She's Alive!!!

That's right internet peeps, I'm alive! Although I planned a blog post the day after the last one I posted, I came down with that dreaded flu plaque that everyone and their brother was getting. It kicked my butt!!! I didn't go to work or the barn so getting on the computer to write about my New Year's resolutions and pony escapades was entirely out of the question. But now I'm back and I've got some catching up to do ;)

RESOLUTIONS
I'm going to make this quick and pretty straight forward since I've got cooler stuff to get to...

1. FOR GOD'S SAKE, I am getting that blasted USDF Bronze Medal this year if it kills me!
2. Qualify for Arabian Sport Horse Nationals in Sport Horse Show Hack, Third Level (Open and ATR) and MAYBE Fourth (only ATR)
3. Qualify for BLM Championships at Third Level
4. Qualify for GAIG Championships at Third Level
5. Attend at least one clinic (ridden or audit)
6. Work out at least twice a week (and no this does not include riding!)
7. Travel someplace besides VA and NC
8. Read 24 books (Audio books and Graphic Novels do count :P)
**This next one is not really a resolution but an attempt at bettering my daily life...always be thankful in the morning when I wake up for the life I live. It's really a pretty great one ;)

LESSONS
I love clinics, lessons and really any opportunity I can get that will help further my knowledge and love of dressage. So, when the occasion arises that there is a chance to take a lesson with a dressage great, one does not simply say "Sorry, I can't," or "Oh my, isn't that a bit expensive?" No, you do not think about price, distance or weather, you load up your spicy black horse who has not been ridden in a week and ask what time the lesson starts! Now, I can't tell you who the person is yet. And in all honesty, you may not really even be that impressed when I do tell you who it is, but that's okay. I have been DYING to take a lesson with this person and I finally got the chance! Luckily, the weather was great and Buddy was a star. His mother, on the other hand, is  apparently a mess in the saddle!

Apparently, my horse looks like two different horses in the front and back end when we begin our workouts. I have been told that Buddy can have a lazy or "weird" backend. It does not match the activity of his front end thus making him look occasionally uneven. Thus, my lesson was spent fixing a problem that no one had bothered to teach me to fix. So, with lots of moving the haunches away from my inside leg (to activate the inside hind), leg-yielding away from my outside leg (to lift the inside shoulder), and pushing forward into both of my hands, I was able to achieve actual throughness without having World War III with his face. His back was up and he was pushing underneath him and not behind him. How cool! I've only had him for 7 years and am now just feeling this?!?! Man, we are behind the curve! While I was learning this newfound concept, it was also brought to my attention that my shoulders are uneven (right is higher than the left) and my left hand is constantly trying to be the center of attention. Ugh! Like I didn't have enough to work on already! But I have my homework and another lesson scheduled for March when my mystery clinician returns to NC. Until then, it will just have to be a little secret :)

I have a regular lesson scheduled with Lynn when she comes back for her annual "clinics" while she is wintering in FL. I missed the last one due to scheduling with my new job and then the flu plague was still hanging around. So, fingers crossed no sickness or health problems in general for me or the black horse and hopefully the next blog post will happen on schedule! Until then, Happy Trails!

2012 in a nutshell

Since I started this blog a couple of years ago, I usually make a blog post on the last few days of December to recap what the year has brought me and see how I did on my year end resolutions. Let's start with the 2012 recap. Well, I have to say that one of the biggest things accomplished this year was that we all survived the apocalypse! I know everyone was worried about that one but now we can all breathe a little bit easier (take that Mayans!! lol). In all seriousness, my riding got better even though it seemed harder this year. There were no super impressive scores but lots of hard work in solidifying our second level work. Our high was definitely the GAIGs with our best second level to date. We had some rough moments with Buddy jumping the fence and DJ's mysterious mouth sores (still working on my theory for this one, expect a blog post soon!). But at this very moment, I'm happy with where the boys are in their work. We are ready to take on new challenges next year and ready for our first lessons since before the BLMs in 2 weeks.

Ok, it's time to see how I faired on my 2012 goals:

2012 Goals:

• Finish that darn USDF Bronze Medal!!! 
• Well, I almost had it and I only need 1 more score! I'm not so sure DJ will be the one to finish it but at least he was the one who got me most of it :)
• Qualify for GAIG's & BLM's at Second and Third Level
• I did half of this one and I am REALLY glad I did not pursue the other half. In the summer I tried to make the transition to 3rd level with the addition of flying changes...long story short, bad idea! Bud was so confused with what I wanted it started effecting everything about our rides. So, we went back to really perfecting 2nd level and it ended up being the right decision for us at the time.
• Get into better physical condition - last year I set a goal for lbs. lost and I accomplished that but this year I want muscle along with it...that means, ugh, working out :(
• Hahaha! Silly me! I knew this one would be difficult for me personally since I'm not the biggest fan of working out. I recently bought a living social deal for a new Pure Barre studio that opened near my job and it expires in February. Maybe now I will actually try this time around.
• Get to at least one clinic this year (audit or riding)
• GOAL ACHIEVED! I had the great opportunity to go audit a clinic with JJ Tate. One day I will work with her on a horse. She is FANTASTIC. I went both days and learned so much it was ridiculous :)
• Read 20 books with at least 1 being a book to help my passion for the sport
• GOAL ACHIEVED! See the list below:

1. Daughter of Smoke and Bone - Laini Taylor
2. Daytripper - Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba (Graphic Novel)
3. Dressage Masters: Techniques and Philosophies of Four Legendary Trainers - David Collins
4. Brisingr: The Inheritance Cycle Book 3 - Chistopher Paolini (Audiobook)
5. Septimus Heap Book 1: Magyk - Angie Sage (Audiobook)
6. Septimus Heap Book 2: Flyte - Angie Sage (Audiobook)
7. Septimus Heap Book 3: Physic - Angie Sage (Audiobook)
8. Septimus Heap Book 4: Queste - Angie Sage (Audiobook)
9. Septimus Heap Book 5: Syren - Angie Sage (Audiobook)
10. Septimus Heap Book 6: Darke - Angie Sage (Audiobook)
11. A Discovery of Witches - Deborah Harkness
12. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Seth Grahame-Smtih (Audiobook)
13. Anya’s Ghost - Vera Brosgol (Graphic Novel)
14. The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack - Mark Hodder (Audiobook)
15. At the Mountains of Madness: A Graphic Novel - H. P. Lovecraft & I.N.J Culbard   (Graphic Novel)  
16. Inheritance: The Inheritance Cycle Book 4 - Christopher Paolini (Audiobook)
17. Pirate Latitudes - Michael Crichton
18. The Maze Runner - James Dashner (Audiobook)
19. Locke & Key Book 5: Clockworks - Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez (Graphic Novel)
20. The Scorch Trials  - James Dashner (Audiobook)
21. The Death Cure - James Dashner (Audiobook)
22. Tiger’s Destiny - Colleen Houck
23. The Kill Order - James Dashner (Audiobook)
24. The Scorpio Races - Maggie Stiefvater (Audiobook)
25. Divergent - Veronica Roth (Audiobook)
26. Insurgent - Veronica Roth (Audiobook)

Ok, really I only read 9 and the rest were audiobooks but that's ok because my requirement was still met including my dressage read. I provided a link to that book since it was a fantastic read and will definitely be revisiting it for inspiration. 

I will post my goals/resolutions tomorrow. Until then, Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!

Year End Wrap Up!!

Well, It's that time of year again...time to look back and see exactly what we did through the year that was productive (and in some cases not!) and if we stuck to any of our initial goals planned for the year.


First, let's start with what I accomplished this year...I rode all of my horses as much as I could. Buddy went to five horse shows at Second Level and came away with 7 Firsts, 4 Seconds, 1 Fourth, 3 Fifths, High Score Second Level and a Reserve High Score Petite Mount!!! DJ went to his first lessons in over a year and plans have been made for next season. Khakie has continued to improve his dressage basics and there may be an outing planned in the next couple of months. Because of this, I have been enlightened about physical fitness and healthy eating. Next year is going to be even better because of it, but more on that later.


I also completed my Paralegal Certification at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. It was a great experience and am hopeful for this new opportunity to provide me the finances I need to keep doing what  love :) This also gives me the ability to be a Notary Public and at the same time I'm re-learning French and Russian and just now beginning German. I have to say I'm having a great time and will definitely make a shout out to MindSnacks, my App that helps me learn all these fun languages! 


Now, time to rehash this year's "resolutions" to see how I did! Blue will be for completed tasks, Red for uncompleted and Underlined for resolutions that were edited.


Resolution/Goals for 2011

• Finish the requirements for my Bronze Medal - Nope, hopefully next year!
• Qualify for the USDF/GAIG Region 1 Championships and Arabian/Half-Arabian Sport Horse Nationals in whatever level I choose to compete at this year - I did! Second Level Amateur for both and received a Dover Medal in the process :)
• Continue going to lessons, clinics, and any other form of continuing my education in dressage - Unfortunately, no clinics this year but did try to stay as current on my learning as I could which included lessons every other week and coaching at horse shows.
• To keep improving myself with every ride on every horse by maintaining patience and an open mind - I've decided to change this one from a goal to an everyday riding motto
• Lose 15lbs to fit into my beautiful new show coat - Achieved! but after the holidays I really might need to do this again :)
• Generally be healthier with food (portion control) and exercise (actually doing some besides riding!) - this one can be added to the weight loss one because if I hadn't done that, I wouldn't have lost the 15lbs
• Go to a play/concert  - currently scheduled for January 19th - Not only did I get to go see the Lion King but I got to see Spamalot as well...too much fun!!!
• Enjoy more activities with my family
• Finish at least 10 books this year - This is a biggie! Not only did I complete this one but I tripled it! Here's a list of all of them:

January

World Fall: Book 2 of The Seven Circles Trilogy - Douglas Niles

The Goddess Worldweaver: Book 3 of The Seven Circles Trilogy - Douglas Niles

February

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister - Gregory Maguire

A Lion Among Men: Third Year of the Wicked Series - Gregory Maguire

March

Mirror, Mirror - Gregory Maguire

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson

April

Lost - Gregory Maguire

Ghosthunting Virginia - Michael J. Varhola

The Dark Tower: Treachery - Stephen King (Graphic Novel)

May

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 1 - Allan Moore & Kevin O’Neill (Graphic Novel)

The Girl Who Played with Fire - Stieg Larsson

June

 On Stranger Tides - Tim Powers

 Prince Caspian - C.S. Lewis

 The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - C.S. Lewis

July

The Silver Chair - C.S. Lewis

The Last Battle - C. S. Lewis

August

Locke & Key: Keys to the Kingdom - Joe HIll & Gabriel Rodriguez (Graphic Novel)

Tiger’s Curse - Colleen Houck

Tiger’s Quest - Colleen Houck

September

The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follet

October

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark - Guillermo Del Toro

November

Dreamless Issue #1 - Bobby Crosby & Sarah Ellerton (Graphic Novel) 

Tiger’s Voyage - Colleen Houck

Atomic Robo FCBD Edition - Brian Clevinger & Scott Wegener (Graphic Novel)

Eragon: Inheritance Book 1 - Christopher Paolini (Audiobook)

December

Eldest: Inheritance Book 2 - Christopher Paolini (Audiobook)

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll (Audiobook)

Through the Looking Glass - Lewis Carroll (Audiobook)

Witch and Wizard: The Fire - James Patterson 

• Get a new job that will help better support my love of the big 4-legged beasties - Still currently working on that one :)

All in all, I'd say it wasn't too bad of a year! Although I lost some special people in my life, I know they are looking down on me and are proud of the person I'm becoming. I have some exciting things planned for next year that include the ponies, fitness, and some other adventures, but I'll talk about that in the next blog...bis später (until later)!!!

Happy New Year!

First blog of the new year...Yay! Well, let me start with Happy New Year! I hope anyone reading this had a safe and fun night last night bringing in 2011. Unfortunately, that was not the case for me and my mom. Although we did not suffer any safety issues so to speak, our way of bringing in the "New Year" was far less than happy :( Since moving to NC, we have learned many new things about our new neighbors including that there is no such thing as a leash law with dogs, no one feels the need to lock their car/house, and there is always reason to carry a gun! But one thing we were not aware of was the annual lighting of fireworks at private shindigs in the hours leading up to the actual event of the New Year celebration. Needless to say, the horses did not handle the festivities all that well. To make my story short, we spent from 6:00pm to 12:20 in the barn blasting the local pop station to drown out the "works", hand walking in the barn aisle, and feeding Hilton Herballs (perfect sugar free cookies to feed in occassions like these!) until the fireworks ceased and the air was no longer filled with smoke. We got home around 12:30 and promptly crashed, only recognizing the holiday the next morning. At least today we were together as a family, relaxed most of the day and ate a fantastic meal to top it off! Not too bad ;) As a plus, my dad also gifted me and my mother with tickets to the Broadway production of The Lion King at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) this month....I cannot wait, sooo excited!!!

Enough of last night, now to the good stuff: New Years Resolution and Goals! I have decided that I am not breaking things down into specific goals for me or my ponies but instead just general goals that I hope to be reasonably attainable and not just in my riding life but in my personal life as well. Enjoy reading them and maybe as time goes on and if you keep reading (lets hope you do ;)) you can watch...er, read that I accomplish a majority of them!

Resolution/Goals for 2011

• Finish the requirements for my Bronze Medal
• Qualify for the USDF/GAIG Region 1 Championships and Arabian/Half-Arabian Sport Horse Nationals in whatever level I choose to compete at this year
• Continue going to lessons, clinics, and any other form of continuing my education in dressage
• To keep improving myself with every ride on every horse by maintaining patience and an open mind
• Lose 15lbs to fit into my beautiful new show coat 
• Generally be healthier with food (portion control) and exercise (actually doing some besides riding!)
• Go to a play/concert  - currently scheduled for January 19th
• Enjoy more activities with my family
• Finish at least 10 books this year
• Get a new job that will help better support my love of the big 4-legged beasties :)

Until next time, Have a great start to 2011!