After a week of warm, wet weather the day before the show was cold and dreary. Luckily my mom had already cleaned Roscoe's mane and legs while it was warm. So Friday I only had to rinse off the dust and braid him. Roscoe had definite opinions.
Saturday started at 4am and I was totally stressed. Mom dealt with me and Roscoe getting both where we needed to be. Roscoe has matured so much since last year in the warm up. He and I are both still tense, but hopefully that will improve as we keep showing.
My first class was 2-2, a class of five and I was the second rider. The first rider was sadly eliminated three movements before the end of her test. Not easy to follow, but a bit of relief that I should be able to get a placing we need.
This was our first time riding the test at a rated show. Roscoe did super. We have plenty to work on, but it really was a solid test. He got a bit excited during the second lengthening and broke into canter. My friend who also showed, stayed around to watch. All the riding pictures are compliments of her husband.
Beware it was windy, so the video is wobbly.
After that class we had a little time.
My chill pony in between classes
I really wanted to be done. Roscoe was ready to go. This was a class of nine so I did not think I had any chance to get the placing we needed. Unfortunately our test was going pretty well, despite tension, when I got lost and ended up going to the wrong letter. Then I mixed up the previous version of 2-1 with the current one and walked when I should have kept trotting. That mistake will haunt me for the rest of my life.
I told myself I was not looking at the scores until we had taken care of Roscoe. We set about giving him lunch and pulling out his braids. I pulled my phone out to take a picture of his post braid hair do and saw a message from my trainer. "Congratulations" I figured we had gotten third. She came back with 1st. I was amazed.
I looked at the results and saw that I had won the 2-2. 2-1 I had lost a tie for third, and again got fourth. I think I am doomed to that dang white ribbon.
The show was a success, we got one of the five placings needed for Roscoe's performance requirements and I have both scores needed for the Bronze. We are on our way. Plus Roscoe was the only pony at this level.
After I got my saddle, Roscoe was a different pony. So I had an amazing ride, the third in the saddle, and it made me feel like I could do anything. Add in the fact that the show was filling up and I took the leap and signed up for First 3. Let's not think about the last lesson where my trainer said to stick with First 2.
Lesson/show prep Magna Wave session which resulted in a "happy ending."
When I went to my lesson this Wednesday I told her "My saddle made me do it," when I informed her about the change. I asked for a low key lesson so that neither of us would over do before the show. Fortunately as she went about picking on my pony's transitions and leg yields, she said we would do well. Since I have no where on the property to put a 20x60 ring, except on an uphill dodging trees, we rode the test in the outdoor ring at the end of the lesson. This went surprisingly well considering it was the first time in a full size ring. I had hope.
Downward dog or bowing to his dad
I made a change to the saddle pad and my spurs during a ride prior to the show. FYI another benefit of the interchangable spurs, you can put a different head on each side as needed. The change helped with our yields and the pad change helped unlock his lengthenings that were sticky at the lesson.
My nerves were still up and Roscoe knew something was up. I have been trying to desensitise him to the wash rack and getting bathed. He is not a fan of water. I gave him a prewash after my last ride and he was fine. Then the day before the show he got the whitening/yellow out wash. He pitched a fit, not as bad as last year, so some improvement. My boy is a total drama king, stomping his feet and posturing.
This morning we got to the barn early, why did I not ask for a later time, and set about morning chores. As the boys ate, Mom had a brilliant idea and put his halter/lead on him. No gingerbread boy antics. Score one for reducing show stress. He was not too dirty and thankfully the Wow kept his white clean with a little brushing.
I knew I wanted about 20-30min for warm up which we got perfect. The problem was the judge was the teaching kind and took the time to talk and advise each rider. Good for a schooling show, bad for trying to time your warm up. Roscoe was full of it and he took a bit to settle. When he put himself into work mode, man he felt so great. He was the smallest in the ring, but he drew the attention of many spectators. To preserve his energy, we walked until the horse before us went into the ring.
As we went around the ring, Roscoe felt focused. The judge blew the whistle and we headed to A, with a wiggle around the still departing rider. First improvement was a fairly straight halt. The second was an actual lengthening. I have to work on showing a definitive change at the end, but after last year being disappointed, this was major. Our leg yields were a weak point today, I totally syked myself out about them. Roscoe then decided that walking was optional, dang pony. Then came the canter loops which were a worry for me. Today they were more balanced than previous efforts. We actually got an 8 on our left loop. The 15m circles were tough and not our prettiest moments. But we ended on an 8 halt.
All together the test was his most consistent to date. The judge remembered us and was pleased with the improvement. We got a 69%, which gave us second place. That walk cost us first. People kept commenting on his trot and lenthenings. We have work to do, but right now I am really happy. Now I have to figure out what test to do next month.
Speaking of next month... don't forgot to post your foal pool guesses. And come on guys are you trying to torture me with such late dates? I am impatient to see this foal.
October brought the last two shows for our local series. For these I added First 2, with the hope that the first test would get him settled.
As with previous shows Roscoe got a bath the night before. An though he normally gets over it, I put the hated fly boots on his hind legs to protect his white. Well this time he decided to be a total tool about those boots. Long story short we prevailed in removing them, but there were injuries on all parties. NEVER AGAIN!
Needless to say I worried how the show would go. Super it turns out. I think Roscoe was really ashamed of his morning antics and wanted to be good. We still have plenty to improve. This was our best First 1.
The second test was nerve-wracking for me because of the leg yields. First time they were judged and my pony did well. We lost some angle going right because I felt like I would hit the rail too soon. To the left we had the angle but lost some forward. After those I could breathe and deal with the canter. We had a great final halt and I gave Roscoe a big hug. The judge said he earned it.
I don't want to have stressful, injury filled show mornings to get scores in the seventies but redemption felt good.
The second show was less successful in scores but he listened to half halts. That was something we worked on the lesson prior to the show. Roscoe was a bit tired too, both caused a break in the canter. I gave points away to keep him moving. This was a tough judge so our two 65 were okay with me. Now Roscoe and I are trying to better our fitness and improve our canter. It feels like we are learning to canter all over again.
Well even with a short season and a new level to challenge him, Roscoe pulled off earning the First Level champion. Our journey is slowly progressing, the pony is happy and I'm healthier. What more can you ask of a year like 2020.
Roscoe and I have completed two more First 1 tests after the June show. I have been working on the Foal pool prize so that is why I am so behind on my posts.
The August show I was actually feeling good, had ridden my horse prior and taken a lesson. On show day it was hot. I thought I had the right amount of warm up. Then in the ring, pony boy seemed lazy. We actually broke rhythm twice. Plus a year off has caused me to lose my comfort in the ring. My spacial sense was off. We managed a 64%.
For September I was determined to fix myself and hopefully do better. I asked to have my lesson in the outdoor dressage ring so I could start to gain my comfort back. We also put Rosemary's saddle with a bigger tree I on Roscoe. The lesson went well even though I am late most of the time on my requests to him.
I was feeling good about the show. Roscoe was his typical idiot self the morning of, but we arrived only a little late. I planned a short warm up which was bad. Cool weather brought out the goblins. Roscoe acted like he had never been off the property. And hey, he is fitter so he can be stupid for a longer period.
As in, the whole test. He did not settle in as he normally does. And of course we rode in front of the judge who gave us the 68% in June. She knows we can do better and we ended up with a 62%. Somehow we got third in our group, fourth out of the seven first 1 tests. Not going to lie, it hurt.
So time to make shows boring again for both of us. I have two shows this month and will attempt two tests at each. My trainer wants me to do recognized shows next year to work towards getting the 2nd level scores Roscoe needs to be approved. Can't even believe that is now a possibility.
Roscoe and I worked really hard this year to take on First Level. Luckily I did not lose training time due to Covid, but I did have a UC flare that derailed me a bit. New medicine helped get that somewhat worked out, so I made the leap and signed up for a show. Little did I know my wheels were about to fall off.
Losing Rosemary knocked me back health wise. I started to feel hungry, but then eating would make me want to throw up. Ugh and the cramps were the worst. My energy level dipped and Mom started doing more of the work. I was still determined to do my show. It changed from a Sunday to an evening Saturday, which gave me a day to recover before work.
My only worries were what I would wear and if I would be able to do Roscoe justice. I did have a moment of maybe I should back out, maybe ask Kelly if she could ride, but Roscoe and I have done our 'firsts' together and this was one of the biggest. I did find some pants that were a little big and some boots that were not falling off. The other worry would have to wait and see at the show.
My Mom was my hero. She pulled his mane, bathed him and loaded the trailer. Roscoe was his normal drama king self which I am used to. Sadly he popped a rivet on his name plate, so I had to duct tape it so he did not catch on anything. We loaded him saddled for the short drive and Mom bridled him before unloading. We were set.
As the first rider, I had the arena to myself for warm up. Roscoe, not having been ridden in ten days, was full of it. I had to work hard at redirecting his energy into a more productive gait. When I had him working, we played with our lengthening and our canter. He felt amazing! If we could have gone in the show right then, it would have been great. Sadly we still had ten minutes to kill and a big fancy horse had come into the ring. His rider ran into us at times. He did not seem very aware of who was in the ring. Well when I went to put Roscoe together for our test, the big fancy horse came up fast behind us and scared Roscoe. After that warm up was a battle to avoid the other two horses who were now out to eat little pony stallions. I called uncle since I had limited energy.
Unfortunately that meant that the horrible shoulder bulge which is Roscoe's default came out. We lost our bend. Our test was tough, but we pulled it together enough to not have to hide our faces. The sun came out and I was zapped. Roscoe saved us by remembering his training. I knew the test was not our best effort, but considering the circumstances, I was happy to have finished. We did not get comments at the end due to Covid. I made Roscoe carry me all the way back to the trailer because, I was done. The heat and lack of energy did me in. We sponged him off and loaded him up. I did not know if my test would be ready, but decided to walk over and check on our way out. Turned out it was ready and had a score I could not believe, 68.44%. The judge saw our lack of bend, but also took into account his energy and gaits. My tiredness effected my position, so I lost a bit there. I watched the test and decided that as bad as it felt, it came out better than that. I was not crazy to trust our training and make this debut. If we can do this when I am not all there, just imagine what we will have when we are both ready.
We would not know placings until Sunday, but I won just by doing the show. There were six others doing first level tests. I nearly fell out of bed this morning when the results posted. Roscoe and I won the TOC First Level and had the high score of the show. I thought my score was because it was a judge that likes Roscoe, she gave us our tens two years ago, but maybe just maybe we are doing better than I thought. Roscoe does not get the recognition he deserves for being the amazing pony he is since I am not a well connected person in the horse world. But how many ponies can you ask this of and they deliver big time? I love my boy drama and all.
I am still battling the insurance company and it stressed me out completely before the show on Saturday. Mentally I was exhausted. We seriously considered not going to the show, but that would mean losing $120 in show fees. Plus I did not want to lose more this year.
I skipped Ember's adventure because I still have not taken the videos off Mom's phone. It is coming though.
We of course needed a trailer and the one we borrowed for Ember would not work. Luckily my farrier offered his. It is for sale and we hoped it would be a possible replacement. That is not going to be the case since our horses seem to think the butt guards are for going under. Plus I don't think we can handle not having a dressing room. Our Gore spoiled us.
The show was in the evening and gave us time to give them a quick scrub. Rosemary was up first with her Training level debut. I was slightly worried about it due to the lack of riding caused by the dang rain. She warmed up wonderfully and I thought my timing was good. Except we ended up having a few more riders to go.
I lost some of her by test time. Overall it was a solid test scoring between 6.5 and 7 with one 8. She got a bit strung out during her right lead. Fitness will help her with that if Mother Nature decides to let us ride. I worried about if she would have enough left for Mom's tests.
Bless her, she was super for Mom and gave her both leads. It was great for Mom's confidence. Her scores were, T1 68.26% (3rd), Intro-B 65.63% (4th) and Intro-C 67% (1st).
Roscoe had the full set of Training tests to do. He was full of it, even kicked at the mounting block. I did very little warm up, mostly because there were some inconsiderate people in the ring. I did not want to cause and issue. I basically used my T1 to warm up. He actually was not too bad. We still have our issue of getting off my inside leg going to the left, but it was not at the same level as previous shows. As I approached the judge, I was hesitant. She asked how I felt about it. I told her it was warm up and she gave me a high five and said it was great. Then she shocked me by telling me she scored his right lead canter with a 9. My jaw dropped.
I only had one test before T2. It really was a rinse and repeat. Left was bracing and needed better bend. Then we cantered right and it felt amazing. It was more apparent after her comments. She again came to talk and said she wavered about what score to give me. She said he was straight, which has been a challenge previously. In the end she said we got a 10! She gave me a hug and I almost cried.
On the way to a 10
A couple more rides and we were back for T3. This test I knew would be tough. Roscoe was a bit tired and the canter corners especially to the left caused us issues. I have only ridden the test in a small arena so the large ring was tough. This time Roscoe actually got a 10 for his right lead transition. A total win since that is normally a trouble spot. No where near fabulous, lots to work on. He was amazing for me in my brain fried condition. I am still in shock. This judge has seen us twice before and her reaction helped me realize his training is on the right track.
And if the day had not been surprising enough, as I finished my last test another rider said I inspired her and she wanted to be like me. Peggy mentioned people commenting on my hands. Seriously it felt like a I was in La La Land.
We left before the results and they finally posted today. Roscoe had a clean blue sweep; T1 69.78%, T2 73.27% and T3 73.41% (high score of the day training level & up). This was an unexpected show, but exactly what we needed.
This is an update post since I have not had time to write. Some of you may have noticed that I have been NQR since my accident in September. Shortly after the accident I started having horrible GI issues and losing weight. I thought it was stress and started taking my probiotics. I was happy about the weight loss, but not the method. Unfortunately matters got worse with the appearance of blood. I finally made the decision to go to a specialist, but it took a month to get in. Then when I got in the doctor told me I needed a colonoscopy. And unless I wanted to wait until after the new year, it would be the Monday before the horse show. Prep for that is no joke. Everyone just hope that you don't have to go through it sooner than you have to.
The procedure went smoothly and it looks like I have ulcerative colitis. They put me on medicine which will hopefully put it in remission. Considering I have a family history of colon cancer and crohns, this is a somewhat better diagnosis. I had to do a ton of lab work too, which mostly came back within normal ranges except for showing inflammation in the colon.
The worst part was the day after the procedure. I went to work and had the WORST gas cramps from them putting air in my colon. It was horrible. I gave up after about six hours and went to the barn. Walking around seemed to relieve my colicky symptoms. As a horse owner I seriously should have thought about that solution sooner.
Anyway if you are tracking, all that medical stuff kept me from the saddle for five days. I had my mom get on Roscoe so he got a ride in before the show. Good thing too since it snowed the day before. Rosemary and Roscoe were doomed to show "winter grungy."
This was the Ugly Christmas Sweater show so mom bought me one to wear. I got Roscoe reindeer ears and Rosemary wore snowflakes. The only part Roscoe protested was when we went to put his red nose on. He was totally convinced the makeup tube was the dreaded wormer. Peggy ended up having to break a piece off and rub it on his nose. He looked so cute!
The show was cold and Roscoe was fresh and distracted. The warm up ring was outdoors right next to the round pen and a turn out field. That brought out the wild thing in my pony. He was acting like it was his first show. Only this time he is fitter and his drama was more skilled. He even Cob trotted, Holy Suspension people. I was intimidated. Mom had to talk me through while the audience looked on. We put on quite the show. Slowly, my pony found his brain and I remembered I am not a raw beginner. Good thing since show time came. The indoor did not present an issue since he had seen it during his inspection. What did cause a problem I found as I tried to circle at E, was the waterfall noise of snow melting off the roof. That caused a downhill roll for our trot circle and followed into the canter. Then he had to gawk at his audience, spook at E and then walk his diagonal. Going to the right he was a different horse. I guess horses really do have two separate brains. We finished better than we started except for a crooked halt. All considering, I was just thrilled to have been able to do the test. And bless dressage scoring, even with our spooks, he still pulled off a 64% to land in 3rd.
My fire breathing mare
Then we had to switch to Rosemary. She had been calling in the trailer and acting silly. At the warm up she though about Cob trotting, but remembered how tough it is. So she just trotted around with her head up. I just barely had time to canter before it was time to go in to the ring. Bless Rosemary she has such a good head on her. She settled into the indoor as I showed her both directions. I learned my lesson from Roscoe. Rosemary felt so grown up as we started our test. I was a bit lost since they shrunk the arena and the letters seemed off. Even though she called at times in the test, she was consistent. I have to work on keeping her in the outside rein and staying in the center. Shows bring out the lean in me. My phone ran out of room so her last trot was cut off. She had to end with flair. After the judge made her comments, Rosemary did a full body shake and managed to demolish her snowflakes and send them flying. I had to dismount and pick up the sparkly bits. She pulled off a 68%, tying for 1st place.
We left before the placing so I don't have any ribbons. And as a bonus, my Christmas sweater was the judge's pick. Though the show did not go as I would have hoped, the potential was apparent. Roscoe's naughty behavior was like a vision of Christmas future. I can't wait until I can control that movement.
Next up is the January show which Lauren will be riding Roscoe at. She had her ride on him last Wednesday and will ride him twice more before the show. I was happy when she said he felt better than when she last rode him. All our hard work in November came through.
Okay I have to get back to work on my Blogger Gift so I can get in the mail soon.
"The only thing missing from this packed day is a hay delivery" said Peggy as we talked about our Saturday schedule.
My farrier came at 1130 to shoe Dottie and DaVinci, but he also walked me through shoeing Rosemary. He is great at helping me and I was surprised how much I remembered. It is a little scary to think that she is my responsibility now. He basically checks my fit and places the first two nails. I think I am getting an anvil in the future. Then once he left, I still had to finish Dottie and DaVinci. It definitely took my mind off the show.
This show prep was a uphill battle:
I was dealing with open blisters on both heels. Luckily my retired Marine coworker reminded me about mole foam and it saved the day.
Mole Foam and a gel blister guard
A couple days before, Roscoe had a swollen, warm spot just above his mouth. Fortunately, it seemed to disperse in a day.
Peggy also was cleaning the crazy lint off my pads and girths which nearly had me crying when I pulled them out of the wash Friday night. I will never wash pads with towels again :(
I was so hoping the old saying of "bad before, great at" was going to happen.
We had to start bathing Comrade, who was a mudd ball from the storm the night before. Roscoe would get whatever time was left over to have his chrome cleaned and his mane and tail. We managed it all and loaded the trailer and feed the horses. I changed and we left for the show on time. Seriously a freaking miracle.
I was determined that this evening show was going to be casual so no braids for them and no coat for me. Plus it was hot. There was a light breeze so we were able to leave the horses on the trailer out of the direct sun. Comrade was up first and I realized I forgot my spurs. He laughed at the whip and I was way too conservative because I was still worried about my heels.
Peggy said some people thought he was Roscoe, who they remembered from the last show. She let them know Roscoe would be out later and that Comrade was the same breed. Comrade got the "Maybe he is a Haflinger" comment until Peggy set the judge straight. All we can figure is that Haflinger is the only type people know since Cobs are not as well known.
Comrade gave a pretty consistent test with a whinny in the middle and a good walk especially for him. This judge was tough on the free walk. My boys felt like they had good swing, but they did not stretch through the neck, so she nailed them both.
8 Circle
9 Yay!
For Comrade's first test in years he was super. Next time I will remember the spurs and I think I will add canter to my warm up to wake him up. The judge's final comment made us all laugh
STRAIGHT!!!!
Tail Monster :)
My nerves kicked in for Roscoe. Everything is still a bit an unknown. He was much calmer whether due to Comrade or the fact we were at a facility we had been before. Peggy scolded him when he got pushy during tacking and he was suitably abashed. This time I could mount without Pony Express skills. Immediately I felt better about the show.
Roscoe had a walk and was less of a tourist. Mom coached me through getting him listening and me breathing. We have a connection and that means we share our stress too. Each show we are figuring out how to work together away from home. With the heat, I only asked for canter once each direction. He felt great and reponsive. Our trot work was still a bit distracted. Roscoe needs a more complicated warm up to keep his attention. I threw shoulder fore and leg yields at him and worked corners and transitions. I told Mom, the test would be icing because my pony in warm up was already a win.
The test began and down centerline was much better. At least until I got tangled and did not drop my rein to salute. Palm to head.
Dang it, grr
Our trot was good utntil poor Roscoe had a coughing fit. We kept going through it and moved into canter. Which we nailed the transitions, but have to work on finding 20m.
We got tense as we changed to the left and it took me awhile to breathe and relax. The left canter transitions were not as good but I was still thrilled.
Walk and then the last long trot actually went well. That is a long way down center and Roscoe actually was not drunk. His 9 score reflected that even though he was not square. Overall I was happy and feel better about moving up to Training.
And when it was all done, the boys got matching 3rd place ribbons and nearly matching scores, 71.562 for Comrade and 71 for Roscoe.
I was questioning my sanity at the beginning, but we all survived. This was my first time riding two horses at the same show. Plus the two tests happened in different size arenas. Next month will be even crazier with a dressage show one day, with a farrier visit the same day and a Welsh show the next day. I think it will be two Cobs to one and another two the the next.
