Looks adorable-but has an evil side!

In south Texas, we have been getting the first of the fall rains.  Starting last Wednesday, exercising horses has been hit and miss between the rain showers until Friday when the torrential downpours started that continued through yesterday morning.

Lauren had her return to Dev’s with Mickey on Thursday.  Thursday night, we got ready to get Feather and Mimi out to the arena only to be greeted with the start of drizzling rain.   We left Feather, Mickey and Kid in the stalls and took Mimi out to the arena with us. 

The molded plastic support a 12 foot long pole. They can be set at varying heights.

We had just picked up the first of four sets of cavalettis.  These are training devices which can be set at six, eight and 12 inch intervals that help the horse understand where to put their feet and legs when jumping.  At six inches they are little more than a pole slightly elavated off the ground.  But they are the start of good jumpers everywhere and we were excited with our first set.  When the rest arrive we can set up four in a row so the horses can work their way through them in a grid.

From the first steps away from the barn, I knew Mimi had not had enough work in the past week.  She was way too “fresh” as we say.  She didn’t want to be in the arena away from her “herd”.  Mickey was calling to her and she was screaming back.  

A little about training-doesn’t matter to me really if we are talking about horses, ponies, dogs or kids, seems to me there has to come a time when some rules are set and subsequently always adhered to.  I am pretty good at breaking young horses and have had some nice ones.  Problem is that I have broken me (and had some existing health issues as well) along the way.  Four fractures, three rotator cuff surgeries and hip replacement in the last eight years, make Lauren a little hesitant to let me go one on one with the horses or ponies when they are acting up. And boy, was Mimi acting up. 

Mimi when she first came to us she thought she was in charge.  She pushed, she bit and she did not hesitate to kick. She is small but still a good six hundred pounds. She certainly can run roughshod over us if we let her.  But a few weeks out with the herd of horses (who put her at the bottom of the pack) and lots of arena time have gotten Mimi to understand where she sits.  At least normally. 

This particular evening, Mimi was giving me a hard time.  She was dragging me around.  She was trying to turn to kick me.  She took a good bite out of my arm.  I am showing restraint in not posting a picture of it.  We wanted to take her over the cavalettis.  She wanted to go back to the barn.  When Mimi charges me, I get in her face and bark at her.  She backs down.  We try again.

Lauren decided I would probably get hurt and I was not making enough progress.  She came to take Mimi from me.  She tried to lunge her.  You know, where she stands in the center and the pony walks and trots nicely around her.  Oh, boy was that an epic failure.  If I had my video camera we would be rich from the next “Funniest Home Videos”.  It was not funny (Lauren told me so) and it could have been really dangerous, but I have not laughed so hard in a long time.

Lauren got the pony in position with the whip in one hand and leadline in the other.  Instead of moving out and away, Mimi came forward and directly at Lauren.  Totally bullying her.  Lauren put her hands up but the pony just kept on coming.  Lauren turned her back to the pony (which I think in pony language means-“Smash into me now!”) and Mimi galloped toward her intent (or so it seemed) on running Lauren down.  Lauren screamed!  The pony kept coming.  The pony just as quickly whirled away ripping the leadline from Lauren’s hands and running free to the other end of the arena.  Screaming and being scared were like candy to this little bully.  I was afraid (after I helped Lauren up off the ground) that Mimi would remember how she torn free and would try again each time we worked. After all if it worked once, clearly it would work again.

What a mess!  I took the pony back.  Growled at her some more (and illustrated for Lauren how to growl correctly to be intimidating) and got her going around in a circle.  It was not a pretty, concise circle but she was doing what she was told.

It is truly about respect and establishing a pecking order.  If this pony thinks she is winning than we are losing.  We will never get her trained.  So, even though the rain continued to fall, we stayed with it.  Circling Mimi around, asking her to back up, walking her over the new cavalettis.  Then I talked Lauren into getting on Mimi bareback while I lead her around.  When Mimi is considering misbehaving she gives a long shake of her head and then makes a decision if she is working with you or against you.  She decided to accept Lauren on her back (although it instantly could have gone the other way). 

I walked them over the cavalettis and Mimi jumped her first little jump with a passenger onboard.  We did it four times for good measure, the last time at a trot.  Lauren stayed on and we called it a night. 

Lauren took Mimi back to the barn.  On the way there, not to let the night end easily, Mimi shied at a shovel we had left in the sand pile. I saw her land heavily against Lauren.  Then I heard Lauren growl loudly at the pony and then I saw them both walk on quietly to the barn.  I guess they both learned something.

From the moment they called for the kids to come to the arena, she did not want to go.  She cried from the time she had to line up, waiting with the other kids for her turn.  We could see the little tears streaming slowly down her face.  But she kept walking forward, with her face mask helmet down over her head and her protective vest on tight.  I saw the volunteer bend down to talk to her and she moved forward to the bucking chute where the sheep was waiting.

Then she disappeared behind the chute and we all crossed our fingers and hoped that when the gate opened Jo would be up on the sheep’s back.  And so we waited.  Ally had told her to get in her jumping position (from her horseback riding lessons), put her arms around the sheep’s neck and hold on tight. Finally the announcer said “Next out of the chute is Jordyn Taylor!”.

And out she came, the sheep running into the arena.  Jordyn up on the sheep’s neck, little legs clasped around.  It lasted about ten feet and even fewer seconds.  Off she came, hard into the dirt.  Then the crying started in earnest.  We all cheered for her and told her how great she had done and how proud we were of her.  But she said she didn’t ride far enough and that she didn’t do well.

She had scraped up her arm.  She had scraped her side.  Not bad, but I knew it stung.  We all tried to console her but she was very disappointed in her debut.    Ally, Luke, Kendyll and Jo headed off to get ice cream (ice cream makes everything better).  Lauren and I prepared to head home.  As we came around the end of the arena we saw a big box with belt buckles.  The announcer was calling for all Mutton Busters to come back into the arena and get a group picture.  But more important-everyone no matter how long their ride would get a belt buckle.

We called Ally on the phone and told her to get Jordyn back to the arena.  And the little girl who had bravely jumped on the back of a sheep when she wanted to quit, stood proudly in line and received her buckle. I told her “you did a great job, Jo!” And she answered,  “Yep, I did, Granny.”

My pictures are not loading.  I have some good ones of this-so will upload as soon as I can.

I had an unexpected half day off today, following what I thought would be an involved Dental appointment (that wasn’t) I ended up with much of the afternoon unscheduled.  Rain had returned to Texas and the storms were rolling along off and on all afternoon.  It set the stage for getting some quiet time and chores done inside the house as all riding activities were cancelled.

Jordyn usually comes on Friday but she has her big debut at the Fort Bend County Fair in Mutton Busting tomorrow night and Ally did not want her over-tired.  What, Granny would make her over-tired?  Never.  I don’t know what I will have to report to you tomorrow.  Jo may go into the arena on the back of a sheep and ride her full eight seconds or she might balk at the last moment.  Either way I will be there with the camera ready. 

One time when Jordyn was about two and a half, my old boss had a great summer office party at the local airport.  When not playing in the giant bouncy house or eating Texas barbeque, he had arranged for helicopter rides out over the surrounding area and the Gulf.  It was all Jordyn could talk about.  Lauren and I kept telling her that we didn’t think she could go, that she was too small, but she just would turn and look at us and say, “Yep, I am, Granny!”  This went on over and over for two full days preceding the party.  When we got to the airport we got special permission for Jo to go in the helicopter on Luke’s lap.  Then we awaited our turn.  All Jo was focused on was the helicopter, each time it came and landed she was more enthusiastic. 

Finally, they called for Ally, Luke and Jordyn.  She got up to the helicopter and all was well until they started to place her inside.  Then it was “Granny, get me out, get me out!!”.  Needless to say, I held Jo as her parents took off in the sky.  I will never forget the “Yep, I am”.

So, tomorrow, I do not know if it will be another day of “Yep, I am” and then last minute bail out.  I am proud of her for trying and believing she can do this.  I will give you the update Sunday.

Rain is to continue all night and all day tomorrow.  I should have some nutty stall-bound horses by then.  But fortunately, Lauren and I got Rye Grass seed spread earlier this week so timing should be pretty good for our rain.  Also, it is almost time for the last cutting of hay where we will hope to put up 100 bales or so for winter.  So, the rain will give it an added push before the cut.

Lauren and I saw momma this afternoon and as we walked into the lobby we saw Jeff Davang.  The Davangs are long-time friends and yet we had no idea Jeff’s mom was at the same center as mine.  Jeff’s mom has been there about six months so that eases my mind.  Momma was so surprised to see me and just couldn’t believe I had come!  I was just there yesterday.  What a horrible disease this is-taking your memories and leaving fear and anxiety.

Keep Jordyn in your prayers as she goes into the big rodeo arena tomorrow.  Thanks and good night.

Once upon a time, (as all good stories should start) there was a little girl.  This little girl, named Caitlyn, needed to find something to believe in, something to love.    Her parents decided to try different sports to find something little Cate could excel at and enjoy.  So, Cate endured soccer, gymnastics and dance.  She was more likely to stop and pick flowers than defend a goal.  She was more interested in living life than dancing around it.  And then one day it all changed.  Caitlyn was invited to go horseback riding with her brother and some friends.  Not owning any horse gear, she wore her Barbie bike helmet and went off for another day of “trying something new”.

Eight-year old Caitlyn with Kahlua-the day that changed a life

Caitlyn came home infatuated with horses.  She wanted to eat, sleep and dream horses.   For Caitlyn, horses and riding made her a better student, one could argue a better person. The horses gave her a focus for her loving nature.  It didn’t take long until Caitlyn spent most Saturdays at Whipple Tree Farm. I remember her as a little girl (a couple of years younger than Lauren) always wanting to ride another horse.  It did not matter if she had already ridden three or four that morning; she was looking to ride more come Saturday afternoon.

And as the years went on, Caitlyn, while being able to do well in any show ring, hunter, jumper or equitation, started to excel at the Equitation events.  These rounds, either over fences or on the flat, are judged on how well the rider rides.  Sounds simple, but it is anything but that.  Most of us riders, know proper form, shoulders back, heels down, hands quiet, knees tight, but when the horse starts jumping or moving, maintaining that position is a whole new task.  And so Caitlyn practiced and practiced some more.  A few years of winning back to back equitation championships in the various schooling associations, Caitlyn wanted to try the next step, the USEF rated shows. 

Caitlyn changed trainers, changed horses and moved to the big time.   The top equitation honors in the United States are won each year at the Maclay Nationals, The Washington Invitational Horse Show (WIHS), the Pessoa Medal and the USEF Talent Search.  It quickly became apparent that to succeed at these high levels meant an outstanding horse partner, a strategy for accumulating points to make the finals (which shows to attend when) and more hard work than Caitlyn ever imagined.

None of it came easily.  The first horse slated for Caitlyn did not work out at all and series of try-out rides ensued.  It is difficult enough to get a great ride on a horse you know inside out, but with riding a host of different mounts, Caitlyn was at a disadvantage.  Added to this issue was the ever present chance of getting hurt, being thrown from that horse you did not know.  And one dark day, I got the message that Caitlyn had been thrown at the Katy Equestrian Center.  They were still awaiting more information, but Caitlyn’s neck was broken.  I remember being in shock, frightened and concerned for Cate’s future- of just her chance to be Caitlyn again, much less to be a top equestrian. 

Mere weeks after her injury, Caitlyn was back in the saddle.  She had come back physically intact from the injury, but I had to wonder how she would do mentally.  Jumping a huge fence is a daunting task and not for the faint of heart or one with a lack of confidence.  I saw Cate compete shortly after her return to the show ring and she certainly looked one hundred percent.

About this time, she met her new horse partner, Ky, named after the state (Kentucky) where she first saw him.  A big, strappy bay with a lot confidence and even more jump, Ky was the ideal mate to take Caitlyn to the next stages of competition.  And the clock was running.  To compete in any of the regional or national equitation events, the rider must be classified as a “junior” rider, while specifics vary, it generally means under age 18.  Caitlyn will turn 18 in October.  So this was the year to make the final run at the big events on the junior equitation circuit.  Each season, points count only for that season so each rider must ride and re-qualify each year.

Getting horse, rider and trainer to each event scheduled throughout the US is a study in logistics.  Is it best to attend the big shows and hope to make the cut or attend smaller shows closer to home and hope there are enough participants to run the class?  And if multiple weekends are involved away from home, what about school, projects and daily activities?  Likewise, moving a horse from Texas to Kentucky or Missouri is not as simple as the rider jumping on a plane.  During the summer months, high temperatures on the road are hard on horses.  And injuries, stress and strain from travel are always an issue on horse’s less than sturdy physiques.  But Caitlyn, fueled and supported by her trainer and mother, succeeded at the task of running after the national titles.

In what can only be classified as brilliant riding, planning and a bit of luck (I am Irish, you know so got to count that in), Caitlyn has achieved her goals in qualifying for finals as follows:

• Qualified for Zone 7 Equitation Finals (six states-Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas and Missouri)
• Pessoa National Equitation Finals
• Washington International Horse Show-Equitation National Finals (based upon today’s ranking of 6th in the West Division-this could change)
• Maclay Regional Finals (winners will go on to Nationals)
• United States Equestrian Federation Talent Search(West Coast)
  

  Caitlyn and Ky-looking like experts!

No matter the results of any of these finals (although I will keep you posted) Caitlyn has triumphed in an extremely elite world.  She has turned her love of riding, her discipline and her training into success against the obstacles stacked in her way.  Caitlyn will emerge from her junior riding career a seasoned equestrian ready to represent the NCAA from her choice of university programs.  I am proud to have known her along the way as she has made this journey.  And certainly not for the first time, nor just as certainly not for the last, I say “Bravo, Caitlyn”!

Yesterday, before dawn we headed to the equestrian center , Lauren and I along with Jordyn and Arianna.  It would be the start of a long, hot day.  

Jordyn and Abby got ready for Leadline first.  They were both absolutely darling and excited to get on their ponies and head to the ring.  Ally, Luke and baby Kendyll (appropriately outfitted in a horsey twin set) showed up just in time to watch.  Jordyn was really happy to see them.  The judge asked the girls for a walk, to demonstrate the jumping position and to reverse at the walk.   Both complied and looked sharp with their helmets, boots, braids and bows.

Amazingly, both girls were judged as a tie in the class and both ended up winning nice blue ribbons and a silver plate.  It is kind of a silly class yet makes all of us happy to see the little ones starting out on their ponies!

Lauren and Feather were off to do the “Green as Grass” class again.  They actually did four rounds over fences (so about 32 jumps) which was a new record for the mare.  Feather seemed to be remembering last show when she got spooked by the outside rail (of course, Dev and Lauren were blaming that on me) and Feather started all her rounds side-passing across the arena instead of nicely entering at a trot.  But once she got going, she was steadier than last time, pulled more correct lead changes, was straighter and had better pace. 

I enjoy writing my blog and appreciate those of you who comment from time to time but I have no way to know who actually reads the stories.  We were acquaintances with the judge, someone I deeply respect, who we met through her Corgi.  Sneaky (our Corgi) had an a short-lived affair with her dog, Nordic, that had produced no puppies.  Lauren was going down the hated outside wall when a lady sitting with the judge, abruptly stood up and scared Feather even more.  I heard the judge say, “Its alright Feather!”   I knew they had not announced Feather’s name so was a little confused.  Turns out the judge reads the blog!  It is awesome to learn I have followers out there that I do not even know about!

Somewhere around round three, Feather was getting tired with the heat and decided to refuse the outside jump near me (wasn’t my fault!).  It took Lauren a few tries and some gentle persuasiveness to get her back over the fence and headed to the next.  Actually, this week was not as good as her first show but we did double the rounds and asked more of her.  I was afraid we would have a little backwards before we got forwards momentum and we did.  But as Dev kept reminding me-it was Feather’s second show.  I need to calm down and let the mare have some time to learn.

We were not excited about going in for the flat class.  There were over 15 riders and some very nice horses.  We were both concerned about the outside wall and if Feather would just be too fussy (the flat is judged on the horse’s way of going, quietness, appropriateness as a hunter, ability to execute changes in gait from walk to trot and trot to canter and back to the walk).  Head throwing, not staying in a nice balanced frame and moving too fast or too slow are all negatives in this class.  But Feather did well.  Walked in, followed another horse straight down the outside line and executed all the commands as well as could be expected.  Maybe we should see if we can get a horse for Feather to follow through a jump course!  That could work.

No ribbons for our attempts over fences-we are still chasing the first over fence ribbon, but Feather moved up from last show to a sixth place out of 17 horses this week.  I was really proud of both of them.  In the end, Feather will be a jumper not the hunter we are showing her as today, moving fast, landing from the jump, turning and moving on.  But for a while, we must continue in the hunter ring so she can learn the basics.  Both Dev and my friend Gaylyn were urging patience and pride.  Patience in all we still needed to teach but pride in all she had accomplished so quickly.

I can’t wait for the next show and next.  Each time we are a little better and more goes well. 

After getting everyone home and Feather back to her pasturemates, Lauren and I spent the afternoon with mom.  It was a good day.  Made even better by the promise of our first break in the relentless summer heat this morning.

Kendyll sporting the horse show tee shirt. Aunt Ordee (Lauren) rides with Devereaux Sport Horses. So, Geaux (GO)-alright I will quit explaining.

It is a show weekend.  At this time last year, Mickey was sitting first (and would win the season) in Greater Houston Open Jumpers.  Leo was sitting second or third for the season and would end up fifth for the year in GHHJA along with picking up a couple of year end awards in the Gulf Coast Association as well.  Mickey is sick now.  Leo is gone to other green pastures.  It is unlikely there will be any awards at all this year.

A year ago, Feather wasn’t even a dot on our radar.  We didn’t even know that she existed.  Certainly, the existence or thought of Mimi wasn’t running through our heads.

Likewise, on the home front, Ally wasn’t pregnant with Kendyll yet.  My mother still seemed to know who I was-at least until I saw her at Christmas time.  My cousins Sharyl and Conner were alive.  Life changes.  We try to adapt.

Looking at it in this light, my own issues with my horses are pretty insignificant.  But they are illustrative of how we meander through life thinking the status quo will be maintained.  We think our family will be here to share our future times.  We think our family is complete and are blessed with a new baby.  We think our horses will run forever and they get stopped short of our goals.

This weekend, Feather will be Lauren’s only entry in the horse show.  Where Lauren was jumping 3’6″ and beyond last year at lightening speed, she will enter the ring in the lowest of classes (2’3″) and hope for a slow, steady, cautious ride.  I don’t mean to suggest it will be any less work for her or the horse.  Each class (and stage of the horse’s progression) takes its own delicate hand to master.  Feather did well at her first show.  Hopefully, each show builds on the success of the last.  But just like last night when I took Mimi in the ring for round two of training, she should have been better but she was actually behaving worse than her first day.  My old horse Mariah was a model of the rule of diminishing returns.  For the first couple days in any week of training, she improved, then come day three or four, she would be digress.  Then we would start over again, improving, growing a little more. But overall, the horses move forward, mature and get better.

Jordyn will be on hand to ride her Snowney in the Leadline class.  I expect him to be as dependable as ever.  In fact, he is really the only thing in my horse world that has stayed the same during this long year of change.

The horse show weekends are not the same without the excitement and adrenaline provided by Mickey jumping a course. However, I do not necessarily miss Leo jumping a course in his hair raising, crazy way.  Nor do I worry so much about Lauren being hurt-although it could happen.  My trailer is clearly better off for Leo moving on.  So are my nerves.

I will still hope for a good round amongst the three Feather and Lauren will complete at the show.  I will enjoy being with our show friends and the camaraderie shared while waiting for classes to be called in 100 degree barn.  It is showtime and I am ready for new beginnings.