Thunder & The Broncos

You gotta love America- the craziness of events is pretty fun and the latest madness is all around The Denver Broncos.

They have won their way through to The 2016 Superbowl which is in just two weeks- of course any excuse for a party is good for me!

Now, Denver is all about the horses from Bluecifer at the Airport to Thunder... the Broncos own galloping Mascot. This is no man in a suit mascot, this is a living, breathing Arab that goons across the pitch each time the Broncos score! Proof in Thunder (ii) that not all Arabs are spooky idiots!

I love this video of Thunder in action- not only does she ride him nicely but when the reporter gets on board he's in a snaffle bridle pottering happily around on a long rein- nice to see such a happy horse with such an important job!

Posted by Ann Judge on Monday, November 12, 2012

What a lesson!

Today was my second lesson with Sara. Best lesson ever!

We had the use of a lovely Chestnut Hannoverian mare called Daisy. She started off feeling very stuffy, trying to get her forward off my leg was really hard work and she spent the first ten minutes shying at the jump wigs, falling in, falling out and trying to stop at Sara, the gate and anywhere else. We decided that she was just testing me and after a walk break Sara said not to be scared to take a stronger contact for now and really push her into my hands. Off we went again but with real purpose this time and in seconds the mare transformed. She went into dressage superstar mode and the power and forwardness from her was incredible. She was so much fun! I need to work on sitting her canter as she is so uphill, powerful and bouncy I found it hard so we worked in sitting trot to help improve my seat. During the canter I really tried to engage my core and sit deep, I obviously must have shifted my weight slightly as she gave me a huge (and clean) flying change. We stayed on that rein then went back across the diagnonal and asked for a second change which was so big she nearly launched me out of the saddle... At which point I got a fit of giggles and stopped riding completely :) we continued on with working with developing my feel and starting to feel what may happen, I knew on one long side she would fall in on the top corner so I needed more inside leg, then she'd fall out to the gate so outside leg and so on. She knows her dressage so it was up to me to keep my contact and she was happy to show me up as soon as I dropped the outside rein :) the more she worked the more she motored and it was so amazing to feel that much power. We found her extended trot and I think she has even more under the hood still.

It was a mega fun lesson and amazing for me to ride a horse like that. She's a pretty girl too with a fantastic temperament although typically Mareish in lots of ways and I think would just as happily hack around a farm as she would step up ten gears during dressage.

I loved my lesson on the ginger Ferrari, Sara got to watch her for the first time today as she has only ridden her, not seen her under saddle and she thinks the Mare could work FEI level with some more training. She's for sale at the moment for the mere price of 20k If only I could win the lottery ;)

Daisy

Bad Angle but pretty girl

Orange Friday

Today has officially been named 'Orange Friday' in support of the Denver Broncos AFL bid for the Superbowl. They have their important championship game on Sunday at Mile High Stadium and we will all be cheering them on.

The US is pretty amazing at getting behind their football teams and they definitely put the UK to shame is support. You can't go out without seeing the Broncos orange shirts everywhere. Today Ethans school are having a dress down Broncos day in support of their team, and Denver has a lunchtime parade downtown where I am sure there will be orange shirts and cheering everywhere.

I am hoping the kids behave as there was much excitement when I dropped off Ethan this morning and he and his buddies were all ribbing each other about their teams and shirts (a few kids support other football teams).

Go Broncos! http://kdvr.com/2016/01/22/broncos-fans-gear-up-for-game-with-big-orange-friday/

Perfect Winters Morning Hike

This morning I took Boo and Detour for a hike over in Morrison. Backpack full with water, warm clothing, camera and my can of 'Bear Spray' off we went.

It was very cold but sunny to start and the first part hike was a long steady climb for over 1.7 miles. It took me forever to get through the first section. I had to keep stopping to take photos, put gloves on, gloves off, scarf off, Boos coat off and so forth. It was also hard work today, my backpack weighs a ton and my snow boots are heavy add to that the altitude and cold air, and  it was tough to get enough oxygen in, even the dogs were puffing.

It was my first proper hike alone and the peace was wonderful, I saw a lot of Whitetail deer on this hike. I got a few shots of them early on in the hike, but they were quite a distance away. Nearing the end of the hike I got distracted by a photo that didn't work out because of a shadow, I only realized at the last second that I had missed a whole group of deer less than a few meters away from me, I was very disappointed to miss the shot and wouldn't have noticed them if Detour hadn't started eye stalking them. Luckily neither of my boys chased them even though they were so close.

We were all tired by the end of the hike, it was a long and unrelenting climb and we took nearly two hours to do just over three miles but we headed home happy and hungry. I may burn calories hiking here, but I am so starving afterwards that I think I consume thrice what I burned.

The clouds clearing...

Denver City in the morning haze

My Gorgeous Boys

No Colour enhancing needed in Colorado!

Cottontails

Gorgeous D

The Park Trails

New Gadgets and Gizmos

Denver is looking decidedly wintery at the moment. The snow comes down with regularity, albeit quite lightly sometimes. My friend Julia recommended some great gadgets for my shoes, 'Yaktrax'! Snowboot grips just don't stop you slipping and sliding and after ending up on my arse a few times I invested in a pair. They are little coils on the bottom and the rubber section pulls over your shoe and is secured on the top with a velcro strap, they really do help and give a good grip on the slippery snow and ice. They have saved me a lot of times.

Yaktrax and the grip marks

Bottom of Yaktrax

Denver at the moment sometimes looks stunning with white frosting everywhere and brings out some different fauna than the summer and fall. The flora however is decidedly bleh at this time if year, the grass becomes dormant under the snow so when the white stuff melts, Denver just looks kind of yellow and brown. The lawn doesn't grow which is great for us but I can imagine that people who keep horses and cattle struggle here in the winter as dormant grass is very low nutritionally so they would need to be supplemented with lots of hay or feed.

Yellow Garden

Kestrel? outside our house

It's still stunning here though and every now and again the stunning landscape just hits you. We took Ethan to an indoor swimming park last weekend, we parked up at the leisure (recreation centre) and as we pulled to a stop I suddenly realized what a view it was, right from our parking space. Not a viewing spot, not a gorgeous hike but a regular old parking spot. You can't help but be in awe of the views in Colorado, it really is beautiful.

“A crystal clear Colorado sky opens above us, a blue so deep it makes you dizzy. The occasional bright white wispy cloud dances across the firmament, punctuating the deep blue vault of heaven stretching over this paradise.” 
― Neil Hanson, Pilgrim Wheels: Reflections of a Cyclist Crossing America

Parking with a view!

The American Way

Today is a holiday in the USA. It is Martin Luther King Jr day and the whole country remembers back to a darker time in US history. Todays a day about hope and freedom, about fighting for a worthy cause and celebrating an amazing and brave man.

Today is also a highlight for me of the differences between the two countries and the holidays they celebrate.

One of the biggest differences between the US and the UK is the schools. Scholastically there are differences of course, but the biggest for me is in the way which the children act within the school and the way in which the adults interact with them. England is definitely more old fashioned, the children are expected to be reverent with adults and the school assemblies are fairly serious and quiet affairs.

Bi-weekly, Ethans school over here have a child run assembly. They call it AMPd. The older students plan the whole thing, they prepare videos and plan the acts. Alongside this, they present the morning assembly. The younger years take turns to perform during the assemblies and this week was Ethans Grade 2 performance. They chose a word that best describes them and helps them understand why they are good at what they do. I recorded parts of AMPd to give you an idea as to what it is, and how different it is from the British Private schools especially. Enjoy it and let me know what differences you notice.

The FIRST VIDEO is a mix of pre-show, information about extra curricular clubs, the national anthem (which with the pledge of allegiance is done at each assembly) and American sign language to music.

Ethans Grades performance is in the SECOND VIDEO, see if you can spot him and what word he chose to best represent himself.

Bargain or Soul Selling...

Apologies in advance, this post may smack slightly of snobbery, but honestly, I am not well raised or rich enough to be so. Please take this as it is meant to be read, as a tongue in cheek, slightly sardonic blog update.

Thrift Stores are to the US, are what Charity Shops are to the UK. They both sell secondhand goods but they are oh so very different!

I am all for a bargain, I was always happy popping into the local UK charity shop for a bargain, a few books, blankets for the dogs and the odd, other quirky bargain. Out here we have the thrift store, and it simply isn't the same...

Charity shops are generally tiny, cute stores run by little old ladies, frequented by little old ladies and smell of mothballs and murray mints.

Thrift stores are soul sucking, depressing superstores, packed full of dead peoples cr*p, frequented by the downtrodden, dope heads of Colorado.

Next time my darling husband suggests we pop into one on the way home, he can drop me at home and go have the exciting shopping experience all on his own, and can spend as long shopping (selling his soul) as he wants.

Stolen Post

So today's blog is a stolen post. It's really resonates with me and is an inspirational start to the New Year...

Keanu Reeves writes.. "My friend's mom has eaten healthy all her life. Never ever consumed alcohol or any "bad" food, exercised every day, very limber, very active, took all supplements suggested by her doctor, never went in the sun without sunscreen and when she did it was for as short a period as possible- so pretty much she protected her health with the utmost that anyone could. She is now 76 and has skin cancer, bone marrow cancer and extreme osteoporosis.

My friend's father eats bacon on top of bacon, butter on top of butter, fat on top of fat, never and I mean never exercised, was out in the sun burnt to a crisp every summer, he basically took the approach to live life to his fullest and not as others suggest. He is 81 and the doctors says his health is that of a young person.

People you cannot hide from your poison. It's out there and it will find you so in the words of my friend's still living mother: " if I would have known my life would end this way I would have lived it more to the fullest enjoying everything I was told not to!"

None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an after thought. Eat the delicious food. Walk in the sunshine. Jump in the ocean. Say the truth that you’re carrying in your heart like hidden treasure. Be silly. Be kind. Be weird. There’s no time for anything else."

Move on lady!

So on my short search for a riding instructor here, I was also in touch with a lady who owned two horses in Littleton. She had hurt her back and was looking for someone to have lessons on them while she is healing. I had already chatted with her befor I found Sara so had arranged to go and watch the instructor teach today and the meet her horses. I rushed over there after my dentist appointment today, I rocked up late and only managed to catch the last twenty minutes of the lesson but it's amazing how much a short time can tell you.

I love to teach, it's so exciting imparting information and knowledge to people and fun have a share in thier learning story. After spending years teaching, not just in agility but in a corporate setting I generally know a good teacher from a bad or average one.

A good teacher will find a way to help you understand what they explain. If the first explanation or approach doesn't work it's the teachers responsibility to understand why and to adapt. Our brains all work differently, we all learn in different ways and whether you are a visual, auditory, reading/writing or kinesthetic learner you will need different support.

I still cringe when I hear people being talked down to bawled out during lessons whether it's a child or adult all it creates is panic or a going into survival mode and very rarely creates any actual learning. It's no different to a dog or horse in that punishment can only suppress behaviours and not create new ones.

The instructor I watched today wasn't mean or shouty but she had that slightly superior attitude that makes me so mad. The women in the lesson were jumping a tricky small gymnastic excersise. One of the horses didn't have the balance through a turn to really be able to allow his rider to ride it effectively. The instructor kept getting the student to retry, telling them to look at the turn etc. this was all well and good but it was too much for the horse who was rushing through and getting more upset. Instead of really changing the excersise to something achievable the instructor stuck with it and the next time through the horse didn't make the turn and the rider fell off and hit the wall. She got back on and at her suggestion (the riders) they worked through the sequence in trot. Now while chatting at the end, the instructor mentioned that the horse likes straight lines and doesn't like to turn hence the excersise today. However it was simply too much for the pair and personally I think the horse could have done with some bend grids with a simple approach, low height to allow him to find his balance and not rush or worry.

The instructor doesn't show the ability to think outside the box, to change things and to think on their feet. It was just straight out the box, read the manual instructing. Now, the funny thing is that this lady in a Brit so I was keen to like her. She had years teaching pony club so I was all ready for that awesome knowledge. Sadly she seems a little stuck in her way of teaching. Ok, so possibly I have been a bit unfair and my expectations are too high. But I can be fussy here, I can choose and pick and sadly, she just doesn't quite have the skills I would like.

In contrast I can honestly say Sara is brilliant, she explains things in a great way and adapts in seconds what she would like to see. She works WITH you and the horse and wants both of you to improve and be happy. So, for now I will be sticking with the one instructor, here's to great teachers everywhere!

Dressage Lesson

On Monday I had my first Dressage lesson with Sara. I was a tad nervous before hand, not so much for the riding, but whether I would ride like an idiot.

When I arrived at the barn, we went to the paddocks to bring in my horse for the day, Lexi. Lex is a 16hh (ish) nine year old chestnut mare, she has done Hunter Jumpers a lot and has recently started doing more flatwork. Apparently Lex is quite opinionated, is the yards princess and thinks an awful lot of herself.

We really had a great lesson. I was pleased with how I rode and Lexi went well for me. She had one strop out moment when she didn't want to go forward into a contact which apparently is quite common for her, she had a small tantrum about it but nothing bad and she did accept it right after. I got some great comments on my position and choices during the lesson. The biggest thing was she was impressed with how forward I rode, especially when Lexi had her moment- I could hear a certain instructor in my head shouting 'Forward'! There is a LOT for me to work on but I had such a great lesson, Lexi is a good horse to learn on and I think we are going to have fun together.

Damn but my thighs ache today! Walkin' like a cowboy!

Rodeo Schmodeo

On Sunday we headed to Denvers National Stock show to have a look around and watch the Mexican Rodeo. With all fairness to the rodeo, for one reason or another we had a pretty rubbish stat to the morning, so weren't in the sunniests of moods when we arrived.

The stock show combined with the rodeo isn't cheap so we were expecting a good ole cowboy show to remember. The show is huge with hundreds of stands, various arenas and learning areas for kids.

We had a stroll around some pretty cool cowboy shops, selling everything from western tack to sofas, jacuzzis and 'wallet' belt buckles. We headed off to the rodeo buying some highly overpriced sodas and nachos before we went in. The rodeo kicked off and we watched a strange mixed bag of mexicandancing, bull riding, Broncos plus some gymnastic thing I'm the middle of the arena and a girl riding a white horse around it. Some parts of the show were wonderful and hilarious. Mutton Bustin' consists of taking a child, lifting them onto a sheepsin back, letting the sheep go and seeing how long before the child falls off. It was so funny and the crowd cheered loudly! The bull riding and Broncos were k, the animals didn't seem particularly distressed, the Broncos and bull came out- did their thing and many just popped themselves back in the stalls. There was an incident with the first bull ride and somehow the cowboy got injured, I'm not sure how but he seemed ok pretty fast, those boys are pretty tough! At the end of the show a young girl came out and sang, she was very good but we really didn't go there for a singer or dancing. The show was ok, but not a true rodeo so we were slightly disappointed- olympia show has such amazing acts that anything else is pretty rubbish really! We wished there was more rodeo and less show. 

This summer we will definitely head off to another one. Towards the end of the summer Colorado has their State Fair, I think we might have our friends Katie and Tom staying while it's on, so could be a really fun day for all of us! 

Anyway, I had my own riding experience today, I won't clog this post with the write up though so watch out for that one. 

Here's are some of the rodeo vids for you to enjoy :) The link takes you to my youtube channel and you can view vids from there. 

One for My Mum

So today I have mostly been thinking about my Mum. I know that saying goodbye to your child (& Grandchild) must be one of the hardest things ever.

Ethan is my life and my love and I can't imagine having to live so far away from him as Mum does from us for now. I know its really hard for her and that she misses us like tons, as we do her.

Life is tough without family around, you always feel like a small part of you is missing and although having the phone and Skype helps it's never quite the same.

So this ones for you Mum- sending you love and hugs from Colorado xxx

-----------------------

Mum I Love You

Mum, it's hard to find the words to say,
How much you mean to me,
But if it wasn't for your love and care,
I don't know where I'd be.

How did you do it all, mum,
Be a chauffeur, cook and friend,
Yet find time to be a playmate,
I just can't comprehend.

"Mother" is such a simple word,
But to me there's meaning seldom heard,
For everything I am today,
My mothers love showed me the way.

Nobody's equal to you, mum,
With you in my life, I'm blessed,
I love you so, and I want you to know,
I think you're the very best.

Words cannot say how I love you, mum,
And just how much I owe,
Please know that I'll always be there for you too,
In the high times and low.

What do you see?

An educated eye can change what you see. When I watch motor racing on golf I can't truly appreciate the skill that goes into it as I haven't really tried those sports to a level which allows an understanding of what they involve and the skill needed.

This also goes for horse riding. Anyone who hasn't ridden a horse to a level where they are trying to refine their riding or the horse doesn't really understand how hard dressage is or how much work goes into Eventing. Equally, its much harder for them to spot subtle distress in a horse or that grey area that some consider abuse under saddle.

The UK and the US have the subtle horse riding abuses all the time. I have been to events in the UK where a unfit horse is being galloped around a XC course, being kicked and kicked into a jump only to be gobbed in the mouth by a snaffle bit three strides out. In the US there are definitely more horses ridden in leverage bits. For anyone non horsey- leverage bits apply pressure to the tongue and lower jaw and can cause serious pain in novice or heavy hands. Im certainly not good enough to ride with anything other than a snaffle and even those can cause some pain in the wrong hands.

Western long shank leverage bit

Snaffle/ Direct Rein bit

What do you see?

So, I think I have chosen fairly obvious examples. I did try to find horses resisting snaffle bits like the long shank one above but funnily enough they are much harder to find...

Do you see the distress in the first horse? In a photon frozen in time its easier.

Out here in the US, equestrians are praise when they manage to 'control' their "crazy" barrel racing horses. I find it as distressing as watching any other heavy handed riders. People see someone staying on a galloping, excited horse and think that makes them good riders. It doesn't.

Here are a few videos for you to watch- what do you see?

Barrel Racing Vid 1 pretty ok huh? No reins, no harsh bit- no flailing legs, balanced rider and horse knows its job

How about this Barrel Racing trainer vid 2 ok that one was pretty easy and obvious right? Imagine being slammed in the mouth with a piece of metal leveraged so that it not only slams the side of your mouth but your soft tongue and yanks your jaw too.

Oh and I couldnt help it New Tack - surely, even my less experienced friends can see that the horse was going to rear up- it couldn't escape the pain in its mouth any way it tried so up was the only option.

Now last Barrel racing one- Spills so I didn't watch all of this but all the falls were caused by unbalanced riders and all the 'spazz outs' by harsh hands. I wonder how many people blamed those horses for being 'naughty' or 'crazy'...

Ok, thats it for now, rant over. However I am off to the National Stock Show this weekend so there may be more ranting and videos after that.

On the hunt

With the new year comes new plans. I enjoy helping at the rescue centre and will continue to do so. However, I need to get back to some real riding lessons, what with Carats R&R then the crazy move here I haven't had much time to work on my own riding. I had a few lessons in the UK last year which I really enjoyed and now it's time to pull my finger out and get back in the saddle here.

I have been looking for a English style trainer here in Denver for a bit and have a few to see. Today I travelled to Castle Rock to meet a trainer named Sara Storch. She is a Prix St George & FEI level rider and has trained in the US and Germany. She is very positive and fun and I think I am going to try a lesson with her to see if we are a good fit. I watched her ride a horse today that she hadn't sat on before, she's a big Chestnut Mare whom she hasn't ridden before. It was so fun to watch and see her have a play on the girly, The horse (very sweet) started off looking stuffy and downhill, apparently it had been a mid level dressage horse to a young girl from a dressage family and I couldn't see it to start. After a short while this big trot and canter came out and she got some lovely half pass and flying changes too- I wish I had even half of her talent! Anyway, They are a very small barn (9 horses at the moment) and aren't a lesson barn as such but have horses (and a pony) that would be suitable for me to ride, I've asked to start on the easy, unspooky, least hot ones- nothing to prove here!

Sara at a show (just to brighten the blog)!

Snow and Sun, we've just begun

The weather here continues in very much the theme as last time, sun and snow. Well, we haven't had any more snow since my last report but it doesn't seem to melt here. Dog walks are bright sunshine and snowy frozen ground which sees me sporting a slightly odd mix of Uggs, Ski Jacket and sunglasses.

School has started back as of yesterday (Monday) and we are struggling to get back into the swing of things, everyone here seems to be shattered and on go slow after the holidays- I wonder if my UK friends are feeling just as exhausted as we all seem to be in Colorado?

With the return to school, a new year begins in a very different country than I was in last year, and with the new year comes new opportunities. I am not sure what they are yet but I will welcome them as they arrive and try to enjoy the journey. I get sucked into worrying about the end product too often and it's easy to forget to enjoy the road you walk to get there. I think most of us can be guilty of this and it can be such a vacuum for happiness. So, the next time you train your dog, school your horse, bake with your kids or go for a bike ride, run or walk, try to enjoy it for what it is. Enjoy it, be aware and mostly BE PRESENT mentally as well as physically.

Enjoy your walk of 2016 my friends and family xxx