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.