My Last Busy Monday

MEGAN: Today I was at the barn by 8:00 am and helped feed. I had Paddock #2 so divided my time from about 8:15 am to 1:45 pm dressing, turning out, and undressing horses, cleaning my stall, walking my horse, doing lots of laundry, scrubbing buckets, and cleaning out trunks. At 2:00 pm we went to Heather’s house to swim. It was sooooo hot all day. I was sweating from about 8:30 am on! After swimming we went back to the barn to feed. I was in charge of Mica’s barn, so I fed, scooped breakfast, and swept both the tackroom and feedroom. Nikki stopped at the grocery and I got a single serving of light ice cream, lettuce, and cheese for tacos. One cold shower later, I am off to study for AP Bio and memorize some Latin and Greek roots. Yea…

SIMBA: I am so tired of this heat. Mom took me for a walk and for grass, but the bugs were so bad that we were not out for more than 20 minutes. Nexus took off running in one of the pastures, and I wanted to go too! Mom wouldn’t let me, though. Silly girl. Running is fun- she of all people should know that! I spent the rest of my day eating and trying to catch a stray breeze out my window. I am ready for some cold Michigan winters right about now!

Good Mistake

MEGAN: I was up at 5:00 this morning and after a quick trip to Dunkin Doughnuts, where I enjoyed a bagel and cream cheese for breakfast, Annie, Mica, and I all did hay, water, and stalls. After a quick walk, I began braiding Simba, then watched Mica and Annie ride, being the official photographer for the latter. After my photography duties were over, I finished braiding Simba and went through my test in my head. Then Mr. Simba got groomed, tacked up, and I got all my stuff- stock tie, hair net, etc.- on my body miraculously straight, thanks to the mirror. We went out and warmed up about 11:00 am and were both drenched by the time we went in the ring. We had what I thought was a good test, and after one last bath, Simba was once again settled in front of his fan, happily eating lunch. I then cleaned all my tack, changed into cooler clothes, helped pack, and did an interview with Lindy Kennet for the Yankee Horseman’s Peddler. After the interview I helped pack some more, then went to watch Laura ride her first-ever Prix St. George. Congrats, Laura! I picked up my test right before her ride- I got a 62% with the comments that it was too forward and not collected enough. Well, who ever would have guessed someone would say Simba was too forward? I guess that is a good mistake... Upon returning to the barn with a new halter for Simba (on sale of course) I finished up with the packing and got the horses on the trailer. Laura and I followed a few minutes later after getting her scores, and arrived at Gleneden before anyone else. Impressive, huh!? We then unloaded the horses, stuff, and put everything away before returning home. I carried all my stuff upstairs then went for an hour run. After a shower and some studying, I am off to bed. What a hot and tiring day!!!!

SIMBA: This constant state of sweating is getting old. I am sick of showing in the heat. Mom, you complained about that show in the rain- what was wrong with that!? I am so happy to have survived another trailer ride and now be enjoying my bran mash and hay for the night. What a weekend! I am so off to bed once I am done.

A Morgan at Grand Prix!

MEGAN: We were at the barn by 7:00 am and I once again helped with stalls, hay, and water. Then I groomed my horse and took him out for a quick walk, just around the pond on the showgrounds. When I took him back to the barn Annie braided him for me- my hand is still pretty sore and swollen. Thanks, Annie! They look beautiful. I then tacked him up, did my hair, and tied my stock tie. He looked gorgeous, and I had my coat and still-fairly-clean white britches on. We went out to the warm upon and worked with Lendon, but I did not do enough lateral work or mediums. So, our test lacked bend in the shoulder-in and renvere and I made one mistake by halting at X instead of I. Overall it was an OK test, but we (meaning, of course, I) can do better. So, after a bath with nice lineament and cooling off in front of the fan (for Simba, not me), I cleaned Simba’s tack and set all my stuff out to dry. Then I went for a run- 400’s, and one 800 and mile. The mile was a 6:09, the 800 a 3:00, and the 400’s from 1:33 to 1:24. Yay! Boy, was it hot, and I spent the rest of my day watching rides, helping untack horses, helping Theresa with D4K stuff, and working on my blog. The Grand Prix freestyles were tonight, and there was a great Morgan gelding competing! He was soooo cute (but not cuter than you, Sonny!) and I got to enjoy some cheese, crackers, and other appetizers while watching. After the freestyles, a group of us went out to eat. Stella’s Station, where we had gone two nights ago, was once again the restaurant of choice. I could not handle any more greasy food, so I just sipped water and enjoyed chatting with friends of Annie and Mica’s met through the Instructor Certification Program. We went back to the barn to do night check, and then drove around Saugerties to locate a Dunkin Doughnuts for the next morning. After a cool shower and a few minutes of School of Rock, I was out like a light.

SIMBA: Mom made me work in the heat again today. Though it was earlier, it sure was a blistering hot ride, and I did not want to leave my stall for the rest of the day. I just sat in front of my fan, ate all my meals with gusto, and sweated. What a day. I most certainly am ready to go home- cool grassy fields, shaded trails through the woods, and peace and quiet. Just one more day, right Mom?

Long, Hot, and Great!

MEGAN: I got up at 6:00 this morning, went to the barn, and helped water, hay, and do stalls. Then I groomed and walked my horse and talked to Lendon about giving Simba meds with his stomach upset. We decided to just keep an eye on him, and I spent my morning grazing, walking, grooming, picking stalls, and generally prepping myself for my class at 1:38 pm. I had a nice warm-up, though I got on about 7 minutes too early for my warm-up with Lendon. We had a good test (1st 4) with two mistakes- my seat changed in the loop on the counter canter so my wonderful, trained horse did a flying change!! He also misinterpreted an aid into the trot as a canter aid, so we got a 5 on both those movements. But, I got an 8 on rider with a 69% and won the Jr/Yr division and was second overall! After hosing my horse, cleaning my tack, and drying all my wet show clothes, I went for a 45 or 50 minute run around the showgrounds and after that, got to watch the Grand Prix. After some appetizers (i.e. dinner) we (Annie, Mica, and I) got ice cream and did nightcheck, then showered and went to bed. What a day- long, hot, and great!

SIMBA: Mom took good care of me this morning, walking me over to that grass I’d been eyeing since yesterday to eat, and scrubbing my buckets with care. Then, she put all my tack on and expected me to work in this heat! When she put that saddle on, I turned and looked at her- I couldn’t believe it! Oh, well, I went out and did my job, though Mom messed up a perfectly good test with some silly mistakes. I got a nice bath after my test, with Vetrolin and cold, cold water. Ah… Now I am resting in my stall, munching my nightcheck hay. Mom watched the Grand Prix then came back to give me my hay and water. I am tired, but relaxing as the heat disappears. What a long, hot day!! I am going to get some rest, so I can perform tomorrow. Night, all!

Another Day of Travel

MEGAN: Today is Thursday, and the truck leaves at 11:00. Before it goes, I must do turnouts, indoor cleaning, my stall, handgraze my horse, send an application for the USDF Youth Convention, clean the barn, and ride my horse at home (it’s supposed to rain in Saugerties). I also need to clean my tack and pack all my tack once it is clean. Needless to say, it was a busy morning, but I got everything done and my stuff and horse on the truck headed to the HITS Showgrounds. We unloaded the horses, gave them hay and water, and unloaded everything off the truck. Shavings were next, then the rest of our tack. I tacked up Luke for Patty and tried to scrub my horse’s socks- but only succeeded in getting kicked in the hand. So, then of course, Simba began kicking at his side and ignoring his food, so we walked him twice and checked to make sure he drank (he did- 1 bucket full) before heading to the hotel. After a shower I was asleep.

SIMBA: Mom rode me this morning, then put shipping boots on me and stuck me on another truck. We traveled for two hours and then Annie took me off the truck and I was in the same barn as, what, four days ago? I am nervous. All this traveling is upsetting my stomach- I am not hungry, and my belly hurts. Mom has taken me out for lots of walks, but I am still a bit under the weather. I am dozing off, so I will fill you in on how I feel tomorrow.

Half Vacay, Half Work

MEGAN: I woke up at 6:00 am, ran on the boardwalk, and went to daily Mass at St. Catheine’s cathedral with Mom this morning. Then, we drove to Lendon’s, Einstein in hand, after saying good bye to Yaya and Poppop. Mom and I enjoyed a traffic-filled ride, and upon reaching the house I changed, un-loaded all of my fresh fruit, and went to the stable to ride. Simba was a bit tired, even after being hand walked yesterday, so we worked for about 50 minutes on forward/bending. When he had a bath and grass, I helped scoop the Main barn, cleaned the Hunter Barn aisle, feed, and tack room, feed, water, and rescooped the Hunter Barn, and finally spent two hours packing for the show and cleaning up in Mica’s barn. Once home, I ran (just a short one) and worked on my application for the USDF Youth Convention Scholarship (a most-expenses-paid trip to the annual USDF convention to be held in Austin, TX this year). I then had brown rice, marinara, turkey, and New Jersey sweet corn for dinner. Yum! I am so full, and am very happy to be going to sleep.

SIMBA: Mom came back today! She gave me lots of treats and took me for grass (all of that was after work) and I saw her packing- uh oh! Looks like another show. I am a bit tired, but will work hard for you, Mom- even in this heat. Phew! What a hot day! I will see you tomorrow, hopefully in the shade!

Day of Vacay

MEGAN: Today was a lovely day, though quite hot. It began with sleeping in, a 1.5 hour run to Asbury Park and back on the boardwalk, a cold shower, and lunch at Einstein Bagels. Then Yaya, Mom, Katie, and I went to the market and A+P to get veggies and other groceries, respectively. After finishing the errands up with the bank, we went to Lily Pulitzer to shop- and both girls got dresses, my mother got a polo, and I found nothing. Sad, huh!? Yaya took me to Talbot’s, and there I found two tops to wear with my dress pants and a white tank top to go under tops. Mom found shoes (shocking- she can never find shoes she likes, and these were on sale!) and I very much enjoyed my first trip to Talbot’s. After taking everyone else home, Mom and I went to the library, to get photos developed, and to the Five and Dime to get a mirror for show season- or what’s left of it! Upon returning home I took a ten minute rest and helped with dinner (hot dogs), then went to the beach with Mom just to walk and feel the water. The night ended with Hoffman’s’ Ice Cream- Coconut Joy!!! Ah, bliss... I greatly enjoyed my day of vacation- or vacay, as Katie (my little sister) would call it!

SIMBA: Mom totally abandoned me. Those other girls cleaned my stall and took me for a walk- boy, am I insulted. After all that work this weekend she has to leave me for those girls to take care of. Well, at least I didn’t have to work. Mom had better be back by tomorrow, or else…

Day of... Work

MEGAN: I got my extra hour this morning (it is indeed Monday), and then headed for the barn for the regular chores. Also, I helped unload and organize all the stuff from the show and unload the D4K trailer. That sounds simple, but it is quite a job- a two horse trailer with a tack room filled almost to the roof with various boxes, Tupperware containers, cases of water, easels, posters, tablecloths, and fake potted flowers… I carried it all out of the trailer and Rachel and Hannah carried it all up the stairs to the hay loft. We brought the horses in a bit early because it was so hot, and swam at Susan Rubin's pool. That was sooo nice! Now I am headed back to NJ to spend some time with my family; Lendon’s flowers are all watered and Simba is all set for tomorrow. He gets another day off with handwalks and some grass, which will be nice for all the hard work he’s done in the past weekend. Well, Night!

SIMBA: I enjoyed my second day of rest, but hear that Mom is leaving me tomorrow. I am quite disappointed- let’s see if the rumor is true! All I had to do was enjoy my hay, get some grass, and walk around my beautiful home. So nice and relaxing after a long weekend of showing!

THE FESTIVAL!!!

MEGAN: On the morning of the Festival, I was up at 4:40 am (after almost sleeping through my alarm) and when Annie drove up in front of the house at 5:00 am, I loaded all of my stuff for the show and helped the other girls load the things Lendon wanted us to bring. We went to the stable and did our stalls, and we loaded all the horses and equipment (including 21 bales of shavings and 9 bales of hay) and had left by 6:50 am- a bit later than planned, but not so late that anyone would miss their ride in the schooling show. I drove up with Fern’s trailer and all of the D4K stuff with Annie at the wheel, studying furiously for the written test that night. We arrived just a few minutes after the horses and after unloading the shavings and getting some down in the stalls, we took the horses off and got the rest of the stuff off the truck. After giving water and hay, we organized all our stuff and I went to check in at the show office. I got my packet, and then began setting up for the used tack sale. After about 20 minutes I realized that it would take me hours to do it alone, so returned to the barn, walked my horse, and brought back helpers to finish up. Around 11:45 I groomed and tacked up Simba, and we had a little lesson with Annie at 12:40. Simba felt very tight throughout his whole body, not surprisingly due to a 2 hour trailer ride from Bedford to Saugerties. Getting Simba loose and bending from side to side was the goal of our short ride, and after about a half hour we finished up and took him back to the barn. I bathed him and after grazing for a bit, took him back and studied for about 20 minutes. Then, the braiding for the jog at four ensued. He looked so beautiful- gleaming, braided, and ready for our first ever jog! I took him out and jogged him down the road and kept him moving until it was our turn. Then, I took him in the ring, introduced Simba and I and stated our number, and did the pattern. You walked down a straightaway and upon reaching two potted plants, picked up a trot until a single potted plant about 30 yards away. Then you walked around the turn to the right, and trotted back in a straight line toward the judge. Simba and I, just as we had practiced, did it correctly and Pam Goodrich was very pleased with our presentation. Lendon, unbeknownst to me, also saw it and was happy with our work. Proud as can be, we walked back to the barn and gave Simba dinner, and began to decorate his stall a little for the team theme- “Gleneden Gladiators”. Decorating lasted only about 10 minutes, and then I began to study for the written test- last minute review is always a good thing before the test!! After Lendon’s opening comments, she invited Fr. Mack, a priest who helped to sponsor the Festival and writes for Dressage Daily to pray and begin the test. I finished with the last group of kids, and after returning to the barn, walked Simba again, gave him night check hay, and decorated his stall in the team theme. Mom finished grading tests at about 9:30 pm and after I finished cleaning all my tack, all of us (me, Christopher- my brother, and Mom) went back to the hotel and crashed for the night. The next morning, we were at the stable by 5:45 am so I could feed all the horses, give Simba water, do his stall, walk him, and braid him before volunteering at 7:00 am until 9:00 and riding at 10:35. So, after taking care of feed and walking Simba, I did his stall and finished all of the re-braiding (except 2 at the bottom of his neck) because he had laid down in the shavings and gotten his braids completely covered in sawdust! At five to 7:00 am, I rushed off to the volunteer booth and worked for Mrs. Aiken for two hours. I was a scribe to start, then organized supplies, then checked on all the roving trainers and ring stewards, and finished up with some labeling. At 9:00 I ran back to the stable and finished my braiding, groomed Simba, changed, tacked him up, and presented myself for the turnout inspection. At 10:00 am I had a lesson with Annie, and after a warm-up walk, we worked on getting Simba laterally loose and supple. He felt really good and about ten minutes before our ride, we left Annie and went into the big arena to let Simba see all of the new sights and get used to the big warm up ring. Then, we went in to do our test. Simba was good- in front of my leg, and really seeming to enjoy showing off. Michael Barisone was our judge, and after we had completed the test (Second Level test 2) he said that I presented Simba very well and that we rode a great test. His comments were to sit back a bit more to encourage the horse to come up and forward in front of me, and to go more uphill. I was very pleased with our test, and took Simba back to his stall to rest in front of his fan for about 30 minutes before it was time to tack up again for our First Level test. We warmed up very quickly with Annie to avoid wearing Simba out, and rode our First Level test 2 in front of Kathy Connelly. I felt the ride that Simba was very good, but I was lacking something in my riding. I honestly don’t know what it lacked, but I felt that something was missing. Anyway, she told us that it was a lovely test, and the only thing she wanted to see improve were the downward transitions from the canter lengthenings. Pleased, I took Simba back to Barn 4 and gave him a bath, hoping that he would feel refreshed after a cool bath and standing in front of his fan with his lunch. I got to eat lunch and greet Donna, a family friend who came down to the show from Vermont to watch me compete. Then, after cleaning Simba’s stall again, I groomed him and tacked him up for the last class of the day: Second Level Equitation. I will admit, when I was grazing Simba after his bath, that I was worried that he would be tired for our last class. He is not a high-energy horse by nature, and three classes on a fairly warm August day is a lot after a two-hour trailer ride the day before. We went for a walk down the road, then went to warm up in the general warm up area. Annie gave me a few pointers and Donna brought me my back number, which I almost forgot, and then we went into the equitation ring, trotted around the warm up a few times, and began our class. Simba was wonderful- it may have been that he did not like the different arena, or maybe he just turned on the performance charm, but he was so forward and fancy! We used our corners well, and because the other horses in the class were so much smaller than Simba, we did lots of voltes and other figures to get ourselves enough space to show the judge just what we could do. I was so pleased with our class- he was such a superstar!! Mom and Donna both said that he looked great, and I was so happy! We got a great picture of Simba and me, and then Simba got a bath with Vetrolin and enjoyed the rest of his day in front of the fan. After cleaning all my tack, re-organizing my cluttered trunk, and cleaning Simba’s stall again, I volunteered for about a half-hour, and then went up to the pavilion for a demonstration ride and pizza party. After the party was the parade of teams, when we marched in with our teams and received the team results from the show. We were the second place team in the B Division, and received a set of portraits and a bumper sticker from Dressage Today. Now was the time I found out how I placed for the weekend, so let me explain how the show was scored and where I placed in my whole division as well as individual classes. There are three parts to the show: written test, dressage test, and equitation class. Each counts for 100 points (written test out of 100, dressage test out of 100, and an equitation score out of 100) and when all three are added together, they are divided by 3 and you are left with an average score. So, in my Second Level test I received a 68% and placed fourth in my class. In my First Level test, I got a 73% and won the class. My written test score, after a bit of confusion with the scoring, turned out to be a 96% and I was first in my Second Level division and second in my First Level division. For the equitation if you are entered in two divisions, you only ride the higher equitation class and take that score for both divisions. I won the class with a 97- I was very happy because I have been working on my position especially for the Festival! This left me the winner of both the First and Second Level divisions!! I was sooo excited and very, very proud of my superstar Simba. So, after taking care of him for the night we went back to the hotel and I wrote an essay on why he deserved the Umego Schoolmaster Award and studied for the Stable Management Competition to be held at 8:00 am the next day. The next morning, I was at the barn at 6:45 am to feed, water, groom, and clean Simba’s stall. He was actually the horse that was used for the Stable Management Competition, so luckily all his tack was clean! I went over to the designated area for the competition and fitted a bridle and identified the different components of sweet feed, then volunteered for about an hour and a half around my award ceremonies for First and Second Level. For First Level I received a Youth Dressage Festival Champion jacket and gloves, as well as a ribbon and medal. County Saddlery sponsored my Second Level division, and I won an Amigo cooler, gloves, and a saddle to be custom-fit to Simba and I!!!! Mom was crying and I was simply shocked and overwhelmed. It felt like some sort of fairy tale that you did not dare believe to be true for fear that you would wake up and it would all be over. Then, at the Special Award ceremony, Simba won the Umego Schoolmaster Award and I won the Pikona Memorial Trophy, given to the highest-scoring rider on a Hanoverian. The last surprise (and probably the biggest of the entire show) was that I was also the Grand Champion and highest-scoring rider of the entire show!!! I received a sash, embroidered cooler, and 22” HD Insignia TV!! I can not describe how amazing this day has been- while walking and grazing Simba waiting for the truck (we did not load the stuff and horses until 5:00 pm) I was in an absolute state of shock. I could not believe that all of this happened to me. Who ever would have thought? The horses arrived safely home and after unloading them and all of our stuff we went home, had Chinese and Rainbow cake, and went to bed. I also washed all of my show stuff and had Lendon look at my tests- she said that we need to work on the halts (i.e. I need to demand that Simba do it correctly every time) and that our First Level test was fantastic. Yay! Hopefully, with a bit more work on Second Level, we can achieve scores like that as well. I am off to bed a happy, happy girl, floating into dreamland on a golden cloud of pure bliss.

SIMBA: Mom packed me up onto a trailer again and took me to HITS, where I travel nearly every year. I settled in pretty quickly, and though I was tight from that long trailer ride, felt pretty good otherwise. After a light ride to “work the kinks out” we did our very first jog. I am a pro, and Mom stayed out of my way, so it went pretty well. Mom took good care of me, and I slept well that first night. The next morning I got breakfast early, which made me very happy, and Mom redid my braids. She took me out for a walk first thing, and then I got to eat for awhile before she reappeared, groomed me, and put all my tack on. Thankfully we didn’t warm up too long and I felt good for my test. I heard all of those nice things the judge said about me- I really am quite a star! Mom took me right back to the barn and let me stand in my stall with the fan on for a little rest, then took me back out to do it all over again. This time we were in a different ring and did a different test, and once again the judge was quite impressed with me! Ah, it does feel good to be recognized for one’s hard work. By the end of the weekend with one more class under my belt, I was the Grand Champion and winner of two awards- I sure have earned it and do deserve it!

Study, Study, Study

MEGAN: Today, as usual, after the normal morning chores, I did my stall and water and took Simba out for an extra- long hand graze. Again, we practiced for the vet jog, and with a little tune-up tomorrow, we should be in good shape. I tacked up and went for a short hack, then cleaned Simba’s boots and saddle pads for the Festival. After most of his stuff was ready to go (including grain, which took a nice chunk of time), I did laundry in the office and packed some general show supplies. Around 12:00 I hacked Melos out in the field, and then after unsuccessfully attempting to help Mica scrub Eubie’s name off the front of his boots (where his devoted groom had wrote his name 3 times per boot with a Sharpie), hacked Deauville as well. With all the horses I rode today I worked on my position- Heels and Leg Down, Beach Ball Elbows, Hands Steady, Eyes UP! I think that I have replaced some of that bad muscle memory, but I will have to work at it for weeks to correct these flaws permanently. Rachel, Hannah, and I all cleaned out Fern’s trailer and carried tack down from the loft in the Hunter barn to be sold at the D4K Tack Sale and finished packing for all 5 horses going to the show. Apparently Lendon told Rachel that she and I are the most experienced and in charge- and the responsibility of packing (also known as remember everything you could possibly need for 5 horses 2 hours away from home for 3 days while you are judged on pretty much everything and under lots of stress) lies on our shoulders. Phew! After cleaning up the aisle and throwing 20 bags of shavings and 9 hay bales down for the next day, they went to ride a pony and I went home to run. After a tempo and running through my test- literally- in the outdoor, I showered, ate, and packed food and clothes for me. I am now off to fold laundry and study for about 3 hours for the written test- the prizelist, notes, and questions from Dr. Keener about her favorite topic, teeth! Yay! Thanks soooooo much Keener! Night all! Let’s hope my shoulders are strong enough to carry the weight of 5 horses, hay, shaving, wire cutters, a hose, grain, saddles, oh- bungee cords for fans…

SIMBA: We didn’t have to work in the arena today! Yay! Mom had to get me going forward even in the walk to start and I didn’t relax much because a big storm seemingly was rolling in, but the woods were nice and cool and Mom put my ear net on so the deer flies couldn’t eat me alive. Thanks, Mom. Well, I see show stuff again! Here we go Mom, off to strut our stuff in style. Better get some rest if I am expected to perform!!

Packing and Prepping for the Festival

MEGAN: Today began with the usual- feeding, turnouts, and the indoor. After doing my stall and water buckets, I took Simba out for an extra-long hand graze and we also practiced for the vet jog at the Festival. After some laundry and cleaning up in the Hunter barn a bit, I tacked up Simba for our 11:30 lesson with Lendon. We went through our two tests for the Festival, and I rode him decently- the heat was horrible, and I did not stay on top of keeping him forward very well. After a bath and cleaning up some of the equipment in my trunk, I did more laundry and scooped dinner in Mica’s barn. Then Deauville and I worked lightly in the field- I worked mostly on my position in preparation for the equitation section of the Festival. Deauville also got a bath, then I unloaded Breyer horses from the back of Lendon’s car, put them into white coolers, and went to the hayloft in the Hunter barn to clean and carry boxes of “important stuff” (as opposed to the not-important stuff) down to the driveway to load into Lendon’s car for the Festival. After feeding Simba dinner, I loaded all of the important stuff into Lendon’s car with Rachel and then we went home. I ran, showered, and had dinner. After a study session with Laurelyn about teeth, I am off to finish my note-taking for that book and hopefully read through all my notes on the other book. Ah, studying in the summer. I don’t mind it- as long as it’s about horses!

SIMBA: Boy, am I tired. I have worked hard for two weeks in a row. It has been 85 degrees all week, and I am up for a trip to Alaska or Greenland to run with the Icelandic horses. Maybe they will teach me how to tolt… Anyway, I hear that we are hacking tomorrow. Finally! A horse needs his light days too, Mom. Well, I am off to catch some zs. It’s been a long, hot day on the home front!

Coming Right Along

MEGAN: This morning began as usual- turnouts, feeding, the indoor- then I tacked Simba up and had a lesson with Lendon. We worked on the medium trot and turn on forehand, haunches, and rein back. After cleaning my horse, his tack, stall, brushes, water, and painting his feet with turpentine (at the farrier’s request), I did laundry, scooped, and did saddles in Mica’s barn. At the end of the day Hannah and I also organized all of the D4K stuff in the hay loft. There are about 15 garbage bags full of stuff for the tack sale this weekend and cleaning it is tomorrow’s job. At home I changed and ran (a distance-type workout), showered, and had marinara sauce and broccoli for dinner. After watering Lendon’s plants, I will ride through my dressage tests in my head because I am doing them in my lesson tomorrow, then study the teeth book for the Festival. I have a busy evening in front of me!

SIMBA: Mom is learning how to ride me effectively. I can really feel a difference in how she rides and trains me- she is beginning to internalize that every response I give her, good or bad, is what she teaches me to do. That was a concept which was not at all grasped upon our arrival here a month and a half ago. She still could use more half halts, but she rides me more uphill and her transitions and figures are more accurate. I take all the credit, all the credit…

Top Secret Team Meeting

MEGAN: I got up early this morning to run at Gleneden because tonight we are having a team meeting at Simon’s house to make shirts, eat pizza, and go see the new Harry Potter movie. So after my run I fed in Mica’s barn and turned out in the back pasture and in Paddock #2. Throughout the day I took care of my horse, bathed him, scrubbed all the feed buckets in Mica’s barn, cleaned the feedroom and tackroom, and did laundry. At 2:00 we all went to Susan Rubin’s house to swim. It felt so wonderful to be in the water on a hot day where lots of walking was required. At 3:30 we returned to the stable, fed, rescooped and flew home to shower, change, and be ready to go to Simon’s at 5:00. Once at his house, we designed and decorated the shirts and enjoyed hot pepperoni and cheese pizza. At 7:40 we went to the movie which was good. Lacking some of the details I remember from the book, but overall a nice production. We got home about 10:30 and were asleep almost instantly- no studying for me tonight!

SIMBA: Mom gave me a bath today, and scrubbed my legs for a long time. They were very dirty and dusty from the soaked footing yesterday, even after she groomed me for a half hour. I got to eat grass and enjoy being pampered all day. Very nice to be compensated for all my hard work yesterday. I could do this again tomorrow…

Strutting Our Stuff

MEGAN: Waking at 4:30 am, I got breakfast to go in the form of Honey Nut Cheerios in a bag and was at the barn by 5:00 am. After giving Simba breakfast, I began to braid and after getting about 6 braids in, was told to put his shipping boots on and get him on the truck. So my braiding is improving, but maybe the speed needs to increase a bit. After putting wonderful Simba on the truck, I jumped into Mica’s car and we sped to Dunkin Doughnuts so she could have breakfast and get to the show ahead of the horses. We did, indeed, have about a half hour until the horses got there in which I picked up my packet from the show office and made the switch into Second 4. When the truck arrived, I got Simba off to finish braiding, at which point it promptly began to rain. After completing the braid job, I groomed a very wet horse and put his tack on- with a towel on the saddle at Lendon’s recommendation- and after getting myself together, went to the indoor to warm up. He was good- forward, but pretty quiet. Lendon came in and said that she was not going to tell me the same stuff she’s told me all summer, and if she saw anything different she’d let me know. So, that means he needed more forward, left bend, and I needed to bring my elbows in and left knee and heel down. About five minutes before the test we went out into the wet footing to get used to that arena and did our test. I was pleased with it- it was good and forward, but the bend through the corners especially to the left could have been better. We walked back to the truck, stripped his tack off, and put him back on the truck to help settle Ivan, who was having a fit. I changed and cleaned my boots, then went to inform Lendon of my ride time for Second 4. The remainder of the afternoon was spent watching tests and studying in the trailer for Lendon’s test. Around 1:30 I began grooming Simba (not that there was much point because it was still raining) and tacked him up on the trailer this time. Upon mounting, we walked to the indoor once again to warm up- only to discover that we were about 50 minutes early. I myself checked with the show secretary to be sure the class was running on time, but she told me 20 to 30 minutes early. Creating a longer break, they instead decided to just leave everyone at their assigned time. So, we walked (forward and down) for a bit, then began our warm up. Lendon looked at my first test and said that if my lengthenings were better, and if I stretched him more in my ride, the score would be better- which was a 68%. We did lateral work, transitions, and lots of mediums in the trot and canter. A bit before the test, we went out to get used to the very, very sloppy footing, and noticed the rain had finally slowed to a light drizzle. We went around the arena doing mediums until he rang us in to do the test. Up until the canter, it was great. One turn on haunch was a bit sticky, but everything else was good. Then, after the first canter medium, I totally blanked on where we were going. I turned across the diagonal instead of down the centerline, so had to go back and redo that movement. As we went into the left canter volte off the centerline, a big shipping van came rolling down the driveway, and Simba took off bucking, plunging, and kicking, trying desperately to get me off. I stayed on and finished the volte, and continued on to complete the test. Through the rest of the test was very good, I was nervous about my score. I needed a 61% to qualify at Second Level- and with the escapades of the test, which would be difficult. After untacking Simba, I took him for some grass and then loaded him to keep Mouse company (by the end of the day we had 7 horses on this truck). I gave Simba an apple and bought myself an ice cream and went to watch Brooke’s test. On the way back to the truck to help Brooke untack I stopped by the secretary’s trailer and thanked her and the manger of Maplewood, where the show was held, and went to pick up the test- it was a 61.190% and I ended third!!!!!! So, now I am qualified for Regionals at First Level and have one score for Second Level. Tired, I rode home with Brooke and unloaded the stuff and horses (not in that order) and went home. Showering and laundry are next on the list, and then I am off to bed. What a day!!!!!

SIMBA: Mom gave me breakfast really early, then took me away from my hay to put braids in my mane- no fair, Mom! Then she put me on a big truck with lots of other horses, and we went to another show. It rained all day, so I stood on the trailer almost the whole day, except for when Mom rode me or took me out for grass. Maybe that’s why I felt so good when she rode me again- sorry about that Mom! I got a little carried away, and boy was it fun!!!! Now I am settled at home with a curly mane, munching my dinner. I am off to bed- it sure had been a long day for this horse!

Show Prep

MEGAN: The morning began extra early for me- the house next door hosted a great party to which I was not invited, but still was able to take part in… at 2:00 am. After finally falling back asleep, I work up as usual and went to the barn to feed, turnout, and do the indoor. After cleaning my stall and doing water, Simba and I went for an extra-long walk and handgraze. Asia, an adorable little girl who just brought her pony to Gleneden, helped me scoop and tidy up in Mica’s barn, and also helped with laundry. Then, I got on Simba for a 12:30 lesson- on, no. It’s actually a 1:00 lesson! So, we walked on the trails for a bit, then warmed up to do our test for Annie. She said we totally nailed our Second Level test! Yahoo!!! We worked the section with rein-back, turn on haunches, free walk, and the first loop of the canter serpentine for about 10 minutes, then went back to the barn for a bath- with shampoo and conditioner! After cleaning my horse, I scrubbed his boots, then went to tack up Melos. Heather saw me warm him up and was really happy with how I was riding him, so she helped me with him a bit before hopping on herself. Caspian and I went for a short hack, then I cleaned tack and equipment for the show tomorrow. When we got home I changed and ran to church while the others went swimming. After church, I ran to the barn and helped pack for the show and put the finishing touches on the rest of Simba’s stuff. I ran for a bit longer, then came home and showered. Now, I am off to have some vanilla yogurt and strawberries for dinner and go over my tests in my head for tomorrow. Wish us luck!

SIMBA: Now this showing stuff is worth my time. That First Level stuff is for silly horses- I did compete through Intermediate I after all! Second Level, though also quite simplistic, is a slight bit more of a challenge- more for Mom then me, though. Well, I am all bathed and clean, and I saw Mom packing so I can only assume we have a show tomorrow. OK, Mom, let’s go strut our stuff!

A Good Day in the Kitchen and at the Stable

MEGAN: After feeding the Hunter barn I turned out in Paddocks #1, 2, and 3 in the rain. Upon arriving at the indoor everything was done, so I did Simba’s stall, water, and went for a handwalk in the rain. We rode in the Working Student group at 10:30 intending to do our tests, but with the weather that was impossible. Instead, we just did parts of the tests- which overall went pretty well. I did not get him off my left leg effectively, but did do mini-leg-yields, work on bending in the warm-up, and really focused on forward (thinking medium and half-go instead of half-halt). I still need to use more half-halts when I ride, and really make sure I isolate my right and left leg. Overall, it was a successful ride. After showering and grazing Simba, I tacked up Charlie and worked with Heather in the indoor after a torrential downpour began outside. He went pretty well, and Lendon said he looked good! The rest of my afternoon, after bathing and grazing Charlie, was filled with laundry, cleaning Mica’s tackroom and feedroom, scooping twice, cleaning out a client’s trunk, and just generally tiding up. After coming home I emptied the dishwasher and helped clean the bathroom. After a workout and shower, I stopped at the store and got supplies to cook for the girls. We had my Yaya’s homemade marinara sauce, peas, mozzarella garlic bread, and salad. For dessert, I made strawberry shortcake over homemade biscuits. Yum! Now, after cleaning up, I am all set to go to bed. Until tomorrow!

SIMBA: Mom is getting the hang of how to ride me. I think that Annie girl gave her some advice after she rode me yesterday, and it seemed to help greatly. Ah, if only Mom learning how to ride me didn’t entail such hard work on my part. Oh, well. She does give me lots of treats and kisses when I am good! That makes all the hard work worth it- sometimes.

Annie's Magic Touch

MEGAN: After the usual turnouts, feeding, and arena work, I cleaned Simba’ stall and dumped the wheelbarrow backwards going up the ramp, successfully covering myself in dirty shavings from head to toe. After shaking out all my clothes in the bathroom I then tacked Simba up and Annie got on him for me. She did lots of little leg-yields to get him to give, and isolated her legs- getting him to move off just the right or left instead of using them together and giving him more of a chance to resist. Also, haunches-in to a medium in the canter helps to loosen him through his whole body, and gets him thinking more forward- a challenge, as we all know. When I got on I had trouble isolating my legs and trying to use too much inside rein in my leg yields, but by the end we got some super medium canter and when I sat back, better quality of the canter overall. After cooling out, I did laundry and cleaned up in Mica’s barn, then rode Melos. I should have ridden him in a lesson, and due to my mistake, we didn’t get much done, though avoided the spooking and jumping around of previous rides thanks to scary trailers. Bathing Melos took just a few minutes, then I scooped dinner in Mica’s barn and we had a very helpful chat. Hacking Caspian was fun- he was a bit intimidated by the geese in the pond, but Eva and her horse Brou walked with us and prevented spooking at the vicious geese. Many thanks! He got a bath as well, then I cleaned Simba’s stall (more successfully this time) because he moved back to the Hunter barn. Hannah and I fed over there, and I cleaned out the wash stall. Upon arriving home I talked to Lendon, then went for a run. After a shower Hannah and I made dinner- her Uncle’s meat sauce, noodles, biscuits, creamed spinach, and sweet corn. Hannah and I cleaned up, and I organized all of Lendon’s CD’s. That has been my day. Until tomorrow!

SIMBA: Wow. Mom is really catching on to the fact that there are other ways to help me- and in helping me, help herself. Annie, who used to ride me, got on me today and helped me to bend and go forward. Mom in your warm up, you need to bend me more, go forward, do lots of little leg-yields, and think of being able to do a medium at any point in the ride. Phew. That is lots to work on. Think you can do it, Mom?

Don't Worry; Be Happy!

MEGAN: My morning began with feeding in the Hunter Barn, turning out Paddocks # 2, 3, and 4 and sweeping around the drain outside the indoor arena. Cleaning out Simba’s stall and water were the next things on the agenda, then I cleaned out the wash stall in the Hunter barn and swept the aisle before hurriedly tacking up my horse for a lesson with Lendon. After an OK warm up, we worked on turns-on-haunches, shoulder-in to renvere, halt, rein-back, and medium to free walk- very important with Simba. After bathing him and giving him more straw I did some laundry and scooped lunch in Mica’s barn. I cleaned Cambridge’s saddle, scooped dinner, did laundry, and then tacked Caspian up and went on a hack with Annie. We decided that she would get on Simba tomorrow and help me with him, and I am quite excited. I am so sick of just riding the same every day, and I don’t know what to do to break the cycle. So, here we are breaking the cycle. After putting Caspian away, I helped Grace with her ponies and moved Simba to the Main Barn where he will stay until her ponies leave. He seemed quite content and I took him out to have some grass before I tacked up Charlie and rode him lightly in the indoor. It was raining by this point, and after putting Charlie away I fed and watered Simba and went over to Mica’s barn to scoop, clean, sweep, and take laundry over to the office. When I was finished, all them rest of the group (Will, Grace, Rachel, Emma and Hannah) had left, so I cleaned up in the Main barn as well as the Hunter barn. Laura took me home and I went for a long run. Luckily the storm held off until I got home, showered, and had some dinner. After walking over to the Girl’s to decide on a date for dinner, I came home and am off to study for the Festival. What a day…

SIMBA: Mom seemed very stressed today. She was rushed in the morning, and seemed distracted in the afternoon. I hope whatever is going on gets cleared up by tomorrow. Us horses do not like our people stressed. Just think of that song: “Don’t worry; Be happy!”

Welcome Home Lendon!

MEGAN: Getting down the stairs this morning was a little rough, but upon reaching the first floor I unloaded the dishwasher and got all my stuff ready to go to the barn. After feeding the Hunter barn and doing Paddocks 1, 2, and 3 for turnouts I raked the entrance to the indoor and cleaned Simba’s stall. Lendon pulled in to give her first lesson and when I went down to see her, I got a hug and she said that everything looked great!!! After quickly walking Simba and giving him water I tacked him up and rode in front of Lendon. He was a bit dull in the heat (summer is here for real now!) but we got a few good turns-on-haunches, shoulder-in and renvere, and one good medium trot. My goal for tomorrow is to get him more uphill, moving out, and to ride with even more half halts to remind him to think forward. After a bath and water for me, I helped Grace turn her pony out and tacked up Melos. He was good, just tough throughout his entire body. He is really hard to bend and Lendon told me to just focus on getting his neck to bend. By the end he was softer than he started and though he got a little worried about the noises coming from the trailer, we survived and continued on to a pretty good finish. I showered Melos off and then did some saddles and scooped dinner in Mica’s barn. I gave Simba his lunch and then did more saddles and walked Nexus for Mica. Then I got to ride Charlie with Heather who was super!! He got really good and fancy by the end, and I had so much fun. After bathing Charlie, giving Simba dinner, and grazing both Simba and Ivan, I went home and rewrapped my leg, then went for a run. Fifty minutes later I was showering and having pizza for dinner, then went upstairs to read for the show. As far as soundness goes, I can walk now but am still not quite sound at the trot. Oh, well. Let’s see how sound I am tomorrow.

SIMBA: Mom made me work, and it was so hot. I was sweating just standing in my stall and you should have seen me after working! Mom gave me a nice shower and took me out for grass, and those were the highlights of my day. I am still the responsible member of this pair in the area of soundness. Maybe tomorrow I can pass off that responsibility- only time will tell!