Life happens when...

My student, Alex Dayka, came out on Friday to cool Ginger down

Life happens when plans don't work as expected.  This summer has been interesting to say the least.  It started with planning to go to Woodside Horse Trials, but having to scratch due to the outbreak of the EHV virus.  And more recently, the plans to ride in the Pebble Beach Dressage Show and Rebecca Farms Horse Trials were scratched as well due to being diagnosed with Lyme disease (no need to worry, as I will back to normal soon).  As I was put on house arrest to recover from this bout of sickness, I have been able to reformat my summer goals and work on some much needed office work.  The goals for this summer have always been to bring Ginger into peak fitness and fund raise for the Pan American Games.  I can say, although I was pretty down about not being able to attend these shows, it has truly worked in my favor.  I have been able to spend some much needed time on hammering down a fitness program fitting to Ginger's needs and working on some details in our jump and flat work.  In all honesty, Ginger is feeling better than ever.  Within the last week, I have been able to feel some huge differences in our work.  I am starting to see all the homework pay off because she is improving daily in her confidence, strength, and our teamwork.  I am so excited  to put together all of our practice for the Summer Event at Woodside in August.  I mentioned that we have hammered down a fitness program for Ginger; recently Ginger has spent time weekly at Annadale Equine Center, which is a local therapy center in Sanger that offers an aqua-tredmill and a horse swimming pool.  I have found that cross training Ginger has drastically changed her fitness; it has been like riding an entirely new horse.  I am excited to feel her changing weekly into a stronger and more mature horse!!

The other goal I mentioned was fundraising.  As I am going to the Pan American Games in October to represent Puerto Rico, I have been reaching out to local businesses for sponsorship to attend the games.  I am excited and so thankful for my sponsors so far that include: Stan and Wendy Simpson, Buckman and Mitchell, Valley Oak Executive Suites, Annadale Equine Center, and Pacific Crest Equine.  It has been a nerve wrecking and exciting process to spread awareness on the opportunities that Ginger and I have in front of us in the coming months.  We will be having a fundraising event on August 27th at the DeBoer's Royal Friesian Farm in Tulare.  Along with dinner, people will get a chance to see the test that Ginger and I will compete in the Pan American Games as well as a jump demonstration.  I hope it will be an exciting night that will connect the community with my horse and I, and an opportunity to raise support and awareness for the Pan American Games.  If you or someone you know would be interested in attending this event, please contact me via email (laurenbillys@yahoo.com) or on the "Contact Us" page on the webpage.  More information should be available on the website soon.
Thank you to all my amazing sponsors!  More information to come soon.  Side note, the photo above is of one of my students, Alex Dayka, who came out to cool Ginger down this past Friday.

Until next time,
Ginger and Lauren

New Beginnings

Congratulations to Marta and her new horse Diva!  Diva is a seven year old warmblood mare that has some great movement and a fun jumping style.  She and Marta had an instant connection.  I am so excited to see their progress and relationship grow over the next few years.  No horse will replace Laya, Marta's old horse, but we are excited for a new beginning with Diva.  Congratulations to Marta and her family!

A Summer of Preparation

I know it has been too long since I last posted.  Life here has been chaotic and finally now becoming relaxing.  After my last show, I was hit with the reality of finals and recovery from finals.  But in the midst of all of this some exciting things did happen.  Ginger had a nice vacation after our last show, which she deserved and suited her well.  I have picked up her training within the last week to a more typical pace, and she sure feels eager, strong, and hungry for our next competition.  Yesterday I jumped her and felt a stronger, more confident horse than ever before.  I think the two stars suited her well, and gave her some drive to push for more.  She has always been a changing horse; she gets stronger and more mature with every showing, for me it is a noticeable change from month to month.  Our schedule currently includes Rebecca Farms in Kalispell, Montana (July), Woodside Horse Trials in Woodside, California (August), Copper Meadows Horse Trails in Romona, California (September), and finally the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico (October).  It blows my mind to think that in three shows we will be preparing ourselves for the competition of a lifetime, but I feel so blessed with the opportunity and will do my best to be as prepared as possible.  My summer goals include raising enough money to attend the games, getting in good physical shape at the gym, and getting Ginger's fitness to its peak.  We are going to start some new ideas in her training to boost her endurance by swimming her in a pool and putting her in an equine aqua treadmill.  In terms of fundraising, we are planning to do a fundraising event in Visalia; stay tune for information on this event as well as the launching of my new website. 

Within the past month, one very exciting event happened for Ginger and I.  We were featured in our very first magazine article.  Lifestyle magazine is a publication for the central valley of California.  Ginger and I were featured in their "Next Generation" series, which features young people with unusual hobbies.  I have included the article's text below with some pictures from the magazine.  And the links on the very bottom are from the Twin Rivers CCI**.  Hope you enjoy all of this. 

Lauren Billys

by Crystal R. R. Edwards

for Lifestyle Magazine, April 2011

“Eventing” is the equestrian equivalent of the triathlon. Show jumping, dressage (sometimes referred to as “horse ballet”), and cross-country are judged during the competition over two or three days.

There are three constants in life: death, taxes and horse-crazy little girls. What happens when the equine obsession turns into a possible career?

Meet Lauren Billys of Visalia. Billys, a 22-year-old student at Fresno State, rides her Irish sport horse Ballingowan Ginger in the equestrian sport referred to as three-day eventing (3DE). “I started riding when I was eight years old,” she said. “I was obsessed with horses, which was strange because no one else in my family rode.”

Her obsession led to lessons, then summer camp at Mountain View Corrals in Woodlake. At that point, she was hooked. “That was the first time I ever jumped,” she recalled. Mountain View Corrals did all three-day eventing, and before she knew it, Billys had a horse and was invited to a 3DE competition when she was 13. “There was no way I was ever going to do anything but eventing at that point,” she said.

Billys currently rides out of Eden Ranch, in Sanger, and visits her coaches Bea and Derek DiGrazia at Stillwater Farm in Carmel Valley every other weekend. “We watch movies at night, and we ride during the daytime,” she said. “I get a lot of help from them and I’m constantly in contact with Bea or Derek during the rest of the time to discuss everything that’s going on with my training.” She also works with Loris Henry in Fresno on a weekly basis. “She’s one of the top dressage judges in the world for eventing,” Billys said. “She’s been a huge help in my riding career.”

Billys is a double-major in chemistry and enology (wine making). She also teaches riding and trains rider-horse pairs in what little spare time she has left, and is hoping that eventing will become a career. “I’m hoping that I can get a lot of exposure and ride in big-time international competitions.”

How big-time are we talking? “The Pan American Games,” she said with a chuckle. “All the countries in the Western Hemisphere compete. I’m of Puerto Rican nationality, and I’ll be competing on behalf of Puerto Rico.” She explained that this is the first year Puerto Rico will come out with an eventing squad. “We don’t have an official coach yet,” she said. “Those who are qualifying for the Pan American games are all based in the United States.”

Billys trains at least three hours a day, six days a week on her 16.3-hand-tall horse. The seventh day of the week, she’s still at the barn, working with other horses. “It’s a big commitment, and it’s taught me a lot of responsibility.” She described how she was handed the keys to the truck and a horse trailer when she was 16 and given a cheerful farewell by her parents before one weekend event.

“My advice to anyone interested in eventing, or the equestrian sport in general, is to enjoy the process, not just the final product. Things can change in a day. If your horse blows a tendon, you may not be going to that competition. The end product is not always a given, but I enjoy what I’m doing every day with the horse.”

To keep updated with Billys and Ballingowan Ginger’s upcoming Pan American status, visit her blog: http://laurenbillys.blogspot.com.

Pictures of the magazine spread.

Links to the videos from Twin Rivers CCI** in April 2011.
Dressage:
http://www.youtube.com/user/rideonvideo?blend=5&ob=5#p/c/E6986B19642EFB93/14/PQDUzOuRfY4
Cross Country:
http://www.youtube.com/user/rideonvideo?blend=5&ob=5#p/c/E6986B19642EFB93/16/bHkym3wInCI
Stadium:
http://www.youtube.com/user/rideonvideo?blend=5&ob=5#p/c/E6986B19642EFB93/15/_5swHrzBb2Q

Until next time,
Lauren and Ginger

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