Song sung blue

Nearly three years ago, a bay Arabian mare stumbled off of Chronicle of the Horse Forums and in my life.  A product of too much time on my hands and having sucker written all over me.

She was skinny and malnourished, despite not having a foal at her side for several months. She was skittish, nearly running everyone including me over in her new place. She was injured, with pickling salt in her wounds, and scars across her croup from god knows what. She was proud, opinionated, stubborn and smart.

She went by the name Wench when she stepped off on the clear, humid August morning during Pony Finals, but she became known as May to those who loved her.

I didn't know what I wanted to do with her. Originally, I wanted a young, somewhat broke mare that I could turn around, instead I had received May, career broodmare.

Her old owner thought she wasn't worth the time or effort to feed after she weaned, or, judging from the depth of the wire wounds, not worth even some antiseptic. When I talked to her, she made no qualms about why she didn't like the mare, and quickly made excuses as why there were why scars over her croup.

Truthfully, I was a bit crestfallen when she hopped off that trailer.  

But the mood quickly subsided when she nosed my pockets for sweets.

On that August morning, my first order was to get her to a farrier, clean out the wounds and put antiseptic in them, get her up to date on vaccinations and put some feed in her. Since she didn't fit even my smallest halter (and had shipped in nylon), I went to KBC and purchased a basic leather that would fit her fine-boned features.

I turned her out with a mixed herd on grass, and she gained weight immediately. She was smart to handle and picked up on ground manners quickly enough.

At first, it was a tumultuous relationship between the two of us. If she didn't like what was going on, she would leave the scene. If she didn't like me, she would find a way not to be caught or touched. She lived in her halter 24-7 and was extremely trailer, needle, wormer phobic.

Eventually she moved to Deer Haven, where she became chief babysitter and blossomed into something awesome. The more I handled her, the more I showed her new things, the more she opened up. Eventually she shared all her fun scratchy spots (loves having her tail scratched and will back up to you), learned some tricks and, what was the highlight of time with her, loaded on the trailer. Needles and wormers are another matter.

The same year May arrived, I saw Savant, Sincere's sire, go at Young Horse Nationals. I thought he was a gelding with his fabulous temperament, until I saw his advert in a stallion service auction benefiting Holly Bergay. Eventually, I bid on, and won that breeding for May.

A year later, she was in foal and when the Preakness Stakes were a few hours into the books, a bouncing baby boy was in the world.

I made the decision to breed for a lot of reasons, which were discussed around here and other places, but I doubt I couldn't have had a nicer foal if it weren't for her.

But, after all was said and done, something was nagging me. After a lot of soul searching, I came to understand that May needed someone who can bring her further along and do her a greater service.

You see, my barn right now isn't a breeding and training operation, it's just a training operation. All my horses are in training in one form or another, with the idea that one day, they will go to upper level dressage. May is a great horse and deserves a great home that will take her to the next step, whether it be having another baby, starting and going under saddle or just being nifty out in a paddock with a bunch of babies.

I searched a long time. In my head, I could still do it all, but eventually, a literal forever home came that would offer her a chance to do something worthwhile. Most importantly, it's a home that offers security. After her ordeal, it's vital that she always remain safe, loved and taken care for. The minute that those obligations are not being met, she stays with me.

I wish I could say, she'll live out the rest of her life in my backyard, playing babysitter or surrogate to the various horses, but I can't. She'll be up north, living a good life under fantastic care.

So, a few weeks after Sincere bids his goodbye to his mom, she'll be loaded on a trailer and shipped out with two others from her herd.

I miss her already.

Keep on truckin'

I've been quiet this week, not for lack of stuff to write about, but rather lack of time.

Training in 90 degree heat has been interesting, and adding the odd schedule, it just became more odd as the week progressed.

Between sweating to the point where my underwear has purple staining from the dye in my breeches and nearly falling off dehydrated, it just keeps getting better and better.

Sinari was off and on until recently, lugging around, not being her usual self. She never really did well in the heat. We kept it easy, but when we stepped out last weekend, we were less than prepared to come out and train at the Kentucky Equestrian Center with Tom Poulin.

It went well, but I felt that we were under prepared and until physical therapy today, I was extremely body sore. But since the weather cooled down, the pony feels and looks great.

But there were a lot of confirming moments last weekend, in and out of the saddle which I'm really happy about. FEI is around the corner, and she's only getting better. There are a few debatable plans in the works, and I'll get to them when I get it all sorted out.

We're back to clinicing on Monday and Tuesday. Will hopefully have photos and video.

Sincere, however, has been exploring and testing his mother's limits. In addition to driving her nuts on a daily basis, he managed to jump over the fence and get out with the main herd. Apparently, and unknown to my knowledge, weaning was scheduled five months ahead of schedule. He and the herd were getting along great, his mother however, was having a cow.

I realise the mess that could have occurred if it wasn't for the broodmares and the babysitter pony that kept watch over his chrome-laidened butt. But right now, everyone is happy and reunited.

Sincere has been progressing n manners. In addition to doing all the basic ground work, he now leads without the butt rope, and is learning to yield to halter pressure and independently move his hind quarters. Stopping and going are a little bit of an issue right now, but I suspect that that will solve itself out soon.

Also last week I dropped the car off for it's regular oil change. I had the guys check out the breaks (thought I heard grinding) and found out that the rotors had rusted. It's not a cheap repair (300 range). After chatting to the parties involved, I've spent way more overall on repairs than the car is worth at the moment. It's time to start looking for a new truck.

I hate truck shopping because I have to deal with dealers and it's too much cash for something that isn't worth half as much when you drive it off the lot.

I also have a photo shoot this weekend at one of the farms, and will probably be shooting the TCF stallions again next week.

When am I going to sleep.

Now your world is way too fast

It's been a whirlwind week out here, so I apologise for not updating more about Sincere, Sinari or the rest of the crew.

Most of the week was spent in recovery for myself. After not having much self-time, I imploded, I went hermit for most of the week attempting to get sleep and bits of extra work done. In reality I didn't get either, so it was a wash all around.

Between rounds, I got to scribe at the local show, gained a ton of perspective sitting with the FEI judge at B of what separates a good FEI ride from the bad. Also felt really privileged to sit in with them during the FEI young horse tests to see what they look for at each stage of development.

Sinari had four days off between all the hoopla, and we're paying for it through catch up. Changed her diet a little bit, adding in KER's electrolytes to help with the ruddy warm weather for the next few months.

She's doing well overall, offering clean changes, but locking on the left rein hard, doesn't feel like she wants to carry herself all the way through. The steering also feels off, so back to doing deep bend and straight work.

Today we went out conditioning out in the rolling 20-something acre field in the back. Probably not the best of ideas, but I really just wanted her to go out. She wasn't comfortable with the notion (only been back there one other time), the ground wasn't up to par and was too quick the entire time, wasting too much energy on not on the work but carrying on. But I think going out did her good in the end. Tomorrow is lesson day.

Sincere on the other hand has been having a never ending procession of visitors since his arrival. His human family has stopped in many times to see what's up.

For being only in the world for a week, he's a quick learner. Aside from being caught and haltered, he was bathed for the first time, picks up all four hooves, has had a lead rope around his belly (think girth), can be touched anywhere, has been taught to back up, go forward, lead, gone on his first trailer ride and has been adventurously departing from mum's side regularly.

His mother of course, is deeply unamused.

Speaking of his mother, May is doing well, settled into the new digs without fuss.

However has lost weight because of lactation. Normally with any other mare this wouldn't be an issue, up the grain ration and forage. But she's already on really good forage, but is ultra-particular about the grain. One minute she's chowing down, the next she's ignoring it. It's a never ending guess game with her.

I'm talking to McCauleys about this. I think their solution is going to be the 14 or 16 percent textured, four to six pounds a day. I'll also probably do soaked cubes to help get more forage in her and the all purpose calorie count of Equine One (Purina).

Not a cheap diet, but with McCauleys, the product is vastly superior to anything else. Sinari has been on their stuff for the past half-year, and there is such a vast improvement in everything health wise. Plus they're honest and will recommend other brands if theirs don't suit. Which speaks volumes.

All in all though, everything is on the level. Poulin clinic next month, doing some barn improvements and NDPC not far behind. It's getting busy quick.

Drowned rat

It poured buckets on Sunday. To the point where everything was under three inches of water. The footing sloppier, the horses and people drenched. They even had to move the judge to a truck because the tent was almost sideways and taking water at one point.

It was a miserable day and it was getting lots of company.

Sinari warmed up wonderfully in the indoor, round, fluid, bouncy, hot and ready to go. We walked out in a break, but by the time we hit the top of the hill, the weather opened up again and we were soaked to the core.

The game little mare was unhappy about the request, the mud, the sloppy footing and despite her internal grumblings, gave it her best when I asked. We bombed around the test, putting in some really fabulous moments (medium canter, collected canter) and some really bad moments (medium trot, couldn't show enough angle in the haunches in).

To get to the point we didn't get the score. We missed out by 2 points.

Ironically we still won. First prize was a towel, which I used to towel her off.

I'm still proud of her, and there will be other times.

But may will be a building month and a few other things, we'll resume in June.

Moving on up

I haven't posted much lately because of my current schedule.

This week and weekend is show time. On top of that it's been a crazy schedule trying to get everything together.

My personal goal is to earn the second level scores for my bronze, and I'm half way to meeting that goal.

Despite schooling well all week, Sinari faced and still faces a bunch of hurdles and I faced more drama than usual from the peanut gallery.

The first being the footing.

Normally I don't complain about footing. It is what it is for the area. Most people around here don't do it correctly to begin with, let alone know how to take care of it. But this was beyond deep and unacceptable. It was riding in quicksand.

So I changed the plan. Instead of pulling out the stops and gunning down the test, I rode it as conservatively as possible. Especially around the S corner. It was just too deep to the point where I was worried about pulled suspensories.

The first score just broke 60 percent under a very tough, but fair judge. I saw where I was lacking and will make the improvement for it.

Second challenge being the weather. It went literally from 50 to 70 overnight. It sapped the poor pony of her energy and it was all I could do to keep her energy up and flowing throughout the day.

She pulled a good test, despite weather and footing.

Tomorrow looks better since they moved the arena and scraped the surface by one to two inches. Hopefully the weather will cooperate, people's issues will die down and life will move on.

20 something days until bundle of joy.

30 Days

According to the little ETA monitor at the bottom of the blog, we passed day 290.  We're now down to 28 days with drama ensuing. 

This week has particularly been busy at the barn. I finally got hay (a gorgeous 40 bales of second cutting grass), 10 bags of feed, vet visits, farrier visits and cleaning out my ultra-dirty show trunk for the upcoming weekend. I still need to clean all my tack, pay some bills (with now non-existent cash) and get the rest of my gear cleaned up and organized. 

My schedule hit a high gear as well. I have no less than three articles due out, a few press releases and web updates. Since I've been slightly neglectful of my Director duties, I put that in to gear as well, searching for sponsors and getting the breed organization to participate. On top of it, it was time for PT, and I was very in need of it. 

But at least Sinari was organized...

Sinari pulled consistent rides throughout the week, and with the new added energy of McCauley's Finisher 14, it's like riding a rocket pony again. She pulled a clean run through of second two on Wednesday, it's just about cleaning the details up at this point. Prior to this week we were working on developing steady extended trot, cleaning up the changes and slowing down the half pass. 

May however is a different story, I get the call on Saturday she's not eating or showing interest in her grain after the last rounds of shots. It doesn't mean she's completely off feed, still loves the hay and grass. Still shows normal behavior too. 

This is my first broodmare and thankfully, isn't a maiden. Otherwise both of us would be on a ship with no course. Thinking it was a reaction to the last couple of shots, I called a few friends in the industry up (there are perks to living in Kentucky) and confirmed this is normal, just as long as she doesn't completely go off food and start signs of distress. 

I have a feeling that this baby is going to be running on time, which from watching mares in my short experience, is like the IRS sending your return back a day later. 

Speaking of... I need to send that in. 

And the weather has been horrible. Between rain and gale winds, I'm surprised we're not in Oz at the moment. It crashed a few computers and shorted out a number of systems the other day, and I spent the majority of my Saturday chowing on Easter chocolate trying to fix a website. 

Today, probably the final lesson before the show, doing a massive load of laundry (and ironing) and generally packing up. My house needs cleaning, my budget needs re-organization and I need a Martini. 

Never bend better

After the hoopla of the truck settled down, it was back to business between uploads.

Coming back from three days off, we hit outside first. Namely, due to the impending rain that was forecast for the rest of the week. What started out as a simple conditioning run really turned into a mission of bend and send in extended canter.

And holy cow.

Different kinda work entirely. Even though she lasted only 60 yards, Sinari was out in something that would have earned 7's on the low end at 4th. The work is challenging at that tempo because the horse has to have the diaphram for it. After the initial 60 yards, I left the subject and went to the changes, she did two or three of them correctly, but she was becoming less straight as she was tiring.

Friday we went back to the arena, we worked more on the same concept, with micro pir's, canter on the spot and half pass. I ended up with the changes again, and I've come to realise that I've been pushing the issue with her, to the point where the poor pony is getting frustraited. Planning on backing off until after the show again so she can get her counter canter in order without frazzling it too much.

Saturday was lesson day, while Sinari grappled the bend very well, in addition to getting in and out of the half steps quickly-- she wasn't grappling the canter on the spot terribly well to the left. A temporary bubble. But she was on for everything else. It happens in training, one thing looks great the other stuff is occasionally left out.

Today, she had the day to herself (she worked hard), so I called up Poulin and shared our current successes and plans, I was really excited to learn he'll be in the area more and more frequently as resident trainer at one of the local farms. The price tag feels a bit steep though. I also got the KDA Camp flyer in the email box today, it looks tempting, three day intensive at a decent price, but with Poulin happening the same month, I'll probably opt out.

Tomorrow, barring severe weather, we'll be back again. Start running through the tests too.

May is due for her final round of shots and worming for everyone.

Feet back on the ground

We landed on Monday, two hours late, but still arrived. My mind is still very dizzy.

The most stark change was the lack of snow, which in the south only lasts a few days or not at all. Flying out of white out was interesting. The cold never changes, but you can definitely feel spring coming.

Despite going to my house in New Jersey, attending lecture at Julliard, seeing Bach's Mass in D Minor and seeing my family, I missed my horses more, and riding terribly. Since landing I've been itching to get back to work and in the saddle, I was even allowed dispensation to come to the barn after hours, to look in. Walking through the barn for the first time it was good to see her face over the door. I was even elated to see May, who looked extremely pregnant.

I've been playing catch up since I've landed and so, I didn't move Sinari back until today due to a few scheduling conflicts. But she's back and we begin back tomorrow, I can't wait. We have a show in two weeks and there's so much to do.

With that, my poor to-do list exploded. From having the billets shortened up to finding a new pair of show boots and co-heading the green team at work, it just seems like a small mountain of stuff and laundry descended on my desk. I still need to clean out my truck and have a few things due for various people.

Tis the season and it's only started.

Ice, ice baby

Sorry. Couldn't resist the incredibly bad use of Vanilla Ice.

If you haven't been glued to CNN in the past few days, the South East region (e.g. Lexington) has been hit with a rather nasty ice/snow storm. The region is well known for its lack of capability of handling such an event and so about 100,000 homes were without power, water or the basic amenities. The surrounding counties took the major hit, some will be without power or H2O for at least another week to two weeks.

As for me I'm doing fine.

Even though from Tuesday, up until 10am today I have not had power at the loft and have been staying with a few local relative (the boy's mum).

And by Wednesday the roads became way too treacherous to even travel to work, much less the barn (thanks everyone who helped out there!) so I stayed put and caught up on some reading.

It was also on Wednesday that due to rolling power outages and personal ineptitude to dress myself I earned some mild frostbite on my feet. Some may consider walking barefoot across the frozen tundra of a parking lot knocking on windows, testing doors to get back into your now defunct building a character building exercise, I however, do not.

I eventually pulled the door off the magnet-hinges and got back inside to warm up with soft wool socks and a mildly-warm shower. Didn't leave the blankets until we vacated the house.

I swear if I build the next house, conventional tumble locks WILL be used, backup solar generators will be employed and two words for the farm truck: snow plow.

By Thursday, we were all back at work, only to be punished by our absenteeism with mandatory overtime for next week (hooray!)

All this house time and lack of barn time, means me going cabin crazy. I felt fairly catatonic up until today. I felt mostly disappointed namely because I was making (what felt like) progress again under saddle.

Now I feel like a house frau of a heifer, horses that are back sliding in training and stuff that needs to be done.

It's also not over, we're supposed to get snow on Monday.

But on the positive side I am going home, I have power again.

The weather outside is frightful.

The weather dipped into negatives last week and most of my riding plans went out the window until today.

We began back seriously on Tuesday, but then the weather came hard and quick. While I grew up the north, and I'm used to schooling, being in and around it. But when you break your bucket while chipping out ice, replacing bedding because it was so frozen it wasn't comfortable to walk, let alone sleep on, I took the hint. I let riding slide.

But I wasn't around horses. Being the Director of Pony Cup, I did a lot of work over the week to begin to put infrastructure within the show. We decided on a class list, levels of sponsorship and what direction the show should take. Even got a location (can't tell it's a secret). Made a lot of headway on it. Recieved community blessings from the upper-ups. Good mojo overall.

Redesign was so-so. Much of my ideas were shot down like clay pigeons and I'm working late every evening to get the update done. At least the weather cooperated with that. Even if the FTP didn't.

Coming back to riding has been wonderful and the horses are stronger than ever now. For now, getting everyone in shape is the top priority and it's slow, methodical work.

Part of me gets really frustrated at this stop and go thing. She's turning ten this year, and I feel that while we're making huge leaps of progress, and we can taste FEI somedays- we still have a long way to go. Still rusty on the changes, still no confirmed piaffe, an assemblance of a half pass.

But, today was straightness and keeping body alignment. My coach had a wonderful visualisation technique that worked wonders. Nose, withers, ribs and hips, keep these aligned and you have a thorough horse and everything else will follow.

I did have a few sucking back discussions with Sinari who wanted to slow (not collect) when I sat portions of the trot. A few well placed taps kept her energetically forward.

For me it was sitting. I found myself tipping forward a bit, but when I sat, I was still a little hovering. Relaxing into the motion, sitting and dictating the tempo became easier towards the end.

In the end, it was a very productive day.

May is still very pregnant and Bella is still very muddy (outdoor is drowned and repetitively frozen).

May hit her third trimester, and it's all starting to seem so eminent. I can almost see this foal, somedays I really dread it. Still unsure what I want to do for next year, but I think 2010 she might have a job as an ET recipient mare. Which works out a whole lot of solutions for the both of us until 2011, when I really want to do ET with Sinari.

Did find a stallion, but not telling who until the last bit of contracts are signed and I'm ready to proceed.

Overall, I'm ready to move forward again and I'm eager for the weather to stop being bi-polar.

Weathering the storms

Tis the season to be...

ah bah humbug.

The holidays are here. The saddle is sold, and my search is still going.

Because of lack of equipment and the odd work schedule, it's breaktime at the barns. One of the rare times I take off and catch up with the rest of the world. It's also regroup time for one of the show's I'm apart of. We're in the middle of a capital campaign and need to raise some serious funds this year. Also moved forward with the judges, and we have several new ideas going forward.

The pony has officially been off for two weeks now. She's had a massage, two apples and a number of other things done in between. I'm aching to get back to it, but with the current schedule at work, its better this way. Bella has been touch go for the past month due to several odd happenstances.

It has given me time to spend time with my mother-to-be. She's enjoying regular massages, grooming and treats. She's gained 100 pounds and waddles when she trots. Her blankets are maxed out to the ends of their straps.

And I'm hitting the end of mine. I look like a whale. I need to either step back into the saddle or cut back on the odd calorie intake.

Speaking of ponies, I think I have my breeding priorities wrong. I've always had the idea that I would end up breeding a couple baroque mares (PRE/Lusitano), but in reality, my programs have always been geared towards ponies. There's a huge demand for dressage-trained ponies. Dressage bloodlines and performance bloodlines.

I think I need to concentrate on something that I've always been concentrating on.

Smart buy

I like doing things myself for my horses.

Every day, I muck stalls, change blankets, wraps, haul hay, feed, water, shavings, give various meds when warranted, do my own shopping, hauling... you get the idea. My life is one never ending chore.

Lately though getting to the feed store has been a hassle, despite working down the road from KBC International, a local tack shop and living about a mile away from Southern States, it just seems like another stop on the uber list of stops I have to make.

In addition to a jaunt out of the way, I just sometimes don't don't make it there on time.

They don't always have everything in one shot either, which means extra trips to the extra stores.

I eventually set up an account with the various stores to drop the appropriate amount of feed (have that down to a time frame too) at the barn and charge my debit. I avoid a delivery charge and I get what I want.

However, they don't always have the supplements.

While May gets her M-30 and Mare Plus (an easy buy anywhere), Sinari gets Glanzen 3, an energy supplement, a Joint Supplement and Fish and/or Corn oil. I can't tell you how many hours I spent sacking a 30 day supply so I wouldn't have to throw it together last minute.

It was irritating and messy as hell.

So with 3.75 horses, I can't run hither and yon anymore.

I finally broke down and went with the flow. I bought in to Smart Paks.

They arrived today and already the OCD rider in me is really impressed. Not only did they arrive what I thought to be early, but they arrived with full directions, next delivery dates (for the next four months), change dates, copy of the nutrition information, a sterilite container for the supplements and a few other bonuses.

I can't wait to test these bad boys out on the road.

Personally, it just saved me a hole lot of hassle, time and from my calculator lots of green.

So, I'm pimping the pak. Well worth it and an idea I wish I had long ago.

Ride a painted pony

It's almost winter and things are slowing down out here.

The season officially ended at the end of October and with it come the flurry of bills and renewals that have to be done in preparation for the next.

Among the renewals is KDA, USDF and USEF. That's about 100 bucks.

I'm also trying out for the Gifted Scholarship and the new KDA Scholarship.

I finally keeled in and bought into Smart Pak. I figure it would be worth it because I don't always have time to get to the feed store and they don't always have the supplements. It costs about the same (joint and energy supplement).

We're also due for dentist, shots, coggins, Iron Pony (car) checkup and a slew of other things in the upcoming month(s).

There goes my pay.

Can we also say holidays? I work at a holiday-centric factory and the upper ups are rubbing their hands and dusting off the coffers in anticipation of a sizable holiday (apparently they didn't get the memo on the economy).

Gifts are going to be mild this year.

I figure most people will get a bottle of wine out of me (support crew), close friends will get some version of artwork (Liz Pizzo's Painted Ponies), books, loved ones I haven't quite figured out yet.

For me, I could stand supplies as gifts. Or software (hint hint), since I started doing web content and design. (Shameless promotion: www.kentuckymarecare.com)

It's been hit or miss with riding lately.

Bella's rides are subjective to the weather, I'm stuck with just an outdoor with her. Sinari's is due to time constraints at the moment. The week has been super busy (between plans), but the one who isn't lacking attention is the uber pregnant mare.

She's getting a spa day with the massage therapist and is sporting a new (well not really new) binky. She's waddling worse than a quintuplet carrying woman. I need to get her registration in order.

For what we've accomplished under saddle, I feel happy, Sinari getting much better through the neck and back and by the time Snowbird II rolls around she's going to be in good form. I just want to tinker with the saddle. My current one is on the market and hopefully will be sold soon. Thinking about a Duett Fidelio. She too is getting a visit from the magic fingers lady.

Bella is doing mostly first level work now at the trot, however, the canter is still coming slowly. But it's coming along. She's anticipating it more now, which is nice, but I don't want her launching herself into it.

For now I'm ready to go back to bed until spring.

Dream on

It's getting cold, and the days are growing shorter, and I'm retreating back into my indoor more and more these days with the odd gallop out on the crisp, indian summer afternoons.

The season is over and I'm breathing a temporary sigh of relief until December when we begin all over again. This temporary sigh includes remastering the freestyle, redoing a few websites and getting through second level.

Not to mention catering to my "real life". You know, significant other, potentially going back to school and J-O-B.

No one said being an amateur was easy, no one said the sport was a cake walk either.

Don't get me wrong, I love to compete. It brings something different to the table every year. But by Regionals time though, I'm ready to call it a done deal. This year wasn't any exception. I competed two under saddle for the first time, next year I might have three to four at various levels.

It also leads me to re-assess my goals. Everyone has a laundry list of stuff that they would like to accomplish short and long term, and I'm no exception.

Next year:

• I would like to earn my final scores towards bronze (just four away!). Be schooling/showing fourth level.
• I would like Bella to be confirmed first level.
• I would like May's foal to be going to the MSEDA breed show (preferably beating up on all the warmbloods;-)).

Long term:

• Confirm piaffe, passage, changes with Sinari.
• Condition Bella for second level.
  
• Qualify for the two year old jack pot with May's baby.

Then there are the lofty, perhaps unattainable, such as going after the Brentina Cup. Yes. I said it. I have the odd ambition to qualify for the Young Adult class. I know, I have sucker for punishment written all over me.

Unfortunately, due to rules, I can't qualify with the pony (no ponies or mules allowed) and I don't have a Grand Prix (or I2) horse. So I have a stick horse's chance in a fire so far.

Compounding the problem: you need to qualify via three (3) competitions with an average of 62 percent or better, and I think they need to be CIC* or larger. Luckily, there are two in my area, Paxton and Kentucky Dressage Association. The third international would be in Lamplight, a solid EIGHT HOURS away.

Like I said, it's a huge reach, but for some reason my crazy ambitions have a way of turning out.

Dressage Pony 2.0

I'm a geek.

Actually a huge one and I'm fairly particular about what I use. You see, I wrote in my Xanga account for YEARS (almost four I believe), and I've recently come to really not like the layout, formatting and the beyond basic services.

So I'm making a switch over to blogger.

My name is Kelly Gage, I'm an Editor, a writer, a web designer/content developer, Head of Marketing and above all-- a dressage rider.

Despite riding ala Amateur status, I'm pretty damn serious and my ponies. I ride six days a week, rain, sleet, snow or shine. I train with some pretty cool people and have the support of some of the best and brightest in their world.

And the ponies? Far from typical too.

There's Sinari, who is a '99 model welsh cob mare (pictured above), who I've been owned by since she was four. Extremely clever, handy and intelligent, she's my top horse at 14.1 hands. She's schooling straight through third, with fourth thrown in there. Recently showed second with the goal towards earning bronze by next year. Currently learning piaffe, passage and cleaning up the changes.

Then there's Bella, a silver-rated haflinger mare standing at 15.0 hands (owned by Deer Haven Farm). She's a willful tank of blond fluff, just starting her career and lucky to have the ride on her. But despite being green-- she's moving fast and tries extremely hard. She's a solid training level right now with learning first. Super comfortable mare. She should be debuing in spring.

Finally there's May- arabian broodmare and .5 (yet-to-be-born foal).

Together we make a team, and this blog is about their progression.