Dressage Show, Round 3

open trailer, insert horse

Our area has these really cool schooling dressage shows on Wednesday nights once a month. You literally pay $10/test, do whatever USEA or USDF test you want, and get a score. There are no prizes and it's super informal, but it's fantastic exposure for green horses and nervous riders and HELLOOO SIGN US UP.

Courage had very little show experience up to this year, so I'm pretty much just taking him anywhere a trailer goes from our barn. We signed up for training 1 and 2 this month, mostly on the logic that I didn't want to memorize any more tests.

other horses!

There were definitely things to be happy about--Courage loaded (THREE TIMES, long story) very politely and was fine on and off the trailer. He unloaded like a champ. He was a pro in the warm up.

Honestly, he hasn't been forward lately. I was counting on the whole new place/show atmosphere to spice him up a little, but no. He's a trooper now. Forward is a training problem. I need to fix it.

watching one of his harem show

The last time we did this show, Courage about dumped me and we were lucky to skate through intro b and c. The judge was appropriately harsh about how I never got him forward then, but I was prepared this time.

I was confident in my tests. Courage was on the bit and more forward than he's been all week. The contact was steady, he was reasonably flexible, and he definitely wore his game face in the arena, even if he was a bit looky loo outside it.

so cute

I not only remembered to ride--I was on it. I was like "BEND MORE" and "LEG ON" and "STRETCH IT OUT BITCH" and yeah, he did everything I asked. My circles weren't 100% perfect, but they were probably the best I've ever done them.

We did our tests directly in a row. Training 1 felt good. For training 2, I asked for a little more of everything. Courage responded. He was more forward. Better balanced. More stretchy. Better everything. To me, it felt several points better than our 67% winning ride with the same test at a recognized show.

I told Courage he was a good boy, put him away, and got my tests.

Training 1: 63%

That seemed in range--she's a tough judge and it was a good but not brilliant ride.

Training 2: 58%

I really can't explain.

I can't.

Courage gives 0 shits except maybe a runny one on the trailer

I'm trying hard not to have a meltdown over it because I realize it's just one opinion in a sea of many others. Plus we scored nothing below a 5 or over a 7, so we were consistent. Plus she's a tough judge.

This is the hard part of learning a new discipline--my feel is way off and I don't know how to fix it. I guess there's going to be a lot of video watching (and clinic auditing) in my future as I try to figure this all out.

PS And for those of you saying "there are harder things in T2 than T1, we actually nailed the stretch circle, which is the only new thing.)

ZBH: Everyday Fails Blog Hop

There is this funny notion out there that Courage is perfect and we never have bad days. I find that hilarious, but I guess maybe I don't publicize our fails as much as I feel like I do. So without further ado, here's a group of fail fun from us:

FAIL: trying to canter poles in a happy mouth mullen
(not if we want to stay in this county)

FAIL: not clipping the horse's head.
(just ew)

FAIL: trying to keep the OTTB barefoot for a cycle.
(let's not do this again)

FAIL: lunging on the correct lead
(that isn't a lead)

FAIL: face scrape allowed brain to escape skull
(this whole day was a cluster)

FAIL: staying in the back seat
(definitely not the droids you're looking for)

FAIL: turning right
(had this battle more than once)

FAIL: trailer loading
(yeah)

FAIL: keeping shoes on
(it's only a show, right guys?)

FAIL: sitting up
(it's huntseat dressage)

FAIL: stop acquiring more pets
(Bonus Dog needed a kitten friend)

FAIL: whatever I am doing here
(I cannot explain)

And really, these are just recent fails caught on camera. I omitted the dramatic jumping fail shots and I haven't had a photographer for some of the epic happenings lately. Thanks Nicole for hosting!!

Tack Touchpoint: The Infamous Whistle Bit

One of the more intruiging pieces in my current tack collection is the infamous whistle bit. I've gotten a ton of questions about it, so here's the top 8 facts you need to know about whistle bits:

1) They don't actually whistle. Horses breathe through their nostrils, not their mouth. Sad face.

2) There is precious little information available about them ANYWHERE. Here's what I've got.

3) They are most commonly used on the racetrack--either in the stall to help curb windsucking or on the track to encourage salivation.

3b) Windsucking actually doesn't cause colic. Keeping a bit in your mouth all day seems wildly uncomfortable. I'm not testing this out.

3c) The idea behind encouraging salivation is that the saliva builds up in the holes in the bit. Maybe like a spit swimming pool? Hard to say.

4) I have one for the very technical reason that I heard of them and was like "wtf", then found one for sale cheap while doing extensive research. I didn't buy it to address an issue. I was just curious.

stolen from internet

5) There are several permutations of this bit. The simple tube seems to be for stall use, the hexagonal option (that I have) has edges to discourage leaning on the bit while running, and there's a pessoa/three ring that is commercially available.

6) I can't tell if this is an old bit losing traction or a new bit taking off. Needless to say, it will probably come back around if you really want one.

7) Courage did have a little more foam than usual when I rode in this. He rarely has a foamy mouth at all, and there were traces of saliva on his lips.

stolen from internet

Whether that's because the whistle bit did it's job or whether that means it's just super wide for his mouth, I really can't tell you.

8) While I didn't buy this bit for a specific reason, it's actually been fun to play with and I've be curious to try it in a galloping situation with Courage--he doesn't do well with bigger bits, but he's comfortable in a mullen. That said, he'll run right through a happy mouth mullen and this has a little bite... so maybe? Definitely worth keeping it around.

And that's what there is to know about whistle bits for now.

and jumping and dressage and head ASPLODE

still looks kickass in jump tack

Courage and I have had a bit of a rough year jumping--apparently there's not a lot of wiggle room over fences if you spend a month not turning right. Toss in a couple of bad decisions on my part, a heavy show schedule, and lessons with mixed success, and well, whatever you get is what I have right now.

So Monday seemed like a fantastic day to set a couple of fences that weren't technical questions and just see what we needed.

always looking fabulous

I was THRILLED with Courage--he was honest. He was easy. He wasn't rushing or jetting off into the sunset or flinging himself around and flipping me the bird, all of which are reactions we've worked through this year.

And then I watched the video. And I was like "wtf why did it switch to slow mo?"

Annnnnnd then there was that awkward moment where I realized that it hadn't and yes, I really did just go that slow.

Oops.

But hear me out!

In dressage, I'm working on changing his balance around to prepare for the lengthenings we'll see at first level. He has to stay in that longer frame and still move across the ground, which takes a whole different kind of strength than jamming up his topline and scooting (default) or even going long and low and slow (training level dressage).

OMG.

WORLDS COLLIDING RIGHT HERE.

bridle collection level excellent

I can and have just kicked Courage forward and jammed him around jumper courses, but it's not fun for either of us and leads to explosive unhappiness. But now? I'm starting to develop the tools I need to get Courage to still cover ground and go forward, but without the tension that characterizes past jumping efforts.

Between that and our jump instructor's very methodical training?

Damn.

We might actually get this horse broke.

Domination. Belt buckles. Flowers.

on the other hand, this is adorable

Sometimes I think I have completely the wrong horse for me--Courage is a picture perfect event horse and well, I'm not an eventer.

But then I realize that if someone took Courage and stuck him in a program and drilled him every day, I think he'd flunk out. He abhors pressure, revolts against coercion, and is easily bored by repetition. He is perhaps the quintessential pro ride, in that he thrives on being ridden 2-3 days a week with lots of time to think and holds fitness easily, but no pro on earth wants a 10 year old OTTB with a stubborn streak.

one handed. oh yeah.

Which leaves me. Who is still not eventing.

I mean, we're chasing our dressage goals and planning some jumping domination less-suckiness and eventual lessons, right? A big obstacle I've identified to Courage progressing in dressage is that his overall balance is level and we need to shift it slightly uphill.

yeah he's dashing

So Friday was an intense (for us) dressage ride and Courage brought his A game. Which meant Saturday was a rest day and Sunday was (everyone's favorite!) western day!!

The whole point is just to walk on a loose rein, stretch out, and relax. While hacking around all the spooky spots on the property and over the mini ditches.

Oh, and conniving a way to win a belt buckle. That's another bucket list item for you. My latest plan involves joining the riding club about a half mile down the road that has gymkhana nights and trail competitions and most likely being kick ass at trail.

flowers? yes

I can justify it by saying that it's to get Courage more exposure and help build our trust/relationship, but let's be real: any excuse to dress this handsome blaze face up sounds like a good idea to me.

Frankly, I'm hoping he gets broke enough that I have an excuse to buy these sweet spurs I found...

1 Thing I Am the Worst At

actually not photography

If there's one thing I'm guaranteed to always be the worst at, it's keeping track of time.

For example, I always think I ride for about 20-30 minutes. Except now I ride before work (and have a pretty fixed commute time) and wouldn't you know, it's consistently a lot more like an hour. No wonder horsiekins is fit. 

For another example, I've been on this "twiddling my thumbs and SUMMAHTIME" kick in which Courage and I do nothing productive. Except literally Monday I realized I had a dressage show Wednesday (yesterday).

also possibly trunk organization

Hmmmm maybe instead of another go round with the water trough, I should try to figure out if we're back to turning right reliably. And oh, you know, look at my tests again. And figure out if I can use a martingale on the off chance we decide to try and jump the judge again.

One more example: I signed up for a dressage clinic later this month and was thinking I'd maybe also head up to the new show facility and watch an event clinic this month. And go spectate at Rebecca. Hit the rodeo. Go camping. See a Grand Prix. FUN FACT: there are not 6 weekends in July. Who knew?

I don't know why I thought there were. It wasn't so much that I believed that there were, but more than I had a bunch of things I wanted to do but didn't actually count on how much time any of them would take up. 

Sooooo. 

All that to say, we're taking our second shot at training level tonight next Wednesday (dammit thunderstorms). Wish us luck! 

4 Reasons I'm Not an Eventer

Because I like jumping and dressage, I usually get pegged as an eventer by people who don't know me. I don't mind it--I mean, eventers have a well-earned reputation for being a little crazy and a lot of fun. I don't mind being linked with that. That said, I do not self-identify as an eventer, and if an actual horse person makes an inquiry, I'm quick to disassociate with that crowd. Here's why:

this is me, wanting to die. at groundpoles.

1) I do not have the guts for it any more.

Plain and simple. I spent a weekend in May watching a really great XC clinic and while I enjoyed the skill level and happiness of the riders and horses present, I had absolutely zero interest in joining them. Frankly, even trotting my horse around the ground poles was enough to make me nauseous. I have a bad history with XC and I don't want to revisit it.

I enjoy jumping, dressage, and trail riding. I have no interest in putting them together to do XC. 

basically a ribbon per hour

2) There are not enough ribbons.

So I entered an eventing, what, division? I dunno. I did my dressage and won it. No ribbon. I went out on the gorund poles course and damn near got disqualified and thus dropped down in the placing. One ribbon. No chance to re do. No chance to make it up or have a better experience.

Seems suspect to me.

this is not what the real eventers wear

3) I can't afford all the gear.

I know wtf I'm a tack ho, right? Well. I am. But I am not a clothes ho. How can eventers afford all the shiznit that goes along with eventing? Let's say you're an average ammy in hunters or dressage trying to switch over. Your horse is reasonably broke. You have breeches, a shirt, and a show coat. WELL NOW GUESS WHAT?

Eventing watch: $100
Eventing body protector: $150+
Eventing air bag: $400+
Arm band (or more expensive ride safe bracelet): $5+

Either your hunter coat is wrong for dressage or your dressage coat is wrong for stadium, so let's guesstimate at $100+ to get a second appropriate coat.

Oh, and say you get dumped in the water hazard: $100+ for back up show breeches.

And that's not including making sure your horse is safely decked out for all three phases.

4) I am not good enough to take those kind of chances.

Here's the thing with eventing: if you fall off because your horse spooks hard on centerline, you're done. In phase one. Good bye entry fees and hauling and hotel! Never liked having money anyways.

I mean, if you're a hot-dogging awesome super-human freak (raise your hand), that's fantastic because you never fall off. If you're me, the very idea of hauling all the way to a show (closest event=6 hours), just to get disqualified with no other options to ride is absolutely sickening.

like these. bought these.

I mean, if I do that at a jumper or dressage show, ah well, get back on, and ride in your next class. LITERALLY NOT A BIG DEAL.

I'm not saying eventing is bad. It's a lot of fun to watch and it gets a lot of visibility (thanks Olympics!). For the people who are good at it, it looks like a total blast. For the rest of us, there's a lot of things that make more sense. Things with ribbons. And multiple classes. And SO MUCH LESS SHIT.

And this from a person who likes accumulating horse stuff.

Why Dressage

February lesson

I'll be the first one to tell you that I am sooooo not a dressage queen. I'm not picky or obsessive or overly controlling. I'm honestly more concerned that pookie-kins goes forward when I kick him than I am that everything is always only ever in a perfect balance. I like jumping. I like jumping my horse over fences now.

But here I am with a big dressage goal and nothing really written down or formulated even in my head about jumping.

March trainer ride

See, here's the great thing about dressage: it is imminently amateur friendly. I mean, yeah, it's freakishly hard and panders to the weirdly-over-controlling-detail-oriented-ocd folks out there (not that we don't love y'all), but there are clear levels of achievement. Logical progressions. Legal trainer rides. Tons of coaching.

Dressage not only allows for an ammy needing a pro ride now and then, it makes room for it. There are awards for achieving a score at a certain level. Medals for achieving scores across several levels. Dress code to (somewhat) permit sparkly things.

April practice ride

I mean, sure, if I wanted to be competitive on a national stage, I'd need a 90k horse and a very fancy trainer, but if I just want to work on training my horse?

All I need is a saddle and a snaffle bridle and maybe a flat surface to ride on. I can literally ride intro through fourth level* with the set up I have now (though I might need to cave and buy a show shirt).

May horseshow

I have no illusions of grandeur. Courage and I aren't going to grand prix dressage any more than we were making it to rolex, and I'm fine with that. What my structure-phillic brain is really embracing about dressage right now is the ability to track our progress and advance (at our speed).

June horse show

I know he's not fancy enough (and let's be real, I'm not rich enough) to be wildly successful. That isn't the point though. My goal with Courage is always to have fun with my horse, and right now, dressage is the structure that keeps me from losing my mind**.

July riding

*Help me out, dressage people--at what point do you have to wear tails? I think you don't as long as you're in a snaffle?

**Never fear, western Courage fans. New outfits and fun plans are in the works. We can't do competitive prancing all the time.

Well Here Goes

There's nothing quite like getting fantastic new dressage pictures to motivate me to make plans. I mean, I realize the above shot isn't exactly god's gift to dressage, but Courage is moving forward in an appropriate balance for his training and I'm actually sort of starting to sit up and those things make me happy.

My primary goal for Courage is just to be the horse I can have fun on, whatever fun looks like on any given day. We are actually doing really well with that, but I also when something to push us as a more long range goal.

goal: kickass wrap job complete

So.

I want to get my USDF Bronze Medal on Courage.

Gulp.

Now it's out there.

I've never ridden about 2nd level at home, never showed above first. I've never been a polished and fancy dressage rider.

obv

But Courage is a solid horse and we're taking lessons. And there's no reason we can't do it, right? We don't have to compete against fancy warmbloods ridden by pros to get a medal. We just have to get 60% or better at first, second, and third level (while possessing the appropriate memberships).

I know, "just". Ha!

It doesn't mean changing up our program or anything, really. I still have jumping goals with Courage and we're definitely going to keep hacking and trail riding and competing and you bet your ass one day he's going to work cows and maybe do a trail class.

It just means that now we're serious about getting to third level. Someday.

battle scars and all

Getting Comfortable

safety first, kids!

Due to the incident with the trailer and generally being a horse, Courage has had moments of not quite right for the past week or so. Honestly, I was expecting it. It hasn't been a big deal--we've spent a lot of time hacking around at the walk and our few "work" rides since the show have mostly been long and long stretching. Courage had a pretty intense month in June and it is definitely time to dial things back, which actually coincides nicely with the god-awful heatwave we've been having.

Dear weather: take your 110f and go somewhere else. No one wants you here.

It's been fun, though. All the work and effort we put in to showing this past month really helped Coruage grow up and understand his job. He feels a little different to sit on. I mean, it's not a huge distinction, but now I call him a confirmed training level horse.

More than that though, the fact that we did all this together has really changed the way I ride him.

His saddle is starting to feel like "home" for me, if you know what that means. Like I climb on and hack on the buckle and I don't care that he's tense and threatening to be stupid because he's my horse and I know him and I know I can ride what he throws at me.

And I think that confidence on my end transfers over to him.

because pulling makes stretchy trot better

He's had some bodywork and time off and we're ready to start putting things back together, hopefully in time for one more go at training level before fall. We're going back to the facility where I almost got dumped last time, but that doesn't really bother me. 

We've got this.