Sunday, January 6, 2013

2012 Re-Cap

Better late than never!  This was a time consuming post to write, but worth the effort.  I had not only forgotten things that happened last year, but it also showed me the progress we made.

January:

We were waiting on my County saddle to arrive, so spent lots of barn time lunging, doing ground work and in hand work.  When I rode, it was in a borrowed jump saddle or bareback - both did wonders for my conditioning. 

Daughter was in Florida with her trainer all month and celebrated her 18th birthday by riding on the beach.


Riva was on a 4 week shoeing cycle and still losing shoes.

February:

County saddle arrived and we had our initial fitting with Sara Ivie - also got the County girth (which I highly recommend) and leathers.



I was taking lesson with the BO on a boarder's Russian Trakehner.  I was learning to cue and ride the canter.

Lex got home from Florida and started putting training rides on Rifa.

I rode outsie on Feb. 2nd in the dressage areana...in Indiana...!

At the end of the month, was still taking lesson with the BO, but on Riva

March:

We did lots of riding outside, in tee shirts or tank tops - very strange weather for IN.



Attended Equine Affair in Ohio for the first time.  Bought a new dressage coat and a few other neccessities.

Lex was still putting training rides on Riva - started working on contact.

I cantered Riva for the first time outside.

We had a barn party and played games on horseback in the jump areana.  Riva and I won the egg and spoon game :)

We attended our first show of the season at CAF in Sheridan - I rode Intro B and Lex rode Riva Training Level Test 1.

April:

I had weekly lessons on Riva with BO all month.

We started using side reins when lunging.

Attended show mid-month in Edinburgh  I showed Intro B and Lex showed Riva Training Level Test 1.


I was struggling with canter work - getting Riva to canter and then stay in canter - steering, etc.

May:

Riva turned 5 this month!

Our strange Indiana weather hit 90 degrees by the end of the month.

We continued to work on canter and rode almost exclusively outside.

Showed at CAF in Sheridan - JC helped me with warm up.

June:

Attended shows at CAF in Sheridan and HHP in Edinburgh - back to back weekends.

I met 3 bloggers at the HHP show! 

We worked a lot with trot poles this month and had our first, and last, jump session.


July: 

It was HOT this month!  Canceled several lessons due to heat.  Rode mornings as much as possible and found Riva had much more energy for those rides.

Lex attended event camp at CAF and I was able to audit 3 out of 4 days.  I spent most of my time watching Jennifer Kaiser give dressage lessons and learned tons!

Husband took Riva for a yearly checkup with the vet for her feet and knee.  Vet said no more jumping - ever...But feet were good with the current farrier plan.

I rode out on the galloping track for the first time and loved it!


August: 

I stopped taking lessons from BO and Lex gave me lessons.

I cantered for the first time on the galloping track and started gaining confidence at this gait.

Riva injured her left front tendon and spent a week on stall rest.  We cold cast and wrapped daily.  Took her to the vet to have an ultrasound and learned she did not have a tear.  Slowly went back to work.


Sept: 

Showed Intro C for the first time at CAF in Sheridan.

Got dressage sport boots for Riva to protect her lower legs.

Showed Intro C at HHP in Edinburgh.


Oct: 

Had my first lesson with JC.


Riva got body clipped.

Lex competed at Regionals in KY - we got to attend 3 or the 4 days.


Got Riva a pretty new dressage bridle in KY.

Did our first walk / canter transition.

Nov.

Had 2 lessons with JC this month.



Started Riva on Red Cell - she would not eat the liquid, but the pellets got licked up.

Last show of 2012 - CAF at Sheridan.  Showed 2 tests for the first time - Intro C and Training Level Test 1.



Dec:

Sister-In-Law got a pony ride on the Diva.


Daylight savings time ended and I played beat the clock to get an outside ride in.

I got kicked by our OTTB and gave myself a hernia tightening Riva's girth - on 2 different days :)

Had 1 lesson with JC and learned when I use the whip, mean it.

Had my first ever Christmas Eve ride.



Show season stats:

I showed 9 times in 2012;  5 times at Intro B, 3 times at Intro C, and 1 time Training Level Test 1.

My hightest score in Intro B - 67.188 (last time showing this level)

Highest score in Intro C - 62.25

Training Level Test 1 - 57.292

Spent lots of weekends with JC's crew watching Alexis show and helping out.  Just a few pics from those weekends:






Looking forward to what 2013 brings!





11 comments:

Carly said...

You guys have come so far, it's crazy! I can't wait to see what you accomplish this year!

Martine said...

It's been a great year for you, I hope 2013 is even better!

AmberRose- Girl With a Dream said...

I look forward to hearing what 2013 brings! :D

Hillary said...

Great year! Very excited to see what 2013 holds! :)
Loved all the pictures.

Malin said...

being your Neighbor, lets hope for the same mild weather again this winter. BTW; this year we should make actual plans to meet up and have dinner in connection with Equine Affaire. Deal?

Mona Sterling said...

I love the recap posts! It's so fun to see all your progress right there!! I can't wait to see what 2013 brings.

Jessica said...

Great post! I always love seeing your pictures from Foxton. =-)

Boss Mare Eventing said...

Riva is just stunning. Love the mother daughter thing, reminds me of me and my mum!

TeresaA said...

sounds like a wonderful year!

Anonymous said...

What a year! It was fun reading through this and remembering with you.
-Sarah

Achieve1dream said...

What an awesome year!!!! I love seeing it all laid out like that. :D You and Riva are so awesome. I'm glad you're having so much fun with her. I look forward to seeing what you both do in 2013. :D