Heyyyyyyy BRH!!!!!!!

I am so excited about this that I have no introduction, I just have to say it! The BRH is in my home town, so all I have to do is go visit and I get to see him. I get to ride him. I'm one more step closer to having him near me. My mom was so gracious as to go see him and take pictures of him. Now, remember that he has been to pasture for almost a year. That's right, it's been almost a year. Scary.

Hey, kid what I need to know is, what do YOU have for ME?

The first thing I thought when I saw the text come in was HOLY SHIT LOOK AT THAT MANE!!!! Then, I said WHO CARE'S!!?? That's my BRH!!!

 Rockin' the JollyRoger halter...

I miss him so much and right now he would do me some good. Funny how all the things in my life that mean anything to me are male. Now, that is scary. I have decided to purposely ignore the little "male" tid-bit and move on.
After blinking away the tears, I start to evaluate what his condition is. Not like "bad" condition, like "outta shape" condition. He has lost a years worth of muscle.

 Can't wait to get on him and whip that into shape!!! 

When I took him to his temporary home he was a fit as he ever was, jumped as high as he ever did and was a sound (mentally, that is) as he ever was. I'm curious to see how he is. He is a TB ya, know. According to my mom, he's doing quite well. She even had a teary-eyed melt down. That's the kind of effect the BRH has on people. You can't help but love him.

Grandma Gracie (my mom) with the BRH. Such a good grandma!!!!

I have so many plans for the BRH, I just have to get him near me. His mane and tail, OMGosh, his tail. You know how anal I am about his tail. I'm actually scared to even look at it. I'm sure he hasn't had a tail bag on it and there were rumors of cockle burrs. I just might scream. Maybe Grandma Gracie can do some grooming for me before I explode. 

I wish I were there to be able to love and hug on him, to give him the care that I want. Soon BRH, soon. I promise.

I hope to have some pictures of him soon that I have taken. Ill keep y'all updated.

Playing Jockey

So, since I don't really have the BigRedHorse to write about, I thought I would write about my horsey experiences while he is away.
I was at work one Saturday and was on Craigslist-go figure-looking for inexpensive places to board the BRH. While scrolling I saw an ad for an exercise rider. I instantly emailed the lady. I had experience riding, but how do you prove that? Well, YouTube and blogspot.com. I attached my blog site and my channel on YouTube. Not in my wildest dreams did I think the BRH would land me a paying position to ride. YES. I GOT PAID TO RIDE. It still shocks me. Anyway, The next morning Leanne emailed me and asked if I could come interview. Hell, yes! I drove to her house and found 7 race horses in her back yard. She has a 3/8mile sand track running through her woods. This is cool. The first horse I rode was the pony horse, appropriately named, Pony. It was the first time I had ridden in a racing saddle. It's like, just sturrips. That's it. I kept thinking that there was a reason that this chick had me come out and a stinking saddle wasn't going to get in the way of me getting this job. She kind of looked at me like I was crazy when I started posting. Well what do you expect from an eventer? She's lucky I wasn't rocking a sitting trot. We picked up a canter and here I am half sitting in the saddle. GET OFF HIS BACK! Ok! Ok! Sheesh. I wasn't getting this job. I watched everything she did. Forget two point. My sturrips were shorter than any cross country rider would have. When I got out of the saddle, my knees were well above the knees rolls, or where the knee rolls should have been. I felt top heavy, forward. Not what the practicing dressage ridier is used to. My mind couldn't help but think of all the bad things that could happen at a damn-near gallop riding so far forward. These horses don't really canter. The gallop slow, but don't canter. Upper body forward,  arms low and still, ass in the air and rocked back for balance and for Pete's sake HEELS DOWN. I pushed all my weight, as far as I could, into those heels. After a few laps-and remember I am still on the Pony-I knew I had a new respect for jockeys.
Next, time for a real race horse. I'm not going to lie...I was nervous, but the false confidence that I always exude was there. Leanne grabs my left leg and slings my silly butt up on Red. He was calm and not cooky like the ones you see on tv. She explains to me how as soon as you are on the horse you need to be "tied-on." Ok, the last ting I want is to be "tied-on" to a race horse. To her tied-on is ready to go. Reins, sturrips and ride on. I called out "tied-on!" She unclips his bridle from the lead and says make 3 turns at a progessive pace. Ok. I got this! One turn (lap) at a "canter" and pick up the pace each turn ending in a steady gallop. Well, I soon found out Red makes his first turn slow and steady and then the rest of the turns you can piss off. He has his own plans. I thought to myself, I better not have a horse run away from me. And then a split second later rationalized with, all I have to do is stay on and keep myself in control. See the biggest thing I learned is that these race horses don't give a crap about what you want. They want to go. It's all a mind game. They don't whoa, they don't leg yield and they sure don't rein well. How do you control them then? Well you kinda have to think what you want them to do. And they actually do it. True Story. You will lose if you try to muscle them. Needless to say, I made the three turns, at the correct pace, while staying on and loved it.

The Race Horses:

Red

Red is a 6 year old TB gelding. I would say he is about 15.2-3 and has absolutely no markings what so ever. He is, well, Red. He is well into racing. He knows what he is suppose to do when he is out and doesn't have time for the little stuff. He was the first "racer" she (Leanne) let me ride. He pulls a bit, but is manageable. He makes his first turn at a slow pace and then the mind games start to keep him controlled throughout the rest of the ride. I give him 8 out of 10.

Woody

Woody is a four year old gelding who reminds me of the buzzard on the Saturday morning cartoons. Not a care in the world. I don't think he really gets the racing yet. He is like a 3 year old child, he needs lots of encouragement and a crop. I wondered at first if he would even race, but as I started riding him everyday I realzied that he really needed to trust me. Once we trusted each other (after about a week) he picked up the pace and I think he will do well. Plus, I think he will do better at the longer races, not the sprinting type races.

Curly

And Elissa

Curly is a four year old gelding who is smooth as butter. He is gorgous and despite his smaller size is a power house. The first time I rode him we did three turns-one mile-and after the second turn when we picked up the pace, he started having breathing issues. He was sucking wind and couldn't fix it. Leanne ended up having to tie his tounge to fix the problem.

Herc

We are friends now.

Oh, Herc. Herc is the 16.1-2 four year old stud that threw me the first day I rode him. The stories I have of this horse. He is massive, gorgous and re-freaking-diculous!! He reminds me of a frat boy that is girl crazy. He can focus for short periods of time and needs constant attention to remind him what he is here to do...just like a frat boy.  He is always ponied for a few laps first because he is just that silly. After 2-3 laps Leanne says get tied on. I push a bucket up to him and get ready to get on. Now, remember I have never ridden a stud before, but I have riddin young horses. I applied all I knew. I lifted my leg and slide my foot into the iron. I was trying to move fast, but slow. Ya, know how you move with the young horses...I put all my weight into my hand on the pommel and made sure I had the reins and lowered myself into the saddle. Well, I should say I lowered myself onto the pommel where my hand was becasue this dude flipped. He reared, then bucked, then reared (this is where I attempted a lame dismount off the right side). He continued to repeat his pattern while I scuttled my silly self out of the way on my ass. I am just not good a sitting bucking. Rearing I can do, but bucking just sucks. I stand up nd instantly feel that my knee is going to be an issue. How did I know? Well, it didn't work. lol I hobbled to the bucket while Leanne took Herc for a few more turns. I did a little self-talk because I knew as soon as she rounded the corner it was round two and got my mind together. Accept it. You will probably get dumped again. After a few deep breaths, I told my self I'll be damned if this horse dumps me again, today or anyother day. I sang a few lines to a Taylor Swift song and she rounded the corner. "Ready?!" She called out. In my mind I pictured the scene in Ice Age, where Sid the sloth decideds that he is going to take the caveman baby back to his "herd" himself. He then looks up at the huge wall of rock he will have to tackle and mumbles "I'm gonna die...." That's basically how I felt. I was gonna do it, but in my mind I thought I was gonna die lol. So I walk over to this horse that now looks even bigger and step up on the bucket and repeat the same steps I did not 5 minutes ago. He bunny hopped and I instantly kicked the shit outta his ass to move him forward and told him to get up in the most angry voice I could, which was easy because I was kinda pissy. Leanne made a good judgement call by still keeping the pony. We rode three turns and by the time we were done, Herc was calm-er and my knuckles were white from grabbing mane. My knee didn't hurt it just felt like rubber. Like my tendons and ligaments were stretched to the max. The pain would set in this evening.
The next day, I dreaded riding Herc, because I knew that it was going to be a repeat of yesterday. The funny thing is this horse has raced before! And this is his behavior. We did the normal 2-3 turns with the pony horse and I got on. No rearing or bucking. Better than yesterday. We did 2 turns with the pony horse and Leanne said tied on? I said yup! Here we go! We galloped 3 strides and this big ass grabbed the bit, tucked his head and bucked like he was a bull in the PBR. What seemed like 5 minutes of bucking was only about 100 yards. Honestly, I have no idea how I stayed on. I had my left hand on the reins my right hand *trying* to grab the reins to help pull his head up and my feet and legs were so far forward my knees were strainght and across his shoulders. I felt like I was in the rodeo. BUT I stayed on! And that is all that mattered. I won. As soon as I got him stopped I bitched him out (verbally) and got the hell off. I needed to get my adrenaline back to normal levels. As I fixed the saddle-which the cantle was almost to his withers-my hands were shaking. I then started singing again. Saddle fixed-me back on. This is our entire relationship. After a week the bucking stopped. But I still rode defensively.

Sierra

Sierra is a four year old TB mare. She is crazy. This chic will do what ever she wants when ever she wants...at a gallop, with no warning. She spooks at things that are not there and flips out at stuff that is there. She weaves on the track and changes leads at the wrong time. She is spindle-y and choppy. BUT I like her. She is my favorite. The first time I rode her we went one turn and as we were making our second, she decided to jump the ditch and try to turn around-at a gallop. This is something trainers frown upon. I had Leanne get the crop. Next time she would get a spanking. That was the only time that she tried this stunt. I think the crop helped, but the biggest thing is that I switch techniques with each horse. 7 horses, 7 different rides.

Penny

Penny is damn near a pony. She's a twin. She is fast and all business. All you have to do is hold on. She isn't spooky and she knows what to do and how to do it. She is Red's full sister. She has no markings just like him. It is hard for me to ride her being so tall. When we gallop I am almost at her ears, which is kinda good because Penny knows english well. You can ride her just by talking to her. I really think she talks after we leave. And I think I throw off her balance. I have to accomodate her leads with my weight around the turns.

Lucy

Lucy is the one I will be putting my money on for sure. She is more than just business. She is the horse you see on tv. Get on and go. No games. No waiting to get your thoughts together, just go. I didn't get to ride her until three weeks in and I totally understand why. This chic is tough. Background: we don't run the horses all out...but that is all the horses want to do. How do you meet in the middle? Well it's different for each horse, some don't mind working slower (Woody, Curly, Herc) others want to go but will let you rationalize with them (Penny, Red, Sierra). Then there's Lucy. She takes the first turn like a western pleasure rocking horse. Once she see's the begining of the new turn it's piss off. It takes all I have to hold her. I prepare for her speed increase on turn two, at turn one. It's all mental. I sit still and literally think about how she will be steady and collected. It works most of the time. She is a hang on and let her do her job type of gal.


So those are all the horses I have ridden in the past couple months. I have gained alot of muscle and knowledge.

I went to the track Wednesday after work to watch Red race his first race this season. I missed the race by 2 minutes, but when I walked in, I looked up and saw him in the winners circle. That was a great feeling. Next race is Wednesday. I'm hustling from work-in my dress, heels and hat this time ;) to watch Penny, Hurc and Lucy run. Can't.Wait.

Oh, and I wanted to add a picture of a future jockey....

Colton

Long time no blog.....

Yes!! I am still alive and so is the BRH.
First a life update...don't worry I'll make it quick. I just recently moved out of my friends house and have my own apartment, in a not so prominent neighborhood. But it IS home and I pay for it with my own paycheck. I also have bought my own car, again it's not my 2009 Dodge Ram, but it feels good to have MY own things. I will take it!! I still am waiting on the custody of my boys. One more month. I see them all the time, but it's not the same. I want them ALL the time. I picked up a second job, which most of you know about, riding/training race horses. They run locally here in Williamsburg, Va. The first night I rode, I got thrown by a 4yo stud. He's huge and likes to buck and rear. Classic. I had never ridden a stud before so this was a new experience to me. Can you say defensive riding anyone?? After three weeks of swelling/pain in my knee from the fall I got x-rays...nothing, just sprained. I was advised to not ride--yeah--right. My knee is still sore occasionally, but you know how that goes.

Herc, right before he threw me.

Lucy

Sierra (CB-Crazy Bitch lol)

Sierra is my favorite. She is unpredictable and fast. You always have to be on your guard and ride her like you stole her. Her heart is in the game, I think one day she would be a great show jumper, but for now she races. I am hoping that by the time her racing career is over I will be able to afford her. That is how much I like her.

I love riding the horses. Just one more thing to add to my list of disciplines.
Barrel Racing
Jumping
Eventing
Reining
Polo
Racing
SWEET!

Now to the part y'all want to hear the BRH!!!
He is still in Indiana, I am hoping to make plans soon to get him here. Money is always the issue. He lost his boyfriend about a month ago due to a bad bacterial infection from stepping on a nail. I don't know the details, but the nail ended up penetrating the bone and just got worse from there. Kelsey was devastated and went home to visit. I stayed. She did ride the bucking-yes, that's right, bucking-BRH. He is huge and sassy. We found out that he doesn't necessarily befriend all theses horses he is attached to. He more like bully's them. YES! Can you believe it? The loving, sweet, caring BRH. Chris, Kelsey's mom, has to fend him off with a broom when he is in the stall. I think the BRH needs an ass whoopin'. Here is the BigRedHorse fat and happy.

BigFatHorse

Ben in the background

The ColdFatHorse

This just in...a BigRedHorse update. The huge Midwest Blizzard seem to have missed the BRH. He is the luckiest horse in the world. My Mom lives just three hours north of where he is being kept and shoveled 18" of snow in one day. The temp were in the negatives. FAIL.

Mom's car. Nice.

Grandma's house

Mom's back porch...sad, just sad.

The same day we were enjoying 69* temps. I'd like to day I wasn't rubbing it in, but I'd kinda be lying. Don't worry the very next day it was a high of 38*, God keeps my cockiness in check....

Don't worry the "messege" is due to a tire sensor. I have it handled.

I miss my BigRedHorse so much. I keep watching and re-watching our videos on YouTube thinking of how much fun it will be to work on our fitness when we reuinte. You know I am gonna be out of shape too.
I went with a friend to her barn last weekend to ride her horse. He is a great all around, dead broke Arab that anyone can ride. I made a few rounds and let the boys ride too. We ended up working with another pony at the barn, which I swear is a Halflingr, but she said he is a Corolla pony. She said he was removed from his herd becasue he was too fiendly and it was causing problems with him and innocent bystanders lol. She has been working with him doing ground work and hadn't been on his back. What time better, than the present? Get on!!! We saddled him up and threw a rope halter on him and started lunging. A few times around each way. He is still rusty. He's four and very immature. After he was calm she hopped on. NOTHING. Good boy!!!!

PenniLynn and I can't remember his name for the life of me.

Who bets money he's a halflinger?? Anyone??

Oh, and FYI she is only 5 foot NOTHING!!!

I lead and she sat. Just walking of course. He did great. My boys were playing on a nearby playground and it didn't even phase him. He has pretty good conformation, not excellent, but good enough for him to do lower level Dressage and maybe even some jumping. I wish I were smaller so I could work with him and show him. He has such a great attitude. Now, mind you, he is a pony, so I expect a bit of attitude surfacing at some point. Saturday, the attitude was surpressed, I suspect mainly to confusion. WTH is this person doing on my back?? Wait until we actually ask him to work. Hehehe. I can't wait.

It was nice to be around horses again. It made me happy to see them, smell them ,and touch them. It's in my blood. BUT nothing will fill the void of my BigRedHorse.
I leave March 28th. I won't be able to see my boy before I leave for six months. I do, however, intend on bringing him wherever I am A.S.A.P. I just want to hug him.

The ColdRedHorse

You all know of the life fail, well here comes some more. Tuesday morning we got up early to head out to the BigRedHorse's new temporary home. Kelsey's mom has been so gracious to let him hang out with her gang for a few months. It was a nice, long, COLD 12 hour drive. We stopped half way at the Tamarack to get the boys out and walk around. Talk about getting looks. Who sees two huge horses walking around a truck stop parking lot. Ben toughed it out with no blanket and shipping boots. Olly had shipping boots too, only problem, when mom puts the boots on in the dark there is a pretty good chance that one will be put on up-side-down. Whoops. I made the BigRedHorse look retarded. lol. He also had on his winter blanket. We walked and trotted them around to get the blood moving and loaded them back up. Only six more hours to go.
As we drove we watched the temperature drop from 37* (in Va) to 23* (as we crossed the Indiana line). Ugh. I hate winter. We left Va with no snow on the ground and with what we thought were freezing temps. As the sun rose we saw more snow and no sun. Booooo! My boys were loving it. They have been waiting to play in snow (more than a few inches) all winter. The had their winter coats and grandma had boots and gloves waiting for them.
As we pull into Kelsey's my heart got lower and lower in my chest. This is it. This is where he will be staying for MONTHS. My heart was saying ball your eyes out like a little girl, but my mind said, suck it up, you have things to do.I pushed off my feelings for the moment to get the kids handled and all our stuff unloaded.
As Olly stepped off the trailer he was shivering. This didn't look good. Ben was glad to be home. Olly was glad to see new horsey friends. I turned him out and he went straight to the middle of the paddock to roll. Once he laid down he instantly jumped up and shook. This white stuff is Freeeeeezing! He trotted around found the HUGE round bale and took a few bites. I gave him hugs and shifted my attention to my boys and getting them in the car for the rest of the ride.
The BigRedHorse has had new experiences while staying at Kelsey's already. He now knows how to use an automatic water-er, thanks to Ben, and is dealing with a pony that isn't so fond of him. See Fast Track's girlfriend, Karma, is in heat and she chose Olly. The problem, Olly is totally not interested in her. Oh, well. He still has Ben. And there is nothing better than a close friend anytime!
I will be heading back that way to say goodbye to my BigRedHorse on Wednesday. And I would be lying if I didn't say I'm not tearing up now. It will be a rough day, but I will make it through. I will see the BigRedHorse again and that is the only thing that makes me ok with doing all this. I would just die if I had to sell my boy. A few months apart....? I will deal and not complain.

The BigRedHorse at his new home. 

Hopefully no more boo-boo's on the face. The fencing and barn here is in MUCH better condition than the Ft. Eustis barn. And by much better I mean not even comparable at how much better.

Olly, Karma and Ben. 

Why the Slience?? It's because of a life FAIL.

This isn't going to be one of my happiest blogs. honestly, it is one of my saddest.
This summer, while I had the best and most accomplishing times with the BigRedHorse, was one of the biggest fails of my life. My marriage seemed to fall apart. Most of you know that I have three wonderful boys that mean the world to me and the BigRedHorse is just a few steps behind. It all finally fell apart in October. After a long 6 week battle of heart and mind it was made clear that parting ways was the only option. The details are still being worked out, but I am ok with the whole situation.

One detail that has been decided is the BigRedHorse. Now, don't go freaking out. I would never sell my boy. I would sell a kidney on the black market before I would even think that. So, the deal. Olly goes to Indiana to a friends 50 acre farm until I get back from basic and AIT. Then he will go to my duty station. This way I dot have to pay expensive board and rely on a number of people taking care of him. One person, who is incredibly trustworthy and she even owns a mobile spa. He will be in heaven. Fat too.


As for the military, I will be a 68W(MEDDAC) and have no clue where I will be stationed. All that info I will post when I get it. I do know that I will be attending Basic training at Ft. Sill in OK and AIT (advanced individual training) at Ft. Sam Houston in Texas. I leave March 28th 2011.


Any questions? Ask away!!!

Jump the barrel say whaaaa?

Today, We set up the pop-up barrels and went for it. I was quite surprised at how well the BigRedHorse owned that barrel pattern. He only trotted it a few times and was already understanding what his job was. And the awesome part, he LOVES it. "Mom, can I just runnnnnn?" I find myself holding him back in between barrels.
Part of me inside is hoping that this isn't going to make him rush, even more, when doing dressage patterns. Olly rushes all the time, but he is getting pretty rushy. I decided to ride him in his boucher because I didn't think I needed much "whoa." For some reason he just doesn't respond well to that bit. He does much better with a D-ring. I don't want to use the D-ring because that is what I use for jumping and I want to keep the bits seperate. Both are french link. I knotted my reins to remind me where to grab the reins (like a 12 year old hehehe) and started out at a trot. He did AMAZING!!!! Now, I may be retarded, but I see it as...if your horse is properly "trained," meaning legs, seat, voice, collection and is trusting, he should be able to get the point. I trot in, say WHOA and bend him. Outside leg on the girth for for a bit of speed and inside leg just behind the girth to push him around. I grab my knot and keep his head and neck bent to curl him around the barrel. My BigRedHorse owned that first barrel. Lather, rinse, repeat on barrels two and three. At a trot we did awesome.

Time to try it at a canter. Again, he owned the first barrel, but the second and third were way toooooo wide. I think my left handed horse may be right handed. I don't have a video of the reverse because Husband decided to put the camera on "sports" setting and took like 300 pictures in addition to 10 videos. But! I can say that my boy did much better to the left first. We switched first barrels. To the left first. On our way to the third, he got a bit confused on which side he was suppose to approach. He ducked as if he were  going to bend it left. I had to give him some guidance, but by the time we got to it the barrel was right on his shoulder. A normal barrel horse would have knocked that shit down or plowed it over, the BigRedHorse on the other hand jumped that MoFo! A barrel is roughly three feet tall. Olly had it in the bag. He jumped that barrel with his front end and swung around with his hind and continued on. That's my jumping barrel horse!! I wish I had THAT on video. By the time out show is here on the 20th, I think Olly will be coordinated enough to run the barrels. I don't anticipate us winning anything, because we are going to be up against some horses that have been doing this all their life (Kelsey and Ben) but I do anticipate a whole bucket full of fun!

Dressage, check. XC, check. Show jumping, check. Barrel racing and roping, ummmmm....check??

Last week Kelsey asked if I would like to accompany her to a barrel racing show to benefit breast cancer. I was like, totally. She did make sure to add that this would be a child free weekend. I would be attending solo, since this was not a BigRedHorse event.
Well, today after returning from work, I was presented with an offer.

Remember when I said that the BigRedHorse was kept on a cow ranch on Oahu? Well, see, I was told that he was roped off of and he wasn't too shabby at it. I am not sure how much I believe this....

So Kelsey says, Pru...I heard that Olly has had some experience with roping and cows. I knew instantly Husband let the cat outta the bag. Since this event is purely for the benefit of breast cancer, I can't really make an arguement. What is $50 for a class? Hardly an arguement. I was cornered. I have no other option but to say yes. So, November 20th the BigRedHorse will be donning a western saddle (borrowed, of course) and we will be attempting a barrel pattern and break away roping. For a cause...remember?
Thursday I will be heading to the nearest Tractor Supply to by a rope. I will be practicing a little. And YES, I will be sure to take the camera. I know none of you want to miss this. Oh, and a little FYI, the last time I was in a western saddle was when I was 21. And for those of you who don't know, that was quite a few years ago. Get ready all, the BigRedHorse is about to get more awesome.

The "little" RedHorse??

Lately, it has taken everything I have had to make it out to see the BigRedHorse. Army stuff, work, kids, husband and just plain life has made it a struggle. I do make a point to at least go out and see him, even if I couldn't ride. I think it's important to spend time with my boy on an eye to nostril level. lol. Today was no exception. Tuesday's and Wednesday's I work 0800-1600. That hardly leaves any Olly time, especially since the sun is setting at like 1820. FAIL. As soon as I make it home, it's kids, cleaning and homework. I hop on the computer for a small break and see that FaceBook says I have a new "messege." I click on the little envelope and see a name I can hardly pronounce. At first I think it's spam, but quickly see it has something to do with a horse. Of course, I had to read it then. By the time I was half way finished reading it, the tears were starting to well up. Kelsey happened to be on the phone to witness it. After hanging up I just sat at the computer looking at the picture that was attached at the end of the messege. Now, the tears were flowing. Some how, some way, Olly's previous owner had found me and attached a picture of a LittleRedHorse nursing on his mama. Don't ask me why, but for some reason this picture just melted me. It made me all the more appreciative of my boy. It made me think of how far we have come together and how much trust we have developed with each other.
After composing myself, I packed up the boys and headed to the barn. I walked right out and grabbed my BigRedHorse and gave him the biggest hug. I brought him into his stall and changed the fly sheet for the rain sheet. It is suppose to be chilly tonight, and this here Va weather ain't like Hawaii. I grained him and gave him extra hay to help stay warm. I stood there and looked at him as he looked at me and said thank you to Hiilei (Olly's previous owner) for making the decision to give him up. Because if she didn't have the strength to move on, I would never have my most favoritest horse in the world. So while wiping the tears away, AGAIN, here is the messege and picture that she sent.

Hi Prudence,

I have been following your blog for the last couple of months after the manager from Kawailoa Ranch sent me the link - who would have thought that my old horse would ever have a blog?
While I never thought that I would be getting in touch with you, I can't help myself after reading the story about how you and Olly 'met.' The whole process of losing him broke my heart. Me - "daughter" - tried to do the best I could in the wake of my mother's death, preparing for my father's death, and trying to make ends meet while in school. On the "playground" I'm sure that I seemed quite careless, but being 25, losing both parents, and having a dwindling bank account will do that to you. I felt overwhelmed with helplessness. As you can tell, it still stings, and I ache when I think of holding that little colt when he was just a couple of days old. It always brings a tear-filled night.

Seeing him so well loved helps, and I don't think that very many people are so lucky to see that chronicled on the internet. I'm happy that despite me, he has a wonderful home.

Please don't feel that you have to respond to this - for some reason, after reading that post of yours, I just felt like I had to say my piece. Even before you, he was dearly dearly loved.

I'm attaching one of his baby pictures, since I think you'd like to have one. There are more, but not already scanned.

Take care of you and your big red horse.

Best,
Hi'ilei

The LittleRedHorse.

Now, I have to say, I did respond. And I want Hiilei to know that in no way, shape or form, did I ever think that Olly was not loved by her or her family. I have talked to TON'S of people on the Island that told me many of stories about my BigRedHorse and his Oahu adventures and the story always ended with, he is a great horse, or he is such a good boy. So....I just want to say, who ever sent my blog address to Hiilei, THANK YOU.
If at any time anyone has any picture of the BigRedHorse, please share. After all, he is one of the most awesomest horses on the internet.

Who? ME??! US??!

Over the past few weeks, I have been hearing that I can give off the impression that I am a powerful, I own everything around me, type attitude. Now, I can't really deny these allegations....but I do want to say that I am a very respectful person. Let me explain.

First, I have no tolerance for bullsh*t. I pay $280 a month (inexpensive for some board) for a crappy, non-safety complying stable. Our arena is never tilled because ODR (outdoor recreation) doesn't seem to think that we need it. We have to mow our own grass and work four hours a month to maintain the stable. On top of all that, we have the lowest/cheapest food possible offered to our horses. I buy my own food and hay to feed Olly in addition to their 10% pellets. Olly even refuses to eat the stable hay after eating the hay I bought.
So, do I walk around the stable like I own it? Hell, yes! I pay monthly, clean and maintain, and make sure my horse is fed properly. I sure do act like I own that place. Now, here is where the line fades. Do I pay and work hard EVERYwhere else? Probably not. Does my attitude carry over to everywhere else...no...maybe...ok, yes.
Today Olly, Ben , Kelsey and I went out riding. We didn't gear up like all the other days. We just wanted to go where ever we wanted...like we owned the whole post.

Over bridges...

Big bridges...

We owned the sidewalks...afterall the BigRedHorse is somewhat of a pedestrian...

The ATM...Kelsey needed some cash.

And the construction sites. The building to the right is a bank.Bhind it is the PX and Commissary.

After our 9 mile ride we went back to the barn and groomed. I love spending time with my BigRedHorse.

His ears were broken in this picture....

Oh, and check out Olly's new halter!! Kelsey found a website that sold Jolly Roger items. How cool is that. Olly has his own Jolly Roger halter!! Can this horse get any cooler? Yeah, he probably will. lol

I got one ear to work...

In the end, I give everyone a fair chance. I try to remain respectful and understanding.

Oh, and an update on my "job" status. I recently got a job at the post veterinary clinic, just until I enlist. (Which, I hear may be Jan or even as late as March.) No worries, I'm still going...it's just a matter of when. In the mean time, I have been doing push-ups, sit-ups and my runs to keep ahead of the game. I should be finding something out from my recruiter here in the next week or two. I will keep you guys updated.

So, I went to the FEI Games....

This past weekend I attended the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Kelsey and I went to the FEI Games in Lexington!!!! Since I couldn't go to the whole thing, I had to pick one day. Now, to me that was almost like trying to pick your favorite child. You just can't. I ended up going with the Cross Country.
We left Friday night after Kelsey got off work. We drove until midnight and stopped for a few hours in a hotel to get some sleep. We got up at 0530, showered and got back on the road to make it to the games by 0730. The total drive was eight hours. Once we got there it was like we were kids in a candy shop. The only thing that sucked was it was 38* out!!

Can you see Kelsey's breath?

Give me a break!! This was my first experience being around this level of riding. I have to admit, I was a bit overwhelmed. We walked to the ticket line and it all seemed sureal. I'm going to see Hawley Bennet. I'm going to see Karen O'Connor. Mark Todd, Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin....I wanted to scream like a little girl. For the sake of my dignitity, I contained myself. Kelsey on the other hand, called her mom, dad and grandmother...at 0730. 

We made it!!!

We took a few deep breaths and got back on track: find the water complex. By 0820 we were standing just 100ft from the 6'6" drop of the fourth jump in the water complex.

Look how close!!!!

Eeeeeeeeekkkk!!! Start time 0915, but was soon delayed to 1015. Either way I would have waited all day. We had great "seats." We stood and watched all the big name eventers walk the course. It was so hard to not go up and talk to them. I mean, they were within am arms reach...and we aren't suppose to ask them any questions? Come on!! I behaved. The course was huge! 28 jumps to be completed in roughly 11 minutes. Who says these animals aren't athletes?

At 1015 the first horse galloped onto the grassy track. It was 5 minutes before we saw the first bit of action. It was amazing. I had my camera ready. We sat for six hours without moving, for fear of losing our seats. After Karen ran, we picked up (and shared our seats) and walked the rest of the course. Here are the videos.

Hawley Bennet


Becky Holder

Boyd Martin

Karen O'Connor

Mark Todd

Rebecca Howard

After watching all the amazing horses and riders from this weekend, I felt empowered and set out with the BigRedHorse.  Olly has been off all last week due to massive rain. Well, not totally off. I did attempt to ride him while it was raining. Pouring is more like it. we rode in the arena for 15 minutes, just long enough for me to get soaked. I unsaddle and as I am walking out of the barn I slip and fall in a huge mud puddle. FAIL. Although it is better than falling while I was riding, I was still a bit disappointed.  Anyway....back to what I was saying. He has just about evey day off last week, so this week he was a fire breathing dragon. Yesterday I rode him and dare not jump. He was pulling through the bit just wanting to go. I took him out ot our grassy track and breezed him down and finished with a good trotting set. He loved every minute of it. Today I decided to take him out first and after he got all the bugs out, jump him in the arena. here are the videos.
Video to be posted when I figure out this STUPID editing software!!!

Ok before I continue with my awesome weekend, I need help. Friday morning I had the farrier come out for a trim. I was unable to be there because I had to work, so I had Kelsey hold. She knows about feet so I felt comfortable. While he was doing Olly's feet, he mentioned to Kelsey that Olly is heavy on his feet. Meaning, that he really gives them a beating, in addition to the jumping and that he uses his right rear leg/hoof more than the left. He suggested that he has shoes put on to prevent lameness in the future.
INSTANTLY I thought maaaaaan...and he has done so well barefoot. Why would I want to change a good thing.
HERE is where I need your help. What do I do? I, mean, I know that I will have to make my own decision based on what is best for Olly, barefoot or not. But I really don't know alot about it. So far my only decision is to get a second opinion. But for those of you who are out there and are interested...here are a few bits of info that you might want to consider. Earlier this summer (late June early July) Olly and I took a jump and he hit his foot. It was more like a xc jump in the sense it was fixed and didn't fall. I have added the video.


He had one month off, no riding at all and seemed to make a good recovery. Now, he was never "lame" per-say. He just had swelling in the cannon and fet. I would wrap him with cold polos during the day (when he was stalled) and leave him to his stall and small paddock (by himself) at night. The swelling diminished eventually and we went back to just riding. Mostly dressage work and trail riding and we didn't get back to jumping until late August/early Sept. Up until now there has been no sign of lameness and his long distance and jumping have improved. In my personal, non-professional, opinion, I think he has done quite well with out shoes. He has been barefoot since he came from Hawaii(Aug 2009). We have done a ton of training in the past year and I haven't seen any signs of him even almost lame. So, now you have the whole story-let me know your opinions!!!!
BACK TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED BIGREDHORSE....


Where were we? Oh, yes, Day 2 at Frying Pan Park.
On the second day we finally figured out how Olly busted four lead ropes. He would just sit down at the trailer and snap them like dental floss. I guess he is just on his own program. I have had people tell me to tie him to a tree and let him fight it out, then there is don't tie him. The best one which I have seen, yet have not tried, is (courtsey of Kelsey's mom, she is awesome by the way) tie his butt to the trailer with a collar and when he sits scare the crap outta him until he stands back up. This is the method I chose. We fashioned a collar out of one of the broken leads and tied him. Long, irritating story short...he sat once or twice and he didn't try it again. WIN!
We signed Kelsey up for her class and headed back to the trailer to get Olly ready. It was rainy and humid. The grass had dried a bit since we got up. I was nervouse about running on the wet grass, but I thought, well, there will be times when I will have to run in the rain, so let's get this show on the road!



We started out in the arena warming up and did a few of the verticals and oxers in there.

There were a bunch more jumps that we didn't get to on Day 1 that I was dying to jump. Olly wasn't as focused. He had Ben (his new boyfriend) in the arena and he could see him from afar. Not good when you are trying to focus and you end up checking someone out. So we had to move out. Here are the videos of the course. Now just a little FYI, in case I screw up the days. Day 1 I had on black breeches and Day 2 I had on blue. Not to mention Day 1 was sunny and Day 2 was not.




Again, these videos are not edited. so be gentle. I am always open to critques, but be polite.











So we were going to do the "hill jump" but there were like 3-4 ground hog holes with caution tape. FAIL! Moving on!!!



Here is the video of Kelsey's second ride. She owned it. Unfortunately, she was too fast to win one division and too slow to win the other.



Here are some added non-horsey tid-bits from the weekend.
Deer outside our trailer. The boys wished they had a rifle, while Kelsey tried explaining that deer aren't always food. Boys-1 Kelsey-0


 

Notice what foot is being used....Interesting, huh??

Sweet!!

I love this picture!!!

My little monkies....

What is camping without smores and a retarded mom???

The drive home.

 

We are kinda awesome.....

My boys have started school this month and I have stepped up the BigRedHorses fitness. We have been doing alot more endurance riding and a bit less jumping. We have been doing trotting and cantering sets and more galloping, just to make sure we would get our times. I look back at the summer and think that I actually did too much jumping. I don't think I burned him out on it, but I do think he did get a little bored with it.
A few weeks ago Kelsey (my newest BFF) told me that she was going to a show, now Kelsey barrel races and is slowly being converted over  to a jumper (by moi). She also included that at this show it has a full cross counrty course. SCORE!!! I'm in!
I have a trial lined up on Oct 10, so I thought I better get crackin'. Since the show was a 3-day-er we would have to load up after work on Friday and head out. Two whole days of xc (cross country) AWESOME!!! The Deal: I take the kids, the dog, and my horse. In addition to Kelsey's horse and rabbit, Jake. I think we were crazy.
We pack up Friday after school/work and head out at 1700. Frying Pan Farm Park was 3hours and 30 minutes away. It was gonna be fun (note sarcasm). We end up getting there late, well after dark. We found a great spot next to a jumping arena and out of the way. We just get settled into bed and sleep and we are woke up by Olly wanking the shit outta the trailer. He snaps the lead rope and takes off. I jump outta bed (still in my undies) and haul out of the trailer to get my horse, because he clearly thinks he is in charge. I tie him with our other lead rope and get back into bed. Morning comes and we are all too excited. FYI there is absolutley NO reason to be up at 0630 on a Saturday morning. Buuuut since the kids were with, there was no going back to bed.
We go register for classes and hit the course. Here are some of the videos. Just to let you know these videos are NOT edited, mainly because I just got a new camera and still haven't converted the QuickTime to the editing software that I have. It sucks, but you get to see all good stuff, no short cuts. lol

Colton was worried about the bank....love my boys!!


This one is my FAV!!!!















After the xc course, kelsey had her run.

Yes, she fell....



Day 2
Will be posted tomorrow!!!

The Link to the video...Told you this weekend was a FAIL!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb68bP5q6gk

For some reason the whole video will not post, and why would it on fail weekend?

Last minute mind change...

Originally, I had planned to write about how much of a FAIL this weekend was. After prepping for a show I planned on attending and clipping the BigRedHorse incorrectly and leaving him to look like a ra-tard, the show was cancelled due to "sprinkles." Whatever, I'll get over it.

While sulking and surfing YouTube, (watching Stacey's new hill video) I found this Awesome video, as the title states. Now, at first glance it looks like a regular upper level jumper horse and course. BUT-after reading the description the video became almost tear-jerking.



After watching the video, I thought wow...amazing. You hear these stories about horses that came from nothing and were in poor health and now after years of love and dedicated hard work, are these amazing athletes that love their owners.
Hmmmmmm...wonder who do I know that has a horse that came from nothing, was given lots of love, hard work and is now amazing?? Let me think...
The BIGREDHORSE!!! Now, Olly wasn't in poor health, unless you count 15 different scratches on him from his paddock bullies, but he did come from nothing.
Oh? You want to hear the story??

I originally got Olly from Gunstock Ranch in Kahuku on the North Shore on Oahu. Yes, the BigRedHorse was on a cow hearding ranch. Interesting...
Anyway, I get a phone call from Holly (HollyWildWare) telling me there is a gorgeous horse that just came in amd I NEED to come see him. See, I had just given up looking for a horse on the Island. I pack up Husband and the kids and head out to check out this horse. We walk back to this paddock and he is the only horse willing to come to the gate. All I see is this puppy dog that is 1100 pounds. I slap a halter (that was provided by Holly, since his "owner" didn't have one) and walk him up to the round pen. I let him off his lead and made him move out around the pen. I instantly fell in love. He was so floaty and scopey! He moved with out effort. I knew that he would be mine. I didn't know how I was gonna pay the $8000 price tag, but then again, who pays full price for a horse? Not this mama.
I pull him out and put a saddle on him. I couldn't get over how pretty he was. I know he isn't conformationally perfect, but he was the closest I had ever gotten to. He was even better under saddle. He was totally obedient and really felt like he wanted to please. Win and WIN!

As idiotic as this next sentence may sound.....just go with it. Husband talked to the owner and we bought Olly for $4000. No vet check, no off site ride, nothing. I knew that I might get myself in trouble, but for some reason I did it anyway. I groomed him and marvelled at MY new horse and headed home. I knew right away he needed a name. I am not one for re-naming animals after they had been named for years, but Monte had to go. The next day, I went back out to spend some time with my boy. I had run out to buy a halter and the only one I could find was a rope halter (well, one I liked). I put it on him and tied him to the hitching post. Not 5 minutes later, he pulls back, feels the tension, and powers back 15 feet almost up-rooting the hitching post. I think--what did I just do. I just paid $4000 for a horse that is whacked out. Hoping Husband didn't see the fiasco (and he did) I get him and me back together and continue grooming.

The following day I had Olly trailered to Wheeler where I would be boarding him. Now, for the fun stuff...
The "owner"  told me that he had just gotten Olly from a firend that was over on the Windward side of the Island. He was kept at Maunawili Farms for years. The word on the playground was that Ollys mom bought him locally had him broke and put him to pasture, due to her health. "Mom" ended up dying (so sad) and was taken care of by the daughter. "Daughter" ended up leaving for school in New York and couldn't afford to keep or even visit him. The deal? Areared board fees for the horse. Now, since the BO (barn owner) didn't need another horse, he gave Olly to a firend. That's right GAVE! So this guy made out like a fat rat! Any way!!!  Olly's partents were both on the Island. His dad was a really prominent TB stallion, which died and I wasn't able to get my hads on any pics, and his mom is living at Kawaialoa Ranch. She is part TB and draft, from what I hear. So, the BigReedHorse is like 1/4 draft. You would never know by looking at him....buttttt...I still have my doubts. So, I buy Olly (then, Monte) from this cow-poke and am totally ok with it. I would pay that much again. I love my boy and wouldn't trade him for the world. Oh and it took me a week to come up with a name for him. It was my BFF Kristen who thought of Jolly Roger. Her daughter was obsessed with the Backyardigans and their pirate episode. I liked the name, but couldn't figure out what I would call him daily. I didn't like Roger and soooo didn't like Jolly. Olly it is!!! Thanks Kristen!!!
So, we have Olly (Jolly Roger). The BEST BigRedHorse EVER!!!
So back to the video in the begining....
My original point was that one day Olly and I might be where she is.