Our Beginner Novice debut

Over the weekend, Tim and I competed at the KHP in our first beginner novice/first recognized show! Dressage was a tad tense, per usual, but it was still an improvement over our last test. Until we get our dressage together, we're going to continue to get our butts kicked in that phase. After dressage, we were tied for 10th. A double clear stadium round pulled us up to 8th.

XC was so so so great and we had a really good rhythm most of the way around. However, we had never jumped an A/B combo before... Tim jumped in really well to A, but started drifting right so slightly at first that I didn't notice until a second too late. We almost took out the right flag, but I just couldn't get him over. I whipped him right back around and we jumped through it flawlessly the second time. Without this stupid run-out, we would've placed FOURTH. Alas, we found ourselves back in 10th, which I'm okay with. Things to work on for our next show :)

He was dumb about this one 

AWK

So, what's next? Well, as many dressage lessons as I can possibly manage, some hock injections and time off for the Timmers, and either Team Challenge (wait listed) or Octoberfest! I seriously cannot wait to get back out and compete again! I'm also going to keep up with the blog more, now that Tim and I are doing fun/exciting things. Stay tuned!

Frustrated

We finally went XC schooling yesterday for the first time since AUGUST. Yes, August. Luckily, Tim was sound and fabulous, yet I couldn't help but be incredibly frustrated with myself. I think he would literally jump anything for me, but for some reason I still have a lot of trouble controlling my nerves.

I put so much pressure on myself when it comes to riding my own horse. I think it comes down to caring so much... maybe too much? For example, I rode that chestnut horse I posted some pictures of last time we tried to go XC schooling. I had a blast and did the most I've ever done on cross country, actually tackling some technical questions and having a great time. I didn't sweat the small stuff. So we got an awkward distance or that fence didn't ride super well... I was able to either redo it and make it better or move on and put it behind us.

Something is different with Tim. I take everything so much more seriously and find myself not even wanting to try because I'm afraid it won't go well. I need to get as far away from this attitude as I possibly can, because how are we ever going to compete successfully if I think like that? We're not. This is a hard question/issue to tackle and something I have struggled with for a long time. If any of you have advice/suggestions or have dealt with similar feelings (which I'm sure you have), I would love to hear it! 

Timmy and his BFF, Chief 

Early morning for XC

Update

Hi everyone! Sorry for going MIA again... I feel like I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off since I got home from school. Between summer classes, family, boyfriend, and Timmers, I have next to no free time to do things like read or blog. 

Since we got home, we battled a mysterious bout of lameness, tried to go XC schooling, had a couple of lessons, and have made some good progress overall! We're going XC schooling again tomorrow (fingers crossed we actually jump things this time) and have tons of shows lined up in the next couple of months! 

I SAW MY PONY!!

The title of this post makes it pretty clear that I saw Tim yesterday for the first time in 2 weeks :) I'm halfway through finals and have a reprieve until Monday, so I of course booked it out to the barn and had a fantastic ride. Tim wasn't even that good (he almost dumped me), it was chilly and raining, but I still couldn't keep a smile off my face. 

It's finally starting to hit me that I'm running out of chances to ride at CVF... I'm taking Tim home on Wednesday and that will most likely be my last chance to ride at the farm I've come to call home. It's nothing especially fancy and I've often wished for an indoor/trainer, but it's also easily one of the prettiest properties I've ever ridden on. 100+ acres really just can't be beat, not to mention the breathtaking views. I'm going to miss it so much :( So begins our little photo homage to my favorite place in the entire world. I'm gonna get my real camera out next week so I have pictures of the entire farm, but for now, enjoy a ton of iPhone photos! 

Tim says 'uhhh this is dumb, mom. Let's go back to the barn now'

No words. 

He's not actually this sun bleached.. I just really liked the effect 

So cute. and SO fat 

Hiii guyssss 

Shortest update ever

Haven't seen Tim since Friday, haven't ridden since last Saturday. Yippee for papers, tests, and rain! However, summer is so close I can taste it... just have to survive finals first. Anywho, happy Mother's Day!

Best mommy ever