Fall

First ride in the new year and I fall off. When I first hoped on Mason was being a little fresh but he worked out of it quickly. He was so good during our ride. A little fresh at the canter to the right but noting serious and I didnt think to much since hes been like that for most of or canter transitions. 
Towards the end of my ride Chris and Robbie came in. Almost at the very end of my ride right before I was going to loosen my reins Robbie made some loud noise, he either spooked or jumped into the canter which set Mason off. I was soooo close staying on, as I was holding on for dear life I was thinking I was going to be able to stay on! Until we got to the gate and thought I'm going over it! But I just missed it and he almost threw me into the wall. That would have hurt. As I was on the ground he either stepped or kicked the bottom of my ankle/foot. I bet it will look pretty tomorrow!
Betsy and Alison came in to help me catch Mason. Betsy saw me limping and she kept telling me to walk before I got Mason and I wanted to tell her STFU give me my damn horse! But didn't of course. Ugh, I was pissed! I hoped back on him quickly and cantered him once to the left and he was good, a little sticky in the transition but I just wanted to get back on and canter quickly to prove that I can do it. After a quick canter to the left I hoped off. Erin must have thought I was crazy for not doing much because she just kept giving me a look.

Good ride

Today was a great ride, even though I only walked and trotted. I did pop over a jump. All in all, Mason was amazing today. I had 3 good rides in a row. Hopefully it will continue.

Health

Poor Mason hasn't been feeling himself for the past day. It doesn't totally seem like colic since he's eating, drinking, peeing, and pooping. So I don't totally know whats up.

I had plans to hang out with Ryan last night but it changed when I got a text from Robyn asking if I was around to walk him. So I called Ryan to tell him what was up and he offered to come meet me at the barn! How sweet!

Very distracted, but Mason is looking better. So crossing my fingers I wont have to call the vet.

Todays lesson

I had an amazing lesson today! We worked on getting Mason to hold himself up, and he did for 85% of the time! He was perfect almost the whole time we were trotting, but once we started to canter it started to go down hill a little bit. Not horrible, but I just need to remind myself to take baby steps! He was pretty light to the left, of course his easier side. But towards the right he was a bit heaver and a bit all over the place. Our 20 meter circle wasn't really 20 meters, more like 15-20 squareish. Eh, we had a good ride anyways. Its crazy thinking back that just in July I was holding and Mason's nose was just inches from the ground and I was holding him up. Now in October hes holding himself up 95% of the time! Hes such a good boy! Now I just need to remember how to jump!! One day maybe or we'll just become a dressage pair. Who knows.

Valinor October Dressage

Where do I start? Mason and I did the Valinor dressage show on Monday. We did Training test 1 and beginner novice B. This show was very small. So there was just me and 1 other person in my division. The other person did training test 1 and 2. When I saw this I thought theres now way I'm going to beat her. But I was wrong! I got first and second! I am beyond excited. First off, this was my first show with my brand new beautiful Voltaire dressage saddle!

First off, I literally had about a 5 minute warmup if that. I just misjudge the warmup time but it worked out great! I did training test 1 first, and sat during the test. During the test I was thinking and feeling both Mason and I really feel like true dressage riders, not event dressage riders. While thinking this I was joking to myself that our next show is going to be Devon! While cantering Mason decided it was a good idea to do a bunny hop... Well I guess it wasn't a hop where it was more of a bunny leap! Thank goodness I was in a dressage saddle because I would have been thrown!! Anyways, he was very good after that.

He was so good with a little warmup I decided not to warmup at all and risk it. The only warmup we did was when the judge was talking to the person before my test. So we cantered to the left and that was it. While riding my test I didn't think it was that good. No bucking but it just didnt feel as smooth. Well feeling and seeing it was different because I ended up getting a 71.4!!!!!! WOOT WOOT!!! Which means a 28 if it was an eventing score!!! OMG, I was beyond excited when I saw that!!! That is now my new lowest score!!! I am thinking about doing the actual 2 phase at Valinor in April!!! Wicked excited!

The best part of the weekend was mumsie got to see our first test! It was nice to have her there!!!!

Valinor HT

Mason was amazing during the Valinor HT dressage test! It wasn't our best test but we made it! Mrs. B was our judge and we tied for 5th!!!

Beth Beukema

Mrs. B LOVED Mason!!! She thinks we'll be able to do great things! He's going to have a great stretchy trot! I want to take him to some dressage shows asap!