My job still feels like a dream

Sunday, May 29 2011:

Foggy morning

I woke up to an extremely foggy morning; I could barely see the indoor arena from my window, but it was a beautiful sight. We quickly fed the horses, and Silvia went down to the arena first thing in the morning to work Spanky on the flat. After Sarah and I turned out the horses, I tacked up Kalvin and Sarah rode Reba. We worked on flat work, bending, and suppling with them to prepare them for the upcoming horse show. After our short ride, I got Hofherr ready and Silvia got Imago ready for jumping. Hofherr was a superstar, and every time I ride him it seems like we understand each other more and more. We had some very good rounds after the few warm up fences (Silvia set up an amazingly difficult course for us, and I was so happy!), and we took turns videoing each other so we could see our progress and how we are doing. Silvia and Imago looked fantastic, and it really made me want to jump him!

After cooling them out, I jumped Michaela and Silvia jumped Blitzlicht. We both rode very well after we warmed up over our courses, and we also videoed our rounds. We ended up sending them to Fernando, who called us and critiqued the videos for us. It was great to be able to hear his thoughts about how we are doing, what we need to change, and things he liked about what we are doing with the horses!

            After lunch, Silvia had the rest of the day off, and I lunged Blitz und Donner, rode Bakira on the flat, and lunged Ryan. Sarah and I finished up the barn, brought the horses in, and fed them.

Monday, May 30 2011:

            Silvia has Mondays off, so Sarah and I fed and turned out all of the horses and got ready for the day. I took Hector down to the arena and lunged him while Sarah lunged Seraphina. Both horses were very good, and we were done with them fairly quickly.  After turning those two out, I tacked up Cara and Sarah tacked up Sophia, and we went into the outdoor arena to work with them on the flat. Cara was very good, she is coming along so nicely and I feel that I have a special bond with her! Sarah feels the same way about Sophia, so we really enjoy working with them. Cara and Sophia are still young, and every time we get on they feel better and better each time, so it is amazing to continue working with them and that we are able to feel them progress so quickly. After working them, Sarah and I prepared an outside and inside stall for a new horse to arrive. His name is Andy, a light chestnut four year old with a beautiful coat that is a color I’ve never seen before! After Andy arrived, it was already time for lunch, and my task for after lunch was to work with all of the three year old girls. There are five of them total: Tiny Dancer, Conny Schmidt, Stormn Blitz, Barbarella, and Testimonial. Each one is willing to learn, but they are spooky at new things, so my task was to work with them in halter and get them used to saddle pads. I spent quite a bit of time with each one, and started desensitizing them to saddle pads being thrown on their backs and around their legs. We were running out of time, so I quickly drug the outdoor arena (where I dropped my phone and miraculously found it in the middle of the arena buried under the dirt), and when I was finished, we brought all of the horses inside and fed them.

 Tuesday, May 31 2011:

            Sarah has Tuesdays off, so Silvia and I fed all of the horses and let them out. I flatted Imago and Michaela, and both were very good. I mainly worked on my dressage test with Imago to get ready for the show, and I worked on bending and suppling with Michaela. While I was working with them, Silvia rode Andy and Spanky, and then rode Ryan while I lunged Bakira. When we were finished working them, it was time for lunch.  When we were finished, we went down to the barn and I rode Kalvin, working on trot to canter transitions, while Silvia rode Hofherr so she could feel how I was doing with him. Both horses were very good, and when we finished, I was excited to learn that I was going to ride Blitz und Donner for the first time. He has such a smooth stride, and I loved working with him. I didn't work on too much, since it was the first time I rode him, but I felt extremely comfortable with him by the end of the ride. While I was working him, Silvia flatted Blitzlicht and worked on her dressage test with him for the upcoming show. When we were finished hosing the horses off, I started finishing up the barn while Silvia flatted Reba. When she was finished, all we had to do was hay and grain them, and then we were finished for the day in the stallion barn.

            David and Kevin were still in Germany, so I went up and took care of all of the mares and babies in the upper barn, which takes about an hour and a half. Although it was extremely hot that day, it was so fun to spend time with the young babies. I took a few pictures with them and spent some quality time petting them and getting them used to me, and then I went in the house for dinner, a shower, and then sleep.

 Wednesday, June 1 2011:

            We woke up, fed the horses, and turned them out by eight o clock, and then went down to the arena with Hofherr. Silvia gave me a much needed dressage lesson (and also worked Imago), and we practiced our dressage test together and gave each other pointers on what we could make better. Every time I work with Hofherr on our dressage work, I feel more ready for the show and I am looking forward to the show in two weeks! While we were riding them, Sarah was working with the three year olds and getting them used to being under saddle with a bridle on.

When we were finished cooling Hofherr and Imago out, I tacked up Sophia, Sarah tacked up Cara, and Silvia went down with us to set up the jumps at the right height for them. I had only ridden Sophia once before, and Sarah had only ridden Cara three times, so we didn’t know them very well. We jumped a few warm up fences, and Sophia was getting angry with me because I was riding her differently than Sarah does, so we decided to switch and ride who we were comfortable with because it was better for the horses that way. Cara was amazing and did a wonderful job cantering a course, and Sarah did a great job with Sophia as well! When we were finished cooling the mares out, I rode Blitz und Donner while Silvia rode Hector. I worked on flat work, bending and suppling with Blitz, and Silvia jumped Hector over a course and he was so good! I only work half days on Wednesdays, so I did not work for the rest of the day, but Silvia worked Blitzi, Michaela, Seraphina, and Bakira in the afternoon, while Sarah worked with the girls and lunged Andy.

Thursday, June 2 2011:

            After feeding and putting the horses out, I tacked up Hofherr and Silvia tacked up Blitzlicht. I was very excited to ride Hofherr that day because we were going out to jump them over the cross country jumps again. Instead of going around the course all at once, Silvia and I went to each jump together, and jumped them both ways a few times to get the horses very confident with the jumps. Both horses were fantastic, and neither of them even looked at any of the fences. Silvia and I worked on our pace, and getting used to setting the horses back and getting them balanced from a hand gallop to a more collected, powerful canter before the fences. I felt extremely confident after jumping Hofherr, and now I feel ready for the cross country portion of the horse show. After cooling them out, Silvia took Imago out on the cross country course (she told me he was a superstar!), and I lunged Ryan in the arena.

            When Silvia was finished with Imago, she got Blitz ready for jumping. We have really been wanting to work on our release over the fences, and keeping our chests back from the horse’s necks, and staying I the air for a longer period of time after the fences. I set up a bounce grid (four poles, a bounce between each, with one stride before the fence), while Silvia warmed Blitz up. We set the fence up to 4’3 and they looked amazing over the fence!

After we were finished with Blitz, I went up and tacked up Michaela and Silvia helped me with the jump and gave me a lesson on her. I really enjoyed this lesson, because I learned a lot about Michaela, and Silvia put the jump up to 3’6. Every time I ride Michaela, I get more and more used to her huge, powerful jump, and I am enjoying getting to know her better. 

After lunch, I rode Kalvin and Sarah rode Reba. We both jumped them and they were very good. We jumped them over their first oxer that they had ever jumped, and they didn’t even glance at it! When we were finished, Sarah worked with the three year old girls while I flatted Bakira (who was very good!), while Silvia flatted Spanky. Sarah and I brought all of the horses in and got ready to feed them, while Silvia rode Andy before coming up to help us finish up for the day.  

Sarah and Reba: first oxer!

Friday, June 3 2011:

            Patty called in sick that day, so Sarah, Silvia, and I mucked out the stallion barn to help Kiara out, and when we were finished, I lunged Hector while Silvia rode Spanky. Silvia and I had been waiting for a long time to go school the horses over the same cross country course of our upcoming show, but it was still too wet from the rain so we were very upset to learn we couldn't go. After we were finished, Silvia rode Andy and I helped Sarah in the barn for a little while, and then I went down to help Silvia with the jumps while she rode Blitz und Donner. After a few warm up fences and a warm up course at three feet, we set the course to four feet. I videoed their rounds, and they looked phenomenal! I am happy Fernando wanted us to raise the fences, because it is challenging but very good for them to work on such high courses! 

Sarah flatted Kleo while Silvia and I were outside with Blitz, and Sarah said she was amazing! After we cooled off Blitz, I tacked up Michaela and Silvia came down to the arena with me to help me with her. Sarah was working Sophia while I was jumping Michaela, and she thankfully videoed my jumping rounds. I had a few close spots and difficult jumps, but after a few times, I realized I needed more outside rein, and as soon as I used more outside contact and used more power, we started getting great distances and in synch with each other.

            After I cooled her out, we went up to lunch and then headed back down to the barn. I flatted Blitzlicht who was very good, and I felt more confident with him than the last time I rode him! Silvia worked Seraphina while I rode Blitzi. After a short ride (it was blistering hot), I rode Cara and Silvia rode Bakira. I was supposed to ride Hofherr while Silvia rode Imago, but Hofherr pulled a shoe (the clip ended up going in between the sole of his foot and the wall of his foot, so thankfully John, the farrier, came out and dug it out to make sure he wouldn’t get an abscess). Kiara had to leave early, so I went up to the mare barn and mucked out the two stalls she didn't have time to finish, and watered all of the buckets and gave the mares hay, while Sarah and Silvia finished in the stallion barn.

Saturday, June 4 2011:

            The next morning, we all fed and let out the horses, and then Silvia jumped Michaela and I went down to watch her work with her. She did a fantastic job with her, and I videoed one of their rounds and I know Fernando would have been proud of them! After Silvia cooled off Michaela, I rode Bakira while Silvia rode Kalvin. Both horses were extremely good; I feel like I am starting to really understand Bakira, and I am really enjoying working with her! While we were working the horses in the morning, Sarah worked with the three year old girls and getting them used to having the saddle and bridle on, and lunging them in the round pen. After we cooled off the horses, I went to hose Kalvin off for Silvia. I knew he was spooky with the hose, so I attached a lead rope to his halter. I thought he would be nervous when I turned the water on, not just picking up the hose, until he spooked at it, lunged forward and up, and landed right on top of my leg and then straight down on the arch of my foot. Kiara came running over to help me and I had tears streaming out of my eyes because it hurt so bad. Thankfully, Kiara finished hosing him for me while I took some Tylenol, and I quickly lunged Ryan while Silvia rode Andy (his owner came and watched her work him), and then it was time for lunch. I put an ice pack on my ankle for the whole hour lunch break, but could barely walk because it hurt so bad.

            I was nervous going down to the barn because I was scheduled to jump Imago for the first time, and I had been wanting to jump him for a very long time! I tacked up Blitz und Donner and worked on conditioning in the fields and woods and had an amazing time. My foot didn't hurt while I rode, so I knew I was okay and wasn't hurt too badly, and I had so much fun with him. We trotted and hand galloped around the fields and I had my iPhone music set to Coldplay and just listened to it while I rode. I realized then just how happy I am. Being out there alone with a horse who I don't really know well, but being able to trust him enough to gallop him, and have him trust me is an amazing feeling. It was so beautiful up in the fields and I had the perfect ride on Blitz. 

After cooling him off, I tacked up Imago while Silvia tacked up Blitzlicht, and Sarah came down and rode Reba.  I was so excited to jump Imago, and Kiara came with a few of her friends to take some pictures of us jumping (she has the same camera as I do, a Nikon D 5000). I had such an amazing ride with Imago. As soon as we started jumping, I felt completely comfortable with him, and felt like I had been jumping him for weeks! He is a smaller horse, so I had to keep up the power through the corners, but for whatever reason, I just went for it. I feel like I truly rode him with my heart. I wasn't worried about the distances, or how he was going to react to my leg or aids, and I just went for what my heart was telling me. We had such amazing rounds, and I absolutely love and trust him so much! I look forward to jumping him more as soon as we get back from the show, and I loved every second I was jumping him! Silvia also did a fantastic job with Blitzlicht, and Sarah and I both wished that we could have filmed that days jumping rounds because we did so well (and Kiara got some great shots of us!). After cooling them out, we brought all of the horses in, worked with packing Hofherr’s foot, fed them, and then our work day was over!

            

I can't believe this is my life!

I feel that I must make a tribute to my life in college, because in Denton I was surrounded by some of the most amazing people who I am honored to be friends with. I am sure they know who I am talking about, and I hope they know they will forever have a special place in my heart. 


I have made some of the strongest bonds with people from my Italian class. I like to think of them as my Italian family. Every single person who was in that class means the world to me, we would always meet thirty minutes before class started, just to catch up and enjoy each other's company. I cherished the times when we had class (as much as I could, in between studying Italian Literature and writing 9 page papers in Italian over Neorealism films). I cherish each and every one of them, and our trip to Italy will forever seal our friendships.

My best friend, I will miss you terribly. Words cannot describe my feelings of leaving you. As we have done many times before, I would rather not think about it. How many times did we say that? I am sure no one else in my life has made me laugh like you have, and I will miss the ridiculous (amazing) times we had together the most. We have had too many hilarious times together to count (running around the apartment in my indian robe blanket, playing who wants to be a millionaire, yelling judiciary, screaming I LOVE VEGAS off our balcony IN VEGAS, playing with heeary and yin yin, singing to Enya and Uptown girls, making banana bread, and door knobs). I will always love you. 

I learned from my social psychology class that the number one predictor in happiness is having good quality social relationships. Although I am moving to a new place, I know I will always have the friends I have made in my life, and am grateful for it. I could never ask for better friends than the ones I have.


What is the second predictor of happiness? Pursuing something you love. I am proud to say that I now possess the top two predictors of happiness: The best friends anyone could ask for, and a truly amazing opportunity to work with horses. I felt a bittersweet feeling when I faced the fact I was leaving Denton. The bitter feeling is having to say goodbye to the people who make me so undeniably happy; the sweet is knowing I am going to continue doing what I know I was made for. Afterall, "When you are on a great horse, you have the best seat you will ever have." -Winston Churchill

Friday May 20, 2011:

        After finishing my last semester in college, I finally graduated, said goodbye to my lifelong friends, and arrived in Wisconsin to start my career at KD Trakehners! As soon as I arrived in Milwaukee, I drove from the airport straight to a farm in Oconomowac and met Silvia to school Hofherr, Blitzlicht, and Imago over a cross country course to get ready for our show in a few weeks. After tacking up the horses with the help of Kiara, we took off for the cross country course, only to realize that in order to get there, we had to walk the horses down a river for about ten minutes! It only took a few minutes to persuade the horses to get into the river (after five kayakers came rowing past us!), and Hofherr and Blitzlicht had such a fun time! Silvia and I were laughing the whole walk down, because the horses were so perplexed and happy that they were walking (half swimming at times) in such deep water. I am sure we gained a lot of trust from the horses by doing this, and it was so good for them to get out and do something so different than they were used to. 

When we arrived at the course, Silvia and I were surprised because the grass hadn’t been mown in a very long time, so it was difficult to ride in, but great for the horses. We did a quick warm up, jumped a few jumps, then went straight around the course and the horses were fabulous! They barely looked at the fences (the ditch was the scariest for them), and we got over every one of them the first time. After riding Hofherr and Blitzi back through the river, Silvia tacked up Imago and we walked Hofherr with him back to the course so he wouldn’t have to go alone. Imago was a superstar over the course, and had a blast in the water too. I was so happy that I made it back to Wisconsin in time to ride with Silvia, and my first day back was such an exciting one!

Saturday May 21, 2011:

            This was my first real day of work, and the six am wake up call was pretty difficult, but I was very excited to start my job here! I ate breakfast and got down to the barn by seven, fed the stallions and the mares (and Fred, Sarah’s horse!) while Sarah fed the three year olds who live outside. After the horses were done eating, we turned everyone out. Silvia and I tacked up Michaela and went down to the ring to jump her. Silvia rode her first, so I could see how she warms her up, working on keeping Michaela supple and relaxed. After a short warm up, Silvia jumped her over a course and they did really well! Michaela is coming along so nicely, and looks amazing. I got on her next, and warmed her up and jumped her over a course and felt very confident with her. Although it had only been a month since I had been here last, she already felt more mature and comfortable with jumping an entire course, at a pretty good height! I only had one close spot to a fence, and all of the others felt really good. I am finally understanding the rhythm I need with the horses in order to have a great round, and am very excited with the progress I am making! While we were working with Michaela, Sarah was working with Conny and then Tiny (both are three year old mares) in the round pen, and worked on building trust and getting them used to a bridle and surcingle.  

            By the time Silvia and I got done tacking up Imago and Blitz und Donner, Sarah was working with Testimonial (3 year old mare) in the round pen. Blitz started getting anxious and mad because I would ride Imago near Testimonial, and Blitz wanted Imago to know that it was ‘his’ mare. It is breeding time here at the farm, so the stallions get more excited when they see mares, so when Silvia and I were working with two stallions near a mare, both of the stallions wanted to show off and compete with each other to show that they were they were the best stallion. The power I felt from Imago was incredible and indescribable, I felt that I could do anything with him. He was extending his legs so far, and barely touching the ground with his hooves, he felt amazing. After Sarah was done with the mare, she took her out of the round pen and then the two boys calmed down to their usual gaits, and Sivlia jumped Blitz over a course and did a fabulous job.

Imago

            After cooling them down, it started raining so we had to go into the indoor arena while I lounged Kleo (a 4 year old grey mare out of Hirtentanz) with the “Combi” trainer while Silvia rode Bakira (a lovely 7 year old mare). Lounging doesn’t take a very long time, so when I was done, I went out and caught Cara Blanca from the pasture, and waited for Silvia to be done riding Bakira. When she was finished, we worked with Cara on loading her into the trailer. She had a bad experience a few weeks ago, so we had to gain her trust and it took about twenty minutes to get her into it, but in the end she seemed more relaxed and trusting with us.

            We went to lunch for an hour after working with Cara, and then went back down to the barn to ride. Silvia gave me a dressage lesson on Hofherr in the indoor arena, and it was one of the best rides I’ve had on him yet! I felt that I could take him to our show at that very moment. He was so relaxed, and at the same time I had so much power and energy in his step, he felt amazing. I can feel that my overall position is getting so much better, and I am extremely happy that I am becoming a better rider already, and I’ve only been at the farm for a short time. Even when Silvia reminds me to keep my shoulders back, I can feel a change in the horses immediately, so it is very reinforcing to work on having my position become better as I get stronger, because the horses can really use their bodies in a better way.

            After cooling out Hofherr, I rode Kalvin and Sarah had a dressage lounge lesson on Reba. Sarah was working on her dressage position in the trot with Reba, trying to become more relaxed and supple with her hips. With a hunter jumper background, it is difficult for us to try to ride in a dressage saddle, posting with your hips forward instead of a short up and down motion. I flatted Kalvin and worked on keeping him moving forward because in the indoor, he tends to suck back because the arena is smaller and he has such a huge stride.

            By the time we were done working with Kalvin and Reba, it was time to bring all of the stallions and mares in to feed them. We hayed everyone, cleaned the tack, rolled the wraps, and blew out the isle and by five we were finished for the day. 

Sunday May 22, 2011:

            Sarah and I only had to work a half-day on Sunday, so we got to sleep in as long as we wanted to while Silvia did the morning chores and worked some of the horses. As my alarm went off at 9:30, Sarah knocked on my door and came in my room to tell me there was a new baby filly who was born the previous night! I quickly changed out of my pajamas and drove up with Sarah to the mare barn to meet the new baby. The mother is Annabelle and the father is Hirtentanz, and they produced a beautiful filly. She is dark bay, with a perfect star and snip, with four white socks. Sarah and I met Kevin in the barn, and he said the “foal alert” did not go off during the night, so he didn’t know what time she was born, but she was clearly a healthy baby. She was lying down in her stall when we got there, so we went in one by one to give her hugs and kisses and to praise Annabelle for being such a good mom. Usually right after being born, the babies are weary and nervous around people, but she let Sarah and me slowly crouch down to her and touch her; she even let me cradle her head and snuggle her nose. She is just precious! 

After meeting her, Sarah and I went back to our house, ate breakfast, and then I started unpacking more of my boxes in my room. After our half-day off was over, we went back down to the barn at 12:30, and a new horse was there named Amonet (who we nicknamed Ace). He is a three-year-old stallion and a Blitz und Donner baby! He is very thin, has never been on grass in his life, and difficult to walk because he loves paying attention to anything else but us. Sarah and I brushed him and pampered him, did other chores around the barn, and lounged the three year old girls who are adorable but challenging to work with. Sarah has been working with a four year old mare named Sophia, a sweet mare who I have never ridden, so Sarah decided to give ma a lesson on her. She was difficult to get used to in the beginning, but with Sarah's help, we ended on a very good note. After untacking her, Sarah and I brought in all of the stallions and mares, fed, hayed, cleaned the barn and tack, and were done for the day

Monday May 23, 2011:

            When we got down to the barn at seven, I fed the stallions and mares outside while Sarah fed the young ones out in the fields, and then we turned out the horses (it was Silvia’s day off, so it was up to just Sarah and me!). I tacked up Kalvin and Sarah tacked up Reba and we went out to ride in the hay fields. We walked and trotted them around the fields, and they were a little frisky. Because of this, we didn’t want to push them too hard so decided to end on a good note in the field, and then went into the outdoor arena to work them a little more. Kalvin is such a superstar now, and I am really happy with how he is coming along! After cooling them out and untacking them, Sarah and Kevin thought it was a good idea for me to learn how to drag the arenas. Every time I have attempted to drive a standard, I have failed, so I was a little nervous to learn how to drive and change gears on a huge tractor! Sarah was half sitting, half standing next to me on the tractor, and when I tried to start going, it lurched forward so hard and threw her off balance and she almost fell off! It was hysterical to me but I also felt bad because she could have gotten hurt! After that, I learned how to slowly make the tractor start moving, and learned how to maneuver it around the arena properly, and was left to do it alone while Sarah worked with a three year old stallion named Ryan. It took about 45 minutes for me to finish, but I think I did a superb job, especially since it was my first time dragging an arena! When I was finished, it was time for a quick lunch and then we went back down to the barn where I drug the indoor arena and Sarah worked with the young three year old girls in the round pen. I lounged Kleo with the combi trainer, and by the time I was finished, it was time for us to clean tack, bring the horses in, feed, hay, and blow out the isle. When we were finished with our work, Sarah tacked up her flea-bitten grey gelding, Fred, and I tacked up Fernando’s ex-grand prix jumper Eli. I was so excited to finally ride Eli, but unfortunately he was a little sore so I only walked him while Sarah rode Fred, who was extremely good! 

Tuesday May 24, 2011:

            The next morning we fed all of the horses and turned them out as usual. Silvia tacked up Bakira, I tacked up Michaela, and we headed out into the fields. We walked, trotted, and cantered around the fields and showed the mares the cross country jumps so they wouldn’t be afraid of them, and both horses were fantastic! Silvia and I also met a friend out there, a red-winged blackbird we named Frederick. He follows us while we ride, guides our way, and makes sure the horses are behaving themselves. The field work we do is very fun for me, and great for the horses; it conditions them and gets them to use different muscles when we go up and down hills, and it is very good for their heads to get out of the arenas! There is a cut path that goes around every hay field, so we can gallop on even ground, and there is even a beautiful path that cuts through a huge section of woods that we can trot or canter in. Every time I go out in the fields and woods I constantly think about how beautiful it is and how lucky I am to be able to work here. I cannot wait until I get my first paycheck, which will go towards a helmet cam so I can share what our rides are like from my point of view! (Search for runhennyrun.com to see what I am yearning to get)! 

            After we were done riding Michaela and Bakira, I tacked up Hofherr (my favorite boy!), Silvia tacked up Blitz und Donner, and we headed back out to the fields to work them. Both horses were superstars during the whole ride, they didn’t flinch when we cantered by the scary cross country jumps. Since I will be riding Hofherr in an eventing show in a few weeks, I worked on galloping him at a decent eventing pace, to collecting him up for the proper balance (usually about ten strides before the jump), and he was a very good boy for all of it!

Hofherr
 (from Friday, 4/20)

When we were finished cooling out Hofherr and Blitz, I tacked up Cara and Silvia rode Sophia in the outdoor arena. However, a new dressage horse was coming to the farm for training (named Spanky), so Silvia finished riding Sophia by the time I got into the arena. I had only ridden Cara once before, and knew she was a little afraid to be by herself in the arena without another horse in there with her, so she was a little difficult in the beginning because all she wanted to do was to have her friends with her. By the end, I had her relaxed and trotting on a long rein, and she felt wonderful! I really feel like I have a connection with her. I didn’t work her for too long since she was being so good, so I untacked her and met the sweet new horse, Spanky, who Silvia will be working with. After he was settled in his stall, we all went up for lunch and discussed how the day was with the horses. At one o’clock, we went back down to the barn, where I tacked up Imago and Silvia tacked up Blitzlicht. We took them into the fields again to walk, trot, and canter them all around the fields and into the woods. Imago and Blitzi were both very well behaved, and enjoyed the outing very much. After cooling out the horses, I lounged Seraphina, Silvia rode Hector, and Sarah worked with the three year old mares. By the time we were finished, it was time to bring in all of the horses, feed and hay them, and blow out the isles.

Wednesday May 25, 2011:  

I had this entire day off, and it was cold and rainy. I relaxed inside for most of the day, unpacked, read, and watched t.v. After lunch, I went down and rode Hofherr to work on dressage with him for the show coming up. Silvia helped me with him, and he was very good and responded very well to my aids! 

Thursday may 26, 2011

            After feeding and turning out the horses, Silvia rode Bakira, Sarah rode Sophia, and I rode Cara. All three of us jumped them over most of the jumps (over cross rails and some small verticals) and eventually trotted a course with them! This was their fourth time jumping in their lives, and they were fantastic! Cara felt amazing, and I feel like we gained a lot of trust with each other. All three of us trotted into the lines and cantered the second one out, and the girls behaved themselves and acted like they had been doing it for years! We cooled them out and then Silvia and I got Hofherr and Blitz und Donner ready for the next ride.

            Sarah helped us set up the bounces (5 in a row, each a half stride in between, so the horses land with their front feet, and immediately take off again when they land). Both stallions were amazing, and we all tried to help each other perfect our position over the bounces (instead of being in full two-point, we keep out chest up higher and let the horses just work underneath us). After the two stallions, we did the same thing with Michaela and Blitzlicht who were also very good! By the time we were done with the bounce exercise, it was time for a quick lunch and then back down to the barn again to free jump Hector and then Seraphina. Free jumping is what we do with the younger horses who don’t have as much experience with jumping. We set up three jumps in a row, with one stride in between, along the long side of the arena, let the horse loose in the arena, and guide him down the side of the arena so they can “free jump.” After free jumping them, I rode Imago long, low, and relaxed on the flat, while Silvia lounged Ace and Spanky, and Sarah worked with the three year olds in the round pen. We finished thirty minutes late, so we were behind and had to work overtime.

            David and Kevin are in Germany with Hirtentanz, so Sarah, Silvia, and I are alternating nights of staying at their house to take care of the dogs and mare & foal barn. So as soon as I was done for the day, I packed an overnight bag and Silvia went up to help me bring in all of the young babies who were born this year, and feed them and their mothers. They are the most adorable babies I have ever seen!

Filly by Elmira and Blitzlicht

Colt by Casio Pao and Hirtentanz

"Secret Storm" by Stormn Doreen and Hirtentanz.

"Peaches" [nickname]
by Hettie and Imago

Friday May 27, 2011:

            I woke up at the usual time, went out and fed all of the mares a foals, and then put them all outside when they were finished. After I was done, I went down to the stallion barn and I tacked up Kalvin, and Sarah tacked up Reba. Since they were so excited last time to go out in the fields, we decided to warm them up in the arena first. Both were very good, so we decided to take them out in the fields. We walked, trotted, and cantered them all around the fields, while Silvia mowed more galloping paths and made more cross country jumps for later in the day. Kalvin was perfect, he remained calm and never got too excited or afraid of anything! He is maturing into such a wonderful boy. After untacking them, I went out with Silvia and helped her with the cross country jumps. By the time we were finished, we were behind the schedule we had set for the day, but it was necessary to make the cross country jumps to the right height as the show, and to make them super scary for the horses to get used to. While Silvia and I were finishing the jumps, Sarah thankfully groomed and tacked up Hofherr for me, and Blitzlict for Silvia, so we got out to ride sooner. We warmed up in the arena and both stallions were wonderful, so we went over the plan. There were thirteen jumps in total, each scary and difficult in their own way. When I was trotting up the lane to the fields, I found myself getting really nervous, and I don’t know why! We were at home, I was on a horse I trusted, and yet I was still nervous. I thought I had enough pace for the first one, but I knew early on that I didn’t. Hofherr was very scared of the first one because it was very tall with a haybales and a lot of scary things around it, so he spooked at the last moment and ran sideways. I took him back to it, spurred him a little, and then circled around and he jumped it perfect. The second jump was even scarier, and consisted of old, dark barrels and was pretty tall and scopy, but I sat back this time and really drove with my seat and we jumped it fine. The gallop to the third and fourth jump is a pretty far stretch, so when we got to there, I really had to collect him (which he wasn’t too happy about), but I had to take a huge spot because we were coming in too quickly, and we knocked it down (most of the jumps we made could be knocked down, unlike usual cross country jumps). After the fourth jump, we had to go down quite a steep hill, so while galloping, I had to sit back and make sure Hofherr wasn't too much on his forehand, because we had to round a tight corner to jump a one stride line of haybales. Hofherr was really scared of them, and after one circle, I went back and jumped it and he did it very well. I noticed that Sarah was up there videoing with her flip camera, but only noticed for a second before I had to make a left turn to the sixth jump, which was a step up combination. Hofherr was so good with it, so I gave him a quick pat and continued on to the next couple fences. There was a small hill to gallop up, followed by a very narrow jump with haybales and a huge blue box. I didn’t have enough power and rhythm, so Hofherr backed off from the scary jump, and we ended up going sideways away from it, but I quickly circled around and yelled “Get up!!” and he jumped it huge. After this fence, there was a gate sitting on top of haybales, and Hofherr got a little spooked by it but I sat up and really drove him forward to it. After those two, there was quite a long bit of stretch to gallop him out, so I let him go for a while, and then sat him back to go down a small hill, and sat him up for the next two scary jumps. Silvia and I had set up flowerboxes on top of jump blocks for jump nine, and it is very narrow and very tall. Hofherr was a little afraid of it, but went over it pretty well, and then the tenth jump was a tall green rollback fence. After this, there was a turn to go on another long stretch of galloping to a big stack of logs. We went over this one perfectly, and then there was one last long gallop stretch with two huge solid A-framed fences that were sitting on top of haybales. They were scary for me, but I kept the pace going and sat Hofherr back on his hind end, and we got over them very well. After this, we were done with the course and I trotted Hofherr out and waited for Silvia to come up with Blitzie. I only saw the last two fences of theirs, and they looked great! We walked the horses around the fields together and went back to some we had knocked, and set them back up. We discussed how our rounds were, and Silvia said Blitzlicht was very good, and only had a few run outs (I think at the same jumps I had!). We discussed the reasons behind them, and realized that it was our errors for not having enough pace, and as soon as we back off from the big fences, the horses start to back off as well.

            After cooling them out, hosing them off, and giving them lots of treats, it was time for lunch. I was exhausted just from that one cross country course round, but I had the time of my life doing it. The ride that I had with Hofherr is the reason why I want a helmet cam so badly. I cannot wait to get one to show people who can’t ride, what it’s like to be on such an amazing horse and what it’s like to gallop through the fields and over fences. After lunch, Silvia went around the cross country course with Imago, who she said did extremely well, and was only spooky with a couple of the fences. While she was out with him, I lounged Kleo and Sarah worked with all of the three year old girls in the round pen. When Silvia came back with Imago and told me about it, she tacked up Michaela and I rode Bakira (for the first time). She was very good, and I am looking forward to riding her again! After this, I lounged Hector with side reins while Silvia rode Spanky, and then Sarah and I free jumped Ryan (he is such a talented jumper, I cannot wait until he’s old enough to ride!!). Because we had such a busy day, we finished bringing in and feeding an hour late. 

Another Chapter

      The anxiety of waiting for your dream job can take a toll on you. I found myself carrying around my phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even in class, I made sure it was on vibrate so if it rang, I could run outside to take the life changing call. After uncountable times checking my phone, making myself sick, and trying (unsuccessfully) to think about anything else, I got the call about a month after I got home from my first visit to Wisconsin. I was eating sushi at I Love Sushi with Tara and we were discussing our new workout plan. My phone rang and we immediately looked up at each other with wide eyes and grins. I picked up the phone, my heart racing, and said hello. The first thing that David said to me was, “When can you start?” I, of course, yelled, “ARE YOU SEIROUS?!” back at him. He laughed and repeated the question. I told him I graduate from college May 14^th, and I could be up there soon after that, but would love to go up for a few weekends before that to work with the horses and Fernando before he goes off to California. Tara was giving me thumbs up signs and excited looks, and all I wanted to do was scream with excitement. I got it. I got my dream job. There were 100 applicants, 10 of which went out to do a ride interview from all over the world - places like Hungary and Bolivia. I could not believe that they picked me, out of everyone, to ride with them. Before I got off the phone with David, he said to me, “I thought you would have jumped at the chance when I asked you when you could start, but you had to be difficult and ask ‘are you serious?!’ and ‘no way, really?!’ …I thought you would have just immediately told me when you could start!” But being me, of course I was too excited to even think about what his real question was.

Thursday, 3/31  

Two weeks later, I was waking up at 4 am to catch a 7 am flight to Wisconsin. Those two weeks went by too slow. So many tests, so much to read, so many papers. All I could think about was what I was going to work on with which horse, and what challenging new course Fernando was going to have us do next. I just want to get out there and ride all day, enough of the reading and tests… my real tests will be dressage, cross country, and stadium jumping. No books or research papers can prepare me for that; it’s all about feeling and experience in the saddle, not in an uncomfortable school chair which actually makes my riding position worse (the next time Fernando asks me why my back is so weak, I will blame it on this :P)!

            David and Kevin picked me up from the airport again, and we had a nice drive back to the farm. When we pulled in, it was like seeing a whole new place. I was used to seeing the fields and arenas completely covered in snow, and now, they are snow free, with grass trying to come up. The snow recently melted, so it was a little muddy, but it was still stunning. After a quick bite to eat in the main house, David drove me down to the stallion barn to meet up with Silvia and Sarah. I was all smiles to see them again!

I got Kalvin ready to ride and took him out as the first ride of the day. The weather permitted us to go out and ride in the outdoor arena. The arena has wonderful footing and is huge! Silvia rode Bakira, a bay mare who is beautiful. She has come so far in just a month since I saw her last. Kalvin was fantastic! He was listening to every aid, and behaving himself like a good boy. His trot was so smooth, and he was bending and collecting whenever I asked him to. Silvia gave me a heads up that he might be a little frisky when asking for the canter, and when I asked, he couldn’t have done it any better! I can tell that the work Silvia has put into him for the last month since I rode him has been great for him. He was such a good boy, there was nothing I could complain about. His canter was so smooth and such a joy to ride. Fernando arrived right at the end of the ride, when Kalvin spooked in a corner and bucked, and of course he had to do it right when Fernando got there! After saying hello to Fernando, I cooled Kalvin down and headed back up to the barn.

The next horse I got on was Hofherr, and Silvia got on Michaela. Hofherr was extremely excited to have Michaela in the ring with him; all of the stallions are in love with her! I only worked on the flat with Hofherr, and he was amazing. I love him and would buy him in a heartbeat if I could. He is one of the smoothest jumpers I have ever ridden; he has so much heart and always strives to please you. Michaela and Silvia did a great job jumping, and of course I wanted to be jumping with her, but it was nice to be able to get to know Hofherr again and really begin to understand each other better.

Sarah had generously already groomed Blitzlicht for me by the time we made it back to the barn, so I tacked him up quickly and Silvia and I went out together (she was riding Blitz und Donner). We thought we were only going to do flat work with the horses, until after we warmed up for a bit Fernando came over and started setting up more fences. I was still not 100 percent comfortable with Blitzie; I had only ridden him once before, a month ago, for a short time. He was a great sport with me! I have a bit of a confidence problem when it comes to going for the big spots – I tend to suck back and wait for the jump instead of go for it. Besides that, Blitzie and I got along very well, and he put up with my mistakes like a gentleman, even though I knew he was frustrated with me. I tried as best as I could to correct myself, but also being there right after being hired also made me extremely anxious. I wanted to prove that I was worthy of being hired and that they had made the right decision, so when I was making mistakes I was disheartened. Fernando and Silvia both helped me feel more comfortable; I had to ride in a whole new style than I was used to. Silvia rode Blitz beautifully (as always!), he is a stunning horse and she is such a talented rider. They are a perfect match.

After the ride, we went back and untacked the horses. We brought the stallions who were turned out inside, and changed their blankets. I cleaned the bridles and saddles we rode in, and Silvia and Sarah fed and hayed the horses. I blew out the isle and then it was 5 o’clock and we were done for the day. I was exhausted from only getting four hours of sleep, so I went up to the house and had dinner. When Kevin and David came back from the gym, I helped them bring in the precious yearlings and their mothers, and then went to sleep.

Friday, 4/1

The next morning, I was up at 6:30 am to have a quick bowl of cereal, get dressed, and be out of the house by 7. Silvia and Sarah fed the stallions and gave them hay, and I went down to the other fields to feed the three-year-old mares and stallions. We turned out the 4 year-old-mares and some of the stallions who we weren’t working in the morning. I groomed and tacked up Imago, and Silvia got Hector ready. It was drizzling outside, so we had to ride in the indoor arena.  Hector was really good for Silvia, and I had a little bit of difficulty with Imago that day. The last time I rode him, he was absolutely perfect, and this time, instead of riding him with a soft, long rein, I was riding him with rigid hands and we were just not getting along as much. I had my Flip video camera, and Silvia took a video of me so I could watch it later, and then she got on Imago so she could help me out a little bit. I videoed her as well, and she did a wonderful job with him. He is such a beautiful horse to watch!

After we untacked them, we put their coolers on and left them in the barn to eat some hay and relax before turning them out. Sarah, Silvia, and I went out to bring the “girls” in. I rode Reba, a 16.2 hand bay mare who is such a sweet horse. Sarah rode Kleopatra, a sweet grey mare out of Hirtentanz, and Silvia rode Cara Blanca, a 17 hand beautiful chestnut. It had stopped drizzling by this point, and after we saddled them up together, we took off for riding out in the fields! I knew the farm consists of 225 acres, but I never saw the beautiful fields that are up on top of the hills. We walked the mares around the fields, and it was absolutely beautiful. I cannot wait to be able to canter and work on conditioning in the fields during the spring season. All three mares were very brave, and we had a very fun time riding out together. After we untacked those three, we turned them back out into their field with the other girls. Sarah and I went out and rode in the fields again. I rode Kalvin, Sarah rode Seraphina, and Silvia lounged Bakira in the arena. Sarah and I walked the horses around the huge field a few times, and talked about our horse experiences and the horses we have had. It was a great time to get to know Sarah better, she is such a sweet person and I am so happy that I get to work with her.

By the time we got back to the barn, it was time to bring in the stallions who were out, change their blankets, turn out the stallions who were in, and head off for an hour break for lunch. I went up to Kevin and David’s house and had a sandwich and a nice talk with David. The hour went by very quickly though, and soon it was 1 o’clock and time to go back down to the barn for our lessons with Fernando. I rode Hofherr and Silvia rode Blitz und Donner. I had a little bit of difficulty on the approach to a few of the fences; the indoor arena is not as wide as the outdoor, so the approach to one of the jumps was a little tight, causing me to lose my rhythm on the way to the fence, and causing me to back off again. Fernando got after me though, and really had me start to go forward towards the fences. After a few more tries, I got the hang of it and we ended on a good note.

After cooling them down, we took them back up to the barn and I got Michaela ready and Silvia got Blitzie ready. I was looking forward to seeing her and Blitzlicht work together because I had just ridden him the day before, and wanted to see how Silvia rode him differently. The last time I was in Wisconsin, Michaela was so nervous about the end of the arena, and this time was a complete 180. She was so fantastic! We had a few jumps where I sat back and waited, but after a few more attempts, I started to get the hang of things. Fernando kept reminding me that I need to open my shoulders, and sit up tall. This helped me when I was really riding forward towards the fence, instead of slouching back and waiting for it to come to me. This lesson was crazy for Silvia and Blitzie! There was one decent sized oxer that we were jumping, and every time Silvia would take Blitzie through the corner, he was so excited he would buck, completely changing Silvia’s previous perfect spot! It was quite amusing to watch, although I am sure at the time, Silvia was very frustrated with him. After a few circles of canter, Blitzie went back to being his old self again, and became the gentleman we knew he could be. I love that every time you go to get on a horse, you won’t ever have the same ride. You learn something new every single time you get into the saddle. I love that aspect of riding.

After we cooled the horses out, I had a very long discussion with Fernando about my riding style. We talked for a long time about how different Americans ride versus Europeans. I feel honored to have lessons from him, he is such a talented rider and horseman, and even though it is difficult sometimes, I always learn something from him. He told me that this new way of riding IS difficult, but wasn’t it difficult when I was 6 years old, learning how to post the trot? Wasn’t it difficult learning how to jump my first cross rail at 18 inches? Yes. Riding is very challenging, and you have to work at it to become a better rider. It can be frustrating and discouraging at times, but with enough patience and effort, you can accomplish anything.

By then it was 5 o’clock, and time to bring all the horses in, feed them, clean tack, and blow out the isle. After that was done, I went to Sarah’s house (the staff house, which I will be living in when I move there) to take a shower and get ready for the evening. It was a special night! We went to a delicious Hibachi restaurant to celebrate Silvia’s birthday and also to welcome me to the farm. Sarah, Fernando, and I drove together and met Silvia, Patty (a woman who works on the farm), her husband, Mike (Silvia’s boyfriend), and a few other friends there. We sat at a table where a chef cooks food in front of you and puts on a show. He made onion volcanoes and flung shrimp into our mouths. The food was delicious, despite the fact that Fernando made us try some of his sake - a hot alcohol they serve with that type of food. It was disgusting, but fun to try, and he had a few orders of it (and he was hilarious!). After an amazing time, Sarah and I were so exhausted so we left a little early with Fernando, who rode in the back seat on the way home (because of the sake!). Sarah drove his Audi back to the ranch, and on the way, we had a dance party. Fernando was hysterical! He was trying to sing along to songs he didn’t really know the words to, and was dancing and turning on and off the back seat lights to make it like strobe lights. I was laughing the entire drive home, while singing songs such as “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet. Fernando kept getting mad at other drivers because they were too slow, and he wanted Sarah to push the car into “turbo mode” so we could feel its power. Good thing I wasn’t driving or I probably would have!

Saturday 4/2

By the time we got home, it was already 11:30, and knowing we had to get up at 6:15 was scary; we usually liked to be in bed by 9! I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow, and when my alarm went off to wake up for the day, I thought it must have been a mistake because it seemed like I had only been asleep for five minutes! On the way to the barn, I stopped and fed the five young stallions and the 3 young mares who stay outside. Then we started our usual routine of feeding the horses, changing blankets, and turning some of the horses out. However, Patty, the woman who usually cleans the stalls, wasn’t working in the stallion barn that day, so Silvia, Sarah, and I got to work at mucking out the stalls, with dance music blaring through the speakers. Soon after we started though, Sarah got a call from David: a new filly was born! This was such a surprise to us because all of the mares have a “foal alert” sewn into them, so as soon as they dilate to a certain amount, a pin pops out and starts calling 5 cell phones to alert us that a baby is coming! This time though, the pin didn’t pop out so none of us were alerted that a baby was coming, so David found her when he went out to feed the yearlings and pregnant mares. The new mom is Doreen, and the father is Hirtentanz – the most famous stallion they have who lives in Germany. The new baby is a beautiful dark bay (or black) filly, with two diagonal socks, and no facial markings. She is just the sweetest thing, and I can’t wait for the other six babies to be born this season! After meeting the new baby, Kevin came up with the name “Secret Storm,” because she kind of just snuck up on us, and we needed to have “Storm” in her name because of the bloodline. I love it!

By this time, we drove the Kubota across the fields, back to the stallion barn to finish mucking out the stalls. Sarah and I went up above the barn to the hayloft, threw down ten bales of hay, and then we were done with the chores. Silvia decided to give me a lesson on Imago, since I had a little bit of difficulty with him the last time I rode him. We worked on bending, and keeping him low and relaxed, while still having a powerful stride. It was a great lesson; Silvia helped me understand him so much better! I really enjoy working with him and can’t wait until I can jump him! After I was finished with Imago, Silvia gave Sarah a lesson Bakira while I got on Reba. She was a very good girl, and we worked mainly on keeping her relaxed while keeping a forward stride in the trot. Sarah did a great job with Bakira, and Fernando lounged his beautiful grand prix jumper, Eli.

It was 12:30 by the time we were all finished, so we went up for a bite to eat (I also had time for a quick 20 minute nap), then it was time for our jumping lessons with Fernando. This was one of the best lessons I have ever had. I rode Hofherr, and I finally, finally understood how to ride in the way that Fernando was trying to get me to for so long. One thing he told me was to push my elbows back more, which actually made my lower back straighten, so I was finally riding in the proper position. Hofherr was absolutely perfect, listening to everything I asked him to do, and we got perfect spots every time. I literally could not stop smiling because I was so happy with how we did, and both Fernando and Silvia kept telling me how well we were doing. I feel like that was a turning point in my riding. I hope that from now on, I will be able to keep that rhythm, power, and balance with the horse. Fernando told me after the lesson that the day before, I had been riding with my head, and that finally, today, I was riding with my heart...and I could feel it.

Silvia rode Blitz und Donner when I was on Hofherr and they did a fabulous job, Silvia is such a talented rider! After that lesson, I was supposed to ride Michaela in another jumping lesson, but she threw a shoe out in the pasture. So instead of riding, I decided to video Silvia’s lesson on Blitzlicht. She did such a good job with him – he was absolutely perfect! She didn’t ride him for very long because they did so well, there wasn’t really much they could change, because they did that well! After her lesson, we brought the stallions in, fed, hayed, cleaned tack, and blew out the isle. Sarah and I decided to go out for dinner at a delicious burger place, and we had custard as dessert. We had a really good time getting to know each other better, but as soon as I got home, I passed out and went to sleep to start another day of work.

Sunday 4/3

            This was one of the more difficult days; the weather was horrible, it was 35 degrees, with winds up to 30 MPH, rain, hail, and a lot of lightening. This was probably one of the coldest/wettest days I’ve had at the farm, and it was very challenging because the cold just seemed to soak right into my skin! Before the hail started, Silvia gave me an awesome dressage lesson with Kalvin, and I learned some great exercises in order to help me with my lower back. Kalvin was such a good boy, as usual! Because of the terrible weather, Silvia hopped on Cara Blanca and trotted her around for ten minutes, and then that was all we could do with riding. For the rest of the morning, we free lounged all the stallions so they could get out and stretch their legs. By the time we were finished with all of them, it was lunch time and time for me to say goodbye to everyone and head to the airport. 

     I am honored to be given the opportunity to work at such a fabulous barn, with such talented horses and riders. I cannot wait to move there and start this new chapter in my life.