My Show.

I know that some people go to shows every weekend during the season, but I have been to one real show. It was my graduation present, and while I wish I could do more classes, I am really grateful for what I could do. I rode Calvin about three times before the show, and then I was really confident because I was doing a really low class.

Excitement made me not get to sleep until about 3 am. I awoke at 6:30, much too late! I sped through the rain to get to the barn at 7 am, much too late! (So typical of me) Luckily I had people kind enough to groom and tack Cal for me and we had a very good first round.

Here is the professional photographer's proof gallery from the day.

First we went in for hunters over fences on the left lead, and we won the class! Cal was such a good boy.

Look at that teeny jump! No one believes I've been riding since 2001.

Then we went and did the same course on the right lead, and after one of the fences he picked up the wrong lead, and I was dumb enough not to do a simple change, and I let him rush a fence and so we only placed 4th.


Then we did the same course but for equitation over fences and I got third.


Then we had a break and then we went back in the warm up ring and he was moving REALLY nice.

My friend Trish took this picture with one of her film cameras.

We went back in for hunter under saddle and Calvin was so good. He won. After that we did equitation on the flat and I didn't place. There was some controversy because the person who won was an instructor.

When I was back giving Calvin a bath they announced he was champion hunter and we got a giant ribbon and another $20 gift certificate to the same tack shop. I ended up giving Ariel the gift certificates because gas was so high then that it would have taken me almost as much money as I had in certificates to get there and back.
Here's what we won.

Getting close

So, it looks like I could very well be moving to New Jersey after Christmas for a working student job! If for some reason they pull out, I have a dressage barn in New York and a show/boarding barn in Ontario that would like to have me out. :D

One of these days I'm going to write up a synopsis of the show, complete with pictures.

Moving along

I'm currently in contact with a few show barns that are considering having me come out to interview for a live in working student position. The positions would last anywhere from a few months to a year. I've been using a very helpful site called yardandgroom.com.

Traceland Farm needs a show groom/ working student for their show season in Ocala and the owner is going to call me to talk. Here's their ad.

Andrew of Hunter Farms in New Jersey has just asked me when I am available for work.

Penwick Stable has sent me a questionnaire that I sent back answered. Here is their ad.

Julie of Bascule Farm in Maryland says she'd like to talk with me and I still have to call or email. Here is the ad.

I've contacted about ten more places that haven't replied back. I'd really recommend yardandgroom.com for this sort of thing. It is the only site of its kind I've found in English. The site is international.

I promise that I'll have an overview and pictures from the show I did in June soon.

Longer Time, No Update!

I've abandoned this blog! I've since been to a horse show, and jumped a 2' 6" course! I'll update later when it's not 1 am. I have moved to Ames to go to college at DMACC, so as of now I am not riding, but looking for a place where I can hack or be a working student until I can get a job and pay for weekly lessons. I've been calling Stagecoach, Canterbrooke, Jen Allen Training, and Stillwater Stables but I haven't gotten a call back so I'm going to keep calling until I get someone who answers, they don't seem to reply ot their messages. I have a video of the facilities here.

Ha ha, long time no update!

Guess what, I did ride a pony! A very fat, very naughty mare.

Update on the last few months; I've been riding my instructor's horse Calvin when I can. He's a 17.1 grey thoroughbred. I have my first show on him in three days! My parents are coming with the big video camera so hopefully I'll be able to capture it. I'm doing two lines of little fences, each twice in a row. Then, I'm doing some flat (!) classes.

Ace Day

yep, it was good. able to really feel when I can sit on him and get my legs on him, different feeling from Solo. He's a fast horse, too, and I'm now used to sitting up and slowing him down. I'm learning how to ride a horse! No more ponies, even if those 'ponies' are 16.0 hh! ^_^

whelp, server error, no course piccy for nowwwwwwww D:

An Old Favourite...

NINO_FAVintheworld.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Here's my baby back in 2001 or so. Isn't the light from the window hitting him just beautifully?

I had the picture (developed from film) in my locker back in sixth grade, and when my friends decorated my locker for my birthday they added that sticker. This picture actually fell off and out of my locker somehow and I recieved it back folded over (hence the crease) and shoved through the vents in my locker.