Rolex Interlude

I'm back from a full, exciting weekend at the Rolex CCI****!  This year I worked in the stabling office for the first time, which was a job I really enjoyed.  The stabling office is a very busy place during Rolex-- it is the main liaison between grooms and competitors, officials, and show management.  Our team of six was led by Mary Fike, president of MSEDA, who has been doing the job of running the office since 1982.  We were tasked with an assortment of jobs, including making coffee (not my specialty), dispensing information (results, orders-of-go, credentials requirements), assisting with some quarantine monitoring for foreign horses, taking messages and items to riders and grooms in the stabling, handing out XC pinnies and the famous gift bags to competitors, and welcoming riders, grooms, and their guests into the office to watch the live feed or use the fabulous massage chair that the event provides.  It was a busy place but I liked the nonstop action and wide variety of tasks, and I was delighted to help the riders, horses and grooms do their jobs.

Me with "Fast Betty," the preferred golf cart in the office

I also cheered on my friend Heather Gillette and the lovely Our Questionnaire (aka Questie) during their first attempt at a CCI****.  After a steady test in the notoriously electric stadium at the KHP on Friday, her groom, her husband, plus one of her other friends and I saw her off on cross-country on Saturday.  She didn't feel that Questie was quite his usual self, however, and pulled up after Fence 10.  I was so proud of her for making the right horsemanship decision and saving her wonderful horse for another day.  Look for an edition of Ask Taco featuring Questie sometime in the near future!

Heather and Questie getting ready for XC

Now that I'm back at home, final preparations have begun for the Area III Championships at Poplar Place this weekend!  I finally got to jump again-- between seemingly nonstop rain and a couple of lost shoes, a jump school has been a long time coming-- and I've already started packing our essentials.  My goals for this weekend are to strike a better balance (literally) and correctly manage Taco's energy in my approaches to fences, and to be straighter in my body.  He feels fabulous and ready for anything, although we are having some cosmetic difficulties: lingering baldness issues.  I have started him on APF Pro after a conversation at Rolex with Mike Van Noy, the vet who developed it. I'll update here when I determine whether it helps with Taco's allergies and resulting hair loss.

Oh yes, and we got our entry confirmation for Indiana T3D!  Woo hoo!  It is only one month from this weekend...

First Event of 2011

A lot has happened since my last post!  Last weekend Taco and I did our first event of the season, at Chattahoochee Hills.  But the weekend before that we also did a combined test at Walnut Trace here in Nashville.  And about two weeks before that I got Taco a new truck.  Oh yeah, and amidst all those happenings Taco went bald.

There are many potentially boring details associated with all of these things, but I will go easy on the words and heavy on the photos.

First, the truck.  Her name is Stormy (after a certain book), and she is a 2006 F250 4x4 Powerstroke 6.0 diesel.

As you can see, when I picked her up she had some stupid big wheels on.  I have since replaced these with factory wheels.  I wanted Taco to ride in style, but not blinged out, if you know what I mean. 

Around the same time I got the truck, Taco ate or came into contact with or breathed something that caused him to break out into many hives.  We dealt with this problem last year, but this year was even worse.  Even after being treated with dex and washed with Microtek he still looked like a plucked chicken, covered in bumps, because the hives had scabbed over and turned to rainrot. Dr. Tony gave us something called "Miracle Spray," which is purple and smells like lavender.  Lo and behold, the bumps were gone after a couple of applications... but then his hair fell out. So I had a bald horse. Well, just on the midsection of his body, and he sure smelled terrific.  But still bald, with his black naked skin showing.

Bald or no, we had the show season to get ready for, so Taco, the new truck, and I made our maiden voyage to Walnut Trace for the combined test.  The only four entrants in the Training division were Amy, Megan, Lauren, and me, so we called it the "Panther Springs Farm Training Challenge."

PSF Training Challenge participants!!

I was extremely glad that I had the 4x4, because the farm had just put in a new road and it was verrrry slippery up one particular hill!  After a slightly stressful mixup with the directions, I arrived just in time for my dressage test and we scored a respectable 34.6.  Taco was still a little sleepy and I never quite got him in front of my leg, but I was pleased with it for a first test of the year.

Then we did the showjumping.  This was my first time jumping a stadium course since I embarrassed myself at MTPC last October, so I was a little apprehensive.  But there was no need-- Taco was thrilled to be back in the ring and I made sure we had enough energy.  It felt great, and it was a clear round!

Beautiful photos by Leslie Vancil

The next day, we went to Percy Warner to practice galloping over some things.  Taco hadn't forgotten a thing, of course, and I was pleasantly surprised that I seemed to have kept my XC skills over the winter.  We felt ready for our first event.

The next weekend was the truck's first real test: the 300 miles to Chatt Hills.  I cannot say how much easier the truck was to drive: the longer wheelbase, diesel engine, and tighter suspension all made the ride very pleasant!  As a result, both Taco and I arrived fresh and relaxed at Chatt.

The pictures are from a very young rider, who send good luck to all of us PSFers.  Thank you Peyton!

The venue was very different from the way it had been at the American Eventing Championships last fall-- no temporary stalls, and a spacious, relaxed feel.  It was so much fun to be there, and fun to be competing again!

Our dressage was decent, with a few moments where I didn't keep him connected as well as I should have.  But I was pleased.  Everyone was scoring a little high, and our test scored a 37.7, which tied us for second.

You can see part of his bald spot under my leg. Photo by www.hoofclix.com

Stretchy circle (scored an 8!) www.hoofclix.com

Starting the lenghtening www.hoofclix.com

Cross country was, well, fun!  Actually, I had so much fun I got a speeding ticket.  It seems that going steeplechase at the T3D last October did get me thinking a little more forward!  I had a problem that I never thought I'd have at Training: speed faults.  1.6 to be exact, and I ran it at slightly over 520 meters per minute.  Amy said that she was pleased with our speed between the fences, but that I needed to bring him back more on the approaches.  The Training-level jumps did not back him off at all and so I need to make sure my half-halts are more effective.  Setting aside the piloting issues, Taco was simply perfect.  He sailed over everything, and gave me the most incredible feeling.

All xc photos by www.hoofclix.com

Here is a video taken by Lynda, longtime Team Taco friend (on Facebook, but should be viewable by all).

Showjumping was the next day and I sure was nervous.  Despite the successful dress rehearsal at Walnut Trace, I still hadn't jumped at an event yet since MTPC.  In the warmup, I was finding it very difficult to wait for the base of the fences.  Amy helped me tone things down a little, and I was able to start out my course with the right energy and balance.  Then I got a bit frantic and rushed through fences 6-8, though I did pull myself together again for the last line.  Also, as you can see from the photos, I reverted to drawing my right leg back in the air.  We dropped one rail and wound up 4th in the division.

I was so pleased with my guy!  He was generous and fun and lovely all weekend.  The Panther Springs crew had a great time together over the beautiful courses and footing at the event.  It was a great start to the season.  Next stop: Area III Championships at Poplar Place!!

See you at the next event!

We finally got to jump again

The jump field dried out enough after Wednesday's and Thursday's rain so we could have a jump lesson!  I felt really rusty (we last jumped right after New Year's) but I soon remembered how awesome Taco is over the jumps.  The flatwork we've been working so hard on has definitely improved our performance together.  I'm slowly getting more proficient at maintaining Taco's balance while not taking away his energy.

 

We did a little of everything: we warmed up over a little gymnastic, and then moved on to courses that included turns both ways, bending lines, angles, and skinnies.


Thanks for taking video, Carol!

More friends of Team Taco news:
Rugie, Taco's young friend, is wearing a bridle now!  He is so grown up!  You can see some pictures of him on the Panther Springs Farm Facebook Page.

Not in Aiken

Well...

Many readers of the Team Taco blog were eagerly awaiting news of our Aiken exploits this year.  Unfortunately, we had a casualty on the team: Beast the truck declined to cooperate with our plans.  Last Saturday morning, we had packed up and started south on I-65, and at the first big hill Beast started to overheat.  By the second, it was way in the red zone.  We miraculously found an open mechanic, who diagnosed a faulty thermostat.  But on the way back to the barn (by then it was too late to make the trip that day), it overheated again.  Given the extensive repairs that were probably necessary, and its advanced age, Beast has since been sold at a steep discount to cover the down payment on a new(er) truck.  But in the meantime, we were left high and dry with no way to get to Aiken!  

So we stayed home to ride and look for a new truck.  The weather has been less than cooperative, but we managed to fit in a very productive dressage lesson on Tuesday.  Amy's persistence in trying to explain the concept of connecting my aids is paying off a little.

Here is some video.  Does anyone have any tricks for keeping one's hands still at the canter?



In other news, an old friend of Team Taco (well, from before there even was a Team Taco), has sent in her entry to Rolex!  Heather Gillette has entered Questie (Our Questionnaire), so fingers crossed that all preparations go smoothly (they are at Red Hills this weekend) and everyone stays sound!  When I lived in New Jersey some years ago, Heather helped bring my confidence back after it reached an all-time low, and for that I am very grateful.  She has worked so hard at this sport for many years and is a fun, kind person to boot.  You can like her Heron's Landing Event Team page on Facebook to show your support!

Reposted: Letters to Taco

Reposted from The Many Adventures of Lauren:

My guys told me today that they wanted to write a letter to their pen pal, Taco, so I obliged them.

Dear Taco,

You look very handsome in your new suit. I am also naked now, I'm not sure what happened. First I was cold and wet, then Aunt Megan came over and I went to sleep. When I woke up I had a spiffy new hair cut and mom gave me lots of cookies. I thought you might appreciate a photo of me with my new "do." Thanks to Aunt Megan for helping mom give me a shave down. I'll be much more comfortable without my yak hair. Unfortunately, you can't see the nifty clip Aunt M did on my face. They "compromised" and clipped only half my face because I wouldn't let them clip my ears or nose, even while I was sleeping!

 Love,
Brandy


Dear Taco,

Please have your mom teach my mom how to clip better. She took a really long time and left a big fuzzy patch on my butt that everyone likes to touch. It feels weird when they touch it, but they keep calling it a cactus, so it must have a purpose. She also yanked my mane out, so she says I look handsome now, but it stung a little.

I also tried to express to her that I don't appreciate loud buzzing things near my head, but she told me I was silly and tricked me into letting her clip my bridle path and head, so I'm also totally hairless! I have a neat new suit as well, mom bundles me up cozy and warm when its going to be chilly. 

Mom says I'm going to my first horse show in about six weeks! Will I see you there?

Your buddy,
Ari 

Spring Starts Now!

Although the month of February brought terrible weather and a pesky hoof abscess for Taco, within the winter doldrums have been opportunities to prepare for spring. 

Take, for instance, the MSEDA annual meeting in Louisville, where the educational session speaker was Daniel Stewart.  He took us through a day-long program that began with sports psychology strategies and ended with a series of fun balance board exercises.  He taught us all how to simulate various gaits and positions on our own two feet, and took volunteers to help demonstrate how to unite our minds and muscles in mock dressage tests, stadium rounds, and, finally, a cross county course.  I really wanted to try the XC course so I overcame my misgivings about embarrassing myself in public and gave it a shot.

XC dancin' with Danny... I look like a fool, but it was fun! (photo by Hannah Hubsch)

The weekend ended with a lovely awards dinner at the Kentucky Derby Museum and an interesting meeting of members.  And I won the Alta Vista Farm XC schooling door prize-- thanks Mary Lowry!

Then Taco's new saddle came.  It is a Black Country Tex Eventer, the same one as our old one but a size larger.  Oh, and it has a gold stripe on it.  It is extremely pretty.

I ordered it through Trumbull Mountain Saddlery in Vermont (which, coincidentally, has our old saddle for sale). After I rode in the new one a little, Kate Wooten came out to adjust the flocking so it is sitting on Taco's back perfectly.  So far, I love it!  I don't think my lower leg is swinging back nearly so much, which was the point of getting the new one.

Then Taco got a haircut! The weather is warming up, but his coat is still thick and we want to avoid his staying wet and getting chilled.  So I de-furred him.

 

Notice anything on his butt?  Look closer...

And, because he is now more nekkid than the day he was born, he has a special suit to wear.

Why me???

Finally, I got myself excited for the season by making my annual volunteering trip (my 5th!) to Pine Top Farm Advanced Horse Trials, February 25-27.  Readers of this blog might remember that my trip last year did not go smoothly.  After years of an excellent safety record, the event logged several serious accidents on one day-- two of which were rotational falls at fences where I was judging.  I was deeply shaken, as were the wonderful organizers, Glenn and Janet Wilson, and many others who were present that day.  Like the riders who were injured, however, I felt it was important to go back this year as part of acknowledging that my enjoyment of the event can continue even after an uncommonly difficult weekend.

The Frog Pond at Pine Top

I am so glad that I returned this year!  The weather was perfect, the horses were impressive and beautiful, and, as usual, I learned so much.  On Friday I scribed the Advanced dressage tests for Sandy Osborn ("S") and jump judged at the coffin complex.  I scribed for Intermediate and Preliminary all day Saturday, and then jump judged all day Sunday.  The courses rode very well and the few partings-of-company did not lead to injuries.  I enjoyed visiting with the Wilsons and friends I see there every year, and I left feeling excited about the start to the season.

Tools of the XC fence judge's trade

Next week we go to Aiken for Spring Break!  I will update as much as possible.  And, as usual, send your questions to Taco!

Ask Taco: Getting Oneself Fit

Q. Dear Taco-

I've been in event horse training now for about three months and I have heard that I will be entering in the N3D and T3Ds in the future.
From what I understand the long format takes quite a bit of strength and endurance. I'm feeling a little over whelmed and fear that I might not be fit enough. What do you do to prepare yourself for the A,B,C, and D portions on XC day? How many hugs and cookies do you think I could earn if I do very well in such an event?

I've been told there is a strong possibility I will get to see you in Sept. Fingers Crossed!!

from, Toby the Cow Pony
APHAwesomeness 

A. Dear Toby the Cow Pony,

Yes, you are correct that the long format takes strength and endurance.  But there are two consolations in this, my friend.  First  of all, you are a cow pony for goodness's sake, and you were bred for those long days. Endurance Day at a classic format event is nothing compared to long days riding the range as your family has done for generations.  

Have your rider read this book.

Second, once you go through a conditioning program, such as the one in this post from last August, you will be so strong and fit that all of the other work your rider asks you to do will seem easy.  You'll be able to trot Roads and Tracks all day!  And you will have done the speed work to make Steeplechase a breeze (that's a horse racing term, which you might not know because you are a cow pony).

I hope that the above reassurances put your mind at ease.  But if you are still concerned, there is something you can do.  I have my very own exercise routine, TacoCize (TM)*, that I do in my pasture, when I'm feeling like I need to work out.  My pasture is about 6 or 7 acres, and it is longer than it is wide.  I'll do sprint sets several times back and forth.  I just start at one end, cover the length of it, and start back again.  Lather, rinse, repeat.  I get an extra cardiovascular workout by shouting to my neighbors as I run (this has the added benefit of getting their attention).  Sometimes I'm getting ready to TacoCize right when Stacy arrives and wants to bring me in, but she understands when I go ahead and do it anyway.  She acts mad but I know she's just kidding.

You can see me in the middle of this picture with my pasture stretching out behind me.

So don't worry about all the hard work, and you can always add in the workout I described if you wish.  I know you will be a great Event Pony!  I look forward to seeing you this fall.

Best wishes,

Taco
P.S.  If you do well in one of those events, or even just try a little, the hugs and cookies are unlimited.  Really!