Show # 2 for 2013!

Last Saturday was our second show of the season at HHP in Edinburgh.  I was excited to go to this show even more after seeing the list of competitors.  First, I saw that the black mare my daughter took to Event Camp was on the list with her new young owner and second, Riva's breeder's young daughter was also going to compete.  Her breeder had not seen Riva in person since she was a yearling!  And, I already knew Austen of guineaforaguinness was going to be there competing her handsome boy, and it is always great to see them!

Hauled down on Friday evening and the rain was intermittent all the way there.  The showers did let up and we got in a productive school in the ring before the skies opened up again.  Riva was her normal up and very alert on Friday evening, but did her best to listen.  Only one spook - she did a drop and slide move as we were cantering past the opening at A, just as it was starting to rain.  Not sure what that was about...but I stayed on!

Husband and I enjoyed a Mexican dinner and beverages at our fav pre-show place in Edinburgh - won't say for the last time because I really would like to come back for IDS Championships in October.

My ride times were 11:14 and 2:13 - Training Level Test 3 first, then Training Level Test 2.  My routine so far this year is to take Riva for a hand walk in the morning and then allow for a 20 minute warm up for the first test.  I then planned on another 20 minute warm up for the second test, since they were 3 hours apart.

I was 'trainerless' for this show, since my daughter had to work, but my husband is fantastic at shows and much appreciated!  I had planned to ride my tests without a reader, but our BO's daughter happened to be there and kindly agreed to read for me.  I know the tests, but I find I can concentrate on each move so much better when I am not thinking 2 moves ahead.

Training 3 went very well!  Our only bobble was the very first movement - entry and halt...well really just the entry!  The areana was set up as a short dressage court and I noticed it as we rode in around the perimeter, waiting for the judge to ring her bell.  As we turned at A to enter, Riva caught site of the different looking areana and seemed confused and then wanting to veer right then left, right then left.  We got our act together by X and halted fairly square.  After that, every move went smoothly.  After getting a 5 on the first move, the rest were all 6's and 7's, even one 8!  We received a 67.2 - was very happy with this!  Large open class, so we received a 4th place with that score.

After a rest and brief school, we headed in for Training 2.  All was going so well, until the right lead canter - same place we had trouble at the last show.  As we rounded the corner to canter, Riva started shaking her head and trying to buck.  Got the canter, then lost it on the circle with more head shaking and threatening to buck.  Recovered on the long side and finished the test like nothing happened.  Still can not figure out why this has happened in the same spot, two shows in a row.  So despite getting two 4's for that canter transition and canter circle, we ended with a 63.21and second place.

Special thanks to Jen of cobjockey for cheering us on and taking photos of us!  So good to see her.  Also to Austen for hanging around long after she was done competing to watch our second test!  I did not say goodbye to either of you, because I will see you all again either in KY or IN!  Great day, great show, I am blessed.

Midnite Hour

Not Riva - but this is how she looked last night

 

Riva had her first ever Colic episode yesterday evening.  We have dealt with Colic many times over the years with Cheers, our OTTB.  The first place we boarded him, we would frequently get calls to come to the barn and would spend hours walking him until the pain would pass (along with large amounts of poo).

 

Riva's back right - has the most fungus

First off, Riva has been kept inside the past few days due to a severe case of scratches/mud fever/dew poisoning (ie fungus) on the white parts of her legs and neck.  Our weather has been so rainy that even with our well drained pastures, there is lots of mud and very wet grass.  Riva started with just a bit of fungus on her back heel bulbs one night and by the next night, full blown up her legs.  We started treating her with AG Silver wash and powder and keeping her inside - with indoor arena turn out.

 

Of course, Riva has not been happy with this arrangement of not going out with her mare buddies.  I still rode every night - fortunately, no lameness with the fungus.  On Tuesday night, we switched to a new treatment for her legs and neck - Tomorrow Dry Cow which is actually a treatment for mastitis on the advice of several boarders at our barn who have had success with this product.

 

Last night, I arrived to a kinda sleepy looking Riva.  Her legs already looked better, she had eaten her dinner, but had lots of alfalfa hay left in her stall (which she was not eating- and she normally hovers this).  I got her tacked up and went out to ride.  I took her around the galloping track a few times to warm up and then schooled in the outdoor dressage arena.  She was her normal self - worked on transitions and halts, lots of canter circles and trot loops, even schooled a few walk to canter transitions which we have just started working on.

 

I walked her out around the galloping track and hopped off to walk her in.  When I went to run my stirrups up, I noticed she was heavily sweating - sweat was dripping off her belly and chest.  It was warm yesterday, but she is body clipped and I had thoroughly walked her out.  I took her inside and got a bucket of cool water and towel to sponge her down.  She started pawing and trying to turn in the crossties and just not looking right. Took her outside to hand walk and she laid down as soon as we reached the grass.  I yelled for one of the boarders to get our barn owner to draw up some Banamine for me - my horse rarely lays down (I have seen it exactly one time in 5 yrs, early one morning in her stall).  The BO's daughter took her temp - normal, listened for gut sounds - none, and gave her 12 cc's of Banamine and I proceeded to walk Riva.

After 20 minutes, she checked her again and Riva seemed a bit perkier with some gut sounds.  I kept walking and within 10 minutes, she laid down again.  After another half hour of walking, I tried putting her in her stall and she peed and pooped a normal looking pile.  But right after that, she started pawing and circling, looked distressed.  She would stop and stand with her back legs and front legs way under her body.  I put in a call to my vet. 

 

Within 10 minutes the vet called back.  After hearing the report, she asked if I could get her to the clinic.  I proceeded to cry and tell her my husband is in KY and I would see if BO could drive us.  My wonderful BO and her daughter dropped everything and transported Riva and myself to our vet.  During all this, I had called my husband - who called youngest daughter - so Lex met us at Dr. A's.  When we reached the vet office, Riva calmly walked off the slant load, step down trailer (she has only ever been on our ramp straight load trailer) and right in to the stocks to be examined.  Knew she  was distressed because normally she would take some coaxing for any of that!  Vet had the bucket of mineral oil waiting and the sleepy drugs ready to go.

 

After siphoning out lots of gas and liquid, Dr. A tubed her with mineral oil and gave her a shot to stop the stomach spasms and relieve the pain.  Riva must have started feeling better quick because she wanted to have a discussion about getting back on the trailer.  Lex convinced her she did want to get on that trailer - and back home we went.

Dr. A gave instructions to remove all food and hay for the night, just water and if she seemed normal in the morning,g to turn her out.  I coated her legs  down with the Dry Cow and stared at her for awhile.  She was searching her stall floor for hay scrapes and her eyes looked bright again by the time I left at midnite.

BO texted me this morning that Riva pooped before turn out this morning and was happily running about her pasture this morning with happy bucks thrown in.  I am longing to sit and just watch her all day - but have to work to pay off the vet bills!

Thankful today for my awesome BO and her daughter, who had spent the previous evening at Purdue Vet Hosp with one of their own horses, my sweet youngest daughter for meeting me at the vet office late last night, for my wonderful husband for talking to me on the phone all the way home last night to make sure I didn't fall asleep.   I am truly blessed!



 

 

  

We Are Moving!

In just one month, we will be living here...

Georgetown, Kentucky!  Some readers already know this, or suspected it, but I did not want to officially post about this until I gave my notice at work.

My husband is being transferred by his employer - he has been working in Georgetown since last fall, and just home on the weekends.  His company made the decision to relocate him about two months ago.

Our trip to KY in early April was to check out boarding barns, homes, and for our youngest daughter to interview for a new working student position.  Lex got the job (yeah!), we found a fab barn for our OTTB, Riva will board where Lex will be working, and we found a house to rent.  It was a wirlwind 4 days!

Lex will be a working student for Reese Koffler-Stanfield of Maplecrest Farm and Riva will reside at her barn.  Lex will ride Riva a day or two a week and I will be able to ride whenever I want, plus take lessons with Reese.  Great opportunity for Lex, Riva, and me!

Reese recommended a private barn for our TB, Cheers, that is not far from Maplecrest Farm.  The owner is just taking on a few boarders - we are her first customers - quiet, lovely property with lots of area to ride out.

We found a sweet small house for rent, just a few blocks from the historical downtown part of Georgetown.  We really want to live in the area for awhile before we look for a house to buy.  We will be renting out our own home in Indiana - put it up for sale when we find the right place in KY.

So, this month will be busy!  I am going to the May 11 show in Edinburgh with Riva - Training Level test 2 & 3 again.  Other than work and riding, my time will be spent packing!

First Show of 2013!

Saturday was our first show of the season at Hoosier Horse Park in Edinburgh and it was the first for many things for Riva and myself.

    *  First time showing Training Level Test 2 & Test 3

    *  To ride two tests at Edinburgh in the same day

    *  For Riva to not act snarky toward other horses in warm-up (no pinned ears, snapping, etc)

    *  For me to be relaxed and focused only on Riva and myself in warm-up

*  To be able to walk Riva on a loose rein and chat with another competitor during warm-up     (thanks to Sarah of mybrainonhorses!)

 



     *  To smile almost all the way thru 2 entire tests & enjoy myself

 



 

My awesome, super supportive husband arrived home from a week in KY for work on Friday afternoon only to turn around and haul us to Edinburgh on Friday evening.  Despite cold temps and drizzling rain/snow, we tacked up and headed to school right after we arrived.

Riva is very familiar with HHP and although very up and alert, we had a good schooling session that evening, with just 2 other riders in the ring.  We kept it short and focused, then put her in her home away from home for the night.  Riva immediately made friends with all her neighbors - esp the super cute gelding stalled to her right, so that husband & I could head to our favorite Mexican place for margaritas and fajitas :)

 

My rides times for Saturday were 1:03 and 1:59 so for once we did not have to rush out of the hotel at dawn to prepare!  We still arrived about 7:45 am to feed Riva and watch other competitors.  So happy I got to watch a few rides and chat with some fellow bloggers!

Amy of slowandsteadysmilerwinstherace was there as trainer/show mom for her lovely young daughter who was showing her adorable Halflinger in their first combined test - we got to watch her jump round and talk with Amy.  Also watched Sarah of mybrainonhorses compete her project horse for the first time and watched their jump round.  I didn't get to watch her dressage tests on her other horse as her test times were right after mine.  We also ran into the barn owner where we first boarded our OTTB when we adopted him and where Alexis worked her first job - manly Western barn (Alexis worked several summers as a camp counselor and taught beginner lessons for two years). 

TL Test 2 was up first with 11 in our class - I felt very good about our warm-up and headed into the ring with a smile.  Riva was the most forward I have ever felt at a show but focused (maybe 6 is the magic grown-up age!).  I was worried that she would break to canter for the trots across the diagonal, but she did not.  The only problem we had was when I asked for the right lead canter transition, she shook her head hard and kicked out, bucked into the canter, and veered toward the center of the ring while breaking to trot.  I got her back on the circle and back into canter - so we lost points in the transition and the circle.  But I kept smiling and did not let it rattle the remainder of my test (that was a first also!) 

TL Test 3 went much the same, without the 'yeehaw moment'.  While obedient and forward, she just was not quite as up for this test.  I was late asking Riva to transition to trot from the canter diagonal - but other than that, all went well.

Results:  TL Test 2 - 62.8 %  and a 4th place
                TL Test 3 - 62.4% and a 5th place

Thank you to my wonderful husband for being my fill in trainer, photographer, groom, and best friend all weekend.  I could not and would not want to show without him there!  And another thank you to my thoughtful youngest daughter who surprised me by showing up just before my first test on Saturday - she had to work in the afternoon, but managed to run down and warm me up and read my tests for me.  I started crying when she showed up out of the blue on Saturday!

 

 



I Love Her, I Love Her NOT, I Love Her!

Such has been my horse life the past 2 weeks.  Last week, Riva was super - in the bridle, forward, bending, listening - every ride was outside in the jump arena.

Beginning of this week, Diva was at her worst.  She went in to heat with our lovely, launch in to Spring like weather.  She decided that tracking left was a horrible idea and must be avoided at all costs.  She was her normal self to the right - turn her left and she would have a melt down...complete with trying to turn back to the right, little rears, bucks, bolting...basically everything she could come up with to avoid tracking left.

Monday, daughter came out to ride her and give me a lesson.  Riva tried her tricks with Lex also - but daughter insisted and after a few come to Jesus moments, Riva complied.  By the time I got on for a mini-lesson. Riva was super and willing.  So, we concluded this is 100% attitude/heat related, nothing physically bothering her.

Tuesday, I lunged Riva to the left only before getting on and she was perfect - no issues whatsoever.  Took her out to the jump arena to ride and immediately tracked left.  Asked for trot and got a 'Oh Hell No' response.  The more things I tried, the worse it became, including bolting toward jumps.  As I was out riding alone, I didn't feel comfortable working thru this in the wide open, but full of obstacles, jump arena and two other riders were in the outdoor dressage arena.  I jumped off and headed to the indoor.  I remounted in the indoor, took up my normal contact before asking Riva to move off, turned her to track left, sat my butt deep in the saddle and put major leg on.  She put up a mild protest for about half the length of the long side - I just kept sitting the trot with my hands low and leg back and on. By the time we had made a complete loop of the arena she was very forward, listening, in the bridle.  Ok - this is more like it!

I continued at the rising trot, only tracking left until she was light and responsive, then moved in and out of canter.  Canter circles, diagonals, all good.  Took her briefly to the right, then walked her out on a loose rein with lots and lots of praise.

 

Good horses get good treats!  Riva impersonating a giraffe.  Retired TB's get treats too :)

 



Wednesday - I went with a plan.  Ride in the outdoor dressage arena and insist on tracking left obediently right away.  Plan almost went off track due to a hail storm on my drive home from work!  Got out to the barn and it had not even rained there.  I skipped lunging and headed straight outside with Riva.  Mounted up, walked her in to the dressage arena, tracked left, took up contact, sat down, leg on, and asked for trot.  She mildly resisted for a couple of strides and then gave me lovely forward trot.  I probably sounded like a lunatic trotting around saying 'Good Girl' loudly, but Riva eats that up!  I kept her at trot to the left for awhile - circles, diagonals, loops - before moving on to canter.  Once again, briefly took her to the right and then tried to run thru Training Level Test 3 which I botched up and it was more like a combination of TL 2 & 3 with no walking, but oh well.

I felt so good on the drive home and talked my husband's ear off (by phone as he is working in KY this week).  I believe this is the first time I have been able to resolve a major riding issue on my own without someone coaching me thru it.  Riva is a tricky one and if I show complete confidence, she accepts that I am the leader.

Today - I Love Her!

Spring is in the Air!

Finally - temps in the 70's!  Heck, I'll take 50's, but not going to complain.  Rode outside every day last week - heaven. 

 

Super Husband was able to play photographer for me last Friday afternoon!

 

 

We spent lots of time cantering last week.

 

Funny story to tell about last Thursday.  Went out to the jump arena to ride - as we had done every day last week (dressage arena footing was not groomed to Princess Diva standards) and as we came down the long side, headed towards the back of the arena, Riva wanted to spin and go back the other way.   

 

Turned her around and kicked her forward - this time she did a little rear and almost seemed to say 'Danger, Danger!'.   

 

So I jumped off and proceeded to hand walk her towards the back - the farther we went the more she snorted and jigged around.   

 

   Then I saw it...

               cue scary music...

                      someone had stood a jump gate up and leaned it against the fence (the nerve).   

 

 As we approached the out of place gate, Riva spun and jerked the reins out of my hands and started trotting towards the front.

 

All a could see was her new bridle snapping and thought to yell 'Stand'.  (the cue I use to get her to halt when lunging) 

 

Amazingly - she stopped...right then...even a square halt!  Took me a minute to believe she actually stopped :)  Walked up to her and sweetly told her we are walking by that gate - which she did but really didn't want to. 

 

Spring!

 

 



Spent a few days in the Bluegrass State!

My husband has been working in the Georgetown, KY area since last fall - he comes home on weekends.  I am on Spring Break for 2 weeks (I work at a school), so the youngest and I joined him for a few days and did a little sight seeing. 

 

Green Grass coming up!  Sadly brown still in Indiana.

 

 

We visited a local winery - Equus Run Vineyards, and sampled their wine (also came home with a lovely bottle!)

 

 

At the winery

 

Also visited a distillery - Buffalo Trace - and tasted some Kentucky Bourbon

(sorry, pics are on husband's cell phone!)  But it was impressive!

 

 

Toured a few barns

 

 

Ate at some very good restaurants, visited four (I think) tack shops, including one that hand makes their leather halters, some antique stores, and spent every evening in the hotel hot tub!

 

  The people were friendly, the weather cooperated and was spring like and sunny, and things just seem to move at a slow, more laid back pace. 

Georgetown is a great town and I am looking forward to going back!