Tuesday, August 4, 2015

It has been a busy few days for me and my horses! Sunday I packed up ALL of my tack, tack box, etc. (man oh man I have a lot of horse stuff, and many many duplicates!). of course, 5 strides into the arena Tango threw a shoe in his exuberance, so no riding for me today. Luckily I have a farrier appointment tomorrow. It is my last farrier appointment here in Lima. I hate leaving behind my farrier because he worked miracles on Tango in getting him sound. I hope the new one will do just as well.

I got up early this morning, loaded up the trailer, and headed southeast. The horses settled in easily. I let them chill for the afternoon, and came back in the evening to ride Tango. I thought he would be a jerk and a lunatic, but of course he proved me wrong. He rode fantastically! I love this new huge arena, I was able to really get a good ride in on him and he was very obedient. I think the newness was SO big to him, he forgot about being bad and just listened to my direction.

I got Corky out just to longe in the arena, and she wasn't as accepting of the newness. I forget that other than the vet's and a small open show, she has really not been out in almost 5 years. It will take her longer to settle in. I worry a bit about her because she grew back her winter haircoat, and tends to get really hot when running around. I have to keep a close eye on her to make sure she doesn't overheat...don't wanna cook that baby!

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

I came out in the morning to ride Tango again. Amazingly, he rode even better than he did the day before. Makes me so so so so so happy!!!! After my ride, I turned both of them out in their own private paddock (purposely selected because it has very little grass to stuff themselves on). They ran a little bit, then settled down to graze. I left them out about 20 minutes. It was nice to see them outside, their first outdoor turnout this year. Makes me happy! I think this place will work out nicely. The mental exhaustion from the past few days really got to me, I ended up taking a nap all afternoon. that is really weird for me, because I never ever take naps. Boy, I needed one today. So many changes....ahhhhhhh!

Friday, August 7, 2015

Rankings are out, through July 24th, and we moved up to 5th place!!!!! Woo-hooo!!!!! Go Pretzel!

Saturday and Sunday, August 8-9, 2015

AKC Conformation show - Oberlin, Ohio

This weekend was a dog show in my old stomping grounds - Oberlin! This meant that I got to stay at my parents' house in Lorain, always a fun prospect.

Saturday was by far our best day. Select dog, Owner Handler best of breed, and a Group 4 in the Owner-Handler sporting group! This was a tough group, so it was a nice placement for me. It's always nice to place against all the hair dogs.

Sunday didn't go as well. we had the same placement in breed (select dog, OHBOB), but no placement in group. Oh well, it was still a great weekend, and an additional 20 points added on to our national qualifying points for Eukanuba. I'll take it!!!! Yeah!

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Horrible news from the barn today. Corky lost her baby - they found the fetus in her stall this afternoon. I am devastated. I had just sat down with a friend and talked baby names...the kiss of death. I feel terribly guilty. Maybe I caused it by moving her to a new barn. She was completely relaxed and never showed any signs of stress, but maybe it was the move that caused it? I feel so discouraged. I really want to give up. Why do I keep putting myself through this heartbreak? This pushes back my foal and my dreams another year. We are looking at 3 years before I will be able to show again, provided I actually get a baby on the next go around. Why do these things keep happening to me? I try to do everything right, take the best possible care of my horses, and crap just keeps raining down on me. Now I have an open broodmare and a hunter that will never be able to jump again. What's next? I am afraid to ask. Maybe it's time to hang up the spurs...

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Corky doesn't seem to be affected by the loss of her baby. I saw the fetus. It was so small, but a perfectly formed horse. That hurts. I have no idea why it happened.

I saddled up Tango this morning for a ride. I seriously didn't feel like riding, just wanted to drive on back home. Man am I glad I did ride. Tango gave me a cadillac ride like no other. I seriously couldn't find anything to pick out that he did wrong - he did everything I asked and did it well! Even his canters were better, when I asked for him to lift his shoulders he actually did so without any fuss (what a change!). Maybe he sensed my heartbreak? Or maybe he is growing up? Or maybe he just loves this new place??? The arena is wonderful to ride in, so much room to get things done with a big-strided horse. I love it. Whatever the reason, I left the barn with a better frame of mind and determination that I will keep on keepin' on, as usual. We will see how next year goes. I love Corky, I want another just like her!

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Woo-Hoo!!!!! AKC updated the owner-handler points up to July 30th, and our points from Marion moved us up into 3rd place!!! I am so excited! With no horse to show, and no realistic horse goals to strive for in the next year, this is a welcome boost to my competitive self. Now I have something to strive for...aiming for #2 if possible! Eukanuba in Florida here we come!

I should make a mention that although I have taken 5 or so months off of agility, I haven't quit the sport. Instead I am taking classes and doing a LOT of re-training. My plan is to come back in November and try again and see if we have made improvements. I really hope this time off has helped Pretzel gain focus and control. I guess we shall see...

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

I rode Tango again this morning. Although our ride wasn't as "cadillac" as yesterday, it was still pretty awesome. He was a little harder to ride at the canter, it seemed he struggled a bit more in keeping his shoulder up and staying in frame. Could be he is a little tired from yesterday. He is pretty out of shape, having so many months off.

I actually saddled Corky up and rode her also! Man, she is so tense under saddle. She hasn't been ridden in at least 6 months, maybe longer. She is just really wound tight under saddle. She rode good, but it was like riding a coiled spring. I know she wouldn't do anything bad, but she just wouldn't loosen up and relax. I guess that is to be expected, she really hasn't been "worked" in several years. I took it easy on her, I just wanted to take her out for a spin and see how she felt. She is still my number one girl!

August 13-16, 2015

Muncie, IN/St. Clairsville, OH AKC dog shows

This was one of the more "crazy" weekends I have planned. We went to a show in Muncie, Indiana on Thursday and Friday, then traveled ALL the way across the state of Ohio to St. Clairsville to show on Saturday and Sunday. Yep...chasin' those Owner/Handler points I am!

Muncie started off not-so-good on Thursday, but Friday we did get Owner Handler best of breed and ended up getting a Group 4 in the OH sporting group. Hey, I'll take that with a smile!

We had fun on Thursday evening exploring Muncie. We found a nice walking trail along the river, and checked out the scenery. That's one of the best thing about showing dogs - you get to see new and interesting places and you see them with your best friend.

Next, it was on to St. Clairsville, on the opposite end of Ohio. I had a great time at this show, met some new friends and reconnected with some old newish friends...oddly enough we ended up being the only Weimaraner at the show. That meant we got best of breed and best of breed owner-handler. So...that meant showing in both groups in the afternoon. Yeah, it was fun to show multiple times, but not so fun to get ignored by every judge. That's the drawback of showing the "grey ghost"...it's very hard to catch the judge's attention against all those dogs with exquisite and flashy hair coats. oh well, we keep trying and trying!

Thursday-Monday, August 20-24, 2015

Owensboro, KY AKC dog show

Yep...a show...wow! I have never shown that many days in a row, but having Owner-Handler all 5 days made it well worth the 5+ hour trip. The awesome show facility and the wonderful city made it doubly worthwhile. I can't remember when I've had so much fun at a show! The facility was right on the Ohio River, with walkways along the river and friendly businesses and restaurants with outdoor patios that welcomed you and your dog.

This was a show with some big highs, big lows, and everything in between. We started off on Thursday with a bang. The only other Weim entered was the number 4 Weim in the country. Yowza....but at least it wasn't an Owner-Handled Weim so I had that part locked up. What I didn't figure on was the judge pointing to PRETZEL as the Best of Breed dog over that other top Weim! Holy cow!!!!! Later that day we went into both sorting groups...got pretty much ignored in both of them. Ugh! But you can't top that feeling from earlier when i got that purple and gold ribbon...

Friday was a downer day. As expected, the other Weim got best of breed, so we were handed the default Best Opposite sex. We automatically got the Owner-Handler best of breed ribbon, went on to the Owner handler group and got squat...nothing. Ugh..bummer...disappointment...but I had 3 more days to look forward to and prepare.

We had a TON of fun that evening walking along the riverfront, talking to people, and listening to the live music being performed on various stages. Pretzel was fascinated with the shooting fountains.

Saturday came along, and another wowza!!! - we were awarded best of breed again over that other Weim...HUGE deal for me! Once again, we got to go into both groups, and once again we were ignored! ACK! This is so frustrating!

Sunday...guess what...we got best of breed again! This time I was bound and determined not to get ignored in the owner handler group. By golly, i didn't...managed to squeak out a Group 4. FINALLY!. in celebration, we ate at Olive garden...a dog show tradition for me and my bestie/traveling partner. Olive garden after a big win, or Olive garden after a big disappointment...basically Olive Garden no matter what LOL!

Monday...finally day 5 of the show. We showed first thing in the morning, and what a surprise, we were the only Weim there! The other Weim was present, but opted not to show. So...by default we got both best of breed ribbons, and got to show in both groups again.

All weekend I have been watching my "game film" of my showing, looking at my flaws and things I could improve, and trying to fix issues. Today i think i got it together a lot better than before, and we pulled off a Group 3 in owner Handler group...YES!!!. It was nice to leave with something positive riding on the top of my mind. What a fun show this was, what a great place...definitely going to try to come back next year.

I should mention I got to add a few more notches to my bucket list of showing every single breed...got to help out a friend and show a Shiba Inu and a Wire Fox Terrier today. What fun!

Saturday-Sunday, August 29-30, 2015

Georgetown, Illinois AKC dog show

Before you say it, I will say it for you. Yes, we sure do get around! Illinois this time, though it was barely across the Indiana line. I had to go up against the #1 Weimaraner in the country, so obviously I wasn't getting best of breed at this show! I was the only owner-handler, so I managed to wrap that up. Unfortunately, it was another zero weekend for placing in the sporting group. I will admit that i am getting a little bummed out about not placing in the sporting group lately. Maybe I just got a bit spoiled with all my success in July? Yeah, probably. I will just work a little harder.

On the plus side, I scored yet another notch on my bucket list - got to show a Bullmastiff, and even pulled out a Best Opposite over a ranked champion with her! That was cool, and who know Bullmastiffs were such big slobbery sweethearts? She was a real doll, and it was a lot of fun.

On to SEPTEMBER, 2015