So very brief update. Last week during our lesson we practiced on flat work and doing some practice dressage tests. I have to say at first I thought - this is going to be freaking boring! But in all honesty I found it quite enjoyable. Oz probably not so much so. He was a wee bit miserable - no jumps, and no speed. I swear he thinks of himself as a warmblood/tb, either its up or its speed. This walk / trot stuff is way too boring for him. I found it not near as easy as I originally thought. It was like steering the Queen Mary through the False Creek Channel area. At E you want me to do what... well I needed to start that about a mile ago! Although I have to say Oz was getting it, frankly he was listening better to Brianne reading the test then I was.
After this we decided there was an up coming test fest coming up at the Kelowna Riding Club through Cadora. Now we were late in entering, and knew it was a long shot.... but we never did hear back from anyone whether we were accepted or not - thus our plans to attend the dressage show were cancelled. As it was this was probably for the best as it was changing between sprinkling and raining on Sunday - and as all Ozzy fans are aware, Oz melts in the rain. So not only is he going to be on the KRC grounds, where he's used to jumping, he won't be jumping but doing flat work AND in the rain... yeah that would have gone over like a lead balloon.
Our next lesson is in a couple of days and I'm looking forward to it. And we have a show coming up in a couple of weeks in Salmon Arm. Poor Oz is probably thinking, well the weather has changed - I feel Fall in the air, and usually at this point I retire till spring - maybe April or May... Ummm well hate to burst his bubble, but poor Oz will be worked through out the winter. We'll be dropping down to 3 days a week, but no more full retirement, and back on 4 days a week come March. Poor poor abused Oz... how he suffers! I'm such a mean mean owner.
On a completely different subject but not really. I just found out that Ozzys breeder has finally got an email connection/address. I am absolutley thrilled and hope that he will have a website soon - in fact I may have to volunteer my sons services for that - or at the very least if I can put up some shots of his offspring. Roger at Greenleaf Farms has always been so supportive of myself and Oz, and has three amazing lovely daughters, that continue to show some of the best Clydesdale stock in Canada. Continue to view this website and the photos page, as I'll be bugging them for images of stock that they have for sale - and maybe if I'm lucky an image or two of Ozzys own bloodlines.
I know I've been bad about keeping up Ozzys fans with his progress. I have been away for the last three weeks due to holidays and training for a new job, so Oz has had in essence a holiday for those 3 weeks. Brianne has been great about riding him, and using him while I've been away. I'm back (for now, although I think I'm off again for more training in a couple of weeks) But I will promise to keep the updates more regular, or at the very least update the photos.
Our last event was the Jump nite at Kelowna Riding Club in August. Poor Ozzy was such a trooper, as we had such a surge of a heat wave - I think it was around 32 degrees that evening. It had been cooler up at the farm, so we got down there and relized how warm it was.
After a very quick warm up, which by the way I feel I should mention this, if you are in a ring and your objective at that moment is to sit on your horse like a couch and chit chat with your friends, then get the HELL OFF THE RAIL!!!! for the few of us that are trying to ride.
Then we went off for our jump rounds. It was a while back now so I can't remember all of it, other then there were some jumps out of the 10 that were up, that felt AMAZING! That it wasn't just all Oz, that I was doing things right also, and we were working as a team. In fact at one point I relized that I was actually seeing the strides up to the jump and instead of having him decide, I was urging him on at the right time. Kinda shocked myself, but was such a GREAT feeling.
We jumped about 4 or 5 times around and then called it a night, as he was sweating badly, and it was just too hot and I didn't want him over heated.
That was our last jumping time, since then I've been on holidays and traveling and only home for parts of some weekends. Those times I do rush out to the barn and put in some time on him. This past weekend was the first time that I really felt he was getting out of shape. So I'm pretty impressed that it was 3 weeks before he started to fade. That said, he doesn't forget a damn thing. When I did ride on those few weekends we did some jumping and some flat work. I started him with some cross rails and some low verticals which my aunt was there to take some photos of. I noticed a new behaviour that had me near tears. He's dropping his front legs, big risk of hitting the rail. I was worried he had peaked. But I raised up the bar to a higher level and then his legs went back up.... I guess this is his way of saying, done with 2'0 I want to move up.
Thats my boy, had we not had the holiday I'm pretty sure we'd be schooling at 2'9 right now at home. So fusterating for both of us, but also he's not going to be getting a winter holiday for 4 - 5 months like usual. Although once snow hits, we will probably only be jumping once a week if we can get a pass for the local indoor, and riding will go from 4 days a week probably down to 3.
This weekend there is a local dressage test/show/event - I'm not really sure what its called, as I wasn't planning on doing dressage, but hey we all know Oz is the truly versatile horse.... so off he's going to do a entry/beginner test. Cantering on a small metre circle isn't going to happen yet, so we'll be doing just walk/trot.
In October, October 11th-12th to be exact we will be at Topline showing at their fall event. I'm looking VERY forward to this, as it will probably be our last show of the year.
In I believe the new year, although I best check, as it may be November, there is a South Okanagan Horse Ladies Dinner, that I've been asked to speak at. I am so thrilled at this honor, and should start working on a plan. We all wish we could bring Oz down to the event, but seeing as its a dinner at a local hotel banquet room I don't think they would appreciate Ozzys guest appearance. I will post information on this once I have it all down.
I do have to say a HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to Brianne and Jimmy. Quite honestly never in my partnership with Oz (I can't say ownership, as I truly believe Oz owns me and not the other way around) could I have felt comfortable leaving him for 3 solid weeks without either being in complete panic or constantly calling the caretaker and checking up on him. But not once in those 3 weeks did I have an opportunity (didn't have a cell or blackberry or access to online for that time) to contact the farm and see how he was doing. And yet, although I missed him very much, not once did I worry about his care or well being. And its not till I was home did I relize that I didn't have once stressful moment while away from Oz. Quite honestly I'm not sure many other horse owners that need to board have this much trust or faith in their boarding facility. As I told both Brianne and Jimmy as long as I live in Kelowna, thier farm is his home and he won't be going anywhere else. So if you see the ad for Bresing Farms and board available, this should also say the Official Home of Ozzy. I cannot say enoough about the superior level of care and the quality of care and kindness that they show. And they are a huge part of the reason I could take this new job, and not worry about being away about Oz.
Not to forget the support staff of Kim, Sandra and never to forget about Andy - chief mascot and security.
It was an interesting week for us. Last minute things at the barn came up and our coach wasn't able to go to Maple Ridge this weekend. As this was a fairly big show, definately the biggest we would have attended - its not a show that we should have attended on our own. Initially maybe a bit disappointed, but I understood what was happening and in the back of my mind I thought really - there's a horse show in town this weekend and as long as we are jumping in something I don't really care where it is. It also helped it rained at the coast for most if not all the weekend, and we all know how Oz feels about rain. As things progressed during the week, I knew that the decision not to go was a good one.
A bunch of us went on a tack store run on the Thursday (as I already was on holidays), stopped at the Paddock in Vernon, Big M in Falkland, where I scored a wonderful figure eight that matches my saddle and fits Oz for a ridiculously low price, plus a dirt cheap pair of breaches. Then a stop at Greenhawk for a saddle pad, another set of breaches and some MTG. It was a fun and great trip for all of us. And from that we decided we would be holding a tack/regular garage sale on the 16th or 17th of August, the Sunday. I'll post more information of this on Ozzys facebook page, and in the schedule. It was a long day for all of us, and a lesson at the end of it. We just worked on our flat work - but what an incrediable session. We had him on the bit, and turning off the leg, and working from behind so well - he had sweat marks in ALL the right places for a change. I think I have an idea of when we are on the right and wrong lead now, although I have to look to tell, not yet by feel. We also tried working on some flying lead changes - when I asked for them, but so far, its still only happening when he decides it should.... So I think Brianne is going to work on this before I start schooling this on my own.
Friday night I had decided to attend the Hunter portion of the Equi-Life H/J Weekend Show in Kelowna. But the morning came early, and a few too many martini's the night before made the morning painful. I was going to cancel, but found out my niece and nephew were going to come out and watch and they were looking forward to it. So I bucked up, washed his feathers and got him loaded into the trailer.
I had forgotten why we didn't like hunters, I mean whats not to like right - lots of room to get the jump right, and to get yourself settled and collected, easy to remember courses.... then after hurrying up and waiting I remembered why we don't like them.... We have to ride well to do well, needless to say I'm done with hunters - if given a choice over a weekend. We had about 4 or 5 classes, starting at 2'0 up to 2'6. None of the rides felt very great, Ozzy fears the hunter ring as something might pop out of the brush and trees around the ring and attack him. Most of the classes were fun, and always a good schooling session if nothing else. And one class, 2'3 which I came out of and both Brianne and I decided it was so bad, there was really nothing to say about that other then its two minutes I won't get back in my life time... oh well. We did recover on our next class.... but nothing really fantastic. But I guess thats what happens when you ride, with little sleep, and a martini scarred brain.
I went to bed at 10am, thinking a good sleep, no alcohol I'll be refreshed for the next day of jumpers which starts at 8am. But whether it was the caffeine in the pop I had at 9pm, or just me worrying about the course, I slept from 11 - 1am, and after that I laid awake in bed... So going to the show this am, I was exausted, and thought this might be good. I am so tired I may just leave Oz alone to do his job.
After a quick warm up on the flat, and a pop over the jumps we were off to 2'0 first class. Which in all honesty was a blur, it must have gone well as we got a 4th. Our next class was 2'3. Our course was going along, I wouldn't say well - but we were going... and then we came up to the triple. Over the first jump we went, and it was iffy but okay, then we went over the second jump, in which I was way up his neck and not balanced at all... so I ended up wrapped around Ozzys neck at the third jump. My feet were up behind me and above my head! (EXCELLENT FORM) In my head I thought - sit up and do it again. But as I was preparing to sit up I see Ozzy inching towards the third jump of the triple and he walks over it. I was so AMAZED I couldnt move, I just hung on around his neck as he walked over the jump - I also hear, as he is still going forward, this doesn't count as a refusal. After this jump which was 7c out of 9, I picked myself up and continued our canter to get us over the rest of the jumps. After that, I knew I wanted that triple and if my horse had the heart to continue on then so would I. It was ugly form, it was a gutless jump, it wasn't a proud moment, but its jumpers and frankly thats what I love about it! Another 2'3 with a different course pattern, one in which I would hate for the rest of the day. The lines were wicked difficult and not smooth, and I believe we had to take three attempts at the triple before we got it. But what I did notice, is when I actually stop worrying about the jump and the standard, and just concentrate on heels down, leg on and burying my hands in his neck instead of yanking on his mouth.... welll then the jumps feel like they are nothing, it feels like butter - just nice and smooth, from take off to landing. I need a few more of those type of jumps. I believe my first round of 2'3 I ended up with a 3rd. Next was 2'3 Jumper Pairs which I did with Kyra and her Pony, Magic - aka Abrakadabra. I did the first 5 jumps, and she did the balance of the 5 jumps. My course was going smooth, till I thought I went off course and nearly missed my 4th jump. I had to round back around to it, and yelled sorry to Kyra. As I was pretty sure prior to that screw up it was going smooth, clear and felt relatively fast. Kyra's took off from her position after I went over my final stop, and she was kicking butt, but also made a wrong turn and had to double back around to grab it. We were both laughing when we came out, and were pleasantly surprised to have found we came in 2nd!!! YEAH TEAM PURPLE AND GREEN!
Hoof and Woof was up coming, I had made arrangements to borrow "Willy" a small terrier sized mini schnauser/minpin (I think) for this class. Niles is just not ready to be at a horse show all day and then I was worried about the height of the doggy jumps and his leg. So Sandra graciously allowed me to steal Willy. I started the first half of the course on Oz, and was pleasantly surprised at how well we did the course. It felt smooth, good, and quick... even the triple wasn't an issue... I thought hmmm I may just get a first yet today! I jumped off Oz, grabbed Willy and we were off... Willy was actually outrunning me, and was ahead of me on the leash. I was TOTALLY out of breath at this point, as I tend to hold my breathe through out my jump course. Over the first jump we go, I'm yelling jump willy willy jump!!! And over the second we make it... and then the third jump I'm thinking this is GREAAAA...... ooffff.... Yep, I trip and take down the 12" jump, and land shoulder first into the sand.... Laughing all the way.... Walking back to my horse, as Willy had high tailed it back to his mom. My horse was looking at me like, honestly mum - you want me to jump what height, and you can't even pick up your own feet to make it over a less then a foot jump???? At this point I also talked to Melissa Carl the photographer, who tells me she pretty much as a bloopers real of photos from this day. GREAT ! The barn is getting a bulletin board of the Wall of Shame.
After this we get down to the business of 2'6. We know this will be our last classes of the day, Oz is pooped and I'm getting there too. Our first 2'6 is the difficult course, and we miss I believe either our 5th or 6th jump and were disqualified. Oh well, I wasn't that disappointed. I wanted to get to our next class though, as those lines felt really good, tight in some areas but smoother then the other course. This felt like our best class yet, and I was so proud of him. I belive we took a 5th in that class, as we did take down a rail. But we ended on a good note, and I was very happy with him. I know in looking at 2'9 though, I may be getting greedy, but the height is not scarying me off one bit. And I have total confidence in that Oz could jump that big, but I also want to focus on getting our 2'3 and '6 classes more perfect. I want more jumps to feel effortless, like many did today.
I also would like to find Oz a pair of front splint boots before we advance. So tomorrow I'll head back to the barn, and take a measurement of his leg circumfrance. I think this is going to be an adventure in finding these. But I'm sure he's not the biggest horse that they have had to fit before.
A big thank you to Brianne for her constant incrediable coaching and support. I cannot tell you how essential its become to have your coach there with you after to go over the postive and the negatives of the class. I know she would probably rather spend her weekends doing something other then burning at a horse show.
Also to my Aunt Sherry, Ozzy's number one fan, who also came out not only today but also yesterday to cheer us on. I'd so wonderful to have family and friends coming out to support you and your hobbies.
To all the volunteers, fellow competitiors, my Mensing team mates, Kyra, Robin, and George (and Amy and Sandra on the ground) and to all the Ozzys supporters that cheer us on in the ring. I know he's a crowd favorite, but its always so wonderful to hear the applause and support for us - and I can feel Oz just perk up when he hears the applause as well - he knows what it means and is so proud of himself after.
Coming up next would be the Penticton Parade this coming week with South Okanagan Horse Association - another WONDERFULLY supportive group of equestrians that host some great schooling and fun shows! So come on out and say hello to us then!
Also up coming will be formulating a sponsorship package - we are thinking we should look at our favorite company, of course Timmy's. Tim Hortons really needs a jumping Clydesdale as a mascot... I'd be willing to change his name to Extra Large Double Double Oz.
Some days you wonder I got out of bed for this?
It was a disappointing lesson day for us this past Thursday. We were working on some jumping lines over some “scary” jumps. One jump was an oxer, another was a vertical with some colorful buckets under it, a flowered vertical and then a vertical with a blanket draped over it to give the illusion of a panel jump.
The blanket/panel jump just had us both completely unfocused. Because it was so close to the Oxer, he would jump the first jump and then deek out on the second jump which was the oxer, so we dropped the second pole of the oxer, and still it was an issue. He was paying too much attention to the horrifically scary blanket/panel jump. Now at OHara, we did our first panel jump there, and it wasn’t a problem for either of us, but if you make it out of dangerous horse eating cotton – well then it becomes worse then a water hazard.
We brought everything down to a trot, and although we finished our mini course, it certainly didn’t leave me feeling very positive about Maple Ridge coming up. If Oz was going to be a tool about the little stuff at home, how were we going to handle the pressure of MREC?
Friday we just rode down the street past the golf course, up beside the highway. I just wanted to clear my head of the issues we were having in the ring, and without Brianne there to assist us, I knew it could go one of two ways, so-so or really bad…. So with that thought I decided we would just hack out. He was a jem, other then crossing over a scary street bridge, in which it wasn’t much of a hesitation. But I thought good we’ve cleared his mind of all the bad thoughts, and mine too.
I along with Brianne, Kim, Sandra, Kyra, Little Amy and I think some other students went to watch the BC Summer Games Equestrian, Jumping division. From where we were sitting we had a great view of the jumps and some of the lines. There were some incredible horses and riders there, and then some that it just wasn’t to be their day – boy do I know that feeling. The jumps were sitting at about 3’6, and were looking fairly looming to me. It didn’t really motivate me to ride; in fact I grew a bit more nervous. But with a bunch of other things going on at work and the non equine area’s of my life, I know I’ve been playing some major head games with myself over the past week or so. After seeing some of these fabulous young riders jumping, it did make me feel like such a beginner – and not in a good way.
Knowing I had to try and break this mind game of mine, I waited till the heat of the day passed and headed up to the barn at 8:30 pm that night. We were going to ride the scary jumps again, and this time under the lights – which we’ve never done before.
As I was tacking up, I TRIED, but unsuccessfully tried to put everything into a positive spin… we were going to jump things, we were going to jump clear, I was going to stay in the saddle….. Brianne rode him for about 20 – 30 minutes before, and was having him move so lovely on the flat. After a little bit, where he started to focus on her and what she was asking and not trying to stare down the jumps in the ring, he really came along beautifully. I told her then that next year – she should ride him in the dressage show – she had him moving that nicely.
Then I clambered on, not sure why all of a sudden its getting harder and harder to climb into the saddle, maybe he’s growing – I doubt it, maybe I’m shrinking – this is a strong possibility. We trotted over the scary blanket/panel jump which we had changed to a cross rail, with a couple of towels thrown over it. He gave it hardly a glance. Once we started to master that, and get our confidence back, then we proceeded to our mini course. Again an in and out single and oxer with flowers, vertical with the buckets and the blanket/panel jump. We started everything at the trot, and he was getting over them, but was totally lazy. So off we tried it at a canter, the first time around, everything was fine, but the bucket jump we were cutting it strangely to the one side. Every time we cantered up to it though, it just felt like he was either a) out of control and rushing it b) we were cutting the corner real tight and thus ending up right beside the one standard. Brianne thought our track was right, but it just didn’t feel right going into it when we were doing it. So again we tried it, this was probably our 4th or 5th time over it, but this time I knew something was off, not sure what, but it just felt bad – as we were flying over the jump, I knew we were over jumping this. When I glanced beside and saw that the standard was at my foot, I then knew – this was REALLY big. We landed and I fell on Ozzy’s neck, and lost steering, he ended up stopping a HAIR in front of Brianne’s Border collie, Andy, who had been lying by the stool by a jump fearful of moths…. Thank god Oz is such a good boy and never takes off or bucks when I land so bad. It felt big and ugly, and I’m sure it looked big and ugly. We pretty much jumped over the 5’0+ standard, instead of the jump. Over the past month, Oz has been leaning towards jumping over or at the standards, and its probably my biggest fear. Far greater then falling off, is to have either him or I land and be stabbed by a standard. I know this is rider error and could be corrected, but I’ve now started to fear the standards and stare at them as we ride up to the jumps – thus pointing my horse directly to them.
We finished another round of the mini course but at a trot. So now my fears are not jump height, as we know he can easily clear 4+ feet if not 5+. Its in our direction and trying to keep him center of the jumps. We are done riding now until we get down to Maple Ridge on Wednesday. Wednesday we are hacking around the facility, Thursday will be a schooling day, and then show day Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Am I nervous? You betcha! But I think come Wednesday evening, once the horses are safely unloaded and I can see the facility and such – I probably won’t be as nervous. Just got to keep remembering, its just another horse show, it will be our 8th show of our season. And for our first year, really I can’t complain. He is a Clydesdale; this is a fairly busy year for riding for me. I don’t honestly remember the last time I rode so often and routinely. I remember when I first told Brianne, um I don’t know how to jump, I have this Clydesdale, and we have a jumping show in a week – can you help, this was the end of March – a short 4 months ago, almost to the day. Back then we couldn’t make it over a crossrail without a very ugly and awkward landing, now we are jumping 2’6 and clearing much higher. I have to remember we’ve accomplished a lot already, I wouldn’t have thought by this time I would be cantering to jumps, let alone busting out of the hunter division and wanting jumpers so badly. Also be throwing oxers into the mix… Really who does this??????
So our lesson this week was amazing! We went down to the Kelowna Riding Club for another Jump / Dressage Night. I hauled down first Chili and Kim and then went back up for Ozzy (damn I need a two horse trailer now, and the truck to tow it with, and the sugar daddy to pay for the fuel). So by the time we got down there, they were just finishing up with what looked to be a 2’0 class. Fortunately Oz never needs much of a warm up, and so in we went. Not knowing our course AT ALL!!! And totally getting lost at one point. I was looking for #4, and I should have been looking for #3…. It was ugly. I spent so much time on him trying to figure out my next jump, that I was all over him, he was all over, leads weren’t right – it was ugly. He was such a good boy for putting up with me for that round though. I came out of it saying – NEVER AGAIN am I going in unless I know my course.
So then we moved to 2’3. On course there was approx 3 oxers as well, one of which we took backwards on our 3’0 round. We watched other riders go, and finally knew our course at least. And it was our turn to go in, the first jump is an oxer and we took it on the wrong lead. I knew I was on the wrong lead but I was hoping as I made the turn to the jump he would correct it. Well he didn’t. But in all honesty, I just wanted to clear it at the canter and the fact that I knew we were on the wrong lead – well that in itself is an improvement from even 2 weeks ago. I’m finally starting to be able to see what lead he’s on. Whoohoo, yet another advancement! Anyhow back to the course. Well it wasn’t pretty – I think we took down one rail or two, we did the whole thing in the ugly tranter that we’ve both picked up. A couple of jumps (mostly the oxers) we JUST made it over, as we didn’t have enough speed to really send us over it well. Many times I was being left behind or on his neck. Not our best round AT ALL. I knew that they were planning on moving the rails up, and I was wanting to go to 2’6. Brianne came over and said – you need to do this round again, and then we’ll decide after that if you’ve settled enough to move to the 2’6.
Now I’m not sure if this happens with every coach and student, but I have to say I love mine. She knows what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. Because I totally understood – if we can’t get this done at 2’3, then moving up to 2’6 means we aren’t going to get it done there either – but now we are just going higher – which is putting mine, and Ozzy’s both confidence and safety at risk. Basically I equated it to a mother telling her child “ Listen if your too full to eat your veggies, then your too full to eat dessert”. So next round I ate my damn veggies. I concentrated on keep it simple. Listen to my leg, decide if I’m going to trot or canter, but not this in between pace, heels down and relax. The next 2’3 was better – enough that we then worked on bending to my leg on the flat while they moved up the rails. And upwards we went.
Although the course was set at 2’6, lets say some of those jumps were a HEALTHY 2’6. Our first go around I think we brought more down then we left up. Brianne came over said clear my head, go in there at a canter, cuz you can’t do this height at a trot. Go back in and ride that course, put your leg on and close your hips. Right back IN! So that’s what we did. Now here again, I love the fact she gets me and what I’m doing out there.
My head before the jump is this…..
Okay we are jumping, jumping a Clydesdale, that jump is looking pretty high, what if I bring it down, what if I fall and smash my head and become like superman, who is watching me do this, am I embarrassing my coach and my horse, again the jump is looking high, is he on the right lead, damn I don’t know my strides in, where are my heels, grab mane, get off his face, we are coming in too slow, we are coming in too fast, who is that waving over there, there is wind in our ears, I can’t hear anything, will that spook him…..
ALL of this goes on in my head before each jump, so 10 times that goes through my head.
So our next approach at the 2’6 all I kept in my head was, dammit pull up your big girl panties, heels down, keep the leg on, heels down, leg on, heels down, leg on. And our ride was INCREDIABLE… I mean who knows how it looked from the ground, but it felt fast, it felt like we were actually flying at times, the jumps felt smooth, only a couple of landings were jarring, but I finished that round on a high. It was such an incrediably GREAT note to end on! I couldn’t have asked for better.
Certainly an improvement from our last show.
And off to ride again tonight, but I think we may just go for an easy ride tonight… work his mind and butt possibly tomorrow.
Last Saturday we showed at Kelowna's OHara Stable. As we drove onto the Kelowna Riding Club, my nerves started to get to me.... on one side I had OHara, and on the other we had Western Heritage with a ton of QH's at the Kelowna Riding Club facility. For those that know me will know WHY my nerves started to get to me. My future meeting my past... after the image of hoof polish, manes banded, and more bling then Rodeo Drive, I remembered why I chose the draft horses.
We came into the OHara facility feeling confident and ready. It was our first time on a grass course, but the big Ogopogo jump wasn't in the course, so I felt no problem. That was our first problem - way over confident!
Our first class was cross rails, to which the first jump was with flowers and he refused it, after one more cross rail refusal I was not a happy camper. But I also thought, okay we got this out of our system - no problem - he shouldn't refuse the next class as we've now seen them all.
But that wasn't to be. We entered into 5 hunter classes in total and one jumper class. Our hunter classes we placed in only two of them. It wasn't the height that was getting to us, it was our flat part. We have developed a tranter - a bit of canter in the front and a trot in the back part of the horse. This is NOT a pretty pace by any means and is a most definate way to bring down jumps.
After a very quick rest (in 32+ degrees) we were back into our jumper class, we started at what was to be 2'3, but looked relatively small. Again I was playing big mind games with myself. The jumps in which I concentrated on just keeping my heels down and looking past the jump - well those jumps were nice and felt good. But for whatever reason I was very focused on staring down the jumps, thinking about all those watching more then getting him to the jump and moving onto the next one. Our last class was going well, short of a disasterous first oxer jump which we brought down, we then recovered, went over jumps I was pretty sure he was going to refuse - but then on the 8th jump I totally forgot it and went to the 9th instead. 100% my fault on this round.
By this point my head was ready to continue as was Ozzy in both head and heart, but physically we were both drained. As a team we were not meshing that day, I was getting pissed off at him, and as Brianne pointed out, and I know better, if I get mad at him he worries - and then we are both off track completely.
It was a humbling experience, not really one I want to do again. Tomorrow is a lesson day, and I'm looking forward to it. On Monday after work I went for a quick ride to work on our flat work.
On our last lesson we were working on jumping lines, which are FAR MORE DIFFICULT then hunter lines are. During our lesson we were clearing the jump, but while we were over our second jump we needed to already be looking at aligning up for the next jump, as it was a swift turn to the right. Oz wasn't feeling my leg at all during this lesson.... little bugger. Towards the end of the lesson, he was starting to get it, but for most of the lesson and at OHara, my leg was no more then a mosquito bite.
So tomorrow I'm looking very forward to. When I rode on Monday though at a walk and trot, he sooned remembered what my leg/spur/crop meant.
While we were at the show though I had two people come up to Oz and say hello - I have no idea who they were, but apparently my big boy is becoming quite an Okanagan name. My mother (another recent Oz fan) has friends that have chatted him up with others that know of him.... but when she mentions their names I have no idea who they are. I think I'm looking forward to winter, when things slow down at work and the shows slow down so as I can work on getting t-shirts, pins and such made up for his fans.
Not sure of when our next show is going to be, possibly this weekend, but also we may take a couple of weekends off from showing to work on schooling at Maple Ridge.
Ozzy's #1 fan, my aunt sherry and her camera are on vacation for a couple of weeks so the photos will have to wait.
So for the past week or so its either been the second coming of christ with rain, thunder, and lightening, or the devil was visiting with the temperatures rising up into the 40's. So due to this our lessons and practice sessions have been a little less then consistant.
But after a storm with hail and lightening cancelled our Thursday session, Friday was such a bad day at work Brianne and I just headed up into the hills for a quick ride, and Saturday finally was a lesson day. We shared a lesson with Kim and Chili, and after a quick warm up we were off. Lesson were over the jumps today and working on counting our strides. I can't say that our abilities during the lesson were excellent, but there was some definate good jumps and then some definate bad jumps. But all and all we cleared them all I believe. One in particular was a repeat of our Peachland show, where it was almost a dead stop to the jump and then straight up and over - and clear. This is certainly not we want or how we want to jump, but to me it proves that this horse LOVES this discipline. It would have been so much easier to just not jump, go through it, or at least not put in the effort to clear it. During the lesson we were starting to get the strides required, and we could see what happened when we came to the first jump too soon, and had to add on the next jump.
There was a lot of cantering to the jumps, and as per Ozzy's norm, some fantastic flying lead changes that he just does on his own. Such a babysitter that way. When he's on his A-game, I really am on auto pilot, point and steer him to the jump and he'll just babysit both himself and me. On the wrong lead - you don't know it, that's okay mum, I'll just change it NOW - hold on here comes a jump, and we are flying over it.
I have to say I can remember just 3 short months ago when I was falling all over his neck, nearly coming off, when a cross rail was intimidating. Now we are both just itching for them. During the beginning of our lesson - we were doing a crosspole, but after going over it for three times Oz was done. Now he knew he could just step over or trot over THAT - come on mummy #2 (Brianne) bring on the good stuff! Bring on the scary stuff - flowers and oxers - we eat those up!
Sunday was just a working day in the ring, we started off with working on the right canter leads, as I'm still not getting those correct. That lasted for about 20 minutes before we were hopping over the jumps again. Although I can definately notice a difference when its just him and I, then when we have our coach advising us. I like it when Brianne is there far more! We do far better - so now we just need to find that semi winning lottery ticket so that I can just use that to pay for her to be there whenever we ride. I'm thinking a nice cheque of $25 000 would likely pay for the next couple of years of a lesson 4 days a week. Most people want to win so they can retire, I want to win so I can ride better! On the plus side, I think during the 20 minutes of canter sessions I finally figured out when we are on the correct lead and when we are not on the correct lead. BY JOVE I THINK I GOT IT!!!
I apologize to all Ozzy's fans, I think I figured out a way to write more often, but I'm pretty sure other then show days the lesson blog has got to be getting boring. We need something to spruce it up....
I did purchase some professional shots from his last two shows, and as soon as we have those we'll be posting them. We also have decided upon a logo for Oz, and soon he will have his own business cards. He also has quite a schedule ahead of him over the next few weeks. This Friday we have a braiding clinic at the barn, and Saturday we have jumper classes at O'Hara stables. The following week on the Thursday we have Jumper nights at the KRC, and that weekend we have Zing Fling July's Show. One whole weekend off - hahaha and then Wednesday we are off to Maple Ridge for what will be our nail biting show of the year I'm sure. Dog Days of Summer Maple Ridge Equestrian Center's Show, we'll be doing two jumper classes in the am at 2'6, and then in the afternoon a hunter class for 2'3. Three full days of this - I've very excited!
When we get back there is another Lanyard show, possibly IPE - but thats probably a long shot, and then of course if SOHA has a fall show we will be there, and the Peachfest parade we will certainly be out.
Plans are in the works for some large shows next year, and we will be working on a sponsorship package. If you have any SERIOUS fund raising idea's then please let me know in the comments section of this website.
Till later - actually I think you will have a guest writer for the next blog insert, maybe we'll see a blog from Ozzy's view point. Which I strongly suspect will be greatly different then my own.
Although we did have a lesson a full week ago, we've done little riding over the last week, which has shown in Ozzy's behaviour on our ride yesterday morning. It has been a tad too hot 35+ degrees to ride, couple that with heat exausten and I took a weekend off.
We will be back to lessons and riding this week as the weather starts to dip a wee bit in the mornings and evenings. Will update on Friday.
We are now on the countdown to Maple Ridge show - 4 weeks away!
Today, Saturday, I had an easy morning as I only had jumping classes in the afternoon, so I got to sleep in, cuddle with the sweetie, and then give me plenty of time to bathe Oz in the am. After an uneventful haul (thankfully) we showed up at the Peachland grounds about 10 minutes before our first class. I was still tacking up when they called me to my class, and I felt awful as I know how bad and disrespectful it is to be late for your class. We hadn't warmed up, stretched his legs or anything, he came from the stall to the bathing ring, and then into the trailer and then into my first class. Hunter Hack with a Cross Rail - Green Horse. I was still putting on my helmet, gloves and buttoning my jacket as we entered the ring at the walk. That class we ended up with a fourth out of four, hmmm great start. The next class we were a bit better together, and put a bit of time in the warm up ring and over some jumps. But we entered into Crosspoles class, we ended up with a fifth out of six. He was kind of acting up, and rushing the jumps a bit, and wasn't really all that balanced nor was I. Great start, we only have three more classes, if I go into all I entered. Then came our first vertical class at 2'0, it was one of the larger classes for jumping with I believe about 6 or 7 entries, and we came in sixth. We had taken down a pole by the bull/cow shoots as he was paying attention to me, but shying from the shoot - thus bringing down the rail with his back legs. We had two staggered oxers in this class as well, which I was a bit hesitant about, but Oz had no problems over them. In fact I fought with Oz most of the class, as he wanted to canter to all the jumps, some I managed to hold him at a trot, but most, a stride before the jump he'd break into a canter over it.
We were signed up for 2'3 next but I was starting to hesitate with going into the class as Oz and I were obviously fighting over the speed that he should be going at. But I figured, what the heck, its only 2'3, we do that at home so just think we are at home. I went into the class first before I had a chance to play mind games with myself. My mom and aunt sherry were up in the stands watching, and really had only seen the two prior classes, and I thought might as well make it worth their trip out. Well we made it worth their trip, Oz was WANTING those jumps so bad, holding him back was like holding back a hotblooded horse. And at the jumps he went, some I just figured fine - canter them you ox, when you nail them with your front legs then your going to stop fighting me.... but he cleared them all except for the one again by the chute, which again came down with the back legs. But he was a dream - the ones he cantered actually felt smoother then the ones he trotted. A wonderful whipper in, who I dont' know her name, video taped us, and her daughter showed me after the class. I just briefly watched it and relized my horse was HOT - VERY HOT! Even my mom and aunt said that he was craving those jumps, and was all fired up. So I thought, before I wimp out, lets do 2'6. No time like the present, when we were rewarded with a second in 2'3, that just got my competitive juices going and I figured lets do it! As I watched them put up the jumps which looked higher then 2'6 I started to get worried, those oxers were fairly daunting, and then there was the jump by the chute, at 2'6 thats going to hurt if he nails it. Again we went first - I went in with the thought, if we clear two of them and bash one, then we'll excuse ourselves go back to the practice ring, jump the little 2'0 vertical and be done with it. As we went to the first jump, I was holding him back, and holding him back, and relized as we got to the jump I had left him in a position he was going to have to pop straight up to clear it- I gave him his head at the last minute and thought this is going to be ugly. But he cleared it, and the second jump he cleared, the third was an oxer and woosh over it we went at a mini canter... number four was also an oxer and I at this point just concentrated on my heels down and holding on, and stop worrying... if he wants to canter, then let the bugger canter. On number 7 which was the jump by the chute I gave him a tap, and a little prayer and over it we went, I HAD to look back! It had stayed up and not even a rub, one more jump, which I think I even told him. This one I just let him go over it at a nice quick canter, figured its the last one if it comes down then it comes down but oh well. Not a rub, not a hit, the last one was CLEAR! You'd think I had just won Spruce I was so proud, I could hear my mom and aunt cheering me on, and my horse I just fell on his neck and hugged him. My amazing boy! AMAZING!!! Mom and Aunt Sherry said he looked great, and still had plenty of space between him and the pole - we could have raised it another foot! There was only 4 in this class, and there was one little girl, who can't be all of 10 and just oozes talent! I knew she was going to take first. But then we took 2nd on the 2'6 class! SECOND !! I think I was close to tears I was so proud and happy and excited!
And Oz at this point hadn't even broken a sweat yet. He's my Big Ben, he has more heart then most horses combined, he has such elegance and class, but a personality that everyone falls in love with. Oz is a star - an absolute star, and I get chills when I think of the fact that we have been training for under 3 months, come spring/summer next year, I can't imagine what kind of team we will be together! As soon as I get photos and the video they will be posted
I want to apologize to you fans as I probably will end up only writing once this week. Its busy at work and before you know it by the time I get home its late and time to crawl into bed.
Thursday - Lesson Day
This was a particularly bad week at work, and I felt the stress as I headed to the barn. I relized as I drove that this lesson was going to go one of two ways, either I'm going to drop all my stress and work crap the moment I hit the barn and I won't think of it again till I get back in the car. OR Oz is going to fight me also, and its going to be total fusteration and war, a lesson that will end in both of us mad at each other. I've had those type of lessons before, where I just wonder WHY am I paying for this lesson, WHY do I have this horse, DO I relize how financially better I'd be without a horse.... Now I haven't had those type of lessons or thoughts since we've switched barns, but I have had them before. Today was going to be a good lesson evening. I go out to the field to get Oz, and still feeling sour and cranky, only to find him curled up in a ball sleeping. So I got to cuddle in with him for about 10 minutes. Oz has always been one of those horses, that if he loves you and trusts you, when he's lying down you can curly up in his legs and lean up against him and either sleep or just soak in the moment where you go.... I am cuddled into 2000 lbs of pure power and beauty, and he loves me so much.
Once I got him to his feet, he was a big of a slow slug, but we headed to the ring for our lesson. We worked on the flat work for a bit, with bending, cantering and working on connection and him paying attention to me. He was a wee big of a slug in the arena also. So after being told to perk up a bit, he got a quick spank and then instead of pouting he put a bit more effort into the lesson. He was really working in the ring, his canter is still a wee bit weak, but my legs aren't all there to keep him going also. But its coming along. We can do a couple of laps around the ring at the canter before it falls apart, and he just starts to speed up and lean in. Once his canter starts to go its hard to bring him back to a balanced canter. Then Brianne set up about 5 jumps, and one cross rail oxerish style. And we started to work on that, on me telling him which way to go after the jump. For the hour we worked, it felt amazing, although I don't think I've had a bad lesson yet. Lessons now, leave me with homework to do, things we should work on and things we should wait till our coach is there, we certainly get all our moneys worth as we are both sweating and out of breath by the end, and yet they leave me wanting to go on for a longer and longer lesson... until my legs pretty much crumble underneith me. The whole lesson I finally felt connected with Oz, that as I was thinking of the next move, it was like he was reading my thoughts. Everything seemed to come together! Even Brianne mentioned that she can't wait to see the pair of us in a year from now.
Friday was just a practice session for the pair of us. We worked mostly on flat work and with collection. Oz finally figured out if he went on the bit, not only did he get mass amount of praise but it was just easier for him. There were times in both the walk and trot, where he was so beautifully collected that he looked like some of the advertising that you see for high level dressage horses. It took most of the ride before he just started to do it for a full length of the ring. But it is there. Although we moved from our beautiful collection work to jumping. And with this we will need to work under Brianne some more, as Oz then started to have a beautiful bend at the poll, on the bit, and just looked elegant, only to head to a jump like this and not be ready for it. So we worked on some more jumps and he was great, I think as we continue both Oz and my confidence level keeps dramatically increasing. I'd swear Oz is getting to the point he's starting to get tired off trotting up to cross poles. And there were a few jumps during both our lesson and our practice session that he was cantering to. And that jump felt so easy and non jarring. Although through out our practice session there were times where I wondered - if everytime we get on a horse we are either teaching them something good or something bad. And our times when its just him and I, I can feel that there are things that we are doing as a pair that don't feel just right, and without Brianne on the ground to instruct us, it feels risky that I'm just instilling in a movement or behaviour that is incorrect. So I ended the practicing and was feeling a bit concerned about our show on Saturday, as it was just us going, Brianne was in Alberta, and the other boarders were going to the Kelowna show. SOHA definately has great and supportive members, but after a so so practice session I wondered about how this show was Igoing to end up.
|
RSS Feed