Cierra's debut

Labor Day weekend found us driving down the road to another state, with eager anticipation. We met our trainer and some other folks from our barn for the Iowa Buckskin Horse Association Congress (IBHA) three day show. It was held at a nice college campus facility, the Kirkwood Equestrian Center. Nothing like being at a horse show for four days to be reminded of all show things. The good, the bad, and the being so tired you can hardly keep a wheel barrel full of horse gold from toppling over because your arms are noodles. We laughed, laughed some more, sweated our butts offs, met some nice IBHA people, and got to know the other barn folks and their kids better - and Ms Cierra made her show debut!

Our trainer showed her in the all color Ranch Pleasure and Trail classes. She also spent a fair amount of time schooling and just plain ol' hanging around the holding area with Brad waiting for her turn. Altho our trainer only showed one other horse, she was very busy coaching the two high school girls in our group in a plethora of classes, as well as another adult. Cierra seems to really like the show atmosphere, sporting happy interested ears. She even came home with a Reserve Circuit Champion in Ranch Pleasure, thanks to our trainer who did an awesome job showing her and supporting the confidence a young horse needs.

Some of our group stayed on the grounds in their own campers. We don't have a camper, or living quarters, so we stayed at The Hotel at Kirkwood. It was right around the corner from the arena, another part of the college campus in Cedar Rapids. Everything is serviced and made by the students in their respective fields of study, they were pleasant to interact with. I've stayed in my fair share of hotels over the years, and the attention to detail at this hotel was second to none. Not to mention it was spotless. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend staying at Kirkwood.

I asked the folks running the show if it was okay for me to shoot photos. I found out they had an official show photographer coming the last two days, who wasn't keen on the idea in the past. They told me I could shoot as much as I wanted on Saturday before she got there, and would ask about the other days. When I found out I might only have one day to take pictures, I decided to focus on just our group. It turned out the photographer was only shooting posed winner type photos at a backdrop that was set-up, with very limited hours. I noticed there were other by-standers taking photos. I figured until I hear differently, it was okay for me to do the same - but I still only shot photos of our group. I never did hear back, and doubt the photographer even knew I was there. 

The indoor arena lighting presented it's typical challenges, in a busy environment. Below are a few of my favorites shots, you can view more here. 

Cierra

Cierra

Cierra

Checkers

Checkers

Checkers

Aimee

Aimee

Walter

Walter's girl

fun effects

which one makes you happy?

One of the things we enjoy when we go out to the barn is the resident dalmatian, Happy. We've watched him grow up from a wee pup, and are fond of him. At first I found his name a bit silly, it reminded me of a clown. But now I can't imagine this dog being named anything else. He is always happy. It's a perfect name for him. 

When we arrive on the farm, our buddy comes running and greets us at Brad's truck door and then wags his way on over to my side. When his owner needs to be away, she entrusts us to help let him out. He recently turned one and can get into a bit of mischief. Happy still needs someone to keep an eye on him when he is a free bird. We love it when he hangs around with us! It makes us long for the day, when we will have our own land, and can enjoy these simple things in life more often...

We turned our horses back out, after enjoying an indoor ride. I had my camera in tow, in attempt to capture some pasture action. I was so glad I turned around and caught Happy playing in the arena puddle that was leftover from evening storms. It all happened so fast! I was giddy with suspense, wondering how these photos would turn out. I've learned not to get too excited, and fully trust camera viewfinders. The computer reveals all. 

But now I have another problem, which one (s) are the keepers? I have a terrible time deciding, and look for any one little thing to sway me one way or the other. It's not that my photos are all that great, it's just so hard to hit delete - and yet who needs sooo many similar looking photos? If you take a lot of photos, you know exactly what I mean. In this digital age, they pile up quickly. I've been reading up on other's photo sorting/cataloging methods, to see if I can glean some tips - but alas, when choosing among a similar group of photos I remain wishy-washy. It takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r for me to decide. I probably keep more then I should. However as my collection continues to grow (and grow) I am getting better at sorting, out of necessity. I think I know which photos of Happy I will keep, but just curious...

Which one of these photos makes you happy, and if you care to share, what made you choose it over the others? 

Here are the best of the bunch, in no particular order:

one

two

three

four

five

six

I'm going to let Happy's owner pick whichever ones she likes too. It's the least I can do for letting me take photos of all the critters on her farm. I will post back in the comments which photo's I think make me happy, and why I am keeping them vs the others. Cuz I'm Happyyyyy (sing along)...

the never ending balance

When asked what I'm working on today, I sound like a broken record. My answer revolves around the same thing. Getting the left lead. Feeling the left lead. Keeping the left lead, and all the other stuff that goes along with it.

Wondering about the last one? It's not just keeping him going, Koda has a talent for switching back to his preferred right lead willie-nille. Might be at the beginning, middle or near the end of our lope. Anything can trigger it. A dip in the sand, my wandering mind, or nothing at all. Sometimes it's obvious to feel, sometimes it's not. 

So now that I've conjured images of loooong stretches of never ending loping circles to the left, day in and day out, rest assured that never happens. We always do a lot of different stuff, every ride. It would probably do us some good to focus our rides on specific area's that need work. There are plenty to pick from, but that's not how I roll and neither does my horse. We both like to mix it up. The only thing that feels like work, is his left lead. The rest of it feels like practice. Fun practice. 

Why does every thing have to be over analyzed, and perfected anyways? Seriously, it takes all the fun out of riding. I want to have fun riding, just being with my horse. Practicing moves, and yes - working on some things that need fixing or tweaking - so that we can have even more fun. But all work and no play makes Aurora a dull girl. I suppose ones definition of work, and perception of fun, plays into ones state of mind.

After not seeing us ride for over two weeks, our trainer popped over to the arena to chat and we happened to be loping at the time. She was very complimentary on Koda's positioning, and our lope in general. It made me feel good that I've managed to work on myself, because trust me - my horse knows exactly how to get his left lope and continue correctly. 

I mentioned how odd it was that now Koda's left lope feels better then his right. The right side feels off. She said that happens to trainers when balancing out horses. So now I have to strengthen the right? Since I always lope both directions equally, it never occurred to me. I clearly don't have a trainer mentality. However I will be the first to admit I really dial in my focus getting/feeling/keeping/collecting/softening/rating the left lead, because the right has always come so easily.

Well, I guess now I can change my answer. I am working on strengthening myself while loping to the right, while practicing everything else - and of course, having fun!

what's buzzin'

It's been a while. Summer is going great, and fast. This is what's buzzin' around my place...

Cierra continues providing pasture entertainment, fueled by her free spirit...

The baby at our barn is growing like a weed, here he is at four weeks taking a rare break...

Nemo's allergies haven't been bothering him, but he continues to wear his fly mask to keep them under control. So far, it is working. The fly mask makes it even harder to get a good picture of the big guy. However, this one turned out nice - it's very Nemo. 

Brad is having great rides on him, as if anyone had any doubt. They have the most relaxed jog I've ever seen. Among other things, Brad is working on getting Nemo to bring his high head back down some (at the lope) within his build limitations. Nemo will try anything for him, and is very honest...

I'm happy to share that Koda and I are working really good together!! Our trainer did a nice job of explaining what was happening when asking Koda to lope off on his sticky left side. It really helped me to focus on alignment first and foremost. I am getting the correct left lead more often, and can even feel it by briefly closing my eyes upon departure. Many thanks to Sherry from Fern Vally Appy's for reminding me of that technique! It worked for me. For some reason I have to shut off one of my senses, in this case seeing, in-order to be able to focus on that particular feeling. Other then the previous things I've shared that play into this never ending challenge of mine, I have no idea why it's been such a struggle and on the left side only... 

I know it sounds ridiculous, and probably looks even more so. No worries, I am not loping around blindly. Altho I did do a few laps initially, in order to find out that it worked for me. At this point, my eyes are only closed for a few steps upon take-off. I'm hopeful that by repetition and focus I can eventually feel which lead I am on when heading left - with my eyes open.  I think I am slowly getting there? 

Koda has been a lot of fun to be around this summer, his personality continues to keep us all laughing...

What's buzzin' around your place?