Not much to say

I am caught in a stuggle... being a competitive rider and paying for participation. Sometimes the paying part is challenging since the job I count on for funding has high demands. The past 2 weeks I have worked over time and then some. I love my job but its demand can be grueling so when I finally sign off at the end of the day there is just nothing left. I try to count my blessings on a daily basis but balance this against what I feel like I am missing out on -- that is Blu. We are not making the progress I would like and I know that has everything to do with me not having the energy after a 10-11 hour workday. Every day is the same -- get up, let the dogs out/ feed the dogs, grab breakfast and head to work; sit at the computer, talk on the phone until the batteries on 3 of your cordless phones are dead (even with constant rotation) for 11 hours, finish prioritized paper work and then call it a day. Where is my energy to travel to the barn, groom/ saddle my horse, revel in the glorious ride, clean up and travel home after the drudgeries of servitude?

Here it is clean and simple... life is not easy. I like many others have to pay a dear price to participate. We are the lucky ones... we value those moments and are fully invested in the thrill they provide. So that being the case there is a life lesson is this dilemma -- suck it up and make the most of your life circumstances because before you know it, you will be in a position where your complaints of today seem trivial in nature. Celebrate today!

Good bye to an old friend...

One of Blu's first friends in MA was a beautiful Hannoverian mare named Flaine. She was a beauty with PSG training. Most of all she was the kind and faithful partner for my friend Sandra. No matter what she was asked she was cool calm and collected. She cared for my friend and my friend adored her. She spent 10 of her 18 years with Sandra and was pampered like she deserved to be. While Flaine gave her all, there was also a steep price for Sandra to pay. Flaine had an ongoing gastro intestinal disorder that caused frequent colic episodes, special diets and supplements and multiple surgeries. Flaine finally succumbed with dignity this past weekend and was laid to rest in the bucolic fields of Orchard Hills Equestrian Center. She was 18 years old.

Saying good-bye is not easy but it is a reminder of just how lucky we are each and every day to share our lives with such wonderful giving and devoted creatures. Good-bye Ms. Flaine. You will never be forgotten. Your gifts live on!

Validation is a wonderful thing

So I have been off on a business trip for two days and just feeling so excited about the ride I had on Blu this past Sunday. The plan was for Linda to ride during my absence. On my way home today I just could not take it one more moment and I called Linda to check in and see what she thought about her rides. She agreed that Blu was the best she had ever felt. He was up through his back and happy in his work. She broke out the double bridle and he accepted it with little issue. She then did some fly lead changes and she said they were down right perfect... no hopping into the change croup high! She said that my assessment was spot-on and she was thrilled with the changes she felt. Oh my, does life get better?

Maintenance continues

Between the pain in my neck and Blu's stiff hocks, we both required a bit more maintenance. While mine took the form of anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants and physical therapy, Blu was treated to hock injections. We are both in working order again and it culminated in the most joyous ride last evening.

We just passed out of a nasty heat wave -- temperatures above 100 with a heat index even higher. After a few days off, it was back under saddle and of course he was fresh :-) It was great! Up the road we went to the outdoor arena spooking at the bushes, the barn, Abbey working out of the back of her car,
let's not forget the big card board box. By the time we walked into the arena he was on his tip toes. After a lot of suppling at the walk we went off to trot and for Blu it felt pretty good -- a bit tight but good-- lots of energy... More suppling at the trot along with transitions then off to canter... sublime...

I really wanted to spend some time at the trot because he has been running onto his forehand so we worked thousands of transitions and our final work was the best trot work I have ever had -- truly using his hind end and light in the front. I concentrated on feeling his hind legs and following with my seat bones. If he got heavy we did a down ward transition then back up to trot. It worked!!!! I love when I actually feel like I am making progress on my own with the assistance of a trainer. It is about time after how many years? Let's not count them ...

So off on a business trip for two days. I can not wait to get back and see what I get!

What are you thinking?

More profound words have never been spoken. After an AWESOME ride on a forward, ground covering horse who was using his back and could not be mistaken for lacking impulsion, I got off and started to think "what just happened?" I mean the horse I felt and rode at the show vs. the horse I rode tonight were polar opposites. I took Blu for his shower and talked with our very wise barn manager and asked the question out loud. With great wisdom she simply asked "what were you thinking when you got on him at the show?... At home you get on and think 'let's go!' at the show do you think "what's he looking at... what's he going to do?" While I may not be outwardly nervous, I become a different rider mentally. Blu is smart enough to pick up on that caution and just slows the whole thing down to a level he thinks is manageable... He is the smart one, not me. So thank you Suzy for that "AHA" moment. Now to figure out how to change that internal message loop... yet another lesson to be learned all because of the most fabulous Blu. I just need to stop and listen to what he is telling me.

Good ride... tough score

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a horse show but the weather gods must not have been smiling on the judge. She has her own little rain cloud hanging over her head and she shared it with the rest of us... I thought I had given my best ride (if you exclude the fabulous flying lead change during our counter canter half circle ... thank you Blu :-) ) only to find out I performed the worse this season. I was stunned and then I was mad and then I allowed myself to feel hurt. I kept questioning "why do I do this?" Over and over again I asked myself the question. I think at this point it is because I never give up... NEVER. I set my sights on a bronze medal over 15 years ago when I turned from hunters to dressage. Now my question is "When is this going to happen and now what do I have to do to get those scores?" All I know is when it does happen, there is going to be one big fat ass celebration!

As usual Blu was perfection. I love this boy more with each passing day. How can that be possible? Here is a picture to display his magnificence. Thanks to my friend Stephanie from Dexterpix for such a terrrific shot. He truly is a blessing. Never mind what that judge says...

A little TLC and voila!

Both Blu and I have benefited from a bit of work. For me, it is stretching and strengthening of my lower back and hips along with attention to my core muscles. For Blu, coffin joint injections and shock wave. Both of us felt the effects this evening. It is just beautiful when it all comes together.

I took a lesson and told Linda I wanted to focus on the bend since the past two tests have had similar comments about "not enough bend". So we did some work at the walk -- half pass to X then turn on the haunches and half pass back to the rail. We also worked on the turn on the haunches element required at 2-3. Off we went to trot and quickly turned that to canter and back to trot with transitions being of utmost importance. The canter work that followed was just spectacular. I rode him up in the bridle and had beautiful counter canter and simple changes. Linda thought if I could replicate these movements for my test on Saturday I could easily have a 67 - 68 ride. Oh please... all I want is a 60!!!

So coffin joint injections and shockwave did the trick for Blu. Continued stretching and strengthening for me. My knees are out of the saddle and my leg is hanging down his side. I can give the aids I need from my seat and core. What a beautiful thing! This boy has taught me so very much about feeling and riding correctly.

A tepid bath (Blu is not a fan of cold water...), lots of treats and love and then home to dream of the ride. Can I just bottle that and replicate it on Saturday?