Dressage Video

Just wanted to share with y'all a little bit of what I've been working on with Aubrey. I never posted a video from the Dressage Show I did in October so here is my awarding winning test...which I will be doing again February 5th at the Eventing Show in Bellville.

"Dressage is a French term meaning 'training' and its purpose is to develop the horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to work making him calm, supple and attentive to his rider" (USDF website).

I found this "Spectator's Guide" on the same website and thought it was interesting and little humorous.

Like any sport, watching dressage is more interesting the more you know about it. Dressage tests used at shows are divided by graduated levels, from the most basic walk/trot to the Grand Prix test that is the same test that is used in the Olympics. The tests are divided into separate movements, and the judge gives a score for each movement. The score sheets are then totaled to determine class results. It will help you understand what is going on if you can get a copy of the test you are watching, plus here are some additional thoughts:


1. Less is More
In dressage, the less you see the rider do, the better, because that means he is communicating with his horse quietly and his horse is attentive -- they are working as a team.

2. Good Figures
Circles are round and lines are straight, a precept true in geometry and dressage. A 20-meter circle should go from one side of the arena to the other, a 10-meter circle only half way across. A horse should not weave on a straight-line movement.

3. Tempo and Rhythm
Rhythm is the repetition of footfalls. A sound dressage horse has only three correct rhythms – a four-beat walk, two-beat trot, three-beat canter. Tempo is the speed of repetition of strides. Every horse should have a consistent tempo throughout the test that is controlled by the rider, a tempo so obvious you could sing a song to it.


4. Naughtiness
Horses, like people, have good days and bad days and days when they are just feeling a little too good. Naughtiness in horses can be exhibited in bucking, rearing, tossing of the head, or even jumping out of the dressage ring.


5. Tension
During a test, the horse needs to remain calm, attentive and supple. If the horse gets tense, he gets rigid through his neck and back, which can exhibit itself in stiff movement, ears that are pinned back and a tail that swishes constantly and doesn’t hang arched and quietly swinging.


6. Rider Seat and Position
The rider should sit upright quietly and not be depend on his whip, spurs or voice to have a nice test. Riders who use their voice have points deducted off their test score for that movement.


7. Whipped Cream Lips
When a horse is relaxed in his jaw and poll (the area just behind his ears), he releases saliva, you might see white foam around his lips and mouth. That is a good sign as it means he is attentively chewing on his bit and comfortable in his work. The amount of white foam varies from horse to horse.


8. Horses and Flight
Horses have two main mechanisms for protection from danger: they run and they kick. Remember to always allow plenty of room for the horses at a show and never approach any horse without first alerting the rider that you are doing so.


9. Scary Stuff
Horses have the strangest aversions: plastic grocery bags can remind them of Satan’s minions and an opened umbrella can cause bolting to three states over. Again, use caution at horse shows and think before you toss away noisy garbage, open an umbrella or put on and take off plastic rain ponchos or blankets in the stands.


10. SSSSHHHH!
Focus is important during any test, from Training Level to Grand Prix, so remember to be courteous and follow the rules by staying about 15 meters (45 feet) feet back from the competition ring and remaining as quiet as possible during rides. If you have any questions about where you may stand or sit, check with the ring steward.


Hopefully this helped to get some insight into what I've been talking about when I come home. Dressage has helped me become a better rider and horseperson. It's a very exhilarating sport and when I finished my 1st two tests, I was hooked. So the eventing show is a trial to see what I really want to concentrate on. I'm sure Mom would appreciate me just doing dressage since I wouldn't be crashing & burning at jumps anymore.

Have a great weekend!

Night Owl

I told myself this break I would be getting my rest, working out, and catching up with my family and friends. Well I have a week left and I have been averaging about 6-7 hours of sleep a night, working at Miss Sallie's instead of working out, and mostly being lazy when I'm at home consuming my time with Pinterest and television = watching House or football and thinking about the things I could make from Pinterest. I've really enjoyed this Christmas break because...

I've gotten closer to my friend Cassey Janak (no relation to Courtney) who is the athletic trainer at the high school and 2 school grades my elder.

I went on my 1st duck hunt with my guy friends in Matagorda. Thank the Lord for safety and their gun knowledge since my gun got jammed but we were REALLY successful!

A week later, I went on my 1st dove hunt with my dad and his buddies. I shot down 5 and had a swell time hanging out and talking with a bunch of "wise" men.

Had an amazing Christmas with both sides of the family. Santa was even kind enough to keep my subtle hints in mind and brought me a 20 gauge shotgun! Later, Big Steve traded it for a 12 gauge and got $100 back. Scott Arbuckle said I should've become the rightful owner of the Benjamin but I'll ask for it later for the horse show I'm going to do in February.

I was able to stay at my Aunt Lori & Uncle John's for a night and take Sydney (almost 15) to the El Maton dance and get the horses their shots the following day. I CANNOT BELIEVE that Santa brought me Rocket 10 YEARS AGO!!! I really miss that horse but I just don't have enough time. Hopefully I can keep him long enough for him to become my kid's horse.

I helped Mom & Dad organize a little New Year's Eve party. It turned out really great. I hope everyone had a splendid time and is having a Happy & Healthy New Year! I skipped out on the champagne toast and sang at 11 pm Mass that night.

I spoke to 8th graders at the middle school's College Day this Tuesday. I had a good time with the group I was with and got my "Growth Points" paper signed to turn in in March for when I start planning my December graduation.

I attended a beautiful rosary of an amazing lady who passed away on the 30th. Please keep Mrs. Nancy Krenek and her family in your prayers. She touched a lot of people's hearts and is continuing to as she is smiling down on us from Heaven.

And on Wednesday, I helped out St. Philip's, where Mrs. Krenek was an aide, so the faculty could attend the funeral. I got to substitute a 1st grade class. They were so cute & full of EVERYTHING! Before we went in from recess, I let them race me. I was nice and gave them a 3 second head start. I beat them. Oops.

Thursday, I helped Miss Sallie out before heading to Houston for a defensive driving class from 4-10 pm. I got a ticket in October so better late than ever to get it done before school starts the 17th and I have no time to do extra things. It was supposed to be funny but the instructor made his jokes into death jokes and it wasn't really funny. So the SIX of us caught on and started making fun of his jokes and the time went by faster. Supposedly if he would've let us out earlier than the required 6 hours, we could be fined $30,000 and his fine would be double or triple that amount!!!

Hope all is well in your neighborhood!
Gig 'em & God Bless!

Sorry I don't have pictures! I need to sync my phone...especially so y'all can see Dad's dog Harley!

Rings and Things

A lot has happened in the past month...smiles and tears, hot and cold weather, good and bad grades, and some other rollercoaster happenings. But let's focus on the good because the smiles always are more memorable...

Late October, I participated in my first Dressage Schooling Show. I know a lot of my readers (a.k.a. Family & Friends) don't know much about what I'm doing in the english saddle but I would like to inform you a tad bit on it. Dressage is a French term for training. Its purpose is to develop a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform. At a horse's peak, it should respond to minimal aids while the rider is in a relaxed state. I wish I could show you a video of my test but I haven't asked Aubrey for it. There are a lot of YouTube videos out there and the ones that will pop up are the most advanced level (FEI World Cup or Grand Prix).

I really enjoyed my dressage show and came home with 2 Blue Ribbons with decent scores for my first outing with Strutt, 21 y.o. Quarter Horse. I am going to wait until my first few eventing shows to decided what I really want to concentrate on. I like to jump but Mom and Dad would like my seat to be more safe in the saddle than up in the air over jumps!

Now the super exciting stuff...

Shelby Suzanne got her Aggie Ring this past Friday! Whoop!

I was the photographer so of course, I have wonderful photos to show you of Shelby's amazing milestone!

Deanna Bosse, Lindsey Marik, Shelby, Courtney Janak & Me

Of course, being the silly sister she is, she has to get in the fountain!

Thank the Lord there weren't any cops around!

Having a little fun with Courtney!

Yes, we're sisters. Yes, we make funny faces. Yes, we love each other.

2 Generations of Aggie Rings - '78, '12 & '13

...and hopefully another generation to come in the future!

...a ways down the road of course...

My beautiful brunettes!

And there was a little more excitement after Friday...

We dunked our rings after we BTHO kansas! We were ladies and did "chugger" size. I drank Michelob Ultra and Shelby drank Mike's Hard Lemonade. She's a beast and downed it fairly quickly. I, on the other hand, kept the ladylike persona and drank it slow and steady because I wasn't about to puke like some of the boys did!

Meadow Creek Girls - Me, Taylor Lange & Shannon

Here we go!

And of course, the boys were drinking right after the dunked but I can promise y'all, I will not have beer for a good while.

Gig 'em!

 



He calls me Howdy...

It was a mistake on my part for wearing my Howdy (front), Dammit (back) t-shirt to my 2nd Ralph Hill clinic two weekends ago. So during jump crew on Saturday, Ralph called me Howdy until I was riding in my group then he used my first name. I became one of the jokes of the clinic in the barn with the adults in which one nice lady in particular started calling me Dammit. It was quite amusing to Aubrey, Jenny and I until it was time to get down to business.

This clinic was based on improving our riding skills on our horses through gymnastics on Saturday and cross country on Sunday. I got to do my first (mini) cross country course and boy, was it a large one! I was in the Beginner Novice group which is suppose to jump the maximum of 2'3 jumps. Ralph knew the horses in our group had the talent to jump Training level jumps so we were jumping logs 3 foot high and possibly taller! I was really nervous but I just prayed and put my trust into Strutt (my 21 year-old Quarter horse mount) and my borrowed whip. I have some confidence issues going into bigger jumps, especially X-C jumps ever since Angie threw me off in June. So I wrote some inspiration on my left forearm for reassurance.

"Be strong and courageous!" -Joshua 1:9

...and let me tell you, I'm glad I was put my trust in the Lord and called for my Guardian angel because I got successfully over all of the big jumps then fell at a little 2 footer right before the "ditch." Oh well, the big scary jumps were conquered and my thigh and ankle got a little banged up but life goes on and Mom worries a little bit. Sorry Mom and Dad...it's a part of learning. Thank you so much for letting me be able to do these things that make me fall but I pick myself up, get back on and move right along the course. Hint: This applies to life also but without horses, I wouldn't be sane so I really appreciate my parents for supporting me to do the things that I love to do! I love y'all!

ground poles before small oxer

square oxer

(pretty picture too!)

 awesome 2 foot bounce gymnastic series

(yes, we did 3 in a row!)

hog's back

skinny chevron

...i was really nervous about this jump but we finally conquered it!...

Jenny on Tucker, Me on Strutt and Ralph Hill 

square oxer

wide tire jump 

big LOG jump

(I know you cannot see me because of the tree but i want you to know this is the jump i was getting anxious about...i just gave Strutt a lot of leg, a little whip, and a prayer to get his butt over it!) 

us on our tired ponies...they were so good so good for us!

I'm so ready for December to get her to do my first Eventing show!

Click, Click, BOOM!

That's exactly what my volleyball team did tonight. They rocked it and beat a local team in 4 games to get the W! It was probably the best game they've played all season. I'm hoping they keep going at it and keep up the momentum into next weekend when we go to Dallas to play in a Homeschool tourney. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I love the girls and they've come a long way but I've heard that the teams that play there are pretty Bad-A. Win or lose, I love that I was able to have this opportunity and hopefully can have another year coaching with the association.

Let me just catch up y'all up with the rest of my life:

School - It's hard. I'm only taking 12 hours but they're tough. Chemistry 2 has a lot of work and the lab sucks. Psychology of Learning is eating my lunch because I have a different professor right now...long story...and my Motor Learning & Control class is interesting but is getting harder every day. I'm hoping to catch up a little bit this weekend.

Health - I've been battling a nasty sick bug for a week and a half. It was weird how I felt it coming on but it hit me hard! I got meds called in and took those but I was still feeling under the weather and coughing horribly. So the doc gave me a steroid shot and cough pearls. I'm on mucinex max strength and nyquil. It's working but my voice is still working on coming back. Hopefully it does since I'm singing at Daily Mass tomorrow.

Horses - My parents were very gracious to pay for the clinic I'm doing this weekend in Bryan. Ralph Hill will be coaching a few people at a time all day Saturday and Sunday in Eventing. My photo on the top of my blog page is actually from the clinic I participated in with Ralph in January. I can't wait to get going with this one. I've come a long way according to Aubrey, my trainer, and hopefully all of the dressage training we worked on this summer helps me out this weekend. Just pray for all our safety and that I have trust in my horse and he has trust in me and COURAGE! I need to grow some balls... haha

Birthday - Yes, I'm 22. It's a weird age but I'm learning to embrace it. Mom and Dad were in town for the football game so they stayed for my birthday on Sunday the 25th. We went to St. Mary's as a family and even though we had to sit upstairs because 10 am Mass is always packed, I still thank them for going with me to worship the Lord and have a new and good start to the week. We then went to brunch where Duane and Jeanne Arbuckle joined us and had a great time with good food. Meemaw gave me a lovely piece of crystal then we all laid down for a quick siesta. It was just what I wanted.

And there's a lot of other little things going on in my life and I'm happy as can be! Just a little stressed every now and then but faith has brought me to be happy, strong, courageous, and grateful for everything I've been doing lately.

Here's some photos from Ring Day! WHOOP!

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.

This is Aubrey. She is a sweet, compassionate, respectful, knowledgeable, and a talented young woman. She's in her late 20's. She graduated from the University of Florida with an agricultural based degree and masters. She's married to Ben, a vet who is at A&M studying to receive his specialty degree in large animal internal medicine. Ben's acceptance to A&M's prestigious Vet school is what brought them to Texas and to me. I found Aubrey through a horse website trying to find an English riding instructor in the area. She happens to have 20 years of experience under her belt. So I e-mailed her to save myself from the depressing thoughts of a breakup. Hey! It's life and I will speak my mind and the truth! And you know what?! She happens to be an amazing teacher and friend. I have known her for a little over a year and have progressed fairly quickly riding both her horses - a quarter horse and a warmblood (Angie, pictured above).

Let me share with you why she inspires me...

She helped me find myself through a tough time through friendship and horses. I will tell everyone I ever meet that these majestic creatures are a gift from God to heal and make people happy (most of the time, until they pitch you off - hahaha). Aubrey gives lots of examples in her lessons. Some make me laugh and some I completely do not understand. Her latest examples were using "gig 'em" to refer how my hands and forearms should be when riding properly and airplanes when trying to collect the horse to use their rear end for propulsion.

One of her best qualities is that she's a Christian woman. She will admit she's been through troubling times but God always has a plan and things will work out. Who hasn't been through some troubling times? I know I can be selfish, irresponsible, and cry about petty things sometimes. I truly strive to be a stronger and more courageous person like the qualities that Aubrey bestows. And from those qualities and many others, I trust her with all of my heart. This past week, I fell off of Angie attempting a jump in a lesson. I didn't cry until I got scared and nervous about riding such an advanced horse and not understanding some things about what I was doing. Aubrey reassured me. She was there to let me cry but also there to tell me that I was capable of doing anything along with difficulty and bumps in the road.

She can also quote the Bible very well. I always forget the exact verse and chapter but her favorite bible verse comes from Psalms. Who doesn't love Psalms?! So I've been trying to read more of the Bible and connect it with my everyday life. I have slacked lately and anatomy shouldn't be my excuse for taking over my life. Hahaha.

She is also a new mother to a sweet baby girl named Lorelei Grace. She's a little over 2 months old and is pretty in pink. If you know me, I don't necessarily care for the color but Lily is sure darn cute in it! I enjoy spending an evening after riding, talking to Aubrey and Ben and holding Lily. They're a family I look up to and hope the best for them in all that they do. Hopefully one day, I can have a beautiful family and farm as her family does. I love you Aubrey.

Day 12 - A picture of something you love.

I love a lot of things - my family, friends, blonde hair (haha), sports, wildlife, photography, etc.

But what I love the most is...

Horses. They keep me happy and healthy and sane. I don't know how I made it the past few years without them! I'm very fortunate and blessed to be able to ride and take lessons. I hope I can keep improving and becoming a better person because of these majestic creatures. They are truly a gift of the Lord's hand.

Possibly...

My new and soon to be favorite hobby is Eventing. It consists of stadium jumping, dressage and cross country. Aubrey took me along with another student to Pine Hill in Bellville. They have a very nice yet relaxed facility that allows us to school/train for a small fee. We schooled the cross country and Aubrey had Ben (her husband) was nice to film our adventures. Aubrey made this video of our day's highlights which I would like to share with y'all.

Ok, back to studying for Anatomy lab...joy...

Bible Verse of the Day: Psalm 115:1

XoXo

Great Weekend

Thursday night ended my hell week. I treated myself with some beer and a movie night with Stacey Gillis. We saw The Roommate. It was not scary at all but she thought it was. After that I took her home and headed to a friends who I haven't seen in awhile to play dominoes. I eventually got my game on helped my partner come back and kick some butt!

Friday, I started my day out with a massage. I found a lady at Elements who will work my knots out and am comfortable with. I went to Academy for Aunt Rhonda to pick up Bryson some Nike golf shoes. Just in luck! Got his size and style he wanted. I headed to my only class of the day, Abnormal Psychology, at 11:30. We started learning about anxiety and stress. Just what I need to learn and understand. Afterwards, I headed out to Aubrey's (horse trainer) for a lesson. She had planned on Angie and I working on the flat and then doing a hunter course.

Working the flat is just going around the arena and she evaluates the horse's "togetherness" at each gait (walk, trot, canter). A hunter course is a course of jumps set up a certain height and the horse is judged. If I was doing equitation, I would be getting evaluated. Aubrey claims that she makes "hunters" out of all of her riders. I would have a hard time in an eq. class because my calfs are not always in line/behind the girth, my heels are not always in line with my hips, I lean forward and close the angle of my hips, and lastly, I bend my wrists and don't always keep my thumbs up.

Anyways, we didn't get to jump because Angie wanted to be a terd. So we switched saddles from a hunt seat to dressage and put some training aids on her and off we went trotting around. I scurried off home to get ready to head back to EC with Taylor Martin. After arriving home, I quickly went to say Hi to dad, who was playing poker at Scott & Terry's. Too bad I'm not a better player... I stayed there until mom arrived to greet her and eat some amazing beans until heading off to my next destination. Scott drove me in his new car to the ball park to watch his sister, Erin, scrimmage. The girls did ok but not only did they know, the alumni were going to kick their butts the next night!

Saturday, we began our morning with some awesome oatmeal and I watched some tv with dad. I went to some batting practice at the field with some alumni. Started off horrible at hitting but I picked it back up quickly. I went home and rested. Mom and dad attended a wedding and I headed off to the ball park again for the big game. 17 alumni showed up and we thought we were going to be awesome! Well we didn't but that's ok. It was a fun game and great to see everyone before Wagner retires from coaching. I went 1 for 2 with a double to right field! I caught one inning (only played 4) and now I'm getting pretty sore. We went to eat at Los Cucos after and I ate way too many chips but I tried the spinach enchiladas and they're were pretty good. Scott, Cassey, and Taylor came over when I got home to watch a movie. I love those nights.

Today, I attended mass at 10 and visited Erin and Scott before I went home to eat lunch with my family. Well Dad forgot I was at home since I didn't come straight home after church and didn't order me lunch. No worries I just shared with everyone else. Bowling Center hamburgers are amazing! Go eat there! I relaxed while my parents got ready for a funeral until I got the phone call Taylor was coming to fetch me and my stuff to travel back to Aggieland. We arrived safely back after I drove (= Happy Alexis) since he wasn't feeling too well. I went and rode and got groceries for tomorrow Anti-Valentine's Day Single Ladies Dinner!

Taking Matters into My Own Hands

For those who have not known the trouble I've caused my parents since the age of 10, here is a brief summary. On March 31st, 1999, a softball hit me in the mouth and Dr. Swenson was pulled out of the pasture to pull my broken tooth out. Since the age of 10, I've had many appliances with fake teeth on them, braces that held a tooth by a wire, and a Maryland bridge that was cemented to the back of my teeth. I still remember the day Emily & Shannon visited me in bed and my whole mouth was still very swollen. Needless to say, they were very taken back by my swollen lip and gap. For those who have seen me since February, I had braces for 9 months and a retainer since October. I had my implant surgery in August. After multiple visits back and forth from Victoria to EC to CS, it was time to fill the gap!

Since the Tooth Fairy and Santa failed me, I had to take matters into my own hands. Dr. Swenson and his amazing team ordered my fake tooth when I got home for Christmas break after finals. Well it came in last Tuesday and I went in to the office but it wasn't a good match. It's a very long process to make these false teeth that are supposed to act as great as a normal tooth but the color has to match as well. School started today and I didn't want to go back & forth during this busy semester worrying about my tooth. So Dr. Swenson talked to the lab and the next morning, Taylor Martin & I hauled ourselves & my special box to San Antonio to get a perfect match. After a long day of shopping, eating, and several color changes, we headed home. The next morning I was back at Swenson's and he permanately put my new tooth in! The shape looks great, the color is a little different but not that noticable. I'm using some good whitening toothpaste and am going to get a great electric toothbrush to try to get some plaque off.

I also got a mouthguard made because I participated in Ralph Hill's Eventing Clinic in Bellville this past weekend. Eventing is an english riding sport consisting of stadium jumping, dressage and cross country riding over 2 or 3 days. It was a lot of fun and it was a great experience. Aubrey hauled me down and I rode her awesome 21-year old QH, Strutt. He's a very safe ride and he taught me a lot. Here's some pictures:

Hopefully I can keep having fun like this throughout the semester. It's going to be a hectic and hard one but it's going to help me in the long run. I'll let y'all know what my final schedule is next week. Until then, have a great week!

Watch Out World, I'm a Legalized Young Woman!

I've been meaning to post this for some time but I just couldn't make myself to do it or I wasn't able to upload pictures at those times. So anyways, it's finally feeling like autumn in Aggieland and I love all of the fall colors! I can't wait for Thanksgiving and bowl games, the end of this semester, and the jolly Christmas season! How about that win on Saturday?!?! Unfortunately, I started to freak out about my exams and went to the car in the middle of the 3rd quarter to study. I missed it all but no worries, sister has a video and pictures! This semester has flown by so fast we have about 10 school days left in the semester! Which means finals are approaching & I have to study during Thanksgiving...ew.

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Rand Arbuckle. They're wedding was absolutely amazing and I had a lot of fun yet the paper and exam I had the following week (which was last week).

Me on Aubrey's 20 Quarter Horse, Strutt

 I just finished two exams this week, went to E-Walk to take my picture with an elephant and treated myself with a lesson at Aubrey's with my pony, Angie. Aubrey is an awesome horsewoman and friend that I've known since May. I started leasing Angie in August and have enjoyed her so much! She takes my weekly stressers away and I can't wait for the 2011 shows to start up. Aubrey calls me a scaredy cat because I won't jump Angie sometimes. Ok, so I can be a fraidy cat but I'm thinking safety of my tooth. And to those who don't know, I had my implant surgery August 27th and it was successfully been in my mouth since! My braces came off October 21st and I got a retainer the same day with the same tooth I've had since I was 15. Hopefully, Santa brings me my one front tooth for Christmas! 

Top: Me on Angie, flying high! Bottom: Aubrey, Me & Angie

I turned 21 on September 25th. I was still recovering from my surgery & I had a horse show the next day so I didn't want to over do it. Key to all you alcoholic beverage enthusiasts: Eat Protein before! It soaked the alcohol up and TADA!!! NO HANGOVER! But it was an early morning to get to the show and no one decided to show up so Aubrey & I tacked up anyways and I schooled on both of her horses.

Emily, Me & Stacey

It's been a rollercoaster semester but I've made it this far. I wish you all a safe & Happy Turkey Day!Gig 'em Aggies! Saw 'em Off!!!