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Savvy Equestrian - Horse Blog
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February 14, 2007 - 9:29 AM
As you all may know from the front page of the website, Goffert, or Herbie, as his friends called him, was put down from colic yesterday. I met him once, and he really was like no other horse of his breed. He had a good last year, being featured at BreyerFest and all. Lots of people will remember him though because of his model.
On a lighter note, Bella will be turning 1 next month, which I'm sure she'll have something to say about in her blog. Check it out.
This also means that our new foal will be coming! Miah is getting really "stout" again, and is hardly fitting into her blanket! The baby will be born around the same time as Bella was last year, so going places before and a bit after the babay is born will be difficult. The baby isn't kicking inside Miah's stomach as much as Bella did, so we're hoping that's a sign of a colt!
We also got blasted with snow the last two days, resulting in two more snow days for us! The snow is so deep this morning, that you can't see the street. That's a huge problem because we have to go to a Tetrathlon clinic this Friday with Meredith Pinkerton, but we also have to pick up my fencing suit at the lesson today, which may be impossible to go to. On top of that, I haven't even touched my gun for practice, and I need to get in the pool at least once before we go. It'll all work out. I can tell, but it's a tiny bit nerve wracking.
For Dressage this year, we picked out some great freestyle music, which I'm keeping a surprise until after the rally! All of us in the family love to make freestyles so you'll be hearing more about this as time goes by - and you can read about how to pick freestyle music - check out the link below.
Nothing too interesting has happening in the Olympic news, but now I'm making some money for my jar by riding a lady's horse from our barn about once a week for $10. That way I can repeatedly keep contributing to the jar while doing something I like. Plus, riding other horses is always a learning experience, and you can't wait to get back on your own horse.
Bye for now,
Andy
Links:
[ Musical Freestyle Article ]
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February 6, 2007 - 7:39 PM
Believe it or not, it has actually gotten colder here, ranging from 3 to -5. Plus, with the wind chill factor, it feels like -15 to -20. We have to constantly take warm water from the house out to the horses so their buckets don't freeze. We also have to walk Bella, Miah, Red, Duke, and Smokey.
But one good thing has come from the weather- NO SCHOOL! I'm actually writing this on the evening of my second day in a row off from school. Those two days really were a nice break. I had one of those wonderful moments when you wake up at the time you normally would on a school day and think what a drag it will be to go to school that day, and then remember it is a weekend/snowday and go back to sleep for 4 and a half more hours. The only problem is that with nothing to do, our minds always find something strange to do.
My sister and I eventually made a two ten foot chords out of rubber bands and tied them to the end of a mini basket. This basket gets pulled down the hall, and into each of our rooms. We put a note in the basket, give the chord a tug and the other person pulls the basket in. We call it old fashion Instant Messaging.
The picture above is a replica of the pencil jump pictured two blogs down, that I made myself.
Andy
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February 2, 2007 - 6:04 PM
I went to my first fencing lesson on Wednesday. It was a blast! When I first got there, we signed up and paid, and were introduced to Mr.Kirely, the instructor. Then we did stretches and I went to practice footwork. It's hard to remember the names of the moves because they're in French, but I know how to do them. There's a basic stance with one foot in front and the other heel lined up with the front foot. Then there's the lunge that is basically a stat at your opponent. I also learned some different kinds of lunges too.
Then, since it was the last session of the month [which happened to be my first session] we prepared to do a mock tournament. This is where you fight every other student
and learn how to keep score and how a match works. You have to salute you opponent, then the judge, then to the left. Then you put your helmet on and fight when the signal is given.
I did well, I won twice and lost 3 times, and I had a 3/5 and a 4/5 on the losses.
It was fun. I ‘m excited about the next lesson. We ordered the rest of the clothes, including the vest and the pants.
It's freezing up here, right now it's 17 degrees. This makes riding tough because the horses are stiff. They don't go out when it's this cold and they not only stiffen up from lack of exercise, they want to get out of the stall, so their a little antsy. I guess I should be happy because next week, it's not supposed to get above 9.
I have to run, but if anyone wants to email me you can do it at andy at savvyequestrian dot com
Andy
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January 28, 2007 - 5:22 PM
Sorry for the long gap between this blog and the last. My parents are in Oregon for a National Pony Club meeting and we're staying with our grandma. We have to do all our stalls and do all the barnwork after school. It hasn't been too bad though.
This also means less time to ride, so I've been jumping on bareback and things like that.
Of course we would have to do all the barnwork during the coldest weather of the winter- right now it's 14 degrees. The last couple days it's been in the teens and twentys.
We've had alot of snow. We were hoping for a snow day with no success. I know Emily gave me the picture above of the weather in California. She said in the email that it's like the most snow in history.
On the Olympic front, we have been looking at some travel books that deal with Hong Kong, to get a feel fory what we're getting ourselves into. I'm also trying to find a countdown for my desktop for the Olympics....anyone know any counter-makers?
I also found this funny little picture of a pencil jump, used by the Olmpic jumping commitee.
Andy
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January 18, 2007 - 8:04 PM
Hello
It seems like just a week ago that I was talking about Tetrathlon, and here I am again!
I have an update on the riding part: the challenge this year is that I have to go into the ring, jump half a jumping course, then I have to ride up to a sliprail fence, take off the top two rails, then lead Red over the bottom rail. Next I have to get on my 16.2 hand horse by myself from the ground and jump two cross-country fences. Last I have to go around and open a regular gate, while mounted, and then jump the last of my jumping course in the ring. Whew....
Starting on the first Wednesday in February, I will start fencing lessons, and later that month go back to the pool, and also start shooting practice. The running will be okay without too much practice, since I already have a pretty good time.
Check out Bella's blog, I think she has a new entry......
I'll posting again when I find out more!
Andy
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January 15, 2007 - 5:20 PM
I went to a Chagrin Dressage Show yesterday and it was fun. I did Training Level Test 3 and 4. I got a 60% on Training 3 with 4th place, and a 59% on Training 4 with 6th place. The 6th place was a big deal because there were 11 people in the class, and we usually leave those shows empty handed. Some things I need to work on for the next show are-
1. Smoother Transitions
2. More Collection At The Canter
3. My Leg Position
4. Go More Forward
We had some fun the other day on our horses. I learned how to do a backflip off Ariel's pony. I wouldn't dare attempt to do a backflip off Red- I would fall on my head and go straight to the hospital. Then I tried juggling glass ornaments from our barn Christmas tree resulting in one less ornament to put back on the tree next year.
I'll keep you posted on things happening, but now I have to go study for a math test.
Andy
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January 7, 2007 - 3:39 PM
Hello
I have lots to talk about today, involving mostly China, thus the title.
I'll start of with horse stuff. I rode as usual today, except that our vet's son Colin came to ride Smokey, the pony my sister used to ride. Colin is going to take Smokey to his barn and ride him for the year because his own pony is not well enough to work. It rained a ton the other day ruining all chances of riding outside during the great weather we're having.
Today I looked into hotels and flights for the China trip, just to get an estiment about how much money we're talking. I found a great deal that unfortunately I can't seem to find anymore, that gave 2 people a car, a flight, and a hotel for 6 days for about $3,000. The flight would take us to New York, where we would get on another plane for 15 hours to get to Hong Kong. I also looked at ticket prices for the event, which are looking like around $350 dollars for e decent spot.
I also bought a book called Chinese Phrases for Dummies. I learned how to say Hello, Thank You, You're welcome, and I/Me/My. I can't really type then here because they all have those crazy characters with the apostrophes, backwards apostrophes, and things of that nature.
I had some pics, but I'm afraid Bella stole them for her blog, which I would recommend checking out...
Andy
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January 5, 2007 - 7:06 PM
Hello
It's back to work with Red. The other day we did a grid in the indoor, which was fun. I have to get him collected again, because we have a Dressage Show at Chagrin next weekend.
I don't think I mentioned after all the hectic things going on, but I got some great fencing equipment for Christmas, so now I can do fencing at Tetrathlon next year! I am going to be starting lessons soon at the Kiraly Fencing Academy, so I'm all excited for that.
On guard!
Andy
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January 1, 2007 - 6:24 PM
Hello
I can't believe that it's been almost a year since I first wrote! It's been a fun year, and 2007 will be just as if not more!
I've been having fun inside, jumping and doing some bare-back riding. I'll have to get some new pics to put up, my camera is sort of out of use.
In China, the swimming pool has been finished, and the liability policy has been signed. Things have been moving along well, and with a change of events, it seems that our destination for the Olympics will be Hong Kong at their Equestrian Center. Here's a link to the website.
Andy
Links:
[ Equestrian Olympic Events ]
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December 24, 2006 - 11:21 AM
Merry Christmas!
I played some Christmas games with some friends today. We did muskachule 'n' spoon, nougat crunch race, and Eva Green Surprise. [all food related]
I put up some Christmas games here-enjoy!
Once again, sorry for the short entries- I have my cousin over, and need to keep him entertained.
Andy
Links:
[ Game Links ] [ More Games ] [ EvenMore ]
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December 22, 2006 - 9:11 AM
Hello
OK you can say you heard it first from Savvy. The new Harry Potter title is....Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.
I don't have much time, so that's it for today.
Andy
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December 13, 2006 - 4:04 PM
Hello
I want to say Happy Birthday to my mom even though her birthday was 4 days ago.
Not much has been happening around here, Red and I jumped inside which was actually easier than I thought. I'm gearing up for winter break, then I can ride whenever I please!
I haven't said much about Bella, I guess nothing too interesting has happened to her. We walked her over a pole, repeatedly, and she is okay with it. We also managed to get a pony blanket on her-she was good about that too.
This is kind of short-my aunt is on vacation, and I don't want her to waste her time in Florida working!
Andy
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December 7, 2006 - 5:26 PM
I finally am back on my normal computer. We worked out the internet problem, and now I use Mozilla Firefox. IE7 tuned us upside down for weeks!
I have some new tips for winter- about ways you can keep yourself and your horse warm for riding-
1. Footwear
Most people find that their feet are often cold in the winter, but you can keep them warm when riding if you wear tennis shoes. This seems hard to believe that tennis shoes keep your feet warm, but something about them is insulated. Also, don't bundle a ton of socks on your feet. Also hard to believe, but if you leave room in your shoes to let air circulate, they stay warmer.
2. Bits
Take your bit inside during the winter time because how would you like a freezing piece of metal in your mouth in the winter?! You can also breathe on it right before you put it in his mouth so he will be more willing to take a bit.
3. Quarter Sheets
You can put a quarter sheet on your horse instead of a saddle pad. You may have heard of it, but it is like a blanket that has pad straps on it. They keep you and your horse warm!
4. Pants
Some brands of pants have great winter lines. Irideon and Karrit pants both are long lasting and comfortable. Also, L.L. Bean has great long underwear that go with these pants.
I hope these tips help, they have all been tested and proven!
Nothing much is happening with the Olympics, except some more construction. Just so you know, I have $110 dollars in my jar for Beijing!
Everybody pray for snow, I want a snowday tomorrow!!!
Andy
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December 1, 2006 - 6:06 PM
Hello
I have been having a ton of fun with my ZEN. It constantly amazes me! I only have 72 songs on it, but I am comfortable with slowly adding tracks so I can get tired of the ones that are on there first! I want to buy a skin for it this weekend so it doesn't get scratched.
I got some more great presents- a Papsan Chair (pictured above). It is amazingly comfortable and fun to do reading and other activties in. I also got a Boston CD, to put on my ZEN.
Now back to horse stuff! Today I had some fun playing games with some friends in the barn. The storm was so bad, the only thing that the horses could do was go fast enough to play! For the last ten days we rode outside with the good weather. I even jumped a bit which was a nice change!
I have to go now, I'll write again soon!
Andy
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November 27, 2006 - 8:03 AM
Happy Thanksgiving all, even if it's a little late! I hope you had a good one, I know I did. We had some great food, and a great time. 21 people for dinner at our house!
I also celebrated my birthday on Saturday. I had a blast, and got some great gifts too (:
Here's the list-
My ZEN V Plus (yay!!!!)
1000 Places To Go Before You Die Travelers Journal
Cds of my favorite music
007 Scene It? Game
$25 to the World Market
$20 to Target
$160 in cash!
Thanks to all who gave me gifts, and if I didn't mention you here, it's because I'm a little dazed.
I had all my friends sleepover after the party, and the next day we had the hugest ever mud-fight. Yes, it was crazy, but fun! It lasted an hour, and by the time it was done, we all were completely covered, me the worst. Too bad I didn't get pics.....
My birthday isn't actually until Wednesday, but it's always fun to celebrate early! Well, from what I understand, a birthday lasts a week, so I'll be enjoying it for the next few days.
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