A Busy Week

This week started out with the running of my first marathon. I still can’t believe I actually ran 26.2 miles (can’t forget that .2). Ok it wasn’t fast or record breaking but it felt great all the same. None of my running partners could be convinced to join me (can’t imagine why), so this bucket list item got checked off the list in solitude. If there can be solitude in the midst of 4999 other runners that is. I rode a few horses Monday morning before meeting a fellow judge and friend at the airport to head to Lexington, KY for a USEF judges seminar. After all the classes for the ‘S’ license and the FEI class in FL recently, it was relaxing to attend one of these with no agenda except to learn some new judging vocabulary, review the new tests and rule changes. So it was a treat when about 120 judges from across the US and Canada were there. It was fun to see old friends and meet a few new ones. Just listening to everyone chat and be reminded that we are all in this sport because we like horses and the people that go with them was motivating. Arriving home late Wednesday evening after a rough flight it was hard to imagine leaving for a horse show the next morning. Unpacking at the first show of the season it was surprising to see how many judge/trainers had been at KY and made the same turn around Thursday morning. I rode a young horse at his first show and enjoyed his reactions as he figured the process out. A few students are trying second level and are trying to figure out the collection needed there. It was good to have some nice rides to watch and discuss. Often seeing something makes it clearer. It was a fun week all around, but I am thankful the schedule has me home for several days.

The start of a busy week.

Still Learning

This trip I am not only learning about dressage I am trying to learn a new thing or two about using the computer and cell phone more effectively. So far the dressage learning is progressing more quickly than the computer projects. Have been madly blogging away for days only to find out nothing is posted. So much for my attempt at humorous accounts of my Florida experience.
Went to a Conrad Schumaker clinic with Pati and some of her students the other day and am reminded of how many exercises I use regularly that came from watching a past clinic of his or reading an article he wrote. For those of you that ride with me regularly you know some of the tried and true ones such as a turn on the haunches to a medium trot to turn on the haunches to medium trot repeated, or the 10 meter circle with a walk-canter transition to a 10 meter circle with a canter-walk-transition. Of course there are several new ones that I have written down and can’t wait to try with everyone next time I see you. I often use the phrase ‘hug the horse with your leg’ he took it a step further with ‘cuddle your horse with your leg’. Horses are happy and settled in. Every grocery store has girl scouts madly selling cookies so I too am happy.

Another Sunny Day

I had been here a week without seeing Pam Goodrich the trainer I have worked with for the last several winters. She has such energy and turn of phrase and I needed a fix. My roommate Jane rides with her so Jane’s lesson was a good excuse to stop by. Nothing has changed, Pam’s voice was clear well before I parked the truck. Some things were so familiar, like keep your thighs against the saddle. My favorite new one was quit riding like a damp dishcloth. Of course I didn’t realize that the p on damp was silent. Jane’s horse was handsome and strutted his five year old stuff while another horse schooled the I-1 in good form, followed by a GP horse ridden by a young rider. Fun to watch and absorb. Just came back from a a run with Jane who told me she was running slow, about a 7 1/2 minute mile. I sincerely hope one day I too can be that slow. She was kind and didn’t humilate me too much.

Dressage Immersion 101

Being in south Florida during ‘season’ is like an immersion class. Every nook and cranny is filled with all things horsey and more importantly much of it is dressage. Not only am I getting my fill of dressage lessons with Pati I can go to a different barn most every day and watch other trainers and riders working toward the same goals. For the last two days Pati and some other riders from the barn have ridden with Conrad Schumacher, one of the all time great coachs. I have forgotten how many of my go to exercises come from watching him teach in the past or an article he wrote. If you ride with me regularly you would have recognized several of the exercises like the ten meter circle in walk to canter-going straight-then another circle to walk, or the medium trot on the long side to a turn on the haunches to a medium trot-repeated several times. There were several new ones that I can’t wait to try with everyone when I get home. One tried and true one that I hadn’t used in some time (and I don’t know why) has come in handy already. That is the circle-diagonal-change-circle-repeat. It is very good for horses that get nervous or take over in the changes. Hello to Hans on that one. Of course it is interesting to listen to the different vocabulary that a trainer uses. Words are so important for getting the idea across and what works for one person may not work for another so it helps to have a few phrases for every concept. The one I liked the most today was that Conrad said the leg should cuddle the horse. I often use the phrase the leg should hug the horse, but somehow cuddle seemed even friendlier. It has been in the 80′s every day so far. If only I could figure out how to get my camera to work I would send a picture. Some things never change.

Safe Warm Arrival

The trip was uneventful, the best kind when you are traveling with horses. We stopped midway at Mistletoe Farm. The shavings are so deep and fresh the horses can’t wait for the halters or leg wraps to come off before they have the first of many rolls. Even though it is technically a strange barn they both sleep lying down for the better part of the night. My brother and I headed toward Hilton Head for a visit with my grandfather. Ol’ Gramps was in fine form and told stories of days past. He was stationed in many countries during his career and many of them are in the news again these days. Not a bad way to spend an evening. We also had a chance to have dinner with my aunt and uncle, something we should take the time for more often. The next day had us heading south again, peeling the layers off as we went. The arrival at our new barn was a bit tense as we missed a turn and ended up on the wrong side of the canal. Fortunately most every road here is a man made square block. Pati’s husband took pity on me and drove the last bit through the narrow turns to the barn. This barn is a bit more wooded and homey than some in FL and the horses seemed content in their new home. Can’t wait to see what the month brings.

Eve Of The Florida Depart

The trailer is packed, my suitcases are packed, the horses are clipped and blanketed to the nth degree and yet here I sit wondering what I have forgotten. I will find out soon enough. You can do this by yourself, but I have had the luxury of a great team. Kaylee, my student has body clipped both horses. Eric the farrier has timed the shoeing so I have the best chance of not missing a day for any shoe related issues. He even stopped by and brought an extra pair of Doni’s special shoes, just in case. Susan washed the blankets yesterday during a brief time of sunshine. Dr. Jim has tweaked the horses for maximum performance and comfort. Sara packed the trailer, fixing the pesky tire on my wheelbarrow that often shakes loose. Rick changed the oil and fixed the tail gate on the truck and packed a lunch for the trip, among many other chores. Kerri stepped up to ride the horses left behind. Danny stopped by and checked out the trailer lights and electric. Students vow to miss me just enough and eagerly await my return and increased knowledge. My brother is here ready to make the trip with me and the two horses. Owners have written checks that make this trip happen. Right now everything is possible.

More On Goals

This week for the fourth week this winter the weatherman has predicted record cold and some winter precipitation an unusual occurrence in this area. Most riding rings are staying frozen except for a short midday period. This has put a kink in the plans most of us had on January 1. While it is easy to give up completely and sit around watching old movies and eating the rest of the holiday goodies it is not so hard to find some ways to keep moving toward your goals even with actual riding time limited. For starters get out the calendar and show schedule. Even though opening dates may be a bit later in the spring, fill out the entry form and get all your membership numbers and paperwork current. Put that entry in a prominent place as a reminder of things to come. Get on YouTube and find a video of a great ride at the level you will be competing. Be inspired.
Get your tax receipts in order so when the nice weather returns and it will you will be free to enjoy it. Find that exercise DVD, a great program is the www.SuccessInTheSaddle.com workouts, and get started on those to feel the benefits this spring. Find a book that you have on your bookshelf or a past magazine article that you’ve been meaning to read, and read it. Ok and if your like most horse folks and the snowy icy days are your only down time do take some time to enjoy the fire, a glass of wine and your family’s company.

Goals

Today I went out for a run. Not just any run, but a run that would be longer than any of my runs before. Although my goal was clear, I wanted to best my previous long run of 15 miles, it was clear that just to head out at full intensity would not help me reach that goal. So for the first 8 miles I was joined by my regular running partner and we settled into a relaxed chatty pace, just warming up the body on a chilly morning, talking with her about her past experiences at higher mileage. Having someone that has already done what you are trying to do is a great way to learn about what is coming your way. Then she was done with her run and I was on my own. The next portion of the run I upped my pace and concentrated on my balance, form, time and distance. Miles passed and I felt strong. Then the rain began and I regretted leaving my rain coat at the turn around point. At about mile fifteen my body let me know this was all the speed there was. My husband drove out to find me to see if I wanted to ride back in the cold rain. Thank goodness for the people that hold our horses and shine our boots or on this day bring a sip of water (and a few sheets of toilet paper). Turning down the ride home I settled in for the last three miles home. The puddles I had so carefully avoided I now splashed through with great abandon. Not only was I so wet it longer mattered; I was also just focused on finishing the run. When the final half mile marker came into sight I even had enough to finish strong. There is nothing like accomplishing a goal. The feeling of satisfaction is worth the effort. Taking the time to adjust the effort and focus of each stage of the journey makes many things within our reach.

Watching grass grow…

We’ve all heard it before, dressage is like watching grass grow or cement set. If only dressage were more exciting there would be more press and TV coverage. Well I just found out that bass fishing is a college sport AND it gets TV coverage on Sunday afternoons for hours. Nothing against bass fishing (not out loud in my house anyway) but certainly there has to be a way to get the public interest heightened for dressage or any of the other horse sports. If bass fishing can do it so can we.

A Trainable Moment

While waiting for the ring to thaw today I took advantage of my husband’s (aka:Rick the Chainsaw Rodriguez) day off and my student (Sara the swinging Ax Simmons) return home from college to get some trail clearing done. We ended up riding the trails afterwards as the ring never did thaw. I have spent years training Doni to be powerful, strong and sensitive. However when we turned back to the barn and Doni exhibited 1200 pounds of power, strength and sensitivity it took all I had to remind myself that this was a great moment in time to train the piaffe from Doni’s natural desire. Seat in the saddle and with no need for sugar or ground person we piaffed down the newly cleared trail. Although the power in the piaffe felt great I have to admit it was with a huge sigh of relief that we made it back to our familiar trail in one united piece.