Wow, lots to talk about:)

Hello all! I'm feeling particularly cheerful (though a little cold) since I've been able to work my boy 4 days this week, woo hoo! He has yet another booboo on his NECK. Anyone else out there in bloggerland who's horse gets nasty gashes on their neck? It's quite annoying; my theory is that since it's so cold and yucky out, that when he's turned out all he does is keep his face buried in the round bale, and the round bale is in a feeder. So I think he's catching himself on the feeder. I HATE those things, but what am I to do? I can't afford to buy the barn owners a new one, so I either deal with it, or move. I have NO desire to move, I love my barn. Sooo ... guess I deal with the nicks and cuts and quit whining about it;)

I was awarded a cool award called the "Stylish Blogger Award", which makes me laugh! These days, I am bundled up in 3 pairs of pants, warm muck boots, and as many shirts as I can stand and still move around in. Makeup, what's that? And hair? OK, let's not talk about the hair ... So, thanks to Marissa at http://www.tuckerthewunderkind.blogspot.com/ for her nice shoutout! Let's see, I am supposed to come up with 7 facts about me, and pass on the award to 15 "new" bloggers. I don't follow a ton of blogs, so I will have to see how many I can come up with!

7 Random facts, in no particular order:

1. My favorite TV show in the entire world is "The Amazing Race". My husband and I have a closet fantasy of one day being on this show.

2. I have seriously been wanting a stick shift car again! I haven't had one in about 10 years, and I miss driving one.

3. I am SUPER excited about my 32nd birthday gift to myself ... my 6th tattoo! I will post pics once it has been applied to my skin:)

4. I am crazy, super grateful for my girlfriends. I have always been a bit of a "loner" type of girl, and it's nice to know that I have a core group of girls I know I can count on.

5. I would love to write and publish a book but I don't think I have the talent for it.

6. I REALLY hate to clean my house. Like, despise it. If I were to win the lottery, I would TOTALLY have someone else do it.

7. And finally ... I am a procrastinator. I PROMISE I will really start to work on that tomorrow ... ;)

And, a list of 15 blogs! Wow, let's see how it goes:)

1. http://www.tuckerthewunderkind.blogspot.com/

2. http://retreadeventer.blogspot.com/

3. http://shiverandemmy.blogspot.com/

4. http://eventing-a-gogo.blogspot.com/

5. http://jumping-percheron.blogspot.com/

6. http://afatgirlafathorse.blogspot.com/

7. http://laughingdownthelines.blogspot.com/

8. http://thegmchronicles.blogspot.com/

9. http://sineadchalpin.blogspot.com/

10. http://defyinggravityeventing.blogspot.com/

11. http://laineashker.blogspot.com/

And ... we stop there! These are the most recent of my blog followings ... I just don't have time to keep up with 20+ blogs ... especially if they're like me and update 2-4 times per week!

So, it always surprises me to realize that people actually actually READ my blog. I write out all these post primarily for my own amusement, so that on a day like today when I'm working a 20 m circle to a counter canter, to a flying change, I can remember the days when Tiki couldn't even maintain a TROT RHYTHM. I vividly remember my frustration when we would be trotting a million miles an hour and not going anywhere. He would shake his head, hollow his back, and scissor those hind legs! I hope that in all my ramblings, someone can glean a small tidbit of information that may help them avoid mistakes I have made with my boy; or even to "break through", and have a lightbulb moment.

I won't go on with a bunch of details since I did the "stylish blog" shoutout; I will save that post for the weekend:) I didn't ride Tuesday because I was SO SORE from Monday, and I did a dressage school Wednesday and today, and longed him yesterday. It was so COLD today, brrr! Temp was hovering right around freezing all day. I will blog this weekend about specifics; suffice it to say, it has been a pretty decent week:)

Maybe this one will work ...

Posted an update yesterday, but somehow, Blogger ate it! I am So Sore. Like, crazy sore:) Remember how I'd said we would probably postpone our trip to Patchwork to lesson with Janet? Yeah, well, we didn't postpone. Nicole and I shipped our fresh little ponies to the barn and had a lesson.

Tiki man hasn't jumped since December 5. Since that time, he had one hack, and one hill session. Considering these facts, the lesson went surprisingly well. We spent too much time on trying to get Tiki in front of the leg, and go big but slow. He was very much resembling a tense sewing machine, which is just what happens when he's fresh. So, I fought with that for about half an hour, and finally he did settle in ok. Jumping was exactly what I'd planned to do on Friday; gymnastics!

It was a simple 3 trot poles to a crossrail, one stride to an oxer. He did GREAT with the jumping. My timing was a little off, but even I wasn't that bad. The gymnastics were perfect, and the final time through felt REALLY good. Overall, a good day I'd say. He needs a clip job and a bath, but other than that, is in a great weight.

Janet really thinks that if I were to get his hocks injected, I would have a different horse. She is pretty sure that he would be so comfortable, he would just do an amazing job. I'm going to have him evaluated; the vet is supposed to come out and do some mainenence stuff on some of the horses, so I will have him flex and check the boy. Sigh ... why do horses have to cost so much $$???

Snowmageddon!

So ... I have NOT ridden the muffin man since Friday. It snowed Monday, and we have been iced in ever since! Didn't teach lessons all week, but I will be coaching my other IEA team this weekend. Hope the roads are ok! The ones around my town are good, but I've been hearing reports that some of the roads elsewhere can be a little sketchy.

Muffin got his annual shots and his Coggins pulled today. Poor boy. At least he will have the weekend to recover. Rain is supposed to come in Monday, but at least temps are supposed to get up above 29, woo hoo! Probably won't trailer out to Patchwork Monday since I haven't done more than a light hack with Tiki in 5 weeks. Had hoped to have a nice full week this week in preparation, but that didn't happen, so will probably postpone the lesson for a few weeks.

Sorry I have nothing more to report! Hopefully I'll have a good blog post on Monday:)

Frustrated beyond belief

ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

2011, you suck so far. Ok, that's all. And no worries, Tiki's fine.

Home before the storm ...

Well, made it home to GA just in time for snow, ice, and general mayhem. We had a LOVELY time on our trip; everything went smooth as glass. Arrived in Panama City Beach around 6ish, checked into our hotel (RIGHT on the beach:)), then went to find some food. Ended up at a Red Robin hamburger joint, and it was quite yummy:) Secured dessert from the Great American Cookie Company, then headed back. Went out for a quick walk on the beach where we acertained that it was cold when the wind blew, and neither the pool or the hottub were hot. Bummer. Went to bed, then ended up waking up an hour earlier than we intended because ... oh, that's a long story;)

Headed over to Ocala, thinking it would be around 2:30 before we arrived. GPS said it would be more like 11:48. COOL! Coordinated with the sales guy, stayed on track, arrived at 11:48 on the dot, and right away saw my trailer sitting right up front with a "sold" sticker on it. *GRIN* Took my first look at it, and impressions are that it's been sitting for awhile. Inside smelled musty, but in good shape. Paint is not chipped, but it is dull. Wheels have a little bit of rust, and the rear lug nut covers are gone. Some baked on tape residue from the for sale sign that had obviously been taped to it. But the trailer seems to be sound, pulled like a dream, and all the lights work.

Got to Jekyll Island right around 2:30. Stopped into the visitor's center, and spent about 20 minutes talking to the lady; got a lot of GREAT information, and decided on a hotel. Drove straight there, checked in, then took bicycles for a 10 mile trek around half the island. Kody did SO good! He has NEVER biked that far, and David and I haven't ridden bikes the entire time we've been together (14 years). It was absolutely lovely. Towards the end, we were all sort of dying, and Kody definitely needed some encouragement, but we made it back to the hotel, parked the bikes, then hoofed it next door to a local restaurant. Had a fantastic dinner, then walked back to the room (which was VERY nice and personable) and headed out to the heated pool. Um, pool was NOT heated, haha. So headed over to the heated hot tub ... and thank goodness, that WAS heated. Stayed in for about 30 minutes, then retired to our room for the night.

Got the trailer safely home and parked in the driveway, and now sitting tucked in at home awaiting the snow/ice storm about to hit GA. I think Tiki will NOT be having a dressage school tomorrow;)

The day finally arrived!

The boy was a total ROCKSTAR today! And I'm going to take just a *smidge* of credit. I have done a pretty decent job training him. I remember vividly what he felt like this time last year. Leaning, fast, head above the bit, inconsistent ... today, he felt strong, fresh, fit, and happy.:)

As I cleaned his feet, I noticed it did not APPEAR that he went out last night. Sooo ... just to be on the safe side, I took the longe line up with me. Clipped it on, and waited patiently while he didn't do much to the left. Reversed, and he was a little more fresh to the right. My friend's horse, Captain, likes to RUN every time Tiki comes in the ring ... and he started doing that just as he started tracking right.

His eye strayed to Captain, he bowed his neck, and WHAM! HUGE buck, lol. I think Tiki has to think about how to buck. He waits, measures, holds his breath, then PUSHES off the ground. It is actually really fun to watch, haha. I patiently waited until he appeared to finally go, "OK", then swung into the saddle!

He felt so good. Did a nice long walk, then a trot on a loose rein. No butt swinging, no short choppy steps, and no head above the bit. He had a FORWARD trot, and stretched his head down, seeking contact. He felt very steady and strong. Did some working walk/super slow trot transitions, and that went ok. I have a whole list of exercises to work on Monday, and that's one of them. When I went to canter, I had to stand because his canter was massive. It almost felt like he wanted to get a little bucky, but never did. I half halted and sat tall, and he stayed on a nice rhythm. Made myself finish after about 15 minutes or so. I longed him almost 10 minutes, and I didn't want to start back too much too fast. I want to take my time and ease back into work on a reasonable time table.

Tomorrow will be hills unless something nuts happens, then next week will HOPEFULLY be a normal work load week. They're talking now about some crappy, freezing precip weather at the beginning of the week, so we'll just have to play it by ear, I guess. Got a lesson at Patchwork with Janet planned for next Monday; can't WAIT!

And don't want to jinx it, but I've paid a deposit, so it's almost a done deal! Leaving tomorrow afternoon to head south to Ocala, FL to go buy a trailer! I am SO excited!!!! It's a 2001 Horton trailer (which I had been LOOKING for, but they're HARD to find) that's a straight load with a ramp and dutch doors. So, hubby and I planned a little "getaway" with our son for the weekend. Leave tomorrow and head to Panama City. Stay there for the night, head straight to Ocala to pick up the trailer Saturday, then drive from there towards Jekyll Island, where we'll most likely stay Saturday night. Sunday, we'll take our time and meander a little then head home. Super excited!!! Can't wait!!! I have been waiting for 3 years to FINALLY have my own trailer. Happy, happy day:):)

Month long break ... OVER!:)

Yay for the pony FINALLY being back to work today! He reacted EXACTLY how I suspected he would, lol. Got him out to remove his blanket and brush him; he was touchy and nippy, as usual. Tacked him up with the dressage bridle and the surcingle; took up the dressage whip and actually did a little bit "in hand" work for the first time. Marched forward, halt, then march back, engaging the hocks and working on promptness. TOTH, repeat. Then, I worked on bending his nose into his side; definitely more flexible on the left side. Spent about 5 minutes on that, then warmed him up. PERFECT and gentlemanly at the walk. Crack the whip, say "trot", and airs above the ground! It was so cute. After he came back to earth, he did some LOVELY w/t/w/t transitions both directions. Then the canter; as soon as I cracked the whip and uttered the words, I got the leap and SQUEAL:) He is so predictible, lol. Did some cross canter, some counter canter, some flat out running, then settled in and did some good w/t/c/t/c/t/w/c etc. transitions. He looked really good. Sound, fresh, and ready to get back to work! Tomorrow I will do a super light hack in the waterford, then hills Friday. Can't WAIT to actually RIDE him again, woo hoo!!:)