Rainy Ride on Shiloh

It was raining when I headed over to Patty's this morning with Shiloh. Today is the Rogers County Free Fair show, but I'm just getting back on track, so I opted for a regular ride. The rain was lighter at Patty's, so we got to the barn without really getting wet. Shiloh was full of beans with the rain and weather changes, so that his pre-ride lounge work took a little longer. Once he was moving, he was happy. As we started under saddle, there was one moment of "I don't think so", but we got through that quickly. Shiloh was very forward and willing to go. He was really wanting to canter, so . . . today was my first day to canter since falling off of Bullet and "dinging" my bum. Everything went well - nice to be moving forward again! Fingers crossed that we will continue to make progress. I have to get better as my "girls" will be coming home from their starting under saddle training. I'll definitely be busy then .

Hello YaYas

Hope to see everyone Sunday at Promise Acres. This is the area where Curtis and Melissa grew up. I am excited to see the old neighborhood! :) Hoping for nice weather. Marsha

Splash 'n Canter

Well, Patty ordered up some cool weather with just a threat of rain (if you don't count the soaking we got tacking up) for our lesson this weekend. It was just Kathy B and me with Casper and Splash. Kathy has located a prospect to check out so Casper may get to find a new home - I can't wait to see the Palomino paint Kathy is looking at.

Meanwhile, the 2-whip tango has really helped our steering but Splash did NOT want to canter EVER! He 'bout wore me out but we had to keep trying and Patty had to re-enforce trying - Patty helping with a lunge whip pop until FINALLY, we got a few transitions. The good news - no bucks. So, it just shows how much riding I should be doing but can't get enough of what with work, school, rain, etc....

We also worked on backing and turns on the haunches and Splash was very stubborn and so was I. Patty pointed out that I wasn't giving at the first step and I realized that I was missing the chance to reward the step waiting for the give to the reins. Once I tried to respond quicker, he seemed to get it. We shall see.

Meanwhile, the girls went on a bear... I mean bug hunt for the ugly bug contest at school. They found a couple of creatures including a caterpillar, fly (that got away), and TICKS! Dozens of seed ticks went right through Ivy's socks and attached to her ankle and lower leg. So tiny you could hardly see them and very hard to remove. I spayed bug spray, peroxide, then covered them with baby oil and tried to drown them. Yikkes. They were ugly I am sure, but I destroyed them rather then saving them for the contest.

And finally, we took the old gray mare, TC, and Splash to Westside Elem to visit the girls' classes and let the kids get close and personal and get a leadline ride. More than 50 kids got a quick ride on TC and Diez, Splash got snacks and brushing. Steve and I got our exercise but the kids got to feel the difference between the ex racehorse and the little Arab. All three were really good.

I am off to Kansas again this week, so Splash gets another week off. Then, the county fair this weekend, so no lesson either. Ride some happy trails for me. c

Patty and Silka at Lily Pond

I'm not sure why the photos didn't come through on the previous post. Putting a few in a separate post in case I hit a size limit of some sort. Click on the photo to see the detail.











Patty seems to be having a great time. Look at her grin as she and Silka canter a corner.

More Lily Pond Photos

I was only at the show for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Hot, muggy, and just a little breeze. The exhibitors are amazons!!

You can see more photos of the Lily Pond show by going to http://appy2.myphotoalbum.com and selecting Rocking C Stables, then Schooling Shows.

YaYa at Lily Pond

Cathy and Pico started their pattern with a nice, big trot. Between the arena dust and the haze, we got some interesting effects on the shots.

Not sure if you can see it in the picture, but Pico has all four feet off the ground. The sun reflecting off the arena dust makes an interesting effect, don't you think?

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Patty and Dante looked amazing, especially with the storm clouds making a dramatic backdrop

Marsha and Lil had a very pleasant ride. Doesn't Lil look relaxed in this shot?

Lily Pond and Lightning

Lucky Splash didn't get to do a lesson because i took Pico, TC, Diez and the girls to Lily Pond for a dressage schooling show. The girls had sluggomatic rides again but haven't been riding much and need some regular lessons badly. Pico was pretty good without any big spooks. Operator error because of a big storm causing distractions nearly caused a DQ in F4. The judge (Louise Waring) liked Pico in T4 and we scored 59.4 although we needed more stretch in the walk and in the trot circle at C. Louise said Pico has good gaits staying in rhythm and balance even when I don't. F4 was 56.579 - better than i expected based on her comments in the ring. I will try to work on 'bungee cord" arm connection and improving my sitting trot which was rough.

Ivy and Alaina recieved 55.5 and 54. The judge recomends that Ivy increase energy and to use full arena in circles and bends. Alaina needs to work on full circles and more forward. Roxanne had a great show onTrouper and then the girls played the rest of the day. Mallory handled Raffles really well when he spazzed at C.

Marsha and Lil had a good show with Lil much better moving than the last show. Patty had lovely rides on Silka and Dante and Denise and Jurgen did well also. Poor Elizabeth didn't feel up to riding Pico - hope she is feeling better now.

We had a lovely day today when Mallory and Roxanne brought Trouper and Raffles over and Kathy rode Pico and I worked Splash a little. With Brittany on Diez, Ivy on TC and Alaina on Sunny, we took a little trail ride around our place and then went to Goldies for lunch. Way fun.