What’s New and Exciting… April 4, 2008

 

 

 

 

Thanks Everyone for Being so Patient!

I do have very exciting news!  Lots of really cool things have been happening that I have been wanting to tell everyone. 

This week Jenn contacted my mom and talked to her about moving me up to Short Stirrup and invited us to show with them at my first “A” show on May 10-11th in Greensboro.  I am so excited I could hardly sleep after my mom told me. 

Jenn and my mom have been doing a lot of planning lately.  My mom told me she was nervous but is doing what Jenn suggest because Jenn is the expert.  I am just happy because I have secretly been wanting to move to Short Stirrup and of course I am extra excited to be going to “A” shows with Jenn and Haorld.  My mom and dad had a talk with me and told me it would be hard work and that for a while my ribbon wall in my room will probably not grow much but my mom told me that sometimes that is better because it is really about learning and not winning all the time.  Skittles and I are just learning about lead changes.  I know until we really learn how to do them correctly that it will be tough but Jenn says the experience will be good for me in the long run.   My last time in Young Entry will be at the Triangle Farms show this month. 

 

Also, with the change in plans, Jenn has suggested to my mom that we also work with a friend of hers when she is out of town or when we are not able to get to Southern Pines.  Her name is Lisa and she was a working student with Jenn and Harold before she became a professional.  She has worked with students from Grand Prix Jumpers to Maclay riders to Amateur Owners.  Jenn and Lisa have worked together before and Jenn says that Lisa will be a great help to us.  Jenn can keep in close contact with Lisa so that I am getting the same type of training at both places.  I have my first appointment with Lisa on April 19th and 21st.  Everyone is really working together and I feel like me and Skittles are so lucky!

The sad part is that now that I will be moving forward I have to say good-bye to Jennifer Lafforthun and Rex.  They have been such a big help and I will miss them.  They are both very nice people.  Thank you so much Jennifer, Rex and everyone at Trademark!

This week I have a lesson with Jenn at Solo Show Stables on Monday.  My mom is bringing Skittles on the trailer to my school to pick me up and then we are on our way to Southern Pines.  We will not get back until late Monday night.  I will be excited to see what Jenn has planned for me and Skittles in our lesson.  I know I have a lot to do to get ready for the big show!  Check back next week to see how it all worked out. 

 

I hope all the news was worth the wait!! 

 

 

Skittles Has A Sleep Over! April 1, 2008

Welcome Back!

We have had so much going on we have not had time to catch up on our blog.  In the last two weeks I have had three lessons with my trainer in Southern Pines.  It is wonderful to be having regular lessons again now that the weather has cleared up (some) and Jenn and Harold are back from Florida.  It had been eight weeks that I did not have lessons.  With shows almost every weekend I did not even have time to see Jennifer Lafforthun either.  Jennifer and Rex would try and help me in the warm up ring before my rounds but that was not really a lesson.  All that is over now and we are back on track!

 

My lesson on the 22nd was wonderful.  The weather was great and Skittles was very well behaved.  Jenn had suggested we work on finding a different bit for Skittles that did not need two reins.  My hands are small and it is hard to hold both reins.  My mom and I visited the tack store the week before my lesson.  They were very helpful and showed us several bits they thought would work.  We took two out on trial and took them with us to Southern Pines.  We really loved the first one we tried but it was too big for Skittles so my mom worked on finding a smaller size when we got home.  In our lesson Jenn started working with me on strides and counting strides.  She started to teach me I could control the number of strides Skittles takes between jumps.   The hardest part was not starting to count before Skittles lands.  I kept wanting to start counting too early.  Jenn told me that is normal.  At the end of my lesson on Saturday Jenn told my mom and dad that Skittles was not the same pony we first brought to her and she is happy with his progress.  I love Skittles and was very proud of him! 

Then the big exciting news came… my mom and Jenn decided for us to have a lesson on the next Saturday AND Sunday!   And the best part was Skittles was going to have a sleep over at Jenn and Harold’s!  I thought that was so cool.  All last week I thought about all the things I needed to pack for Skittles to spend the night.  He needed his blankets because it was going to be cold and we needed to bring his food he normally eats.  I knew Jenn would take very good care of him. 

 

This past weekend we packed up and left early Saturday morning for Southern Pines.  My mom drove part of the way to practice driving the trailer.  It was very chilly on Saturday and my mom was complaining about how cold it was.  She always thinks it is cold!  My lesson was great and Skittles was a good boy again.  At the end of the lesson Jenn told my mom again that Skittles is really doing great.  Then Jenn told me on Sunday my lesson would be without stirrups!!  Ugh!  My mom and dad laughed and Jenn told me that if I want to ride in a pony equitation final I better be good at no stirrups.  She said sometimes riders are asked to do entire rounds without stirrups.  I knew I was in trouble because I had not been practicing while they were gone.   

When we were all done we got Skittles settled in a stall and got ready to leave but before we left the barn Jenn told my mom she had a gift for me.  I was so surprised.  It was not even my birthday or anything.  I opened the bag and saw the prettiest hanging for my wall.  It was so big and had two ponies playing.  I loved it and told Jenn thank you for such a nice gift. 

 

When I got home I started bothering my mom right away to hang it up on my wall.  She tried to tell me to wait and she would get a hanger from the store and hang it properly but I could not wait.  I found two nails and a hammer and asked her to hang it up.  It makes my room look so pretty.  Thank you Jenn and Harold!

 

On Sunday me and my mom made the drive back to Southern Pines.  It was even colder and lightly raining.  My dad stayed home to do laundry.  Me and my mom had a fun drive back.  She bought me my favorite treat for the drive… S’mores Cappuccino!  We talked about Skittles’ night out at Solo and my lesson without stirrups.  She picked fun at me but then I reminded her she is scared to canter without stirrups and she laughed and said that was true.   

When we arrived I ran to check on Skittles.  He was in the stall and looked like he was still sleepy!

Jenn told us he had been out for a little bit earlier in the morning and had been a good boy.  He is so tiny compared to all of the horses at Solo that I bet they thought he was a dog.  The helper at the barn said he was prancing around acting like he was a big boy too! 

We got Skittles ready for the lesson and right away I could tell he was going to be full of himself.  It was very cold and Solo does not have a covered ring so we had our lesson in the drizzling rain.  My mom got a blanket from the car and wrapped it around her ears and hands.  As soon as I was warmed up Jenn told me to walk over to her and she actually took my stirrups right off the saddle!  I started to trot around but Skittles was being difficult and my leg was slipping back.  Finally after wrestling with Skittles Jenn gave me my stirrups back and told me my assignment was to ride every day for 10 minutes without stirrups so I would be ready for the next lesson.  Boy was I happy to have them back on my saddle!

 

Skittles was a crazy little guy.  Jenn said the weather was making him very fresh.  He even tried to buck once.  My mom said he was ready for the pony jumpers on Sunday.  After freezing for an hour we all went to the barn to get out of the rain and get warm.  We all laughed about the lesson and told Skittles he was a bad boy today!  My mom and Jenn talked about upcoming plans while I got Skittles ready.  His stay at Solo was over and it was time to go home.  It will be two weeks before we go back to Solo.  I have lots to practice and will have a lesson with our local trainer before we go back. 

 

We have no shows coming up for several weeks.  It has been difficult to find lesson times with so many shows every weekend.  Jenn and Harold have a busy schedule and we all think we might have to miss some shows to be able to find time for regular lessons.  I will miss seeing my friends at every show but I know it is important to have regular lessons to reach my goal. 

 

Check back for an update on our next lesson and to see video and pictures of my practice with no stirrups.  See you then!

Champion! And Not Champion… March 20, 2008

We have been very busy the past couple of weeks but I am glad to be posting agian.  As you all may know my mom was very sick for a long time.  Two weekends ago we were scheduled to show at Bennett Bunn Plantation.  That week my mom became even sicker and I knew we would not be able to go to the show.  Lucky for me it rained that weekend and the show was cancelled.  My mom spent the entire weekend sleeping and resting.  With my mom so sick and Jenn and Harold still in Florida it felt like I would never get back into a regular riding schedule again.  Just when I thought all hope was lost my mom started to feel better.  Each day she got better and better and by this past weekend seemed to be back to normal.  It was right on time since this weekend was the Triangle Farms two day show. 

On Saturday we arrived at about 11 am.  My mom got Skittles ready, cleaned my tack and braided Skittles mane and tail.  I did some riding before my classes and then went up to the arena to wait.  We had a great Saturday.  We won all of our over fences classes and took a second in our equitation on the flat and a third in our Under Saddle class.  We got Champion of our division!  I was proud that we were able to find a good pace and keep it just right in all our rounds.  Skittles even got a clean lead change and I did not even ask for it!  We got home around 9 pm.  I went right to bed while my mom washed all of my clothes and ironed my shirt for Sunday.

On Sunday it was a really different day.  The divisions before mine ran very long.  My mom thought we should get ready just in case.  We ended up waiting for two hours.  During that time I tried to keep Skittles focused but by the time the classes started I could feel he was frustrated and tired.  I was tired too.  I had been sitting in the saddle for two hours straight.  Our equitation on the flat class went well and we got the blue ribbon but in our under saddle Skittles picked up the wrong lead and we did not place.  Skittles has been very good this year about picking up the correct lead but I was leaning over too far when I asked and I think it unbalanced him.  In our over fences classes I just could not find the right pace and we got some funny distances.  My mom told me later she learned a lesson on Sunday.  She said me and Skittles are both too young to be standing at the in gate for two hours.  She said neither of us were focused and she could tell both of us were tired and making mistakes.  My mom said she will pay better attention in the future as to when the classes will begin and make sure we do not get ready until closer to the start of our division. 

That is how horse shows go.  Each show we seem to be learning important lessons. 

This week I am very excited.  I am out of school for a week and a half for spring break and on Saturday we will be going to Southern Pines for a lesson with Jenn Johnston.  My mom and Jenn have several lessons set up over the next couple of weeks since we do not have any shows scheduled for about a month.  I am looking forward to getting back to Solo Show Stables and getting back to regular lessons.  Jenn sent my mom photos from the shows in Florida and they were so cool!  They look like they had a great time.  Jenn said that is what I have to look forward to in the future.  I sure hope so!!

Check back to read all about our lesson this weekend! 

 

Finally… March 7, 2008

 

The Vet Visit!

I know it has been over a week since the vet came out to the farm to visit Skittles.  As some of you know, my mom has been very sick.  She went to the doctor this week and was told she has pneumonia.  With her being sick it has taken a long time to get this post up… 

Dr. Seal visits Skittles twice a year.  Ponies need shots just like kids do.  He comes in the spring and in the fall.  At this visit, my mom had several concerns that she wanted to talk to Dr. Seal about.  Skittles needed his shots and a new coggins test.  A coggins test is very important.   You must have a negative coggins to go to horse shows or travel with your pony.  A coggins identifies Equine Infectious Anemia which is very serious and contagious.  To get a coggins Dr. Seal has to take blood from Skittles and send it to a lab for testing.  This must be done once a year. 

While Dr. Seal was at the farm, my mom also asked him to do a lameness exam.  Since we are jumping him regularly over bigger jumps and working on lead changes my mom thought it would be a good time to make sure he is conditioned properly, a good weight, and is not having any trouble with pain in his legs.  To perform a lameness exam Dr. Seal first had my mom put Skittles on a lunge line and have him trot and canter.  This gives him an idea of how he moves.  Then he does “flexions”.  To do flexions Dr. Seal holds up one of Skittles legs very tightly for about thirty seconds then he asked my mom to trot Skittles away.  He watches  to see if there is any limping or change in movement as that could indicate a problem.  After that he used the hoof testers.  Hoof testers are a tool that are put on the hoof and some pressure applied.  If there is a problem with a hoof Dr. Seal would be able to tell.   After doing all four legs and hooves Dr. Seal said Skittles is very sound and has fantastic flexion and range of motion.  He also said he had not seen a pony in that good of condition in a long time and encouraged us to keep up the training and feeding program. 

After the lameness exam my mom asked Dr. Seal to sedate Skittles so that we could body clip him.  Body clipping is a pony hair cut.  Show ponies usually stay body clipped throughout the year.  We have to body clip him about three times a year.  Skittles DOES NOT like the clippers.  He starts to kick and rear up if you even turn them on near him.  My mom asked Dr. Seal if she should try to work with him but Dr. Seal said if a pony or horse is that combative and was not trained as a youngster to accept clippers then he probably never will and it may be best to simply sedate him each time.  To sedate skittles Dr. Seal had to give him a shot in his neck of medicine that makes him go to sleep.  Dr. Seal told my mom it would last about an hour.

It only took about a minute before Skittles started to go to sleep.  You could tell because his head got lower and lower to the ground.  My mom had to try and hold him up while Ashley started to clip him.  It was really scary because he stumbled a few times and his little tongue was hanging out the side of his mouth.  Dr. Seal told me it was all normal and he would wake up soon and be fine.  The clipping took about an hour and a half.  Skittles was just starting to wake up when Ashley was finishing.  I felt very sorry for him because when all of his hair was gone he started to shiver.  My mom and Ashley covered him with three blankets to keep him warm.  When we were all done and Skittles was awake and warm we put him in his stall.  Ashley kept an eye on him for the rest of the evening. 

Dr. Seal waited with us until we were all done and Skittles was safe in his stall.  He told my mom that he would be back in the fall to give him his fall shots.  Dr. Seal is very nice but I am sure Skittles is glad he will not see him agian for a long time.  

I was glad to know my pony is very healthy and his new hair cut was so cute.  Thanks a lot Dr. Seal and we will see you in the fall!

What’s Going On? March 4, 2008

 

I know some of you have been waiting for an update on the vet visit that we promised to have up at the end of last week.  After my mom was sick with the flu she got hit with a stomach bug.  With my mom sick, we were not able to get a new post up this week.  She is better now and we are ready to get our new photos up.  My mom will meet with Andie Lane, our photographer, today and pick the photos to post.  Andie still will need to upload them so please be patient with us.  My mom promises this week the new post will be available.  Please make sure you check back for the cool story. 

This weekend we horse showed at Triton Stables.  It was the first show of the season there.  It was a great day for riding.  My mom woke me up at 4:45 a.m. and we got to the barn at 5:50 a.m. to get Skittles loaded.   My mom was still feeling a little sick so I had to help her out as much as I could.   Ashley went to the show also and was able to warm Skittles up for me.  After Ashley worked with Skittles I saw my mom and Ashley talking.  Then the most exciting thing happened.  My mom said in my second hunter round I could try to do flying lead changes since Skittles was good in the warmup and there were only two of us showing in the division.  I was so excited!  In my equitation over fences and first hunter round I did simple changes just like normal.  I could tell Skittles was ready to do flying changes when in my equitation over fences class, after the last jump, as I tried to slow him to a trot to switch his lead he popped a clean lead change instead!  In my second hunter over fences class I had to ask for the flying change twice.  I was very nervous.  I held my outside rein like I have been taught and sat up very tall and still and he switched the lead but had to cross canter for one or two steps before he caught on the back for a full change.  I was very proud of him.  We won all five of our classes on Saturday and Skittles was a perfect little boy.   

On Monday it was 72 degrees in North Carolina and a great day for riding.  My mom was feeling better and told me it was in my best interest to get in as much practice as possible before the Bennett Bunn show this weekend.  We worked on keeping a consistent pace by cantering while singing!  I would sing “one, two”…”one, two” or “good pace”, “good pace”, “good pace” around the ring.  Then we added ground poles and practiced keeping the pace consistent and straight lines to get good distance.  To work on my equitation, my mom made me trot and canter around the ring over and over in two-point position and then I worked with no stirrups on the flat and over ground poles.  I also worked with Skittles on simple changes.  Since we did the flying changes at the show he seemed extra excited when I would approach the corner or a diagnol line so we worked on getting him settled back into the simple changes.  He was very good after he got the idea that I did not want him to do flying changes.  For my over fence work, my mom made me recite the four reasons you sometimes get a bad distance.  I told her… leaning to the jump, cutting corners, zig zagged lines, and inconsistant pace or change in pace will cause a bad distance.  Then I jumped some lines working on keeping away from the four taboos and sure enough I got all my distances.  It was a long and hard practice but I will be ready for this weekend. 

My mom also heard from Jenn Johnston this weekend and they will be returning from Palm Beach next week.  I have my first lesson back to Southern Pines scheduled March 22nd.  I cannot wait to hear all about Florida.   There should be a lot to share this week so make sure you keep checking back!

The Vet Is Coming! February 27, 2008

 

Welcome Back! 

This weekend was a big break for us and it was right on time.  My mom was really sick the whole week.  She had the flu.  It also rained which was a really good thing here in North Carolina.  We have been having a bad drought and my grandmother has been worried we will run out of drinking water.  With all the rain and my mom so sick I was not able to ride at all the entire week.  Ashley was able to exercise Skittles but I had no time to practice at all.  I really missed Skittles.  Ashley said he had to stay in his stall most of the week because the ground was so wet so he was pretty fresh when I finally got out to the barn to ride with Ashley on Sunday.  My mom was still feeling bad but was able to lunge him before my ride so he would be settled down. 

Skittles was very good on Sunday and I was able to ride for about an hour and a half.  My mom and Ashley were most concerned with a bad habit I have picked up recently.  I have been so focused on “seeing” what lead I am on that I have started looking down at the jumps which makes my back become round and messes up my equitation.  On Sunday my mom and Ashley ran around the course holding up their fingers in front of each jump.   I practiced telling them how many fingers they were holding up while I was going over the jumps.  It really helped me keep my eyes up and was fun.  Ashley is a good friend to help me and my mom sometimes.  She tells us the things her trainers tell her to help her.  I knew a girl once who developed this habit and her trainer made her turn her head to the side for a while when she would go over the jump until she was able to break the habit of looking down.  On Sunday I also spent a lot of time working on the flat and my equitation.  Ashley and my mom were a big help. 

Monday was a special day.  My mom told my teacher she was picking me up early from school because the vet was coming out to the barn to see Skittles.  He needed to have his spring shots and check up.  While the vet was there my mom had him “sedate” Skittles so that he could be body clipped for the show season.  Skittles if very scared of the clippers.  He gets so upset that he rears and kicks.  Because he gets so scared, the vet has to give him a shot of medicine to make him go to sleep.  That is what sedate means.  He actually goes to sleep standing up!  My mom wanted me to be there when the vet came so I could watch what he does with Skittles.  I love animals and my mom tells me I should be a vet when I grow up so that I can take care of my own animals.  I also have never seen my pony get body clipped.  Skittles gets very hairy and starts to look like he needs a hair cut.  Most show horses and ponies are clipped during the year to remove their winter fur.  Skittles needs to be clipped about three times a year.  Skittles always looks so cute when he is clipped. 

Please check back this week.  I will be  posting photos and an entry about the visit with the vet before Friday.   See you then!

 

P.S.  This weekend we are horse showing!  We will be at Triton on Saturday.