Mt. Carmel Hunter Trials

On Sunday October 14, the girls and I from the barn left to go to the hunter trials.  Now mind you I have not competed at one since 1999 or 2000.  Since Squeaky has been off I was planning on riding the one OTTB at our Barn Indy.  Well he was really being a turd schooling so I decided against taking him.  I didn't want everyone to see me parting ways with the bucking bronc.  Here is a picture of the boy sporting my birthday gift saddle pad.  I love it- I hunt so the Max 4 Camo pattern was perfect! 

So Saturday night I decided to take one of the sales horses.  His name is Mickey.  First on Saturday we had to do pony rides at the local police station kids day.  He did pretty good and it was a great bomb proofing session.  We had one medivac and one news helicopter land to do demonstrations.  The horses and ponies were scared when the first one landed but by the second one they were old pros.  So Saturday evening was the first time I got to ride him.  I jumped him a couple of jumps and decided we were ready. 

At the hunter trials I was signed up for Pairs and Hunt Teams at 2'6".  I rode the pairs class with a nice man who led because I had no clue of the course.  Mickey did wonderful not looking at anything and happily jumping everything.  I on the other hand thought I was going to die.  I haven't galloped around a course in more than a decade!!!  We did well but not good enough to pin which I was not expecting to get any ribbons at all.  I was supposed to do the open class but I knew I wouldn't have enough energy or muscle strength left to compete in Hunt Teams so I scratched that class. 

So when our last class came around, Mandy, Caitlin and I went out on course.  We put in a nice course.  I was constantly trying to play catch up with the other two since my horse liked to take his good old time.  We came to the last fence to jump abreast and Caitlin's horse did not like the fact that Mandy was on one side and I was catching up on the other.  He was trying to take off with her and at the last moment I saw the long spot and kicked on for it.  We all jumped it abreast.  We didn't stay around to see if we pinned but we had fun so that was all that mattered.  Hopefully in a couple of weeks if Mickey is still around I hope to take him to Elkridge Harford and the Pony Club's hunter trials.

I also got the deal of the century at Maryland Saddlery on Saturday.  I picked up a nice Pytchley Melton Coat for 165 dollars and fits me like a glove.  Also picked up a sidesaddle and I am getting ready to post soon on that after I get some more facts about it.

Sorry for not writing...

So it has been over a month since I last wrote - bad me for not keeping this up to date.  In this past week we have had a hurricane and an earthquake.  Talk about exciting! 

Unfortunately I didn't get to feel the earthquake as I was driving to John's Hopkins for a laser treatment.  I get to the hospital and there are people standing everywhere on the streets.  The security guard said we could not go in until they cleared the building.  I was just hoping they did not cancel my appointment!  It was a 5.8 that was centered in Mineral, Virginia.  I have seen posts from one on my friends on Facebook that they have since had 19 aftershocks.  She lives in VA also.  The Middle and High school in her area will be closed the rest of the year!  That's crazy to have this on the east coast.

Next on the roster was hurricane Irene.  She was not particularly nasty to me but she has done some major damage on the coast.  I know some places in NY and VT are getting hit hard.  We only lost our power for about 16 hrs but some people are reporting that they won't get it back till Friday.  I know they are grumping about it but if you know a linemen, Thank them.  They are working backbreaking hours just so you can have your TV back on and AC.  Think of the people that were hit by Katrina and then you won't complain so much!

I am on a little bit of a rampage today...  Drivers are another one making me angry because they are going to cause accidents when you come to a light and they are out and not treating it like a 4-way stop!

Okay vent over...

I passed my hunter safety course so I will be able to get hunt this year with the boy.  I am very excited and hope to stock up on some meat for the freezer!  Deer tacos will be in my future. 

This weekend will also be our two year anniversary and two labor day parties.  Can't wait for a fun filled long weekend. 

I did make a cake for our good friend Brian last weekend of a bushel basket of crabs.  It turned out cute but wouldn't classify it as being awesome.  I know of things I can improve on.  I will also be making a stars and stripes cake for the party as well.

So I hope to keep this updated more often and I hope to have lots of pictures to upload.  Sorry for none in this post.

Thanks for stopping by!