Reunited with the Jinxy Cat (and Lexi)

Oh look! It's Ellie and Jinx together again. No- this post isn't a throwback to 2014! Lexi and Jinx moved to our barn back in November and last week was the first time we were coordinated enough to manage a ride together. Not much has changed- I'm still going through my Spring nerves and Jinx is as solid a citizen as ever in his 18th year.

Over the past 12 months my barn family has morphed into a close knit group of Oakland women who regularly meet up to puppy social, host impromptu wine and cheese chats, and are always good for a laugh!

Juicing and Puppy Socials

I've done two rounds of juice cleansing via Pressed Juicery. The first was a 5 day "level 2" cleanse and the second was a 3 day "level 3" cleanse. Level 3 was for the most serious cleansers and wow- I don't know that I could have gone a full five days.

Anyway, when we were at Stanford last week we stopped into an "in real life" Pressed Juicery! I picked up a day's worth of Level 3 cleanse and drank them today along with a giant plate of roast, potatoes, rolls, and butter......so I imagine it wasn't super effective.

Puppy came to work with me today (Ariat is dog friendly) and we scooted out a hair early to head to Puppy Social. Yes- a room full of playing puppies. We've been trying to stay on top of Pep's socialization and go to these things twice a week in addition to a day of training. Unfortunately tonight ended up cancelled due to the Easter weekend (silly me for not double checking the schedule) but we made the most of arriving home early and went to the park with Paul and practiced our "with me" leash skills (Paul calls me a human treat dispenser).

Pepé and Easter

So we got a puppy on Feb 20th- Pepé. As I'm typing this he's lying on the futon in the Den (formerly Paul's office) sleeping and farting away. The smell got so bad that Paul actually got up to leave for a moment. I wasn't willing to step away from the bowl of pistachios I'm working my way through while we wait for our Easter Roast to slow cook.

The reason for the delay was my fault. I was sent to the grocery store and got hung up at Pet Food Express (buying treats which are likely a contributing factor in the gas right now) and hunting Cadbury Cream Eggs. Lesson learned- don't go to the store expecting to get Cream Eggs on the actual day of Easter. And kudos to Safeway for managing their Holiday inventory.

We had a glorious sleep in this morning (back on the futon, which is where we end up after puppy wake up), a walk with Paul & Pepé to Peet's (say that three times fast), trip to the park (x2), and a super lazy afternoon nap.

I think a restful Sunday was exactly what the Doc had ordered going into this week. My Mom is coming to town on Wednesday and I can't wait to spend some QT with her along with ticking off a few projects that have been on the docket for a minute.

Beach Party Horse Show

Oh man! We had SO much fun at Brookside's Beach Party Show in July. Normally it's broiling in Sacramento that time of year, but we actually got hit with some light rain showers on Thursday Pro Day and lucked out with some mild weather for the balance of the week.

Ellie was a good girl and Ted and I tackled our first 2'9" classes- they both did the Derby with Ali. Really it's the relaxed atmosphere that I enjoyed the most- from wearing Hawaiian shirts in lieu of jackets to neon pink braids for Ellie and neon green braids for Ted.

AND Jen and I rented an RV and stayed on grounds at the show which was an absolute blast- cannot wait to go again next year!

Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby

Earlier this summer we took a road trip to see the Franktown Meadows USHJA International Hunter Derby just over Donner Pass in Reno, NV. 

The fences were enormous, the horses were spectacular, and the backdrop was absolutely gorgeous! 

A Visit from my Parents.....and the Obligatory Barn Visit!

Give me that banana, human!

Equestrian Blogger Gift Exchange

Thanks to Tracy @ The Printable Pony for another AMAZING blogger gift exchange!

I received a wonderful treat from a "new to me" blogger- Amy & Gwyn of Quantum Chrome. I'm looking forward to following along in their adventures!

The ponies are going to be spoiled from all their treats (especially the Apple/ Banana flavored Equi-Treats) and the always popular Muscle Soothe from The Herbal Horse. I may end up sneaking some of the Muscle Soothe for myself.....along with the Be Calm for this final stretch leading up to Holiday!

Candles, Peddies, and the most legit Vetrap I've ever seen- but my favorite item of the bunch was the handmade card featuring yours truly and Ellie. What a thoughtful and personal touch! Amy is a lovely artist!

Thank you Amy & Gwyn! Cheers to a Happy & Healthy Holiday Season!

Rancho Murieta Autumn Classic: Saturday & Sunday

Wrapping this show up!

Ted was amaze-balls again on Saturday (minus a sticky change at the end of the second course)- and our two firsts and a second O/F was enough to net us Champion of the 2'9" Division.
The weather was gorgeous on Sunday so we gave him the day off and went for a nice hack instead.

Ellie continued to be super competitive in her large 2'6" division with a fourth and sixth over fences on Saturday with really consistent rounds. We left her braids out on Sunday and practiced our Equitation for fun. She was super FRESH and needed a little play before we went into the ring. OK Elle- you've only been showing for a solid week after all.

Could not be happier with the way both horses showed up and a great end to the season!

Rancho Murieta Autumn Classic: Friday Part 2

Derby Day! Murieta ran an $18,000 Derby across three different heights- 2'9", 3', and 3'3". While the height range is pretty enticing (there were about 50 horses entered) I did recall from earlier this year that they also have this absolutely terrifying log fence that a good number of horses had turned away from.

In addition to the log of doom they also had a barrel jump and between the two of those, the cold weather, and the late evening- the class was basically carnage. Like there was not a score above 60 for the first half. And this is a B rated show!

Fortunately I did not have to witness any trips before mine- we went second.

The course walk opened at 5:30 and the class started at 6. It took a second for my brain to relax during the walk- what sounded like a jumble of fences at first turned into a pretty straightforward 10 fence course with a bunch of bending lines.

Our warm up was somewhat ill-fated just given that there wasn't the opportunity to really take a breath. And poor Teddy- my butt turned into a rocket seat and I was clinging to him with legs of steel.

Walking to the warm up ring

No thanks

Walking to the ring our name was being called with an open gate- there was no "hurry up and wait" here. I was terrified- there were literally tears welling up in my eyes and Ted was not interested in stepping into the ring. Poor Ali was like "take it down a notch" please. And in we went. 

This is a wonderfully edited video of all the best parts of our round! A flash went off after our first fence and he gave a pretty solid dolphin. The next element was a galloping 9 stride line and I was interested zero in doing that so we crawled down it in an 11 (I just cut that whole line out). Then into a bending 10 to the barrels- he landed cross cantering so I made a very large and very slow circle before catching the out fence (the out is the second fence in this video). Into a 2 stride which we drove right by since we were moving a snails pace. I don't fault the guy- we didn't have enough canter to make it out. After the stop I looked over at the gate and Ali asked if I wanted to come out. Some shouts from the stands encouraged me to keep going and the entire peanut gallery was clucking us along as we cantered past. Last a bending line, the scary log being the middle jump was supposed to be a 7 to a 6....I did a 9 to an 8.

BUT we finished. And for all the horses that stopped out at the barrels and log (Ellie for example was excused)- Ted didn't even blink. AND he landed his left lead out of the two and carried it for the balance of the course.

The horse has officially reached Saint status.

Over the scary log- no problem

Our first fence 

Sigh of relief to be done and a big smile! 

Ellie waits for her turn to Derby- so cute! 

Derby girls! 

Rancho Murieta Autumn Classic: Friday Part 1

I have to split this day into two parts because Ted and I COMPLETED a Derby Friday night and that, my friends, deserves a post all of its own.

Ali had ridden Ellie to success in her 3' classes earlier in the week (and we actually cut the division short because she was being so good) and just hacked Ted. We changed the recipe for him a bit and are keeping his pro days super light.

So I kicked my day off on Friday with a flat class on Ellie. The division was large so they split the group into two classes....and even with the split it was pretty miserable. Lots of getting cut off and maybe breaking to the trot.....or not considering we placed third. Shhhhhh.

Elle and I bumbled around her first 2'6" round- I leaned into a line and she stopped. Coming out of the second course we pinned 8th which I was super pleased with.

The ring is long and narrow- the lines were set at 5 and a 6 across the diagonal. I like it for Teddy because he doesn't have time to get rolling/ super long and low. For Ellie it feels like we have to keep a ton of pace to keep ticking along. Very different rides!

 So I jumped on Ted planning to use my 2'9" rounds as a warm up for the Derby. Keeping in mind that this was my lackadaisical thought process....my normal brain was very much noting that this was my third show at 2'9" ever. The above shot captures Ali and I walking to the ring- I was literally asking her if she was SURE Ted was going to be a good boy not having been schooled all week.

Spoiler alert- he was an AMAZING boy. Ted jumped like a FREAK, and played a little bit after the best fences. And landed his leads. I could not have asked for better courses on this beastie. First place in both rounds over fences. Shoot. Let's go Derby right?

Equestrian Blogger Gift Exchange- Five Year Recap

I have Tracy at The Printable Pony to thank for this post. Not only is she saving us from continuing to land on my April 5th too small white breeches photo..... my Equestrian Blogger gift giver will feel confident that I am a real person who actually does blog on occasion.

Hard to believe Tracy has been hosting this fun event for FIVE years running! I've participated each year and have such a fun time reading and discovering new blogs. As a hoot I grabbed my recap posts from the previous year exchanges!
2013
2014
2015
2016

Challenge Update

Nothing like slipping into a slightly too tight pair of white breeches to keep one on the straight and narrow Challenge path!

Na-na-na-na NAP Time

Love this sweet picture of Ellie getting her beauty sleep between classes at Murieta.

Branded Hat

The mother of our one Junior found herself with plenty of time on her hands recovering after a surgery so she hand knitted a whole bunch a beautiful hats with our Landmark Equestrian logo! What a lovely treat to find in my trunk- super impressed by her skills!

Favorite Show Moment

If I had to pick a favorite moment from the show it would have to be our Under Saddle class for the Pre Adult division. I had been so concerned when five numbers were called to the middle of the ring almost right after the class began, including Teddy and Ellie. That exercise turned out to be in our favor as the top five ribbons went to those horses. I was pleasantly surprised that Ellie was included in the lineup- there were a lot of very nice horses in a large division.

I am just so proud of her. First Pre Green Show (3ft division), first Derby- she's game and keeps getting better and better! Excited for the rest of the season!