Knowing 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.

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!

This past week...

...has been a fun one (blah lesson notwithstanding)!

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.

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.

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!

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?

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!

Clunker

Just 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.

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!

Movin' 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!

Saturday lessons are the best!

My mom was down visiting us over the weekend and since the weather wasn't too 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!).

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 right this instant. 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!

That'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!

"Let's try this again."

"Let's try this again."

"I need to get reorganized."

"He's never done that before!"

"I thought I had this figured out..."

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.

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!

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.

life is getting back to normal

Shows are great, but it feels good to be home. Back to evening lessons, watching kids learn how to tack up ponies and hearing Rapper nicker for me as I'm crossing the arena. One of the post-show things I love most is discovering how much the experience bonds Keenan and I. He always seems a little more attentive and snugglier after a show.
Tonight was a good solid night at TREC. Kristine and I were the only ones in our lesson, which was kind of nice. I love riding with Kristine - she's a good rider and watching her always helps me, even if we're working on different things. She works super hard and is really dedicated to what she does. Not to mention, she's working up to 3'6" right now, so if I'm good and work hard, too, I might get to jump her warm-up jumps, haha. Seriously, though, Sarah is planning on Keenan and I moving up to 3' next year. Not that that's anything new to Keenan (he's a pro), but I am really excited about it. We jumped 2'9" today in our lesson and it felt really good. I've actually jumped 3' a handful of times, but not consistently, like in a course or anything. The thing I was most pleased about was hearing Sarah say that my position is right where it needs to be, given what I am working on right now. I feel like I'm starting to develop more of an independent seat, release better over fences and not carry my hands too low. I still resort to kind of a schlumpy, hands-down position when I'm tired or we're working on something hard, but I feel like I'm getting better.
In other news, I think I discovered part of Rapper's recent problem. I know I didn't write about it or anything, but Rapper has been in this stage lately where he prefers that I not have any contact with his mouth while I'm riding. Anytime I'd try to connect with him or put him in a frame, he'd toss his head straight up in the air. Today, I put Keenan's double-jointed D-ring bit with the plastic mouthpiece and it was like night and day. He's still resisting, but not in a painful way. I'm really looking forward to working him harder now that I don't feel like his bit is hurting him.
*sigh* Glad to be home and back in a routine!

calm. cool, collected

Okay, so crisis over. I'm no longer freaking out about a rough week of lessons. There's nothing better for the nerves than two great lessons in a row. On Friday and Saturday, we had Medal Finals prep courtesy of TREC's owner and head trainer Mike. Both lessons were amazing. On Friday, Mike had us hike up our stirrups to jockey length and gallop around the ring. THAT was fabulous - I've always wanted to be a jockey/exercise rider and with Keenan being an ex-racehorse, galloping around like that was exhilerating. On Saturday we switched horses so that Anna hopped on Keenan, Sophie had Patches, and I wound up with Jackson Browne, our smallest pony. Small, yes, wimpy, no. It was actually really fun trotting around on that little guy. And our course that day had a few tough spots and a gnarly turn at the end but it was just a really fun ride. The whole two days made me feel so much better about the next two shows. I was reminded of why I love to ride and what it's all really about. I think these next two weeks are going to be a blast.

gah!

I need to stop thinking so much/I need to start thinking more when I'm on a horse! I seriously don't know what is WRONG with me! Long three stride to short two stride. Not THAT difficult. Did I have a strategy? Apparently, it was: let my horse save my ass! And thank goodness he is pro at that, otherwise I'd be baking some serious brownies right now! Note to self: GET IT TOGETHER STAT!

weather's cooling down...competition's heating up

Well, it may not be 85 degrees every day, but that doesn't mean we're not working hard! Oh man, lesson today was IN-TENSE. With Medal Finals just around the corner, we can't afford NOT to be intense...we spent almost the entire lesson today working without our stirrups, at the canter. Ouch. Don't get me wrong, Keenan has a great canter, but...well, ouch! We were cantering two low cavaletti at a regular, extended and collected canter - working on getting 7, 8 and 9 strides in between the cavaletti. The hardest part was just the physical strain it was taking on me, haha. It's a simple exercise, but a hard one. Even cantering two cavaletti, there's a lot to think about and when you throw in me with no stirrups trying to maintain a connection with Mr. Keenan, it's not always the most graceful thing you've ever seen. And not without some frowning, huffing and puffing! The good news is, I survived - and up until that point where I thought I was going to die, we were doing really well! We started out with some trot work, to test if our horses were in front of our leg and to see how adjustable they were. Regular posting trot, extended posting trot, collected posting trot, collected sitting trot - the works. I loved collecting Keenan's trot - man, he's good at that! When we trotted by the mirror, it looked like we were barely moving at all and the way he was lifting his legs up instead of floating them out, he looked like a Baroque dressage horse! His extension was great, too - better than it normally is on my lazy-bones horse, that's for sure. *sigh* and then things got tough. It's okay though, the harder I prepare now, the better these next two shows are going to be!

I DID IT!

!!I JUMPED 3' TONIGHT!!

Not that it was a thing of tremendous beauty, mind you, but it was still amazing! Actually, today at the barn was overall just fabulous. Gave Keenan a bath so now he's all sparkly and white, had a great ride on Rapper and then such a fulfilling lesson! I swear, every Wednesday out there is better than the last. I feel like on Tuesdays, sometimes Thursdays and Fridays, I'm always so rushed. On Wednesdays, I literally can take all the time in the world to get things done.

I am really enjoying Rapper lately, too. Since we brought him to TREC back in October, he's continued to improve. He's such a happy and stable horse now. Granted, he still has his nuerotic moments (who doesn't?) but in general, he's come so far. Take today: we walked, trotted and cantered around, like usual, and after a very thorough warm-up he just suddenly dropped his head, settled into a frame and stretched out into an absolutely lovely trot. Then I decided to make things a little more interesting. We trotted over some ground poles, picked up a canter and came around and cantered over one more. Then I rode him up the driveway and back without a single issue! I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but Rapper was a real mess before we moved him. He still has a long way to go, but he approaches new things with a curious attitude instead of being afraid. So exciting.

Obviously the highlight of the day was jumping 3'. It was just Kristine and I riding tonight and Kristine is jumping 3'6" with her horse Q. I wondered briefly if Sarah might have me move up and do something a little closer to Kristine's level, but I didn't think about it too long - better to focus on what I'm doing NOW, I've found. But sure enough, after we'd done some exercises and a couple courses, Sarah had me add in a line of two 3' jumps - a vertical and an oxer. The first couple of times didn't go so smoothly - I got too distracted by the height, I wasn't prepared for Keenan's extra effort over the fence and my heels popped up, and I didn't allow him to go forward enough in the last stride before the fence. But I fixed all those things, and my third time was fantastic! I'm glad to still be jumping 2'6" - I didn't get a full season in that division last year (I started off in Long Stirrup, which is 2') so I'm happy to get that this year.

Finally, I just want to commemorate my two wonderful horsies, both of whom have birthdays this month! Rapper turned 16 on March 8th and Keenan turns 13 tomorrow! Happy Birthday to my wonderful boys!!

AAF Kaset, Rapper's paternal grandsire. He was foaled in 1980 and won a world championship in 1984.

Keenan and Katherine winning up a storm! Hopefully that will be us this year!

getting stronger...slowly but surely

Wow...it's not as easy to get in shape when you're 25. I mean, compared to when you're in your teens. I'm not saying I'm old or anything but dang...these last couple of weeks of "No Stirrup Tuesday" lessons have been KILLER. I've pretty much got sitting trots and collected canters with no stirrups down, but Sarah's patented warm-up includes posting to a "nice forward trot" WITH NO STIRRUPS. Her new mantra is "Pain is just weakness leaving the body!" Yesterday started off really tough but mostly because I lack the coordination to post without stirrups, have a connection with Keenan at a forward gait, maintain an outside bend and keep his hindquarters from drifting and putting his body on a diagonal. My body was screaming "I can't do this!" But I learned last week that Sarah doesn't take "I can't" for an answer. She knows how badly I want to succeed and she knows I'm capable. The feeling of elation and accomplishment yesterday when I finally started to put it all together made the moments of frustration worth it. Now I just have to have that "no nonsense" attitude right from the beginning. Which I'll work on right after I go rewrap my ice pack.




PS: check out this video for this year's Rolex - CAN'T WAIT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-TP3jU3yfA

showtime!

Good lesson tonight, I only botched one of three courses, the other two were actually pretty solid! Sarah's exact words: "way to show these kids how it's done!" "wow, fancy!" I had a really great time with Keenan, he's such a goof. And Rapper has started doing a cute thing - when I'm about 3/4 of the way down the aisle to his stall, he starts nickering like crazy and gets so excited to see me. It's cool to have horses who are so affectionate and who I have such a connection with.
In other news, it's time to start planning our show season. Right now I'm thinking...

• February 14 - Pony Club benefit show, Goshen, OR.
• May 14 - 16 - Mother's Day Classic, Eugene, OR.
• June 25 - 27 - Early Summer Classic, Wilsonville, OR.
• July 16 - 18 - Country Classic, Wilsonville, OR.
• September 3 - 5 - Northwest Spectacular, Wilsonville, OR.

I might add in the Spring Hunter/Jumper show next month, but honestly, showing is so expensive and it takes so much time off work...I just wish I didn't HAVE to have a job and could just be a horse bum full-time. Sometimes (almost always) I wish I could work at the barn full-time and take care of all my horse-related bills that way...*sigh* maybe someday I can just live my horsey life instead of having to split it with the real world.

connections

I've been working on connecting with Keenan lately; getting him round and on the bit with his legs reaching more under him to give him more impulsion. Sarah started working with me on it about a month or so ago, but it's now just starting to make sense. And I'm starting to realize it's more than a horse dropping his head and lifting his back. When I connect with Keenan, he's more ready to go where I ask and adjust his step if need be. It is literally like we're having a conversation - one of those good ones, with lots of witty banter and "oh my gosh, I used to love that show when I was a kid, too!!" The last two lessons have been stupendous because I haven't been trying to boss him around and say "this is where I want to go," but talk to him and say "this is where we should go together." And after every course, when we stop to let the next pair go, he turns around and nudges my boot...and then turns around and nudges the other boot - like he's patting my back and saying "I liked that, well done Mom." It's an amazing feeling having such a great teammate.