Doing Work! (just not the horsey kind)

The last few weeks I have been working like a boss...just not with Moose. It's for my J O B (i.e. the real world). I have been made to understand that "others" do not understand what is meant by "after the Annual Meeting" as in "Can we have that lesson sometime after Annual Meeting" or "I would love to come over but can we get together after Annual Meeting" or "would love to go to that show/ clinic/event but I cannot schedule anything until after Annual Meeting".

So what is this Annual Meeting I speak of? It is the 103rd AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo. Basically it's not quite as bad as being the organizer of Rolex....but a few steps above being an AEC Horse Trials organizer. Speaking of Rolex...the Annual Meeting conflicts EVERY YEAR.

I must love my job need a paycheck.

So not much to report Moosey wise. Still looking forward to the Peter Atkin's Clinic at Champagne Run in May (this happens "after Annual Meeting"). So if you are desperate for horsey writings check out a blog post I wrote for Horse Junkies United:

"Do You Remember Your First Rolex? I Will Never Forget Mine…"

Do you remember your first Rolex?
The first time you saw your heroes in action?
The first time you truly felt the thrill of cross-country at its finest?
The first time you maxed out your credit cards at a trade fair?
I remember my first time. It was definitely “a first” in many ways.

• My first time seeing an advanced horse trial

• My first time seeing a three star (or any “star”)

• My first experience with the long format

• My first time attending (a USCTA recognized) horse trial

• My first time as a groom

Did you catch that? Yes, my first Rolex was all of those things…. and I was going as a groom.

Read more here.

Catcha after Annual Meeting!

The Horse | Understanding Equine Sleep Deprivation

The Horse | Understanding Equine Sleep Deprivation

Dellaire and Ruckebusch, estimates that in a day horses fulfill approximately:

• Two hours of diffuse drowsiness (during which the horse stands with full weight on both front legs and one rear leg while the other rear leg is cocked, or "primed," to kick if necessary);
• Three hours of slow wave sleep (at which point the horse is either lying down in lateral  or sternal recumbency [lying flat on his side or lying on his chest, respectively]); and
• Less than one hour of paradoxical sleep (during which the horse is commonly positioned on the ground, but the body is upright with head tucked to a side--normally toward the stifle). This allows for better respiration than being on a side.

(Read more.)

I think Moose may have a sleep disorder. This basically says horses lay down to sleep fours hours a day. Huh? Moose gets more like 8-10. Maybe he needs it for his beauty sleep. He is really cute.

He even sleeps during class

Moose Tracks....HARDCORE Logo Contest!

As Moose Tracks is tackling  Rolex Beginner Novice this year he clearly needs his own logo (for his fans dontcha know).

The husband suggested a rip-off  spin-off of the Frank Turner Hardcore logo as pinto ponies are most definitely hardcore.

Husband Suggestion 1: "The Classic"

Get it ? Moose Tracks HardCore?

Husband Suggestion 2: "Whips and Chains"

My creation: "Yams"

(Yams would be the now favorite food of the Moose ...in fact it was all he would eat when sick last month)

Do they look like orange turds? hmmm

What say you?

Keep on Bloggin'

I started this blog as practice for work. I played with posting times, themes and keywords while developing a feel for the medium.

And today is the day. Our "work" blog has launched!

Without further adieu I give you the AOCS Blog....

http://www.lipidsfatsoilssurfactantsohmy.com
(Warning: this blog has nothing to do with horses. Nope, not a thing. But if you like oil chemistry it just might be for you!)


I had originally planned to delete this blog once I launched my one for work. But I have enjoyed it and I have enjoyed you. So for now, I will keep on bloggin' (despite the fact my husband asks, "do you really have to let the entire world know how insane you actually are?".

Why yes. Yes I do.

It may be a 'random number generator'....but we won suckas!

News of the day = Moose and I won the HJU Ammie Educational Grant!

It went something like this....I was reading Horse Junkies United last night when I saw a familiar face- Moosey! I suddenly realized our submission for the Ammie Educational Grant had won!

Then this happened 



Followed by me handing my husband the phone to read the post....followed by more dancing and screeching as I wanted my phone back to call people anyone and share the news. He wasn't giving the phone back so I paraded out to the pasture to let Moose know....he was apparently unimpressed with my dancing - he spooked and ran away.

Buzz. Kill.

Anyway, remember this post? The post I was lamenting my lack of funds to participate in the Peter Atkins clinic in Kentucky? Well thanks to HJU and the grant sponsor ecogold we are now going!

I still can't quite believe my good fortune! Thank you  Horse Junkies United (a great blog)! Thank you ecogold (they make awesome saddle pads -and do real research)!

Please support these folks -they give back while also providing a great informational service and products.

Shameless Promotion of our "Sponsors"
(teehee...I love saying that)

• Horse Junkies United Blog

• Horse Junkies United on Facebook

Follow or "like" them for daily news and funny stories. You will also see contest announcements and there will be another Ammie Educational grant soon! Go win it!

• Ecogold Website

• Ecogold on Facebook

• Ecogold blog

And my favorite ecogold blog post :

Amazing Results from Ecogold Saddle Pads in Pressure Scans!

 

( I have seriously coveted an ecogold pad for Moosey since reading this. One ecogold. One day.)

A tale of Carrots & Apples, A Doublewide and Badminton Horse Trials.

Peter Atkins and Henry are heading to good ol' Badders. And if you have read this blog for any length of time ever you know Peter is my favorite coach. So let's get he & Super-Hen to England!

A unique fund-raising plan is in place....fans can support the trip by purchasing carrots and apples ($10), the Badminton Entry Fee ($537), or Henry's shipping ($10,000 -yes $ 1 0, 0 0 0). See the options at http://www.shop.runhennyrun.com

Apples & Carrots

"Henny gets a lot of carrots and apples, buying one or multiples of them will keep him happily munching and will be used for other day to day expenses that will occur. This is a great way to donate even if you can/want to only give $10, $20 or $30 "

No $h*t  Henny gets a lot of carrots. While at Peter's barn I saw the biggest bag of carrots I have seen in my (apparently sheltered) life. I mean seriously....just get a pick-up truck load.

NOT this

Still to Small

This is more like it....if it were larger

So yes -Henry does indeed need lots of carrots (donate here).

Hay for Henny ($140)

Clearly I need to move to England. I need hay for $140.

Which also brings us to transport....

aww-let's make sure Owie gets to go

You can help Owen go see his favorite horse run Badders (serious awwww factor here folks) or pony up and get Henry there.


So the cost of transporting the humans and horses makes me less jealous of the hay thing.

On to my personal favorite....

Lodging for Peter

"with your help Peter will be well rested for his week at Badminton and yes he will be living in a double wide."

Yes! A thousand time yes!!! I can't tell you exactly why this tickles my funny bone. As a trailer park liver for several years (I know you are NOT shocked by that little revelation) I am certainly no snob. But the thought of Peter in his doublewide....


 All kidding aside this an expensive endeavor (even not accounting for lost income while away). I would really love to see Peter, his family and his horse live this dream. They are good people.

Please visit http://www.shop.runhennyrun.com and donate what you can (and if you can't I get that -please just keep the Atkins eventing family in your thoughts as they make this journey).

And if someone out there does sponsor Peter's lodging please make it contingent upon photographic evidence. Please.

Peter Atkins teaching in Kentucky soon!!!!

Ack! Have you heard?! Peter Atkins will be teaching in Kentucky soon (as in May!).

The big thing for me is that he is offering private dressage lessons on the Friday of the clinic. I had a few private lessons on school horses while in Florida and my improvement in riding and understanding concepts was actually exponential in scale. I would love to get a private dressage lesson on Moose (as well as jumping/ xc in the group clinic) to see if I can continue the exponential learning!

(As an aside I do feel I am riding Moose much better since my FL trip-yay!)

Now where is that damn money tree? 

....oh yeah....it paid someone's vet bills (cough, Moosey!).

Here is the info:

Ride with Australian Eventing Team member Peter Atkins at Champagne Run!

May 11-13, 2012 | Lexington KY

Friday, May 11 – Private Dressage Lessons (Peter will be teaching a limited number of private dressage lessons the day before the clinic). Me Want! Want! Want!

Saturday, May 12 – Clinic Day 1 -Stadium: Grid work in groups of four for 1.5 hours.

Sunday, May 13 – Clinic Day 2 -Cross Country: Cross country schooling in groups of six for 2 hours. XC!!!!!! In KY! With Peter!

Peter + XC+ KY+ May!

Dressage: $115 per horse/rider combination

Clinic: $325 per horse/rider combination

Auditors: $25 for the weekend Maybe I can do this

Saturday evening we will host a meet and greet potluck with Peter! What? He doesn't eat....will there be a keg?

Limited overnight stabling is available upon request for $30/night.

Reserve your spot early by returning the clinic form with full payment! If someone wants to do this My name is Amy. My horse is Moose. I can supply the coggins part if you supply the payment part. Deal? OK!

Please return payment and forms early to guarantee participation, as space is limited. Negative coggins and health certificates are required with entry.

No refunds will be given unless your space can be filled from the wait list.

Checks may be made payable to Champagne Run. Your entry in the clinic will not be considered complete until payment in full has been received.

Please complete one entry form for each horse you plan to ride in the clinic.

Return forms to:
Champagne Run Farm
Attn: Peter Atkins Clinic
5991 Old Richmond Road
Lexington, KY 40515
mev.champagnerun@gmail.com
www.champagnerun.com

I truly hope some of my fellow bloggers get to go (and you better blog about it!). I'll be out shaking that money tree....