Welcome to my homepage for Riata! I am now a mini-barn at Sandhelli Equestrian Center Please come visit us!! I currently own two horses, but am thinking of getting a third... but that won't be for a while. I show in hunter, both of my horses are still showing in green hunter, but they are progressing well and maybe next year they will be in regular hunters. They both have been winning great prizes in shows, Shadowfax just won a first place in the RWHR show for June. If you enjoyed looking through these pages, please email me at [email protected]. I'd appreciate your comments- I put a lot into my web site and make sure I am active, if I get comments on how much you guys like it, I will continue to do this!
Inventory:
Feed:
Grooming Supplies:
Training Supplies and Tack:
May 21, 2006- Got up today, fed Shadowfax. Will wait until late to do some more trotting, and maybe a little cantering. Shadowfax is really getting strong, and is almost ready to show. First, though, I need to find a show for him to enter. He's acting a little funny today- dancing around in his stall. But I suppose that just comes from being moved (finally!) to our new barn- Touch of Grace Acres. I don't know for sure what kind of facilities they have for boarders' use, though, and I think I will have to ask today. Oh, well, Shadowfax has his breakfast, I think I will go eat mine!
I just got finished grooming Shadowfax after taking him to the arena for a training session. I set up some of the barn's cavaletti and got him to trot over several times. I also got him to canter- he framed up just beautifully! However, he still needs a little work. When we finished (After about 20 minutes.) I put him on a longe line and had him canter so we could work it out a little better. He's getting much better and more responsive every day. Next month, I plan on entering him in the RHA Monthly Show to see how he does. I'll give him a nice bath, braid his mane and pretty him all up!
May 22, 2006- Well, I fed Shadowfax his morning meal (TOGA feeds the evening meal.) and game him a little brush-down. My new grooming supplies are working beautifully! They better, considering how much I spent on them! I plan on purchasing a braiding kit so that I can practice braiding Shadow's mane before we start showing. I also need to buy some shampoo and conditioner so that I can pretty him up! OK, gonna go ride and train Shadowfax. I plan on doing a little more cantering today, maybe 20 minutes, and then more trotting over poles. Later this evening I'm going to try taking him over his first jump. I'll let you know how it goes!
May 23, 2006- Shadowfax is fed and getting happier every day he's at Touch of Grace. I didn't get to take him over that jump as I had planned last night, because I got busy. I had to go sell some snacks at a baseball game. So, I will take him over that later today. I need to find him a rider- someone who is young, talented, and can get the best out of him. I guess I should probably do that soon, so that they can have some time to bond and get to know each other. Well, gotta go. I'll be back later to do some training. Oh, I almost forgot! I bought some supplement from Essence Equine Therapy. It's supposed to be good just for all those vitamins and minerals horses need every day. We'll see how that works.
Well, took him over that jump, finally! At first he refused it- didn't know what was going on I guess. Then, the next time around he hopped right over. (And finished it off with a little buck, but it was progress!) It was only a little jump, about 1.5', so we've still got a ways to go. That's fine, though, I'm still strengthening him up. I'll eventually get him up to 2 feet.
May 24, 2006- As usual, I fed Shadowfax first thing. I also game him a little groom and picked his hooves. I took him for another ride after a while, too. I set up a jump, then placed some poles on the ground after it. At first, I just had him trot over the jump (like yesterday, it was only about a foot and a half) then over the poles, but eventually I had him canter over the jump and then slow down to a trot over the poles. I can tell it was a little difficult for him, but that's fine! I want him to get a workout for not only his body but his mind. He needs to learn be sharp with his mind. Tomorrow I think I'll raise that jump to about 2 feet, he's really improving and I think the low jumps make him bored. Still, he's just learning how to jump, but I can tell he's got some real talent and I can't wait to see it in the show ring!
May 25, 2006- No time to exercise today. I have just enough time to feed Shadowfax, but not enough time to groom.
May 26, 2006- Today is the start of my vacation. I'm going camping this weekend through Memorial Day. The campsite has stable facilities, so I am taking Shadowfax with. I can't wait... he's never been on a trail ride before, so it will be a new experience for him. I'm pretty sure he won't be too spooky... he doesn't seem to be afraid of anything! Well, I'll try and take him out to the woods behind the pastures today and see how that works out. It may give him a heads-up for what's coming ahead. Then we're off to the campgrounds!
Well, I first longed Shadowfax at the trot and canter for about 10 minutes, then we took a little walk out to the woods. As I expected, he wasn't the least bit afraid- just curious. He looked a little nervous when a baby rabbit hopped out from behind a bush, but when he saw it was just a little bunny, he tried to sniff it. It was rather cute. Well, off to give him a groom, pick his hooves, and get him ready for the trailer. No more updates until Memorial Day at the least.
May 29, 2006- Well, we're back, finally! The weather was very, very hot! On Saturday, it was just right, so we took a 45 minute trail ride, mostly at a walk, but we trotted and cantered a bit, too. On Sunday it was hot and sticky, about 90 degrees or so, so we just took a 30 minute ride at a walk. The camp took care of his food, so I didn't have to worry about that at all. All in all, we had a great time! Now that we're back, I think I'll just let Shadowfax get settled in a bit. Tomorrow we'll do some more training, and hopefully we'll be ready for the show next month.
May 30, 2006- Yucky day, grey skies, little bit of rain, and really hot and sticky. I fed Shadowfax, but I think I'll give him another day of rest before we start back on with the training.
May 31, 2006- Fed Shadowfax and gave him a little groom. I'm going to be gone this afternoon setting up for a rummage sale, but I expect later this morning I shall longe Shadowfax, just get him a little warmed up and back into the swing of things. I'll also give him a session this evening, although I'm not quite sure what we'll be doing. I'm trying to constantly change jumps so he doesn't get bored. He's got excellent form- on the flat and over jumps. I'm sure he'll be a star in the show ring! Oh, I almost forgot! I purchased some braiding elastics from the new tack shop- Champagne Saddlery. I'm going to practice braiding his mane sometime this week, if I can find the time. I haven't done it in so long, I'm not sure how my skills are. Well, gotta go. I'll be back later to tell how the training went.
June 1, 2006- Fed Shadowfax, but no time to exercise or train at all today. Tomorrow for sure!
June 2, 2006- Fed Shadowfax this morning and gave him a little groom. We had the rummage sale today, and it went really well! When I got home, it was about 3:30-4:00, so I took Shadowfax out for a little training session. First I longed him under saddle to warm him up a bit after the long break we took from exercising and training. Then I took him over a 2' jump, which he had no problem clearing. He really has a great jumping ability and I can't wait to get him in that show ring! I talked with the Riata Warmblood Horse Association, and I am going to be able to get him in there soon, so I can enter their shows. They usually have pretty good hunter turnouts, as I have observed. Anyways, I suppose I should get going. I just finished a few pedigrees for customers from my new business that finally opened last week I think??? Maybe two weeks ago. Oh well, business is good! Be back tomorrow.
June 3, 2006- Shadowfax was fed and groomed this morning at 6:30 AM. Later on, I took him out for a little ride. I warmed him up at the walk and trot, and then I worked a little on his response to my legs. I don't have a crop, so I used a stick, hehe. He was a little surprised when I asked him to move forward just with a little leg pressure, which is exactly what I want. He's gradually getting better and more responsive. His previous owners had trained him a little when he was 4, but he wasn't as responsive as he should be. I also set up a grid of three jumps , each 2 feet tall. I had him canter over them. This should help his form a little and also should get my position and balance in check. I plan on giving him another session tonight, so I should be back later.
June 4, 2006- I had enough time to feed shadowfax and give him a quick groom. Later today, I am going to do some training. That'll be at about 1 or 2 o' clock. I also entered Shadofax in his first show! It is a show for the Riata Hunter Association, so I can't wait to compete in that with him. He is entered in Baby Green Hunter and Hunter Hack. I will be back later.
Shadowfax wasn't being too good of a listener. I took him out on a little trail though, and we cantered back. He really enjoyed that! He's still having problems responding to leg pressure, so I think I need to work on that more than anything else. Also, I need to riase his jumps a few inches, since they will be about 2'6" in the show.
June 5, 2006- Fed Shadowfax. I gave him a little groom before I took him for a training session. We raised the jumps to 2'6", and I put some plants around the jump- just to give it a little character and so he knows he won't just be jumping boards on blocks of wood in the show. He refused the jump four times before he finally went over. This could be a problem, but we'll see. I'm going to borrow some more jumps and set up a little course. We only have a couple of weeks to prepare for this show. Also, I entered another show at Gypsy Grove Sporthorses, which is being held a little after the RHA show.
June 6, 2006- I fed Shadowfax and gave him a full groom since I've got nothing but time today. I plan on doing a lot of training, including setting up that jump course similar to what he'd be jumping in the shows. I've really got to step up the pace wth him. I also don't want him to refuse every single fence, so I need to show him there's nothing to be afraid of. I'll be back later to tell you how it goes.
I set up that course, but it took me so long, I don't really have any time to take him over it. I will wait until tomorrow.
June 7, 2006- Fed Shadowfax his morning meal. I'm on the lookout for another horse- another warmblood, but not particularly a Dutch. I want a horse I can show in hunter, so I'm looking. Anyways, after grooming Shadowfax, I took him for a little warm-up ride. Later, I took him over that course I set up yesterday. He did OK- he still has a lot of work to do before he actually can do it well, but he did fine for such a green horse. The first fence was the one I have been taking him over all of these training sessions. The other 7 fences were new ones I set up to look as interesting as possible- with plants, flowers, logs, etc. It took a lot of work, and it looks great. Shadowfax doesn't seem to think so, though. He refused the second jump, but went over the second time. At the third fence, he refused and bucked a little, so I rode him around the arena for about 5 minutes, just at a trot, so he could cool down. Then I tried again. He got the first four fences, then refused the fifth, but went over on the second try. The last two, though, are what's bugging him. We still have about two weeks, so I'll keep trying, and I'm sure he will, too.
June 8, 2006- I fed Shadowfax this morning. I gave him a quick groom and then took him out on that course again. He did better, but he's just not all the way there yet. He jumped the first four without a refusal, but the next one he knocked down and then refued to jump the rest all together. I'm going to take him over the course again this evening. I'm sure he will do better. I think I'll just walk him through the course to start so he can get a look at all of those jumps. Then maybe I can come up with a strategy on how I can get him to go over those last 3 jumps! I'll be back later to tell you how it goes.
Basically the same thing this evening. Except he refused the second fence as well.
June 9, 2006- I fed Shadowfax, and groomed him. It's a chilly day, only 65 degrees out. So, Shadowfax should have a nice little workout today without getting too warm. It has been in the 80's and 90's all this week and last week. I'm also looking at another horse named Mignight Stalker. She's a 1998 Trakhener mare, I believe. She's been shown in hunter, which is great, because that's what I wanted. Plus, she's got some show records, and from what I understand, has won some pretty good prizes. She will cost me around $6,000 if I choose to buy her. Anyways, I'm going to go take Shadowfax over those jumps now. I'll lead him around the course again before I start.
Shadowfax did great! He's really starting to pick things up quickly! He only refused one fence, the 5th one. And.... he jumped the last fences!!!! I can't wait to take him over again tomorrow. I won't do any more work today, just to be on the safe side. I don't want to break this spell, it was like a dream!
June 10, 2006- Fed Shadowfax and gave him a full grooming in celebration of my new hose... Midnight Stalker AKA Velvet! She's beautiful and talented. I can't wait to start working with her! First I need to get her boarded at TOGA, then I can start training her. I'm going to enter her in some shows, too. I'll have to find another rider for her, maybe. I could ride her myself, if I enter her in shows seperate from Shadowfax, but we'll see how that goes next month. I rode Shadowfax over the course of jumps again and he's really picking it up quickly! He didn't spook at or refuse any of the jumps, although he gets a little lazy picking up his feet. Otherwise, he has excellent form. After this show, maybe I'll raise the jumps just a bit higher... maybe 3 feet. See how he goes there!
June 12, 2006- I fed Shadowfax and groomed both him and Velvet. I took Shadowfax back over the jump course, and he did very well. Velvet is not settling in as well as I had hoped, but I'm sure with a little time, she will be fine. I hope I can get her tuned up in time for the Warmblood Association Show. I have signed up both her and Shadowfax. Anyways, Shadowfax had a good report. He jumped all of the jumps, and only rubber 3 of them with his hind feet. I'm sure he'll do fine in the upcoming shows.
June 16, 2006- I was away at my cousin's house pretty much all week, so I had my sister feed Shadowfax for me. I still have to get a confirmation that she can board at TOGA. It's been a while... Anyways, I'm going to quick take Shadowfax and Velvet over that jump course that's still set up. The first show is really soon! We'll see how they do.
June 17, 2006- I fed both my horses today, and groomed them as well. Velvet is starting to settle in more, and that is a good thing because I would like to get some training in and get the feel of her. Yesterday I observed that she is a very careful and collected jumper. She doesn't drag her feet, and she can take tight turns very well. Obviously, someone has taken the time and care she needed to be trained this far. I think I will lunge both of them, and then take each of them over that jump course. A little warm-up would be nice for both of them, especially since Shadowfax has his first show tomorrow. I'm working on my jumping form also, and I've had a few good comments, so we'll see how it goes. I didn't enter any equitation classes, but I'd at least like to earn my name in the show world.
June 18, 2006- Today is a very important day for me and Shadowfax! It's the day of his very first show. We have practiced and trained together a lot, as you can see by reading the above entries. We're off to the show right now. I will tell you the results when they come in! Oh, I also fed them both and groomed them more than fully in preparation.
June 19, 2006- Well, it's the day after the show and the results still are not in. I will have to be patient in waiting for them. I may run my own show someday... it sounds like fun! Then I can see just how many people enter. There hasn't been much action around here lately. I have let both my horses rest to recouperate after the long day we had yesterday. I sent out a boarding form for Velvet, but I never recieved one back. I also sent in a form to switch over her owner to me in the RHA, but never recieved a reply. Maybe they changed it without notifying me that it was completed. I shall check now. Fed and groomed!
June 20, 2006- Worked on our jumping. Shadowfax is having trouble focusing on the jumps. He seems a bit distracted. Tomorrow I will try longing him before we train again. On the other hand, Midnight Stalker is doing a lovely job on those jumps! I'm positive she will get good placings in her upcoming shows.
June 21, 2006- I longed Shadowfax, then took him over the training course. He did a bit better and listened to me very well. I'm very proud of him! Velvet did good as well. I will continue to train the two of them and see that they do the best job that they can!
June 22, 2006- I'm going to head over to Taylor Made Feeds and get a feeding schedule for my two beauties. We're almost out of food, so I should go right now. I'm going to give them both a training session today, but that will be later.
I rode them both over some fences, and Velvet did wonderful as usual. She has excellent form both on the ground and over fences and really gives it her all. Shadowfax, on the other hand, is doing better, but I'd still like to work on his form. He tends to drop his feet- especially his hind feet and knocks down rails frequently. Perhaps I will find a trainer for him... I just thought of the idea. I have the funds, so maybe I will consider it.
June 23, 2006- I worked a lot with both of them on the ground. Manners, especially. The're both getting a little sassy and disrespectful. I also did some flatwork, mostly trotting, but some cantering too. Velvet changes leads on cue, but Shadowfax is one I need to work on that with.
June 27, 2006- We're working over jumps this week. Lots to do to prepare for next month's shows! We plan to work extra hard and see what kind of prizes we can get in July. The results for the Warmblood Show and the Hunter Association show still are not in. I am getting very anxious to see how my babies did! I gotta go work with them now.
June 29, 2006- I've been getting busier, but I still try to find enough time to train each of my horses as much as I can. I started a new feed plan with Taylor Made Feeds and I am VERY happy with their services! I've been gradually adding their new feed in with their old feed to avoid colic... I don't want that to happen. Today is their first day of pure Taylor Made Showhorse Feed. We'll see what happens. It's been about a week since the new feed's arrived. I'm going to go take them over some jumps. The results for the two shows last week are still not in... I am getting impatient!!!
July 1, 2006- Well, I'm archiving my horses' records so that I can start fresh. I thought it would be a good idea to archive them just so I still have them on hand, rather than just deleting them altogether. Hopefully I can get a training session in today. It's looking a little stormy and Shadowfax is spooky at thunder. Maybe I'll get in a session with Midnight Stalker, though. She's doing really well in shows lately. So we'll enter her in another show and see how that goes.
July 3, 2006- Yeah, the results are in the RWHR!! Shadofax got a 1st in the U/S class and a 3rd in the O/F class. I kind of figured he wouldn't get too high of a placing, since he knocked down a few rails, and rubbed some with his back legs. He also didn't have very good form and was dropping his front legs. Midnight Stalker did well also, pulling a 4th in the U/S class and a 2nd in the O/F class. She has excellent form over fences, so it wasn't too big a surprise, but I sure am pleased! Altogether, we won a total of $265.00. No training for today, giving the two a break, since we have been doing hard work these past few days.
July 4, 2006- Happy Independance Day! I don't plan on doing anything special with my babies, except maybe later this evening. One of my little cousins is having a birthday party today, so we will be gone to that. It's basically like a family party/4th of July party. I maybe do some flatwork with Velvet and some over fences work with Shadowfax, but we'll see how the day turns out.
July 11, 2006- Well, I haven't updated in a while, but I have been caring for my horses. I rode Velvet yesterday over some fences that were set up in the arena. They were about 3', so they were different for her, but she jumped them with no problems. Shadowfax, on the other hand, went on refusing them. (They were a little more colorful than usual since someone was using them for lessons I believe, and my horses are used to hunter fences. Oh well, Shadowfax is better on the flat for now, and I will continue to work with him over fences. Also, I am going to give my whole page a make-over since I am planning on opening a mini-barn if I can. I will have to talk to Erika at TOGA, since she is my 'mentor'. My goal is to someday open up a boarding barn with lessons and training, and everything- something I've always dreamed of. I am going to start working on the website for that now. I think it will either 1) replace this site or 2) be on a completely different site and this will continue to be my records site... otherwise I will just make a new one altogether.