Peaks and Valleys

Well, another Rolex has come and gone. Now the Olympics seem very close. Jersey and Bromont are the only 3* competitions left before the games!  I LOVE the summer Olympics!!!

I was able to get in two more lessons with Jan and having her here right after the 3* was perfect timing. If Jan told me once this weekend, she told me 10 times to "let Fair Hill go." She's so right... No harm was done and now I know what feeling I cannot have in terms of gallop and contact when I am in xc warm up and leaving the box. Still... Ugh.  It seems in eventing you're either on a peak, waiting for a valley, or in a valley climbing to the peak.

Jan was able to watch us go all spring and knew exactly what she wanted to work on when our lessons began this week. Since I already blogged about day one, I'll start with the dressage lesson we had on day two. We started out leg yielding down the rail and in that exercise we worked on having the correct angle and focused on my position. Once we did this a few times around the area, incorporating straight steps now and then, I already felt a difference in her trot. By tweaking my position and Frankie leg yielding down the rail correctly, she was really working through her back! It felt very correct.

 From there we went to canter. Actually, we went to counter canter and lots of it! Jan seriously addressed Frankie's swinging haunches in the transition as well as my position through the transition. We did about 50 trot counter canter transition along the rail. I think I cantered on the true lead once each direction and we used it to 1/2 circle back into the counter canter. By the end of all of this work, Frankie was truly up in the bridle, carrying herself, and not tense at all. Needless to say, she felt great. From that work, the 1/2 pass felt rhythmic and flowing.

Yesterday we jumped again starting with the same exercises that we did on Thursday. I am happy that I only had to do it about 15 times instead of the million it felt like I had to do it on Thursday! We continued to work on Frankie carrying the bit so I could have a supporting feel, not a dragging me, running through the bridle feel- also not to be confused with no feel where she has slipped behind me.

By the end of the lesson, Jan had us jump a 4'- 4'3" course where we actually ADDED between an oxer and a vertical that walked 5 strides.  Jan had us do the six and I cannot believe how slow, balanced, and confident she felt.  She gave me such a collected and powerful jump and by adding the stride to get the six, early, the last three strides to the vertical were the same, she was not pulling, and she did not jump past her distance like we so often do!

It was really unbelievable that Frankie jumped so well out of that canter!  Jan and I discussed that in some cases in SJ, I may want to add on a 5,6,7 stride line so that when I jump in and she sees it, she does not run down to it and jump past her distance.  The key is deciding BEFORE I land that I want to add!  It cannot happen 1/2 way there because then I am just pulling to the next jump.  I told Jan that had we not worked so hard on our canter and had the exercises to build us up to a big course, there was NO WAY I would have believed that canter was possible to those jumps!  Jan laughed and said, "Yeah, I know.  I watched you SJ."  HAHA!  I think this is funny because at Pine Top I wanted to go around a jump to have more time to "fix" my canter and she said to me, "Sometimes I think you think you are fixing your canter but in really you are just going faster."  It's pretty amazing what she sees and remembers!

Luckily I will get to see Jan again this summer when Frankie and I go to Surefire for a week and then again when she's here for Young Riders.  We were able to discuss what my schedule with Frankie should be and I am looking forward to a great run at Chatt Hills next month!

Not just Rolex weekend!

Of course everyone is excited that Rolex weekend is finally here.....  However, this weekend is double exciting for me since Jan Byyny is in town coaching at Rolex, we are able to get together for lessons.  Jan originally had two horses headed for Kentucky's 4* this year but sadly, both had to be withdrawn.  The good news, both horses will return to competition this late summer/ early fall.  She has a wonderfully written blog series on the Rolex web site if you want to read more.

Lesson Day 1:  Thursday April 26th: 
Thursday was a jump day for us.  Jenn O'Neill and her upper level horse, Lewis, joined us for a lesson.  Jan asked me if I had anything specific I wanted to work on.... then paused and said that she had something in mind.  She wanted me to work on putting the numbers together.  I said, "Sure!  That sounds great!"  And in my mind, that sounded easy enough. 

Well, I did not know that these two little white boxes Maggie owns could be so evil!  LOL.  Jan had Jen and I canter the boxes on 5 strides, 4 strides, and 6 strides.  Jan mixed the numbers up and I quickly learned that adjusting the canter was essential and I learned that my canter was not very adjustable!  Needless to say, those of you who know Frankie can imagine that the 5 and the 4 were way easier than adding for the 6!  And doing the 6 strides did not mean pulling all the way down to the 2nd box with her running through my hand like a fire breathing dragon!  I am sure you are getting a visual! The exercise was to teach us react, almost before you landed in some cases, especially on the 6!  One time I actually got 7.  Well, getting 7 strides was not the exercise but what I learned was that I was unaware of the canter I needed to get the 6 strides until it was too late.

Next, we incorporated this to a 3'+ vertical to a 3'+ oxer line set on 7 strides.  We had to do the 7, 8, and 6 strides, both vertical to oxer then oxer to vertical.  I was happy that Frankie was getting better and the canter had really improved.  Lewis was really adjustable and they made this exercise look really easy. 

From there we did the same thing but jumped a 4' vertical on the diagonal line and from that jump we had to adjust the canter to get the 5 or the 6 strides to a 4' vertical out of the turn down to a 4' oxer.  This was tricky for me because it was out of a turn and when I "add" it is from pulling at the base of the fence from not seeing a distance and usually it's not on purpose!   It is at this moment that I panic and take my leg off.  The outcome is usually not ideal.  Luckily, all the work we did prior set us up for success.  I was able to adjust the canter before my turn to the first vertical and stay in that canter when we landed so the last two strides to the oxer, I was not pulling but supporting.  It felt great.  Had we started trying to do this with the jumps at this height, I would not have been successful and can only imagine how disastrous it would have been. 

Jan said she knew by watching me go at the two Pine Top's, Southern Pines, and Fair Hill that this was an issue that had to be addressed and as it turns out was my undoing at Fair Hill.  The "soft" jump into the corner combination, my lack of response, combined with me not believing in the adding stride then supporting with my leg, caused the first miss at the corner.  The second miss was my line.  I made the same mistake at the sunken road where I picked up my 3rd stop.  I came to the "A" element of the sunken road with a powerless canter.  I have a better feel today of a slow, balanced canter that has power- and that I can believe in, and I realize that was NOT the canter I had at Fair Hill. 

Friday we will have a flat lesson and I am sure it will be just as eye opening and something tells me there will be a lot of working on the canter!

Day 2 Fair Hill CIC 3*

   

Expensive lessons are sometimes the ones we get the most out of!  I earned myself three stops on the CIC 3* course today.  As I sit here at Fair Hill, with Frankie happily resting in her stall, I think about how strange it is that I am not upset.  I, of course, feel really disappointed in myself because I am capable of riding better than I did today but I am not upset or feel that I've lost any of the training we've added the last year.  Hell, a year ago I was entering the OP at Maydaze wondering if I'd ever even run the OI again!  Now look at us, we are running the Advanced level and qualified for the 3*!  I've had a GREAT spring and that cannot be taken away from me.  

I think today can be taken in stride for several reasons.  One reason is I have seen and heard of a lot heartbreak this year.  Early this year, my friend lost her horse, currently Jan won't be riding at Rolex this year due to injuries with her horses that are just enough to keep her from competing, and all the stories I've read and heard about riders trying to make the Olympic team.  Everyone in this sport works hard and sacrifices, and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE has days where it just does not go their way.  I am just feeling lucky that I will have the opportunity to work on what I need to so that I can give Frankie the ride and support she needs.  To sum all that up, I have been careful this spring to not let the highs get too high, so the lows (that we all know are inevitable), don't get too low.  

Jan warmed me up for XC and even though the ground was ROCK hard, I felt like she was really relaxed.... maybe a little too relaxed after the 35 min hack to XC warm- up.  Fences 1, 2, 3 were very simple and perhaps a tiny bit smaller than what Pine Top and Southern Pines threw at us so I never really got her into a good gallop before the first big question at 4A, B, a chevron then bending right in 4 strides to a left handed corner (with the ground really falling left- pulling you left.)  I galloped down the hill to 4A, stretched up and she came right back, a little too easily for her and she was no longer in my hand.  The soft jump I had at A, needed to be my clue that I needed to land and do something.  Oh... wait, I did do something- I pulled.  That is never the right answer and I know that.  Frankie thought about it and luckily knew the power was not there to jump the corner and ran out left taking out the flag with her face.  Now I really had a problem.  I was not real sure HOW to get back to the corner nor did I know if I could get her to jump the corner with the flag now gone.  I came around again hunting for a line.... nope; it was not there- circle #2.  I figured I'd try one more time and to my surprise, she jumped the crap out of it!  

From there we had a hammock then a table that allowed a little more of a gallop and she jumped them well.  Next we had to somewhat pull them off their gallop to make an "S" type turn to the first sunken road.  For fear of over riding her and using up all my power at the beginning of the sunken road, I did not do anything with my canter out of the "S" turn which left us powerless and flat.  Combine that with no leg and we all know the result.  It was not a jarring, sliding stop.  It was almost a walk/ stop.  

Jan and Wayne were both on course and were able to see the mistakes at both fences.  Jan was so positive as I walked over to her and says it happens to everyone and that it will happen again down the road.  She reminded me that I will have days where my inexperience shows and days that I don't ride as well as I can.  "The only way to get experience is to get out here and get it. Today showed your inexperience but this is an Advanced mare.  You will get it."  Jan said. We also talked about me never having her in my hand and how my reaction has to be to kick- never pull.    

I have spoken with Wayne too and he felt the same way- that I just never got her going and that she looked way too "quiet."  I have to admit, I was a little shocked at her quietness as well.

I always try to find the positive in every situation and in this situation there are actually several.  I learned several lessons today, the ground was REALLY hard so maybe it was a blessing in disguise, Frankie is smart and I am glad she knew I did not have her in the canter to get it done, nothing happened today that took away our confidence, and best of all, Frankie and I have the opportunity to get it right the next time.

Luckily Jan and I can have a mini- camp next week while she is in town.  I am prepared for a good butt whipping!  LOL. I deserve it after today and am actually looking forward to it!  

Hope everyone makes it to Rolex and that all the horses and riders have wonderful rides next weekend! 

Fair Hill CIC 3* Day 1

Well, day one is coming to an end.  I am having a great time and enjoying every second!  It is still hard to believe that we are here doing the CIC 3*!  I have not said those words (CIC 3*) a lot so when doing in-barns, having them check my arm band, and other reasons to identify what division I am in, I find the words, CIC 3* sounding so foreign as they come out of my mouth.
We did our in-barns yesterday and they went well.  Frankie actually stood while they looked over her.  This is way better than in the fall at the 2* at Chatt Hills when she was trying to take everyone out!
Finding the dressage, discovering "THE Tunnel," and hacking through the forest have been adventures in themselves!  When ever Lindsay or I ask someone where something is we get, "You know where they have stabling for the Fall 3-Day."  Or, "Oh, you run XC in the field where they run the Fall Fair Hill."  Apparently, having not ever been to Fair Hill is incomprehensible by some! LOL.  Well, we are here now and I am getting my bearings.  I actually made it over to dressage today in 28 minutes and did not take one wrong turn!
I was able to walk around the course with Jan at 8:15 this morning.  As always, it was very informative.  We spent the longest time at the waters that Jan warned will ride very BIG on the out fences, the coffin, and the sunken roads... Yes, two of them.  The first sunken road comes up early, has a one stride in, 21 feet across the bottom, and a significant bounce out.  I have very specific instructions here and Frankie bounced out of the water really well at Southern Pines so I hope to have the same feel here.  Jan is very specific about where to be out of the saddle and where to have your "butt down" to the fences.  I have also learned to walk distances but not to depend on the number and to be ready to ride what I get.  Often, especially with terrain questions, such as the second sunken road- which is an actual ROAD, if they shuffle down the hill it will come up different than if they leap down the hill.  This will be the same case at the second water.  It walks a 5, but that my not be what you end up with.  This course is going to give me PLENTY of opportunities to work on closing the left side by putting my left leg ON, left hand down, opening my right rein, and NOT dropping my shoulder right to try and direct her where to go.   The shoulder is not a good means of steering! The course looks fun and rideable.... and ride is what I will need to do.
Our dressage test was a huge improvement from the test we did in the Fall.  She is more rideable.  Wayne was able to see my test and his biggest comment was that I need to RIDE her in the ring.  I think I back off her for fear of that blow up she is  was capable of.  She was behaved today, got both changes and good scores on some movements.  Early in the test my curb chain came undone on one side and was swinging rhythmically, hitting her in the side of her face.  Luckily, after the third whack, if went flying through the air, free of the other clip.  She was really good through all of this.  I am finding pliers and closing those clips as soon as I get home!  We got a qualifying score of 67.5 and the good news is there is so much room for improvement! She is only getting better and better!
I wanted to send an update from here but now, I am headed to bed and going to try to sleep (hope my typos are minimal tonight!) - I am really excited about tomorrow!  We have a busy day and again, I am going to enjoy every second.  :)

10 Day Countdown

Today marks 10 days out from Fair Hill.  I have been counting down one way or another for some time now but with today being 10 days away from actually leaving for the show, it is all becoming more and more real.

I went last week to the USEF office and upgraded Frankie's passport from her National passport to an International passport or I as I like to call it, "Purple Passport."  I am learning it is a very surreal feeling when your dreams are actually happening. 

Since Southern Pines, and making the decision to enter the CIC 3*, everything pertaining to Frankie has been calculated.  Her swim days, conditioning days, hack days, and lesson days have been chosen with a deliberate purpose.  She feels so strong physically and is handling her level of fitness very well mentally. 

We went to Masterson yesterday to ride in the outdoor ring and work on the movements in the 3* test.  It was incredibly windy but she was very workman like.  I cannot believe how much she has improved since last Fall.  This test calls for movements we have yet to perform in the arena such as the 1/2 pass from quarter-line to quarter-line, canter serpentines (with counter canter), using the width of the arena before the flying change, and canter directly from the rein- back across X.  It all comes up quickly, even in the large arena, and will require me to ride around the arena very accurately.  I learned yesterday if I turn too early to the quarter-line, I fail to set her up correctly for the 1/2 pass and reach the opposite quarter-line between X and B too quickly without showing much lateral work.  If I turn too late, I struggle to make it to the opposite quarter-line between X and B before changing the bend and 1/2 passing back left to the original quarter-line. 



Let's just hope I can ride it better than I draw it!



I know, I know.... you are probably thinking.... "It's the quarter-line- everyone knows where the quarter-line is."  Yea, I was thinking the same thing when I was memorizing the test.  However, as I learned yesterday it MUST be 5 meters off the rail.  Not 4 meters, not 6 meters but 5 meters exactly.  I finally got it right a few times in a row so we moved on and continued to break the test apart.   Frankie worked very hard the entire lesson and seems game for the new challenges we are facing. 

I will try to post daily from Fair Hill.  My parents are coming and bringing their camper so that makes me really happy but unfortunately, I don't think Tom will not be able to make this trip as it is already quite costly.  He will get updates from my Mom. I will miss having his help.  Luckily, Jenn O'Neill is allowing Hannah Brand time off for the weekend and she is coming to help.  Hannah is Jenn's working student and I know her help will be missed at the farm that weekend.  I really appreciate Jenn letting her come and appreciate Hannah wanting to come to help out- even if she is only coming to see my Mom! Lol. 

Until next time- here's to dreams that really can and do come true.  I am living mine and cherishing every second.