Carry on

It's the end of January, and I'm looking at some fairly sweeping changes that have been brewing for sometime. A lot of them are welcomed and many of them are of the house keeping variety.

I've kept most quiet on the subject because until things are signed and delivered, I really don't think that they're final. It's nothing against people, it's just what I've come to know about the horse world, nothing is ever final until ink is dry and the horse is in your hands.  But with details that are falling rapidly in to place things can be announced.

I'm forming a new venture that focuses on the horsey portion of my life.

This does not mean I'm backing away from the clinics or turning pro, it's just a way to keep the goals and finances aligned correctly. It's something that's been coming down the pike for sometime.

My main horse-related income is still derived from the clinics and organization, but this is a nice supplement to increasing saddle time, funding future investments and campaigning horses at FEI.

Speaking of FEI, things are changing there too.

Secondly, I recently came into an agreement with another rider to take on one of her FEI horses. Kobe is a huge departure from what I'm currently on (17 hands, grey, gelding) but he's a very capable individual who is confirmed small tour and the majority of the GP elements. Not the fanciest but really a great card. He's a fantastic schoolmaster, and really pushes buttons. I've bought stock in old lady shampoo and I officially look like a midget.

The big aim this year is to be qualified for the Dressage at Devon CDI*** at the small tour.

As exciting as this is, this is incredibly daunting. It's a steep learning curve that doesn't forgive, but to go where I want to go, I have to go there. This also means campaigning two FEI horses plus the roster of lower level horses while maintaining the normal job, the clinics and actively training. 

Finally, there's the pipeline. Two breedings are in the works. One in Canada, a KWPN, and one out of Reba via ET. Both present excellent futures as world class competitive FEI mounts (knowing my luck I'll have another jumper!).

So... that bigger trailer...

Mystery Dates

You all know I've had ambition on reproducing Sinari, the list of sires just got a little longer when they announced Power and Paint was retired to stud.

This paticular stallion was the anchor for the Dutch pony team for years on end, he taught numerous now-elite riders and was schooled essentially through all of the FEI (FEI pony tests and FEI tests are two different things).

I initially inquired about him back in 2003, was then unavailable because of training and competition. But he has since then been sold, and retired to Stable Korenbloem. A whopping 450 euro fee.

I put my inquiry in again, hopefully, things this time will pan out and I'll have my own power pony on a lucky double ovulation.

Can't you see what love has done?

The holiday is finally cleared past and what remains of it, I really don't want to touch. Having the long vacation in the middle definitely made things tolerable at work. 

We're back to normal (if you can call it that). 

I'm back to riding full time and looking in at the youngin' when weather is permitting. I'm back to plotting


The year wasn't without loss. I lost my first truck due to its age-related infirmities. I lost a few mounts in July, and subsequently left that farm for quieter pastures. I lost a few responsibilities, membership to KDA, a few pounds and perhaps a few points on the IQ scale when I decided to plan out a number of major clinics for this and the next year. 

While the economy was loosing itself, I was busy finding me, I think I weathered my first bubble out alright. Even started my 401k.


But for the most part, we did well. 

Goal recap for 2009:


Horsey Stuff

1. Final four scores for bronze
   No. I fell short at the last three. Then due to a situation change, I couldn't show for the majority of the year. Hindsight being what it is, I'm more than fine with it. I still want my bronze though.
   
   
2. Foaling/ Find home for May
   Achieved. Sincere safely foaled out, he's now big (but thankfully not as big as his playmates) and May is safely tucked away in Michigan.
   
   
3. Fourth level/PSG schooling
   Achieved. We ran through a trunkated version of the PSG. The movements are all there, just need the strength. We're taking this year out to get her up to par for 2011's season.
   
   
4. More education
   I don't know whether or not I ment formal or non formal. There was plenty of formal education, but the majority I recieved was informal. Experience is the best teacher and she wolloped me soundly. I learned not to take in-kind trades anymore, to get everything in writing, keep your files straight and always be straightforward in your dealings.
   
   
5. Begin L program
   No. I didn't have enough time or have the scores. Still interested in going after this though.
   
   
6. Attend all scheduled shows/inspections
   No. Especially the inspections. I have my eye on GOV Oldenburg book for Sinari next year, depending on cash flow-- but again, it's all about the FEI.
   
   
7. Expand team and promote ponies
   Achieved. I did expand the team. I did promote ponies.
   
   
8. Successful NDPC show (and expand to three rings)
   Achieved in a roundabout fashion. According to the peanut gallery, it was a success. But I don't want credit for it.
   

Regular:

1. 70 mile bike
   Does the thought count? I got on a bike, found a cat and promptly crashed. During the summer we regularly went on 10 miles. But I didn't get to do any of the long distance stuff.
   
   
2. Start school
   Erm. Yes and no. I finally settled on a degree and will be starting summer classes. But didn't get to do much in '09 due to an outstanding bill.
   
   
3. Smile more
   Achieved. I'm overall a happier person. I can thank my physical therapist, a good pair of shoes, the boy and my pony for that.
   
   
4. Better job.
   No. But not for the lack of trying. I was on the final call back for several interviews and even my own company was impressed with me, and is considering something down the pike

 So what's on the docket for 2010?:

Horsey Stuff:

1. Condition and train through I1. Gotta nail them tempi's!
   
2. Continue to teach and train Sincere. Make him a responsible citizen.
   
3. Acquire more farm implements.
4. Successfully execute clinics.
5. Save for Embryo Transfer
   

Non Horsey stuff:

1. Repair credit score, develop more savings
   
2. Go to school
3. Develop more 'me' time.
   

When it rains it pours

Mud season started early with rain and apparently snow and my old wellies really need a make over.

Normally, this time of year is off because the outdoor is either frozen, under water or various states of disgusting.

I wouldn't know, since I'm at an indoor facility. But the mud is horrendous. Horrendous to the point of slipping is becoming habit and the horses are becoming sore from loosing their footing. Grooming has been an interesting experience.

Sinari has become sore from slipping out in the paddock, and we're on a walk regime. It's not a bad thing, she's becoming much more forward and we can concentrate on lateral work, halts, rein backs, pirouette work.

It's also the start of breeding season. Everyone is finalising their choices for their 2010 babies. Stallion shopping is a fabulous, nerve racking experience. I'm expecting my first in late-spring 2009. I plan not re-breeding directly, but am thinking about trying an embryo transfer.

Between my hypothetical matings, I had a small reality check. A good friend, and fairly important breeder asked the following:

Why do you want to breed this mare?

Truth be told, I love her.

Alright, love is nice, but what about her makes her so special she should reproduce? Why let her reproduce instead of buying something already on the ground?

In short, Sinari one of two sisters. The other one is in Oregon being a career mum. Her dam is alongside the sister and is not being bred to the right sire to produce more. Her sire is gelded. Sinari is the only mare of her breed training and competing at the level she's at. She's highly competitive, has tested well with verbands, and is continually proving herself in and out of the arena. She will be FEI and the breed needs more proven mares and less career mothers. She's conformationally sound, easy going and I wouldn't mind having a million carbon copies of her.

She is a valuable individual, on a personal and professional basis and would only give back to her community.

At that point I think I received blessings.

My biggest fear (aside from utter failure and breeding a FHOTD feature) is I become like every other breeder out there that I end up with more horses than I'd know what to do with and I'd be cash strapped at every turn. To the point where I wouldn't be able to achieve competitive goals.

My long term goal is to create a small band of pony mares that have not only proven pedigree, but are proven themselves. I want their offspring to always be in demand and be known more for the damline than the sire line.

But mostly, I just want FEI ponies.