Mazzy goes to the Foxfield Horse Show

I took Mazzy on a field trip this weekend. We loaded up early on Saturday to meet some barn mates and my trainer at a horse show. I figured the the new environment would be a good experience for her. She was perfectly behaved with no preparation (no lunging, etc.). I just unloaded, tacked up and got on. She didn't seem phased at all by the new surroundings, which according to some people are very spooky. I actually do know of  some horses that do not tolerate that horse show. I rode her around the warm up arena and also got into one of the rings during a break. The timing couldn't have worked out any better. I was very proud of how good Mazzy was. Next horse show, she may actually compete! The facility hosts a few horse shows throughout the year and my favorite medal final which I have competed in a few times in the past. Hopefully I will return one day to compete in the medal finals with Mazzy. Although I had been to this facility several times before, I just learned that the original Robin Hood movie, starring Errol Flynn, was filmed on the property years ago, and a portion of the grounds is still referred to as “Sherwood Forest.”

The only mishap was when I was picking out her feet she stepped on my toe. I had to lance the nail when I got home to release the intense pressure the trapped blood was causing, and just in time for sandal weather I will be loosing my nail.

Since I did not take any photos, below is a clip from when I showed Kylie there.

Tweet

Stable Spotlight: Shope Reno Wharton Architecture

I haven't done a Stable Spotlight in a long time. These are some of my favorites by the architect firm Shope Reno Wharton.

They are nationally recognized for their shingle style residences; golf clubhouses, and equestrian facilities. The barns this firm designs are exquisite buildings! These barns are definetly some of the most beautiful I have ever seen!

Twynn River Farms, Mahwah, New Jersey

Crosiadore Farm, Trappe, MD

Quaker Valley Farm, Pawling, NY - 14-14'x14' stalls

North Salem, NY - 9- 14' x 14' stalls, 2 wash stalls, tack, feed, utility, laundry and 1-bedroom apartment.

Birch Hill Farm, Richmond, MA - a fourteen stall barn connected by a 230 foot covered arcade to an indoor dressage ring on 190 acres

Red Butte Ranch, Aspen, CO

New York Equestrian Facility

Stanfordville, NY

Tweet

Mazzy Jumping

Here is some video from my lesson on Saturday. We have alot to work on, but I am really happy with Mazzy's progress. I am still trying to figure out her stride, and how to help her jump better out of a deeper distance. My trainer has been working on her adjustability and teaching her that sinking deeper into the tack and taking a feel of her mouth means shorten her stride and rock back.  We have also been working on her cantering away from the jumps, which she has been doing really good the past week or so. Previously, she would either land in the trot or almost come to a complete halt after a jump. She still does this if I pat her, or tell her she is a good girl. I try to practicle patting her on the neck while cantering, which sounds really easy, but it feels like patting my head and rubbing my belly because as soon as you pat her she wants to walk.    



Tweet

Results of Kylie's necropsy and Mazzy is jumping

Since I have Mazzy to take care of and ride, I am forced to go to the barn. I don't know if it would be quite that easy to go there if I did not have something to focus on other than Kylie's empty stall. I am greatful for everyone at the barn that has been respectful of me not wanting to talk about it, or even acknowlege it for that matter. When the subject has come up, I can't fight back the tears. Last weekend Kylie's first vet came to the barn to visit some friends. I was very sad when I had to switch vets, because we both loved her and she had know Kylie since the beginning when she did her pre-purchase exam, but she no longer practices due to raising her family. I have seen her regularly over the years since she has kept her horses at Kylie's barn. Anyway, she expressed her condolences and of course, I had a major breakdown. So many memories.

I did find out the results of Kylie's necropsy. There were a few things the vets thought they might find that was causing her to be so sick after the colic surgery and not recovery normally. What they did find was that at the point where the colon was resectioned, the opening had decreased from the initial six inches to two inches after surgery. So the food wasn't passing through very easily causing alot of pain. This may have been caused because she had a lot of reflux and could not eat for days and days after surgery. Since 95% of her large colon was removed, there was not enough left to repair it. It does give me a bit of comfort knowing there was nothing that a second surgery could have done for her.

Mazzy has been coming along really, really well. For the past few weeks, I have had great lessons on her! Last week I jumped my first line with her, including a 2'9" oxer, so exciting! My trainer has been doing such a great job with her. Mazzy was on a plateu of learning for quite a while, but it seems as though she is on the upswing of things. Her lead changes are coming so easily. Her jumping corrordination is improving. She is cantering away from the jumps instead of coming to almost a dead halt after landing. She is holding herself up alot better, instead of relying on the rider. I don't feel like I have to direct her every single step of the way (only every other, haha). And most importantly she seems to really be enjoying what she is doing. Just over the past few weeks I have felt a such a huge change in her.

Tweet