SUPER Late show post!

Better late than never, right?

I competed in the final show of the season with the mighty Boomerang on October 27th at M2 sport horses. I went in to this show with two goals, 1) score over 50%, and 2) don't embarrass Sheila! My expectations were absolutely BLOWN out of the water. I competed in training level test 3, and first level test 1 twice- once as an actual class and one as a test of choice. In my training level test 3 class, I earned high score of the entire show, as well as high point for training-2nd level. I scored a 71.400%. My first go at first level test 1 was a little rocky. Boomer spooked and was a little silly twice, but came right back and worked very well after that point. I still scored at a 61%. My final test, was definitely my best of the day. I earned a a 67%, and Boomer was absolutely incredible. He was worn out, and so was I, but he tried his little heart out. He strutted his stuff and when I hit X for our final halt I was in tears. This show was perfect beyond my wildest dreams.

I have some big goals for this year, including making some debuts at the rated shows, and hopefully qualifying for and competing at state championships (which are being held in Tucson this year!).

Here are some photos from the show!

Sporting my first blue ribbon with Boomer and his owner, Sheila

Showing off our lengthened trot!

Long needed update

Well, I haven't updated on this in a really long time. I have been riding lots, but not been taking lessons since my last update on here. Though everything is going great! I spent my summer riding as much as I can in order to learn as much as I can and better myself as a rider. I was able to attend the Charles de Kunffy clinic early on in the summer. What a truly incredible experience. I learned so much and he is a truly wonderful clinician. I was also lucky enough to spend my summer re-attached at the hip with my best friend, Sarah, trail riding all over the Catalina's with our friends Beth and Katie. Our adventures are always so much fun and never produce anything but huge smiles. Boomer and I have been going incredibly well. I am finally feeling the partnership come together and the big improvements being accomplished. We have started learning our half pass, and though its not pretty yet, we are doing it!! I have had the opportunity to take a few jumping lessons on him, and he never ceases to amaze me with his bravery! As long as I am with him, and I add a little extra leg, he just says, "well okay!" and leaps over any obstacle I ask him to.  We also recently had a little inner barn show, where everything felt so spot on. He was relaxed, happy, and forward. He listened to all of my aids and I truly don't think we could have done better (well okay there is always room for improvement, but I am very happy with how everything went). We showed in training level test 3, as well as first level test 1. We received a 63.200% at training level. But even more excitingly, we received a 67.342% at first level test 1. I was absolutely amazed after seeing the score. I was grinning from ear to ear, and several days later am still just as happy.

I'll throw in some photos at the end here, but for now this is all I have time to post about. I am for now off to class. I have recently been feeling like I have been making the right decisions in regards to my riding, and every time I get up on that little red arab, it just confirms everything. I am so grateful for everything that paved my riding path and made me who I am today, but for now, I am so proud and happy to be a dressage queen.

The final salute in our first level test

The beginning of our half passes!

Major improvement in the trot extensions!

working on moving uphill and more under himself

Schooling over logs

Canter extension in our first level test 1!

Lesson with Boomer Feb 2

Well. Quite a long time since I last blogged. So let me catch up to speed:
I have been continuing treatment for my thyroid and working on recovery and getting healthy. I have continued with school and after I finish out this semester, I only have one more to complete before heading off to nursing school! (YAY!) I recieved my year end awards competing with  Josephine. We were tied for 3rd place in the schooling jumpers (the tie being with one of my bestest friends!) and also won a champion in puddle jumpers- something I never thought was going to happen! And have also decided to try out 3 day eventing. Though for now, I shall be exclusively riding dressage in order to facilitate focusing on school.

Receiving my Champion and cooler

Hillary and I with our tie ribbons!

Receiving my third place

I was lucky enough to have my first lesson with him since early November last weekend (I know I am late writing the blog on it but sue me). And even more exciting than that, my dear friend Hillary came and was able to take some pictures for me :)

We are gearing up to compete in our first dressage show this coming weekend. We will be competing in Training Level Test 3 as well as First Level Test 1 on February 16th, at our home barn's TDC schooling show. We worked a lot on extensions and working on not having him break in to the canter for the two trot extensions. That has been probably our biggest "flaw" in preparing for this show. Cathy has been helping me get him really engaged so he just pushes off with his back end and then just really extends beautifully. When I get it right, it is just the coolest feeling in the world! His canter extension is so comfortable, too! As well as extensions, we have been working on the accuracy of riding through the tests, and I feel like it is getting a lot better! I am still figuring out my 15m circles, but I definitely feel like they are getting there! After not riding for a few weeks, I felt like I had lost a lot of balance- especially through his bouncy trot- but I feel I am slowly gaining it back and was able to drop my stirrups back down to where they were before taking a short break!

We have also been starting to school over poles! All of our poles are out in our little "field," and I just love riding him out there. It makes me feel "free" as cheesy as that sounds. It is always nice to ride outside the confines of an arena (nice for the ponies too!), and its fun just to be able to get up in a half seat and canter around. He has been AWESOME with the poles too! I know his owner has jumped him before and he has been started over fences, but he is so smooth and so smart! What a cool little horse. I am hoping/planning on beginning to jump with him very soon (hoping for right after our show Feb. 16!). I have been learning so so much just riding him on my own even. He responds so well to body it is easy to tell when I am doing it "right," or a facsimile of riding correctly!

Here are some photos of our last lesson, all owned by H. Whitt Photography:

working on our canter extension

trot extension across the diagonal!

Canter extension

Finally getting better on the trot extension!

I have another lesson this Saturday in order to prepare for the show next week, and my wonderful friend Renee is supposed to be attending and said she would snap some photos so look forward to those everyone :) And until then, carry on!

Catch Up

Well, now that I have some down time and because I got called out for having NOT blogged by a couple of friends a couple days ago I am going to finally update my blog :D

School has certainly kept me busy this semester but I am officially done! I finished my finals on December12th and on the morning of December 13th I was taken in to the operating room to have my thyroid removed. I have been diagnosed with a toxic thyroid adenoma since late July and I have to say, I am SOOOOOO happy to finally have it removed and am on the road to recovery :)

I have been riding a lot lately. I ride Boomer nearly every day. We have moved up to working on our first level tests and movements so we have been working on that lately! Here are some pictures:

I also recently had an opportunity to ride my trainer Abby's horse, James! He was a blast and I got to jump way bigger than I have in a REALLY long time! He is SO different from little Josephine that it was a totally different challenge! Here are some photos from that:

Joe and I have been on FIREEEE lately though. He has been GREAT! We have really been working on my confidence since after the annual show. When I still get angry about that I just remind myself that not every show can be that perfect show. You have to have some experiences that you learn from; and I learned a ton from that show!! My most exciting news as of late is that Joe an I will be awarded a year end championship this coming January for the Tucson Hunter Jumper Association :) I was totally shocked to find that out and SO proud! I actually cried!! Love that little man so much :) Here are some recent photos from him too:

Also got a couple of chances to ride some friends horses recently: Gertie and Domino! I love my friends and am so thankful for them sharing their ponies with me :)

Domino and I are in the middle of my two bestest friends<3

GERTRUD!

I will try to update more frequently and I know I say that all the time but now I have a couple friends harassing me so I probably will! Tata for now!