River was a bit fresh yesterday but was managable. I had him walk through the creek that runs by the house and once he was brave enough to walk through it, he crow-hopped and squeeled and was generally very proud of himself. When we went back through and reached the other side, he flug his tail and bounded around and sprayed my back with murky creek water. I laughed and patted him and told him he was a brave, brave boy! No bucking and bolting. No cursing and emergency rein pullying. He's different these days. He's still River, he's just not as flamboyant or reckless. I'm taming the beast (with the help of a leverage bit)!
We did some flat work and I really felt his crookedness. Going right I really have to think about bringing his shoulders right. Going left I have to think of making him yield his ribcage and keep his haunches left. He had a hard time getting straight to pick up his left lead and keeping it down the long side without switching in front. On a good note, he displayed good progress in his trot lengthenings! The new "forward button" comes in handy there! I dread the day I have to sit his trot, though. That will be the day I invest in padded underwear. I put Flo, Mia, and Pom Pom through the jump chute. I set up 2 bounces, one stride to a vertical. Mia really kicked up behind. I don't have to do much to push her through, I just cluck and she's off! She is really getting more and more confident in her jumping. I think I put the last verical up to about 3'6" and she popped through the bounces and powered the one stride to the vertical in true Teddyette fashion! Flo has been back sore and I haven't really ridden her much lately. I wanted to put her through the jump chute to see if she seemed uncomfortable jumping. She seemed relaxed and powerful! She over jumped the crossrails every time. She went through the bounces and over the big vertical, about 3"9, without batting an eye. I'm so releaved! Pom Pom was really rushing and just wanted to blast through the chute like a rocket. The bounces fixed that! She is so much better with her feet! I set the vertical up at about 3'6" like I did with Mims and she just loped right through it. She didn't put a TON of effort in to the vertical, but I don't think she really considered it a challenge. Pom Pom has put on some more weight (added some beet pulp to her diet) and is better about not being so buddy sour. Our little girl's growin' up! I've got Lauren moderating my Facebook page. So if any of you get sarcastic comments, it's not me. It's Lauren. I will be checking in from time to time, so behave. IE: don't turn my page pink.
I was so happy with the Chelsea bridle I went to buy one for River. They were all sold out, so I bought a Hickstead (also on sale) instead. Their customer service is so great that they even are going to replace the horse size cheek pieces with cob sized ones to accomodate his new elevator bit! They ship fast so it should be here by the end of the week! They are both black, so I can swap the figure 8 for River if I like it on him better than I do Mia. Yay! This is what is must feel like for other women who shop for shoes. 5 Star Tack is the new Jimmy Chu. I have a facebook page. This blog is on my facebook page. I did not set up my facebook page (my brother did). I cannot SEE my facebook page (it's blocked at my work).
This might explain why I have not accepted ANY friend requests. I don't hate you, I promise. I just don't use facebook. Ever. Lauren introduced me to my facebook page for the first time this weekend. So, if you had commented on my blog via facebook in the past, I read them for the first time (the first page at least)! Yay! I was so excited to see that more people than just Lauren read my blog! Yay! All that being said, if you comment on my posts, PLEASE COMMENT ON MY BLOG!!! I want to read your comments and won't be able to if you comment on facebook! Keep commenting (on my blog)! Yay! Lauren gives a good retelling of the end of our Rolex weekend here. I told you I'd put your picture on my blog! Oh, I also said I'd say nice things about you....Lauren has recently decided not to wear as much pink! She is so smart! I had a blast with Hub, the dogs, Lauren and Stacy. The rain held off for the most part and it ended up being a really nice weekend full of shopping and beautiful horses. There were some falls, we were right there at the ropes for Dorothy's, but all horses and riders are alive and OK. Bummer for Ollie, though, falling and missing his grand slam 0pportunity and now his ride at Badminton due to his medical suspension. It's crazy how it can crumble in your fingers so quickly. It was a good reminder for me to give my dreams up to the One who has my days numbered and not worry about my future. I'm watching the Universal Sports coverage now. More thoughts about horses and riders later... Final Top 5 H C B Errors Score Place Jump Time Score Place Jump Time Score Place COOL MOUNTAIN William Fox-Pitt GBR 70.33 73.00 71.00 -- 42.8 1 -- -- 42.8 1 -- -- 42.8 1 WOODBURN Phillip Dutton USA 67.67 68.67 68.33 -- 47.7 8 -- -- 47.7 4 -- -- 47.7 2 COURAGEOUS COMET Becky Holder USA 70.67 70.00 69.00 -- 45.2 5 -- -- 45.2 3 4 -- 49.2 3 NEVILLE BARDOS Boyd Martin USA 63.67 67.00 65.67 -- 51.8 =13 -- -- 51.8 8 -- -- 51.8 4 PORT AUTHORITY Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch CAN 65.33 66.67 64.00 -- 52.0 15 -- -- 52.0 9 -- -- 52.0 5 (Pardon the teenie bopper moment) I heart eventing! Your love your love your love is my drug. |