Got to the barn 8:30am
Hand walked a post-surgery horse, Mr Grey.
Rode a lazy bugger named Noel.
Jumped a fiery cob named Trigger.
Flat rode the 4 year old pony I'm training, Nico.
Hopped on a pony we were trying and jumped a 1m course.
Trial rode another pony, fell off. Got on again, and got around the course. I hate sneaky run outs.
Ate a quick lunch.
Took Perrin, the six year old Piebal mare cross country with great success.
Took Ranger, a new four year old cross country. Spurs were needed...
De-contaminated three lice riddled horses with Taktic. Toxic stuff.
Now in my bed watching Fringe for the next few hours until I pass out.
I'm going to sleep well tonight.
Thursday, 6 June 2013
Saturday, 25 May 2013
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Fresh Start
So I went AWOL for a few months,
it's good to be back.
The reason for this return is my bored self aboard this WIFI covered Irish Rail Train. Where am I going? Sligo. The small town the farthest north in the Republic of Ireland. I am on this journey to establish myself at a new barn, one more suited to my abilities. The last yard I was at was a dead end for me unfortunately. I came here with the confidence that I could ride and jump anything when in fact I had never ridden young horses before. Especially young, hot, temperamental ones. I was sent to the groom stall to care for the horses I longed to be riding. It was a personal hell for a rider with limited grooming knowledge. I'm grateful to the owner for pointing me in a direction more suited to my skill level.
I am going to work for a European silver medalist at his yard, Sligo Riding Centre. He has 50 horses, 3 of them for personal interest, 15 on board, and the rest school horses of varying abilities. A large amount of his school caters to students who jump and show at the 1.10m level. He was copious amounts of talented school horses that need to be worked out and cared for before being introduced to lessons. His personal collection is quite nice and he has no time to ride them and give them proper care. My job will be very riding oriented and I will work out his show horses and give them the grooming and medical attention required. Basically, treat them as my own and make sure they are fit and happy.
The first day I was here was for a short visit a week ago. I wasn't sure what he thought of me after I jumped around a school mare named Tia. She was a nice mare in her prime, winning the 6 year old class at the DHS. She is 17 now, but still jumped around the 1.10 track like a pro. I suppose I did enough to impress him because when a client showed up with a trailer of horses to trial, I was thrown up on 2 of the 4 and jumped them each around a 1.10 track. With 2 misses all day, I'd say it was a good learning experience as I felt exactly what kind of horse they were right off the bat and successfully jumped them. If that was only the 1st day there, I expect many hours in the saddle! And isn't that what I longed for all along?
TTYL!!
it's good to be back.
The reason for this return is my bored self aboard this WIFI covered Irish Rail Train. Where am I going? Sligo. The small town the farthest north in the Republic of Ireland. I am on this journey to establish myself at a new barn, one more suited to my abilities. The last yard I was at was a dead end for me unfortunately. I came here with the confidence that I could ride and jump anything when in fact I had never ridden young horses before. Especially young, hot, temperamental ones. I was sent to the groom stall to care for the horses I longed to be riding. It was a personal hell for a rider with limited grooming knowledge. I'm grateful to the owner for pointing me in a direction more suited to my skill level.
I am going to work for a European silver medalist at his yard, Sligo Riding Centre. He has 50 horses, 3 of them for personal interest, 15 on board, and the rest school horses of varying abilities. A large amount of his school caters to students who jump and show at the 1.10m level. He was copious amounts of talented school horses that need to be worked out and cared for before being introduced to lessons. His personal collection is quite nice and he has no time to ride them and give them proper care. My job will be very riding oriented and I will work out his show horses and give them the grooming and medical attention required. Basically, treat them as my own and make sure they are fit and happy.
The first day I was here was for a short visit a week ago. I wasn't sure what he thought of me after I jumped around a school mare named Tia. She was a nice mare in her prime, winning the 6 year old class at the DHS. She is 17 now, but still jumped around the 1.10 track like a pro. I suppose I did enough to impress him because when a client showed up with a trailer of horses to trial, I was thrown up on 2 of the 4 and jumped them each around a 1.10 track. With 2 misses all day, I'd say it was a good learning experience as I felt exactly what kind of horse they were right off the bat and successfully jumped them. If that was only the 1st day there, I expect many hours in the saddle! And isn't that what I longed for all along?
TTYL!!
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
In Ireland!
I have arrived!
The people are amazing, the horses are amazing, and the sceneries are amazing. What more could I ask for?
The barn is outfitted with huge stalls, massive sand ring, back meadow with a cantering track and a heat lamp stall. I have two people I am working with at the barn, Phillip and Ashling. Today I rode a horse named Vunweel, a 9 year old Belgium Warmblood. She had some amazing movement and very forwards off the leg. Something I am really not used to because my horse is so lazy! So I used my full seat and a fair amount of hand and I found I could ride her very collected and correct. The fences came nicely, but after the fences I lost my connection and she would run through my hand, motorcycling through the corners. I would rebalance her in time for the next fence, but it wasn't as polished as I'd like.
I will continue riding her and I'll jump her again on Saturday. I hope to begin riding some of the horses that I am lunging, but I have to remember that this was only day one...
Till next time,
Paige
The people are amazing, the horses are amazing, and the sceneries are amazing. What more could I ask for?
The barn is outfitted with huge stalls, massive sand ring, back meadow with a cantering track and a heat lamp stall. I have two people I am working with at the barn, Phillip and Ashling. Today I rode a horse named Vunweel, a 9 year old Belgium Warmblood. She had some amazing movement and very forwards off the leg. Something I am really not used to because my horse is so lazy! So I used my full seat and a fair amount of hand and I found I could ride her very collected and correct. The fences came nicely, but after the fences I lost my connection and she would run through my hand, motorcycling through the corners. I would rebalance her in time for the next fence, but it wasn't as polished as I'd like.
I will continue riding her and I'll jump her again on Saturday. I hope to begin riding some of the horses that I am lunging, but I have to remember that this was only day one...
Till next time,
Paige
Friday, 18 January 2013
Heading off to Ireland today...
I had my last ride today with my three favourite horses at Pickering. I had a wonderful lesson on Sander, Domino and Gladiator. Glad is doing really well after his third shot of Adequine. I took a few photos of them on my new iPhone and edited them, making them look really artistic and awesome.
The plane has been delayed at lease seven hours, so I'm just waiting around with my boyfriend Jake. He was amazing today, helping me get all the horses ready in our freezing weather. He also got me a burger from South St which was well deserved after my rides in the blistering frost.
My first meeting with my new employer Barry O'Connor was supposed to be on Sunday night in Malahide but its unsure of when the flight will be leaving. There may be an upgrade to our seats if we agree to a flight later in the week. I really hope we leave tonight though, as I can't wait days without riding SOMETHING EQUINE. LOL.
We'll on the bright side at least I have the opportunity to head downtown to my favourite Thai restaurant Thao San Road on Adelaide. Best Pad Thai in the city!
P.S my Franco Tucci Half Chaps broke the other day, just two days before I was supposed to leave for my working student position. How convenient. Luckily the company has a 90 day guarantee on their products so they'll be replacing them. Hope I have them in time to ride in Ireland! If not I'll sport my clunkers for winter riding... so attractive.
Until another day,
Paige
Sunday, 30 December 2012
Maxi's Gone!!
Finally, we found a home for my boy! He's going to teach the young Taylor so much in the next 7 months, I am very excited for her! The Von Doeler Ranch up by North Bay will be a great place for him while I'm in Ireland. It's crazy that he's gone, but it's a relief as well. He will be ridden and cared for by great people any I won't be leaving my parents to pay board bills. I'm off to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in around 30 hours and I'll be able to actually relax while I'm their ( instead of worrying about the stains Max would be accumulating).
Well, as one chapter closes another opens. I'm definitely going to miss the Mooser though.
 |
| Maxi, the day I brought him home for the first time. |
Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Equestrian Obsessed Reads:
Snowman: The Horse that Captures Your Heart
This amazing story tells Harry de Layer's pursuit towards greatness as a poor horseman in the flamboyant times of the 1950's equestrian scene. An amazing look behind the scenes of horse showing at the top level and the determination and effort it takes to achieve it. It's a story of triumph and passion, and a horse that comes from nothing to become a champion. This book made my flight to dominican republic and the 4 hour delay almost enjoyable.
Heres some pictures from within:
This amazing story tells Harry de Layer's pursuit towards greatness as a poor horseman in the flamboyant times of the 1950's equestrian scene. An amazing look behind the scenes of horse showing at the top level and the determination and effort it takes to achieve it. It's a story of triumph and passion, and a horse that comes from nothing to become a champion. This book made my flight to dominican republic and the 4 hour delay almost enjoyable.
Heres some pictures from within:
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