October 10

"Can't Even" sums up all of my rides this week. The mares just can't horse right now, to the point where putting Q's blanket back on post (awful) ride last night caused a panic because "OMG the straps are touching my legs!!"....cue repeated scrambling all over the concrete barn aisle, then all the rest of the mares panicking because "OMG Q is being eaten by her blanket!!" and me just about getting trampled in the chaos as I tried to save her from herself and turn her out into the field.

Bridget fell on her face mid ride by spooking at one of the jumps (the same one Q mare spooked into and demolished on Monday) as we cantered past. She lost her footing and laid down to die. The jump obviously nearly got her and so for the rest of the ride she was giving it the evil eye.

Stay with us B, don't go towards the light.

Even my own brain has left the building, thinking it would be a great idea to keep me up all night with a random dream involving some weird guy creepy guy holding me hostage and trying to convince me training orcas for him would be a wise career choice. Natually, he had his own backyard aquarium complete with pissed off hungry untrainable orcas, because that totally makes sense, right? Messed up, but thanks subconscious, that might actually be a safer way to spend my days than with the horses in their current state of mind.

So, lets make a wise choice and end my ride updates with the lowlights above. Moving on, I'm going to answer LWilliams 10 questions for October before it's too late.

What do you consider “jumping high” for yourself?

2'9" feels challenging to me. I'm OK with the height in general, but tight related and/or bendy lines set this height make me nervous. Plus, I'm on a fat pony, so 2'9" is already a height where we can't just randomly jump from anywhere. I need to be accurate and on a good pace, otherwise it's quite difficult. On the plus side, if we can figure it out here, moving up a bit won't be a big deal.

What are your short-term goals for riding?

I want to get some good scores at First this winter. I also want to be more confident over bigger fences (2'9"+).

Do you think you’ll reach them? 

Confidence is a tricky thing, so setting a timeline is hard, but yes, for the jumping I'm optimistic. My confidence is in a low right now, but I think it's something we can work on over the winter. For the dressage, also optimistic, fingers crossed good scores at First should be a pretty soft goal.

Long term goals for riding?

PSG dressage with B in this lifetime:) and, Novice 3 day at Rebecca Farm in 2 years.

Do you think you’ll reach them? 

I'm super motivated and Bridget should be capable. Fingers crossed we get there together.

How many barns have you been at in your riding career?

15. But I move for work a lot!

How many different trainers have you been with in your riding career?

See above.  Currently, my main coach is an ex upper level eventer who is not averse to straight dressage, CDEs, and also coaches an excellent vaulting team. It's like 4 coaches in one;)

Ever worked at a barn?

Yes, numerous. My first job was at a barn, and I still like to work part time where I board if possible. I enjoy it and like having a feel for the day to day happenings. 

Feeding in the dark this morning. My little wheelbarrow ride loving friend is named Thug, because she is one :)

Scariest thing that has happened at your barn? 

Current barn is owned/run by a pony club and provincial developing riders coach, so fingers crossed, there is a huge emphasis on safety and no truly scary incidents I've seen. Probably the most scared I've been around horses was a couple of years ago when my friend fell and hit her head and was unconscious and having a seizure...meanwhile her horse loose was on the road and I couldn't get thru to 911. (It all ended fine...everyone emerged safe and OK)

Have you ever given a lesson?

I've given the odd beginner one, and used to take newbies out on trail rides as my job, if that counts :) Longer terms goals include getting my EC coaching certification - I was going to do it this fall, but life got in the way!

What level was the rider?

See above

What is your opinion on the accuracy of critiquing riders online?

Pictures? Such a moment in time. That being said, I did find the George Morris photo critiques helpful growing up, but generally speaking I don't think a picture gives you enough info about a rider to make any judgments as to their ability at all. I think video could allow a pro to make an educated guess, but even then, I don't think it's an appropriate thing to base a critique from, and certainly a completely inappropriate thing for the average person to do.

What is the ideal height of a horse for you?

I'm 5'2" and umm..."curvy" and I think a medium athletic build 15hh would be perfect.