Suck it up Buttercup!

Does anyone else get nervous before a competition or is it just me?  No matter how much I prepare, I never feel like I'm prepared enough!  Tomorrow, Cat and I will compete in our fist competition of the year (ACTHA AOC) and I'm already getting sick to my stomach.  I've barely gotten 8 rides in this year due to the weather and I haven't ridden her in over a week.  If I was riding her consistently I might feel a little bit more confident (bwa ha ha ha, yeah right).

Earlier this week I was informed we had to have additional paperwork so instead of riding tonight, she's getting hauled to the vet.  On the plus side - this ride is considered "Gambler's Choice", which allows for each obstacle to be ridden twice.  While I really enjoy seeing what Cat's initial reaction is (that's the important one), I know if we get a second chance we'll do much better and my main goal is helping her to grow.

After this ride I have a fairly busy schedule which is not going to be very cohesive for riding.

03/08 -Chase has his band solo

03/09 - We have a birthday party

03/13 thru 03/15 - I'm taking the boys to an aquatic center for spring break

03/21 & 03/22 - We will be in Nebraska for the Nebraska Trail Exp (I'm going as a spectator)

03/27 thru 03/29 - MIL and I will compete in MO

Whew - Finally a weekend off!

04/10 thru 04/12 - Cat and I will be in a demo at the Iowa Horse Fair (if you think my anxiety is high about tomorrow take it times 1000 for this)

04/18 thru 04/19 - Back in MO

Finally a weekend off!

What in the world have I gotten myself into?

I guess as the saying goes "suck it up buttercup!"  

Did I mention the weather forecast?  23* (real feel 12*) with snow expected in the afternoon.  Guess I'd better get some thermals washed tonight!

Lions and Tigers and......Iguana's????

We only have 12 days before our first competition for 2015!  I'm getting excited and nervous at the same time.  I found an arena less than 10 miles away to use from time to time which has been a huge help in getting the horses legged up and prepared.

Yesterday the boys and I made a trip to Goodwill and found a few new "obstacles".  I know this is turning into a bit of an obsession when the boys are now finding things to scare the horses for me. 

Meet Spike!

And mini Spike!

When we got the arena we set up a few obstacles to work on.  There were some cones to trot through, a bridge, the barrels w/the tarp and mini Spike and then Spike (as a drag).  As you can see Cat was deathly afraid of Spike.

I feel like Cat is really coming along.  She has been side passing over objects (starting to the side vs straddling) and is getting more and more comfortable with it.  She even side passed over Spike.  She is also doing much better at picking up her right lead (this has always been her bad lead) and she's really starting to rock back onto her hocks and use her hind end.  I'm so excited to see the changes she's going to make this year - that WE are going to make!