Winter: finding motivation and structure amidst the snow

While the sane contingent of the eventing community has spent the holidays giving their horses time off and enjoying the warmth and the family offered by such breaks, I have been knee deep in mud (literally) and horses (metaphorically).  I have my first show in three and a half weeks in Georgia, and I leave for Aiken with both horses February 1.

I am about to make my second bid at Advanced with Trance...(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full blog entry)

I always dreamed of shopping internationally for horses. Of someone giving me a blank check and saying, “Go find the horse of your dreams!” I envisioned barns that were equine palaces, trots that spent more time in the air than on the ground, champagne like at the Dubarry tents, robust stallions being paraded before that year’s offspring, etc. I literally could go on about my vision of this experience for hours, because I think after my weekly “If I won the lottery I would….” visions I just built this dream piece by piece... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

I don’t know that I ever understood the importance of a great connection until I felt it for the first time. I had spent years (over a decade….) with my horses waffling between my legs and hands. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

                           Building a Partnership

June 15^th will forever be recorded as a milestone in my personal history as a re-rider – after 22 months we finally did it!  The creeks did rise – we were rained out for 2 days!  But in the end the good Lord was willing!  Yay!

If I had known from the beginning that canter transitions would deliver the fatal blow to Cotton’s uncontrollability would we have reached our goal long before now?  No…  I have had to undergo a complete transformation in my riding. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

I wanted to wait until it actually happened but after today’s ride I am just too pumped – I have to tell somebody!  June is turning out to be Jump a Course Month!!  And I’m NOT just being optimistic.

FIVE straight weeks of nothing but canter transitions… was so worth it. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Remember Forest Gump and Bubba?  “Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried…”

Cotton and I are having the same exact conversation – about canter transitions! (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

As you may have heard,  Jump a Course Month is not going well.  Therefore, Canter Month has been extended indefinitely.  Cotton and I need more time… he is still just extremely unbalanced at the canter.

I have spent some significant amount of time researching crookedness on the internet so I could get a better understanding of what is going on.  Why does he completely fall apart at the canter even though he can stay engaged and balanced in the trot?  My inquiring mind had to know!  What a paradigm shift…(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Fourth and Third out of six riders each test… In the eventing world my scores translated to a 42.5 and a 36.8.   We were blessed with a sparkling, crisp day and particularly encouraging and gracious people at Gone to Ground Farm!

The first test was a complete bust.  Cotton acted like a red-neck visiting The Big City!  (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

At least we ended on a good note!

Because last month’s canter sessions over little fences had gone so well I thought we’d be able to pick up where we left off…(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Lesley schooled Cotton for me yesterday.  I felt like I was sitting in the principal’s office with my child who had just been caught misbehaving..... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

I’ve ridden with a few different people lately who have offered complementary encouragement about how great Cotton and I look. They are intelligent, advanced riders so who am I to disagree?  But, even if they are right and we do look good, in reality I’m like a duck on a river trying to swim to shore! At least it’s not obvious to the casual observer that I’m working so hard but it is a true mental and physical taxation just to keep him together for a 20 meter canter circle.  Someone please find that EASY button! (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

This week marks the year anniversary of High Cotton’s move to Oak Hill and my discovery of the true nature of the beast I had fallen in love with just a couple of years before.

What a journey!  Lesley has taught me so much about how to ride Cotton and Cotton has taught me so much about Life. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

We are right on the verge of a major break through – I can just taste it!  Since my lesson with Lesley about 3 weeks ago where I finally got the “round and connected” thing down, I have been working on jumping again. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Did you know that history repeats itself?  Sometimes it takes decades or centuries – for me it took a week and a half.  “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it".  If I had paid attention the first time around my ride today would have ended a lot better than it did. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Twenty-twelve!  That’s fun to say, isn’t it?  God willing, twenty-twelve is going to be the year of my and High Cotton’s big eventing debut! (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

During the Thanksgiving break my thoughts turned to how I was going to make the most of the 5 months remaining in Cotton’s conditioning program.   Lesley’s little 2 sentence lesson the day before about getting him connected is what started it…(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Lesley proved to me that when Cotton is ridden correctly, he goes correctly – I’ve seen it with my own eyes when she's schooled him for me!  So, my new philosophy is.....(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

During my talk with Lesley she had suggested that I canter some figure eights with a simple change of lead in preparation for approaches to jumps off of turns in the canter.  So, not being one to ever disobey my riding instructor, that’s what we did on Thursday.  After a brief warm-up we walked to the far end of the XC field and did canter/halt serpentines all the way back to the barn.  I concentrated on what she had taught me during our last “jumping” lesson (which had been over a month ago!) – to keep my weight, shoulders and hips shifted correctly to help balance him so he wouldn’t swap leads and throw his shoulder.  I concentrated on my “tunnel” steering.   I concentrated on holding my canter aids all the way through the halt.  By the time we got back to the barn I had my old Cotton back – woo-hoo! for canter transitions! and for Lesley!

Tomorrow’s jumping lesson wasn’t looking quite as dicey! (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Hey!  Remember me?  I’m back!! 

It took Cotton a total of three weeks to fully recover from his raucous in the pasture. I only rode 6 days during the entire month of September!  Not only was Cotton lame but I helped two of my family members go though a total of three surgeries in two different states.  We spent a day in the ER, we had an out of town family wedding, we went to visit one of my sons in college and we re-did our kitchen.  The only “riding” I did was in my car but I did not let it go to waste.  As I took the turns on the road I practiced weighting my seat bones to the inside rather than let centrifugal force throw me to the outside.  I think I resolved my collapsed hip issue once and for all! (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

“I thought I had fixed that!”  Today Lesley put Cotton and me to work on our canter – the last obstacle to overcome before we’re ready to do stadium courses (I hope).....(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Update – Cotton needed two injections last week and has had the past 5 days off so I haven’t had anything to write about!

Today I worked him for just a little while since it was his first day back. We had 2 days of stadium work right before his injections last week so it was time for more dressage.   Did he forget all the progress we had made last time? (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

It is great to ride a normal horse again!  For the first time since we moved to Oak Hill 5½ months ago Cotton is cantering all around the stadium ring and XC field completely relaxed and calm.  I love it! (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Every time I ride my confidence in Cotton and in myself grows a teensy bit. 

Monday we did XC flat work and then a few stadium jumps.  Even in this hot, hot weather he still has plenty of get up and go!  First we trotted in 2-point all around the XC field.  We practiced staying at my speed of choice even when the reins were slack. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full article)

OK, let me just tell you – cloud 9 is a wonderful place!  Our solo jumping practice today could not have gone any better! (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

The fog is lifting!  I see a light – although I still can’t tell how long the tunnel is.

Cotton was as relaxed as ever during our lesson yesterday.  Lesley thinks he’s beginning to trust me. During our flat work we managed to....(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Most women are obsessed with numbers – age, weight, dress size, shoe size, calories, carbs – you name it!  I am no exception – but my obsession is over a number in a completely different category.  I just have to know how high the fence is that I’m jumping!  (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Baby steps to the oxer.  Baby steps to the roll top.  Baby steps to the coop.  I feel like Bill Murray in What About Bob?! (highly recommended)

Low and Slow is our modus operandi.  We are introducing Cotton to a whole other dimension, a brand new world!  A world where 2-point does not necessarily mean gallop; where horses stay in the gait and at the speed his rider determines until otherwise notified and where landing in a strong canter on the forehand after each fence does not exist. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

We’re doing it!!  Cotton and I are jumping all by ourselves!

After the amazing breakthrough we had this past week, we have been jumping up a storm – (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Part 1-

She did it again – she created another major milestone in the riding career of Lisa Blazevich.

I was actually nervous about the jumping lesson I had scheduled with her for today.  I’ve always looked forward to jumping – never nervous – what was going on?!  (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

We galloped today!  It was a slow gallop – about the speed we would go during XC at BN – but it was so much fun!!  This warm weather has taken the edge off his spunk and he was acting a little lazy so we had a refreshing canter along the drive from the road to the barn to wake him up a little.  It seemed like he was thinking...(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Impatience - “inability to control one’s desire for action”.  I repent …  and now fully embrace the organic and variable nature of my sport.

And, I also confess that I am...(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Ok, y’all were right – today went much better.  Thanks again for your encouragement!   Especially you, Lesley!

Here’s what went wrong the day before...(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Rarely do I feel the need to throw myself a pity-party.  I have a lot to be thankful for and, on those rare days when I do feel a little down, all I have to do is begin making my way through my list of blessings and I am joyful again!

Today has been different. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

OK – we’ve got the stopping thing down pat!  We’ve been cantering up and down the field and he’s doing great!  I haven’t done any fly-bys yet though (cantering past a XC jump)– don’t want to mess up a good thing. 

Trust is a critical issue with Cotton.  Now that I’ve learned how to be more elastic with my elbows and stop him with my seat he has been more relaxed.  He doesn’t resist me nearly as often or as forcefully as he used to just a short time ago. The warm weather may have something to do with it, too! (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

OK ladies … well, this affects you guys too, so listen up.  It’s time we talk about an issue that affects all of us every summer – except those of you who live in the deep South, in which case you may struggle with this year round. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Cotton was so happy to be cantering out in the XC field!  I’ve been limiting our canter work to the arena so I could practice stopping him with my seat instead of my hand and this was our first attempt out in the open at a canter using that new – i.e. correct - technique.

There are probably at least a ½ dozen ways to stop a horse, ranging from...(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Jumping 101.  Cotton loves this class!  The prerequisite was dressage 101 – which I have passed with .… a solid B maybe?  Cotton was hoping his flatwork was finished for the day when he saw that we were lined up for the first approach but, as the Rolex announcer said during stadium last year, it’s just dressage with jumps in the way! (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Now we’re cooking!

We have been cantering all around the ring.  Our departures have been spot on.  He’s not bucking at all.  He stops when I want him to.   We are jumping again!!  (just baby jumps) Things are finally back on track! 

I’ve learned...(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

The two rides I’ve had on Cotton since my big date with Sony have been productive.

Yesterday I experienced the enormous importance of having my core engaged at all times.  We were out trotting around the open field – he loves it out there!  I was practicing keeping him round more consistently and slowing him with my seat and leg rather than my hand.   After awhile it dawned on me...(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

The vacuum cleaner has always been my favorite electronic device.  It instantly sucks away all kinds of dirt that a house full of boys and dogs creates.  It just disappears!  It even works on dirty ovens.  My quality of life would be greatly diminished if there were no vacuum in my world.

But after Monday my Dyson has a little competition.  His name is Sony and he’s a cam-corder!  We’ve had him for quite awhile - he’s kind of old, really - but I see him in a different light now. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Well, I did better but not as good as the day before.  Our trot work was fabulous, our canter departures were very good but when he swapped leads in the back I made the mistake of bringing him back down into a trot and starting over.   I was trying to figure out what I was doing wrong that kept causing him to do that - he didn’t do it during our lesson the day before!  He also threw in a few bucks and started rushing around so after a handful more unproductive attempts in both directions I decided to bail out on the canter and go back to trot.   I can’t ride my horse without Lesley telling me what to do?!  Unacceptable. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

It’s so great to see the sun again!

Our farrier was running really late today so Lesley had time to give me a lesson while we waited.  Yay!

I feel like an onion – she peels off one layer and gets to work on the next one!  I’ve worked on correcting my.....(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

With just about an entire straight week of rain, I haven’t ridden very much – three times actually.  The first time, my friend Cheryl talked me into going out in the rain with her but it was a non-productive ride.  We were soaking wet in a matter of minutes.  The reins were slipping through my hands, my feet were slipping out of the stirrups, my legs were slipping all around the saddle, my raincoat kept catching on something and tugging on me, I was shivering with cold.   Where is an indoor arena when you need one? (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

OK, I’m just going to say it … I am 49 years OLD!   What do I think I’m doing?!  Lesley has assured me that I can handle him but I’m having my doubts at this point. I told her that her job as my professional coach was to teach me how to ride this thing before I lose my confidence.  My husband and I have accepted the fact that riding is a more risky sport than say… tennis.  I have already had to recover from a compression fracture when I got bucked off a different horse a few years ago and I don’t want to inconvenience my family again for doing something stupid!  Riding definitely stretches my faith.

A few of my weaknesses as a rider are as follows: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

My horse's name is High Cotton.  Us Southerners grew up knowing the phrase “walking in high cotton”, meaning you have been very blessed.  He is a 12-year-old OTT Thoroughbred, 16’1 – on the slight side for my 5’10” long-legged frame. He has an expressive, kind eye. He is super eager to please and he comes to me in the pasture as if he is actually glad to see me! He melts my heart. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)