Well I had intended to post once more before actually heading home from Aiken but we were awfully busy having a good time on Bomber's "day off" before heading back to Maryland!
I was able to get some videos put up on my Facebook page from Comet's first training level at Full Gallop and from Bomber back at Intermediate at Pine Top......Now there was some BIG fun. My horse really amazes me how he can out at the start of the season with the at least the same confidence that he had the year before if not more. This year he had 7 months away from showing and he just didn't skip a beat. He picked up right where he left off on the X/C and was even better than before in the SJ. I think he really showed his class over a very tough and hilly SJ course and just took me for a joy ride around a good solid intermediate course, making me feel like he is really ready for the challenge of Advanced (hopefully coming his way later this spring!) All we have to do now...ha, I say "we".....all I have to do now is let him do his best in the dressage instead of getting in his way (coming soon I swear) and we will be set!!!!
So here we are back in the mucky footing for now...doing conditioning sets in the ring instead of in Hitchcock woods.....boo. Seriously though what a great trip! I couldn't be luckier than to have the support of so many great people that allowed me to have such a great experience! My husband and family really pitched in to be sure that my kids and the farm were taken care of and happy so I didn't need to worry (thank you thank you thank you). My boarders had a great time getting together for some group jump schools while I was away AND they videoed it so I could see how great they were all doing! My Mom and Kim helped me SO much both at home and during the time they spent in Aiken with me, making sure that I could and did really buckle down and get the most I could out of the trip. Then there is the tiny little itty bitty favor from my wonderful neighbors Julia and her husband Dave (who we missed on our trip!) graciously accepting me, my mom, Kim, and my horses as their guests for 2 weeks! Of course I can't forget to mention that Julia's working student, Esther, played a large roll in our happiness as well, making treats ranging from oatmeal & raisin cookies to Espresso and chocolate shortbread to Guiness and milk chocolate ice cream (yes I said Guiness)!!!!! Last but certainly not least I have to thank the companies that have given me their sponsorship and IMMENSE support, Farmer's Co-op (the best darn feed company out there) and Ridgeview Vet Practice (way too much to say thanks for)!
Well that, as they say, is a wrap! Here's to the up coming spring season.....Good luck to everyone heading south soon, I hope your trips are as much fun and provide you with as much food for thought as mine did!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
....drum roll please.......
Hip Hip Hooray for Comet!!! He very successfully and confidently made his move to training level today at Full Gallop Farm. He put in a super dressage test, much less distracted than last week and was super obedient scoring a decent 35.9. He had what I would call his best show jumping round to date for green-ness but did feel the height little and had 2 rails. The cross country was a true test of the level and then some. I had decided before we went out that I knew he could do it but that I would let him tell me if he thought it was too impressive. I was so afraid to disrupt the quiet confidence he showed me last week We had to have a discussion or two about the proper way to gallop down a hill to a jump but other than that he found the whole thing to be just another day at the office. He was totally unimpressed by the size of the fences and really took the multiple combinations at the water and ditch and banks in stride. I was very impressed by just how mature this little dork of a horse could be!
As for the rest of the week......SO GREAT!!!!
I had 2 fantabulous jumping lessons with Stephen Bradley on Monday. I got to work both horses over some courses and it was so so helpful. Bomber is jumping like a rock star and Comet has been learning so much...I still think carriage reigns (or as Stephen calls them...."fancy hands") are the coolest discovery (thanks to Jimmy Wofford) for Comet's use of his body over fences! For Bomber we worked on the quality of his canter and straightness to his fences and a little bit on my guts (in other words we jumped some big oxers) in preparation for Pine Top on Friday.
Tuesday I had to send my mom back to Maryland, which was sad because we had such a nice week. BUT Kim did get to come down for this week which will be super fun as well! Before heading off to the airport we did take in some of the training sessions with Capt. Mark Phillips. It was really fun to watch some of the top level riders getting their butts kicked......I mean working so hard to improve their skills. I find it amazing how much it all boils down to straightness and effective half halts, quality gaits and all the things we all hear everyday!
The moment that Kim got to Julia's after a long day of travel she had to help me pack up to head over for another lesson with Stephen. I only took Bomber as Comet was feeling a little tired and I didn't want to stress him before his big day. With Bomber my intent was to smooth out some of the bumps in our up coming dressage test......oh, did we ever do more than that! I am still on cloud 9. It was THE BEST dressage school I have had to date on my horse. It was so lovely and easy and perfect.......I told Stephen all I expected was for him to help fix all of problems in the ring.....I didn't expect him to deliver it in such a nice, tidy, doable package! I am quietly excited about the test on Friday! I hope I can put it all together!
As for the rest of the week......SO GREAT!!!!
I had 2 fantabulous jumping lessons with Stephen Bradley on Monday. I got to work both horses over some courses and it was so so helpful. Bomber is jumping like a rock star and Comet has been learning so much...I still think carriage reigns (or as Stephen calls them...."fancy hands") are the coolest discovery (thanks to Jimmy Wofford) for Comet's use of his body over fences! For Bomber we worked on the quality of his canter and straightness to his fences and a little bit on my guts (in other words we jumped some big oxers) in preparation for Pine Top on Friday.
Tuesday I had to send my mom back to Maryland, which was sad because we had such a nice week. BUT Kim did get to come down for this week which will be super fun as well! Before heading off to the airport we did take in some of the training sessions with Capt. Mark Phillips. It was really fun to watch some of the top level riders getting their butts kicked......I mean working so hard to improve their skills. I find it amazing how much it all boils down to straightness and effective half halts, quality gaits and all the things we all hear everyday!
The moment that Kim got to Julia's after a long day of travel she had to help me pack up to head over for another lesson with Stephen. I only took Bomber as Comet was feeling a little tired and I didn't want to stress him before his big day. With Bomber my intent was to smooth out some of the bumps in our up coming dressage test......oh, did we ever do more than that! I am still on cloud 9. It was THE BEST dressage school I have had to date on my horse. It was so lovely and easy and perfect.......I told Stephen all I expected was for him to help fix all of problems in the ring.....I didn't expect him to deliver it in such a nice, tidy, doable package! I am quietly excited about the test on Friday! I hope I can put it all together!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
...okay, okay so Hitchcock Woods IS all it's cracked up to be
So I was supposed to go to jumper show today....that would have been the responsible thing to do.....but we decided to be a little irresponsible today and head for a long hack in Aiken's Hitchcock Woods! It was such a great day, we even made my mom cry......a little...more on that later!
This morning we decided it would be the best day for all of us to have the opportunity to pile the horses into the trailer and head out for a day of fun. What a beautiful place....you could ride for days! We were really happy to have Julia and her working student Esther along as guides otherwise we may have done just that! The paths and lanes and trails go on and on leading from one jumping clearing to another, to a gallop track, to an idyllic show ring in the middle of the woods that you have to hack into to get to the one show they do there a year. So cool!
So back to making my mom cry.....there are a thousand and one natural obstacles to jump as you go along your way and I think my mom and Comet may have jumped most of them (well not really but I think given the time they would have)! They were having so much fun and Comet was such a good boy for my Mom that she couldn't help but to tear up a bit! She got to experience first hand what I was telling her about him getting to have a real knack for the cross country and I don't think she could be more proud of him!
We decided to scratch Comet from Pine Top due to a difficult scheduling change that they made and run him at the next Full Gallop on Wednesday as his move up to training level. Then Bomber will head to Pine Top for the day on Friday to run the Intermediate. Tomorrow we will have a nice (hopefully) flat day for both boys at home and then hopefully some lessons at the beginning of the week!
Oh and Mary says I owe Bomber an apology for calling him a 5th placer when he was really a 4th placer this week at Full Gallop......I think he is just always a winner in my mind so I never pay attention to the score board...awwww......how sweet.....(good enough apology for you Mary?)
This morning we decided it would be the best day for all of us to have the opportunity to pile the horses into the trailer and head out for a day of fun. What a beautiful place....you could ride for days! We were really happy to have Julia and her working student Esther along as guides otherwise we may have done just that! The paths and lanes and trails go on and on leading from one jumping clearing to another, to a gallop track, to an idyllic show ring in the middle of the woods that you have to hack into to get to the one show they do there a year. So cool!
So back to making my mom cry.....there are a thousand and one natural obstacles to jump as you go along your way and I think my mom and Comet may have jumped most of them (well not really but I think given the time they would have)! They were having so much fun and Comet was such a good boy for my Mom that she couldn't help but to tear up a bit! She got to experience first hand what I was telling her about him getting to have a real knack for the cross country and I don't think she could be more proud of him!
We decided to scratch Comet from Pine Top due to a difficult scheduling change that they made and run him at the next Full Gallop on Wednesday as his move up to training level. Then Bomber will head to Pine Top for the day on Friday to run the Intermediate. Tomorrow we will have a nice (hopefully) flat day for both boys at home and then hopefully some lessons at the beginning of the week!
Oh and Mary says I owe Bomber an apology for calling him a 5th placer when he was really a 4th placer this week at Full Gallop......I think he is just always a winner in my mind so I never pay attention to the score board...awwww......how sweet.....(good enough apology for you Mary?)
Friday, February 3, 2012
Aiken!!!!!
So here we are on the 5th day of living in horsie Nirvana......We came to stay at Julia's Mayadinya Farm location in Wagener, SC on Monday this week and have been enjoying the fantastic hospitality and unbelievable peace and quiet! The horses are as happy as could be, getting in a morning nap in the sun every day and rolling in the sandy pasture whenever they get the chance.
The trip down Monday was a breeze...we left ABBf at 4:45 am and arrived here by 2:30 in the afternoon with just enough time for a nice walk hack through the surrounding properties (one of which Julia has picked to be ABBF's southern location!)
Tuesday we had a day to settle in a bit and to do a little flat school in the "riding acre" on the farm. I love the way that you can create the most beautiful ring you have ever ridden in by clearing an acre of pine trees....with a little extra clean up and prep you have perfect footing and a huge ring surrounded by tall whispering pines! NICE!
Wednesday were were off bright and early for a horse trial down the road at Full Gallop Farm. Bomber ran the Prelim and didn't skip a beat. We had a relaxed and obedient dressage test. I thought it was super but the judge was only mildly impressed (so what else is new) and I had a small error (walk....halt...what is the difference really). His jumping tests were fantastic! I don't think he could have been happier to be out galloping cross country! He was pulling almost all the way home. He did get a tiny bit tired at the last but not too bad! He finished by adding just a few time faults to his dressage score, and wound up in 5th place! Comet was sure we had brought him along just to torture him by leaving him on the trailer all day while Bomber got to go have all the fun, as a result of all the pawing, calling and general anxiety he was very tired....I mean relaxed for his dressage. He had a fantastic warm up and a really nice dressage test although he had some trouble keeping his brain in the ring. The judge loved him though and placed him third. It just kept getting better from there....He was green but good for the show jumping and much to my great surprise he was like an old pro coming out of the start box on x/c. That was a great relief!!! He finished on his dressage score and remained in 3rd place. I did get some video of both horses but I can't get them up loaded just yet.....I will get that going and post them as soon as I can!
The boys had the day off yesterday and we will have a nice flat today....Comet is going to a Jumper show on Saturday to work out some bugs before we head to Pine Top next weekend where both will move up a level!!! So exiting!
More to follow I promise........
The trip down Monday was a breeze...we left ABBf at 4:45 am and arrived here by 2:30 in the afternoon with just enough time for a nice walk hack through the surrounding properties (one of which Julia has picked to be ABBF's southern location!)
Tuesday we had a day to settle in a bit and to do a little flat school in the "riding acre" on the farm. I love the way that you can create the most beautiful ring you have ever ridden in by clearing an acre of pine trees....with a little extra clean up and prep you have perfect footing and a huge ring surrounded by tall whispering pines! NICE!
Wednesday were were off bright and early for a horse trial down the road at Full Gallop Farm. Bomber ran the Prelim and didn't skip a beat. We had a relaxed and obedient dressage test. I thought it was super but the judge was only mildly impressed (so what else is new) and I had a small error (walk....halt...what is the difference really). His jumping tests were fantastic! I don't think he could have been happier to be out galloping cross country! He was pulling almost all the way home. He did get a tiny bit tired at the last but not too bad! He finished by adding just a few time faults to his dressage score, and wound up in 5th place! Comet was sure we had brought him along just to torture him by leaving him on the trailer all day while Bomber got to go have all the fun, as a result of all the pawing, calling and general anxiety he was very tired....I mean relaxed for his dressage. He had a fantastic warm up and a really nice dressage test although he had some trouble keeping his brain in the ring. The judge loved him though and placed him third. It just kept getting better from there....He was green but good for the show jumping and much to my great surprise he was like an old pro coming out of the start box on x/c. That was a great relief!!! He finished on his dressage score and remained in 3rd place. I did get some video of both horses but I can't get them up loaded just yet.....I will get that going and post them as soon as I can!
The boys had the day off yesterday and we will have a nice flat today....Comet is going to a Jumper show on Saturday to work out some bugs before we head to Pine Top next weekend where both will move up a level!!! So exiting!
More to follow I promise........
Monday, October 31, 2011
Toby free jumping
FOR SALE Toby: 2004 16.2 Chestnut Tb Gelding
We gave Toby a little free jump school this morning. It is his second try at it and he thinks it is just about the best game we ever invented!
I hope he will feel the same when my Doc tells me I can ride him again!!!
Check out the videos below.....he is a pretty exciting young man! I will get some video of him on the flat soon .
Monday, October 10, 2011
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| Katie Murphy and Grantley make a triumphant return to the eventing scene! |
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| Kim Keating and Ringo FLY over the big ditch! |
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| Margaret Rizzo and Lissel in great form into the "water" jump. |
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| Pat and Comet make a splash into the "old" water....a little deep huh? |
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| Shoo and Adjie showing their style! |
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| Comet making friends....... |
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| Following the leader |
From there we all headed home, got cleaned up and gathered up the kids, husbands and boyfriends and headed to the coolest party I have been to in a long time. Tiina (barn and horse care specialist extraordinaire) and Jeremy Grey hosted a pig/deer/turkey/oyster roast at an awesome outdoorsy spot up in Frederick,MD.
We learned a lot that night.....our "little" boys love a live band....dancing is just like riding (just ask Katie).....there is something special about lightsticks and most importantly Danny (and Tiina) sure can Hula hoop!
AND we got to camp in the RV:
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| Charlie, Jona, Dodger and Tate |
Monday, October 3, 2011
Congrats!
What a great weekend for all of the ABBF-ers that braved the weather just to get out and enjoy our great sport!
Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club Horse Trials (a day for "come backs" as some of ABBF's retiree horses make a strong showing with their up and coming riders!)
1st place Novice Senior Division: Adjie A-Poku and After Midnight
1st place Beginner Novice Junior Division Ceara Mercilliott and FreeRide
Morven Park Horse Trials
11th Place Novice Rider: Margaret Rizzo and Mythical
A HUGE congratulations to all of the riders! It was not the nicest weekend to be out and about eventing but it was fun all the same. I know I had a good time at Morven park even if we spent an awful lot of the time dodging rain showers and smooshing around in the mud. The footing held up nicely and Margaret and Lissel handled the conditions really well!
T-minus 9 days and counting to neck brace removal.......
Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club Horse Trials (a day for "come backs" as some of ABBF's retiree horses make a strong showing with their up and coming riders!)
1st place Novice Senior Division: Adjie A-Poku and After Midnight
1st place Beginner Novice Junior Division Ceara Mercilliott and FreeRide
Morven Park Horse Trials
11th Place Novice Rider: Margaret Rizzo and Mythical
A HUGE congratulations to all of the riders! It was not the nicest weekend to be out and about eventing but it was fun all the same. I know I had a good time at Morven park even if we spent an awful lot of the time dodging rain showers and smooshing around in the mud. The footing held up nicely and Margaret and Lissel handled the conditions really well!
T-minus 9 days and counting to neck brace removal.......
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