What a Show!! February 27, 2009

 

My mom says pictures are worth a thousand words!  We had a great weekend at Raleigh Indoors II! 

 

The show week started with a late night evening on Wednesday before the show.  My mom got off work and we went straight to the barn to pack up for the show and load up Ritchie.  Thankfully, the Hunt Horse Complex is only about 20 minutes from the barn.  We arrived at the show around 7 p.m.   We got the stall ready with shavings and water buckets and then unloaded Ritchie.  It was pretty cold over the weekend so we made sure we had his extra blankets.  After he was all settled in my mom and I headed for home and some sleep. 

 

On Thursday morning Lisa picked me up at my mom’s job and we headed for the show.  I spent most of Thursday taking care of Ritchie and having a lesson with Lisa.  I made sure to clean my tack and wash all the white markings on Ritchie really good.  On Friday, my mom and Lisa decided that I would stay at her office instead of spending all day at the show.  They said I am still little and get really tired by the time my Schooling Pony classes start.  My mom said I could use a nap at lunch time.  I laid down at the office but could not stop thinking about the show.  I was so excited and could not wait to be in the ring.  Finally, after lunch, Lisa came to get me and we headed out.  My mom works on Friday’s so she sends me to get ready with Lisa and usually misses the Schooling Pony.  There were ten ponies in the Schooling Pony.  This show I understood I had to get the correct strides.  My first round was good but Lisa said it was a little bit “unpolished”.  I went back in for my second round and it was fantastic!  We took a 3rd in the first round and a 1st in the second round.  In the hack I worked hard to make sure that I kept Ritchie balanced.  We won the hack.  It was a great afternoon and way to start off the show weekend.  We took champion of the Schooling Pony division at 2′6. 

 

 

 

Saturday was an amazing day!  My mom and I got to the show early to feed and unwrap bandages.  It was very cold so we spent the morning sitting with Lisa in the heated indoor and watching the rounds.   Finally, it was time for my rounds.  Lisa decided that I should do the Pony Warm Up.  It went great and she told me that was a fantastic round.  Our other two rounds went well.  Lisa said I could still polish up my rounds a bit and we talked about that.  When the day was done Ritchie and I took three blue ribbons back to the barn to hang up.  Lisa said our warm up round was the best.  I was so happy and a little tired.  We gave Ritchie lots of treats and then said goodbye to Lisa.  Me and my mom hung out at the show until it was time for Ritchie to eat and get ready for bed.  After he was all settled we headed home.  I had a hot bath and went straight to sleep.

 

Sunday was very windy.  The weather was calling for possible snow.  At breakfast in the indoor several people were talking about what the day would be like.  I like when the shows have donuts and bagels for breakfast.  I wondered what our day would be like.  Well, it turned out to be a great day!  In my first over fences, I chipped into the first single jump.  The rest of the round went well but it was the second round that was the best.  The last line for everyone was a little tricky.  Lisa talked to me about jumping in and then balancing Ritchie so that the line worked out perfectly.  The whole round went well and all that was left was the last outside line… I saw it… I saw that I needed to whoa a bit and I did it!  The line worked out great and we got a first place.  We took a 2nd in our first over fences and a second in the hack.  Ritchie and I were Children’s Pony Champions!  I felt great.   Lisa has worked so hard with us this past couple of weeks and it was a great win for all three of us!  With the showing over we packed up and headed home with a lap full of pretty ribbons!

 

This week has been back to work and practice.  We have two weeks until our next show in Raleigh.  I will continue to ride as much as I can. 

 

Yesterday, I got to go and visit Skittles.  It was so good to see him.  I got to have a fun ride and we even did some jumping!  He was really good.  I gave him a huge hug and treats.  I know the new little girls that will be taking him will just love how adorable he is!!

 

 

Horse Show Week Is Here!! February 18, 2009

 

Well, it is raining and really cold here in North Carolina.  Temps are only going to be in the 40’s this weekend as we head out to the Raleigh Indoor II Horse Show. 

 

Since my last post we have been getting to know the new facility where we are boarding Ritchie.   Because it is so close to my mom’s office and it has an indoor ring, I have been getting lots and lots of ride time.  I feel really prepared for this show and can not wait to use some of the skills we have been working on in lessons.

 

Lisa has been working with me on combinations and handy hunter course work.  Handy Hunter rounds are more technical courses and can include rollbacks, bending lines, trot fences, halts, and in and outs.  This is different from the more straightforward hunter classes.  I need to become familiar with these type of courses to be able to move to the Medium Pony Hunter division.  They are very fun but are very hard to remember.  My biggest problem is just not forgetting what to do next while still remembering to count my strides and get my lead changes. 

 

This weekend I will be showing in the Children’s Pony so I will not have to worry about Handy Hunter classes.  I will also be jumping the 2′6 schooling pony just like last time.  I want to show Lisa that I can ride in the show ring like I do at home. 

 

Ritchie, of course, is the master of these courses.  He is teaching me how to navigate these courses and proving to be a great teacher.  I do not have photos this week but wanted to share some video of Ritchie and I practicing at home.  Hope you all enjoy! 

 

 

 

I am on my way out the door with my mom to the barn to pack all of my things for the show.  I have to clean my saddle and get the trailer packed and then we will load Ritchie and be on our way to the showgrounds.  Tomorrow I will be spending the day with Lisa at the show so that I can take a lesson and watch some of the professionals ride.  Be sure to check back next week to find out how we did!

Lessons, Practice, and More Lessons… February 10, 2009

 

Hi there!  Boy has there been a lot going on.  I have not even had time to write about the last show!  With another show quickly approaching I thought it was about time to get together with my mom and start filling you in on our progress.

 

The January show was great.  We had a big surprise for everyone… Lisa decided to see how I would do with Ritchie in Schooling Pony 2′6 instead of the 2′ classes.  Boy was that a learning experience.  Ritchie really took good care of me.  We did really well and I got all of my lead changes but I added a stride in one line of each round.  I got a 5th over fences and then we hacked fantastic and ended up with a 2nd in the hack.  I was pretty happy but not quite sure what happened in my over fences classes.  I did not really understand that even though it felt good and looked good I could do poorly if I added a stride.  Lisa explained I really had to pick up the pace and then gave me another cool surprise.  She felt that I had been doing so well that I was a bit to advanced for short stirrup and that is was time for me to move up so she decided to enter me in the Children’s Pony division.  Children’s Pony is still 2′ like short stirrup but it requires me to get the pony hunter pace and strides. 

 

On Saturday we got ready for the Children’s Pony classes and again I had what I “thought” were good rounds.  They felt really good with the same pace all the way around and really straight lines.  When it came time for the ribbons I placed 6th and 7th out of 8.  What happened?  So that night Lisa and my mom really laid it out to me about the strides and how you have got to get the right strides to get ribbons.  They explained that missing the strides is just as bad as missing a lead change and I know that is really bad.  So on Sunday, with a new understanding of my new division, I stepped up my game… guess what… I got all my strides perfect and was smiling the whole way around the ring!  Lisa was right because when it came time for the ribbons we got to jog in 2nd and 3rd.  Oh yeah, in Raleigh the Children’s Pony division jogs.  I had never jogged before.  You are called in the ring and have to run across the ring while making your pony trot.  The judge is looking to make sure your pony is sound and not lame.  It felt really good to jog in the front of the line instead of the back.   Ritchie took 2nd in the under saddle and we left the show feeling like I sure learned a lot. 

 

After the show was over I got to hang out with my friend Carly.  She is really fun and I like to look for her when we get to the show.  She rides a small pony named Willie and they do the small pony division.

 

Carly, me, and the doggies

Once the show weekend was over it was back to practicing.  Here in North Carolina we have been getting a lot of rainy weather and just when I was ready to get back to riding 5-6 days a week the rain set in.  I went an entire week with only one ride.  That was when my mom and Lisa made a decision.  It was time to move Ritchie to a barn close to my mom’s job and that has an indoor ring.  I really did not want to move him since I will see less of my friends Alyssa and Alyson at the other barn but I know that in order to keep up I have to ride more.   The new place allows me to ride everyday after school and is only a couple of miles from Lisa so she is able to pick me up and help me get out to ride daily. 

Since the last time I posted I also went to see Harold at Solo Show Stables for a lesson.  Harold and Jenn left last week for Florida so I will not see them again until the middle of March.  Harold worked with me on planning out difficult courses and challenged me by asking me to adjust my strides by adding and taking out strides through out a course.  It was pretty tough but Ritchie and I did well.

 

Lisa has been very on top of my riding as well and sees me twice a week to work with me.  One lesson is a flat only and the other is my jumping lesson.  I have been learning so much and can not wait until the next show in two weeks. 

 

I do have some Skittles news as well… Skittles is back in North Carolina!  Holly moved her farm and lost some of her riders.  Since she really did not have anyone to ride him she brought him back home!  I thought I would never see him again when we left South Carolina in September.  I could not wait until we got to the barn that day.  As soon as we pulled in the drive I started to look for him.  Across the field I spotted all that white and asked my dad to stop the car.  I ran through the field as fast as I could.  Skittles looked happy to see me and I hugged him as hard as I could.  But guess what happened while he was gone…. he shrunk!!!  No, not really, but I did grow.  When my mom saw him she said that I would have never made it through this season with him. 

 

My mom and I talked about it and decided that Skittles should just retire from showing.  I won a lot of ribbons with him and learned a lot of things but he is so little and I do not want him going far from me again.  So, my mom found a great home for Skittles right down the road from her job.  He will be living with Autumn and Summer.  They are two little girls who are looking for a little pony to live on their farm that they can play with and take care of.  He will love it and the best part is I will get to see him any time I want. 

 

Well, I think you all are all caught up now.  Don’t forget we will be showing in Raleigh on Feb. 20-22.  I will have a new update and photos then!  Be sure to check back soon!

Snow and Show! January 23, 2009

Hi there!  I have a bunch to update and some cool photos to share!

First, Ritchie and I have been working very hard to get ready for the Triangle Farms Indoor I show in Raleigh.  It has been three weeks since the Holiday Classic and we have had lots to work on.  Mostly, we have been working on getting to know each other better.  I am finding out just how cool Ritchie is!

With the show coming up quickly there was a lot of training to get done.  Lisa was so great.  She picked me up several times a week, after my school work was completed of course, and took me to the barn to get in extra lessons.  They really helped a whole lot!  Last weekend we took the trip to see Harold and Jenn at Solo Show Stables and had a fantastic lesson with Jenn.  She is very proud of all the hard work that me and Lisa are doing.    In the last couple of weeks I have been working on getting the Medium Pony Hunter pace which is faster than the pace for Short Stirrup.  I also have been working on getting the correct strides for the pony division.  I have learned that if there are  six strides in the Short Stirrup I will need to get five strides in the Medium Pony Division.  I have also been learning about bending and correctly setting up a lead change.

There is a lot to learn on the ground also.  I have been learning how to walk lines and count out strides.  This will help me if I need to know how many strides are in a line and my trainers are not there to tell me.  I can also set my own jumps now.  Lisa has been taking me to watch some other lessons she teaches so that I can watch the other riders.  She says there is a lot to learn from watching others.    Back in the barn there is a lot to learn and do as well.  I like to get Ritchie ready myself (except I have to stand on a mounting block to get his saddle on!).   I make sure his hooves are clean and his tack in on correctly.  My favorite part is painting the hoof oil on and putting his jumping boots on.

With only a couple of days left until we were to leave for the showgrounds we got a big surprise!  I went to bed one night and the next morning I woke up to SNOW!!  Snow in North Carolina does not happen very often and I could not remember the last time we had enough snow to play in!  I bundled up in warm clothes and boots and ran outside to meet up with my friends.  I took a break from riding that day so I could sled down the hill and throw snow balls.  It was so much fun.  When the day was over and I was back in the house warming up I wondered what Ritchie was doing on a snow day.  The next day I got to find out.  Me and my mom and dad went out to the barn and took Ritchie out in the snow.  My mom says Ritchie is from Minnesota and that it is very cold there and he probably knows all about snow.   When I let him in the pasture he started to kick around in the snow and laid down and rolled.  He looked like he was having so much fun.  He trotted over to the fence and kept nudging me.  I think he wanted me to come in and play!  So I did!  We had a great time!

After our time playing I gave Ritchie some of his favorite treats and then it was off to start packing for the show.  We were leaving to the showgrounds the next morning.  My mom has a horse show checklist and we have to go down each thing and make sure it is in my trunks.  I have to remember things like, tack, buckets, hay, grain, saddle pads,  sponges, leather cleaner, shampoo and braiding yarn.  There is so much to pack and my mom always thinks we are forgetting something.

With everything packed and Ritchie back in his stall for the night it was time for me to be getting to bed.  I like to go to sleep early but tonight I might have a hard time sleeping just thinking about a horse show weekend with Ritchie!!  Check back next week so I can tell you all about the show!

Happy New Year with “Happy Days”! January 3, 2009

I am excited about 2009.  Happy New Year to everyone.  With the New Year there is a new pony at the barn.  After several trials and a long time looking we have finalized a lease.  “Happy Days” aka “Ritchie” is a medium pony that is just perfect!  We just returned from the final test…. The Holiday Classic Horse Show in Raleigh.  Ritchie was Short Stirrup Hunter Champion!!

The last time my mom and I posted we were about to leave for Atlanta Georgia to visit two ponies.  Several of you emailed me to find out what has happened to the other ponies I had.  My mom and I thought we should explain how the leasing and buying of a pony sometimes works.  Sometimes when trainers are looking for the “right” pony for a rider they ask for a trial period so that the rider can spend some time trying out the new pony in different environments.  Sometimes the trial periods are for a week or a couple of weeks or sometimes a whole month.  After a trial with Amber my trainer felt that she would need a little more work than we had time to give before the show season started so the search was on again with only a few weeks until the first show of the season.  I was very nervous!!  I was starting to think we might not find the right pony!  Then my trianer Lisa decided to contact a friend of hers in Atlanta and they told us that there were two ponies there that we could try.  So off we went ont he search for another pony!

The trip to Atlanta took seven hours.  I watched my DVD player in the back seat for the whole trip.  We got to Atlanta about 8 pm and had some dinner then checked into the hotel and got some sleep.  I had butterflies in my tummy the whole night.  Then next morning we packed up and made our way to Jamie Terhune in Peachtree City, Georgia.  The farm was really great and Jamie was waiting for us to arrive.  After getting my saddle from the trailer we started with Ritchie.  He was wonderful and I just loved how pretty he moved.  His trot felt very big and his lead changes were so easy.  After trying Ritchie, we went back to the barn to get Barbie ready.  She was a gleaming copper color.  I thought she was so pretty.  Barbie was also very fun to ride and had a great jump!  It was a very hard decision and my mom told Lisa she should decide which pony to take back.  Lisa picked Ritchie.  After packing his things and talking to Jamie we got loaded up and started the trip home.  It took eight hours to get home with Ritchie.

We let Ritchie settle in for a couple of days and then I went out to ride him.  It was a great ride and I told my mom that I thougtht Ritchie was a keeper!  Ritchie had one more test to pass.  He has to go with me to the Holiday Classic in Raleigh.  I have had very little showing since all the problems with Skittles and so I knew it would be a challenge for both me and Ritchie.  Guess what though, it was no challenge for Ritchie after all!  Ritchie was perfect!  I on the other hand had butterflies and had very little practice with Ritchie before going into the Schooling Pony Division the second day at the show.  Even with me worried and nervous Ritchie took 8th out of 14 in Schooling Pony and 4th place in the Under Saddle/Hack.  I started to feel really good about Ritchie!

The next couple of days we had several Short Stirrup classes and Ritchie proved to be a star again.  The first day I was still getting used to Ritchie but he was ready to shine.  We took first place in the equitation on the flat and second in equitation over fences.  The next day we earned two first places and a second.  Ritchie was the division champion!  Each day I felt better and better with Ritchie and now I know I have a partner again!

Speaking of partners, some of you are wondering what Skittles is up to…. well stay tuned because he is in Aiken SC at the AA horse show debuting in the green small ponies division.  I cannot wait to see the results.  I will keep you all posted.

I will have more photos posted next week.  In the meantime, it is off to cleaning out the car and putting away all of my show things so that they are ready for the next show in three weeks.  Ritchie and I will have several lessons before the next show including seeing Harold and Jenn the second weekend of January.  Be sure to check back next week and regularly again.  With a new season starting and a new pony there will be lots of updates!

Stay Tuned December 6, 2008

Just a quick update to let everyone know we will be traveling to Atlanta Ga. Sunday and returning Monday with yet another pony. I will be trying out several ponies and bringing one back. Lisa Dye will be joining us to help select the right pony. We will then be taking the new pony for evaluation to Jenn and Harold on Dec. 20th. When I get back I will be posting lots of photos from our trip!!!

Amber… Your So Darling!! November 11, 2008

 

I have some exciting news to share.  There is a new pony on the farm!  Amber Darling is a 14-year-old medium welsh cross pony.  Amber is owned by Apex Equestrian Center who was kind enough to provide me with such a sweet pony to ride.  She is loads of fun!

 

“Amber Darling”

 

Our first lesson together yesterday went very well.  Lisa was teaching me about using all of my aides (eyes, legs, and hands) to encourage Amber to move in the directions I want to go.  Amber listens very well.  We still have some work to do to get ready for the first show of the season.  Lisa Dye will be helping out by coming to the farm and riding Amber during the week. 

 

Skittles has his first show with the new farm this weekend.  I hope Holly will come on the blog and give us an udate and photos. 

 

Check out the 2009 horse show schedule.  We will be showing quite a bit and hope we will see some of you there.  For now I will leave you with a couple of more photos of Amber and some video!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ready To Share Now… October 29, 2008

 

It has taken a while but my mom and I are finally ready to tell about our weekend in South Carolina. 

We left for South Carolina on a Friday and made the four hour drive with Skittles to the South Carolina State Faire in Columbia, SC.  We met our very good friend Holly and her show team.  My momand I talked all the way there about how this would be my last show with Skittles and how much we wanted it to go well.  I was excited about the show and tried not to think of it being the last weekend with Skittles.  Over the last two years we have done countless shows with one another and have experienced so much with one another.  I did not want to imagine showing with out my partner.

When we got to the show we unloaded and met up with Holly.  She intorduced us to all the girls and then asked us to take a trip to the Camden Tack Store in Camden, SC.  I had not ever been to such a cool tack shop.  There was horse show stuff everywhere.  The store is huge and they had a little bit of everything.  My mom picked up new hairnets and a new girth for the new pony.  The Camden Tack Store has a discount section and my mom found some new practice pants for me.  We had a great time shopping and then we all went back to the fair to ride.  Everyone thought Skittles was so cute and he was a really good boy.

The next day we were up early and at the barn getting ready.  My mom complained about how dirty Skittles was and started saying she hoped she did not ever have to wash a white pony again.  I tried not to listen.  Finally, it was our turn for Short Stirrup.  My mom was surprised at how high the jumps were.  We usually jump 2′ in short stirrup but these jumps were 2′3.  Holly told my mom it would be alright and convinced her to let us try.  I knew I had to trust Skittles one more time.  

Skittles was fantastic!  He not only did his course like a champ he also swapped his leads every time clean!  We were so shocked.  We placed second in both our over fences classes.  I was so proud of him.  We even had people come up to us and take our picture!  I knew my partner could do it.  We also took third in our under saddle class and third in our equitation flat class.  We were reserve champions of our division and I won a $25.00 Tractor Supply gift card.  It was so much fun.

After the show, my mom and I decided we should say good-bye and leave for the hotel.  She said it would be easier if we did not return on Sunday but just leave and head home.  I guess she knew how bad it would hurt.  My mom left me alone with Skittles to say good-bye in his stall.  I had forgot in all the fun that we would be leaving him here.  I just could not imagine driving an empty trailer home. 

I opened the stall door and looked at him.  He looked at me.  I remembered the day I opened his stall door  and saw him for the first time.  That was a long time ago.  I remembered how happy I was and thought about how sad it was to leave him.  Skittles has been my best friend for so long.  My mom asked me if I remembered not having Skittles.  It was hard to think that far back.  I guess it hit me all of a sudden and I felt the tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat.  He came over and sniffed my pockets looking for treats.  I had his favorite and opened my hand so he could eat it.  I pet him and laid across his back and cried and cried.  My mom told me later she could see me in the stall and that she cried and cried too.   I stayed there for a long time.  He just stood there and let me cry on him.  I thought about all the good times we had together and all the hard work. 

 

After I had a good cry I kissed him one last time and started to walk out of the stall.  I could feel him behind me.  I knew he did not know what was about to happen.  I hoped he would be alright.  My mom was waiting for me in the car.  As we drove past his stall we slowed down to look one last time.  Skittles had his little head pressed against the bars of the stall door.  Good-bye Skittles.  I love you.

 

The drive back to North Carolina was sad.  At first my mom tried to talk about Skittles but her eyes would fill with tears and then she would try and act like she was fine and then I would cry.  I finally went to sleep and slept most of the way home.  When I woke up my mom reminded me that when we got home we would be going to the barn to meet my new pony Rory.  My mom then told me she had been thinking while I was sleeping.  She said we were thinking so much about how sad we were over Skittles that we totally forgot that Rory has a special girl also.  My mom reminded me that Rory’s little girl would be coming with him to the farm to see his new home and say good-bye just like we did with Skittles.  She told me that she was sure that his little girl would be just as sad as us.  All of a sudden it hit me.  Part of horse showing for lots of little girls and boys is learning to share.  We learn to give when it is time to give and to be thankful when we recieve.  I was sharing Skittles with some other girls and now Rory’s girl was going to share with me. 

I started to feel better.  I started to think about meeting Rory.  What would we do together and what would the year be like?   I started to think about his little girl.  I knew I wanted to let her know that I would take good care of her special pony. 

The Secret is Out! October 14, 2008

Introducing “Rory Malloy”

 

 

Me and my mom have so much news to share with everyone.  Some happy and some sad.  My mom and I are not quite able to talk about (or type) the sad news without crying but we thought it might make us feel a little better if we shared the good news first. 

 

On Sunday evening the new pony that Jenn and my mom picked for the upcoming show season arrived at the farm.  His name is Rory Malloy and he is a large pony.  Rory was one of the first ponies I tried and after visiting several others Jenn and my mom wanted me to try Rory agian.  Jenn thought he was just what I needed for my last year in Short Stirrup.  Rory is 14-years-old and has been a show pony for most of his life.  He is very well trained and has a lot to teach me this season. 

 

We had our first lesson together on Monday morning.  It was very different to be riding a pony other than Skittles.  We had a great lesson.  That brings me to another piece of news.  We are so happy to have Lisa Dye back helping out.  You may remember that Lisa is a friend of Jenn and Harold’s and lives in our area.  Jenn had origianally asked Lisa to help us when she is not available.  Shortly after starting to work with Lisa in the early spring she took a new job that moved her to Texas.  Recently, she decided that she wanted to move back home and contacted us.  We were thrilled to hear she would be working in our area again.  I am so lucky to have what my mom calls “the dream team” helping me again.

 

 

We will be traveling to Southern Pines to have a lesson with Jenn this weekend.  It will be the first time we will be taking Rory with us.  I will have plenty of photos to share.

 

Many of you are probably wondering “what about Skittles”.  That is the sad news.    As I said earlier we are not ready to talk about it yet.  Skittles is safe and in his new home in South Carolina with wonderful people.  We had a wonderful last show together.  We were reserve champs of our division.  I will post later this week when we feel better and tell you all about our weekend and saying goodbye.   For now I will share one of our last photos together with you all. 

 

Check back later this week for more updates.  See you all then!

 

 

Thanks to Amelia Wirth for the great photo!

 

 

You will always be my first love Skittles.  I will miss you.

Love Savannah

Perhaps Some Good News Soon! September 25, 2008

 

With this season coming to an end and a new season about to start!  It is time to get serious about a new pony.  I have a couple of updates to share.

  We met Jenn on Monday to see a really cute large pony and have been seeing videos of others she likes as well.  It is a very exciting process.  It was so fun to ride a pony that was so well trained.  Guess what, he was not white either!! My mom was so thrilled!  This week coming up we will be spending a day with Jenn and seeing five more possible ponies.  The great part is I get to ride all of them!

In the meantime I have been invited by our friend Holly Waller to join her show team in South Carolina to ride a pony of hers at the South Carolina State Fair.  I can not wait to attend a show.  My mom says I have horse show withdrawal.  I can not wait until the new season in December to be back on a regular show schedule. 

I also have another great secret I am keeping.  I am not able to tell it yet but as soon as it is alright I will be back to let you all in on the secret!

Look for us to be back posting on a regular basis soon.  We look forward to having some cool news to share again.