized T-shirt, muck boots and no bra. Now try to get that image out if your head. That is exactly what my husband is trying to do after he came out to the barn to say goodbye this morning in his suit and tie. He's one lucky guy he is. Last nights excursion that got us home much later than planned because SOMEONE apparently, though close, is NOT perfect. He does not agree that getting on a trailer in the dark is something he should have to do. I'll let you in on a secret. That someone is Lego. Thanks to my savior Monica! Because it appears that in my frustration all sense had left me on how to get a horse on a trailer. After years of struggles with Steady over this you'd think I'd have it figured out. How quickly one forgets. Or maybe block it out of your memory. Oh and Monica is now an official contributor to the, "why Amy's kids need therapy as adults" YAY! See it is not just me that shouts expletives and horses that are being expletives. Thanks Mon, I really didn't want to be alone in this. ;) Kidding, you know I love you! It has been a good long while, like years since I've had any issues with a horse loading. All mine self load at this point. But last night I got a refresher on what it is like to have a horse refuse to load. Guess what we'll be working on for an undetermined amount of time. Oh and if you were wondering what Lego's go to evasion tactic is. It is exit stage right and drag any human along behind him if they don't agree. Draft horse who decides to pull, well humans are on the losing end of that battle. Unless a trusty lunge line and leverage is involved. Whomp, whomp..Lego's plan was eventually foiled. It was a good run though Dude while it lasted. He did get free approximately 4 times in the process though. I am SO glad that running is not his forte and stopping and eating every chance he gets is. Makes it much easier to catch a loose horse in the pitch dark.<br />
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But aside from the trailer experience we had a great time. We took all 4 kids, Steady, Lego and Penny to ride at M's barn. Lily stayed home. We don't have enough saddles or trailer spots for everyone. So the two youngest took turns on Penny. Everyone got to jump and did great. Elaina is figuring out what it is like to ride a horse that knows his job and all you have to do is sit up, ride straight, know where you're going and stay out of his way. This is a whole new world to her. An awesome one which she will come to learn but it is new to her. She is so used to having to work really hard for everything. It can be hard when it is so easy. That seems like an oxymoron but it is true. Kelcie and Penny there are just no words. They are the cutest things to watch jump around. Even when the approach isn't perfect an Kelcie catches some good air. The K has some strange agreement with gravity and her laws. It only applies when she wants it too. Because even in those 2 feet of air between her and the saddle moments she always seems to meet it again like nothing ever happened. Sorry riding, Momming and instructing does not a videographer make. No media of the adorableness's.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_m7sF1fbuZd-Rvz5Ce3f0xuTDbQ_mhauyN6-iMEcM5_uHRQMMrGs2d2bL7M2XfNb3P-Vua6resOt9UMBDgUIQC4WHfJLRj6Ooud0XPBcX27C8q_qn2soFDoCHO4izZ6fROGybYJBXSdcI/s1600/12790994_10154048031522502_3497972866161344822_n%255B3%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_m7sF1fbuZd-Rvz5Ce3f0xuTDbQ_mhauyN6-iMEcM5_uHRQMMrGs2d2bL7M2XfNb3P-Vua6resOt9UMBDgUIQC4WHfJLRj6Ooud0XPBcX27C8q_qn2soFDoCHO4izZ6fROGybYJBXSdcI/s320/12790994_10154048031522502_3497972866161344822_n%255B3%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the things in this photo does a happy Mom make. K is cooling out Lego after Elaina's ride.</td></tr>
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Macy even got to jump a few jumps. She is still very green rider and new to jumping and Penny isn't the easiest to learn to jump on because she is a 'Hoppy' jumper. And Macy is quite big for Penny so they only jumped a few X's. But that was enough. Next time we'll take Lily and they can have more fun. Macy and Lily are really a matched pair. They have the same personality and even built the same. So I'll need to get some media of those two together. One thing that was over looked on social media, not at home, is that through all of the new horse excitement we have another really excited little girl around here because now that Elaina has Lego. Macy now has her very own Lily.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0J7VeUD2_Fa7TFOmyuVKu2MhLmTRHiiCMh3nC4C2F3J5d1StN99ESG1xtvxEwocpEbh5l3HMng5DInmK6Z-Klq3FJpmVe-KeVSda1_obrFWQqoHP0cdtTx_QKwWliSW-siOH0YZjlqhZk/s1600/12821466_10154031439427502_2470644910426328279_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0J7VeUD2_Fa7TFOmyuVKu2MhLmTRHiiCMh3nC4C2F3J5d1StN99ESG1xtvxEwocpEbh5l3HMng5DInmK6Z-Klq3FJpmVe-KeVSda1_obrFWQqoHP0cdtTx_QKwWliSW-siOH0YZjlqhZk/s320/12821466_10154031439427502_2470644910426328279_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's one excited M!</td></tr>
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Even though we've had Lily for years it makes such a huge difference in an 11 year old's world when that pony finally become HERS! <br />
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And last but not super exciting I did get to pop over a few jumps on Steady too! I couldn't do too much because I was instructing kids and wanted Monica to have her time to jump too. It's all fine though. I got to jump a little and <strike>I am</strike> my horse is really out of shape anyways and we need to take it slow. I mean this is our second ride in 4 months we didn't need to do a bunch. I have much more time on my hands then the kids or Monica do so I was content letting them all get their ride time in. He was actually really really good about everything I asked of him. He is far too attached to the other horses and it doesn't help when he gets to be feral for so long but that is Steady. Like or not it's his deal.<br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-42718930566009422902016-03-08T17:11:00.000-08:002016-03-08T17:11:26.728-08:00Mapping a Show Season 1It's becoming an art of sorts trying to sort out what a show season will look like around here now. The horse activity level just keeps growing the more and more kids and horses that get involved. There are schooling shows, recognized shows, Pony club activities and Rally's. I'm actually up for suggestions on how one navigates this. Where do I start? I would usually start with prioritizing then go from there. After that goals. Then availability. It sounds strange to prioritize your children though. But in reality with them all being at different levels it isn't that bad. Elaina is the oldest and most advanced. She is at the point where recognized events are on her horizon. While the other two really have no business doing USEA events. So schooling shows are just fine for them. I guess the whole gist of it all would be to break this all down into smaller bite size pieces.<br />
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We will start with Me. Reality is there is there is no physically possible way to make the entire season all about what I want so all of my goals will be weighted first with the how realistic will it be for it to happen filter. Example: if kids have a pony club camp or Rally etc. then anything that may be going on at that time that I want to do will be trumped. That may seem like a tough sacrifice to give up your own plans for someone else but if you ever have kids this involved in horses that are advancing and competing you will understand that it is no sacrifice at all to watch your flesh and blood out there doing what they love.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Goals:</span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lessons/Clinics</span><br />
Elaina and I- One lesson a week $50 a wk x 4 wk= $200 a month<br />
Me- Event camp $800<br />
Me- possible clinics that come up but none specific in mind right now. $ 300-500 x?<br />
3 Kids- Pony club camp $200 x 3 = $600<br />
3 Kids- monthly pony club clinics and lessons $30 x 3 = $90 a month<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Showing</span><br />
Me: 2 recognized events at Novice $750 x 2 = $1500<br />
Elaina: Complete her first recognized event at Beginner Novice $750<br />
All 4 of us: As many schooling shows I can get to. Whether they be H/J, CT's, Dressage or HT. Estimated cost of a show for all 4 of us that is local (I.e. no hotel and little fuel expense) $400 x 3 = $1200<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other</span><br />
Trail ride to our hearts content. This is my most favorite and easily achieved. All the training and showing goals pale in comparison when it comes to spending endless hours out riding our horses through trails and fields and hills and water with my kids. Get my husband out on the trails at least a few times. Now that we have Lego I have a horse to put the Hubby on! And the best part? It's free! $0<br />
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<strong>Possible goals floating around in my brain</strong><br />
Be competitive at first level by the end of the season.<br />
This is an idea at the moment. I must first start by putting some effort into seeing if advancing in Dressage is something I could enjoy. My horse could and would make an stunning dressage horse. And if I could find the desire to put focused attention into that area I am confident he cold go far. Thoughts of first level are floating around.<br />
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So to add it up the total of just lessons/clinics/camps and competitions are almost $7000.<br />
Maybe adding it up was not my best decision because that is painful to think about. But I'll break that down over about a 7 month show season it's $1000 a month, $250 a week. Ok this isn't helping...<br />
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I'm curious what are your budgets? I don't know of anyone who reads this blog that is in our situation with 4 riders in one house but what is your budget as an individual if you don't mind sharing. One up side is after years of having this as the budget for all 4 of us. That one day even if it is several years down the road that budget can be all mine! I mean we will already have it budgeted for so it just makes sense!<br />
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Next will be breaking down of the calendar. Yikes! That is the scary part. Family stuff, vacations, Pony club activities, USEA calendar, Oh yeah and work.....you get the picture. So I will leave that to another day because you know what I really have to do to make any goals happen? Actually ride my horse! And this amazing unseasonable weather is screaming my name. So hours of dissecting our mess of a calendar is not first on my list of things I'm going to do today.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4180006151421348693.post-81399390398987118722016-03-07T18:17:00.000-08:002016-03-07T18:17:38.459-08:00Shopping List!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Wd9hJrXNfbVV7ZOx3CRbDxkwIb8ail5t7dJp8lhmxLuRlKTdbXjKU07E9rQl82VSMUcKTJpFoD7Gww0_dnZYgp3c_jm5OGiqsF8vaqd4unIdjgErWkQNMMv3ETaYwM5kIv-65tpD2PEI/s1600/20160306_183946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Wd9hJrXNfbVV7ZOx3CRbDxkwIb8ail5t7dJp8lhmxLuRlKTdbXjKU07E9rQl82VSMUcKTJpFoD7Gww0_dnZYgp3c_jm5OGiqsF8vaqd4unIdjgErWkQNMMv3ETaYwM5kIv-65tpD2PEI/s320/20160306_183946.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their first ride together. He is such a good, honest fella.</td></tr>
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One of the other really fun parts of getting a new animal is all the fun new things you need to buy for them!!! Some of you are far more versed in this subject than I. I am not inherently a shopper. But I do love all things tack store. I'm also not a great bargain shopper because I like to touch and feel all the things before my money disappears. And usually you can get the best deals on the interwebs which lacks all the touches and feels. I don't like my money disappearing but I am also one to spend more money on something I know will last and is exactly what I need then on a bunch of things that cost less that I may or may not actually use. One reason I love to shop at Rolex is ALL the touches and feels! They have 10 of everything, all brands, sizes and styles. So I get to spend hours upon hours getting completely lost in all the things. Another reason I go on Thursday. It's like having the biggest most amazing tack store all to yourself for an entire day. Friday and Saturday are far too busy and I get distracted so those are the days you spend pretending to buy Dubarry's and getting drunk on champagne in the Dubarry tent. It helps if you have rich friends that will drink enough champagne they will actually by something. Then the champagne just flows!<br />
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Anyways I got lost in a day dream about Rolex for a minute there. BTW the annual Mecca trip is in T-8 weeks! Right now we have some things that will hold us over until we can get everything we need. An old bridle of Steady's, the saddle we use on Lilly. We may have to run out and buy a bit and girth at the most. But we are likely to have enough things lying around we can piece together enough tack to get our ride on. But ultimately we will need all the things.<br />
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Bridle<br />
Saddle<br />
Girth<br />
Bits<br />
Boots<br />
Blankets/sheets<br />
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Most of these are fun things to look at and purchase and it's nice to be in a place that money really is not an issue and we could go out to Dover and get it all. But who doesn't like a good deal? And then there is figuring out sizes, hello draft horse size legs. Research on what is the best. And let's not even get into saddle fitting. Yuck, that is the only thing I find dreadful when it comes to shopping for new things.<br />
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Anyone out there got any tips on the best sites to check out?<br />
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I don't think I will buy a bridle until I find a saddle. Much easier to find a bridle the fits and matches then the other way around. Same with a girth. So it looks like we have to start with the worst part first and find a saddle. I will check out how Elaina's current saddle fits him and go from there. That saddle will ultimately be passed on to Macy and Lilly. Elaina is growing out of it. <br />
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Blankets I am pretty much sold on Schneider's. Steady has had his Medium weight blanket from them for 5 years now and it is still in near perfect condition besides dirty. We will just need to measure for a blanket.<br />
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The other fun thing is boots. We need to decide what kind we need. Chances are he will end up with a pair of Majik Equipe XC boots. <br />
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Fun Fun Fun!<br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13472219069662152722noreply@blogger.com8