Hunters Run Derby Part 1: Dressage

Hoo boy.

Okay, figuring out where to start this will be a trick and a half.

We can start with the fact that I had just gotten over a stomach virus on Friday and was still weak. I didn't get as much done Saturday as I should have because I couldn't. I figured going to the show would pretty much wipe me out and I was right.

Of course, Saturday night I couldn't sleep. Y'all. I haven't been to a legit eventing class of show (Derby, 3 Day, etc) since I was a teenager. It's been about a decade and a half. However, I did make sure my tack was clean, I pulled out my nice bridle I've been saving for a show and switched the bit over. Expecting sun, I put the finishing touches on the customized fly bonnet I made for Gwyn. (There were no bugs...)

Those ears are rainbow sparkly.

And then I got into bed and realized I couldn't remember my dressage test and that I had no fucking idea where my medical armband got off to.

Fuck.

I couldn't fall asleep for about 2 hours. My stomach was starting to flip from nerves and it still hadn't fully settled from my bout of porcelain throne worship on Friday. Just... not ideal conditions.

Sunday morning I grabbed gas for the truck and began doing the finalized loading. Since I'm a craft supply hoarder, I also threw together a makeshift medical armband.

 My friend Casey came to take pictures for me and kept me calm and on track. She doesn't have any horse experience but she was great at being someone to talk at me and listen to me babble and freak out.

First error: I should have budgeted more arrival and prep time. We got there and there was no one in the show secretary hut for a good 20 minutes. WTF. I did try and make good use of the time by getting dressed and starting to groom Gwyn but it kind of set the tone. Thankfully I grabbed my number and rushed back to tack up.

Gwyn had picked up on the energy of the day and was dancing around. Then I found and pulled a tick off of her belly. UGH.

Second error: I didn't do a final review of my dressage test. LOL. I had been doing a lot of visualization in my head but didn't verify that my visualization was completely accurate. I should have done this. I meant to do it. I had a copy of the test in my truck.

I got up to the warm up and checked in with the ring steward and did a bit, but not nearly enough, of warm up. Gwyn was amped. She was on high alert and I swear she thought it was an endurance ride.

So we get to the ring, I greet the judge, judge blows the whistle and we enter. The first part goes okay. I can tell Gwyn is hollow and tense and then we get to the first canter circle at A.

Exiting stage right.

 I'm gritting my teeth but I turn around and go back in. Because this is fucking embarrassing. There's multiple layers here that I'm going to try and explain. As many of you are aware, riding, especially showing, is heavily appearance focused. The human appearance especially. You are pushed to be thin and perfect and coifed. So I already stand out because I'm fat. And let me tell you, I've lost 20 pounds since March. And I was feeling so much better about being in my body until I saw these pictures because getting up on the horse means I immediately look like a marshmallow and it fucking sucks next to every other rider who was there. Plus I don't have the full funds to acquire a show jacket right now. I'm trying to prioritize and the show explicitly stated that you could use your cross country attire in dressage but I was the only one I saw who did that. So standing out more. Then add in Gwyn's coloring and standing out EVEN more. And then we leave the dressage ring.

This is probably all mental, and it's only really hit me now that I've been percolating on it for hours and in the moment I was fine but I just hate it. And if I write any more about it I'm probably going to have to go into the bathroom at work and cry about it but there it is. Stupid stupid stuff.

And honestly, if I saw a rider unintentionally exit during their dressage I would have felt bad for them and assumed it was a green moment but nothing more? And most people probably think that about me but this judgement is a constant in the back of my head. Plus, I am losing weight. Slowly and steadily. I will get to a point where I won't stand out as much. It just hurts when I see myself until then and how I think I'm seen by others.

Anyway. I continue the test. The judge has me redo the cantering transition to trot to walk.

NO MOM. I'M DONE.

 And then on the free walk on the diagonal Gwyn totally blows my aid and just... steps over the fucking railing again. Now I'm ready to die inside and I just go around the outside, come back in and keep going.

The moment before. You can see her eyeing the poles going "Those look like Cavaletti and I am GOOD at stepping over them!"

Casey said she heard me go "SERIOUSLY?!?!' at Gwyn.

Cantering by the judge. We stayed in down here at least.

 And then I blew the final diagonal. Completely forgot about it. The judge seemed sympathetic, she was kind and it was a schooling show and the last time I did a dressage test with Gwyn was when we were in Washington. There's a lot of excuses. But the judge didn't have me redo it because we'd already been eliminated because of leaving the arena.

Leaving after final halt salute

Dear Gwyn: Please to be relaxed like this IN THE DAMN TEST

I'm not going to post each remark for each movement right now (mainly because it's at home and I'm at work). It can be summed up with: Tense. Hollow. Error.  We scored a 55%

The nicest thing the judge commented was that Gwyn was cute.

I'm hanging on to sanity by remembering:

1. This was a schooling show so in the grand scheme of things it's not a big deal.
2. It highlighted things to focus on
3. I need to find an actual dressage trainer so we can school the issue of NOT LEAVING THE DAMN DRESSAGE COURT.  I am now 2 for 2 of this happening in a dressage test with cantering. I don't want it to become a habit.
4. Practice relaxation and working on the bit so it becomes more habit in a high energy show environment.

So there you are. Part 1.


Many thanks to Casey for the media. I wouldn't have had it without her.

Ride Times are Posted!

Okay phew! I can finally start to plan out my Sunday!

The show is running the higher levels first so I basically don't have a ridiculously early show time. Dressage is at leisurely Noon, and cross country is at 1:48pm.

Hopefully I won't have a work sample come in Saturday which would require a 4 hour Sunday window since I'm on call this weekend. I can fudge things though by making sure any Friday samples are started later, then go in later on Saturday as well and if samples come in I can go in later on Sunday too. I can make it work! (started this post on Thursday, samples did come in today, they were started at 4pm so that's good. I can easily work with that)

On the 16th I got out to ride and school the dressage test. I kept this ride short mainly because I wanted the cantering to be very positive and it was!

Nicely trimmed roached mane

I probably spent as much time moving jumps out of the way as I did riding.

My dated (2011) whinny whidgets test book reminded me of my dressage court and I had the printed out test.

We walked through the test first so I could figure out the pattern of 20m circles because they tend to be mirrored in some way. Then we ran through it twice. I carried a dressage whip with me and I think it really made a difference in helping Gwyn keep the canter. She was almost too slow in her trot but she wasn't giraffing either which was nice. I think as long as we stay in the dressage arena I'll be happy with our efforts. I'm not too concerned about jumping. They'll be tiny, we can trot them all and we've schooled there before. She was fit enough to trot the 15 miles so we'll be fine with way less plus some jumps.

All of that and I have a going away picnic thing for a friend after the show that I need to fit in. I'll likely just be late for that. Of course, early Friday morning I wake up super super sick. I should be fine by Sunday, but oh boy, that's cutting it close. I spent most of today lying in bed with emergency trips to the toilet and my bucket. It was tiring to sit on a folding chair in the garage and watch the kids play before dinner. At least I'm starting to eat solids though, that's a good sign.

Yesterday my new stuff arrived and I'm super excited it got here in time!

I'm a little frustrated that despite providing measurements some stuff is still too big, specifically for Saffron.

A halter that finally fits.

New halter for Saffron. After I took this photo I remembered that I could still adjust the crown so now it fits her better.

The mule bridle is still too large, even on the tighest settings. It can be adjusted with hole punches but still. I PROVIDED MEASUREMENTS. ARGH. I feel like they second guess me because I provided measurements the first time with Gwyn too and things came too small. 

I did get new stirrup leathers for endurance so we'll be rocking the purple. My thorowgood leathers will be used for more formal things.

New Kerrits sun shirts in purple!

I didn't realize but I have a lot of sun shirts. Two long sleeve (teal and purple) and 4 short sleeve (one purple, three white). I think I'll be set! LOL

Most excitingly, I received an email asking for my availability to be a jump judge at WEG in September and I am SO COMMITTING TO IT.  Waiting to hear back from the eventing volunteer coordinator. WOOOOOOO  That'll be a road trip to Tryon for sure!

Show Prep

I swear I have never been this anxious for ride times to be posted before a show. Is this what being an adult and needing to schedule adult things on top of showing is like? It sucks.


I did go and buy two more sun shirts from Riding Warehouse though with my green bean code (Not sharing, that's not fair) because they had the plus size Kerrits ones in their new spring colors which has PURPLE. I resisted getting the purple competitors koat since they didn't have the size I'd need in that color. Just in that pretty slate blue.

I will be purpled out.

Of course, my grand plan to have this sun shirt for Sunday ($5 for 2 day shipping since I'm spending enough) will be for naught as it's supposed to rain.

BOOOOO.


Last night I did go out and continue shedding Gwyn. She's to the point where you can't tell that I clipped her. She's mostly in just her summer coat but there are spots where if you curry enough the winter coat just pops up. She's nice and shiny though. She'll shine right up with a bath and some elbow grease on Saturday. I also trimmed up her mane roach and it looks on purpose now. Then I had to go in and shower because clipped horse mane just gets everywhere and makes you itchy.

I'm going to practice our dressage test tomorrow since that's my day off and probably clean tack. I also need to dig out and probably clean a non-purple/brightly colored saddle pad for dressage. And find my armband.

I'm also making a fly bonnet for Gwyn. I'm using the oversize instructions in the pattern from The Printable Pony and I'm kind of wondering if I should frog it and do the horse size. There is a LOT of material that will be going in between her ears... But it's in rainbow, so it will be amazing. I have some tie dye rainbow bandana fabric I can use for her ears. I'm hoping it'll be done before Sunday. I'm making good progress despite the 2 year old unwinding nearly all my yarn!

Taking a nap

Happy Birthday and early Happy Gotcha Day!!

On May 4, 2011 Gwyn got on a big ol' air ride trailer in Florida. She was previously owned by my friend Cheri. She came to me after a house fire necessitated Cheri boarding her horses instead of keeping them at home. She arrived in Washington on May 12, 2011.

And then on April 27, 2015 she arrived in Michigan from Washington.

She's a nationwide traveler! And I'm so glad she's been at my side. I can't imagine what life would be like without her.

So since her birthday is the day before her Gotcha Day (May 11 2006 foaled) and May 12, 2011 Gotcha'd let's take a look at Gwyn through the years!

August 2007, yearling

November 2007 with a young fiance :D 

July 2010

October 2010 - At an SCA event

November  2010 - Right before I moved to Washington

May 4, 2011 - the day she left Florida

Getting onto the transport truck

May 12, 2011 - Checking out her new digs in a Seattle suburb

September 2011 - Mare had serious sun bleaching in her mane that has never returned. Blondie!

February 2012 - Pregnant with Kaylee! On the pipeline

June 2012 - Maternity photos

May 2013 - Being a very good big sister

May 2014 - At a groundwork clinic

April 2015 - the day after she arrived in Michigan

April 2016 - Just before my due date with Hazel. 

April 2016 - The day after I got out of the hospital. 

May 2017 - Our Memorial Day trail ride

May 2018

It's a chilly day today, but we're going to go to our friend's house and take a trail ride. Can't wait!

I DID IT

I sent in my entry for the Hunters Run Eventing Derby this month.

AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH



I'm only doing starter level but this will be Gwyn's debut for eventing! I've wanted to be at this point for SO LONG.

Now to go practice my dressage test tonight after work.

Rides so far in May

Now that the weather is improved getting out more frequently for rides is easier! I've moved the animals to the front pasture at this point though I might toss them back and forth depending on how the grass keeps up.

So this past weekend...

Friday we had a giant windstorm that blew down the top of one of the pine trees that lines the neighbor's driveway that we use to access the barn. (We all have easement access)  Rear neighbors were at their son's college graduation so front neighbor came over with his chainsaw and helped me break down the tree.

Totally blocking the driveway.

Where it came from

5 year old for scale

Sunday Morning

I kept eyeing the thing and thinking, "This would be PERFECT for a jump". So neighbor helped me trim down the branches and then cut the central trunk into two pieces. And voila, my schooling cross country log jumps were born! On Saturday  I propped them up with some log pieces we have from behind the shed to give them more height and started plotting how I would go ride after Hazel was in bed. I even wore my riding pants to nurse her with the goal of immediately heading out while I still had light.

And then that was completely foiled. The kids took priority but by the time everyone was actually in bed for good it was 10pm and there was no way I was going to test my new jumps. I legit cried, much to my poor, bewildered husband's confusion.

So I went to bed in my still clean kerrits riding tights and vowed to ride first thing in the morning on Sunday.

Which I did :D

I rode in that front pasture and Saffron chased us and bit at Gwyn's flanks, the naughty donkey (though I wonder if she's jealous?)  and we even did a line from my larger log to my cavaletti. Gwyn was great and I was super pleased and just totally in a much better mood than the night before.

Then I went and looked at a pony. Maybe details later, I haven't decided how I feel.


Then today, Monday, my work schedule got switched around a bit and my major Monday project got moved to Tuesday. So by 2pm I was twiddling my thumbs. After prewriting my post for Gwyn's birthday (This Friday!) I finally gave up after husband prodding and left at 4pm. Thank goodness for being part time hourly. So much flexibility.

The difference of an hour meant that the kids got fed immediately and then went to play outside. Both adults were present for dinner making (by which I mean we bought a roast chicken from Kroger) and by 6pm I was thinking... I could ride!

So I did.

It was a beautiful day too. Gwyn is blowing out her coat finally. I can see her darker summer coat in places now.

 I tacked up after giving Gwyn and Saffron their grain. I got my der dau boot stretch which I didn't realize was just an alcohol spray. But I used it on my new Ariat terrains to see if they'd help them break in for my wide feet that ariat refuses to cater to.

And then we were off! I'm still planning to do the event derby and we need to maintain/improve endurance conditioning so I thought doing some trot and canter sets in the farm fields would be a fun idea. I've been visualizing our canter lately and she's very much an on the forehand kind of canter but I feel like my arena is too small to give me a chance to rock her back while still maintaining impulsion before we hit a fence. The fields are much more open and I have a lot more confidence in how she'll rate with me.

So I let her canter, which ends up kind of being a hand gallop and I realized that I'm usually up in two point bracing against her and that can't help with her being on the forehand so I took a deep breath and made myself sit back and down and by god wouldn't you know it that was effective. And I know Megan at A Enter Spooking just wrote about the Landau reflex which I knew about from having two human foals but indirectly applying it tonight and then later on reflection realizing this is what she meant was a huge light bulb.

DUH AMY. It's like Jim always says. The rider forms the horse.  So now I really want to get back up into those fields and work on developing her strength so she can rock back into that nice canter and maintain it because there at least we have the distance to really focus on it without worrying about bend. That can come later.

 With all the cantering and the extended trotting we definitely maintained an endurance ride pace and she was sweaty by the end. I hosed her off and then we posed for pictures. LOL

"Someone" tried digging a hole by the gate after we left. 

And for fun :D