Tulsa State Fair 2011

The weather is about as perfect as weather in Oklahoma can be in September.  The girls completed mighty show preparations without much help Friday afternoon getting the trailer cleaned out, gathering tack/cloths/etc. and washing the horses (I was busy at a social gathering for a friend turning 40).

So off we went Saturday morning bright and early (really O-dark:30) to the Mustang Arena at the Tulsa Expo for the Tulsa State Fair 4-H/FFA horse show.  The girls showed well and both horses were good.  Ivy and Pico were really good - 2nd in hunter under saddle (could have been first), 2nd hunt seat equitation (was the best), 2nd western horsemanship (was 2nd even against all those western horses) and 9th in western pleasure.  Pico was relaxed and consistent with smooth as silk transitions all day long. Alaina and Sunny were not as sharp (her allergies were BAD). But still, the pair did well for the most part - 4th in showmanship (could have been 2 or 3rd), 4th hunter under saddle, 4th hunt seat equitation, 6th western pleasure, and 9th (last) in stakes. Alaina studied the 9 to 11 pattern and then rode some mix of patterns for western horsemanship - she couldn't get it together once she realized her mistake but Sunny gamely did what she asked.

I got my equine therapy on Sunday when the girls and I loaded Pico, Splash and Diez and headed to Cheval Lake to play with Mallory, Roxy, and Maddie.  Ivy worked Sister with Mallory's help using Clinton Anderson methods.  Roxy and Trooper, Maddie and Misty, Alaina and Diez, and Splash and I got started in the big arena.  When Ivy was finished with Sister, Alaina switched over and ran Sister through her walk/trot paces.  Mallory worked on one-reign stops, and took R, M, and I on a mini trail ride while I worked on stop/back/walk transitions with Splash. 

Ahhh, a horsey fun weekend followed by short evening rides with the girls in the Wild Orban Ranch arena both Monday and Tuesday - the weather is just to perfect to skip any opportunity.  I will miss out once again when the YaYa's ride at Rita's tomorrow.  But, NEXT WEEK! Count me IN!

Rogers County Fair Update - 2011

The Rogers County Free Fair is History! 

Next Weekend?  The Tulsa State Fair 4-H/FFA show at the Mustang Arena at the Tulsa Fairgrounds on Saturday.  Come on by and keep me company!

Splash and I won Adult Hunter Under Saddle and Hunt Seat Equitation, and came 3rd in Adult Showmanship.  Splash was also Champion Appaloosa Gelding for Ivy but stomped her big toe in exchange for that beautiful plaque.

Alaina's Placings on Sunny:  2nd Halter Palomino, 3rd Hunter Under Saddle, 1st Hunt Seat Eq, 2nd Trail, 5th Western Horsemanship.  Ivy and Pico placed:  2nd Hunter Under Saddle, 2nd Hunt Seat Eq., 1st Hunter Hack, 6th Western Pleasure, and 4th Western Horsemanship.  Very Nice Riding at this last point show of the 4-H season.  We had the Youth Fun Show on Sunday and had a great time.  Roxy joined in so I got to hang with Mallory (when I wasn't on annoucer duty).  Ivy/Pico and Alaina/Sunny both won their heats of theTennis Ball Ballance race and Alaina won the final as well as the Jr/Sr championship.  Then, Alaina and Sunny showed everyone how to canter balancing an egg on a spoon held in her teeth - very impressive but I missed the picture.

Splash was still miffed about his mane treatment last weekend so I just gave him a light banding job; he wasn't thrilled when the clippers quit working on his first ear and I had to finish the job with nail scissors (not pretty unless you like that "chewed by a beaver" look).  Our showmanship was decent in parts but Splash showed his pushy side when we had to trot around the cone to the judge and stop (very tight pattern) - then stood mostly square for inspection followed by a non-pivot (clearly the weakest link, so I have to work on that - any ideas for training pivot?).  After donning my new-blue riding shirt with the palm-tree ratcatcher, we had a pretty good ride in hunter under saddle - Splash had good impulsion (mostly), was steady in the bridle (mostly), was moving out nicely (mostly), and took correct leads at canter - only dropped to trot from left lead canter for a stride or two BEHIND the judge.  Woo-HOO!  Hunt Seat Equitation wasn't quite so good, but the pattern was accurate if a bit resistant in transitions.  Even so, lots of fun to WIN although I would have been fine without the announcer calling my name followed by "the old lady" before announcing our placings.  And my YaYa friend Joan (AKA the Duchess Bovina) dropped by in time to watch our classes.  The rest of the show was more relaxing for me (I was DONE) and more YaYa sisters dropped by to say hi - Thanks Kathy and Judy - Next year, we will ALL ride.  Judy (Princess Rides while Navajo Steers) can just point at the trail pattern and Navi will Just Do It while Kathy (AKA Countess Loves a Paint Mare) and Call will be ready to dominate in the hunter classes.

Meanwhile, the weather is cooled down beautifully and my YaYa's are riding Wed. evening when I will be out of town - again..... My time to ride is coming..... Soon.....A girl (AKA YaYa Sister) can dream.

Splash Has a Bad Hair Day

But, it was for a good cause....  Splash and I were lucky enough to be a demo rider/horse pair for the B-session of the LProgram clinic held Saturday and Sunday at Bridle Creek in Sperry.  The requirements included "Braiding."

I have banded and done French and net braids but never those Button Braids traditional for dressage horses.  So, Marilyn B gave me a latch hook, black yarn, and guidance (watch YouTube videos and purchase Activator Gel) AND came over Friday evening to help me do the braiding deed.  Splash wasn't pleased but did look good.

And, he got a free perm out of the deal when the braids came out on Sunday afternoon.

I planned to really work Splash to get ready for the demo ride and we were off to a good start with the Rocking C show Sept. 3.  Alas, I had a McPherson/Wichita work trip last week and then the farrier came Friday..... So, Splash was not tuned up.  Ginny H and I were to trailer-pool Splash and Acca to Bridle Creek for the Sat. afternoon session, but first - we joined Maryal Barnett and the L-Judge candidates for the first half of the lecture Saturday morning.  The lecture with video examples focused on Training and First Level movements.  Ginny and I left the lecture early so that we could come back to Claremore to get the horses and head out to Bridle Creek in time for my ride time at 1:00 to demonstrate Training Level movements; Richal on Genna and Elizabeth with Theo were my partner demos.  Ginny and Acca were on at 3:15 to demonstrate First Level movements.  Marilyn and Jurgan, Jessie and Denali, Ruthie and Dreamweaver, and Marta and Chasqui also demo-ed.

Sunday's program focused on Second Level and was fascinating to a woman forever in Training Level - on a good day.  It was really fun to see my horsey friends and teachers ride as demos - Patty and Dante, Marilyn and Willie, Cynthia and Shadow, Sandy and Fancy, Heather and Studly, AND Kay on Odakai - Wow. 

I am really sorry I missed the A-session but I will definitely go to the next session in October.  The B-session covered:  1) criteria/purposed for Training, First, and Second level; 2) criteria for gait and paces; and 3) criteria for movements.  In dressage, the quality of gaits are dependent on rhythm, freedom, elasticity, suppleness, suspension, scope/amplitude, and reach/range of motion.  In the classroom, we reviewed the Pyramid of Training and listened in on the review of homework from the A-session - very interesting discussion between the judging candidates and Maryal.  Also, we reviewed the principles of increased engagement and elevation - the horse will develop both as training progresses.

Dressage Training Pyramid

 

Definitions - these are helpful for a rider of any level to consider when riding.

Purpose of the Test/Level - to evaluate the expected stage of training objectives as stated on the top of each score sheet.

Criteria - standard by which a movement is judged as stated in the USEF Rule Book

Test Movement - the section of a dressage test that must be assigned a single score - note that half points will be introduced next year.

Essence (of the movement) - The most important part of the sequence in the score sheet box; e.g., the "halt" or "canter depart".

Modifier - other elements in the box that might add or deduct from the score

Directive Ideas - explanations on the score sheet in the column after each test movement

Biomechanics of the Movements - Did the horse do "it" and How did the horse do "it."  Evaluate posture, bend, carriage, stride, energy, balance, and more - straightness, collection, frame, and engagement.

Training Level Purpose - to confirm that the horse is supple and moves freely forward in a clear and steady rhythm accepting contact with the bit.

First Level Purpose - To confirm that the horse, in addition to the requirements of Training Level, has developed the thrust to achieve improved balance and throughness and to maintain a more consistent contact with the bit.

Second Level Purpose - To confirm that the horse, having achieved the thrust required in First Level, now accepts more weight on the hindquarters (collection), shows the uphill tendencey, especially in the medium gaits, andis reliably on the bit.  A greater degree of straightness,bending, suppleness, throughness, balance and self-carraiage is required than at first level.

A Taste of Fall

It's warmed up since the cooldown after the Rocking C Dressage show judged by Robin Hessal the first Saturday of September.  Marsha and Latte won High Point Am Intro Level and Mallory with Trooper won High Point Am Training level (just edging out Call and Kathy).  Go Girls!

 

We all had a great show.  Ivy showed Pico in Prix Caprilli Wk/Trot, T-3, and F-3 with scores of 64.5 (2nd place to Roxy and Trooper), 63.2, and 56.452 respectively.  Alaina and Sister are improving with Christian's help scoring 52.5 in Intro-B and 57.0 in Into-C - canter departs and all.  And... Spash was a good boy.  We recieved 64.5 in Intro-C and 60.800 in T-3.

 

It was a lovely Labor Day weekend, hot Fri/Sat with cool weather Sun/Mon.  The girls were out of school on Friday so we joined Mallory at Cheval Lake for some horsey fun in the morning.  Ivy did Clinton Anderson work with Sister before Alaina worked her under saddle with Christian's help.  Meanwhile, Splash and I did a little show preparation work.  We finished the weekend with Monday morning horse fun back at Cheval Lake - same drill except Roxy was out of school too, so we all rode - Ivy and Roxy working on their hand gallops and Alaina making good progress with Sister. 

The cool weather makes me dream of evening trail rides in the near future....

YaYa!

Double Dog Days

Roxy on Trouper and Ivy with Pico hung out in the shade while Alaina worked Sunny over crossbars.  Then, both girls worked straight bars too.

We got to party with Patty and the Gang on Sat - with lunch at Gaham's afterwards.  Patty has a new, tiny kitten named Boots - Alaina, Ivy and Roxy have started a cat training program.  Splash was very good in the lesson and we cantered very briefly - worked canter serpentine to the quarterline with no break of gait - Kathy and Call managed canter serpentine to X beautifully.  Mallory and Raffles did some beautiful canter work while Susan/Webster and Nancy/Doc did a little western in preparation for the Western Dressage Classes in the coming show.  The show will be at Patty's in Inola.  Ivy and Roxy will do Pri Caprilli while Alaina will consider canter in Intro C.  Splash and I will try Training 3 so cross all fingers and toes. 

We  took Sister over to Che' Cheval on Sunday to trade-out TC.  TC is now at the Wild O Ranch and Sister is back where she can be WORKED with Christian's oversite.  Ivy has been working on her useing the Clinton Anderson method of ground work - sending and yeilding the hind quarters.  She is pretty smart and making progress on that score.

Alaina followed the ground work in the saddle as preparation for the GCC/ODS show next weekend.  Walk and trot work was OK but canter left a lot to be desired.  So, we need to get  the Che Cheval Method!  and, a YaYa ride int the near future!

Back to School (ing)

After spending a couple of days in Kansas for work last week, I made it back to Oklahoma (i.e., Glenpool) in the nick of time to watch the Claremore JH volleyball team play their first match (3 games) of the season. The Big News is that Alaina is on the B-Team so she got to play in Game 2. She made one successful serve, one assist, and one return as well as several other good tries, but alas, the team lost in a close comeback battle. The Good News is that Claremore JH A-Team dominated, so Claremore won the match which just happened to be the first day of school. FUN.

Although still hot overall, a couple of days have been cooler and we have had a bit of rain. So, Riding again seems possible. Mallory and I met at Cheval Lake to work the horses on Friday morning. Splash was first and Mallory showed me a bit of Clinton Anderson ‘Lunging for Respect’ lessons on him. After lunging, I rode walk/trot in the round pen reminding him that he is a horse and I mean to ride (our next show is Sept 3 at the Rocking C). Next up, Sister. It has been several months so I thought I would only lunge a little. But she was very snotty – so we lunged a bit more. Then the heat must have gotten to me because I decided we needed to lunge until I felt like I could ride. So we did. We moved up to the arena and I rode walk/trot until Sister flew right. I didn’t canter but decided to quit while we were both ahead. Then, off to Lunch After Riding (LAR) – haha.

Saturday morning and the party lesson was ON! The girls (Ivy, Alaina, Roxy, and Maddie) worked their horses in a lesson while Ashlyne and Laura rode a bit with them. Then, Mallory on Raffles, Kathy on Call, Marsha and Latte, and Splash and I rode. I confess to using der GERMAN NECK STRETCHER for all but the last canter. The lunging Friday morning must have helped because we had a great lesson. I told Larry that Splash’s price had gone UP! But Larry said he could hear Splash groaning at the canter work so I should mark him down. We all worked on leg yields walk and trot. Kathy and Call finished the lesson with some magnificent canter serpentine loops and Mallory looked lovely at her canters too. Also, when Latte canters, the sound of his pounding hooves can lift your spirits. Even Splash and I worked on very shallow serpentine loops. We dropped gait finishing the first on left lead because I lost control of his bend but we managed one good go left lead and two to the right. Woo Hoo.

LAL at Romona’s new location is the best!

Sunday afternoon, ODS/GCC hosted a seminar with Sloan Taylor (MS, CSSD, RD/LD – Sloan works at St. Francis and is the nutritionist for all but one TU sports team). Sloan is certain that riders ARE athletes that the horse does not do all the work. The seminar was very informative and Sloan is a dynamic speaker. Not only that, but we got so see dressagy friends as well.

Peak Performance with Sports Nutrition – M-W Dictionary Definitions – Athlete: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina. I am a person, trained (if not yet skilled) in exercises, sports, and games requiring physical strength and stamina. That’s my story…… Sport: 1) a contest or game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other, 2) a physical activity that is done for enjoyment. We certainly do physical activities (tests) and compete against ourselves (at least) and do it all for enjoyment. So. We ARE sporting athletes.

Sloan discussed several items that can affect our nutritional requirements which can also affect our performance. Some of these are beyond our control, such as hear, wind, humidity, and cold. We can influence other factors such as lack of sleep, hunger, dehydration, and overeating. The message? For peak performance we need adequate sleep, food, and water.

How much water do we need daily? Take your weight and divide by half – that is the number of ounces of water that a body needs. You need to add more to compensate for exercise and perspiration. If the weather (heat/humidity) are excessive, you need replacement salts as well as water (G2 is lower carbs and higher salts). Caffeinated beverages do provide fluid but not equal to their volume. BAD Cathy! Tea is not salted. Remember, if you are sweating profusely, water alone can dilute your electrolytes. So, eat pickles!

Hydration in preparation for exercise – 2-hours before event/drink 1 oz for every 10 lbs body wt; 20-min before event/drink 0.6 oz for every 10 lbs body wt – at a minimum sip 4 oz of fluid; drink your 0.6 again if you have more than 30 minutes between tests. W/in 30 minutes of your final test drink a recovery fluid/food – you need at least 50 grams of carbs – chocolate milk is a best bet but grapes, Gatorade, granola bars or raisins are good.

Food at the show – pack your own and if you can’t eat LUNCH, than snack every 2 hours.

A Few Rules – 1) Coffee is not Breakfast; 2) Feed yourself as carefully as you feed your horse; 3) for mental focus, feed your brain. Thanks Sloan.

PS - Steve and I went to see Steve Martin (Banjos and Bluegrass) on Wed. night and it was a great show.  We did not wear our head arrows, but they let us in anyway.  Brown Betty (a Narragansett Pacer) was Paul Revere's borrowed horse.... Steve sang a song called Me and Paul Revere.

Dog Days - NOT!

The girls had the last 4-H point show of summer on this past Saturday and the weather was lovely.  The show was casual/done-by-one (2:00pm really) to help us survive the brutal heat of the "dog days of summer."  But, we had rain and cooler temps and got home before the humidity heated things up.

Ivy and Pico had a good day winning Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Eq and Hunter Hack.  Alaina and Sunny (AKA TTG) won trail, and came 2nd in Showmanship and Western Pleasure (her palomino buddy Lindsey was first with Timer).  Ivy skipped speed to complete her work segment requirements and Alaina rode Sunny in Speed classes for the first time (6-6-5 out of 8); not bad for a western pleasure pony.

Sister got to stay home and Splash had the weekend off (there is no excuse for me......).  Diez got the torture bath Sunday afternoon and then rolled in the black dirt to return things to their normal appearance.

Hopefully, things can return to normal next week with the Saturday Party Lesson/Lunch and some work on the Splash-man.  We have work to do since the next dressage show is Sept. 3 and I want to ride in the Rogers County Fair.  But, work will have to wait until after my Kansas trip this week. 

Perhaps a YaYa Ride can happen next week - a girl can dream.