Called Out

I totally just got called out by one of my besties -_- that I haven't updated this blog since Gertie's first show when teasing her about not updating hers.

Might as well get my butt in gear and update, hahaha!

After that first show, we had a few more lessons and then another show. this show was off site at another facility. She had been there once before and schooled perfectly and even did her first grid! Unfortunately my instructor was out of town that same weekend/day and I had to go the show alone. I'm blessed to have had my husband and wonderful friends there to help, support, and encourage me through the day! You know who you are <3 You all have no idea how much it meant to me to have you there.

I decided to do Hunters at 2'3". Warm up, Hunters, and Eq. Well, the first two didn't go so well at all. She was schooling nicely in the schooling ring, warmed up nicely and was listening well, confident over the schooling jumps. Went into the ring for our class and I seemed to have forgotten how to ride, hahaha. The first jump was going away from the barn, other horses, people, etc., and with my nerves, probably lost her confidence--refused the first jump a few times and were excused. How embarrassing, LOL! Schooled her some more, then tried again and same thing. I didn't keep enough leg (especially left) on her and she veered left again ... see pictures to come. My brain was elsewhere and didn't hear everyone, and the judge, suggesting to take the jump going the opposite way the first class. It didn't help that it was SO DARN WINDY I couldn't hear a dang thing, lololol. I finally heard the second time and did as they said. She jumped it just fine -_- So we went back to schooling and I decided it might help her confidence to go to a lower division. Instead of doing the 2'3 Eq, we went into the 2' Hunters. Got her over the first jump, then towards the outside line she did NOT like a boat that was parked outside of the arena and spooked at it (lmao). Circled her and brought her back and she went down the line super well and jumped every single jump after that and did so like a super star! She was a bit fast, but at that time, I didn't care to rate her too much as she was going over when asked and actually listening.

Didn't bother to do the 2' Eq, best to end it on a positive and good note! I was SO DAMN PROUD of her! A whole new place with a bunch of new things around her and she got over her fears, grabbed a hold of her confidence, and jumped her little heart out while actually listening to me. Could not have ended it on a better note!

Since then we have been taking it easy. Two and a half months ago, I started taking one lesson a week and I have to say, I am a completely different rider now. She is and moves like a completely different horse...all in an amazing way. I love my instructor. She has done so much to help get me out of my bad habits and ask more of my mare. The improvement in such a short time just amazes me and I am so excited for our first Dressage show in February. We also plan to school XC in January. I would REALLY like to take her in her first Horse Trials/Event at the Pre-Comp level. We will see how things go before deciding.

First, pictures from our last show:

 My Dressage horse in Hunters

 Last jump: Good Girl! And my own eq. isn't too shabby.

And some pictures Alana took a few weeks ago:

And Alana on Gertie!

The end :)