Happy Hoildays Tune Up

Last year we had around 8 inches of snow outside already...as of now I just got done riding cross country at Carriage House Farm with Lainey Ashker! Heck - I'd take this any year over having snow on the ground already!

Hmm anyway so this blog clearly was started a month ago and left unfinished only to be started again on Christmas Eve while I sit on the couch at my mom's by the fire place recalling many memories from the year. Starting where we left off...

So yes, I rode in the Lainey Ashker clinic on November 13th. To sum it up it was awesome. Lucy of course, was a star, she knows it. Everything is about her and everything is over dramatic...the photos say enough about her personality!

Of course, as we seem to do best, we had to have a Liz Lund Eventing Party. Thanks to the host - The Shirley Family, for allowing us to have our party at their lovely home. The night was filled with over-eating, sharing some libations, gift exchange, hand stand contests and lots of chatter.

So far winter, as stated above, has been very mild...well pretty much non-existent. No snow and it is Christmas Eve....I mean what has this world come to! Well anyway it has made for some happier feet...well except on those few real cold days we had, the feet did NOT appreciate that too much. One of these years my feet will be the cause of me heading south for the winter...I'll blame it on the toes. So you will need to decide? Are you coming with me?

Lessons have been going well. There has been a very consistent schedule now that kids are in school and we have no shows or events on the weekends to attend. We had our first lessons with Alison Sader Larson at our new farm and are looking forward to having her in occasionally for tune ups. I am hoping to get some weekend group jumping lessons started - aiming for our first date to be January 7th. These groups will consist of gridwork and gymnastics followed by a ground session, learning about either braiding, wrapping, longing, clipping, or any other topic that is suggested!

Although the weather hasn't been horrible, there hasn't been any recent trail riding. I do have to say we have gotten quite used to our big, beautiful, well lit, well insulated, and well heated arena. We love it. We LOVE our new farm and of course the owner Tracy and all of her staff. On our fall trail rides the kids learned many different things from riding in groups, to crossing roads, riding on other properties, what to do in the case of....getting kicked, getting run off with, falling off, etc. Yes, yes, we do have fun!

Both the girls are fat, hairy and happy. Enjoying light work over the Holidays, well really light work since the end of the season, but soon to go back to some regular rides and tune ups so we can start to focus and plan for 2012, which is really right around the corner! The kids all seem happy, although we do miss the few that were not able to join us at EF. Savannah found a great new home for her previous horse, Curb Appeal, better known as Grady around the barn. She is currently on the hunt for a new partner.

Last but not least...as we head into the New Year and grow older...we must accept and welcome the challenges and adventures ahead of us. Huge congratulations to Maria, my one and only right hand (wo)man for her early acceptance to Standford. She will be off to sunny California next fall in pursuit of new knowledge and the college experience.

So next year I will be on the search of somehow finding someone who can fill Maria's very, very large shoes. Job requirements: groom, braid, drive rig, drive horses to and from clinics/lessons/shows/vet when needed upon no notice, teach, train, take order, the ability to say yes no matter what, take amazing photos and then at the end of the year collaborate them into a book, draw/paint/doodle the photos, listen, give advice, talk, care, have the ability to spell check, grammar check and provide input when writing papers, articles, letters or really anything...Ok anyway I'll stop before I realize to severity of the problem...maybe a few people would like to take on a few different areas?? Yes this is my way of saying Maria has been my lifesaver since day 1, before I had even known it. Even though I thought she was a little strange as she would arrive to her lessons, helmet already strapped to her head as she is pulling in the driveway, that was just a little insight as to how motivated and prepared this girl was to take on the world and ready to learn. She will go far in life and I hope to continue to be a large part of it.

Ahhh so yes as times change, so do we and we must learn to grow and adapt. We are all surprisingly stronger than we think, well I'd like to believe I am at least, and as we are presented with life's challenges it is all about how you react, how each little event shapes the rest of our lives. Just like this list of the timeline of top selling Christmas gifts (http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/769/a-timeline-of-the-top-selling-christmas-gifts-ever/) well we continue to change and each item or event that is new in our lives creates a list. Regrets and mistakes are just memories made.

Thank you everyone for being here, supporting me and the team. I am so looking forward to 2012 and well, green grass and the sun producing a little more heat...Have a GREAT Christmas or whichever Holiday you chose to celebrate. We all have so much to be thankful for - goodnight!

Cooking...

So for anyone who knows me knows that well, I don't normally cook. I don't really know how, I'm not one of those who can grab this and that out of the cupboards and fridge and throw it together to make some wonderful masterpiece. Well I thought I would give it a shot tonight. Um not the grab this and that part, I actually consulted an iPhone app with tons of great recipes. I found one for Filet Mignon, which I bought Rib Eyes instead due to the lack of meat in the meat department of my small grocery store...but anyway it also had a great garlic shrimp cream sauce. I wandered through the grocery store, making sure to get calls in to my mom and Connie Shirley to be sure to get all of the correct ingredients, I mean if it calls for heavy cream, why don't they just call it heavy whipping cream, since you know, that is what they call it in the store...hmph.

After all ingredients were collected I headed home to begin to prepare my findings. I marinated the rib eyes in a mix of red wine, soy sauce, garlic powder and some salt and pepper. I then soaked cut up green, red, yellow, orange peppers and onions in an olive oil with some garlic, salt and pepper. I prepared the shrimp by removing the tails and cutting them in half. Things were ready so I began the cooking process.

I heated up the skillet to cook the rib eyes in and once it was warm I placed the rib eyes in the skillet and let them begin the sizzle. I then melted some butter and olive oil in another pan letting each ingredient melt before adding the next for the sauce. I added some Chardonnay, garlic, salt, pepper, more butter, olive oil and shallots. I then added in the shrimp and let them cook until they became a nice pink color. I placed the peppers on a banking sheet added a little more salt and pepper and placed them in the oven at 400 degrees. The kitchen was starting to smell good!!!

I kept an eye on the rib eyes and kept them turned so as to not overcook one side and cut into one to make sure they had a nice pink color in the middle, yum! The sauce was almost done so I heated up the potatoes and checked on the peppers in the oven. Everything was coming together nicely! Once everything was done I prepared each plate. The rib eyes were topped with the shrimp sauce which ended up not thickening as much as I thought it should so it basically ran all over the plate to mix in with the peppers and mashed potatoes, but thankfully it worked out perfectly and complimented both the peppers and the potatoes. Bryan & Todd (Bryan's brother) were thoroughly impressed and very full at the end of the meal! HA cooking success!

Very good for my first time really cooking a dinner...if anyone heard my last cooking baking story they would be impressed. I mean no one else I know has mixed up flour and powdered sugar, but I can tell you first hand it can be done! At least the second batch of cookies turned out! So I think I am going to continue to try and cook dinners on Monday nights, so stay tuned for more delicious updates!

If anyone wants the recipe click here!

Fall Colors & Winter Ideas

So as we have been settling into our new barn and show season has geared down we have all found a new passion...TRAIL RIDING! I can't believe the weather and how trail riding cooperative it has been. Elysium Farms has many many trails nearby, also located right down the road are the Polo fields which we have our own races against one another. Quite fun! Both of my girls are hairy, well fed (fat...) and enjoying their pasture at the new barn! Wheelock Whitney's 600 acres of perfectly groomed trails are right down the road as well where we enjoy trying to navigate and learn our way around the area.

Everyone heading out to hit the trails!

One of the many wonderful trails!

Stopping for a quick bite to eat at the Ox Yoke!

Lucy enjoying her new life as an eventer!

Our pile of mostly Charles Owen helmets while we went in to the Ox Yoke for lunch!

As we all are getting settled in for winter and waiting for the time to change tonight, I'm trying to brainstorm ways to stay motivated to "move" this winter and not just begin my hibernation of couch sleeping and tv watching so I joined InFit, a local gym that offers a variety of classes. So far I've taken a spin and yoga class, looking forward to kettlebell classes, kickboxing and many others! Winter volleyball has started and I play on a team with Bryan and four others on Wednesday evenings - so far undefeated, hope to keep the trend going!

Oh & I took up hunting this year! One of my students asked me if I enjoy killing things...sort of an awkward question but I'll answer anyway, it is the whole experience that is enjoyable - not necessarily the taking of poor defenseless animals lives...BUT I do enjoy eating meat, and somebody has to put dinner on the table! (HA if anyone knows me you know that I am NOT that person!) So I went up North to Remer, MN with Bryan, his uncle Larry & cousin Justin. Yes I got to kick back and be a guy for the weekend - it was quite fun! We ate a lot of meat and drank some beer of course. We headed out hunting each day in our camo and orange tromping through the woods looking for grouse. We spotted some and of course Bryan the hunting master shot the first one, Larry got the second and thanks to my hunting guide (Bryan) I was able to get one as well! Check it out!

That is the extent of my killing thus far...we went out bow hunting for deer in a few different tree stands and the ground blind but nothing came in. We spent one night down in Fairfax but again nothing close enough. Missed rifle opener this weekend but am enjoying my time at home relaxing for once!

So I've decided to try and keep up a winter blog as much as possible...things to do in the fall and winter: (if you're not lucky enough to go south for the winter season....)

- Shave horses. Of course this is as much fun as you make it. Last year we decided shaving letters and shapes into our horses rumps was a good way to make this more enjoyable!

- Trail ride while the weather holds. Of course as you can see we have been doing plenty of this so far! Who knows, maybe even when the snow flies we will make it out on the trails!

- Indoor group jumping days. So far we have this planned Thursdays after school and it has proven to be a blast! It is great to get all the kids at the farm at the same time and watch everyone struggle through the gymnastic exercises and circle torture bettering their riding!

- Plan a party. Hopefully we will be planning this before Holiday season - stay tuned for updates!

- Work out...well we all know how fun this can be in the winter but coming into the slow season and holiday season we all know to well how easy it is to pack on the pounds! Join InFit with me and we can take some classes together! I also am hoping to do the WARRIOR DASH early this summer so better get started training now! Trust me if I can get myself to the gym you can too! Rumor has it sports bras are on sale at Target too!

- Stalk Eventing Nation. http://www.eventingnation.com/

- Stalk Liz Lund Eventing . www.lizlundeventing.blogspot.com

- Join something - indoor volleyball team, rec hockey league, a book club, take a cooking class.

- Get your Holiday shopping done early - also making gifts can be more fun and personal to those you care about!

- Read - Well for me I typically read horsey books - one of my favorite sports psych books is Mind Gym - check that out for the winter and get your head ready to get in the game next show season! Other favorites are exercise books - 101 Jumping Exercises will keep you entertained in the indoor! As well as the Dressage book.

OK Now onto the real winter activities:

- Get a group together & have an ice skating party!

- Go sledding!

- Go skiing/snowboarding!

- Build a snow fort & make snow angels!

-My personal favorite is to go for a sleigh ride - I mean most people should go to a place that offers sleigh rides in exchange for money, but I like to keep it cheap and jerry rig my own contraption and attach it to Hannah and enjoy being pulled about in the snow!

-Another one is go on a road trip & video tape it Well if you can't go on a road trip just make a video...here are two of my favorites!
Florida 2010 & Janelle & Aanya :) (You may need to be friends with Aanya in order to view that video...but it is a great one!)

- Start a blog and try and find ways to entertain yourself by writing meaningless thoughts and posting them publicly not knowing really if anyone is actually reading them...hey I have fun doing it!

- Attend your Association's banquets! Tomorrow we kick off banquet season with Lead Hound Pony Club's year end banquet - looking forward to seeing everyone in the same place one more time this year! We will also have the CSDEA banquet coming up and I would love to attend the USEA Banquet one of these years!

- Well that is enough to keep you busy for awhile...I'm sure I will be back with some more random thoughts & ideas shortly! Trying to plan a Liz Lund Eventing party too - so stay tuned for more information on that one! Enjoy the weather while you still can!!!

Elysium Farms & Roebke's Run Fall HT & Northern Country Challenge

What a great weekend!! The weather (except the wind storm all day on Friday), the people, the horses and more! I couldn't be any prouder of my whole Team! The horses, the kids, and their families!


Friday afternoon Maria and I met at our new barn, Elysium Farms, located in Independence. We moved four of our horses, Hannah, Lucy, Pete & Taco to the new barn on Saturday October 1st, with the help from Maria, Connie, Denny, Olivia & Emily Shirley, and Kristine Johnson. We loaded all of our stuff, and the horses, and headed north to Elysium Farms - owned by Tracy & Peter Kooman. The horses settled in well in their paddocks and we cleaned, organized and moved our stuff into the barn. Tracy keeps her barn in top notch condition. Although we were sad to be leaving Trophy Hill Farm - and very thankful to Katy & David Holub for everything - we were very excited to be off on our new adventure.

Photos: MF Photography


Maria and I finished packing our final gear, loaded the horses and hit the road. We arrived at Roebke's Run, unloaded and got the horses settled in their stalls and began unpacking our gear. In a short time we had our stalls unpacked and headed out to walk the Preliminary XC course. It would prove to be a good test for Pete, nothing he can't do, and honestly, he probably had the chance to school most of the questions at the previous JDRP clinic with Becky Holder. The true test is Pete's attitude, he shuts down on the XC sometimes. Using the water complex as an excuse. Fortunately Maria worked hard and got all of her qualifying runs for the CCI1* this fall, so our plan was the use this as a schooling run. We headed back out the barn and I took the rest of the students out for their course walks.


Packing - we had to make everything fit & we did!

Janelle Johnson had her young horse Corray there doing her first Starter, Emily Shirley riding Ty was in the Beginner Novice as well as Kailey Giancola on her mom's horse Cherish. Morgan Samuelson & Ricky and Savannah Ruhs & Grady were in the Novice Rider division and I was riding Lucy in the Open Novice division. We were ready for the show to begin!


Once courses were all walked we headed back to the stables to do a little decorating. The girls worked hard and set up spiders, webs, colorful streamers and lights on their stalls for the Stall Decorating Competition. I added my blue & yellow LLE lights to the stalls for fun as well.

We all hung out until just after dark and then everyone went their separate ways for the evening to get a good nights rest. I headed into my tent hoping not to blow away in the night.


Bright and early the next morning Maria got up and fed horses and began braiding. She was the first ride of the day. The wind storms had dispersed and there was now just a nice gentle breeze. We headed to warm up and got Pete moving nicely and then the storms rolled in. We were sent back to the barn while the storms passed and were back out there 30m later re-warming up. Pete and Maria put in a lovely test earning a 30 and putting them in the lead.


Next up was Ms. Lucy Goosey. This weekend was the last of 5 shows in the North Country Challenge - a Grandprize of $2500 sponsored by Otter Creek Farm & Roebke's Run. The prize was awarded to the lowest scored rider & horse that attended the 3 Otter Creek Horse Trials and the 2 Roebke's Run Horse Trials. This weekend Lucy and I were in the lead by 12 points so the pressure was on. My technique was to do a little less in warm up to see if I could keep her up in the bridle. The plan worked - she went in and put in a great test earning a 25.5 putting us in the lead. Deb Stern was close behind with a 28. After the dressage, my score widened by lead for the Challenge by another 4 points.

The next Novice riders followed shortly after my ride. Savannah was late to warm up so we did as much as we could before she had to head in. She put in a well ridden test and Grady was very supple given the length of his warm up. She earned a 36 putting them in 9th place. Morgan and Ricky put in a lovely test earning a 34 putting them into a 4th place tie. Emily and Ty had a nice warm up as well and put in their best test yet earning a 32.9 settling them into 6th place. Kailey & Cherish had a nice ride as well earning a 36.9 putting them into 9th place against many tough competitors in the Open BN division. Janelle & Corray had a great ride - despite Corray looking around the ring at everything scary - she handled it well and put in a 37.5 to put them in 6th place.


Everyone had great dressage rides - and now it was time to prepare for cross country! The cross country was very decorated and we knew the horses would be looky at the "spooky" Halloween decorations.


Maria & Pete were the first ones to head out. Her course was riding really well, Pete was forward and responsive to Maria but of course as she headed toward the water he began to back off. The fence before the water, as she called the fence of death, proved to be too much for Pete's brain and he shut down causing them to have to walk of the course.


Next up it was mine and Lucy's turn. She felt great - she was a little looky at the decorations in warm up so I knew were I had to give her a really positive ride. She was a little sticky out of the box so we kicked it into gear and since we are working on moving up to Training level I let her carry on at her own pace and she likes to go! She was great at the water, went right in and galloped on. Unfortunately we came in too quick racking up 5.2 speed faults to our score - narrowing our gap in the North Country Challenge and dropping from 1st to 3rd. I wasn't worried because she put in a great round and that is all that matters.

Savannah & Morgan were the next ones out. They both put in great double clear rounds and were thrilled with their performances. I was really proud of Savannah for riding a little bit smarter out on the course and regulating her pace as well as setting up better for each of her fences. Morgan moved up to a 2nd place tie and Savannah moved up to 6th place.


Emily & Kailey were next up in the Beginner Novice division. They both did fantastic, also putting in double clear rounds and moving them up the placings in their divisions! Emily moved up to 2nd place in the BNR division and Kailey to 4th in the OBN division!Janelle & Corray were up next. Corray was worried about the horses in warm up and the decorations - so we just wanted Janelle to go out and give her a good experience no matter what happened. Unfortunately the environment proved to be a little much for Corray and she was eliminated out at the second fence. We went back to warm up and jumped her a little more where she was great! That wrapped up the riding for the day and we all headed back to clean, feed and get ready for the Competitor's Party & Halloween Costume Contest!


There were so many great outfits at the party! We all had a blast - great food - great people and of course even better dancing!

Although the party ended early we all had a blast! We headed back to get some shut eye and get ready for show jumping the next day.


We got up early and Maria and I walked the Preliminary course for her courtesy round. They put in a good ride only having two rails.


Next up was Lucy - at this point we had a 10 point lead for the Challenge and all I wanted to do was put in a good solid round! She did just so! We had one unfortunate rail - but for the most part she was flying over everything! We ended up 3rd in our division and won the North Country Challenge! What a good feeling - all the hard work from the season really paid off! Thanks so much to Otter Creek Farm & Roebke's Run & everyone else for helping make this possible!

Next up was Savannah and Morgan. Savannah was first to go in the ring and the placements were tight. She put the pressure on posting a double clear round. Then it was Morgan's turn, she put in a great round on Ricky as well having only one rail. Savannah finished in 2nd place and Morgan right behind her in 3rd! Congrats girls! Grady is also for sale as Savannah has sadly outgrown him - he would make a great horse for a pony clubber or small adult! Contact me for more information!


Then it was Kailey & Cherish. They had one unfortunate rail putting them in 5th place. What a great end to Cherish's first season eventing! Congrats Kailey & Linda!


Emily & Ty were next in the ring. They posted a double clear round putting the pressure on the leader. The leader had an unfortunate 8 penalties but Emily was thrilled as she ended up winning her division! Good work Emily!


Then Janelle came up for her courtesy round - we talked about a plan and Janelle though Corray would have a problem at number 7, a fence with some tiny hay bales under it. She put in a great round riding her strong and confident to all the fences but had an unfortunate stop at the hay bales and having it been a courtesy round you are only allowed one refusal. Good work though!


Then Maria & Pete and Janelle & Corray and I headed out to the XC course to do some schooling. Pete ran through his course perfectly with no problems at the fence of death or the water...sometimes that horse is a mystery! We are now focusing on a plan for the CCI1* coming up soon in Kentucky!


Corray was great as well! She flew over her starter fences as if she had been doing this all along - with one stop and short hesitation at the water she galloped right in. I am so proud of her and Janelle - they have come so far! We will miss you and wish you guys were coming to our new barn!


Overall the weekend was TERRIFIC! Everyone had fun and had a great experience! Thanks to the Schweiss Family for putting on another lovely show and all of your volunteers as well for making it happen! Thanks to my sponsors for helping me get to shows like this and of course thanks to all of my students and their families for your support! Thanks to Maria - groom, student, photographer, friend and basically family! Thanks to my mom & step dad John, boyfriend Bryan and the rest of my family as well for supporting what I do! Jen Johnson - my vet, sponsor, student and great friend - we will miss you as you move on to Washington - we hope that you will come and visit! Alison & Ken Larson - dressage coach, vet, sponsor and friends, thanks for all of your help! Stone Ridge Equestrian - sponsor, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips - sponsor, MF Photography - sponsor and everyone else who has made this possible! Thank you for everything!

THANKS AGAIN!!!!

Otter Creek Fall 2011 - Sunday

Bright & Early morning at Otter Creek Farm! Fed horses and cleaned stalls. While they were eating we went up and walked the Intermediate & Preliminary show jumping courses one last time before we mounted. I went back to the farm to get ready while Maria cleaned and tacked Hannah. I mounted and headed up to warm up. She felt good in the warm up, warmed up nicely long and low and was jumping really well. Ralph helped us in warm up and then we headed down to the show jumping ring. The placings weren't close, so there was no pressure for placement, but I wanted to put in a double clear round as a end of the season ride.

I walked down to the ring and watched the ride go before me take down two tough rails. The course seemed to be riding nice, but the verticals were proving to come down. I entered the ring, saluted and cantered towards the first jump. Hannah was jumping out of her skin! She was clearing everything with plenty of room to spare and even saved my butt when I totally missed at our triple bar, she picked up her toes and carried me right over without touching a rail! The two stride to two stride rode very nicely. Overall the course was smooth and I was very pleased with our performance! We took home 4th place in the OI division! Go Lady Hannah B!

I was so proud of Hannah for finishing double clear in the show jumping!

Next up was Maria. Pete can be tough in show jumping as he tends to not care about knocking poles down. We needed 16 or less penalties in order to make sure Maria was able to qualify for the Kentucky CCI1*. Pete was knocking fences in warmup but we ended up on a good note hoping that he would pick up his toes in the ring. He jumped well but put in a few tics, which of course he didn't mind knocking a few rails. He knocked 4, cutting in close, but they were now qualified for Kentucky! Congrats!

Next up was Lucy. We didn't have a rail to spare with second place having a 28. They put the pressure on by jumping a double clear round. Lucy is still green in her jumping and although she tends to clear her jumps by a mile, she sometimes takes out rails with her hind end. Having an unfortunate rail at fence 6, a vertical we dropped down the 2nd place. I was still thrilled with her as she has been improving at every show! We also won the Area IV Low Point Adult Rider for the show! I found out it was the Champion's, Cassie Boehm's, birthday so that was a nice birthday present - Congratulations!

Lucy still maintains her lead in the North Country Eventing Challenge! One more show to go, lets keep our fingers crossed!

Next were the rest of the Novice kids, Morgan, Savannah & Kailey. Morgan was very pleased with her round having only one rail, in the sand she has regularly taken two rails - so she was thrilled & put in a very good ride. They finished just outside the ribbons in 9th place. Savannah took down two rails but had a very nice, rhythmical ride and finished in 7th place. Kailey also took down two rails but was thrilled with Nokomis' first Novice! They finished in 6th place. Congrats to all the Novice kids!

Another successful weekend for my horses and the Liz Lund Eventing Team! Congrats to everyone on the weekend! We had lots of fun, lots of new fun experiences, learned a lot & most of all had a great time supporting each other! Looking forward to Roebke's Run in two weeks! The final show of the North Country Eventing Challenge! Stay tuned for more updates! Thanks to all of my sponsors for all of your support!