Saturday, March 26, 2011

Ups, Downs and In Betweens

So they say about life with horses, the highs are so high and the lows are so low. It's a sport of extremes. One day you may feel on top of the world, and the next you could be crying in the surgery barn at Peterson and Smith.

Well, the "Up" side is that Donald is great and I finally put my entry in the mail for "the big day". I'm having a really hard time being happy and excited about it because the "Down" side is one of my best friends' horses sustained an injury and is no longer going to be Donald's barn mate at the Horse Park. Special Blend, or Leo, had an inflammatory reaction to an ankle injection and had to be hospitalized. At first the vets thought it was an infection and that would have been devastating, but nothing grew in the culture and he is expected to make a full recovery. I've spent the past few days with Casey and Leo making sure that he (and Casey) was okay and the surgery went well. I know Casey (and everybody, including me) is just thrilled that he is going to be okay and return to competition when he's ready, but I feel like I've lost my co-pilot in this adventure. I feel selfish thinking that, but the fact that I had a great friend to go through this with kept me sane. I'm really feeling the pressure now as we get down to the wire here. I'm terrified of screwing up or something dumb happening. Enter paranoia. I may have to check myself into a psych ward when this is all over.

Actually I feel like I've lost a lot the past 4 months, but maybe it's not such a bad thing. I've realized, in taking 4 months to basically do something for myself, that so many people in my life weren't in it to support me. They were in it for personal gain. Now that I've been gone for 4 months I've realized exactly who matters and who doesn't. I know who the people are who just wanted me around so I could ride their horse, do things for them, invite them to horse shows or just in general wanted my attention and focus. The people who just wanted to be a part of the lifestyle, not a part of my life as a whole. I guess at first I was upset that these people were backing out of my life but then a very smart friend reminded me, you have to break some eggs to make an omelette. The people who matter are still there, ready to pick up exactly where we left off 4 months ago. The people who aren't upset that I haven't spoken to them in 2 weeks because to be honest I haven't had time to speak to anybody really, even my own parents. Those are the people worth keeping. Those are the people that I love. Those are the faces I am going to be looking for as I'm coming down to the Rolex Arch and the finish flags on Saturday.

I'm hoping that when I finally do get home, I can grow this number of faithful friends. I met so many wonderful people at my fundraiser, it was a huge success. I'm blown away by the generosity of our eventing community in Maryland. I was absolutely thrilled to see so many smiling, well-wishing faces at Loch Moy last weekend. For every one shady person out there that I know I met at least 3 or 4 wonderful, amazing people who came out to support Donald and I. I hope these people keep coming, I had a blast with everyone and couldn't have come up with a better way to spend a Saturday. It was a long, tough day as we shuffled horses in and out of our cross country field but we got through it. My clients did such a great job helping, I'm so thankful, my friend Mike made all the food which was amazing and my working student Jax just worked tirelessly before, during and after. Biggest thanks of all goes to my landlord, Carolyn, who generously donated her schooling field for the day so I could use it. Amazing, just amazing.

I know I haven't given much of an update with the horses today but they are doing fantastic. Donald will run again at the Fork 3* and Hewie is now just practicing until his CCI2* in April. They look fit, shiny and happy.

I'll give a shout later in the week after a few lessons and promise to update more about the ponies, because that's what it's all about!!

xoxoxox

Katie, Donald and Hewie

Thursday, March 17, 2011

The Stress Diet

The Stress Diet

So my last day at Red Hills went wonderfully. Donald jumped well but had 2 unfortunate rails down. I am still learning how to maneuver that big moose around the show jumping, he’s a lot to move around. Hewie jumped fabulously, probably the best he’s ever jumped, he had 1 down in the middle at a square oxer off a turn. I’m thrilled with both of them. Dr. Furlong also took a peek at Donald after Red Hills and said he looks great, fit and sound.

Sunday was also unfortunately my last day of Krispy Kreme donut binge eating. Bad form to be stabled right next to competitor hospitality… between Donald, Hewie, the dogs and I we consumed probably over a dozen boxes of donuts over the weekend. Time to buy new pants and avoid mirrors.

Luckily for me (and my bathroom scale) my life has taken a turn for the crazy. So busy that I literally do not have a spare second in the day to sit and eat. I have so much going through my head all the time that I feel drunk 24/7. No joke. Eating and sleeping are without a doubt the last things on my mind. I call this the “Stress Diet” and I’m sure it happens to every rider who is preparing for this thing in April. The journey to Kentucky takes on a life of its’ own, it consumes you, it owns you.

I’m currently sitting on a flight back to Maryland which I made without a second to spare. You know those people that stick their hand into a closing elevator door, desperate to keep it open so they can get inside? Yea, that was me this morning, except it was an airplane. I also saw a really cute guy in the airport who started to talk to me, then I stubbed my toe and tripped. Hate those subtle inclines that you always have to look out for when walking around in airports.

I’m really looking forward to being back in Maryland for a few days, checking in on the farm and doing my cross country fundraiser. It will be so good to see some familiar faces. I could really use a boost in my morale. I’m so lucky to have to much support, all the people coming, all the people that donated items for my auction. I have some amazing people in my life. Being away from everyone at home is very hard for me even though I know this is what I have to do to be ready for Kentucky. Sacrifices.

I hope to see everyone on Saturday.

Xoxox
Katie

Saturday, March 12, 2011

XC Day at Red Hills

Today was so great, I feel so spoiled to have such nice horses.

Donald went right around noon in the 3*. It's always a big tough track here at Red Hills There are a lot of small changes in terrain and twists in the course that make it ride much tougher than it walks.

He went great out of the box, blasting through the first corner combination, the coffin and the bounce banks. Just as I felt we were hitting our stride and reached a perfect rythm for the course, eeerrrp... Hold on Course. They held David Koss, who works for Bruce, and I at the same stopping point for 30 minutes while they dealt with Kyle Carter's fall on Madison Park at the angled brush fences at 14. It's always nerve wracking when someone has a fall and the curtains go up, but the event officials told us while we were on hold that Parker walked into the trailer which was a huge relief. I heard he was resting comfortably which is awesome. I also saw Kyle walking around tonight with his arm in a sling, not looking too bad, so thankfully I think they're both okay. The event officials did a really good job of communicating with us as we were on hold.

Donald is very much a horse that needs to build. Sometimes I swear he is sleeping when he comes out of the box. I was worried about him starting again after standing around for so long. He went on to jump the double brushes, the 1st and 2nd waters and the tough double corners easily. However, he never seemed to get that "fire" back. He "superman-ed" it into the 3rd water and landed a little dead on his feet in deep water. As I pulled hard to turn him he just fell completely behind my leg and slowed to a halt mid-combination. Sort of a bummer as that incurred us 20 penalties but it's not an issue that I'm concerned about going home to fix - just a schoch of bad luck with the hold and whatnot. I circled him and he jumped out just fine, and on home we went. I'm very pleased with him and I really couldn't have asked him to be any better today.

Hewie went a few hours later in the Intermediate and I really felt like this was a "make it or break it" moment for him. Red Hills is his 4th Intermediate and definitely the biggest track he's been on yet. He's a little bit.. well.. radical at times. I was pretty sure the big atmosphere and difficult fences would do one of two things, sit him down and make him focus or he would bolt into the woods to hide. Lucky for me he was just perfect all the way around. He has gotten so physically strong and he is just now showing how much scope he truly has. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful horse in Hewie. He really has a huge heart and I know he would do anything for me.

Both the horses look great tonight. Donald came into the D box today with a whopping temp of 100.8 so clearly not too stressed. Jogged both of them up tonight looking sound and strong. I'm going to try and get some good sleep tonight before the jog early tomorrow.

xoxo, kisses to ponies

k

Friday, March 11, 2011

D Day down.. XC tomorrow

Circles and lines are finally over. Dressage day is my most stressful day, basically because I'm not very good at it. I have to work twice as hard to be half as good as some of these guys. The level of dressage proficiency in eventing now is just amazing. Some of these riders and horses are just so, so good. Every time I enter the warm up at an Advanced horse trial, CIC or CCI it's like getting a free riding lesson. Some day I will be that good, I just need to learn how to half pass first.

I was thrilled with both Donald and Hewie. Donald is and always has been a tough one in dressage. When he's bad he's BAD, but even when he's good it's hard to score well. He's a big long horse and it's painfully obvious when he's not engaged and connected. We get called out on it a lot in our tests but I'm learning how to shorten him up and ride him more uphill. Today was probably the most relaxed and attentive he's been in the ring, now I just need to trust that he's not going to blow up anymore and ride him a little bit stronger.

Hewie had a good test today, very focused and steady, I'm struggling now to obtain the "flash factor" necessary to ride a winning test. The horses go quietly and consistantly but now I need more "bling" on my tests. Something to work on for sure.

After walking cross country with Buck, I feel pretty good about it all. The 3* is big of course but doable. The turns and terrain make you want to slow down, but Buck really made a point of telling us to keep galloping where we can, that the course will reward a forward ride. I'll have to remind Donald to suck it in because some of those skinnies are REALLY skinny. The Intermediate course will definitely be the biggest Hewie has ever seen. I expect his eyes to literally be falling out of his skull at the finish line, poor guy. He may be a nervous nellie but he's the most obediant and trusting animal I have ever met. As long as I don't steer him wrong and try to keep him out of trouble he will be just fine.

I do love coming to Tallahassee for this event because it's put on so well. We're lucky to have our stalls right next to the hospitality tent, complete with coffee and all the Krispy Kreme donuts a human (or dog, or Donald) could ask for.

Speaking of dogs.. remind me to buy some leashes for my mutts. Today a lovely man who happens to be the stable secretary here stopped by with the young girl who works with his horses. My younger aussie Roni naturally started to beg for attention from the girl. So we all chatted, and before I knew it, the poor girl was on the ground being rolled on and licked by my dog, knocking her diet coke all over the place, covering Roni and the sweet girl who was just trying to pet her. Instead she was mawled by an attention starved australian shepherd. The girl was soaking wet, I was terribly embarrassed, and Roni was just sticky. As the good horse people they were, they just laughed it off. Leashes.. tomorrow... bad dogs!


Donald runs in the 3* tomorrow around lunchtime and Hewie goes at 3:30. I intend to get out there early to walk some more and mull over lines and distances and such. Wish us luck!

xoxox

k

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Almost Ready for Red Hills

The first big event of the season is upon us, Red Hills in Tallahassee, Florida. I have the privledge to be running the 3* with Donald and the Intermediate horse trial with Hewie. I'm excited and nervous for this outing, particularly with not one but two big 3-days looming in the not-so-distant future. Hewie will be going to Ocala for his CCI2* and Donald.. well.. he is supposed to do that thing in April.

It's different this year. Everything is. I think everything changes when you have your sights realistically set on a four star. You're that much more demanding on yourself and your attention to detail improves. Every flat lesson, every jump school, everything is that much more important and real. You refuse to let yourself or your horses get away with anything. Perfection isn't something you strive for anymore, it's necessary.

Last year at Red Hills my goal was to get both horses around safely and have a positive, confidence building outing. My goals are the same this year but amplified. Every stride is a step closer to the last week in April. It's a lot of pressure and it's very difficult being a 24-year old Advanced level newbie from modest means trying to deal with it all.

It's even harder trying to push out the other stressors in my life. I'd love to say the background events in my life don't get to me, but they do. They weigh on me and impact my focus. I do my best to "trim the fat" but sometimes it's just unavoidable. Trying to juggle finances, employees leaving, horses coming and going, relationships and general horse world drama is a daily struggle. After all is said and done with the horses, I barely have enough emotion to care for anything else. I guess this is part of being a successful upper level rider, the mental aspect, the "Mind Gym" (from a great book my friend Lainey Ashker gave me. A must read.).

I'm going to try my best to maintain my focus, to give my horses the best possible ride, to maintain a positive attitude and always be hopeful and humble. This weekend is a big one and I'd like to come away from it that much more prepared for "the big day".

Wish us luck! We head out tomorrow!

xoxox

k