Hi Everyone!
I made it through my first horse show! I don't know why the humans fret about them so much, it really wasn't too stressful. Although getting onto the trailer at dawn...well, let's just say I don't care for enclosed spaces. But that's another story.
K has been working with me on show preparation for a few weeks, planning to show me in a special class sponsored by The Jockey Club. Unfortunately, circumstances didn't quite go in our favor. Apparently I need a copy of my registration papers as I don't have a tattoo on my lip. Due to very strict rules K was unable to secure a copy in time for this show, so we participated in a different class instead. This was actually for the best as I didn't exactly manage to stay blemish free. You see it's hot and the biting flies have been out and I managed to go after one a little too hard and, well, I bit a hole in my chest. I'm fine, really! It doesn't hurt and K has been helping me keep it very clean. I'm healing up nicely.
Back to the show...I got to ride over to the host farm Friday night for a preview. K let me walk all around the show grounds, sniff the judges stand and sample the grass. Then on Saturday morning, K came and got me extra early. I had a quick bath and then we were on our way.
K and I got dressed as soon as I got off the trailer. My tack had been cleaned and K wore shiny tall boots and a fancy jacket with the number nine tied to her back. We walked all around the show grounds so that I had the opportunity to reacquaint myself to the smells and to stretch my muscles. Just before our class I got to go into the ring for the first time and trot around all of the fences, see and hear the spectators and check out the other side of the judge's stand
I participated in the Green Horse division. My first two classes were "over fences" in which I had to trot over a set of cross rails twice, one class for each direction. The third class was called "under saddle" or "hack", in which I showed at the walk, trot and canter. K and I were surprised by the canter request as it's not commonly asked for in this division. I tried my best, but I still need a lot of practice, especially because they ask for the left lead first. As you know, I don't know my left lead yet!
Other than the surprise in the hack, the show went very well. K tells me she's very proud of me for behaving so well and that I should be proud too. I don't know why I wouldn't be a good sport, this horse show thing really isn't too bad. Now if we could just arrange a way to get to them that doesn't involve trailers in the very early morning!
~ Polo
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
New Duds
Hi Everyone!
This past week has gone by in a flash! I've been working with K daily on my in-hand and under saddle lessons. K tells me I am making great progress. I've got the turn on the hind foot down and have picked up on trotting beside K, although I still find it awkward.
K has really been taking this horse show prep stuff seriously. She has been fussing with my mane some more, thinning it out and then adding braids. I'm not too sure about the whole braiding thing... Fortunately she took them right out, but I suspect I'll be sporting them again.
K has also been fussing with my coat, trying to coax my hair to grow back over some bug bites and rubs. I get a daily curry and brush, followed by ointment on my fresh bites, then the yummy, coconut-smelling Micro-Tek Rebuilder on my bald spots. K then went a step further and purchased me a full body fly cover!
Personally, I think it's kind of silly-looking. Fortunately, I don't have to wear it right away as the front closures sit right on one of my raw bites, so K is letting me stay sheet-free until it heals a bit more.
K also presented me with my very own dress halter!
I just knew there had to be a reason for trying on Sweepit's halter. This, I can do!
And so with all of the new duds and extra grooming, I believe K is hoping I'll be the best dressed horse at the show. Personally, I'm content a good dust-coat and a few burdocks.
~ Polo
This past week has gone by in a flash! I've been working with K daily on my in-hand and under saddle lessons. K tells me I am making great progress. I've got the turn on the hind foot down and have picked up on trotting beside K, although I still find it awkward.
K has really been taking this horse show prep stuff seriously. She has been fussing with my mane some more, thinning it out and then adding braids. I'm not too sure about the whole braiding thing... Fortunately she took them right out, but I suspect I'll be sporting them again.
K has also been fussing with my coat, trying to coax my hair to grow back over some bug bites and rubs. I get a daily curry and brush, followed by ointment on my fresh bites, then the yummy, coconut-smelling Micro-Tek Rebuilder on my bald spots. K then went a step further and purchased me a full body fly cover!
Personally, I think it's kind of silly-looking. Fortunately, I don't have to wear it right away as the front closures sit right on one of my raw bites, so K is letting me stay sheet-free until it heals a bit more.
K also presented me with my very own dress halter!
 | ||
I just knew there had to be a reason for trying on Sweepit's halter. This, I can do!
And so with all of the new duds and extra grooming, I believe K is hoping I'll be the best dressed horse at the show. Personally, I'm content a good dust-coat and a few burdocks.
~ Polo
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Running Hard on Derby Day
Hi Everyone!
It's Derby Day and K did a lot of running. I think she deserves a rose or two, she was pretty tired when we ended our training session this afternoon!
K and I worked under saddle for about twenty minutes. We started with our walk and walk-halt transitions and then moved on to trot. It's very warm and humid today so K and I didn't work very long under saddle. Instead K gave me a refresher lesson on work in-hand.
K tells me that work in-hand is what we do for presenting me to be judged. In other words, I'm supposed to show off. I'm learning to walk smartly beside K, stopping when she stops and standing squarely while she moves to various points in front of me and at either shoulder. She tells me she is supposed to stay with the judges without blocking their view of me. It's hard for me to stand still when K moves in front, because I want to give kisses and receive pats. But by far the most difficult part for me is trotting in hand. I know how to trot of course, but I'm supposed to walk beside a handler while I'm being led. If that weren't enough to confuse me, there is also the fact that K is very short. She can run quite fast and I can still keep up at a walk! I eventually did trot beside K, but it just didn't feel right.
I suspect I will get used to it. K has a plan for us to practice work in-hand in the coming weeks. She has finally picked out a horse show she feels is appropriate for my debut. Guess what? I'll be showing in-hand!
~ Polo
It's Derby Day and K did a lot of running. I think she deserves a rose or two, she was pretty tired when we ended our training session this afternoon!
K and I worked under saddle for about twenty minutes. We started with our walk and walk-halt transitions and then moved on to trot. It's very warm and humid today so K and I didn't work very long under saddle. Instead K gave me a refresher lesson on work in-hand.
K tells me that work in-hand is what we do for presenting me to be judged. In other words, I'm supposed to show off. I'm learning to walk smartly beside K, stopping when she stops and standing squarely while she moves to various points in front of me and at either shoulder. She tells me she is supposed to stay with the judges without blocking their view of me. It's hard for me to stand still when K moves in front, because I want to give kisses and receive pats. But by far the most difficult part for me is trotting in hand. I know how to trot of course, but I'm supposed to walk beside a handler while I'm being led. If that weren't enough to confuse me, there is also the fact that K is very short. She can run quite fast and I can still keep up at a walk! I eventually did trot beside K, but it just didn't feel right.
I suspect I will get used to it. K has a plan for us to practice work in-hand in the coming weeks. She has finally picked out a horse show she feels is appropriate for my debut. Guess what? I'll be showing in-hand!
~ Polo
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Thinking Caps and Good Luck Charms
Hi Everyone!
K and I have gotten back to our exercise regimen this week. We're starting slow with a lot of walking. K has been asking me to walk circles in each corner of the arena and in both directions. Then we work on directional changes, moving across the diagonal and also in serpentine patterns. After working at the walk and limbering up, K has me do a number of walk-to-halt transitions which remind me to listen to her seat and legs.
Next we move into trot. K doesn't ask me to do as much bending at the trot just yet. For the time being I am asked simply to trot at a consistent pace around the entire arena. Occasionally K will sit my trot, asking me to collect just a bit and then send me forward again by resuming posting. Each day I am gaining a little more confidence and strength. In fact today I didn't put a foot wrong!
K has only asked me to canter a couple of times. She told me Tuesday that I had a beautiful departure into canter from trot, but that I was on the wrong lead. What is this "lead" thing? Apparently I favor my right lead too much. In order to help me to tell my right from my left, K attached a charm for good luck to the left buckle of my breast collar. It's a little horse (who looks like me!) that K found under my hoof a few weeks back. This mini-me is positioned in a lovely trot with his left foreleg outstretched. I'm beginning to see a pattern. Are you? Left buckle, left leg, hmmm...
In addition to my mini-me charm, today I also got to sport a "thinking cap." Truly, K had me wear an ear bonnet! She said that this was to help me concentrate on my job and not on the farm owners' laying of a water line beside the arena. While I think it was a little ridiculous, I will admit that it kept the flies out of my ears and eyes and did not impede my hearing. Personally, I think K was just having a silly moment and dressed me up for fun.
Charms and thinking caps aside, we had an excellent workout this morning. K added the cavelletti back into the workout and even had me trot a small cross-rail. Progress!
~ Polo
K and I have gotten back to our exercise regimen this week. We're starting slow with a lot of walking. K has been asking me to walk circles in each corner of the arena and in both directions. Then we work on directional changes, moving across the diagonal and also in serpentine patterns. After working at the walk and limbering up, K has me do a number of walk-to-halt transitions which remind me to listen to her seat and legs.
Next we move into trot. K doesn't ask me to do as much bending at the trot just yet. For the time being I am asked simply to trot at a consistent pace around the entire arena. Occasionally K will sit my trot, asking me to collect just a bit and then send me forward again by resuming posting. Each day I am gaining a little more confidence and strength. In fact today I didn't put a foot wrong!
K has only asked me to canter a couple of times. She told me Tuesday that I had a beautiful departure into canter from trot, but that I was on the wrong lead. What is this "lead" thing? Apparently I favor my right lead too much. In order to help me to tell my right from my left, K attached a charm for good luck to the left buckle of my breast collar. It's a little horse (who looks like me!) that K found under my hoof a few weeks back. This mini-me is positioned in a lovely trot with his left foreleg outstretched. I'm beginning to see a pattern. Are you? Left buckle, left leg, hmmm...
 |
| "Mini-me" for Good Luck! |
 |
| The "thinking cap". I look pretty professional now! |
~ Polo
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Happy Birthday to Me!
Hi Everyone!
Today is my birthday! I am now four years old! K gave me a couple of cookies today in celebration. Yum!
K had me lunge for a few minutes today to ease back in to my exercise program. I worked at walk and trot in both directions and at both ends of the indoor arena. When we were done, K let me off the line to explore. One of the walls is shiny and there was another horse there! He looked and moved just like me. I admit I had to study this other horse for several minutes before K finally explained that the other horse was me! Apparently the shiny wall is made up of mirrors which shows us our reflection, just like looking at water.
After my exercise I received a nice grooming session, had my toes painted with Keratex Hoof Hardener and ate my dinner. After dinner K had me try on one of Sweepit's halters for size. Do you think she's picking out my birthday present? She's mentioned shopping at some big shindig she calls Rolex for several weeks.
Speaking of birthdays and presents, tomorrow is Sweepit's birthday! Happy Birthday Sweepit!
~Polo
Today is my birthday! I am now four years old! K gave me a couple of cookies today in celebration. Yum!
K had me lunge for a few minutes today to ease back in to my exercise program. I worked at walk and trot in both directions and at both ends of the indoor arena. When we were done, K let me off the line to explore. One of the walls is shiny and there was another horse there! He looked and moved just like me. I admit I had to study this other horse for several minutes before K finally explained that the other horse was me! Apparently the shiny wall is made up of mirrors which shows us our reflection, just like looking at water.
After my exercise I received a nice grooming session, had my toes painted with Keratex Hoof Hardener and ate my dinner. After dinner K had me try on one of Sweepit's halters for size. Do you think she's picking out my birthday present? She's mentioned shopping at some big shindig she calls Rolex for several weeks.
Speaking of birthdays and presents, tomorrow is Sweepit's birthday! Happy Birthday Sweepit!
~Polo
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friends and Strangers
Hi Friends!
I trust I find you well. I can't believe it's the end of April already! I've enjoyed the early grass and just yesterday my field at Hodge was full of buttercups. Very pretty, but not nearly so tasty as the grass.
The past two months have brought both positive lessons and a few challenges. About a week after my last post, where I filled you in on my jumping lesson and photo shoot, I suffered a setback. I bruised the sole of my right fore hoof. It was very painful that first day and created a scary swelling around my knee! Fortunately the swelling went away as K helped me back to the barn, where she soaked and bandaged my hoof. After two weeks of padding and a visit from Jamie, my fabulous farrier, I was as good as new. But, I was very unfit. Again.
Once my foot healed, K and I started working on fitness once more. We went outside, taking trot and canter sets with our pals up and down the hills at the front of the Hodge property. This is great fun!
I've also started working with K in the arena by myself. K says this is to get me used to one-on-one time. I don't like being without my friends, but it isn't so bad that I can't do my work. I must say that if I must work without my friends, I prefer it to be just K and I. I worry about strangers in the ring with me. K tells me that I will get used to it. She says it's good practice for going to horse shows. Horse Shows? Are they like races? I keep hearing about horse shows, but I've yet to go to one.
Speaking of strangers, I'm now in a field full of them! I have moved to the same farm on which Sweepit lives. This way both Sweepit and I can enjoy equal attention as K no longer has to commute between two counties. I shall miss my friends; Sarah, Buttons and Oreo, but I am looking forward to new friends and new adventures too.
I shall endeavor to keep you posted on my progress. In the meantime may you enjoy the buttercups and green grass.
~Polo
I trust I find you well. I can't believe it's the end of April already! I've enjoyed the early grass and just yesterday my field at Hodge was full of buttercups. Very pretty, but not nearly so tasty as the grass.
The past two months have brought both positive lessons and a few challenges. About a week after my last post, where I filled you in on my jumping lesson and photo shoot, I suffered a setback. I bruised the sole of my right fore hoof. It was very painful that first day and created a scary swelling around my knee! Fortunately the swelling went away as K helped me back to the barn, where she soaked and bandaged my hoof. After two weeks of padding and a visit from Jamie, my fabulous farrier, I was as good as new. But, I was very unfit. Again.
Once my foot healed, K and I started working on fitness once more. We went outside, taking trot and canter sets with our pals up and down the hills at the front of the Hodge property. This is great fun!
I've also started working with K in the arena by myself. K says this is to get me used to one-on-one time. I don't like being without my friends, but it isn't so bad that I can't do my work. I must say that if I must work without my friends, I prefer it to be just K and I. I worry about strangers in the ring with me. K tells me that I will get used to it. She says it's good practice for going to horse shows. Horse Shows? Are they like races? I keep hearing about horse shows, but I've yet to go to one.
Speaking of strangers, I'm now in a field full of them! I have moved to the same farm on which Sweepit lives. This way both Sweepit and I can enjoy equal attention as K no longer has to commute between two counties. I shall miss my friends; Sarah, Buttons and Oreo, but I am looking forward to new friends and new adventures too.
I shall endeavor to keep you posted on my progress. In the meantime may you enjoy the buttercups and green grass.
~Polo
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Workin' It
Hi Everyone!
First I must send heartfelt thoughts and prayers to everyone who was affected by Friday's storms. Hugs and slobber kisses go out to you and to the rescue crews and volunteers helping with cleanup efforts.
And now, to catch you up on my new fitness regime. I mentioned in my last post that K and I had started working out at trot. We've gradually increased the duration of the trot sets and K has started to add difficulty to my workouts by asking me alternate between walk and trot, incorporating multiple changes of directions and varying the length of my stride. I'm working very hard at all of this and my strength is gradually increasing, as is my confidence!
Yesterday, K and I worked out using the walk-trot transitions and stride length variations. After several sets of those and a walk break, K re-introduced me to caveletti. Do you remember me telling you about them? They are poles on the ground that I have to walk and trot over. They help me with my striding, pace, balance and foot placement.
After a few passes over the caveletti, K let me jump over a small cross rail a few times. Wheee! And then, as if that weren't enough fun, the whole gang of us (Buttons and T, Oreo and B, Sarah and R and K and me) went outside on a mini trail ride! We walked and trotted up and down the long hill of the driveway a couple of times, relishing the sunshine and slight breeze.
After our ride, we all got our daily meal and a good grooming and then I had a photo shoot. I've posted my favorites below. Thanks to R for hanging out with me while K played with the camera!
Enjoy!
~Polo
First I must send heartfelt thoughts and prayers to everyone who was affected by Friday's storms. Hugs and slobber kisses go out to you and to the rescue crews and volunteers helping with cleanup efforts.
And now, to catch you up on my new fitness regime. I mentioned in my last post that K and I had started working out at trot. We've gradually increased the duration of the trot sets and K has started to add difficulty to my workouts by asking me alternate between walk and trot, incorporating multiple changes of directions and varying the length of my stride. I'm working very hard at all of this and my strength is gradually increasing, as is my confidence!
Yesterday, K and I worked out using the walk-trot transitions and stride length variations. After several sets of those and a walk break, K re-introduced me to caveletti. Do you remember me telling you about them? They are poles on the ground that I have to walk and trot over. They help me with my striding, pace, balance and foot placement.
After a few passes over the caveletti, K let me jump over a small cross rail a few times. Wheee! And then, as if that weren't enough fun, the whole gang of us (Buttons and T, Oreo and B, Sarah and R and K and me) went outside on a mini trail ride! We walked and trotted up and down the long hill of the driveway a couple of times, relishing the sunshine and slight breeze.
After our ride, we all got our daily meal and a good grooming and then I had a photo shoot. I've posted my favorites below. Thanks to R for hanging out with me while K played with the camera!
Enjoy!
~Polo
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