Life is busy.

Boy, it's been about, what two months since I have posted?! Holy cow.

Lily now lives in paradise...outside 24/7, with two other mares and unlimited grass...and acres of fields to run in, plus a lake in our backyard to swim in :) Her mama is happy, as it is economical, and has her best friend to ride with! We still have to build a round pen /riding ring...but we are getting there :) We have been on a strict no-jumping policy (and boy do I HATE it) It's not that I mind dressage- in fact I love it...but I love jumping more, and I miss it like crazy, so I plan on taking a jumping lesson sometime next week perhaps...

our new home :)

-Just was interrupted in typing by my buddy the UPS guy delivering my second pair of much loved Smartpak Piper breeches----eeek! If it wasn't raining...I would ride in them.

lovin' my girl <3

Enjoying our summer together, it's great to be back and love riding all the time, seeing my beautiful girl!!

Additionally, we signed up for three months of A Horse Box- exciting :) I'll try and post reviews (when I can!)


XOXO, Lily and DJC

Sunday Night Spotlight: Ogilvy Halfpad

Welcome to Sunday Night Spotlight!! (Each Sunday I will write a quick review on my favorite equine products, tack & apparel!

Complete with embroidery! 

The Ogilvy Memory Foam Halfpad!

When I got my newer saddle, the Crosby Equilibrium (LOVE it), it didn't quite fit Lily's back perfectly. Since then I have had to use a halfpad to help the saddle to fit to her back. The Ogilvy Memory Foam Halfpad perfectly contours to Lily's back and absorbs shock. Plus they are sexy as hell- and totally custom! Teehee ;-) I have even tacked her up to work on the lungeline or long-line and have used the Ogilvy. Sometimes when I hop on "bareback" I stick it under my bum for some crazy cushion! 

We are soooooo matchy-matchy!

"A half pad unequalled in comparison, it combines the V-top shape and anti-friction materials with removable MemoryFoam pads. The MemoryFoam acts as a buffer that fills any voids between the saddle and the horse, stabilizes the saddle, and provides shock-absorption for the backs of both horse and rider. This half pad will have your saddle fitting perfectly on every horse, even with custom made saddles"

Go customize your own!! 

https://ogilvyequestrian.com/en/store/product/jump-memoryfoam-halfpad

A Perfect Day.

If I could live a perfectly average day of my adulthood (say a Saturday)... It would be something like this:

Wake up early. (Sometime before six)

Have a wondrous cup of coffee whilst listening to the birds & watching the sun rise. (peace.)

Give all my ponies good morning kisses and listen to their happy nickers. Then feed them, do stalls, & turn them out to graze in the dewy pastures.

Collect eggs from my chickys <3

Make a scrumptious breakfast for my family.

Not do ANY boring domestic chores.

Write a little blog blurb.

Ride. Gallop. Jump. Mess around, the whole afternoon.

Go swimming in the ocean, lake, river, whatever, (preferably with horses)

Cook a lovely candlelit dinner.

Eat chocolate cake. And vanilla bean gelato.

Go out for a sunset trail ride with my husband.

Make a batch of soap. Or lip balms.

Read some chapters of a good book with a purring cat.

Kiss my ponies goodnight.

Snuggle time/playtime...with husband. ;-)

More purring cats.

Fall asleep by a roaring fire (in the winter) or a breezy starlit summer's eve...



Now isn't that just perfect. Sigh <3

GIVE ME MOTIVATION TO COMPLETE THIS WEEK AND FINISH UP COLLEGE. WOOOOOOOO.

Tent Sale Tack Haul!

It's been another year...another tent sale ;)

This year, because I have a new dressage saddle that needs fastenings, I focused on a girth and leathers.
I also needed white breeches, and picked up a fun belt!


1) FITS PerforMAX White Show Breeches $289.99  for $100.

2) Da Vinci Black Dressage Leathers $92.50 for $50

3) Black Fleece Dressage girth (original price unknown) $10.

4) Dressage white pad for $30

4) Wormers & Probiotics Tube for Lily's tummy!

5) C-4 Red Belt! $32 ( for $25)

Hooray for Tent Sales! Overall I saved a very good amount! Pleased pony, pleased rider! 

One SLOOOOOOW Weekend, but lots to do!

It's a slow weekend. All I wanna do is ride! )-:

Gotta pack up, finish studying (two exams down, one to go!), and get everything together!

Lily's all ready for me to get back, and get ready for training!
Today I ordered Lily's SmartPaks, a custom dressage pad (hey I have only one real dressage pad...and it's for show!) and did some dressage research...

Here are some patterns for me to try out...in my new dressage saddle ;-)

My most recent dressage lesson was on this pretty thing:

Pretty Ida <3

I've had some really great times with this Oldenburg mare. She's pretty cool- and a good teacher!

Over my 7 weeks at Fairfield Farm, my seat, leg and softness has HUGELY improved. I accomplished my goals, and learned some new stuff- plus we had tons of fun!

----

Lily and I have a dressage lesson with Jenny Wells in June, and hope to continue to improve!!!

I'll be home to ride on Monday- and looking forward to it! :-)

DJC

Moving Forward

Well, in one week I will have finished my time here at Roger Williams University. I am very excited to be transferring back home to Plymouth State to continue a) elementary education and b) RIDING LILY!

Lily will be moving back to a boarding stable where I can continue to train to event, go on trail rides, ride with friends, and have the indoor back!

We are planning on competing in a variety of events this summer: Eventing, jumper shows, jumper team competitions, and some dressage shows. I may also take her to a fun show at the end of the year and do a barrel race ;)

Anyway, I am beyond happy to be able to see my beautiful girl everyday, and to share our time together in the beautiful NH.

And. Only a week left.

Last Owls Approve Blog Hop! #18!!!

Eighteen on the Eighteenth.

In honor of Archie's 18th birthday, tell me 18 things you love about your horse.

1. I love your tiny little snip on your perfect (,and sadly/strangely un-soft) muzzle

2. I love your enthusiasm in every single ride. And how much you truly try for me.

3. I love how you were my dream horse since I was a young girl &  that I knew you since you were only 6 months old...

4. I love your too-thick mane and your Shetland pony fuzziness in the wintertime.

5. I love how you take care of children- you always know to be on your best behavior around them. I trust you deeply for that.

6. I love how freakin' AWESOME you look in RED.

Or pink.

7. I love your raw & amazing beauty. 

8. I love your talent- you are such a lovely jumper!

9. I love your snarky marish attitude.

10. I love your sweet little kisses.

11. I love your gallop.

12. I love your kind heart. (even though you don't always show it) 

13. I love your tolerance with me & my photoshoots & bonnets & outfits... ;)

14. I love your desire- I know it's intentional- to make me laugh and just roll my eyes at you and your one-of-a-kind-ness...

15. I love that stupid hock and all your dumb injuries because, well you were doing what you do best- "investigating" 

16. I love your hatred for stalls, standing still & miniature horses. 

17. I love your "it's hailing and tornadoes and here I am rolling in the snow" kind of attitude. 

18. Finally, I love you and all that you are, my perfect Stargazer Lily. <3 

Catching Up With The Final Owls Approve Blog Hops!

Introspection

What would your horse change about you?

Lily would say, "more treats mom!" and insist on galloping every single ride. She would also choose jumping and running around like a maniac for most rides.

She'd like me to continue to ride softer and to stop playing "saddle club moments" every five seconds with my friends...She says I really should be doing yoga more. Yeah, yeah. College doesn't give me TIME to do that! 

She would also ask me to please, please give her more grain. SWEET FEED>>>>>

Finally, I think she would tell me to back off on the outfits, and no mom we do NOT have to match EVERY single ride ;) 

She would thank me, however, for my softening hands & more independent seat that I have developed through dressage work. :) Go me! 

Dressage Lesson Three

Today I rode a lovely grey Oldenburg mare, Miss Ida. (She had all (PINK tack- including bridle, polos, saddle pad- and I wore my matching pink shirt) What a girl!

Ida's Quirks:
* Ida was heavy in my hands in the beginning (my right shoulder is so sore!)
* At the end, she was flexing, bending, rounding and moving off my leg!
* Very forward, wanted to canter :)
* ADORABLE.

We worked on:
* lots of lateral work!
--- shoulder-in
--- haunches-in
--- leg-yielding
* bending and rounding
* extensions across diagonal
* trot to walk transitions (and my leg not tipping forward)

Positive notes:
*My heels have greatly improved
*I got quite a workout
*I am refreshed with some lateral movements
*Her extended trot is amazing- I felt like I was flying!

Need to work on:
*not tipping my leg too far forward
*keeping my shoulders inline with my hips
*deepened seat

Lily's dressage saddle came in today. I got a Crosby Prix St. Georges, for a very good deal. It is beautiful and cannot wait to ride on it! :)

The Owls Approve Blog Hop: Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis

We've talked about what your horse doesn't like to do, and I don't want to confuse this with that.  I'm not talking about personality quirks or training foibles.  Tell me:  if you could change something (or things) about your horse, what would you?

I would change her age...I'd bring her back a couple years. Maybe to age 8 or 9. (She's 13)

I would change her height. Just a hand or two. I like 'em big. ;)

I would change her hocks. (They suck.) I would also build up her front end: she's a bit downhill.

I love her grey....but she's got melanomas...I would change that. At least, make it so she couldn't get them ): plus she can get hella dirty! 

Even though she can be a straight pain in the ass, I wouldn't change her personality for anything. 

The Owls Approve Blog Hop: Defining the Relationship

Defining the Relationship

Snookum-ukums, where do you see this going?  

Let's be realistic.  What's the plan with your pony?  Is it a five-year investment with a return, is it until you move up beyond the Kin's abilities, or is it forever*?

FOREVER. AND EVER. AND EVER. And that is all. 

Sure, I will lease her out to a learning student when she is age 22. Sure I will teach young kids how to jump on her, sure she will live out her aged days in a pasture....but she will always be mine. 

The Owls Approve Blog Hop: Fail

I'm three weeks behind. Crap.

Fail.

We know what makes Thunderhooves happy, but what does he hate to do?  Let's not ignore those times that you have whip out all the tricks or pharmaceuticals for grooming.

Lily used to hate going on trail rides. I know, RIGHT?! But I guess you could call in barn sourness...I later found out it was because this awful girl who occasionally rode her would whip the crap out of her at every hesitation....ugh. Now she loves trail rides so I guess that doesn't count ;)

Anyway. Lily also hates, and I mean HATES to stand still.

Cross ties, trailer (she goes on no problem- and hauls with ease- but doesn't like to be parked), tied, showmanship, being held for the farrier, the vet, the dentist, etc., standing still while being mounted, standing while mounted, standing in a class line-up, halting and saluting in a dressage test, bathing, clipping, waiting for food, being in a stall, being in a stall....

But god bless her, she will stand ALLLLLL day in the pasture...

She does not like her udders being cleaned.

She does not like Kristen Buckley.  

Oh and Lily does not like miniature horses pulling little mini carts. 

Catching up...

After a relaxing week in Florida and then a week filled with schoolwork, lessons & then two exams (bleh!) and a lovely weekend, it is time to finally sit down to write a post!

Riding Updates!

I've been riding Aries (the 20ish year old Morgan gelding) and training him to go "western" per his owners request, and now have the opportunity to work with 17hh black OTTB gelding, Fred, at the same barn- I'm very excited for this!
----
I've also begun riding at Fairfield Farm, learning the elements of classic dressage!

Today marks my second dressage lesson! I am LOVING it. As a former 4-H/Hunter/Jumper now working with more eventing, dressage is extremely important to me! It challenges me to change up my riding style and really connect with my equine partner. I love the rhythm

I'm going to start a little lesson log.

My lesson last week:

Caleigh: a TB gelding
- leans like Lily does
- forward, but easygoing
- schoolmaster

Caleigh was a wonderful, uncomplicated ride that challenged me to (actually!) lift up my heels (I've been cranking them down for what seems like since my infancy) and sit deeper and taller. My hands have become much softer, and more giving. My seat also feels better and more independent. We did some leg yields, circles and transitions. It was a day to "figure everything out".

My lesson today:

DeeJay: a QH gelding 
-slow western-y gait (but not pokey)
-mouth fussy/playful
-took effort to achieve roundness

DeeJay was a super cute and very playful ride! Today, he challenged me to "ground him", "bring him low and long" and to "step into" rather than drag me, into an upwards gait. He asked me to think about keeping a loose but still rather "firm" overall position. I didn't want to be disrupted by a change in gait- I wanted the transition to appear effortless and not to be carried away by the canter. What really hit me today was that I was asked to "ground" or "soothe" him which coded in my head to loosen and lengthen my legs, pull my seat underneath me and to further soften my hands. It worked! Yay!

DeeJay says HIIIII!

We're loving this dressage stuff ;) We've signed up for a clinic in June for Lily and I- wahoo!

XOXO
DJC

The Owls Approve Blog Hop: Ermagerd

Blog #13!

The Owls Approve Blog Hop!

Ermahgerd.

What is your pony's absolute favorite riding activity?  What makes those little ears perk and causes the knees to lift?  Let's just focus on the favorites - we'll save the bucks for next week.

Lily loves to jump. Loves to jump. 

She always has and I think always will. It's just something we like to have fun with!

Lily also loves barrel racing and galloping!

In general, anything that is MOVEMENT Lily loves- the more work the better!

Jumping gymnastics, things that make Lily use her BRAIN are also more fun for the both of us!

The Sunshine State.

Only One Day Left. FINALLY. :D

My first spring break in college will be well spent with my boyfriend and I's first semi-solo vacation! We are heading to Orlando to stay the week with my grandparents! We will be going to Disney's Animal Kingdom, hitting up the beach, and hopefully enjoying a night or two out to eat (perhaps at somewhere fancy!) I love travelling. This summer we will also be returning to Quebec also for our annual camping trip! Yay! :)

I can't wait to visit places around the globe someday. 2016 will be Ireland/England riding trip- which I am beyond excited for.
Which leads me to....

Oh The Places You'll Go!  (One of my favorite childhood books- minus The Runaway Bunny, Goodnight Moon and Here Comes the Train- okay among like 28592305 others!)

"You've got brains in your head you've got feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose" 

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

xoxo~
DJC & Lily

A Happy Fifth Year Anniversary

As I am away at college, I don't have any photos from today...but this Friday I'll be home to see my pony! :)

Anyway, today marks the fifth year anniversary of ownership! <3

I have some photos from our lease period in 2009, the day I bought her and then a photo or two from each year!
Enjoy!

2009 (First year I leased her)

Hell, we looked good! 

March 3rd, 2010:

My life began on this day <3

AND NOW: A photo from each year of ownership! 

2010

We started jumping more regularly...

2011

The year we qualified for the Big E!

2012 (This year Lily was on and off lame...pictures of riding were few and far in between) 

Mare-y Chrstmas!

* And I still can't find that jacket ^ I'm bumming about that still....meh

2013

Missing these days!

2014

Our first relatively "big" height class

March 3rd 2014: (Our fourth year anniversary) 

Four years!

2015 (I don't have any riding pics this year...Still waiting on some....xD)

Happy 13th Birthday, Lily

March 3rd 2015: Here I am in college...three hours away...Luckily I still got my pony-time today....shhh don't tell Lily! But hey- we'll celebrate this weekend! 

Aries looking awkward and cute!

Cheers!

XOXO

-DJC