Taz Kids Finish 1st and 3rd at Texas Event Derby

At the 2009 Texas Event Derby, going into stadium/xc Harry Houdini and 1/2 sister Zigana (mom is No Small Miracle - a TB/Shire) were 1st and 2nd. This was a long, galloping course - which suited Harry's stride and he looked as if he were on cruise control (or a leisurely Sunday gallop) the entire way, adding no time or penalty points to win his 2nd HT in a row. This time on his dressage score of 32.5.

Ziggy won the "Most Improved Award" going head-to-head with the boys and was so much more forward xc she looked like a different horse than the one pleasantly cantering around QRF two weeks ago. This time the Zigster was a fierce Amazon!. Kudos to owner/rider Marta Marks (who's son Rylan demonstrated his new skill - walking - post-HT). who was also on her game bringing her 4yo mare home on the same xc time as Harry the eventual 2nd place winner, a darling TB gelding. An unlucky rail dropped her to 3rd, but suspect we'll see her wearing blue quite soon!

MANNY - FREQUENT FLYER?

Sara sent photos of her schooling Manny over fences & portable ditch. The best jumper to come out of TwinGates breeding program so far. . . maybe better than dad!

She did the same jump schooling a couple of days later, and the jump got even better. Perhaps his future direction should go in the direction of jumping vs. eventing!

Eventing Definitions - or Kristen & the Water Horse, Part II

I often hop on Kaboom bareback for his rehab walks. Bareback keeps me from getting over zealous and wanting to work him too hard. This past Wed we received another 2 inches of rain so I thought I would take Booms out for a romp in the water bareback style. Upon finishing the sun had already begun to set and I really wanted to ride Scary too. Now was as good a time as any for the little guy’s 1st ride bareback. Many horses object to their first go without a saddle. Something about concentrated pressure and a little too much ‘feel’ on their back. Saddles disperse rider weight and pressure. Without a saddle the rider sits directly on the horse’s spine. I was hoping Scary would not object to my weight by running off into the darkness with me that night.
Bareback riding and Scary the Water Horse:
I approached Scary’s first bareback ride with the utmost caution.
1. Fetch Scary with flashlight (it was dark outside)
2. Put on bridle
3. Jump off my truck onto 4 year old whilst on gravel driveway
4. Aim for the largest puddle
5. Hang on and giggle uncontrollably
Due to recent rainfall, our property is literally under water. So Scary and I cruised around in the darkness, dodging trees and passaging through the water. The little man was past due for a fun trail ride and I think he had a fantastic time. He became slightly concerned when we barreled through the deepest water and I leaned forward, grabbed mane, and curled up my feet like a jockey to avoid getting my feet splashed wet. This was the exact opposite of a learned defensive XC position but luckily Scary was concerned enough with where he was going and how deep the water was to concentrate too hard on my position.
Unfortunately our fall show season has been rained out. Though, as you have read we keep life interesting for little Scary. Though we do allow Scary to have 4 year old fun, he has definitely shown us that he is one tough competitor. He has now been XC schooling several times and has proven to be a small but fierce XC machine. He has schooled true show jumping fences only a handful of times and it is apparent that he has incredible scope. Hopefully sooner than later, Scary can leave the role of water horse and take a lead role in a victory gallop.
My name is Kristen Wertz (intense Eventer), and I ride Harry Houdini (small but fierce) XC machine.

Definitions for Eventing - or - Kristen & the Water Horse, Part I

Definitions for the three phases of Eventing:
Dressage : To test the balance, rhythm and suppleness and obedience of the horse.
SJ: Show jumping tests the technical jumping skills of the horse and rider, including suppleness, obedience, fitness and athleticism.
XC: requires both horse and rider to be in excellent physical shape and to be brave and trusting of each other.
XC translation:
Riders must be able to stay on a 1200lb torpedo with possible clutch issues (spooky horse) and the horse must be crazy enough to trust the psycho jockey on his back.
Eventers, both equine and human, are not made, they are born. We are born with an insane drive to test our physical and mental state and we thrive on adrenaline. It’s true.
I just recently went to the doctor and the nurse was concerned over my high-ish blood pressure reading. “I’m intense, I stated.” She looked to my records and found that my blood pressure is always slightly high. “Oh, yep, that is normal for you.” “See, I told you, I’m intense. “
‘Eventer’ is a state of mind. It comes from deep within the soul. Though I love dressage and tolerate show jumping, I am an Eventer in mind, body, and soul.
For instance, starting with my teen years because I started riding as a teenager, “wanna race?” was a frequent question I asked my friends. Fast was the only way to have fun.
I remember taking an hour to set a SJ course for my lesson only to fall off after the first fence (refer to blog #2 -- bucking trakehner mare) and though I was injured and had zero use of my right arm, I insisted that I finish my lesson and jump all the fences at least once. After all, in theory you should be able to jump one handed. My coach finally pealed me off the mare and forced me back to the barn.
What should have been a 1.5 hour hack through the woods in NJ, my friends and I were able to accomplish in 45 minutes, easily.
I seem to remember jumping a coop after midnight with one of my good friends. We held hands and laughed hysterically in the air as our ponies soared over side by side. We were in a field, not a lit arena.
When orthopedics failed to schedule a timely MRI the show must go on! Though, due to my recent leg injury (waiting on MRI) my ‘show’ resulted in a bad fall and concussion.
The list goes on and on.
2009 has been a calm year because I’ve been a horseless rider. Though now with Harry Houdini I have a new event horse to break in. And breaking in he has and shall continue to receive!
Scary’s lessons thus far: ‘golf cart ponying’, ‘follow the leader (mule and Tommy)--Round Robin’, ‘jump off the berm into the edge of overflowing stock tank’, ‘chase the donkey’, ‘dodge the trees (which could have been more successful Tuesday night)’, and his latest lessons: ‘bareback riding and water horse’.
We crossed a mile stone on Tues by hitting out first tree together. Well, it was dark and I live on a tree farm. Riding in the trees requires accuracy, which I do not have when I cannot see where I am going. Kaboom and I hit trees often—in the daylight, though we blame his lack of steering on the fact that he runs and jumps with his eyes closed.

Kicking It Up a Notch @ Quail Run Farm

Part II of Kristen's 2nd blog installment

2009: Harry is not the first of his breed to take over my world. Sigal, also a Trakehner, was my first horse. She was old school Prussian material by a stallion called Sobek. She was small, bright red and had a major attitude. Her best attribute? Well, she was an outstanding bucker. Criteria for future horses? No mare, no chestnut, and NO TRAKEHNER!
So, of course when I went shopping for a youngster in 2004 my criteria aside from the above list was: no big and no grey. So what did I end up with? A very large, grey TB. And now, here I am with my 3rd horse who is in fact a classically bred but modern Trakehner. Since I seem to wind up with exactly what’s on my “don’t get” list, in the future I’ll be sure to include: no good movers, no good conformation, no good attitudes, and no beautiful, thick flowing tails.
Harry has been with me for a little over a month now. If all Trakehners were like Harry the breed would be one of the most popular in the country. He has a quiet confident attitude and is quite intelligent. We have never had the same lesson twice - he learns the first time and retains information better than any horse I’ve ridden. He does many things that I would not expect of a 4 year old such as: stands still under saddle without getting antsy –pantsy while I lean off to one side to open and close the arena gate. Once gate’s open, he half-passes through and allows me to close it without ever taking a hand off the top rail. He has virtually no spook in him, and he does everything I ask the first time.
He quickly took over leadership of the pasture and at feeding time is the first through the gate, by rank of course. I have never seen him use physical force with the other horses but we can tell that they obey his commands without question. (This is why he has adopted the nick name, Scary) He just has an outstanding presence about him that shows in all aspects of his life. The only quirk he has under saddle is that he is bothered when his forelock and mane tickle his ears. He’s a high maintenance boy and requires a few braids when working.
I have now jumped him a handful of times; starting over Xs, once or twice over verticals-including a few related lines-and last weekend we took him to school XC. I like to keep it simple and fun the first few times out by not asking technical questions that may cause him concern. We had a small group of three and Harry set off early on as the path finder. He was brilliant and tackled every question with ease. We worked him in the water, up and down the banks and then I fooled with a few BN/N gallopy fences. Kim and I were very excited with his progress and are hoping to get him out to some Area V recognized novice level horse trials this season. 1st on the list though are a few local schooling shows and clinics. Stay tuned…
Kristen and Scary

Kristen Recalls her 1st Trakehner . . .

Once I stopped laughing and wiped my eyes, I finally entered Kristen’s 2nd blog installment, featuring a look back her first Trakehner. . .

2001: I once again find myself holding up traffic in the dressage arena with sand in my eyes, sand in my mouth, and sand in my boots. The barn owner comes over to me, as I lay looking up at the indoor lights, and with his fierce punchy accent he mouths off something in German. “What does that mean?” I ask. “Save us from the storm, save us from the rain, and save us from the horses of Trakehnen”. He then puts his hands up over his head mimicking antlers and says in a Bullwinkle voice, “stupid Trakehner.”

Harry's 1st XC Schooling

Kristen took Harry to Greenwood Farms today for his first hack xc. The last time I was at Greenwood, was when Taz was competing (Harry wasn't even a gleam in his eye!). There's something very satisfying about watching his 4yo literally cantering in dad's hoofprints!

Xena at VADANOVA

Manny and Harry's little (1/2) sister Sayyida (barn name: Xena) is off to Bruce Griffin Sporthorses http://www.griffinsporthorses.com/ to be started under saddle and prepared for her mare inspection this November in Murfreesboro, TN at the ATA Annual Meeting and Convention. Bruce says she is a joy to work with; willing, smart and very eager to please. At the end of her 2nd week, we decided to send her to VADANOVA (Virginia Dressage and Northern Virginia Sport Horse breed show). Though wide-eyed and tense, she nevertheless scored a more-than-respectable 71.9 and took the high-point Trakehner ribbon.

June 27th - Inavale had both highs and lows for Manny. Several jumps just 'looked funny' to him, so he had to take a good look (one he even had to walk up and put his nose on) before jumping them. He went thru the water - even thought it might be fun to stop and splash around in it - which Sara was thrilled about b/c the complex was structured much like the dreaded Aspen Farms water. While he jumped everything, because of the stopping and examining they ran out of allowed stops and were eliminated.

Sara has decided to slow him down a bit and let him get some more seasoning before doing another HT. He will jump anything, but is taking a bit longer to understand the questions asked. So the rest of the summer, Manny will school multiple courses, attend some event derbies and accompany Sara to clinics she's teaching. She thinks he will be fine once he has a better understanding of xc courses and jumps. The pair head to a 2wk clinic leading up to the Event at Rebecca Farm, where Manny should get a super opportunity to gain some valuable experience.

Harry & the Fortnight Farm Horses Trip

Sunday, June 28th
Kristen discovered Harry had never been taught to back out of a trailer (TwinGates Farm trailer is large enough, they turned around and exited head-first) when she first got him home. Typical Harry, he puzzled it out and backed out for her. So, when she loaded everyone on the trailer to go to the farrier's, she was so happy with Harry's behavior, sent the following text:

Scary (Harry's nickname earned a yearling when he'd sneak up on our 30+ yr old Paso Fino 'baby sitter' Shorty, who had poor eyesight and hearing - Harry's 'sneak attacks scared him to death) got his new tootsies today. He self-loaded in the last slot for me and backs out thoughtfully. He's a doll!

June 2009: Harry's first entry!!

Kristen writes: Harry’s trip to Fortnight Ranch was a short, sweet 45 minute haul down I-35W. Harry arrived home with my parents and I late in the day on Thursday therefore I set him up in the barn with Boomer for the night. We have 4 equine beings on Fortnight Ranch (mini donkey: Bob, mule: Coppertop, and two horses: Kaboom and Toby) and Harry would be living out in our back 8 acres with Copper and Toby. I took Friday off of work in order to keep an eye on Harry as he settled into his new surroundings and to introduce him to his pasture buddies.

Introductions with Harry and the other horses were easy and non stressful. He is a very social guy and though he enjoyed the company of his new friends, I think he must have felt sad for Boomer (my horse who is kept up in the barn due to injury) because he stood in eye distance of Booms for several hours before joining the others to munch grass. After all, Boomer was Harry’s first bud on the new farm and they most likely stayed up all night long swapping life stories.

The first characteristic I noticed about Harry’s personality aside from his wonderful work ethic is that the boy loves to eat. When we call the horses up for dinner Harry is first to arrive at his bucket—and though he is overwhelmed with excitement he still stands patiently to be haltered and lead to his station. When dealing with multiple horses at feeding time patients and manners are a virtue, and Harry has both.

Finally Sunday morning I was able to ride Harry for the first time at our farm. I knew Harry was more than ready for his job so I tossed some trot poles down on the ground for his schooling.  He was foot perfect and effortlessly completed every task I asked of him. After his school in the arena I took him out on a hack. We walked up and across the berm that surrounds our pond, through the treed section of our property, around the main farm house, work shed, and some scary farm equipment, and back to the barn.  He did all of this whilst maintaining compete composure. The neighbors large German Shepards even ran to the fence barking and Harry did not spook, flinch or hurry. Very impressive behavior for a four year old in new surroundings. 

Though I am sad to have lost the use of my preliminary level horse, Kaboom, I’m so thankful to have found Kim and Harry.  Training and competing Harry will defiantly fill the void that has existed in my heart for the past 12 months. He fits in so perfectly at our farm and is an asset to my program. I would also like to thank Marta Marks and Rachel Birkes (they know why *wink*), and my parents, Tommy and Cheryl Weekes for their ongoing support.  

May 2009, Manny at Aspen Farms Horse Trials

Well, this is my second try at the blog today.  My original is lost in cyberspace or is trapped somewhere in my laptop!

We just returned home from Aspen Farms Horse Trials.  This was our first time at this event and the venue is just 3 years old.  The courses are very well done with lots of the jumps being portables.  Aspen Farm is located just south of Olympia Washingtopn and we were expecting to have rainy weather.  We had wonderful sunny weather for dressage day and overcast for cross country day.  It doesn't get much better than that!

I don't think that Manny had ever seen so many trees and of course he was sure that a mountain lion would jump out at any time.  His dessage ring was just through the trees form where show jumping was being set up.  The tensness of his test sort of set the tone for the weekend.  He just could not seem to relax.  He started out on xc a bit tentative but then he really got "on course" and was jumping better than ever.  I was so happy with how he was handling the trees and all the people watching and then, near the end of the course,  we came to the brightly died water.  He just couldn't get over the look of it and our day ended there.  I was a bit surprsed as he had jumped the rest of the course like a pro.  Oh well. He was a bit hard to steer around the trees in the show jumping, but all in all, it went quite well.

I think that manny learned a lot at Aspen Farm.  I schooled him today and was just sooo good.  I think we are ready for the next event!

Manny was fitted for a new County dressage saddle a couple of weeks ago.  I am really looking forward to it arriving!

April 2009, Manny at Twin Rivers International Horse Trials

Sara writes: Last week was the event at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles CA. This is a beautiful event with wonderful courses. My dad and I had 5 horses between us, so we were planning for a busy week.

Twin Rivers is a 2 day drive for us. We overnight in Bishop, CA at a lovely fairgrounds. The horses all traveled well and the trip was uneventful.

The wind was howling when we arrived at the Ranch and we saw riders out hacking and they were wearing goggles to protect their eyes from the blowing sand. I was prepared for a fast trip to Walmart if the wind didn't subside. The wind did stop and the tempurature climbed into the 90s for the rest of the week. The horses didn't seem to notice the weather change and we all had some good schools before the show started.

Manny is very new to eventing and really even to being outside of an arena. I was looking forward to seeing how he would handle the atmosphere of a big event. I would say, for a newby, that he handled the dressage warmup well, almost too well, as one of the judge's remarks was "a little lazy at times". Overall the test was even and steady and focused. I was very pleased that he was so professional.

Show jumping was next for us. He got scared once in warm up when another horse nearly ran into us. I just jumped a couple of fences and then walked around until our turn. I made sure than Manny got a quick tour of the course after the bell, but before we crossed the start line. There were a few themed jumps that he had never seen before and I wanted him to take a look before he had to actually jump over them. He did pull one rail, but for the most part he held a good steady rhythm and was confident around the course.

Cross country was going to be the biggest test. He did not like the little kids bombing around warm on their little ponies. That really on edge. He started on course not really "on course" in his brain. It took a bit of encouragement on my part get him going. He learned as we went and got into a flow, until we got to the water, when he went into neutral and stood staring at his reflection in the water. I finally back him into the water and then he just stood there. He finally got going again and finished the course. He had a very good school and when all was said and done I think he felt like he had done something special.

We are home now for about a month. I have several schooling opportunities planned for him and an unrec. event derby. He will be a much more experience horse when he leaves the start box at our next event.

March 15th 2009: Manny and the Monster Ditch

Sara writes: Manny arrived in Idaho after several days on the shipper's van. He was a great traveller and ate and drank well. 

The next day he was perky and looking for something to do. He brought along some of his usual hay from Texas, but we would have to change him over to our local alfalfa hay. I thought that we could add a bit of alfalfa to his grass hay each day and make the change over a week or 10 days. Well, that didn't work. Once he tried out the alfalfa hay he just used the grass as a pillow. 

He was due for a re-shoe and since we had the farrier at our farm the next day, I asked him to take a look at Manny's feet. He said, "we need to get some rads of these feet". We like to get radiographs of all the horses feet sooner or later anyway, so we arranged for that to happen asap. The vet and farrier consulted and Manny got new shoes and reshaped feet. He had too much heel on one front and not enough on the other. He will have a wedge pad for a few weeks and then another reset will hopefully do the trick.

We needed to give him some time to adjust to the new angles of his front feet, so he was just hacking for the first week. This did give him some time to get to know the lay of the land, ie: which hiding places go with which cat and where the dogs sleep. He also got a close up look at the Canada Geese that roost on the hay barn.

We are finally off and running with his training. He must have been absent when the dressage teacher taught "whoa" because he doesn't have that skill set. It's getting better day by day.

Last week he was a demo horse for a USEA Instuctor certification workshop. He got to do some show jumping and some cross country jumping. He was introduced to his first ditch and after giving it a good looking over he gave it a huge jump. 

It seems like we are off to a good start and I want Manny to have a good experience with me, so we take our time and build his skill and confidence. I am looking forward to taking him on the road with my other two horses!

Welcome to our new blog site

Our two youngsters Herzmond (aka Manny) and Harry Houdini (aka Harry) are 5 and 4 years old in 2009  and are heading into their first competition season in eventing. Manny has some show experience from dressage, but has now teamed up with **** rider Sara Mittleider - a combination we are very excited about. Now based in Idaho, Manny and Sara are traveling throughout the NorthWest for their show season. And Harry is now leased to Area V Preliminary Eventer Kristen Wertz, who is introducing him to water, logs and ditches now.

Both riders have agreed to participate in our blog with monthly updates and we have plenty of wonderful photos we will share here. Additionally, other offspring sired by our Grand Prix Show Jumper Tzigane *Pb* are now beginning their show careers and it is here that you will be able to read about them! Enjoy!!