Cottonwood Derby by Nahmi Jones

Tales of the Cottonwood Clinic starting Friday 7/2/10 by our own Dr. Jones....


Hmmm, its almost 11p. I'd followed the clearly marked signs from the freeway off ramp to the Event Derby. But now the road has deadended. I hadn't passed a stabling chart, let alone anything that looks stabling. Turned off the engine. Pitch black. Started to rethink the idea of coming up the night before by my lonesome. tick. tick. tick.

Relieved to see Erin Bridges drive up just then to help me find the barn, the light switch, the stabling chart and Simon's stall.

The Cottonwood Ranch late night welcoming committee set the tone, I knew I was in for a relaxed weekend in a supportive atmosphere.

Simon and I were ready to go early the next morning with the Training group in the jump clinic taught by Brain Sabo. I was hoping to be able to demonstrate our progress since our last lesson with Brian a month ago.

Brian's simple, elegant definition of the half halt is taking a horse's power from extension to compression. In the case of horses like Simon, who solve their problems with extension, the answer to too much extension is a small control circle on the counter bend to engage the outside hind. Eventually, the counterbend translates to a clearer half halt.

Both height in the show jump arena and terrain on the XC field pushed beyond my comfort zone. I was able to see how my excitement/anxiety translated into increased extension and loss of balance as the questions got harder. Being able to focus on our new line of communication: counterbend=halfhalt, led to better balance thru compressing and maintaining our power and improved our jumping technique.

My clinic experience was confidence building and loads of fun. Brian maintained his patience, enthusiasm and humor throughout the whole day. He still had one-liners left at the end of the day for Sherry in the baby beginner group, equating Poznan's first attempt at an up bank to a high school kid coming home from his first party.

Thanks to Wendy Wergeles and everyone at Cottonwood.

Big Welcome to the newest Sapphire ponies

Congrats to Sapphirians Sherry H. and Carolyn B. for buying their next perfect event partners last Wednesday!

Sherry found the regal Poznan after months of searching and several heartbreaking close calls with failed vet checks, etc. Pozer may easily be the biggest horse in our barn, which is fitting since Sherry is easily the tallest rider! He's been with Michelle for a while and has some amazing gaits as well as a very cuddly personality. He also has this absurd amount of mane and tail that will satisfy Sherry's need to groom for hours on end!

Carolyn found Junior, a skinny diamond in the rough, after hours of grueling horse shopping. (Yes, hours... and that's really only if you count the drive down to look at him.) She sat on, er.... just one horse. Lucky for her he's exactly the right horse, with a big canter, a trot that's got potential once he gets used to his new digs, and lots of chrome. The big question of "will he jump" was answered this week as he nonchalantly went over the scary Sapphire plank as if he's been doing it for years. Ok, there were a few baubles at first but what an amazing baby to figure it out in just a few trips (and I do mean trips) over the fence.

Can't wait to see both ladies competing their horses soon!

Wine tasting fund raiser benefit for In Defense of Animals

Wine tasting fund raiser benefit for In Defense of Animals

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Twin Rivers Aptly Named???

The first day of the Twin Rivers show started off with a peak of sunshine just long enough for Nahmi to get in her 4th place dressage test. The overcast skies grew more threatening as the day went on, prompting the show folks to run the upper levels of cross country a day ahead of time before rain made the footing too dangerous. The Advanced, Intermediate riders were able to complete their rides but the last few got a little damp as the rain refused to hold off for just a little longer.

Fortunately, Tina got her dressage ride on Destino done in the nick of time. The rain held off really coming down until she was back in her stall. Of course, Nahmi and Carolyn decided to talk their ponies out for a hand walk just as the heavens opened and rain of biblical proportions fell right on top of their heads.

Rainy Day Blues

Overnight, wind and rain wreaked havoc with the cross-country course as well as, sadly, Tina’s County Saddle tent. The lower level cross-country rounds were postponed until Sunday, pending a decision about the footing then.

Tina, being the hard-core eventer that she is, rode Destino in the off-and-onish rain to have an extraordinary round with no jump penalties and two time faults. After an appropriate amount of time to allow a little shopping, the heavens opened up once again. And who do you think was out walking their horses at the time? You guessed it, Carolyn and Nahmi!!

Wine tasting seemed like a really good idea for the rest of the afternoon…

So that’s what we did! The rain seemed to conspire against Nahmi getting to jump her round so we all took off and tasted some really great local wines. Many thanks to the good folks at Tobin James Winery, Clautiere (the wigs were a blast!) and ESO Winery for the generous pours and interesting recommendations.

It’s the end of the day, the sun is out (as are the neighbors sheep) and it’s a brilliant sunset. Fingers crossed about Nahmi’s rides tomorrow.

Meanwhile, it’s bull-riding for all but the decrepit (me) and savoring our excellent wine purchases back at the hotel before an early lights out.

No Joy In Mudville – literally

Sunday morning brought a huge blanket of mist but no more rain. Still, the ring hadn’t dried out enough to make it worth risking Sparky’s legs, especially since the event suddenly (and very responsibly) turned into a Combined Test with no cross-country for anyone but the big boys. On the up-side, Cappa bought a suuuuper cool cross-country jump that’s a bench on one side and a roll top on the other. Donations more than welcome to pay for this really sturdy well made jump.

To see the slide show of the weekend,click here and hit "slideshow".

Party Wars: Sapphire Vs. Equites

Carolyn & I went down to Temecula to audit the always amazing Ian Stark clinic (more on that at a later post) and made a side trip to 3 Day Ranch to see honorary Sapphirian Larry Sawyer and his new horse Caboose. It was the Holsteiner's first cross-country foray in this country and he was a super star.



Take a look at the size of their "refreshment" cups vs. ours, however. Honestly, who would you rather go to a horse show with? All kidding aside, the Equites folks were a lot of fun and great to hang out with. Best to all of them in the coming year.

Blue Moon brings New Moon to Day Creek

The year started off with a bang so far. Not only was there a (relatively) rare "Blue Moon" on New Year's Eve, Michelle brought her new horse, Moon, home to Day Creek Ranch.

A (nearly) 5-yr-old Irish TB, his official name is Race the Moon (I think). Michelle is open to any and all suggestions of show name that use "Moon" but haven't been done to death. Ideas?

Click here to see the whole Moon-shot album...

Winter hits Day Creek!

Brrrr! It must have been 50 degrees on Sunday when Carolyn and Ceilidh bundled up in their matching winter attire. See, it does get cold in CA!