The Fringe Eventer!

I purchased my first saddle completely unsupervised. That is to say, I picked out a saddle from a sales catalog that I could afford and in a shade of brown that I was partial to. I was utterly clueless, and this became the first in a long line of saddles that I would own, and the rocky start of my saddle education. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Perfecting the Halt and Maximizing Your Score

I must confess, I am darn proud of my halts and I think I have earned the right to confess my pride, especially since I’ve worked on them for years. Literally. In fact, I have never dismounted after a ride without asking my mare to halt correctly. That is unless I dismounted involuntarily. Those don’t count. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Timing: noun a. placement or occurrence in time b. the ability to select the precise moment for doing something for optimum effect

Accuracy: noun a. freedom from mistake or error: the quality or state of being accurate

I’ve noticed that riding terms can be vague and allude to ideas rather than create concise and clear images in my grey matter. Perhaps it is the same for you? (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

When Life Hands You Lemons....

As the old adage goes, you are supposed to make lemonade. I can clearly recall the first time I heard this saying. My first, out of the starting gate response was to change the scenario. That’s just how I roll. I remember thinking that I would trade my lemons for limes, dig around in my kitchen for some tequila, drag out the salt and make margaritas. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Sunday Morning Quarterbacking

So, as with Monday morning quarterbacking, today is the day to look back on our first schooling show and review where we are and what we’ve learned. This is the very first time Lexi and I have completed an entire cross country course or stadium course withmore than 4 jumps in a row. In fact, in our stadium round she started to slow down after about the 5th jump. I have no doubt she thought she was done. No way Jose! (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

_{PRE SEASON TRAINING CAMP}

Well, here we sit 6 days out from our official debut into the eventing world and I find myself praying that our pre season is not a portend of things to come. Riding between thunder boomers has become the norm here in rainy Florida. If it is not ninety-four degrees with a humidity index that pushes the real feel well up above the one hundred mark it is pouring down rain. Either way I have yet to actually use my new-ish jump bridle or even jump an actual jump in 2 whole weeks! Yikes! (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Welcome To The (cough, cough) Masters! - #5

Okay, so what does professional golf and (almost) over the hill eventers have in common?

Don’t worry I had no idea either. This weekend my husband was channel diving (surfing invokes pleasurable images) between Nascar, golf, and every single hunting channel while I was brushing up on the USEA rules. Exciting afternoon, I know! But in the midst of boring rules and skimming through channels I found my answer in one word ‘Masters’. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…

This should be the mantra for my budget friendly life both on and off my mare.

When I suffered my epiphany and decided to test the waters of eventing once again I was in a quandary. I had a very nice, nearly new dressage saddle, but I was lacking a jump saddle. Lacking, as in none, nilch, nada, nowhere to be found sort of lacking. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Another one bites the dust (sand) #6    

 

Back In The Saddle # 1 - Intro

I guess Back In The (Jump) Saddle would be more apropos for this blog, but you get the idea. Who am I you may ask? I comprise the largest segment of the eventing industry or base. Actually, if you want to get technical, the largest segment of the entire consumer driven horse industry. Figure it out yet?

I am an adult amateur. We spend more on horse related merchandise, lessons, entry fees, clinics, etc. than any other consumer group. Demographically we are roughly between the ages of about 28 and 52, most often married, and have full time jobs. Sound familiar? Don’t worry, if you’re not there yet you will be. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)