Photo Essay -Atkins Eventing

This will be a short photo essay.

I am known for filling an SD card in 2 hours. But this time I was so busy being underfoot watching I only managed a few photos.

Jump Field

The Fatties. I LOVE them.

Shedrow -featuring superstars Baby Drake & Henry

Jumps -I painted them! And me! Paint everywhere!

Goofy -Enjoying his Vitafloor therapy

Drakey (Firedrake)

Henry

In which after 24 years + ~$200,000 and in 1 Trip to Florida I Finally Learn to POST the Canter and How NOT to See a Distance

I’m back! 

Yes for the last few days, I have been in Ocala, FL at Atkins Eventing. What an amazing adventure –I’m not sure where to even start but here goes!

The School Masters

The Atkins stable boasts several beautifully trained horses. And on my first day I was allowed to lesson on 3 school masters…honestly Peter need not have been present that first day as the horses in their kind, cheerful manner sorted me out. I can only imagine their conversations that night in the pasture...

“Man, we have a live one –she likes to go for the long ones so I added all the way to the base and let her ride my neck a bit.”

“Good plan. Her canter cues stink. I did my best impression of a Hambletonian winner. I think she got the message"

Lovely boys all –they not only improved my riding but managed to put up with me as I fumbled.

The Lessons

After being sorted out by the boys I started to learn in earnest. 

Peter: “POST the canter”

Voice in my head: “ WTF? What diagonal so I post the canter on?”

Peter: "Not that! Canter BACKWARDS with your body!"

Voice in my head: "Crikey. I think he wants me to turn around backwards. Might as well.That could actually improve my riding at this point."

But after watching Peter as well as his students ride the light bulb dawned…and as instructed I replayed it my mind that night over and over…and yes Peter – I actually DID dream about posting the canter.

Which leads to learning to NOT seeing a distance.

My typical MO in approaching fence:

75% of the time, I see nothing. So, I half-halt...

I still see nothing. Half-halt again...

Nothing. Nadda. Nope. Still don't see a thing. Shit.…so I PULL!

And we are either buried at the base or I kick for the long one. Yee-haw!

Mentally I know I should ride the rhythm and let the horse jump for me…physically I either pull to the base or throw my head and shoulder forward for a long one. 

At the end of my stay, it finally started happening in my head. Improve the canter and jump out of rhythm. 

As I rode to my last fence on Thursday I saw nothing…I immediately went to pull…but I stopped myself…posted the canter, kicked up the back and softened my hand…the distance was a bit deep but the horse bounded over easily! What a great feeling and a great way to end what has proven to be the experience of a lifetime for an amateur rider.

I feel I have SO MUCH to share still. ..but it is all still a bit of a jumble in my head. 

I know I have a new work plan for Moose –shorter duration, higher quality work. I want to learn more about the therapeutics used –from a vibrating, moving floor to laser therapy. I also saw a wonderful dentist at work as well as an equally gifted chiropractor. 

And before you ask –Yes, I did get to meet the famous “Henny”.  :)

More soon.

My Secret Sloppy Self & Other Fashion Faux Pas

I was always told you might be poor but you can be clean. This was translated to taking what I had and being as presentable as possible (in regards to riding). I poured over George Morris’s jumping clinic taking his criticism as gospel. When riding in public I was never without shiny tack, my stirrup leathers tucked in, outfitted in a collared shirt, belt and hairnet.

Speaking of hairnets. Buy one. Please. The last few years at competitions and clinics, I have been horrified by the lack of hairnets. It makes me twitch.

Hairnets. Just do it.

I still believe this should be the standard outfit anytime riding “in public” (i.e. lessons –yes even with your local-yocal trainer, xc schools, clinics and schooling shows).

George is excused from the hairnet rule. But Gloves? Where are the Gloves?

• Clean, well-fitted tack
• Clean horse
• White pad
• Helmet
• Hairnet (for the love of god remember the hairnet!)        
• Belt
• Collared shirt tucked-in
• Breeches
• Shined tall boots –maybe if uber casual half chaps
• Gloves

I have this Outfit!

As I started keeping my horse at home my dress code of sorts has been relaxed.Very relaxed.

My husband accuses me of dressing like Napoleon Dynamite.

My revelation that I will soon be riding with Peter Atkins at his farm in Florida also brought out  turnout worries –what does one wear when training with a member of the Australian Eventing Team, World Games competitor and all around awesome coach? I mean I had the riding outfit down but what about chore clothes? Certainly Peter would not want a Napoleon Dynamite doppelganger representing his farm!?

So I sent him an email to ease my mind –would a polo tucked into jeans be OK for chores?

And his response was to shoot back a picture as he was setting out to ride.

Peter -please don't kill me for sharing this

I think I am going to fit in just fine.

Riding at home....green, pink and red match. Right?

As I pack for next week, I am leaving the breeches, tall boots and new polos at home. In go  t-shirts, jeans and half chaps.

I have not decided about the hairnet yet.

Hopes and Dreams, Dreams and Wishes

We all have them –those dreams and wishes we hold close to our heart. And I’m here to tell you it is OK –shoot for the stars and even if you fall short you’ll be amazed where you land.

So what are my secret dreams and wishes? 

Well I have always been envious of those going south for event season. While I am happy for my friends that can make it to Ocala or Aiken for a few weeks or the entire season, I have always wished to be among them. But with a budget so tight that it doesn’t just squeak it squeals I never thought it could happen…

And what I wouldn’t give to be a working student again. But as an adult with 2 jobs and other adult-like responsibilities (and that squealing budget) being a working student is not practical or wise.

No –Moose and I are not going to Florida for the season and no I am not taking a sabbatical to be a working student for 6 months.  But a week from today I am going to Florida. And I am riding with Peter Atkins! It still does not seem real. Pinch me! Thanks to the kindness of others, just enough frequent flier miles and a very understanding employer and husband, I will be living my dream for a week!

Wish me luck and do not be afraid to dream big!

Snow Days

As much as I bemoan MidWest winters there are some lovely days and joyful rides.

I love the sound (or lack thereof ) after a new snow. All is quiet as we ride.

Moose seems to enjoy it as well. As the snow tickles his belly, he gives little bucks...then a big one! Feeling my balance shift, he immediately stops and cocks an ear, as if to ask, "All OK up there?" As I settle in the saddle, we are off again.

Though today is a joy ride, the competitor in me takes over. I find myself watching the fresh tracks in the snow -"Are we straight?" "Was that shoulder-in 2 or 3 tracks?"
The snow becomes the arena mirror I have always wanted and the drifts become cavaletti as Moose lifts his legs to get through.

With temperatures below freezing and snow all around spring season seems so far away...yet the training is never far from my mind.

The January Thaw?

I have lived in Illinois since 2002 and have never been able to ride outside after December. With high temps in the low 50s and high 40s and no snow or ice anywhere to be seen it seems a great time to ride...

We rode OUTSIDE on CHRISTMAS!

Unless you have a toothache that turns into an emergency root canal that turns into a major infection.

But now I am better! Yay! I went out to finally ride (!!!!!)  But ....during the drug induced fog of my tooth drama Mooseys feet grew and grew. Not worth a tendon injury.

A call to my fantabulous farrier explaining the situation results in an immediate trim....I am ready to ride (!!!!!)

BUT

Feels like 3? Snow? 25 mph winds?

Ugh.

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?