I had a blast riding Urrem at Plantation and was quite happy with her dressage, though she’s still not quite on my aids enough to show the quality and relaxation she's capable of throughout the walk in the test. To be honest, her trot and canter were the most relaxed she’s been. She was great in the show jumping, easy and rideable. I might have been able to help her a little more to the triple combination—I was a bit deep into it— but Rem didn’t care, and was still able to jump in her amazing form. I decided before Plantation that I wanted to use it as a fitness run, as would be last before Fair Hill. I wanted to use the great terrain they have there to help, and she was very fast and handled the terrain well. Rem amazes me every time I ride her because she’s so smart, careful and she loves the sport.
 |  |
Unfortunately, Plantation suffered from the drought we all felt. The footing left a lot to be desired, although hats off to the crew who did the best they could. When I got off the course, I realized Rem had grabbed the outside of her hoof on the coronet band quite badly. After her adrenaline had worn off, it was clear it was painful for her.
Something came not-quite-right with Rem after Plantation, and it wasn’t just a grab. Even though she was sound she didn’t seem herself, and it turned out two weeks later, when I had her tendon ultrasounded, that she had a small tear. My only thought was that the grass must have caused her to compensate and change the way she was traveling at the gallop, stressing something and hurting her tendon.
I’m thankful that I had the vet ultrasound Rem so I didn’t run at Fair Hill, but gutted all the same. She doesn’t get why we’re not doing anything with her and she’s bored. But, she’ll be back mid-spring, and this time will let me really work on her flatwork. It’s not the most fun for me, but it’s how we all get better to the jumps.
After our Surefire Fall Horse Trials, we got a whole week of rain, which really improved the footing before Morven Park. The baby horses, Nora and Elvis, were awesome there, and though I didn’t run for time, both were competitive on the flat. I didn’t take Volcan because he had over-reached in his stall and was quite sore, so we gave him the week off. Maryland was our last competition of the year, with all three young horses going. Unfortunately, I had two rails on Nora and one on Elvis. Nora’s were unlucky, and I held Elvis a bit too much off the ground, but all three horses were fast and fun cross-country, and it was a nice way to finish the season.
Until the weather gets too frozen I’ll work on the youngsters’ cross-country, get off the farm to ride with Katie Prudent, work on the flat and do some conditioning, and have a little fun at home. It’s a nice time of year, especially because it’s my favorite weather, not too hot or cold, and I love the fall colors.
Something came not-quite-right with Rem after Plantation, and it wasn’t just a grab. Even though she was sound she didn’t seem herself, and it turned out two weeks later, when I had her tendon ultrasounded, that she had a small tear. My only thought was that the grass must have caused her to compensate and change the way she was traveling at the gallop, stressing something and hurting her tendon.
I’m thankful that I had the vet ultrasound Rem so I didn’t run at Fair Hill, but gutted all the same. She doesn’t get why we’re not doing anything with her and she’s bored. But, she’ll be back mid-spring, and this time will let me really work on her flatwork. It’s not the most fun for me, but it’s how we all get better to the jumps.
After our Surefire Fall Horse Trials, we got a whole week of rain, which really improved the footing before Morven Park. The baby horses, Nora and Elvis, were awesome there, and though I didn’t run for time, both were competitive on the flat. I didn’t take Volcan because he had over-reached in his stall and was quite sore, so we gave him the week off. Maryland was our last competition of the year, with all three young horses going. Unfortunately, I had two rails on Nora and one on Elvis. Nora’s were unlucky, and I held Elvis a bit too much off the ground, but all three horses were fast and fun cross-country, and it was a nice way to finish the season.
Until the weather gets too frozen I’ll work on the youngsters’ cross-country, get off the farm to ride with Katie Prudent, work on the flat and do some conditioning, and have a little fun at home. It’s a nice time of year, especially because it’s my favorite weather, not too hot or cold, and I love the fall colors.
RSS Feed