#150 - KDARC Dressage Trials Photos

As a member of the Kyneton and District Adult Riders Club I attended the 2012 Dressage Trials that we run each year in Lancefield. This was my second year there and I had a full on day, with half spent as a penciller for a judge, and the afternoon as club photographer and then recording scores in the HRCAV records database. Here is a collection of photos I took today:

Teddy Log: #149 - I'm now an egg head!

Teddy Log: #149 - I'm now an egg head!: I decided when I was buying my horse gear a while back that I didn't like the egg head look that the traditional safety helmets give you so ...

#149 - I'm now an egg head!

I decided when I was buying my horse gear a while back that I didn't like the egg head look that the traditional safety helmets give you so I went for a new design. I have been wearing it every time I ride since I got it, but then I saw this picture taken at the Eventing Clinic!

Now Teddy looks wonderful. Just look at the way he is carrying himself! What a handsome horse!

But me? You could be thinking that this couldn't possibly be the first time I've seen myself in the helmet, and its not but... well there is something about this picture that says to me... apart from that I should NEVER wear tight clothes (but that's a whole other story and was unavoidable that day)... well this picture of me in that helmet is just screaming out that I look like Cartman trying to compete in the Special Olympics!

So today on our way home from an outing Steve and I stopped in and bought another helmet at Horseland in Sunbury. The traditional kind. So now I am an egg head! 

What ya gonna do!

Teddy Log: #148 - My photos from the Aurum Eventing Clinic

Teddy Log: #148 - My photos from the Aurum Eventing Clinic: "Flat work done. Now leave me to this grass please." "You want me to do cross-country next? HA! good one!" "Shhh I was onl...

#148 - My photos from the Aurum Eventing Clinic

"Flat work done. Now leave me to this grass please."

"You want me to do cross-country next? HA! good one!"

"Shhh I was only born last night I need rest"

"Yes, I'm here for the dressage"

"This jumping caper is easy as Bro!"

"Let's go!"

"I've got this one covered guys!"

"Hmmm I'm not to sure about this water jump..."

"You really want me to put my hooves in there?"

"Ok, here goes...!"

"Yeah well I don't think so!"

"Come on you guys it's easy!"

"Straight on through to the other side"

" Pallies can do it!"

"Woo Hoo!"

"Ummm ..."

"What's at the bottom of this thing?"

"No I'm not doing it, I just got my shoes done!"

"Just forget it!"

"I'll show you how it's done!"

"Ahh no! It's much easier in the other direction!"

"SH*T!"

"Ok here goes...!"

"It's now or never!!!!!!"

"Pfft! Piece of cake..."

Teddy Log: #147 - Please body don't fail me now!

Teddy Log: #147 - Please body don't fail me now!: I'm really excited about tomorrow and doing the eventing clinic with Teddy. I've never done anything like this before and I'm stoked that we...

#147 - Please body don't fail me now!

I'm really excited about tomorrow and doing the eventing clinic with Teddy. I've never done anything like this before and I'm stoked that we are at the stage where we can participate in a group event like this and to learn a number of different types of horse riding activities.

This is so much more my kind of thing because it includes learning dressage, which I've already been doing and like the idea of because it not only improves a riders balance but teachers the horse to respond with the minimum of aids - no kicking, pulling, grabbing, no harsh discipline - all things that are important to me. Also eventing includes cross-country, which I've never done but Aurum has its own course so we will start to learn to ride through different terrain with obstacles and jumps. The fact that this will also include destractors such as other animals, flags, people etc.,  really appeals to me as I  will be taught how to prevent Teddy being spooked and this will be great because at times Teddy can have the attention span of a newborn! The other part of eventing is showjumping but I will be starting small and don't particularly care too much about this at the moment because the idea of jumping scares me. The most I've done is logs on the ground and at a walk or trot. This was easy and I know I will be OK, I just don't have a nagging desire to do it just yet.

The reason for the title to this blog is that, as usual, just as I really want to do something, my health starts failing me. I've been having dizzy spells for months and they come and go but yesterday I had them for half the day! I'm ok now but then I had a bad sleep and couldn't use the breathing machine properly which put my body under stress and I had heart palpitations. Then this morning I had an earache that I went straight to the chemist for to fix. I'm doing ok right now and I better bloody stay this way as I want tomorrow to be good and for Teddy and I to learn and work well together. If my health lets me down I will be pissed off!

But it wont so no need to worry! I have booked for four clinics so this should be fun, tiring, probably frustrating, but good.

Meanwhile Teddy and I have been resting away from the 40 degree heat over the last two days and the front paddocks have been slashed and mulched. Teddy thought the slashing machine was a monster so he got plenty of exercise yesterday morning running around like a lala even though he wasn't anywhere near it! But he needs the exercise so that is ok. He was galloping so beautifully I should have taken video of it.

So we both are patiently waiting for tomorrow.  I'll take my camera.

Bring it on!