tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64171398387948259902024-03-14T08:44:32.460-07:00Sincerely Paige<a href="%E2%80%9Dsincerelypaigeley.blogspot.com/2006/06/about-me.html%E2%80%9C"></a>Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-53716100832677624012018-05-10T10:03:00.003-07:002018-05-10T10:05:28.590-07:00The Ten Commandments of IndiaIndia has always been a special cookie. In riding terms she has never followed the rule book, she's written her own dressage rule book. So for you're entertainment I have written down some of India's "How to ride India" Rules.<br />
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1) Thou shalt not bother with thy pony's face</div>
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2) Thou shalt only bother with the pony's ribcage</div>
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3) Lateral work shall be done at least 62% of every ride</div>
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4) Transitions must be executed frequently by thy butt</div>
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5) Thou shall not touch thy pony's face unless to give directions*</div>
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6) Thy leg shall remain by thy girth</div>
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7) Thou shalt release thy inside rein at any opportunity</div>
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8) Thy hands shall not become busy</div>
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9) Thou shalt quit while thou are ahead</div>
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10) Thou shalt disregard all previous commandments when thy pony changes all the rules halfway through every ride</div>
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*seriously thy least amount of contact possibleMeridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-83457323422613005902018-05-09T20:21:00.000-07:002018-05-09T20:21:57.482-07:00Mary Wanless Clinic 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-58747433246053223262018-05-06T14:14:00.001-07:002018-05-06T14:14:08.251-07:00Semester is over....Let Show Season begin!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI_ZvWONf8Or2ABp9cCVWujbXaIjmSTjB8vnoKCR7aJv7-y-zg8tzx4bnGQtTmXvceU9-fQnC37FECiFC5BXdsBURUdW-yo2fBk6XZPUWMssxojM3WhxxIT9Nr1G1n7Yd7tv67OA5Hefn/s1600/tenor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="498" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI_ZvWONf8Or2ABp9cCVWujbXaIjmSTjB8vnoKCR7aJv7-y-zg8tzx4bnGQtTmXvceU9-fQnC37FECiFC5BXdsBURUdW-yo2fBk6XZPUWMssxojM3WhxxIT9Nr1G1n7Yd7tv67OA5Hefn/s320/tenor.gif" width="320" /></a>I made it to the end of the semester, a little worse for wear but I did it. I'm officially entering my last year of undergrad, and after that GRAD SCHOOL. Which is still less intimidating than being a real architect and having a real adult person job. I still don't know how to do "adult" things and it kind of freaks me out...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVhVpnFD0EyKtIIuKUm_cTeC51q3LbgcBMViO9AdkjNpc5jir1NooCzhtIfTL2BFZxNbZ9l88r4tUlvvAmwROIPf1JCFCnH5Zd_CW3PSvK-Z2aNmGgNQW8uTIdlT3XWCVjSSHJ8P-ljef/s1600/IMG_5334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVhVpnFD0EyKtIIuKUm_cTeC51q3LbgcBMViO9AdkjNpc5jir1NooCzhtIfTL2BFZxNbZ9l88r4tUlvvAmwROIPf1JCFCnH5Zd_CW3PSvK-Z2aNmGgNQW8uTIdlT3XWCVjSSHJ8P-ljef/s320/IMG_5334.JPG" width="256" /></a>It will all be okay though because I will either figure it out or fall back on plan B which is to be a witch and live in the forest with a lot of ravens and just generally be really mysterious and slightly off-putting. So in horse news I entered India is her first official rated show for second level. She's done second level plenty of times but it was with pony club and technically those are not rated with USDF. So I'm currently going back and getting my scores for my bronze medal.<br />
On a scale of one to ten....how bad would it be if I entered at third level next time with a 12% chance of actually getting a flying change....<br />
I'm currently going between panicking about the show and feeling REALLY excited, I know I can do second level. Before India's arthritis episode we ran through 90% of fourth level... but its been a while and I'm scared we're going to get there and she will turn into freight train pony and pull my arms off like a scorned barbie doll. I'm getting there a day early so we can school so I should know what I'm up against. I just need to remember "if you have to fight something, fight the rib cage" which is trainer's way of saying don't worry about her head, keep the rib cage moving. When I get upset or frazzled that's the first thing that leaks out of my brain.Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-46510936380836183112017-12-22T13:05:00.001-08:002017-12-22T20:45:22.595-08:00Horses, Depression, and an Impending Sense of Doom...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I have never really opened up on here about me really. Y'all know my horses marginally well but almost nothing about me. So in the interest of young riders coming up, older amateurs, and everybody else who rides. This post isn't sunshine and rainbows.<br />
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For 15 years of my life I have been struggling with moderate to severe clinical depression and anxiety. I was actually diagnosed this past March and started taking Prozac not long after. I really love those posts on the internet that romanticize depression, you know the ones pretty skinny girl, a single tear, some kind of candle or wilted flower... its all bullshit. Complete and utter bullshit. </div>
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Depression is sleeping all day because you can't get out of bed, its not taking a shower for a week until people start commenting on your hair, losing weight because you can't bring yourself to make food its too much energy, no matter how well your ride goes you still hate yourself, not being able to get to the barn because you are so overwhelmed and the thought of driving is almost sickening. </div>
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I ended up pouring all of my self worth into riding well, winning at shows, being told i'm a good rider. Which as we all know is NOT healthy. Imagine the downward spiral when I messed up at a clinic or show. I felt like I had to know everything and if I didn't I was a failure. </div>
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<b>Failure</b>. Undoubtedly the scariest word in all known languages. </div>
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If I didn't make it to the Olympics I was a failure and would let everyone down. You can see where this is going... I don't have a lot of money I'm lucky my mom rides too and understands otherwise I don't think I would have horses at all. So in the highly political who's who of the Olympic selection committee I really don't stand a chance unless a millionaire would like to sponsor me. When I was finishing High School I came to the realization that millionaire's didn't become millionaires by throwing money around. This included that I might never get married and be able to split an income. So now I had to plan a future where I was 100% supporting myself and my horses and my dog. You can imagine how well that went over with clinical depression. I think its a real stumbling block for young riders. </div>
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One minute you're riding in junior / young rider all hopeful maybe I can go pro! And then reality sets in and oh my god I've turned into an adult amateur. I don't know about anyone else but adult amateurs are made fun of constantly. I can't tell you how many articles and facebook posts about "I'm an adult amateur so therefore I suck at riding! lol pass the wine!" Which is where my own personal irrational fear of failure came back recently with a vengeance. </div>
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There are a couple things wrong with this. Adult amateurs do not suck at riding and we don't <b>need </b>wine for every occasion. We <b>like </b>wine, big difference. (personally I wouldn't turn down a good pinot grigio) However! I have also been to winter clinics where we all drank hot chocolate and hot tea, so there! And the next falsehood! Adult Amateurs are the Queens of riding.</div>
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Merideth? why do you say such a thing when we aren't featured in magazines and such? </div>
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Ill tell you. Who else can hold a full time job, ride and train a horse, and make their life look somewhat under control? Adult Amateurs that's who. We are freakin superheros of the horse world. Going to the barn at weird hours around work. Riding even though we're tired. Succeeding on one or two horses come hell or high water without playing a numbers game of "one out of these 12 horses will probably succeed" We are awesome. Full stop. </div>
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Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-82925001346298043222017-12-12T10:26:00.000-08:002017-12-12T10:28:41.591-08:0012-12-17 Riding Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Finally on a semi normal riding schedule again! Finals are over I know I made an A in at least two of my classes. Its amazing how someone can go from being a B - C student in regular memorization seminar classes and as soon as they enter classes that are problem solving based suddenly I've turned into an A student. Go figure it's like people think differently and have different strengths. Although I have to admit my high school answers to test questions where I said I would approach a problem differently than the teacher wanted all makes much more sense now! </div>
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Anyways, riding updates,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOmhwl_lrnrlka59eEc9tu8TBNipi2x-CgcL2DF-meV93OgnQknXKgcHBpVc0m10dfz3xDpFGuAHrhcCBeySC-JrI6EZmxmRDlba7U0t2_mmrQLH-oXoV_OH5gxDebHqs8GE0yjwxzD5w/s1600/IMG_3543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="722" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOmhwl_lrnrlka59eEc9tu8TBNipi2x-CgcL2DF-meV93OgnQknXKgcHBpVc0m10dfz3xDpFGuAHrhcCBeySC-JrI6EZmxmRDlba7U0t2_mmrQLH-oXoV_OH5gxDebHqs8GE0yjwxzD5w/s320/IMG_3543.JPG" width="180" /></a> Rave has spent a bit of time in some draw reins, she's currently going through a phase where during canter transitions shes using her head and neck to launch into the canter, which really doesn't bother me that much because it means shes not falling into canter. The part that does bother me is when her skull collides with my face, hence the draw reins. I've already had my face glued together once in the past two months I really don't want to go to the emergency room again. Note to self don't put your face in front of your horse's knee while clipping their legs. Not Smart. Mostly with Rave I've been working on relaxation through all the gaits and transitions. Coming from a racing background OTTB's have a tendency to overreact to any "go aids" Rave is no exception. Learning that she can relax and stretch has been a test of patience. Her trainer on the track is one of those guys that you watch breeze the babies and it kind of makes you nauseated to witness. However, she makes progress everyday and learns stuff very quickly! We just need to relax WHILE we do all the cool new stuff she's learned!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hLjSi1-DwONr2vPyaiRch9ayvKuy5bmyUN3lODIAjWH8PRw04U70_6bhCL85NF6Aq66OlMlH4askmlsSmIqzRSKEq-z0CSBfZFOiIfp64iyhHrDAdqQbiz9XWoCA2UhSyuD0umSlyHgN/s1600/IMG_3597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hLjSi1-DwONr2vPyaiRch9ayvKuy5bmyUN3lODIAjWH8PRw04U70_6bhCL85NF6Aq66OlMlH4askmlsSmIqzRSKEq-z0CSBfZFOiIfp64iyhHrDAdqQbiz9XWoCA2UhSyuD0umSlyHgN/s400/IMG_3597.JPG" width="400" /></a>India has been doing GREAT. Mostly because I figured out I had been asking for halt wrong... So I've been really learning and researching Andrew Mclean's methods of training horses, and oh my god it is the most common sense, relaxed, easy to understand, wonderful method I have ever learned. Growing up riding with Mary Wanless and good rider biomechanics (not demonstrated in the pictures in this post because currently I am a flabby mushy human) I grew up with "what is stronger? your abdominals? or the hold on your reins?" Which good yes, more core strength than pull on the reins, makes sense. Except when Merideth's brain translates that into "don't put pressure on the reins ever" So for years I've been asking for half halts, down transitions, everything with only my core and seat, and never backing it up with my rein aids. *cue trainer asking me if I am literate* Answer? Mostly literate, sometimes it's iffy. Mary has for years told us that to halt you engage your core and upper thighs and close your hand on the rein like squeezing a lemon to ask for a halt. Body asks for the halt, reins back it up. You are now asking yourself, how then did I misinterpret the halt aid when everyone I ride with was saying the same thing? Excellent question.<br />
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I somehow missed the part where you have to teach the horse to halt just using rein aids first, as a back up emergency stop in case your core and seat doesn't work one day. I skipped steps A B C and went straight to steps J K L. So to remedy this I've been doing Andrew's ground work. The premise is that you ask the horse for movements with only the reins / leadrope. The point is that the horse does not follow your body movements, they follow clear signals given for specific behaviors. If I want my horse to back up I take my reins and push them gently back toward the horse's chest. That's it. You don't move your feet, or push them or anything, they react just from the pressure in their mouth. When this is translated into the saddle it means that pressure on the bit means stop, continued pressure means backup and shift your weight onto the hind end. That's the part I was missing and since this discovery and working on it, India has completely changed. Look back through this blog every problem I've had with her is all about hauling on the bit, dumping on the bit, grabbing the bit. She didn't know what pressure on the bit actually meant, but now she's light, soft, and so so so sensitive to everything. Part of the sensitivity is just who she is, she's never been an easy kid ride. She's the definition of schoolmaster, if you don't ask correctly she will give you nothing but if you ask correctly she will act like "well stupid human why didn't you just ask? sure thing!" I can't even describe how lucky I am to have ridden her for this long, she has taught me more than any trainer or professional. I seriously doubt whether I would learn more from Charlotte Dujardin than I do from India. Next Dressage Today will have India on the cover with the title "Dressage Goddess explains how to train your very own unruly human" </div>
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<br />Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-22527958822282864402017-10-27T21:15:00.003-07:002017-10-27T21:15:55.540-07:00America's Next Top Washrack Models<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How did I get so lucky to own these two? They both try so hard (most of the time :P ) and they are so smart and so sweet. Wow I just......wow. </div>
Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-71031051019762507482017-10-05T19:06:00.000-07:002017-10-05T19:06:09.895-07:00You're killiin me smalls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-44973815455453891532017-09-24T16:37:00.002-07:002017-09-24T16:39:05.160-07:00Quick update! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Z189V60cNhM3_7KDcKLRyy9qFLbY_J1F28H5XhrFLY3z8Sx9aLupFFvn3AOVilykiRmgbPYbIaZS26wJ-UGJKfZ9V4xaqEMDiQ1RAQGvY5h780aY83zsY7FbUR0Ea2jii2f3txNpyqvu/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Z189V60cNhM3_7KDcKLRyy9qFLbY_J1F28H5XhrFLY3z8Sx9aLupFFvn3AOVilykiRmgbPYbIaZS26wJ-UGJKfZ9V4xaqEMDiQ1RAQGvY5h780aY83zsY7FbUR0Ea2jii2f3txNpyqvu/s320/IMG_2247.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The girls are doing very good! India got a new saddle its an Albion and it is absolutely lovely and fits so well.<br />
Rave also has acquired a new HDR jumping saddle. School has been incredibly busy and stressful, only three semesters left though so I might make it. Senor-itis is real and it hits very hard in college.<br />
I also moved barns to a much more low key place where there are many more turnout options and I think everyone is enjoying themselves. India certainly is her arthritis is much more manageable.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gCb0Odc3avAujRZli9KZdM8yDbJSubh2Hq_V_JaKM3frs6nZUlH0cuDrMqHstXNwGz-u62Vc22-k8O0aEVwCQSNsqevd73dlLU1PT69TFCPoW6b5zeOW8PH5KNDuAvesCLddkkMAoBI8/s1600/IMG_2249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gCb0Odc3avAujRZli9KZdM8yDbJSubh2Hq_V_JaKM3frs6nZUlH0cuDrMqHstXNwGz-u62Vc22-k8O0aEVwCQSNsqevd73dlLU1PT69TFCPoW6b5zeOW8PH5KNDuAvesCLddkkMAoBI8/s320/IMG_2249.JPG" width="240" /></a>Planning our next show for February hopefully I can get my second level scores done in one go, that would be so nice. I'd also like to take Rave to go walk around and experience a warm up arena. I'm not in any kind of hurry to throw her in the show ring. She's learning how to be consistent and relaxed which is much more important than showing training<br />
level every chance I get. I show when there's a reason like getting scores or experience. It's a good system so far so I'm sticking to it! Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-70470424411599555562017-04-05T11:44:00.002-07:002017-04-05T11:44:42.907-07:00Back to the Vet School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welp its been a super fun and enjoyable year for horses (all sarcasm of course)</div>
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Rave has now been in heat for 4 or 5 weeks and poor thing is miserable. Shes very herd bound, losing weight, winking constantly, peeing everywhere, back pain, tying up, and just generally not being able to relax. AT ALL. EVER.<br />
Riding her is pretty pointless right now because all I'm doing is damage control. <br />
I made an ultrasound appointment for her next Tuesday and we'll see whats actually going on in her ovaries. My vet is pretty convinced she has some kind of tumor cyst things in there causing her hormones to be all sorts of out of wack. Luckily if it's what he thinks it is then the fix is a simple shot of progesterone. The other option we're looking at is just going ahead and taking her ovaries out. If there are tumors then those puppies are coming out! If they are more cyst-like then progesterone shots. Either way breeding her wouldn't be a good idea and I would never breed her unless I ran her through an inspection and she passed. The world doesn't really need anymore thoroughbreds no matter how nice she is. It's easier to just buy a foal or yearling and then know what I'm getting myself into.<br />
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As much as everyone likes to tell me you don't ride color, gender, or the shape of their head, I'm sorry but I get along with mares better. I love my girls. I could take or leave geldings. I'm a mare person.<br />
If I bred her and got a colt I would probably end up selling him and that's not really responsible so no breeding anytime soon for me. :PMeridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-4645283230567506572017-03-26T14:36:00.001-07:002017-03-26T14:37:36.352-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjne70SMr3E_T9dj8BI4OGq6sl0Hd8xbwDycGzHi0zO3_XiXFiu3y6gh7dI27HPZs6jeTLpotLRgsAmIPaBI3YHedYja73FL_lzcT49I3e6uDu0kRrlWt4QS42MSaMk3v0XODfujp2caXVi/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjne70SMr3E_T9dj8BI4OGq6sl0Hd8xbwDycGzHi0zO3_XiXFiu3y6gh7dI27HPZs6jeTLpotLRgsAmIPaBI3YHedYja73FL_lzcT49I3e6uDu0kRrlWt4QS42MSaMk3v0XODfujp2caXVi/s320/IMG_0997.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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I've been sick one illness after another. First I had a cold, then a stomach virus, and now I have the flu. I cant wait to graduate and not constantly be exposed to 30,000 + peoples germs, and people who lied about being vaccinated. Oh yes theres a mumps outbreak at my college. A very simple vaccine called MMR could fix that up in no time. Get your vaccines people you are messing with my herd immunity and I am not pleased.<br />
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So needless to say between school and trying to succumb to microscopic pathogens I really haven't been riding all that much. But there are some good points, like Zuli went to her new home with my trainer. She's going out in a huge pasture with two other retired mares Luna and Tina. Luna and Zuli are new best buds and Tina is content to scream at both of them if they get too close. She's so much happier being out all the time her personality is coming back in full force.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLEmJ7At_rd-3mg3oKBSqhzS202WFlGvbEhmCLvJd3vvb3Waj2XolXmeHSaEhXBx6Th3zxTT96j0VbGjXBGgEN35lMg5SmcLUjzsElCWd-Gn0utpqzp_ejH3VBIF7lrD8BV-hUOU8MCjd/s1600/IMG_0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLEmJ7At_rd-3mg3oKBSqhzS202WFlGvbEhmCLvJd3vvb3Waj2XolXmeHSaEhXBx6Th3zxTT96j0VbGjXBGgEN35lMg5SmcLUjzsElCWd-Gn0utpqzp_ejH3VBIF7lrD8BV-hUOU8MCjd/s320/IMG_0677.JPG" width="320" /></a>Me and India have made a huge break through in our contact issues I think we finally located the problem and now have a game plan for fixing it. Meanwhile Rave is still gaining weight at a glacial pace because she doesn't want to eat her rice bran. Because picky.<br />
It's also time that she learn that canter is not upsetting.<br />
So on the books is innumerable canter transitions until they become boring.<br />
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Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-66969507405828466202017-02-12T22:14:00.000-08:002017-02-12T22:14:50.739-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Rode Rave and India today. They were both wonderful (as usual. i'm the one that messes things up)</div>
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One of my moms students rode India but all they did was walk and not for very long, so I got on after and did about 10 more minutes. She was LOVELY. Today was the first day since her rehab started that she was perfectly willing to keep her head down. Which is a huge step forward! She wasn't as responsive to my flexions as i would have liked, but considering the girl that rode before me doesn't even really understand flexions i was pretty happy and let the issue lie. We also did some lateral work and a couple simple changes, she still has some barge through the down transistion but much better than before we started operant conditioning. When I have more time I should do a basic write up about operant conditioning. Tomorrow is her day off so I can work on flexions and the barge on Tuesday no problem! </div>
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Rave mostly paid attention, but since she's only been doing actual work since this past November its to be expected! And she's only 6.Thank god she's not 5, i'm not sure i'm ready to go through the 5 year old year again this soon. I need some time to recover! Zuli turned five and suddenly wanted to live on her hind legs. And there was no half assing her rearing.... she went all the way up or not at all! So anyway Rave... Her walk and trot are becoming quite respectable so today I decided its really time to tackle the canter. I usually don't touch canter for a good while after I get a horse, and I got her in October and have maybe cantered 13 times since? But its finally time to be a big girl and learn about canter transistions. Her down tranisitions are actually not bad, I made sure she had very good brakes before I even went to trot. I'm not a fan of careening around the arena. It is unnecessary. If you can't walk correctly whats the point in trotting?? </div>
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She doesn't quite understand the transistion yet so it's going to be a bit ugly for a while. Which is fine it's all part of the process. And plus I have a big fat ZERO show plans for her any time soon! </div>
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Which is more of a relief than one would guess. Theres no time limit, no pressure, and no real expectations except the ones I determine. Which if we're being honest are pretty difficult to live up to on my own let alone add in showing on top of me. </div>
Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-11346799298582623742017-02-08T20:25:00.001-08:002017-02-08T20:25:51.008-08:00Its been a whileyou could say I rediscovered that I had a blog 4 years later.... and you wouldn't be wrong.<br />
I did completely forget about it. life got busy, life got tough, things changed, and things stayed the same.<br />
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I'm 23 now. Hard to believe looking through this blog when I was but a tiny little nugget.<br />
I'm a senior in college, and in two years I'll graduate with a BARCH degree in architecture and sustainability.<br />
I'm almost done with my RWYM rider biomechanics coaching certification.<br />
I got a new horse, then had to retire her at 7 over an undisclosed sesamoid fracture. Her name is Azula.<br />
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this is her when i was still riding</div>
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I'm still not over it. She is a true soulmate and I'm fighting very hard to do whats best for her and be able to retire her where shes very happy.</div>
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I leased India out for a year to a wonderful kid who sadly lost interest. The parents didn't keep up to date with her vet checks and she ended up having some bad arthritis develop. As soon as I found out I took her right back. </div>
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She has had injections in her hocks and stifles and is currently getting massage and acupuncture once a month (lucky bug) and has been in a rehab workout schedule for six months. we're back to schooling first and second level even better than last time. She turns 18 this march and other than some pain management shes good to keep going!</div>
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Falco was put down when he was 27, his cushings got bad really fast at the end. But he spent his last year wandering around a good friends farm bellowing like a hippo at all the ladies.</div>
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My mom ending up buying another chestnut gelding named Falkland </div>
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He likes to channel Oscar the grouch and if he was a person he would definitely like to sit on the couch with a beer belly. But deep down he is a sweet boy and we wouldn't trade him for anything. They are schooling second level getting ready to move up to third. </div>
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The newest member of the motley crew is Ravala. </div>
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Shes a six year old thoroughbred that honestly looks more like 3 year old warmblood. Shes also the tallest at 16.2. Which is ironic because I'm the shortest at only 5'2" </div>
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She doesn't really know anything and I've only had her since october, but she learns fast. The more she comes out of her shell the more I understands just how fast she learns. She's got three great gaits, clean x-rays, and shes not scared of anything (except face towels on occasion, but I doubt the validity of these claims) </div>
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So I guess I'll write again.... maybe redo the blog theme (its so old) I'd like to start using it again. </div>
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Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-10348331055084393202013-05-13T13:19:00.001-07:002013-05-13T13:19:28.864-07:00Pony :)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AwMtmcl0eTE" width="560"></iframe>Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-55542374704495181972013-01-06T14:24:00.001-08:002013-01-06T14:24:08.257-08:00Meet Falco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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He is a 25 year old Grand Prix school master that has come to live with me and my mom. He is originally from florida so louisiana is not a big change. Although even though he showed grand prix we've learned that he was ridden incorrectly and his old rider shoved their seat around and held on to his face the whole time. So my mom has been riding him and teaching him to be light in the bridle. My job is to take care of him and make sure he gets his meds, turnout, and his jammies at night. And I have to admit I like it like that because as sweet as he looks he's an ass! I can't tell you how many times he's run me down and taken chunks out of my leg while i was putting his blanket on. He also likes to paw all the time and heaven forbid you leave him in the turnout for more than two hours. </div>
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But as much of a pain in the ass as he is he is the biggest ham and he's such a diva, but he makes me laugh everyday. It took me a long time to start bonding with him and we're still not sold on each other but we defiantly entertain each other. </div>
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Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-63103511085684730122012-11-20T10:53:00.001-08:002012-11-20T10:53:55.037-08:00"move your seatbones 3/4ths of an inch to the left......no your other left"<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2XnQcIwi4iA" width="560"></iframe>Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-82848158515597136612012-08-23T13:11:00.002-07:002012-08-23T13:11:38.748-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1LgYli-0TwzDlFPMq80Y7z8MTY_pHH-5WI8HWzayxJlA9v28nh9JtqiKg0wVKrfn4cQSqDcd2z1SGzLxD1d3w-26GILqOKBk9J7fDlhJRo6cZEEez9lEBevfSrB1mstNQBJlYPVfQLio/s1600/Still+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1LgYli-0TwzDlFPMq80Y7z8MTY_pHH-5WI8HWzayxJlA9v28nh9JtqiKg0wVKrfn4cQSqDcd2z1SGzLxD1d3w-26GILqOKBk9J7fDlhJRo6cZEEez9lEBevfSrB1mstNQBJlYPVfQLio/s320/Still+3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-77678792857780472672012-07-30T17:28:00.000-07:002012-07-30T17:29:22.002-07:00Fun Fact of The Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Its official..... India is sacred.<br />
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Well to the Native Americans anyway, apparently she'd be an awesome war horse. Although you'd never know it when she's attacked by an evil sinister plastic bag.....<br />
But she has what they call Shields, one is the spot on her chest because it covers the whole chest area. The other is the two matching spots on both flanks. They are supposed to protect the horse from enemies. The other interesting spot is the one where the rider sits, its supposed to not let the rider fall off. The only two marks of a sacred horse she's missing is the medicine hat and a bear claw. However its apparently really lucky to have as many as she does!<br />
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So from now on you may all refer to India as a "Sacred Native War Dutch Sport Pony" or "India, sacred bane of plastic bags"<br />
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;)Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-58592352658043319872012-07-29T19:33:00.001-07:002012-07-29T19:33:54.572-07:00Junebug~<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So Bootcamp went VERY! well. I got to ride five horses a day for three days. And I got a lesson on India and Roubles each day and then mini lessons on all the other horses. First I rode Roubles, then India, Revelle, Sage, and ended on Eclipse.<br />
The best way to describe Roubles is a dragon. He's 16.3 hands and he's not a small 16.3 hands he's big and masculine. And he has an attitude as big as him, and did I mention he's six? But when you get yourself right and him right he's so much fun to ride! My rides on him were a little hairy because I wasn't psychically strong enough to keep him together like David does. However I will become strong enough to ride him it will just take a lot of practice so that when he pulls one of his stunts my body wont collapse. But anyways I got on him to learn about finessing my flying change aid, because I was all over the place and on him if you don't stay straight with your body and plugged in and working like a dog there ain't no way in hell that horse is gonna change his damn legs. So after many failed attempts at changes I finally figured out that the change happens on the exhale.<br />But before you ask for a flying change first you have to learn "H or Die" which is you pick a letter and you either reach that letter on the other lead or you die... and by die I mean the horse is halted and you start over. The next thing was straightness. I learned this trip that I ride every single horse like a banana, so getting myself "on" enough to get them straight was really hard and it took a lot of brain space, but I think I've pretty much got the idea now. <br />
Now back to the exhale, what I was doing at first was trying to change the bend and kind of flail around to get the change but David taught me that its like you collect and hold your breath before the change and then when you want the change you think change and only move your seatbones and exhale. The exhale relaxs you just enough to allow the change to happen. <br />
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India also learned about changes with David! She did her six clean changes with David riding. But the exciting part was that he only asked for six changes period, so all of her changes were clean!! I wish so bad that I had thought about taking a video...<br />
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Now I have to get better with changes....Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-66474744505807091812012-07-24T13:50:00.003-07:002012-07-24T13:50:56.759-07:00Blindingly White<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since when is Indie this white? </div>
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I didn't do anything to her.....</div>Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-32897409046569849242012-07-08T22:08:00.000-07:002012-07-08T22:08:16.670-07:00Be Still~~<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just realized that I havent updated everyone on Indie in forever... whoops<br />
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So Indie has been an absolute angel lately! We are rapidly closing in on third level. I just have so much trouble with changes and the dreaded half-pass. Half-pass is the bane of my existence.... I try to ask for it and my body goes all wonky and then indias all like "I cant half-pass under these conditions!" and then half-pass doesnt happen. But we're leaving tomorrow for super awesome bootcamp with Francie and David. I really want to work on half-pass and changes. The reality is i'll probably get over there and magically not be able to shoulder-in anymore, just because someones watching. On the brightside though i'll come back with one awesome shoulder-in! However....the day I master half-pass you will not address me as merideth anymore. I will be "Merideth, Bane of Half-Pass" or something like that.....<br />
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The other cool thing is she's almost got changes! They aren't clean but shes got the basic jist of it. I change my seatbones, she changes her front legs. Still working on the hind legs. I'm just scared that I will ruin her changes if I do too many un-clean ones. So I've been waiting to get to bootcamp until I actually seriously start working on them. She also almost did piaffe today.....but dont ask me to do it again! I shamelessly admit it was a fluke XD but still! it almost happened! I was asking for collected trot and someone behind me smacked their horses and india spooked but instead of jumping or darting forward she tucked her butt and almost piaffed, silly pony!<br />
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She's so darn adorable.... I dont remember giving her permission to be so cute <3Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-85621085795316702502012-07-06T21:09:00.002-07:002012-07-06T21:09:37.750-07:00Dressage Horses have fun too ;)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KMwjgvsywEc" width="560"></iframe>Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-7917426602401893452012-07-05T13:16:00.001-07:002012-07-05T13:33:20.581-07:00A Cactus in a Valley.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Riding horses is not about ribbons, or beating the</div>
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clock, or money. It was never about those things.</div>
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Its about two beings of this earth learning to move</div>
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becomes the brain and nervous system while the</div>
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horse is the heart and muscles. But in being so</div>
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close to each other they take different aspects</div>
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from the other. From us the horse learns new</div>
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ways to move. But from the horse we learn to love </div>
</div>Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-778472327293940442012-06-24T14:12:00.003-07:002012-06-24T14:23:11.525-07:00"Wow but when your not funny....."Okay i'm pretty sure everyone has already seen this but I live in a media bubble.... oops<br />
So I only saw it for the first time today and just had to share...<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="288" src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/embed/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:415194" width="512"></iframe><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/415194/june-12-2012/mitt-romney-s-blue-collar-equestrian-pastime">The Colbert Report</a></b><br />
Get More: <a href="http://www.colbertnation.com/full-episodes/">Colbert Report Full Episodes</a>,<a href="http://www.indecisionforever.com/">Political Humor & Satire Blog</a>,<a href="http://www.colbertnation.com/video">Video Archive</a></div>
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First off I don't think this "colbert" guy is funny to begin with. I've seen his previous shows and none of them were funny... He's obnoxious, just like conan. I just can not fathom why people think he's funny......because he's not. He reminds me of a third grader who makes fun of other people to try and be popular. I don't find anything about making fun of other people funny. It's not like he attacked one person either, he made fun of an entire sport and its not like this sport was bikini mud wrestling. This is Dressage we're talking about.<br />
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However I think the USDF response was nothing short of amazing<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/99-0ROz_qbA" width="560"></iframe>Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-3231562483635601132012-06-19T15:16:00.003-07:002012-06-19T15:16:46.815-07:00Show Names<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before you can pack your bags, before you can hitch up the trailer, before you can send your entries in for a show. You first have to navigate the perilous world of Show Names....<br />
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Show Names are the first impression a judge has of your horse. So for instance if you enter the ring accompanied by "and now entering the ring is Sally Spoilsherhorse riding My Dad's a Pleasure" The judge will probably not expect great things, and will probably be asking your dad some interesting questions.....<br />
By the way 'My Dad's a Pleasure' is the name my friends horse came with. It was immediately changed.....<br />
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In the dressage world Show Names are usually short and sound more like actual names compared with lets say the hunter ring or western ring where names are generally longer and sound more like titles. For example 'Just for Fun' or 'Haute Couture' are typical of the Hunter/Jumper rings.<br />
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While western names are slightly different because the dam or sire's name is usually included in the name like 'Doc Olena' whose dam was 'Poco Lena' and sire was "Doc Bar'. In the western world names are generally simpler than say hunter/jumper or dressage names, you will see lots of horses with names like 'dash for cash'. They also use more abbreviations like 'Dash ta Fame'<br />
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Dressage names are generally shorter and sound more like actual names like "Doña Linda" or 'Revelle'. However not all names sound like names like 'Paragon' or 'Wizard' But when they are given to a horse they can become more like a "real" name.<br />
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But a show name should be carefully chosen because some associations make you pay big bucks to change a horse's name especially their registered name. So try to avoid these mistakes..... please?<br />
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The Too Long Name:<br />
i.e. the announcer should be able to say your horses name without taking multiple breaths.<br />
Names like 'Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow' or 'Abbeyliex Maid of Diamonds' are too long. I don't care how pretty they are.... its too long. Also don't try and cheat to get away with a long name by "forgetting" about your space bar like this name 'MissJBrunningforcash' NO!<br />
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The Obviously Named by a Male Names:<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">'My Dad's a Pleasure', 'BetterfromBehind', 'Bodacious Ta Ta's', and 'Shags Graceful' </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Do I need to say out loud why these are terrible?.......</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The I Thought it was a Good Idea to let My Niece Name the Horse Names:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">As much joy as it will bring your niece it is still a bad idea...' </span><span style="background-color: white;">Ginger Ruffle Ginger Horse' and 'Flamingo Bingo' </span><br />
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The Cringe Worthy Names:<br />
These are names that make respectable show announcers cringe behind the microphone.<br />
'Grey Bloody Buttocks', 'Nigger', 'Death Breath' sired by 'Dog Breath', and 'Fog Duckin'<br />
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The I Should have Bought the Bay Names:<br />
These are people who either don't think much of their horses or clearly wish they had bought the other horse they were looking at....<br />
'Ugly Eddie Z', 'Almost Alpo', and 'Son of a Bitch'<br />
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Dont make These Mistakes, Pick nice names.....</div>Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6417139838794825990.post-66296591308995628612012-06-13T14:27:00.000-07:002012-06-17T11:20:51.054-07:00New Directions<br />
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Well as some of you know I did not exactly take england by storm..... We were delayed in Minneapolis and when they rebooked my flight I was not given a return ticket. Well no one informed me of that (poop on you Delta!) and when I got to customs and said "Hi! i'm staying for five months!" they immediately pulled me over and interrogated me, because unbeknownst to me they had already called Delta to see if I had a return ticket and when they said no the customs officer automatically thought I was trying to illegally immigrate. Well they let me stay for a week in London, but when we went back to Heathrow to leave they informed me for the first time that I had no return ticket. So all in all..... Delta, You suck.</div>
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So back in America I have not been wasting my time while waiting for a Visa and clearance into England. I have started giving lessons within my mom's teaching business and I have also been training two new horses, one of which is a broodmare that I'm convinced was abused at some point. Normal horses dont almost go over backwards when the rider is handed a whip. The other is a Welsh section D. And he is adorable but he is a very worried little horse! Everything with him is very slow and he needs lots of reassuring. Funny thing about him though is he likes to power through the aids and race off at trot but if you scratch his neck he will automatically slow down and put his head down. We were joking today that its his magical dressage button! Meridethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265481044358677892noreply@blogger.com2