Cuteness

Banana and Meatball

Banana likes to pace her pen, one of her less endearing qualities. I guess yesterday she was just pacing and pacing and pacing. So, today we decided we had to find her a friend to get turned out with. She and Meatball have gotten along pretty well over the fence, so we cautiously gave it a try.

No drama. Not even pinned ears.

After a bit they figured out they both like to run around, so they did. Meatball gave a couple of little kicks in her direction at one point, and pinned his ears a bit, but it wasn't even real dislike.

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Check another one off the bucket list

I have wanted to ride sidesaddle for forever. Today, thanks to our awesome favorite saddle fitter, who brought down her sidesaddles, I got to. Bean was unconcerned. When I got on though she didn't want to move off, convinced I wasn't all the way on yet :D

Energetic Banana

Somehow, Banana has never worn a blanket in her life and she grew almost no fur this year. Therefore, now she has a blankie. I hate blankets and think the majority of horses wearing them don't need them. I will cave to the more naked or elderly though, hence her blanket. And blanketing Condi, even though he gives me a dirty look every time I put one on him.

She has some energy, my Banana. With Meatball and Bean if they're energetic it's harnessed in their obedience to their rider. I love riding them when they're full of it. Because Banana is so green her forward is a bit scary right now. It's nice that she has it and she'll have some serious XC speed, but oh I can't wait till she's more trained.

Banana as a baby

She was really freaking adorable.

Holsteiners

Side affect of hanging out with someone who is into Holsteiners: you learn about them. I spent an afternoon many weeks ago learning the basics with the Taskmaster.

Bean's sire is Le Santo, who is by Landgraf:
Landraf video

Landgraf is a big name and he's by Ladykiller, another of the big influential stallions.

Bean's dam, Catrin, was by Caletto 2. He was the father of Ludger Beerbaum's 1992 Olympic Gold Medal mount Jewel's Classic Touch. So, Bean's aunt was an Olympian.

Caletto 2 is by Cor de la Bryere. From what I can tell, there isn't a horse bigger than Cor de la Bryere in Holsteiner breeding.

Cor de la Bryere video
Condi is by Condino who is also by Cor de La Bryere.

Looking at Bean and Condi I have to say I'm impressed by well bred Holsteiners. Condi looks awesome for 28 and if he didn't have saddle anxiety he'd still be being ridden/competed. Bean started her competitive career at 21. They're both really excellent horses.

2012 Recap 2013 plans

So, Year of The Pony didn't quite happen the way I was hoping. We did finish two BNs on our dressage score and were 1 point away from qualifying for the AECs (we needed one point to get 5th instead of 6th at St Johns.) She's done, I'm sad. She's quite happy just eating all day, so I'll get over it.

Now we're in what one of my Parters In Crime calls "A Rebuilding Year." She's in one too and we both still hope to get to the AECs. Depending on how much work we get done this winter the plan is to get Meatball and Banana jumping and take them to their first even in May. It's our closest event, unrated, and their Pre-Comp is the easiest one I've seen. Perfect for a first event. Bean I'm hoping to do Pre-Comp at St Johns and move up to BN at Watermelon.

What happens at Watermelon will determine the rest of the year. The Ladies and I are hoping for the two summer Coconinos, the call of a week in the pines of Flagstaff is too much to resist. Beyond that we can't figure. I have no idea who I'll be taking where except I am planning on taking Bean to some real dressage shows. The old girl loves competing and I love ribbons.

Land of Snow and Cold

Snowy and cold here in the Land of Snow and Cold. At least it's sunny? Not much of a comfort when you're climbing through snow drifts to get to the barn.

It's even been snowy and cold at the Taskmaster's and we've officially now lost more days of riding this winter so far than we did the entirety of last winter. That's okay, forces us to take a break for a bit and that's not a bad thing.

I do have four new jackets to keep me warm though. It was the Christmas of Outerwear for me.

White stuff

Bye bye grass, we'll see you in the spring.

We don't need no stinking coaches!

Meatball and Joker

Last night I was talking to my vet/neighbor as I do and she said that I taught her that one can show and just have fun. First, I was flabbergasted that anyone would learn anything from me. Second, I said I think part of it is not showing with a trainer. I'm very much of the belief that whatever skills I need have to be installed at home so they come without thinking if I'm out. If I'm just trusting everything will be fine it's a lot easier to have fun. Having someone there telling me what to do doesn't sit well with that.

The Taskmaster actually coached me at my last show and I will never do that again. When I warm up it's just me and the horse in our little bubble. I get them on the aids and physically warm and that's it. How long that takes depends on the horse. Bean, when she's in Fire Breathing Dragon mode, takes about 5 minutes. With a trainer there she invades my bubble and I can't focus as well and I need my focus.

Now, as a kid I showed hunters so of course I had a trainer, but I honestly don't remember her being quite as evident as today's hunter trainers sound like they are. Is it because she realized I was better without her or was that just her style? No idea. But I do know I have never in my life needed my trainer to hold my hand except logistically. Entry forms are so confusing!

It got cold here, just in time for Penny and Condi to come home, which they did on Monday. Condi was so unhappy back at the Taskmaster's. He rarely nickered and his eyes were dull. Now that he's back he's all happy again: nickering, bright eyes. Our guess is he really missed the pasture. Well, I won't make him go back down. As far as I'm concerned he can die here.

The horses for training over the winter are showing up at the Taskmaster's. Zaya and Capo got there Monday, Cookie has been there two weeks and will be there another two. Another horse is coming Sat and when he and Cookie leave we're getting two more. Then there's Banana to be worked and Meatball, Bean, and Joker. I'm going to be riding a lot this winter, that's for sure.