SO if anyone is actually reading this please know that I have been trying and trying to load my test onto you tube but it just won't work! Until today!!! So here is my individual test. I'm sorry that the taping is so shaky but my camera girl did her best!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meICwVsykio
My Freestyle is loading now and will hopefully be on by tonight.
Monika
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Driving Home
Well we are at our last stop in Nampa, Idaho. So far the drive has gone smoothly.
In Topeka,Kansas and much of the drive before it was 43 degrees Celsius. We were all freaking out as we drove trying not to stop so we could keep air flowing through the trailer. It was in the 40's for 4 or 5 hours. I kept talking pictures of the thermometer. It's 40 take a picture. It's 41 take a picture! It's 42 take a picture. Luckily it peaked at 43. See picture above! Nuke got off the trailer surprisingly well. he wasn't sweaty and drank a whole bucket right away. We stayed the night there and woke up at four to avoid to heat. It had cooled to 37 overnight! You really can't avoid it!
Nothing exciting happened the next day or today. Luckily it cooled significantly for most of the day. It was 35 Idaho when we arrived but we were all ok. Since it's not humid it feels so much better. Tomorrow we arrive at home!!! Again, I'll post my ride videos on here asap. Here are some photos from our Team Canada sponsorship photos;
Off to bed. Up at four to get home,
Monika
Nothing exciting happened the next day or today. Luckily it cooled significantly for most of the day. It was 35 Idaho when we arrived but we were all ok. Since it's not humid it feels so much better. Tomorrow we arrive at home!!! Again, I'll post my ride videos on here asap. Here are some photos from our Team Canada sponsorship photos;
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| Team Canada West with our 4th place ribbons |
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| Team Canada Dressage |
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| Team Canada with our Equestrian Factory Outlet jackets!! |
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| Shorty! |
Monika
Sunday, 31 July 2011
And it's Over
Well I was meaning to write last night but due to a power outage we did not have internet.
As I had said quickly before, I qualified for the freestyle. I rode yesterday at 3pm. Before my ride there were huge clouds coming in with thunder and lightening. During my warm up Snukey was really spooky and full of energy. The thunder was so loud! Jan kept telling the stewards that this was not safe to be riding in but they basically brushed her off saying it will pass. Well as I walked down the ramp ready to ride my test it started to absolutely pour! Snukey was so spooky, I had to work to get him around the ring.
It was the freestyle and I halt just inside the gate. We were maybe a foot into the ring when I halted because I couldn't get him in. Then as I was cantering out towards the judge he spooked and ran towards the out gate. Luckily I just did a circle and started my half pass way behind in the music. This was not a good start. I finished my test by avoiding the edges. He cantered a few strides in my extended trot but I got a 65.7. I am pleased with this considering I was riding in the middle of a huge thunder storm and he was so spooky. This put me 9th.
Now to rant a little: Only two riders had to ride in the storm; Myself and the girl after me. The last three riders were sent back to the barn and got to ride in the sunshine that evening. The earlier riders also had good weather. I realize that it's the luck of the draw but it was not safe to be riding in. There were rivers flowing down the roads, it was raining so hard. The thunder was so loud and close. They needed to call it. I'm mostly upset because I could have had a much better ride. Oh well
After my ride we raced to the barn in the down pour! There was so much rain coming down that the gravel was washing away and we were completely soaked. I could ring out all my clothes. Poor Monica was supposed to ride one after me. She got completly soaked and was about to go down centerline when they finally called that the storm was too dangerous. She raced back to the barn just in time for the power to go out. It poured and poured for about two hours. The amount of water that came down is amazing! There are lakes everywhere now. The thunder was so loud and so close. When I get home I'll post a little video. We found out later that lightening hit the transformer for the park so there was no power anywhere.
Around 6 they started up the tests again using generators. The music was really quiet but at least it was sunny. Monica finished in silver and another Canadian got gold.Way to own the podium Canada!
Today we work on packing up. The closing ceremonies are later and I'll hop on Snukey and go for a ride. We depart tomorrow early for the four day trek home. Again I don't know how much internet I'll have but I'll try to keep updating just so everyone knows we are safe in our travels. When I get home I'll post videos of all three rides so if you're interested they'll be on blog spot.
Monika
As I had said quickly before, I qualified for the freestyle. I rode yesterday at 3pm. Before my ride there were huge clouds coming in with thunder and lightening. During my warm up Snukey was really spooky and full of energy. The thunder was so loud! Jan kept telling the stewards that this was not safe to be riding in but they basically brushed her off saying it will pass. Well as I walked down the ramp ready to ride my test it started to absolutely pour! Snukey was so spooky, I had to work to get him around the ring.
It was the freestyle and I halt just inside the gate. We were maybe a foot into the ring when I halted because I couldn't get him in. Then as I was cantering out towards the judge he spooked and ran towards the out gate. Luckily I just did a circle and started my half pass way behind in the music. This was not a good start. I finished my test by avoiding the edges. He cantered a few strides in my extended trot but I got a 65.7. I am pleased with this considering I was riding in the middle of a huge thunder storm and he was so spooky. This put me 9th.
Now to rant a little: Only two riders had to ride in the storm; Myself and the girl after me. The last three riders were sent back to the barn and got to ride in the sunshine that evening. The earlier riders also had good weather. I realize that it's the luck of the draw but it was not safe to be riding in. There were rivers flowing down the roads, it was raining so hard. The thunder was so loud and close. They needed to call it. I'm mostly upset because I could have had a much better ride. Oh well
After my ride we raced to the barn in the down pour! There was so much rain coming down that the gravel was washing away and we were completely soaked. I could ring out all my clothes. Poor Monica was supposed to ride one after me. She got completly soaked and was about to go down centerline when they finally called that the storm was too dangerous. She raced back to the barn just in time for the power to go out. It poured and poured for about two hours. The amount of water that came down is amazing! There are lakes everywhere now. The thunder was so loud and so close. When I get home I'll post a little video. We found out later that lightening hit the transformer for the park so there was no power anywhere.
Around 6 they started up the tests again using generators. The music was really quiet but at least it was sunny. Monica finished in silver and another Canadian got gold.Way to own the podium Canada!
Today we work on packing up. The closing ceremonies are later and I'll hop on Snukey and go for a ride. We depart tomorrow early for the four day trek home. Again I don't know how much internet I'll have but I'll try to keep updating just so everyone knows we are safe in our travels. When I get home I'll post videos of all three rides so if you're interested they'll be on blog spot.
Monika
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Individual test
So super quick as I have to run to a team meeting but not only did I finish in the top 15, but I got 6th! I had a super a ride and finished with a 65.5 even with a few bobbles. I'm so happy for my first year here. I rode early and actually sat in 2nd for a good part of the day. I will post the test and pictures and more info about today after the meeting, dinner and the reining finals (got to go cheer for the Canadians!)
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Let The Show Begin!
Long day:
Today things got serious as everyone prepared to ride their first test of the show. Ride order times were picked by the chef so Dalyce went first at 8:06 am then Megan at 9:50 then me at 11:56 and finally Monica at 2;30pm. Dalyce started off with a very respectable test and a score of 61.9% We were happy she was able to ride in the cool of the morning because she has been finding adapting to the heat more difficult. Megan then went in with the composure of a pro and scored very well with a 64. She was definitely the least nervous of all of us and said that compared to eventing she couldn't die out there! By the time my ride came up we were well into the heat of the day and a temperature of 35C.
An hour before my ride time Mom and I went to the trailer to get changed and put up my hair with the huyndreds of pins it needed to stay in place. When we arrived back at Nukes stall to tack up I was horrified to find the stall full of Vets! We had been treating Snookey for a gucky eye for the previous few days and Jan had noticed that it had started swelling over the previous hour so she made an emergency decision to have the vet in to look at it and flush the tear duct. Of course Snookey was not volunteering for this and had his head in the rafters while they tried to put the tube into his nostril. We were literally minutes away from my tack up time when they successfully unblocked the tear duct and I have to say I fell apart and had a good sob in the change room I was so nervous. Monica and Mom consoled me and in the end Snookey was back to normal for my ride. But the whole thing was too nerve wracking for my liking and I definitely don't recommend emergency Vet interventions minutes before your dressage tests!
We tacked up in a hurry and went out to the warm up ring. After the vet drama I felt very calm and I had a super warm up. Mom and Jan stood by the warm up ring with a large pail of ice water to sponge Snookey as he needed it. I was so keen I trotted down the ramp and all the stewards were screaming at me to slow down! Although I felt good about my ride Snookey was spooky and we had a few bobbles in our test so I was disappointed in my score of 63.575 After our test we were rushed to the steward for inspection through a large set of fans and misters and water. In the end Snookey and I coped well with the heat and we felt all our preparations had paid off.
My team was sitting in 3rd for most of the day. We new that if Monica had a good ride we could have a medal. Monica had a very steady ride but finished with a 65.05 which out us fourth! We lost the team medal by .8 of a percent. We are all disappointed but really 4th is still ok!
The opening ceremonies were after all our rides today! It was very weird! We stood out in the sun for like an hour not being able to hear the announcer! But we got pizza after so all is good :D
Tomorrow I ride the individual test at 10:47. I need top 15 to continue on to ride my freestyle. I was 23rd today..... I can do it!!!!!
Wish me luck,
Monika
Today things got serious as everyone prepared to ride their first test of the show. Ride order times were picked by the chef so Dalyce went first at 8:06 am then Megan at 9:50 then me at 11:56 and finally Monica at 2;30pm. Dalyce started off with a very respectable test and a score of 61.9% We were happy she was able to ride in the cool of the morning because she has been finding adapting to the heat more difficult. Megan then went in with the composure of a pro and scored very well with a 64. She was definitely the least nervous of all of us and said that compared to eventing she couldn't die out there! By the time my ride came up we were well into the heat of the day and a temperature of 35C.
An hour before my ride time Mom and I went to the trailer to get changed and put up my hair with the huyndreds of pins it needed to stay in place. When we arrived back at Nukes stall to tack up I was horrified to find the stall full of Vets! We had been treating Snookey for a gucky eye for the previous few days and Jan had noticed that it had started swelling over the previous hour so she made an emergency decision to have the vet in to look at it and flush the tear duct. Of course Snookey was not volunteering for this and had his head in the rafters while they tried to put the tube into his nostril. We were literally minutes away from my tack up time when they successfully unblocked the tear duct and I have to say I fell apart and had a good sob in the change room I was so nervous. Monica and Mom consoled me and in the end Snookey was back to normal for my ride. But the whole thing was too nerve wracking for my liking and I definitely don't recommend emergency Vet interventions minutes before your dressage tests!
We tacked up in a hurry and went out to the warm up ring. After the vet drama I felt very calm and I had a super warm up. Mom and Jan stood by the warm up ring with a large pail of ice water to sponge Snookey as he needed it. I was so keen I trotted down the ramp and all the stewards were screaming at me to slow down! Although I felt good about my ride Snookey was spooky and we had a few bobbles in our test so I was disappointed in my score of 63.575 After our test we were rushed to the steward for inspection through a large set of fans and misters and water. In the end Snookey and I coped well with the heat and we felt all our preparations had paid off.
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| During my test. (Jackets were waved) |
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| Walking out |
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| Name on score board before collective marks |
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| The amazing stewards who hand us water! |
My team was sitting in 3rd for most of the day. We new that if Monica had a good ride we could have a medal. Monica had a very steady ride but finished with a 65.05 which out us fourth! We lost the team medal by .8 of a percent. We are all disappointed but really 4th is still ok!
The opening ceremonies were after all our rides today! It was very weird! We stood out in the sun for like an hour not being able to hear the announcer! But we got pizza after so all is good :D
Tomorrow I ride the individual test at 10:47. I need top 15 to continue on to ride my freestyle. I was 23rd today..... I can do it!!!!!
Wish me luck,
Monika
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
The Day of the Jog
Busy day today.
Last night I woke up feeling horrible. At about midnight I puked which actually made me feel better. I managed to sleep the rest of the night until my 5:45 alarm. I still didn't feel great this morning but ate a piece of toast. I was thankful to have only vomited once but was worried that I would be able to ride.
As a team we got 35 minutes in the Rolex arena to let our horses see everything. I managed to hold it together for a whole ride. Snukey was awesome! We worked a short but intense workout. Since I didn't know my ride time for tomorrow until this evening we wanted to be sure that I could do a quick warmup and be ready for my test if it was really hot.
The jog: well I passed! I never was worried about it though. I went at about 4:30pm in the brutal heat. All of team Canada dresses the same for the jog. You can see the attire in the photo's below. I had to wear a navy blazer and long pants in the brutal sun. It didn't help that I wasn't feeling great and that our Chef D'Equipe sent us out 30 minutes before we actually had to jog! Anyway It's over and I survived!
We got out ride times for tomorrow at about 8 this evening! I ride at 11:56. It will be hot but they have waved coats for the test tomorrow. This means I can where a polo shirt. I don't even have to wear a stock tie!
Well a bunch of other stuff happened today but nothing really important. I'm going to get lots of sleep tonight and hope for a happy tummy tomorrow.
Wish me luck,
Monika
Last night I woke up feeling horrible. At about midnight I puked which actually made me feel better. I managed to sleep the rest of the night until my 5:45 alarm. I still didn't feel great this morning but ate a piece of toast. I was thankful to have only vomited once but was worried that I would be able to ride.
As a team we got 35 minutes in the Rolex arena to let our horses see everything. I managed to hold it together for a whole ride. Snukey was awesome! We worked a short but intense workout. Since I didn't know my ride time for tomorrow until this evening we wanted to be sure that I could do a quick warmup and be ready for my test if it was really hot.
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| Stretching in the Big ring |
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| Letting Snukey see everything. |
The jog: well I passed! I never was worried about it though. I went at about 4:30pm in the brutal heat. All of team Canada dresses the same for the jog. You can see the attire in the photo's below. I had to wear a navy blazer and long pants in the brutal sun. It didn't help that I wasn't feeling great and that our Chef D'Equipe sent us out 30 minutes before we actually had to jog! Anyway It's over and I survived!
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| At the jog |
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| Team Canada West JR with our Chef. (we all have chestnut geldings!) |
We got out ride times for tomorrow at about 8 this evening! I ride at 11:56. It will be hot but they have waved coats for the test tomorrow. This means I can where a polo shirt. I don't even have to wear a stock tie!
Well a bunch of other stuff happened today but nothing really important. I'm going to get lots of sleep tonight and hope for a happy tummy tomorrow.
Wish me luck,
Monika
Monday, 25 July 2011
Hello again,
We didn't have very exciting day yesterday so I didn't blog! I don't want to bore anyone!
I woke feeling quite sick. I think I got dehydrated the day before. I started to feel better after breakfast so I went and rode. This was my first real ride where Snukey actually felt like himself. We had fabulous canter work and finished with an amazing extended canter.
The rest of the afternoon was filled with relaxing and swimming in the pool. Slowly the Canadians who have sorter drives were trickling in. We went for dinner just us girls who have Leslie as our Chef D'equipe. It was really nice to get to know each other. Everybody is so nice!
Today we woke up to a huge morning thunderstorm. It was pouring and the thunder was sooo loud!!! It did this for a few hours so my ride was postponed. Tomorrow we get to go into the Rolex ring and school as a team for 35 minutes. Wednesday and Thursday are show days. We don't want to go into a the show with a tired horse so I just did 45 minutes of walking around. It was super relaxing and I got to stare at all the other riders! I finally remember to bring the camera to the barn! Moms photography skills are a bit limited but you get the idea.
The stables are very full now. I'm getting to meet a lot of the other Canadian riders. We had a Christmas in July today when we got a ton of sponsorship stuff. Apparently in the previous years most sponsors do not sponsor all of Canada but west or east. This year everything was for everyone across Canada. Thanks to Ogilvy for three fabulous saddle pads. Thanks to Equestrian Factory Outlet for the amazing polo shirts,hat and jacket. And to the Dodd family for the jacket, shirt and goodies.
We had a practice jog today with Leslie Reid and Albrecht Hiedeman. For those of you that don't know what a jog is, it's where you run with your horse in front of vets and judges who check to be sure that your horse is not "limping" or lame as we call it. If you do not pass the jog you can not ride in the competition. Getting to practice was great because I had no idea what to do! I have no worries about Snukey passing.
I'm starting to get very excited now! Things are finally starting up! Tomorrow is the jog, a meeting and riding in the 'big' ring. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow.
Off to tuck Snukey in,
Monika
We didn't have very exciting day yesterday so I didn't blog! I don't want to bore anyone!
I woke feeling quite sick. I think I got dehydrated the day before. I started to feel better after breakfast so I went and rode. This was my first real ride where Snukey actually felt like himself. We had fabulous canter work and finished with an amazing extended canter.
The rest of the afternoon was filled with relaxing and swimming in the pool. Slowly the Canadians who have sorter drives were trickling in. We went for dinner just us girls who have Leslie as our Chef D'equipe. It was really nice to get to know each other. Everybody is so nice!
Today we woke up to a huge morning thunderstorm. It was pouring and the thunder was sooo loud!!! It did this for a few hours so my ride was postponed. Tomorrow we get to go into the Rolex ring and school as a team for 35 minutes. Wednesday and Thursday are show days. We don't want to go into a the show with a tired horse so I just did 45 minutes of walking around. It was super relaxing and I got to stare at all the other riders! I finally remember to bring the camera to the barn! Moms photography skills are a bit limited but you get the idea.
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| Walking around the schooling ring. One of the many feids filled with cross country jumps is in the background. |
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| Mom took this photo by accident today when she couldn't figure out the camera settings. I like it! |
The stables are very full now. I'm getting to meet a lot of the other Canadian riders. We had a Christmas in July today when we got a ton of sponsorship stuff. Apparently in the previous years most sponsors do not sponsor all of Canada but west or east. This year everything was for everyone across Canada. Thanks to Ogilvy for three fabulous saddle pads. Thanks to Equestrian Factory Outlet for the amazing polo shirts,hat and jacket. And to the Dodd family for the jacket, shirt and goodies.
We had a practice jog today with Leslie Reid and Albrecht Hiedeman. For those of you that don't know what a jog is, it's where you run with your horse in front of vets and judges who check to be sure that your horse is not "limping" or lame as we call it. If you do not pass the jog you can not ride in the competition. Getting to practice was great because I had no idea what to do! I have no worries about Snukey passing.
I'm starting to get very excited now! Things are finally starting up! Tomorrow is the jog, a meeting and riding in the 'big' ring. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow.
Off to tuck Snukey in,
Monika
Saturday, 23 July 2011
A Day at the Races
So after long thoughtful deliberation (About 5 minutes!) I have decided to become a jockey. I am the perfect height and enjoy the thought of riding wild uncontrollable thoroughbreds at a full gallop. But I realize that I can't do this as I do not speak spanish! Darn.
I don't actually want to be a jockey but today we woke up and went to the Keeneland race track. There were no races but on Saturday the public can watch them work the horses. The facility is amazing. It looks just like the movie Secretariat only there were not hundreds of people dressed in 70's clothes. It is the facility were Secretariat grew up and were the movie was filmed. We got to see many, many horses doing their morning workout. Some were obviously babies and didn't do much more than walk around with big eyes. We were surprised how many jockeys were Mexican or Puetro Rican. I suppose a lot of them are little so it's perfect. It was definitely an interesting experience. Here are some photos from the park.
I didn't ride Snukey today as he needed a day off. He got lots of walking and grazing. He is coping really well in this heat. He definitely does not lack energy.
Stentano is doing much better today. He is eating and drinking everything! Huge relief.
Lots of people are arriving now. The FEI security fence is put up but not closed. This means that we can still graze the horses and walk more then just around the barns. In a day or so they will lock it up with a security guard and we will be stuck inside.
It was a very relaxing day. After Keeneland we went for breakfast then just chilled at the campsite. We had to move sites today and again Monday as we could not book anything for the whole 2 weeks. We went for dinner with the Ingahms, Houwellings, and our Chef D'Equipe (team chef who organizes everything) Leslie Steele. Afterwards we went on a driving tour and found one of the last fiberglass horses that used to be everywhere in Lexington before the Wold Equestrian Games.
Off to bed so I can be up early to ride and run before the heat,
Monika and Snukey
I don't actually want to be a jockey but today we woke up and went to the Keeneland race track. There were no races but on Saturday the public can watch them work the horses. The facility is amazing. It looks just like the movie Secretariat only there were not hundreds of people dressed in 70's clothes. It is the facility were Secretariat grew up and were the movie was filmed. We got to see many, many horses doing their morning workout. Some were obviously babies and didn't do much more than walk around with big eyes. We were surprised how many jockeys were Mexican or Puetro Rican. I suppose a lot of them are little so it's perfect. It was definitely an interesting experience. Here are some photos from the park.
I didn't ride Snukey today as he needed a day off. He got lots of walking and grazing. He is coping really well in this heat. He definitely does not lack energy.
Stentano is doing much better today. He is eating and drinking everything! Huge relief.
Lots of people are arriving now. The FEI security fence is put up but not closed. This means that we can still graze the horses and walk more then just around the barns. In a day or so they will lock it up with a security guard and we will be stuck inside.
It was a very relaxing day. After Keeneland we went for breakfast then just chilled at the campsite. We had to move sites today and again Monday as we could not book anything for the whole 2 weeks. We went for dinner with the Ingahms, Houwellings, and our Chef D'Equipe (team chef who organizes everything) Leslie Steele. Afterwards we went on a driving tour and found one of the last fiberglass horses that used to be everywhere in Lexington before the Wold Equestrian Games.
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| Esmee Ingham, Natalie Bell, Me, and Monica Houwelling. |
Monika and Snukey
Friday, 22 July 2011
Not quite so HOT!!
Well another day went by. It's crazy how fast!
I'll start with last night. We went out for dinner at this really cute Caribbean place. We, as crazy Canadians decided to sit outside on the patio because it had cooled down to 34. Our waitress asked "where y'all frommmm? With your very northernnn accent?" We all laughed at that. I guess we do live north but we don't have accents! Everyone else does! :D
Today we were fortunate enough to have a cooler day. The forecast said it was going to be hot with a afternoon thunderstorm. So I got up early to ride. It was cloudy and almost cool!! Well not quite. It still was 36 on the way to dinner tonight. We were extremely disappointing today when we looked at the weather forecast and found that the promised cooling was not coming anymore. Looks like it's going to be really hot for the show.
Today my other to team mates arrived. They flew in today. Their horses are coming straight from Alberta, arriving tomorrow morning. Hopefully they are safe and not too stiff.
Since it's so hot, a few of the horses are struggling with dehydration and general lack of appetite. The vet visited Stentano (Monica Houwelling's horse) 3 times today. He is not horrible yet but had to get intranasal fluids. They aren't sure what exactly is wrong but he's not eating much or drinking much. Monica has been spending lots of time in front of the stall. Hopefully he is better soon.
Snukey also got a quick vet visit as his one eye has been really gooey and runny. It all looks healthy but we are treating it with eye drops just to be safe. I had a much better ride on him today. He is not nearly as stiff. We put him together and worked on lots of different things. At 7am it was cool and perfect for riding in!
Today we spent the afternoon exploring the horse park. There is a dressage hall of fame which was very interesting. It's funny how we don't actually have that much to do but it seems to take all day and so much energy. Some how we managed to use the whole afternoon up, just biking around and going in random buildings. Today we finally felt we could do this as it was cooler. Here are some photo's from the day:
On another note the pony clubbers are leaving now! Woot Woot we can actually drive down the road now!
Off to bed,
Monika
I'll start with last night. We went out for dinner at this really cute Caribbean place. We, as crazy Canadians decided to sit outside on the patio because it had cooled down to 34. Our waitress asked "where y'all frommmm? With your very northernnn accent?" We all laughed at that. I guess we do live north but we don't have accents! Everyone else does! :D
Today we were fortunate enough to have a cooler day. The forecast said it was going to be hot with a afternoon thunderstorm. So I got up early to ride. It was cloudy and almost cool!! Well not quite. It still was 36 on the way to dinner tonight. We were extremely disappointing today when we looked at the weather forecast and found that the promised cooling was not coming anymore. Looks like it's going to be really hot for the show.
Today my other to team mates arrived. They flew in today. Their horses are coming straight from Alberta, arriving tomorrow morning. Hopefully they are safe and not too stiff.
Since it's so hot, a few of the horses are struggling with dehydration and general lack of appetite. The vet visited Stentano (Monica Houwelling's horse) 3 times today. He is not horrible yet but had to get intranasal fluids. They aren't sure what exactly is wrong but he's not eating much or drinking much. Monica has been spending lots of time in front of the stall. Hopefully he is better soon.
Snukey also got a quick vet visit as his one eye has been really gooey and runny. It all looks healthy but we are treating it with eye drops just to be safe. I had a much better ride on him today. He is not nearly as stiff. We put him together and worked on lots of different things. At 7am it was cool and perfect for riding in!
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| Snukeys patriotic stall. As you can see he has 4 fans to keep him cool. |
Today we spent the afternoon exploring the horse park. There is a dressage hall of fame which was very interesting. It's funny how we don't actually have that much to do but it seems to take all day and so much energy. Some how we managed to use the whole afternoon up, just biking around and going in random buildings. Today we finally felt we could do this as it was cooler. Here are some photo's from the day:
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| The Rolex ring where I will ride my tests. |
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| Huge Rolex sing/scoreboard |
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| Statue of Secretariat by the Visitor Office |
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| Random Paintings |
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| The Camp Site |
On another note the pony clubbers are leaving now! Woot Woot we can actually drive down the road now!
Off to bed,
Monika
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Sweating in Kentucky!
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| Entrance to the Park |
We are officially settled in to the horse park. We have our camp site all organized and the barn all decorated in Canada gear. I am finally realizing just how hot it really is. Monica and I were joking that we needed to put a sweater on since it had cooled to 30 Celsius. Mom and I are not used to this heat at all! Basically you're always full of sweat that doesn't dry. I've been okay riding but we are thankful for our shady campsite and air conditioning in the afternoon.
We were the second group to arrive to the park but now there are more and more arriving. Canadian Esmee Ingham arrived to join our little Canadian group. Norseman her equine, was shipped with the Washington Dressage group. He arrived safe and sound yesterday. The rest of my team is expected to arrive tomorrow with there equines coming Saturday.
I've ridden Snukey twice now. We've tried to ride early to avoid some heat but really the heat never goes away. Today he got a bath before and 3 baths after. He copes very well in the heat, even having enough energy to spook at everything. We've only done long and low stretchy rides to loosen him He was very stiff yesterday from all the standing around. By the end of todays ride he was much looser and more himself. He's happy in his stall with his fans. It's shady in the afternoon when it's hottest. We are very thankful for that.
We had booked a paddock for Snukey so he could get out of the stall and graze a bit. They moved the FEI barns this year so they are closer to the Rolex ring where I will ride but that makes them very far from the paddocks. Since Snukey has been stiff we decided it would be good for him to use it even if it was a long walk. We were given permission to walk him down through the cross country. Anybody who knows Snukey at all knows that he is terrified of jumpers! Lets just say that the walk was not a walk and that my arm is very sore now. Once at the paddock there was no grazing because he thought he was much to close to the fast moving cross country goers. So we passaged and snorted and leaped back to the comfort of the stall. And we canceled the pen!
The Pony Clubbers are literally everywhere. there are over 900 of them plus all their parents and friends. They are all oblivious to everyone else, walking in the middle of the road. They should mostly be gone by Saturday, thank goodness!
Mom's gone to buy more ice and more fans for Snukey's stall. All our efforts are put towards keeping ourselves and Snukey cool. I'm going to run around with the camera later. Right now swimming seems really appealing so that's what I'm going to do :D
Monika
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Drive Days 2,3 and 4
Well, sorry for not writing for the last few days but I have been unable to find Internet anywhere.
We woke up at six on Sunday to a clear sky and happy looking horses. We loaded up quickly. Nuke ate all his soaked mash, most of his hay but drank only a bit of water. He loaded easily.
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| Idaho Horse park in the Morning |
We ended up having a very long day. We expected only 10 hours but didn't arrive till about 8 in spite of having left at 6. 13 hours of sitting in the truck! As Jan said "that was a major miscalculation!" We went through Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. It was quite hot for most of the day but cooled in the late afternoon due to a thunderstorm. The Houwellings left ahead of us and got caught in the storm. We somehow managed to bypass all of it.
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| Utah |
Everything looked the same: Not much population, quite poor, tons of run down trailers. I expected Wyoming to be full of cattle and pastures but we only saw a few.
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| Wyoming Overnight |
We arrived at a bed and bales on the outskirts of Laramie. There was a big indoor, horses, stalls and LOTS of Rottweilers! Snukey was very ready to get off! He was definitely tired. He got a bath to remove the small amount of sweat. He settled ok, unlike Stentano (the other Monica's horse),who had to be longed after getting off, he was so hot. He did calm down eventually! Overnight Snukey did not drink more than 1/2 a bucket of water. He didn't eat much mash either and only a couple of flakes of hay. Not his best night!
We counted 7 Rottweiler’s outside, one inside in a crate and 3 adorable puppies in the barn. We all felt very safe!!
We were generously offered the house for cooking dinner and taking showers. There was basically a line up as we all had our turn in the showers. We later learned that the facility was owned by two university professors who were in Kenya. It was being taken care of by a university student whom I never even met but she generously picked groceries up for us.
In the evening, we all crashed early after showers, dinner and feeding the horses.
Day 3
We woke up at 4am BC time as it was going to be a long day. We wanted to get an early start to avoid the heat. By nine it was in the 30's. The forecast was in the 100's for our whole drive.
Nuke nicely walked onto the trailer. I wouldn't have blamed him if he hadn't wanted to. By noon he seemed to perk up after a good scratch and a drink. We tried not to stop for too long because it's so hot! He instantly started sweating. All the windows were open and seem to have good air flow.
Jan and mom keep rotating as drivers. By the late afternoon they are both tired of driving. The rig is working out fabulously. We’ve all been having good sleeps in the trailer. The truck is extremely comfortable and the air conditioning works great!!!! We stop quite frequently for gas which gives Nuke a break. He doesn’t want to eat or drink unless we’re stopped.
In the mid afternoon as we were driving through Lincoln Nebraska we passed a sign saying that the I-29 was closed. Due to the flooding of the Missouri river many routes are impassable. We had to do a stop for a big map and a few road hotline calls. We stepped out of the air conditioned truck into a blast of humid 38⁰C!!!!!!! Nuke was building up a sweat but he seemed ok.
Eventually we figured out the route. I got a text from Natalie in the Houwelling rig. They had a flat tire and were quite a ways behind. They decided to stop at a different overnight as they needed to find a new spare and a good rest. We continued to our planned overnight in Columbia, Missouri. It was about 15 hours of driving in brutal heat.
We wanted to stop earlier at an overnight that had previously said they couldn’t take two rigs. It would have been perfect but we couldn’t get an answer thus we were forced to continue.
It’s amazing in the heat how after seeing 38 degrees, I’m relieved when it lowers to 34 for a while! I’m already dreading having to ride in this!
So today we travelled through the last of Wyoming, all the way through Nebraska, some Kansas and now to Missouri. We are getting to see lots of country! Kansas was acres and acres of corn and we think soy beans. Interesting to see but really quite boring after many hours.
So I wrote the whole beginning to day 3 in the car while we were driving. But things changed a bit. It’s 9:15 here and we are stuck at a truck stop. The electrical cord that connects to the truck on the goose neck got wrapped around a bike and got yanked out of the box. So we have no trailer brakes or lights.
We called US Rider and they are sending someone but it’s been an hour and a half in 34⁰C weather. Nuke is doing ok. He took a couple good drinks and worked at his mash a bit. It’s ok for him because he was tired but we still have an hour and a half to drive.
We called US Rider and they are sending someone but it’s been an hour and a half in 34⁰C weather. Nuke is doing ok. He took a couple good drinks and worked at his mash a bit. It’s ok for him because he was tired but we still have an hour and a half to drive.
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| Waiting for help! Might as well have dinner! |
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| Trying to be patient as help worked on the truck! |
We are all being thankful that this is a fixable problem. We were joking that it will be a good story later but right now we just wanted to be fixed and get out of here!
I’ve decided to keep this blog in segments instead of rewriting it all in past tense. It’s 10:15 and we are finally on the road. The guy that came to fix it was so slow! He took forever but it’s fixed and we are driving.
We arrived at the Midway Exhibition Center at 11:30 pm. Poor Snukey was in the trailer for 17 and a ½ hours. He barged out of the trailer when we got there and nicely took me for a walk. We would NOT recommend staying at this place. It was really old and run down and smelly and scary. Nuke was the only horse. We were promised that the lights would be on and some stalls bedded but the only bedded stalls were already used and in the dark. Mom salvaged some shaving from some dark corner and luckily the floors were dirt.
The trailer was parked right beside the barn so we could watch him all night. It was one of those abandoned looking places where I could easily see Nuke getting taken. And of course I pictured that happening multiple times throughout the night!
The trailer was parked right beside the barn so we could watch him all night. It was one of those abandoned looking places where I could easily see Nuke getting taken. And of course I pictured that happening multiple times throughout the night!
We headed to bed at about 12:30pm, with the temperature still in the high 20’s.
Day 4
The plan had been to give Nuke lots of time to relax in the stall because of the long day before.
That plan went out of the window as soon as we saw the expo center.
So we woke up at 5am and left before 6. Nuke had a good night (thank goodness!) Although it was short he drank a lot, ate a lot and seemed to have slept a lot. He’s finally relaxed in the trailer. It only took four days! He eats his hay and constantly dunks in water. He even stuck his head out when the window was open! That’s a first!
That plan went out of the window as soon as we saw the expo center.
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| Happy Snukey! |
We arrived that the horse park at 3:30 after about 8 hours driving. We are the second rig to arrive. There are two Mexican brothers who jump in another barn. So when we got there it was very disorganized but we found the stall and settled Nuke in.
He had a fantastic day today and got off the trailer looking great. Again he took me for a walk. He got a bath and a graze. He settled in his stall with lots of shavings and two big fans.
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| Huge Relief!! We made it!!!! :D |
He had a fantastic day today and got off the trailer looking great. Again he took me for a walk. He got a bath and a graze. He settled in his stall with lots of shavings and two big fans.
The park is FULL of Pony Clubbers so just driving anywhere is a challenge. They don’t seem to move!
The park is absolutely gorgeous. All the white fences are newly painted.
The park is absolutely gorgeous. All the white fences are newly painted.
The trailer is parked in a fabulous spot of the camp ground. There’s a pool, showers and lots of shade.
We are off to eat dinner,
I’ll try to update as much as I can,
Monika and Team Nuke
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Drive Day One!
Dinner Time
After 13 and a 1/2 hours of driving we have made it to the Idaho horse park. The border crossing was quick and easy. The guy was actually friendly!!! How weird is that?!?!?!
Nuke is all settled into a stall. He doesn't seem very tired and is constantly looking for sugar. He traveled the whole day backwards. He seemed comfortable.
Sitting in the car didn't feel too bad. I read a whole book and relaxed. Jan drove to the border and Mom the rest. Once we arrived at the horse park Monica Houwelling dad parked
the trailer for us into a tiny camping spot. There is a rodeo going on so there's music blasting and quarter horses everywhere. Luckily Nuke and Stentano are in a quite barn. We are
all hoping the blaring music will stop soon so we can sleep.
Tomorrow isn't as long. We are spending the night in Cheyanne, Wyoming. Probably about 11 hours. It wasn't to hot today so we are hoping for the same tomorrow.
Bed time,
Team Nuke
Friday, 15 July 2011
Twas The Night Before Our Departure To Kentucky!!!
So tomorrow we leave! It's been crazy busy around here packing, riding, gardening, and me working. Most of our huge lists have been packed and the trailer is spening the night at Jan's. The plan is to be pulling out by 5am to be at the border early. Hopefully nothing goes wrong at the border as we have someone else's horse and a different persons truck and trailer! Tomorrow is our longest day being about 13 hours without stops.
Our rig with mom,Jan and I. Thanks to Faye Friend for lending it to us.
Where Snukey will spend his time (With the tack box jammed and secure in the corner!)
Mom has been busy for the past few days cleaning the truck and trailer. Everything is sparkly clean. We added an awning to the trailer so we can sit outside ran or shine. The dividers have been removed as well so Nuke has 3 stalls all to himself. He is going to have soaked hay, soaked alfalfa cubes, and hay available to him at all times. Our route includes a lot of warm weather so we are doing everything to keep fluids in him. Poor Nuke has no idea what's coming!
At this very moment Jan and Linda are re planning our route as many roads are closed due to flooding. It's funny because Jan has been checking the weather at our stops and it's averaged 90+ F so I'm not sure how it can flood when it's that hot. But it is! Hopefully it will all be worked out this evening.
My aunty and cousin and of course my dad are holding down the fort while we are away. Thanks so much guys. (Stephanie be nice to Charlie!)
It's going to be an early morning tomorrow! Mom and I have to leave here by four. Our destination for tomorrowis Boise, Idaho and spending the night.
Hoping for a safe trip,
Monika and Team Nuke
PS Thanks Lindsay for the title! I know I stole it but when I read it last year I was like "I'm going to use that if I ever go to Kentucky!" So i am :D
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Mom has been busy for the past few days cleaning the truck and trailer. Everything is sparkly clean. We added an awning to the trailer so we can sit outside ran or shine. The dividers have been removed as well so Nuke has 3 stalls all to himself. He is going to have soaked hay, soaked alfalfa cubes, and hay available to him at all times. Our route includes a lot of warm weather so we are doing everything to keep fluids in him. Poor Nuke has no idea what's coming!
At this very moment Jan and Linda are re planning our route as many roads are closed due to flooding. It's funny because Jan has been checking the weather at our stops and it's averaged 90+ F so I'm not sure how it can flood when it's that hot. But it is! Hopefully it will all be worked out this evening.
My aunty and cousin and of course my dad are holding down the fort while we are away. Thanks so much guys. (Stephanie be nice to Charlie!)
It's going to be an early morning tomorrow! Mom and I have to leave here by four. Our destination for tomorrowis Boise, Idaho and spending the night.
Hoping for a safe trip,
Monika and Team Nuke
PS Thanks Lindsay for the title! I know I stole it but when I read it last year I was like "I'm going to use that if I ever go to Kentucky!" So i am :D
Saturday, 9 July 2011
Packing and Planning and Packing and Planning
Hello Everyone,
Thanks so much for reading my blog. I've never written a blog before so please bare with me! The plan is to keep everybody updated as our caravan of stuff and people go to Kentucky in one week. We are going to the North American Junior Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) in Lexington Kentucky. I'm riding a horse that I have been leasing since October, Nucari or Nuke or Snukey (depending on who you talk to! :D)A huge thank you to Christa Massing-Winkel for letting me ride Nuke and take him on this adventure.
Nuke sucking on sugar!
I spent the winter training and the spring competing. For those of you who don't know you must qualify to go to NAJYRC. I needed four scores above 62% from a panel of two or more judges (must include a SR and an FEI.) If you are not a horse person 62% does not seem very high but getting high scores in dressage is very difficult. For example getting a 70 is hard, an 80 almost impossible, 100 unheard of. Dressage is a judged sport with lots of politics, very similar to figure skating.
Nuke, Jan and I at Kelowna this spring
The team's for Canada were announced Wednesday. I have the highest junior scores in Canada!!!!! My team or Canada West consists of Monica Houwelling from Vancouver, Meagan Overwater and Dalyce Gagnon from Alberta. We will be competing against two other teams from Canada, a whole bunch of teams from the US and hopefully Mexico.We all have high hopes and are dreaming of returning with medals around our necks!
A trip like this does not come together without a ton of work! Thank you so much to my parents. Dad for funding everything and mom for support, awesome planning skills and a million other things. Thank you to Jan Jollymour my coach for teaching me to ride and not letting me be too hard on myself. Thank you to Faye Friend for lending us you beautiful truck and trailer. We would not be going without it! Thank you to Beth Regehr and all other sponsors who I will list soon.
Mom drove to Alberta Thursday to pick up the trailer. It is getting some repairs at the moment but will be back soon to be stuffed to the roof with everything. I think we are going to have a lot of fun trying to fit everything in! We leave next Saturday and are meeting the Houwelling gang somewhere along our first day. It will take us four days to drive. About three 12 hour days and one 7 hour. We are stopping at bed and bales each night to give the horses and drivers a break.
Bath time!
We had a set back on Wednesday as Jan's husband Glen was hit by a car while biking. He is in critical condition with many serious injuries. We are all hoping for a speedy recovery and no permanent damage. Hopefully Jan will be able to drive with us. Otherwise she will fly down later.
Well now everyone has the link to my blog. I'll write one more before we leave. I'm not sure how much internet access we will have along the way but I'll keep updating as much as possible. Thanks so much for reading and wish me luck!!!
Monika
Thanks so much for reading my blog. I've never written a blog before so please bare with me! The plan is to keep everybody updated as our caravan of stuff and people go to Kentucky in one week. We are going to the North American Junior Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) in Lexington Kentucky. I'm riding a horse that I have been leasing since October, Nucari or Nuke or Snukey (depending on who you talk to! :D)A huge thank you to Christa Massing-Winkel for letting me ride Nuke and take him on this adventure.
I spent the winter training and the spring competing. For those of you who don't know you must qualify to go to NAJYRC. I needed four scores above 62% from a panel of two or more judges (must include a SR and an FEI.) If you are not a horse person 62% does not seem very high but getting high scores in dressage is very difficult. For example getting a 70 is hard, an 80 almost impossible, 100 unheard of. Dressage is a judged sport with lots of politics, very similar to figure skating.
Nuke, Jan and I at Kelowna this spring
The team's for Canada were announced Wednesday. I have the highest junior scores in Canada!!!!! My team or Canada West consists of Monica Houwelling from Vancouver, Meagan Overwater and Dalyce Gagnon from Alberta. We will be competing against two other teams from Canada, a whole bunch of teams from the US and hopefully Mexico.We all have high hopes and are dreaming of returning with medals around our necks!
A trip like this does not come together without a ton of work! Thank you so much to my parents. Dad for funding everything and mom for support, awesome planning skills and a million other things. Thank you to Jan Jollymour my coach for teaching me to ride and not letting me be too hard on myself. Thank you to Faye Friend for lending us you beautiful truck and trailer. We would not be going without it! Thank you to Beth Regehr and all other sponsors who I will list soon.
Mom drove to Alberta Thursday to pick up the trailer. It is getting some repairs at the moment but will be back soon to be stuffed to the roof with everything. I think we are going to have a lot of fun trying to fit everything in! We leave next Saturday and are meeting the Houwelling gang somewhere along our first day. It will take us four days to drive. About three 12 hour days and one 7 hour. We are stopping at bed and bales each night to give the horses and drivers a break.
We had a set back on Wednesday as Jan's husband Glen was hit by a car while biking. He is in critical condition with many serious injuries. We are all hoping for a speedy recovery and no permanent damage. Hopefully Jan will be able to drive with us. Otherwise she will fly down later.
Well now everyone has the link to my blog. I'll write one more before we leave. I'm not sure how much internet access we will have along the way but I'll keep updating as much as possible. Thanks so much for reading and wish me luck!!!
Monika
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