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.