3 hours later, I have almost booked my flights to Utah :( The championships didn't even have me as stressed as this process! My hands are tired from typing "WAS" and "SLC" in every online booking site and I can barely see the computer screen. Amazingly, the flights I want still exist, but as soon as I try to purchase them there is an error on the screen. 10 minutes of waiting on the phone has now gotten me to a person that is more capable of doing this than I am. Bless his heart. Now I just have to get over the neck cramps from the stress of it all and start reading for the "L" program!
I really hope no one expects a photo with this post!
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You never know how many fans you have until you relaunch your blog. I was shocked to see how many people sent me a message, letting me know they were happy to see my blog back. So now the pressure is on to entertain everyone... fingers crossed :)
I guess Promontory couldn't get enough of me, because I am headed back to Utah for the USDF "L" Program. In a little over a week, I am going to expand my horizons and begin training as a judge. Perhaps it was the long hours o If dressage shows are like little horse villages, than BLMs is the capital city. Everywhere we went at the Championships, you saw horse people - Hilda Gurney waiting in the lobby, Canaan Ranch at the Happy Apple for dinner and TeamworkDressage's trailer at the toll booth. Short of Florida and Devon, there is also no place I have been to that allows you to see such good riding/training around every corner.
Within feet of each other, I saw Heather Mason put in a gorgeous ride - that won her class - and Chris Hickey warming up Michael on his FEI mount. On the adjoining hill, L program participants were learning with Lois Yukins and I had the extraordinary chance to ride all of my non-FEI classes for Anne Gribbons, Hilda Gurney, Lisa Schmidt and Angela Littlefield... which taught me to be thankful for a master judge's eye, even if it is intimidating! Being around so many skilled dressage competitors, judges, trainers and other professionals made every big (and small) success this past weekend even sweeter. There are only so many people to give you feedback at home and besides your trainer(s), it is sometimes hard to believe that your friends/family aren't just giving flattering you. However, when an Olympic judge tells you it was good, you believe it - and suddenly you believe your friends at home a little bit more. If you do not have a cavesson, the USDF recommends that you attach the lunge line to the bride like so:
Step 1: Put the line through the bottom part of the inside bit ring. Step 2 + 3: Put the line under the bottom of the bit ring and over again. Step 4: Put the line through the top of the bottom part of the ring again. Step 5: Continue under the horse's chin to the outside bit ring. Step 6: Clip the lunge line to the outside bit ring. *This prevents the line from tightening when pressure is applied. If the line is put over the horse's head, it creates a severe gag-like quality in the bit. If the bit is not looped around the inside bit loop or a Y attachment is used, the bit has a nutcracker-like action when pressure is applied. A cavesson is the best choice, while using this method of attaching the lunge line to the bit is the second best option. All the horses need a little down time, so many of our horses/students are having a low key couple of weeks... however, some of them are working away and I am very proud to report a few huge milestones:
Congratulations to: Ellen, for her first canter on her new horse Midas! Jill, for working without stirrups for 2 days in a row - in 74% humidity - and still wanting a third lesson this week :) Jennifer S. for moving her horse up to solid First Level work in record time! Jennifer F. for venturing far beyond the farm, perfecting the trotting poles and bravely cantering up those hills, on a horse that might get 76% in the show ring... but isn't so much a schoolmaster on the cross country ;) Janice for taking that extra step of going to Pilates and improving her riding beyond lessons in the saddle. Norma Lynn, for running through the entire test in sitting trot. ... and Barb. For putting up with us all, when it is 150 degrees out :) Barb, Nicole and I are busy with upcoming clinics!
Starting this weekend, Barb is teaching a goal setting clinic up at Dona Ruth's Ships Quarters Farm. Next weekend, Barb will be teaching a dressage clinic at Potomac Riverside in Dickerson, MD. The last week in August, Nicole Uphoff-Selke will be teaching a 3-day clinic at Dominion with us. ... and I just confirmed a September 28 Lungeing Clinic with Great and Small in Boyds, MD. Contact me for more information about any of these great opportunities. There is still room in many of the clinics and ALWAYS room for auditors. Happy learning! Finally back from a marathon weekend at the Lendon Gray Youth Festival. We left at 5:45 a.m. on Thursday morning and returned by 7 p.m. on Sunday evening.
At first, I was a little jealous of everyone that did not have to drive 14 hours this week... until I got home and realized it was not 70 degrees and drizzling, like it was in upstate New York! Whatever the actual temperature is here in Maryland, it is a LOT hotter than it was in New York. Needless to say, I am happy to be home (and I think everyone else is happy to be home or have us back). Jennifer (aboard Ferrero) earned high scores in the Written, Equitation and Dressage portions of her Festival. Her final standings included an overall Fourth in Training Level and Seventh in First Level for her division of 15-17 year olds. An amazing showing for her first time out. Some girls did not bring home any ribbons... Jennifer brought home a ribbon in every portion and overall standing she participated in! She also won a great travel bag, polos and book. Also a big congrats to Anecia Hoffield, Nora, Lauren and the Pennsylvania group on their successes in all of their divisions. Many thanks to Amy Hoffield and Krysta Tycho-Noone for including us in weekend activities. See everyone next year! (Pictures to follow shortly) It has come to my attention that some of the people I teach read my blog. Isn't it funny when you realize that people actually read your blog AND you know them? I guess you all just can't get enough of me at the barn ;)
So here is a little shout out to my blog "fans" that also see me regularly for lessons: Love you guys, see you soon, give your horses a hug for me! |