A Lesson With Grits McMullen

Today was kind of a big deal for me and Mo. Today we went to Sunset Farms [gorgeous] and had a jumping lesson with the amazing Grits McMullen. Locally, Grits is  renown as a fabulous horsewoman, and is a senior member for the Hunt in the area.  I hope I can remember everything we did, because she was fantastic. FULL of perfect little tid bits to chew on and mull over, and right on to what we all needed to do to help our horses.

It was a super funn lesson to begin with, because I got to share it with two good friends. Between the three of us, we were all having the same basic question, just presenting in different horsenalities! How cool is that?

Mo was feeling the introvert today. It was hot and humid, and she wasnt very go-y or particularly sensitive. Loading her on to the trailer took a little longer than usual, she was really curious for some reason. She wanted to poke everything and give the trailer a real once over before getting on - which is perfectly fine. Whatever floats your boat, Mo.

We stopped to pick up Miss Spotty Princess, Indy and L, and away we went, headed to Sunset [ten minutes down the road] We pulled in and met J, unloaded and got ready to warm up. We were purposefully early so we would have time to warm up and play a little before the lesson. I had brushed Mo before loading her, but she somehow still got dirty on the trailer. Go figure! She also had a few sticky spots on her sides from where she bit at bugs after eating some molasses last night... sigh.... so much for professional turn out... ! I brushed her up again, but even the no-rinse shampoo I used couldnt get the molasses off her sides...  Oh well. She still looked adorable. She always does!

We headed into the ring online. Got some feet moving, got a little focus, some bend, some HQ yields. Finished our ground time with some nice sideways trots with impulsion! We slowly made our way back over to where our bridle was and finished getting ready. Finally mounted and ready to begin, I just walked the rail with Mo, waiting for everyone else to be ready, and Grits to finish setting our course plan. I played with isolating the HQ freestyle, really asking her to connect to my leg. She did really well, softer than she has been, for sure. I played with picking up contact and asking her to stretch, just at the walk, and she did very nicely.

Grits gave us a great talk to start the lesson, and then asked everyones goals. We were all very similar, in that we wanted to be able to help our horses approach jumps confidently and find the right take off point in the canter. Mo has a tendency to take off WAY early, and I never knew how to help her find the closer spot.

Our first exercise was a simple but challenging one. Two poles on the ground, get seven strides in between[84 feet]. Sounds easy huh? I promise you, it isnt! Well, maybe to people used to doing stuff like that. The goal was an easy ten foot stride. Mo is about 9 feet I think, on average, when she is just mincing around. She doesnt really stretch herself out there. So the first time we did it, we got eight strides. I also had no idea we were GOING to get eight strides. Learning to see the distance is part of the exercise! Cool! By the end of the exercise I was able to ask her to hold her stride [instead of leaping over the pole] and extend a little bit more to create the seven strides. BOY was it a challenge though! Its not about faster, its bigger!

When we got the plan with the poles on the ground, in both directions, Grits added a teeny vertical where the second pole was. The idea was, that if you could control your stride, it should hardly matter over the jump because you would just land in the right place - the sweet spot - for take off. Some how we did! The magical thing I was learning was about guiding Mo and not leaving her alone when we got to where were going. My tendency is to get to the jump and go "your turn... I dont know now" and just say go. In order to help her figure out distance and not feel lost or dropped, I need to hug her a bit with my leg, keep her steady and convince her I am still there. When I got it right, and she believed me, things went perfectly.

From there we went to jumping on a circle. The exercise started with trotting the pole on the ground, then cantering the pole on the ground. This was to the left, which is harder for Mo, and she kept wanting to fall in after the pole. My goal became to really push her out straight from the obstacles and not allow her to just go over in a crooked heap. This also effected her keeping the correct canter lead.

After we all got the pole on the ground, it was turned into a tiny vertical with MO EATING FLOWERS under it! HA! We were going to trot it the first time, canter it the second. I had picked up a stick to help support my leg to keep her from falling in. She kept leaning on me, so a small shoulder tap to remind her to pick that big thing up helped out tons! Trotting in she was a little looky at the flowers, but nothing major, she had already tried to eat the flowers earlier in a different location. Grits said I hold my breath while jumping sometimes, which effectively lets Mo down, so I need to BREATHE!! I come in expecting Mo to jump badly and I brace for it, so she does. Crummy catch 22! So the next time we came through at the canter, thinking FORWARD. We had to RIDE THE OTHER SIDE!!! There is just a stick in the way, as Grits would say.

Id say things improved considerably! Of course we had many a spazzy moment, but overall better already! The final test was a string of three jumps, on a funny sort of serpentine-esque sort of line. The third jump required a rollback, which was really cool, and Mo did great at! The first time we jumped all three together, things went spectacularly! I felt really good about it! The second time was a little diecy, but the third time we re-organized and finished up on a great final jump.

I think getting to watch the other two girls really helped cement the thoughts and plans in my head. I really feel like I can start to see the intended distance a little better, and I can ask Mo to take a stride when she wants to take off so early. We still need to play more with impulsion to the obstacles. Mo wants to suck back and analyze instead of thinking up and over.... and, so do I, so we both need to think about the other side! Balance, Straightness, Impulsion!! and practice, lots of practice.

In other Mo news, she came home and positively GOBBLED up her new supplement, which she wouldn't even try yesterday. I soaked it mixed with some crunches and then mixed applesauce in right before giving it to her... bwahahah! BE HEALTHY MO!

SO much learning today, it was great!

 - S

A Year in Review....

It's that time of year again..... T's birthday, which spurs me to remember it will be my birthday shortly, which then spurs such thoughts as " HOLY COW, why am I getting so OLD?!" and "What have I done with this life of mine??"

So let's recap this past year.... *gulp*

This time last year, I was just fresh off of working full time in a less than enthusiastic environment that caused me an awful lot of stress. Yes it paid the bills, but no, it wasn't good for my health - mental, emotional OR physical! This time last year, I was also fresh back from picking up Mr Gambler! Mo was also just ramping up to her mystery illness :(

Luckily, Mo got better, and continues to BE better! Gambler has gone home, and its fairly quiet in the field without him gallomphing around!!

Phyr continues to amaze me :) I love that baby pony with my whole heart. She is brave, she is opinionated, she is cuddley, she is wonderful. We have had three rides in a saddle this summer so far. Her three year old year has started off to be a very relaxing one for her :) She had her first canter with me on her on that second saddle ride. She was perfect :) Zephyr will get her first field trip this coming long weekend when we head up to Jeanette's place in Luskville for an overnight and a workshop. I have no doubt she will enjoy herself thoroughly!

Mo has really stepped up this summer as my adventure partner locally. Looking back, we really have done quite a few things so far this season! We started off with an amazing clinic with Fawn Anderson, went straight from there to Horse Day, and from there right to London Horse and Soul! We also participated in just about every single Hunt Event held in the area that was open to the public. There was a Spring Hunter Pace[rode Gambler though], a Treasure Hunt, a Poker Pace and two Trail Rides. All of these were new to Mo, since I would usually take Indy before. Mo has more than proven herself a viable hunt-activity companion!

Indy has moved on to her new home. Thats been odd/nice. It is so fun to see her with someone else and having success, and its nice to know what advice to offer her new partner if she hits the same roadblocks I have overcome with her. I am glad she is still local, so I can keep up with her.

In a more broad range, I am almost 27 years old. Holy Crap. I thought I would have more stuff sorted out by now. I thought I would have figured out how NOT to hate doing dishes, or how to inspire myself to LOVE folding laundry, but alas, no. I still wait until I need a clean cup before doing dishes, and I still have a "clean basket" and a "dirty basket" of laundry. Why cant the stuff fold itself?? Why is it SO much more fun to roll polos and fold horse blankets than my own tshirts and jeans? Answer me that, Universe. My tack room? Immaculate - obviously in use daily, but clean. Organized. Tidy. Swept. My house... well, its clean..ish.

My house. Well. I guess that in and of itself is an accomplishment. Two whole years living my dream here on my very own farm. I am pretty much still impressed with that fact daily. Sometimes multiple times a day. I can guarantee you, EVERY single time I am driving up my laneway, I am feeling gratitude and love for my house. It is unbelievable, I know. How can someone feel that all the time?? But I do. I LOVE my home. It is my spirits true HOME. I have had a few houses and places to live in my life. But this IS HOME. Do you understand?

It is far from perfect. Varo dug some holes [ OH HEY! VARO happened in the last year! More later..] The kitchen isnt finished, the bathroom still needs drywall.... My indoor arena still isnt here yet [really beacuse the lottery people keep drawing the wrong numbers!] But it is Home, and it is MINE!! The sheer overwhelming joy I feel every single day when I remember that [ less so when I remember I have to pay the mortgage, but still] just makes every day brighter. When I can ride out into the hayfield - the same hayfield that makes me enough hay to not have to buy any! - and go eat apples from my very own apple tree while Mo grazes and snacks on her own apples blows my mind. How much luckier can one person be? I keep thinking "Oh, its the 'new house' thing, it will wear off"..... but it has been two years? Still feeling pretty amazing. I hope I always do. This place is not something I want to take for granted. I never want to lose this! Basically, I plan to die here. [way way waaayyyy down the line, to be clear]

So I still have a house. That's a bonus. My foray into self employment as a sustainable means of income has been an interesting one. Mostly positive. A little scary from Christmas time to March or so this year though! Terrible weather made outdoor activity basically impossible, so in January I was hired by my mom's store to do web work, admin and some fun graphic design stuff. I have done a multitude of things from build a catalog to fill out an excel sheet. Very exciting stuff, I assure you. Really, its the people who make the day. The work is work. There is a lot of it that I just nod and smile and fill out the form. BUT, it is my Mom's store, she is very proud of it, and so I get to spend time with her, and R. T's bf D works there too, and he is basically hysterically funny all the time, so he makes every day a good one. I still need to sort out the lighting thing though. The SADS still come, and I try to help it every year. The down side of the store is that it has no windows, so it is kind of dark. Ah well! Small things. I am grateful for the opportunity to be there anyways!

I feel very lucky to be able to do all that I do. I value being able to help out my family. I am also VERY lucky that when I call the night before and have a "you know you are a horse girl when" moment saying "Is it ok if I am 20 minutes late tomorrow? Theres a HUGE sale at the tack store and I NEED to pick up Mo a new blanket!" and I get the smile and "yea, no problem" response. I know that on the other end of the phone my mom is shaking her head, rationalizing as much as I am that Mo SURELY needs this new blanket. She must be used to this by now, but I still appreciate the understanding :) I cant say I have had that in every boss Ive known!

This summer has been a full one. Both of events and with teaching, and even a few horses here for training. I have truly enjoyed being so busy doing what I love. It is so nice to be able to take advantage of the weather while we can! It was a cold rainy start to summer this year. I felt like it would never be warm again. Finally warm came in the end of June and July though. I hope we have a nice long fall to make up for the crummy spring!

I havent yet achieved my summer goal. I want to tape and send in my Finesse Audition to Parelli so that I can finish up my Level 4 and get that darned black string. I know its not about the string, but at this point, I really just want it so it can be done! I think I might try and tape this weekend at Jeanettes. We shall see. I put so much pressure on myself when it come to finesse. I am silly that way. Everything we need to do for our audition, we can do bridle-less. Put reins in my hands and I forget how to ride. *sigh* Mo fills in for me a lot, so maybe, just maybe, we can muddle our way through and just get better from here!

So!

Things I feel like I have done well in the past year  - I feel very successful with maintaining a household and farm. We have done hay again this summer, and at one point had 9 horses living here, and I survived and still felt energized. We put up some new fencing to split off the field in three for rotational purposes, and are gearing up to move Blackcow and Browncow into freezer mode.

I feel good about my balance this year between a steady job [Mom's store] teaching, and spending time at events I want to play at - aka Hunt things, clinics, lessons for ME! Last year I felt so tapped out all the time because of work and trying to teach on top of it, it was just bad. This year feels much more balanced. Even on days I do work, I still come home energized, because I am enjoying it.

I am really enjoying just having two horses again. I really loved having four for a brief time, but it is nice to have two who I love with my whole heart, and who I feel that true connection with. I got outside and they both come over, both try to steal the halter, both clamor for cookies. I feel focused. I have a plan.

Things I need to improve for next year - this is a tough one! This year has been outstanding really. I probably should improve my house cleaning skills or dishes doing. Possibly finding more "couples friendly" activities with D would be appreciated by him.

Thats all Ive got on my mind for now :)

- S :)

Worst Blogger EVER!

Obviously, I am the worst blogger ever, but I promise, I have good reason! I have be BUSY! Sooooo busy! About a billion things have happened since little ole Day One with the amazing Fawn Anderson! In order they are - the other THREE days with Super Fawn, Horse Day Ottawa, with the epic and amazing MO [in addition to Fawn with her amazing mare Summer, and Jeanette with her super gelding Toby!] After Horse Day, we were whisked off to London, Ontario to take part in the Horse and Soul Tour, in Colleen Kelly's segment on Rider Biomechanics!

From there, we got to come home for a little while, before jetting off again, this time to Coteau-du-lac in Quebec to assist with a week long camp with Genevieve Benoit. Home again finally after that, for a little while before loading up Gambler to go home to Rhode Island. I swear I have seen my own bed this summer, because there have lots of workshops and riding ponies at Hunter Paces, Poker Paces and in a lesson with the one and only Farrah Green going on too!

So you see, life has been quite a whirlwind since the last time I posted. I am mildly exhausted just going back over what I've done! Phew!

Back to thing # 1 - the rest of Fawns clinic. Wow. Just WOW. I feel so lucky to have been able to spend the extended time this spring with Fawn. The way she approaches topics just makes them so clear and easy to figure out. We talked a lot about Liberty - and building a solid connection before getting to Liberty, and knowing how to keep it once you took the rope off. Day two was lots of riding, building excellence in our freestyle patterns. Mo was a little rusty on her follow the rail [because we don't have a rail, so haven't ridden that pattern in two years] but she picked it right up after a lap or two. We played with a figure eight-ish simple change pattern as well. At Liberty we played with the property game, and Mo was great. The first time, we were in the indoor and had six quadrants. Mo stayed until I asked for a canter circle and then left. The best part though, was that when she came back, she went right back to her circle! I just stayed in neutral and brought her in after she settled on her pattern again. AWESOME!

The second time we played with Liberty, we were outside and there were just four of us, so we had a bigger square. We actually did a BUNCH! Mo was soooo connected. We played with the figure eight pattern the best we ever have. We even did problem solving... AT LIBERTY... AT A CANTER! Rock on MO! She blew my mind, honestly! Best. Liberty. EVER.

So that was our week with Fawn. I am absolutely certain I missed stuff... because, lets be honest, it was in May.....

Next up : HORSE DAY!

Simply put, a day all about horses! Horse Canada in conjunction with the OEF put on this fabulous event at the former Nepean Equestrian Park in Ottawa. There were representatives from almost every sport, and quite a few breeds as well. Each of us were allowed 20 minutes for a demonstration and also a table in the little 'marketplace' - for lack of a better word. I worked really hard getting Mo all shiny and kept her white as white as I could for our demo. We showed up around 9am, and Mo got to take over a big stall filled with fluffy new shavings. Suffice to say, she had two separate naps even BEFORE our demo at 1:45... *sigh*

With Jeanette and Fawn there, it was just like a day hanging out with good friends, with some fun horsemanship and meeting new people thrown in for fun! We had some great help from a few super students too. Mo made me so proud during our time in the arena. Fawn, Jeanette and I went in to some music - Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics - and played around online for a bit until Fawn did our intro. Thank goodness she was there to talk! She knew all the right things to say, and I just got to hang out with Mo - coincidentally, in front of a few hundred people....!

We played Online for a few more songs and then Fawn did some talking about our riding savvies, so we mounted up, and did about another ten minutes of Freestyle riding. Did I mention that Mother Nature cranked the heat as soon as we went in the arena? It seemed like all the wind stopped, the clouds parted, and the sun was trying its darndest to bake us in the arena! I rode Mo with a neck string and carrot stick, and she rocked my socks. She was a great partner. She was adrenalized a bit, and had a few speedsy moments, but for the most part, I could not have been more proud of her!!

After our time in the arena, Mo and I headed into the Social Box, which was an outdoor stall set up for the public to come and meet the horses and ask questions about our demo.

Overall, amazing day! We all met loads of new fantastic people, and all of our horses were great ambassadors of the Parelli Program. I am so proud that we could be there!

Horse Day was on a Saturday, and then we left on Thursday for London! The trip down was uneventful, if wet. Rainy day through Toronto and such. nothing dramatic though. Mo unloaded at the Agriplex happy to move her feet. Its a long drive down to London!

After getting to move her feet and get settled in her fluffy-shavings filled stall, I got all of her tack unloaded into the tack stall and went to meet up with all my long distance Parelli amis!!! Some of my very good friends are on Road Crew, or just were attending the event, so it was amazing to be able to spend time together!

Our rehearsals on Friday went great. Colleen Kelly is SO much fun!! She has a great sense of humor, on top of a brilliant Aussie accent, so she makes everything so easy and fun. Mo did me proud in the new arena with all the seating. Not worried at all, and actually trying to make friends with the horse on the poster for some grain, HA!

Saturday morning came, and I was once again on a mission to make Mo have sparkly white feet. Possibly, I cant wait until Zephyr is old enough to go to these things.... no white... Thank goodness.

Finally, shined and braided to perfection [and re-braided again because I am super picky] it was our turn! We entered the PACKED arena with Jan Brooks and her mare Selena, Genevieve Benoit and her mare Menina, Randee Halladay with her gelding Rio, and Ryan Pfouts on Colleen's gelding Saint! No pressure in such high company, with 2500 people watching! YIKES!

Turns out I had nothing to worry about. I had SO much fun, and Mo was the best, most amazing partner. She wasnt worried about anything - the crowd sitting or moving or anything! I cant even express how proud I was of her!! Even in the warm up arena, which bordered on the sales floor [aka teaming with people!] she was so relaxed and connected.

Mo got spoiled while we were there - getting THREE red light treatments, from Stella and Brian and Photonic Health! She felt gooooooood after!

Sadly, come Sunday night we had to go home once again :( We said our goodbyes and see you soons, and loaded up to go home. Enter Drama. Not even half an hour out from the Agriplex, some kind gentleman pulls up beeside me on the highway and lets me know I have blown a tire on my trailer. Whoopsy! I couldnt even feel it! Thank goodness for good citizens! I was a little worried, because I wasnt near an exit, so I had to pull over on the side of the very busy 401.

Here is where things get amazing. Can you believe that someone recognized my rig from the Agriplex and pulled over to help me! Nicest lady EVER! I am so so very grateful for good people in the world - especially good horsey people! She tried to get her CAA to come for me - since she had her horse trailer covered, but it turned out that her plan didnt actually, but the thought was there. How generous! In the end, we changed the tire [thankfully had a spare] on the side of the 401. Mo was great. So brave with all the traffic going by. The amazing saviour lady wouldnt even let me pay her for her help and time. Within an hour I was on the road back home, with renewed faith in humanity.

We made it home without further incident - thankfully. I think Mo was happy to be home.

Ok, where are we in our timeline here..... Fawn, Horse Day... London... Ok.

There was a little bit in between London and Quebec, but it was a busy few weeks that flew by filled with teaching lessons, workshops and doing hay. Jeanette and I were both assisting at the clinic in Coteau-du-Lac. It was supposed to be put on by Ryan and Hillary Rose, but unfortunately they were denied entry to Canada at the border :( Everyone was pretty dissapointed [including me, Jeanette and Genevieve most of all I think!] but we still pulled together and put on a great week. What an experience that was! All of the students did great and made huge changes.

Barely home long enough to say hello and ride a pony a few times, Gambler and I headed off to the local Hunter Pace! We had a blast, and he rocked his first event off property! We made a great game of following the 'brown tail in front of us' - aka Toby. It was pretty funny because Gambler was so big and Toby was so small, but he was so respectful and responsive. Really proud of his last hurrah before heading back to Rhode Island.

The next week, Gambler and I loaded up once more to make the big trip over the border to head him back to the wonderful Avery Gauthier, who allowed me to have this wonderful big boy in my life for the year. Our trip was uneventful, if about a billion degrees. Easy driving, interstate all the way, and we kept moving so Gambler wouldnt get to hot in the trailer. We pulled in and he re-met his old herd with no issues. All was well, and my trip home went easily.

Next up! Me and Mo took off to a trail ride held by the OVH to simulate an actual Hunt Field. There were three fields - a slow field that just walked with a little trot, and medium field that walked, trotted and cantered, and a full out super field that went at speed. We rode in the second field, and it was great! Beautiful day, beautiful country, wonderful people! I love OVH events!

The weekend after the trail ride was the Poker Pace. Me and Mo headed out with Jeanette and Laura on Toby and Blue. We had a wonderful ride, lots of trotting and cantering out, we jumped as many things as we could and generally had a great time. We even galloped, jumped a jump and then cantered up a giant hill and down the other side. It was great! Towards the end there was even a stair case hill we played with, jumping up and down the steps. Sunset Farm was SO pretty, and the day was perfect again.

After we did our Pace route, there were three log jumps in the warm up area that Mo ROCKED out over! It was her best, smoothest, nicest series of jumps she has ever done for me. We trotted in, and catered the other two logs. It was GREAT!

Which brings us to our final event so far this summer. Our lesson with Farrah Green! On Thursday we trailered out to Drogheda Manor in Lunenburg for a private lesson. By we, I mean me and Mo. Of course. I could have taken Phyr.... but I just dont think she is ready yet. We got there early, typical me-style and so Mo got to hang out and eat some grass.  We warmed up online before, a little bit of just moving her feet, stick to me slow canter, and then in the arena, touch its and push the balls back to the corner.

Our Online warmup with Farrah was all about engaging the hind end elasticity [theme for the lesson!] and using sideways to do it. First checking our trot sideways - and allowing more of a 45 degree angle - which is REALLY good to know! Then cantering a circle and turning it into sideways and hoping for a flying lead change [need more practice] and then looking for trot/canter transitions while going sideways. SUPER FUN! Our sideways with energy needs practice, and its good strengthening for Mo too! Warming up Freestyle, we looking for quality and quantity with HQ yields, looking again to loosen up and be ready to power up in the HQ. How many HQ yields can she do with flow, before it gets sticky? One and a half or so. Again, practice.

 The next exercise was a bullseye, using inside leg to turn [aka driving from the HQ! More engagement!] It was easier for Mo on the right. On the left she had a harder time bending and also tried to escape more forward from the leg rather than yielding. We did this at a walk trot and canter. In the canter I was to use a direct/open rein to help lift and move over the shoulders, to help Mo find better self carriage.

 Canter-walk transitions using sideways! The next step in amazing walk/canter/walk transitions! It to ME a while to pick up this pattern, because I am a spazz, but I finally got it at the end -poor Mo. Thank goodness she is so tolerant. The idea was a little sideways [45 degrees to the wall] then change your weight and lift off to canter, then to transition down, sideways nose to the wall again 2-3 steps MAX and walk. Our upwards transitions got really nice, Mo really up-jumping into the transition instead of nose diving! Downwards were still relatively messy, just because I wasnt sure what I was supposed to be asking until the last one... oops! Definitely going to practice!

Farrah also gave me a super bunch of grid ideas to play with for jumping, which I cant wait to try! I think I remembered everything.... It was a very jam-packed lesson. I loved every second of it!

Jam-Packed has been the theme of my summer so far, and it has been downright AMAZING! Basically, the best summer yet! Mo has been a total trooper and reliable partner every step of the way, and I am so so very lucky to call her my best friend :D

I cant wait to see what is in store for the rest of the year! We've got Workshops on the horizon, along with another trail ride , the Fall Hunter Pace and hopefully more time with both Fawn, Farrah and possibly Jerry Williams and Pete Rodda!

Savvy On!

 - S