Year in review 2011

2011 has been a phenomenal year for Moose Tracks. I love looking back and reminiscing...and look forward to 2012!

In summation we camped, we did clinics, competed a little bit and with the help of hock injections and fabulous instruction improved a bit. 2011 brought many new friends that I am thankful for. It sadly did not bring a saddle that truly fits or a balanced, collected canter-hopefully 2012 will bring that. 2011 also concludes my first year in the blog-o-sphere...I hope to improve that in 2012 as well.

June
I started this blog as informal practice as I will be creating a blog for work. So far it has been fun and at times cathartic. My first post told the story of how I acquired Moose.

July
July was all about Come Again Farm Event camp. From food to fun and new friends-not to mention the valuable lessons learned- my July posts chronicle the event camp adventure. 2012 CAF event camp is definitely a must for Moose and I!

August
No posts in August :(. Bad blogger! So I have no idea what we did but am quite sure I was riding and Moose was eating and "eeyoreing" around!

September
Only 2 measly posts in September but at least I have something posted.
Moose's canter was still an issue...as in we did not have one at all. So off to the vet we went. Though he was technically sound we did stifle and hock injections.While this was no magic bullet it did finally allow us to start to improve...the canter is finally coming!

October

Third!

October was a great, great month for us. With Moose freshly lubed we tackled the Come Again Farm Horse Trials at starter level -daring to canter in public. He did really well finishing in 3rd!

October also found us traveling for the first time to BeaHive Ranch (I hope to go back in 2012-what a special place and rockin' people!). We rode again with Peter Atkins and continued to improve under his tutelage -even jumping a few training level cross country fences. I am still so proud of my horse-what a generous sort he is! If it was possible to make that experience more special my clinic report being published by Eventing Nation did just that!

November
In November I posted about my ongoing saddle drama (STILL ongoing) as well as our visit to the grand opening of Dove Saddlery in IL. I also gave time to give thanks to the many that have helped me along the way and also wrote a bit about my experiences being a working student. I don't think I wrote that particular post well...my intent was to relay that truly anything is possible if you are willing to make the choices to lead you there...and that these choices are often difficult and uncomfortable...but in the end it is up to you.

December
uh-oh. Looks like this is THE post for December. Perhaps my New Year's resolution should be to blog?

Octoberfest Moose Tracks Style

Moose Tracks has had a very busy October. From relaxing trail rides galloping waterways and leaping yard art to cross country schooling with friends he has not been home a single weekend.

In early October, we trekked to Come Again Farm’s Fall Horse Trials to eat test our mettle at starter level. Yes, starter –as in Beginner Novice Test A –as in we are cantering in public! Yup, time to test the new hocks!

With some trepidation, we entered the dressage ring….and…wowza! Moose pulled it together and gave me his best! I left the ring thrilled and humbled by my little horse. Icing on the cake was a score of 35 putting us in second!

For full disclosure we did get “hurried tempo” on the first canter circle, “needs slower tempo” on the second and “needs to work on better control of canter tempo so not so hurried” in the comments. Poor judge –if she only knew!

On to showjumping –Lee Ann out did herself with a really challenging and fun course decorated to the nines. Moose jumped clean and even cantered most of the course! Woot!

I thought this picture was cuuute. My husband, however, felt he looked like a leaping Okapi :(

Ok...there is a vague resemblance

this. I needz it.

We tore up the cross country cantering the entire thing. I had promised Moose he could eat the popsicle they were giving at the finish flags so we were there in no time…when I went to look at the final scores we had time penalties. For speeding. Oopsie…I did not think to wear a watch-who tries for time at starter anyway? It never occurred that new hocks=speedy Moose. 

Oh well! Still thrilled with the MooseMan and his pretty yellow ribbon.

That's my Baby!

Last weekend Moose got to clinic with Peter Atkins at BeaHive Ranch…post on that coming soon (promise).

Teaser alert –Moose Tracks jumped some TRAINING level xc fences (and I did not pee my pants!).

Yes! This is a training level fence!

PS –and for the record I did actually go to CAF to event. I only dropped $25 or so at the concession stand. For full disclosure Lori ran out of food :)