Slow & Steady (and some studs don't hurt)

If there are downsides to being sidelined and forbidden to ride (there are plenty, believe me... my husband will attest that not riding adversely affects nearly all of my charm and sociability) - there are also upsides, like your horse being really, really, really tuned up without any noisy interference from yours truly.

Prairie finished the week at Evergreen beautifully.  She placed in all but one of her classes - which I consider to be pretty frigging awesome given it was her first AA show, two big divisions and her first time on grass.

very blurry video still

I did opt to throw hind shoes on so I could give her some studs.  I was on the fence about it, and while she seemed comfortable cantering around on grass at home, I know that she still gets very nervous when she loses her balance and all the dry weather had me worried the rings would be hard and slick.

S reported that she felt the difference in her balance immediately.  Apparently she felt like Prair was way more willing to sit and turn from her haunches than she is even at home in the sand.  While I'm a firm believer that there's nothing stopping a barefoot horse from maintaining it's own balance, I do admit that Prair is not naturally great at balancing herself and perhaps the grip of her studs was a very reassuring thing for her.

I'm curious to see if the shoes alone affect her at home or not.  My intention is to pull them this week, but I guess we'll see.  I really want to ride her myself before I make a decision on that...

Whether it was the studs, the heat (80's! perfect!) or just her ever increasing experience, Prair was as relaxed as she's ever been at a show ever.

I'm sad I didn't actually get to see her go, but I did actually come out of my drug induced haze long enough to ask S to sign us up for some videoed rounds so I could at least witness what was going on.

We taped two rounds, here's the one I like less.  The super fabulous round is being a pain in the ass on youtube, but this one is pretty good too.  She doesn't seem quite as relaxed in this one, and she's got a late change - but all in all pretty awesome by Prairie standards. 



I really need to get back on.

All Clear

prairie headed out to an empty warmup field

Yesterday was Prair's first day at the show and my inconvenient operation. Thankfully both went well and while she probably had to work a lot harder, I'm thinking she probably feels a bit better this morning.

Truth be told I feel pretty good. Good enough to be trying to bribe my husband to chauffeur me out to watch a round or two :)

Prair did actually have a great day. Her divisions are huge relative to what we're used to (both about 15 horses) and the caliber of competition is much higher. So I'm super proud of her 2nd in her 3' Non-TB Hunter Under Saddle (sidenote- cant believe thats actually a division). She also snagged a 5th and 6th in her first two Non-TB courses.

The Pre-Green division is STACKED. Holy wow. I think Prair might be the plainest horse out there. Regardless she pinned 6th under saddle, and 7th and 9th over fences.

S assures me that her ribbons don't reflect how awesome she feels, but I'm thrilled with her first few placings a at her first big AA show!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pitter Patter

It takes more than just the normal go-to tack and equipment to make my tack 'ho heart go pitter patter.  But while rabbit-trailing down various links during Jeopardy the other night, I stumbled onto perhaps my favorite site ever.

Not because it has an endless selection (it doesn't), or even because I necessarily like everything that's offered (I don't).. but because it's mission/tag line sings to my little tack hoarding heart:

The UK's premier online luxury matchy-matchy destination.

Did you say Matchy-Matchy?????


Yes please.

MatchyDressage.com might be the best thing since white polos.  I mean one of the shopping categories is literally titled "Fab Over Reach Boots."  Can't get any more clarifying than that! Another (currently empty) category is "Fur and Bling." (love it!)

I've been drooling (a bit) over the Eskadron Platinum collection.  Some of it is tacky and unnecessary, but I secretly love their waffle knit competition sheet, which sadly Matchy Dressage doesn't carry, but they do have plenty of the other absurdly shiny, absurdly unnecessary Platinum items for the DQ who already has 4 of everything.

waffle knit loveliness....

mmm fleecey sheet with satin...

What. Fun. 

I don't think I can in good conscious upgrade Prair's show wardrobe without us at least jumping 3'.  2'6" doesn't exactly demand the highest level of finery....

WEC - Pro Pics

One final post from the Emerald Classic...

I got my professional photos back from WEC. Thus far I've been underwhelmed with all the jumping proofs I've seen of Prair and I from our first few "real" shows as Hunters.  Part of that is either Prair and I look like total doofuses, or alternatively like holy terrors.  Add to that the fact that 2'6" fences don't exactly inspire... dramatic action shots and the picture pickings have been slim.

That being said, I actually liked a lot of the proofs from WEC.  I settled on two that I finally ordered and I'm glad to have at least one set of photos from our first real "season" out in Hunter Land.

Feast your eyes on our Pre-Adult glory (ha):

knees! and I'm actually giving a crest release...

The second pic is from that line that we simply could NOT get our lead when we came out.  I think this was from our last round, where I (somehow) did actually managed to pilot the mare around the turn moderately balanced and get the clean change.  miracles.

We almost look like we belong!  Next stop, the A/O's :) just kidding.  Feeling good about aiming for the 3' AA's next year though.

Today I'm heading out to the barn to watch the mare school on some grass.  Will be interesting to see how she does.  I'm not sure I've ever asked her to do anything on grass other than eat it....fingers crossed!