A Really Big Shew !

It's been a busy week.. the Riding Center has taken a lot of our time with a big event coming up. Add that to our daily rain- and it's a challenge to find riding time for ourselves.

I am dating myself again-- using that quote from Ed Sullivan.. but we did have a really big show coming up and and Zoe had lots of schooling to do- learning new tests and patterns.

Zoe and OYY Elektra had a big day this past Sunday, back at GMHA. This horse show was Dressage Days with all the upper levels from all over competing for big money awards. Zoe's ride times were pretty well spread out through the day- 9, 11, 2, 5. They did well- large classes and stiff competition. Most of the riders and horses bring their trainers with them-- they get coaching while they are warming up in the exercise area... or for the high level riders and horses... they bring their grooms who ride and exercise the horses.

They even measured the crop to make sure it was within regulation length.

If you are not warming up your horse- then you are standing and waiting.

Gotta be ready for the bell or whistle.

Most times the rings are close together - different tests going on right next door often with a reader-- that can be distracting.






Zoe did training level 1 and 2 - with both tests, she and Elektra improved their score from the last show and in one test she earned a 4th place ribbon. In the other, they did not place but still managed to get scores well within the average range of all the other riders. With big classes, we were happy.

They did the FEI Young Horse test for 4 year olds... first time for both of them. Zoe learned the pattern perfectly-- but she somehow goofed it up when she got into the ring. They still did well with some good comments. One judge wrote that once Elektra is consistently on the bit, she and Zoe will get all 7's and better.

Zoe also entered the Dressage Seat Equitation class -- to find out where she "sat" as far as seat, posture, etc. The judges liked Elektra and Zoe scored really well on her riding style-- learning where her weaknesses and strengths were.

At the end of the class, the judges say hi to Elektra. In this class, you get to have a conversation with the judges after to hear their comments plus you get the score/comment sheet to take home and study.

I made Zoe hold up her Equitation class first place prize so I could take a photo-- on a good day, this glass will make a great juice cup.. on a bad day-- perhaps a super big shot glass !

On the road to GMHA- there is a beautiful farm on both sides of the road. These people have a Zebra as a pet. Sunday- I stopped to take a photo of Zeus.

One great thing I love about Elektra- she's a decent show mount and also a superb road/trail horse, with a very lovable personality. We try to get her out of the ring in the evenings.. and one night we went for a quick trot on the 8 mile loop.. it turned into--

How many different animals can you meet on horseback in 8 miles.

At the first pond we pass-- a large Goose family.. the second pond we trot by, we scare up a Great Blue Heron.. who flies off to perch in a tall tree.

Dog jumps out of the bushes as we trot by.. actually thinking he could scare us ? My horse wanted to chase him off...

Guineas were in the road- as we canter by, they duck into a safer place.

Two nights ago, we had a rainstorm which must have dumped over a half foot of precipitation during the night. The rivers and brooks are very high... we might go for another river crossing on Saturday-- that should be fun !

Enjoy your day ~

Riding with the Fireflys

Lately, our days have been quite full and Zoe and I have taken to going out in the evenings for our in the saddle cruises. Wednesday evening, Zoe worked Elektra first in the ring- practicing her training level 1 and 2 tests.

Elektra's new work out schedule of a brisk trot and canter down the road is helping her, I think-- a little more energy and collection in her circles.

While Elektra does her dressage thing in the center of the ring.. I school Keri a bit over some jumps.. which I mentioned awhile back I am trying for the first time this year. 2'4" is my highest jump so far... before summer ends I will try the high one we just trot past for now. I am also teaching Keri (and myself) to take the lead in a canter that I have asked for. She's great about taking up the canter on the road or trail when I cue her-- just that she chooses which lead she wants (and it's usually the right lead- her strong side) Now, she will actually take the lead I ask for whenever- or where ever. Back when we did some shows together, she was always on the ball (or on the cue) but we've gotten a tad 'lazy' over the years just trotting on trail and enjoying ourselves. And it's always good for Elektra to be concentrating on her work while Keri and I are gallumphing along on the outside rail. :)

Time to head out - probably we'll do the 10 or 12 mile loop... Keri and Elektra have made a super riding as they trot and canter side by side the whole time pretty much. Unless Elektra truly opens up -- Keri can't quite keep up with Elektra's long ground covering strides, but she surely puts in a solid effort.

The sun is just setting so we'll be riding in the dusk and dark soon.

Usually I have my camera set on the 'sport' setting --as I trot along I can take lots of photo's. The shutter speed is very quick.. but as dusk settles.. I have to change over to the 'night' shutter speed.. which means the aperture is open for a longer time to capture what little light there is. Too dark for the sport setting here - Zoe puts on her white shirt so we are more visible just in case.

A different kind of photo results when you use the flash -

The traditional 'Keri ears' shot

There were lots of fireflies out - which would have been neat if I could have gotten them in a picture. As we trotted along-- Elektra's shoes would strike rocks and give up a bright spark.. kind of cool! :)

We trotted off into some trail briefly on the way home--

night time traffic -- I guess I moved the camera ... night shots are so much trickier on horseback.. with the slower shutter speed you can't move an iota.

Here we are at home.. the farm sign is lit up with solar lights. We had a lot of fun and plan to take another Firefly trek again soon.

Thursday, Zoe had the chance to ride OYY Finnegan.. it's been awhile since he was out under saddle.. maybe back in March ? He did not forget a thing- although somewhat reluctant to move out energetically in the ring.. understandable with that much time off. He's such a great fellow- so good natured. And such a lovely face and expression with his soft eyes.

I am glad he's still ready to go even after so much time off. What a great Curly pony stud... pastures with his gelding buddies when he is not breeding mares.. and so willing under saddle. Finn is still 13.2 hands at 4 years old.

Yesterday I got some updated photo's of some of Finn's offspring.

Here's one of our newest volunteers - Cassie, with Beowulf. OYY Beowulf was born very early in the year, so he has been weaned already. A lovely dark buckskin with those sharp high black legs.. He's a very nice pony colt !

Cassie is a slim little peanut.. she makes Beowulf appear large.




Here he is next to his pasture mate-- goofy Chester who is just about the same age and a full size "horse" foal. That donkey ear impression is just so not attractive Chester !

OYY Matisse is fully shedded out and still handsome.

And little curly pony colt OYY Piccolo is now sporting spots ! I tried to rub the larger ones off... in case it was grime.. but they are most definitely black spots. lots of small ones developing.

His Mom is a very smutty palomino and also blanketed with random black body spots-- so we'll see as time goes on how Piccolo will evolve color wise.

And at the end of the day yesterday-- Birds on a wire predict-- yet AGAIN -- rain.

enjoy your day ~

Tractor Goes Lame -- Tire Man saves the day !

For some odd reason.. my tractor has come up 'lame' -- in the form of flat tires twice in the last 2 months. First time, the front.. this week the rear hind (can you tell I am an animal person ? )

Any one who knows me... knows my approach to those infernal combustible machines. I am absolutely dependent upon my tractor and attachments... but I can't help but foster the attitude that they are all contraptions of metal--- Hop on, turn the key-- and GO, right ? Get the job done. Well, it just does not work that way... rats.

My first experience with the flat on the front tire back (this year) was right around my birthday

... I went out as usual... my mind several projects ahead. Piled stuff in the bucket to take off to wherever and whatever. I'm thinking to myself-- gee whiz, this tractor is steering rough today.. what the heck ?? I hop off and slap my head-- a flat tire.

I dial up my Tire Man.. HELP !! A flat on the front is no big deal.. he saves the day with a tube replacement and I am set.

A couple of days ago.. there was liquid around the stem of the rear tire.. with my usual head in the sand thought process.. I decided it was just morning dew settling.. but as I continued to drive around and more liquid began spurting out with force (my rear tires are loaded for stability)... well-- time to dial up Tire Man yet again.

If a person does not mind being on call for emergencies such as this-- Gary has a great little business. All you need is a truck, a couple of gas powered pumps and compressors.. a few small important tools and you can cure anything tire related.

First-- pump out the salt solution into a barrel which loads the tire... so you can pump it back in when you're done.

Use a few flat looking tools and a nice heavy sledge hammer to release the tire from the rim.

I'm thinking here- yikes doctor, I hope we don't have to resort to amputation.

A quick patch on the inner tube-- and repeat all the steps in reverse- Tire Man saves the day yet again !! By the way, in both cases, the diagnosis was nail in the tire.

Zoe and I went out for a quick trot the other day on Keri and Elektra. Since one of the judges at a recent show commented that she is somewhat lazy.. we have prescribed more trotting out up hills and down

perhaps we need to build more muscle and let her work a little more out of the ring for fun.

Just to break up the road trotting a bit, we veered off onto what we call the bridge trail. It's a short loop someone has built for cross country skiing, many little bridges to cross and a nice trail.

Bridge ahead.. Keri and I step aside to give Elektra the opportunity to cross first. I think this is her first bridge.

She did great on all of them !

Short, quick ride or long one.. it's always refreshing to be in the saddle.

Enjoy your day ~