HRPC Camp '14- Cross Country!

Hunter's Run Pony Club Camp 2014

Chapter 3

Cross Country!

There are many facets to the sport of Eventing, but the most unique feature is the Cross Country phase. 

This phase combines the partnership of Dressage and the precision of Show Jumping with two challenging features: speed and solid obstacles. 

 The course can cover quite a large area, and includes all sorts of challenges that would be faced in nature. Think "Calvary in battle"...they didn't "go around". So, traditionally, there are walls, banks, ditches, fallen trees, gates, hedges- you get the idea.

The horses usually look pretty wired when they know where they're headed! Well, maybe not Nikki...she likes it well enough, but why expend the extra energy?

 The speed thing starts out fairly unspeedy. Mostly, we are about control on Cross Country!!!

  But it does get faster and the obstacles get bigger- but still about CONTROL! A horse that is racing around and strung out has a better chance of not using his back, jumping flat and hitting an obstacle. That can mean disaster! 

Thus Cross Country also requires some additional safety features. In addition to the SEI/ ASTM approved helmet and smooth soled, heeled boot required for riding in general, we add a puncture-resistant vest that protects your trunk and lower back, and leg protection for the horses. Also, in Pony Club, the riders always wear an armband that has all their emergency information immediately available. There are other safety additions that are often made (over-girths, air bag vests, grease etc.) but at this level are not required.

Here, McKenna and Starz model appropriate Cross Country turn-out for schooling. Minus the cup. Which is important for hydration.

 Before you ride Cross Country, you go check out the course, walk it carefully, make a plan for every step of the way, and figure out your timing; when you should be where in order to make the allotted time for the course. And, if it is hot out, you must experience the water complex up close!

 Some riders get really close. 

 Most of them want a "heads up!" on what to expect. Others may not want to get their feet wet....

 When you're just starting out, a nice trot through the water and jump out over an "X" is a strong beginning.

But as you gain confidence and skill, you move to jumping in the water, or out, or both!

Letting a newer rider "go" just out without anything to help stop them other than their own skill and trust in the pony can be nerve-wracking. But, we are blessed with kind, respectful ponies who do a nice job of partnering. 

 Mostly, they go along, nicely together.

Even when something seems strange or scary, it is remarkable that the horse will often "do it" anyway, simply because we ask. 

Nellie isn't terribly certain about this long ditch lined by telephone poles, but right over she sails!

 Other times, they are pretty sure we don't mean to get anywhere near something possilbly dangerous. But, mostly, we can assure them it will be okay, and they comply.

 Sometimes the anxiety about a challenge is just too great. So, you do something that builds their confidence and move on. Some days are just darker than others.

 

It can be frustrating with all your pals watching. But, remember, we are here to cheer you both on! If you're a rider, you've been there. With a challenge not yet ready to be faced.

Quiet confidence means another day finds you sailing again!

 Or maybe discovering new things about your horse- like they are fearless, athletic, and

 LOVE Cross Country!

 Or, the opportunity to blow bubbles.

Each trip out on the course gives you a chance to learn about yourself. Like maybe you have more grit than you knew.

 Or, you can put your horse smack dab in the center, framed perfectly.

Also, that maybe your big lug of a sweetpea "pony" doesn't have to pick his feet up yet. He's just figuring  out you want to go over!

 And, Mom is there to pat you both with a "well-done!" Appreciate the gifts of these moments, learn and remember. 

 

Mimi, your friends, the Moms, Grandma, and even a Dad are around to give you support.

 And I am here, taking 1500 pictures. So if you think you might forget the lessons of the past year, jog your memory!

Proof I was there.

Hunter's Run Pony Club Camp 2014- Dressage and Flatwork

Hunter's Run Pony Club Camp 2014

Chapter 2

Dressage and Flatwork

The format of camp allows each rider to have two lessons a day with Mimi Combs. The first day begins with a lesson on the flat, mostly for Mimi to watch each rider and mount pair to evaluate their skill level. They each have to perform a warm-up routine, and then explain to Mimi what the warm-up consisted of...and why. Then they assess how the warm-up felt on the horse. Of course, the younger kids are still learning this process, but it is fun to hear them mature in their understanding of a ride. Then Mimi sends them back out again to do a bit more, ask for more. 

Youngest and SonnyG. have a trot with McKenna and Starz behind.

Starz- steppin' out!

During the week, they all have a dressage lesson with Mimi as well. Some riders choose to have more than one, while others choose to work over fences instead. 

 Scooter and Katie are working on lengthening his Quarter Horse frame to give him elegance.

 Savanah is just learning the canter this week. But she has a nice soft, natural seat, and had no problems with staying balanced at the canter.

 Mimi is wonderful at explaining things to the riders and helping them to work towards a well-balanced frame. Kaylee and Dakota were tasked with getting him to lower himself through the top of his body and use that powerful hindquarter to push the energy from back to front.

Anna's horse tends to travel behind the bit, squashing his shoulder movement and shortening his stride. Anna worked on getting Heath to pick up his head and lengthen the top of his neck which changed the whole picture. Once he learns to use this energy line, she can then start asking for him to push from hindquarter to poll and back to her hand.

 Nikki is not a huge fan of the dressage arena, but Kelly has worked very hard on her movement and use of her hind end and back. They did very well at USPC Championships last year in Dressage, and have added another dimension this year with elevation- Nikki has a bounce in her step! Our very own equine Benjamin Button just keeps surprising. 

 MacKenzie has some Dressage challenges in Sunny. He'd like to be a bit stiff (he is 24?) and seemed unenthralled by the idea of bending or leg yield. But MacKenzie was game, and we saw a little bit of give by the end of her lesson. 

This is our third year at camp, but the first time I've seen Mimi ride! Mrs. Holmes had asked her to get up on Fancy and give an evaluation, so up Mimi went- and got a surprise. She was startled by how much Fancy wants that big head held up, and doesn't really respond to the seat. She thought she could soften her in the front and let her go, but that just made Fancy to faster! 

Mimi on Fancy

It was another illustration on how Hannah may not be big, but she is effective.

When Middlest arrived for her Dressage lesson, Mimi said to her "Hand her over." Mimi wanted to see where the nose to the sky issue was based. Is it a physical thing? Mouth? Teeth? Soreness? Nope. None of the above. The mare wants a trustworthy outside rein, a ton of inside leg and a bend, and BOOM! No more turkey in the rain. 

Mimi on Nelle

Inspiration for Middlest to continue to strengthen her lower leg, and be a bit more demanding with her contact.

In between riding, cleaning up and eating, there is always time for an "appointment" in the salon! Kaylee wore a full crown of clover by the end. 

By the end of the week, the horses varied from a bit worn out (Starz- but the little pony does three times as much as the horses!) to ready to go out on Cross Country (Fancy. Not sure what it would take to tire her out!) But the last lessons of the day were for the kids who had chosen another go at Dressage with Mimi. 

 Listo and Val have qualified to represent our region at the USPC Championships in Dressage, and performed their musical freestyle for Mimi the last day. I had seen the same test a few weeks ago, and was greatly impressed by the changes in the pair. Val had a lighter seat and an effective leg, Listo was travelling forward and relaxed. They made it look effortless and enjoyable!

I know you can't see Hannah and Fancy's faces in this shot, but I'm just in love with this picture.Look at their alignment! The perfect bend on the circle! Hannah's lightness- even more amazing with the understanding from Mimi of how heavy Fancy is in the front. I give them a "10"!

 Rylee and Falcon also qualified for Dressage Championships, but also qualified on the Quiz team, so are going to compete in Quiz. But, they also showed off their musical freestyle to the group for fun.
And, it was fun with accompaniment from an orchestral version of Aerosmith.  

 Middlest also performed her musical freestyle to music from West Side Story, even though it was hot and dusty. For the first time that I watched it, Nellie didn't match her stride to the music and was a bit fast. Maybe we have one more ready to go back out on Cross Country! 

Appropriate as Cross Country is Chapter 3......

Hunter's Run Pony Club Camp 2014- The Cast

It was a busy week in the Cowfeathers Chronicle. Both The Fair and Hunter's Run Pony Club Camp were the same week in 2014. While this isn't exactly a tragedy, it still stinks.
The fact remains for our humble selves, being in two places simultaneously is impossible. So, Middlest and Youngest had to choose between the two. Middlest was fast out of the gate with her decision. Youngest took a while, but in the end they both chose to go with the horses.

They still did 4-H projects, but they had to complete the projects prior to the fair, and didn't show any animals. Huz and Eldest held down the fort at The Fair all week, supporting the club and cheering for the Saddle and Sirloin team. Middlest, Youngest and I headed to Twin Towers Horse Park for Camp. That sounds really simple, but in reality, getting there was tough.

My last blog about the Jimmy Wofford Clinic the days prior to camp, I left out the part about my truck having trouble on the second day drive to the clinic. I didn't think we'd make it. We did, (miracle)....and on the drive home the problems did not recur. But it comes to the point of trusting the truck. And camp means driving the camper there, then driving home, then driving back with the horses. Roughly 5 hours driving hauling precious cargo. I was undone.  We arrived home from the clinic in the mid afternoon to the problem of "How do I get a camper and two horses, all the stuff without a truck?" Rent? Hitch? UGH!

With the unbelievable generosity of friends it all worked out. I borrowed a 3500 diesel truck for the week, with trailer brakes and goose neck hitch- really. Just a simple "You can take my truck." And then next a "I'll take your camper out there for you and then come get it." from another friend. I'm going to have to do some MAJOR giving to re-balance the karma. Such blessings! I am deeply grateful.

We arrived in the early evening in time to get the camper parked and the horses set up before our first storm of the week moved in.

It was our first opportunity to thank God (and camper transporter, Terry Mike)  we were not in a tent! It brought some winds that picked up one of our campers and spun it around, blocking the door of the camper next to it, so those girls couldn't get out until we moved the camper! It also overturned a big handicap accessible porta-pottie on the grounds. Ew.

 But before we get started on the adventures of camp, how about introducing the cast!

 The Director and the Producers:

First of all, the women who make it possible. On the outside are Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Stalter. They are the joint DC's of our Pony Club, so they are the work horses that make Pony Club possible; paperwork, organization and enthusiasm! In the center is Mimi Combs, our instructor for the week. Mimi is based in Charlottesville, Va. and comes up to instruct our camp each year. She has been a CCI**** rider, and first alternate at the '96 Olympic Games for the US.  She is incredibly in tune with the kids, their horses, and really gets the best work from each rider, gently, all while making them feel challenged and accomplished. I love listening to her instruct, as I get to learn so much too!

The Players:

 Hannah on Fancy: Hannah lost her elder statesman and experienced eventer just a few weeks ago, and managed to find Fancy and take her to a recognized event and then to camp. She qualified for USPC Championships in Eventing on this horse she had just met. Hannah is an extremely effective rider.

 

Youngest on Sonnygirl: Youngest lost his sweet pony to colic in March (this is where the theme ends!) and found Sonnygirl, picking her up May 1. She is a joy! She really likes her boy and the feeling is mutual. Although Sonnygirl knows how to do a LOT of things, she hasn't really gone many places to do them, so her generous disposition allows this pair to work nicely. 

 

 McKenna on Starz: They are also a recently matched, and well suited pair. Starz is a rescue pony, who was grossly obese just few months ago. McKenna rides her very well, and the pony is showing that she is pretty amazing, while also being A-DOOOR-ABLE. These two are always perfectly turned out, like a catalog ad.

 Kelly on Nikki: Nikki is the luckiest pony, ever. Just two years ago she was looking old and worn out. Kelly has completely restuffed her, muscled her up, given her a new lease on life and she is astonishing to see as Nikki II. She isn't exactly speedy, but they are terribly efficient, and effective.They also have qualified to compete for our region at USPC Championships in Eventing.

 Kaylee on Dakotah: This big boy is a marshmallow. Kaylee is teaching him to jump as he hasn't much experience there. He is the horse she is training to follow in the footsteps of her Haflinger pony, Zac, who is her main squeeze, but Dakotah is inching into her heart! Kaylee and Zac round out our triple team of Eventing riders who will represent Tri-State region at USPC Championships.

 

 Savanah on Ricky: I loved this picture, in a "been there, done that" way. This is day 1 of camp, and Ricky hadn't decided to listen to Savanah yet. She is a very instinctual rider, and she turned that around quickly! Savanah is the newest addition to our camp, and fit right in. She also didn't have to fight with Ricky's love of grass after we assembled grass reins for her. Which, I'll point out, were only needed for a day or so. Ricky is smart and Savanah is determined!

 Rylee on Falcon: This pair has been together for a few years, but it is this year that they've blossomed! He's a flashy pony, and Rylee has gained her confidence and rides him rather well.

 Katie on Scooter: This is their second attempt at camp with a two year hiatus while Katie gained skill and confidence on her other pony, Joey. Now she's ready for Scooter, and he has matured as well. This boy doesn't just shine- he sparkles. He likes his girl, and she rides him with softness and determination!

 Middlest on Nelle: This is the second year at camp for this pair. They have come a long way, baby, in a year and now are more ready to take on challenges.

 Val on Listo: Last year Val was still on her small pony, Snickers. This year she and Listo have begun their partnership. He is an Andalusian gelding who was a long term stallion and dressage master, who is now very happy to have a girl who loves him, rides him bare back, is teaching him to jump and isn't just doing dressage. I had a great time watching him thrive on the cross country course.

 MacKenzie on Sunny: This pair has been together for a long time. He is a beauty, but not terribly confident by nature and MacKenzie supports him very well. At age 24, he looks like a million bucks!

Anna on Heath: Anna rode at camp but was also an instructor in the barns. She brought Heath, a thoroughbred with a sketchy history. Anna is a joy to watch ride. She is quiet and correct, consistently in the right place with great judgement. Heath needs a confident rider, and he's a lucky boy, because he can't do better than Anna!

Let the story begin.....