tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62243181006145160092024-02-07T03:24:18.462-08:00Four Mares. No Money.HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.comBlogger261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-57762837757374406622017-12-29T05:30:00.000-08:002017-12-29T05:30:26.808-08:002017 ReviewOne of my favorite times of the year in blogland is now. I love reading people's recap's of their year, although I know a few of you have had quite the rollercoaster ride. I was lucky this year in that I got to experience so many new things with Bacon, travel and compete all over, and enjoy the company of my friends as well as cheer them on, near or far. And, with the help of a LOT of you, you made that possible (even though I still have two paintings left, sigh. I am the slowest person on Earth). So thank you, thank you all so much.<br />
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January-<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75OXHSoXOhqjKrzII7S32qrp8mcJ5E2VanvYHfIjzolqaSc1PDjqnR5tzbI42Dcg845Bv4GLy5g8L1cL52MxJyBOupFAIiIkQegh9lcQxo0PQy-OrimwjvrsM_kc65D7hvj7RdK-dviDZ/s1600/IMG_20170101_133002081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75OXHSoXOhqjKrzII7S32qrp8mcJ5E2VanvYHfIjzolqaSc1PDjqnR5tzbI42Dcg845Bv4GLy5g8L1cL52MxJyBOupFAIiIkQegh9lcQxo0PQy-OrimwjvrsM_kc65D7hvj7RdK-dviDZ/s400/IMG_20170101_133002081.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the heated hospital stall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQ7UpxhifhJHEDKwX_515MpqVYp1eACZb1vPNB_WficMuOJDWH5oipcvaGqrbQaHim03KKmJT9XrsRWWgpyDv7HV78pl0SSDhxnMCd9XpzVnjHVXdh9mX7sdAIzBaQseszOdqkfW6ARAG/s400/IMG_20170102_131659.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After I brought her home</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQ7UpxhifhJHEDKwX_515MpqVYp1eACZb1vPNB_WficMuOJDWH5oipcvaGqrbQaHim03KKmJT9XrsRWWgpyDv7HV78pl0SSDhxnMCd9XpzVnjHVXdh9mX7sdAIzBaQseszOdqkfW6ARAG/s1600/IMG_20170102_131659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQ7UpxhifhJHEDKwX_515MpqVYp1eACZb1vPNB_WficMuOJDWH5oipcvaGqrbQaHim03KKmJT9XrsRWWgpyDv7HV78pl0SSDhxnMCd9XpzVnjHVXdh9mX7sdAIzBaQseszOdqkfW6ARAG/s1600/IMG_20170102_131659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Bacon rang in the new year by getting a bizarre case of cellulitis in her neck and scaring the hell out of me. She spent the first few days of 2017 in the hospital, but quickly recovered and I took her home, thankful that it didn't get worse. She likes to keep things interesting.<br />
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February-<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpZ4JwwuEafWRtSUjRHy8Rys_9wAvXvyn-kmo5rJYemfBTXdtAqjA6RyNtEljzj7OFUeykxMYfBKi6e-VabitkHVCyfz7fa4dR9zILJo14yfa3pcSIVFRbuTczQks8HGQZCdZFP3kVfpy/s1600/IMG_20170128_211428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpZ4JwwuEafWRtSUjRHy8Rys_9wAvXvyn-kmo5rJYemfBTXdtAqjA6RyNtEljzj7OFUeykxMYfBKi6e-VabitkHVCyfz7fa4dR9zILJo14yfa3pcSIVFRbuTczQks8HGQZCdZFP3kVfpy/s400/IMG_20170128_211428.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tackless riding in the winter</td></tr>
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We waited and waited and waited for snowpocalypse to pass here, so riding was done fairly infrequently and we trekked to local indoor arenas to do it. Blake's great grandma passed away, as well as my friend's mom a few days later and I found out that my mom needed a double lung transplant. Good times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjuanps0k0twalW0t2zz1xwpR2jsCACjhdton9PFj130Q-8zxGRD1HGECc9GX7whMlGEElpDESZXZi3NPJ3-dOWV0ySsr-TWCuct-sz95oA-8AbLcBS-jLbu9JYRcfDW489Vxh0HvkSgU/s1600/IMG_20170218_224317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="1600" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjuanps0k0twalW0t2zz1xwpR2jsCACjhdton9PFj130Q-8zxGRD1HGECc9GX7whMlGEElpDESZXZi3NPJ3-dOWV0ySsr-TWCuct-sz95oA-8AbLcBS-jLbu9JYRcfDW489Vxh0HvkSgU/s400/IMG_20170218_224317.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A weird partial shave job.</td></tr>
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March-<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzbkjv-9qa_qmQHsl5hLCOm_LLK6nLIyWgwVo2Ic_qUBcYV_FE0IoQYzplId-7FqCbXDtQID9mmehhsP1Dwb8mPY_421-xp9dAkV682t0K6lmsoqeD_a-6T7SaWM-Qw0R6eoBEfdFEptL/s1600/IMG_4627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzbkjv-9qa_qmQHsl5hLCOm_LLK6nLIyWgwVo2Ic_qUBcYV_FE0IoQYzplId-7FqCbXDtQID9mmehhsP1Dwb8mPY_421-xp9dAkV682t0K6lmsoqeD_a-6T7SaWM-Qw0R6eoBEfdFEptL/s400/IMG_4627.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling spicy and forward</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rHmnbI2QA6LcKMvgTH_VkQHcOTqpZ4NnhKHVL_FGdaex6spf5PoYrxyKvL45GLWcr0lT5ephl__OueQFETBaKpF_t_QYlVcLSNTdc97eLJ_jM-XHlNckZUcEEd1xYSXaVIKp0HpPRgNw/s1600/IMG_20170313_183416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rHmnbI2QA6LcKMvgTH_VkQHcOTqpZ4NnhKHVL_FGdaex6spf5PoYrxyKvL45GLWcr0lT5ephl__OueQFETBaKpF_t_QYlVcLSNTdc97eLJ_jM-XHlNckZUcEEd1xYSXaVIKp0HpPRgNw/s400/IMG_20170313_183416.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that cut.</td></tr>
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Things finally started to thaw and Bacon went to the vet to get all of the things done. All of her vets gushed over her and she got compliments on her new haircut, which was drawn on her coggins. We let out some steam in a giant outdoor arena and went on our first conditioning ride.<br />
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April-<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3v8o-x360hSunbfv7wUYtL1yCjFf6p0Z7b_ylZkpsDpv_-obj38wfxECO55TAT1dR0poBadUr2mwfw-wXs-oLwRoYk_JvqoAWzJFmEdLH_TnY9UgLGET5rF9QkofyGpxnzwGw9wghyphenhyphengF/s1600/a11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3v8o-x360hSunbfv7wUYtL1yCjFf6p0Z7b_ylZkpsDpv_-obj38wfxECO55TAT1dR0poBadUr2mwfw-wXs-oLwRoYk_JvqoAWzJFmEdLH_TnY9UgLGET5rF9QkofyGpxnzwGw9wghyphenhyphengF/s400/a11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I miss you Moo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyZfTwHa8acxPbuegmpBWt0pSMfQDDZ5H4vApi4TwavVdJOTNwNGovQBqi0VEyLJOxFDPmOrv_ne70K1xZEcsVII9d2a8HSu_nncugsnMAjRORZ8s4Y9UX4HWQZNCfxeBSrRFD6BDSCbk/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="899" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyZfTwHa8acxPbuegmpBWt0pSMfQDDZ5H4vApi4TwavVdJOTNwNGovQBqi0VEyLJOxFDPmOrv_ne70K1xZEcsVII9d2a8HSu_nncugsnMAjRORZ8s4Y9UX4HWQZNCfxeBSrRFD6BDSCbk/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding a spring</td></tr>
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We said goodbye to the sweetest Moo dog ever after 11 years. Bacon and I headed up to Spokane for a spring schooling and derby, where we wildly flew over most of the training fences and I became frustrated with her hormones, allergies and wild behavior. She started to become very difficult to ride, but I likened it to springtime sillies. We also pick up a 1 year old Great Dane that we name Skully while up there and she joins our family.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZao-E9REJQ0DxUmzCHjOcJ3RiJduLU9_C96DuhMsJIRHmN8whl78_w2Vk934wclXwvCaY8Mg4tlwlkwS0XGGryoJz6jx25YqJLWP_xX99qlDjHh5urWwmCabUzD3pEPgENNF583_J63s/s1600/a77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZao-E9REJQ0DxUmzCHjOcJ3RiJduLU9_C96DuhMsJIRHmN8whl78_w2Vk934wclXwvCaY8Mg4tlwlkwS0XGGryoJz6jx25YqJLWP_xX99qlDjHh5urWwmCabUzD3pEPgENNF583_J63s/s400/a77.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skully woo</td></tr>
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<br />
May-<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIBjOLy87yCKtFI3jK6ENX0lGX17qzNIYXJA3HQQd69SlE5BYjb6-8LH6Sd5qxs6dIYcKKjxmkyfomohX-YVgRW1qtsTlxij4DCX-TWWnVsfYUf1Ovn_tF71__3Fqph1v5xoKJOtvYoWK/s1600/s93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIBjOLy87yCKtFI3jK6ENX0lGX17qzNIYXJA3HQQd69SlE5BYjb6-8LH6Sd5qxs6dIYcKKjxmkyfomohX-YVgRW1qtsTlxij4DCX-TWWnVsfYUf1Ovn_tF71__3Fqph1v5xoKJOtvYoWK/s400/s93.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She looks good. She was not.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl9m_01oC3GP1TYyktuluGjAzhoPoRsL8mVfQHyn8AYhT38EJNTZQVPRXIKeFtZ4MMvQExXRKSHGIWboO5zLn0v3L0e_l3Jvo7I10Dex8ILGLUlo4-ypdLPh9GWKZIk7hp3TYaAWfs-oE/s1600/s146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl9m_01oC3GP1TYyktuluGjAzhoPoRsL8mVfQHyn8AYhT38EJNTZQVPRXIKeFtZ4MMvQExXRKSHGIWboO5zLn0v3L0e_l3Jvo7I10Dex8ILGLUlo4-ypdLPh9GWKZIk7hp3TYaAWfs-oE/s400/s146.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her favorite</td></tr>
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A couple weeks later, we came back for our first recognized HT of the year, running novice. There was a lot of head flipping and temperamental behavior from Bacon, but we finished in 9th. I was concerned and scheduled an appointment with the vet. We determined that there was a lot of pain located near her SI and haunches, but her muscles were very very tight. We decided to do a course of muscle relaxers followed by chiro work and Osphos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWE2yuDe-VedIgFjABgvBz0sLj43WuBqpyt0-7IXXnlTL72_tCl57Uy_WaZuPcmpaCtQKyRtC6n_2kgy1CKi8dOQdkAEa8uH5ngM0tgF14A8YVmMdtjo4ogdrPsXhDtCvXmX5yrin4r2Sj/s1600/DSC00039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWE2yuDe-VedIgFjABgvBz0sLj43WuBqpyt0-7IXXnlTL72_tCl57Uy_WaZuPcmpaCtQKyRtC6n_2kgy1CKi8dOQdkAEa8uH5ngM0tgF14A8YVmMdtjo4ogdrPsXhDtCvXmX5yrin4r2Sj/s400/DSC00039.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite</td></tr>
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June-<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fQp-9Ej4Kx-wXWuSDqUSS5qm8XA4ZEAiDfDwm2F610h_SMpjC_m3Hug_5M3igXsaRLGhoevt6DLAJFxwpAJgnhcc2mPfnp_ZRW24Tx25A1a-P2JwjoR8eKQuKp1cB8j1pZg7-rVxr6ep/s1600/d30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fQp-9Ej4Kx-wXWuSDqUSS5qm8XA4ZEAiDfDwm2F610h_SMpjC_m3Hug_5M3igXsaRLGhoevt6DLAJFxwpAJgnhcc2mPfnp_ZRW24Tx25A1a-P2JwjoR8eKQuKp1cB8j1pZg7-rVxr6ep/s400/d30.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to remember my test.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wmb0m5OJicl3kX8fpcgwlAp3iQCDRqdV0GFXSe5JebpNYkDOdz3JiM7BKakN1JbGN1BsVNoHsbl7YBkQRR99HV-r-XapIuA_O0Zc3tKETCmHXvhmTZRUtc0UpIGz9RSqCM5je086Eush/s1600/c348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wmb0m5OJicl3kX8fpcgwlAp3iQCDRqdV0GFXSe5JebpNYkDOdz3JiM7BKakN1JbGN1BsVNoHsbl7YBkQRR99HV-r-XapIuA_O0Zc3tKETCmHXvhmTZRUtc0UpIGz9RSqCM5je086Eush/s400/c348.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We jumped prelim things!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPMJOVBkqyK0Wn92TD7wkFeXKUQ3XDPdtpYlOltI5FoBRyYyHOtp3CVaZKpNawVluBFSIbDdgDbvlAO699DIWc6dYRGPORQ24FvDTWdO2ydsbUMJ_VKBEFqT4Fffu_uNgbEFENiFSjtVG/s1600/c374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPMJOVBkqyK0Wn92TD7wkFeXKUQ3XDPdtpYlOltI5FoBRyYyHOtp3CVaZKpNawVluBFSIbDdgDbvlAO699DIWc6dYRGPORQ24FvDTWdO2ydsbUMJ_VKBEFqT4Fffu_uNgbEFENiFSjtVG/s400/c374.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With gusto!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5J3saKNdIa_kNjXmPjNNjGcmdta5DkPDGk1UCYY8-jYGBWEiY1L10S3_e2pjyfJCT5ezjQXjs2pvwjyLUTs0vMrXcfLE72oPF-n7t1gMtinTzZwyC7TiExWalVGzPpIyliu78-EB9s_w/s1600/d17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5J3saKNdIa_kNjXmPjNNjGcmdta5DkPDGk1UCYY8-jYGBWEiY1L10S3_e2pjyfJCT5ezjQXjs2pvwjyLUTs0vMrXcfLE72oPF-n7t1gMtinTzZwyC7TiExWalVGzPpIyliu78-EB9s_w/s400/d17.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good girl for show jumping</td></tr>
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The combo of meds proved to be very helpful and I started to get my old horse back. We loaded up and headed towards California for the HT at Camelot. I was really really nervous because it was Bacon and I's training debut. Bacon hated the stalls and broke free twice, but was an angel out of them. We had out best dressage test ever (with cool blogger friends watching even) and though I worried about the drop and coffin on the xc course, Bacon laughed at it. Everything went to poo when our friend M had an accident in warm up and crushed her pelvis, with us having to leave her in the hospital. She demanded that we bring home ribbons, and Bacon and I did just that when we finished in 3rd place with a double clear round in show jumping. After, we got to school xc and did some prelim stuff, which she ate up. Eventually M made it back home to Idaho (and is now gearing up for her first show in Feb!!!) but wow, what a trip.<br />
<br />
July-<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfg_HwbBZjhNM21UsL2xpDQHK-M5oLA5OUez8QCY3ekR8LB2YBVGbigMTnKEo4mabnzqffTkNB3IrvgeRJ2FRZ3-nrWhhdHsm3OeEySzGtKa8yWtYRoQmSD_LwpmwHYiM3V1sY45FDPgz/s1600/r21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfg_HwbBZjhNM21UsL2xpDQHK-M5oLA5OUez8QCY3ekR8LB2YBVGbigMTnKEo4mabnzqffTkNB3IrvgeRJ2FRZ3-nrWhhdHsm3OeEySzGtKa8yWtYRoQmSD_LwpmwHYiM3V1sY45FDPgz/s400/r21.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schooling this prelim table at Spokane</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHVG_IF-0cz08m4zmGT5xqoDiYqNdHK8QlOFFE1NAI4gBf41h2l6priZNdzLHrAAfeHW3nLAaX9jrxmOtuwMPaplnE3btBsy0WiNySznnm-qkArZxt__rZLzNGkdv0aKoViBKRxJFoWB6/s400/r206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No matter how crazy we are, we always have a good outfit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHVG_IF-0cz08m4zmGT5xqoDiYqNdHK8QlOFFE1NAI4gBf41h2l6priZNdzLHrAAfeHW3nLAaX9jrxmOtuwMPaplnE3btBsy0WiNySznnm-qkArZxt__rZLzNGkdv0aKoViBKRxJFoWB6/s1600/r206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHVG_IF-0cz08m4zmGT5xqoDiYqNdHK8QlOFFE1NAI4gBf41h2l6priZNdzLHrAAfeHW3nLAaX9jrxmOtuwMPaplnE3btBsy0WiNySznnm-qkArZxt__rZLzNGkdv0aKoViBKRxJFoWB6/s1600/r206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
The month started out bad. I had to bring in my dad's dog, Mack, to be put to sleep from bladder cancer and it was horrible. I had been looking forward to going to Rebecca for a long time. I was not sure how Bacon was going to do in that wild atmosphere, but I swallowed my fear. We stopped in Spokane first to school xc (and we jumped a intermediate chevron out of the water!) and my friend competed in a dressage show. The husbands found "Smoke-ane" and came back stoned from a water park adventure amungst all the dressage people. On our way to Montana, E's truck broke down on a mountain and thought about going backwards with the horse trailer. I tried to not think about dying, the boys figured it out and we made it to Rebecca. Bacon did surprisingly well with all of the commotion until we got into the dressage ring. The whole dressage thing was a mess. XC day was a blast, although I thought the jumps could have been better, but Bacon came in with some fluid above her knee. We iced and wrapped and it was gone the next morning, but it reappeared in the show jump ring and my normally clean girl took down three rails. I still wish I would have withdrawn her, but we live and learn.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHc7jek5xaFMLus1bcAvt8jXhLaeC6GJg5i7W85Kpe7Rv0VFLjhQSnM3VpfAFZOt3hjz3YkZo2aGLZ44YezIy8CKOpzF1mPxsfh8R88WhUfeFZTNB3RWDJtTeqEk3TEft6yMZ_nM1ZksS/s1600/RF17brinkman072017xag1-1541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="864" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHc7jek5xaFMLus1bcAvt8jXhLaeC6GJg5i7W85Kpe7Rv0VFLjhQSnM3VpfAFZOt3hjz3YkZo2aGLZ44YezIy8CKOpzF1mPxsfh8R88WhUfeFZTNB3RWDJtTeqEk3TEft6yMZ_nM1ZksS/s400/RF17brinkman072017xag1-1541.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that thrilled pony</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
August-<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1j7dpmscRe-Fprs4Jl7ttAfpYive8A2E2o4F_VeJhFBTHen5-TOUkzm262svVJKf1qB7ZlhQM6J8mOIqc6N14oCHjs51Mg8m7NlwF9TP2Ye4HcB33HUZZU3mzR9Zq5axpgjoyviwe0_v/s1600/alyssas+banks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1200" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1j7dpmscRe-Fprs4Jl7ttAfpYive8A2E2o4F_VeJhFBTHen5-TOUkzm262svVJKf1qB7ZlhQM6J8mOIqc6N14oCHjs51Mg8m7NlwF9TP2Ye4HcB33HUZZU3mzR9Zq5axpgjoyviwe0_v/s400/alyssas+banks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She looks a little less thrilled here. And I look turtle-y.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-vHoDtSX-uzEPbTtFJ6LZlIlF7o7l3aBAQoYYhawf7VywwbcxjzyVTq1RPxGNjqIrhwNedvWCbYaj3j43lh8FartxfuEz2t9dMMk7Lc7cpe4HJZTnpPz8CXzRxo0rTyTO5I7tdp5PH7P/s1600/aug12122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-vHoDtSX-uzEPbTtFJ6LZlIlF7o7l3aBAQoYYhawf7VywwbcxjzyVTq1RPxGNjqIrhwNedvWCbYaj3j43lh8FartxfuEz2t9dMMk7Lc7cpe4HJZTnpPz8CXzRxo0rTyTO5I7tdp5PH7P/s400/aug12122.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My husband's work had been bought out by a different company and we were supposed to go on their health insurance place. There was a mixup, and I ended up unable to get health insurance, which meant I was unable to get my prescriptions. That led to a rough month. We went up to Deary, Idaho for the Stanton HT in the wildfires. I had a full body tremor attack while schooling the day before dressage and my wild mare stopped her antics and held still for the whole process. Bacon was great in the dressage warm up, but the second she hit the ring it all went out the door. Our xc course was dry slick and all of the ditches were filled with tan gravel, which caught Bacon by surprise at every single one. She was very distracted (not normal) and we almost had a stop at the double down bank into the water. We continued our bad rail mojo from Rebecca and took two rails this time in show jumping, but that double down bank got a lot of horses so we still got 4th. But her behavior raised another flag. Out came the vet again. Oh, and she dislocated my thumb when backing out of the trailer (on accident) and it hurt like a mofo.<br />
<br />
September-<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJa_Tg1e5LoLEG3UUNl51Ppye8xUr_bVjfaY-nclJyai3neE-CZ23In-pdzhpQs0JhDwGBdflbiCJ3OkSuVKOJCguZH_jjHrjtjU9Dt4r-ajFJK4GHI-1EF6dI1GNmYDgmMhtBrF4taFq/s1600/sep81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJa_Tg1e5LoLEG3UUNl51Ppye8xUr_bVjfaY-nclJyai3neE-CZ23In-pdzhpQs0JhDwGBdflbiCJ3OkSuVKOJCguZH_jjHrjtjU9Dt4r-ajFJK4GHI-1EF6dI1GNmYDgmMhtBrF4taFq/s400/sep81.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably one of my most favorite pictures.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6gi11N-JO9EaAXgwP7TSaNcS6AZ4jlvz80VXfgMAXePV6LVBak9iG8DUakxj468VY9twgX5Euya808-PMZey7gbkXgtLnJkj3dlDnf62bfEqNRKyWLBAqhvyqxB6duI6_4fD8iFUbj4c/s1600/sep877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6gi11N-JO9EaAXgwP7TSaNcS6AZ4jlvz80VXfgMAXePV6LVBak9iG8DUakxj468VY9twgX5Euya808-PMZey7gbkXgtLnJkj3dlDnf62bfEqNRKyWLBAqhvyqxB6duI6_4fD8iFUbj4c/s400/sep877.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everybody wants to jump a ship!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bacon got SI and coffin injections. I had decided to enter the championship division at Aspen and thought about withdrawing. Fortunately, Bacon seemed to feel great again and we left towards the raging wildfires in Washington. Bacon was a little wild in the stalls here and we had a very rough schooling ride the day before dressage. I did not feel like we belonged there at that point in time. Fortunately the next day, she came out to play and was much more cooperative than the day before. We made it through there and I was pleased that she held it together. I tried not to crap my pants about xc and even though we got lost on course for a good 20 seconds, Bacon had a complete blast out there. And so did I. Show jumping day brought a fierce mare who was still happy to be jumping things. I could tell something was wrong with me and halfway through our course I had an asthma attack. She finished out the course like the great horse she is and then stood like a rock again with I tried to breathe on top of her and the medics came over. In regular Bacon fashion, we pulled another grey 9th place ribbon and a smile was plastered across my face for our victory gallop. Aspen became my favorite venue to date.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqebjakO48n3vLgpqRlRXVwRlvQh6VIKbeVbkgbN8gyMVGUhdLvKPah6dXBAQSL5x-_lSn8GnM72TMjJfNb2HXq8eDhSywn2ucsKdbv01VsIA5PQXXRX4MMMg3TpJ8YTfmxdEJV7Gr1mws/s1600/b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqebjakO48n3vLgpqRlRXVwRlvQh6VIKbeVbkgbN8gyMVGUhdLvKPah6dXBAQSL5x-_lSn8GnM72TMjJfNb2HXq8eDhSywn2ucsKdbv01VsIA5PQXXRX4MMMg3TpJ8YTfmxdEJV7Gr1mws/s400/b.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
October-<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wa0UBDf2QMEN0pgZanpQ_vOMVqVgoeEaziht2LzOge4hYLXbrH98HR3TWIvH4tAqVSCBL5FmjMBhg9DIFNPYlS5enF4E6V-vS4RQCtekDc3WhdP7ACEyGHaZPfq-5BpJQ24SetLL-QAJ/s1600/IMG_20171005_160227702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wa0UBDf2QMEN0pgZanpQ_vOMVqVgoeEaziht2LzOge4hYLXbrH98HR3TWIvH4tAqVSCBL5FmjMBhg9DIFNPYlS5enF4E6V-vS4RQCtekDc3WhdP7ACEyGHaZPfq-5BpJQ24SetLL-QAJ/s400/IMG_20171005_160227702.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vacation and now rooming with Pandy-Lou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExV2LLCoR_dlPgvFs18TT6UYwsPhm6tpKBfJhhTNDrl9c_Rn1VkNS1teCwI8gbans3ndQdTZmJMmUkHKc_2Qu8Hv0S2UThY1Lt-ZkrnX7rWAhqD9oCqPv3FgstOwokLFw_YnhN2nvdRHe/s1600/Oct48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExV2LLCoR_dlPgvFs18TT6UYwsPhm6tpKBfJhhTNDrl9c_Rn1VkNS1teCwI8gbans3ndQdTZmJMmUkHKc_2Qu8Hv0S2UThY1Lt-ZkrnX7rWAhqD9oCqPv3FgstOwokLFw_YnhN2nvdRHe/s400/Oct48.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also cheered on my friends at the Spokane HT and the jump behind my friend was dedicated and built in memory of her mom who passed. She was a farrier.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After getting back home, I tried to focus on lots of long and low and lighter work since our season was coming to a close. But as the weeks passed by, I noticed that Bacon was starting to feel ouchie yet again. Up until this point, we had: navicular bursa injections, hock injections, coffin and SI injections, Osphos, Pentosan, generic Adequan, muscle relaxers and regular chiro, regular stretching and massaging, teeth done, etc. I spoke with my vet and farrier and we decided that the next best course of action was to just let her have time off in a bigger space and pull her shoes.<br />
<br />
November-<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2o3qVn5K6K7akGDDWFey9tysYfc32l5fDuHjVQu2hDZ6yxwDtpb5jZ3hTPiko8lidCYaPbf5cZejj_19mutKzH_e_lMhq5QeYSnOyF2On9p_rHgujCQZ-AvsxQ5RuThrZ2iOrBvBqtDC/s1600/IMG_20171108_211650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2o3qVn5K6K7akGDDWFey9tysYfc32l5fDuHjVQu2hDZ6yxwDtpb5jZ3hTPiko8lidCYaPbf5cZejj_19mutKzH_e_lMhq5QeYSnOyF2On9p_rHgujCQZ-AvsxQ5RuThrZ2iOrBvBqtDC/s400/IMG_20171108_211650.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I captured the cutest feral kittens ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPFl4Nn7-IaRI73_qdi5euO5BMsdweqxjBm0U7gIeEirdvS3Wq4m3F1Ola1lvPPGw_TbMb0nRfF224EwQ-kq6YhvmktZ7sdnTzBDbNg_92DJY_mQtrZqChwkjTouPYWDPRhBSCL1rfOn7/s1600/IMG_8669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPFl4Nn7-IaRI73_qdi5euO5BMsdweqxjBm0U7gIeEirdvS3Wq4m3F1Ola1lvPPGw_TbMb0nRfF224EwQ-kq6YhvmktZ7sdnTzBDbNg_92DJY_mQtrZqChwkjTouPYWDPRhBSCL1rfOn7/s400/IMG_8669.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could almost compete Meaty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Much of this month was getting Bacon ready to move to the in-laws and just hanging out. I also decided that if Bacon wasn't ready to come back to work in the spring that Pandora would be my new focus. I am still struggling with this. Hubs has grand visions. I have other visions...<br />
<br />
December-<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DOJdNn_OarEtRGrHEMRQzGRmiEy3BB9BJMcWHu7NIMi6xRSlJiQIXRWapdP2_h0ov0w05SvQFi3mqxK0_5i_gieFWM8c9ToefOPSbvA5LM-L8OtnEPa4xEGUL-g3gS1pGB8s2WeaWmh6/s1600/IMG_20171225_102351887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DOJdNn_OarEtRGrHEMRQzGRmiEy3BB9BJMcWHu7NIMi6xRSlJiQIXRWapdP2_h0ov0w05SvQFi3mqxK0_5i_gieFWM8c9ToefOPSbvA5LM-L8OtnEPa4xEGUL-g3gS1pGB8s2WeaWmh6/s400/IMG_20171225_102351887.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New house living. And getting beat up by her new roomies (BASTARDS).</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZdJsKed_PiVRLT9Qoscc6S4-kZ9F75vKX7ud8ViKXeq5Wt1GN_iYPv9hrdf5dW-Dtf5hhjMAbHyNGsC9d0f3AQUdWKjvnN40MQAO_syiN03G1vUssW-hfrqI07KWiExdNueDUjiDao-U/s1600/IMG_20171225_102445497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZdJsKed_PiVRLT9Qoscc6S4-kZ9F75vKX7ud8ViKXeq5Wt1GN_iYPv9hrdf5dW-Dtf5hhjMAbHyNGsC9d0f3AQUdWKjvnN40MQAO_syiN03G1vUssW-hfrqI07KWiExdNueDUjiDao-U/s400/IMG_20171225_102445497.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But she had plenty of kisses for meeeee!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Bacon moves to the in-laws. I cry. And now husband is trying to get me to bring a mini horse home that is currently getting beat up by the other horses it lives with. Bad things happen with my mom and addiction is a horrible disease.<br />
<br />
Sooo we had some pretty banging things happen in there. It kind of poops out at the end, but it can't all be sunshine and rainbows. This next year is really really up in the air. There is something I would like to do with the Baconator, but we will see. We need a new house with more land. I could use some more medical answers, if possible. Once I finish these last two paintings, I will try to open up for commissions again but will probably only do 5 at a time so I don't feel overwhelmed and get too behind. My vision and tremors are getting worse, so I don't know if I will be able to keep them up and may have to try to turn to photography to help fund the pony stuff. All I know is that next year my be filled with surprises.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7NV2pDYq56etsuYsTuQVFQwSjsNMoJRWO_dlxhsvJ579lC6Ixy5LH8o9QZP2eBOn6o8IhVTGzl132pYPukemPk1mqiUkfwu7toZWo3LCkGlgKYVJ55nHvx4hWTIyep0fipdJvXdsGftk/s1600/sep825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1106" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7NV2pDYq56etsuYsTuQVFQwSjsNMoJRWO_dlxhsvJ579lC6Ixy5LH8o9QZP2eBOn6o8IhVTGzl132pYPukemPk1mqiUkfwu7toZWo3LCkGlgKYVJ55nHvx4hWTIyep0fipdJvXdsGftk/s400/sep825.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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And Bacon. She is a firecracker. But how can you not love her? She always takes care of me and always makes cross country a blast. She is just an incredible partner. And she gives the best damn kisses.<br />
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-7441136447486668672017-12-01T11:23:00.001-08:002017-12-01T11:23:13.526-08:00Lost.I am not even sure where to start. I've been sitting in my own little turmoil type situation lately and I feel like I have no one to talk to, so I will just lay it out on the blog in hopes that will help me feel a little better.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyJcOXlWhlRVCJlU4nJM7vplDQk4q5IH6unI7R9lVcDzPfHOgwKN-l53CR-Kt57dmaYlwEGMeykYpwT2j6zrbJAXHKlOSIVJncra0t47hG0OtlYbMYKJ79WGp3BbO4FMAkeTl7Nn4HpFJ/s1600/IMG_20171111_190658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyJcOXlWhlRVCJlU4nJM7vplDQk4q5IH6unI7R9lVcDzPfHOgwKN-l53CR-Kt57dmaYlwEGMeykYpwT2j6zrbJAXHKlOSIVJncra0t47hG0OtlYbMYKJ79WGp3BbO4FMAkeTl7Nn4HpFJ/s320/IMG_20171111_190658.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are some kittens to make this seem less horrible.</td></tr>
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This morning I came stumbling out of the bedroom, off balance and using the wall to get to the bathroom. This happens every morning. It takes about 10 minutes for my brain to get calculated to upright position. I wake up in pain and go to bed in pain. I blink a lot in hopes that it will get my eyes to refocus. I am nauseous and get anxious about food frequently. More and more hair keeps falling out. And I can't do anything about it until I get insurance at the beginning of the year. But even still, that hasn't helped me in the past. And so, I am worried.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXY0UZ_-BDOJBmmUI2oRxMUPqHhdO73whb1-Hf-vqKD2OI6vW4mqxxjsJl4fQzuYQ5wutR1cx3ZztZC1rpcIu9_MK19-E_PP2XSBQDcb9OveY7cHJnMWewPrp2xnIEUhFM58oQnHjcbHiB/s1600/IMG_20171111_190752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1226" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXY0UZ_-BDOJBmmUI2oRxMUPqHhdO73whb1-Hf-vqKD2OI6vW4mqxxjsJl4fQzuYQ5wutR1cx3ZztZC1rpcIu9_MK19-E_PP2XSBQDcb9OveY7cHJnMWewPrp2xnIEUhFM58oQnHjcbHiB/s320/IMG_20171111_190752.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really wanted to keep her. I called her Pixel. Because she was pixelated.</td></tr>
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I am also worried that my friends and family are getting upset with me. I get worse with the colder weather, but this feels slightly different. The pain makes me not want to do anything or go anywhere. I feel like they feel I am ditching them or being a homebody. I don't want to be this way. And I know they don't want to hear about me not feeling well because they don't understand that either. So, I am feeling pretty lonely.<br />
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I know that in the next couple of weeks that Bacon will move to the in-laws and I won't have the ability to see her every day and know the ins and outs of her day for at least the next few months. I don't know what her future looks like and that is not the best feeling. Last year at this time, I had just finished my first couple of recognized events and I was planning my season and hoping to get to training level. Right now there is just a giant question mark. If I don't get to compete my girl, I will hopefully be busting out Pandora. But going from a 16.3h thoroughbred that's raging to go through that xc course to a 13.3h stubborn reining trained midget hopefully making it around a tiny course is not something I am doing a happy dance for. And that is if the funds pan out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktQwLzyQ0Ln9R4OH49h1KtZ4knEMRwYgrwuufjoKDwChbSEABHMeN4CqBa0MKhTa4FQvNDhRgRkwIWglggdJyyOTkIGROEFYEjPJkm7zO-dzG69DXwNFSx01O3SQGJfIZZBIilDdvNK-V/s1600/IMG_7900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktQwLzyQ0Ln9R4OH49h1KtZ4knEMRwYgrwuufjoKDwChbSEABHMeN4CqBa0MKhTa4FQvNDhRgRkwIWglggdJyyOTkIGROEFYEjPJkm7zO-dzG69DXwNFSx01O3SQGJfIZZBIilDdvNK-V/s320/IMG_7900.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother on Bacon. Me on the midget.</td></tr>
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Because the other big stressor is buying a house. Currently, our selection is small. We did put an offer on a house that had many amazing things (3.55 acres, no wasted space, big barn to park small trailer and big truck and motorcycles in with hay storage on outside and covered stalls in a big dry lot plus an area for the goats, beautiful pasture, 400sqft porch, giant daylight basement, down a private drive in an area that will soon be worth $$$, fully fenced, turkey neighbors, sprinklers, etc). But it had some things going against it too. It was built in the 1920's and needed some things updated, and at the price they had it listed for, we wouldn't have been able to fix those things and make the house payment. They did not like our offer. And so far, we have not liked the other houses we have seen. Hopefully there is something for us out there in our price range. And I really wish people would quit wasting space on giant driveways with trees and big ass yards and stupid layouts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXdD-wDEvWZGFyW9k3LANZFFofvoyjnWQxxDPa5lcZ5dPCETiGeu3pZ-zfqdX32KBppmsaCGLrbmmRg71N3xWGRZOAU6YcmsS6xEHxHCsMZ8jKh8z3xwRDb73i45hRKAXMmCMtjCmNQ5r/s1600/IMG_20171024_153433911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXdD-wDEvWZGFyW9k3LANZFFofvoyjnWQxxDPa5lcZ5dPCETiGeu3pZ-zfqdX32KBppmsaCGLrbmmRg71N3xWGRZOAU6YcmsS6xEHxHCsMZ8jKh8z3xwRDb73i45hRKAXMmCMtjCmNQ5r/s400/IMG_20171024_153433911.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It had a great view</td></tr>
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Well, I feel a little better. This is just the tip of the iceberg, but at least I said it somewhere. I don't know how anything is going to go. What is my health going to do? Will Bacon be on the road to recovery, or has she entered retirement? Will I have fun on Pandora, if I get to compete her? Or just in general? Will we get a new house, the right house? Will I end up unable to do art next year and will that make me feel worthless? Will I be able to get my pet turkey? I guess we will find out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWMktFUANtuiyJDMLQTSdkgsKxoJD8hzN60KYpT9qhk3NWiahZnodfZB8cPOWEjWaHUR24e4pKlQyiKbXcH7E29MGRG2zNDF6ikoxmy4Iyir8h8GABGin0dBNzRJ-Q9FcyFAeLOUoeAct/s1600/IMG_20171026_142524229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWMktFUANtuiyJDMLQTSdkgsKxoJD8hzN60KYpT9qhk3NWiahZnodfZB8cPOWEjWaHUR24e4pKlQyiKbXcH7E29MGRG2zNDF6ikoxmy4Iyir8h8GABGin0dBNzRJ-Q9FcyFAeLOUoeAct/s400/IMG_20171026_142524229.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the turkeys were so happy to see me when I pulled up.</td></tr>
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-89464679469602629472017-10-18T11:12:00.000-07:002017-10-18T11:12:49.121-07:00Oh, Decisions.So, I didn't post much of Bacon's medical journey through the year on here. Mostly because I am a bad blogger this year. But let me tell you, it hasn't been easy keeping that girl feeling happy and now we are at a bit of a cross roads. But let's start at the beginning.<br />
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Some of you might remember that she has a bipartite navicular bone in her right front foot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJFSEO3HYUPVSmIX2105FRcMX_C_7S1xA1daAcaeMgj072BXM6DhSrTqFF1TJdQ-Qb3E_K8SA4s9xQPRJcgKa9AR3x06-c39W6p_670NnoDBdwE5fRs8TbL-Ixey-NcJgA3cfec3QVPZZ/s1600/Bacon+xray+52016+vd+arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJFSEO3HYUPVSmIX2105FRcMX_C_7S1xA1daAcaeMgj072BXM6DhSrTqFF1TJdQ-Qb3E_K8SA4s9xQPRJcgKa9AR3x06-c39W6p_670NnoDBdwE5fRs8TbL-Ixey-NcJgA3cfec3QVPZZ/s400/Bacon+xray+52016+vd+arrow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, hello extra bone. You asshole.</td></tr>
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After discovering that last year and getting her navicular bursa injected, all seemed well and we were off having all kinds of fun at our first recognized events without any issue. We paired her injections with shoeing that included regular shoes with frog support pads and magic cushion as the packing. This seemed to be the magic recipe for a happy and sound horse. And a happy Alyssa.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YeApv5WlSbJGTKN5SS-fAmSJhSFJ-iZoZZNwpIc2mtla7ya3FjZXOo7uMz3c7fxsk6LHW2gMr4XrEcOPXo4n2f2cC4LfpYnnvCUux29BS-USZ3y_6eHlQX86OkdbqPfaYUfXgd8BkU2-/s1600/IMG_20170321_132630717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YeApv5WlSbJGTKN5SS-fAmSJhSFJ-iZoZZNwpIc2mtla7ya3FjZXOo7uMz3c7fxsk6LHW2gMr4XrEcOPXo4n2f2cC4LfpYnnvCUux29BS-USZ3y_6eHlQX86OkdbqPfaYUfXgd8BkU2-/s400/IMG_20170321_132630717.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bring all the vets to the yard. But they really do love me.</td></tr>
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When spring came about, it had been almost a year since Bacon had received those injections. Every once in a while, when she would hit a rough spot in the pasture, she would have an ouchie step, so I knew it was time to inject again (or do whatever the vet recommended). I also thought maybe her hocks were bothering her, since she usually had a hind leg cocked at rest at all times. She was also acting like a more "intense" version of herself. Normally overzealous in the spring, I didn't think much of it, but she just couldn't seem to settle or go to work like she could in the past. I brought her into the Equine Hospital, and they agreed with the idea of injecting her navicular bursa and hocks, as well as all of her other routine maintenance. She had ALL THE THINGS done spaced out over two different weeks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsdQtNxhDs-imP9NNOr6HBlSKyq38BpW7XocUFIXhUqJuPTS1WhT9-ln6AdstVdIK_G7-FZ23en52TPXv4G2xvFDZZNdcotRvqGclfjYZuKaoW_mo9KGP2LKe8CgYOVI_wENfFaHDxVbr/s1600/a44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsdQtNxhDs-imP9NNOr6HBlSKyq38BpW7XocUFIXhUqJuPTS1WhT9-ln6AdstVdIK_G7-FZ23en52TPXv4G2xvFDZZNdcotRvqGclfjYZuKaoW_mo9KGP2LKe8CgYOVI_wENfFaHDxVbr/s640/a44.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon and her feelings. </td></tr>
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Though her foot seemed to be back to normal, Bacon was not. I continued to worry when she wouldn't go forward in warm up for xc and even threatened to rear, and especially when she didn't want to play <i>at all </i>in our recognized dressage test in Spokane. I couldn't touch her at all, and even still, she would throw her head around and her back felt empty as she balked here and there. I cried when I got back to the barn, not because of our awful test, but because that wasn't my horse. Back to the vet she went.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhY04OPua4d7xUiH6hhMoitts4X4WTv_W3tvgbN6IcXUEHFd_A9-K4rg48zRDq4D0m8_I-rTROOi8pe-YdKXCMzEEWwSTK4pUc5hVx-AdaYZjsaqVXxyB-ubHOkvqqAz3FcRXlsTgi8WZ/s1600/s144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhY04OPua4d7xUiH6hhMoitts4X4WTv_W3tvgbN6IcXUEHFd_A9-K4rg48zRDq4D0m8_I-rTROOi8pe-YdKXCMzEEWwSTK4pUc5hVx-AdaYZjsaqVXxyB-ubHOkvqqAz3FcRXlsTgi8WZ/s640/s144.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Realizing that it's xc and oh yeah, it is the best. P.S. Why are my stirrups so long?</td></tr>
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I had brought up to the vet that I thought maybe her SI was bothering her, or her lower back, and she agreed. Before resulting to injections, we wanted to test and see what muscle relaxers would do for her, as well as a dose of Osphos (typically given to navicular horses, but now starting to show that it can help with overall bone pain as well) and switch her from Pentosan to generic Adequan. I started to give her the muscle relaxers and noticed a pretty big difference right away. Also, with the muscle relaxers on board, the chiro could really work on her and gave her an amazing adjustmend with a giant POP and big sigh a day before we were to leave for Camelot. I was worried about how she would do down there, and being off the meds while competing. But she felt amazing and pulled out our best show of the season. Maybe it was because she escaped twice. Maybe it was the California air. I don't know.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0PTqz_vCUmrfSuWtgpVcY8esx9Wkf1Bu7-ck8bJKxfFZHsbaw7Ra-j_-fQqnUErJJVAG_HfSZjTKsrkXn-13vzCXD_uuaSJkE1jw-2Qd-yPgnkgFNvd7XM79l4oony0IbU5STd0k0OhW/s1600/c347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0PTqz_vCUmrfSuWtgpVcY8esx9Wkf1Bu7-ck8bJKxfFZHsbaw7Ra-j_-fQqnUErJJVAG_HfSZjTKsrkXn-13vzCXD_uuaSJkE1jw-2Qd-yPgnkgFNvd7XM79l4oony0IbU5STd0k0OhW/s640/c347.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh yeah, remember this bad assery?</td></tr>
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We did another round of muscle relaxers once we got home, but with a lesser dose. But in my mind, I knew we were just masking a problem and not treating the cause. Bacon continued to see chiros, but they weren't doing the trick all the way for her. I started to also realize that because she points with her bad foot so much, she rests the diagonal hind. Causing her body to be balanced unevenly pretty much at all times. After Rebecca, I contacted a different vet, as my regular vet does not do SI injections, and I gave her my thorough history on Bacon and why I thought she needed a look at her SI. She came out and agreed with me (and was perhaps overwhelmed with my obsessive knowledge on my horse). It seemed as though her foot was starting to be a problem again as well, but this vet thought that maybe injecting the SI would give her enough relief that she would be comfortable on that front. I went along, but had a feeling we would be revisiting the fronts again shortly. Bacon's SI joints were both clearly causing her pain. Even just getting her scrubbed while she was sedated, Bacon would kick out and shift in discomfort. My heart sank knowing I had made her wait that long.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2pNMb-NdxCIRKSRlQx9Uv0JDgHoGDin0YqoY7z2pZl0cgn_O2M8Ph5EplFGudjlP0BVy6HiPkShXL-FxX0yiVVfE1DBBkEoEwPZQ6OzSuM7TuvCcnDMgnzYZBrgeH3ofX0JhkI7bByDH/s1600/r20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2pNMb-NdxCIRKSRlQx9Uv0JDgHoGDin0YqoY7z2pZl0cgn_O2M8Ph5EplFGudjlP0BVy6HiPkShXL-FxX0yiVVfE1DBBkEoEwPZQ6OzSuM7TuvCcnDMgnzYZBrgeH3ofX0JhkI7bByDH/s640/r20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this bad assery too? </td></tr>
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After two weeks, I relayed that Bacon was feeling a lot better in the hind, but that her RF was still not 100%. Up until this point, I had been able to extract money from the horse show fund for Bacon's vet bills, but fortunately I have a forgiving husband who let me pull from savings for the SI and coffin injections. Because they weren't cheap. I had really really liked the vet that did her SI injections, but at $700, I was feeling a little queezy. When she said she could come out to do coffins and I asked the price and $500 came up, I had to decline. Though she was amazing, I could not see how coffin joint injections could be that much. I contacted my regular vet, and she happily came out, agreed that they would be appropriate, and finished that up. With her doing the injections, plus a giant bottle of Bute, it was around $200. That was something I could live with, and something I could look my husband in the eye and tell him the cost of.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcDjzv4hkug1icZPUp8gkj7ajzAPz8MMKjIE4qK6hI9kpdqyajGOY3_jJaz2bFG82gZwHBUJQf7VeCs8Tlwusw9tXnaifeNr01oeZJ5Juu42wGwRjzyCsYvuVFf0Xi4ksaWn-L7MGJk2p/s1600/IMG_20170822_140647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcDjzv4hkug1icZPUp8gkj7ajzAPz8MMKjIE4qK6hI9kpdqyajGOY3_jJaz2bFG82gZwHBUJQf7VeCs8Tlwusw9tXnaifeNr01oeZJ5Juu42wGwRjzyCsYvuVFf0Xi4ksaWn-L7MGJk2p/s400/IMG_20170822_140647.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a good shot of the incredibly long needle.</td></tr>
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Bacon had some time off, and then I tested her out. She felt great! We prepared quickly for Aspen, and you all know how that played out. Now having her home since then, I have noticed that she gets very ouchie with that damn foot if she is a wild pogo stick in the pasture and gallops in the rough footing. Those last injections were in August. I will not pump more injections into those joints at this time, and the vet agrees. Our new plan is to let Bacon live in my in-laws nice 2+ acre pasture for the winter with a new shoeing setup (or no shoes, haven't quite decided yet what will be best for her). Every time I think about it, I want to cry. I know it will be terrific for her mentally, and I hope it will be as well physically. I am hoping that the ability to constantly move forward in an open space will help her body relax and her foot recover, as they have a safe flat pasture and two friends for her to be with.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Destroying that championship course.</td></tr>
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This has been quite the year. I have been blessed to have done with her what I have, as I know many aren't so lucky with their bipartite horses.And thanks to many of you, you funded our path this year through the vet bills and horse shows (I am working on my last paintings, HOORAY!) We are also in the middle of looking into moving, so that is a whole other chapter. My goal is to find a place slightly closer to my husband's work, with more land so that Bacon can continue to live in a nice pasture. This will be a big shift for me, to not have my number one girl at home. My whole schedule revolves around her, my dreams and my goals. I hurt almost everywhere, but I can do things for her. And if she needs a winter off, that is fine, or a year, or forever. She owes me nothing because she has given me so much.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXV-7YbmCu8k0WDAsVwVpFJr6ColjDE175_xlns7Y4U69CFqEQuFy-1bkMj-QU8JHmA7zT19Uv5KgT7yecXo_L790E8t0E4h-CQpcIYlfqi4WL9CI8L1u2qLE1djkc74ymTnpMrtrVoV5/s1600/IMG_20171005_160227702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXV-7YbmCu8k0WDAsVwVpFJr6ColjDE175_xlns7Y4U69CFqEQuFy-1bkMj-QU8JHmA7zT19Uv5KgT7yecXo_L790E8t0E4h-CQpcIYlfqi4WL9CI8L1u2qLE1djkc74ymTnpMrtrVoV5/s640/IMG_20171005_160227702.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Currently enjoying time with her roomate, Pandora. Who also smiles.</td></tr>
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So, next year looks scary. I don't know where we will be at, or what we will be doing or where we will be living. But I do know come spring, we will re-evaluate my girl and see how she is and go from there. And I will continue to demand kisses and smiles from her until she leaves to go to the in-laws, and perhaps change up the dream.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHX-bazNwO8AYCJBJxHgHXmEr7Ts3KgzjHcrkfn5cC75FzXNify4KjXG0_1TPhMFUphWkyE2lzjQv2j3dXgl00tzCDYon9ZZXWK7KV1aAyJtj-CqKvz3_3qFeVUbrSt56ickJOvMs332b/s1600/DSC00039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHX-bazNwO8AYCJBJxHgHXmEr7Ts3KgzjHcrkfn5cC75FzXNify4KjXG0_1TPhMFUphWkyE2lzjQv2j3dXgl00tzCDYon9ZZXWK7KV1aAyJtj-CqKvz3_3qFeVUbrSt56ickJOvMs332b/s640/DSC00039.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My heart.</td></tr>
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-69824722396548851072017-09-18T10:27:00.000-07:002017-09-18T10:27:24.964-07:00Aspen Farms: Grand Finale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you think I was ulcering up for xc, you would be surprised to find that my stomach had turned into just a ball of acid by the time show jumping had rolled around. Saturday night, after returning late from the show party, we saw that the course was set up and proceeded to walk it in the dark. I probably should have just waited to walk it until the morning because I just laid awake thinking about the course all night long. This bending line to that bending line. Would she lock onto one of the other jumps while going through the bending lines? Could I get her to the base of the triple bar? Could I get her to ride that first line in six? What about that vertical to oxer in the last combo?<br />
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It was taxing. My friends' say I am a lot like Bacon and sometimes I don't see it. But thinking about that, and seeing how I worry about any and everything like a certain bay mare, I can see where they get that idea from. We walked it again in daylight, this time with E's trainer, and I tried to keep up and listen for the pieces that would fit Bacon and I's ride. We watched the advanced riders go, who all made the course look easy, but almost all took the same vertical down, and I went off to braid my horse. E got to watch a couple of the prelim riders go and stated that a certain oxer was also getting a lot of horses because they weren't being ridden forward to it, so I put that in my memory bank as well. Soon it was time to tack up and head over.<br />
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Bacon warmed up like a dragon in heat. I figured she would be a tad tired by now, but I guess not. She was jumping fairly well, but was strong and her haunches were doing a special dance going all directions. I was struggling, as my body began to radiate pain weirdly throughout. Not just my normal joint or muscle pain. I don't even know how to describe it. I just knew it wasn't happy. But it was time for us to go in. I did not ride to the first jump totally forward, which screwed up our distance to the second jump. I buried her at the second fence, causing a rail. That flustered me for a second, body getting heavier and more painful with each stride as I shook it off and tried to get us in balance for the triple bar.<br />
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As we went around the course, I could tell things were getting worse. I remembered to ride forward to the oxer at four and Bacon jumped it well. She jumped cleanly over the vertical that everyone was taking down, which took me by surprise and then caused me to pick a poor line to our first combo and she jumped it awkwardly, but clean. Right at jump seven, my chest squeezed tight, I gasped and my body stung. Bacon hit the rail hard, but it stayed. I don't remember much of the course from here. I just basically steered her towards the rest of the jumps and she did what she was supposed to do. She finished the course off nicely, and we ended with our four jump faults. She calmly walked out of the ring, a totally different horse from warm up as I looked around for help.<br />
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E asked how the course rode as we walked by and I couldn't answer. I was still fighting to catch a real breathe. The lady handing out plaques noticed me struggling. I told her I needed my inhaler. Blake had it, but he was videoing E's round, who was a ride or two after me, and to not disturb him until he was finished. My body tremors started to kick in and apparently that scared her because she ran off to grab the EMTs and I heard them announce for them on the loud speaker. I was horrified. I did not need EMTs. I just needed to rest, catch my breath and my inhaler. But tremors, they don't look friendly, and people don't believe you when you tell them they are normal. They arrived and gathered around me, all the while Bacon is holding completely still, and wanted me to get down. I told them I would like to stay on please, it is worse for me to get down. My body just kind of turns into putty, so, I am more comfortable sitting on my horse. She wasn't going anywhere, she knows the drill. Blake arrived with my inhaler. I drank some water. Everything started to calm down.<br />
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I was pleased to find out that Bacon and I had made it into the ribbons. We were called into the arena with everyone, and I laughed when I found out we were ninth place. Another grey ribbon to add to our collection. Our fifth one (three ninths, two fourths). I was just tickled to have gotten some satin. Bacon was a good sport about not being able to see out of her left eye for her victory gallop too, due to her ribbon. She seemed like an old pro for her victory gallop, which cracks me up.<br />
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Overall, I really loved Aspen. We got lucky with the weather, it only sprinkled a little bit one night. But it is an excellent facility and the vibe was just great. I hope to be back there next year. But this means our season has come to a close. I am very grateful that I was able to go to as many shows as we did. We saw a lot of new places, went to new states and moved up a level. My horse carried me over jumps I never thought I would do in a million years. Challenged me in new ways, both as a rider and in my general horsemanship, and she took care of me more times than I can count. It was a great year with my best girl!<br />
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-74785640769409199352017-09-15T06:00:00.000-07:002017-09-15T06:00:04.336-07:00Aspen Farms Chams: XC Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always and forever hanging on.</td></tr>
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Also known as: day of down. So many jumps. All going down. Aspen, you are a cruel mistress. At least, your training course designer is. I wanted a challenging xc course because A: it is championships and B: I like to see what Bacon and I are capable of. I may be whiny in person when we do the course walk, I may be getting ulcers and not able to sleep the night before, but I secretly like it.<br />
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Your first view from the start box is just this sea of jumps. Beautiful, creative, jumps. Everywhere. But your ass better be paying attention, because you have ONE jump, and it's coming up fairly quickly because being in the champ division, you have a shorter optimum time than the regular division by almost 20 seconds, plus more jump combos and a slightly more difficult course. I was unphased by this hanging log thing. Next was a table, whatevs. I was more distracted by the giant toads in the muddy creek bed that we gallop past on the way there. Three is this giant saw, which friend E says, always rides awkwardly (she was right) to a sharp right hand turn to a giant open-y table to a tree tunnel. Alrighty then.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water drop!</td></tr>
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I started to be phased. The table had a little bit of a drop to the back of it, but not too bad. Next, you gallop through the tree tunnel, out of nowhere comes a jump on the right, and then a left to a small drop leading to your half coffin. A nice easy trakhener, up and down a hill, then up again to a "sushi" jump, and sharp left hander to a <i>stupid</i> water drop. This is where I start to ulcer up. The water is turquoise. It looks weird. I hate drops. But, there was no combo or anything, so that was easier.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You put your right hand in and wiggle it all about.</td></tr>
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Then it was slightly up a hill to jump a roll top down a steep hill and and right turn to jump down this GIANT DROP OF DOOM. This is where I threw a little bit of a fit. The only other show I have down that had a down drop was Camelot and that looked like a baby drop compared to this thing. My friend reminded me of the prelim one I had schooled there, but I still pouted as we moved on. There was a maxed out steeplechase, a nice easy roll top before jumping into the back water with another jump out. A mad dash until you came to another downhill jump, and then a very vertical tall brush jump with a few different line choices to a corner. I chose to go straight, which meant I trust Bacon to not just run out to the right, and Bacon would have to really jump the corner at an angle. Up the hill the pick which side of the "whale tale" you wanted to jump leading you to the epic ship. Which had another damn drop on the back. And lastly, a maxed out table with brush on the back, to make sure you never quit riding.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This makes it looks so small. Lame.</td></tr>
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I walked the course twice, and should have walked it once more. Bacon was dead quiet while I tacked her up, but the second I got on, she knew what was up. Warm up was insane, and we just did our best to keep away from collisions. Unfortunately, there was some miscommunication between the start box crew and the warm up gate and while I was originally told I had two minutes until I had to head over, the lady quickly changed her tune and said "HEAD OVER NOW. PLEASE TROT." So I did, while trying not to run over oblivious children in my way as she screamed at them to move. When I got over to the start box, they were already counting me down from the 30 second mark, so I slapped on the helmet cam and watch and headed on out.<br />
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Everything was going well. Bacon was a little strong and leaving long (her favorite) but feeling happy out there. As usual. We came to the water drop and she took a tiny peek but lept off nicely. I got so excited about that, that I took a sharp left hand turn out of the water instead of guiding her to the right of the pedestrian tape. Of course, I didn't know this until I was facing the intermediate drop combination. "Where the hell is it?" I got a little flustered, then noticed the Kerrits sign plastered on my rolltop jump and drunkenly made my way to the correct spot. I had learned that this combination caused a lot of issues in the spring because people rode it too fast, so I slowed our tempo and guided us to the doom. Guess what. It rode like cake. I like out a WOO! and told Bacon to GO! for our gallop stretch because I knew I had caused us some time up there.<br />
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She gleefully took that challenge. And almost hit a tree while I re-grabbed my rein. I'm glad homegirl trusts me enough but I wish there was enough common sense to not run into trees. We soared over the steeplechase. Easy peazy over the roll top. She was totally game towards the water, then took a hard gawk at it last second and went right in. I got her in super deep to the vertical brush, but she saved us over that and went straight to the corner, never even thinking there was an option to run out. Good mare. Again, I got her in deep to the whale tail, but she sailed over the ship and took a long ass spot to the giant table, kicking her hind legs out to not touch the brush on the way out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't touch it!</td></tr>
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I was so pleased with her. She made it feel easy. I was so worried about it and fretted for nothing. I always do and my husband never knows why. That's her calling. If I ask her, she will go. My getting us lost cost us 2.8 times penalties, but that's all good. Normally after xc, I move up quite a few places, but like I had mentioned, this was a great group of horses and riders. There was only one refusal out of the whole group. Which bummed me out, because Open Training Champs had 11 stops, mostly at the water drop. But that just made me more proud of my awesome mare. Apparently <a href="http://eventingnation.com/wednesday-video-from-kentucky-performance-products-where-the-hell-is-it/">Eventing Nation </a>thought my helmet cam was funny too, and decided to share it, so you can enjoy it there if you would like.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwBmlEHJWTzFeo0WgFv6oB-Lk1mVqNTG4-ZDtEqy-Miby9kQmlzuhcHb4jWbDUDgGhf4tL_rACODBt4A0D8GBJQBXWJxsyuJDvhe0mWvd7XK2T6zimwT1e1g3ehh8aG0b3ua8dJUrB2EI/s1600/VID_20170907_152845581.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwBmlEHJWTzFeo0WgFv6oB-Lk1mVqNTG4-ZDtEqy-Miby9kQmlzuhcHb4jWbDUDgGhf4tL_rACODBt4A0D8GBJQBXWJxsyuJDvhe0mWvd7XK2T6zimwT1e1g3ehh8aG0b3ua8dJUrB2EI/s400/VID_20170907_152845581.mp4" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A better look at this dumb bank.</td></tr>
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The next day was show jumping. Which might be my least favorite/most stressful. I was not looking forward to that, given our last couple of rounds.<br />
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-33208893951346612732017-09-14T06:30:00.000-07:002017-09-14T06:30:05.765-07:00Aspen Farms Area VII Championships: Oh God Here We Go<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTE4NuhyBPQamGmDyRcqYnzEh2nC5wUIvkfP9rPQcujskHR-Ou66g7S1jN_NqlqJW0AsIui80YsDNKPgHG4N_abKgLr2Xu2rBOSRUmh_bMJfrbRbD3tk8TiarwYNVKS_QVGQeAMfMLaBkq/s1600/IMG_20170818_134937632_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTE4NuhyBPQamGmDyRcqYnzEh2nC5wUIvkfP9rPQcujskHR-Ou66g7S1jN_NqlqJW0AsIui80YsDNKPgHG4N_abKgLr2Xu2rBOSRUmh_bMJfrbRbD3tk8TiarwYNVKS_QVGQeAMfMLaBkq/s320/IMG_20170818_134937632_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whoa. Drugs.</td></tr>
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So, somehow Bacon and I qualified for our area championships. And I decided to give it a whirl. I also forgot to mention in my last post that upon arriving home from the last show, Bacon slipped out of the trailer and lept back in, throwing all of herself directly into the path of my thumb. Promptly dislocating it. I was able to back her off the trailer correctly, and get her around to the back of my house and get half of her shipping boots off before I couldn't stand it anymore. I gave it a few sharp wiggles and then there was a giant POP complete with blinding pain, and then I was able to slightly move it again. I thought it would stop hurting by now. That is false.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexcznRXkbrKMp4sGyO5O148a3z0ao2TUXe6qjtxQ5pLYBfImn2ljZuDQTXxMN6ce-KTLbG-PVeuxwRvKX7xwId_6d1U3qfR7gUXm-dQtVWJ1CO2hWQRdI_tUbhgfJ4f8dTPmS6c5m743U/s1600/IMG_20170822_140647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexcznRXkbrKMp4sGyO5O148a3z0ao2TUXe6qjtxQ5pLYBfImn2ljZuDQTXxMN6ce-KTLbG-PVeuxwRvKX7xwId_6d1U3qfR7gUXm-dQtVWJ1CO2hWQRdI_tUbhgfJ4f8dTPmS6c5m743U/s400/IMG_20170822_140647.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butt pokings.</td></tr>
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Anyways, yes. I signed up for the Training Rider division because why not. I did, however, want a vet to come out beforehand and check out Bacon's SI joint and see if it needed some tender loving care. I was correct. Poor mare was sedated and was still trying to kick out while they were <i>scrubbing</i> the area. I'm sorry Bacy. Not only did she receive a giant needle stabbing to the butt, but she got some extra juice in her coffin joints as well. And lots of rest. Plus all of the smoke and heat did not want us doing too much anyways.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGUis5XjvzV4YyanS0_dp7zZPgn-iqImnhIKo1idspxjyJzlMeIpFPU3ATA1hPDps9CLfsWLvg1YgV8eEUHwHu8YwYuMs3998eTytf9ovknlIwPLxrCAn2xpgjvTZxnQ5YgXeC2xtd8aE/s1600/sep81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGUis5XjvzV4YyanS0_dp7zZPgn-iqImnhIKo1idspxjyJzlMeIpFPU3ATA1hPDps9CLfsWLvg1YgV8eEUHwHu8YwYuMs3998eTytf9ovknlIwPLxrCAn2xpgjvTZxnQ5YgXeC2xtd8aE/s400/sep81.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love her in this picture.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2SyCo-B-Z-kxsBGaXMqIIOXAy6qRQ3haQCFA7cxjsFzV2Rby29rwODX9gFdt9Aih5M37iGfILGhsb4aXz-1IkFvr4FYYzwkQLbQwvmmJghTNJ5fvXI_XgcBtRckypP0JVOPGQba_ZxOM/s1600/sep85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2SyCo-B-Z-kxsBGaXMqIIOXAy6qRQ3haQCFA7cxjsFzV2Rby29rwODX9gFdt9Aih5M37iGfILGhsb4aXz-1IkFvr4FYYzwkQLbQwvmmJghTNJ5fvXI_XgcBtRckypP0JVOPGQba_ZxOM/s400/sep85.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Please save me"</td></tr>
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Us girls loaded up early Wednesday morning and we headed out on funky routes to Aspen to avoid the fires and road closures. It was a smoke fest all the way up there though, with Cle Elum being our gas stop and them also being in a level one evacuation. It sucked. We were happy to pull in to Aspen finally, and I was super excited because I have always wanted to compete there. It looked awesome. They have the barns spaced out in groups and everything is kind of placed just far enough away from each other that even though it is a large event, it doesn't feel too busy or chaotic. I thought Bacon might like the quietness of our barn area, especially because we were the first ones there, but she was fired up. She never settled in quite like she did at Rebecca or Stanton. Which gave me ulcers. But it is what it is. After we set up camp, we went into town for some Mexican foods and then went to bed. I hate a dream where Bacon died, and then never really went back to sleep, and then thought my friend E kept trying to hog the bed, so I kept moving away from her touch. Only to find that it was the chihuahua seeking warmth. Sorry tiny dog.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbCx76IHbyVyfk_5IP0tkVsxH4cXkgB3jyId3UIubbg2a2vTENCafCX8g2U9_oi_74ixPV84SJof_M-4O7keGcXi37SIoKKBy5EHtMyBIcBKOrfGexDTo2OVA0uxhT0DblhY_0wwCriWq/s1600/sep87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbCx76IHbyVyfk_5IP0tkVsxH4cXkgB3jyId3UIubbg2a2vTENCafCX8g2U9_oi_74ixPV84SJof_M-4O7keGcXi37SIoKKBy5EHtMyBIcBKOrfGexDTo2OVA0uxhT0DblhY_0wwCriWq/s400/sep87.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it down centerline. That's good.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyW1UDRz36LOBL9vsNzHam_YYUCew9k3qLcPlUTUvKMZ9CDHzaBEXgsuP3nQsgBH7hHQ-1fU2LUmQ583muUftm_9AqO_uSTJKnzSxjHowOTvxodvZNLfievlL3UCZSuzKUq7o6k-RcgI3/s1600/sep810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyW1UDRz36LOBL9vsNzHam_YYUCew9k3qLcPlUTUvKMZ9CDHzaBEXgsuP3nQsgBH7hHQ-1fU2LUmQ583muUftm_9AqO_uSTJKnzSxjHowOTvxodvZNLfievlL3UCZSuzKUq7o6k-RcgI3/s400/sep810.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We went off for breakfast that morning before coming back and riding the ponies. Bacon started off alright, even giving me a little stretchy trot, before I could feel the tension taking over and her brain checking out. She was getting heavier and heavier, with more and more head shaking and crookedness, and when I tried cantering she though about bolting instead. I got off and headed towards the lunging arena to save my energy a little bit. She behaved herself well in there and I was pleased with that. I thought I would take her back out later that day and try to ride her again to end on a more positive note.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3VEtzuUg3cOLPqBagynuryrt1t2EOOL99k6Nl7Daq3mZ8KK8KzhcOSpFvqzIhQhrrGNyTMhDZfDxr0bPGRtiahCHqgt-D-8Z59tc1Hqqpg-lAZfed-36ja4pV6_zHfdlpAbizJvebA3j/s1600/sep814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3VEtzuUg3cOLPqBagynuryrt1t2EOOL99k6Nl7Daq3mZ8KK8KzhcOSpFvqzIhQhrrGNyTMhDZfDxr0bPGRtiahCHqgt-D-8Z59tc1Hqqpg-lAZfed-36ja4pV6_zHfdlpAbizJvebA3j/s400/sep814.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still downhill because butt still recovering.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoguuEHtxMc0zfhjVzA950JvBL8B6281M87t-3n3zHMX-Tv7Uwry5BEpdam4oAwKUKK7WN3Fg7bMmJTEOn9puvMQ2EWX1TXDNkS2ImXzRO_es801TxGLAed4FWgBLk-fD1wrfFvEFZHLjZ/s1600/sep815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoguuEHtxMc0zfhjVzA950JvBL8B6281M87t-3n3zHMX-Tv7Uwry5BEpdam4oAwKUKK7WN3Fg7bMmJTEOn9puvMQ2EWX1TXDNkS2ImXzRO_es801TxGLAed4FWgBLk-fD1wrfFvEFZHLjZ/s400/sep815.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free walk ears.</td></tr>
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Well. That was wishful thinking. She came out way worse. She was even more tense and more strong and I could half halt a trillion times over and she wouldn't do a damn thing about it, but if I strongly half halted she would get extremely offended and come unglued. I was at a loss. I just kept trying to ride softly and bend her and ask for lateral movements, and she went around like she was pissed off and drunk. There were even more horses in the arena now and I was doing my best to stay out of the way. I saw that the smaller arena became available, so I went over there, but unfortunately, others followed. Others watched and whispered and pointed as I rode passed and I did my best to keep my head up and just keep on trying. All I knew was that I did not feel like I belonged that, and that I certainly didn't feel like a champion. I was exhausted and defeated and threw in the towel, wanting to walk back home to Idaho, and terrified to embarrass myself the next day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2a4WI_ZLzvTARcRUf_cSsIkB9NZDk-W8WbrgXklf_uDr3TuoMUz9RPq8BGyqFZBgwXM9_tRi8JWDoCaVZ_Ro_d0wSqnutaoj9E7XJr1bFCJvyury3RK80T7hj8pKMhdhty5qJxxaZtttF/s1600/sep816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2a4WI_ZLzvTARcRUf_cSsIkB9NZDk-W8WbrgXklf_uDr3TuoMUz9RPq8BGyqFZBgwXM9_tRi8JWDoCaVZ_Ro_d0wSqnutaoj9E7XJr1bFCJvyury3RK80T7hj8pKMhdhty5qJxxaZtttF/s400/sep816.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently this free walk deserved a 6. Friend's horse had no stretch and less overstep, it received a 7. I know it's not perfect, but how about a 6.5.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY5zt6ZFtFilFkgaVFQQGgCTbSw_4d5PuLtEgZNDbYO1zKfLqg55b-NxkNTLd9cyvmWY-ZDa0nfTqYdRX_B2JaPvJ2qXn1l_LRVGJWItfi0R3HGlkUU5gecPMC40stka9qneESKqksYF-/s1600/sep817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY5zt6ZFtFilFkgaVFQQGgCTbSw_4d5PuLtEgZNDbYO1zKfLqg55b-NxkNTLd9cyvmWY-ZDa0nfTqYdRX_B2JaPvJ2qXn1l_LRVGJWItfi0R3HGlkUU5gecPMC40stka9qneESKqksYF-/s400/sep817.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope. Not done yet. Sorry.</td></tr>
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Later that night the boys arrived and told Blake of my sorrows. We planned to give Bacon a light lunge in the morning and then maybe once more right before I got on because that seemed to help her brain the most. I did not sleep a lick that night. That morning, I got up and took her for a long walk first thing. That really settled her down. She lunged quite well and seemed happy to go to work. I put her away and hoped for the best. After tacking up, I lunged her for another 10 minutes before getting on. She was very quiet and almost lazy, but still not really wanting to do her downward transitions all the way going to the right. I just rolled with it and got on. She happily hacked over to the warm up ring, which was very busy. I was almost frozen on her when we got in there because I didn't want to awaken the beast. We walked on a long loose rein and she was very quiet. I sighed and picked up the reins, asked for trot. Quiet. Changed directions, bending, lateral work, all quiet. Canter work, quiet. I quit there. I probably should have asked for trot lengthenings or stretchy trot, but I just couldn't. It was then time to go in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbvRakoDk0MmT4dUAvjwSEvn4us7mYAq8xhPM-qRpgBOous_9JOviR5wpXfi-VDjZsCDdagj0A305eX3bbO7IoT29GruJE0PiXnuyVWkTFtC_tPKq-tGNDt_1-iJThxkQ2ShFETcaxCVo/s1600/sep820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbvRakoDk0MmT4dUAvjwSEvn4us7mYAq8xhPM-qRpgBOous_9JOviR5wpXfi-VDjZsCDdagj0A305eX3bbO7IoT29GruJE0PiXnuyVWkTFtC_tPKq-tGNDt_1-iJThxkQ2ShFETcaxCVo/s400/sep820.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfr5agHzeWutsot2GzzZNvrqm_hyphenhyphenrkRGQP8GmG4s9aIwGzFwkh_tNt6ycBmv5RL_HQbkXG8uv0WHy_1KNKJ0OyJM2-A-SLoVz-73Rj4xz-0YV3zKz6mcKAEuXavhE_lDJCQ9iALZ5QewH/s1600/sep823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1207" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfr5agHzeWutsot2GzzZNvrqm_hyphenhyphenrkRGQP8GmG4s9aIwGzFwkh_tNt6ycBmv5RL_HQbkXG8uv0WHy_1KNKJ0OyJM2-A-SLoVz-73Rj4xz-0YV3zKz6mcKAEuXavhE_lDJCQ9iALZ5QewH/s400/sep823.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 5.5 lengthening :( Yes. I will pout.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH2lK9xLjBWJIE0d-lOtb-kqvpuT6Frwr9ivHWqiizcL_glLZZM3-ys5vdKZiqPi92Hm_7O1uxddzluKd2xTAI_Y4-FyW1epREoryrRO5n6rUPNTYiG5iMkOGGQm6xyvUYE2jYHu7v_yE/s400/sep824.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did it!</td></tr>
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She immediately woke up a little bit upon entering that ring. I am sure some of that was me. I just tried to stay quiet. I rode a very conservative test, and didn't push for anything. It is very obvious, which is not very champion-like, but better than explosive in my opinion. She got a little stiff and bracey and opinionated in there, and always <i>always </i>takes advantage of the stretchy trot circle as an opportunity to trot as fast as she wants on the forehand with no stretch whatsoever. So that sucked. But, overall, better than my last two dressage tests and way better than I thought it was going to end up according to the previous day's ride. So I was smiling when I came out of the ring, even though I knew we would be in last place most likely again. I did not look at my score that day, but E did, and she was also competing in my division on her thoroughbred. And it seemed like there was quite a bit of inconsistency with this judge's scoring, and a general dislike for thoroughbreds overall, so that was a little disappointing. But, that is the way the game is played sometimes. She did like our turnout, however. We ended up with a score of 42.1.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcshvS_PODf1eodntFa3qlpax6qeXQUvjFQg-mbz-CzoCAw_bFxF-zhwGvdonHXH9ArxvM4lhkHLPkwEwlWjFfh-J4dRMd6PNvCfn64jBX5mtsghyphenhyphenlIW7g5eNhldV0dIgSXFuRC4cdhLC/s1600/sep825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1106" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcshvS_PODf1eodntFa3qlpax6qeXQUvjFQg-mbz-CzoCAw_bFxF-zhwGvdonHXH9ArxvM4lhkHLPkwEwlWjFfh-J4dRMd6PNvCfn64jBX5mtsghyphenhyphenlIW7g5eNhldV0dIgSXFuRC4cdhLC/s400/sep825.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling better about it all.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqYPqAIrdICmY1IpwEmFnw23Ny5mD8Ljai7ouC8eJicwnZud6kGfduGXQGshQJFbICtMW09C5LZAPRhg_n8grd8dAtm789nhyphenhyphen7CygKAtU70eHcZkTQy0Njw9pS-iarqswSIzAUXS5XxA0/s1600/sep826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqYPqAIrdICmY1IpwEmFnw23Ny5mD8Ljai7ouC8eJicwnZud6kGfduGXQGshQJFbICtMW09C5LZAPRhg_n8grd8dAtm789nhyphenhyphen7CygKAtU70eHcZkTQy0Njw9pS-iarqswSIzAUXS5XxA0/s400/sep826.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's get out of here, girl.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-3954892945838413932017-09-13T12:56:00.000-07:002017-09-13T12:56:13.793-07:00I'm No Good at Updates! Stanton Completion<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwiMhq-gjFU2YQekSSKzI1TUcyGBN3awuJ1C-ytYpJW2-IgHEr0jVNZE9BNBhJn_MucjC_khYgGjBuBSABN794C8qkWiwod8PglzxpjFIsKT5_MzgyZ1aO-jyZpyhWDBxaBJfvBoR99kz/s1600/aug1251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwiMhq-gjFU2YQekSSKzI1TUcyGBN3awuJ1C-ytYpJW2-IgHEr0jVNZE9BNBhJn_MucjC_khYgGjBuBSABN794C8qkWiwod8PglzxpjFIsKT5_MzgyZ1aO-jyZpyhWDBxaBJfvBoR99kz/s400/aug1251.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jump number 1!</td></tr>
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I'm sorry. I got stuck in the mental sinkhole and couldn't pull it together to even write a blog. You would think it would be simple enough to just write a show wrap up. But even that takes too much out of me sometimes. I apologize.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHsGiVBqAxybs65VgX_uBMbtLknqMv634UJ7lR5evmWAQoTftgeDvAb05MsOzG0NU2MDOMnQHc9l1VqBb120c1RQky0WmL0O0Ue9LBlJM9-tATCYMBd6jPp1d2oeo9g1AibrOaHW0EZxj/s1600/aug1255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHsGiVBqAxybs65VgX_uBMbtLknqMv634UJ7lR5evmWAQoTftgeDvAb05MsOzG0NU2MDOMnQHc9l1VqBb120c1RQky0WmL0O0Ue9LBlJM9-tATCYMBd6jPp1d2oeo9g1AibrOaHW0EZxj/s400/aug1255.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being strong.</td></tr>
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We last left off with a very poor dressage round. One that I knew had left us in last place, a place we were particularly familiar with by this point. I didn't even bother to look at the score, as I usually don't anyways until after cross country. It wasn't long before I needed to tack up for xc, so we switched gears and made the changes. Bacon didn't seem too confused and was ready to head out to her favorite event. Except the vet was late by 30 minutes, so that put us behind schedule. Finally, we got on, and then a prelim rider went down hard and that put a hold on course for about 30 minutes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWQD_e5xocOh67nOoP9NaP0bpJevG19UgOuYp7xHmWB9j4FkNcoJQ3-GBJa1e66O984SJfSlmuBu6xDu3R7k1tSbrwcwaIHXumFL4RZCTplwUH4ck4jGEnlMyW1A2yntXduc0hDVgpAln/s1600/aug1257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWQD_e5xocOh67nOoP9NaP0bpJevG19UgOuYp7xHmWB9j4FkNcoJQ3-GBJa1e66O984SJfSlmuBu6xDu3R7k1tSbrwcwaIHXumFL4RZCTplwUH4ck4jGEnlMyW1A2yntXduc0hDVgpAln/s400/aug1257.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coffin.</td></tr>
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It was our turn to go out of the start box and someone felt a tad bit distracted. As we were headed towards our sizable first jump, a horse was going over the last and Bacon thought that looked very interesting. I was finally able to grab her attention and she jumped it fine. Turd. I kicked on and we started to cruise. I had a feeling she might take a peek at the ditches because they put tan gravel in them and I was right. Halfway through our coffin combo she gawked hard at our ditched and continued to do so up and over it. Much of the course is full of terrain, which I quite like, and tables, which were fine. I did not have her drilled and tapped for studs though, and the long dry grass made areas quite slick so I tried to keep her balanced and not too fast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37xTQ0T4SrM3zE4K_1YRodrp2Nq_RnoBz7PudFsgjviDWZ92s-ZVqgynhpBc9fbr5hmvLkCLrtdn7SuDhqXPlXR24KIuqwTeMXogkbZSMYnVHPoSoODKKN4pYuG5jmp3KTyJ6v-uVYhss/s1600/aug1263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37xTQ0T4SrM3zE4K_1YRodrp2Nq_RnoBz7PudFsgjviDWZ92s-ZVqgynhpBc9fbr5hmvLkCLrtdn7SuDhqXPlXR24KIuqwTeMXogkbZSMYnVHPoSoODKKN4pYuG5jmp3KTyJ6v-uVYhss/s400/aug1263.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh geez</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjbeUS6l6F9w_N6QaEWx_GbgtSN0HK66ti6L-kb71fxbOz2iLwYdpSzKL2GwO-we-3-pv_eoio1KScGl9K0t9uRrs7uI4HoLmYWYf0hFVqE7sJPPdpQxcpmuMNpyfj8fXDUOQpDZmHyNj/s1600/aug1264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjbeUS6l6F9w_N6QaEWx_GbgtSN0HK66ti6L-kb71fxbOz2iLwYdpSzKL2GwO-we-3-pv_eoio1KScGl9K0t9uRrs7uI4HoLmYWYf0hFVqE7sJPPdpQxcpmuMNpyfj8fXDUOQpDZmHyNj/s400/aug1264.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We usually like up banks</td></tr>
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Again, the trakhener's ditch was filled with tan gravel and I had a feeling she might take a peak. Once more she was distracted by another horse on course, and then down the hill we went to the trakhener. All felt normal until the last second when she realized it was a funky color down there, took a hard gander, then hucked herself over it. I was not impressed. But we pressed on. The rest of the jumps were easy, though she slipped coming down the hill towards the combo I was worried about. A double down bank into the water with an upbank out. Again, she saw another horse, then realized there was a bank in front of her. The water is very very dark here and she took a good hard look at it, creeping to the right at the second bank before awkwardly launching off into the black hole. I transformed into a turtle, because somehow that makes me stay on, as she rocketed out of it for the extra long spot on the way out. It felt wonderful, let me tell you. True beauty. Old man George Morris would have given me a gold star.<br />
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The rest of the course was smooth sailing. Thank god. I think I ended up with some time maybe. I do not remember. I would not have wanted to push her any faster than we went because of how slippery it was without studs, so I am perfectly ok with that. But normally I come off of xc feeling great, and that one had me feeling funky. But I was not the only one. The water proved to be exceptionally tough for almost every horse out there, and there were a great number of stops, even for horses who have never had a stop. So that made me feel a little better.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRjKiPkhMhBMA0Z7o1rvGRZJ-1HmDO4OeyZf-Uso2B2hPvOZjIS_tBhy57aJLvWbN_061XTnAFsS82Bx6yy0Npv6H9RIV4qW-_WOVz99RhYbN4ljDoR3DX8qOQiovkxOtBiQ1DmCg4Vb0/s1600/aug1282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRjKiPkhMhBMA0Z7o1rvGRZJ-1HmDO4OeyZf-Uso2B2hPvOZjIS_tBhy57aJLvWbN_061XTnAFsS82Bx6yy0Npv6H9RIV4qW-_WOVz99RhYbN4ljDoR3DX8qOQiovkxOtBiQ1DmCg4Vb0/s400/aug1282.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh look, a normal jump</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUtTrmJjkQjAeR5bwIZ68k15OSTqM-AnuSLTaHko_urRC7rCyVWf5vcrpkeDtbV27TQkovN80NBCaSTdr2OuZV6d8aXcMHcwHkSeDRI6niEgaVon5jWCASCdTm3FYYtiWgUNl6dUmL27Z/s1600/aug1266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUtTrmJjkQjAeR5bwIZ68k15OSTqM-AnuSLTaHko_urRC7rCyVWf5vcrpkeDtbV27TQkovN80NBCaSTdr2OuZV6d8aXcMHcwHkSeDRI6niEgaVon5jWCASCdTm3FYYtiWgUNl6dUmL27Z/s400/aug1266.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She just has fun.</td></tr>
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Stadium was later that afternoon. It took them a very long time to set it up, so we only had a brief moment to walk it before we had to be on and ride the thing. I knew it would be a little troubling for us, and it was. I was having difficulty riding Bacon straight and seeing any sort of a distance. She would throw her ass around, be totally distracted by who knows what, and I would not do her any justice. We had two rails, and we were lucky we didn't have more. Thanks to the carnage in xc, we managed to move up to fourth place. But this wasn't a show that left me feeling super great.<br />
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-9315718715891516282017-08-17T06:30:00.000-07:002017-08-17T06:30:10.615-07:00Smoke and Stanton<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQDpEkR4lBnG5aRr6mYfA2W3AAcLXsjey4mDZUkEUdgqJjd90YPUuXB0_qO9Ajk46uyUEPFcxhQNSSYkl4-Rdbe0alhYTryb640wfQOgvgoiKBTJo5b70m8VX9kPFqcnWMrh0VdKvnIt4/s1600/IMG_20170801_091414026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQDpEkR4lBnG5aRr6mYfA2W3AAcLXsjey4mDZUkEUdgqJjd90YPUuXB0_qO9Ajk46uyUEPFcxhQNSSYkl4-Rdbe0alhYTryb640wfQOgvgoiKBTJo5b70m8VX9kPFqcnWMrh0VdKvnIt4/s400/IMG_20170801_091414026.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short flap= funny looking pads.</td></tr>
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With all the state around us (and us as well) on fire, it has been basically like living in chimney around here. Upon returning from Montana, I had a migraine everyday for two weeks. It was miserable. That, combined with 100+ degree weather, made for very short ride/work periods. Between trying out a new dressage saddle (details to follow) and AniMed Histall, Bacon was feeling pretty great though. Soft and relaxed and quiet, even jumping bareback over 3'6" with her schooling dressage bridle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcORMZrwlUGhewGZiv1T7w5LIN1axPIMHtE-uSABs5GtPO9l0btcexPOBnbsR3EeNTocbR8oZp_p3UK05Qa2NsuWwCAoisJ9CPXMDYpcUk6r55MsSF2MZ0qAw2iwQcpie_mV7S_pEuOnJB/s1600/IMG_20170801_225242680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcORMZrwlUGhewGZiv1T7w5LIN1axPIMHtE-uSABs5GtPO9l0btcexPOBnbsR3EeNTocbR8oZp_p3UK05Qa2NsuWwCAoisJ9CPXMDYpcUk6r55MsSF2MZ0qAw2iwQcpie_mV7S_pEuOnJB/s400/IMG_20170801_225242680.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right where the rein goes. Oof.</td></tr>
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We made the drive up on Thursday. It was still smokey and hot as balls, but everyone traveled well and Bacon quite enjoyed her stall. It is a struggle to keep her relaxed in all parts of life, but she seemed very content. After a while, we saddled up and hopped on. Here is where I should probably tell you a different story. I recently cancelled my health insurance to be put on my husband's work insurance plan. When I went to pick up my prescriptions, I realized I was never given a new card, so I had to leave them there. I asked hubs if he ever got a card, and puzzled, he said no. After further investigation, his company decided that he had declined insurance. Even though he selected a plan for us both, including dental and vision, and the amount to be withdrawn out of his check. This left Blake pissed, because they couldn't "do anything about it" until January. So, this trip has been sans drugs. Which was not good...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOlbhraxq4tGIsOFV9khBp7L9Y1H9Ztb8UgMISOSnJcYbP7lFLoQ2GLKi8VCLRycUo4_ESdJFafArCpx8CLRSGoHFkEQfVMxHUd1X44Bf2PYXd9GVNrPCA7GpDF527mWsF6YucooqDEY_/s1600/IMG_20170811_072941226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOlbhraxq4tGIsOFV9khBp7L9Y1H9Ztb8UgMISOSnJcYbP7lFLoQ2GLKi8VCLRycUo4_ESdJFafArCpx8CLRSGoHFkEQfVMxHUd1X44Bf2PYXd9GVNrPCA7GpDF527mWsF6YucooqDEY_/s400/IMG_20170811_072941226.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass on the right, alfalfa on the left, happiness in the middle.</td></tr>
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We started out having a nice easy hack through the woods, but that plan was cut short when we ran out of trails and started ending up on property with no trespassing signs. Eventually, we ended up back at the warm up ring. Since this show was Training A, I wanted to give it a whirl because Bacon and I had never run through it before. Bacon was exactly being cooperative, which made riding for me more difficult. I kept getting bad side cramps and having to stop and try to relax. The finger that she had ripped the skin off of was burning under my glove, because even though it was healing, it kept cracking back open. I made another attempt at the last canter and stopped when I felt a sharp pop by my ribs. It was stinging and making it hard to breathe, and I don't know what caused the tremors to come out, but they came full force. I laid my head on Bacon's neck and tried to breathe through it all, with E coming over to check on me. She works in hospice, and noted that I looked like an end stage Parkinson's patient. It was the worst feeling. Once I was a little more stable, we headed back to the barns.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6la0OSwSnkQNxRHxlcsWODwxNNczDMfDKzXANHCZqDLaOkT6IkKCAbKTUj0bulQGfQeGIIvsJCvFYHaQWG1nkbHfXA_SnIsjBz7wruFTpd8b5Ohv10Cz7aykMa4m0iwJ-qr85lK58mbYe/s1600/aug128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6la0OSwSnkQNxRHxlcsWODwxNNczDMfDKzXANHCZqDLaOkT6IkKCAbKTUj0bulQGfQeGIIvsJCvFYHaQWG1nkbHfXA_SnIsjBz7wruFTpd8b5Ohv10Cz7aykMa4m0iwJ-qr85lK58mbYe/s400/aug128.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have determined by this point that this is not going to go well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SFIgWE0Y2ZH9Ym8shrxDkkckW3LSs-y9gbL_CpAaUkZ_b4oDOMLuhpKZsLpkkOcAGHS5b0-leBxniPO1XWAnG8bKbMJ-hdRj0v0iUPeGQ8QHHGUgF0FF4qc4htd0pKu3Ud4GnBZTfEOo/s1600/aug129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SFIgWE0Y2ZH9Ym8shrxDkkckW3LSs-y9gbL_CpAaUkZ_b4oDOMLuhpKZsLpkkOcAGHS5b0-leBxniPO1XWAnG8bKbMJ-hdRj0v0iUPeGQ8QHHGUgF0FF4qc4htd0pKu3Ud4GnBZTfEOo/s400/aug129.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least we have good outfits?</td></tr>
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Blake was concerned with me competing after that episode, but I am a stubborn turd. I don't know if it was the heat, smoke, no meds, or combo, but it didn't leave me feeling great. Especially with this show being a one day. I slept hard but woke up early on Friday. Bacon was calm and happy. I took her out for another prep to see if the same thing was going to happen. It was slightly cooler, and Bacon was feeling a little more generous. We worked through the test again, as well as stretchy trot and our lengthenings. And those damn transitions. I was able to ride without dying, so we were good to go for Saturday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWS1Ryv2JkDx6tCrzB30bFqUW4TPnQMq7gaLuDW3evqa4ajFSHzVNRPBT0tTwxgM_Z-FjYCjf6juaPSyrloCQrX7RyCzX4abROG3oxf0vFyrF6w8L7PC7N4HxOIEBuYi9XA0WscHPyJAN/s1600/aug1211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWS1Ryv2JkDx6tCrzB30bFqUW4TPnQMq7gaLuDW3evqa4ajFSHzVNRPBT0tTwxgM_Z-FjYCjf6juaPSyrloCQrX7RyCzX4abROG3oxf0vFyrF6w8L7PC7N4HxOIEBuYi9XA0WscHPyJAN/s400/aug1211.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pleeeaaase cooperate.</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5JElfgL_dqXb3jK2m2clLJRwzjhnmayBDM52DtQhRGeFdEyMkqIJEQVrcDBIVrhEG_m4-2brAVPayM4K5hnC3isrsCxDzqMt-8Z_H-V3DFo8Zj0G4Rkjn7ot9u-0Q85PaoZkVWgN04FC/s1600/aug1213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5JElfgL_dqXb3jK2m2clLJRwzjhnmayBDM52DtQhRGeFdEyMkqIJEQVrcDBIVrhEG_m4-2brAVPayM4K5hnC3isrsCxDzqMt-8Z_H-V3DFo8Zj0G4Rkjn7ot9u-0Q85PaoZkVWgN04FC/s400/aug1213.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lengthening. At least she didn't break to the canter and increased her step.</td></tr>
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Come Saturday morning, I got Bacon braided all up and headed out for our test. Warm up went really really well. I was so pleased with how soft and quiet she was, happily trotting around stretching on a loose rein and listening to my seat and legs. Even when we kept getting cut off by a crazy appaloosa lady. Like, almost T-bone collisions because she was all over the place. Oi. Soon, it was our turn to head down the trail to the show rings. Bacon was chilled waiting for our turn, and we headed in. Unfortunately, the second I entered the ring, all hope was lost. That calm and relaxed pony I had vanished, and I was sitting on an excited pogo stick who was constantly on edge for a canter transition. She forgot what straightness was, or that there was a person on her. The only time she remembered I was there was when I would half halt and ask for anything, and she would decline. NO, I don't want to bend. NO, I don't want to soften or slow down. NOOOOO NOT LISTENING.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8b0hKsLOMg6btfk-rcS91tRwG4cXt03FAtRHJUOx3ewbKmxXLDrvJg9gC88gwr8xMIRJ5RqgO8pyOvZEPr9y3GAhVrFlBkR2g1aP36uc270jB9R6Cj-Vp2k60w4ZQ-zNJlHS-lijxdGYS/s1600/aug1217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8b0hKsLOMg6btfk-rcS91tRwG4cXt03FAtRHJUOx3ewbKmxXLDrvJg9gC88gwr8xMIRJ5RqgO8pyOvZEPr9y3GAhVrFlBkR2g1aP36uc270jB9R6Cj-Vp2k60w4ZQ-zNJlHS-lijxdGYS/s400/aug1217.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh boy</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDp6MPLJZJdbAO3UwGhy1MfLXUV4g0RmM8lKWPBK8amO6EpFKwLfZtTUF5wJ9qWNL963a0zVk9AqCo737-bbTBmY3aKfZMAq6gN_zlT9rCHPOlleuFE1ldFSPOk58mnakNt8cUcgij-cA/s1600/aug1226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDp6MPLJZJdbAO3UwGhy1MfLXUV4g0RmM8lKWPBK8amO6EpFKwLfZtTUF5wJ9qWNL963a0zVk9AqCo737-bbTBmY3aKfZMAq6gN_zlT9rCHPOlleuFE1ldFSPOk58mnakNt8cUcgij-cA/s400/aug1226.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My big bay turkey</td></tr>
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I am not sure if she has learned that I can't really get after her in there, or if I am giving off some nervous vibe (probably). But I swear I was confident and excited to go in there after that lovely warm up, only to be frustrated with the tension I had to battle. I came out of the ring, flustered, with more side cramps, and knowing we would be at the bottom of the pack. We were a decent last place with a 42.6. I know I can get a nice test in there, it happened at Camelot, I just don't know how to replicate it. Back to the drawing board.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKDPmKkaYpkR53OYVreqwdEk9eTy-E56tJ00aYMa7g5nJkhfYCBlZ7_RsgppbqfUKdItZPARf0A_jzjsAg8kRoF3JgCuwOLFYheQKhvIYX2Q0VSHkRJfMb3wf86rpTScV9Bm_DAbLdHlh/s1600/aug1227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKDPmKkaYpkR53OYVreqwdEk9eTy-E56tJ00aYMa7g5nJkhfYCBlZ7_RsgppbqfUKdItZPARf0A_jzjsAg8kRoF3JgCuwOLFYheQKhvIYX2Q0VSHkRJfMb3wf86rpTScV9Bm_DAbLdHlh/s400/aug1227.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tight neck. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I42_5REFVYXTf-tFRi0cQQdMIOM02h-GTEdlTXMjZ-bCt2mud-ahRSmjWUA66nAw70vQXs0fFWAdDkbwZZcwttnP4mQ8erRVMy8K3QxMkqpT_KpI0s8W5Xz3CF6cZeLSjG3YK2GboKJ4/s1600/aug1230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I42_5REFVYXTf-tFRi0cQQdMIOM02h-GTEdlTXMjZ-bCt2mud-ahRSmjWUA66nAw70vQXs0fFWAdDkbwZZcwttnP4mQ8erRVMy8K3QxMkqpT_KpI0s8W5Xz3CF6cZeLSjG3YK2GboKJ4/s400/aug1230.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh hey, looks like I am about to fall off the side. That's good.</td></tr>
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Also, a side note. If everyone could send positive thoughts to my mom, that would be very appreciated. She will most likely be going into hospice care, and I am just broken. Thank you very much.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEwDJKIVGptGSaePGQIbWIKcoEqDVwY00p9HezcsrkVviGtnHKEs75bVmY8L7jc5wPgcaUg5HjcqVZ6wK5CjrP2e0N2jZ5_6hILCIfjWhQLpC-6av9iYFf-EkJFw6Do3uzU3mc_u4KRnf/s1600/m121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEwDJKIVGptGSaePGQIbWIKcoEqDVwY00p9HezcsrkVviGtnHKEs75bVmY8L7jc5wPgcaUg5HjcqVZ6wK5CjrP2e0N2jZ5_6hILCIfjWhQLpC-6av9iYFf-EkJFw6Do3uzU3mc_u4KRnf/s400/m121.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNAHHSZTxAibvwOnbRiKhjWfS7cHVaSvfCQvsB1kZFd9pDzYlOvkKPPumjB0BM7ECzZpkyh_iY6H8LPY787GxJJcGoQ_BulveVVJdGIcmHu0y51QSEk376juoiNUzDZVj-Voi4M8DbN2x/s1600/m40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNAHHSZTxAibvwOnbRiKhjWfS7cHVaSvfCQvsB1kZFd9pDzYlOvkKPPumjB0BM7ECzZpkyh_iY6H8LPY787GxJJcGoQ_BulveVVJdGIcmHu0y51QSEk376juoiNUzDZVj-Voi4M8DbN2x/s400/m40.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-10647857773417803112017-08-16T06:30:00.000-07:002017-08-16T06:30:08.234-07:00Rebecca Farm: Stadium Round<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0OnIcCdejaCA0DlFMAmCrDSLlQhgMNDO0etZcsuOBqBS_3Olwm-40vqZeYcU1ihlBxE4julGRwQvvYQ4rui8dDJk31_pqSrAwksRQ7JvabH5wjCvtMLWhpQHI5dVfuW4oQAjF529172q/s1600/sj3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="991" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0OnIcCdejaCA0DlFMAmCrDSLlQhgMNDO0etZcsuOBqBS_3Olwm-40vqZeYcU1ihlBxE4julGRwQvvYQ4rui8dDJk31_pqSrAwksRQ7JvabH5wjCvtMLWhpQHI5dVfuW4oQAjF529172q/s400/sj3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooooo cutting it close there, lady</td></tr>
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Yes, you may have seen that I attended ANOTHER recognized event this past weekend, and I haven't even finished telling you about the last one. I'm too slow. I apologize. So let's dive into our last competition day at Rebecca. Stadium day (AKA ahhhhh). Fricken colored sticks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLrIhQOvCJ1WPRkjbopzEiAWJ04YnqITasWD-hsb5Cr01WSIEinqQQm2dW7yeQYflnmxtoJrIi8k0SKcXtDzgFqCMY-ByNm2Ax79uq69HrLaODK5-qBVM-i6kjMcPtQXAN-H9Rr93FUS2/s1600/sj2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="825" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLrIhQOvCJ1WPRkjbopzEiAWJ04YnqITasWD-hsb5Cr01WSIEinqQQm2dW7yeQYflnmxtoJrIi8k0SKcXtDzgFqCMY-ByNm2Ax79uq69HrLaODK5-qBVM-i6kjMcPtQXAN-H9Rr93FUS2/s400/sj2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, there goes a rail</td></tr>
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Bacon was pretty peaceful in her stall and I unwrapped her to see what present I would have. Her knee looked good as new, with no swelling, heat or anything to be seen. I took her out for a long walk and had hubs jog her for me. She was bouncing and sassy, totally sound and ready to go. I still held my breath, wondering what to do. I had planned to take her out to warm up and see how she felt and go from there. Perhaps I should have pulled her, looking back, but you aren't living if you aren't making mistakes and learning from them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4Ua6EOs5I1qsegVDbeDaD3pR29GpXdWd4cZe3ix_91GreJoa2RpgWcFENxGdQweSaYgWqF7t__LkNTbo8IX70o_zJY-57LC15jjoTt3BVVEjadmYO2ZsPKUXu6S7LXbADdku1KeM0m5X/s1600/sj4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="834" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4Ua6EOs5I1qsegVDbeDaD3pR29GpXdWd4cZe3ix_91GreJoa2RpgWcFENxGdQweSaYgWqF7t__LkNTbo8IX70o_zJY-57LC15jjoTt3BVVEjadmYO2ZsPKUXu6S7LXbADdku1KeM0m5X/s400/sj4.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The better combo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We didn't ride until later that afternoon again. The course walked fairly well, with a few things I knew that might cause some trouble. I'm looking at you, one stride combo. And long approaches to lonely verticals. The footing was amazing though, and I was prepared to pop around that course to close out our competition. I got my girl tacked up and hopped on. Again, total commotion and choas abound around us, and she moseyed through it all. I believe I even had to kick her some to not walk like a drugged turtle so we could get to the arena.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEsNLsn6JsxTZhqUEJMnCoLRJ24jQ-k6hjmxu3DG05ZXW0Q0yK3uaXZ-Abkl_h-_ALKkr6Ku2dG9d1YRlV2zUrDypEWQ3BBrV-fodYTLJ7pdu8wRjb29UDlFBMgvYaCehO_5COZCG7RT2/s1600/r199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEsNLsn6JsxTZhqUEJMnCoLRJ24jQ-k6hjmxu3DG05ZXW0Q0yK3uaXZ-Abkl_h-_ALKkr6Ku2dG9d1YRlV2zUrDypEWQ3BBrV-fodYTLJ7pdu8wRjb29UDlFBMgvYaCehO_5COZCG7RT2/s400/r199.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jump number 1. Not her normal enthusiastic self.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ70LYXaMc8Ij0-Ly6Z9NTYCAMrSp2T0D_qGAzLnFq8xb_53jgYkmDRIjE13VZHKUMaBMAaLFZk44J7FV0ig2O0Js0-OHchwVB810uUXbeDWo8BEndz03kTEL4lP4PbneHCtejdZvGWE6i/s1600/r206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ70LYXaMc8Ij0-Ly6Z9NTYCAMrSp2T0D_qGAzLnFq8xb_53jgYkmDRIjE13VZHKUMaBMAaLFZk44J7FV0ig2O0Js0-OHchwVB810uUXbeDWo8BEndz03kTEL4lP4PbneHCtejdZvGWE6i/s400/r206.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, at least we looked good over one? Well, she did.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsUmdi-47J11buPHEVwk9dudLRn4FJ1K5CDRAO8fKNXzFKU2pC0z8Vj-QPy7tGxBeYD5CmY69jWgYiz2vFSJFdL73Glkx-Q3iHd02782MVNj8MTXpZ03wR8ErFIypSBGWbz0SrmaNXg56/s1600/r204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsUmdi-47J11buPHEVwk9dudLRn4FJ1K5CDRAO8fKNXzFKU2pC0z8Vj-QPy7tGxBeYD5CmY69jWgYiz2vFSJFdL73Glkx-Q3iHd02782MVNj8MTXpZ03wR8ErFIypSBGWbz0SrmaNXg56/s400/r204.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listen here, horse. You must use your butt and settle through the one stride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She warmed up well and was listening too. She felt even and quiet underneath me, and our approaches to our jumps were met without rushing. This probably should have been my red flag, but I was assuming that maybe she was being polite and just a touch tired from our long journey. She always pulls me along to the jump the last couple of strides, so it was a little hard for me to adjust my riding to a horse that didn't do that. Soon enough, it was our turn to enter the ring.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp8y9JuZXSk5DXrs4Nn0SCLqCmCCc3YP-0Rjuh4avwWVCPRrxl9V2HjTNU2TlMdTeiIAR3-S7d8ZCkBhst9aZDPoZz7h_PGPp0BBuibnz96jZMCqCERGvjN4TBzNlwZm253A67khxzmoE/s1600/r207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp8y9JuZXSk5DXrs4Nn0SCLqCmCCc3YP-0Rjuh4avwWVCPRrxl9V2HjTNU2TlMdTeiIAR3-S7d8ZCkBhst9aZDPoZz7h_PGPp0BBuibnz96jZMCqCERGvjN4TBzNlwZm253A67khxzmoE/s400/r207.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the lonely verticals. It wasn't the problem.</td></tr>
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We came around to that first jump, which Bacon normally jumps larger than the others, and hit it. I was a little shocked, especially for an oxer, but pressed her towards the next jump, squeezing and holding her to it. Again, another rail came down. I was perplexed. Normally if this mare hits a fence, she doesn't do it again. We careened around to jump three, and finally cleared that one with room to spare. Four was the one stride combo, five clear but ugly, and then we took another rail at six. I was so used to her never taking a rail, so my brain fogged up at each one before I realized we had another fence coming up. We made it through the rest of the course, her saving me still because I can't see a damn distance to save my life. I gave her a good pat and pondered what the hell just happened.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVd9uj_Ei71cFVc4DTIVP4-viJaD8pPxhIvWegnx6_DT1hOrb4FAVYGs1KYUPTsXCB65Q5iccpIPLxdYQZwHXYjuZrhBw88w16nTJFVMi7NKOs-TH4O6d7r0HBe0vGITZREFEfO_CpYrd/s1600/r209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVd9uj_Ei71cFVc4DTIVP4-viJaD8pPxhIvWegnx6_DT1hOrb4FAVYGs1KYUPTsXCB65Q5iccpIPLxdYQZwHXYjuZrhBw88w16nTJFVMi7NKOs-TH4O6d7r0HBe0vGITZREFEfO_CpYrd/s400/r209.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going into the two stride.</td></tr>
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My friend came over to check in with us, and she looked down. Bacon's knee was big again. Horrified, I hopped off, gave Bacon a hug and walked her back to the barn. Was it big when I went into the ring? I caused this. How stupid of me. I cried and hugged her some more, but she just sighed and smiled for a cookie. I started icing her and thought about it all. I do think she was a little tired, and I do think the twisted snaffle backed her off a bit, but I think the knee was a major factor in the performance. I've talked to three different vets about it, and not one has been bothered by it, but I have another vet coming out this Friday to see what she says. And looking at our video, I can see the knee was big when we went into the ring. I'm still a little bit of a mess about it, but trying to look forward.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tTkExkZEX8YGqFQBPypQcAi3jehuWNVOsIU65QKHd6n11vY8LKf5M88BLP5wixpPK1wAfA8WVEs3400XLSyoKkEH556emKxLW8Yt7QUGgoYG3Rav93-9hcTu1WhCkwiJ-ShCip40YDas/s1600/r210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tTkExkZEX8YGqFQBPypQcAi3jehuWNVOsIU65QKHd6n11vY8LKf5M88BLP5wixpPK1wAfA8WVEs3400XLSyoKkEH556emKxLW8Yt7QUGgoYG3Rav93-9hcTu1WhCkwiJ-ShCip40YDas/s400/r210.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annnnnd the awkward last jump. My fault.</td></tr>
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There must have been some other carnage in the show jump ring, because we still ended in 12th place. I was very proud of how she dealt with the atmosphere and how she completed everything asked of her. Except downward transitions, but you know, those are dumb. She still had pep in her step the next day and never showed any lameness with the knee. I don't even know. All I know is, I am lucky to have her. And someday, maybe I will be a decent pilot for her.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7bhIYHw5IiDdD4BIgzPbBoulzkyJiKYZPhS_wXp25RIqGQylGqBwqrMfLPcPlPejr2L1a6-Z9DLgCLWMq3NZrWCtiOteYfjYeDMrCfx5JHhjC21cMBGc8J5G_SkfCsUz_Gxu6xjTNqU2/s1600/r212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7bhIYHw5IiDdD4BIgzPbBoulzkyJiKYZPhS_wXp25RIqGQylGqBwqrMfLPcPlPejr2L1a6-Z9DLgCLWMq3NZrWCtiOteYfjYeDMrCfx5JHhjC21cMBGc8J5G_SkfCsUz_Gxu6xjTNqU2/s400/r212.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pony love</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLo8X2IoFE0k45Cg8d-9t20hbXy9Hw_yykZIkkV1h8Adgygzp0UpjUy79wW4_YHNqxQKGv0cYvyX4PZySA8Pit9u4jmawMi8Mta8nDgr8CfnZ984n8eFEk-oYbVOG5ME06WyXATxkyEBy/s1600/IMG_20170721_202837117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLo8X2IoFE0k45Cg8d-9t20hbXy9Hw_yykZIkkV1h8Adgygzp0UpjUy79wW4_YHNqxQKGv0cYvyX4PZySA8Pit9u4jmawMi8Mta8nDgr8CfnZ984n8eFEk-oYbVOG5ME06WyXATxkyEBy/s400/IMG_20170721_202837117.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best smile around.</td></tr>
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-48249758416742697602017-08-02T06:30:00.000-07:002017-08-02T06:30:18.576-07:00Tackling Rebecca's Training Course<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTM-9yI_JyIOiuOzBdYQua9j9HaHUf0fmMvHtVzltMoaImuxUidJEr_RrYA5yeoW7mwtxm7pWwOSv_hBR-VhmfI4LrQf9Xsz6qd7CCt_9f69vLjElRvKnAMJ84qXfonIJwRkxztvCBGAXd/s1600/r119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTM-9yI_JyIOiuOzBdYQua9j9HaHUf0fmMvHtVzltMoaImuxUidJEr_RrYA5yeoW7mwtxm7pWwOSv_hBR-VhmfI4LrQf9Xsz6qd7CCt_9f69vLjElRvKnAMJ84qXfonIJwRkxztvCBGAXd/s400/r119.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the start box! Long legs McGee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's been two weeks now since Bacon and I were out galloping in Montana's big skies, but I can still remember it quite clearly. Walking the course, I was actually a little dissapointed. I am guessing since the Young Riders Championships were there, that took most of the main focus. There were many jumps we shared with novice, which made the jump sizes vary greatly. We started with a weenie jump and then a cabin, then a nice sized table to a fair sized trakhener. It made it a little harder for the horses to read, as the jumps were constantly changing size. I was constantly throwing glances at the training 3-days' jumps, as they looked more appropriate and way more fun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFnV2JDgn68bJNn6bemGwge6CcR0tmGNmlUVW09g88OGLUbIXIJnIQZvO5H5xT8SacNRBWaepXBKRPNE0RTWItnYyegDbBPwA47YUiuA9ovW5dLEj7Px-RkC7q_KrCkwgC8hB4_wQR2R5/s1600/r121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFnV2JDgn68bJNn6bemGwge6CcR0tmGNmlUVW09g88OGLUbIXIJnIQZvO5H5xT8SacNRBWaepXBKRPNE0RTWItnYyegDbBPwA47YUiuA9ovW5dLEj7Px-RkC7q_KrCkwgC8hB4_wQR2R5/s400/r121.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First jump!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUAipzxlh_IEazlF_2x8yk9WG9ULLLvz7pv6_ExENZ7Jat60JOH1M1VEN6Sc7khbREfWFes5AVAh1GTeEsxiVzKCzxVrCTYGNUtKtudmaRyAHZrrIPnIVoAEZxDSVJuEiBB_0Cq1j0ZD9/s1600/r124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUAipzxlh_IEazlF_2x8yk9WG9ULLLvz7pv6_ExENZ7Jat60JOH1M1VEN6Sc7khbREfWFes5AVAh1GTeEsxiVzKCzxVrCTYGNUtKtudmaRyAHZrrIPnIVoAEZxDSVJuEiBB_0Cq1j0ZD9/s400/r124.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sorry for the tiny pictures, but it's all I have. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPt5zK08MCwAdqG7BALkNSKrGC0ZuZeJcVDTOzLsNM8HTJnTZiEVswHHHJXPwvAOBKZDIiuKZyM__Xk2F1RyRxAokyKie-rZM2qh2gXX5f-n00UQ3YkP-grWN4Q20WIzWtLpyoakLFRen/s1600/r126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPt5zK08MCwAdqG7BALkNSKrGC0ZuZeJcVDTOzLsNM8HTJnTZiEVswHHHJXPwvAOBKZDIiuKZyM__Xk2F1RyRxAokyKie-rZM2qh2gXX5f-n00UQ3YkP-grWN4Q20WIzWtLpyoakLFRen/s400/r126.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first element of the coffin.</td></tr>
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No matter though, I was still happy to be able to go out there and tackle it. Just the atmosphere alone at Rebecca can throw some ponies through a loop. You are surrounded by that famous Montana sky, giant fields, many colorful themed jumps, loud speakers and lots of horses and people all around. I wasn't sure if that was going to affect Bacon or not, so that stayed on my mind. I didn't write the course off either, as the trakhener was very shaded and headed towards a bunch of bushes and brush jumps, and the line we chose was to ride between a tight hole in the brush. Originally, I was going to ride around the outside of all of it after the trakhener, but a trainer suggested that the "hole" made a better line for the brush combination jumps we had ahead. Having only walked that line once, I was super worried I was going to get lost back there and head towards the wrong thing. All I remembered was <i>go right and find the hole</i>. There was also a rolltop in the water, and Bacon had never jumped a water jump before. I didn't fear too much, but it was still important to keep that it mind. Also, there was a jump up a small incline between the trees, and a sharp right hand turn into another tree tunnel, with about three strides to the tightest and largest corner that we would ever jump. The element of surprise and the narrowness of the jump definitely had my heart racing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O2ha9Lf8JWTuijZxRN1AI3vYGNWekJ8iozSdHv74H0uW15bG_tFdDvhVy9239SWyDVljo9ehxhYET4TmALyd5iQ9psZZOGxAiNyq8ksH5r6MErU7ZUHcEKL6ylyjHdh5sl0dVtYrFUmE/s1600/r129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O2ha9Lf8JWTuijZxRN1AI3vYGNWekJ8iozSdHv74H0uW15bG_tFdDvhVy9239SWyDVljo9ehxhYET4TmALyd5iQ9psZZOGxAiNyq8ksH5r6MErU7ZUHcEKL6ylyjHdh5sl0dVtYrFUmE/s400/r129.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steeplechase!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviOANcoAbxWKq0zeOgWespv5mSaTeUpAc-FY-GganlaoIitcHYveFBhgZcU1Plv9yAW-oj_YkZutjkN8N_ETuQBt78QgTwprIH5EClaZSHjIYLN8VoW0xNgFoYC6fYRgw2VX6PWUXN_Z_/s1600/r130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviOANcoAbxWKq0zeOgWespv5mSaTeUpAc-FY-GganlaoIitcHYveFBhgZcU1Plv9yAW-oj_YkZutjkN8N_ETuQBt78QgTwprIH5EClaZSHjIYLN8VoW0xNgFoYC6fYRgw2VX6PWUXN_Z_/s400/r130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabins are run.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJmZi5LR8VAW1IW5m18dUcvjstKJqykOKci3QoUNW8t81JUJs6E1TpGv4pGPTPoooSKRXKQ4NWL5D2f85WECAZ5MMdQ3_vKSwG6mf9aA_6TW2HAofwGZNFQLJ7675cALUqe2e9t58mHuP/s1600/r132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJmZi5LR8VAW1IW5m18dUcvjstKJqykOKci3QoUNW8t81JUJs6E1TpGv4pGPTPoooSKRXKQ4NWL5D2f85WECAZ5MMdQ3_vKSwG6mf9aA_6TW2HAofwGZNFQLJ7675cALUqe2e9t58mHuP/s400/r132.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the water jump!</td></tr>
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It was warm and windy, and my ride time was late in the afternoon. I had concerns about getting tired, dehydrated and breathing. Whenever it is windy, my asthma cranks up and I get a lot of cramping in my ribs as well. The cramping came out during warm up, but fortunately, Bacon was being wonderful. I hate that I have to use a bigger bit, but it means no longer yanking on her to get her attention (or not kill us) and she doesn't lean on me the whole time. It has been a win so far. I told E, who was helping me in warm up, that she was going to kill me if she kept having me jump and then it was my turn to head in. The announcer was laughing at my big smile, and Bacon waited patiently for the count down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv-exw0RXJJ_9Tn7ELRJaRKZPF-ktirFNcmCPn9wdFQGV853sFieVMbmjb27ja4Maw8GmVwSGEeoAG4CUUvpKgYLizyBZPcWKX-saYWBxt3r5Wz4hA3286F1yDyiees3QT79qyhA0kfjv/s1600/r135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv-exw0RXJJ_9Tn7ELRJaRKZPF-ktirFNcmCPn9wdFQGV853sFieVMbmjb27ja4Maw8GmVwSGEeoAG4CUUvpKgYLizyBZPcWKX-saYWBxt3r5Wz4hA3286F1yDyiees3QT79qyhA0kfjv/s400/r135.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going too fast. My new theme for the year.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjw0mj48B-thYqIGZNwcbcPfya8HcWJGakijvmZE2mAo-cHYLxuDUmEruugxawhnW4TzCV2AdWeDA14E9uKDP7IlCReq-2HxKBcyG9UZOH85KfAzbJuSda5MAXboIrnHtJMR8SygUJNYe/s1600/r136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjw0mj48B-thYqIGZNwcbcPfya8HcWJGakijvmZE2mAo-cHYLxuDUmEruugxawhnW4TzCV2AdWeDA14E9uKDP7IlCReq-2HxKBcyG9UZOH85KfAzbJuSda5MAXboIrnHtJMR8SygUJNYe/s400/r136.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny table.</td></tr>
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Out of the box we went! The first three jumps were nice and easy. Coming up to the trakhener, I made sure to ride her in a nice and steady canter, and she didn't even think about hesitating. Which is great, considering that jump took out more people than anything. Next I guided her right and was able to find the hole for our brush combo. I got her in a little ugly to the second part of that, but she gets us out of crappy situations quite well. I smiled and said "HI" to one of the photographers as we galloped by and headed towards a nice sized table. That jumped well, and off to the first water we went. We had a tiny speed bump of a log before entering, and a small hanging log out. Perfect. Off to the coffin we went, and Bacon jumped it three to two, which is exactly how I walked it. The last jump in the coffin was fairly skinny and on a bending two, but she hit it great. Weeee across the field to our steeplechase jump!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyu2WVZ5orxfjbiy-82IuyYdw03nj17Lpzs4zKZmLYay0EgJv61TEXJABImzmJT2KPEmGbqyhk0HG8p52BGFUyhA5HYhduGrqxzmzkoYBPEqdIuSzeTPclm5rOQLPiIdTgsWNKoTt3WYa/s1600/r138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyu2WVZ5orxfjbiy-82IuyYdw03nj17Lpzs4zKZmLYay0EgJv61TEXJABImzmJT2KPEmGbqyhk0HG8p52BGFUyhA5HYhduGrqxzmzkoYBPEqdIuSzeTPclm5rOQLPiIdTgsWNKoTt3WYa/s400/r138.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First angled cabin in the combo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EXhiRgUN32NA0imcprNcCwCHH3FN_6MNiFAjeL-P2T7D1Z_djj08FQppFL8LKeL3JzSe10E7e5iJRI8Clm332zxLs4QV7CFj8X8TSEZ1bWW3BVXsGDbWo4-REh8ove9-nWXpwaFxo8Cc/s1600/r139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1600" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EXhiRgUN32NA0imcprNcCwCHH3FN_6MNiFAjeL-P2T7D1Z_djj08FQppFL8LKeL3JzSe10E7e5iJRI8Clm332zxLs4QV7CFj8X8TSEZ1bWW3BVXsGDbWo4-REh8ove9-nWXpwaFxo8Cc/s400/r139.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And over the last jump.</td></tr>
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After flying over that, I let her keep cooking towards our next cabin and the water jump. The water jump walked as a two stride from the edge, and she hit that perfect as well. We started to haul ass towards the trickiest line on course, the corner combo, before I remembered that hauling ass was not the answer. The first jump rode well, and Bacon and I wiggled our way to the corner. It caught her by surprise a little, but with some encouragement, she jumped right over and off we went. Good horse! Next was our laughable tiny table, and then an angled cabin two stride combo. She had no problem with those either. We were getting close to home and I finally looked at my watch. Whoa! Too fast. I slowed her down towards the dog jump (Skully's favorite). We made our way to the last jump, a flower ramp, and I don't know what happened to my body over that, but it was awkward. Through the finish ribbons we went, coming in at 5:10, with OT being 5:30. Good enough for me!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HQeGQD5xgf_t4FkIzc8dogTHXOgOhjM2ppur5N41-GM16O-7G-7EmwD7ceGmcMs86xiqfwlhNDky0-lAjK5IuWD0oWtdPrXHWCxWDD5NJdTEhde3FyX2Zqcp1Gdj801FVpM4zZZLIsFz/s1600/r220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HQeGQD5xgf_t4FkIzc8dogTHXOgOhjM2ppur5N41-GM16O-7G-7EmwD7ceGmcMs86xiqfwlhNDky0-lAjK5IuWD0oWtdPrXHWCxWDD5NJdTEhde3FyX2Zqcp1Gdj801FVpM4zZZLIsFz/s400/r220.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An evil evil corner.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5Q1Q_PMfreasePsLcH2n8xYOc143fZvuf9FXXtDdPR5bXw_3I_81ycX1GoyKZKGvoP2UZE0mwUAAt5T-k8we8tgMrjqlJDd_R4Jx21uTY8x_hyPmmzIWNIkaBp1-BqvWQWJ2h709vcHo/s1600/IMG_20170720_090041718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5Q1Q_PMfreasePsLcH2n8xYOc143fZvuf9FXXtDdPR5bXw_3I_81ycX1GoyKZKGvoP2UZE0mwUAAt5T-k8we8tgMrjqlJDd_R4Jx21uTY8x_hyPmmzIWNIkaBp1-BqvWQWJ2h709vcHo/s400/IMG_20170720_090041718.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skully and her fav jump. The barrels are full of real dog biscuits, free for the taking.</td></tr>
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So many pats and praises were awarded to the best cross country mare that ever was. She was not even tired. A nice volunteer handed me some water and my friends came over to help me. I hopped off, lost my balance and had to hang onto the stirrup so I didn't fall on the ground. I was very tired. My awesome friends took over cooling off my girl while I tried to catch my breath and settle down the tremors. The cool down was rather quick and we headed back to the barn. Cookies were given and icing began, and we saw her right knee. :( It was the same knee that had issues back at the Spokane derby this spring. It was filled with fluid. We iced her, poulticed and wrapped her all up and weren't sure what to think of that. Home girl was mowing down her food and happily went for many walks as I looked for any hint of lameness. None was to be found, but how would she look and feel tomorrow? I began to worry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBvNzINEiQw3-rU63pSQZZAdb3wC4X7geX3SRP5W1AIzZQns_q8lRex3X0fGoXskOObiIsgifDF4Vy0E_wQRbTSj8coRsoS5zy6lZ3uQfypIoqsHtKQqrWCWuh6iYfraKsACwfeFS5ZhJ/s1600/IMG_20170718_205250484_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBvNzINEiQw3-rU63pSQZZAdb3wC4X7geX3SRP5W1AIzZQns_q8lRex3X0fGoXskOObiIsgifDF4Vy0E_wQRbTSj8coRsoS5zy6lZ3uQfypIoqsHtKQqrWCWuh6iYfraKsACwfeFS5ZhJ/s400/IMG_20170718_205250484_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The look of...flamingos. </td></tr>
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-15537970593242492292017-07-27T12:43:00.002-07:002017-07-27T12:43:16.664-07:00Glacier and Dressage Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFndKFetyKujjEtAruvy6X6bBpVn7Y0S5dNFhUa3xu153zox9hI7MKH289WiWbQUV4zza4NpP27VkqS4Ek2Y4tpNOn8vsmQxsc63Rib7RjWwHV0Mp-TgwbTgw9dxB2QHHR0NWM09DMHS2/s1600/r32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFndKFetyKujjEtAruvy6X6bBpVn7Y0S5dNFhUa3xu153zox9hI7MKH289WiWbQUV4zza4NpP27VkqS4Ek2Y4tpNOn8vsmQxsc63Rib7RjWwHV0Mp-TgwbTgw9dxB2QHHR0NWM09DMHS2/s400/r32.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What magic looks like.</td></tr>
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On Monday, we headed out to Glacier National Park. This was my first visit there, and it is BEAUTIFUL. The views were incredible the whole drive through the park until we got to Lunch Creek. We hiked along the melting snow flowing down the mountain, with wildflowers popping up all around us. I am always at the back of the pack, because you know, arthritis and asthma make hiking a little more difficult. But we still trekked right along.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwSrmioAKypxrek8b02TC_2VNTLdVfO_HC1mReASpeXlQsI_r3MdWV5pTj_45v-JIlB71kStSeIQLdHAvKNnnE_LTCSo4F-WuW5pCHbxrQ9lVrS1oP13aXariq-qS24VsrbvxEsDMZZEI/s1600/r43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwSrmioAKypxrek8b02TC_2VNTLdVfO_HC1mReASpeXlQsI_r3MdWV5pTj_45v-JIlB71kStSeIQLdHAvKNnnE_LTCSo4F-WuW5pCHbxrQ9lVrS1oP13aXariq-qS24VsrbvxEsDMZZEI/s400/r43.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of the hike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbpl9hzZco-_AjZTIugQSPiC3tkITDfpuLRZX0gdj94SN8-omjTW43R6p2rkGLVT25PJr_rRLJFl8Ja1WwFZR7vPJroCa-q9DxpZfx-17aRSFf8Mes7lgt7ZTehoJf-ALIptrO6EkeIUW/s400/r53.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headed toward the first waterfall. Apparently it was a blue kind of day.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbpl9hzZco-_AjZTIugQSPiC3tkITDfpuLRZX0gdj94SN8-omjTW43R6p2rkGLVT25PJr_rRLJFl8Ja1WwFZR7vPJroCa-q9DxpZfx-17aRSFf8Mes7lgt7ZTehoJf-ALIptrO6EkeIUW/s1600/r53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbpl9hzZco-_AjZTIugQSPiC3tkITDfpuLRZX0gdj94SN8-omjTW43R6p2rkGLVT25PJr_rRLJFl8Ja1WwFZR7vPJroCa-q9DxpZfx-17aRSFf8Mes7lgt7ZTehoJf-ALIptrO6EkeIUW/s1600/r53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KP1R2zO0P83k0SyzWgDe_T0EzieiiYsgVe7j-P7Fwd-HTbr8AZdAAYx4_4a7gHHgslOGI-395D-6_YQfmyr6xHP_zgf6yKhdchBTktn8DXG916CxMZxN1wa5FF-IRlENkZxHhRzV-aHp/s1600/r62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KP1R2zO0P83k0SyzWgDe_T0EzieiiYsgVe7j-P7Fwd-HTbr8AZdAAYx4_4a7gHHgslOGI-395D-6_YQfmyr6xHP_zgf6yKhdchBTktn8DXG916CxMZxN1wa5FF-IRlENkZxHhRzV-aHp/s400/r62.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to the first one!</td></tr>
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We got to the first waterfall, but kept on going. Up above it was a great big bowl surrounding you. I was hoping the edge of the mountain side was going to be dotted with mountain goats or big horn sheep, but I couldn't see any. But far off in the distance was another waterfall. So we boogied towards it so two of the boys could get under it. I went and stood next to a small fall and that was cold enough! We also hung out with a rock chuck of some sort. But my legs were dying and we still needed to ride our ponies later that day. Uphill is pretty hard on the lungs, but downhill feels like someone is stabbing me in the knees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIrHGVlsabOoTmWylSqStnEFaO2308usv6hirvLj5mtFUhe0YiSW7RUlmsl8-hmjcqx5Nxn0yzDJghpBGqfAVY4U_R6hfsAL9F30Q7UYyTjNf7wQxKnAbBkANnEXbfRIzQ_iiq4MyYi85/s1600/r69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIrHGVlsabOoTmWylSqStnEFaO2308usv6hirvLj5mtFUhe0YiSW7RUlmsl8-hmjcqx5Nxn0yzDJghpBGqfAVY4U_R6hfsAL9F30Q7UYyTjNf7wQxKnAbBkANnEXbfRIzQ_iiq4MyYi85/s400/r69.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that waterfall in the back? That's the second one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVvuYXjTnMUog2IaeZw_VqHol1yKmrrMHIa5kOYemcCYHVRUvnYdWdhSYzNDcGMXl4BTADoaEv63EYnRQa2Nsyu9H5wGamyTrgInr0VcSfRRKF-oQzJYKF8NHLOLPqc4sEmXyZKVURKUA/s1600/r72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVvuYXjTnMUog2IaeZw_VqHol1yKmrrMHIa5kOYemcCYHVRUvnYdWdhSYzNDcGMXl4BTADoaEv63EYnRQa2Nsyu9H5wGamyTrgInr0VcSfRRKF-oQzJYKF8NHLOLPqc4sEmXyZKVURKUA/s400/r72.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey there, buddy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavnRmfmZmG8vh_W97DUDSX7Blw5C4dmArGcGdfb1zKMYpYSANxZFqjxRlif05swmgOX8yHh99fHjYJFnDxiQT9SlOxF4RUYWLu_OFJqdtwIxB33MyJNXzjChCoNaDmDr3X_OM8g9xgO65/s1600/r78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavnRmfmZmG8vh_W97DUDSX7Blw5C4dmArGcGdfb1zKMYpYSANxZFqjxRlif05swmgOX8yHh99fHjYJFnDxiQT9SlOxF4RUYWLu_OFJqdtwIxB33MyJNXzjChCoNaDmDr3X_OM8g9xgO65/s400/r78.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the boys by some frozen water hell.</td></tr>
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Our ride that day was not great. It started out as a nice hack through the canola field and Bacon was excellent through there. But when we got to the arena, she lost that nice relaxation and I worked through some of her tenseness. In the end, she put in some nice stuff and called it good. Tuesday was another long and tense ride, but again we ended with work I was happy with.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtgY7NipvME81z8dunp2W9oFTM9jfFK1OYhXzdSZ98dDo9ZYHZJlhrksD1S87J0IxWzhn3lIanKkze24zvW4_bN_9kXbeMD3hsad2AySWfZ-1A7_LI63wiqwDrfqXMruwx5isB2DkKxxE/s1600/r83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtgY7NipvME81z8dunp2W9oFTM9jfFK1OYhXzdSZ98dDo9ZYHZJlhrksD1S87J0IxWzhn3lIanKkze24zvW4_bN_9kXbeMD3hsad2AySWfZ-1A7_LI63wiqwDrfqXMruwx5isB2DkKxxE/s400/r83.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next to a smaller fall. Good enough. Fricken cold.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03HC9HY_1Z8qKCaZje917w3mtIAI0TmOk7GObrxK5QOTsSbUJlOtLvhSOAgYQMyJhWsGBkHy5EYqrDZKhbkQrFX6dr1v1tyVF-fbPBdYAtaEw82MDqTPz90h9JBztFJxof3h9Ommgynm0/s400/r87.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope. Don't sign me up.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03HC9HY_1Z8qKCaZje917w3mtIAI0TmOk7GObrxK5QOTsSbUJlOtLvhSOAgYQMyJhWsGBkHy5EYqrDZKhbkQrFX6dr1v1tyVF-fbPBdYAtaEw82MDqTPz90h9JBztFJxof3h9Ommgynm0/s1600/r87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03HC9HY_1Z8qKCaZje917w3mtIAI0TmOk7GObrxK5QOTsSbUJlOtLvhSOAgYQMyJhWsGBkHy5EYqrDZKhbkQrFX6dr1v1tyVF-fbPBdYAtaEw82MDqTPz90h9JBztFJxof3h9Ommgynm0/s1600/r87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt0UJZGEaq3uCoW1krpv3UdyrIxXaNfVJlhipFCg1kXBpG05-2jI6_IITuyo7RnJYgPWmHS0E_mCADPOWH8Hh_HoGrUC6Sle3AyooLVAbc867cDyL4o_ZpXOGTYBZQEzCAVqIVThbVhWJ/s1600/r91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt0UJZGEaq3uCoW1krpv3UdyrIxXaNfVJlhipFCg1kXBpG05-2jI6_IITuyo7RnJYgPWmHS0E_mCADPOWH8Hh_HoGrUC6Sle3AyooLVAbc867cDyL4o_ZpXOGTYBZQEzCAVqIVThbVhWJ/s400/r91.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fast way to get back down. Warning: hands will freeze, warming them on the rocks is best. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8E4f8ZmdGdHpQxN-fqwhyAsRE3feF4BoGA_5-TIM4sTZbbeJ37PaLovzSHiMBqU4-Vi1lVhxdNQ6YwoIifSKHlfF_8cU52IP2fDafr-PE2izH4Z-7WjhyphenhyphenYNxVIS9nUS9ctkzCWord_we/s1600/r98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8E4f8ZmdGdHpQxN-fqwhyAsRE3feF4BoGA_5-TIM4sTZbbeJ37PaLovzSHiMBqU4-Vi1lVhxdNQ6YwoIifSKHlfF_8cU52IP2fDafr-PE2izH4Z-7WjhyphenhyphenYNxVIS9nUS9ctkzCWord_we/s400/r98.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow slide!</td></tr>
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Wednesday was dressage day. Based on my couple of rides there, I knew I wanted a fairly long warm up and I wanted to start with a nice, calm hack through the canola. We were all alone out there, and it felt very nice. Well, except for the deer that was out there, but Bacon did not care about it. Or the bird that flew at her face. I thought maybe we would have a nice test. We got to the ring and checked in, with the gate keeper asking if I wanted to go in early for my test. I told her no, I would like to stick with my ride time because Bacon needed as long of a warm up as possible. We were out there for about 5 minutes when they called me over and told me that I needed to head over to bit check. I was confused, but headed over. Once checked, they told me I could go in and do my test. I looked at the clock sitting there and it was 22 minutes before my test. Ummm. No?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlcvO2zLdnwN6q8Q411s_y4MXJ8Jgqx3PL3XCn7esXxiqYhTp1jAEAZ6o00mB62Xt1O-1oovY_S-J75NTkpqqgFhDWNhrjk1zhmf7_BON8f1Z2-r4-aWPfgTyzfoidR3jr-hnqwTpEn8_/s1600/d3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="635" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlcvO2zLdnwN6q8Q411s_y4MXJ8Jgqx3PL3XCn7esXxiqYhTp1jAEAZ6o00mB62Xt1O-1oovY_S-J75NTkpqqgFhDWNhrjk1zhmf7_BON8f1Z2-r4-aWPfgTyzfoidR3jr-hnqwTpEn8_/s400/d3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks like we were starting out ok.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkuo0xF3TXk6sXYOsO44BC1zt6OB-BV4127JLSDuHV8F3K-Ke1aUrYUl32qa_sYJnbtSCWTIW-rt1Oa6PnXgQIuJyhyphenhyphenHvoswTwwDFMMcTfRdaZQ3MiMjV46K4ndcxU8wiUzrq8DBE4hyphenhyphen3/s1600/d4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="774" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkuo0xF3TXk6sXYOsO44BC1zt6OB-BV4127JLSDuHV8F3K-Ke1aUrYUl32qa_sYJnbtSCWTIW-rt1Oa6PnXgQIuJyhyphenhyphenHvoswTwwDFMMcTfRdaZQ3MiMjV46K4ndcxU8wiUzrq8DBE4hyphenhyphen3/s400/d4.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think we got an overbent remark for this. </td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaosPYRIiojizRTtLEUlkVbcw8z_r06PogO8mlqTIu9jtAphpxXhihcIaZb0P0XMzLT6boLxB95rBnGY8Yydlunho239evHA6HUBHsj7AeUnYmAXQWSobbQz-5cZERDVK185G3DtZXmA2/s1600/d5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="666" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaosPYRIiojizRTtLEUlkVbcw8z_r06PogO8mlqTIu9jtAphpxXhihcIaZb0P0XMzLT6boLxB95rBnGY8Yydlunho239evHA6HUBHsj7AeUnYmAXQWSobbQz-5cZERDVK185G3DtZXmA2/s400/d5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stupid saddle of doom.</td></tr>
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I asked if I could head back to warm up because I wasn't going to go until my ride time and they told me no. I asked if I could ride in front of the dressage ring like I had seen other people doing, and was told no. I could only ride in the grass next to the ring. Unfortunately, the grass area isn't really meant for riding and is very uneven and shaped a little like a skate ramp. Any bit of relaxation I had with Bacon vanished as I tried to get her to soften and bend. I was frustrated, especially with one particular rider who kept buzzing up behind us and making things worse, so I just entered into the ring a few minutes before my test.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqS20sbJLCpmEmj6tjWuUEMG9huL4RLOg8uwvOs4yINbeEI7N_aEVT402InXEgLJFAjcvddUvB84ol0Cch9UrKaHmTPGVsCIVlIWwpr9-_In6ZqaK1rpHhL0G-L5VWy8smyGfjLHkOLJ2/s1600/d8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="719" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqS20sbJLCpmEmj6tjWuUEMG9huL4RLOg8uwvOs4yINbeEI7N_aEVT402InXEgLJFAjcvddUvB84ol0Cch9UrKaHmTPGVsCIVlIWwpr9-_In6ZqaK1rpHhL0G-L5VWy8smyGfjLHkOLJ2/s400/d8.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not how we do a downward?</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1tizKNdQn0TtbP_tY0okSr8zMbSQaAgchyphenhyphenctu15pUQhjzJQ9adje-8RPuCgPgtOvaFidK83UdU33K27gfB8CkScf-v3W1-GUaLzOikNHWKBovNOIW-15G3E1j8orEZuh3ZfUdhc0yNX9/s1600/d9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="627" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1tizKNdQn0TtbP_tY0okSr8zMbSQaAgchyphenhyphenctu15pUQhjzJQ9adje-8RPuCgPgtOvaFidK83UdU33K27gfB8CkScf-v3W1-GUaLzOikNHWKBovNOIW-15G3E1j8orEZuh3ZfUdhc0yNX9/s400/d9.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least our outfit is good?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl9PCDXu-6F4DwyjbWOiVdUeBBGY26P2DQwu9sjWlKJeO4nOXCO1XsJdslT1LG47tTtHdJJ0y1fN6bPEAu88nBvNtCuvcohF2lg1L_N4uZRd-me6NzXich9KmzpCus0MKhSODigE67UXx/s1600/d10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="811" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl9PCDXu-6F4DwyjbWOiVdUeBBGY26P2DQwu9sjWlKJeO4nOXCO1XsJdslT1LG47tTtHdJJ0y1fN6bPEAu88nBvNtCuvcohF2lg1L_N4uZRd-me6NzXich9KmzpCus0MKhSODigE67UXx/s400/d10.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She likes her freewalk. Need more stretch out, but I'll take this.</td></tr>
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This was probably one of our worst tests to date. Bacon was bracing from the start and wanted nothing to do with downward transitions or remaining soft or bending or any of that. I felt like I was riding a vibrating board and just aiming it at letters and hoping it would cooperate. I tried to have a little longer rein, as that usually helps a lot for keeping some relaxation, but I think that may have hindered some. Our stretchy trot was the worst, as she likes to race around on the forehand and cut in the circle anyways. But there was no putting the head down and stretching, just very awkward speeding around the circle and me just trying to get through it. A stark difference from Camelot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9x4RW91C_oP8qQhjktB3k9sJo3Jlz0OjgjrEPb8JJBSA0ZoxZ21Thye6_NZ22G-D0nqGP4C_6ENzYq23GRY-MAbF6RoVwwgSWwf4XDPYgB0byn_yCeUzG7ywWPl1PSb43zOH07gIPhKFY/s1600/d11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="774" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9x4RW91C_oP8qQhjktB3k9sJo3Jlz0OjgjrEPb8JJBSA0ZoxZ21Thye6_NZ22G-D0nqGP4C_6ENzYq23GRY-MAbF6RoVwwgSWwf4XDPYgB0byn_yCeUzG7ywWPl1PSb43zOH07gIPhKFY/s400/d11.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nah, I don't want to put my head back down. That's dumb.</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFbrmrr-n9GWESlMcG3mWeOx_bV8ZNQoDoqzqSBYWAmDn3RZs2Q45a-Er7x0XDkQGwImBuTV1TCc_WJ-Ns53GBlijJjaUAKsjnhWuk-I4BRX-mm1o9xZ11rBHAp9ZtJsU-HnQNXU4miPX/s1600/d15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="805" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFbrmrr-n9GWESlMcG3mWeOx_bV8ZNQoDoqzqSBYWAmDn3RZs2Q45a-Er7x0XDkQGwImBuTV1TCc_WJ-Ns53GBlijJjaUAKsjnhWuk-I4BRX-mm1o9xZ11rBHAp9ZtJsU-HnQNXU4miPX/s400/d15.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canter was mostly downhill, but there was a little bit of good in there.</td></tr>
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We ended the day with a 42.3 and nearly last place. I am pretty competitive and I knew that crappy score was coming, so I didn't want to know until after xc where we were. I think a few factors were at play here (I do not like the saddle I am borrowing at all, tense horse naturally, not a long enough warm up) but I think the biggest was being called over so early and not allowed to go back into any ring for continued warm up. I wish I was a more effective rider at getting Bacon to relax, but I am not there yet. I am incredibly thankful for the volunteers everywhere there, but I am not sure these ones understood how it all works and seemed a little peeved that I wanted to wait until my ride time. But, it is what it is now, and I can try to learn from it to better prepare for future shows. Sorry Bacon!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruJ3APLKsXKqhqcxSNZn67Ovj3Oi9biRH3XLl14GKsIgYog0tywOgox-CNAc9iSYQWXNAIfMW-4EG9DClh60J-avRDF_RyazwcHuyDhiBUmOO3zwaUCRu0-5tN4od-_syUj4La5eFbeke/s1600/d17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="653" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruJ3APLKsXKqhqcxSNZn67Ovj3Oi9biRH3XLl14GKsIgYog0tywOgox-CNAc9iSYQWXNAIfMW-4EG9DClh60J-avRDF_RyazwcHuyDhiBUmOO3zwaUCRu0-5tN4od-_syUj4La5eFbeke/s400/d17.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving during halt, because we wanted the hell out of there.</td></tr>
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-37868713287056084522017-07-26T12:14:00.003-07:002017-07-26T12:14:46.674-07:00Whew, What a Trip<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBnStgaJexxT6bL8uhn6cK8Tv4DZtnyk5kbmh9Lc0lBdMUaN9cEHe1Ylh8GyY-PmPTUdm90fV_VUezA6BpZvcl7ivQqiD_0YisANxFxRAXHc4e_UUok0yqshWW3Az7s3frhVPUDpEvfdV/s1600/IMG_20170718_205414002_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBnStgaJexxT6bL8uhn6cK8Tv4DZtnyk5kbmh9Lc0lBdMUaN9cEHe1Ylh8GyY-PmPTUdm90fV_VUezA6BpZvcl7ivQqiD_0YisANxFxRAXHc4e_UUok0yqshWW3Az7s3frhVPUDpEvfdV/s400/IMG_20170718_205414002_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canola field!</td></tr>
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Some of you know that I was lucky enough to take Bacon to Rebecca Farm this year. After spectating last year, I knew it would be quite the goal to get us there. The place is kind of magical. There were over 700 horses there, with an electric atmosphere, bazillion rings with great footing, canola fields and the best cross country course around. With Bacon being a very sensitive and nervous girl, I wasn't sure how she was going to do with all of this. So of course, that made a knot in my stomach as we headed out with her and her traveling buddy, Justin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70pe6kM4nM1CMvIAKSIk5gHEcysVslStU1-EVpXYe_2bOmaTOP4hjmEzWVq9ZmVqKzblNCzIBwhjGy5IQpUcbLk5mG-_zc49OMfZJn3itKbuQte7WGU4vfj6wm279j_wJumBnCe9WGtix/s1600/r14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70pe6kM4nM1CMvIAKSIk5gHEcysVslStU1-EVpXYe_2bOmaTOP4hjmEzWVq9ZmVqKzblNCzIBwhjGy5IQpUcbLk5mG-_zc49OMfZJn3itKbuQte7WGU4vfj6wm279j_wJumBnCe9WGtix/s400/r14.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is not an effective bell boot.</td></tr>
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Our first stop was Spokane for a dressage show and cross country schooling the weekend before. Bacon and I did not compete in the dressage show (need more funds, this crap is expensive), but we got to watch and cheer on E and Justin. The first night I rode her, she was on FIRE. Head shaking, no softness or relaxtion, threatening to rear. We were riding in a borrowed dressage saddle that seemed to fit her well enough, but hurt the hell out of me. I moved her out into the big ring to just make her go FORWARD and after a bit of that, we got some more behaved stuff out of her. I was exhausted. She had a quick lunge the next day, and then we schooled xc on Sunday before we headed towards Kalispell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WMfp_W_resU5dL3dxsqVS3Bqfpw7u5ieZXwDBO-h73jgo4VelV4Msq3QLlLiRHMeQJ9ZMOVO_JRbw_gzD0IbmH1_YjGv9JVfEnx069wZgqFxm6SIeljBKBwQl9M20mL-WeVEbnL3iVC1/s1600/r2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WMfp_W_resU5dL3dxsqVS3Bqfpw7u5ieZXwDBO-h73jgo4VelV4Msq3QLlLiRHMeQJ9ZMOVO_JRbw_gzD0IbmH1_YjGv9JVfEnx069wZgqFxm6SIeljBKBwQl9M20mL-WeVEbnL3iVC1/s400/r2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No hesitation.</td></tr>
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Bacon was feeling more appropriate and polite for xc, thank god. She warmed up nicely, was a little spicy to the first jump, but settled quickly. We got to work playing around by the water again, practicing over the prelim jump in, the large bank in, etc. E was working with Justin on the intermediate chevron, but he was having some issues with straightness and not feeling that confident with it, so she switched it up to not hurt confidence for future jumps. Me being the curious turd I am wanted to see if Bacon thought it was doable. We dropped into the water and I rode her straight to it. The size caught her by surprise a little bit, but she sprung over it and gave me a laugh. Well, I guess those won't be a problem, but I don't forsee ever doing intermediate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivI21XHx8Ybu26s2CBt7_jBHGzcqZq-sNlNCF5Bf2wisMOXoPCLhzJhlcgq_db8gFWWVLkeGldZbZOuFsv70SP2dfDiPmMVloNHXOTs_lTRXdc6yQ50ejezBIx1Ecm1b6im-bbJEtsJLg3/s1600/r5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivI21XHx8Ybu26s2CBt7_jBHGzcqZq-sNlNCF5Bf2wisMOXoPCLhzJhlcgq_db8gFWWVLkeGldZbZOuFsv70SP2dfDiPmMVloNHXOTs_lTRXdc6yQ50ejezBIx1Ecm1b6im-bbJEtsJLg3/s400/r5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep. That is attractive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvXKCYLUZtYLCWT8TkfIl4IE2LA3F6W4PlUI1_-pg3_zfVqxIQt1Y2K0FgWdm1qQHWOvoOLjAlBpWTu_T_FEwD-gZ-vaDK0mI0hPIIxEo4PH9cixLur2ZVsri3LDK6n_Rq9TW7ndmJeaN/s400/r11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She loves to splish splash.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvXKCYLUZtYLCWT8TkfIl4IE2LA3F6W4PlUI1_-pg3_zfVqxIQt1Y2K0FgWdm1qQHWOvoOLjAlBpWTu_T_FEwD-gZ-vaDK0mI0hPIIxEo4PH9cixLur2ZVsri3LDK6n_Rq9TW7ndmJeaN/s1600/r11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvXKCYLUZtYLCWT8TkfIl4IE2LA3F6W4PlUI1_-pg3_zfVqxIQt1Y2K0FgWdm1qQHWOvoOLjAlBpWTu_T_FEwD-gZ-vaDK0mI0hPIIxEo4PH9cixLur2ZVsri3LDK6n_Rq9TW7ndmJeaN/s1600/r11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
There was a large prelim table that I had been in awe of since going to Spokane, and E thought we were very capable of doing it. I gulped, made a nice gallop to it with leg on and shoulders up, and she sailed over it. My legs were a little stupid over it, so I wanted to do it again. Once again, Bacon made it feel like cake. That kind of fun is dangerous. We headed over to the coffin and she pinged over it. Next, we wanted to test the bank combo. I think she expected that table to be as big as the last because she flew over it. Then it was down the bank, then up a bank and over the wood wagon. Of course, she did it easily. Lastly, we headed over to the corner and tested her out over that. Again, she thought that was easy. I felt pretty ready for Rebecca, so we called that good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXjQ2N4CARMmwjKEZHSKB0jlyrBIWkVnPcCAmgZlT0jXf0f_6zXpZ7P-tnVLJIfkQokgRY9nZr6YilMVlB7chSzCyv3PKRuCWEqUki-NqfXLS_yAP4jMY0PFhhc3i49ImbyVd7RhhmPas/s1600/r15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXjQ2N4CARMmwjKEZHSKB0jlyrBIWkVnPcCAmgZlT0jXf0f_6zXpZ7P-tnVLJIfkQokgRY9nZr6YilMVlB7chSzCyv3PKRuCWEqUki-NqfXLS_yAP4jMY0PFhhc3i49ImbyVd7RhhmPas/s400/r15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I swear, it looks bigger in person.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhXwv3t4Ot-zNxXAto1ZBvg-G60HbGfhG3bVFI3L0_oT9o94j5KxLcxxZWnEwBtQMs7WZkPcsBBDoIH_yHrLmMdrTRK98G498dotZn0r_Pd3kmJXx9wvgsRm-OLNFmKNWjjGq9nIFr4nF/s1600/r16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhXwv3t4Ot-zNxXAto1ZBvg-G60HbGfhG3bVFI3L0_oT9o94j5KxLcxxZWnEwBtQMs7WZkPcsBBDoIH_yHrLmMdrTRK98G498dotZn0r_Pd3kmJXx9wvgsRm-OLNFmKNWjjGq9nIFr4nF/s400/r16.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weeeeeee!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxyOjPM69-Evag9okSToxjfg6MhSILPu-hzNmH0OHug_9gCiCEozEZUb_4iav6jEAv4FSS2Iq_Y4gM6ggzsNnU3hMtL-lOAnC3hzFSy9zwf5SY-Kj6HiSiLSUJNsg2dPXgm0AAEWqb6OY/s1600/r20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxyOjPM69-Evag9okSToxjfg6MhSILPu-hzNmH0OHug_9gCiCEozEZUb_4iav6jEAv4FSS2Iq_Y4gM6ggzsNnU3hMtL-lOAnC3hzFSy9zwf5SY-Kj6HiSiLSUJNsg2dPXgm0AAEWqb6OY/s400/r20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still don't know what my leg is doing.</td></tr>
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Once we cooled the ponies off, we loaded them up and headed towards Kalispell. Most of the trip was uneventful, but we chose a different route to get there than usual. This meant lots of up and downhill on very windy roads. The truck pulling the rather large living quarters trailer had had enough of that and started billowing white smoke out of the hood when we pulled over to let it cool off. We were on an uphill slope, with a truck with no parking brake. Turning off the truck meant eliminating the trailer brakes as well (this truck is perhaps not the best truck) and that meant relying on the transmission to hold us up. I thought the truck was feeling a little weird when Erin asked if we were moving backwards. All of the boys and the 13yr old girl travelling with us were out of the truck and trailer, and Blake promptly noticed the tires moving and said yes. So, they began a scramble to place rocks and logs under all of the tires. My heart got a little fast with that moment, but we got the truck cooled and limped it the 20 miles to Rebecca. Reinforcements were called to bring a different truck to the show so we could haul with it home. That Ford was toast. Chevy to the rescue!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctsyM4AMb-IedcL_aRBF_A7nje_aOpsM5gynSfXPBfyFgyb47XMcGkXSklF30qKuLZ_hhB4NZPoh0hF7CW9kmzKr3KVvz9GBhUcXpyA_urVeVcjcQVgA8wCCFy8V_D5P9Gb2evleASb7R/s1600/r26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctsyM4AMb-IedcL_aRBF_A7nje_aOpsM5gynSfXPBfyFgyb47XMcGkXSklF30qKuLZ_hhB4NZPoh0hF7CW9kmzKr3KVvz9GBhUcXpyA_urVeVcjcQVgA8wCCFy8V_D5P9Gb2evleASb7R/s400/r26.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I think we cleared this one Bacon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_mm4q4mKn-aNaLt1rSw18Cs8JcZimux4oGghUbu2jaWllNRaYTtIlS3XarFwrKRL2sNA_J46o2DmjWgpOu_aPf7869WPLzsN4oXsNmPCY3TgbORKLqOVaPB8PVQf7mCNgSs9kmW2DHmR/s1600/r28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_mm4q4mKn-aNaLt1rSw18Cs8JcZimux4oGghUbu2jaWllNRaYTtIlS3XarFwrKRL2sNA_J46o2DmjWgpOu_aPf7869WPLzsN4oXsNmPCY3TgbORKLqOVaPB8PVQf7mCNgSs9kmW2DHmR/s400/r28.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute wood wagon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We hurried out, snagged a pic in front of the competitor entrance, and got our ponies tucked into their new digs for the week. Bacon seemed to be one cool costumer so far, but we were some of the first people there. I wasn't sure if she was going to wind up once more horses and trucks and trailers showed up or not, but I tried to not think about it. I was exhausted and the show hadn't even started!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyLFXmgg572BzkzemFnBWL-dNn0G2_845HskXWQe5zo29UF4VjA8lQL5ExKXjoThKt2MW29ZQaLgSpQ1vWFEgGpP6QmA-_kDgagDuOauyBiLCw3k2XSfGjnY93eAcVhSFGR5yNKr-p35U/s1600/IMG_20170716_183859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyLFXmgg572BzkzemFnBWL-dNn0G2_845HskXWQe5zo29UF4VjA8lQL5ExKXjoThKt2MW29ZQaLgSpQ1vWFEgGpP6QmA-_kDgagDuOauyBiLCw3k2XSfGjnY93eAcVhSFGR5yNKr-p35U/s400/IMG_20170716_183859.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it!</td></tr>
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-42420575537955887002017-06-22T06:30:00.000-07:002017-06-22T06:30:14.428-07:00CAMELOT: Last Takeaways<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCF87vzP9Ed_mOS3Dn5YZwrzZ3jHu_qG2vDKwWOi3jtqQWoh-Y4LGWFtpCpUnUm4AWSta4zajyUukxOj2NXiuL6MfTAh6a6auwcrCjpjFGoQXI2NCLq8aZx0y1zomrTgJ-IsQcRXgBRdl/s1600/d42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCF87vzP9Ed_mOS3Dn5YZwrzZ3jHu_qG2vDKwWOi3jtqQWoh-Y4LGWFtpCpUnUm4AWSta4zajyUukxOj2NXiuL6MfTAh6a6auwcrCjpjFGoQXI2NCLq8aZx0y1zomrTgJ-IsQcRXgBRdl/s400/d42.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go Bacon going</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I came to some conclusions from my time at Camelot. Or general musings. They might be useful for you, they might not. Or they might just be entertaining. Some of it was for me.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIfXPgZkoNvfCV42wVcYoT_8hrl_JeByDRXX6UKrntpQRQ3EGSpuOlJw61_HZ-yrNSBIObJsj7BBvVl5L1mX54eQ7gGIscJJux8rnTYJyug0BeiMtb5I3LUpTUmv9tGSqa1uipm0E6EH0/s1600/c127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIfXPgZkoNvfCV42wVcYoT_8hrl_JeByDRXX6UKrntpQRQ3EGSpuOlJw61_HZ-yrNSBIObJsj7BBvVl5L1mX54eQ7gGIscJJux8rnTYJyug0BeiMtb5I3LUpTUmv9tGSqa1uipm0E6EH0/s400/c127.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did not get a picture of a frog. So here is a tiny dog.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>1. There are lots of frogs!</b><br />
Frogs everywhere. Don't know if this is typical or not, but it brought me joy. I hope I didn't squash one because they were tiny. But they would be hanging out in horse water buckets, come shooting out the spigots when I turned the water on, and go hopping away when I walked through the grass. So many frogs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYt0Syrm7N1ePiN82hJAvy7F3VFPXnuo95dqmP3dWiwEO75VDKn1ELw_NBgsp4NKFL6H80Zm-urAuR0vggucA0Qqv8GNKgny4p2rsE2TotnCugklHdl6kuWM4C_etGqj0aC1w_IXr8afmM/s1600/c115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYt0Syrm7N1ePiN82hJAvy7F3VFPXnuo95dqmP3dWiwEO75VDKn1ELw_NBgsp4NKFL6H80Zm-urAuR0vggucA0Qqv8GNKgny4p2rsE2TotnCugklHdl6kuWM4C_etGqj0aC1w_IXr8afmM/s400/c115.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny dog on course.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>2. Sometimes people take showers together</b><br />
I went to take a nice long hot shower in their shared showers on the grounds. And when I got there, there were three girls (two teenagers and a woman) in one shower. I did not stay. It was weird.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3CV6EsEWac773iEeFkKI-Y2FotRkhslRexIkOQWTl0aeou1SDL7p9AWZgaHpLEHpHsFXJAgJYsyLyESbuoQaokXTupGX2khVuycTWN8WUZ7BnudyUSAdC78Ke9cYs22wCV6NB_qdYS3L/s1600/c130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3CV6EsEWac773iEeFkKI-Y2FotRkhslRexIkOQWTl0aeou1SDL7p9AWZgaHpLEHpHsFXJAgJYsyLyESbuoQaokXTupGX2khVuycTWN8WUZ7BnudyUSAdC78Ke9cYs22wCV6NB_qdYS3L/s400/c130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meat showering.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sLmvjI6gpOOuCNDv_ptFoEnYA3v_Iq4nwDpJ8UeKSBSM9qpRpJVv_rt3NzfcuPfKI5ZDR6ubee_SiLg-Igkp3qzLySEHiv1azXUgn-0RTdhRsKN-f9WgVxB1k6b5VfOG497qvVQM80IE/s1600/c144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sLmvjI6gpOOuCNDv_ptFoEnYA3v_Iq4nwDpJ8UeKSBSM9qpRpJVv_rt3NzfcuPfKI5ZDR6ubee_SiLg-Igkp3qzLySEHiv1azXUgn-0RTdhRsKN-f9WgVxB1k6b5VfOG497qvVQM80IE/s400/c144.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meaty showering in a different water complex.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlcFcpnS7AlNwBaic_2A0HD8HhVrjRPO498Xhh0xTg9HINehZUJG-CNWqkKsGB391Ngvsu9xV9QXuiqyz-miyzorDShgx8De0IvBANz8ilL09sMYooxaGNGugs1SRzBIgDbd835k2ICy7/s1600/c148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlcFcpnS7AlNwBaic_2A0HD8HhVrjRPO498Xhh0xTg9HINehZUJG-CNWqkKsGB391Ngvsu9xV9QXuiqyz-miyzorDShgx8De0IvBANz8ilL09sMYooxaGNGugs1SRzBIgDbd835k2ICy7/s400/c148.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a hind end I want to ride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrJHFtt1Y_XqpiEof8yi0CkLbOjb9Q4bWUspkGE0DT2G6Ic3_5SZB5vfmBDjQ1b4jCIJATspHe3-V7zOCU2ChyphenhyphenaEcKApxbeoN3_VxCETBoh-JOg9anUeLvRzL4m_mX-qtTWGqVsNvTZmR/s1600/c152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrJHFtt1Y_XqpiEof8yi0CkLbOjb9Q4bWUspkGE0DT2G6Ic3_5SZB5vfmBDjQ1b4jCIJATspHe3-V7zOCU2ChyphenhyphenaEcKApxbeoN3_VxCETBoh-JOg9anUeLvRzL4m_mX-qtTWGqVsNvTZmR/s400/c152.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sharing his stick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>3. The castle</b><br />
For cross country, the venue has an awesome castle replica thing for people to stand on and watch. The announcer is also up there, so you can hear everything and see almost all of the course. It is very helpful and pretty darn cool. And extra fun when you get to ride through it for your course.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPcpkpYZY7qfYqkUgIS8Ubv9eXiBUT-oH0U9zm7aP4SS30OSRe4RAywkw227P2wH-af9Hkva0UOIIn1we0k5bV9u4E7HsgP4VQpXH6qP0_3JvIWE6ghyphenhyphen88iLewVB4xVJ7utO6QJNVB7Uu/s1600/c165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPcpkpYZY7qfYqkUgIS8Ubv9eXiBUT-oH0U9zm7aP4SS30OSRe4RAywkw227P2wH-af9Hkva0UOIIn1we0k5bV9u4E7HsgP4VQpXH6qP0_3JvIWE6ghyphenhyphen88iLewVB4xVJ7utO6QJNVB7Uu/s400/c165.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It has lots of stairs. But that's alright.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>4. Dog friendly</b><br />
Camelot was very dog friendly and the organizer even promoted dogs being off leash. I was ok with this when people weren't riding, and that's how it mostly stayed. Our dogs really enjoyed the cross country course when we walked it. Especially the water jumps.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlXx21TkKWSqm5D4tyM94moD4o5N-CxPDAxA6hHBixdcDIufyfbn9xblh9bVSFztC5gXUqKR6bSxPJiek2FQOhKOHNP9B8_a4pcGcdFcS9MaESpq4fiV6LsCm7zFAWyWJAkDTz8h2UabI/s1600/c134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlXx21TkKWSqm5D4tyM94moD4o5N-CxPDAxA6hHBixdcDIufyfbn9xblh9bVSFztC5gXUqKR6bSxPJiek2FQOhKOHNP9B8_a4pcGcdFcS9MaESpq4fiV6LsCm7zFAWyWJAkDTz8h2UabI/s400/c134.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are silly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxi8PtHND3Z2JeZNzniGBfDoHFcFxJ5NQ5z7rv8FU2APC0zRjpfzAViTidYCiOjMfXsRgAT66C9clrIbU8C7dJIzuUxQd4OqEzzRp3iC2a0ZcoDDA3GddvuaLKZQPGc9ZEc1zl6zkjnRq/s1600/c139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxi8PtHND3Z2JeZNzniGBfDoHFcFxJ5NQ5z7rv8FU2APC0zRjpfzAViTidYCiOjMfXsRgAT66C9clrIbU8C7dJIzuUxQd4OqEzzRp3iC2a0ZcoDDA3GddvuaLKZQPGc9ZEc1zl6zkjnRq/s400/c139.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This thing is extra special.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGKm9LeUnjUYWuooXka236WUX_4gPR1TAFlZRnGeGkG0QTU0UlvXbEOhzsSIWI8sYv_5SVive2Z4JsA6bhJfWK8ERyml42D2OQSmms8S8BoLxPsfL9UbKXJd6-5SLwrzVD51KIVtgZmtQ/s1600/c155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGKm9LeUnjUYWuooXka236WUX_4gPR1TAFlZRnGeGkG0QTU0UlvXbEOhzsSIWI8sYv_5SVive2Z4JsA6bhJfWK8ERyml42D2OQSmms8S8BoLxPsfL9UbKXJd6-5SLwrzVD51KIVtgZmtQ/s400/c155.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dis how I run?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0klOVPwQKuC1ccQ8WNgkf27diroWSC78fTNsSsNajkx3ci-fJacvFQebFIxKqkqnQ588txZ8Tym2GuHdB7JyfThvL_bI-8ZM2Pi0uPM_win7gaYrMx3ewd4JuBYBTG3IP1GTAhlw-5C_/s1600/c161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0klOVPwQKuC1ccQ8WNgkf27diroWSC78fTNsSsNajkx3ci-fJacvFQebFIxKqkqnQ588txZ8Tym2GuHdB7JyfThvL_bI-8ZM2Pi0uPM_win7gaYrMx3ewd4JuBYBTG3IP1GTAhlw-5C_/s400/c161.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She had to test the moon drop.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHl_zng4a8yMD4UMRRiuZ817Vk0NQ9ntSTNYnEoG_iVYADvSI2P0yFIqQzaY3agKfeAvN__6uRqRdnTsTuhsTwFlrxIhQbgPHqe2AUxFwi13bkdVQ_7937TBtRFZQkZQnaHUWe4vz6jbl/s1600/c118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHl_zng4a8yMD4UMRRiuZ817Vk0NQ9ntSTNYnEoG_iVYADvSI2P0yFIqQzaY3agKfeAvN__6uRqRdnTsTuhsTwFlrxIhQbgPHqe2AUxFwi13bkdVQ_7937TBtRFZQkZQnaHUWe4vz6jbl/s400/c118.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best jump judge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>5. Husband is awesome</b><br />
Blake was the only boy to come with us on this trip, and though we could probably get through all of that without a boy, it is nice to have him there. He videoed, photographed, brought water, helped hold horses and dogs, carried hay and shavings, watched Wonder Woman, gave me high fives and hugs, and massaged my sore sore body. And drove us there and back. So yeah, he is pretty awesome.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXlRmgSaWQHXJLPNrNtGB_KyvuxtTkcfq8SIkeLTVgyDVMG4xAAppjecdGVGuQ-3aK4xHv2M3gZfzK0IYtHAgNkMI9hKNUE1Q__yCml_BM6-OF-YvitgMF1DImn8XVHScxSkuic7AyrUy/s1600/c110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXlRmgSaWQHXJLPNrNtGB_KyvuxtTkcfq8SIkeLTVgyDVMG4xAAppjecdGVGuQ-3aK4xHv2M3gZfzK0IYtHAgNkMI9hKNUE1Q__yCml_BM6-OF-YvitgMF1DImn8XVHScxSkuic7AyrUy/s400/c110.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This appears to be my only pic of hubs of the weekend. I failed!</td></tr>
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<b>6. Bloggers won't make you feel stupid</b><br />
<b> </b>I had a real fear of meeting <a href="http://aenterspooking.blogspot.com/">Megan</a>, <a href="http://incidentsofguidance.blogspot.com/">Kate</a>, and <a href="https://zenbabyhorse.wordpress.com/">Nicole</a>. Not because I thought they were going to be mean and laugh at Bacon and I's performance or anything, but I do have quite the social anxiety. It almost felt like a job interview and I didn't want to fail their expectations (whatever they may be). I also struggle with speaking, especially when I don't feel good (stupid Lyme), so I was worried that I was going to sound stupid. But I never felt stupid or afraid, because all three of them are excellent people. I highly recommend meeting any of them. A+. Everyone was kind and supportive and fun, just like they are in Blogland, who knew?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJffapi5G_4eTINkGlg9wyfbO-5-sh55h7ZASU_UFRoKhtjv9JmI9AviKxX1R-iAMeEGQhifIBjFTNJhNc6mmObdQCVSFuu-YKUagFeKCD7YWmAP1_pRPVW42xJXm9bf0UUyleHyYJUia/s1600/received_10155290520282660.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJffapi5G_4eTINkGlg9wyfbO-5-sh55h7ZASU_UFRoKhtjv9JmI9AviKxX1R-iAMeEGQhifIBjFTNJhNc6mmObdQCVSFuu-YKUagFeKCD7YWmAP1_pRPVW42xJXm9bf0UUyleHyYJUia/s400/received_10155290520282660.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do these people look scary? No. They do not.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also enjoyed watching Nicole and Murray rock it out there in each phase, even if Murray did throw down some of his trademark gang signs in dressage. They came out swinging each time, Nicole rode him well and rode the horse she had under her every stride and it was so cool to see in person. They are a team and I was glad to be on their side cheering for them, and to have them cheering for me too!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZSs-ZV-bILIf4MZ10-ctw2nht1Co-j0z0evCcW7_PTfpbRCjJV4OWOXJAuljKcRTBTv7_ip7Wr20XXN-JvOgHzKx2zGcA77HRY4wy5FKQqPFMSe3a0rGY1dmyqoii-ZkQe5tL4DXo4P0/s1600/IMG_20170611_125912495_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZSs-ZV-bILIf4MZ10-ctw2nht1Co-j0z0evCcW7_PTfpbRCjJV4OWOXJAuljKcRTBTv7_ip7Wr20XXN-JvOgHzKx2zGcA77HRY4wy5FKQqPFMSe3a0rGY1dmyqoii-ZkQe5tL4DXo4P0/s400/IMG_20170611_125912495_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> My pants look ridiculous.</td></tr>
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<b>7. You should go</b><br />
If you find yourself wondering if you should go to Camelot or not, you should. They are still trying to get off the ground, but are making improvements and are off on the right foot. Unfortunately, it sounds like if they don't get a certain amount of entries next year (I think 150?) they will call off the event for good. There was a friendly, fun atmosphere with a cool theme and lots of frogs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqYFlF6OQRpToyxyN5zH9hK6MgV5fLCJKXqPmjNog21sxWeiV5QsXXHCTs9zYzKEHkEM_3mUT3CGe4S8-z7KdaBcvyMqQdfzi3clT8Vc1CtBiABnSPm0BvUmM5T4ygAu_67wYLd7Nfsir/s1600/d37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqYFlF6OQRpToyxyN5zH9hK6MgV5fLCJKXqPmjNog21sxWeiV5QsXXHCTs9zYzKEHkEM_3mUT3CGe4S8-z7KdaBcvyMqQdfzi3clT8Vc1CtBiABnSPm0BvUmM5T4ygAu_67wYLd7Nfsir/s400/d37.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you don't go, my head will fall off.</td></tr>
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-52314266158684265632017-06-19T06:30:00.000-07:002017-06-19T06:30:32.806-07:00CAMELOT: A Journey- My Horse is a Badass<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYnoPegZpbqWH5ndfha1lCPrgczmHnAiSCTe__vXCB9r02c-5syAK3dAFYXPdwJWLuAduhyphenhyphenYM0ac6bkadC6HvCenqMPfjdOy6b4a3T4C454Gku_PPxzl3j9GudV0JJ1YpyQQRa-NyNzZd/s1600/c381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYnoPegZpbqWH5ndfha1lCPrgczmHnAiSCTe__vXCB9r02c-5syAK3dAFYXPdwJWLuAduhyphenhyphenYM0ac6bkadC6HvCenqMPfjdOy6b4a3T4C454Gku_PPxzl3j9GudV0JJ1YpyQQRa-NyNzZd/s400/c381.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a gallop fence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had forgot to mention that while in show jump warm up I was starting to feel dizzy and weak. Fortunately, I was able to get a drink of water and kind of shake it off enough to ride through the course. So when we started to tack up for xc schooling later that afternoon, I wasn't so sure how I was going to do because I still wasn't feeling so great. I figured I would just jump a couple of things and call it good, or just toodle if needed. Especially because my damn crazy mare STILL wasn't tired.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDyBdA3E-2ANppQBDJTFPFsq6zZziX4MjeAX3aNT7Inx6j9C9nFbDuGzhVOehyphenhyphenx92BF2y4AUYKGGS6-1JbQVTuE5SE3Xbzegh5QNmthlQqp3FOghbcLvtBZKTKM6-Af03qRT4WAnBA8U-/s1600/c304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDyBdA3E-2ANppQBDJTFPFsq6zZziX4MjeAX3aNT7Inx6j9C9nFbDuGzhVOehyphenhyphenx92BF2y4AUYKGGS6-1JbQVTuE5SE3Xbzegh5QNmthlQqp3FOghbcLvtBZKTKM6-Af03qRT4WAnBA8U-/s400/c304.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splish splash</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinebmhRwlR6LEYQtMBBv5SSYYwM7CFmJHiCdooAq2wVMTKAcWmtMFnnODD6167J-KLXi8ayNz5DSjvzu_saacZTc6UD6-PG4o9psEZ38dI3eluI49mQg4xyCKO4awyx7M9-J20P8g4wmqr/s1600/c313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinebmhRwlR6LEYQtMBBv5SSYYwM7CFmJHiCdooAq2wVMTKAcWmtMFnnODD6167J-KLXi8ayNz5DSjvzu_saacZTc6UD6-PG4o9psEZ38dI3eluI49mQg4xyCKO4awyx7M9-J20P8g4wmqr/s400/c313.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And launch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also threw on a french link cartwheel bit because Bacon's gag was causing a rub and like stated previously, she seems to be getting a little grumpy with it (probably because it rubs!) and I need a little help with her pulling my arms off. I knew right off the bat that this bit was not the one to help my arms. She thought it was pretty great because it made me pretty invisible. We started with a brief warm up around the main water complex and then started splashing right in, practicing going off and up the the water banks and eventually stringing them together. Water is the best. I love water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5spU__Ju_dYcLDdLQ7tPTK-a58ylS5IpwG5Gv2Z8yRvyavj7UO7fGh9fNZBorUN6V-RryEmvxDAEfwJmtttTIf7CrgH4OoaXdX-MQbs-A1F3IAEBjeWF3msLTo8tRD3_V0G_6SSftQFU/s1600/c323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5spU__Ju_dYcLDdLQ7tPTK-a58ylS5IpwG5Gv2Z8yRvyavj7UO7fGh9fNZBorUN6V-RryEmvxDAEfwJmtttTIf7CrgH4OoaXdX-MQbs-A1F3IAEBjeWF3msLTo8tRD3_V0G_6SSftQFU/s400/c323.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEistUl2iOKLgHJtljEzy501_W0ymLCKzBxEXKdjE608ytScLrcNuxQlqregoJItSiJnFb6_LgBqAoHPDL2S_r_IwXI77CBUafXcjP3FVOm7TD1pY39DVqhTmcwEf4DjRfgpf0dFFfJT8/s1600/c326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEistUl2iOKLgHJtljEzy501_W0ymLCKzBxEXKdjE608ytScLrcNuxQlqregoJItSiJnFb6_LgBqAoHPDL2S_r_IwXI77CBUafXcjP3FVOm7TD1pY39DVqhTmcwEf4DjRfgpf0dFFfJT8/s400/c326.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Training water jump in</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuvsesRTWifZVwZvNnt6EfchxJaFCsDe2aCDoXCL0Vsg5HWZGt0UQLYOLF5iWvrQa6RAZzA9IN9df6wnWU50Bkglqc1SDNopresGfohP2tCFsmstgUZWZFS9TrcsIx86Elt3hZRGSqepO/s1600/c327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuvsesRTWifZVwZvNnt6EfchxJaFCsDe2aCDoXCL0Vsg5HWZGt0UQLYOLF5iWvrQa6RAZzA9IN9df6wnWU50Bkglqc1SDNopresGfohP2tCFsmstgUZWZFS9TrcsIx86Elt3hZRGSqepO/s400/c327.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just love the colors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I did the training line through the water again and asked E if I should try the prelim line. She advised trying the first jump, and if that went well, coming back through and stringing the combo together. First jump went fine, so I came back around and did the line, with the second jump a super skinny faced chevron out of the water (skinnier than we had ever jumped before). She nailed it perfectly, but stinky husband missed the shot. Turd on a stick.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8hcKMw-xsCYm0CTsChJ7kheSgyqkXLy1rxhJ8Kbv5-n-qy5h-gUD8sMbiskBaceIBn46Z49C3Kj14bbuUB3WoBZu0vrb9QPsUW7T2NXQC8BmL6EA0LD4Q0XqxvD6LXmwNPXLP5nf8nnL/s1600/c329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8hcKMw-xsCYm0CTsChJ7kheSgyqkXLy1rxhJ8Kbv5-n-qy5h-gUD8sMbiskBaceIBn46Z49C3Kj14bbuUB3WoBZu0vrb9QPsUW7T2NXQC8BmL6EA0LD4Q0XqxvD6LXmwNPXLP5nf8nnL/s400/c329.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I know. She's attractive. But lost some weight on this trip. Sigh.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9T5uD3hGkiE2gAM7jQN4WzgYGQp7OVLHC7BRvC5X5YdPY0C8u9CG_s0iAnCvB0LFJDELrlHi2opYkc2TM_6vSSYh3KSQ7mTqT54ld1WBlqJnn4Ip41Gh-v3X2kGyc6Y_0EkHDLfltxfV/s1600/c331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9T5uD3hGkiE2gAM7jQN4WzgYGQp7OVLHC7BRvC5X5YdPY0C8u9CG_s0iAnCvB0LFJDELrlHi2opYkc2TM_6vSSYh3KSQ7mTqT54ld1WBlqJnn4Ip41Gh-v3X2kGyc6Y_0EkHDLfltxfV/s400/c331.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to jump the dragon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3jGNWwG29qr46Gy2ujcAGm7xxkVEY9bG9c-HablJVodW4C1G8iGtcWvb8sLcISSMe_BBUE86yMSUzQDq7SE4JguHmKpsAVAyWBsJy4m14DN70_jDAstd6uh9TpWxhA08cS2Rh0hDQaYK/s400/c333.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming down the hill from the drop. Loved the background.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3jGNWwG29qr46Gy2ujcAGm7xxkVEY9bG9c-HablJVodW4C1G8iGtcWvb8sLcISSMe_BBUE86yMSUzQDq7SE4JguHmKpsAVAyWBsJy4m14DN70_jDAstd6uh9TpWxhA08cS2Rh0hDQaYK/s1600/c333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3jGNWwG29qr46Gy2ujcAGm7xxkVEY9bG9c-HablJVodW4C1G8iGtcWvb8sLcISSMe_BBUE86yMSUzQDq7SE4JguHmKpsAVAyWBsJy4m14DN70_jDAstd6uh9TpWxhA08cS2Rh0hDQaYK/s1600/c333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
We did the training drop again, and then E urged us to do the prelim drop because if we could do that one, then any future training drop we had on a course shouldn't ever be a problem. I gulped, my heart skipped a beat, but we headed up the hill towards the drop. Don't look down, just look ahead and ride where I want to go. And that sucker rode nicer than the training one. I was all smiles. We were going to move towards the corners, but I wanted to jump the prelim dragon wing, so Bacon and I tackled that too. And she made that seem like a novice fence.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgj_OmVQDxAV_xgjsedTtW7Ghr7oYbwduYM0k5qOUMxBIPwuj2UFFcAcSKy99wp8hibtDib6UdMx37qsON02mP8m5unjcOEZN93yQTrZcBv3zsp9HQME_HZqsUKHyzsfMURgBXjaSeW28/s1600/c334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgj_OmVQDxAV_xgjsedTtW7Ghr7oYbwduYM0k5qOUMxBIPwuj2UFFcAcSKy99wp8hibtDib6UdMx37qsON02mP8m5unjcOEZN93yQTrZcBv3zsp9HQME_HZqsUKHyzsfMURgBXjaSeW28/s400/c334.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over the second element of the drop with potential storm coming.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJUePk029Gr-FQgX7z7KAUOr4eD2tKQQ28ZT9YDTRoo8bP9e4j6vyNQdAyUp8iHhbKWF5Xi0dfF_7qIlHTAC_r9gjNnpBCusdcfCBhj4VQWDjwbaSLi1CrXE15qSlfgsM-PZ-XJdahI9d/s1600/c345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJUePk029Gr-FQgX7z7KAUOr4eD2tKQQ28ZT9YDTRoo8bP9e4j6vyNQdAyUp8iHhbKWF5Xi0dfF_7qIlHTAC_r9gjNnpBCusdcfCBhj4VQWDjwbaSLi1CrXE15qSlfgsM-PZ-XJdahI9d/s400/c345.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over the prelim water jump</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TA5V2HZzd_oxgj1ykKWN6qUTctFiVI2Ma_aW3syVFgdgS6C1ch9XFiLYgmIslzRi9HAezpjKq9pWWAL6m0295xDm04pTpZjsNUofRRgF548J-wbahAhbLXcVMioAPtGO9jOe_zAmTLbg/s1600/c348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TA5V2HZzd_oxgj1ykKWN6qUTctFiVI2Ma_aW3syVFgdgS6C1ch9XFiLYgmIslzRi9HAezpjKq9pWWAL6m0295xDm04pTpZjsNUofRRgF548J-wbahAhbLXcVMioAPtGO9jOe_zAmTLbg/s400/c348.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the most epic pic of the weekend. The prelim drop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVRnDU7I1zdWpAumLlIJFjHkfu_QWtCELqcuS_IUq4mga1hwCMNSyl-p81epkWXNuKTOfoZ2smhNelfmwJG_BySvH-8umYeXkxZ4kCwJPnHYX_3sKvD7lPQTp9hyzv8Dxq6HH0df8yF3o/s1600/c354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVRnDU7I1zdWpAumLlIJFjHkfu_QWtCELqcuS_IUq4mga1hwCMNSyl-p81epkWXNuKTOfoZ2smhNelfmwJG_BySvH-8umYeXkxZ4kCwJPnHYX_3sKvD7lPQTp9hyzv8Dxq6HH0df8yF3o/s400/c354.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the prelim dragon wing!</td></tr>
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Off to the corners we went. The training corner is very inviting and open, so I wanted to try the prelim corner to get Bacon used to jumping corners without as much space and to see if she had a thought about running out at it. Of course, she did not. She trucked through the water, and aimed smack where I wanted her at that corner and pinged right over it like a pro. So many pats and good girls where cooed at her. After we were done playing in that area, we headed towards the coffins.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJL7GF8dPiXLG5ERjJpLHnI9Z2yXbCZohM1QHQASllet_bSeYPaVAWXdirKZ1aJHI-VEDXPO5HWUr8UryPO1WR6BI4492X3eZulBq-A-h7Rck1oVsDARul8tKv7mtOhA93thrmgUSYGb-/s1600/c358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJL7GF8dPiXLG5ERjJpLHnI9Z2yXbCZohM1QHQASllet_bSeYPaVAWXdirKZ1aJHI-VEDXPO5HWUr8UryPO1WR6BI4492X3eZulBq-A-h7Rck1oVsDARul8tKv7mtOhA93thrmgUSYGb-/s400/c358.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prelim corner, check!</td></tr>
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Bacon skipped over the coffin in the correct three strides this time, but next to us was the prelim coffin. It was comprised of a ditch, jump on a bump, and ditch on the backside. I had never seen a coffin like that before and really didn't know how Bacon would react to that one. E rode through it first and said it rode great and to give it a try. So we headed to it and oh lordy, it was hilarious. Unfortunately, as I was going over the middle part of it, the camera ran out of space, but Bacon's ditch efforts were hilarious and had me busting up laughing. It wasn't perfect, but it was good enough for me!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkXYyM5AF6Pxe1vKyGLl5VdLZmjwT5Rv6Um0xAY-eRdsVThupiGXGOsbWAy1mGiz8A8EwuScyEoJVxnjfAiZGJJeIbf7_fCSVc7CRNBEQyHZr6sQybANLPUPTqnLTVB9gR4eDuQqMbQ7k/s1600/c366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkXYyM5AF6Pxe1vKyGLl5VdLZmjwT5Rv6Um0xAY-eRdsVThupiGXGOsbWAy1mGiz8A8EwuScyEoJVxnjfAiZGJJeIbf7_fCSVc7CRNBEQyHZr6sQybANLPUPTqnLTVB9gR4eDuQqMbQ7k/s400/c366.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom, what the hell kind of gopher was over here?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICRBEDZH-pmuYQglpAwC3_YTrCe0EJspL9zjTbxgXyqWysrWGknSjV7wPuDMl0GmKY-wVwFx57x05eRCavKtoZGi5nApi1hOKKrqazoVGr7rL0L4NDcd5vdnUG3nNdibUGGcc30-zKHAi/s1600/c367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICRBEDZH-pmuYQglpAwC3_YTrCe0EJspL9zjTbxgXyqWysrWGknSjV7wPuDMl0GmKY-wVwFx57x05eRCavKtoZGi5nApi1hOKKrqazoVGr7rL0L4NDcd5vdnUG3nNdibUGGcc30-zKHAi/s400/c367.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C element of training coffin.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QO2p77sF7iR0b5h0DM8hIaJu6UnykM5B6Q4GCOu39SqtTO1LEzHK8_l2zp8CSTVuk28NOAHT6V1pHxeDlk6psFl3-Khb1sTXpe6cKSkwif2JoGxyRUMiNtWd_wzW1yLiw0QXZrmd3saO/s1600/c372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QO2p77sF7iR0b5h0DM8hIaJu6UnykM5B6Q4GCOu39SqtTO1LEzHK8_l2zp8CSTVuk28NOAHT6V1pHxeDlk6psFl3-Khb1sTXpe6cKSkwif2JoGxyRUMiNtWd_wzW1yLiw0QXZrmd3saO/s400/c372.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B element of prelim coffin.</td></tr>
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We headed towards one last prelim combo to see what it looked like. E was pretty happy with her horse, but thought Bacon would do well over it and that we should give it a try. Really, I think she just wanted to make us do things. It was a vertical faced jump angled on some terrain followed by three strides to a large roll top also on an angle. We went back quite a bit to get a good gallop going and made a go at it. Bacon had a bit of hesitation at it, which made us come in to the next jump a bit long, but we flew. I had to take another shot at it, being unhappy with that, and there was no hesitation the second time but now she was feeling too strong and dragging me through the jumps. I knew I no longer had enough strength to properly and safely jump her over these things, so I called it a day and just galloped her out on the track for a minute and cooled her out. And she danced and jigged all the way back home.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNwbOXyBlDLXxZwOtPzqq7mh-Ln-H4c8WnoWDT3a094HH3J_ty3yNfBaZ9H24u-tixS9xbNSC0j50d4cTARXVw87BcU8zCHiLY7-XbyZ4DpVXZ3Q9xJ0ezbqycxke3A_A-RKAxkuvWP8j/s1600/c374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNwbOXyBlDLXxZwOtPzqq7mh-Ln-H4c8WnoWDT3a094HH3J_ty3yNfBaZ9H24u-tixS9xbNSC0j50d4cTARXVw87BcU8zCHiLY7-XbyZ4DpVXZ3Q9xJ0ezbqycxke3A_A-RKAxkuvWP8j/s400/c374.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My other favorite from this adventure. Except I don't know what I am doing.</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuWc4toiz981FxIpm9i1w0BIa0HRutnVciBFEjcyzy6qz5Q297LbEzcb7FkN3BWhaTPICKC_VBguO2LG3bVtrxAMEY82vjvRvFK2-wXNUPra4g0x9K80zEFXOP9lvmbRexg9rMZoevyNL/s1600/c376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuWc4toiz981FxIpm9i1w0BIa0HRutnVciBFEjcyzy6qz5Q297LbEzcb7FkN3BWhaTPICKC_VBguO2LG3bVtrxAMEY82vjvRvFK2-wXNUPra4g0x9K80zEFXOP9lvmbRexg9rMZoevyNL/s400/c376.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OH GOD HOW DO I RIDE THIS HIND END</td></tr>
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So, basically, my horse proved to me that she is even more of a bad ass than I thought. She will jump whatever I point her at. Doesn't matter what I am doing up there really. Just aim and hang on. I really loved all of the themed jumps at Camelot and the openeness of the course, as it is very different from the trees and terrain from the stuff we have done in the past. And, as you can tell, it was Bacon approved.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlfld-WRyXUtR-CuIEZaqFs2FB5Z58ktXhN1odycmSU6tnFVHlEK-lbdDoRgRK3KdmQGCVpCF4UGhZrwZVT20_dAoPgbmYDrvSDCkivbs0cV7cnp-5XAaKfD4EfwCxTLFnODwGYR4g2D9/s1600/c317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlfld-WRyXUtR-CuIEZaqFs2FB5Z58ktXhN1odycmSU6tnFVHlEK-lbdDoRgRK3KdmQGCVpCF4UGhZrwZVT20_dAoPgbmYDrvSDCkivbs0cV7cnp-5XAaKfD4EfwCxTLFnODwGYR4g2D9/s400/c317.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my mare and she is psycho but awesome.</td></tr>
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-17569647139638166932017-06-16T06:30:00.000-07:002017-06-16T06:30:23.323-07:00CAMELOT: A Journey- Victory<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxj0A5vvtgn94coZdb7f_JQ7AWMbejbs3BnmnumNe3rdUPGo3ucAwicmkpFZ1KKq5qBxMmzV-vT40vU7gKm4ihpD1WTppW4BDlFxrQzz2iEwKhkztVCQmS55KwnpAa3LLI33LkcfzoX2E/s1600/c253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxj0A5vvtgn94coZdb7f_JQ7AWMbejbs3BnmnumNe3rdUPGo3ucAwicmkpFZ1KKq5qBxMmzV-vT40vU7gKm4ihpD1WTppW4BDlFxrQzz2iEwKhkztVCQmS55KwnpAa3LLI33LkcfzoX2E/s400/c253.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long, twisty course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We all awoke bright and early wondering how M was doing that morning. Our mission was to kick ass in show jumping and then hurry to the hospital to visit her. It thought about raining a little bit, but it didn't. We braided, I tried to settle my non-tired crazy ass pony down, and then we tacked up and headed to the warm up. Bacon was being quite polite in there, which was great considering there was a crap ton of trainers (and their dogs) doing whatever they wanted and confusing the hell out of me. They were constantly standing in front of jumps, or changing them, or just standing out in the open in warm up. I understand some assistance, but please remove yourself from certain areas because I may run your ass over. Sorry for the rant.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDKFcg5ThMmqyi0cs6eYH0uOO5TGgMSJpbVQVEUGECrRXKPt8T3RVQZYgUKq4pZYQUV4rMDpQMFpsICssLLmNRGgaHeTQhFr8lh3ZBIIcYFdcFsk0LR9QDinVubRAjWaZrdgn4JQmpV2X/s1600/d22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDKFcg5ThMmqyi0cs6eYH0uOO5TGgMSJpbVQVEUGECrRXKPt8T3RVQZYgUKq4pZYQUV4rMDpQMFpsICssLLmNRGgaHeTQhFr8lh3ZBIIcYFdcFsk0LR9QDinVubRAjWaZrdgn4JQmpV2X/s400/d22.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this one. Photo by Darwin Sloop.</td></tr>
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We jumped the few jumps we could and she was listening and responsive and awesome. And then waited and waited. We tried to watch E's round from the side, but could only catch two jumps. I jumped her twice more to wake her up again and she wasn't quite as game but still good, and then headed in a few minutes later.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-mCHNFuhHLMBBTiY_-2nQE9IrlsZd3XcJ-qgBfo2kUqAAUw2U_tIGTobOi41Iz281ghRnt-RY0SJCkO6BbXONi-n0KnlC0WfQHeEAiL77PdJY9DcdMDh_jYjYoDBujH4zFMwgyKPLL8c/s1600/d17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-mCHNFuhHLMBBTiY_-2nQE9IrlsZd3XcJ-qgBfo2kUqAAUw2U_tIGTobOi41Iz281ghRnt-RY0SJCkO6BbXONi-n0KnlC0WfQHeEAiL77PdJY9DcdMDh_jYjYoDBujH4zFMwgyKPLL8c/s400/d17.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Darwin Sloop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bjjzZMaFyktOvBYVk76kE5HiMmqs3l2OayQCaO9Wtjq1hHgMmR32qxkeztj5wG5alMU0rARzFsHz6kSiTymIZ68a8pSZ9pvfFh-94LciElCcRgz9bzp7EHR8BOFpq7aMLBNhahkgq1si/s1600/c258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bjjzZMaFyktOvBYVk76kE5HiMmqs3l2OayQCaO9Wtjq1hHgMmR32qxkeztj5wG5alMU0rARzFsHz6kSiTymIZ68a8pSZ9pvfFh-94LciElCcRgz9bzp7EHR8BOFpq7aMLBNhahkgq1si/s400/c258.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One day I will learn to sit less in the back seat, </td></tr>
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Basically, I rode like poo. I expected her to take me to the first jump a little more like she usually does, and I flubbed the distance on it and it was gross. It was a flat round and I struggled to keep her back on her hind end, and having some Equifuse on my gloves did not help as my reins were constantly sliding through my hands and getting long. She had some nice jumps in there when I actually rode her to the jump, but mostly she saved my ass out there. If I had a helmet cam on, you would hear me constantly apologizing to her. We rubbed at least two rails, and the shark rail we hit hard, and by some magic I think cast by M, it didn't budge. We came in with a double clear round to finish on our score (for the first time ever at a recognized event!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-IXQW3yrZA5DA9LH9Sn3fBmD5P4DZ6Hir2KqavlTijMy1BrEz1iG7pFNli6eqAHH3if84MuAfgia2tcgVEqYHyMGxKnjMS0TDuh7iaF7CwsKuyu_M-z2JQbi0lKpI5gJI7Q0GT0ZAOE6/s1600/c257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-IXQW3yrZA5DA9LH9Sn3fBmD5P4DZ6Hir2KqavlTijMy1BrEz1iG7pFNli6eqAHH3if84MuAfgia2tcgVEqYHyMGxKnjMS0TDuh7iaF7CwsKuyu_M-z2JQbi0lKpI5gJI7Q0GT0ZAOE6/s400/c257.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharks at Camelot!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkv3zJ6eGJm844BTrD3Q_W8-SHWfbRnDMYB9JtOxz7ZXKH4vJ4m5MDQbXlJethdVsjWCjzkhLQwdpW0uKqwUxnQ7TDgbabDzuWzzY1KQTudSG4fuxGjuRkiCpkchwUbGi5vmMLVTKmLVi/s1600/d24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkv3zJ6eGJm844BTrD3Q_W8-SHWfbRnDMYB9JtOxz7ZXKH4vJ4m5MDQbXlJethdVsjWCjzkhLQwdpW0uKqwUxnQ7TDgbabDzuWzzY1KQTudSG4fuxGjuRkiCpkchwUbGi5vmMLVTKmLVi/s1600/d24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3kH6FVPS0M7jXhBI89tAPVzKoqjcTeDUfbZsVxiGsaADxrRuVO_0fWZ7aH5ZVtx8PkTi7laWdrXqa5HF_Wx2vqoMy7G72IOuGivtf-jNy1UiXivBsCARrMMX0KK38TZJhuEduK90W6IX/s1600/d25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3kH6FVPS0M7jXhBI89tAPVzKoqjcTeDUfbZsVxiGsaADxrRuVO_0fWZ7aH5ZVtx8PkTi7laWdrXqa5HF_Wx2vqoMy7G72IOuGivtf-jNy1UiXivBsCARrMMX0KK38TZJhuEduK90W6IX/s400/d25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second to last jump! Photo by Darwin Sloop.</td></tr>
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I knew that we had bumped up a place at least, but I wasn't sure where we sat. When I was called up for third place, I was astonished. I was so proud of my horse and what she had done out there for me all weekend. She proved to me that she was ready to be a Training level horse and was done with that Novice nonsense. Even though she was a psycho all weekend in her stall, she made up for it with her patience and tenacity in the arena and xc course. We even got a 6th place ribbon for optimum time and a 1st place on the training team (there was only one, but I don't care, that was my first team and I ended up being that best scorer on there BAM). I thought for sure we would be last, so I was happy to report back to M that I was successful. The junior novice rider won her division too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEejSRE9w8TunhUOW-5ZbopZwbwEG1YOfw6Vxe5SEbij7Kr9hUXEixkcW7uAHc9K5sO75dyyAFJPijcq6MlX9qThIoyQUuM3ka1VqI7BVefqd4x5M3CcAtYCEkWmzn39CVM1i9EHoTL4vS/s1600/c264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEejSRE9w8TunhUOW-5ZbopZwbwEG1YOfw6Vxe5SEbij7Kr9hUXEixkcW7uAHc9K5sO75dyyAFJPijcq6MlX9qThIoyQUuM3ka1VqI7BVefqd4x5M3CcAtYCEkWmzn39CVM1i9EHoTL4vS/s400/c264.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good job Bacy! With skull stock tie. </td></tr>
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We put the ponies away, stuffed them with cookies, and headed to the hospital. We got to check out M's external girdle hardware and see her not so fun swelling, but she was still smiling and telling us what for. Her husband had gotten in nice and early that morning too and was taking great care of her. Knowing that she was in good hands and that she would be scheduled for the next surgery in the days to come, we said our goodbyes and told her we would be awaiting her arrival home soon. Back to Camelot we went to get ready for some xc schooling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL4jC2wRi9JUib6IZ4CPAWpk2m15ez5KIqHFZ1zH5ywdAn8cTolT4_6VxzkEfU3qkRRfh1t1cF17GcvcrLrIL_kLc9S67P4aDOHRSo9thov4Zcq3xj1P6S7jwbRvi8QfZe8e_pR8FIDuW/s1600/c271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL4jC2wRi9JUib6IZ4CPAWpk2m15ez5KIqHFZ1zH5ywdAn8cTolT4_6VxzkEfU3qkRRfh1t1cF17GcvcrLrIL_kLc9S67P4aDOHRSo9thov4Zcq3xj1P6S7jwbRvi8QfZe8e_pR8FIDuW/s400/c271.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We defeated the dragon. Look at the defeat in his eyes </td></tr>
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-2311843112507380902017-06-15T06:30:00.000-07:002017-06-15T06:30:11.798-07:00CAMELOT: A Journey- The Day of Broken Bones<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjerLJXyyC9y3f6OVIEvdWXn4Absg5HnA4WcJsCUgRw_mDwWuYEVCjRK57r2-1RsjIXSJHAXfgrgnAIPBieJNTQ6PjpHsFZKAPxZCPZ0dqPJuWKFYU_dWSo-JF1_yiFaqadeNAfBIjr8S3/s1600/c181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1325" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjerLJXyyC9y3f6OVIEvdWXn4Absg5HnA4WcJsCUgRw_mDwWuYEVCjRK57r2-1RsjIXSJHAXfgrgnAIPBieJNTQ6PjpHsFZKAPxZCPZ0dqPJuWKFYU_dWSo-JF1_yiFaqadeNAfBIjr8S3/s400/c181.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weee big table!</td></tr>
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<div>
We thought the first couple of days were a little rough, but really it was just a warm up for xc day. I walked my course three times with friend E, and thought I had a good grasp of it. The two things that stood out the most to me on course were the coffin and the drop. Bacon had only done one coffin combination ever, and that was more than a year previous. And we hadn't done any drops in a while as well, especially one of that size. Ever. I was also hoping to make time, but most importantly, just have a safe and fun ride.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc13Z7uTyIVqd4XX2eFjyVcAt4mArhvVYxV8aQ65De3hs3R9qkrrcDD66jJ1dYysBWnDGtz1MltbAZM4NF0HAIlWn2xckGpGc4phKaaml0FYkZQ9dF43upIkEMOn-jkKpQ08C0ya8bV7oM/s1600/c112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc13Z7uTyIVqd4XX2eFjyVcAt4mArhvVYxV8aQ65De3hs3R9qkrrcDD66jJ1dYysBWnDGtz1MltbAZM4NF0HAIlWn2xckGpGc4phKaaml0FYkZQ9dF43upIkEMOn-jkKpQ08C0ya8bV7oM/s400/c112.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jump the Meatball!</td></tr>
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<div>
Warm up wasn't too bad. Bacon was pretty strong and some of the previous head flipping started to show up again. I don't think she is in love with her gag snaffle anymore, but it was the only bit I knew I could do <i>something</i> with out there. She loves to hang on your arms and pull, and I need help getting her up onto her hind end coming up to a jump and to SLOW DOWN a little bit. But, she jumped the warm up jumps fairly politely, and before I knew it, it was time to head to the start box. Once I got over there, I looked up and could see a horse running loose on course and EMTs casually walking to the ride down at the coffin combo. That was a confidence booster. The nice start box ladies just kept telling me how shiny Bacon was and that she was like a rainbow. After what seemed like an eternity, I was allowed to go. Bacon started to dance for the countdown. She is figuring this game out.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxbjWY0FhvFByqenguqyX1OJ_XV7ALQpmS7Pm0SQqyDE96N6HUJOpwasqnVmpIXF87TzYuVWc-yUQnvripWcB48U5andZXwuo_I3CjgxWSivgca8SQy1_Um23WOOg2-w9uNS08lkyuI3B/s1600/c117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxbjWY0FhvFByqenguqyX1OJ_XV7ALQpmS7Pm0SQqyDE96N6HUJOpwasqnVmpIXF87TzYuVWc-yUQnvripWcB48U5andZXwuo_I3CjgxWSivgca8SQy1_Um23WOOg2-w9uNS08lkyuI3B/s400/c117.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the coffin combo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF67_Yfz8oawedzB-3WGg_Pi2gbLAjbWJtaIscLUw4Szj2meDDycwl-NpFY8iXnwDaoRGnKCEWt7LuPQIOhajZpidq1P7B6apkKsfD4nzy9jcAUzC2FRH7JyfIeChAsVM3MshgpdkFMUps/s1600/c125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF67_Yfz8oawedzB-3WGg_Pi2gbLAjbWJtaIscLUw4Szj2meDDycwl-NpFY8iXnwDaoRGnKCEWt7LuPQIOhajZpidq1P7B6apkKsfD4nzy9jcAUzC2FRH7JyfIeChAsVM3MshgpdkFMUps/s400/c125.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the first water complex</td></tr>
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<div>
Off we went to the first jump. She took a small look at it, but a little kick and she was over. Next was the giant axe jump. Bacon looked over at the highway next to us, then the jump judge, then the jump and I gave her a kiss. That seemed to get her head the game, and she shot off like a rocket after. The next few fences were a blur of her hauling ass and me trying to ask politely for her to slow the hauling of the ass. That wasn't working and with the coffin coming up, I had to sit back and use all of my strength to get her to listen. Finally, I got through to her. Instead of the nice three stride to the ditch, Bacon made it into two, but we made it through the coffin.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G9JOsKFq1JB44ecdsl5xJPIaZDmAEz5nraXqjDfK4KC4jc1_dr7UeG3rNEvq3VOkazcVjG89QYDwobaUNw6rNtmO6gdnTrN9ofkJ8wH3c-agv4zAqsAEbGkpkAPz3pyRpk7wuzsky1jn/s1600/c175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1154" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G9JOsKFq1JB44ecdsl5xJPIaZDmAEz5nraXqjDfK4KC4jc1_dr7UeG3rNEvq3VOkazcVjG89QYDwobaUNw6rNtmO6gdnTrN9ofkJ8wH3c-agv4zAqsAEbGkpkAPz3pyRpk7wuzsky1jn/s400/c175.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through the first water</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-kAe4Y6jTUnmZ_zm6lVRW64xbQTUV-Tl0NlEf5clAqqvoCkAHrI6LnzMjtJk4VO8vdagrGO7Hu65oWKQACtDrjF8oVtxVrgN8-qDzPKHqoRc1pjogAEGotubZlHXVSW_JueWRrAWOgIA/s1600/c189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-kAe4Y6jTUnmZ_zm6lVRW64xbQTUV-Tl0NlEf5clAqqvoCkAHrI6LnzMjtJk4VO8vdagrGO7Hu65oWKQACtDrjF8oVtxVrgN8-qDzPKHqoRc1pjogAEGotubZlHXVSW_JueWRrAWOgIA/s400/c189.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under and through the castle tower</td></tr>
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<div>
My watch was not quite set right, so I wasn't sure if I was hitting my minute markers correctly. We soared over the oxer, tables, trakhener, and upright. The two water complexes were a non issue, and the drop was coming up quickly. I just tried to sit back and not look down as we approached the edge, which was good because somebody has a crazy hind end. A quick turn at the bottom over the B brush element and we were on our way to the last jump and finish. As we were jumping the last fence, I heard my watch go off, so I thought I had time penalties. Optimum time was 5:10. I came in at 4:45. Yeah, no time penalties. My horse was thrilled with herself, I was thrilled with her, and she wasn't even tired. I went to cool her out and put her away.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqgCWfFpeKjgfLOPQANPUEa1Pf2xXD8xUM6u4WWYSeaVB1hsCvQ-YXAu1INM5spOhtbh_fg7ddwAFa79VOvaiKFAHGUPS4EpAhX8O7JisO2WSEbX-gEOkeIdOhu4-O5s8ZRLi2zns8aMi/s1600/c194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqgCWfFpeKjgfLOPQANPUEa1Pf2xXD8xUM6u4WWYSeaVB1hsCvQ-YXAu1INM5spOhtbh_fg7ddwAFa79VOvaiKFAHGUPS4EpAhX8O7JisO2WSEbX-gEOkeIdOhu4-O5s8ZRLi2zns8aMi/s400/c194.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second water complex</td></tr>
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<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNC_9IYb9wv64Xvup6Y4zSGwk4Nw8FzhwnBMx1Fu7JI17Yxv084jLzvLKSwoSPPqwS_fAtV02aSYaLxS5SQJb-KX1gnO7xVcwNlq7xXGd6hr35m8O3T-TnMYTOVjBrV1WL66dVKdcp63EE/s1600/IMG_20170611_201617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNC_9IYb9wv64Xvup6Y4zSGwk4Nw8FzhwnBMx1Fu7JI17Yxv084jLzvLKSwoSPPqwS_fAtV02aSYaLxS5SQJb-KX1gnO7xVcwNlq7xXGd6hr35m8O3T-TnMYTOVjBrV1WL66dVKdcp63EE/s400/IMG_20170611_201617.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles. Photo by Darwin Sloop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfSL3KN2msN50V67YwY0dChQdnHejoeF_2wgXF7TP030xmNhqEG895hxEnpqNlC285qh_AhhbjGVIiYFDIFD9el92ojtz1hc25j92lM1oUS18S84EMAMLnmVmmme1IbCnGwcDVdk8vLwR/s1600/IMG_20170611_201709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfSL3KN2msN50V67YwY0dChQdnHejoeF_2wgXF7TP030xmNhqEG895hxEnpqNlC285qh_AhhbjGVIiYFDIFD9el92ojtz1hc25j92lM1oUS18S84EMAMLnmVmmme1IbCnGwcDVdk8vLwR/s400/IMG_20170611_201709.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And out of the water. Photo by Darwin Sloop.</td></tr>
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<div>
We had a junior rider in the Novice division, so we were watching her round finish up on course when we were on the super cool castle watch tower. As we were standing there, E got a phone call and all I heard were "down in warm up, horse flipped". Our friend M was warming her mare up for their Novice run when, at some point, she got claustrophobic between two horses, spooked and went straight up and over. We raced over on the mini bikes as fast as we could to find M laying on the ground, totally calm and coherent sharing that she knew she had fractured her pelvis because she heard the snap and she didn't want to move her legs. E is all nursed up and whatnot, so she went with the ambulance to the hospital and I took care of her mare. Fortunately, her mare looked great. Unfortunately, I believe part of this incident was caused by the chaotic warm up from Spokane where she was T-boned by another horse, and now her trust of other horses is quite shaken. So, we will have to see what we can do about that.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvnx2FH-5uCu_UsQvq-5PujKq9qmGQAfIgZMDGep_dKXxh5qdB7fsWLB-nz0CelHjWD8KKfyrIHVayrc3VIG7uG3I1uOchMFv8j_7vubqNjDzCW8w7rS3zbkCz-pzzIfFsviSDwhPJEEY/s1600/IMG_20170611_200642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvnx2FH-5uCu_UsQvq-5PujKq9qmGQAfIgZMDGep_dKXxh5qdB7fsWLB-nz0CelHjWD8KKfyrIHVayrc3VIG7uG3I1uOchMFv8j_7vubqNjDzCW8w7rS3zbkCz-pzzIfFsviSDwhPJEEY/s400/IMG_20170611_200642.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I'm hanging on! Photo by Darwin Sloop</td></tr>
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<div>
M made it to a great orthopedic trauma center about 40 minutes away. She had one surgery that evening to put in an external girdle and secure her many many breaks and to help control the bleeding. We were able to locate her husband, who was out on a remote fishing tournament and get him scheduled to fly out that next morning. She would need a second surgery later in the week to try and fix the damage and put her back together, and once stable, could be life flighted back home. Through it all, she remained optimistic and sassy. The swelling was quite impressive already the second day, but I did not hear one complaint. We just wanted to take her home with us.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWrA59DEDIrfuiSyeOZRxYDvPg_4y0GL8G0a6uAg4FWyG5AJSqoTyjNNyoyRI5qDM34hzWmJ5fREtLtl6Pf2BHOfxKZPOCAz_35HGrnZDyPoE6mGNAHezUdS982swn1iZqSOOpWetTuu-/s1600/8851.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWrA59DEDIrfuiSyeOZRxYDvPg_4y0GL8G0a6uAg4FWyG5AJSqoTyjNNyoyRI5qDM34hzWmJ5fREtLtl6Pf2BHOfxKZPOCAz_35HGrnZDyPoE6mGNAHezUdS982swn1iZqSOOpWetTuu-/s400/8851.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many broken pieces in there, ouch.</td></tr>
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We made it back home from the hospital late late late that night. We were all feeling a little broken and sad, but ready to tackle the next day on behalf of M, who demanded that we come home with some damn ribbons. And I know I didn't want to let her down.<br />
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HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-88860302436958382882017-06-14T12:32:00.002-07:002017-06-14T12:32:50.372-07:00CAMELOT: A Journey- The Beginning of Time<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtwZs44IReOBCqeHjzA6m1UZ2ylJqovKsW1DgcT1RsP0Iij8ZiRokaCfTLcocMlSLabhtBM8KEeaqnC6cxjhmQKv9T5QjErEsSK870dbYsoSqgIkmRlt2Kjzpt6CuWsKl3lkOokknayo8/s1600/d3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="813" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtwZs44IReOBCqeHjzA6m1UZ2ylJqovKsW1DgcT1RsP0Iij8ZiRokaCfTLcocMlSLabhtBM8KEeaqnC6cxjhmQKv9T5QjErEsSK870dbYsoSqgIkmRlt2Kjzpt6CuWsKl3lkOokknayo8/s400/d3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uh oh. Penis.</td></tr>
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Ok. I can't even. I am so so tired. You don't even know. I am going to try and tell you, I haven't even caught up on my recaps, but I figure I better get this out there because CAMELOT.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWF6xrbUC0Vm-Knn1x_ESoGBOJHA7vrMwYeK9RBOy_AIFa2wFEzY9EtjM4mcdcbXjxMzykeNS7AF9HF6qX0HIUK3QxqP18DM3e32S9BfVdBzXy48XMyv68Zqm0YnOGsayR1CBbtSm3H-wB/s1600/d1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="791" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWF6xrbUC0Vm-Knn1x_ESoGBOJHA7vrMwYeK9RBOy_AIFa2wFEzY9EtjM4mcdcbXjxMzykeNS7AF9HF6qX0HIUK3QxqP18DM3e32S9BfVdBzXy48XMyv68Zqm0YnOGsayR1CBbtSm3H-wB/s400/d1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok Bacon. Let's do this.</td></tr>
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We had a crew of five horses, four riders, one husband, and three dogs headed out to California early on Wednesday morning. We weren't totally sure how long the drive would take but we estimated it would be around 10 hours. It ended up being about 11.5 hours. The lead truck spent a good chunk of time in first gear through some of Donner Pass, had a brief period of brake anger, a gas emergency, and then we arrived. It took a while to get everyone situated, but the ponies looked content when we left them to get our camp set up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIyvqGTqWsXmvtH8v-AJmLGq8fK_JnAieobNklSvLWWnZKJV47a4RZidVFCXrgjj29oYlxylzt0XLSHemceAOcC8R0QV1ZlbjEFrETr9A-rRTRDyZQvdfWvSNNzTjiKikdpnwSKhpTzeg/s1600/d2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="848" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIyvqGTqWsXmvtH8v-AJmLGq8fK_JnAieobNklSvLWWnZKJV47a4RZidVFCXrgjj29oYlxylzt0XLSHemceAOcC8R0QV1ZlbjEFrETr9A-rRTRDyZQvdfWvSNNzTjiKikdpnwSKhpTzeg/s400/d2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe if I was less tense in my back, my horse would be less tense in hers?</td></tr>
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When we came back, Bacon decided she was no longer calm or happy in her stall. I was trying to hang her grain bucket when she blew past me and bulldozed through her wooden stall door into the night. She ran wild and free, knocking down a panel and hitting her legs on things in the blackness while we tried to catch her feral ass. I was less than amused, but we snagged her. Images of her breaking free danced in my brain as I tried to fall asleep. Around 3am, it started to pour and I shot awake. Being a light sleeper, I was never able to fall back asleep and pouted when I wandered over to our now completely soaked stalls. Bacon was standing in a puddle and was soaked across her back. So much for having a covered stall. The California sun is an asshole to tent top covers, I am guessing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtKR4vINwq5kP5_Jiuck49tBQDJMq4bZ3QAmFJaECTVi7HAPJ9HwRkv2Pi_1K18ORE1t0AVwydLqKjLK1PB2LUifsYuR31-S_lBf5psYFxu9CfpixXBIqeVc5g88Omla8TE6DhJyKUCDW/s1600/d4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="795" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtKR4vINwq5kP5_Jiuck49tBQDJMq4bZ3QAmFJaECTVi7HAPJ9HwRkv2Pi_1K18ORE1t0AVwydLqKjLK1PB2LUifsYuR31-S_lBf5psYFxu9CfpixXBIqeVc5g88Omla8TE6DhJyKUCDW/s400/d4.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We canter coming up here, right?</td></tr>
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There was not much we could do that morning except dig trenches, so we all went to see Wonder Woman. After that, we bought some mulch for the front of our stalls and headed back to the venue. Fortunately, it had stopped raining, so we got ready to hop on. Bacon was banging her knees so hard into the wooden door from weaving that I had to put her hobbles on. A little later, while I was in the dog pen, I heard "LOOSE HORSE" and knew it was mine. Sure enough, there goes Bacon trotting past me. With one hobble undone. She had somehow managed to get the metal hinge off of the door and undue her hobble and escape. What the crap. The horse next to her managed to get the whole wooden door off of its hinge. They must have been plotting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ6BFpaDv2RBFAo__0mNWFFjLwq7NBcErLISvJEOeVFyAjWDCYX5d1y4hSM7GbP3SrUrXsDd-_yfH_siFmlZTIMawbOrLZYp0s74YsgnHQA4uzWiQsFl1JbIxNvXryRFctijwsiu7Sp6J/s1600/d5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="753" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ6BFpaDv2RBFAo__0mNWFFjLwq7NBcErLISvJEOeVFyAjWDCYX5d1y4hSM7GbP3SrUrXsDd-_yfH_siFmlZTIMawbOrLZYp0s74YsgnHQA4uzWiQsFl1JbIxNvXryRFctijwsiu7Sp6J/s400/d5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, Try not to mess this up Alyssa!</td></tr>
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I hopped on for a brief ride and was actually really pleased with the horse under me. I rode her in a waterford pelham without the chain to see if it might work for cross country, but she was waaaaay too heavy in the arena, let alone out galloping at jumps. Still, I thought the ride was a fluke, shook my head, and put her away. I was hoping maybe dressage day would be the same, but wasn't expecting it. The next morning rolled around, a little more rain, and a quick little lunge set our prep for our test. She was a bit more tense than the previous day, but still willing and listening on the lunge, and fairly quiet to tack. Hmmm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcUDAZNWImPNc7svEQV4YXRAIApYChRyGMfDjPzES3D_tHWqgJvuJjcLGghKkRtD1VqXvSOChAKtZo3hOOzCz2VwkFbVzurT6DZ-NDHTjPcW9diqFs3HmpLJr-9_RYLuhpmUqNqvgZIR1/s1600/d6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="847" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcUDAZNWImPNc7svEQV4YXRAIApYChRyGMfDjPzES3D_tHWqgJvuJjcLGghKkRtD1VqXvSOChAKtZo3hOOzCz2VwkFbVzurT6DZ-NDHTjPcW9diqFs3HmpLJr-9_RYLuhpmUqNqvgZIR1/s400/d6.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use that big ol' butt</td></tr>
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I hopped on and hoped I wouldn't forget my test. This was our move up to Training, and I was feeling the butterflies. The horse I got on though was chill, able to walk on a loose rein, and ready to go to work when asked. We could bend some, canter politely and even lengthen the canter and bring it back when asked. You know, all things I needed for my test. But these were all things that weren't happening currently for whatever reason at home, so I was floored that I was getting them at a show! We were able to go in early, so I did. The footing was quite uneven and sloppy, so I tried to be conservative with everything. Plus, I was still riding conservatively to try and not piss her off (which happened a lot at the Spokane HT). I haven't quite gotten to that recap for you yet. Spoiler: it was NOT good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3y3Ix6LePPQuDGyPiomgyDl569g36Af45GpckhQR5bq8QgGGjc8_S9XgBsRrJgX2gL32vE3uylS8rqz1RhTlHBCpHflr0I_sRjJYaRIrwUrfvLXGrsCA68yp0rZcciMb3chHFBF7_kqrJ/s1600/d7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="777" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3y3Ix6LePPQuDGyPiomgyDl569g36Af45GpckhQR5bq8QgGGjc8_S9XgBsRrJgX2gL32vE3uylS8rqz1RhTlHBCpHflr0I_sRjJYaRIrwUrfvLXGrsCA68yp0rZcciMb3chHFBF7_kqrJ/s400/d7.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was our impression of a stretchy trot. Ack.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHhc8g4LirM0yTi6E5jy0Qzjh6NhfcqgPNkLrzWHVFFZFhsPp4V1mctSlpVCUNwUFAIlMzm_ghxHQcScnjNIA81FP6sIvYDNVJfK2IYoxNY5hyj8SSSPBjUMVa6C9ZlB9RCnr018ohDWQ/s1600/d9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="902" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHhc8g4LirM0yTi6E5jy0Qzjh6NhfcqgPNkLrzWHVFFZFhsPp4V1mctSlpVCUNwUFAIlMzm_ghxHQcScnjNIA81FP6sIvYDNVJfK2IYoxNY5hyj8SSSPBjUMVa6C9ZlB9RCnr018ohDWQ/s400/d9.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And our lengthen. Whoopsie.</td></tr>
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There is much MUCH to be improved on in our test. But we had no head flipping, balking, total bracing, and I was able to actually <i>ride</i> here and there through it. So, that was kind of cool. I had the most relaxed horse I have ever had for any test. We have NO lengthenings and we had no stretchy trot to be seen, but that is alright. We can work on that. We came out of our test with a 34.3 and a big smile and lots of pats for a very very good girl. And high fives from three awesome bloggers (more about them later)! At least dressage was off on the right foot!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0i7xcC1RNd29FjcsqUe2vyuKEAyyXyAC5GNKjI6F4iyKXCnVxOpZGxe5fPXIM7pWBbjEfuHyJPjH3I7Kq3TQCck7Kp6qSJ8YpQa3IPxIq5i7ID5n3kr5fxIEMueP9ZGHDQl2Y_gUa_7T9/s1600/d10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="525" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0i7xcC1RNd29FjcsqUe2vyuKEAyyXyAC5GNKjI6F4iyKXCnVxOpZGxe5fPXIM7pWBbjEfuHyJPjH3I7Kq3TQCck7Kp6qSJ8YpQa3IPxIq5i7ID5n3kr5fxIEMueP9ZGHDQl2Y_gUa_7T9/s400/d10.JPG" width="336" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good good girl!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2jNnf3w1Jc7SPX15WJVXQZojJ0R5f9oQLSpyOTPMQ7gl8bmIlPtv2FewVDR7Q6cEkY1vJLDKte6Ot9UfKVuXk0VftPMlsUlo2PIgrICU19Q8i7QOA2N-DPWtNhAROq5pTcH-TrEzwSrW/s1600/received_10155290520282660.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2jNnf3w1Jc7SPX15WJVXQZojJ0R5f9oQLSpyOTPMQ7gl8bmIlPtv2FewVDR7Q6cEkY1vJLDKte6Ot9UfKVuXk0VftPMlsUlo2PIgrICU19Q8i7QOA2N-DPWtNhAROq5pTcH-TrEzwSrW/s400/received_10155290520282660.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all of us! Just look!</td></tr>
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-33417993706941661182017-06-01T06:30:00.000-07:002017-06-01T06:30:20.842-07:00All the Recaps: Go to a Horse Show, Get a Dog<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3X_wrI4Anf2TLPgLqBmtbwzagJw8tta-OYdnweS5ULlcm9f5ToIB82GHdWGXrrp3MnOPmACfgUNoYQQADoG7PeFfy8ASCgRab-xK-Z5WlcUSXHxIm1eXHv_W1oQUvrgJdc9Rg_GkQ0UvD/s1600/a184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3X_wrI4Anf2TLPgLqBmtbwzagJw8tta-OYdnweS5ULlcm9f5ToIB82GHdWGXrrp3MnOPmACfgUNoYQQADoG7PeFfy8ASCgRab-xK-Z5WlcUSXHxIm1eXHv_W1oQUvrgJdc9Rg_GkQ0UvD/s400/a184.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The face of trouble.</td></tr>
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When I knew I had limited time with Moo, I started occupying my mind with other thoughts to help get me through the difficult weeks I had ahead. Some people can't get new friends right away (I was like that when I lost my gelding) but I couldn't bare walking into the house and seeing just Meaty's sad face staring back at me. I knew I either wanted to rescue or wanted to get a pup from a reputable breeder.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8LQ1yas2Gy8cdOLrnHUlmsonlclJPz4IHiV8A4kar9vmutx2qaSuOsUscv_wMn90-EedYUFhEJnVkZdntuEAnL2a5E87Ne9xQeph5_Y_ZdwRvjNLMcdTrWOEJf85UF8T35_JxU3m02Mf/s1600/skully1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1071" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8LQ1yas2Gy8cdOLrnHUlmsonlclJPz4IHiV8A4kar9vmutx2qaSuOsUscv_wMn90-EedYUFhEJnVkZdntuEAnL2a5E87Ne9xQeph5_Y_ZdwRvjNLMcdTrWOEJf85UF8T35_JxU3m02Mf/s400/skully1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The puppy picture I saw!</td></tr>
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My worry with getting a rescue is not knowing what the breeding is. There is a big problem with backyard breeders in all breeds, but especially with Great Danes. Mostly because people think "Hey, I have a Great Dane, I should breed it" and don't do any research on possible health conditions, compare their dog to the breed standard, and they whole fad with creating <i>rare colors</i> is all too appealing. One of these issues is when people breed merle dogs, thus creating double merle pups. These dogs are severely disabled and often blind and/or deaf with many other ailments, and often don't live long. In our valley alone in just the past 8 months, random people thought it was a good idea to breed their shouldn't-be-bred dogs and added 75 FREAKING PUPPIES. And those are just the ones we know of. That is 75 Great Danes that came from parents that weren't health tested (I asked and was ignored or got yelled at for asking) and are creating dogs that are taking steps away from the breed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3qNE_t3H2oAO_QI_OBYulQkZA1qcEYp2SUqXBdt10Z8QDeig-TYrRVFFmaxAbgfKb3ttcBd4oAQIta0C53XjUuFclts1PIpLnT_Q7ThIPDuSbSQxW_ThY7bDiGzVvBWc7ACuvw6Ewah-/s1600/skully3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="242" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3qNE_t3H2oAO_QI_OBYulQkZA1qcEYp2SUqXBdt10Z8QDeig-TYrRVFFmaxAbgfKb3ttcBd4oAQIta0C53XjUuFclts1PIpLnT_Q7ThIPDuSbSQxW_ThY7bDiGzVvBWc7ACuvw6Ewah-/s400/skully3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one too! Just look at that face.</td></tr>
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Sorry, I got a little side tracked there. Can you tell I am a little passionate about this crap? Anyway...<br />
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I checked our rescues in the North West region. They had some lovely dogs, but none that were going to quite work in our family. We are quite equipped to take care of a double merle pup, nor could we take on dogs who were not good for livestock or a dog that wasn't good with other dogs. I knew that there weren't any good breeders in the area (that I had come across) and I didn't even know where to start, so I just googled something along the lines of "mantle Great Dane breeders North West" and came across a website that looked promising. Unfortunately, the breeder didn't breed anymore, but she did say that if anyone needed help finding a reputable breeder that she could certainly do that, and that she knew which ones to stay away from as well. Ding ding ding!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwesOdar5lzIiM-p6i1GpKwtJDrJleDCJo6wLTwuwcXvORFe8Jv0y7IK2i6h0kadjyw39VSLVa4W_Tj-LkW-YHvlZigb061L7oTg8Y39GGn26BQmkzbrYUbtiHr-FcUfb2fbFcHrcqEcUS/s1600/Notoriety%2527s+BMW+Rogue+at+Heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="384" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwesOdar5lzIiM-p6i1GpKwtJDrJleDCJo6wLTwuwcXvORFe8Jv0y7IK2i6h0kadjyw39VSLVa4W_Tj-LkW-YHvlZigb061L7oTg8Y39GGn26BQmkzbrYUbtiHr-FcUfb2fbFcHrcqEcUS/s400/Notoriety%2527s+BMW+Rogue+at+Heart.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her dad.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_RNuWoI6CaLnP56hDMfCaEJErciIRmS1ngLN13TS1NNjyvldefBq3wXh3CD4oZRxyoBLQghWi-FwirN4MZr0esLiQVGLkAaEdT5hLF0Mthgiteh8Xz_cIZL1Zank_w3W472-6VBFJQY2/s1600/dazzle+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="394" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_RNuWoI6CaLnP56hDMfCaEJErciIRmS1ngLN13TS1NNjyvldefBq3wXh3CD4oZRxyoBLQghWi-FwirN4MZr0esLiQVGLkAaEdT5hLF0Mthgiteh8Xz_cIZL1Zank_w3W472-6VBFJQY2/s400/dazzle+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her mom as a puppy.</td></tr>
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I sent her an email and she was quick to reply. I had been picturing a mantle male for a loong long time and was hoping that would be what I could find. She replied that she was a little busy getting her mom situated with hospice, but she would help me when she could, and that she did know of one breeder with a female mantle pup that was a little older looking for a home in Spokane, whose contact info she could share if I was interested. Sure, why not. L, the breeder of the female, emailed me with the info of "Rauri", and 11 month old who had been boarding the last three months because she was in the process of selling her home and moving to Florida. I was intrigued, loved the pictures of the pup, but a little worried about the price, as a dog like her tends to go for $1200 or more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-f-RPVpFsqfoNsTpvMmgHQC5ttai7lZ7EySICegv5sx6JffR5RYnVmYz-R8cUq2xPGbuqGQRWv4v8LrmxOghl6UTI8jhr2PMCC7Pg1EL2oLDIVahzAcaVjlKJEW5e_iZix4ZXbMEZOYN/s1600/IMG_20170428_135921261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-f-RPVpFsqfoNsTpvMmgHQC5ttai7lZ7EySICegv5sx6JffR5RYnVmYz-R8cUq2xPGbuqGQRWv4v8LrmxOghl6UTI8jhr2PMCC7Pg1EL2oLDIVahzAcaVjlKJEW5e_iZix4ZXbMEZOYN/s320/IMG_20170428_135921261.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First truck ride with us. Looking terrified and very very skinny.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LVUEc4GL3r_-GpIPQ5sy9vTQYm3wkauHhkY7Ltg1zhtOs44yfLVYEUFrINUIKkl-Os9c1MhHH9cRmeXQZgBRFog1D0G5oF7TgrnhaKBrzA5FuXgvdNGwB5bVYxeUnbWKuxLxhzY7kcAB/s1600/IMG_20170428_141856528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LVUEc4GL3r_-GpIPQ5sy9vTQYm3wkauHhkY7Ltg1zhtOs44yfLVYEUFrINUIKkl-Os9c1MhHH9cRmeXQZgBRFog1D0G5oF7TgrnhaKBrzA5FuXgvdNGwB5bVYxeUnbWKuxLxhzY7kcAB/s400/IMG_20170428_141856528.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new doggy for me!</td></tr>
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I asked her more questions about her and told her my situation as well, and also asked about the price, holding my breath. It turned out that she was just really looking for the right home for her and that a price didn't matter, as long as I got her spayed. I was astonished. I can certainly do that and I was planning on it anyway! We ended up having to put Moo down shortly after, and I told her that I would be up there for a horse show in a couple of weeks and could meet her and see if she would be a good match. She was perfectly happy with that, although I wouldn't be meeting her, just the boarder. That was fine with me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4SxdUs_XnLqNpxQjC_JfAovmjBk4wFrf55O2DhXn_oNubniGsI11REqihc33HQHRFMG4Tjn5neJZa7IO7997V2I1A_z8zaCiDpVR1qzA25AiYnhU0B5gk5ZpK3xzWEp6-DAcAGhEBRsD/s1600/a77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4SxdUs_XnLqNpxQjC_JfAovmjBk4wFrf55O2DhXn_oNubniGsI11REqihc33HQHRFMG4Tjn5neJZa7IO7997V2I1A_z8zaCiDpVR1qzA25AiYnhU0B5gk5ZpK3xzWEp6-DAcAGhEBRsD/s400/a77.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loves from Blaker</td></tr>
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After XC schooling that weekend, we went to go see her. When the boarder pulled her out, I was a little shocked to see how skinny she was. She had informed me that she just bumped her food up to 6 cups, which I thought was a little less than what a growing Dane should be receiving. She also informed me that she had chronic diarrhea. Rauri was cowering behind her, growling and barking at us and I took over her lead. I just kept petting her and gave her a couple treats and she soon stopped. She came with her medical records, a very nice expensive bag of Acana food, and we shoved her into the truck for her first ride sans kennel. Life was going to be a little wild for her that weekend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKh3TMaDZmB8hv4W5NFrqh8NBF2to0fHd1IGEwHCzlnM0JdoZMz5CrSchcEdnmpG-6TN2xJxSIFdExwFgdUqHzkr74uzp-HRtwLX-J6T7a1AVthZfDdlq2AN_QRroqRXYZvSouBTVFtNc/s1600/a78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKh3TMaDZmB8hv4W5NFrqh8NBF2to0fHd1IGEwHCzlnM0JdoZMz5CrSchcEdnmpG-6TN2xJxSIFdExwFgdUqHzkr74uzp-HRtwLX-J6T7a1AVthZfDdlq2AN_QRroqRXYZvSouBTVFtNc/s400/a78.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This life is fun!</td></tr>
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She got to see lots of people, dogs, horses and jumps that weekend. She had to potty on a leash, ride in a truck for 8 hours, learn to sit still and behave, and not potty on things. A dog bed suffered a terrible fate, but other than that, she did really really well and her personality started to come out quite quickly. But she needed a new name. We all sat in the trailer one cold night watching the only channel that came on. Originally, I was going to call my male Dane "Ichabod Dane", but that wasn't going to happen. I knew I liked the Halloween type theme, so I tried names like VooDoo (hubs said no), Elvira (hubs said no), but we sat there scratching our heads. X-Files was playing while we picked up the discussion again, and Dana Scully sauntered onto the screen. Hmmm. Skully...Yep. That will do!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqHZ08iZmed5KFTJwQlwljE8jRGIPsROct4dWAXek7u91FWV3N7My8POIj5fhFpk93-S3IIYqzRW0Gitmki-ACrFJfDeh0nobsHJDIeZ_UUZIq7n40vhcwNryAfP1n3tm40kD70ypD8sz/s1600/IMG_20170508_101614196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqHZ08iZmed5KFTJwQlwljE8jRGIPsROct4dWAXek7u91FWV3N7My8POIj5fhFpk93-S3IIYqzRW0Gitmki-ACrFJfDeh0nobsHJDIeZ_UUZIq7n40vhcwNryAfP1n3tm40kD70ypD8sz/s400/IMG_20170508_101614196.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My two neurotic creatures.</td></tr>
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So, Skully now keeps us all on our toes. Various things have come to their death because of her (my most expensive paint brush, some shoes, furniture, holes in the yard, more dog beds, etc). She is a Houdini at pulling things into her kennel to destroy. She is also a klepto, and steals things like gloves, pajama pants, hats, and stuffed animals. I am not even sure where she finds most of it. We still have to tape and post her ears for a bit, as they are still floppy from the crop her breeder had done. Had I gotten her when she was a puppy, I would have not opted for a crop. People don't seem to care though, and I have been told that I am an animal abuser, cruel, selfish and that I should cut my own ears off so far. It is discouraging, even though they can see the clearly happy, healthy puppy in front of them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7C4NU8wZiE-IHiLXHJ_YdJepfAgxFAmKvk_Awo3z9bUmSJ_A1nfhWcFCtBvymJLKd6jjh3qxjcB2-i41BPekbAiOCPEKtmSpYDWKcQr-N_ONPkVy-1900aIh2aUYeg8WmOqLCd7b6WwV/s1600/FB_IMG_1495503015055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7C4NU8wZiE-IHiLXHJ_YdJepfAgxFAmKvk_Awo3z9bUmSJ_A1nfhWcFCtBvymJLKd6jjh3qxjcB2-i41BPekbAiOCPEKtmSpYDWKcQr-N_ONPkVy-1900aIh2aUYeg8WmOqLCd7b6WwV/s400/FB_IMG_1495503015055.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two puppers exploring the canyons of Idaho and the Snake River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using brother for a better view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByOqtWbvNMGTdyanuNbOVtgFI593z7pgjvafBlvV7VhSYI2rLEJEZmPhozbe2lwC-WwzAW8OtlfS79hjbJcD9sDHFBporNPijOLbJhWbTWkpAorYNHLWmQA1JrOWzPeO1BVl3l_huOilc/s1600/m112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByOqtWbvNMGTdyanuNbOVtgFI593z7pgjvafBlvV7VhSYI2rLEJEZmPhozbe2lwC-WwzAW8OtlfS79hjbJcD9sDHFBporNPijOLbJhWbTWkpAorYNHLWmQA1JrOWzPeO1BVl3l_huOilc/s400/m112.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat R Dis?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5IkT7CEP13a4_sSrPLeIxYtxIzYJYjs5zPxVmjCShvrKfSxOKHHybHhfmX9xJASm4HRMhqytj27iL4dU4DW5-yD0vW0pD4EhPGMhU1Y5NPmgY9fRITlXJMDZ14LJ7dEHAc06BtP9RATM/s1600/m115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5IkT7CEP13a4_sSrPLeIxYtxIzYJYjs5zPxVmjCShvrKfSxOKHHybHhfmX9xJASm4HRMhqytj27iL4dU4DW5-yD0vW0pD4EhPGMhU1Y5NPmgY9fRITlXJMDZ14LJ7dEHAc06BtP9RATM/s400/m115.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supermodel. Except for saggy ear.</td></tr>
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Skully is stuck to me like glue and has been since she got in our truck. She has gained 15lbs so far, and now has normal poops (yay!) and loves her big brother. He is a little discouraged because he has never met a dog that can defeat him before, but she is so athletic and uses her butt against him. She has been to the pet store, the river, another horse show, and a friend's house. She has learned to sit, down, shake, stay, come, crawl and we are working on spin currently. She will wait patiently for her food with me out of the room until I give her the OK. But we are still working on some separation anxiety, fear of people, and not destroying things. But she has made definite progress. So, here is to future doggy posts with this weirdo in them, and to her helping me heal my heart a little bit too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOEMmViYhb6vOZo1oTfnRDYNrnNvzy7MaDcyQSz4cZ1FQL0Z5XABPZCzdrQ0D9FpgcMm9FHBPD8b9C_m1fqBebezpRAk47b86m2aetTHd3SnYp_ZAbgojhYjmXvfk3hMGfkjErrLY7ab_/s1600/IMG_20170526_124750569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOEMmViYhb6vOZo1oTfnRDYNrnNvzy7MaDcyQSz4cZ1FQL0Z5XABPZCzdrQ0D9FpgcMm9FHBPD8b9C_m1fqBebezpRAk47b86m2aetTHd3SnYp_ZAbgojhYjmXvfk3hMGfkjErrLY7ab_/s400/IMG_20170526_124750569.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, already learning to tolerate my crap.</td></tr>
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-44993811015884054122017-05-31T06:30:00.000-07:002017-05-31T06:30:05.208-07:00All the Recaps: Schooling Show in Spokane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our first show of the year was decided to be the schooling show in Spokane. They offered everything from dressage tests to show jump rounds and cross country schooling on Friday, to a full one day show on Saturday, plus a steeplechase clinic on Sunday. I signed Bacon and I up for xc schooling and a training level show jump round (our first ever) and then the one day. I was nervous, but excited and we rolled on up there with our regular event crew without much issue.<br />
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Bacon seemed to enjoy the quiet barn that she got to be stabled in this time. I don't know if it was because she wasn't directly next to all of the parked rigs or if it was the classical music, or Jose the awesome stable hand, but she just seemed all around calmer in the stable. I wish she would have taken that out under the tack. Whenever I would tack her up, or untack her, or graze her, she was as calm as could be. But riding was a different story.<br />
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First was xc schooling. The goal was to warm up over some small stuff and then try to tackle some training level questions, since we hope to get there at some point this year. Lord have mercy. I was out in the field first, and all I wanted was for her to go forward. Something she is generally good at. But I had fussing, threats to rear, sideways nonsense and lots and lots of head flipping. I tried to figure out if any of my tack was bothering her, and I just couldn't find anything. I thought she was in heat, but most hos have to work while in heat to, so I kept at it. My friend E finally entered the field and asked if I wanted to try and long trot a lap around the big field to get her mind in the right spot. That seemed to help some, but Bacon did her best to try and rip my arms out of their sockets the whole time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon, that is the wrong side of the corner!</td></tr>
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We popped over some of the smaller stuff. Er, I mean galloped and skipped over it. My attempts at a half halt were either ignored or were the devil and resulted in a tantrum. Maybe the bigger jumps would back her off, I thought. Pah. We strung together a little training course. E popped over it first. Over the training logs, to the training cabin, over the trakhener, around this training drop log thing into the water with a ditch out and two strides out over a roll top. Have no fear, Bacon doesn't care what the hell I point her at or what she is feeling, she will jump it all. We jumped the water combo a few different times because she continued to haul ass and jump too flat coming in, ignoring me to the ditch and screwing up our distance over the rolltop. Once more over the jump, I used all my strength to SLOW HER ASS DOWN in the water, and we finally had a nice jump out of there. And moved on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gy9gZp1menz16G1k8yfNAADwYSt3b6BuCyOsQmWIGbNEMxCEvlvVutRsacRNlm4WvIjiNjLgldrPelRsMsUjmdHDJkCZ5c1xPVeqSDmLvv8K6qP-qy3PeOFAWzgby-DtmAPXHTEqj9uP/s1600/20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="933" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gy9gZp1menz16G1k8yfNAADwYSt3b6BuCyOsQmWIGbNEMxCEvlvVutRsacRNlm4WvIjiNjLgldrPelRsMsUjmdHDJkCZ5c1xPVeqSDmLvv8K6qP-qy3PeOFAWzgby-DtmAPXHTEqj9uP/s400/20.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Um, yeah, I think you cleared it horse.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's better</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWS_S91NjdeI6HwYih8HgAJTBVGcRaxICc_pAdm-ha5rxNgvoKk6tZU8S77nhs5KcZ_fIh67hturPuM_LNygq7d6z9yMq5nXFfgEt5ZjkP_iU47T-44qgqhmdYxisTy8SWZ67bXyCWMP7x/s1600/22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="875" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWS_S91NjdeI6HwYih8HgAJTBVGcRaxICc_pAdm-ha5rxNgvoKk6tZU8S77nhs5KcZ_fIh67hturPuM_LNygq7d6z9yMq5nXFfgEt5ZjkP_iU47T-44qgqhmdYxisTy8SWZ67bXyCWMP7x/s400/22.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dang, my stirrups are long</td></tr>
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We played around with the double up bank. And then I went down it. And then made it into an Irish bank. And then jump a skinny prelim house thing for funsies while E schooled her horse. Next we checked out Bacon's chops over the training corner. It was at the top of the hill, where they were also trying to clear out a bunch of debris and trees with multiple construction equipment. Do you think that was a problem for Bacon? No. Neither was jumping the fat side of the corner. Damn horse, it is not a table. Around the back, everything was still bogged down from all of the snow melt, so we skipped that to save legs and land and ended back around to the front.<br />
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We came back to the same area that we started and schooled the training level trahkener and brush fence. I let Bacon pick up a little more speed, which I think she thoroughly enjoyed, and then called that good for her because we would be show jumping later that afternoon. She was totally covered in froth and I thought for sure she would be settled down for later. I was wrong. When I got her out again for sj, we basically had free rein of the arena for a good 30 minutes. So we popped around the jumps at novice height first, and then raised them up to training. Horse was blasting through my aids again though, rushing the fences and putting in some very ugly jumps. I was so tired from hanging on for dear life and just trying to get her off of my hand and to use her back end. It was not the pleasant experience I was hoping for.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHP0q5qFQX2oc6g6vFEvWPJQaXAA11AE__3IC3PC9Uh-8gpCsS0jGDgOguIEa7vOLZvsK-htC_677q3QtZprVjplMeKNPjYB_DOp6urMKwqYzWw6QbcaU8TJLvQJUI5Rj5jtODi_oKdbrT/s1600/a44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHP0q5qFQX2oc6g6vFEvWPJQaXAA11AE__3IC3PC9Uh-8gpCsS0jGDgOguIEa7vOLZvsK-htC_677q3QtZprVjplMeKNPjYB_DOp6urMKwqYzWw6QbcaU8TJLvQJUI5Rj5jtODi_oKdbrT/s400/a44.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You are not a mare, are you?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, this isn't so good.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqu_BIKTwmksjOOykzzbk3lhj2szOXharIMdGwB1EJsggrCIjRU2HGrfz4ccB2hUYQ5vee4jt9kL9HFms4n-UrqkTz2piEG043CBQkQzVrGmZbb_VrOWvQwQqDKQVpNpM0JNB42PtFLXb/s1600/a52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqu_BIKTwmksjOOykzzbk3lhj2szOXharIMdGwB1EJsggrCIjRU2HGrfz4ccB2hUYQ5vee4jt9kL9HFms4n-UrqkTz2piEG043CBQkQzVrGmZbb_VrOWvQwQqDKQVpNpM0JNB42PtFLXb/s400/a52.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is better</td></tr>
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The next day was the show. We were signed up for novice. When I got up in the morning to hand graze the Bacon, I saw that her knee was quite large. My heart sunk. She had hit one of the jumps pretty hard the day before, but I did not realize it was with her knee. I took her out and walked and jogged her. She was totally sound. I consulted with those around me about what to do. They said to throw the dressage saddle on early and see what we had. Her knee went down significantly when I rode her and the on site vet did not seem alarmed, so I continued with out dressage test. It was very conservative and tense, but she did all of the right moves in the right spots. I cannot remember my exact score, but I want to say it was probably a 38 or something. I was fine with that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb42fWAZW6Qrflvm4V88l0dHKQPPOL9VkXbbwhuu0Q2zt7VlGLUZ_0nDMQ4VF4R8FtaaFDRrqCjaVTa4yrYQT7sL4cUhHmImGxkMqCxcMd3zvvT4yYV0uAcdknRraK4HNxCFtMKtDx2ZI/s1600/a115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb42fWAZW6Qrflvm4V88l0dHKQPPOL9VkXbbwhuu0Q2zt7VlGLUZ_0nDMQ4VF4R8FtaaFDRrqCjaVTa4yrYQT7sL4cUhHmImGxkMqCxcMd3zvvT4yYV0uAcdknRraK4HNxCFtMKtDx2ZI/s400/a115.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time riding in this saddle. I liked it a lot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyuwS4K4Jwj0S_cqMsiUbmsIHvXwlaXeYO36y3UZiWd1ZmnlcVd3bbxqjcsy6FHYKnFdjbp1PVlfbkLSePrzMfBWOOeRgizGlzXqwWDyuX0GC0R32Hx5AIGMzZ5x77YR-Y1RvFPjTPQIb/s1600/a136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyuwS4K4Jwj0S_cqMsiUbmsIHvXwlaXeYO36y3UZiWd1ZmnlcVd3bbxqjcsy6FHYKnFdjbp1PVlfbkLSePrzMfBWOOeRgizGlzXqwWDyuX0GC0R32Hx5AIGMzZ5x77YR-Y1RvFPjTPQIb/s400/a136.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It doesn't fix everything thoug.</td></tr>
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I went and iced the pony and tried her out for show jumping. Still totally happy and fine, and a little less exhubherant (finally) than the day prior, but still not great. The course was a little tricky, in that it had a sharp 90 degree left hand turn in one spot, and a one stride to seven stride, but Bacon got it done easily. We quickly got changed for xc and headed out for warm up, minus my watch. I am pretty sure they got my time wrong, as they got a bunch of people's times wrong, but there was no way to protest and it was just a schooling show, so I just shrugged my shoulders at that part. I did my best to pick up speed this time, and Bacon and I had a pretty good xc ride. She was still tossing her head a lot, and speedy at the jumps, but never hesitated at a thing. It is always a good feeling knowing she is going to jump everything.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoe7U5msE70hOt7D19xHGQeuKp5e70ZALdpU4O1ipq4KZc82Ty_MrCWu_N4hIuqjVeuj5sHsmKAcliE-tVyQgNaoSaaRcsbJNB8vMiTpTRRAP4pL_AttE7cnKySitRKDwS6wPvwo3hUuDY/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="896" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoe7U5msE70hOt7D19xHGQeuKp5e70ZALdpU4O1ipq4KZc82Ty_MrCWu_N4hIuqjVeuj5sHsmKAcliE-tVyQgNaoSaaRcsbJNB8vMiTpTRRAP4pL_AttE7cnKySitRKDwS6wPvwo3hUuDY/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleared this one too</td></tr>
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We got 8th overall, but I was happy we made it through the weekend and first show/outing. There was definitely something weird about Bacon, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I thought maybe it was just first outingitis or hormones. I still don't really know. But I know she is a xc machine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking like a marshmallow</td></tr>
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HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-28226840145357323092017-05-30T06:53:00.000-07:002017-05-30T06:53:21.207-07:00All the Recaps: Goodbye My Moo<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Oh, how I hate that I have to write this post. I cannot tell you how much I was dreading that day. I had been watching my girl decline over the past year and knew that the last few months of her life were, indeed, her last. I tried to soak up the days, but watching her struggle to get up and to walk were heartbreaking.<br />
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My husband kept thinking that she wasn't ready to go. She still had her Moo sparkle in her eye, still ate her food and still tried to make a playful move at you (even though she would fall down). I tried to warn him that I am with her all day long, and that he only sees a snippet of it all. I would have to help her stand up, and sometimes she would fall right back down on the hard surface. She never moved from her spot for fear she would fall. She began to lose control of her bladder and bowels, and never knew it had happened because she couldn't feel anything back there. Her appetite dwindled, even with the addition of all kinds of flavors of canned foods.<br />
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Picking up her 90lbs was also hard on me, but I did the best I could. Giving her a bath was especially hard, but was needed frequently because of her accidents. One day, she had an accident in the kitchen, so I was able to put her outside while I cleaned it up before bringing her back in for a bath. When I went to call her in, I did not realize that she had fallen, twisted like a pretzel stuck in the pouring rain. I shrieked and somehow was able to carry her inside. She looked up at me in the tub and I knew that she was ready. I just needed to have Blake on the same page.<br />
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I expressed my heartbreaking decision to him and he agreed. I felt sick to my stomach, scheduling her appointment a week from that day. I knew I wanted to take her to the park one last time, so we took her on a sunny day. She struggled to make the short walk to the awakening rose garden. But, she posed beautifully, as she always did. The sun warmed her and she looked happy to be out once more. But by the end of our visit, she was very visibly tired and ready to go back home.<br />
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On her last day, I laid on the floor with her until it was time to go. She adored it and wrapped her head around to keep it on my lap. I just didn't want to forgot the feeling of petting her or her soft short fur fluffing through my fingers. Hubs met us at the clinic with a hamburger and a ice cream cone. Never allowed to have people food, she was thoroughly pleased to have these all to herself. She was not able to finish the cone, but that was ok. I was welcomed with hugs from all of my old coworkers and held my girl tight and told her that I loved her. I do believe that she also had some heart issues going on after the procedure happened. She looked at peace, but I kept stroking her arm as hubs and I hugged and bawled. I had forgotten that he had never seen a euthanasia before and I don't think he knew what to expect. But I do believe that was the most I had ever seen him cry, and that does not happen often.<br />
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My home still feels empty without her here. I just keep waiting to turn around and see her watchful eye. She always knew when I need a cuddle and she was the best and sneaking a kiss in. Meaty is still sad, too. I did have her cremated and hope to take her ashes up to a mountain meadow to spread them soon. I miss you, my Roxy-Moo.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My flower girl</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best at loving your brother</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjyoPIo4rMvb-sGqzv56flK-2CpEbgFraZv4qqbU7saEuk6FEugX3LXOrvquGUdm0F2j70AZ4NJd-hD0rVCoz-Fw9D56Q3oZHleocXP8RbtAg-yoKqy2IQF7Y7xTfGEtoC_PbsvjrKU6w/s1600/moo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjyoPIo4rMvb-sGqzv56flK-2CpEbgFraZv4qqbU7saEuk6FEugX3LXOrvquGUdm0F2j70AZ4NJd-hD0rVCoz-Fw9D56Q3oZHleocXP8RbtAg-yoKqy2IQF7Y7xTfGEtoC_PbsvjrKU6w/s320/moo2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My smiling runner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi_FHo-UDZZtnAdlGThUzfPGbrNxVHR-kiWbQYIXK0BB4Ch6Fzp2re4Gv4OVq_dMet1NHXK70rPRt84HEI-E5d2uM_GpMhcyioxdF4j2AvEY6a7_B6rmcw7Y4TrYS5Td-fpWe0BCNbdXU/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi_FHo-UDZZtnAdlGThUzfPGbrNxVHR-kiWbQYIXK0BB4Ch6Fzp2re4Gv4OVq_dMet1NHXK70rPRt84HEI-E5d2uM_GpMhcyioxdF4j2AvEY6a7_B6rmcw7Y4TrYS5Td-fpWe0BCNbdXU/s320/IMG_0364.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sun soaker</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My goat protector</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My heavy metal dog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5-lg62Ls_vzudkPdbVOY0rNXloFWtXV6C8UqpIrrhUK507VeTICjIOa3kMlfNO6PnWiCCdKJQ63tOJPfN4TW6HkAp9D8hpvgdCbg9bvLusvc8y4-ZTzyIutKBl_EXX2sZDmR5mGw7rPV/s1600/1439231740946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="964" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5-lg62Ls_vzudkPdbVOY0rNXloFWtXV6C8UqpIrrhUK507VeTICjIOa3kMlfNO6PnWiCCdKJQ63tOJPfN4TW6HkAp9D8hpvgdCbg9bvLusvc8y4-ZTzyIutKBl_EXX2sZDmR5mGw7rPV/s320/1439231740946.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lounger</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2ypKVwf69uq_xBinw_vYQFr37iCtZ5aIF9s0es-8h04UUonn27rJdNIEkMylDk9NWV2aUHnQIvxote_ANBlkXzf7IrEUBjdwdhIwVpb5ThkbH-ssFDKQwh5xLMRuceo8uJA0ssxg2t9J/s1600/IMG_20150903_122225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="1366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2ypKVwf69uq_xBinw_vYQFr37iCtZ5aIF9s0es-8h04UUonn27rJdNIEkMylDk9NWV2aUHnQIvxote_ANBlkXzf7IrEUBjdwdhIwVpb5ThkbH-ssFDKQwh5xLMRuceo8uJA0ssxg2t9J/s320/IMG_20150903_122225.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My face maker</td></tr>
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My girl</div>
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HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-34431672116656349322017-05-25T06:30:00.000-07:002017-05-25T06:30:00.786-07:00All the Recaps: Bacon Goes to the Vet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqhR3-2RFatPZNNXqx_zHZ8ZNOmxX52rNsCVjO1OZun3oRAec6jY5mJ6QGG5gCEUGrXWCxkkfoKNJtDrjY0nlnvs7XFlFEVQ7yK7bP3yNo0YAcHcGvt902vK7tPzbjL8mKpAAi71iRxFD/s1600/IMG_20170314_132729513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqhR3-2RFatPZNNXqx_zHZ8ZNOmxX52rNsCVjO1OZun3oRAec6jY5mJ6QGG5gCEUGrXWCxkkfoKNJtDrjY0nlnvs7XFlFEVQ7yK7bP3yNo0YAcHcGvt902vK7tPzbjL8mKpAAi71iRxFD/s400/IMG_20170314_132729513.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom NOOOOOOO WHY oh look dancing barn cats with sombreros. </td></tr>
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First in our in depth recap is our vet visits from back in late March. I knew it was time to get the mare ready for the season, so we had to check the basics off of the list: vaccines, teeth, coggins and health certificate. I also threw in a brief lameness evaluation in there because I had a feeling that Bacon would benefit from possible hock injections and a re-injection of that funky right front foot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFf3H8mvxsfrfF0CpRmZSLKJBAdlU_qFuVNh0Y2YVaXoRevgLY4WAxSOeMF5H1sYIt_2_PLEksNfdlIfdeMcZsw05QanOcYF23iYkNTVw-DANPyuGqm9SV8ZCFSAjIRUizqeGblnzkAc7/s1600/IMG_20170313_183416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFf3H8mvxsfrfF0CpRmZSLKJBAdlU_qFuVNh0Y2YVaXoRevgLY4WAxSOeMF5H1sYIt_2_PLEksNfdlIfdeMcZsw05QanOcYF23iYkNTVw-DANPyuGqm9SV8ZCFSAjIRUizqeGblnzkAc7/s400/IMG_20170313_183416.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate covered Bacon?</td></tr>
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At that point in time, Bacon had just gotten her fresh spring clip, albeit a bit late. It garnered some attention though, and the vet and his assistant loved it. The other vet that helped with Bacon's neck cellulitis back on New Years made sure to stop by and say hi to her again as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_L-jWyBQcsKCBMyJji0rB2KpXZ0rkHnpZugbJ4DnhRpq0_airYBsBi2CuI412EMuQqeMK20UpGx8P93c8B56JVIpsMu6r1QJcaBtDgYCspkWwifd5J-OmnbTuCU-bh_tgcIkMfozu6AO/s1600/IMG_20170313_183526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_L-jWyBQcsKCBMyJji0rB2KpXZ0rkHnpZugbJ4DnhRpq0_airYBsBi2CuI412EMuQqeMK20UpGx8P93c8B56JVIpsMu6r1QJcaBtDgYCspkWwifd5J-OmnbTuCU-bh_tgcIkMfozu6AO/s400/IMG_20170313_183526.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did not do an even job on both sides. Whoops.</td></tr>
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We started with the lameness exam. It showed a little bit of ouchiness in that foot on the pavement, but that isn't too unusual for a sensitive girl. But we still thought she would benefit from another injection in the navicular bursa of the right front. We then moved onto the hocks. She definitely showed us some discomfort there, more so on the right hock, so we planned to come back a week later to do the three injections.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYKsXcRbewBnQsmMscK6X1sfH4i19pIzxTMZzMs8HQl-AvGfDMm9uGUYKfMlnFCasL_hpYd1WT1btuorCF4-CwlsrMHpoSeGV7twutnxGTmRE7UFzKPXTDuP5uHXQlJJVorzPBkm1C35t/s1600/IMG_20170321_132630717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYKsXcRbewBnQsmMscK6X1sfH4i19pIzxTMZzMs8HQl-AvGfDMm9uGUYKfMlnFCasL_hpYd1WT1btuorCF4-CwlsrMHpoSeGV7twutnxGTmRE7UFzKPXTDuP5uHXQlJJVorzPBkm1C35t/s400/IMG_20170321_132630717.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More dancing barn cats. One poked a fajita in foot. Fajita juice in my foot. Whoa drugs.</td></tr>
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Next we moved onto teeth and vaccines. Her teeth weren't too bad, but there were a couple of sharp points and even an ulcer developing near the back of her mouth. That made me feel like a bad horse mom, but its not everyday you drug your horse up, throw a speculum in their mouth and shine a flashlight in there. While she was out, I mentioned her hairy little squirrel ears and the vet asked if I wanted to use the clippers to just trim the large hanging bits off. I evily giggled, grabbed an ear, turned on the clippers and Bacon magically was awake in 0.2 seconds. The vet and I wrestled the sedated giraffe for a good 10 minutes and we still didn't get all of that floofy ear hair sprouting out of her brain. Lots of ear bonnets for us, please.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR3LJUf28bF3DxZsBi9WW2ULqX36gJkTbln_kGeDDOpZm_kuC6Shw24Y9ToGNTJIQfFdxpwP88DFUH4_tU6avaW-fPpbOvl-2HDx62rGeSoRib_a9Alzyxyh8iyzJOu3v1KwDw4JAgfma/s1600/IMG_20170321_134621302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR3LJUf28bF3DxZsBi9WW2ULqX36gJkTbln_kGeDDOpZm_kuC6Shw24Y9ToGNTJIQfFdxpwP88DFUH4_tU6avaW-fPpbOvl-2HDx62rGeSoRib_a9Alzyxyh8iyzJOu3v1KwDw4JAgfma/s400/IMG_20170321_134621302.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They even put a purple wrap on it. It's like they know.</td></tr>
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We came back a week later for our injections with that same vet, but being that it is a hospital and that two other vets have worked on Bacon, they saw us on the schedule and had to come say hi. Dr. Wahl would stand back and eye my horse up and down, give her a good scratch and just say "she is such a nice horse. I like her so much." Yep, that's right you do. He doesn't have to feed her or watch her weave, but she is very polite and seems happy to visit the hospital and the vets were always happy that she has manners. We stood next to the surgery room, but unfortunately no surgeries were going on. I am sure Bacon appreciated that. They got her sedated and scrubbed, more people came by to see her clip, she got poked, and put on a weeks of stall rest. And I cried a little at my bill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOYdBrunz_3uLiu99-CnO4jFSXYo9KRkK4dw9NG5Mo81jPeYufSqtVe0yg6gdmqjgzf-keG4fyxaoNneAyp7vmIi7BFxErTz0KHL1AlftKcwIVOtIUUffSkASwC9MEb3VwBC_mfdtndDn/s1600/IMG_20170317_114852214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOYdBrunz_3uLiu99-CnO4jFSXYo9KRkK4dw9NG5Mo81jPeYufSqtVe0yg6gdmqjgzf-keG4fyxaoNneAyp7vmIi7BFxErTz0KHL1AlftKcwIVOtIUUffSkASwC9MEb3VwBC_mfdtndDn/s400/IMG_20170317_114852214.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's no crying in baseball.</td></tr>
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After her stall rest, she came out swinging. She had a lovely forward trot, was not nearly as heavy as she had been in my hand, and had this bigger canter that I couldn't really figure out how to ride. But, she was also starting to rub her face bald, flip her head like crazy, and then after a week of feeling lovely, she wasn't anymore. Was it her heat cycles starting up? Allergies? I had tried a different dressage saddle and thought maybe that was the cause, because she was showing some pain in her back after that. Was it ulcers? I started her back on omeprazole and ranitidine. Maybe I could figure it out. Or maybe not.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdVd1Ffumn-YDyYq5mxCQzbSfa84L5ysJ8_uvKjHAyp30jKSDiVIGGLkhnaIJRZ3c_Ov4IbNkEK92NXa7j3bj32AwLjvVdbOfumAOboLbNvfcjReTApI7I6lyZqjCBD71fHFJSrIWkN7E/s1600/IMG_20170407_111321036_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdVd1Ffumn-YDyYq5mxCQzbSfa84L5ysJ8_uvKjHAyp30jKSDiVIGGLkhnaIJRZ3c_Ov4IbNkEK92NXa7j3bj32AwLjvVdbOfumAOboLbNvfcjReTApI7I6lyZqjCBD71fHFJSrIWkN7E/s400/IMG_20170407_111321036_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This saddle is incorrect. I do not approve. The outfit is ok though, it makes me look like a dark lord.</td></tr>
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-20523743476492875422017-05-24T06:30:00.000-07:002017-05-24T06:30:26.380-07:00An Almighty UpdateHey there. Long time, no talk!<br />
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My absence has been due to a variety of things. There has been a lot going on, that is for sure. I will have to do a separate post for each major event, so here is a quick breakdown of what I have been up to:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKXqgj_gNUSwu5HGdwpE9VZIOeG_wBvlrS50uTSzoLt_C-BuN-kUSsEHNZ4_0kOqR8lDuKxOFGTjZJq-jdNbyL40eeWulMDxpasweKGr-WxW1lGrfqVOlExfH3DXfEIlW8WNZ3hkjMAbh/s1600/IMG_20170321_133142230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKXqgj_gNUSwu5HGdwpE9VZIOeG_wBvlrS50uTSzoLt_C-BuN-kUSsEHNZ4_0kOqR8lDuKxOFGTjZJq-jdNbyL40eeWulMDxpasweKGr-WxW1lGrfqVOlExfH3DXfEIlW8WNZ3hkjMAbh/s400/IMG_20170321_133142230.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I am the best at the vet. I know.</td></tr>
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Bacon goes to vet for: Vaccines, teeth, coggins, hock and navicular bursa injections, health certificate, yadda yadda. And cha-ching. Also, all vets that have worked on Bacon in the hospital had to come tell me that they love her and think she is cool and or beautiful. That's right, they know what's up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsEyAqdHtSRKlbbDph78sBodjEzl15NJx3UUwG7hDCqZJR4I4cZ-mpPCPGV_rpNy4Z9HD2MpCcbI2Pw_2lVXCmqj9qTz2V3c9YM7wh6QCwmbrcTRnr6JUVeRDFhdD2MqUHaYWKtnghV6j/s1600/a11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsEyAqdHtSRKlbbDph78sBodjEzl15NJx3UUwG7hDCqZJR4I4cZ-mpPCPGV_rpNy4Z9HD2MpCcbI2Pw_2lVXCmqj9qTz2V3c9YM7wh6QCwmbrcTRnr6JUVeRDFhdD2MqUHaYWKtnghV6j/s400/a11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sweetest and most behaved.</td></tr>
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We say goodbye to Roxy-Moo: This was the hardest thing I have had to do in a long long time. And it was soul crushing. I have helped many dogs pass away at the vet clinic, but holding my own dog in my arms as she took her last breath was something I couldn't have prepared for.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkY_0GgoL2AqPmC59LnZBDhgSf9jlweEgI6vvad9J7NUXKMGZnAmskBq-7K08wZ2DsCEGLnMFyQgqv09VeSkNSjRDqVqkqp-N1CsTdEJE910YINrLmG5gMl_vRQVn3jOvoJ61SoSyEKJl/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkY_0GgoL2AqPmC59LnZBDhgSf9jlweEgI6vvad9J7NUXKMGZnAmskBq-7K08wZ2DsCEGLnMFyQgqv09VeSkNSjRDqVqkqp-N1CsTdEJE910YINrLmG5gMl_vRQVn3jOvoJ61SoSyEKJl/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Show jumping during the one day. AKA hauling ass through the one stride.</td></tr>
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Schooling show in Spokane: Bacon and I schooled xc on Friday as well as a training level jumper round. Saturday we competed in the one day schooling show and jumped clean, but had a very tense test. Sunday, I watched my friends participate in a steeplechase clinic!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRidKKn5h6QU7m65rUfIEjVKuOqZdODkEg6QX8wH4-9kUGXoj8FSwYDNLC58Jk2X2bgY8j5Ib03Zf3aibOgkmeuom_-w_Kh6TyZnKXoHa7eHC79_TIKm9tpXSMPEi4ipjVHMWZN_xEIJaS/s1600/a78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRidKKn5h6QU7m65rUfIEjVKuOqZdODkEg6QX8wH4-9kUGXoj8FSwYDNLC58Jk2X2bgY8j5Ib03Zf3aibOgkmeuom_-w_Kh6TyZnKXoHa7eHC79_TIKm9tpXSMPEi4ipjVHMWZN_xEIJaS/s400/a78.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New doggy already enjoying her new life and wardrobe. And her ear is taped because of the crop, and the tape is just providing a little extra support for her floppy tips. Please do not harass me about her ears, I did not have the crop done, I am just continuing the taping of the tips. Thank you.</td></tr>
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Picking up Skully: Also that weekend, I picked up my new Great Dane puppy. Well, she just turned a year old, but still, these suckers are puppies until they are at least two. And her specific lines keep growing until they are three. She is quite the character!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWlLdeiMrDZpenTEJsU2FvyzpVy7Na_MquwPQjCYuqklEpHem5Ungp7aSnrbXBT02p1hTOEzgM4pnlDasrD6S9jj7rcENhyphenhyphenL2iTdjAU8gL4peG1vL9jB7o6ue3JysVJhOI0fMk0VtfkeZ/s1600/s138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWlLdeiMrDZpenTEJsU2FvyzpVy7Na_MquwPQjCYuqklEpHem5Ungp7aSnrbXBT02p1hTOEzgM4pnlDasrD6S9jj7rcENhyphenhyphenL2iTdjAU8gL4peG1vL9jB7o6ue3JysVJhOI0fMk0VtfkeZ/s400/s138.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So shiney and beefy and fast! Maybe, a little too fast. Whoops.</td></tr>
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Recognized Show in Spokane: Debuted this year at Novice, where I sat on a horse that was full of allergies, hormones, and lord knows what else. We ended up in the bottom of the pack in dressage, but fought our way closer to the top in the jumping phases. Even when she is being a little unreasonable, the girl can gallop and jump. But this show told me that there is something bothering Bacon, so it is back to the vet this week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGrufMn8XU4JYTpXa62pV78_-skJBKZ1OmoQZ87PrcUbVrWqe88kJ_uFaz9lLeeK6GEbNAbZMsPibp2lYhgRrMpcQDFJ1DGsMOpfgzghvkoI5ySItEvAd9uKcaymfZv_vVRIpWKscXM-L/s1600/m105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGrufMn8XU4JYTpXa62pV78_-skJBKZ1OmoQZ87PrcUbVrWqe88kJ_uFaz9lLeeK6GEbNAbZMsPibp2lYhgRrMpcQDFJ1DGsMOpfgzghvkoI5ySItEvAd9uKcaymfZv_vVRIpWKscXM-L/s400/m105.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mom and the Meatball near Swan Falls</td></tr>
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Mother visits: My mom had her first solo visit to Idaho this past week and it was great. I wasn't sure how she was going to hold up without her oxygen tank, but she trucked along and we had some adventures. She does pretty alright for a woman who needs two new lungs most of the time. It always makes me so sad to see her go though, because I never know what is going to happen and when I will get to see her again. Hopefully soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BKyRgRslLcx106Z2OvcAEJmXFmgbjKCHW4FMlqm_3RydBjSifspk9Ad_ww4gCi3AZYu3EkXJ_tt7ZEUPikfprDfHGwy8vw93wdbSi2H_egkYX20XHlgqhQohog-dOTjQqZMLHMTdoNvx/s1600/a44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BKyRgRslLcx106Z2OvcAEJmXFmgbjKCHW4FMlqm_3RydBjSifspk9Ad_ww4gCi3AZYu3EkXJ_tt7ZEUPikfprDfHGwy8vw93wdbSi2H_egkYX20XHlgqhQohog-dOTjQqZMLHMTdoNvx/s400/a44.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How Bacon feels about life currently. And I feel about the same. </td></tr>
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Among all of that, we have had home failures, car failures, found out a week after losing Moo that my dad's dog has bladder cancer, and of course, my health has taken a turn as it usually does when it warms up. It really stinks when you get tired just from laughing or talking. My eyesight has also been off and on blurry, and tremors are coming back, so that has slowed the painting process down even more. So, as of now anyways, I cannot take anymore commissions in until I finish up what I have left. Those last paintings are causing me great anxiety, and I don't think I should add anymore onto it, even though I am sure Bacon's vet bill will say otherwise. Sigh.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEMTEu7viI49eg6icmz7k7fD1xpKYSmbN7_eAquZ4MKeeP8vK0Tk_G00clqzAJfTMxQ4FZGFLXbgrPhKtwk3JVW5Ei05pM5DjXIpdJtgUlnTGp2eGHvxEUgWXUNgu_JGayR9Yl5LLlSaB/s1600/IMG_20170521_134838164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEMTEu7viI49eg6icmz7k7fD1xpKYSmbN7_eAquZ4MKeeP8vK0Tk_G00clqzAJfTMxQ4FZGFLXbgrPhKtwk3JVW5Ei05pM5DjXIpdJtgUlnTGp2eGHvxEUgWXUNgu_JGayR9Yl5LLlSaB/s400/IMG_20170521_134838164.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least my husband is cute.</td></tr>
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So there you have it. I will do a post for each of those updates and go into a little more detail. Hopefully.HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-76440314703505403412017-02-10T06:30:00.000-08:002017-02-10T06:30:26.243-08:00Art Update and Wanting HugsHello all. It's me. That one person trying to widdle away at all the art that's been a little backed up. I am so sorry if it is taking longer than you have expected. Believe me, it is killing me too to be off of schedule and to be behind. I thought I would share with you the ones I have gotten done so far so you can see what I have been up to though!<br />
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First up, the <a href="http://eventingsaddlebredstyle.blogspot.com/">handsome Stinker</a>, swimming in a sea of purple. Because his mother knows that that is the color of royalty and coolness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkcfdezMDEyru9yNC30_nfDs7gpJlGZk8H5EG2VgAG_sSUOyJ1FzlfaKyfH_QO5Bm915N_HRNOaxC3Z4BzNU1hllmoV9knStgHt8R-AyjOUBrhgxqxhPKlVCKtJvMJ1PKJbP1x0C0Dn6S/s1600/Stinker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkcfdezMDEyru9yNC30_nfDs7gpJlGZk8H5EG2VgAG_sSUOyJ1FzlfaKyfH_QO5Bm915N_HRNOaxC3Z4BzNU1hllmoV9knStgHt8R-AyjOUBrhgxqxhPKlVCKtJvMJ1PKJbP1x0C0Dn6S/s400/Stinker.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did not realize that the picture I have of this one is so poor! It's more purpley.</td></tr>
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We have <a href="http://www.theowlsapprove.com/">Mr. Archer Burke</a>. Signature arrows included in his mixed media portrait.<br />
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<a href="https://asoftspotforstars.wordpress.com/">Sarah's steed Copper</a> also wanted a shot in mixed media, and he looks damn good doing it.<br />
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You've all probably seen<a href="http://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/"> Charlie Murray</a> in racehorse mode on Emma's blog. Go Charlie go!<br />
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Stephanie had her two kids and a special secret one done, so here is the all too <a href="http://fraidycateventing.blogspot.com/">handsome Moe and suspicious Gina.</a><br />
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Up next is Katherine from <a href="https://rodneyssaga.com/">Rodney's Saga</a> for the handsome Rodney himself in mixed media. Look at that face. It's a great face.<br />
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Currently, I have about twelve more blogger art pieces to go. Crazy huh? And overwhelming. I got offered to do the covers for the Spokane Horse Trials programs as well as a business logo for a local dressage start up. I'm feeling a bit nauseous, but I can get it done. I will.<br />
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There are a few other reasons why the art work has been a little slower at being produced. My drawing and painting hand has started to radiate pain so I have only been able to work a few hours a day before I can't stand it anymore. I am not sure if there is a brace or something I can wear, but it is not fun. I've just been in a lot of pain in general, but such is life.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grammy lookin' fancy</td></tr>
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A couple of weeks ago, Blake's great grandmother passed away. She was an amazingly kind and sweet woman. If you think you've met the sweetest person, I know you would be lying because I know you would have never met Nathelle. She bought Lucy for Blake when she saw how small Pandora was for him. And was always trying to slip money into our pockets or vehicles. I cut a little piece of Lucy's tail, braided it, and wrapped it around a rose to place with her casket at the funeral because she always loved to here about Lucy. We will miss her so much.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv4MDeU3KGwexfDwt44eBMXwhcYVR8eCGV0PmBanas822pXYs_WFRqk8GDQRTSDPWTPiWHxt6nYZoB7BCRRhY48pHBTDrrTqSfie808XI76Na6bK3jVysa7iePnkFBJhY6Y0uhUW1lwho/s1600/lucy17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv4MDeU3KGwexfDwt44eBMXwhcYVR8eCGV0PmBanas822pXYs_WFRqk8GDQRTSDPWTPiWHxt6nYZoB7BCRRhY48pHBTDrrTqSfie808XI76Na6bK3jVysa7iePnkFBJhY6Y0uhUW1lwho/s400/lucy17.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying Lucy for the first time, Grammy watching near by.</td></tr>
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Three days after Nathelle had passed, my friend E's mom kind of suddenly passed away as well. I was with her on Saturday when the doctor told her that her mom had about 3-6 months, maybe a year left. They brought her home Tuesday, where she was feisty as ever, ate and slept well and her husband came home around lunch time to make her a snack to find that she had passed in her sleep. E dealt with the passing better than I would have, but it was still heartbreaking and awful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTd2FP69_A84lI7YWYgVbnxxrlT4m0k8Kl_NXYr4HRX-M-sAWbqXNMa7_kahG40fMhUL3eQbGbrUGDrYO2ga2stZlwdujG1Aq-86FiqiZAz1HgWin5o-4z398dyeaZw_wqtdUsQZnHmwy/s1600/ardelle+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTd2FP69_A84lI7YWYgVbnxxrlT4m0k8Kl_NXYr4HRX-M-sAWbqXNMa7_kahG40fMhUL3eQbGbrUGDrYO2ga2stZlwdujG1Aq-86FiqiZAz1HgWin5o-4z398dyeaZw_wqtdUsQZnHmwy/s400/ardelle+ride.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That night, we rode for her mom. Because she would have kicked our butts if we didn't. Her mom was one tough horsewoman!</td></tr>
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My mom has been going in and out of hospitals doing different testing procedures and finally had a sit down with the doctors. The short of it is that she needs a lung transplant. She has no healthy lung capacity or tissue left. She also has some liver damage and free fluid in her belly that they will have to investigate more. Right now, we are uncertain if she can be a candidate. First things first, no more smoking or vaping for at least 6 months to be considered. Her past drug history will probably not help her, but I am unsure of that. They also have to see the results of the further testing. So right now, I am trying to be optimistic, but also trying to prepare myself for the worst.It will be about a year or so if she can get the transplant, so fingers and toes are crossed. It just really sucks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vI5qZoMvgZC05mm6UOPLmrGawGNcmM9cJKxCBDU5BwxVJo4IadbheYUAbf5XX3-wGHByBL7vXrqgSa_gOUOBcQBh6NimVlX5rg8AsygwffrxHrhVuvTacNoc3hMn4bKKntDA-qs5bbeb/s1600/IMG_7931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vI5qZoMvgZC05mm6UOPLmrGawGNcmM9cJKxCBDU5BwxVJo4IadbheYUAbf5XX3-wGHByBL7vXrqgSa_gOUOBcQBh6NimVlX5rg8AsygwffrxHrhVuvTacNoc3hMn4bKKntDA-qs5bbeb/s400/IMG_7931.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom was so happy when she finally got to ride Bacon!</td></tr>
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But you just have to look ahead and know that you will come out on the other side. You may not like the journey through some of those paths, but there are some good ones in there. Like the Bacon and Blake paths. And some days, Lyme disease screws with your balance and makes you walk into a walk, flinging your chocolate cream pie onto the carpet (Tuesday). Those paths aren't so great. But they are there to remind you that you are a person and you are alive, and that is a good thing. So deal with it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At my wedding. Also fancy.</td></tr>
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I'm figuring it out. While doing your art. Slowly. And trying not to fling pie into the carpet. So send me hugs and send my mom positive liver, belly (her words), and lung vibes. Thank you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbvfzQnvu310wVV7OvzInwTtV4yswIsVeHcKe8CoiuEMZsuvYDgbt3-juHQJhQjcKS9EY8Q5wl216wRpzMM5bp_xtue5Lfsxo8MfWL7pq1eJsrjbeDb8rPH09sLE3VS5I7O-fxha2FZpM/s1600/IMG_8031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbvfzQnvu310wVV7OvzInwTtV4yswIsVeHcKe8CoiuEMZsuvYDgbt3-juHQJhQjcKS9EY8Q5wl216wRpzMM5bp_xtue5Lfsxo8MfWL7pq1eJsrjbeDb8rPH09sLE3VS5I7O-fxha2FZpM/s400/IMG_8031.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are all kind of short. My brother is the tallest at 5'5" and I have cheater shoes on.</td></tr>
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HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-73374235968499274672017-01-24T06:30:00.000-08:002017-01-24T16:18:10.711-08:002017 Goals<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9y0HWKlkEDfXraHyl9fUOV5ymLwe_62TNu_6jv6-SLKnyo1ZjI2rnDyQQfrKJ-yf6vyiDojkqYwsCaGovK-0iJazPHfQukUU8uKvxgHl5bpAtiwTwOeVy_-FTmi5hfP3MYAzYtdIijSS/s1600/download_20170122_150024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9y0HWKlkEDfXraHyl9fUOV5ymLwe_62TNu_6jv6-SLKnyo1ZjI2rnDyQQfrKJ-yf6vyiDojkqYwsCaGovK-0iJazPHfQukUU8uKvxgHl5bpAtiwTwOeVy_-FTmi5hfP3MYAzYtdIijSS/s320/download_20170122_150024.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to ride! FINALLY. And I am so SORE.</td></tr>
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I have been struggling a little bit when trying to come up with goals for this year. Mostly because I am stuck on one.<br />
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Get to training level.<br />
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That's all my mind has been going to. Every day. Training level. How do we get there. When. Will we be successful. Training level, training level, training level.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2kzzAXIJlvQIFP2WDs5m0qEer7KZqro_GPk_5Z89pNsuy0W85c-TxLswgymj43ZnPsGW28KXY8DZGiaTp41dPBOadwuYAHvvQOeWh3FBYHWXimSrj7-9MlCannWNpQslw1qRLEokP4ba/s1600/Screenshot+2016-10-10+21.14.04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2kzzAXIJlvQIFP2WDs5m0qEer7KZqro_GPk_5Z89pNsuy0W85c-TxLswgymj43ZnPsGW28KXY8DZGiaTp41dPBOadwuYAHvvQOeWh3FBYHWXimSrj7-9MlCannWNpQslw1qRLEokP4ba/s400/Screenshot+2016-10-10+21.14.04.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See, if this were training, we would have done the bank out of the water, followed by a cabin a stride or two after. </td></tr>
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So yes, <b>Goal 1</b>. <b>Get to training level.</b><br />
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Whether it is doing a derby or a recognized event, although I will be pointed at recognized events this year if all goes well. And we really only have one derby in the area that has footing okay for me to consider running her on it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQu2YVYFBWp_9rB1UKjkfVvNiFy8rC6SnP89w3sya44JNE_q6fR5FWdoQc4t1LwI80HxET-D1bAhhO3JeF5IMscykd2nyXn6LRBORNMHIY8SxeFsvtk2GuH_KUPt1raiXTfVsNhYyCjnq/s1600/Screenshot+2016-09-22+14.43.06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQu2YVYFBWp_9rB1UKjkfVvNiFy8rC6SnP89w3sya44JNE_q6fR5FWdoQc4t1LwI80HxET-D1bAhhO3JeF5IMscykd2nyXn6LRBORNMHIY8SxeFsvtk2GuH_KUPt1raiXTfVsNhYyCjnq/s400/Screenshot+2016-09-22+14.43.06.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I promise those breeches are light grey. I didn't wear white breeches to my lesson.</td></tr>
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<b>Goal 2. More lessons.</b><br />
<br />
To get us competent and ready for training level, we need more help. Lessons are a wonderful tool, and I would be ecstatic if I would be able to get to use this tool twice a month, funds allowing. We definitely need some help in dressage, and the couple lessons I was able to get last year already helped.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciQPQefT9vpL6_Ci1IHLTvbk5L7uiGqeR7JRlWHHyHq9bOLGVJGYa3xrd4RpYWZ2a6Y08ReLI1f_A0KbrAVayHoizodOuCH2ydPglhEXVXUYtqJ07RTGsprZrytAKNo2SNnKzjlpcMgkv/s1600/Screenshot+2016-10-10+21.10.38.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciQPQefT9vpL6_Ci1IHLTvbk5L7uiGqeR7JRlWHHyHq9bOLGVJGYa3xrd4RpYWZ2a6Y08ReLI1f_A0KbrAVayHoizodOuCH2ydPglhEXVXUYtqJ07RTGsprZrytAKNo2SNnKzjlpcMgkv/s400/Screenshot+2016-10-10+21.10.38.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stretch those leggies! And quit killing your mother's upper body!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Goal 3. Get out more.</b><br />
<br />
More riding in more places. Time to get out of our tiny 50ft square arena and let the pony go forward. Go over more jumps, more grids, more courses. Learn to develop an eye for distance, maybe. If I can. Condition the pony appropriately. Maybe find a place to take a swim with her too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2AoYPPgxsE9fDkUWi9C_q9V-0G7Gsgx-XAbQNZjgPfBnnEShQLnLk9jpQ0FiRmfn5lIQQ4si6wLN1TT32IDWZ53CUREyLQDH_Lb1DOeeb7k_0FhPwJ-oiRsDXxeGicom0FM_wEjektYK/s1600/wssj52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2AoYPPgxsE9fDkUWi9C_q9V-0G7Gsgx-XAbQNZjgPfBnnEShQLnLk9jpQ0FiRmfn5lIQQ4si6wLN1TT32IDWZ53CUREyLQDH_Lb1DOeeb7k_0FhPwJ-oiRsDXxeGicom0FM_wEjektYK/s400/wssj52.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This straight jacket outfit may actually be too fitting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Goal 4. Figure out my mental sads and crazies</b><br />
<br />
We've got some drugs on board and hopefully they do something. My bloodwork results showed the same old stuff. Positive ANA (basically showing autoimmune things happening) but no real direction as to what and why. Kind of depressing. Could be the Lyme. Could be something else. All I know is, right now, I am hiding from "make believe" sounds in my house and hopelessly filling the quiet with music so I don't hear anything that will disturb me. Is it funny that what I am listening to is by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyYA8FlfBd0">Ghost</a>?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGiif0JuN94Mu_TNtLeta41B5KYjLHm6vChYQnFgXb4oNOa1q51KWKESh4dKfsfY72RJkT0lF-pnWh7bDFOiAq8x2d7Z5lXNP0vj7JvlqbsBcV7DcDKrR2wYNjnl29SiT1WNXIli6FJvw/s1600/IMG_3713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGiif0JuN94Mu_TNtLeta41B5KYjLHm6vChYQnFgXb4oNOa1q51KWKESh4dKfsfY72RJkT0lF-pnWh7bDFOiAq8x2d7Z5lXNP0vj7JvlqbsBcV7DcDKrR2wYNjnl29SiT1WNXIli6FJvw/s400/IMG_3713.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why am I here and what are we doing?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Goal 5. Keep my horse happy and healthy, of course!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
This is the most important goal. It is the never ending goal of horse ownership, and I plan to keep doing my very best to employ it. Because I love my girl and she keeps me going, so I have to do my best to do the same for her.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPcbuwUSt1E32TqY1rFlv0qcz6bfOQuOUsf9djkQbdF9Z837SYlSjHG0gpW9Y0LXVWpd1Zb0E56Yj1niQ2Y7f8TlA7VgYx1VgTNVzMfVDGwGlh0hCTrSNdNttATOjK6VtWO9LBNLAlIJ1/s1600/logo1+gradientfinish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPcbuwUSt1E32TqY1rFlv0qcz6bfOQuOUsf9djkQbdF9Z837SYlSjHG0gpW9Y0LXVWpd1Zb0E56Yj1niQ2Y7f8TlA7VgYx1VgTNVzMfVDGwGlh0hCTrSNdNttATOjK6VtWO9LBNLAlIJ1/s320/logo1+gradientfinish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey look, I made a logo for my stuff! And that is Bacon's silhouette. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And finish all of these paintings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS3QUgTxfQplbpVWxcGqXjdiIHIHmXUjRM9mcw-coviZPtf8IK9JNs_HVbnEWXgliBHdNCoJXy0StHg4ce814NogWM8bqcmqI4skn-PGJ7UeHqE9IseVk4yxSDQhL8d83d4x9Q2cT9vKK/s1600/download_20160410_130701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS3QUgTxfQplbpVWxcGqXjdiIHIHmXUjRM9mcw-coviZPtf8IK9JNs_HVbnEWXgliBHdNCoJXy0StHg4ce814NogWM8bqcmqI4skn-PGJ7UeHqE9IseVk4yxSDQhL8d83d4x9Q2cT9vKK/s400/download_20160410_130701.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a bike there. Now we need a motorcycle. Just. In front of us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And jump a motorcycle. Damnit.HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224318100614516009.post-88099619679057227502017-01-16T06:30:00.000-08:002017-01-16T06:30:00.146-08:00Lost in the Fog<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4tEmSu2sAKvJhzHqR2HD3xo3JnBJuVIPVu1oW49vRfO8wbbDE6q0ozglJ_V_NefAB-QRiInEoGepT09lvEx5kgdHEDzDwDj5Wn_Z8rx2fyq9Py9OusWKSsjX0krZZ8YaqfnPJ5hj6qbJ/s1600/lostinthefog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4tEmSu2sAKvJhzHqR2HD3xo3JnBJuVIPVu1oW49vRfO8wbbDE6q0ozglJ_V_NefAB-QRiInEoGepT09lvEx5kgdHEDzDwDj5Wn_Z8rx2fyq9Py9OusWKSsjX0krZZ8YaqfnPJ5hj6qbJ/s320/lostinthefog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I named this post after one of my favorite race ponies. No regrets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have been debating if I should make this a public post or not, but then I figured, what the hell. If there is someone out there in the same boat as me, at least we can row together. These past few months, I have been stuck somewhere. I am not even sure how to describe this place. It seems a little lonely, a little dark. I can't crawl out. I can't escape the fog.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRh4jqROarDW8S8KGDhZ6Bdw12H9UYd9KR1bz9tAP5JRE70q37SF09tdH4ELV5GEMR4eB4zIqZRxrdsFLwSEPaHhaASt5vwL-t1bFVK90Rppw6XR2WyRJLltYbC8OkmX7UdMk9jkqMn4-/s1600/IMG_20170109_112102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRh4jqROarDW8S8KGDhZ6Bdw12H9UYd9KR1bz9tAP5JRE70q37SF09tdH4ELV5GEMR4eB4zIqZRxrdsFLwSEPaHhaASt5vwL-t1bFVK90Rppw6XR2WyRJLltYbC8OkmX7UdMk9jkqMn4-/s400/IMG_20170109_112102.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still sexy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My tremors are worse. It makes me feel like my skin is trying to shake loose of my body, and have no control. I have always had frequent nightmares, but now they are nonstop. But before I can even begin to have the nightmares, I have to fall asleep. I hear so many things now. It use to just be running water or music. Now, I have heard voices, mumbled conversations, trucks starting, doors opening, knocking, wind, creaking, or metal clanging. They don't exist. I'm chasing ghosts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZq93UdG0MGV70pSyBc9NCdgVbZqT8bTUfyUaqj2dIn2VEWmT230_SRFvaf5tsHC2UDNmjzXrQdw-TxlPWvq6-PkpzCdFgjYhM5VzP2hF1cKtCFDQUW3Hk0GdYaz78659VYA4Z_ne8Wyr/s1600/IMG_20170112_160201143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZq93UdG0MGV70pSyBc9NCdgVbZqT8bTUfyUaqj2dIn2VEWmT230_SRFvaf5tsHC2UDNmjzXrQdw-TxlPWvq6-PkpzCdFgjYhM5VzP2hF1cKtCFDQUW3Hk0GdYaz78659VYA4Z_ne8Wyr/s400/IMG_20170112_160201143.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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I usually don't fall asleep until after 2am because of this. When I wake up, I am exhausted. I am sure that spending the extra time and energy pushing through the cold and snow is not helping either, but I have felt this way before then too. And I am sad. And worried. I am not even sure why. If I even start to think about a family member, I jump to the conclusion that something bad is going to happen to them and I start to panic. I huddle up next to my husband every night, afraid that he will disappear in a car crash or some freak accident. I hate it. It is the worst feeling ever.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Imx0A8xT_0pPVsByycoMxIEQ5f5XWBm7mIo5Sgkb3qXc3c-5PhSLGaTeffEVDUyXgp4FZ-Qh81BfaF6KpitwYodAcOOxibO46JNM_nQOrvKwia4vtQohK7KlEZtVbstDx8FouFeXOFzL/s1600/IMG_20161231_164345454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Imx0A8xT_0pPVsByycoMxIEQ5f5XWBm7mIo5Sgkb3qXc3c-5PhSLGaTeffEVDUyXgp4FZ-Qh81BfaF6KpitwYodAcOOxibO46JNM_nQOrvKwia4vtQohK7KlEZtVbstDx8FouFeXOFzL/s400/IMG_20161231_164345454.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I had a doctor's appointment last week and briefly brought up some of those issues, plus others ( like my throat deciding to not swallow sometimes, what the heck). She started me on a new prescription to hopefully help with the tremors and the mood issues. So far, it has been the devil. I have to give it a little bit to kick in, but so far, it is just kicking my butt. She jokingly said she would put me on Fluphenazine if I didn't settle down. Or offered to take me out back and to put me out of my misery. All in all, I really like my doctor, and she sat with me for an hour and even asked to see pictures of Bacon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CwteBzCcVKm5q2ip69-LAS89RYD2kX_F0f5lRasuoGNM0en4-h-hzfrUu85V6P7Zon4UV8ZUq4MIKXPg9DVbwrmgGDjASBF7G82SAQUlbxDdHM6hvMrJz_9LVGYzaO6P1DYFpnsRx_7R/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CwteBzCcVKm5q2ip69-LAS89RYD2kX_F0f5lRasuoGNM0en4-h-hzfrUu85V6P7Zon4UV8ZUq4MIKXPg9DVbwrmgGDjASBF7G82SAQUlbxDdHM6hvMrJz_9LVGYzaO6P1DYFpnsRx_7R/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Hopefully I will be on the right track. I don't know what will happen or where I will be if things don't get better. I feel crazy and even though I have always felt that way sometimes, this is different. I can't laugh this off or sleep it away. I apologize for not warning you ahead of time for this not being a horsey post, but maybe now I might make a little more sense to you. And maybe not, and that's ok too. But, that is where I am at. I am so thankful to have good friends and family behind me, and the most caring and supportive husband ever. And a weird long neck bay mare with a crazy Elvis smile.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIixX0DhKh2vKUI_GbP5TBKNXudeehYggsH4ghP4zCGtqZzACTg48vzSUbVSQFV4WSkY6AGOx5pvpV2ydJNlneu0Qk27-jQDERaWluaMfCIAR1qP4iCYotAHvekpLeWXpzy7Ov4RpdJcm/s1600/meandblaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIixX0DhKh2vKUI_GbP5TBKNXudeehYggsH4ghP4zCGtqZzACTg48vzSUbVSQFV4WSkY6AGOx5pvpV2ydJNlneu0Qk27-jQDERaWluaMfCIAR1qP4iCYotAHvekpLeWXpzy7Ov4RpdJcm/s400/meandblaker.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trillion years of support</td></tr>
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<br />HolyBullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10938188769695663261noreply@blogger.com31