Horse jokes: story of my life

Long story short...
When I was younger (kindergarten to 8th grade) I was a complete sports freak. I played soccer, softball, basketball and rode horses. I was a natural when it came to them and often times was pulled out of my soccer games for scoring to much and averaged like 25 points in my basketball games. In 8th grade I had to make some hard choices as to what I was going to stick with and decided that horses is really where my heart was. Then between 8th grade and 9th grade I grew about 5 inches! Going into high school I was almost 6 foot. So the harassing of the basketball coaches (who I had played for before) began. Every year I would have to say "sorry I just dont have the time or way (I had no car, single mom who worked, etc) to be able to make it work". So not only was I getting heat from them but on top of that everywhere I go the standard question is "your tall (thanks captain obvious I didnt noticed my giraffe legs coming off my body...) where do you play basketball?" then I would have to say "I dont play really, I ride horses" and it all goes down hill from there!
Fast forward to senior year. I had contemplated playing for my school several times, I even tried out my sophomore year and made the team but didnt play. After the coach approached me before try outs I decided that I was going to go for it. So I did, and made the varsity team! Throughout the season I was always thrown horse jokes by both my coach and teammates, all fun and games of course! Most of them had never even ridden a horse in their lives!
Well today I changed that for one of my previous girls! She came out and rode Mystic pony. She had never ridden a horse before (she is 17 and has NEVER ridden a horse?) and although Mystic was with putting up with someone who didnt know what they were doing and me falling on the arena floor cracking up (even a fellow barn mate came into the arena and asked what was going on because she could hear us laughing in the barn!) he wasnt exactly the best teacher LOL! He was set on just following me and wasnt to keen on listening to her trying to turn him or make him go. He was just coming for me to rescue him! There were several times when I thought I might pee my pants I was laughing so hard. But we trotted him double and she now gets to go back to her team and my old coach and tell more horse stories!! They always loved telling me "This one time I rode a horse... blah blah blah" or if I didnt something wrong they would say "You might be able to do that riding your horse but not here"! I do have to say, although I do not like talking about my horses to people who have no idea about horses, they were always quite entertaining with their jokes and it was always a normal routine in practices and gave everyone a good laugh!

Annie and Mystic!

What does 2012 have instore for us?!

Giving 2011 a kick good-bye! Mystic pony as a baby :)

It still doesnt feel like it is already January of 2012! I have both a happy and depressed feeling about it. Im happy because that mean show season is that much closer and I seriously cannot wait! However I am depressed because it means I am almost 19... when did I get so old? Im not sure that I like growing up that much. I could spend the rest of my life as a 17 year old and be happy as a clam!
Anyways, here are some of my horsey goals for 2012. Some of them are more hopes, such as ones that are dependent on how we are progressing and how much money I have, but im hoping to accomplish some of my main ones at least!
2012 Goals:
- Compete Mystic at 1st level with scores in the mid sixties by the end of the season
- Qualify and compete in ODS League Championships
- Continue working on brideless work!
- Begin jumping him again the spring. XC schooling and competing in one days/derbys
- Work on conditioning him (and me!) more
- Compete in a 3 day late in the season (this one is a hope!)
- Attend more clinics (another hope!)

I am really going to focus more on getting him further in his dressage training for the first part of the show season. Of course it will continue with our lessons and such but I want to get him out and compete him through all first level (I have never competed higher than First test 1) and get him doing all first level movements well on a consistent basis so next winter we can hopefully start some 2nd level work. Although I still plan on competing him at some dressage shows after championships in June I would also like to take him to some one days, derbys and go cross country schooling. From there we will see where we are at over fences wise and decide whether Caber is do able or if we should wait another year. I am SO excited to see what 2012 has in store for us and cannot wait to get out showing again with my pony!

Looking back on 2011

2011 wasnt such a kind year... yes we did have some great moments but over all it wasnt the best. Lets start back in January shall we!
January:
This has been a hard month for our family the last few years and im not sure why! In 2011 a week after my birthday (always that week to) we lost 2 of our dogs Boomer (below) who was originally our foster dog that we had for about 6 months, he was going to be euthanized because he bit his owners boyfriend, who was my dog was attacked by my moms agility dog Magic. We believe that Magic (she was 11 years old) had been developing a possible brain tumor and possibly had a seizure and that Boomer went over to see what was going on and she thought that he was doing it, but we really have no idea for sure. Sadly Boomer was already gone when I got home and we had to have Magic put down because of it. It was a very hard day for both my mom and I. That same day ( just an hour after I found them) I had a basketball game against one of our biggest opponents and we lost...

Boomer, my 2 year old mini aussie

February:
This was the mark of my first "show" with Mystic and my last OHSET season ever.

Shelby/Hallie, Me/Mystic, Katie/Sugar, and Alanna

March:
I tried out for my high schools basketball team my senior year after not playing since 8th grade and made the varsity team! Against all odds we finished 2nd in our league (behind a team that ended up placing 2nd in state) and not only made it to the state tournament at Matt Knight Arena but finished 3rd place in the STATE! It was an amazing opportunity to be able to not only make the team after so much time off but being a starter, placing in state, and coming out of it with so many new friends. This is something I will never forget!

The team on Senior Night

Right after winning our game for 3rd place at state!

I also started working at my current job which is at a pre school/day care!

April:
I qualified for state with Mystic in dressage and placed bronze in the whole district with my green been pony!

Waiting for dressage at OHSET

May:
In may I headed over to my aunt and uncles house to compete at OHSET State Championships in dressage. Due to the out break earlier in the month Mystics barn was "shut down" to horses coming and/or leaving the property as a precaution. So Tolo, since he was the only horse at my house since leaving his bar, got put into work again after a little time off to head to state (yes we thought about the possible issues with him going but he wasnt staying on the property of the show and the chances of him contracting the disease was very low). We had a great time there and even with less than ideal warm up we placed 8th in state. Not a bad way to end my senior year!

He has deluxe accommodations with his own several acre pasture right next to some pretty Gypsys!

Tolo and I at our normal pit stop on the way to Bend!

June:
I graduated high school!!
And... decided that it was time to part ways with my partner in crime of 4 years, Tolo. One of the hardest decisions I have had to make but knew that it was best for both of us.

When I rescued him

Us at Inavale schooling the XC course

July:
July was full of events! It all started with Skies the Plan (or Sky) the first weekend of July. There were pictures posted of a group of TBs from the track headed to slaughter that were posted by some rescue friends of mine. Most of them had found homes except for two. A huge 7 year old bay mare with a possible hind end lameness from being cast in her stall (Sky), and a small 3 year old bay mare that was just too slow on the track (Pretty). Alanna and I being the suckers we are headed up just a few days after seeing their pictures and picked them up and boy has it been an adventure since then!

The picture that made me get her (I always seem to go for the skinny sad looking ones!)

Skies the Plan (my mare) and Pretty Line (Alannas mare)

I also found an amazing home for Tolo. He went to a lady looking to start getting into dressage and showing. She hadnt been riding too long but fell in love with him the day her trainer and her came to look. After hauling him up to Salem (where they live) to get him vetted we took him to their barn. I went and watched him at his first show with her and they won their first blue ribbon! I cant wait to see him this year at some shows, I sure do miss that guy!

Mystic and I also competed in our first dressage schooling show coming home with two blue ribbons! One from each class we entered, Training Level test 1 and test 2!

August:
Mystic and I continued improving and even went went cross country schooling and to the beach for the first time! We ended the month by attending the State Fair Gypsy Show where he was a fan favorite (not so much the judges favorite but she couldnt make up her mind on anyone!) and got many compliments after our classes.

His state fair ribbons!

XC schooling! Look at those knees!

The Beach!! (Left to right) Top: Alanna/Roz and Me/Mystic Bottom: Magnum, Rugby, and Keyno

My dog Max also got knee surgery. We adopted him from the shelter when he was just 10 weeks old (now he is 7 years old) and at just 6 months old we discovered that he has severe hip dysplasia (spelling?). When he was 9 months old he had a full hip replacement on his left hind leg. Although both of his hips were bad the left was worse and the specialist told us that most dogs will be much better even if you just do one. He was great after that surgery but this year tore his knee on the same leg he had his previous surgery on so he didnt have any great leg to stand on. He is now recovered from his knee surgery and running around again! Although he does miss agility SO much and loves it when he is allowed to go through some tunnels and such at my moms classes.

Max in the car right after I picked him up!

Since losing my "dream dog" (Boomer) earlier in the year I was set on getting a mini/toy aussie puppy. And that I did! I figured while I was having to baby one dog I might as well get a puppy and have to go through potty training and such at the same time! So I ended up getting a little toy (closer to size of a mini though) aussie that I named Harley! He is such a character and I cannot wait to do agility with him! He is such a little speed demon!

I own the cutest darn animals!

September:
Mystic and I competed in our first eventing derby at Lake Oswego Hunt.... and WON!! Yay Mystic pony!

Alanna/Roz/Erin and Mystic/Me!

I also began my first term of college!! I am happy to say that I have officially survived it also!

October/November/December:
I put them all together because it was just easier :) Somethings lasted into other months etc. The biggest in probably that Sky was diagnosed with a fractured hip and came home from the boarding stable to be in a small paddock with a stall so she could still move but not too much.
Mystic also attempted suicide again and almost lost his whole bottom set of teeth! Luckily the vet got him all fixed up and he should be able to return to is pasture in January! YAY for no more stall rest! He has continued his training and is going to debut at first level in March! I cannot wait to see what 2012 has in store for us!
Heres to happy healthy horses in 2012!

Planned events for 2012

Alanna and I are  planning our 2012 show season and have come up with our dressage shows until June (when Championships are)! Excited is an extreme understatement. Although we have known each other for 5 years we have yet to have a full show season together. Yes we have both been to practically all of eachothers shows but we have only both had horses competing in like 3 shows in the past 5 years. Now that Alanna has gotten the OK to show a horse she has been riding at our barn and I have Mystic going we get to show TOGETHER! So yes my mood in one word is extremelyhappyexcitedcantwaititwillbesuperfun :) Alright so here is our list so far:
-Dressage for the Ages: March 10th
-Adult Team Dressage Competition: April 28th
-OSU Dressage Team Show: May ??
-ODS League Championships: June 2nd
-Mid Summer Nights Dream: July 29th
Then from there we will see what we do. Mainly we just wanted to make sure we have enough opportunities to qualify for championships and since this will be Mystics second summer showing and first time at First Level (and we are still working on our leg yields) and Rhythms first time showing (and him being spooky in general) I think we have our work cut out for us, but it is totally do able! Especially since a qualifying score is like a 55 %! My goal, besides qualifying in the first place, is to be consistently scoring in the 65 % range by the end of the season which is another do able goal I believe.
I plan to mostly focus on dressage for the first part of the season and then towards the end do some derbys/one days with him. I have thought about possibly doing a recognized 3 day at Caber in August but I havent really decided yet. Obviously it would be contingent on how he is jumping and how much I can get him out before it but the other aspect is age. By Caber he will be 5, but just barely 5 as in like 5 and a couple weeks. Any thoughts on if it would be to much to soon as far as age and what is being asked of him? I mean clearly I know that there are tons of horses out there that are competing training or higher by 6 but I would like him to be sound at an old age and dont want to over do it with him. I personally dont think that BN is anything to worry about because the course is rather short and the fences are low. Our biggest thing would be conditioning. I would have to condition him for probably at least 2 months and pretty hard to make sure that he would be ok. Its not like he is super out of shape now but once you throw in galloping and jumping it will be much tougher on him. This would be a huge change from when I conditioned Tolo. We jumped 2X a week and went up on the trails 1X a week for hill work and longer distances but not much different then what we normally would do and when we finished XC he could have gone 10 more times and been just fine. Im just going to play it day by day at this point and focus on getting to ODS League Championships. I will take him to Inavales one day as long as the weather clears up and I can jump him before hand (we are not allowed to jump in our indoor, only outside after the hay is off the field, so by then he wont have jumped since November). Usually they have 2 days, 2 separate shows, so I could do intro on the first day and BN on the second if he is jumping well. I would REALLY love to compete in a 3 day, and actually get a score, but if we are not ready then I will just have to hold my horses another year! Its not like I havent waited long enough already!

A Christmas Miracle?

Do I have a (dare I say...) SOUND horse?!
I hauled her over to the arena today to see how she looked over there as she seemed sound yesterday but I dont have the best space to lunge her right now. So I loaded her up and took her on over, it takes a whole minute to get there and you can see horses in the arena from my kitchen window. Super nice! She was a little "up" when we got there but didnt do anything naughty and settled right down in 5 minutes of being there. I groomed her, threw some boots on her, took her to the arena, and thanked God when I saw her trotting sound (to me at least!)! It would be SO nice if I could start bringing her back to work slowly and find her a good home.
Ok... the moment of truth. Sound or not sound?
Tracking left
Tracking right

Merry Christmas!!

Well I am proud to say that Mystics stocking was about 200 times more full than mine was! He even has one of the jumbo stockings that almost covers the whole half of his stall that it is hanging on! He sure is a well loved pony. Lets just say hair ties and treats shouldn't be an issue anytime soon :) I didnt ride him today as we were busy with family activities such as going to see War Horse (which is a super sad and depressing yet very good movie). But off course I went and stopped by to give him way to many treats and lots of hugs and kisses!
Sky got a little more beauty treatment of her own today. I got a bucket heater from my mom so I heated up some water to wash her legs and tail. Her tail was SUPER gross and the warm water and shampoo/conditioner cleaned it right up. Sadly like 2 minutes into me getting her out to brush her, lunge her at the trot, and wash her it started pouring down rain... But I still did it all! Good news is: she seems SOUND! Now that would be a true Christmas miracle if she is actually sound! I came inside and my mom said so I saw you lunging her. I said yes and she looks sound to me and she said yeah I think she looked great too! So tomorrow im going to call the barn up and see if I can haul her over there to lunge her in the arena just at the trot to see how she looks. Fingers crossed!!!

Pretty girl!

These were off course before I brushed her. Not that the brushing will last long anyways!

Tomorrow morning Alanna and I are headed to look at a horse for her! We havent had horses at the same barn (that are both ride able) in over 2 years! So it would be an understatement to say that we are both super excited! After seeing the pony I am going to hopefully take Sky across the road then spend some time at Mystics barn riding him, cleaning my tack locker and cleaning buckets and such. Should be a nice horse filled day :)

Christmas Eve Tradition!

Alanna and I continued our Christmas Eve tradition today and took our boys out on a trail ride! She actually invited Rozzys kid (girl that is leasing him) so Erin rode him and I, of course, was on my mane man Mystic. Alanna.... well she got to walk :) We headed out at around 10 and it was gorgeous outside! Sunny and not that cold. The cold part did change throughout the ride though and by the time we got back I couldnt feel my fingers or my toes! We stayed out for almost 2 hours! The boys were super good. They even tolerated being all dressed up. Mystic sported his santa hat (that was said to resemble underwear), a red ribbon braided in his running braid, and a cute bow to tie off his forelock, he was quite adorable!

Our Mane Men! Rozzy and Mystic

Roz/Alanna and Mystic/Me

Out on the trail

Whoa... Mystic pony is ahead!

Mystic loves his Auntie Alanna!

The gangster hat look

He is so flippin cute!

Us minus Alanna

Rozzy with his two girls!

On another note... I was unable to take Sky over to the barn today but im really hoping to early next week! She is just enjoying her massive amounts of food and hanging out :)