Holy 73.7% batman!

Still trying to figure out how to upload videos directly to the blog, but in the mean time here are the YouTube links to my video's from last weekend's show:
Freestyle
3-3 test

WARNING - they are super grainy because of YouTube. The video itself is really high quality.

The show was fantastic! I received my last qualifying score for my third level freestyle so I am completely qualified for Championships in October. On my freestyle I received a 73.7%! Still a few small mistakes like my entrance and not quite "through" extended trot, but it was so much fun to ride! I actually cried afterward because if felt so good! This score was the highest at the show and earned us a high point ribbon and $50 gift certificate to a local tack store. I love winning "stuff!"

On my 3-3 test I received a 68.8% which also was awesome. It was the first place score and was even higher than the professional scores. Same thing - a few mistakes but all in all a really nice test. MP was quite proud of herself!

On the techy side of things, we (me & horse-show-husband) ordered two new Dell laptops for our anniversary. We have the big fifth ann coming up in two weeks so we thought, "why not have two computers so we can each sit on the couch in front of the TV and really have something better to do than talk to each other?" Just kidding! But what it will allow us to do is blog on the road, upload video on the road and upload photos for our friends and family to enjoy. So while we're at the Championships in LA, you can be there with us!

Here are a few photos from the weekend:

Like mother, like daughter

MP's oldest daughter Wednesday had her first show last weekend. And guess what? She won! Like mother, like daughter! She had scores in the 70's and is well on her way to being exactly like her mother. Wednesday is five and is for sale, so if you would like a mini MP email me and I'll put you in touch with Katy. I'll post pictures if I can get them from Katy.

Freestyle coordinator

Everyone, meet Diane Kernodle our freestyle coordinator. Diane owns and operates Center Stage Musical Freestyles here in Northern California. She's awesome! She's been great to work with, very patient and she's fantastic at music selection and choreography. She really knows how to match music for both the horse and rider. Here's her website and if you are looking for a freestyle coordinator, I highly recommend Diane!

MP turns 14& Ellen Clinic

Friday was MP's 14th b-day! She got to celebrate by working her tail off in 100 degree weather. But she was very happy about it. I've had a sinus infection so I took last week off from riding which meant MP had some siesta time in her pasture. It also meant that by Friday she was hot to trot. So even though it was 100 degrees for our first lesson with Ellen, MP was ready to go.

Our lessons with Ellen were great (as usual) and we just worked on perfecting things to get ready for the Champs in LA next month. Still working on letting her carry me and not pushing her constantly with my lower back. And now I'm trying to just get the technical stuff nailed down so I can count on 7's and 8's in my tests. Ellen was very pleased with our progress and I have to say after reviewing videos and photos from Jan I am too! It is amazing how much we've come along since first meeting in Jan. Plus we love each other which helps!

Yarra Yarra = awesome freestyle!

Sorry it has been awhile since my last post. Things have been busy, busy in the world of our Para E-Quest. Our latest show was fantastic! We were back in our regular form and it paid off at the show. We received a whopping 71% on our freestyle, and that was with two mistakes. Without these mistakes the score would have likely been a 75%!

I'm still trying to figure out this whole video thing on my blog, but until then I've posted a video of the freestyle from last weekend on You Tube. You can watch it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d14_K7FMspc

Maybe one of these days I'll be able to figure out how to post directly to the blog. TTFN!!

1-2-3, change-2-3

Ellen keeping cool while giving Eva a lesson

We had a fabulous week with Ellen at her place in Templeton. Eva, Jen and I all trailered down last Friday and got back on Thursday with our ponies Final, Paloma and Moneypenny. The horses were great, the lessons were superb and the company and time with Ellen was priceless.

Ellen's place is like a second home for me. When I go there it feels like going home to Tahoe - relaxing, comfy and warm. Plus it is so fun to catch up with Ellen and just be around her. Katie, Ellen's working student, was the true all star of the week. She is such a bright light in the universe and a truly talented horsewoman. I didn't catch and pictures of her riding, but hopefully next time we'll get some glamor and cowgirl shots of her!

Ellen keeping cool and giving Jen a lesson

All of the horses and their riders progressed nicely. Eva and Final are working towards their FEI frame and sealing the deal on her flying changes. Aren't they pretty??

Jen and Paloma and big breakthroughs on several fronts, the most important being that Paloma learned she can canter right. Paloma is a Thoroughbred/Lusitano mare that Jen and I were given as a project. As you can see from the pics, she's a fun project!! Jen is now her owner and is working towards showing her this fall. She'll do really well at a show.

The dreaded right lead canter. Katie showed Paloma she could do this.

It's good to be of Spanish heritage.

MP and I had several mini breakthroughs. Ellen rode MP and found that she wasn't quite "through" the reins - that is when you asked her to wait with the reins, she just kept on trucking. By waiting, she would then take bigger strides behind for a better carriage and a much smoother gait. It's like riding in a Cadillac vs. a dirt bike. We also had a breakthrough in our changes. Ellen noticed that rather than just riding the changes in stride I was essentially riding like their was a lull in the stride before the change. Ellen called this an "and." So I was riding the stride like 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3 AND change. The timing should actually be 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3, change-2-3. So it is part of the stride. This has seemed to stick quite well. We've been home three days and I've had good changes all three. Plus I walk around all day riding changes in my head.

We're all getting pretty pumped for the Annual Show in LA, I think Ellen's team is going to do quite well!

Photos from the icky show

A nice moment in the not-so-nice test

I've been meaning to put up these photos for a few weeks now. Here are a few pictures from the horse show in Lodi. I'd like to forget the show, but these are nice photos.


Eva, Susan and Dennis sideline riding


Eva's always smiling after she shows!


Final digs extended trot