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My furry Valentine

2012-02-14T10:19:00.000-08:00

Ladies I have the most awesome Valentine this year!

He is such a stud. (um ... except he is missing a couple of things).

Let me tell you about him.

He is BRAVE in the face of danger! Like feed bags!

I actually was going to rattle the bag at him to get him to trot pretty for photos. fail.

Don't worry human, I smash noisy bag! Save yourself!

He is handsome! And cute .. and snuggly ...

Someone needs his mane pulled.

That's Pamela the photo-bomb.

Most importantly, ladies, he has a nice butt!

squeeze me.

He is dorky and smart. But still a free spirit.

you toss that mane, hamps.

He is kind and forgiving.

lazy trot.

geez Hampton whoever did that clip job needs lessons.

He is honest.

He doesn't complain about my cooking. He likes beer and long trail rides. He watches out for me.

Are you done taking fotos? Iz hungry.

He has a sense of humor and knows how to flirt. (for treats. any. treats.)

I just look past the fact that he:

• has terrible table manners. (throws his food and bucket, spills food, etc.)

• has zero restroom etiquette

• costs a lot of money

Details!

Ok so my Valentine is a horse. DON'T JUDGE ME! :)

SDTDEDDA Award. ugh

2012-02-11T07:36:00.000-08:00

Today's Such a Dumbass They Don't Even Deserve a Darwin Award:

Um.
This one is bad. I feel so sorry for this little horse, who appears to be MAYBE a yearling. Possibly an older WEANLING.

I don't have anything to say except these people are really fucking stupid. Sorry, I try to keep my blog mostly clean but there are no words except: fucking. stupid.

Lesson: Something challenging

2012-02-09T16:52:00.000-08:00

Because this is just really funny. (click to enlarge)

So Lesson #2 this week was another fun one. :)

We hauled over to FHF to meet up with a college friend of mine for a lesson together. I loved it because we could chat it up and it was cheaper to share a lesson. It has been a few years since we have ridden together. She now has 2 kids and a hubby and I'm ... well, as freespirited as I was in college.

Hampton was a total gentleman. I didn't even bother to lunge him beforehand. Although we tend to start out a little short-strided and flat, he gets better as I start to include lateral work and transitions. Our instructor (different one from Tuesday, but of the same philosophy) was also happy with how Hamps has come along and how it was obvious I had done my homework.

Me, Hamps, Liz and Vanity (a schoolie)

Here are some exercises we did:
• Lengthen, collect, lengthen within the trot. (I use "collect" here but clearly Hamps does not know true collection yet)
• Turn on the haunches. Using the stick more to ask him to really animate the hind legs. This movement is the beginnings of real collection. It is a great exercise. If you think turn on the haunches at the trot, you can produce half-steps.
• Turn on the haunches, canter. For example, if you do TOH to the left (move the shoulders left), you should pick up the opposite lead - so the right lead. Super exercise that we found challenging. Start by putting the haunches in, then stepping the shoulders over.
• Flexibility behind the saddle. Hamps like to be a little tight behind the saddle. So, on a circle at the trot - ask for haunches in, then haunches out. Rinse, repeat.
• Walk to canter transitions. Left lead is baller. Right lead is a little behind my leg. Must fix that.
• Leg yield at the canter, rail to the quarter line. Heh. I remember totally falling apart when we tried this last year. Now we can maintain the canter and roundness ... the tempo changes a bit but major progress.
• 10m circle at the canter. "Ah ha!" said instructor, "we have found something challenging for him!" I'll admit, Hampton is pretty easy to train. But it's good to rattle his cage sometimes. The small canter circle really required him to sit. And he objected by getting a little cranky and above the bit.
• Ranvers. I asked for a little more help with this since we are green. We tried a different approach by first riding a little off the rail and simple doing haunches out, instead of starting in shoulder in and changing the bend. I think this helped Hampton figure out what I want. At the end of our ride, we did shoulder-in to ranvers beautifully (I was watching in the mirror and was beaming).

So overall a very good ride and a good poneh! We had sort of leveled out on progress there in the fall so it's nice to see him figuring things out and coming along so nicely. I know we will level out again but that is training. :) His is not wearing out as quickly as he did last year either. Is that his change in feed? Better fitness? He was sweaty, but not pooped as he would often get last year. Very happy with that!

I am giving him a couple of days off to "marinate" as I like to call it. If the arenas don't freeze I'll ride this weekend but it's looking iffy. Might be a hack day out in the field or something.

Lesson: Do your homework

2012-02-07T17:56:00.000-08:00

Had a FANTASTIC lesson today with Hamps.

Not that he's normally naughty, but today he was just extra cheerful and cooperative and the work was NOT easy. We were both sweaty by the end and it was 35 degrees.

So last week J said we needed to work on reinback since that will help him learn power trot/expression. Hampton thinks reinback is dumb and up until now he would come above the bit, stiffin his whole body and slowly step back as if it was torture.

Haunches in (travers)

We worked on reinback over the weekend and I was patient and rewarded him obnoxiously when he got it right.

So when J asked me to reinback today, and Hampton performed a lovely, round, polite reinback - she was stunned. "Oh, he does that now?" she said and kept apologizing that she was so surprised. What? Do your students not normally do their homework? She told me to work on that so I did. No, he isn't going to learn everything over a weekend but reinback was something he picked up quickly. I just needed to be more clear with him.

So other than that here are some other exercises we did:

• Leg yielding. Duh! The more you drill it, the better it gets. We had some SUPER fancy leg yields. It felt like gliding across the arena! He is getting better and better as he learns where to place his feet.
• Shoulder in, to ranvers. We are still a little green with the ranvers but it's just a matter of more practice.
• Shoulder in, to haunches in. First with a circle in between and then no circle, just change the position. Again, still a bit green with the haunches in but much improved. I need to remember not to bop him back over with my inside leg. Yes, we will eventually need more bend but for the time being he just needs to move his haunches over.
• Turn on the haunches. Not too bad really. Need more bend.
• Walk- canter transitions. J suggested I work on these before he gets too tired since it requires so much sitting.
• Walk to canter on a straight line. Sound so easy. Not easy. But we did it! That transition really requires the horse to put that outside leg down.
• Medium trot. You have to get the fire in the corner and not halfway down the long side. :) But we are getting there.

Then we ran through the canter work from First-3. J said our First Level trot work was there, but that in the canter we would probably fall apart. Yup.

Left lead canter has entered a hell phase. Lots of falling left and when I correct that, out comes the eggbeater canter. I know this is a balance and strength issue but it's annoying still. Our canter loop (from corner to X back to the rail, same lead) was a hot mess on the left lead. Totally bad riding from me. I need to get my ass in the corner and keep him straight. Right lead was EASY AS PIE. Because that is his stiff side. The stiff side is usually easier in the canter. And it was.

So the canter is where we need the most work now. HOWEVER, all the trot work will make him stronger and improve the canter.

Next week I am going to memorize First 3 and really start to put the pieces together so I can find our weakness.

Another lesson tomorrow. What will Hampton think? :)

Failure & success

2012-02-05T16:05:00.000-08:00

From Jane Savoie:

"What makes the difference between success and failure? Not reaching your goal is often as simple a matter as giving up too soon.

I’ve seen this over and over in dressage competition. Someone has a bad day in the ring, and they give up in frustration. They get so upset they scratch from the rest of their classes. It may have been a simple mistake, or a forgotten element, or a skill that wasn’t quite ready to be performed for a judge. The fix might be one tiny tweak. But the experience of failing makes some people throw in the towel.

Toughness in the face of adversity is one of the most valuable assets you can cultivate. If you’re not naturally brave or in the habit of pushing through the discomfort of “failure,” you can change this. All you have to do is DECIDE to change. Decide that nothing is going to stop you from your goal! No matter what it is–business, relationships, riding, showing. Make the decision that you’re going to use mistakes and setbacks as your roadmap to success!

Remember…You have to risk failure in order to succeed!"

There's a soft side to the beeeyotch

2012-02-03T17:46:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you guys, but I love being the first to ride in the arena after it has been groomed. I don't know who did it, but when I arrived this morning the arena was beautifully worked and perfect footing. Like Christmas.

February in Indiana. I'll take it.

We did about 20-25 minutes of trotting yesterday and today. His cardio needs to improve before we really get into more frequent, intense lessons. So we work on stretching, rhythm, transitions within the stretch and obedience to my leg. I also took this opportunity to work on my self — right toe is behaving much better lately and points forward like a good little foot. I still catch myself gripping with my knees and "hover posting" every once in a while. Also, I have the bad habit of bringing my hands to my knees during stretchy circles. Hands should stay out in front.

What a relaxing, peaceful ride. Not a soul around. Just me and Hampton and all I could hear was his footfalls and some random birds. The weather has been amazing and I was riding in only riding tights and a sweatshirt (plus my boots with the fur knock offs ... oh and my helmet, duh). I could tell Hampton was enjoying the time, too. Ears perked, relaxed, rhythm was easy to find and keep. He certainly does not need every ride to be intense "oh my god I better leg yield or she will kill me" work. Next week we have 2 lessons (yay for furlough days) so I'm taking it easy on him this weekend. We might do a trail ride or something if it doesn't snow/sleet/crap on us over the weekend. It's good for both of us to forget about being round and on the bit sometimes.

Last year we were getting ready for our very first show. Today I was just in awe of him and how far he has come in just one year.

I know my instructor says he is in average and maybe he is to the outside world. But not to me. :) I have ridden literally hundreds of horses in my 22+ years as an equestrian and I can say that horses like Hampton do not come along very often. I am so lucky to have found him.

(ok, mush fest over now.)

Babeh Hampton

Law of averages

2012-01-31T16:33:00.000-08:00

As as I typed that the arenas were too frozen to ride in, the weather warms up to nearly 60 (!!! WTF) and we get in 2 rides in a row - and a lesson!

My instructor has not seen us since before Octoberfest. She said a few nice things.

Tired Porkchop after our lesson.

A) Hampton seemed taller. She's probably right, I think he's growing again.
B) He's going really well - especially for January!
C) He has really grown up. Much steadier in the contact, lateral work is better and we actually have a canter half-halt now.

The main point of this lesson was that Hampton is ... average. He isn't a hot horse, and he's not a deadhead. He's not a trashy mover, but he doesn't want to be fancy. He is just average. It is time that we start teaching him to be fancy.

I need to start packaging him more. He needs to be far more electric off my leg - especially in the leg yield. At one point he pulled his "la la la I don't hear you" routine when I asked for a leg yield away from the wall. I got after him with the whip, only to be told that I was "tapping butterflies" and that if he didn't listen to my leg, he needed a flogging. I know this. I am too nice (a flaw that goes well beyond horses). So the next time I got after him a bit more with my whip and voice and he scooted on over.

His poll needs to be up in order to allow his shoulders to come up and his front legs to get out of the way of his back legs. He is far more active with his hind legs than his front, which tends to sort of just shuffle around. We were prescribed 151,000 transitions.

We worked on some rein back. We're still a bit sticky here, but it's time he grows up. He needs to learn reinback before we start to learn power trot. We did many leg yields, shoulder-in and 10m circles. We worked on packaging the canter (leg yielding, strong outside half halts, more jump).

J said by the end of 2012, we should able to attempt a "kamikaze 2nd level test." But for this year, First Level is where we belong. And hey, if I get the money I may even try to qualify for USDF regionals! (At Training and First). But my show season really won't be decided until April, when I will find out what my job situation will be. Some new news on that front, but I am afraid to write anything for fear I will jinx it.

Next week I have a lesson at FHF. I guess if the weather is going to cooperate, back to work we go.

Never before seen video!

2012-01-29T13:40:00.000-08:00

I don't have much to report on the riding front. We haven't been productive lately since the arenas are just too frozen and choppy to ride in.

So here is a video I don't believe I have posted yet. It is from our jumping lesson at CAF.

This is toward the end of our lesson. Hampton was a bit tired, and as you will see he flat out ignores my requests to canter. In all fairness to him, the aids to canter are inside leg at the girth, outside leg spur. Well, I wasn't wearing my spurs at the time because my lower leg is not as stable at it should be over jumps yet. So he never felt the spur. But still. So that is why I get after him with the whip a little bit.

You can really see that he is still very much a baby about organizing his legs sometimes. I love how we look like a hot mess just trying to canter over simple ground poles.

BUT - at the end when we go through the grid - it is BEAUTIFUL! And I don't fold over at the jumps. *patting self on back*. Sometimes training is not always pretty. Sometimes you have to have hot mess moments to make progress.

I am posting the good, bad and the ugly here. Because I think it benefits everyone.

Bombdiggity bloggers

2012-01-28T07:01:00.000-08:00

100 followers!!! Thank you all!!

A handful of blogging awards are making the rounds and a big thank you to those who mentioned this blog. :) It has made a weird transformation from a general life blog, to pretty much all horses after I purchased Hampton. Thank you all for reading. I truly enjoy writing and it is not something I get to do much of in my current job (as a journalist ... ironically, I'm a designer), so this blog is a great outlet for that. Plus, I don't have to follow AP style and can write what I want. Bonus.

Now on to the good stuff.

First, I love this horse and rider and have been following them for a few years.

Here's a list of blogs you should read:

Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Here is how to raise 3 children and also keep your eventing dreams going. Amy is superwoman and I know she does a good job because I have met at least one of her kids and she was SO well behaved, sweet and polite. I've also watched Amy mow down the competition at a horse show. We were show buddies for Octoberfest and during one of our short breaks inbetween classes Amy handed me a granola bar ... it was a small gesture but I had not eaten anything all day and was starving. I mean, that is a good friend people. We both had our own horses and courses to think of and there she was thinking of me and my empty stomach. Even though we have different non-horse lives, the first time I met Amy we were instant friends. I can't wait for this summer where I am sure we will find more trouble. :) Hampton and Steady immediately got along when they first met which was also neat to see.

Adventures of Lucy: Not only is Lucy's human a fantastic rider (you should see some of the photos of Lucy's antics), but she makes really neat saddle pads! She is the one who made my Phish saddle pad which I love.
A Collection of Madcap Escapades: An intelligent writer and amazing photographer. With a cute horse. :)
Calm, Forward, Straight: Thoughtful posts and who can resist a gorgeous grey!?

On track for a CCI*: A young riders adventures in eventing. She has just started her 2 year old and I love reading about it as it brings back memories of starting Hamps.

SprinklerBandits: You can view the transformation of Izzy from greenie to legit eventer right before your eyes in this blog. Izzy's human is also a tack whore ... takes one to know one.

Tales from a Bad Eventer: Humorous with plenty of photos!

Those are just a handful of the great blogs out there.

But hey it's sunny and sort of warm today so I am going to go ride. :)

A really crappy salad bar

2012-01-25T15:40:00.000-08:00

I have a couple of blogger awards to respond to and hand out but first I just want to ask everyone's opinion.

As you know, I struggle with keeping Hampton at a good weight, especially in the winter. He did great this summer when I switched grain and added alfalfa cubes to his diet. (He was also able to graze on nice grass) He has been steady so far this winter, maybe a little thinner but no ribs yet. I did up his cubes and added Purina Amplify (a high-fat nugget). But Hampton isn't the problem.

THIS is:

mmm gimme some ranch dressing

I know that roundbales sometimes have a gross outer shell and the hay inside is good. Well, not these. The above photo is a roundbale that is just sitting in the pasture. The horses haven't touched it!

Here's a photo of a bale the horses were nibbling on:

Is it just me, or does this not even look like "filler?" It's GROSS! I rooted around and did not find any mold, so that's good. I usually root around in the hay bales and take off the stringy stuff. My instructor's young horse ate that netting and ended up dying on the table at Purdue because it had made a giant hole in his colon. So yeah, take off the netting. My current BOs do not do this, so that is why I do.

I know this is why Hampton has issues with his weight. The BOs seem to be aware of this issue (other boarders have complained) ... but yet ... they still have this shit to eat?

I do not mind spending extra cash on a horse who is a "hard keeper" but honestly I do not think Hampton falls into this category. I mean he doesn't even get a fighting chance with this stuff. I am so frustrated and not sure what to do. If I could make it out to the farm 3x a day to feed him better flakes of hay, I would. But work doesn't allow that. And frankly, I PAY to board my horse so I don't have to do that.

I'm done bitching .. for the time being. :)

Next up: Blogger awards!

Dull eardrum

2012-01-24T12:41:00.000-08:00

So, you may remember when Hampton fell on me during a trail ride at the end of August.

I did not hit my head (and was wearing a helmet), but I had major vertigo for about a week after that incident. I thought I was just dehydrated, you know, since all I drank that day was beer ... and uh, beer.

The vertigo went away after a week.

Well now it's back. With some mild ear pain. I only get dizzy when my head changes positions - like rolling over in bed, sitting up quickly, leaning my head back or laying down. Great. So I made myself go to the doctor seeing as how it is not going away.

She said I have dull eardrums!! I'd like to think my eardrums are the enthusiastic, free spirit types but I guess not. Humph.

Your ear contains a saddle joint and a stirrup. Cool!

A very nice assistant tried to flush my ears but that procedure didn't last long. Holy **** it hurt. I'd rather see the gyno than have my ears flushed ever again thanks. So they poked and prodded a bit more and finally decided I should start with an antibiotic and a decongestant. I guess when your ear drums are dull, it means there is fluid behind them. Possibly left over from a virus (I had a cold over Christmas ...). I am hoping that's all it is, because if it doesn't improve by Friday I have to get a stupid CAT scan of my head because there could be a "problem" having to due with my fall in August. Or something else?

She did give me a pretty good neuro exam and I passed with flying colors so I am thinking I just have an ear issue and not a brain issue.

So other than my really dull ear drums, life is plugging along. I am hoping to get some rides in this week but the arenas have been gross, half-frozen messes. Also, Hampton has what I think is ringworm and so I am treating it as such. And I want that to clear up before I put my freshly washed saddle pads on him. He got his annual "bib" trace clip and no longer looks like a yak.

Oh and he also managed to TAKE OFF his blanket in the field the other day. I found him, nekked and prancing around all proud of himself. His tie-dye blanket in a heap in the mud and poop, soaked. I swear if he were human he would be a pot-smoking frat boy who takes off his clothes randomly and is too dense to know when a girl likes him. (Not that I KNOW anyone of this type or anything!!! derrrr) One of the belly straps was broken and so were the leg straps. Not a mark on Hampton. Thankfully I know Hampton and had a back up blanket ready. But now I have no back up for my back up. Debating whether I should get another blanket for him or not? ....

Hampton:1; Blanket: 0

In which Hampton goes sledding

2012-01-21T15:35:00.000-08:00

I bring happy news today. Another adventure of Karen and Hampton, or "Hampton puts up with another one of Karen's games."

A few inches of snow + nice sunny day + sled + horseh ... I mean it seemed obvious to me what to do today!

I started out just hooking up a boogie board. I walked Hampton around while he pulled that for a while. He was a little nervous, mostly just giving me the look of "Um, this doesn't seem normal." A couple of times I did let him turn around and stare down the boogie board. He snorted at it, walked up to it ... then chewed on it.

What is this thing that chases me?

After a while there was lots of licking and chewing and he began to figure out this new little game. So I switched out the boogie board for a sled and asked my barn friend to hop on in and be the guinea pig. :) When Hamps first felt the weight, he stopped and looked at me like I was crazy. But he proceeded to walk on without incident. There was some very tiny pig-rooting when we trotted. The rope was lying over his butt and I think it was a new sensation for him and possibly uncomfortable. I need to hook up a better rig next time.

I took a turn in the sled, too, of course, because the 15 year old in me just could not resist.

He took in all in stride and became bored with it all and started frisking us for treats. Perhaps next time I can ride him and pull someone ... then we can really pick up some speed. :)

Photo essay

2012-01-20T09:41:00.000-08:00

A friend told me that Mr. Kaufman rode every day - up until the night he died. Doesn't surprise me, he was a great horseman in every sense of the word.

Here are recent photos of the legend.

One of my favorite quotes:

Mr. K: "Honey, what color is your horse?"

Me: "Um, brown."

Mr. K: "Ok then you can stop looking at her!"

(because I wouldn't stop looking down)

Teaching a new generation.

Lauren and I once crashed the Kaufman's golf cart into some woman's Mercades. Ooops.

Always teaching

Familiar scene for me

*Photos by a fellow Al Kaufman student

RIP Al Kaufman

2012-01-18T12:30:00.000-08:00

Star, Al Kaufman and me (I was 13) in Springfield, Ill.

Al Kaufman and his wife, Leah, are probably the most influential people in my life (not including my parents, duh.)

Al died Monday evening. (Leah died when I was in high school.)

How do you pay tribute to people who affected you so deeply? Who gave me the foundation for my riding career?

Kaufman Stables was the place where my riding career was born. I had took a handful of lessons at another facility a few times before, but my mother discovered that the Kaufman's were closer to our house so she started taking me there. And we didn't leave for 10 years. I started riding when I was 7 years old. I was painfully shy, timid and my feelings were easily hurt. As I entered middle school and junior high, the barn was the only place where I had friends. It was where I felt needed and appreciated. I know we were all bullied in middle school, but I took it hard. The Kaufmans gave me the confidence and reassurance that probably saved me in more ways than one. They made me feel like I was good at something.

It was my first job - bringing lesson horses in, helping kids tack up, cleaning tack. When Leah was teaching lessons, I would often here her shout "Kaaarrrreeeen!" and I would scamper to the arena.

"Karen, get on this horse," she would say. It was usually a school horse pulling a typical prank - dragging its rider to the center, or refusing to canter. I would get on, whack the horse on the ass with the crop and get the job done. She made me feel so proud of myself.

Her summer camps (or "Clinic" as we called it) sticks out as some of the best times of my life. One summer I was riding a somewhat rank Arab named Stormy. I can't remember what the problem was, but Leah approached me with a crop. Every ounce of me did not want to take that crop, but I took it anyway. Stormy took off. I'm not sure if he was bucking, or if I lost my balance, but I slid off the side and landed smack on my face and left arm.

I laid still for a minute and then stood back up. I tasted blood and dirt. I swore my arm was broken. Mrs. K walked over to me and gave me a hug.

Then she said, "Spit out that dirt. Spit on the ground."

Having been raised properly by my parents, I was a little taken aback by this statement. Proper girls do not spit!

But I did it anyway. A few times. It felt good.

"Good, now get back on," she said to me.

I don't remember the rest of that ride but after about 10 minutes she said I could dismount and go take a shower. My arm was only sprained but when I saw myself in the mirror I was horrified! All of the skin on my left cheek had been scraped off. Boy did I sport an awesome scab after that!

One day Mr. K approached my parents. "When are you ganna get that girl a horse?" he said.

... and we all know what THAT has turned into. :)

I didn't start taking lessons from Al until I got my first show horse, Star. The next summer my sister and I shared a saddlebred, Queen. (You can read about them in my "Horses of my Life" series in my sidebar)

Mr. K pins a blue ribbon on Queen. My sister is riding.

Those summers bring a smile to my face always. I am still friends with everyone and all of us still own or lease a horse to this day (except for my sister). In fact Sampson's owner is Lauren, who that summer showed a Saddlebred named Frank. The day she and I rode together was the first time we had ridden together in more than a decade. But it was just like old times.

Lauren, Lisa (my sis), Me, Kim, Jason

Mr. K was just one of those good ol' horsemen who never missed a moment to teach me something. I have yet to meet another man like him. He had this dry sense of humor that I really didn't appreciate until I was older. He had a distinct whistle that the horses KNEW and they would instantly perk up. Sometimes I still say "Yeahboy!" in my head when I am watching a fancy horse. He would always say that.

Years after we left Kaufman's, I saw Mr. K at a horse show. He had a rider in a Morgan hunter pleasure class. My sister was also riding Sparkle in that class. I saw him while I was warming up Sparkle for my sister.

"Hey Mr. K!" I said, waving at him. He recognized me instantly and walked over.

"I should have put a razor blade under your saddle pad," he said in his dry voice.

I was beaming. I knew it was a compliment. It meant he knew there was no chance he was going to beat my horse.

I wonder if he knew just how much he and his wife influenced so many people? No, we were not a top show barn when I was there (they had past their prime many years before), but they gave so many people a solid, honest foundation. My next trainer, Jim Lowry, a very VERY successful trainer also started out at Kaufmans.

I never thanked them for what they did for me, but I hope they know.

***

Edited to add his obit:

Alfred “Al” Jacob Kaufman, age 83, of Westfield, Indiana died Monday, January 16, 2012 at his residence. Born September 10, 1928 in Wheeling, West Virginia, he was the son of Alfred and Magdaline (Blake) Kaufman.

He was the owner and operator of Kaufman Stables in Westfield, the second oldest and largest riding facility in Indiana that he and his wife, Leah, began in 1970. Prior to owning the stables he was a salesman for 3M Corporation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and in Ohio and later in Greenwood. He was known to be one of the top horse trainers in our country and was a charter member of the United Professional Horse Association, a member of the American Saddlebred Horse Association and the American Quarterhorse Association. He was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Carmel.

He is survived by one daughter, Michelle (Mike) Velez, of Nashville; two sons, J.B. Kaufman, of Martinsville and Greg (Peggy) Kaufman, of Nashville, his friend and companion, Michelle Bruduseo; eight grandchildren, Melissa Kaufman, Chris Velez, Nicole Hacker, Jackie Cleary, Jake Kaufman, A.J. Kaufman, Chris Kaufman and David Kaufman, nine great-grandchildren, one niece and nephew, and his favorite horse, Johnny Cash.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Leah (Churchill) Kaufman, one daughter, Kitty Lou Kaufman, one brother, Jack Kaufman and one nephew, Kenneth Kaufman.

Respecting Al’s wishes, private funeral services will be held Friday, January 20 at the Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home in Nashville. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville.

The family suggests to those who wish that memorial contributions be given to Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Academy of Zionsville through their website: www.morningdovetrc.org.

The One Fall Rule

2012-01-15T16:59:00.000-08:00

Oliver Townsend survived this brutal fall at Rolex. So did the horse.

From the USEF Rules For Eventing:

EV141 Cross-Country Scoring.
b. Falls -
(1) First fall of competitor Elimination
(2) First fall of horse Mandatory retirement

EV142 Cross-Country—Definitions of Faults
4. FALLS.
a. A competitor is considered to have fallen when he is separated from his horse in
such a way as to necessitate remounting or vaulting into the saddle.
b. A horse is considered to have fallen when at the same time both its shoulder and
quarters have touched either the ground or the obstacle and the ground.
c. A fall will always be penalized when it occurs between the elements of an obstacle
composed of several elements (A B C).

Uh oh.

SO the hot topic in the eventing community these days is the one-fall rule. The USEF Board of Directors voted not to approve the proposed rule change - which would have allowed riders to continue after the first fall as long as they maintained control of their horse and did not require medical attention.

I see both sides of the argument. Yes, there are times when you have a silly pop-off, land on your feet and could easily carry on. Yes, by remounting it is a valuable learning experience.

But there is this grey area. What if you have what appears to be a simple fall. Rider maintains control of their horse, and appears to be fine. What if they have a concussion? Sometimes symptoms do not appear right away. What if there was a REASON for the fall - did the horse stop because he is in pain? Are horse and rider overfaced? (in which case letting them continue may put them in more danger).

unplanned dismount

Here is my opinion. I have to agree with keeping the one-fall rule. I know that if WHEN I fall off out on cross country (for the love of all things holy I hope I do not fall off in the dressage ring), I have no doubt I would bow out. Even if it is a silly fall. There's probably a reason for it, and a USEF event is not the place to work out my issues. It is a horse show. The point is to stay on your horse. If you fall off, too bad. Time to go home, fix it and try again another day. Or try at a schooling show. Work things out there. That is just my personal opinion. That's why we have schooling shows and non-rated horse trials. Although, even at those I think you should listen to people's advice if they feel you should be done for the day. I know I sound a little harsh. Even while I was in saddleseat land, if someone fell off during a class - they were allowed to remount and continue the class. MANY times still placing high in the class! I'm sorry, but you FELL OFF. I just don't see how that ranks you above other competitors who mastered the most basic skill of riding that day. They stayed on!

Correct me I'm wrong but, I BELIEVE you can fall off on cross country in between jumps and you can remount and continue. (For instance if your horse bucks you off). This seems silly to me. A fall is a fall.

Thoughts?

So You Want to be an Eventer: Part 3 (The horse)

2012-01-11T17:37:00.000-08:00

Here are links to other parts of my "So You Want to be An Eventer" series:
Part 1: Fear
Part 2: Equipment

***

As I am sure many readers have already done, I spent much of last weekend watching the George Morris Horsemastership Clinics from the comfort of my couch. I drooled over Kent Farrington who is just delicious. McClain Ward is also handsome. Plus they are amazing teachers. I enjoyed watching the kids, too, who were professional, well-turned out, and damn good riders.

McClain and Sapphire. *swoon*

Katie Prudent's talk was a fantastic guide on how to select a show jumper, but I think that these qualities can be used in the selection of just about any horse.

How do you select an eventing horse?

Or how do you know if the horse you already have will make a decent eventer?

I am going to use this horse ...

Not an international show jumper.

... as a guide.

So Katie says there are 5 qualities she looks for when horse shopping.

1. Carefullness.
This quality comes in 3 degrees: freaky careful, normal careful and careful-enough.
Freaky careful: This is a horse who will do anything not to touch the jump (twist his body, etc.). This type of horse typically requires a rider who rides accurate and straight. Spooky horses tend to be more careful.
Normal Careful: A horse that in general has clear rounds. A horse perhaps for a professional or experienced AA or junior.
Careful enough: A horse that can pack around an AA or junior and will average clear rounds. This horse can have a bad fence and still continue on to the next one and jump better.

Which category does Hampton fall in?

Careful enough.

Do I think he can be trained to be more careful? Maybe a little. But it's not in his nature to be freaky careful. He just isn't bothered by hitting poles or spooky fences. He has never gotten rattled while jumping and I just can't see him putting in THAT much effort not to touch a fence. Do I think he can pack around an AA around a novice course someday? Absolutely. But let's face it, he is not Neville Bardos (an example of freaky careful) or Hickstead.

Sapphire = freaky careful

2. Bravery
Yes, as young horses you may have a spook or a stop. But does that horse come back around, study the jump and go over the next time? But as training progresses, you want a horse that is brave and confident - especially for eventing. Test your horse's bravery by putting a coat or blanket across the top rail of a jump.

Do I think Hampton is brave? Yes. Part of it is that he trusts me quite a bit. I think more schooling will let him develop more confidence and bravery over fences. Eventually he will be able to save my ass when I mess up.

Neville = brave or insane?

3. Scope
This is the horse's ability to jump high and wide fences. Do they study the jump? Do they clear jumps with ease? I find that scopey horses often have an excellent bascule (shape) over the fences, too.

I think Hampton has enough scope for the levels I want to show at. (So, uh, not Grand Prix or 4* events). Again, look at Hickstead, Neville or Sapphire if you want to see exceptional scope.

Hickstead = scope

4. Good brain
"The ability accept training," Katie said. Usually horses with a good brain also have heart - the desire to work for you.

This is Hampton's strongest quality. He is wonderful to train, kind, well-behaved and has a consistent attitude. He is sensitive to his rider.

5. Rideability.
What kind of mouth does the horse have? Is he easy to turn? Quick off your leg? Can you adjust his stride? This is the least important quality because you can train most horses to be more ridable. But you should keep this in mind if looking for a horse for a specific client (a small woman vs. a larger man for instance). A small woman probably isn't going to enjoy riding a strong, rank 17.2 horse. (Except if you are Margie Engle)

Hampton is super ridable and has been since the very first time I sat on his back. Ok, so we couldn't steer well at first but he has been willing to go along with the program from Day 1. He has developed a wonderful tempo, a soft but communicating mouth, adjustable strides (we are working on that at the canter still) and he can be handy when he wants to be. :)

... There is actually a 6th quality: Soundness and confirmation that a student brought up. You have to trust what you feel in this case, and trust your vet. I got the impression that confirmation can be a crapshoot. Some horses are able to deal with certain flaws and be quite successful. Others with perfect confirmation can't jump their way out of a wet paper bag.

I agree 100% with Katie. I don't look at pedigree. I look at the horse I have.

Anyone have any qualities to add?

Also, Mr. Farrington:

Cute boy on a horse!

The Fresh Prince

2012-01-09T17:01:00.000-08:00

Let it be known that I am NOT ... I repeat NOT complaining about the weather. And it's January. In Indiana.

This photo was taken on Saturday. All weekend it has been a comfortable 45-50 degrees. The arena footing has been great and we have fit in 3 rides in a row. Holla.

Saturday: Um, so Saturday Hampton, like many of the horses these days, had a wild feather up his ass. There must be something in the air because I am getting multiple reports of horses who are normally mellow having bucking fits, spooking and acting like morons. Thankfully, I managed to have a super ride with only one scoot/leap/head toss movement. I thought he might buck but I yanked his head up in time. Otherwise, he is about as forward as Hampton gets without being a squirrel. We worked on lateral work (leg yield, shoulder-in, haunches in and some ranvers), forward and back and some turn on the haunches. I didn't canter because I was scared I would be bucked off. I decided to end the session on a really good note and not push my luck. I do not consider myself a chicken - I consider that smart riding! :)

Sunday: Hampton was back to his normal, mellow self. But we still had a super ride. More of the usual lateral work plus some cantering. Leg yielding at the canter away from and back to the rail. This has become much more easy for Hampton lately. We also worked on cantering on straight lines - forward and back around the ring. After my lesson with LAZ, I realized that we need to canter more on straight lines. He is old enough to do that now and it is a definite hole in our training. We also worked on some half steps (they are getting there, still need more implusion) and ended the day with a relaxing trail ride with Lilly, JJ and their humans. Hampton cracks me up when he instantly switches over to trail poneh. His neck gets long, ears go to the side. He has a nice walk in the arena but heading away from the farm he is easily outpaced by Lilly, a 14.3 Walker and JJ, a 14.2 Quarter Horse. Yet my 17.1 TB cross always ALWAYS lags behind. *sigh*

Hey camera lady you got treats?

Monday: I decided at first not to do lateral work since we had done so much the 2 rides before. But as the ride went on, I realized he really does need it or he becomes "ping-pongy" and unsteady in the bridle. The leg yields and shoulder in are really good for him and I have a much better connection afterwards. We also worked on canter-walk transitions. They are getting better. He comes above the bit a little but I am not too worried about that as long as his big butt is under him. We worked a lot on forward and back at the trot and some serpentines. I had wanted to run through First-1 but forgot my book with the test.

He is otherwise sound and happy. His feet are in remarkably good shape especially since he has been standing in a swamp for more than a month. I've been debating giving him his "bib" trace clip but I think I may wait another month just in case it decides to get super cold.

I see that CAF has added a second week of Event Camp ... I am so, so tempted. I don't know how I would afford it but .. where there's a will, there's a way. Right?

Naked man on a stallion

2012-01-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else subscribe to Warmbloods Today?

I was reading the newest issue this morning and BLAM-O:

At least he's wearing a helmet?

On the saddle hunt (lets all groan together in 3 ... 2.... 1)

2012-01-03T16:58:00.000-08:00

>>> Sorry for my rambling last post. Might have still been a bit hungover. And sometimes that is how my brain works. Might explain my anxiety issues. haha. <<<

I am looking forward to this weekend as it's supposed to be in the 40s and sunny. This forecast = riding! I hope the arenas will be thawed. My plan is to do 1 day of "work", 1 day of stretching and 1 day to hack and trail ride.

Below is a short video of part of our jumping lesson at CAF. (Thanks Amy!) As you can see, Hamps is in a downhill phase of his growth and training right now. Jumping through the grid really helped, but it's something I should probably work on at home. I have not been pushing him to be uphill so far because of his age and because I prefer to let him lower his neck and raise his back. But it's probably time I start to ask for his poll to be a bit higher. Also, it really shocks me how SLOW he is going. To me, it felt like we were going at a nice clip. But watching this video, I see that he needs to have WAY quicker feet - especially for jumping.

(Also, you will hear LAZ comment on how Hampton is really tuned in to my anxiety. You will see me nodding my head in 100% agreement. This was the first time she has ever taught us or really seen us in action. Love her!)

Also ... *sigh* ... yes I'm going to say it. I want a new jumping saddle. I currently have a collegiate close contact, and it's a perfectly good saddle. But as you can see in the video, it puts me in a chair seat. It is difficult for me to find my balance in the saddle and give proper weight aids. I also tend to jam my heels down in this saddle (a bad habit I have broken when in my dressage saddle).

But overall, I was pretty happy that I kept my shoulders (mostly) back over the jumps.

Any other comments/critiques welcome. I have more videos I still need to ~~overanalyze~~ take notes on and then I will post them too. :)

News, notes, "goals"

2012-01-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

Sadly I did not get my New Year's Day ride in. 1) Because I was hungover and 2) It was snowing horizonally. Hampton didn't seem too disappointed.

We have otherwise been rather "unplugged" the last couple of weeks.

I did ride when Sampson's owner come up from Missouri to ride him. Sampson was very well behaved and she seemed to really enjoy him. She comes from a saddleseat background so I think I may have totally confused her when I was giving her pointers. Also, she was amazed that Sampson would stop when she merely tightened her core. :) I love teaching people dressage and watching their faces light up.

I rode Hampton, who was fine but the arena footing was crap so I never really got the push I wanted.

Sampson hopped on the trailer this morning to head back home.

Hampton and Sampton

I'm debating whether or not to take in another training horse. Probably not.

Hampton is losing weight again and it makes me furious. I could board him at a place with an indoor for the amount of extra money I am spending on feed and alfalfa cubes. The roundbales they munch on all day have very little nutritional value. It works fine for the air ferns, but not for horses like Hamps or the TBs. It is so frustrating. I am going to up his cubes first, then the grain. It hasn't even been that cold, and he's been wearing a blanket. Going to start him back on UGuard just in case, too.

As for 2012 goals ... I'm not really making any. I HOPE to attend the adult dressage camp at FHF in the spring. From there, I really want to attend a USDF show at Lamplight, a couple of CAF shows (and do starter and BN combined tests) ... and perhaps a clinic or 2. I decided not to attend event camp at CAF. I just can't see how that can happen money wise. But hopefully I can make it down to CAF for lessons a few times this year. :)

No idea what will happen with my job. For the time being I plan to stick around here and see what happens. I think I am going to go back to school so I need to get the ball rolling on that.

Also, my best friend is moving away and that makes me sad. I will be hauling her horse (to friggin KANSAS) for her, so major roadtrip in the works. The last major roadtrip I went on was to California. We drove 30 hours straight through.

I lost my mind and sang Miley Cirus for 2 hours straight.

New Year's Eve Prayer

2011-12-31T10:17:00.001-08:00

... the Rest of 2011

2011-12-28T07:06:00.000-08:00

2011

(The rest of the best ... or just plain weird/funny/random)

San Francisco

SubMan NOT to be confused with SubDude.

Me no like the rain!

Us in the future

Are there gators in here?

Sleepy Hampton

More sleepy Hampton

My god my horse always look exhausted!

Saw this beauty at Octoberfest. (!!!!)

Me and Steph discuss how cute JJ is.

San Fran ... look closely ...

Because this is hilarious

Not Hampton's halter

Halloween

Some truth to this

Chris Cornell acoustic concert (yes, he was amazing)

One of my favorite photos of JJ

The best of 2011

2011-12-21T12:23:00.000-08:00

2011

What an amazing, fun year with my horse and my friends.

First show. No disasters!

Baxter comes to live with me for a while.

Good-bye green horse canter.

Hoosier Horse Fair

NEW TRAILER.

My rig.

Hampton approves.

CAF show

When your horse acts like a squirrel, laugh it off.

... how can you not forgive this face?

Love.

I take a trip to San Fran

Trail rides with my favorite people (and horses).

Hampton: 17.1 hands, Janis: 5 hands?

Our first combined test. And first course.

Good poneh.

Hampton gave it his best shot.

Out in the hay field.

Major success at Octoberfest

Hampton, Me, Steady, Amy after a SWEET weekend.

JJs cute face

Hampton passes out in a hay bale.

On Christmas. :)

A Day in the Life

2011-12-19T19:28:00.000-08:00

A day in the life of Karen and Hampton: December 18, 2011.

8:00 a.m.: Wake up. Smile because it's time to head out to CAF for a lesson!

8:10 a.m.: Start a load of laundry. Find beer money a $10 bill. Sweet!

8:20 a.m.: Leave the house

8:25 a.m.: Squirrel runs under my truck. I hear a thump. Fatality.

8:30 a.m.: Stop to get gas.

8:35 a.m.: Stop to get a McDonald's frappe.
(Is anyone else addicted to these things? OMG they are SO. GOOD.)

8:50 a.m.: Arrive at farm. Go catch Hampton.

9 a.m.: Feed Hampton breakfast. Go hook up trailer.

9:15 a.m.: Finish hooking up trailer.

9:20 a.m.: Pack up all of my tack and other supplies.

9:45 a.m.: Everything is packed and we are ready to hit the road. ON TIME!

9:50 a.m.: Hampton won't get on the trailer. WTF.

9:55 a.m. Proceed to make Hampton's life a living hell. Cussing. Growling. Yelling. I hope that the BO doesn't look out her window to see me beating lovingly scolding my horse. A shipping boot flies off in this process.

10:05ish a.m.: Hampton decides life is better if he gets on the %*^&* trailer.

Hi I'm Hampton and I WAS A WANKER TODAY!

10:07 a.m.: I hop in my truck, sweaty and out of breath. I suck down the rest of my frappe.

10:10 a.m.: We are on the road.

11:20 a.m.: Arrive at CAF. Unload, unpack. Get the horse settled. He clearly was in no mood for a road trip today. He was a bit warm and sweaty - not really like him. But he settles in nice.

11:30 a.m.: Go watch Amy's lesson on Steady.

(You'll have to read her blog on how they did but I thought they looked great!)

Noonish: Go tack up Hampton.

Note: I believe this is the first time I have ridden Hampton off the farm and NOT lunged him first. He was great!!

12:15 p.m.: Lesson with LAZ begins. We worked on a simple grid: bounce to a one stride. We also worked on adjusting strides down a line. Way fun! Hampton was super.

... I will post an analysis on my lesson next post so that this one does not turn into a novel.

1 p.m.: Untack tired, sweaty pony. Throw cooler on him and give him hay. Watch a bit of another lesson going on.

2 p.m.: Off to lunch with Amy, her adorable daughter and new friend Susan. Yummy Mexican food.

3 p.m.: 4 horse crazy girls at one table = lots of chatting and giggling.

4 p.m.: Waitress probably wondering why these weirdos are still at her table, eatin' her chips.

5:30ish: Head back to CAF with full bellies. Get our tack and ponies ready to go home.

6 p.m.: Hampton makes half-ass attempt to be a mule about the trailer again. Amy and her daughter witness a mild beat down. Hamps gets on the trailer fairly quickly.

6:15 p.m.: Steady also decides to be a PITA about the trailer. But he gives in after I annoy him by tapping him on his blanket with my whacking stick.

6:20 p.m.: Back on the road!

7:30 ish: Arrive back home. Throw horse's blanket back on and put him back out in the pasture. Clean up trailer. Head home.

11 p.m.: zzzzzzzzzzzz

* Times are approximate.

Now you see why I ride dressage

2011-12-16T09:20:00.000-08:00

About to puke? Or overthinking a Training Level test?

My last post was a prime example of why I ride dressage and enjoy it so much!

I overanalyze EVERYTHING.

I think way too damn much.

It actually is so bad that I self-sabotage some situations.

I want a plan and goals. I like directions. I don't like feeling "lost" or "uncertain." Change stresses me out.

I went to the chiro yesterday (yay! Finally got an appointment for myself, not just Hampton) and she felt my neck and said, "So, um, you have really tense muscles. Let me guess. You hold it together. You hold everything that stresses you out - inside."

Gosh lady it took a medical degree to figure that out?

Anyway my neck was significantly out of whack. So was my back. And ears. I've been getting really dizzy recently and simply by yanking the hell outta my ears, she seems to have fixed it. Did you know that there is a saddle joint in your ear? Well, there is. There's a stirrup in there, too.

Does anyone else have this problem? Not the ear problem, but the overanalyzing everything issue?

How does one fix it?!?!