Recent Articles in Archived Blog Posts

We’re doing it!!  Cotton and I are jumping all by ourselves!

After the amazing breakthrough we had this past week, we have been jumping up a storm – (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Part 1-

She did it again – she created another major milestone in the riding career of Lisa Blazevich.

I was actually nervous about the jumping lesson I had scheduled with her for today.  I’ve always looked forward to jumping – never nervous – what was going on?!  (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

We galloped today!  It was a slow gallop – about the speed we would go during XC at BN – but it was so much fun!!  This warm weather has taken the edge off his spunk and he was acting a little lazy so we had a refreshing canter along the drive from the road to the barn to wake him up a little.  It seemed like he was thinking...(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Impatience - “inability to control one’s desire for action”.  I repent …  and now fully embrace the organic and variable nature of my sport.

And, I also confess that I am...(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Ok, y’all were right – today went much better.  Thanks again for your encouragement!   Especially you, Lesley!

Here’s what went wrong the day before...(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Rarely do I feel the need to throw myself a pity-party.  I have a lot to be thankful for and, on those rare days when I do feel a little down, all I have to do is begin making my way through my list of blessings and I am joyful again!

Today has been different. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

OK – we’ve got the stopping thing down pat!  We’ve been cantering up and down the field and he’s doing great!  I haven’t done any fly-bys yet though (cantering past a XC jump)– don’t want to mess up a good thing. 

Trust is a critical issue with Cotton.  Now that I’ve learned how to be more elastic with my elbows and stop him with my seat he has been more relaxed.  He doesn’t resist me nearly as often or as forcefully as he used to just a short time ago. The warm weather may have something to do with it, too! (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

OK ladies … well, this affects you guys too, so listen up.  It’s time we talk about an issue that affects all of us every summer – except those of you who live in the deep South, in which case you may struggle with this year round. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Cotton was so happy to be cantering out in the XC field!  I’ve been limiting our canter work to the arena so I could practice stopping him with my seat instead of my hand and this was our first attempt out in the open at a canter using that new – i.e. correct - technique.

There are probably at least a ½ dozen ways to stop a horse, ranging from...(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Jumping 101.  Cotton loves this class!  The prerequisite was dressage 101 – which I have passed with .… a solid B maybe?  Cotton was hoping his flatwork was finished for the day when he saw that we were lined up for the first approach but, as the Rolex announcer said during stadium last year, it’s just dressage with jumps in the way! (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Now we’re cooking!

We have been cantering all around the ring.  Our departures have been spot on.  He’s not bucking at all.  He stops when I want him to.   We are jumping again!!  (just baby jumps) Things are finally back on track! 

I’ve learned...(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

The two rides I’ve had on Cotton since my big date with Sony have been productive.

Yesterday I experienced the enormous importance of having my core engaged at all times.  We were out trotting around the open field – he loves it out there!  I was practicing keeping him round more consistently and slowing him with my seat and leg rather than my hand.   After awhile it dawned on me...(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

The vacuum cleaner has always been my favorite electronic device.  It instantly sucks away all kinds of dirt that a house full of boys and dogs creates.  It just disappears!  It even works on dirty ovens.  My quality of life would be greatly diminished if there were no vacuum in my world.

But after Monday my Dyson has a little competition.  His name is Sony and he’s a cam-corder!  We’ve had him for quite awhile - he’s kind of old, really - but I see him in a different light now. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Well, I did better but not as good as the day before.  Our trot work was fabulous, our canter departures were very good but when he swapped leads in the back I made the mistake of bringing him back down into a trot and starting over.   I was trying to figure out what I was doing wrong that kept causing him to do that - he didn’t do it during our lesson the day before!  He also threw in a few bucks and started rushing around so after a handful more unproductive attempts in both directions I decided to bail out on the canter and go back to trot.   I can’t ride my horse without Lesley telling me what to do?!  Unacceptable. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

It’s so great to see the sun again!

Our farrier was running really late today so Lesley had time to give me a lesson while we waited.  Yay!

I feel like an onion – she peels off one layer and gets to work on the next one!  I’ve worked on correcting my.....(Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

With just about an entire straight week of rain, I haven’t ridden very much – three times actually.  The first time, my friend Cheryl talked me into going out in the rain with her but it was a non-productive ride.  We were soaking wet in a matter of minutes.  The reins were slipping through my hands, my feet were slipping out of the stirrups, my legs were slipping all around the saddle, my raincoat kept catching on something and tugging on me, I was shivering with cold.   Where is an indoor arena when you need one? (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

OK, I’m just going to say it … I am 49 years OLD!   What do I think I’m doing?!  Lesley has assured me that I can handle him but I’m having my doubts at this point. I told her that her job as my professional coach was to teach me how to ride this thing before I lose my confidence.  My husband and I have accepted the fact that riding is a more risky sport than say… tennis.  I have already had to recover from a compression fracture when I got bucked off a different horse a few years ago and I don’t want to inconvenience my family again for doing something stupid!  Riding definitely stretches my faith.

A few of my weaknesses as a rider are as follows: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

My horse's name is High Cotton.  Us Southerners grew up knowing the phrase “walking in high cotton”, meaning you have been very blessed.  He is a 12-year-old OTT Thoroughbred, 16’1 – on the slight side for my 5’10” long-legged frame. He has an expressive, kind eye. He is super eager to please and he comes to me in the pasture as if he is actually glad to see me! He melts my heart. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)