Day 2 of the Show: A Different Kettle of Fish

To say I was happy at the end of Saturday would be an understatement. I was positively floating wiht happiness. I was proud of both of us and so happy that I decided to show. I was also really enjoying the socializing with old/new friends at the show.

My ride times were also in the afternoon but I didn't take her into the warm up ring in the morning. She was quite tired at the end of saturday and I didn't want to wear her out. In the end that might not have been the best decision but I don't know that it would have made any difference in what happened later (foreshadowing, sorry). Instead I hand walked her outside the barn and let her graze on some grass. I decided to set about 45 minutes aside for the warm up and headed over the warm up ring in plenty of time.

as you can see she seems quite content 

Some background info:
As you may have noticed, the show ring is inside a hockey arena. In the summer it's used as a show venue. That is why it has the appearance of thunderdome a coliseum. The warm up ring is just outside. It's a 20x40 indoor. One door looks out onto a busy highway with the exit ramp right there. It's separated by a chain link fence with weeds growing up around it. On the first day Carmen was a bit unnerved by the horses appearing and disappearing out of this door but she dealt with it well.

The steward is just outside. This time the steward had her daughter helping because she was recovering from a broken leg. On saturday I wanted confirmation about my neck rope being okay. In the rules it allows for a bucking strap or other equipment that is for the safety of the rider. But it doesn't define these and I wanted to make sure that it was all okay. She confirmed that it was fine to ride with the rope but after Carmen was so good I'm sure that she thought I was over reacting.

Okay, back to the post:

When I mounted and walked Carmen in I could feel that I was on a very different horse from yesterday. She was up and tense and very looky. There was one other rider in the ring who kept coming in and out. Part of me wanted to ask her to stop but common sense prevailed and I said nothing. This was her show too and we just need to learn to deal.

I simply rode Carmen to get her to relax and it was a bit of an uphill battle. She decided that the open door next ot the highway was full of trolls and there was no fucking way she was going there. She balked, I tapped her, she spun away, I turned her back and she threatened to rear. I gave my hands forward and booted her forward. I was glad that this hadn't happened yesterday. Today I knew that she was perfectly capable of handling this ring. I suspect that she might have had too much energy (after all she didn't get her turn out and hand walking is not the same). As things progresssed we had good and bad moments but I wasn't feeling like I was making any progress.  Forty-five minutes was not feeling like nearly enough time. At one point she gave a huge spook and banged the wall. The steward's daughter came to check on me and then in a few minutes they repositioned their chairs to keep an eye on me. (ha, see that's why I have the neck rope).. Which was yet another thing to cause Carmen issues but at this point I was like 'whatever'.

About 20 minutes (maybe) in, Jane came in to warm up on her horse. I didn't even realize she was paying any attention to me until she passed me and said 'Teresa, bend her'
I'm trying! I said
Stop trying and BEND HER. 

Of course.

Jane is now officially my Yoda

I was letting Carmen make too many decsions. I took a deep breath and asked her to bend and then demanded it. And if that sounds harsh you are welcome to come and ride her. The point is to be extremely clear: I want THIS, not that or that or even that, THIS. The trick is to keep the ask up until she does it and then immediately soften. We then started to make progress. The door was still and issue but one we could ride through. More people began to come in and I was able to get Carmen's attention on me. I need to let go of the 'if it pleases your highness could you pretty please consider a bend?'.

I still didn't feel ready for my test but it was time to go in so I took a deep breath and in we went. I walked by the judge and then circled back to go by again. You can clearly see her tension. As I rode the test it felt a bit like a powder keg. After someone asked how it went and I said, she didn't spook but she was spook-adjacent.  After I was a ball of sweat. It took every riding skill I had to keep her with me and on task. To be honest I was proud of myself for doing it (for example at 3:40 she really wanted to shy at A). We kept it together.

Shannea's mom (who was my videographer) came to me in the barn, took one look and said 'it looked a lot better then it likely felt' and she was right:

Our stretchy work suffered as well as our lengthens but otherwise I was happy with it. I'm trying to not bounce in the saddle at the canter but her back was so tight (something I will work on).

In the barn I untacked her to have a drink and a bathroom break and I sat down to catch my breath. I think that she had too much energy and didn't know how to direct it. She's also not fit enough to be ridden three times a day (yet) so I still think I made a good decision to not ride. It's one of those things that are part of the learning process of showing and it is our first this year. Having had the great rides on Saturday helped me on Sunday because I knew that she was completely capapble. She just didn't feel it on Sunday. That I can handle.

My next ride was pretty close and I wanted some time in the warm up so I got her ready about 30 minutes before. I still had no idea of my test scores (there simply was not time to go and get them).

Our warm up this time was 100% better. She was softer and listening. Which is a good thing because the ring was back to being crowded. Jane was in there again and I leg yielded out her way and then back again and she smiled and said 'well done'.
****
Aside: you know that literary convention where the protagonist is helped by a wiser person who gives the exact right advice at the right time? That was Jane for me at this show. I have no idea if she even realizes how she helped me to stay grounded.
****

We headed into our last test and I was determined that we were going to put down a good test. My goal was to not stop riding but to be there for her every step of the way.  And it was a good test, despite the tension. Again our lengthens suck but I was happy with the leg yields. We recieved a 7 on our free walk and I was like 'really?' I wouldn't have given it that but I will take it.  I loved our canter transition at A.

You will see at 4:36(ish) Carmen gives a sudden spook coming across the diagonal. To be honest it didn't feel like a true spook but more of a 'I'm done with this shit' spook. (Becasue she has learned that it gets her out of work in the past. Working on the memo that that no longer applies. I think she may go to her union steward). I simply pushed her back to the letter and gave her a tap with my crop to tell her to get her butt forward and we carried on. At the end of the test I gave her a long rein and walked her by the area that she spooked at and she was perfectly fine with it.

Later when I picked up my tests I was happy to see that I had marginally better scores then Saturday. This garnered us two more red ribbons for first place.

Test 1-1: 63.52. A smattering of 6/6.5 and 7s. One 5.5 for the transition to canter at C where she was all balled up.
Comments: Think forward in all transitions. Forward into clear rhythm. 
Collectives:
Gaits: 7    Impulsion: 6   Submission: 6.5    Riders Postion: 7     Riders correct/effective aids: 6.0


Test 1-2: 64.53. A smattering of 6/6.5 and 7s. One 5.5  for the transition to canter where she spooked. The comment said 'disruption'. I love that description!
Comments: Show bend and position through the body. Upright balance.  
Collectives:
Gaits: 7    Impulsion: 6.5   Submission: 6    Riders Postion: 7     Riders correct/effective aids: 6.0

And, just like that, our show was over. I am so very happy with how it went. There were bobbles but we recovered. My fears were not realized- clearly we are able to do this thing. Now it's about making it more solid. 

Fear of Flying

“I have lived my life according to this principle: If I'm afraid of it, then I must do it.” 
― Erica Jong

Thanks everyone for all the love and support from my previous posts. I know that I didn't respond but I read and loved every comment.

I suspect that my show recap will be at least two posts . This should allow me to not be ridiculously  too long (at least that's the plan). This will likely result in me skimming over some details that might find their way back into the blog another time.

Before I was getting ready to leave I was really second guessing going to the show. By friday morning I was flooded with dread. Carmen was clearly picking up on my vibe and was doing everything in her power to tell me that my negativity was making her upset. I realized it and knew I had to get myself under control.

Despite all this she loaded well. I used the time I was driving to reflect on my emotions. I used some strategies I learned from 'Brain Training for Riders'. Essentially I kept asking myself what I was afraid of until I got to the truth.  As I worked through the scenarios in my head: It started with Carmen spooking and getting rung out or falling off. But that wasn't what I was really afraid of. As I worked through the asking myself 'so?' I got to the bones of the matter:
what if all the changes I have seen in Carmen are just superficial? What if, when the rubber hits the road, it all unravels and I haven't really made any difference at all?

Of course if someone said that to me I would see it as foolish. But we are all so good at believing that we're total fakes. Once I faced that it was easier to deal with. By the time I unloaded I was feeling much more positive and I had a clearer idea of my goals:
1. to have a spook free ride
2. to ride Carmen in a supportive and clear way
3. to figure out our show routine

  I could immediately see the results of my mood change in Carmen. I set up her stall and we hung out for a bit until it was our turn to ride in the ring. (The show allows competitors to book time in the ring on Friday at 5$ per 30 minutes. I booked 2 slots and it was from 4:30 to 5:30.) I was stabled in the area of Shanea (she hadn't arrived yet) and with the gang at Fraser Equestrian Centre (the ones who hosted the Cindy Ishoy clinic I did). It was a great group to be with- so relaxed and helpful. I watched them set up chairs, shelves and even a carpet and again felt like a red-neck dressage person (note- that was me, they never gave me that impression).

I walked Carmen around the venue and was even able to walk her in the ring. When it was time to ride I tacked up Carmen and we headed to the ring.

And she never put a foot wrong. Everything I asked her to do she gave 100%. She looked around but was not spooky at all. I rode through one of the tests and she was perfect. So I hopped off. The ring person told me that I had another 30 minutes but I said that I was good. Another rider was done and wanted more time so I gave mine to her (she paid me later although she did not need to).  I was so happy with her that I realized my goals had been realized before I even actually showed.

You can clearly see how wild she is

My first ride wasn't until 2 on Saturday so that morning I tacked her up and just walked her in the warm up ring. My goal was to walk her until she relaxed and then stop. It didn't take long for her to chill out and when I dismounted I'm pretty sure I heard her say 'that's it?' 


Soon enough it was time to get ready to warm up for real. I was surprised at how busy it was- there were horses and riders everywhere. I tried to stay out of the way while we walked our warm up and I kept having to stop or change direction suddenly. I found myself apologizing to everyone and said 'I am trying to stay out the way'. Jane, who was riding (I've taken lessons from her and she's an awesome rider) rode by me and said 'Don't apologize. You have as much right to be here as everyone else. Hold your line or you'll never get warmed up'.  I realized she was right and started to ride more pro-actively. It wasn't easy and Carmen and I had a small collision in the ring- just one of those 'oh crap' moments where our legs banged but no one was hurt and Carmen just had a little spook from it. After that she decided that I was clearly not being careful of us and took it on herself to look after the both of us. She paid careful attention to where everyone was and pinned her ears if a horse came too close. It was kind of adorable how she decided to step up and take care of things rather than freak out.

The show was a bit behind so we ended up riding about 20 minutes later than the time. which was too bad because we were ready on time. However, that's showing for you and we need to figure out how to keep ourselves warmed up but not exhausted. When I realized we were so late I did a lot of work at the walk to keep her supple but not tired.

And then it was our turn. I stood outside the ring trying to breathe and keep centred. I had arranged for a friend to read for me (thank you Tanya). I had the test memorized but wanted to be able to focus on Carmen and not trying to remember the next movement. It was a great idea.

Here's the video of the test if you want to see it. From a dressage perspective it was fine. From my goals perspective it was incredible. You can see Carmen and I truly working together to lay down this test. She didn't even think of spooking but you can see her ear asking me a question every now and then. A friend posted on my FB post: "Everytime her ear flicked back to you I think my heart melted 💕, you guys were so in tune with each other it was a pleasure to watch. She handled the arena like a pro."

There were some bobbles but nothing earth shattering. When I turned down centre line and sat up, squared my shoulders and rode at the judge like we were Amazons. When I halted I was so happy with her that I actually patted Carmen before saluting the judge (oops, but he just smiled).  I was thrilled with how we did.

My ride times were scheduled close enough that we would only have time to quickly untack and have time for a drink and bathroom break (both of us). I figured that my second time would also be 30 minutes late but it turned out that the judge caught up so it was just 15 minutes late. That didn't give me much time to warm up for the second test but that was fine because she was tired and I didn't want to over do it. I didn't think we did as well but my test scores belied that.

I didn't have time between rides to get my sheets or see my scores. I was okay with that because it wasn't about the score. So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I saw our scores:

First Level Test 1: 62.96  which was in keeping with a lot of scores at the show (highest was 70ish). A lot of 6.5s with a few 6s/7s  and one 5.5 (walk transition). Our collectives were:
Gaits: 7          Impulsion: 6.5          Submission: 6        Riders position and seat: 6.5   Riders Aids: 6
Comment: Ask for stretch over the back into contact. Steady contact.  

First Level Test 2: 63.59 (surprised it was a bit higher).
Similar distribution as above with more 7s and two 5.5s (related to developing working canter and then the trot transition. I really went for the lengthen and the transitions suffered.
Gaits: 6.5 (walk)           Impulsion: 6.5         Submission: 6.5             Riders position and seat: 7  Riders Aids: 6
Comment: Ask for more lateral suppleness for a straighter horse. 

All of these comments were totally fair and tell me where to go. They were enough to qualify me for two firsts. It turned out that I was the only AA showing First Level 1 & 2 at Bronze so the placings are based on scores rather than competitors. Which is perfect because I was really only challenging myself.

I was so proud of both of us- it really felt like a true partnership. This photo sums up how I felt.

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Exceeding Expectations

In case you were wondering how things went.

Im happy that a picture says a thousand words. That's great because I'm too tired to do more then pour a glass of wine before heading to bed.

Rock and Roll

The tack is cleaned.

The boots are polished.

The trailer is packed.

Here we go.

Carmen not looking terribly motivated to leave her field

 My boss asked me about the show this weekend and I said that Carmen and I were going to be rock stars.

The only question was whether we were the rock stars that put on an epic performance or the ones that wreck the hotel room.

Ride times are: Saturday 2:16 and 3:29/ Sunday 1:06 and 2:35. Is it wrong that I'm disappointed that they are not in the morning?

Wish us luck.
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Definition Debate

Me: Hi, Carmen do you have minute to chat? 

Carmen: That depends, do you have carrots? 

Me: Of course. I wanted to chat with you about the 'free walk'

Carmen: *munch, munch*  I'm listening....

Me: I don't think that it means what you think it means. You see-

Carmen: Oh, I'm pretty sure I understand it

Me: Weeeell,, by 'free' it doesn't mean 'do whatever you want'

Carmen:  I beg to differ. According to the OED: 

adjective

1. 1.

   not under the control or in the power of another; able to act or be done as one wishes.

   
   

   "I have no ambitions other than to have a happy life and be free"

   • 
     
   • 
     
   • 
     
2. 2.

   not physically restrained, obstructed, or fixed; unimpeded.

   
   

   "she lifted the cat free"

   synonyms:

   unimpeded, unobstructed, unrestricted, unhampered, clear, open, unblocked "the free flow of water"

Me:  But..hey wait- where did you find a dictionary? 

Carmen: Honestly, you are so easily distracted!  And I'm considered the 'spooky one'. It doesn't matter. However, your argument is invalid, QED. 

Me: (muttering to self- and now she knows latin?). Yes, you are correct, that is the techincal definition of 'free' but in dressage 'free walk' has an entirely different meaning.

Carmen: *skeptical face* 

Me: *speaking quickly*  you see, in the test it says "reach and ground cover of the free walk allowing complete freedom to stretch the neck forward and downward; straightness, willing, clear tranisitions."

Carmen: ......

Me: Soooo, that means staying straight on the diagonal stretching over your back. It does not mean 'lifting up head and running off in the opposite direction'

Carmen: hmmm, I think that I prefer my definition. We can agree to disagree. 

Me: Well, we can both agree that when you take things into your own hooves you don't always make good decisions. 

Carmen: I beg to differ. Just the other day I saved our lives with my initiative and lightening reflexes. 

Me: Umm, that was a 3 ounce sparrow trying to find some food (and, no they don't eat horses). 

Carmen: What about that time that the two yellow birds banged right into us? 

Me: Oh that- two goldfinches were in a spat over territory and didn't see us. They didn't hurt, it was just suprising. 

But to get back to the topic....I really think it would be better if you trusted me even though the reins are long.  I promise that I'm there and will keep you safe. 

Carmen: I shall take it  under advisement. Now where are the rest of the carrots?

Me: I guess that will have to do....

Carmen and I walking towards certain death

Flowin' in the Wind

Last weekend my lesson was cancelled because of others. We had rebooked for Saturday but that ended up rebooked because of rain. However, the temperatures plummeted overnight and when I got up the next day not only was it frigid but it was blowing  a gale. I texted Shanea and said that there was no point in having a lesson in these conditions. The weather was forecast to improve and Shanea was flexible enough to come for a 5:30 lesson (as opposed to noon). The temperatures were still cool but the wind was more calm (as an aside, WTF Mother Nature? Are you drunk?).

I started Carmen on the lunge and then mounted. Carmen gave one rather large spin/spook just before Shanea arrived. I gave her the update on how things were going. Shanea asked what I wanted to work on and I said 'since she's quite tight and tense, can we work on how to warm up through that? I might be dealing with that at the show and I'd like a plan'.

Not that I don't have a plan but I wanted to see how Shanea would tackle it.

here is super-tight and tense Carmen, really wanting to run away from
all the scary green stuff blowing in the wind. 

Shanea likes to have the horse relaxed and soft at the walk before moving on and she doesn't really care how long that takes. The goal was to walk around the whole ring and change directions. Carmen was allowed to notice things but needed to understand that she was expected to stay on task. When she came off the aids I was to correct it (well ideally I was to prevent that from happening but then there's reality). It was interesting to feel how my correcting now gives Carmen confidence rather than a reason to argue. It probably helps that I am much less reactive.

so much better

We then picked up the trot and it was pretty good from the beginning. Once Carmen was really relaxed and stretched over the back and then was startled by a bird and gave a huge spook. Shanea explained that that is always a risk when the horse starts to relax. She talked about making sure that my legs are on so that she knows what is expected. I went back and tried keeping my leg on and she did really feel more with me. 

we can sometimes pull it all together

As Carmen started to trot she began to sneeze and it kept going. I think with the wind and the pollen it had gone up into her nasal passages. She has no discharge or any other signs. We gave her lots of walk breaks and she didn't seemed winded in anyway. After a few sneezes she settled down.  She really getting lots of reach in her trot and it's getting so much steadier. Not that we don't have bobbles- we do. But before it was mostly bobbles.

One thing we struggled with was our upward transitions- they were a bit delayed and not smooth. I'm sure that I was just trying to hard. Our downward ones were great. As we carried on they really improved.

I swear that I don't realize I'm smiling when I'm riding, but
man I love when she flows

We then picked up a canter. The biggest improvement this year is in her canter- it's much straighter and balanced. Well mostly- once we were cantering down through the corner she sneezed and the wind blew and it startled her and she bolted.  I got her back though in about 20 feet and we went back to work. Shanea said that she's learning that bolting is not the right reaction. She really had been startled but I was happy that she hadn't porpoised or gone sideways.

Other than that one issue our canter work was pretty good. We practiced going across the diagonal and transitions to trot at X and it was some of our best canter-trot transitions.

While we aren't showing Test 3 of Level 1 Shanea asked me to do a counter canter loop. It was awesome. And I know that because a) I felt it and b) Shanea said 'wow that was terrific'.

We did a run through Test 1 and Shanea coached me through some of the issues: anticipating a canter transition (post so she doesn't get concerned), the half- circles (don't forget about her hind end on the turn so she doesn't fall in).

Next week is our show and I'm getting quite excited. Not that I'm thinking we'll get any great scores- I know that we can do it but it's still just about miles. But I am excited for us to go and have fun.

fancy prancy pony. 

Beating the Heat

The weather has been sunny and dry but the temperatures have been up and down. This week it has really taken a turn towards warm. Julia had planned to come on Wednesday to ride again but had to cancel at the last minute. I decided that I would ride anyway, even though it was hot.

Initially Carmen started off a bit tense but I am keeping with my plan of a slowing her walk and not reacting to her reacting. She had a small spook, then a slightly larger one and then a scoot. After the scoot I said 'you know that you are just revving yourself up don't you? Why bother?' And I swear that as soon as I said that she took a deep breath and relaxed.

After that we had one of our best rides. Not that we were super fancy but everything I asked her to do was 'yes of course' as opposed to ''why?' or 'nope'. Transitions? spot on and forward, leg yields? No big deal. She was with me 110% even though there were cars coming in the driveway, birds flying around and rustling grass. I decided that I needed to not be greedy and I stopped and hopped off. I checked my watch: 25 minutes had passed.

look at how soft her eye is after our ride

Thursday was quite hot and I had already decided to take it 'off'. Instead I took Guinness to the lake.
He LOVES going to the lake- he carries his toy there and back. it's really adorable and reminds me of me of a kid.

Friday was hot right from the beginning. That morning in the stall I noticed that Carmen is back in heat. The good news is that means she should be over it by the show next weekend. The bad news is that I have a lesson tomorrow. I love having my horses at home so that I can know these things and make plans. I have been doing a lot of thinking and I think that most of her spookiness during her heats is because she is uncomfortable.

I decided that I would still ride her but I would see if I could make it easier on her so we don't get in a fight. I rode before it got too hot but after I let her out to graze (and move) a bit. I also started her on the lunge- not because she seemed really up but I wanted to let her warm up without me on her back. I could see that she was a bit tight and I let her find her rhythm and get herself moving. When I mounted I spent a long time at the walk giving her time to become supple. She was definitely more spooky then earlier this week but I still kept her at the walk and insisted that she be slow. Once she felt good I asked her to trot. Funnily enough I only got the slightest of resistance to trotting. I'm not sure if anyone would have noticed but me- it was kind of like a car struggling to change gears going uphill.

I asked her to bend and leg yield at the trot. She gave one big spin/spook up by troll corner and did her best to convince me that she was going to be really bad if I kept her going that way. I refused to be harsh and fight- instead I asked her to bend as hard as I needed to to make it happen and then released. I didn't clutch the reins or tighten my legs. I just rode her through. It really did take the full ride to get her fine up in that corner but honestly it wasn't horrible- I just needed to remember to ride her forward and sit up.

forward ho

Her canter is really becoming a great gait for her: forward and flowing. I've been working on canter-trot transitions trying to keep her from dumping on her forehand and speeding off after the transition. It's not easy and takes a few half-halts but I can feel her starting to get it. Even better I can feel her thinking about it rather then just reacting. I feel that her canter lengthens are more genuine than her trot ones. I am not sure if that is completely true but will get Shanea to check for me tomorrow.

At the end I worked on our free walk. That she is really starting to understand and, even better, enjoy. I played with it up in troll corner. The first time her head came up and she became tight- I shortened the rein to have her if I needed too but still gave her slack and asked her to step into it. The next time she actually did it.  I chose that as the 'good moment to stop' (although honestly there are so many of them now that it's not always an easy choice).

After I hosed her off and then dropped the lead line in the grass. Carmen grazed while I washed her tail. Remember when washing her at all, let alone her tail, was a process all on its own? I do.  Now I trust her to not run off and she trusts me behind her with a bucket of soapy water.

After my little cream puff enjoyed a lovely post ride roll:

There is something so adorable about a horse rolling in grass