Dracula

Well since Halloween is this week I couldn't let the opportunity pass without blogging about Dracula. It is my favorite book. I don't really know why since I can't make it through any scary movie or the nightly news without getting freaked out. But it's great and, of course, makes the perfect Halloween book! (or anytime book too)

Medal Finals part 2

The last horse show of the season has finally arrived. Medal Finals is a little different then other shows. We don't get to warm up over the show fences so the horses have no chance to see them ahead of time and there are lots of unconventional turns, changes, stops, and various tests. This is designed to stress you out, make sure the horse and rider can adapt to new situations, and test fundamental elements. This stuff includes: sitting the trot, counter-cantering, halting, hand-gallop, turns on the fore-hand or rear, dropping stirrups, dismounting, trotting fences, roll-backs, ect... Traditionally, I don't do to well at Medal Finals but that was with Sophie. Rocko is a little more emotionally sound for this kind of stuff. We had two fun-filled days of wild turns and crazy new fences. Happily, Rocko was past his anger at the last Davis show. It was one of our best shows. Probably the best part was being in the Adult Medal. I haven't been able to ride in it before but this year we qualified and ended up 4th place. I was very proud that Rocko jumped everything and we even managed to halt when asked (this isn't our strong point, Rocko still has the race horse idea of going tell you're done. Why stop in the middle?) It is also tradition that the medal is finished by a victory gallop. Sort of a Calvary charge without the mess of death and destruction part. Rocko loved it. He loves anything that involves galloping. We also came in second in the Horse Crazy Hunter Series. We don't have any pictures ourselves but you can check out this link to Pro Photo: http://www.prophoto.bz/photos/uhja-medal-finals-october-14-17-2010/#21476-0173_C. Rocko got an awesome neck ribbon and we got $250.00 for second place. All in all it was a great show. And now I will actually get some sleep until next March.

Medal Finals Part 1

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. This is from Charles Dickens book, A Tale of Two Cities, probably my favorite of all his books that I have had the luck to read. Anyway before I get distracted. His now infamous quote sums up the end of Rockos and mine show season. Sadly I haven't been as good getting posts up about the last two shows of the year. This is for a couple reasons. First, I was seriously upset at Rocko for several days following our show at the Davis Fairgrounds and could handling looking or thinking about him. Secondly, I was to thrilled with Rocko after our show at Medal Finals that I haven't stopped talking to him, about him, with him to drag myself away. Third, I had to hibernate for a while before I had the energy for anything. So, to sum up our last adventures: Two weeks ago we had a show at the Davis Fairgrounds.

It's nice and close only 15 minutes away instead of an 1 1/2 hours.
The arena is covered so it can't rain on you plus it has air conditioning.
They serve good food like salty fries and big salads.
They love having us come for the week and are very nice.
I hate it.

This particular arena is awful. It has cattle shoots and just can't contain Rocko's big stride. Also he gets so distracted that he won't pay attention. This wouldn't be a serious problem if I didn't have to spend the show zooming around on his back. So, to sum up, Rocko was bad and wouldn't listen then refused to move in any direction and it finished with me telling him he could die with his ear plug in and I wouldn't care. (This isn't true. It didn't affect his attitude either)
Well the following week we spent forcing him to jump truly terrifying jumps. Eventually he got over his fit and I stopped being mad at him. Happily we got a chance to redeem ourselves at Medal Finals. Continued in part 2.