Videos from Galway Downs CIC**

Today I received my videos from Galway Downs CIC** from last month.  Within a week I should have some footage of Ginger from this week.  I went to check on the Ging today and sure enough she was running around the barn loose after escaping while her water was being filled...guess that means she is feeling fine, but it sure did make me laugh.  I hope you enjoy the videos!

Dressage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3uJY2rE4_U

Cross Country:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8YHKIk-eoQ

Stadium:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It-KtATfxmo

Until next time,
Ginger and Lauren

One step closer to Mexico!

It wasn't until the car ride home when it hit me...WE DID IT!!!  Ginger and I completed our first CCI** and finished in third place!  She went double clean today in the show jumping with no faults in jumping or time, she was perfect.  Show jumping has become one of my favorite phases to ride and Ginger keeps proving to me she wants to do well just as bad as I do.  This weekend was full of more anxiety than any other emotion knowing that the end of the weekend could mean the potential for an exciting future (qualifying for the Pan Ams).  As fun as it was, I can say that the feeling of relief has overwhelmed me.  At the completion of this horse show, Ginger and I are officially qualified for the Pan American Games in October of 2011 that will take place in Guadalajara, Mexico.  We are not there yet but this of course is the first step.  The past six months have all been training for the these past two international competitions both of which Ginger and I finished in the top three.  On the drive home, I finally looked back at all the dressage lessons, all the jump schools, all the drives to Carmel Valley, and all the classes I skipped to go gallop (sorry Mom) to get qualified and here I sit in my bed with a toothy grin that won't leave me because we finally did it.  There is so much more ahead but I can say that step one is done.  Ginger will now receive a well deserved week off as I jump into my Analytical Chemistry book for a reality check. Pending some details and Ginger staying healthy, I will resume training for the Pan Ams and upcoming events in a week.  My training style now though is going to start to change.  I want to go to the games with a shot at a medal, so we are going to get to work at perfecting our dressage and getting Ginger stronger and fitter every ride.  Our plan in terms of shows until then is still to be decided and will be determined in two weeks once I go back to Carmel Valley to attend "Camp diGrazia."  The next step for me is some Anthropology studying and sleep.  I should have videos and pictures to post soon, until then I will keep you updated on Ginger and keep celebrating.  Thanks so much for following!
Until next time,
Lauren and Ginger

Ginger the jumping bean

This must have been the LONGEST cross country day of my life.  We arrived at the park prompt this morning at seven to get chores done and after walking the course by 8:45am, we were out of things to do until it was time for me to go at 2:18pm.  The cross country course today was longer than any I have done before and the questions proved to ride well as long as the rider was staying attentive.  I rode one combination at a time learning from the last and carrying that education to the next.  At the six minute mark, with two more minutes left, Ginger started to get tired (this is about the time she normally gets to finish her courses).  I noticed the decline in energy when she started to shuffle at the base to add strides, nothing dangerous, but just to let me know that the distances were getting tiring.  I made sure to change my riding and take the more energy efficient routes within each complex after a shuffle into a combination.  I did this knowing that to get her to the end with confidence and a clean round I would need to stay on my feet.  Sure enough, Ginger finished with no jumping faults, only 11.2 time faults which bumped us into third place.  I was very pleased that I was able to ride her through each element and made them work with what I was given, but in all honesty, I am a bit bummed about the time.  If only, if only...but I guess that is the name of the game and next time she will be fitter and ready to make the time easily.  I am learning to trust her more and more at each show and feeling that making the time will come with trust.  Ginger jogged out sound and happy this evening.  She is now all tucked in to sleep tight and ready for the jog tomorrow at 8:15am as well as show jumping at 2pm.  I am so excited that she went well and I could even think, "Well that wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be."  The trust and understanding of teamwork has come a long way and I am so happy to be able to share that with this very special horse.  We will carry that over to tomorrow and jump smart and careful.
Until next time,
Lauren and Ginger

Day one complete and onto cross country

An exciting first day met my hopes and goal for the past two shows, to finish first in the dressage competition.  As planned, I took Ginger out first thing this morning to find that she was not as fresh as expected, so I completed our preview ride after fifteen minutes, headed back to the barn, and waited to get ready for the real deal.  We warmed up twenty-five minutes before our test and she felt on, exactly what I was hoping for.  Right before she went in I got her a little more expressive and took her in the ring to show what she had.  She was great from the first step to the last.  It was a test I had been practicing for for the past few months.  She was so fun to ride and made each movement better than the last.  I had the greatest time knowing that she and I have been learning and improving.  When I first began to ride, I had a great horse named Ranger.  He didn't care much for dressage because he preferred to run fast and jump all the jumps in his sight.  Ginger has really taught me to enjoy the dressage court and taught me to be a bit more of a diva dressage rider when showing her.  She has taught me to command attention with her presence in the ring, something that Ranger didn't care for.  Needless to say I had such a great time and feel so thankful for the bit of "diva" I was able to experience today.  I am putting this test in the memory bank and locking it up because tomorrow I have to focus on our cross country.  One jump at a time, I hope that Ginger and I will be able to complete our test with success.  I am nervous, but excited to be challenged and take it on tomorrow. 
Until next time,
Ginger and Lauren

On to dressage!

Jogs and in-barn vet inspections went as planned.  They were uneventful which was exactly what I was hoping for.  Tomorrow at 9:12am Ginger and I will be entering the dressage ring to kick off our first CCI**.  Yahoo! The test we will be completing in the dressage phase is a bit more complicated than the one I did at Galway Downs, but it is one that Ginger and I are ready for.  Today I got the chance to walk the cross country course with Derek, my coach and course designer.  Wow, it is long and there are a lot of big combinations (some of the combinations are from the advanced course...definitely big), but I think with concentration Ginger and I can take this course on.  I anticipate that the eight minute long course that winds through the Twin Rivers terrain will take a sharp minded rider and fit horse to negotiate each jump from the first to the last.  Speaking of fit, Ginger has been, as I said yesterday, a hot tamale.  Today she was very spry and ready to leap (literally) into action, but as prescribed by my coaches I took the day easy with a lot of walking and a little walk, trot, canter to keep the energy up for the competition.  So my game plan tomorrow is to get on once at 7am, and again thirty minutes before my ride to put on a few finishing touches.  I feel happy to have such a hyper horse to ride because I know that our fitness has been working.  On another note, my dad and his girlfriend Melissa arrived today and I am so happy to share time at this show with them.  Family support at big events in my life have made each moment more memorable.  Well, I better get some shut eye; I need to be every bit as ready for Ginger as she was for me today.
Until next time,
Ginger and Lauren
PS You can follow our scores online at the link below by checking the Revere CCI** division.  Enjoy!
http://eventingscores.com/eventsr/twinriver/ht0411/

And We Are Off

I have spent the past two days here at Bea and Derek's house and farm in Carmel Valley to get in some final practice and finishing touches before the weekend begins.  Ginger was a bit of a hot tamale this morning our final jump school.  The enthusiasm was welcomed and served to make a great final jump school before the show.  When I was warming up this morning, I thought about the first time Ginger and I came for training at Stillwater Farms in January of 2009.  At that point Ginger and I were trying to get through training level and were running into some difficulty and now we are preparing for our first CCI** (our second, and hopefully final, qualifying event for the Pan Ams).  Wow, it is so amazing to think about the progress and education we have received from Bea and Derek over the past two years.  I feel so fortunate to have such knowledgeable coaches that have given me this skills and understanding to reach beyond what I could have ever asked for.  Ginger has been such a gift and the best teammate I could've asked for teaching me patience, hard work, trust, and confidence.  It just reminds me to be thankful and humble before going into this event. 
This afternoon I plan to drive down to Twin Rivers and get Ginger all settled in.  Tomorrow the competition begins with vet inspections and trot up.  These are done to insure the soundness and status of each horse's health before entering the competition and is only to be done at FEI aka international events.  Once that is finished there will be a cross country course walk in the evening and my dad and Melissa should arrive sometime after for dinner.  I am anxious and excited for the event. 
Until next time,
Ginger and Lauren

Butterflies Already!

The past few days/week has been a bit of a whirlwind.  With a microbiology midterm, three lab reports, and relentless hours at school,  I have still somehow managed to ride Ginger everyday for an hour and a half as intended.  It is exhausting and hilarious how it is possible to ride and be a full time student as a double major.  When people ask me how I do it, I simply say the word sacrifice.  For example, at this moment, I am updating my blog in the library at Fresno State with my breeches, boots, and spurs still on from the barn.  I sacrifice make-up, a regular diet, and of course my clothing choices.  But in this week, I feel that Ginger and I both have to put our heads down and keep pushing.  I was inspired after watching some videos from The Fork last weekend and pushed myself to set up harder combinations at home that included corner combinations and big oxers to little skinnies.  Watching top class riders make it look so easy challenged me to step it up while at home.  Ginger is getting stronger each day and more fit.  I can tell because yesterday in our dressage she was so strong that it made it hard to ride.  (The fact that she is in heat also doesn't help with control and attention.)  I am anxiously awaiting the end of this week because spring break starts and I feel that I can fully devote my attention to the upcoming event at Twin Rivers.  This will be the hardest event we will have ridden in to-date.  I am trying not to get too overwhelmed, but I can tell you I am so excited to head off to Bea and Derek's this coming Tuesday for some practice and onto Paso Robles for the event.  My dad will be coming down to watch which is always exciting for me.  For never having ridden, he has a great grasp on the sport and the strategy involved with being competitive.  It must be his young spirit and adrenaline junky side that I seemed to have inherited.  Well, with the added anticipation after writing this blog, I better get back to studying. 
Until next time,
Ginger and Lauren

Onto longer practices and pictures

Today was my first real ride back on Ginger.  I rode her for an hour and a half like I will every day until the CCI**.  Right before I got on, I realized how much more time I had to practice each part of my test and really practice each detail of my riding.  The dressage test that we will ride in at Twin Rivers is harder in my opinion with turns on the haunches and more walk movements.  I got access to photos from Galway Downs so I hope you all enjoy.  Ginger and I are going to keep training and work our way into some more fitness and more accurate practice.
http://mccoolphotos.com/_appFile.cfm?pg=riderGallery&riderId=12832
Until next time,
Ginger and Lauren

Video from Galway Downs

Thanks to a great friend, Nora Battig, and her awesome family I have, at this point, one clip of the drop to corner and second water that I spoke about in my blog.  It is posted on the link below.  Ginger and I start our ride at the 40 second mark.  We are the second pair in the video.  Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLgiUWhcV9Q
Until next time,
Ginger and Lauren
PS Ginger is enjoying her much needed two days off, but will be back to light work tomorrow.

Galway Downs CIC** Wrap Up

What a weekend!  Today was an interesting day.  I woke up this morning wishing it was over already because my nerves were beyond words, but seconds after my cross country course was over, I was wishing I could do it all over again.  Ginger was a dream today.  After walking my course one last time this morning, tacking down all the distances, and fully understanding my strategy, I headed back to the barn to prepare for my ride.  I got on and warmed-up; Ginger took each jump with ease and seemed very well adjusted after our new warm up strategy to jump softer, by turning sooner after every warmup fence instead of practicing galloping.  When it was finally time to go on course, I received our ten second count down.  In the most honest and least dramatic way possible, I thought, "Wow, this is it, all we have been practicing for in the past four months.  I will not leave this course wishing I would have ridden differently."  And before I knew it, we were off galloping out of the start box.  I held Ginger off of the first minute of our course to test how honest she was going to be and how I would have to ride for the rest of our course.  She felt adjustable and trustworthy.  I think that setting the precident in the first jumps was important to set the tone for her mindset throughout the course.  She got better and better with each fence.  There was a long one stride coming into the first water drop, I rode aggresively and Ginger listened and made the one.  (Yay!)  Later on the road, we had a significant drop to the corner.  As she came over the drop, her ears pricked onto the out and she took me there.  Next was a tricky water complex and in all honesty it was my favorite part of the course.  By far, this was our most intense water complex ever, but with a strong ride in, Ginger took me to the out after four jumps in a row.  The rest of the course was equally amazing.  She saw each out and made each distance exactly as planned.  I hit the ground after our last combination with a toothy grin and cheering my own horse on with big pats and unexplainable accomplishments, but as every coach of mine has ever said, don't stop riding, still remained true.  Two jumps from home we had a down hill approach to a very upright, airy vertical.  It was as if she never saw it, she moved left, then right, and then over...wow it was a close one.  So lesson learned "Don't stop riding!"  But as we crossed the finish flags I couldn't help but smile as big and as hard as I ever have.  Wow, what a ride.  I finally caught my breath about twenty minutes after my ride, when the adrenaline finally wore off and I let myself relax.  We did it, our first two star.  When I received Ginger, I knew she may be able to do this, but in complete honesty, I hoped I would be able to compete at the one star level (my lifetime goal).  And now, to have my horse cross the finish flags of our first two star in third place was more than I could have ever dreamed of in February of 2007 when she became my ride.  But, the road doesn't end here.  We have the CCI** in three weeks at Twin Rivers, which will probably be harder and longer.  So for now I celebrate, but on Wednesday it's back to work.  This was the first of two qualifying rounds for the Pan American Games.  I hope we can keep this momentum and move forward to the next event with more confidence and better teamwork.  Thanks for reading this weekend. 
Until next time,
Ginger and Lauren
PS Below I have attached a picture from the Chronicle of the Horse website where Ginger and I got a little shout out.

Dressage and Stadium Complete at Galway Down CIC**

I wish I had more energy to type up the days events, but I am feeling the pace of today catching up to me.  Dressage was absolutely fantastic.  In all honesty, the score was a bit disappointing and not a true reflection of the great improvements in our test.  Ginger stayed regular in the trot rhythm and articulate in her gaits.  We need to practice our simple changes out of the counter canter a bit more and our medium walks without any anticipating steps.  All in all a great test with a score of a 51.5 placing me in fifth.  My nerves started crawling in my skin as the stadium phase neared.  This phase has become one of our strongest phases.  Last year I hammered down on this phase after losing a CCI* due to a bad distance.  This past year it was my goal to never let that happen again, and this year we have learned team work and finesse throughout our courses.  It has made show jumping a joy, but has yet to take off the edge during warm up.  Ginger seemed as if she was conserving energy as we warmed up, knowing that the true push for energy, stride length, and jumping ability would come as she entered the show ring.  The course was full of tight turns, down hill oxers, and changing stride length.  I entered the ring expecting for Ginger to turn into the strong horse she can be in the show ring (this Ginger can be hard to manage and unexpected, but a great jumper and full of self carriage), instead I got a soft, very ridable horse.  To my excitement I landed from the first fence and softened my rein, turning my upper torso to feel her move through the turn with ease.  I pushed for all the deeper spots and bigger jumps and she was right there to step up to the plate.  I was so excited with our double clean round because it was so enjoyable and there wasn't one moment I would have changed. After this round we were bumped up to third place...how exciting.  After walking the x-country course again, my nerves are starting to settle and my confidence is kicking in.  It's not the size that raises my heart beat, but the technicallity of each fence.  My plan tomorrow is to go clean in the jumping and allow my horse to gallop where she can.  Wherever that places us, I am fine with; I am ready to take my time where it counts and make each jump count.  I am so very excited, exhausted, and anxious at this moment.  We will go tomorrow at 12:01pm.  With that I think I am going to head to bed.  Like always you can keep up with us on the web, at the link listed in our last entry below.
Until next time,
Ginger and Lauren