Relaxing Day with Funny

 

I figured that Dan didn't need a whole week off... because then I might die! But, he also deserved some time off and quite frankly, I'm still exhuasted! So he got Mon, Tues, and Wed off and then today we went for a nice walk with Funny. He felt great though! Better than me. He was ready to go and was in beast mode. But he was good. Not as agitated as he was the last time we took Funny. They were playing a little bit mid walk too. We just trekked around and ended up at the lake. I took his saddle off in case he wanted to swim, but he didn't. He got plenty wet though. And Funny rolled again. After the lake I tacked back up and we took Funny down the bank, up the bank, over the ditch (even the BN one) and then into the water again. Then we even jumped 2 little logs in the field. He was a good boy. 

Then we got home and he got to chill for a bit and then Freddie came. He was sleeping pretty much most of his shoeing. But suddenly.... I'm so embarassed and mortified! I don't know why but he really doesn't seem to like Freddie. He lunged at his head with his teeth bared! He didn't get him, and it was like before Freddie or I even reacted he realized what he had done and pulled back. Then he hit the end of the crossties and pulled back hard enough to break both hay strings... so then he backed up down the barn aisle... took out the muck cart and then went in the front yard. I thought he'd let me catch him easily enough, but nope! That effer took off down the front yard, then crossed the street and went galloping around Eddie's yard... took a poop in the middle of their yard. Then galloped off again... then went across the culdesac, up Jeans' driveway... then tried to go around Jean's perimeter, but then came back... trotting across freshly dug up dirt where they were laying pipes for the bunkhouse.. then finally stopped to flirt with Jewel and let me catch him. Meanwhile he's got nails not clamped down on all four feet and the two cross ties flying around. He must have smacked himself in the nose with one because he was a little torn up and bleeding. Seriously Dan... what the heck?! You CANNOT do that to people! I'm surprised Freddie was willing to work on him after that. It's just rude. 

Sigh... Hopefully we'll ride Friday or Saturday. I got my second covid shot today too and already my arm hurts so bad. But I might get off early enough tomorrow to sneak in a ride. 

AEC: Stadium Day!

So... stadium day! Thank goodness Dan had moved stalls because it was raining. Which meant at the old barn I would have had all my stuff under cover but if the wind was blowing, it'd be wet. And the washrack was in the open. But this way.. he stayed nice and dry. my stuff stayed nice and dry (for the moment anyways) and the wash rack was covered AND had hot water! He wasn't that dirty but he still got a bath and then I braided him. Because... we were in 13th place! And we never pull a rail! (ha... ugh...). 

So.. We were ready! I even had my spotted rearing unicorn stock tie on. And it was still raining. But out we went. Again, as usual, I got on too early but.. I was a little afraid a few people would bail. I mean.. if you were down in the rankings, had a long drive home, and it's pouring rain..... ??? So I didn't want to miss my ride time because they weren't waiting! So off we went into the rain. It was a long hike to stadium. But I laughed and decided we were getting the full Rolex experience! We tromped happily along and eventually got to warm up. We walked and trotted and cantered on the buckle. Then I jumped a few jumps. Dawn was super sweet and was there watching. Dan was really kind of behind my leg and not really jumping, so I asked for a little bit of help and she did! I got him moving and he jumped better. We did a few... then went back to walking as we still had plenty of time. All in all, I think we spent an hour in the pouring rain. I was soaked through and through and my tack was sopping. We jumped a few more again and then walked. And then trotted to stay warm because now that we were wet, it was a hair chilly. Finally it was our turn to go into the other warm up area. Next to the stadium ring. So we jumped a few jumps there and he felt pretty good, so then we walked again. And again. And finally.. finally it was our turn! It was weird as I felt much more peaceful. Like, not really that nervous. Which... I should have been super nervous! And it wasn't as much peaceful in that I knew we had it... more ... utterly spent and exhausted I think. ha ha. I think the entire week had done a number on me and I was just spent. I did remember to turn my helmet cam on before we walked down the hall! Because how cool is that?! And bless Dawn for getting photos! We got inside and stood a minute while the other rider finished and then it was our turn. And again, sadly, I was so much in the moment of riding him that I forgot to take it all in. But we started off. The first fence he chipped too so then I sent him forward and we had good fence 2 and 3. Fence 4... I held or didn't push... and he pulled a rail. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Oh man!! Then the next fence in the line was kind of icky too. But then we got it together and finished the rest of the course quite nicely and more correctly. But... that one rail dropped us out of the ribbons. We would have tied for 9th. But now we finished 18th. Still, 18th out of 51 with a dressage boo boo and a rail isn't too bad, but.... if you aren't first, you're last, so...  ha! I did give him pats and told him he was a good boy and then we headed back. We got to the gallop lane and he got fussy and started to cavort. I didn't want any injuries in the mud and it was downhill there too, so I settled him. Then I realized that maybe he knew I was disappointed and thought it was in him. So I told him how amazing he was and how cool it was that we had just done all the things. I told him how proud I was of him for being a big time kid. He didn't spook going down the alley... he didn't freak out in the big arena. He put on his professional pants and did everything I asked of him all weekend long. And I really am so proud of him for that!! He didn't get scary.. he didn't get silly (well, not crazy silly). He was fun and a good buddy the whole time. He never complained. Really, he was stellar!! And quite frankly, he did do everything I asked. I held... so he added. Had I asked for the slightly longer spot, he would have gone. I am pretty sure that my body aids were asking for the left lead instead of the right. So YAY US! We came, we finished! We may not have conquered but in the words of Cindy.... "Eff Beginner Novice... moving onward and upward to Novice!"... because as she reminded me.. I didn't really want to do BN anyways. hee hee... Darn skippy. ;) But still.. I wonder what cool color the 9th or 10th place ribbons were. 

Oh, and another cool thing. They did commentary again! And... she was saying how her husband had to refrain from cussing but he loved my horses name because... he wasn't cussing!! hee hee. And apparently, Karen's computer froze while she was recording for me, but during the freeze part, Dorothy Crowell was talking about how I had Dan nice and uphill! YAY!!! We've been working so hard on that! They also were shocked that I had a rail. Which was a nice little pat on the back after having that rail. So cool!

Our "Live Feed" commentary

So, we walked the whole way back.. still in the rain. As we got to the jog runway a HUGE horse van was pulling in. The driver was super cool and going super slow and Dan got freaked out anyways. The guy noticed and slowed even more.. then stopped. And Dan was just vibrating and threatening to spin and bolt. Luckily a cute little paint was coming up and she offered to walk with us, but was going the opposite way. At that point Dan had decided the van was fine and I waved the guy on and Dan was cool. Hee hee.. Big bad Rolex horse. ;) So then we headed back and I got him all cleaned up and settled with his hay and then I began the job of drying out my clothes and tack. I ended up spreading things out and then went and started packing up the trailer. And then hitching... And then I came back and packed up the stall side.. then the stall. Luckily we didn't have to strip stalls, so... I put two or three loads of the new clean fluffy shavings in the trailer and finally we had everything all ready to go. At this point it had stopped raining and was hot and muggy. I decided to leave Dan naked because.. it was good footing and just BN stadium and... he was getting turned out when we got home, so... naked we went. 

The drive home was good. But man... I was soooooooo tired. Luckily Dawn and I caravanned. I started in the lead but after 2 hours told her I was literally falling asleep, had to pee, and desperately needed a coffee or something. And also gas. So we stopped and then I made her lead. And then I was able to stay a bit more awake. We made it home in good time and Dan was super happy to be home. Funny was thrilled to see him again! 

Photo credits to Xpress Foto and Shannon Brinkman Photography. And me. 

AEC: XC Day!

 Rolex Baby!! Ha! Not quite.. not quite at all. But still!! We get to ride through the head of the lake!! I was so nervous though. Like seriously way more nervous than I should have been. And I don't know why! 

I got up and got everything done and get him fed. I bemered him. And then I panicked and thought I was late getting his studs in and boots on and then realized... oh, I still have an hour. Sigh. Not going to be able to walk him with his studs in though. Dang! So, I slowly and methodically tacked up and figured we would just walk under saddle. I got on a lot earlier than I had intended but oh well. We slowly walked our way up to the XC warm up area. We sat and watched .... things. Sometimes Dan just stared into the distance. He's so weird. Then we were walking and talked to another competitor walking. I was so nervous I was so chatty! I even apologized for being too chatty because I was nervous. But it helped. So then we trotted... and cantered. And jumped a few jumps. And then Cindy came up. Yay! Moral support! She suggested I jump one of the logs on an angle to make sure he was listening and not just going through the motions. It was a great idea but unfortunately he blew me off. We came again but there was no angle really because of me trying to ride around another rider, so then we tried again. Slightly more angle this time, but... oh well. We rested a bit and then it was our turn to walk down to the start box. At the start box Dan spooked at a golf cart and reared and spun. Then danced a bit. One of the volunteers took one look at me and asked very concerned if I was okay. I think he thought that Dan's rear had freaked me out. I was like "No dude... I look like this because I'm way more nervous about this XC than I should be... the rear is nothing!". ha ha. And then we had 1 minute! Luckily I finally got my helmet camera to click on and then w were off! 

  

Dan set off at a good clip to the first fence but because I was still being tentative and freaked out, he chipped it. I sent him forward and he sort of chipped the second fence too. I told him he had to get moving and go! So then we got a little bolder to the third fence and then the fourth and fifth fences he started rolling! YAY! He jumped the 6th fence fairly nicely and then opened up as we went up the hill to fence 7 on the top! GOOD boy! Then I had to bring him back together down the hill to the brush before the water. He was game and went bravely into the water and then made the sharp turn to the cabin. Then we came up to the sneaky ninja ditch. He was game and I didn't get him back to the trot but he broke to the trot on his own when he saw the ditch. It actually felt like he broke to the walk and was almost going to go backwards but then surged forward, but on the video it wasn't that obvious. I think that what I felt was just him suddenly stopping forward motion and then seeing what it was and carrying on. I was in the back seat and clucking and kicking but I think once he processed, he was game on his own. Then we went flying over the big rainbow bench. Then we came to the road crossing... The one where Kloie and Quinn took their spill. We trotted and realized we were WAY up on time anyways. We got across safely and then cantered up to the open oxer and then through the field. We were at 3 minutes instead of 4. Oops! Next was the head of the lake and Dan sucked back on his own but trotted boldly into the water with no thoughts of stopping. But since he was trotting, and since we had plenty of time to kill, we took the long route through the head of the lake. And honestly, I thought briefly about yelling something like "Rolex baby!" but my brain was so pre-occupied with getting home safely and cleanly that I just.. didn't. He jumped the big cabin bravely and then the second cabin and then... we were still at 4 minutes and only had a short ways to go with 2 fences left. And optimum was 5:35. Speed faults was 4:44. The crossing guard at the second road crossing had just stopped some golfcarters, but... Dan and I made two circles in the tiny little area there because... there was no way I was getting a speeding ticket this time! So then we carried on (Sorry for the wait golf carters!) and jumped the last two jumps in a nice collected canter. We finished at 5:14. :) GOOD BOY!!!!!!!

But you know what's so sad?! I was so nervous about the whole thing that I never really started to enjoy it. I never really got to think about the fact that I was riding through the head of the lake... and enjoy it! Normally on XC about 4 fences in we start having fun and enjoying it and get over the nerves. Not this time. Which makes me sad. Because... it was a fun course! And it was so cool to be there! On that magical turf where all the other greats have been. Sigh. But we did it! We finished clean! And... we moved up to 13th place! In the ribbons! Whooo hooo!

Oh and... they had Dorothy Crowell and her husband doing live feed commentary. It was so cool! She loved "Spot" and wanted to take him home. And she complimented my riding at the ditch! SOOOO Cool!

 

Dan was snacking before I could even turn my helmet camera off. Ha ha! So I hacked him back instead of getting off and walking. It was quite the hike. We stopped and chatting with Jodie and her spotted kids. Dan was glad to see his kind. When we got back, I got him untacked and unstudded. He was hardly even sweaty! (Unlike me... good gravy.. between nerves, the XC vest, the air vest and the pinney... I was WET!). I decided to toss him out in the paddock to roll and enjoy himself because... I wasn't sure how to coordinate icing him. And... most of my barn mates had left and/or were leaving that day. They were all done, so... the barn was emptying out. And with Dan having the broken stall AND being alone... I thought it might be best to try to move stalls. So while he was chilling in the paddock, I went to the office. They agreed that it was a good idea to move me so we got it figured out. Then I moved all my stuff down to the barn Dawn was in. Which was actually quite nice! It took me a bit and then I got some food. And then I grazed Dan before bringing him in. I bemered him and we were cracking up because I had his door open and he was hanging his head out. All the pony club kids walking by kept booping his nose despite him making snarky faces at them. I was laughing and said I'd pay them each a dollar per boop as it was so good for Dan. hee hee. Then I got him fed and it was time to get showered so I could meet Cindy and Sally, who drove up from Georgia, and Dawn for dinner. And shame on me... I forgot to ice him! 

Helmet Cam of XC

Dinner was.... awful! It was a great place the last few times Cindy had gone there but they must have changed ownership or something. We got there and had to wait about 15 minutes for a waitress. We ordered drinks and she said they were out of tea "but they had arizona canned tea". I opted for water and Dawn got the tea, which was stale and icky. It took 15 minutes to get our drinks. We did order appetizers too. Then we went to order our food and Dawn wanted ribs. "Oh sorry, we're out of ribs". So then Cindy ordered Pretzel crusted trout and they were out of trout. Which meant, they were also out of the trout soup I wanted. Sigh.. I asked what the chefs salad was. The menu says they have a house salad and a chefs salad which was a specialty based on what was in stock and what the chef was in the mood to do. She said that there was no chef salad anymore. Just the house salad. And it was just lettuce, tomatoes and croutons. Cindy asked if it was fancy lettuce or ? And she said "Iceberg". Sigh...okay. So then Sally ordered a grilled pimento cheese fried green tomato sandwich. The only thing on the menu that looked somewhat appetizing and that was available was the blackened catfish and grits. I asked her how spicy it was and she was like "well no one's ever said it was too spicy". So I said I'd try it but to please have the chef go easy on the spice if possible. So then we finally got our appetizers, which... the brussel sprouts were soggy and limp. But the pimento cheese and celery was pretty tasty. And then the fried green tomato fritters were pretty darn good. We finally got our food and basically... Cindy's pork chop was blah. Sally's grilled cheese was maybe in the toaster over for 10 seconds. It had the tiniest hint of grill to it. And me and Dawn's catfish... was basically mild catfish over grits with a 1/4 bottle of Frank's hot sauce on it. I couldn't eat it. It was WAY too spicy. I mean... just don't put the frank's on it!!! But "they put that sh*t on everything" I guess. Sigh. And then, they didn't even have bread pudding. Sigh. Such a disappointment. So then we tried to go for boozy ice cream and finally found it but basically... being Saturday night.. it was so crowded and there was no way we were parking two big diesel trucks so we just gave up and went home. It was late at this point anyways. 

I checked Dan and walked and grazed him some more and then I headed to the stadium arena to walk my course. Because.. it wasn't posted before dinner. Not gonna lie... that was cool! It was probably 11:30 at night, but... it was neat being there by myself.. in that huge arena...  again, you could almost feel the greats there before.