AERC Re-Fuel

So as I had said I wasn't writing as much as I wanted to so much stuff to do and not enough time on the net of course to be honest some of my time was taken up by Facebook LOL. After feeling totally lost and not sure how to start I had a pick me up from my two favorite Mom's a trip to the AERC conference and a much deserved break from house fever. I started out the day by buying a new helmet.... Well at least to me anyway my Mom and I also went and watched the talk given by Angie McGhee I never had the chance to be an endurance brat but I hope my kids do. Either way I enjoyed listening to Angie and her daughter talk reminded me of how I talk to my Mom. After that Mom #2 and I tried on some hats Yes Mom #2 you knew I would post the pictures ha ha ha.... Don't we look great I really wish I had bought one of those I am still laughing. The day went on with a nap or two in the car as we did an all night drive to get there for Angie and shopping of course I also ended up with a new rasp oh happy day...

On a side note Zach even though I did not introduce myself it was really nice seeing you there and I hope you have a very successful season.

As the day ended we headed for the dance and no offense to the people who put on the conference because the conference was awesome but the DANCE BLEW.... So we all headed to the line other side of the casino where I saw some amazing dancing yes I tried a few dances to and I was lucky enough to dance with an endurance legend yes I did I have proof LOL... Thanks for the Dance Potato I had fun :). I

told you I had proof :)... So I of course drove home the next day after some more shopping and one more purchase or two and sat for the next day or so because to be honest that is a very long drive. But when I got up this morning I realized I am not going to sit here and let another Tevis go by without putting some effort into actually riding. So I have decided to work with AJ and go on a 25 for a test run and then hit the 50's running..... OK maybe not running but you get the idea I started my kick off with a walk this morning and realized that even though I was determined and mind could go the distance my body has a lot of work ahead. My morning started with a 2 mile walk around the lake where I live which I did pretty good considering how out of shape I am 37.45 minutes my goal is 2 laps around the lake and lots of riding however my shins stopped me today and that is how I realized how much work I really have ahead of me. AJ is in good shape I on the other hand am a nightmare I'm thinking of strapping myself to his back so that when I am to tired to continue I'm not going to fall off LOL. But to be a bit on the serious side I plan to walk every morning and ride in the afternoon so that we are both prepared for the rides we have ahead. I can't promise I will ride Tevis this year but I plan to do my best so that I can say I put in the effort. Happy Trails everyone ride far and ride for fun don't loose the joy of riding while competing :).... Time to go wash my car have a great day....

Wow See I told you "Bumps"

So as you have noticed I have been quite dormant lately. Well I think I have finally found my horse to take me on Tevis. At least the first time I am still determined on having my stallion and I go down the road together but since I took a bad spill my determination started to waiver. Luckily I have a great support group who knew just what I needed to get me back in the saddle again so to speak. Thanks Mom and Mom I could not have overcome my problems without you :D. So here he is in all his super greyness... Yes another grey.... I am already laughing at myself my super duper trooper AJ....

The Grey Wonder Horse aka Rooster

As of yet I haven't been able to take some new pictures of my pretty boy so I will be attaching some older ones that I am very fond of. I'm hiding behind him because he is much prettier then I am LOL... As you can see he is such a pretty boy and I will be posting more and more pictures as I start to FINALLY work with him. Some of my readers already know why he is my new special boy and maybe I'll address it later maybe I won't as a promise to a very special friend (aka My Mom #2) I will be training and riding this handsome man in endurance and maybe a few western pleasure classes thanks to the pressure from my Mom (aka Mom #1).

Rooster is a very gentle loving stallion and the more time I spend with him the more I appreciate his understanding as I am a first time stallion handler so I am sure I make some mistakes and it's nice to have a horse that understands that. However I also have my ever watchful Mom #1 to make sure I don't screw up to badly. So onto a new adventure but expect to hear more about Fawkes, Shadow, and my beautiful Stallion Rooster I am so excited to share my tales with everyone I hope they are helpful and fun because that's part of having horses enjoying them and their companionship... Enjoy this lovely spring weather this weekend and don't forget to go out and Ride...

Tangents Fun and Unexpected

I always find Tangents a bit surprising and here is my latest. Meet Fawkes an unusual addition to my riding team I had thought he had a different person but he was thrust upon me and now he will have a chance of a lifetime. I have never considered myself an eventor of any type in fact jumping has always just been a simple dream of mine. Fawkes' purpose was to be an English show prospect but that did not pan out very well for my thrown about companion. Now I have a chance to work with an amazing horse with a great disposition and see if I have what it takes to jump. However even though I will be working with Fawkes in jumping he is also going to become one of my backup buddies I am looking forward to not only jumping him but riding him in a few of my rides next year. So onward to training and more work for me though I have been told this will help strengthen those core muscles I so desperately need. I am truly looking forward to the weekend and working with my current riding partner Shadow and my new riding partner Fawkes and soon I will be introducing my constant partner in training as soon as tax season is over you will be introduced to my Grey wonder horse.

Sometimes even small steps take you there...

I have always had issues with my shins but now my knees are starting to bother me too. First I have shin splint issues which means that the only way for me to get in shape is to start by walking and stretching out my tight muscles. If you go to fast with someone who has shin splints it risks fracturing their bones. This frustrates me beyond all measure I like to run I hate to warm up and so I quickly loose my focus falling into a depression because so many people can run and I have to spend longer then most warming up. I tend to be a bad motivator for myself and so I have taken up the gym "again" to get in shape because lately when I ride my right knee has started bothering me and I feel the need to get into shape.

The good news is that Shadow has taken the next step into becoming my next riding partner on Saturday we went on her first trot we have been working fairly hard to get to where we are and it has been quite frustrating for both of us because she knows different cues then I am used to so I have to improvise and learn with her. on Saturday I learned that when working with a standard bred you need to be patient and bring a big whip. OK maybe it was slightly longer then a riding crop but still it helped due to the fact that Shadow has come of the track she knows cues from a whip so kicking her was a bit pointless and didn't get anywhere so we went about it a little different and "badda bing badda bang" we were able to trot around the round pen, not a completely impressive thing I guess but for us it was huge and she did really well next step into the arena and on to the trail.

Full Moons

CMK constantly reminds me how many full moons until Tevis. Well unfortunately I always need a little help from those who keep me motivated because during the winter I tend to go into a slump or maybe more like a down hill drive. Motivation is key in my world and the more people who can help me be motivated the better. Tomorrow I start my physical training and then night rides on Shadow and MM (Mighty Mouse I have always loved that show). Though Shadow shows promise it is MM who is starting to look more brave mind you Shadow is my first choice she is sweet natured for the most part but lately has been quite Witchy. However I will be launching myself on preparing for the upcoming ride in April (the Nevada Derby) though because of my job I will only be doing one day instead of two I just cannot take any extra days off in April *sigh*. However once April is over it will be full speed ahead. Sorry for the short update but I do work for an accountant and "tis the season" LOL.

HOW HARD TO PICK A RIDE

As with most things I almost completely forgot to update my blog. I have been trying but with all the Holiday work and prepping for Tax Season it has been difficult to keep my mind on the blog. Not to mention I go to school full time making time for horses, blog, house, work, school, holidays it's a wacky time of year for me. Luckily I have a minute here while I'm sitting at work to make a few quick blurbs before I jet of to the wonderful world of sending out organizers to clients who would rather be receiving Christmas Presents. Yes folks it's that time of year start prepping for those tax returns they are due in 3 months and fifteen days and I don't want to see the bum rush for the door on the 15th I lock up at 5p.m. LOL.

OK with that being said I have two prospects I have been working on for the last couple months Mighty and Shadow. Mighty is Small but has a long wonderful trot that is easy to sit and Shadow has power and size to boot and an attitude that reminds my family of me *sigh* they think so highly of me LOL. The one of my dark princess Shadow to the botom was her second ride and on the top is Mr. Mighty on his third ride they were both so great. I am getting ready to start riding them out on the trail and soon a Fifty mile ride. Hope you are all having a very Merry Christmas and looking forward to the New Year.