A comedy of errors: HFH fall hunter pace '14

Saturday was the date of one of my favorite events all year: the Harvard Fox Hounds hunter pace. If you're unfamiliar with hunter paces, they're low-key competitive trail rides which are ridden in teams of two to four (or five, if you're us) over varied terrain. Before the event, the hosting organization sends out a team of riders over the course to get the ideal time, which remains a mystery to competitors During the event, teams ride the course at what they feel is an appropriate pace; the team closest to the ideal time without being under wins.

HFH holds two hunter paces a year, one in May and one in November. (This year's fall event was rescheduled thanks to some rain in November.) They're held at the absolutely gorgeous Flint Creek Farm in far eastern Oklahoma- it's about a 90 minute drive for us. That's also where HFH does most of their hunting. It's a great place to ride for many reasons, but my favorite part is how much the terrain reminds me of my beloved Tennessee: it's hilly, rocky, and in some parts, densely forested.

There are a lot of cross country jumps to school. With Gina's new-found (re-found?) jumping confidence, I was eager to go! 

From L to R: Robin & Woody, Richal & Ash, Audrey & Woody, Cara & Gunner, me & Gina.
Yes, we matched. There's usually a best dressed award! 

Overall, the day went pretty well. There were some highlights:

• Gina jumped everything I pointed her at, including large coops, logs of all sizes, and a coffin. A couple of things got a refusal on the first approach, but there was no real nastiness.
• Gunner, an OTTB out on his very first cross country excursion, was very good for his teenage rider. 
• There was beer at the potluck. 

...And more than a few mishaps:

• Robin had a flat on the way to the event- we stopped to help her (as did a local eventing barn), so we had about 15 minutes to get dressed and tacked up.
• Ash attempted to buck Richal off within 10 minutes of being on course. (Fun side note for any racing fans out there: Ash is short for Ashkal Way, winner of a variety of stakes races and owned by ESPN racing reporter Jeannine Edwards.)
• Woody DID buck Audrey off immediately after clearing a post-and-rail fence. She was fine, and got back on to complete the hunter pace.
• Robin's Woody laid down with her on him in one of the creeks.
• Cara's Easy Boots broke. (Both of them.)
• About 100 yards from the finish line, Gina slipped and fell while galloping. I pitched off, she landed on me only minimally, and we are totally fine. My right leg and side are sore, Gina is a little sore, and I definitely need a new helmet, but it could have been way worse!

Despite our slightly scary fall at the end of the day, I was really happy with how Gina went. I'm super excited to get her out and about next year!

Richal was too busy trying to keep Ash calm to get many pictures!

Gina refused this coop once, then hopped over it. The approach was a VERY steep, short hill with about one stride between
the hill's end and the coop. Super fun!

Working a horse show

My employer, The Horse of Course, has a lot going on: there's a brick-and-mortar store, an ever-expanding web store, and two mobile units. One is pretty much permanently out of town: THoC's owners travel with it up and down the East Coast dressage circuit. (So if you'll be in Wellington, FL this winter at a dressage show, go say hello!) The other travels more locally- mostly to hunter/jumper and a handful of dressage shows here in Oklahoma.

Over the weekend, the local trailer was parked at the Hunter Jumper Exhibitors of Oklahoma's Fall Finale Show, one of the biggest H/J shows in the state. I was very excited that I'd have the chance to spend the day working the trailer on Thursday. After all, I'm reasonably knowledgeable about the H/J world (thanks in no small part to many of your blogs!) and love chatting with people. I don't often have the chance to interact with in-store customers, as I am usually in my office doing things that require me to sit in front of a computer.

There's a lot that goes into prepping for a show: loading the trailer started about a week before the event. All sorts of things are stuffed into the trailer: grooming supplies, all manner of tack, show clothing, casual apparel, helmets, gift-y items. Display racks and grid walls are also loaded onto the trailer. It's a process, y'all. Everything has to be secured and tied down so it won't shift much while the trailer is hauled to the show grounds. The trailer arrives at the show grounds a few days before the show starts; the show management moves the trailer into the building for us. 

The trailer, crammed full of stuff. (There was even more stuff, but it was unloaded already.)

On Wednesday, my coworker Emilie and I headed to Expo Square in Tulsa to unload the trailer and set our display up. Even though the show didn't start until Thursday, we wanted to make sure we hadn't forgotten anything; we also wanted to set up our grid walls and tables and get a general feel for how our merchandise would be displayed.

Grid walls are up, tables are up, and rugs are out!

Just about the time Emilie and I got everything set up, schooling in our arena ended. At the end of the day, all the merchandise that's out is loaded onto racked and stored in the trailer overnight. The chairs, tablecloths, and any loose items on the tables go in the trailer, too; it's all locked up until the next day.

I arrived at Expo Square around 7:45 AM on Thursday. (Which is way earlier than I normally get to work!) I brought one of my dogs with me- after all, nothing attracts people like a cute dog, right? 

Buttons says "TREAT NOW YES"

It took me just over an hour to unload the trailer and hang everything in its place. I schlepped water in a pitcher from the water fountain for the coffee pot and did my best to make our setup look inviting and fun.

So much stuff, y'all.

I had the best time working at the show! The first customer who came in was a teenager who asked me, "Do you have any Perfect Prep?" (I almost died laughing after she left because of the "What Your Show Helmet Says About You" video.) I sold all sorts of things that day: hairnets, Zocks, sweaters, helmets, and even a few bits. I had a wonderful time chatting with everyone who came in. One girl had recently started a Pony Club in Northwest Arkansas. One woman was thinking of buying a friend's tack shop and wanted to know what working at one was like. Someone asked me my advice on my favorite type of boot socks.

Perhaps the funniest customer of the day was a harried-looking show mom who came in with her disinterested daughter right before I closed down for the night. She looked at me, wild-eyed, and demanded "DO YOU HAVE ANY BITS?" 

I gestured to the wall behind the cash register and said, "Sure, we have a lot!" 

She said, "I just need like, a regular bit!"

A little confused, I said, "...Like, a snaffle?"

She said, "Uh....I guess?"

I held up a D-ring and asked, "Does the bit you need look like this?"

She said it did, and asked if we had any 4 3/4" bits. The only one I had on the trailer was a Happy Mouth; Show Mom called her daughter's trainer and asked, "IS A HAPPY MOUTH OKAY?" The trainer said that no, a regular D-ring was fine. I fished around and found a 5". Show Mom calls the trainer again: "ALL THEY HAVE IS A 5", IS THAT OKAY?!" Trainer replies that a 5" is totally fine. I put the bit on the counter, and Show Mom notices that it's slightly curved. She snaps a picture, then calls the trainer: "IT'S CURVED!! IS THAT OKAY?!" Trainer replies that curved is fine. I could only imagine the daughter's poor trainer, rolling her eyes at frantic Show Mom

Show Mom informed me that her husband had taken apart the horse's bridle to oil it and forgotten to re-attach the bit; I got the impression that Show Mom was on the brink of divorce over this infraction. I was genuinely puzzled as to why Show Dad was the one oiling the bridle, instead of the horse's rider; better yet, why didn't the rider know why kind of bit her horse needed?! 

At any rate, the show was super fun- I had a great time talking to customers and encouraging people to pet my dog Buttons. I'm hoping I'll get sent on tack trailer duty at future shows! 

Buttons watches for customers.

We are the champions!

Of Introductory Level Test C!

On Saturday, Gina and I competed at the Green Country Chapter of the Oklahoma Dressage Society's schooling show championships.

All things considered, it was a pretty uneventful day. The show was about 5 minutes from my house, so I met Richal & co. at the show grounds around 7:30 AM. I had plenty of time to scrub Gina's nasty, manure and dirt crusted socks clean, assist various children in being at the right place at the right time, and watch a couple of my friends ride.

We are winners!

We did a qualifying test in the morning and scored a 66.25%, which is higher than we scored at our last show! (Last show, we scored at 63.5%.) The judge remarked that Gina and I were a nice pair who needed to work on loosening up Gina's back and crisper canter transitions. We again scored a couple of 8s on our 20 meter circles at the trot, which never ceases to tickle me.

I somehow grossly misjudged my ability to get dressed and tack up the horse before the championship round, so I had around 10 minutes to warm Gina up. Gina was kind of cranky about having to leave her stall and get ridden again, but did the equine equivalent of rolling her eyes and sighing and behaved herself for the whole 5 minutes it took to get through Intro C.

Gina's braids.

We scored a 65%, which I felt was totally fair. Gina had less impulsion and was definitely counter-bent for about three strides between H and C.

However, our scores were good enough to earn us accolades as champions of Intro C- Amateur!

"Where is my stall? I want to go back to my stall."

I was pretty jazzed to win a neck ribbon- I've never won one before! I also won a medal (which I've also never won before), a bucket, and a rubber jelly curry. It was very exciting. 

Gina's post-braid 'fro

For her part, Gina was a total star. She hauled well, stalled well, drank 3 buckets of water, ate lots of hay, was unfazed when her stablemates left for warm-up, didn't spook at flapping trash bags or crazy wind noises, and put in very nice tests. 

I'm so pleased with Gina; I feel like we've had a great year. There's still the hunter pace in a couple of weeks, plus an event derby in December, but the dressage season is over. Next year we'll compete Training for sure- who knows, maybe we'll get up to First Level if we can wrangle trainer Anne for some lessons! 

The hunter pace is in a couple of weeks, so I'm really looking forward to getting out of the sandbox and schooling some XC! 

Dressage test video

Thanks to No Hour Wasted's mad video skillz, I have a video of Gina's lovely dressage test. What is my right hand doing? How can I make it look like I don't have T-Rex arms? Do you think the judge liked my neon orange fleece jacket??

And now on to schooling show championships in November!

Gallery Farm combined test recap

I know, I know, show recap posts are really only exciting for the person who's writing them. But I wanted to let y'all know that a) Gina didn't kill me and b) it went pretty well.

My ride times were pretty reasonable, with dressage at 11:20 AM and XC at 2:02 PM. This meant that while I did get up at 5 AM and get to the barn by 7 AM, it could have been much, much worse. Gallery Farm is near Oklahoma City, so it's about a 2.5 hour drive from where the ponies live. We pulled out with Gina (who kept her socks super-white overnight) and Freddie (for company and experience) around 8 AM, and after many turns (and a couple of turn arounds), we arrived and parked next to our friends Rachael and Sarah.

Freddie about fell down getting out of the trailer, but recovered gamely and spent the next six hours standing tied to the trailer, eating hay and drinking/playing in the water buckets we had tied up for them.

Freddie's happy place.

Gina (left) and Freddie (right) are unimpressed by shows.

Both mares seemed to get along reasonably well. Fred made a couple of ugly faces at Gina and also drank all of her water (while ignoring her own bucket), but was otherwise fine. No calling, no squealing, no kicking. Freddie is a champion at standing around. Maybe she's missed her calling as a halter horse.

Anyway, dressage warm up went well- I kept Gina to a trot since it was a walk-trot test. Her gaits are plenty energetic, so I figured there was no need to canter. We stuck to figure-8s, circles, and serpentines and Princess Pony put on her best dressage face and we had a nice test. Our walk work was a little weird, as it seemed like Gina was less focused on me and more focused on what was happening outside the covered arena where the test was. All the trot work was very good and the judge was impressed by her "bold" and "forward" gaits. 

We scored a 29.3 on our test, which is something like the best score I have ever had in my adult life. (I think my best test was a 26 something when I was 12 doing walk-trot dressage.) We were in second to our friend Rachael, who scored a 25.3 on her super cute Percheron mare Venus, so I was definitely happy.

Walking the course made me feel good about my chances of getting Gina around. If you aren't a long time reader, a little history: Gina has been a problematic jumper in the past. Occasionally, she's excellent. Most of the time, she's awful. Past antics have included rearing up and backing at ground poles, dirty refusals at a crossrails, and jumping 2'6 oxers fine for five minutes, then inexplicably pitching a fit.

The only jump I was mildly concerned about was a tire jump. The tires were tiny- lawnmower sized. But they were black, I'm almost certain Gina's never jumped any tires before, and I immediately planned to keep my leg on and ride defensively.

I shouldn't have worried. After an extremely short warm up (by which I mean we cantered both directions and jumped a crossrail twice), we headed out on course. I got Gina into a nice, forward canter; even though the jumps were tiny, I feel more comfortable jumping out of the canter and Gina's canter is much more comfortable to 2-point than her trot. 

Rio 2016, amiright?

Gina was apparently gearing up for next year's Rolex, because she attacked those tiny jumps. Like, rolling along at a good clip, taking good distances, not backing off anything. I could feel her lock on to each jump, which is certainly not something I'm used to feeling from her! She jumped like a champion over every single fence and cross the finish line prancing and snorting as if she'd just bounced around a 4-star.

What a fruitcake.

Draft power!

Rachael and Venus went clear too, maintaining first place, which meant Gina and I stayed in second.

Bonus pic of super cute Rambler & Sarah, who were 3rd in the Starter division.

I'm really pleased with how Gina behaved. I think she had a good time- I know I did. There's an eventing derby in a couple of weeks- Fred is getting some time off, so maybe I'll enter Gina. And maybe we'll even move up a division (or two)!

What have I done?

I've officially entered myself and Baby Fred (proudly entered under her Jockey Club name of Expect Freedom) in a combined test at Gallery Farm next weekend. 

We're entered in the Green as Grass division, where the dressage test is Intro B and the maximum XC height is 18". I'm confident that Freddie will be just fine if I can keep myself from getting very nervous. It's been years since I actually competed in any kind of show, and I'll be riding a super greenie! 

Fred's had a great week of work though, with a pretty calm trail ride, more cantering without bucking, and even a little baby cross-country jump. This show seems like the perfect, low-key opportunity to make a debut. 

Great Plains Dressage Show

On Saturday, I accompanied Richal, her sister H., and Audrey to a recognized dressage show hosted by the Great Plains Chapter of the Oklahoma Dressage Society. Richal and her sister were competed; Audrey and I were acting as grooms.

It was a fun time, especially since they had late ride times- that meant we got to leave the barn at 10 AM. That's way better than the crack of dawn! The drive to the show grounds in Stillwater took about two hours; it was an uneventful trip except for H.'s horse Woody inexplicably falling down in the trailer. (How he did this, we don't know, as he was tied up in a slant load.)

We unloaded at the show grounds and set up our area and got to work. Audrey's an amazing braider and quickly started on Woody, who was throwing his head around like a total doofus.

Woody getting his hair did.

MOAR COOKIEZ PLZ

After braiding, it was off to warm up. It had rained most of the previous night and morning; the warm up was in a big outdoor arena that was absolutely flooded. Richal and H. warmed up in schooling pads and schooling breeches (in H.'s case, sweatpants over her white breeches). 

Woody and H. in the slop.

Richal and Diamante working that trot. 

Audrey and I spent half an hour scrubbing the horses' legs, girths, and bridles clean while Richal and H. changed in to show gear. Then it was off for their First Level tests.

Woody knows how to halt at X. Good job, Woody!

Both horses (and riders) put in lovely tests with quiet transitions, soft acceptance of contact, and good lateral work. H. scored a very respectable 67% for a first place in the amateur division. I can't recall Richal's score, but it was good enough to merit a second place in the open division. 

We had a bit of a break until their Training Level tests, so we sat around and ate snacks and gossiped about who's riding what and how that's going. The show was running a little ahead of schedule (thank god for small mercies), so both Richal and H. were off their horses by 6 PM. 

Good trotting, Diamonte! 

On the Training Level test, Woody didn't have much gas left in the tank (I guess it was falling down in the trailer, spazzing out while being braiding, and doing First Level) and didn't score particularly well, but Diamante was excellent, scoring a 66% and winning the open division. 

We loaded up the horses, grabbed some Taco Bueno, and got back to the barn around 10 PM. I was exhausted (even though I didn't feel like I'd done anything) and slept like the dead once I got home.

 Richal, H., and Audrey aren't bad for a bunch of dressage queens, but I gotta say that dressage shows are way less exciting than the dressage phase of an event. I mean, I didn't even see a horse jump out of the warm up ring once! Disappointing.

How much is too much?

Friday, I met up with the super nice, super fun author of No Hour Wasted. We had lunch, and chatted about all kinds of things: the horse scene in Tulsa, our dorky significant others, dressage biddies. I am always so thrilled to make new horse friends, and she was no exception. While we were lunching, she mentioned she was planning to go to a hunter/jumper schooling show in a couple of weeks to take pictures. The show is practically in my backyard, so I of course immediately agreed (invited myself?) to attend.

Certainly this wild OTTB (Carson) needs more experience toting children around

Then I had the thought to go to the schooling show and compete on one or both of the young Thoroughbreds  (Carson and Freddie) I've been riding lately. They could use the mileage and the show isn't a long haul from where they're stabled.

Freddie is practicing the ever-important "standing around"

I was pretty excited about this idea. Years ago, I used to take Moe to a series of hunter/jumper shows throughout the summer to keep him on his toes between events. I'd enter three or four jumper classes at about $15/class. My best friend would sometimes bring her mare and enter some hunter classes. We'd have a fun time in a fairly low-key environment and not spend a zillion dollars.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I found the entry form for the Hunter Jumper Exhibitors of Oklahoma's Summerfest Schooling Show. The fee breakdown is thus:

• $30 office fee (only if you enter online; it's $40 otherwise)
• $14 medic fee
• $40 haul-in fee (if you aren't getting a stall; unclear if this is per horse)

So before you've even entered a class, you've spent at least $84 on fees! Classes are $25/each, so a person could easily spend a couple hundred dollars showing a horse or two over the weekend.

Now, I'll be the first to admit I'm completely out of touch with how much hunter/jumper schooling shows typically cost. I haven't competed at one in several years, I didn't go to them often anyway, and maybe they all cost this much. However, it seems like this show's fees are excessive. I will definitely not be competing; the cost is way, way too much for me.

Out of curiosity, I checked out schooling show fees for different disciplines. 

For a recent Green Country Dressage schooling show, the fees were:

• $10 office fee
• $20/dressage test

For an upcoming schooling event derby sanctioned by the Oklahoma Combined Training Association, you're looking at:

• $50/derby division (consisting of a dressage test and mixed stadium/XC course)
• $20/dressage test (if you're only doing dressage)

You can see why I was shocked and appalled at the H/J show's fees. 

I've always thought of schooling shows as opportunities for horses and riders to gain experience without the stresses of recognized events; part of those stresses are fees. If I fork over $250 for a USEA sanctioned event, I'd damn well better have a great show. I feel a lot less pressured to have the ride of my life if I paid $50.

What do y'all think? I know several of you are active on the hunter/jumper scene- are these fees in line with your expectations? How much is too much? 

Derby canceled; Stephanie sad

The facility hosting next weekend's event derby that I was aiming Gina for has canceled the show, citing the manager's hectic travel schedule as the reason. (They felt like there was inadequate time to prepare the facility.) While I appreciate the notice, and that they want to have a safe and successful show, I am also very disappointed that I won't get to take Gina there!

There's still the Sport of Kings Challenge at Remington Park in Oklahoma City the following weekend, but I'm not sure I'll be able to go. Johnny and I have friends coming in from out of town on July 4 and we're planning to dedicate the last week of June to finishing our master bathroom renovation. (You know, so four adults don't have to share one bathroom all weekend.) Fingers crossed I can sell Johnny on a Sunday horse show.

If I go to SoKC, the question turns into "What do I enter Gina in?", as the dressage and jumper classes are at the same time on the same day. Gina is a total dressage boss, but I'm not about memorizing 5 different tests. Gina is a good clean jumper, but I'm still not sure how she'll do in public at a show, or if she'd even do well. (She's not super fast!)

Anyway. I'm sad the event derby is canceled, but hopefully I can get G out to school some XC locally and, of course, we'll carry on with our schedule and be ready for the next one!

Throwback Thursday

Moe and I competing at Brownland Farm during the show jumping phase of the Middle Tennessee Pony Club Horse Trial, October 2003. Photo captured by one of my parents. 

Let's not talk about how short my reins are.

Horse Show Fever

While the drywall guy is here patching the holes in our walls, I've been feverishly planning a show season for Moe. Oklahoma is something of an english riding desert, but the Tulsa area is a little oasis. The biggest group of riders here is the hunter/jumper crowd, followed by the dressage people, and eventers are a distant third.

Nevertheless, I've been scouring the websites of the OK Combined Training Association, the Greater Oklahoma Hunter Jumper Association, and Green Country Dressage to find opportunities to get Moe out and about.

Moe doesn't really need mileage, but he could probably use a few low-level tune ups before tackling a legit, recognized event. (Who am I kidding- Moe doesn't need a tune up nearly as much as I do.)

Here's what I've come up with:

• April 5: Green Country Dressage schooling show
• April 24-25: John Staples XC clinic
• May 3: Harvard Fox Hounds hunter pace
• June 15: Woodlands Equestrian Center eventing derby

Now, I probably won't be able to hitch a ride to all of these shows, so I should probably get a little more motivated about selling my horse trailer and finding one that our truck can handle. (And seriously, when will I be hauling 3 horses again? Not anytime soon.) I'm also waffling on the hunter pace, as it conflicts with the Kentucky Derby. We've hosted and co-hosted a super fun Derby party for the last three years, and I'd hate to miss it. I'm hoping to request an early start time so I can be back for Derby fun. (Plus, some of my Derby party guests might be my hunter pace teammates!)

There's also a the slight problem of funding for these endeavors; I've applied for a part time job, picked up a house sitting gig for a friend, and have a horse to exercise for someone, so here's hoping I'll have some free money. 

Now, if I have to miss out on some of these shows, I can at least console myself by auditing the George Morris clinic April 11-13 at KJM Equestrian in Tulsa. It's not every day hunter/jumper Jesus comes to town, is it?

Spring fever has arrived!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 12- The Biggest Horse Show You've Ever Competed In

Day 12- The Biggest Horse Show You've Ever Competed In

In 2007, I competed at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. I had never before, and have never since, competed in anything on a national level. I wasn't some kind of spectacular equitation rider; my team was new and lacked many experienced over fences riders. Since I had lots of experience and could ride any horse that was bound to be at the competition, I was selected to go. I had a mediocre round (as I usually do in the hunter ring) and didn't win my matchup.

For sheer number of competitors, the biggest competition I've entered is the Midsouth Regional Pony Club Rally, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. There were always hundreds of competitors; it's a miracle everyone managed to ride in three days.

How about y'all? How do you define your "biggest" horse show?

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 9- Your Show Goals for 2013

Day 9- Your Show Goals for 2013
My goals for 2013 are pretty basic:

• Show Gina in enough local dressage shows to sell her.
• Take Colter to a schooling horse trial and a recognized horse trial.

I don't plan on taking Moe to any shows (except perhaps the fall hunter pace). I haven't been riding him much; selling Gina is my primary objective. I enjoy the challenge Colter presents- he's a blank slate who needs work. That's always been my kind of horse. Moe is pretty settled in his ways, and he's 18 years old. He's healthy and happy, and I see no reason to push him. 

Colter's making good progress, so I imagine I'll actually get him to a show this year- I'm pretty excited about it!

30 Day Blogging Challenge: Day 5- Your Show Team

Day 5- Your Show Team

My show team here in Oklahoma is composed of good friends and a decidedly unhorsey boyfriend.

There's Anne, my amazing trainer (who's also my friend). She helps me stay cool and calm, helps me warm up, and lets me know when it's time to beat the pony.

Anne and the famous Atut.

Arguably the most important member of the team is my pal Levi (of hunter pace fame). Levi is my go-to guy when my horses and I need a ride somewhere. While I have a three-horse trailer, I don't have a truck to pull it. So Levi graciously chauffeurs us around, whether it's to the lake for a trail ride or halfway across the country.

Levi (right) and me (left) training for the hunter pace last spring.

The third and final member of the Hand Gallop show team? Johnny, my boyfriend of nearly four years. Johnny is not a horse person. Before meeting me, he hadn't been on or around a horse since he fell off one at Boy Scout camp at age eight. These days, Johnny is comfortable enough around horses to groom them, lead them, and sort of tack them up. He even volunteers at the therapeutic riding center where I work! But he still doesn't have fun at local dressage shows when I tell him stuff like "Can you hold Gina? Don't tie her up, she's going through a 'not tying' phase right now."

Johnny likes cities. (We vacationed in Detriot once!)

30 Day Blogging Challenge: Day 2- Your Most Exciting/Intense Moment at a Show

Day 2- Your Most Exciting/Intense Moment at a Show

In late 1997, my parents and I began shopping for a horse to replace my saintly Quarter Horse mare, Sadie. I was a tall youngster and Sadie was a very short horse. (She was technically a pony, standing just a smidge over 14 hands.) Sadie had packed me around local hunter shows, helped me learn to jump, and taken me to a Pony Club eventing rally, all without batting an eye. She was exactly the type of horse a young beginner needs.

My next horse, Spike, was a entirely different animal. He was a narrowly built, 15.3 hand Thoroughbred-Quarter Horse mix. (His dam was a quarter Quarter Horse, and his sire was a Thoroughbred. Allegedly.) Spike was a beautiful dark bay, whose coat was totally black in the springtime, before it was bleached by the sun. He was fast and was reported to jump four feet without difficulty. I took him for a test ride and was smitten. I'd just started eventing through Pony Club and was jealous of the older members and their sleek, fit cross-country horses. Here was my athlete. Here was the horse that could take me to the prestigious Preliminary level. Spike came home to our farm the next week.

Over the next few months I learned more about Spike. He was impossible to discipline, as he reacted violently to smacks with a crop. He very rarely refused jumps, but when he did, he threw a fit, bucking and pawing. He was frighteningly fast, often running away with me during cross country schooling sessions.

I took him to the Mid-South Pony Club eventing rally at the Kentucky Horse Park in June 1998. Spike put in an acceptable dressage test on Friday. So far, so good. Cross-country day dawned, as it always does in Lexington in summer: sunny and hot. Spike was fractious from being stalled. I was nervous, as all of the jumps were maxed out (to 2'6). I was wearing my glasses for the first time at a show, too, at my mother's insistence.

Spike was edgy, and jumped the first two jumps like an idiot. The third jump, a dark colored park bench, was disastrous. Spike refused once, then twice. On the second refusal, I fell. As this was long before the "one fall you're out" rule, I remounted, glasses askew. I was furious. I rode Spike hard at the bench, and he sailed over. The fourth jump was a big, black coop on a slight downhill slope. He refused. I refused to give up. The jump judge asked us to wait for the next competitor to pass. We danced in place as a small white pony made short work of the coop.

Something in Spike's brain broke after that. He was fixated on the white pony. The rest of the course went by in a horrifying blur as he strained to catch up with the pony. The jumps no longer mattered; we had no more refusals. We zoomed along at a brisk gallop. I was absolutely terrified. At the end of the course, I jumped off, handed my horse to the team's stable manager, and met my dad at the Gatorade cooler.

His assessment? "Well, at least your mother isn't here."

We went on to have a perfectly good show jumping round the next day. Stories about Spike were told for years afterward at Pony Club trail rides and cookouts. Our cross-country ride lives on in infamy.

30 Day Blogging Challenge: Day 1- Your First Horse Show

Summer time means slow time at work. Without classes to teach, and with all of my tasks for the day completed, I found myself perusing the archives of She Moved To Texas (which is a super blog, by the way). I found Lauren's 30 day blogging challenge posts, which she snagged from L. Williams over at Viva Carlos. 

I thought the blogging challenge would be perfect for motivating me to write- not to mention possibly entertaining all of my dear readers with stories of my ponies.

So.

Day 1: Your First Horse Show

I'd already been around horses my whole, short life when I walked into the arena at Maury County Park for my very first horse show. Both of my parents had horses before I was born; they purchased my first pony when I was four. I had taken riding lessons as a small child in rural upstate New York. After moving to Tennessee when I was six, it didn't take my mother very long to sign me up for lessons with a local instructor; my father wasted no time in purchasing me a green broke two year old gelding at a horse auction. 

My lesson pony was an adorable chestnut mare with a flaxen mane and tail named Ginger. She belonged to my instructor, Miss Julie. Miss Julie taught me the basics of riding- how to hold my reins, which diagonal I should be posting at what time, gentle reminders to keep my heels down. I progressed enough over the next couple of years to earn entry into the annual county 4H horse show in late spring of 1996. I was nine years old, and I was ready.

Truth be told, I don't remember much about the show itself. I remember my mother helping me buckle the garters below my knees and warning me not to get my jodphurs dirty. I remember Ginger looking so shiny, like a new penny. I remember being worried about getting the correct diagonal. I remember everyone telling me to do my best.

I was entered in a children's walk-trot hunter class. It was a popular class; there must have been at least fifteen other children riding in the arena with me. I stared straight through Ginger's tiny, coppery ears during the class. I didn't glance down to check my diagonal, nor did I steal a look at my parents in the stands. 

It must have gone well, because I won first place. As you can see in the picture above (that's Ginger and Miss Julie in the picture with me), I was bursting with pride. I still have that blue ribbon; I treasure it. My mother's neat handwriting on the back confirms the date, the class, the judge's name, my name, and my pony's name. 

Little did I know my equestrian career wouldn't be all first place ribbons and big smiles. But it was certainly a good way to start. 

Blog Hop

I totally meant to do this like two days ago, but spaced out and forgot! Better late than never, right?

So in honor of this first hop, the theme is: debut. No one is born knowing how to ride so all of us have memorable firsts.

Share a memory from:

1. The first horse experience you can remember.
2. Your first "aha" moment--when something really clicked for you as a rider.
3. Entering the ring. Could be your first show, or another time when simply entering the arena could be considered a "debut" of sorts.

Here are my answers:

1. The first horse experience you can remember. I have a few fuzzy memories and can't remember which is first, so I'll tell all three of them. I remember my fat gray Shetland pony Daisy bucking me off, then bucking my dad off, then galloping off at top speed. I was probably about four. Daisy ran clear off to the neighbors' farm and managed to break my tiny western saddle along the way. Around the same time, I remember riding a very ill mannered pony named Heather at the local stable where my mom had signed me up for riding lessons. She always had a pissy expression on her face, and I distinctly remember not liking her. I also remember the first time I got to ride a "big" horse at this stable (Heather was probably off trying to kill another student)- he was a bay gelding named Buster, who was probably only about 14 hands or so, but I thought he was huge. 
2. Your first "aha" moment-- when something really clicked for you as a rider. I was surprised at how many people answered that they didn't have an "aha" moment! My first was when I learned a mnemonic phrase to recall which diagonal was correct when posting- "Rise and fall with the leg on the wall". I had a lot of trouble with diagonals and when someone (a Pony Club instructor, I think) related that phrase to me, diagonals suddenly clicked.
3. Entering the ring. Could be your first show, or another time when simply entering the arena could be considered a "debut" of sorts. My first show debut was at the county 4-H show on May 18, 1996 when I was nine years old. I was riding my instructor's pony Ginger who was considerably better tempered than Daisy or Heather. I won first place in the novice walk/trot class. I still have the ribbon (it's hanging in my living room). Somewhere, there is a picture of an adorable girl in paddock boots and garters holding a cute chestnut pony with a ribbon hanging on its bridle, smiling with excitement and pride. While my show career hasn't been as successful as its launch would indicate, I think of that nine year old and how happy she was whenever I get frustrated at my lack of progress on canter departures or shoulder-ins.

Hunter Pace

I spent the night before the hunter pace feeling panicky about the competition. I was worried about Gina's fitness level. I was worried about Linda's driving abilities. I was worried about adequate warm up time. I was worried about the horses' untrimmed muzzles and raggedy winter coats. After a terrible night of tossing and turning, I rose at 5 AM to get going.

The plan Kyla, Linda, and I had discussed involved leaving Linda's farm at 7 AM sharp, picking up Gina, and heading to the hunter pace. By my rough calculations, the farm where it was to be held was about an hour and a half from us. I figured we'd arrive around 9:30 AM and have lots of time to sort out any forms, tack up the ponies, and have a nice warm up.

The plan went terrible awry, as plans are wont to do. Kyla ran a bit late. Cal, who had previously been a champion at loading, refused to set foot in the horse trailer until a bucket of sweet feed changed his mind. Linda went the wrong direction on the turnpike. We called ahead to say we were running a bit behind, and the nice lady at the hunter pace assured us it was fine and we'd still get to ride.

We arrived precisely at the time we were supposed set off on the course. We hurriedly tacked up the horses and set off toward the starting line.

Now, neither Kyla nor I had ever been to a hunter pace before. I've been on plenty of cross country courses and have foxhunted. Kyla has spent most of her career in the equitation ring. I expected to get a map or an idea of an appropriate time. Instead, we were told to head off to the left and follow pieces of caution tape strung on trees. The path would eventually loop back to the start line where we'd have a mandatory five-minute rest period, then start on the second half of the course. I knew the whole point of the hunter pace was to get as close to the "mystery time" (sort of like an optimum time, only unknown to competitors) as possible. I was still surprised when we weren't given any idea of how long it had taken other competitors to complete the course.

The first half of the course started with crossing a stream about a hundred yards from the start line and parking area. Gina is not a very rough-and-tumble horse, and the last time I tried to get her to cross a puddle, she jumped over it after throwing a fit. I was worried. Very worried. Poor Cal has been hacked around the hay fields a few times and probably hadn't seen moving water in his entire life. Gina took a look at the stream and started to back up and wheel around, which wasn't ideal behavior given the sketchy footing. Brave little Cal took the lead and gallantly walked across the stream, not seeming to notice he was in water at all. Not to be outdone, Gina followed without hesitation.

We warmed the horses up as we navigated through enormous fields, more water, and winding, twisting forest paths. I jumped G over several logs and she acted as though she'd done it all her life. Kyla and Cal made it over a few jumps, too, which seemed to be a positive experience for both of them. We kept a steady canter through most of course, except while climbing and descending the biggest hills I've seen in Oklahoma. Gina felt great; she was attentive, courageous, and seemed to be having a blast.

When we returned to the starting line for our rest period, I was surprised to hear it had taken us an hour! We checked in with Linda and told her about our adventures in the woods. She and her Corgi, Carson, had passed the time cutting out horse head shapes and napping (respectively); Linda was very pleased to hear how well the horses had done.

We struck out on the second half. I could feel Gina tiring- she was a bit sluggish and less responsive than she'd been earlier in the day, and understandably so. We took some more fences, including a coffin (!) and a coop (!). The second half of the course was a punishing as the first: steep hill climbs and terrifying descents, with big galloping stretches in between. Kyla and I thought for sure we were too slow; we were overtaken once. The horses were sweaty and exhausted, but they pressed on bravely. I tried to give Gina a good ride, but I could feel myself tiring, too. Kyla complained of her ankles hurting; I could only think of the soreness in my butt.

We finally emerged from the woods into a clearing that ran along the stream we'd crossed earlier. We could see the path to glory: through the clearing, over a road, and across a beautifully flat field to the finish line. We urged the horses forward. I could feel Gina hunker down and find the last reserves of energy. I rode on determinedly. We crossed the finish line at a hand gallop, victorious and light-headed with the pride of completing the grueling race.

It had taken us two hours and nine minutes.

We cooled the horses out and tied them up the trailer with their haynets. Linda joined us as we made our way to the barn where a lunch potluck and the awards were waiting. A poster board showed the times of all 25 teams that had participated as well as the mystery time. The mystery time was two hours and six minutes. Kyla and I looked at each other in disbelief, then broke into unceremonious squeals. We settled down to eat and find out where exactly we'd placed.

When the MFH announced we were third, we whooped with joy as we accepted our yellow ribbons. I have never been so proud of myself, my teammate, or my horse. My horse, the hunter-jumper castoff, the horse everyone was afraid of, the horse that was proclaimed unreliable and unpredictable, had eagerly tackled a long cross-country ride filled with unfamiliar elements and triumphed!

We rubbed the horses down one last time, loaded them up, and drove them home. They were turned out and given a few days off. I headed home and collapsed in an exhausted slumber at approximately 8 PM.

Exit, triumphant, stage center.

Current Dilemma: Starter or BN?

Southern Hills Riding Academy's fall schooling event has its entry form up, which you know means I am already emailing/Facebooking Trainer Anne non-stop about it. The show is just over a month away and closing date isn't for weeks, but I've got the entire form filled out except for the division. Therein lies my dilemma: starter or beginner novice division?

Obviously, Gina has the dressage prowess to compete in BN. I'd like to compete in BN because it will be what we do at recognized shows. The only problem? Seven inches and some cross-country jumps.

G has been happily gallivanting over 18"-2' XC and stadium jumps for a couple of months, which is great. She seems to have finally gained the necessary confidence to jump without fear that I will totally mess up her flow by hitting her in the mouth or laying on her neck. However, I'm concerned she hasn't reached the point of trusting me completely. I'm a bit afraid that faced with scary, 2'7" XC logs she will freak out and lose all confidence. I don't want the event to be a negative experience.

I suppose I've just answered my own question. We're probably better off starting with the starter division, performing a walk-trot dressage test, and navigating a course of 2' baby logs. Better to have her bored but confident than challenged and terrified, right?

Winning!

Winning on Gina with Anne (hat) and Shari (sunglasses)!

Gina and I traveled to our first show yesterday, Green Country Dressage's Little Show on the Prairie schooling show. I've been an anxious wreck all week, for reasons I don't fully understand. I've been to bigger shows. I've been to more challenging shows. I've been to shows with crazier horses. All the same, I spent the better part of last week quietly freaking out about a schooling show where it was fine to wear half-chaps and a polo shirt.

I had a late ride time, so I was able to sleep in, triple-check everything loaded in the Soob, and get to the barn early. Gina looked stellar- she had a couple of manure spots that were easy to brush out, and once I picked off a couple of bot fly eggs, she was good to go. I dug out her ridiculous shipping boots, fixed up her hay net, and after she carefully stepped into the trailer, we were off! My coworker Shari drove us out to the barn where the show was held. We arrived without incident, even though I was convinced we were lost. After unloading G, I walked her around, then handed her off to Johnny while I went to check in. Almost immediately after I got back, Gina's halter broke. The screw that holds together the breakaway piece had apparently fallen out, which left me with a useless halter. Shari came to the rescue with a neon orange rope halter. Gina, happily grazing on strange grass contaminated with god-knows-what, barely seemed to notice her halter change. She placidly took advantage of Johnny's inexperience and continued to eat. I made the executive decision to let this behavior continue; she was relaxed and I didn't want to get Johnny in the middle of a horsey hissy fit. 

I changed clothes, tacked up G, and started warming up as soon as Anne arrived. We opted to warm up in the trailer parking area (a large field), which might not have been the best idea. While there was plenty of room, there was also a psychotic barking dog in the neighbor's yard. Gina was not a fan. Anne advised me to relax and I repeatedly mumbled to myself "This is not the Olympics. This is a schooling show. Someone is wearing hot pink breeches." 

The real warm up arena was small, but with good footing and nice people. The dressage arena was large size, which threw me for a bit of a loop. I've never ridden in one before! I'm actually a big fan- it makes 20 meter circles waaay easier. Gina really got her game face on when she realized we weren't going to hack around in a field all day. She put in a beautiful Training Level 1 and I think I probably looked like an idiot. I had a huge grin on my face as we turned up the centerline for our final halt. I couldn't have been prouder of my girl. She was calm, all business, and didn't bother to spook at the letters or flowers. 

The next two tests (TL 2 & 3) improved on the first and we ended up decimating the competition. Well. We took home a first in TL1 (a gimme- I was the only amateur entered), a third in TL2 (out of 4, but we were 2 points from first!), and a second (of 5!!!) in TL3. Our scores were a 57.5, 60.0, & 60.0, respectively. Most of the judge's comments were about the "connection" or lack thereof (Anne and I are still puzzling over this one) and about Gina's incessant head-wagging. She did note that we were a lovely pair who would have excellent scores once those issues were resolved (mostly the head-wagging). Gina got good marks for her gaits and I got good marks for my riding, so I feel positively about the show. Mostly, though, I am very, very happy Gina didn't freak out and kill anyone. 

Watch out, horse trial. We're coming for you.