Annoyed at Farmers

So we tried to go for a trot tonight after some light flatwork and the field behind us still hasn't been cut and hayed. We get back there and I try and trot Legacy through it and it's past his shoulders and there are biting flies everywhere and then there are deer beds all throughout which are spooking him, so I said forget it and we turned around and came back. Now that the corn is coming in my shortcuts to be able to trot from our house back to the field are closed and there are more roads, so more walking. It was really frustrating. Then we tried to just trot back the farm lane, but there are huge rocks everywhere and the ground is extremely hard. I couldn't win tonight, so Cody and Legacy got somewhat of a light conditioning, but I definitely need to step up the workouts again. I guess we'll have to start taking them to Marsh Creek...we would've tonight if we weren't trying to remodel the outside of our house in 2 weeks...

Our flatwork this week just needs to be focused on getting him to respond to my leg, both laterally and forward/back. He got fairly sensitive to it tonight, but I laid into him pretty good. I'm trying to remember not to give him any slack with responses at all and making sure he is doing what I'm asking. Sometimes he goes into my leg instead of away from it and that's when he needs a hard lesson because he can't do that.....CAN NOT!! So we'll be working on that this week. Hopefully it will help our leg yields next weekend!!

Fitness

So another night of trotting. It was quite nice for my 25 minute jog tonight...Legacy was a tad lethargic, but he was a trooper. All of a sudden I feel like he looks like this amazing creature. I'm not sure if it's the supplements or the new workout regimen, but he looks amazing. It's been a tougher schedule....I'm pretty much riding every night, which puts a strain on my body and my mind, but when I see these results...it's worth it.

Conditioning

Conditioning tonight...30 minutes of trotting through the fields of Elverson. Legacy and I were both tired...we may have to switch our conditioning workouts to the mornings. First we're going to have to find somewhere to gallop...Elverson works for trots, but too much hard ground for galloping. Only noteworthy moment was when we almost got sprayed by a skunk...they are disgusting animals...

Lessons Learned

I am a bit crazy, which I guess is why I'm drawn to three day eventing. Luckily, my laid back husband balances me out and keeps me sane (sort of). I am approaching my first Prelim event in 3 weeks and I'm already nervous, actually I've been nervous since February when we set up my show schedule. I evented through Traning in high school, but it was so different, it's a whole new world now. Legacy and I are more than ready, which Seth has to tell me every time I have a melt-down after a crappy ride. I've had 2 wakeup calls this week...1) conditioning for upper levels is going to be intensive and 2) I have no idea how to ride a collected canter, my hips just don't work yet. 1) I went for a trot workout on Friday with Danny Warrington and his Prelim and Intermediate horses. Legacy was fine and kept up, but it's time to step up our workouts and it's going to be a time commitment since we will have to trailer to get to some hills since it's flat around our house. Luckily Seth has some flexible hours with his job (which I do not) and he can condition at least once a week for me. 2) After our trot workout I rode one of Danny's horses...let me just say that Legacy and I have a lot of work to do with our canter. It was really good for me to feel how a horse should respond to your seat and hands. I think I may have to start to do pilates or something to open up my hips and try and get more flexible.

~Kelly