An unscheduled vacation - with ramifications

The plan was good: Monday morning I leave for a business trip to Mexico, and JP takes the boys to Judy for a week of training. Confident that everything was under control (as much as possible) I made my way to Toluca via Mexico City. The next day I texted Judy in the hopes to get a positive update. Instead I got the rather ominous message message "Remy good, Saumur didn't come". Hmm, I called JP and found out that Saumur reverted to his old tricks: "No, thanks, I really don't need to go" -  in short: he refused to load. Trading in lush pastures and the company of Chambord and Teddy for schooling and discipline just didn't seem like a good deal to Saumur.

So, yes, he got a week of unscheduled vacation.Saturday it was my turn to load Saumur to go to our lesson, sure enough he tried his little game again, but then thought better of it. We had a good lesson, but I had to work much harder than I expected. I was counting on getting on a well schooled horse and not a rather stiff 'vactioner'.

Morale of the story: don't mess with a stubborn German! Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I'll load Saumur and off he goes to Judy's: he's got some 'Nachsitzen' to do!

Let me swap your mouth - no, it's not for a DNA test

"Remy, I need to swap your mouth with Q-Tips and I also need a piece of your mane".

Our small town is so horsey that we even have an Equine Homeopath. I had worked with Sue before, during Crissy's last years. So when Remy's diagnosis came I placed a call to Sue. It never hurts to get another opinion, even though some 'traditional' medical professionals frown upon homeopathy.

Interesting enough, when I told Sue about Remy's cataracts her first reaction was: It's a liver issue (Glenda, you were right on the money!), and she suspected that it was due to him being over-vaccinated. The equine vaccinations contain Aluminum and other metals that can be toxic to the liver. Sure enough, as I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, Remy had had a bad reaction after his Rabies and Rhino-Flu shots. In fact, it was so bad that JP dragged our vet away from his shower to come over and check Remy.

Sue grilled me on all other things in Remy's life, such as worming, diet, exercise, turnout, etc. My doctor never asks me such detailed questions during MY annual exams - but then I guess I would be offended if she would ask me about my worming habits :-).

Another potential issue could be that Remy's liver might have problems processing correctly the high fat content in his diet. I have him on a supplement that provides high fat to keep weight without the starch etc. I had talked with the nutritionist of the feed company, but I guess her recommendation did not take into account that Remy is not a 17+ hand German warmblood. So, we'll cut the fat, even though it's "good fat" meaning Omega 3s.

Sue recommended doing a metabolic profile to get a better picture. I felt like part of "CSI" or "Law and Order" swapping Remy's mouth with Q-tips and then bagging them. I'm sure Remy wondered what that was all about --  after all, his children are legit.

Let's see what the test results say. And hey, Remy, you don't have to be on Jerry Springer to find out!

Never a dull moment - and dealing with the unexpected

I haven’t written in a while, so many things going on…

Here is the gist:  Remy was still was fussy in the bridle a couple of weeks ago so I asked Judy’s vet to re-check his teeth, as I suspected that there might be some sharp edges left. Well, she called me with the good and the bad: Yes, there were some “mildly sharp edges” and he had an ulceration in his left cheek, which she took care of. No big deal. However, the big deal came right after: Remy was diagnosed with “mild cataracts in both eyes”! What the heck?? Remy is only 5 years old! I tried not to panic while the vet explained that I might have to take him Michigan State University to see an Equine Ophthalmologist. I tried not to panic (emphasis on “tried”), and called my own vet for a second opinion and also started to do some research in addition to ask my horse friends for advise and feedback.

Mike, my vet, alleviated some of my fears when he examined Remy. He noted that the light penetrates all through the eyes, so in his view Remy doesn’t have any problems seeing (yet). The recommendation also was that we’ll watch it and if needed get him to MSU. I also put a call in to the Equine Homeopath, waiting to hear back from her. Glenda, a dear friend and my ‘go-to’ person all things equine, suggested that there is a correlation between liver function and eye health. There are some studies that confirm this, so perhaps we can nip the progression of the cataracts in the bud. As soon as I know more I’ll post an update.

On the way to the Waterloo show last weekend one of our trailer tires completely busted on the freeway. The second time that happened on a trailer that has less than 1,000 miles on it. Very scary: due to construction there was hardly any room get away from traffic and change the tire. JP pulled it off, good thing he was there! And where are the cops when you need them? I called Onstar to send us help to secure the area and was told “no one is available”! I’m sure they would have been there if they could have given me a speeding ticket!

On the bright side: Remy and his “Aunt Jude” had a very good first show outing together. Even though Remy was a bit tense the lovely pair got a 68% and 3^rd place at T-3 Open (in a class of 12). The second day Remy had to go in the scary Arena 5, broke twice in the canter during the trot work, and was generally distracted. Judy expertly piloted him through it, and they still scored a very respectable 66%.

Remy went home for well-deserved R&R after the show; and due to lack of trailer (it had to go to the axle manufacturer) and the heat everybody had an unscheduled vacation. It’ll be over tomorrow: JP is picking up a loaner from the dealer (thank you, Haylett), so we’ll have lessons tomorrow, and then Saumur and Remy are spending next week at “Judy’s boot camp”  while I’ll be in Mexico …. No, not on the beach… Working!

An expensive lesson to improve the seat - and starch for the security blanket?

Finally back into the swing of things with Saumur, he had some days off as our outdoor arena resembles a swimming pool. The rain lately has been rather relentless. During the week Saumur and Remy had appointments with the chiropractor; Saumur was pronounced to be in “great shape”, whereas Remy’s left hip/right shoulder needed alignment. No wonder after the long trip and the ‘airs above the ground’.

Saturday both JP and I had lessons with Judy. Chambord showed up ‘half-dressed’ – he had lost a shoe (again!). Luckily in the soft indoor footing it didn’t bother him at all, and he worked really well. With Saumur we worked on the trot section of the freestyle, Judy ‘trotting’ the pattern for us while JP threw in some smart-a.. comments like “more collection!”. Saumur felt really good and I figured out how to correctly do some of the more challenging parts, like half-pass from quarterline at F to quarterline at B, and then back to quarterline at M. Judy reminded me to think “Haunches in on a diagonal”, that way I keep the correct angle and don’t have the haunches leading. All in all,  it felt really good, and astonishingly not once did it get reminded to keep my weight in the saddle and shoulders back. Judy asked me what changed, and I had to admit that Remy’s antics at Lamplight really drove the point home on the importance of sitting deep. Hah! I sure paid a lot of money for THAT lesson!

Remy’s school things are packed, and he’ll be off to Judy’s tomorrow morning. I do have mixed feelings about this. Do doubt, it’s great to have Judy’s expert help and we DO NEED it, but on the other hand I feel like I should be able to handle it.  In my entire riding life I’ve never had anybody else compete a horse for me, not even when Saumur was at his worst. JP keeps reminding me that homeschooling doesn’t work for everybody, and I have to (albeit grudgingly) admit that he might be right.

Just the other day I received the USDF Connection magazine, and wouldn't you know it, Maryal Barnett (the judge who witnessed our “leaps and bounds” performance) co-authored an article on: “A Proactive, Positive Approach for the Spooky Horse”. I wonder if she thought I should have read the article BEFORE showing up at the her arena?? It really stressed what Judy is trying to instill: Keeping the horse round and bendable; therefore lots suppling and bending exercises, like shoulder in, which will help the relaxation. The rider also has to become the “go-to person” for the spooky horse, and provide the security to deal with the scary things. Along the lines of the rider being sort of a human security blanket… I guess it means Remy didn’t feel his blanky was up to the job. Too much fabric softener, perhaps I should have used a bit of starch instead?!?

Not the best of times - moving to "Plan B"

Well, the excitedly anticipated trip to Lamplight can now be politely filed away under “learning experience” – as opposed to “total bust”.

Remy traveled well, and I got word from Kim (the best groom there is) that he settled in nicely on Wednesday at the show grounds. I made the 300+ miles (roughly 500 km) trip through Michigan and parts of Indiana to Illinois, to find myself outside of Chicago, smack in Suburbia. Not where you would expect a huge show facility. The place certainly looks lovely, very well maintained, with meticulously manicured grounds. Unfortunately, Remy was less impressed, and when Judy took him longing Thursday morning he was quite the handful.

Not the best of starts, and it would only go downhill from there, as it turned out. Friday the heavens opened and the water in the longing area was so deep I couldn’t possibly work him there. Judy recommended we scratch first class to have more time to work him later (when hopefully the ground would be drier). Alas, no such luck! For the afternoon class we went straight to the warm up arena, not too thrilled having to go by a lot of grading equipment and maintenance trucks. My usually so settled Remy became pretty much rattled and started to buck in the warm up, which made me get off and scratch my class.

Saturday I was determined to get through this. It was a team effort to get us to the warm up arena, as both Remy and I were covered in mud from longing. While I cleaned myself up, Kim and Nancy took Remy for a quick hose down. He had longed beautifully, so I was hopeful for the things to come. All went well in the warm up arena – that is, until a clothes rack from the vendors lining the arena fell over with a big thud. That got Remy rattled and he bucked. Right before we had to go in for our test. We made it to the judges box – and then he bucked and bolted, jumping the rails and heading for home. I gathered Remy and my wits (rather shaken), and when the judge nicely asked if I’d like to try again I said yes. Well, we made it down the center line – and came not to a screeching halt but to another huge bucking and bolting session before B. Once I got him under control all I could do was excuse myself from the ring. That was that.

Good news: I didn't hit the ground. Bad news: We never got to ride a test the entire weekend! Not to mention that I really, REALLY don’t want to re-live the years of agony I had with Saumur. My confidence was severely shaken. Luckily Judy had a plan (as always!): She will ride Remy at the next shows to give him more confidence to deal with the unexpected (and to correct him when needed). Remy will stay at Topline for training until the end of August, so summer ‘remedial’ school it is for him. I won’t have time to lick my wounds, though, there is a freestyle waiting to be finished with Saumur. Saumur was really happy to see me back last night, and I’m happy that I can give him more attention again. Admittedly, my focus had been more on Remy lately, so it’ll all work out (or so I hope!).

By the way, a note on horoscopes: I checked mine for fun before leaving for Lamplight, and it read “you will have wonderful experiences on the weekend, with lots of fun”. Well, if bucking and bolting count as “wonderful experiences and lots of fun” then yes, the horoscope was right on!

In from London - Out to Illinois

Just back from a busy week in London, business trip with some fun thrown in for good measure. I hadn't been to London in ages, so it was fun to explore the city. The business part of it contained “The Bands of the Household Division on Horse Guards Parade” to which we invited customers. The description read “it will be a magical extravaganza of military pomp and ceremony and an opportunity to experience an unforgettable evening of British pageantry at its very best”. Well, then… 

Luckily one of our team members is a Brigadier General in the British Army, and he arranged for me to get a private tour of the stables. It was a great experience, I learned a lot of interesting facts and got drooled on by the General’s horse. The evening’s performance featured a female officer singing Adele’s ‘Skyfall’, during which an officer’s horse laid down. When the song finished the officer stepped next to the horse and jumped on as it got up. Very cool!

Back home, it meant packing again. This time it’s different luggage, as Remy and I are hitting the road. Remy left this morning on a big Semi with seven other Topline horses for Lamplight. Due to work I’ll be following tomorrow. It’s exciting and also a bit nerve-wracking, I've never been to a show that far away; Lamplight boosts stabling for 450 horses in barns, with a total capacity of 1,000 when adding the tents. As the Europeans call it “American Supersizing”. 

So, I’ll hit the road bright and early tomorrow and see what the next four days will bring. My last rides on Remy haven’t been as smooth as I would have liked them to be, mainly due to me being tired. Good thing I can count on Judy finding the right mix of encouragement coupled with reminders to “wear my big girl pants” to get us through this!

Horseshow-Weekend - the good, the bad, the call to submit evaluations

Back from 'Dressage at Waterloo Spring Classic' (a USEF level 3 competition). Judy convinced me to take both boys "you need practice going down the centerline". She had a point, as Saumur had skipped last year, and Remy only went to a couple of Intro classes. Not to mention yours truly being out of (show) practice... ergo, three rides per day: one on Saumur and two on Remy. No time to get bored!

With the truck and trailer loaded to the brim we headed out on Thursday. The schooling went well, despite blustering winds, rain, and looming thunderstorms. Friday started with Remy's TL 3 class, and ambitiously I had entered it as qualifier for Regionals. Good start: Even with some "whoopsies" (breaking in the canter) we received our qualifying score and won the class! Remy's second class went well also and I felt pretty good.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as well with Saumur, he got his tongue over the bit and that was it. The judge didn't see it and marked it  down as "not forward enough, not enough contact" -- well, lady, you can't have contact if the tongue is over the bit. But OK, I didn't think too much about it.

The bummer came with Remy's class on Saturday. I had heard grumblings about that particular judge before (same one I had for Saumur), and sure enough, her comments really had me more than fuming (or, as my friend Stephanie would call it: "der Schachtelteufel ist los").  Whereas all other tests had great scores for harmony, and comments like "quiet rider", "lovely pair", this one wrote "the horse needs a partner, not a dictator". It could be humorous, because both Judy and George have been after me about being 'too nice', meaning not pushing my horses enough! But my sense of humor never came to the surface on this one, especially after JP innocently asked "do you think it's because you are German?!".

I went to the show office to talk with the manager (who, together with his staff, goes out of his way to accommodate competitors), and the TD (Technical Delegate). I made it clear that I am paying for constructive criticism, not for unqualified and non-quantified comments like this. The TD agreed and offered to send a copy of the score sheet to the USDF for the judges evaluation forum and also suggested I submit an evaluation form.

While talking with other competitors I found out that I was by no means singled out (good or bad?). I ran into a friend of mine who said "oh, I should have told you, I just scratch every time I am supposed to ride in front of this person, I don't need the abuse!". Others had tales about extremely low scores, 1s and 2s, without comments; or plain mean comments. To top it off, said judge was overheard in the tack store complaining about "the crappy riders she has to judge all day long". Well, lady, if you hate your job that much, get another one!

Luckily I had one more ride in a different arena, and that restored my faith in the system.

To sum it up:
The good: I had a great weekend, boys were awesome, I truly enjoyed the company of the Topline team and the other competitors
The bad: A 'bad apple' judge
The call to submit evaluations: Fill out the forms! In this case: "USEF Member's Confidential Evaluation of USEF Judges, Stewards, Technical Delegates, and Course Designers". Officially voice your concerns, only that way things may change.

Don't forget to point out the positive either, such as very helpful suggestions from the judges; or competition   feedback on items such as footing, super organization (I greatly appreciated three guys from the show staff showing up at my trailer offering to unload; and also help fix a flat tire!). People need to know that they are doing a good job and that their hard work is appreciated.

Oh yes, and a little bragging at the end: Remy won the Training Level Championship :-)