30 day Equestrian Challenge – day 9

Today’s question is:

“Any injuries that occurred from riding”

I honestly haven’t had any serious injuries from riding (I haven’t had one at all from anything!) Obviously I have the odd stepped on toe, and all sorts of bruises from uncomfortable saddles. Of course, you have to be sore (but that’s just you using your muscles), or your joints might hurt (because riding is all about flexible joints) but otherwise, I have been pretty lucky to avoid any real injuries from riding. This has been a short one, but that’s alright!

–

Jess

 

30 day Equestrian Challenge – day 8

Today’s question is:

“A little about the barn/stable you ride at”

The barn that I ride at actually has three barns: the boarder barn, the lesson barn, and the show barn. It has 2 indoor arenas, a large one which can fit full hunter courses, and a smaller one that is still suitable for jumping. We also have an extremely large outdoor sand ring, which we use in the summer. Our barn has a show team, along with heated/air conditioned lounges for viewing the indoor arenas. We have lots of barn cats, and german shepherds. All the tack rooms are heated, which is really nice.

That’s about it for today! I’m a bit busy, so I had to cut it short.

 

30 day Equestrian Challenge – day 7

School has started again, after two weeks of March Break. Anyway, here is day 7:

“Biggest riding pet peeve”

Gosh, I have a couple. I guess I’ll start with my first one. I get kind of annoyed when little kids who can’t really ride or take care of ponies get one for a present, just because they asked. I don’t understand why you would get one if you’ve never sat on a horse, and if you don’t know anything about them. Reading about horses is different to riding them. I feel that a horse should be a gift that is appreciated, and not just thrown around. The worst one is when they buy a green 2 year old pony and expect to ride it. Honestly, it has to be old enough to be ridden, and properly started/trained. These situations could become dangerous, and once that happens, the family might sell the horse to just about anybody, including slaughterhouses.

My second pet peeve is kind of related the the first. I also get annoyed when somebody shows up to their first ever ride decked out in breeches, boots, chaps, a helmet, gloves, and with brushes in their hands. They might not even continue riding, as that is the case with a lot of people I know. So then, they just have brushes and clothes lying around unused. I feel like you have to earn your riding clothes with the amount of time that you ride.

My third pet peeve is when people brag about riding, especially when they exaggerate. For example, they might brag about how they jumped “the height of this table” when they are describing an 18″ pole. It irritates me how they try to impress people with something that is so fake, like honestly, it’s fine if your are excited about riding, and I would be equally happy to talk about horses with you. As long as you keep things in check and don’t go overboard, you can totally be excited about the equestrian world!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

-Jess

30 day Equestrian Challenge – day 6

Todays question is:

“What’s in your grooming bucket?”

Well, I have a variety of brushes:

-A Supra purple dandy brush with grip

-A Supra purple patterned body brush

-A Supra blue hoof pick with brush

-A Supra purple jelly “scrubber” style curry

-A Supra purple magnetic massager

-A goat hair small brush (face brush)

I also have some dehydrated apple treats, which Diva loves. She kisses as a trick, and knows a half-hug.

Additionally, I have a Shedrow fuschia and black bonnet/fly veil for her, which matches my saddle-pad!

The bucket itself is just a small grooming caddy. That reminds me, I need to clean my brushes soon!

I think that covers it all! What else would I need in a grooming bucket?

-Jess

30 day Equestrian Challenge – day 5

Wow! I can’t believe that I’m already a 6th through this challenge!

Todays question is:

“Your first fall”

My first fall was when I was nine. I was riding Gypsy, and we were in the indoor arena during winter. She was picking up her canter, and had just gotten it, when someone outside walked by the back of the arena. She spooked, and while she was cantering, she did a sharp turn. I was already a little off balance, and the turn threw even Gypsy off balance. She leaned too much on the inside when she was turning, and I gracefully jumped/fell off, and rolled away into the middle of the ring. I got right back on afterwards, completely unfazed and unharmed, and continued to canter around the ring. The only thing that was different were my poor jodhpurs. The knees were completely red from the red sand in the ring! I’m glad that my first fall didn’t set me off riding because honestly, it didn’t hurt a bit!

 

30 day Equestrian Challenge – day 4

Hey guys (or gals)! Today’s question is:

“Describe the important horses you’ve had in your life”

I guess I should start off with the horse that I had my first lesson on, so that would be Gypsy. She taught me how to post a trot, canter, and go over my first cross-rails. Although she turned lazier over the years (I guess the barrel-pony thing grew old), she taught me a lot. She was the pony that I had my first fall off of, and she was the one who tested out my confidence. She would never canter a full lap in the outdoor arena, except for one time in the spring when she was feeling really fresh. Not even my parents know this, but there was one point when I was about eight or nine, when I was almost scared of jumping in the winter. Gypsy would do these really weird bunny hops, and it always unbalanced me, and made me look like a sack of potatoes. Or sometimes, she would stop dead before the jump, causing me to slide over her neck. This happened every single lesson, but I never wanted to admit that I was scared, and over time, I was able to get back into loving jumping again. Gypsy taught me many things, but the most important thing that she taught me was courage and perseverance. Without her, I might not even have been around horses as much.

(When she did even a half lap of canter, I always felt so happy)

(Wow, me EQ was pretty bad, but I’m smiling so happily)

(I love her colour)

(She was so tiny, but I guess I used to be small as well 🙂 )

(We look like ants)

(Her canter is so pretty!)

 

Now, another important horse in my life was Magic. After I moved barns, it took me a long time to find the ideal pony to ride. I tried different ponies: Toby (a medium paced pony), Archie (a slowish pony that resembled a cow), Spook (an older, slower, horse), Firefox (a grumpy horse), and then I met Jacob. He gave me a lot of confidence, but he wasn’t “the one”. I really liked him, but one day, the owner of the barn changed me to the other horses. After a while, I found Magic, and she really helped with everything. She was such a forward pony, and so obedient. She was a great jumper, and I jumped oxers and walls with her. She gave me my confidence back after the other horses had lowered it by being stubborn and taking off when I wasn’t ready. Magic helped me focus on my EQ, and she taught me about using a wall, half-halting, and really being in control. My riding really improved from riding Magic, and my two-point was coming along really nicely. Soon, I changed to a “more advanced” group lesson because I was learning so quickly from Magic. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and so I had to bid good-bye to Magic sooner than I had liked. I had grown too tall for her, and I needed to switch to a horse.

(This was our very first ride, and I loved her from the get-go!)

(Her little jump is so cute, and she really improved my two-point)

(We were unintentionally matching in purple!)

(Still can’t get over how much she improved me!)

(She’s honestly such a fast pony)

(I’ll always be grateful for her, in fact, I think I’m going to go cuddle her tomorrow!)

 

The last horse that has really changed me is Diva. On our first ride, I had just switched over from eager little Magic, to the sassy, slow, Diva. I couldn’t get her to canter, or trot, and it was hard to steer her towards the jumps. I remember feeling so hopeless and tired on her, but I also remember feeling quite determined. Diva has taught me how to use a crop (like smacking her with it), be in charge of a stubborn animal, and how to really use my legs. She has proved to be a real challenge, but she has toughened me up, and made me a better, more in-charge rider. Without her, I wouldn’t know how to really ride, and I wouldn’t know the true feeling of success. Although she frustrates me so much, the good times are worth so much more than the frustrating times.

Overall, I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities that life has given me, and all the horses and ponies that have taken me on this journey. I hope that there will be more wonderful horses like these in the future, who don’t walk on command, and challenge me both mentally and physically.

P.S. I wrote this on Mar 24, so I didn’t skip a day!

30 day Equestrian Challenge – day 3

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“Your best ride ever”

Well, I have a couple of best rides ever, four to be exact.

The first one is my first ever “actual” show. It was only a barn show, but there were 15+ people in my class. We got a third in flat, didn’t place in the first schooling, and came a fifth in the second schooling. I didn’t place because I had forgotten the course halfway through! Despite me forgetting the course, it really was one of my best rides ever. I remember the feeling of exhilaration as I went over the jumps – it really did feel like flying!

(Jacob is the pony who I rode! )

The second ride is probably the show preparation. It felt just as amazing as the show, minus the excitement, but also without the forgetfulness. I felt so free, and so light when I was jumping on Jacob.

The third ride is a bareback lesson on Magic. We had just finished a wonderful jumper course, and to cool her off, we finished the lesson with some bareback! It was my first time bareback, and it felt so different than almost anything I had felt, except for vaulting. I used to do vaulting (gymnastics on a horse) for a little while, before I moved barns, but it still felt really different when I tried to get used to the bouncy trot.

Today’s questions is:

“Your best ride ever”

Well, I have a couple of best rides ever, four to be exact.

The first one is my first ever “actual” show. It was only a barn show, but there were 15+ people in my class. I rode my favourite pony at the time – Jacob, and it turned out to be one of my last rides with him, as the owner switched me over to Firefox, a grumpy horse who was know to buck and take off. I got a third in flat, didn’t place in the first schooling, and came a fifth in the second schooling. I didn’t place because I had forgotten the course halfway through! Despite me forgetting the course, it really was one of my best rides ever. I remember the feeling of exhilaration as I went over the jumps – it really did feel like flying!

(Jacob is the pony who I rode! )

The second ride is probably the show preparation. It felt just as amazing as the show, minus the excitement, but also without the forgetfulness. I felt so free, and so light when I was jumping on Jacob.

The third ride is a bareback lesson on Magic. We had just finished a wonderful jumper course, and to cool her off, we finished the lesson with some bareback! It was my first time bareback, and it felt so different than almost anything I had done, except for vaulting. I used to do vaulting (gymnastics on a horse) for a little while, before I moved barns, but it still felt really different when I tried to get used to the bouncy trot.

The fourth ride is one on Diva, from 2 lessons ago. We were doing a hunter course, and she was listening to me really well. She picked up her canters and trots all very eagerly, got out of the stall nicely, and jumped really well. I didn’t have to argue with her at all, and her corners were perfect! She kept up a nice speed, which was faster than her usual turtle-speed. I was so happy that lesson, and I was also feeling super triumphant, as it was our very first “perfect” lesson.

Goodnight everyone!

*Even if the website says that I published this on Mar 24, I published this on March 23, so I didn’t skip a day. Time zones maybe?

30 day Equestrian Challenge – day 2

Welcome back! Today, I’m going to be doing question 2 of the equestrian challenge, and it asks:

“The last time you rode a horse and what you did.”

The last time I rode a horse was 3 days ago. I rode Diva, and we had such an amazing lesson. She was behaving so well, and except for a little (also know as a lot) of stubbornness in picking up canters and trots, she was perfect.

Now, to actually answer the question, we did a hunter course. It consisted of :

-A funny looking jump that was propped up by bushes, had cross rails, and a flower box in front.

-Jumps on the quarter line

-Jumps on the outer line

I don’t have any pictures, but you can imagine it in your head. (Or do I have pictures?) Diva was awesome, though! We’ve had 2 amazing lessons in a row, which has never happened before. She picked up a canter without my crop (one of the rarest things ever), and she jumped all the jumps without a fuss. She picked some really awkward distances though, and let’s just say I was caught off guard more than once (no I didn’t fall, if that’s what you’re thinking). She literally leapt at the jumps, which weren’t even that big, and had it been a 3′ oxer, it might have been understandable. It was mainly because I was lifting myself out of the saddle too early, rushing Diva, and making her think that she should jump. Once I fixed it, we found a better distance.

All in all, we had a pretty amazing lesson, and Diva was such a little angel for me. Now, enjoy these next few pictures.

(This is Diva saying “hi”)

(I found her itchy spot, so somebody was clearly enjoying a neck rub)

(Here’s another picture, 10 seconds later.)

(The one we’ve all been waiting for. She did this really big yawn, and did another one as soon as she was finished. The sleepy pon is adorable 🙂 )

About Diva

Diva is the stubborn, sassy, slow-going warmblood mare whom I love, and ride. She has a nice jump, and she knows lots. However, she’ll pretend that she doesn’t know anything, and will spook on purpose. It takes her forever to get going, meaning that I have to carry around a dressage whip. (We’ve been chased around with a lunge whip one too many times).

(See that tail swishing, and my crop out? She sure is one sassy mare!)

When you’re getting on her, she’ll walk off even if half of your body is still on the mounting block. She pins her ears a lot, whether its at me, other horses, or anybody who goes near her. She steals hay, tosses her head when she’s on the cross-ties, and just generally behaves rudely. Diva pretends that she doesn’t feel your leg, and does the complete opposite of what you want. I once rode her with twisted reins, and she behaved perfectly (meaning that she literally does the opposite of what you want). Oh, I almost forgot – corners. They are our biggest challenge. Diva zooms away as soon as she nears a corner. She’ll take off, heading halfway across the ring in an attempt to avoid it. She’s gotten a lot better since our first ride, but in every corner, she’ll still try to run away.

(We are soooo far from the corner)

But Wait – there’s a good side to her as well, the reason that I haven’t switched horses yet. She has the gentlest, kindest, warm chocolate brown eyes, and when she looks at you, its like she understands every problem in the world.

(See those eyes? They’re so sweet, and intelligent!)

Also, her gleaming chestnut coat, her thick, dark, mane, and her white socks make her a beauty to look at. She’s an absolute darling to tack up, and doesn’t hesitate for the bit. When Diva decides to be good, she is the most perfect horse ever. Diva has her flying lead changes (whoop, whoop), and when she gets a steady canter, she’ll hold it there.

(Her ears are pricked when she canters, and they make her look adorable!!!!)

She’s very predictable, so I know if she’s going to try to throw me off by doing a tight turn, skip her corner, stop dead, run out of a jump, or speed up. When we jump, it feels amazing, as I don’t have to half-halt every stride like the other ponies that I’ve ridden, and I know that she’ll jump the jumps perfectly (except for those rare awkward distances).

(Her jump feels amazing!)

Most importantly though, Diva teaches me so much about riding, and handling situations. Because of her, I know when to be tough, and when to be gentle. When she does do something correctly, I feel a sense of accomplishment that I haven’t felt with any other horses before, and I feel super happy and proud. So yes, she is as obnoxious as she is stubborn, and she is as clever as she is sly, but I think those are some of the leading factors behind why I love this gleaming, chestnut, animal so much.

 

 

30 day Equestrian challenge – Day 1

The other day, I found a 30 day challenge that I thought would be pretty fun to do. Day one asks:

“When and why you started riding”

Well, the first time that I had ever sat on a horse was when I was 5 or 6, for a pony ride at a fair. I loved the feeling of just being on a horse, and I found it really ‘cool’. I started taking riding when I was 7. I had gotten into it because a friend of my moms found this barn about 20 minutes away from our house. He called us to see if I was interested, and I was! Before that, I had never thought of riding horses as a weekly thing, and actually learning to do things! 

(The barn that I started riding at – this was around a year later. the barn switched locations shortly afterwards. I look so little next to a horse like Roy!)

When I got to the barn, I remember being given a helmet, and I remember being shown two ponies – Gypsy (the little grey one), and Troubadour (a 20+ year old appaloosa sport pony).  I asked the people (Amanda and Scott) “which one is the fastest?” Gypsy was the faster pony (being a former barrel pony), so I chose her. That lesson, I learned how to make Gypsy walk, halt, and turn. We did some figure eights, and that was enough to satisfy me. Our lesson was only 30 minutes, but to me, they were the best 30 minutes of my little life!

(Gypsy – this was my last lesson with my coach, Amanda, around 3 years after I started riding.)

(This is the Challenge – if you want, you can mention my blog, and contact me when you do it as well!)