tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65004019245404213032024-03-14T02:22:14.566-07:00Northwest Equestriennetales from the barnMissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-9190175156705593762012-02-25T20:21:00.003-08:002012-02-25T20:44:52.587-08:00"This is what horses are all about."<span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Today was one of those days that reminds me why I love horses. I came home from the barn with a new perspective on riding and my relationship with these wonderful animals.</span></span><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">I was invited to judge Triple Rise's schooling show today, and I accepted without hesitation (well, a little hesitation - me? a judge?). It turned out to be one of the most </span>beneficial things I've ever done for my own riding. Sitting in a chair for almost four hours, carefully critiquing and evaluating each horse and rider's performance made me aware (painfully<span style="font-size: 100%;"> so, at times) of my own equitation and corresponding goals. Having to pay such close and critical attention to the competitors and weighing their strengths and weaknesses was really difficult - I mean, these are my barnmates! I know how hard they work and I know the areas where they are focusing and that made it hard at times to be objective. </span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">This was all well and good for me on a nuts and bolts "fundamentals of riding" scale - I'll be able to take what I learned and observed judging back to my own lessons - but it was something Mike said after the show was over that caused me to really sit back and say "huh." The last riders were cooling their horses out and parents were coming over to talk to them as they were leaving the arena and getting their mounts comfortable. Anna's mother was there with a young girl (5? 6?) who I'm guessing was a cousin or something. The girl (Mercedes) was very intrigued with everything that was going on and asking about a dozen questions a minute. Mike was instantly charmed. He may not have any biological children, but his riders are his kids and he has a definite soft spot for youngsters. In no time, he had tracked down one of the smallest helmets I've ever seen, plopped it on Mercedes' head and was lifting her onto Cuervo's back. She could not have been more pleased - her grin stretched from ear to ear as Anna led her in a small circle. Mike said, as much to himself as to those of us standing with him, "Let's not forget, this is what horses are all about."</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">It was a poignant thing to say at that moment. After a day of competition, with some riders feeling jubilant as they strung up multiple blue ribbons and others feeling glum because they didn't win a single one, we all needed to remember that riding is not about awards or being better than others. It's not even about snappy lead changes or getting the correct number of strides in a line. It's about the thrill, the connection, the feeling of flight. Mercedes got her first view from the saddle today and I could tell from the look on her face that she liked what she saw. For those of us who have been riding for several years, it's easy to forget the novelty and excitement. I'm not saying we shouldn't push ourselves. I'm not saying we shouldn't have goals or be proud of our accomplishments - but I think we'd all be better off if, every time we climbed into the saddle, we did so with bright eyes, looking at the world from the back of a horse as if it was our first time.</span></span></div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-42613038887338908492011-12-30T12:04:00.001-08:002011-12-30T12:28:03.595-08:00ResolutionsTomorrow is the last day of 2011. If you can tell me where the heck this year went, then you're smarter than I am. What a whirlwind of a year! By far the highlight was welcoming our little boy into the world. Second to that was the thrill of being back in the saddle after many months away - and discovering that it was easier to pick back up than I'd even dared to hope. So I didn't make it back in the show ring, so what? I have never been more grateful for my horses, my trainer and the wonderful barn family I am a part of. Even my son is in love with the animals and the atmosphere at Triple Rise.<br />It being the 30th of December, my mind naturally drifts to New Year's resolutions. It's been awhile since I made one that I had every intention of keeping, but now that I'm a mom (read: a REAL adult), I would feel remiss if I didn't set at least one goal to improve my life in the upcoming year. I can think of a million things I need to work on to be a better mom - a more solid bedtime routine, eliminating night-waking, get Henri sleeping in his crib...I could go on - but this is, after all, a blog about my equestrian pursuits, so I will try to stay on-topic.<br /><br />Resolution # 1: Improve my fitness. If I may be so immodest, I think I bounced back from pregnancy pretty well. I don't feel as though I've lost a lot of ground, riding-wise, but I *did* hope I'd be at the next level by now - if I hadn't had a baby, of course. Back when I was in the saddle three or four times a week, riding was really all I needed to do to keep myself in shape. Now that I can only ride once a week, however, this is not the case. So, that said, I need to dial up the workouts. Even if I only start off by buckling Henri into his stroller and walking for a half an hour every day, that is surely better than nothing.<br /><br />Resolution # 2: Improve my sense of pace and develop a better eye for distances. I'm hoping that being in better shape will improve some of my equitation faults (like still occassionally jumping ahead), but all the walking/jogging/Zumba in the world can't help you see and feel things like this. I can make some mistakes at 2'6", but if I want to make it to the next level (see Resolution # 3), I have to be spot-on here.<br /><br />Resolution # 3: Be riding in Adult Amateur by the end of the year. Pretty much says it all right there. Bring on 3'!<br /><br />Resolution # 4: Rapper. More specifically, work on his ground manners, fear of the washrack, and overall fitness. Sarah told me the other day that he is one of the worst-behaved horses she's ever seen - with people other than myself. This is unacceptable - but completely my fault. Yes, he will be 18 in 2012, but it's never too late to better yourself! ...At least that's what I'll be telling him as I try to haul him in for a bath.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-19511958663639612372011-11-18T13:18:00.000-08:002011-11-18T13:24:59.608-08:00Knowing is half the battle!If not more so. I finally had a really solid lesson on Wednesday, thanks to finally acknowledging that I am putting undue pressure on myself to always be 100% awesome. Since I only have one day a week in which to ride, I try to make every moment count. Nothing wrong with that - until it starts creeping into obsessive compulsive, must-be-the-best-every-minute-of-the-lesson territory. Long story short, I finally verbalized that to Rachel and in doing so, laid the ghost, so to speak.<div>Wednesday's courses were challenging, but I felt up to the task. Lots of rollbacks and bending lines galore - and boy were they fun! Rachel said it was some of the best riding she's seen from me. Hopefully I can keep it up!</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-78894638106172081532011-11-07T14:04:00.000-08:002011-11-07T14:23:39.183-08:00This past week...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMK5lrX9v6v-nwe6flTtaifwSHlj9GpEvbOG89F4TnW696Kl7Uul2GLjjYj_PyE-AvccB4xfoKeC-ZpggRu3oonQ656Z3iAjPK4ZjNMu0NCmHVZStIGSdFgslgZR98uBrs2NtjJAXu9aU/s1600/377336_10100171917936986_11503313_45883937_1816978717_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMK5lrX9v6v-nwe6flTtaifwSHlj9GpEvbOG89F4TnW696Kl7Uul2GLjjYj_PyE-AvccB4xfoKeC-ZpggRu3oonQ656Z3iAjPK4ZjNMu0NCmHVZStIGSdFgslgZR98uBrs2NtjJAXu9aU/s400/377336_10100171917936986_11503313_45883937_1816978717_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672382849839548546" /></a><br />...has been a fun one (blah lesson notwithstanding)!<div>Wednesday's lesson was...mediocre. For some reason, I seem to have developed a lead foot when it comes to long approaches. I keep my leg on unnecessarily after we've turned to our jump and so every stride gets longer and longer until - oh crap! - I can't see a distance whatsoever and Keenan is forced to take off super long or chip. I don't know when this started happening or why I can't seem to knock it off, but it's really setting me back - and making me look like an idiot. </div><div>Actually, I think I know how it's come about. I think I'm so anxious to have a good canter and keep Keenan in front of my leg that I forget that a.) a good pace DOESN'T mean you have to freakin' steeplechase over the jumps and b.) once I have the proper canter, I can stop squeezing and keep that canter. Sounds like the classic "Missy is trying to do too much and she's getting in Keenan's way" scenario. Hopefully knowing is half the battle.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday kind of made up for a less-than-stellar lesson. Henri and I drove up to TREC to deliver a check that I had forgotten to leave the day before. Henri has been to the barn a handful of times before, but he has either been sleeping or too little to really be interested in the goings-on. Well this time he was wide awake and very interested!</div><div>When we got there, Rachel had just warmed up Keenan and was getting ready to school him over fences. Henri was fascinated. This was perfection, as far as he was concerned - he was bundled in mom's arms, enjoying the fresh air and watching something big move around. All his favorite things! After Keenan's workout, we visited him in the cross-ties and that's when the real fun began. I took Henri over to show him how we gently pet horses' soft noses. He caught on immediately and was soon stroking Keenan's nose all by himself. Then, before I knew it, his little hand made its way right up Keenan's nostril! Ewww, horse boogers! Fortunately, I caught Henri's hand before he put it in his own mouth and managed to wipe it clean. Keenan, bless his heart, didn't bat an eye - he actually seemed to enjoy the attention. He was sure enthralled by little Henri! In fact, he was so enthralled, that when I stepped back to talk to Kristine and Rachel, he reached out and started tickling the bottoms of Henri's feet with his upper lip. So cute! Lead line classes in a few years anyone?</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, we took Henri to my favorite tack store, Gallops, for the first time on Saturday. I had money burning a hole in my pocket and have been desperately in need of new show breeches (I ended up getting a pair of FITS Bekas in tan and a pair of chocolate brown Devon-Aires to school in). Henri enjoyed all the interesting things there were to look at, as well as the rich leather smell. He even took his first pony ride - well, a rocking pony, that is. Keep it up, my little equestrian!</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-26146028302126548872011-11-02T12:41:00.000-07:002011-11-02T12:50:17.448-07:00It's that time of year again!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEWTSchyphenhyphen662AsmI9tRtjzFs6i3U_2rNL8M2i-vMi6INMaL7VGPcs0Qlo0z2iHZjRX0mGHd0vSQHlWDBiPDyqkV8yQMsOfGTPX9RJ1M0a-6OWvwTRnDjrjz9iy-EEdRNcmIWMAIiWjBQI/s1600/churchill.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEWTSchyphenhyphen662AsmI9tRtjzFs6i3U_2rNL8M2i-vMi6INMaL7VGPcs0Qlo0z2iHZjRX0mGHd0vSQHlWDBiPDyqkV8yQMsOfGTPX9RJ1M0a-6OWvwTRnDjrjz9iy-EEdRNcmIWMAIiWjBQI/s400/churchill.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670487999266854642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67jKoyqKNysxUnODTWPqAI5e0aI2ON9yQvvccZ5x528NnSt6_0wpKbi-oqrlK5NZ6zLXqV1BHm2eVupM3zIK2DBfKQSFV_pE6T8Lrnyu3EuKRz6ugcGlmrzrb3rP97nTBJokDc6EsRXQ/s1600/cigar.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67jKoyqKNysxUnODTWPqAI5e0aI2ON9yQvvccZ5x528NnSt6_0wpKbi-oqrlK5NZ6zLXqV1BHm2eVupM3zIK2DBfKQSFV_pE6T8Lrnyu3EuKRz6ugcGlmrzrb3rP97nTBJokDc6EsRXQ/s400/cigar.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670487978092759474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLDNo6keUDZQ5dYpcYuBEnZZtnYCTcg4eC3ELzxLoveLyOnXXIPfjwND8ITPKS8ha6HFa6X_Dv1r0w_LH0cjw0ZHBLdP5C5E6dQGBXxu29BQSDHeI4m5WFzME4MCt9eMoVtVlkPE4pp8/s1600/Cigar.bmp" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLDNo6keUDZQ5dYpcYuBEnZZtnYCTcg4eC3ELzxLoveLyOnXXIPfjwND8ITPKS8ha6HFa6X_Dv1r0w_LH0cjw0ZHBLdP5C5E6dQGBXxu29BQSDHeI4m5WFzME4MCt9eMoVtVlkPE4pp8/s400/Cigar.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670487970157105506" /></a><br />Time for Racing's Greatest Day: the Breeders' Cup! Admittedly, I have next to NO idea about any of the horses who are racing (except champion turf mare Goldikova), but that doesn't matter. This is the event that solidified my passion for horses. The 1995 Breeders' Cup is my favorite of them all, and no Thoroughbred will ever come close to Cigar's place in my heart (well, Thoroughbred RACEHORSE, that is!). <div>Here's hoping all horses and jockeys have safe trips and that we see some true champions crowned this Friday and Saturday. And hey, let's bring back the iron horse - or, as they say, breed more Secretariats! Or Cigars.</div><div><br /></div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-10812419744078100582011-10-29T13:02:00.000-07:002011-10-29T14:11:10.407-07:00Why do I go on eBay??Someone needs to convince me that I don't need this model horse...<div><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=150683546396">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=150683546396</a></div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-32715094596461405872011-10-20T11:35:00.000-07:002011-10-20T11:42:08.656-07:00ClunkerJust when you think you're making progress...thud. Saturday's lesson was fantastic - I really felt like I was making progress. I was really aware of my decisions in the saddle and Rachel said I rode a "smart" course. Yesterday's lesson, on the other hand, was...less than great. It was one of those days when the real takeaway is a freshly illuminated mental light bulb and the hope that you won't make the same mistake again. I'll spare you (and myself) the embarrassing details - let's just say it involved having to grab mane through a gymnastic of crossrails because I dropped my reins. Yeah, ouch.<div>But I think I finished well and Rachel informed me that she wants me to get to the next level, so she's going to start pushing me. Okay by me! </div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-8453686462640726592011-10-13T21:09:00.001-07:002011-10-13T21:26:36.008-07:00As if I didn't have enough on my plate...So I stumbled upon a certain blog a few years ago that I have recently rediscovered and still enjoy. Basically, the writer relives her tween years one Babysitter's Club book at a time. Now, I was never much for the BSC (except, surprise surprise, the book where one of the girls gets to take riding lessons), but it got me thinking - why couldn't I do the same with my the Thoroughbred series? I think it would be fun to read them now and reminisce about the infancy of my horse-craziness. I was so head over heels in love with the world of those books. I wanted to be a jockey like Ashleigh; I wanted to save a neglected horse and train it like Samantha - even when the series shifted to eventing for awhile during the "new generation," I longed to be just like those characters.<div>Long story short, I had my mom bring down as many of the TB books as she could find in my closet. Surprisingly, there were not many. I think some of them must have migrated to the garage - and I KNOW one (my favorite) was eaten by Brady when he was a puppy. Not to mention, I think the last one in the series I ever bought/read was # 39 ("Living Legend?") and the series ended in the 70's or something, so I might have to hit up a library or the used book section of Amazon and see what I can get for close to nothing, dollar-wise.</div><div>I have one book read and my comments written down, now to type it all up into something worth reading. Note: I'm not starting ANOTHER blog for this project - I already have a baby-centered on in addition to this - since it's somewhat horsey-related, I'll keep it attached to this one. That is unless it goes big time, I have millions of followers and/or someone wants to make a movie starring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep.</div><div>Just kidding, of course. Amy Adams doesn't look at all like me :)</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-54549648913680420492011-10-06T12:10:00.000-07:002011-10-06T12:16:34.214-07:00Sophie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoXb2i4dslhR5Pz0QTxnCs70jcU2vSY46MDYMLVObGh_amjYpzKEb02FhQEpUcI3MiFm4Bzb3AgQyWZNwAtYm8nqOFXOdr23aiLZxogpnM6jT4AlniLALqsdOe9lgjG_EYn2PxXIRLEI/s1600/sophie+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoXb2i4dslhR5Pz0QTxnCs70jcU2vSY46MDYMLVObGh_amjYpzKEb02FhQEpUcI3MiFm4Bzb3AgQyWZNwAtYm8nqOFXOdr23aiLZxogpnM6jT4AlniLALqsdOe9lgjG_EYn2PxXIRLEI/s400/sophie+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660459053547598050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp__KUZJsCsNUQ6jAlQeNPyVtUdJHr7uG28CR3xYopap6ggMCvpClfSK4ljDY4xtZes4V5JWtM0pTcSG8uSECzO3ZeU1sHgnAP2z09VXzXtT105KkgY4U3rUaBgZo5Y4kg9U-Yrq0ukX0/s1600/sophie+5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp__KUZJsCsNUQ6jAlQeNPyVtUdJHr7uG28CR3xYopap6ggMCvpClfSK4ljDY4xtZes4V5JWtM0pTcSG8uSECzO3ZeU1sHgnAP2z09VXzXtT105KkgY4U3rUaBgZo5Y4kg9U-Yrq0ukX0/s400/sophie+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660459046147415954" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMngsnNwsCzN3Wqnc_A1MbYKOzKWta8tG4myGb1pFKMU8HXB1O0unOaMvyHWlGXa3j1pz2LWcilbRgi6Lp3KZ-2oxCsaQ6AaCMi6KfUzER620jzea1H9Xqj7-Wu2hxnoC0wHt4a1YF9ZQ/s1600/sophie+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMngsnNwsCzN3Wqnc_A1MbYKOzKWta8tG4myGb1pFKMU8HXB1O0unOaMvyHWlGXa3j1pz2LWcilbRgi6Lp3KZ-2oxCsaQ6AaCMi6KfUzER620jzea1H9Xqj7-Wu2hxnoC0wHt4a1YF9ZQ/s400/sophie+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660459046066752402" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJfwiTj8kyxXnRLaDDPDlhHtX7_iCSlZcOrxWNS6-SpPY2PwDK3_jK6mnmTOrWz3vjYxpGqy5TYbYB3NT0TOrhYe9IKdD9Om77I0U-V9J11iYy94bpbFoAkYSRC_cIhVYyyBAGcH3oQ0/s1600/sophie+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJfwiTj8kyxXnRLaDDPDlhHtX7_iCSlZcOrxWNS6-SpPY2PwDK3_jK6mnmTOrWz3vjYxpGqy5TYbYB3NT0TOrhYe9IKdD9Om77I0U-V9J11iYy94bpbFoAkYSRC_cIhVYyyBAGcH3oQ0/s400/sophie+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660459043920863570" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div>Just had to post some super cute photos that Kate Laue took of Sophie and Jackson in the 2'6" hunter derby they participated in over the summer. Sophie has officially outgrown Jackson and is riding Bella now (Lauren got a new horse earlier this year - adorable baby Mona), so this was kind of their last hurrah. Sophie has ridden Jackson for the past two years and they have done very well together. I will miss watching them rock the house, but I'm excited for Sophie to move onto a horse. She is still learning Bella's quirks but those two ladies are destined to be a FORCE come next year!</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-40025776951271769512011-10-06T12:03:00.002-07:002011-10-06T12:10:45.451-07:00Movin' on up!Yesterday's lesson was a good one. I never think "all RIGHT!" when I walk into the arena and see a gymnastic set up, but it was actually very good for us. In the beginning, we trotted into the gymnastic and cantered out, which Keenan was less than enthusiastic about (why trot jumps when you can canter them?), but once we started adding a course onto the end of the exercise, he got a lot more cheerful. Rachel even got sneaky and raised the last jump in the gymnastic to 3' without me knowing. Good thing she did, too - my hang-up with jumping 3' is all psychological and if I don't *know* it's 3', I won't look twice at it. Still working on not rushing the jump and throwing my upper body ahead, but I'm getting more comfortable waiting every time I ride. Adult Amateurs here I come!Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-28980683929762199782011-10-05T13:01:00.000-07:002011-10-05T13:25:22.513-07:00Saturday lessons are the best!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfg2tlyOmAUFoAEVUAQe9ermppQR37g1EOZRic-yu-JN7_PgevW-ZoHba-gW72M7xcaX_1yAmuIwTx277-YLOWS9RLdzI8-KCQzGq1wwsF_7Y3H2tsHtnSjqp-HTc9dCh8byPqb1rCBp0/s1600/bb.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfg2tlyOmAUFoAEVUAQe9ermppQR37g1EOZRic-yu-JN7_PgevW-ZoHba-gW72M7xcaX_1yAmuIwTx277-YLOWS9RLdzI8-KCQzGq1wwsF_7Y3H2tsHtnSjqp-HTc9dCh8byPqb1rCBp0/s400/bb.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660101417568420066" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3l6of0nvCicIeK0rXPFk3tabNHkXdB9XKdk2DRSjviGb-NqhBIbM_wLdr4YFxJw7EYcoqofyX97_1bKz-WU61EMf-NHzzTpgDfrkZx04lPbTm0yUhb7I1l4NBRyuwP9UE8fT1342XJQ/s1600/bits.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3l6of0nvCicIeK0rXPFk3tabNHkXdB9XKdk2DRSjviGb-NqhBIbM_wLdr4YFxJw7EYcoqofyX97_1bKz-WU61EMf-NHzzTpgDfrkZx04lPbTm0yUhb7I1l4NBRyuwP9UE8fT1342XJQ/s400/bits.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660101414714855170" /></a>My mom was down visiting us over the weekend and since the weather wasn't <i>too</i> dreadful (yet), she and Henri joined me at Triple Rise for a Saturday lesson! Henri napped most of the time which meant he missed seeing his mama rock the house, but at least he was rested enough to visit the horses before we left (Paris was very interested!).<div>The lesson itself was better than the previous one (Thursday) but still not quite as good as a couple of weeks ago. I'm still working on not jumping ahead and staying patient to the jumps. I feel like I'm getting better - I know in my head what I'm supposed to do, it's just a matter of learning how to make my body do it properly. Jessie seems to think that Adult Amateurs (3' for ages 18 and up) will be no problem and that I'm ready to get back in the show ring <i>right this instant</i>. God bless her, haha. I do hope to be showing at the three foot level next year, but I would be just fine if I had to do Modified Child/Adult (2'9") - or, hey, even a little Pre-Adult. I just can't wait to put on a hunt coat again! Spring Hunter Jumper (or Mother's Day) is so far away!</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-71457461749640846362011-09-30T01:17:00.000-07:002011-09-30T01:25:18.355-07:00This is what I do when I'm stressed...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I should not be allowed to look at Dover's website when I'm tired and somewhat high-strung. Yes, it's soothing, but I get the "gimmee's" - and before you know it, I end up looking at Dubarry boots and wondering how many kidneys I'd have to sell to buy a pair...and if I could get one of their sweaters to go with. *Droooooooooooool*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>PS: good lesson tonight. Not as good as last week, but Rachel is upping the ante and tossing really tough courses at me. Keep 'em coming!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY5zkT3i-eqGaQBaIGWHJKF9KZABiH49pFXGpmSmw33pISb9UZFOR_Act_PWRd_1SXRBhpHHejtqpMQFLyXcLdm42dRDVa5DHEhkiJJgD3E4pcs5A2mw-HTiydjtpSuIg9x9rxZl8mWg/s400/4129-11.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 392px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658065464770368562" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTIchj3cMufwutv9d_7BGXAViVRWwi7asaFMEEKXElJpnngI88LsoYGvumMW2UKa53e_lFsRnzRg-S2yrTAfZ4N9laVARz-yzKEFoJmMPquDwVwH-sg_QeZTqzP9dTudisbra8t2DgfE/s400/3930-52.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658065457702651778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 400px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Q1wFu0Z1SaftZ3SS6jg9h0STCiWAfItC66-ZLZx2O4t6PuZdnOqPHsKhLXHtz5ZoRysWKn5Dh0hSl55ERQAgtzi04bs-gC8kX4Q13kwlDvgcto-_ejdTd2MOrFy2p2qSsIv21oNSFPk/s400/38482.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 250px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658065314792185682" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBcKrYmOgj2LOYtlsP6dCI0wNEO4LTQZPexFNU8V6LA4hKzbAOugNtXNDKEBawWsbVKQLXSgfo1c716ocMcRPEtArf8H1sMS9pKiKy3KKESUlvZC2Cg5qIaATbOqju7yLOntaUgT05Yo/s400/40469.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658065311383735298" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOn7n281pdRqzaKYLKT7GJRMvEt5gl4j__rJvPxqc_CJ58kXYhVE3_wL5jOVbJa2ZVjaRsuwySDn6JV7lT9c41v1wUrNyhtvp8tdS5lTUlrkrjlbXUmMqH259hlyXw_r17htdKSIkgZhg/s400/35323.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658065278138438546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYz3lwwxLEC6hQODx0IgxVh8IjssW_Y1DLrjhZeK1CoFlxOJ89IWTs0PlCm2Cb5znJ6VQcjF8x7LdNZWrBau6XQTDjf_Na_hNi6Zxr6cdkpQR6Ub0Ispzd8yLZROdwoXMd-Q9PElXboTk/s400/35253.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658065278716539106" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_tN4jjK_vaQnAolaMAP0NM0WMLX7ZCtcIjCcaFXHTjEmiaGn-FeUKL-KMm8ziYsfzjNKNOZRPXRPP4ErHlmrR7wDvGE0M54CKSaL1jFRzCCQADWhEfLVZbavrouOQBnPumDQz5D-gB0/s400/3589.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658065276436877538" />Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-20116991413579640852011-09-22T23:14:00.000-07:002011-10-05T13:27:00.972-07:00That's what I'm talking about!What a great evening at the barn! We got to ride outside and enjoy the gorgeous fall weather and I finally, for the first time since I had Henri, felt truly "back in the saddle." And then some, really, because I actually made some progress on Project: Don't Jump Ahead. I found that happy medium between chasing Keenan down to a jump and taking my leg off and letting him back up to it. And because I wasn't throwing myself at the jump ahead of his motion, I was able to keep my reins more organized and Keenan more adjustable. It felt fantastic! It's like this light bulb went on over my head. Oh! That's what it feels like when you do it right! In a way, I have pregnancy and motherhood to thank. True, I've spent a couple of years working on this and have done a lot of reading and studying of my Practical Horseman magazines, but on an emotional/psychological level, I have greater confidence in myself and my body because I've learned how strong and capable I am. Might sound hokey but it's true! Now that I have applied that knowledge to riding I feel somehow complete. Rachel told me she really wants to see me show next year and I can't help but wholeheartedly agree. Bring it on!Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-68833911842671738842011-09-22T13:02:00.000-07:002011-10-05T13:27:34.233-07:00"Let's try this again.""Let's try this again." <div>"I need to get reorganized." </div><div>"He's never done that before!" </div><div>"I thought I had this figured out..."</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel like I'm living oddly parallel lives these days. By day, I'm a new mom with an incredibly particular diva of a son. By night (and by that I mean Thursday evenings), I'm still a horse-crazy teenager locked in an almost-27-year-old's body. Thing is, I find myself comparing these two lives and coming away with the notion that the are more similar that they might seem on paper.</div><div>My little boy is a moving target. He likes to throw me a curve ball just when I think I'm starting to get things figured out. Optimists would say "ah, it keeps you on your toes!" Well, I don't *want* to be on my toes. My body is too worn out from holding, bouncing and rocking the little bear!</div><div>Keenan threw me a curve ball himself just last week (is there some sort of chat room these two go to? www.howtomesswithmom.com??). After almost two years of being a professional butt-saver, the little stinker threw me under the bus. It's like all of a sudden he decided that the best way for me to figure stuff out was to cease being the world's most generous horse. Of course, he was right. I had to ride him like I've never done before - very forward and determined, with gritted teeth and a steely resolve that we WOULD do the line in three strides. We WOULD get our lead change as soon as possible. I went from riding in a very reserved, conservative way (the way I *had* to ride when there was a baby in my tummy) to having my guns blazing, with a "Seize the Day!" mentality. And darn if there wasn't a knowing look in that horse's eye when I put him back in his stall an hour later. He and Henri sure are smart.</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-58892090362108381692011-07-22T14:25:00.000-07:002011-07-22T14:44:29.566-07:00Baby Henri meets some very special friends<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbBC7LQT-1cKh7LBUwzqbI6ZiJT2QFmH4qoc4GQy2gZTzzOYXkXnU944y93RHpZcLTXUPJtSaDsSK2FbDvKWyW9lPNr4sGrlZUdgUR5Q2SPwBX9af0taKakvznxUAs36a5NcNYGnpsC0/s1600/Reno.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632294222689909010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbBC7LQT-1cKh7LBUwzqbI6ZiJT2QFmH4qoc4GQy2gZTzzOYXkXnU944y93RHpZcLTXUPJtSaDsSK2FbDvKWyW9lPNr4sGrlZUdgUR5Q2SPwBX9af0taKakvznxUAs36a5NcNYGnpsC0/s400/Reno.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-jQ6ZW09JhBEhD4VMhKKi53S-WF9wBYje5TugB-PVuGWZAi_6Nc8WKUakR3jPTyHqTbeEDoqCFVyVm9hI35vC8S5QlYqOv_O0yyVJpCy3T2kvd2D0eACvwy_UL5xjPwAyEOlVhmZ94I/s1600/Rapper.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632294225570122114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-jQ6ZW09JhBEhD4VMhKKi53S-WF9wBYje5TugB-PVuGWZAi_6Nc8WKUakR3jPTyHqTbeEDoqCFVyVm9hI35vC8S5QlYqOv_O0yyVJpCy3T2kvd2D0eACvwy_UL5xjPwAyEOlVhmZ94I/s400/Rapper.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IITSTlGYvCh9YIitKREWYvS614S5hyphenhyphenJWj3YpIhvpF6ih7IOo1r3CZzQMFOHTfwdCaPVlqk_L6V_OTzbxhI17rQiYBD64YN0nlP2HiCJUZG99urMQTVKNjoK_nTQyvJSVQzQlqHaOz0o/s1600/Henry.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632294219004530674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IITSTlGYvCh9YIitKREWYvS614S5hyphenhyphenJWj3YpIhvpF6ih7IOo1r3CZzQMFOHTfwdCaPVlqk_L6V_OTzbxhI17rQiYBD64YN0nlP2HiCJUZG99urMQTVKNjoK_nTQyvJSVQzQlqHaOz0o/s400/Henry.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhge9Qqmvdd0xJHpPlPchDUtfMxYqeNruiObhRnatXUfsSgKKwNELPkYs3yvZdAyiIZluS9wWbbeRA_bNOqQVIFVqHMf5oh9d4bX9ovypCkzRhKS1KeW6kvLr8_6RZ9RjPHNmq0my0W9J4/s1600/keenan2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632294216798648578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhge9Qqmvdd0xJHpPlPchDUtfMxYqeNruiObhRnatXUfsSgKKwNELPkYs3yvZdAyiIZluS9wWbbeRA_bNOqQVIFVqHMf5oh9d4bX9ovypCkzRhKS1KeW6kvLr8_6RZ9RjPHNmq0my0W9J4/s400/keenan2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>These photos were taken in Henri's first week of life, but I'm just now getting around to posting them *sheepish grin*. This was his first real outing - of course, he slept the whole time, which was a-okay with me. The horses took varying degrees of interest in him - Keenan was a little on the ambivalent side (he did not understand how me <em>holding</em> the baby was better than the baby being in my tummy), Henry seemed afraid that the baby might eat him, Rapper was enthusiastic to the point of dangerous (isn't he always) and Reno...well, Reno fell head over heels, as I'm sure you can see. If Old Man Reno is still with us in a few years, I have every intention of him being Henri's first ride. Not that I'm anxious to pigeonhole our child, but if he wants to be the next Michael Matz, Jon French or David O'Connor, far be it for me to hold him back :)</div></div></div></div></div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-53982309989939591652011-05-24T14:00:00.000-07:002011-05-24T14:03:40.100-07:00<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Today my favorite school horse and first horsey love, Terlago, goes up to heaven. He is a 33 year old, 14.1 hand gray Arabian gelding who stole my heart the first time I laid eyes on him sixteen years ago. He was a halter champion in his younger years but found his true calling as a teacher; helping children, adults and the disabled fall in love with horses. He was a versatile guy who could go English or Western, but he loved the challenges of Country English Pleasure, jumping and gaming and was a showstopper in a dark blue native costume.<br /><br />Here is the only photo I could dig up of Lago - this is he and I at a barn schooling show in 1997. He is the very foundation of my love of horses, as well as my enduring appreciation for Arabians. His passing leaves a huge hole in my heart and I know he will never be replaced. But it is his time to go home now, and be relieved of the infirmaties of old age. We'll miss you, handsome boy!</span></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvS8YNU9tKNcTIM2DtkUaFlinryQrbcjGXW8pC9OCiDgo3JUtLxg1YAYhSPh4G7p5caz31i0wjKVy92E8YKe2b7LrtxZq3wTLE_16bzAlFaOcEuazYCBBWTI7gnef7f_4dX5ccJk4nPxY/s1600/Terlago.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 345px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvS8YNU9tKNcTIM2DtkUaFlinryQrbcjGXW8pC9OCiDgo3JUtLxg1YAYhSPh4G7p5caz31i0wjKVy92E8YKe2b7LrtxZq3wTLE_16bzAlFaOcEuazYCBBWTI7gnef7f_4dX5ccJk4nPxY/s400/Terlago.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610390860093812834" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>In the quiet misty morning</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When the moon has gone to bed</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When the sparrows stop their singing</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And the sky is clear and red,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When the summer's ceased its gleaning</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When the corn is past its prime,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When adventure's lost its meaning -</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'll be homeward bound in time</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Bind me not to the pasture</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Chain me not to the plow</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Set me free to find my calling</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And I'll return to you somehow</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If you find it's me you're missing</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If you're hoping I'll return,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>To your thoughts I'll soon be listing,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>In the road I'll stop and turn</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Then the wind will set me racing</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>As my journey nears its end</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And the path I'll be retracing</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When I'm homeward bound again</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Bind me not to the pasture</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Chain me not to the plow</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Set me free to find my calling</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And I'll return to you somehow</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Bind me not to the pasture</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Chain me not to the plow</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Set me free to find my calling</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And I'll return to you somehow</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>In the quiet misty morning when</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>the moon has gone to bed.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>when the sparrows stop there singing....</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'll be homeward bound again</i></div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-2868512868790241502011-05-21T16:37:00.000-07:002011-05-24T13:58:31.980-07:00Had to post photos separately for some reason...<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNFFm-sO8d044dATlIwx5OqY9zyosgrH4VKFw3YHug3GIgvQkLRgl7EYCb7kfkYIm00bvKilcB9i2ShKy9wq-kA_7PtAwi6vq8aI7zhlueWFfgIhLH2wyDXjH4UWbs3QNKg700neaEf4/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 268px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609318609622114594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNFFm-sO8d044dATlIwx5OqY9zyosgrH4VKFw3YHug3GIgvQkLRgl7EYCb7kfkYIm00bvKilcB9i2ShKy9wq-kA_7PtAwi6vq8aI7zhlueWFfgIhLH2wyDXjH4UWbs3QNKg700neaEf4/s400/DSC_0091.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUzndI7Xc_b8VxF4ucFdT5_u_oeuTRbbUEIvmO6ObmbREjDAEf9M2uPQl1FO0MPcEqCzpCkZrH5fgfMqgFBdmQ2CfMDOMTqYbIR9oP1OjYxi8SGgY1X5RP_2tS0gFInt1wxwK6tbgieM/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 268px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609318600300860658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUzndI7Xc_b8VxF4ucFdT5_u_oeuTRbbUEIvmO6ObmbREjDAEf9M2uPQl1FO0MPcEqCzpCkZrH5fgfMqgFBdmQ2CfMDOMTqYbIR9oP1OjYxi8SGgY1X5RP_2tS0gFInt1wxwK6tbgieM/s400/DSC_0093.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCn75NjkbpvAlxCxVpADmZDFhpK221KmulZpp5wyPWHKJ6QaJTNOYJTi3tsWUQ_cn3fIgjNRbfd2hy-m_T_JOJcs7dgMSiNaZQSETBaoUPgS-OlFbSKaCgbXTEhGeAYVJBkZFUWYsbQ4/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 268px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609318590222909682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCn75NjkbpvAlxCxVpADmZDFhpK221KmulZpp5wyPWHKJ6QaJTNOYJTi3tsWUQ_cn3fIgjNRbfd2hy-m_T_JOJcs7dgMSiNaZQSETBaoUPgS-OlFbSKaCgbXTEhGeAYVJBkZFUWYsbQ4/s400/DSC_0054.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5OiOa7S0wE3cXHfF1Ycwv5RSDlKPUhWssbkRhpiRgSoHHVC4T8DCdRk3VVNxoaJ1ACrtDVZnvhZYk5qCxSaRPbzU4xpAbd6hatlIYT0WNhp-p-5Vqr2EtXCqYgse2UOFwWnqBrhhDsA/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 268px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609318579953006978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5OiOa7S0wE3cXHfF1Ycwv5RSDlKPUhWssbkRhpiRgSoHHVC4T8DCdRk3VVNxoaJ1ACrtDVZnvhZYk5qCxSaRPbzU4xpAbd6hatlIYT0WNhp-p-5Vqr2EtXCqYgse2UOFwWnqBrhhDsA/s400/DSC_0056.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWxJJBVTnO_PCWzc0mxa2CSl2osBnN9VDGYmCwjUDt_AsVEODViiJYGyQ0Mx8IBY59Jz7YZn-fRj-AHQpurgORIdD0i00Vj-ASdr3R_Pfk0Tbn7dBBPkIE0Cj3-jRUr9cLvzKyGw1xmg/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 268px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609318572507715010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWxJJBVTnO_PCWzc0mxa2CSl2osBnN9VDGYmCwjUDt_AsVEODViiJYGyQ0Mx8IBY59Jz7YZn-fRj-AHQpurgORIdD0i00Vj-ASdr3R_Pfk0Tbn7dBBPkIE0Cj3-jRUr9cLvzKyGw1xmg/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPqvZnre_EE3WHYFpM38V-fKTNgxaUhKJ1y2yNwkDZLhgyBrccH8inzA0pRhuHiU_PUQESFlR5tc3PNka79tXV9B3EnfJhwHOIyM-lfm-J1ltT0k_YTmX83E6CLLb4jzhBNLAe5KTYXM/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 268px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609317999298632898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPqvZnre_EE3WHYFpM38V-fKTNgxaUhKJ1y2yNwkDZLhgyBrccH8inzA0pRhuHiU_PUQESFlR5tc3PNka79tXV9B3EnfJhwHOIyM-lfm-J1ltT0k_YTmX83E6CLLb4jzhBNLAe5KTYXM/s400/DSC_0051.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02YkcISPXzLE7Xk-8X-ZI0kRI3dO7e2fjyevpFYZQrFHUazcD7JR2i2reacFTOOXUU3TuWnDzNMjGpelumPPCm4Ww7yyFq7RMeLfkz3lId2mTFlpEo8DSjYXxBPUnOI4v2nhQ6jy2iPk/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 268px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609317996802702018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02YkcISPXzLE7Xk-8X-ZI0kRI3dO7e2fjyevpFYZQrFHUazcD7JR2i2reacFTOOXUU3TuWnDzNMjGpelumPPCm4Ww7yyFq7RMeLfkz3lId2mTFlpEo8DSjYXxBPUnOI4v2nhQ6jy2iPk/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIp-EFPr0LxrTecC5vAE1RB5NnHzCpMuB6kUMbGyu7X6im0PASO4g8AMOx5XzB7EZQ04ZGBRo_MhNEEapjoIO7qISvB1yb4LM1ucaBkAVbpYnuP5wpFD8KUuPi1YyGKFSGNYzlB4FsNo/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 268px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609317984629485954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIp-EFPr0LxrTecC5vAE1RB5NnHzCpMuB6kUMbGyu7X6im0PASO4g8AMOx5XzB7EZQ04ZGBRo_MhNEEapjoIO7qISvB1yb4LM1ucaBkAVbpYnuP5wpFD8KUuPi1YyGKFSGNYzlB4FsNo/s400/DSC_0065.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaICQ3NeNvZaq6m9mn0tQlWjPli0EGFG4JjaHwtR0iNZfFEkjsOzoZVgBcgfvDwGnks1orexVrC8EvNyXqXAqhPO7HV1XAU7xBe3KIk9dXUlgRVu5mG75TtCN1bBKUnfbRdubi7299x0/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 268px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609317976019914402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaICQ3NeNvZaq6m9mn0tQlWjPli0EGFG4JjaHwtR0iNZfFEkjsOzoZVgBcgfvDwGnks1orexVrC8EvNyXqXAqhPO7HV1XAU7xBe3KIk9dXUlgRVu5mG75TtCN1bBKUnfbRdubi7299x0/s400/DSC_0040.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHb6Fbm590jMSmVEjrKsFlHJxJGGGKiuGVsiqircuIxJ-Ikp07AFeeMV-WXj8hzxcEntIouRkIBuLxnfMHHJCcf57kjoQoMC6iZ6r80g59REYx12gn_1-kZc3zjXFwhSjsOTVk32MsiM/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 268px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609317960001702754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHb6Fbm590jMSmVEjrKsFlHJxJGGGKiuGVsiqircuIxJ-Ikp07AFeeMV-WXj8hzxcEntIouRkIBuLxnfMHHJCcf57kjoQoMC6iZ6r80g59REYx12gn_1-kZc3zjXFwhSjsOTVk32MsiM/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-85043527359905052682011-05-21T13:51:00.000-07:002011-10-05T13:29:21.964-07:00It's getting tougher and tougher...<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>It's getting really hard to be at the barn these days.</div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I get tired SO easily, it's hard to get anything done with this tummy in the way, hardly ANY of my barn clothes fit and...well...sometimes I get really bummed out. It's tough to watch my friends, my horsey family, carry on with riding and training while I am stuck on the sidelines. I try not to be too much of a downer, but sometimes it feels like what I imagine a recovering alcoholic would feel like if he or she went into a bar. Maybe that's a weird way to think of it, but *shrug* there it is. </div><div>It's made all the more difficult by Keenan's attitude. I love that horse to death but MAN has he gotten cranky with me! Actually, it's not so much cranky as impatient. When I go out to see him, it's as if he can't decide whether he misses me or he's angry at me. It's actually kind of funny to be around him - he's trying to nip my shoulder and cuddle up to me at the same time. He wants to be loved but he also wants to punish me for "abandoning" him. He glares at my tummy, too - he's not sure how it works, but he knows that we haven't gone for a ride in over three months now, and that that bump has something to do with it!</div><div>Thankfully, Rapper is going about all this in exactly the opposite way. He's totally seeing this from a glass-half-full perspective. Mom's not riding me? No problem, I get to play outside more and torture Anna and Sophie! Mom's only visits once a week? No problem, I have Armando to annoy! He's happy to see me but he's not being a drama queen or trying to convince me that his world is coming to an end. Thank goodness!</div><div>I'm about a week and a half away from my due date and, pardon the phrase, chomping at the bit to get this pregnancy over with! For one thing, I am getting extremely uncomfortable - for another, IT'S ALMOST HORSE SHOW SEASON! I spent all last Friday at the Mother's Day Classic here in Eugene and it was wonderful/heartbreaking. I can't wait to ride again OR to show off my adorable baby boy to the rest of the Wilsonville gang!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-71953659997608951942011-03-24T22:46:00.000-07:002011-03-24T22:49:26.770-07:00I love my boys<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoRAsKsKpqkm-corbqCPEYgOWODC4qT-vsnwuAxGtwvgKxugwYE-9J7mFVbgkkSbtF4kHopG1bk3eExuzTHA5Xqjj4U9kEGvMKIrGd-3l-q6x8NoTsrqWgM6AYIRnxe8KvWHcDuMXDNw/s1600/DSC_1075.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587890329360909346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoRAsKsKpqkm-corbqCPEYgOWODC4qT-vsnwuAxGtwvgKxugwYE-9J7mFVbgkkSbtF4kHopG1bk3eExuzTHA5Xqjj4U9kEGvMKIrGd-3l-q6x8NoTsrqWgM6AYIRnxe8KvWHcDuMXDNw/s400/DSC_1075.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBH-4Qb6Pvo6U0qU6pm8I1rBVPWtL2aOnD30Ahb2JECn-9IGQRc-cqqVVWYkblRua29qgV3f8nnXbtZ_1xPHqRrDO8WW9B3pqiP3xVKviXlZzT2kfU_RFql2HdGdbIbWBlShyphenhyphenXj-0YoI/s1600/DSC_1072.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587890321784322626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBH-4Qb6Pvo6U0qU6pm8I1rBVPWtL2aOnD30Ahb2JECn-9IGQRc-cqqVVWYkblRua29qgV3f8nnXbtZ_1xPHqRrDO8WW9B3pqiP3xVKviXlZzT2kfU_RFql2HdGdbIbWBlShyphenhyphenXj-0YoI/s400/DSC_1072.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_rbF_OWtVg1Om2Jb59NbKgSmXYZTlpZgh8cAoFodj-JsI89KrWwiJJi-_pT_TyCYWFVsUtElc-JPLYKCTT2QfABBTHewnCJQBUERLseOPtNfO0lpobvMQxcQpdO68HfQlcCcResYjOM/s1600/DSC_1052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587890318546583282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_rbF_OWtVg1Om2Jb59NbKgSmXYZTlpZgh8cAoFodj-JsI89KrWwiJJi-_pT_TyCYWFVsUtElc-JPLYKCTT2QfABBTHewnCJQBUERLseOPtNfO0lpobvMQxcQpdO68HfQlcCcResYjOM/s400/DSC_1052.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXIazgq-hHoJqrTSLK9EzQWd_5Py3aU5uj57vG635KsNfkAMvhvhR8_Dg_G6dCKZfc5XT_IAiMi2wlnX_7MuactfHTIhOHTbc6apSDCa6-SZQN8spIoy4ET3Vh-BFknKHw-8mavRYzZQ/s1600/DSC_1033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587890304742884098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXIazgq-hHoJqrTSLK9EzQWd_5Py3aU5uj57vG635KsNfkAMvhvhR8_Dg_G6dCKZfc5XT_IAiMi2wlnX_7MuactfHTIhOHTbc6apSDCa6-SZQN8spIoy4ET3Vh-BFknKHw-8mavRYzZQ/s400/DSC_1033.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKnT46ICENIq3ACRNDwk2-3AB1c1DNuXzAZdJApAVSvdkVTGYsBWCMswSFI3fa4u4unFMktuYEqne9GpIt4ExmTQULZopjDji3a3zH6tySHciKiWdtYmwS_Gzcwi0jfMApQdrtrvX7zc/s1600/DSC_1031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587890301466163042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKnT46ICENIq3ACRNDwk2-3AB1c1DNuXzAZdJApAVSvdkVTGYsBWCMswSFI3fa4u4unFMktuYEqne9GpIt4ExmTQULZopjDji3a3zH6tySHciKiWdtYmwS_Gzcwi0jfMApQdrtrvX7zc/s400/DSC_1031.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-10446299199616813472011-03-20T17:40:00.001-07:002011-03-20T17:59:03.241-07:00It's MARCH?! Since when?Okay, call me crazy, but I swear it was just Christmas! Okay, it was at least just Valentine's Day...where on earth does the time go? I have the feeling that time is going to keep flying by - until I'm three weeks from delivery, that is, THEN it's going to slow to a crawl so as to maximize my inevitable discomfort. It will then start a peculiar pattern of zipping by again during the wonderful moments of new-Momhood and all but stop during the sleepless nights, dirty diapers and teething months. Oh well, I guess, such is life.<br />I haven't written anything here for a couple months now. Obviously. I guess I don't want this blog to turn into a blog about babies and my pregnancy. Maybe I'll start a different blog for that, or write notes on my Facebook page, but this is supposed to be about my growth and development as a horsewoman; my goals, accomplishments, struggles and successes. I suppose I thought that since I'm entering the final phase of my pregnancy and haven't ridden in a month and a half, I didn't have anything to write about on the horse front. I know I'm still a horse-crazy gal, but I thought "what kind of things can I possibly be learning when I'm not even riding?" Much, as it turns out.<br />There have been times during my riding "career" (ha) that I have become too focused on winning and my accomplishments and haven't given enough thought to the amazing blessing it is just to be around horses at all. I am sure realizing this blessing now! Aside from a handful of very casual and abbreviated rides on Mr. Rapper, I have been "grounded" since early February. It can be very discouraging at times to watch my friends ride, train and grow without me, but I have come to appreciate the little things I do with my horses. Or, at least, I used to think they were little things. Now I understand that the groomings, the treats, the walks up the driveway are not "little" at all, but the very foundation of my horse-and-rider relationships. Rapper is reaping many of the benefits of my riding hiatus. After all, he enjoys grooming while Keenan frets and fidgets; he relishes long slow walks up the drive whereas Keenan tries to drag me facedown alongside him. Rapper turned 17 on March 8 and I can honestly say, I have never seen him so happy. I am very grateful for this time I am able to spend with him - it has made him so much calmer and responsive, I feel like I can do anything with him.<br />Keenan is definitely getting some of the perks. Rachel is schooling and hacking him nearly every day and I must say, I cannot WAIT to get back on such a fit and well-schooled animal. Rachel told me that she always wanted to ride Keenan (she spent her younger days watching him in the show ring) and she has been doing great things with him. I can tell Keenan is starting to wonder what the heck is going on with me, though - he's started to get a little edgy with me, like he's annoyed that we haven't gone for a ride in a long time. As much as it would pain me to say good-bye to my hunter boy for a few months, a part of me hopes I can find someone to lease him for the show season. He's such a phenomenal horse and really deserves to have a great show season with an Adult, Child - or Pre Adult or Child - rider in the saddle.<br />Well, we are on our way out the door for family dinner, but I hope to make more time to write soon. After all, I may be a Mom-to-be, but I am ALWAYS a horse girl, no matter what!Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-6577821414465004352011-01-20T20:38:00.000-08:002011-01-20T20:50:36.167-08:00remembering a wonderful season<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE76rxPLw9Tz78iERSzIoDYNR-DNq0ZBL9Caqiilr2IoR25p8iGkhGiF6auYs10JMMSC3NiQokj7JOynXo-pLXldabXhfFeJYqRkT4ypOLXcriLmYUz5SYFUxM6bMN86pTXgYGljRbr4/s1600/IMG_0776.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564495185556286290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE76rxPLw9Tz78iERSzIoDYNR-DNq0ZBL9Caqiilr2IoR25p8iGkhGiF6auYs10JMMSC3NiQokj7JOynXo-pLXldabXhfFeJYqRkT4ypOLXcriLmYUz5SYFUxM6bMN86pTXgYGljRbr4/s400/IMG_0776.JPG" /></a>Two new bags for equitation reserve championships. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ERUYTsg_X7kNEtiW_2SAtG9hyphenhyphenTyMtQE55YvzsMWVJI5M9Uh1ymrnJT0RFJsY1lSVbix3sWFM1Xagv4l3taOwn6maE1ve4x-292iNHB6-dlH51xadFj-flMzNowfTEw3ueEoIs98ntvs/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564495179250595186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ERUYTsg_X7kNEtiW_2SAtG9hyphenhyphenTyMtQE55YvzsMWVJI5M9Uh1ymrnJT0RFJsY1lSVbix3sWFM1Xagv4l3taOwn6maE1ve4x-292iNHB6-dlH51xadFj-flMzNowfTEw3ueEoIs98ntvs/s400/IMG_0743.JPG" /></a> Look who wandered in! ;)<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvPjL2zQ1E1pBhKoo7dmYGSsEVODN5ffCUgiaTpG3gq_sx_ANJZnv1bBnn5Qrx45iERPFtHoQ1AmuwhnGJk-IC_kZ16PbSR_PEjKXXI95E9avHHKqpBywmV_8eP_P0IIC9IQCblX-aF4/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564495178414014162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvPjL2zQ1E1pBhKoo7dmYGSsEVODN5ffCUgiaTpG3gq_sx_ANJZnv1bBnn5Qrx45iERPFtHoQ1AmuwhnGJk-IC_kZ16PbSR_PEjKXXI95E9avHHKqpBywmV_8eP_P0IIC9IQCblX-aF4/s400/IMG_0735.JPG" /></a> Mom and I, looking glam!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96MY6pqhxyjYjtgq3P_xXb1eJVQMY52Ki8E5udSKqubPZT5RoO-PO1zVO0L0ZeVz4J5xE2yxAPetpb5MrBBOaiC3iTOnkjIbm1ZyM-ZPAc42USOIze8SRQDrcFFIrTbS_7fhThMM9CtE/s1600/IMG_0751.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564494929503782434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96MY6pqhxyjYjtgq3P_xXb1eJVQMY52Ki8E5udSKqubPZT5RoO-PO1zVO0L0ZeVz4J5xE2yxAPetpb5MrBBOaiC3iTOnkjIbm1ZyM-ZPAc42USOIze8SRQDrcFFIrTbS_7fhThMM9CtE/s400/IMG_0751.JPG" /></a> Sarah and I.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdx5_cuNh6fcawADq__IEFXS_DLAA9AKUUt6HSlzri6W6KMMCwFXZkKgoGt5B0c3TARP8XHhHPnAsnsC5ZpPXOTHtGz8SpeLy0uVz6sPx_0BItBqYjbJ5Of0028gBNd96C3OshU_I8W0/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564494923927813234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdx5_cuNh6fcawADq__IEFXS_DLAA9AKUUt6HSlzri6W6KMMCwFXZkKgoGt5B0c3TARP8XHhHPnAsnsC5ZpPXOTHtGz8SpeLy0uVz6sPx_0BItBqYjbJ5Of0028gBNd96C3OshU_I8W0/s400/IMG_0737.JPG" /></a> Rachel, Kate, Sarah, Kristine and Jessie.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwKPKaKc6pGU3cSGvgyhhaoZ6Ux3jinxE8hAmI3YlV4AnizaL46HojU0MVYHGvfqSidF_K9EDOnCA65P_inUbnKk9fqpu12y_BCuaEtXbih58PRx3gHoCCqJP3XVny_biTviW1LHR7Jg/s1600/IMG_0770.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564494917741420850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwKPKaKc6pGU3cSGvgyhhaoZ6Ux3jinxE8hAmI3YlV4AnizaL46HojU0MVYHGvfqSidF_K9EDOnCA65P_inUbnKk9fqpu12y_BCuaEtXbih58PRx3gHoCCqJP3XVny_biTviW1LHR7Jg/s400/IMG_0770.JPG" /></a> Brady helps me show off our winning duds.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GIot-kJCF-tHykzg3cSAQQOBxhWsCcNio5_elIu-PPn9nJKUnrwIiGXmDUmY4Hs1MWm9_ruNAuXkaATCMOb0Yu86Kr6D4lBl9bdvzxTzaLvjDqsHsQk01nRXDPIEFz2gX6PVFpq_emc/s1600/IMG_0764.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564494913965153058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GIot-kJCF-tHykzg3cSAQQOBxhWsCcNio5_elIu-PPn9nJKUnrwIiGXmDUmY4Hs1MWm9_ruNAuXkaATCMOb0Yu86Kr6D4lBl9bdvzxTzaLvjDqsHsQk01nRXDPIEFz2gX6PVFpq_emc/s400/IMG_0764.JPG" /></a> Mike, Mollie and I.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdGdTPON-UMBBrIyRdNlVT4tz12B0sNL0gXpWNy_qjV8GM7OvPk8I44Pt5csIQ8lR1tD9ginVmEZPqgBiZnE0RAzxrTpW5eqTyb1OaCX7NN_84ZOjXKOgk0Dmg7Ani7fqEO9YG18hIHA/s1600/IMG_0760.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564494910059178082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdGdTPON-UMBBrIyRdNlVT4tz12B0sNL0gXpWNy_qjV8GM7OvPk8I44Pt5csIQ8lR1tD9ginVmEZPqgBiZnE0RAzxrTpW5eqTyb1OaCX7NN_84ZOjXKOgk0Dmg7Ani7fqEO9YG18hIHA/s400/IMG_0760.JPG" /></a> Sarah, Kristine, Holly, Lauren and Mike.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalKecPWtI-6ozdz6gaSH-zjBcOezN3jT0cHZgw9bmofjJ28N9rbkw5CFgL9xBwcFB6iIlRgA8rWnVZlS4XLiLypG9hyphenhyphenosXbt_URMYEesn-z5-9MLHpk5XaTqpazjEmN0w4vSb8dNnSVU/s1600/IMG_0759.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564494557606373138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalKecPWtI-6ozdz6gaSH-zjBcOezN3jT0cHZgw9bmofjJ28N9rbkw5CFgL9xBwcFB6iIlRgA8rWnVZlS4XLiLypG9hyphenhyphenosXbt_URMYEesn-z5-9MLHpk5XaTqpazjEmN0w4vSb8dNnSVU/s400/IMG_0759.JPG" /></a> Rachel, Sarah and Kristine.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPgrgUijh3MdGpmdncaA3Aa5NcW0LuhBcenKIYqfDpOpOO9StKDaDzE2gVl0zPkVgRQA19nP85A69plGc2QqmJ_y_BkOCEfCGh9QFt9hyA0TuRL4RSc_dLfjWA7bvTv0MvnniX8lXRV8/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564494555014600370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPgrgUijh3MdGpmdncaA3Aa5NcW0LuhBcenKIYqfDpOpOO9StKDaDzE2gVl0zPkVgRQA19nP85A69plGc2QqmJ_y_BkOCEfCGh9QFt9hyA0TuRL4RSc_dLfjWA7bvTv0MvnniX8lXRV8/s400/IMG_0758.JPG" /></a> Sophie, Jessie and Anna.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuWK-2b4uN1UKIv3mCW30huFi9NRVkSOj6beS8_IIsevQ20NQohc7kI0ekSp_mEEOdVsWxulKKCJ4n6k7F0fWtwOK-Ojf2NgG3TNTCZyGGT1suFleeU9yGAPDlvgnUrr3SjffNgi_0rI/s1600/IMG_0757.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564494550108906018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuWK-2b4uN1UKIv3mCW30huFi9NRVkSOj6beS8_IIsevQ20NQohc7kI0ekSp_mEEOdVsWxulKKCJ4n6k7F0fWtwOK-Ojf2NgG3TNTCZyGGT1suFleeU9yGAPDlvgnUrr3SjffNgi_0rI/s400/IMG_0757.JPG" /></a> Me, Kate and our new trainer Rachel.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xbfgAIQHnLj6LJLPRM8DZkSCCOfq7UjivtuQthJoN7m0k8YYwIi8r86JOfuSyuCQC8dT47w2DefIyHg_-HDae7z26MKtQnJt7dqpzV408Pv3RZkV-lTK6eLXRsoJrYemhxOGJbHpFSI/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564494538600769218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xbfgAIQHnLj6LJLPRM8DZkSCCOfq7UjivtuQthJoN7m0k8YYwIi8r86JOfuSyuCQC8dT47w2DefIyHg_-HDae7z26MKtQnJt7dqpzV408Pv3RZkV-lTK6eLXRsoJrYemhxOGJbHpFSI/s400/IMG_0755.JPG" /></a> The whole Triple Rise group!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvB2c-1DW_4BZtkl515T5Hp82HxWT-5NluCe2zM-uNZs4BodV9bbfCJOIdj3_mmUU1kKFENhSqY9EDnZ4PzdZK4_AiSoGdKuIAbfCTX6YyXLbx202okKYguZc4ZWBQyAKZzFx3wqJ2Cs/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564494535771172434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvB2c-1DW_4BZtkl515T5Hp82HxWT-5NluCe2zM-uNZs4BodV9bbfCJOIdj3_mmUU1kKFENhSqY9EDnZ4PzdZK4_AiSoGdKuIAbfCTX6YyXLbx202okKYguZc4ZWBQyAKZzFx3wqJ2Cs/s400/IMG_0729.JPG" /></a> Nathan, (baby) and I, all dressed up!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">Banquet was great! Great food, great company, heels from hell...haha. It sure was a great evening! Made my heart ache just a little to think that I won't be much a part of that world next year, but with any luck, I'll be cheering my friends on with an adorable baby boy in a front pack! Bring on the outdoor shows!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-52276550183785378532010-12-17T10:32:00.000-08:002011-10-05T13:33:04.726-07:00Award Time again!On January 8th, OHJA is having its awards banquet and I thought I'd just make note of some of our accomplishments ("our" meaning Triple Rise) from this year.<br /><br /><strong>Open System</strong><br />Lauren and Bella - 2nd 3' Pre Green Working Hunter<br /> 2nd Adult Amateur Working Hunter (18-35)<br /> 2nd 18 & Over Hunt Seat Equitation, flat<br /> 3rd 18 & Over Hunt Seat Equitation, over fences<br /><br />Julie and Henry - 4th Adult Amateur Working Hunter (18-35)<br /> 3rd 18 & Over Hunt Seat Equitation, flat<br /> 4th 18 & Over Hunt Seat Equitation, over fences<br /><br />Debbie and Houdini - 3rd Adult Amateur Working Hunter (41 +)<br /> 7th Large Working Hunter<br /> 6th 18 & Over Hunt Seat Equitation, over fences<br /><br /><strong>Regional System</strong><br />Kate and Titan - 1st 3'3" Pre Green Working Hunter<br /> 2nd Adult Amateur Working Hunter (18-35)<br /><br />Anna and Patches - 8th Children's Working Hunter (13 & under)<br /> 2nd Modified Child/Adult Hunter<br /> 2nd Pre Child Hunter<br /> 4th Small Working Hunter<br /> 7th Pre Child Equitation, flat<br /> 7th Pre Child Equitation, over fences<br /><br />Kristine and Q - 5th Children's Working Hunter (14-17)<br /> 1st Modified Junior/Amateur Hunter<br /> 2nd Open Working Hunter<br /> 1st Children's Equitation, over fences (14-17)<br /> 5th 0.95-1.00 Meter Jumper<br /> 4th Low Child/Adult Jumper<br /><br />Sophie and Jackson - 3rd Children's Working Hunter Pony<br /> 3rd Pre Child Hunter<br /> 5th Pre Child Equitation, flat<br /> 3rd Pre Child Equitation, over fences<br /><br />Jessie and Honey - 4th Pony Working Hunter<br /><br />Missy and Keenan - 1st Large Working Hunter<br /> 1st Pre Adult Hunter<br /> 2nd Pre Adult Equitation, flat<br /> 2nd Pre Adult Equitation, over fences<br /><br />Holly and Lucky - 2nd Long Stirrup Hunter<br /> 1st Long Stirrup Equitation, flat<br /> 2nd Long Stirrup Equitation, over fences<br /><br />Alison and Bijou - 4th Short Stirrup Hunter<br /> 4th Short Stirrup Equitation, over fences<br /><br />Tamara, Jakob and Cloudy - 5th 18 & Over Hunt Seat Equitation, flat<br /> 3rd 0.85-0.90 Meter Jumper<br /> 5th Low Child/Adult Jumper 3'<br /><br />Jessie and Houdini - 6th Children's Equitation, over fences (13 & under)<br /><br /><br />We pretty much rock :)Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-77340766312791492352010-12-09T21:54:00.000-08:002011-10-05T13:34:47.645-07:00changesWow, has it really been almost a month since I posted? With all this spare time on my hands, you'd think I'd find something to talk about every day!<div>Honestly, I'd be kidding myself if I wondered why. Not only have I not been able to ride as much (thank you morning, afternoon AND evening sickness!) but I am not thinking about it the same as I used to. I'm not working towards the same goals as I was before I got pregnant. In August/September, I was eagerly anticipating moving up to Adult Amateur classes for next year's show season - now, I'll be lucky to be back in time for Pre Adult classes at Northwest Spectacular. I mean, that's probably the best case scenario. It doesn't bother me, it just changes the way I look at my favorite activity. Now when I ride, I mainly focus on what I'm doing that day, that moment, and thanking the Lord I had the energy to climb into the saddle. I also want to be able to give Keenan as much exercise as I personally can for as long as I can so that he doesn't have to be a burden for anyone else just yet.</div><div>That brings up another transition that is taking place at Triple Rise right now. Sarah is leaving us next week. She'll be graduating from U of O this spring and really wants to buckle down and ace her last two terms - I think having a full course load on top of her job was really stressful for her this term and she doesn't need that when she's staring down the barrel of the graduation gun. After graduating, she wants to move on and work at other places around the country. When I talked to her, she mentioned some job offers in California.</div><div>We all found out about this last week and although I am MAJORLY bummed - I cried, I'll admit it - I know that Sarah absolutely needs to do what is right for her. She is 23 years old and has been in Eugene for a very long time. And, as much as I love Oregon and adore my barn, Eugene is not exactly the hunter jumper capitol of the world. Sarah has so much talent and SO much potential - look what she managed to do with me in two years! - and she really owes it to herself to get out there and aim for the big time. I think she wants to ride for some big name clients - some very fancy horses with rich owners - to make a name for herself, and then eventually would come back to Oregon to start her own barn.</div><div>As much as it pains me to lose a trainer who had become such a dear, dear friend and mentor, I am actually really proud of her for taking a good look at her life and making a tough decision that will likely turn out to be the best one she'll ever make. Again, I love Mike and Mollie and everyone at my barn. But I know how ambitious Sarah is - heck, the girl was like 21 when she decided to go pro - and I know how talented she is. She deserves a chance at the top. She will be missed, but we've all met our new trainer Rachel and she seems totally lovely. She even paid me/Keenan a huge compliment tonight when she referred to him as "one of those horses I always hoped I'd get a chance to ride and now I finally have" (she is from this area so she watched Becka compete him in the Children's classes several years ago).</div><div>SO...yeah, lots of things are changing. But, you know, change can be good. Keenan still doesn't like to be curried, Rapper still nickers at me when he hears me walking up to his stall, Sophie is still hilarious and Mike still jokes around with me. Life moves on and it's my responsibility to roll with the punches.</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-34985286406829352062010-11-09T21:33:00.000-08:002011-10-05T13:36:00.728-07:00long time, no postOkay, so I didn't post the entire month of October. I am a slacker. But I have my reasons, honest. Well, really just one reason. Turns out (drum roll please...) I'm pregnant! And even though I know NO ONE reads this thing, I didn't want to write about it until I'd told my close friends and extended family. They all know now, so I'll just blog away!<div>So this pretty much came as a huge surprise. Nathan and I were not planning on starting a family for another couple of years, but turns out, there were other plans in place! Even though we will be making some adjustments, we are very excited to be parents!</div><div>I've been given the okay from my doctor to continue riding and even jumping for the time being, provided that I listen to my horse and my body and don't do anything reckless or overly risky. He told me that since I am an experienced rider and that I'm in good shape to be doing this, that there's no reason I can't continue for a little while - as long as my pregnancy remains low-risk.</div><div>At first I was shocked. It sounds selfish to say, I know, but my first thought was: well, there's next show season down the tubes. It was really hard for me to take at first, especially since Sarah had Keenan and I working up to 3' and making plans for the Adult Amateurs next year. But then, of course, common sense kicked in and I realized that there will be plenty of people to help me keep Keenan in shape and maybe even show him a little next year. Then there's the fact that he's not a young guy who needs a lot of show experience to keep him seasoned. He's been around and a light year is not going to hurt him. Finally, I am due May 30 so there's even a chance I could be back in the saddle for Northwest Spectacular at the end of August. Maybe wishful thinking, but right now, I'm optimistic.</div><div>Everyone at the barn has been so supportive. Some days I feel great - I could ride all day long - and some days it's all I can do to brush my guys and collapse onto a tack trunk in exhaustion. But being there never fails to bring a smile to my face, even if I'm just watching from the sidelines.</div><div>*sigh*</div><div>Sometimes I still can't believe it...everything is going to change now. Sometimes I don't feel ready, other days I think "bring it on." One thing's for sure, there will be no shortage of horses and ponies in this little one's life!</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500401924540421303.post-73317876859687396962010-09-29T10:36:00.000-07:002010-09-29T10:46:19.727-07:00beach details and what's coming upDon't have pictures of the beach, yet - Kate took them and she's a super-busy architecture student, so I understand the delay. I just can't wait to share! We had such a great day at the coast!<div>I'd been really nervous to take Keenan, because, unlike many of the other horses, no one seemed remember a time when Keenan had gone to the beach. And after my falling experience this summer after his several weeks off, I'm more aware of what Keenan is capable of when he's not 100% on board with something. I had visions of him bucking me off and taking off down the beach, never to be seen again. But Sarah assured me that everything would be okay, and the younger girls finally talked me into it. So I put a stronger bit on his bridle and prayed for the best! And it worked! Granted, he was definitely frisky, and not entirely convinced that going in the water was a good idea, but he seemed to really enjoy himself. We trotted, we cantered, we even made it into the ocean up to our knees! We chased sea gulls and stepped over driftwood - all the fun stuff that comes along with a trip to the coast, haha. And when it was time to leave, Keenan just stared wistfully out at the dunes - like he was saying "Why don't we just live here?" Can't wait for next year's trip!</div><div>But in the meantime, it's back to work...</div><div>We have a lot coming up this fall - schooling shows in early October and late November, a vet clinic with Lisa, Halloween Fun Day, the list goes on and on. Sarah is going to have me jump 3' at the November schooling show so that when Spring Hunter/Jumper rolls around next year, the height is not so scary. So needless to say, I have a lot to work on in the off-season!</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17423616564029511997noreply@blogger.com0