A Beautiful Fall Day

We haven't ridden much this year. In truth, we haven't ridden much in the last two years.  I don't think I'd been on my horse since late June or maybe early July.  It's life, it's not ideal but it's also not permanent.  That being said, we've had the good luck of some lovely fall weather and took advantage of it on the weekend.  

Sunday was my mom's birthday (50th with several years of practice of course) so we went to give her a bottle of wine and visit the critters while we were out.  The horses were all up looking like they wanted something to do so we pulled in a couple and tacked them up. Jose, as you know, is a superstar.  The other horse is Mud.  Maybe I've written about her before... she's kind of the bane of my existence but she's growing on me after all these years.  She's 16 this year but hasn't ever had much experience with regards to all things equine.  Although, to her credit, she isn't stupid under saddle, just hasn't had much eduction.  My mother had been wanting to get on her horse all summer.  This time we got it to happen.  Funny that there was no tack already set up for her - we had to find a bit and reins and bridle then size it down for her.  Unfortunately we also haven't got a well-fitted saddle for her either; however, we made work what we did have.  

I lunged the Mud Puddle which she thought was a great, fun idea, for about 30 seconds, and then it became WORK, how dare I?!  But once she proved that paying attention to what I was asking for was of higher importance than responding to her friend's whinny, I praised her and brought her in.  I don't ride Mud, I'd just rather not and I feel Mud also appreciates that.  But Ali does!  So I popped my kidlet up on her and handed the lead rope to my mother and they had a lovely stroll around while I got up on Jose and did some work.  Since he's a Rockstar and it's been so long since we last rode, I made it a short and positive one.  Once I popped off him, we brought in Mud and changed out the riders.  Mom did great!  Yes, she walked for maybe 7 minutes but that's more than her body has done in a year.  The Puddle was calm and a good citizen and strolled around relaxed with Ali in lead.  

Sometimes it's not about the hard training and the ribbons, sometimes it's just the simplest action of spending some quality time together.

And a special shout out to my amazing boyfriend for capturing some images from our rides.  Thanks love! 

And happy horseing! 

Sharing Forward - The Lesson Horse

If we've met or you've read some of my previous musings, you probably understand my gratitude for people sharing their wisdom and time with me as a young person.  As an adult with the good fortune to have some lovely animals, I've continued to feel that the greatest service I can do is share my animals and knowledge forward.  It is something that I'm trying very hard to teach my daughter about, and there are occasions where she makes me very proud. 

Two years ago, she was gifted with a lovely old-man Salle Francaise gelding.  Since Bucky was getting up in years and could not take Ali further in riding than he had, we were on the lookout for something still very safe, but for her to move up on.  Through the grapevine, word came around about this fella, and our meeting went really well.  His owner offered him to my daughter and we brought him home the next day.  Since then, they've had many adventures including attending their first horse show and doing some very small jumps.  He's in his 20's but was apparently was a Grand Prix jumper back in his day. I can see that the way he goes to the fences. 

Well, this year hasn't been one for riding for us. Life has just been busy and moving swiftly in different directions.  The thought occurred to me that the horse (Hunter) might enjoy having kids fuss on him while helping teach the next generation how to fall in love with horses.  (Yes, I'm still an enabler...)  So I talked with Ali and reached out to a friend of ours who is running a H/J barn close to Edmonton.  She asked a few questions but decided that yes, she would love to have him in her program for the winter.  

Ali did great writing out his care instructions
and helped me pack his blankets and bridle.  She gave him his dewormer and loaded him into the trailer like a pro!  He travelled, unloaded and settled in like he'd lived at the barn his whole life (certainly he's lived at a barn for the majority of his life.)  And we're looking forward to seeing updates with kids falling in love with him.  We will bring him home when the ground is dry and the weather is good again.  It's occurring to me that she's once again in need of a move-up horse.  Something just a bit younger that takes just a bit more skill to ride well, but still safe.  I will keep my eyes open this winter and see if something appropriate comes up.  More and more I'm realizing there's tons of horses available, it's just a matter of connecting the right dots to find them.  

In the mean time, Happy Horseing y'all! 

Three Years Later...

Well hello 2020... 

So it's been slightly more than three years since I've blogged.  My lord the world has changed.  I can't say that anything bad has really happened though.  I'm happy for all the shifts and the opportunities and growth that has come through. 

I still have Jose the wonder pony!  In addition to all the tricks, we have added some horseback archery to our list of skills.  He did an incredible set of photo shoots a couple of years ago that resulted in a calendar or sexy men... (I work so hard, I tell ya!) and one kick-ass haunted-house poster!  

The beautiful Goran and Jose, photos by Visions of Heaphen Photography

I still have Ritchie.  He came home from BC almost two years ago and is being ridden by an Adult Ammy friend of mine who tells me she's never never ever sending him back (she threatened that last year before breeding season too, but he did, in fact, come home for a while.)  She treats him like gold and is growing so much in her own riding and confidence, I'm just thrilled!!!

My personal life has shifted.  I left the marriage over a year ago and am rocking the single-mom life!  My heart goes out to everyone suffering with PTSD, and loved ones affected, but change starts first by looking in the mirror.  The anger and abuse leaves scars of its' own.  

I haven't had the opportunity to show in the last two years.  It's so weird!  2019 was a write off for me because we moved out and had so much change to deal with.  And, of course, 2020 is just kind of a crap sandwich!  

I changed jobs.  I retired from grooming as my body just said (very loudly) THAT'S ENOUGH!! I was dealing with chronic pain and even developed asthma.  Ali and I moved up to Westlock and I took a part-time line at the hospital there.  I had the good fortune to work part-time casually for one of the local physicians in a clinic which was great for extra experience.  A temporary full-time line opened up for me and I enjoyed a very busy position for a while.  Then I saw a permanent full-time position in Barrhead and applied on a whim.  Low and behold they offered me the position and so now I'm holding securely (at least as secure as any healthcare position is currently in this political horizon.)  I enjoy the work, have no more chronic pain and no more asthma!  Unfortunately I haven't been on a horse since May either... but it will come back around in time. I have, however, been on my MOTORCYCLE!!  Something I've wanted to do forever, I finally did!  With my income-tax return, I bought myself a 2001 Kawasaki Ninja 500 and learned to ride!  What a blast! 

We bred some horses this summer!  I decided to bring "King Richard" home and cover some mares.  I've been loaned a neat warmblood mare by a lovely friend who will be a delightful compliment to the boy.  I also was gifted a grade warmblood x mare who was maiden but stood well to be bred and will hopefully produce something as nice as what we have on the ground.  Ritchie hasn't shown in three years now, but I'm not upset about that either.  He's being ridden and loved on and he's still a superstar fella. 

The website is updated and current if you care to check out www.standardsequine.com and I'm still teaching equine first-aid courses and trick-horse clinics.  

I'm happy, we're healthy and managing to get by with what we're doing.  Hopefully I'll have the ambition to continue writing regularly, but we shall see how it goes.  Definitely I've learned to relax about things... despite my grey hairs!  

Hope you have a fantastic day and thanks for stopping by!

Happy Horseing! 

Garrocha

It's so fun meeting new people and growing as a horse person.  Not only as a rider, but as an all around equine enthusiast.  This time I am specifically referring to an in-the-tack activity though.

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting a lady in the area who has taken to Spanish working equitation and the garrocha.  We met when she brought her Warlander filly to a trick clinic I was teaching.  She was fantastic at picking up the tricks and shared with me what she was working on at home.  Well, of course that means a pony play day!!  Heidi and her sister Chantelle came over with three of their horses and their big garrocha pole to ride with Ali and I.  I was excited to try the pole out with Jose as I'd worked him several moons ago dragging things when we did a trail competition as part of a battle of the breeds in Saskatoon.  He was not at all concerned about the pole.  Steering was a little more tricky, but we did manage to make some circles around it and drag it along.  Nothing like what you'll see on youtube, but everyone has to start somewhere.

Ali did 3 canters each direction on her own with Bucky.  God bless his 28 years of patience.  He gives her so much.  I'm eternally grateful for him always keeping her safe!!!

The horses the girls brought with them had a good time doing tricks, taking a ride through the hay field and being out.  It's been a while since I had a good time doing a pony play day.  Absolutely needs to happen again - SOON!!!

Be like Heidi, and happy horseing!!!

Wildwood Fair

Oh the adventures we get to have.  Every year it's something different, a new place, a new venue, and I love all of it!

I'm so blessed to have some really incredible friends.  This particular one I've had the pleasure to share a few adventures with this year!  The incredible Jeanette Hall invited Jose and I to perform with her at the Wildwood Fair for their mid-show entertainment.  Jeanette is an accomplished archer and gave a talk and demo on mounted archery.  Unfortunately her super-trusty Morgan is still recovering from an injury so she brought out her rookie backup, a young Appy named Caspar.  She had shot off of him only once months ago at a stand still.  Today, she took him all the way up to shooting from the trot!!!  He was a rockstar, and Jeanette was so fun to watch and engaging with the crowd and kids.  I almost didn't want to perform because I was having so much fun watching them.

Just like that!

After all of the kids had a turn shooting the bow, JJ and I took over the crowd and talked about trick-horse training.  How I got to stand around and look pretty and he does all the real work...
It's not untrue..

Jose makes me look good! 

After a good demo to a receptive crowd, we packed up the kids and Jeanette treated me to a Chinese food late lunch.  I'm not sure if the food was really as good as I think it was or if we were just that hungry but it was fantastic company regardless.

It's always a pleasure to meet people when we go out.  We connected with a Patrol Sheriff who was in mounted troop likely at the same time as Anthony.  He asked if Jose was a Quarter Horse, but we won't hold that against him.

So impressive! 

I really like this idea of saying "Yes!" when asked to be involved with things - even if I'm not sure how things are going to go or what the program will be.  Say yes to opportunity and learn the "how to" after.

As always, happy horseing!!!

And Now For Something Completely Different!

I suppose pictures of Jose aren't really different, but having the opportunity to work with an incredible photographer, whose work I absolutely admire, is something a little out of the norm for us.
At Mane Event, I had the pleasure of talking with the delightful Megan Kruse.  She had a beautiful booth set up at the Event with some of her stunning works.  I love what she creates and she's a pretty fun, down to earth and creative human.
When the opportunity came through that she was looking for a "brand ambassador", I jumped at the opportunity!  Jose is so creative, I knew he could be a fantastic addition to her portfolio.  I just come along for the ride.  lol
So I applied, and she accepted!!!  We scheduled our first photo shoot at the farm as a kind of a "getting to know you" type of idea.  It was FANTASTIC!!!  She let JJ and I do what we do and grabbed perfect angles to catch beautiful moments.

I can't say enough good things!  If you're looking for a very talented Alberta-based photographer to capture special moments with you and your horses, do yourself a favor and connect with Megan Kruse!!  www.megankruse.ca

Being unconventional certainly has its advantages! 

Two of my favorite things in this world!!  <3 

Happy Horseing!  and call Megan!!!

Go to the Show!

It gets to that uncomfortable, itchy place, where you have such a need, an addiction to fill that you do anything you can to fill it.  Mine is obviously showing horses...
I had registered Jose and I for a small schooling dressage show at Mind's Eye not far from our place for Saturday (yesterday) to go through a couple of training level tests.  Unfortunately the show was cancelled due to low entries!!!  What's a girl to do??  Well, there was still a show going on, but not a dressage show.  It was an open show at Thorsby, the Warden All-Breed Show.  I had gone to this show 19 years ago... yes, that's dating myself, with a sweet QH gelding named Laddie.  It was a fairly small show then, and we just did under saddle classes and I remember doing quite well by the end of the day with him.
I realize that my Standardbred is quite a different kettle of fish and that's just fine.  I'm quite fond of him - obviously.  We entered the Sr. Showmanship, Halter Geldings and three under saddle classes, Sr. Equitation, Maiden Pleasure and Sr. Pleasure.  The classes were only $7 each so it really didn't hurt!

The last show we went to where the judge crucified him.  Schooling show, training level tests.  I've been a little gun shy to take him out in that kind of environment again since.

My day started off less than ideal, my alarm failed to go off so I woke up with Anthony's, half an hour late.  Thank goodness both the child and Jose were very cooperative and we arrived without issue at the grounds and I managed to make it into the ring for my showmanship class - however I didn't hear the gate keeper call so I was late in.  I missed my last quarter as the judge was doing her round because JJ had shifted and I was trying to correct him.  He was so confused, poor guy.  He kept asking me if we were doing Spanish walk now or...????  Anyways, the classes were quite large, I believe 11 or so horses in each, and we did not make the judge's card in either of the in-hand classes.  I wouldn't have placed us in showmanship either, but I think I would have put him in front of a few of the halter horses.  However, that's just my opinion.

This is more normal for us on the ground.

The western classes went after the in-hand classes, which is very different.  It was a long wait through two half-hour breaks plus classes.  Kudos to the judge though, she kept things moving right along!  The Sr. Equitation pattern came first.  There was no rail component to this, only the pattern and it was a pretty terrible one, in my opinion.  Three pilons in a straight line.  Trot from the first to second (about 10 m) on the right diagonal.  Halt and pilon 2.  From there, canter depart on the left lead to a circle to the left.  Halt upon return to pilon 2.  Rein back 5 steps.  Canter depart immediately on the right lead to pilon 3 and circle to the right there.  Halt at pilon 3.
Now JJ had recently been offering me walk-canter transitions so I took advantage of that.  We started our trot from slightly further back so we had time to establish trot before running into the halt pilon.  That went fine.  The first canter circle went quite well for the first 3/4 but didn't end really pretty.  That's fine, the halt was good and reasonably placed.  The rein back went well but JJ decided 5 steps wasn't enough and brought us back 8 or 9...  from there, I elected to trot up to pilon 3 and ask for a better transition into canter.  I think it worked as it was clear and obedient and the halt was also decent.
We placed 5th out of 10 or 11 in that class.  I couldn't have been more thrilled!!!!
The maiden pleasure class was immediately after.  I was so excited by our placing that I'd dismounted in the holding area.  When I heard them call me I came running!  JJ was more relaxed for the rail class but had a hard time with the marathon canter the judge asked for.  He was tired, justifiably.  It was 30 degrees outside and the show was indoors with no ventilation!  He really wanted to drop out of the canter after the first lap, but we had to keep going for 2 and then 3 laps!  I wonder if the judge wanted to see if the Standardbred would drop out of the canter (which is now quite strong thank you!!)  He did give me a bit of a crop hop one way out of displeasure at my strong FORWARD aid, fair enough.  On line up, I counted 8 riders.  We placed 6th and I was thrilled with that too!  I had wanted to make the judge's card, and we reached our goal.
After trying so hard for me and thinking about the severe conditions, I scratched the third under-saddle class. I knew there were at least 11 riders in it and thought I'd much rather leave him on a positive and successful note.  He got 3 handfuls of cookies for his hard work and we packed up and went home.

A wet bed sheet from Value Village really helps to beat the heat!

Ali decided the picture needed to be XL for this blog entry...
At the end of it, I don't think I'll be afraid to take my horse out to another open show in the future.  He's what I currently have and always tries his best to do what is asked of him.

Ritchie taught me to ride the horse you have.  And while he's away being incredible and successful with Jessica, I have Jose who is pretty incredible in his own right.

Keep working, keep riding and Happy Horseing!