While it may be cliché, somehow I can't imagine any more appropriate post on New Year's Day. As I sit here, watching the Tournament of Roses Parade (and pausing the DVR frequently to admire the equestrian units), I can't help but look back at 2009 and everything I've gone through with Samba, and build upon my plans for us in 2010.

Samba became mine in February, a few months shy of her fourth birthday. Although all horses "turn" a year older on January 1st, I just can't bring myself to refer to her as a five year old. I'll compromise and refer to her as "rising 5" - though that makes her sound more grown up than I feel is warranted by recent behavior!

While I do complain a lot lately about her naughtiness, as I sit back and view her with an objective eye, I see so much progress, and really am quite proud of how far she has come.

THEN:

• She would fidget when tied to a rail, and had never been in cross-ties. When I tried to use them, she would pull back slowly until I got scared that she would break her halter.
• Spray of any kind (fly spray, grooming products) caused her to spook and move away from the scary sound and mist. I learned to hold her by a long lead rope and spray while she moved in a circle around me.
• Bathing was out of the question without help. Sammie wouldn't go near the wash rack, and would violently back away at the first sign of water from the hose.
• Picking her feet was a chore, because she flat-out refused to pick them up, and then once I got her to budge, she would snatch the hoof back.
• Since she had been in very light work only, and was fed oat hay at every meal, she had a (cute) hay belly and was a little pudgy.
• Forward was a foreign concept for a while. She was fine at first, but when it was clear she was going to have to work harder and get more fit, she soon learned to balk to avoid it.

NOW:

• Sammie stands quietly (for the most part) in cross-ties. She even stands for the farrier, the dentist, the chiropractor, the saddlefitter, etc. She is still mouthy at times, and needs reminding to behave and be still somtimes, but she is still a baby! :)
• Spray is no longer a scary monster...I can even spray her all over in the cross-ties without so much as a flinch.
• Bathing is a regular occurrence when the weather is warm. Post-workout, she walks quietly into the wash rack and stands still while she is hosed down, bathed, rinsed, and dried. Of course, it doesn't hurt that she gets to graze in the grass while she dries.
• Not only does Sammie pick up her feet without complaint, she actually anticipates where I am, and offers the foot before I even ask.
• The hay belly is gone, and she is sleek and fit, and is beginning to muscle up nicely in the hind. Baby got back!
• Forward is the name of the game now. After I started wearing spurs, she started taking me more seriously, and in my last lesson, I actually had to ride without spurs to keep her from getting too fast! Now that we've mastered forward, we're working on "on the bit" - and she's having some really nice moments.

I know, nothing stellar, but I am proud of our progress, even if I've turned over the reins to Meg for full-training for a few months. Meg has been wonderful for both of us. Sammie's recent bout of naughtiness (typical for a young mare) had taken a chunk out of my confidence, so Meg agreed to work with Sammie full-time for a few months, and I'll continue to ride, but only in lessons (once or twice a week) with Meg. This way, my time with Samba is productive and positive for both of us, and we can both keep improving. Though it's only been a couple of weeks in this new schedule, I'm already seeing the changes in Sammie.

Which leads me to the plans for 2010. I want to start cantering soon. I haven't cantered a horse in a couple of years, so it will be a big deal for me. I want to start showing. I hope to enter a schooling show at Introductory level, and do both Intro tests, in March. In April, Debbie McDonald will be teaching at the California Dressage Society Adult Amateur Clinic (which will be held at my barn), and I am putting my name in the hat to be my chapter's rider. Fingers crossed...I was so hesitant to put my name in, feeling "unworthy" of riding with Debbie. But when I mentioned it to Meg, she encouraged me and made me feel really great. In November, I was lucky to win a free CD of music geared to Samba's gaits...all I have to do is provide a DVD of her under saddle, and Mike Matson (thanks Mike!) will put together music just for us. We have a fabulous sound system in the covered arena, so when I told Meg about this lucky gift, she was just as excited as I am. We can't wait to dance with Samba! In May, there will be a triple-rated show at my old barn in San Juan Capistrano, and I'm toying with the idea of taking Sammie. What a thrill it would be to show her off to my old barn buddies...not to mention showing for Hilda Gurney and Peggy Klump, two wonderful judges. The one "definite" show will be in June, since my chapter is hosting a single-rated show at my barn. No trailering, no temporary boarding...it's a no brainer! I hope to do Training Level tests 1 and 2 there. So that brings me through June, and quite frankly, that's as far ahead as I want or need to plan. I promise I'll update my posts and keep everyone apprised of our progress.

So that's my year in review, and my preview of coming attractions. Now that I've shown you mine, show me yours!


From my blog: Green on Green