Post-Thanksgiving Relaxation in Stalls!

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Here's a few photos and video from the Sunday following Thanksgiving.  Is it any wonder that I find this place a sacred dwelling -- a place of rest, love, and care.

Thanksgiving and Love

During this Fall, my family lost Uncle Carlo when he passed away to cancer.  He was so brave.  During the months he spent in the hospital and the weeks he spent at home, he never once complained.  I am so grateful that I was part of his life.  Anyway, I wanted a quiet Thanksgiving, so I spent time with my animals and my close friends.  I shared a Thanksgiving celebration with two dear friends and I rode a lot -- and napped a lot.  I don't have anything profound to say.  I just want to say that I love the humans in my life and the animals in my life.

Renny and Grama Jumping!

Here is a photo take in the first weekend in May, after Renny and I completed our very first jumping lesson together.  You can see in my walk that I am just so happy and you can see by his relaxed walk that he is happy with me too!  I am writing this entry on Sunday evening, December 4th, and Renny has been home from Quicksilver for a month.  He has only had two jumping events since his return, but both were terrific. He was so sweet and fun for me to ride -- he goes straight and true to the center of the cross rails.  Now, I'm not saying he is perfect, he ran out twice on a line with a single stride...but he gave Kelsey a little heat with that jump too.  She said that she thinks that he found it awkward, he didn't know what to do with it.  But by the time she was done, she got it so that he was happy to canter quietly and sweetly and on a loose rein right through that single stride line!!

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Renny's Thanksgiving Jumping Course with Kelsey

Here are June photos and video of Renny's friend, Kelsey, working him quietly and happily.  Since then he went to Quicksilver to learn a few things.  He came home at the start of November, so when Kelsey came home for Thanksgiving, I asked her to give him a ride.  She took him over a course and he was terrific.  He was happy to do tear drop turns, rollbacks, turns to diagonals, in- and -outs, and a one-stride line.  He just is a quiet decent pony.  He's a wonderful pony!

Renny Practicing First Jumping

I am writing this entry on Sunday, December 4th and here is a photo taken in early May, of Renny's first jumping lesson.  He's not trying because he knows he can just step over that little cross rail.  We had to pop up the rails to the next hole before he just happily and easily bounced over that jump!!!  And now, after a spring and summer and fall of cross rail and low vertical work, Renny has no trouble jumping courses and turning and being sweet!

Renny and Grama!

Here is a June photo of me and my buddy, doing flat work.  Now if you were to see a photo of us, in December, you would see a round supple pony who wants to curve into my hands and powerfully off his rear.  I do love my pony!!

Jackass, My Guardian, and His Trophy Boyfriend

Here is a photo of Jackass and Arcangelo.  I am writing this entry on Sunday evening, December 4th and this photo is from March of this past year.  Last night, I was sleeping in bed and at 4am, my house started shaking because someone was pounding insistently on the door.  I went downstairs and it was a young man who just kept pounding and pounding on the door.  I told him to go away, but he wouldn't.  He just stood at the door pounding.  And I was scared because I recognized him from my Jumbo Sociology class.  I thought he was mad at me for some reason and coming to hurt me.  I called the police and as he stood there just pounding on the door and me on the phone with dispatch waiting, I heard a meow and looked down and saw that Jackass was standing with me, on vigil, calmly letting me know that he was with me, looking out for me.  I am blessed.  After the police took the young man away and said that he just chose my house randomly, not to be mean, he was just drunk and didn't know where he was, I crawled into bed and Jackass climbed into my arms and began to purr like a little truck and the rain started pattering quietly and I slept comfortably, knowing that I have a good guard cat who has loved me for his entire life.  I am blessed!

My Darling Thoroughbred!

Here are photos and video of my darling beautiful gorgeous Violet, working hard for Emily and so happy when she got petted and praised by her rider and cheered and hugged by me.  She has such a good decent heart!

Violet's Dressage Lesson in December!

I am writing this entry on Sunday evening, December 4th, after an amazing week working with Violet.  Last Sunday, she had a beautiful ride with Emily and then all week, she worked hard with me to be an elegant granddaughter of Count Fleet and War Admiral.  And today was just amazing!  I came to the barn on a rainy grey damp cold morning and the horses were on stall rest because of the bad weather.  The barn was all cozy and nice.  And I got Violet ready for her dressage lesson and warmed up with Sofie and Louie.  Violet was quiet and sweet.  She was steady by the gates.  She had a nice bouncy trot.  And she was happy to just rest and relax but then finally give me her suppleness when asked.  And right after we had about 10-15 minutes warm-up, Janet arrived for our lesson!

And oh how wonderful our lesson was!  Violet worked hard the entire time with thoughtful good energy and spirits.  We practiced 20 meter circles, 10 meter circles in both directions, on the rail, off the rail, serpentines with multiple loops, coming down the center line with multiple halts, including halts right by the gate, transitions upwards and downwards, transitions upwards for the canter, halts and trot and walk offs.  I mean we worked hard and Violet only sometimes got anticipatey, but never upset or nutty.  Janet said that she was a good girl and deserved a gold star and had really improved a lot and that she had many good moments in the lesson.  I mean, I was so darn proud of her.

And then afterwards, Violet had steam just rising off her and she had sweat marks on her face.  She so enjoyed a massage of her face, cheeks, and ears.  She was so sweet and loving and I could tell that she felt quite happy and satisfied with her hard work!!!  I am just so darn proud of being a family member with Warm Admiral and Count Fleet's child!

Violet's Softness

Here are some photos and video from the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  And I'm writing this entry on the Sunday following the Sunday in these photos.  All this week, Violet has been bringing her best heart to her riding lessons -- she's jumped sweetly.  She's been soft and sweet.  She's worked lightly in my hands to feel for a good working balance.  She's let me work work work half halt her on her jaw when she locks up.  We've worked very hard on having an outside balancing rein and to ride from my legs.  We've had a good wonderful week.  And I have to say that each day, I love my beautiful mare a little bit more.  She's so sweet.  Today when I rode her, she had her face all sweaty, so she just put her face down for full massage and rubdown and ear pull.  And she was so graceful and kind about everything -- the ride, the stretches, the treats, the hugs.  I truly own a gracious girl!

Violet's Good Thanksgiving Work Ethic

Here are some pictures and video of Emily riding Violet over Thanksgiving break.  I was so happy because Emily said that you could tell that Violet had gotten softer since this summer -- that she was trying to work hard and please her rider.  And you can see it in these photos.  I just love my girl!  Over the past few weeks, we've had some real breakthroughs, at least on flatwork!!

Renny around the Holidays!

Here is a little picture and video of my darling boy the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  He's such a wonderful pony.  He's been so solid and wonderful under saddle lately.  His collected, working, and extended trot are fun, but his canter just feels terrific -- flowing, smooth, lovely.  I'm writing this entry on Sunday, December 4th and Renny had a farrier appointment with a new farrier today.  He said that Renny's hooves looked just fine but that he wore the toe on his left hind unevenly -- he said that he hasn't seen him go, but there might be something wrong -- like hock involvement.  That got me good and nervous.  Ricky and Mary said that they don't think there's anything about it -- he just needs more support to pick himself up while he's working.  But he does trip in the back and I just feel nervous that maybe we started him a little too early and pushed him too hard.  I look forward to when his vet visits next Spring!

Violet Jumps 2.6!

Over Thanksgiving, Emily and Kelsey kindly put a ride on my beautiful creatures.  On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I went out to the barn and watched those two young women ride.  Emily put such a lovely quiet ride on Violet and even jumped her.  Here you see Violet successfully jumping 2.6, like a good good girl!

My Main Boys!

Here are March 9, 2011 photos of Jackass and Arcangelo, resting and looking as good as they wanna!  Namaste.

Renny and His Sweet Friend Canter!

Here are late June photos of Renny giving a lovely round canter for his friend, Kelsey.  He really enjoyed working with her that summer.  He's been blessed to have nice young ladies to help him - Lex, Lillian, Kelsey, and Alyssa!

Cute Renny Ready for Work

Here's my little guy in late June, getting ready for work.  You can see his interested ears, his sweet expression.  He has the best little attitude.  He's my great Easy Jet pony!!

Grama and Renny Flatting

Here are some photos in late June, with my braided handsome pony looking gorgeous.  Riding him has been among the funnest things I've ever done.  He's been nothing but a true blessing in my life!  I'm writing this entry in late November and I'm looking forward to working on developing a musical ride pattern with him over the winter.

Handsome Boy and his Aunt Lillian

Here is a photo of Renny and Lillian on a beautiful summer day in June when she had just finished grooming him, putting braids on him, and placing shiny squares on his rear.  You can see that he's very happy to be standing with her and posing for his Grams!

That Darling Nose!

Here is a photo of me and Renny taken in June.  I'm writing this entry on Black Friday, right after Thanksgiving.  Renny has had an eventful year -- backing, green building, showing, befriending Kelsey and Alyssa, working with children, jumping, dressaging, flatting!  And then going off to college where he was  a good boy.  But my poor guy came back with a nose fungus and I wasn't vigilant with it, so now we are working to take care of him.  Poor little guy has lost his hair on his nose and has a bright red little snoot.  I adore this boy.  

Thanksgiving Cutie Pie

Namaste!

Black Friday Ride!

Here is a photo and video from November 25th, Black Friday!  I woke up and had a lovely breakfast and chat with my mother.  And then I drove out to the barn under a beautiful sunlit clear sky, listening to great music.  And then I took care of Renny's sweet little fungus nose.  And then I rode sweet Violet.  She worked hard on serpentines, circles, turns on the forehand and haunches, half passes, and even attempted a few awkward flying lead changes!  We had fun working quietly by ourselves!  I just love this mare!

Thanksgiving 2011

Here are some photos and video from Thanksgiving morning 2011.  It's been an interesting challenging year for the Sanchez herd.  Last year the day before Thanksgiving, we discovered that Hailee had been mistreated and dumped to the winds by Coy and Maurice.  Then on Thanksgiving, someone hit me and totaled my car.  But we came through that terrible storm because my mom and dad are loving and so supportive and good friends circled the wagons.  And then Hailee had been rescued by a good samaritan.  This year, we lost Uncle Carlo after a long illness.  And we buried him during this time period.  So, I have very odd feelings about Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving seems to be a time of great loss, but also filled with faith, hope, and love.  And I am grateful and happy during Thanksgiving because I am part of a strong family and a strong herd.  Namaste.

Renny's Homecoming Welcome

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Here are some photos from Renny's November 2nd return home from Quicksilver Farm.  He is one beloved pony!!  

Renny's Homecoming Party!

Here's what Lillian and Lex did to welcome my pony home!  I was so surprised and joyful!  He traveled home safely and was greeted with great great love.  

Happy Fall Beauty!

Here is a November photo and October video of my gorgeous Fall Beauty -- so happy, lean, athletic, sweet, funny, talented, and intelligent.  I am truly blessed to have this mare in my life!

Happy October Pasture Girl!

Here is a late November photo and an early October video of my beautiful girl relaxing and having fun!  She's so elegant and sweet.  When I go to get her in the pasture, she always leaves what she is doing to stroll up to me and when we walk in to the barn, she turns her head to give me small kisses or else strolls out long and lean like the thoroughbred queen she is!!

Violet Runs Happily!

Here is a video taken in October and a few photos taken in late November of my beautiful girl relaxing!  I like the video because it shows her sassiness after a ride.  She likes to burst away and canter with joy!  

My Top Pet!

A March 9th photo of my beloved darling Jacques Mamou Lagniappe, aka Jackass.  He is just the very best of household warrior and domestic lion!

Working on Improving our Trot!

When Renny came home from Quicksilver, the most amazing thing about him was his powerful straight true confident trot and canter.  They told me that he had a pretty short-strided trot for a pony his size and that I needed to work on making it longer.  They said that currently it was about 8 feet long and that I should work on extending it to 9 and then ultimately 10.  We are having a hoot of a time on that task.  Both Renny and Violet are working on a brisk true trot and they can float past their stable mates during lessons.  It's a lot of fun to feel their energy when they are moving out and soft and supple!

Feeling Soft with a Good Team Mate!

Here are early July photos and video with Renny and Kelsey.  I'm writing this entry on November 23rd, good samaritan day, and I can tell you, riding Renny is pure joy.  As soon as you pull him out to put his saddle on, he is all professional and business-like.  And he waits quietly by the mounting block and stands until you tell him to move on.  And he is responsive to your leg and centered.  And he is careful about his voice commands.  And he has a buttery smooth wonderful reaching canter which just feels terrific!  And he is happy to have you place his head anywhere you want.  And he is happy when he feels the play of your hand and elbows -- he wants to feel your presence, so he knows what you want.  He's an amazing baby pony. 

A Bump in the Road

These photos and video are of Renny taken in early July 2011.  But I am writing this entry on November 23rd.  I've had a bump in the road lately.  I've been feeling a bit spooked because it's the time of year when bad things happened last year.  And my Uncle Carlo has been sick and passed away.  It's just been a bad time.  And I've felt it in my riding.  I don't feel secure in the saddle.  I don't feel centered.  I don't actually sit, I stand while jumping.  I don't put my heels down.  I thrust my legs forward and I stiffen my spine.  It's been tough.  But I've been blessed to have a fine mare who cares about me.  We had a couple of close calls, but she always takes care of me -- I mean, she's not perfect, but she tries hard to be a good team mate. 

Anyway, I am trying to come back from this confusion and fear by going back to basics.  I am trying to really feel what it is like to be centered and sitting in the saddle.  What it feels like to two point and follow the motion of my horse.  What it feels like not to stand in the stirrups but to press long and down in stirrups with my whole leg to the ball of the foot.   I am trying.  And this week, we made some gains.  Last week, I would only jump the warm-up jumps.  But this week on Monday, I jumped an entire course with diagonals and oxers.  And I even jumped my little pony several times -- he was great at both the trot and canter!  I want to come back and feel joy.  There was a time when I didn't mind about jumping and I want to have that feeling again.  So, I am working on my position!