Games Practice 02/11/18

February, 11, 2018

Two days ago we had a practice and it was freezing. Today we had a practice and it was nice and warm! Both were fun, but I got to say the warmer temperatures were nicer to the joints.

Today’s practice included three of us from Team Gone Rogue; myself, Val, And Jon, and our friend Zoe on her brand new pony Dice. This was Zoe’s second ride on Dice, and his first time playing games. I think Zoe picked a good one. He hardly batted an eye at anything and he seemed pleased to trot on through everything. I believe I caught his very first race, Twitter, and his second, mug shuffle in the compilation video.

We rocked through quite a few races, trying to hit ones today we didn’t get to on Friday. And since it was warm, we ran through quoits a few times. For me I worked on my leaning in quoits, more for my leaning in general than to actually get the ring out of the bucket in competition. I am very happy with myself for touching the top of the bucket, go me! Val of course was whipping around, grabbing a hoop and in most runs (except the one in the video) slapping that ring over the cone. And Jon, his stirrup is so fast. He certainly challenges a vaulter with this skill.

About half way through practice one of the long horns came running into the indoor and started to toss a trash can around. Jon ran over and closed the gates to our section just before another one ran in. Turns out the cows had gotten loose. We called up to the house and they had them rounded us and back in the field quickly but there was a lot of mooing going on for a while. It made for a rather exciting mid practice break.

Video compilation from practice!

Leave a comment

by riderofchaos on February 11, 2018 • Permalink

Posted in Mounted Games

Tagged blue ridge games, blue ridge pony, equestrian, horse, mgaa, mounted games, pony

Posted by riderofchaos on February 11, 2018

https://blueridgepony.com/2018/02/11/games-practice-02-11-18/

Matt’s bday practice video

February 10, 2018

I am attempting to channel my inner youth and compile and include a video compilation from our practice. Let’s see how this goes.

Leave a comment

by riderofchaos on February 10, 2018 • Permalink

Posted in Mounted Games

Posted by riderofchaos on February 10, 2018

https://blueridgepony.com/2018/02/10/matts-bday-practice-video/

Matt’s Bday Games Practice 2018

February 9, 2018

This morning four of the Team Rogue riders got together in Berryville, VA for practice in honor of Matt’s bday! This was Averi’s very first practice with us and I think she enjoyed it even though we started off early. Early means cold! We all pulled a “Michael Jackson” and rode with one glove (you need the right hand free for equipment handling).

It was a really good practice. We busted through a good array of races including hi low, ball and cone (yep we did it), hoopla, 3 mug, litter, sword, 4 flag, flag fliers, mug shuffle, association, bottle, pony pairs and I am sure a few others. Pony pairs was particularly nice to be able to run through since we had four of us there.

Matt’s pony, Hero was fresh from having some dental work yesterday and seemed to settle down on his head tossing as the practice went along. I worked on pushing Poe up to equipment and not over checking, and we worked on a turn for Babyface. I think Cider was just happy to be out and enjoying himself.

What do the rest of you people in your 30s (ish) do for your birthdays?

Below are some photos of us practicing our “smoldering selfies” which Val recently read about and is instructing is in to jokingly help us all stay young. We are having a lot of fun with it. Clearly we did not follow the instructions with our group selfie. The angle is all wrong.

Leave a comment

by riderofchaos on February 9, 2018 • Permalink

Posted in Mounted Games

Tagged birthday, blue ridge pony, equestrian, gone rogue, horse, mounted games, riding, team, team practice

Posted by riderofchaos on February 9, 2018

https://blueridgepony.com/2018/02/09/matts-bday-games-practice-2018/

Road Hack Feb 8, 2018

February 8, 2018

Two days ago I went out on a road hack and Simon was in one of those afraid of everything moods. So after two miles of two fists full of mane I turned around and we power trotted back.

Today we gave it another go. He was still a bit tense. He decided he is afraid of cows now, and the cows did now help by stampeding and mooing. And one particular older lady filling her bird feeder was about the end of him. He could just see her over a hill, and we spent a few minutes discussing that he would go forward. After that he got a bit more courage and we were able to move on some.

I will give it to him, the first two miles of the ride are through a much more closed in section of road with a lot more to look at. It’s a very tranquil two miles and I wish I were able to snap a few shots, but again I was riding with two fists full of mane with no hands free to snap photos.

After we got into the more open he relaxed more and we were able to move out more which also burned off some of his nervousness. So I did get two quick shots of our view. And also a quick shot of this giant pencil in someone’s yard. I love that pencil.

It’s a nice little loop, the only car was right by my house, and I am eager to be able to put a bit more leg into it as Simon settles down a bit more.