There is no reason to pick the number nine. it really probably should be 666 but let's not go there in the first sentence shall we?
The past few weeks have been very up and down.Smashing face down into the ground is just beginning to really sink in and it's been a wild ride.The initial hospital visit is always just a numb blur really.You hear things,you hop fully are lucky enough to feel things ,but you don't really have to think about them at that time because your in such a mess that reality doesn't really matter.
I knew my farm and the horses and dogs were safe and in the best of hands and I knew my event was going to be as great as ever ,because of the HUGE numbers of people that TOOK CARE OF EVERYTHING!!!!Every detail of my normal daily life was taken care of for me.I was in relatively no pain. My hands were a concern as they were very very sharp but with each passing hour I KNEW the pain was going to go away and my hands were going to work again.
I have been hurt a lot and I KNEW first I was going to be SERIOUSLY HURT and I was.I knew this before I hit the ground.I knew lying there in the sand this was a big one. But I also knew I was going to be alright with some time.
My Mother was the best nurse in the world and although this fall looks like it's definitely going to change my riding career I wouldn't have missed those three weeks with my mother for anything in the world.I have never felt safer or more loved by anyone in my life.
Sadly now I have moved back to my farm(I think I call it Paradise)(Though right now i can't find the beautiful flamingos or anything beautiful)
The event went well. I saw lots of my friends that gasped and said I looked better than they had thought I would.Ha Ha you should have seen the first day.The event was smooth. I stood around and did nothing but make my bumpy lip smile.We were really happy with the new sunken road addition to the cross country course. Something I have waited for 5 years for,because of money.
Doing the books after the event was more painful than falling off the horse.Rather than feeling that safe numbness I mentioned before,this felt like I had landed on an open bag of scalpels blades up.Oh my God ,What now? How am I going to make it now?What am I going to do?It wasn't even the end of February and all I could see was shear black and doom.
We wee over 100 entries short this year. It was the first year we had no waiting list. I left the event at the three day format because we have been turning so many horses that wanted to come to the event.I did not see this coming and no one said anything about not liking this format before. IN fact everyone last year said they loved the three days so I left it that way. BIG mistake.
My fall event has been a basic nightmare for years as people have every reason in the world for not coming but my spring event has always made me so proud and I felt it was so worthwhile and people really liked it.I am so honored that Phillip Dutton said you won't find a nicer preliminary course anywhere but tell that to my banker.
I tell you honestly I am flat scared of the future. After the event Barbie,Antonio and several loyal friends RACE around pulling up staked jumps and REPLAN 5 mini cross country courses for the jumping derby the following day.That is a HUGE HUGE job. WE move an entire show jumping course out to the back field to give people a chance to school showjumping and cross country.This about our 5th year. we have had horses from 8 am till 5pm before. From Tadpole to Intermediate.This year we had 20 rides.
That evening the stars did not shine.I think all of us were so defeated and destroyed we dared not speak.
Thank God people have been coming a lot to school the cross country course. Enough for me to be able to put the ground back together again.
Since my injury I have lost many clients.Fortunately my die hards are starting to come back.
This morning I taught 6 lessons and I caught myself singing to my dogs and feeling normal. Normal for me is damn good. I travel at the speed of light and usually have a lot of energy and desire to go on.
The preceding days have been very black indeed.
I have not been able to see the forest through the trees. I have been given the greenish light from the DR. You can ride,just don't fall off.What does that mean?
This farm is a great place. It is great for the horses and it is a great place to learn.So Look out world I'm on the lookout for the best GD marketing person out there that will drive you all here in droves to have the best lessons of your lives.You won't regret it.I may not be able to compete at the top anymore but I did it for a LONG time on LOT's of different horses. I CAN TEACH! I don't think people even know that I teach.I may not cram it down your throat but I hope someone else out there will help me. I can get you to where you need to be.Whatever and where ever. Great horse or donkey. PLease come on. Help me sing to my dogs and keep this great farm going.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Teaching
The event and the Jumping Derby are now over. The farm is being put back together by the same great crew that built it all up for the competitions. Everything gets put back in it's place for the next one. Everything is about simplicity and saving time.I have an amazing team that proved their worth by putting up the entire event without my even being on the property.I am indebted to their dedication. Antonio Hernadez has been with me seven years and Barbie Reeser going on five.They knew the drill. Nothing was out of place. Barbie and Antonio had EVERYTHING exactly as it should have been. Barbie also managed the horses and the complete volunteer list and Antonio managed 110 acres by himself and helped build a magnificent new sunken road jump of which we are hugely proud.I must say there were many many great people that also helped and my greatest mother in the world managed to tie me in the chair for two weeks to stay the hell out of everyones way!
These two people have seen me compete at the Rolex and Fair Hill level all the way down to baby novice. They have held the farm together through broken legs,backs and now my neck.They have put down some of my finest friends and been through it all. They have never ever let me down. That is PURE DEVOTION AND LOVE.That is what Paradise is about. Yet we heal and get strong again and go on.
We love putting on the Spring event as it is such fun to see all the riders really love the courses. Everyone at EVERY level say their horses come of the courses eager for the next jump. Everyone,riders,trainers and coaches say the tracks at Paradise offer an education where the horses and riders WANT to jump better and better.The Fall event is fun too but we REALLY wish more local people would come. The quality of this event is simply too good to miss.
There are plenty of butterflies the night before but that's what makes everyone ride better.People need to be PREPARED to jump at their chosen level.Two foot eleven is two foot eleven.Hills have to be negotiated and people need to have EXPERIENCE at handing things when the plan goes wrong. Lucinda Green is a master at teaching people to ride safely when glitches happen.Lucinda is one of my biggest mentors along with Mike ES.I am very proud of my European background to our sport.
I have NEVER EVER Had a course designer,or official recommend we dummy down any fence on this course(Pardon me there was actually one that made me cut down a jump that had been on a course for years)I have never heard a peep from a rider rep.
I have NEVER had a rider complain.I have never heard an official need to change anything.Tremain Cooper my friend and long time course designer thinks like a horse and has a great feel for the land.This event is for the horses. It is early in the season but now many people are ready in January. If you are not ready. Simply downgrade to the next level below. There is no shame in that. It is called HORSEMANSHIP!
If I could put a word next to Paradise farm it would be my wish that word would be education.That is what the farm is for. Education of all sorts of horses and riders.Education of so many more things than just riding.Discipline,courtesy,sportsmanship,preparation,dedication,detail,knowledge and FUN!
We have a great time at the farm. WE laugh so hard during lessons that a quick trip behind the bush is sometimes necessary. WE teach through encouragement not intimidation. WE ask the riders what THEY WANT> It is not about what I want. BUT if they say they want to ride Intermediate there is a stiff bunch of criteria that needs to be met for sure. I do NOT teach beginners differently than I teach upper level riders,though there is a TREMENDOUS amount of talking in the beginning.There is so much theory the rider needs to understand before just riding around in circles.
I take great care in recognizing fear,or any lack of confidence. If I see something that is unsafe I explain it and WHY!!!!!I NEVER expect anyone to know things.I do my BEST to prevent injury and fear and pain. I have been hurt enough and believe it or not...that makes me a better teacher!I have not been hurt because I am not good. I am very good. But it's the luck of the dice and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
I am fit and strong and have come back from more injury than most and will do it again.I take great care in STUDYING With CERTIFIED professionals about anatomy,injury and rehab. Again I think this makes me a very knowledgeable teacher. I have rehabbed many horses back to the Olympic level as well.
I love teaching. I want to teach. That is what Paradise Farm is for. I teach beginners. I teach children on naughty ponies.I can handle tears,fear,confidence issues. I am very good at recognizing trigger points most people have. And many have the same. Riding in crowds(hunting) Thee is SO MUCH TO KNOW!!!!!!Yet people think they don't need it. My fox hunter safety clinics were so much fun and opened the eyes of many. AS a Master of Hounds with a teaching background I felt it was my duty to help all the way round. And it did.I am experience up to PSG dressage and the 1.30's in show jumping. So come on.I am excellent at teaching balance and flying changes.I have everything ,anyone needs to learn how to ride and have fun.All my staff and family here love what we do. There are no dark clouds here.There is nothing scary.
I do not limit my teaching to those that want to ride competitively. ANYONE That wants to enjoy the Hitchcock woods safely can benefit greatly from these lessons. I wish more people would come.Any person,any horse.
We NEVER over face people. EVERYTHING is done with TONS of preparation.No one is asked to do anything they can't do. If they need to be led by hand we do that too.It is about conquering fear through knowledge. Not by riding by luck.
I have often heard that people say I yell. Yelling infers anger. I do not get angry when I teach. I teach near a very busy road. I teach in a 80 acre field. It is important the rider HEARS While riding.I do not like to wait until the moment is over.Anger has nothing to do with teaching. Disciplining a horse has NOTHING to do with being mean or cruel. Depending on a situation,messages often have to be firm or sharp,always followed by praise. We love our horses.We love what we do.
I have been taught by the best in the world in the hopes of representing my country. Though I came close I never made it but now I want to give back. I still study everyday.I watch,I read,I talk,I listen ,I go to seminars, I upgrade my licences. No one in Aiken that stays here all year has more experience than me.Paradise Farm is an incredible facility for anyone that wants to ride better or learn about their horse. PLease come. Please visit and see what we do.Teaching makes me a beter rider. So please come help me!
Sit up and RIDE BETTER!
These two people have seen me compete at the Rolex and Fair Hill level all the way down to baby novice. They have held the farm together through broken legs,backs and now my neck.They have put down some of my finest friends and been through it all. They have never ever let me down. That is PURE DEVOTION AND LOVE.That is what Paradise is about. Yet we heal and get strong again and go on.
We love putting on the Spring event as it is such fun to see all the riders really love the courses. Everyone at EVERY level say their horses come of the courses eager for the next jump. Everyone,riders,trainers and coaches say the tracks at Paradise offer an education where the horses and riders WANT to jump better and better.The Fall event is fun too but we REALLY wish more local people would come. The quality of this event is simply too good to miss.
There are plenty of butterflies the night before but that's what makes everyone ride better.People need to be PREPARED to jump at their chosen level.Two foot eleven is two foot eleven.Hills have to be negotiated and people need to have EXPERIENCE at handing things when the plan goes wrong. Lucinda Green is a master at teaching people to ride safely when glitches happen.Lucinda is one of my biggest mentors along with Mike ES.I am very proud of my European background to our sport.
I have NEVER EVER Had a course designer,or official recommend we dummy down any fence on this course(Pardon me there was actually one that made me cut down a jump that had been on a course for years)I have never heard a peep from a rider rep.
I have NEVER had a rider complain.I have never heard an official need to change anything.Tremain Cooper my friend and long time course designer thinks like a horse and has a great feel for the land.This event is for the horses. It is early in the season but now many people are ready in January. If you are not ready. Simply downgrade to the next level below. There is no shame in that. It is called HORSEMANSHIP!
If I could put a word next to Paradise farm it would be my wish that word would be education.That is what the farm is for. Education of all sorts of horses and riders.Education of so many more things than just riding.Discipline,courtesy,sportsmanship,preparation,dedication,detail,knowledge and FUN!
We have a great time at the farm. WE laugh so hard during lessons that a quick trip behind the bush is sometimes necessary. WE teach through encouragement not intimidation. WE ask the riders what THEY WANT> It is not about what I want. BUT if they say they want to ride Intermediate there is a stiff bunch of criteria that needs to be met for sure. I do NOT teach beginners differently than I teach upper level riders,though there is a TREMENDOUS amount of talking in the beginning.There is so much theory the rider needs to understand before just riding around in circles.
I take great care in recognizing fear,or any lack of confidence. If I see something that is unsafe I explain it and WHY!!!!!I NEVER expect anyone to know things.I do my BEST to prevent injury and fear and pain. I have been hurt enough and believe it or not...that makes me a better teacher!I have not been hurt because I am not good. I am very good. But it's the luck of the dice and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
I am fit and strong and have come back from more injury than most and will do it again.I take great care in STUDYING With CERTIFIED professionals about anatomy,injury and rehab. Again I think this makes me a very knowledgeable teacher. I have rehabbed many horses back to the Olympic level as well.
I love teaching. I want to teach. That is what Paradise Farm is for. I teach beginners. I teach children on naughty ponies.I can handle tears,fear,confidence issues. I am very good at recognizing trigger points most people have. And many have the same. Riding in crowds(hunting) Thee is SO MUCH TO KNOW!!!!!!Yet people think they don't need it. My fox hunter safety clinics were so much fun and opened the eyes of many. AS a Master of Hounds with a teaching background I felt it was my duty to help all the way round. And it did.I am experience up to PSG dressage and the 1.30's in show jumping. So come on.I am excellent at teaching balance and flying changes.I have everything ,anyone needs to learn how to ride and have fun.All my staff and family here love what we do. There are no dark clouds here.There is nothing scary.
I do not limit my teaching to those that want to ride competitively. ANYONE That wants to enjoy the Hitchcock woods safely can benefit greatly from these lessons. I wish more people would come.Any person,any horse.
We NEVER over face people. EVERYTHING is done with TONS of preparation.No one is asked to do anything they can't do. If they need to be led by hand we do that too.It is about conquering fear through knowledge. Not by riding by luck.
I have often heard that people say I yell. Yelling infers anger. I do not get angry when I teach. I teach near a very busy road. I teach in a 80 acre field. It is important the rider HEARS While riding.I do not like to wait until the moment is over.Anger has nothing to do with teaching. Disciplining a horse has NOTHING to do with being mean or cruel. Depending on a situation,messages often have to be firm or sharp,always followed by praise. We love our horses.We love what we do.
I have been taught by the best in the world in the hopes of representing my country. Though I came close I never made it but now I want to give back. I still study everyday.I watch,I read,I talk,I listen ,I go to seminars, I upgrade my licences. No one in Aiken that stays here all year has more experience than me.Paradise Farm is an incredible facility for anyone that wants to ride better or learn about their horse. PLease come. Please visit and see what we do.Teaching makes me a beter rider. So please come help me!
Sit up and RIDE BETTER!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Paradise Farm Horse Trials
Once again we were blessed with great weather during our spring event. It did rain on Sunday but the footing held up beautifully in all phases.
We were slightly down in numbers this year due to a few reasons. Pine Top entered a new Prelim division to it's calender that I think took a few horses from our event. Also heard via the grapevine that there were a few more snowbirds that headed to Ocala for various reasons this year.These are not criticisms just observations.
Running events is very hard ,even when one is in good shape. Pulling the event together this time was dome by the most amazing group of people.I am so grateful to have so many dear friends to stay over and paint and rake and do EVERYTHING!
So the event itself went smoothly except for a few scheduling surprises. In reading the return event evaluations one trys to pay attention to the requests of the riders but sometimes they're pretty hard.There were a lot of comments about dead footing in the dressage ring and how deep it was and hard to accommodate from grass to sand. If anyone really looks at the low scores and the few faults in show jumping I do not think low scares can be attributed to footing. Sorry guys....You just have to ride better. No matter what.
We will work on trying to water and drag the rings,but this will mean spending time making the days longer and more costly.So be careful what you ask for.We are looking into water trucks and better harrows.These do not come cheap.
We ADORE you comeing to Paradise and believe me we are doing the best we can on a shoe string.Every year at least a minimum or @20,000.00 is put into the event.We are working on a second level area,last estimate $25,000.00.We are thinking about stabling......
What we want is a quality experience for you and your horses. WE do think jumping in the sand is a better prep for the next big boy weekend.Even those that are not going advanced at Pine top deserve to jump in a big boy atmosphere.
The cross country courses were great. They flowed nicely and had wonderful training questions.Our new sunken road (built by my long time friend Chris Owens) was very well received. There were many compliments,including Phillip Dutton saying he thought the prelim course was one of the best on the east coast. We are happy with that.
This is NOT to discourage lower level people from coming to Paradise. Paradise Farm is a place for learning.SOMEHOW we must abolish the complete untruths that Paradise is too big for the average bear.
We have jumps that start at 2 feet and go all the way up. NO ONE is EVER EVER asked to jump past ones level and confidence is key. There is no yelling or forcing here ever. It is all about the horse. If there is a problem,one simply steps down a level. No shame in that,only HORSEMANSHIP!
There is a jumping derby the following Wednesday with 5 completely different courses established. This year only 30 horses came after 2 straight days of changing course. Very discouraging.The jumping derbies are an incredibly useful and fun way to give your horses mileage.We do thank those that did come however.
So the next one is October 21-22. We WILL have tent stabling. I'm telling you now IT WILL NOT BE CANCELLED SO PLEASE SHOOT ANYONE IN THE NOSE FOR US THAT PASSES THAT RUMOUR AGAIN!!Truly that is such a bore.
Good luck to all that are off to their new respective seasons. Wish I could join you but I'm still on the back burner for now. Thank you all for your help Love Lellie
We were slightly down in numbers this year due to a few reasons. Pine Top entered a new Prelim division to it's calender that I think took a few horses from our event. Also heard via the grapevine that there were a few more snowbirds that headed to Ocala for various reasons this year.These are not criticisms just observations.
Running events is very hard ,even when one is in good shape. Pulling the event together this time was dome by the most amazing group of people.I am so grateful to have so many dear friends to stay over and paint and rake and do EVERYTHING!
So the event itself went smoothly except for a few scheduling surprises. In reading the return event evaluations one trys to pay attention to the requests of the riders but sometimes they're pretty hard.There were a lot of comments about dead footing in the dressage ring and how deep it was and hard to accommodate from grass to sand. If anyone really looks at the low scores and the few faults in show jumping I do not think low scares can be attributed to footing. Sorry guys....You just have to ride better. No matter what.
We will work on trying to water and drag the rings,but this will mean spending time making the days longer and more costly.So be careful what you ask for.We are looking into water trucks and better harrows.These do not come cheap.
We ADORE you comeing to Paradise and believe me we are doing the best we can on a shoe string.Every year at least a minimum or @20,000.00 is put into the event.We are working on a second level area,last estimate $25,000.00.We are thinking about stabling......
What we want is a quality experience for you and your horses. WE do think jumping in the sand is a better prep for the next big boy weekend.Even those that are not going advanced at Pine top deserve to jump in a big boy atmosphere.
The cross country courses were great. They flowed nicely and had wonderful training questions.Our new sunken road (built by my long time friend Chris Owens) was very well received. There were many compliments,including Phillip Dutton saying he thought the prelim course was one of the best on the east coast. We are happy with that.
This is NOT to discourage lower level people from coming to Paradise. Paradise Farm is a place for learning.SOMEHOW we must abolish the complete untruths that Paradise is too big for the average bear.
We have jumps that start at 2 feet and go all the way up. NO ONE is EVER EVER asked to jump past ones level and confidence is key. There is no yelling or forcing here ever. It is all about the horse. If there is a problem,one simply steps down a level. No shame in that,only HORSEMANSHIP!
There is a jumping derby the following Wednesday with 5 completely different courses established. This year only 30 horses came after 2 straight days of changing course. Very discouraging.The jumping derbies are an incredibly useful and fun way to give your horses mileage.We do thank those that did come however.
So the next one is October 21-22. We WILL have tent stabling. I'm telling you now IT WILL NOT BE CANCELLED SO PLEASE SHOOT ANYONE IN THE NOSE FOR US THAT PASSES THAT RUMOUR AGAIN!!Truly that is such a bore.
Good luck to all that are off to their new respective seasons. Wish I could join you but I'm still on the back burner for now. Thank you all for your help Love Lellie
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Horse Trial Organization
My event starts tomorrow.It is raining and I have a broken neck and can't do a darn thing. As far as I am concerned we are ready. Everyone has done a great job. We were happy.
Then the phone starts ringing off the hook and the computer is on fire. The threats start rolling in. UGH can't anything go right?So get out the fire hose and start problem solving.
The riders are furious ,because the times are not up on the website.They are threatening they will never come back to such a disorganized event. They can not plan their lives and help and travel plans. I understand all that as I have a competed a bit in my day.But I have never threatened or been rude to the staff of an event.
Is the event REALLY run over three days?Are you kidding me? Did you just figure that out I say to myself?Well I never saw that. Can you give me special times so I can accommodate your event into my schedule?(Times 300)
My horse threw a show. My truck isn't working,my great aunt twice removed has a broken leg,my chickens have an infection.I am an Olympic rider ,trainer ...can I have my money back?
I am terrible on the computer and try very hard to hire people that are better at my shortcomings than myself.I know better than try and be a secretary for anything.Yet sometimes,things go wrong even with the best of help.And chaos ensues.It is always a small error ,usually exacerbated by miscommunication that can end in tragedy.
People get very mad because they are worried or threatened about their own circumstances. We are all overextended financially and none of us ever have enough time.My super event team have made some mistakes in not putting up the times early enough. That is a BIG ERROR!That has made many problems for people.And I am VERY VERY sorry for ANY problems incurred by the error of my staff. At the end of the day it is a huge reflection on Paradise Farm.I desperately want to keep going and make everyone happy.But the other side of the coin is NOTHING has been done intentionally and no mistake made needs to be taken personally. There is is still time for everyone to get here and enjoy all that Paradise has to offer.
Another gigantic glitch that happened this morning is the stable manager at Buckleigh (where I ave been sending the stablers for the event for years)doesn't want people camping in their trailers. Oh my God a HUGE problem.WHHHHHHAAAATTTTTT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? NOW???????????Why didn't I know this beforehand?I personally stay in my trailer to be near my horses at all events. This is not the time to get such a change in plans.Fortunately it has been worked out this time. This again has nothing to do with Paradise Farm Horse trials but it sure effects it!I beg the competitors to abide by the rules of our hosts at Buckleigh for their kindness to allow us to use their facility.We do this ,to give our riders more room at the event.We may have to go back to the temporary stables to resolve some problems and then solve the new ones that will entail.Once again we ask you to bear with us.
When we as organizers go to the annual meeting to schedule our dates in June we begin the commitment to our next years events on our properties.The wheel of organization is an everyday thing.Riders want amenities not all organizers can produce.
Permanent stabling with rubber mats and hot and cold water and electric are VERY expensive as it state of the art footing and concrete parking lots and major roadways through the farms.
I was once an interational competitor with a lot of my big time eventing spent in Europe.I rode with the best in the world. Blythe Tait,Ginny Elliot,Andrew Dreamboat Nicholson,Ian Stark you name it.We rarely stabled over night.One was always stabled at a private location or racetrack.One took what one got.We parked in farm fields and were pulled out by tractors most of the time.We rolled with what we got.
The anger and hostility from the competitors is scary.We (the organizers and secretaries and general personell) want things to be pleasant and trauma free.Well wow this morning was anything but that.
We are also contemplating running the event as a two day rather than the three,but we had it as the three as we turned over 100 entries away for the past two years.This year we are actually down in numbers. People are unhappy about the three day format due to time and cost.we would appreciate any feedback regarding this issue as well.
We want people to be happy and have fun. Paradise Farm is a great place for an event. We will always try to make things better.We hope the riders will come because of the quality and be able to forgive people when non life threatening mistakes can happen.We hope people will understand that we cannot always give monies back ,or that when there is a charge it is not meant to hurt the competitor but maintain the sport itself.Communication is the key.We all need to keep our heads up and look ahead and foresee problems and issues as far in advance as possible.
We always want to hear back from people that read the blog or come to the farm.Please use this to express your needs and we will do our best to accomodate. as alkways thank you all for reading.
Kick on, sit up and ride better!
Then the phone starts ringing off the hook and the computer is on fire. The threats start rolling in. UGH can't anything go right?So get out the fire hose and start problem solving.
The riders are furious ,because the times are not up on the website.They are threatening they will never come back to such a disorganized event. They can not plan their lives and help and travel plans. I understand all that as I have a competed a bit in my day.But I have never threatened or been rude to the staff of an event.
Is the event REALLY run over three days?Are you kidding me? Did you just figure that out I say to myself?Well I never saw that. Can you give me special times so I can accommodate your event into my schedule?(Times 300)
My horse threw a show. My truck isn't working,my great aunt twice removed has a broken leg,my chickens have an infection.I am an Olympic rider ,trainer ...can I have my money back?
I am terrible on the computer and try very hard to hire people that are better at my shortcomings than myself.I know better than try and be a secretary for anything.Yet sometimes,things go wrong even with the best of help.And chaos ensues.It is always a small error ,usually exacerbated by miscommunication that can end in tragedy.
People get very mad because they are worried or threatened about their own circumstances. We are all overextended financially and none of us ever have enough time.My super event team have made some mistakes in not putting up the times early enough. That is a BIG ERROR!That has made many problems for people.And I am VERY VERY sorry for ANY problems incurred by the error of my staff. At the end of the day it is a huge reflection on Paradise Farm.I desperately want to keep going and make everyone happy.But the other side of the coin is NOTHING has been done intentionally and no mistake made needs to be taken personally. There is is still time for everyone to get here and enjoy all that Paradise has to offer.
Another gigantic glitch that happened this morning is the stable manager at Buckleigh (where I ave been sending the stablers for the event for years)doesn't want people camping in their trailers. Oh my God a HUGE problem.WHHHHHHAAAATTTTTT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? NOW???????????Why didn't I know this beforehand?I personally stay in my trailer to be near my horses at all events. This is not the time to get such a change in plans.Fortunately it has been worked out this time. This again has nothing to do with Paradise Farm Horse trials but it sure effects it!I beg the competitors to abide by the rules of our hosts at Buckleigh for their kindness to allow us to use their facility.We do this ,to give our riders more room at the event.We may have to go back to the temporary stables to resolve some problems and then solve the new ones that will entail.Once again we ask you to bear with us.
When we as organizers go to the annual meeting to schedule our dates in June we begin the commitment to our next years events on our properties.The wheel of organization is an everyday thing.Riders want amenities not all organizers can produce.
Permanent stabling with rubber mats and hot and cold water and electric are VERY expensive as it state of the art footing and concrete parking lots and major roadways through the farms.
I was once an interational competitor with a lot of my big time eventing spent in Europe.I rode with the best in the world. Blythe Tait,Ginny Elliot,Andrew Dreamboat Nicholson,Ian Stark you name it.We rarely stabled over night.One was always stabled at a private location or racetrack.One took what one got.We parked in farm fields and were pulled out by tractors most of the time.We rolled with what we got.
The anger and hostility from the competitors is scary.We (the organizers and secretaries and general personell) want things to be pleasant and trauma free.Well wow this morning was anything but that.
We are also contemplating running the event as a two day rather than the three,but we had it as the three as we turned over 100 entries away for the past two years.This year we are actually down in numbers. People are unhappy about the three day format due to time and cost.we would appreciate any feedback regarding this issue as well.
We want people to be happy and have fun. Paradise Farm is a great place for an event. We will always try to make things better.We hope the riders will come because of the quality and be able to forgive people when non life threatening mistakes can happen.We hope people will understand that we cannot always give monies back ,or that when there is a charge it is not meant to hurt the competitor but maintain the sport itself.Communication is the key.We all need to keep our heads up and look ahead and foresee problems and issues as far in advance as possible.
We always want to hear back from people that read the blog or come to the farm.Please use this to express your needs and we will do our best to accomodate. as alkways thank you all for reading.
Kick on, sit up and ride better!
Horse Trial Organization
My event starts tomorrow.It is raining and I have a broken neck and can't do a darn thing. As far as I am concerned we are ready. Everyone has done a great job. We were happy.
Then the phone starts ringing off the hook and the computer is on fire. The threats start rolling in. UGH can't anything go right?So get out the fire hose and start problem solving.
The riders are furious ,because the times are not up on the website.They are threatening they will never come back to such a disorganized event. They can not plan their lives and help and travel plans. I understand all that as I have a competed a bit in my day.But I have never threatened or been rude to the staff of an event.
One thing that makes the schedualing so very hard is taking entries so late. We want to take as many as we can to help with the costs of the competition.People are entering later and later. we get phone calls the day before,even the day of,can we still enter?So schedualing gets put off till the closest possible hour. This makes it very hard to contact all the volunteers,produce the program correctly and get the the times out for everyone.There are so many people involved in an event it is hard to get to everyone. Believe us we all try!
Is the event REALLY run over three days?Are you kidding me? Did you just figure that out I say to myself?Well I never saw that. Can you give me special times so I can accommodate your event into my schedule?(Times 300)
My horse threw a show. My truck isn't working,my great aunt twice removed has a broken leg,my chickens have an infection.I am an Olympic rider ,trainer ...can I have my money back?
I am terrible on the computer and try very hard to hire people that are better at my shortcomings than myself.I know better than try and be a secretary for anything.Yet sometimes,things go wrong even with the best of help.And chaos ensues.It is always a small error ,usually exacerbated by miscommunication that can end in tragedy.
People get very mad because they are worried or threatened about their own circumstances. We are all overextended financially and none of us ever have enough time.My super event team have made some mistakes in not putting up the times early enough. That is a BIG ERROR!That has unconvinced many people.And I am VERY VERY sorry for ANY problems incurred by the error of my staff. At the end of the day it is a huge reflection on Paradise Farm.I desperately want to keep going and make everyone happy.But the other side of the coin is NOTHING has been done intentionally and no mistake made needs to be taken personally. There is is still time for everyone to get here and enjoy all that Paradise has to offer.
Another gigantic glitch that happened this morning is the stable manager at Buckleigh (where I ave been sending the stablers for the event for years)doesn't want people camping in their trailers. Oh my God a HUGE problem.WHHHHHHAAAATTTTTT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? NOW???????????Why didn't I know this beforehand?I personally stay in my trailer to be near my horses at all events. This is not the time to get such a change in plans.Fortunately it has been worked out this time. This again has nothing to do with Paradise Farm Horse trials but it sure effects it!
When we as organizers go to the annual meeting to schedual our dates in June we begin the committment to our next years events on our properties.The wheel of organization is an everyday thing.Riders want amenaties and convience that not all organizers can produce.
Permanent stabling with rubber mats and hot and cold water and electric are VERY expensive as it state of the art footing and concrete parking lots and major roadways through the farms.
I was once an interational competitor with a lot of my big time eventing spent in Europe.I rode with the best in the world. Blythe Tait,Ginny Elliot,Andrew Dreamboat Nicholson,Ian Stark you name it.We rarely stabled over night.One was always stabled at a private location or racetrack.One took what one got.We parked in farm fields and were pulled out by tractors most of the time.We rolled with what we got.
The anger and hostility from the competitors is scary.We (the organizers and secretaries and general personell) want things to be pleasant and trauma free.Well wow this morning was anything but that.
We want people to be happy and have fun. Paradise Farm is a great place for an event. We will always try to make things better.We hope the riders will come because of the quality and be able to forgive people when non life threatening mistakes can happen.We hope people will understand that we cannot always give monies back ,or that when there is a charge it is not meant to hurt the competitor but maintain the sport itself.Communication is the key.We all need to keep our heads up and look ahead and foresee problems and issues as far in advance as possible.
We always want to hear back from people that read the blog or come to the farm.Please use this to express your needs and we will do our best to accomodate. as alkways thank you all for reading.
Kick on, sit up and ride better!
Then the phone starts ringing off the hook and the computer is on fire. The threats start rolling in. UGH can't anything go right?So get out the fire hose and start problem solving.
The riders are furious ,because the times are not up on the website.They are threatening they will never come back to such a disorganized event. They can not plan their lives and help and travel plans. I understand all that as I have a competed a bit in my day.But I have never threatened or been rude to the staff of an event.
One thing that makes the schedualing so very hard is taking entries so late. We want to take as many as we can to help with the costs of the competition.People are entering later and later. we get phone calls the day before,even the day of,can we still enter?So schedualing gets put off till the closest possible hour. This makes it very hard to contact all the volunteers,produce the program correctly and get the the times out for everyone.There are so many people involved in an event it is hard to get to everyone. Believe us we all try!
Is the event REALLY run over three days?Are you kidding me? Did you just figure that out I say to myself?Well I never saw that. Can you give me special times so I can accommodate your event into my schedule?(Times 300)
My horse threw a show. My truck isn't working,my great aunt twice removed has a broken leg,my chickens have an infection.I am an Olympic rider ,trainer ...can I have my money back?
I am terrible on the computer and try very hard to hire people that are better at my shortcomings than myself.I know better than try and be a secretary for anything.Yet sometimes,things go wrong even with the best of help.And chaos ensues.It is always a small error ,usually exacerbated by miscommunication that can end in tragedy.
People get very mad because they are worried or threatened about their own circumstances. We are all overextended financially and none of us ever have enough time.My super event team have made some mistakes in not putting up the times early enough. That is a BIG ERROR!That has unconvinced many people.And I am VERY VERY sorry for ANY problems incurred by the error of my staff. At the end of the day it is a huge reflection on Paradise Farm.I desperately want to keep going and make everyone happy.But the other side of the coin is NOTHING has been done intentionally and no mistake made needs to be taken personally. There is is still time for everyone to get here and enjoy all that Paradise has to offer.
Another gigantic glitch that happened this morning is the stable manager at Buckleigh (where I ave been sending the stablers for the event for years)doesn't want people camping in their trailers. Oh my God a HUGE problem.WHHHHHHAAAATTTTTT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? NOW???????????Why didn't I know this beforehand?I personally stay in my trailer to be near my horses at all events. This is not the time to get such a change in plans.Fortunately it has been worked out this time. This again has nothing to do with Paradise Farm Horse trials but it sure effects it!
When we as organizers go to the annual meeting to schedual our dates in June we begin the committment to our next years events on our properties.The wheel of organization is an everyday thing.Riders want amenaties and convience that not all organizers can produce.
Permanent stabling with rubber mats and hot and cold water and electric are VERY expensive as it state of the art footing and concrete parking lots and major roadways through the farms.
I was once an interational competitor with a lot of my big time eventing spent in Europe.I rode with the best in the world. Blythe Tait,Ginny Elliot,Andrew Dreamboat Nicholson,Ian Stark you name it.We rarely stabled over night.One was always stabled at a private location or racetrack.One took what one got.We parked in farm fields and were pulled out by tractors most of the time.We rolled with what we got.
The anger and hostility from the competitors is scary.We (the organizers and secretaries and general personell) want things to be pleasant and trauma free.Well wow this morning was anything but that.
We want people to be happy and have fun. Paradise Farm is a great place for an event. We will always try to make things better.We hope the riders will come because of the quality and be able to forgive people when non life threatening mistakes can happen.We hope people will understand that we cannot always give monies back ,or that when there is a charge it is not meant to hurt the competitor but maintain the sport itself.Communication is the key.We all need to keep our heads up and look ahead and foresee problems and issues as far in advance as possible.
We always want to hear back from people that read the blog or come to the farm.Please use this to express your needs and we will do our best to accomodate. as alkways thank you all for reading.
Kick on, sit up and ride better!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Aftermath
So the good news is I am on the mend.Fingers are much better though definately want to stay undercover of gloves. Neck is great. No pain. Some stiffness. The collar keeps it from moving around.I am confident I shall have a good recovery.
I can manage dressing,eating,typing,writing with a pen,driving and telephoning.I have had a ton of support from family and friends which has been so helpful.
When we are riding full time and very goal oriented with the horses we miss a lot of what happens in the other non horsey world. Being sidelined gives a different perspective.Though it requires some restraint and hard swallowing I can deal with missing out on this years spring season.I have lots of plans directed mostly towards upping my education in course design and training of horses and riders. Since I will not be aiming my entire life on competitions as I have done for the past 20 years,it will be a change and a challenge to carry on in a different way.
I am looking forward to meeting new people ,also with different perspectives.Keep on keepin on they say.
Being injured has many sides.None of them are great but getting support from friends and family is always great.People can be so terrific at times. They can also be ridiculously stupid and unkind.When people get hurt,it is not necessary to gossip and expand upon things they are not 100% involved with. Rumours are unkind,hurtful and very very unnessary. I heard everything from I was riding another wild young horse to I was on life support,cut my face open the entire legnth. etc etc.Why was I riding such a bad horse?Why do I ride young horses period?At my age? And that I never listen to Drs.I just rush and do whatever I want.The event is cancelled.
I ride for a living. I teach for a living . And I preach saftey on a daily basis.There is nothing safe about working with horses.I was paying full attention when this happened.This was a lovely young horse that I was honored to be given the ride on and if my back was better I'd ride it again.I ride at my age cause I have a huge mortgage and I love it.I bet I am fitter than most young people and spend a lot of time staying that way.Every Doctor that has ever seen me comments on my fitness.And my desire to get better.
I have spent a great deal of time studying anatomy and how to repair,rebuild and strengthen myself and my horses.IU have produced 10 horses to the advanced level of eventing. Peter will be 11.From scratch.I am almost ready to bring my third horse to PSG in dressage from scratch.And am jumping 140 in show jumping.
I believe in my drs. and I do not believe in wasting time. I know about pain and fear and I think that makes me a better teacher.I have a gift for course design because I think like a horse.I do what people tell me.(If I respect and trust them....few and far between)
Spreading rumours about the horse trials is just plain cruel and stupid. Especially when it comes from people that are in the business itself.we are honored to have a place in the USEA omnibus and offer a great competition.All one has do do is come here and see the conditions and you will know we know what we are doing.
I have trained with the best in the world ,all over the world.And I look forward to lots more training. We must never stop learning.
So go out there and learn.Keep yourt mouth shut and your ears open. Love your horeses and your sport for as long as you can no matter what. I know I do.....Sit up,sit back and Ride Better!
I can manage dressing,eating,typing,writing with a pen,driving and telephoning.I have had a ton of support from family and friends which has been so helpful.
When we are riding full time and very goal oriented with the horses we miss a lot of what happens in the other non horsey world. Being sidelined gives a different perspective.Though it requires some restraint and hard swallowing I can deal with missing out on this years spring season.I have lots of plans directed mostly towards upping my education in course design and training of horses and riders. Since I will not be aiming my entire life on competitions as I have done for the past 20 years,it will be a change and a challenge to carry on in a different way.
I am looking forward to meeting new people ,also with different perspectives.Keep on keepin on they say.
Being injured has many sides.None of them are great but getting support from friends and family is always great.People can be so terrific at times. They can also be ridiculously stupid and unkind.When people get hurt,it is not necessary to gossip and expand upon things they are not 100% involved with. Rumours are unkind,hurtful and very very unnessary. I heard everything from I was riding another wild young horse to I was on life support,cut my face open the entire legnth. etc etc.Why was I riding such a bad horse?Why do I ride young horses period?At my age? And that I never listen to Drs.I just rush and do whatever I want.The event is cancelled.
I ride for a living. I teach for a living . And I preach saftey on a daily basis.There is nothing safe about working with horses.I was paying full attention when this happened.This was a lovely young horse that I was honored to be given the ride on and if my back was better I'd ride it again.I ride at my age cause I have a huge mortgage and I love it.I bet I am fitter than most young people and spend a lot of time staying that way.Every Doctor that has ever seen me comments on my fitness.And my desire to get better.
I have spent a great deal of time studying anatomy and how to repair,rebuild and strengthen myself and my horses.IU have produced 10 horses to the advanced level of eventing. Peter will be 11.From scratch.I am almost ready to bring my third horse to PSG in dressage from scratch.And am jumping 140 in show jumping.
I believe in my drs. and I do not believe in wasting time. I know about pain and fear and I think that makes me a better teacher.I have a gift for course design because I think like a horse.I do what people tell me.(If I respect and trust them....few and far between)
Spreading rumours about the horse trials is just plain cruel and stupid. Especially when it comes from people that are in the business itself.we are honored to have a place in the USEA omnibus and offer a great competition.All one has do do is come here and see the conditions and you will know we know what we are doing.
I have trained with the best in the world ,all over the world.And I look forward to lots more training. We must never stop learning.
So go out there and learn.Keep yourt mouth shut and your ears open. Love your horeses and your sport for as long as you can no matter what. I know I do.....Sit up,sit back and Ride Better!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The Big Crash
Well,everyone's been asking.....here's the story of the big crash.
Life was going along really well at Paradise. Horses were training properly,we had a super group of people coming for lessons,the spring horse trial was filling up and it looked like 2012 was going to have a smooth start.
It was about 4.30 on Tuesday afternoon,when I told a great friend Sallie Perry,I'll just trot this mare around for twenty minutes or so while you get tacked up for your lesson.She smiled and off I went on this lovely Irish filly.I walked around my barn and out into my sand arena.It was a beautiful day and I was looking forward to my ride.I walked across the arena to the other side and began gathering up everything to go into a trot ,when WHAM,she put her head straight down and I torpedoed off her front end like a missile straight into the ground ,face first.I hit square on my forehead,did not see stars, but instantly knew I had cut my face as I felt the blood and the separations in my top and bottom lip.I did not try to move at all. I knew I had done my spine.I knew I had concussed my spine and knew better than to mess about.
Instantly I felt tingling pins and needles right down the length of my back,both arms and legs.I knew what day it was. I knew what had happened. I knew I could breath. And I knew I had feeling in my fingers and toes,so that was all good.
Sallie saw the filly run off back to the stable(fortunately unhurt) and expected to see me come puffing around the corner ready to get back on......But I was nowhere to be found.I saw her looking for me and tried to call out but I could not make a sound loud enough for her to hear.She looked over to the ring and sprinted right over.Poor Sallie ,by then I was a real mess.I assured her I was alright it was just my lips bleeding ,that I had feeling etc.She could not make my phone work so she ran back to the barn to get Barbie's phone.I called 911 and mumbled into the phone my location.
Sirens came very shortly afterwards.Backboards,straps and velcro started flying about
everywhere.I was packed up like a sausage in seconds and off we went to MCG (Medical College of Georgia) sirens and lights a blazing.
I asked Ray the ambulance man to turn on the AC full blast,which he did. You could see your breath in the meat wagon by the time we got there. But it made me feel much better.I kept counting out loud,"one,two ,threee......." over and over again,while Ray set me up with heart monitors and IV'S."why are you counting?"he asked.I replied,"to keep the rythm and not think of you with those damn needles!"
As we flew down the road,the usual medical jargon flew and radio talk,then the drivers started yelling,,,"Oh my God,Look at that,Oh my God!!!!!!!What is she doing?"
I knew exactly what was happening......"Is the car light blue"I asked with a bloody smile?
Good old Nanu (My super mother)was in hot pursuit,right on the bumper of our screaming ambulance!God help the cop that try's to stop her I thought. I have never been prouder of my mommy.No one stops Nanu.
The doors flew open and I was the main actor in an ER episode.Trauma status gets you in there fast. Off came the clothes with 4 people each weilding those geat scissors that cut anything.Out came more monitors,Ivs bright lights etc.
After the initial acessment, I had x rays and Ct scans,then came back for about 30-40 stitches.Mom and barbie were allowed in after I was sewn up.I was very concious and awake. My hands were turning into small claws by then and the pain was excruciating.There was some swelling on my spinal cord that was creating this pain.Nothing they gave me touched it.
I am a good patient and unfortunately have a lot of experience at being hurt.I knew that all I could do was lay still. And I just kept counting. Over and over.You have to put yourself in a zone where the pain does not rule you. You rule it.
I was sent upstairs to a room about 2.30 am.in stable condition.Poor mom and Barbie went home.I slept on and off,stayed in my no pain zone as best I could till 6 am then got drugged up for an MRI.Fortunately the valium worked and I didn't panic in the wretched tube.Even more fortunate was the fact that little showed up on the scan.
I was released that afternoon to go home to chateau Nanu.I have been here over a week already. I may never leave.My mother is without question my best friend. We have had a wonderful time in these crazy circumstances.
So I have about 5 fractured vertebrea and one broken rib and a broken bone in my hand and a few stitches.My hands are getting better each day.Thanks to everyone for their good wishes.
Barbie ands friends are running next weeks horse trials. Yikes.Stay tuned.All is well.....
Life was going along really well at Paradise. Horses were training properly,we had a super group of people coming for lessons,the spring horse trial was filling up and it looked like 2012 was going to have a smooth start.
It was about 4.30 on Tuesday afternoon,when I told a great friend Sallie Perry,I'll just trot this mare around for twenty minutes or so while you get tacked up for your lesson.She smiled and off I went on this lovely Irish filly.I walked around my barn and out into my sand arena.It was a beautiful day and I was looking forward to my ride.I walked across the arena to the other side and began gathering up everything to go into a trot ,when WHAM,she put her head straight down and I torpedoed off her front end like a missile straight into the ground ,face first.I hit square on my forehead,did not see stars, but instantly knew I had cut my face as I felt the blood and the separations in my top and bottom lip.I did not try to move at all. I knew I had done my spine.I knew I had concussed my spine and knew better than to mess about.
Instantly I felt tingling pins and needles right down the length of my back,both arms and legs.I knew what day it was. I knew what had happened. I knew I could breath. And I knew I had feeling in my fingers and toes,so that was all good.
Sallie saw the filly run off back to the stable(fortunately unhurt) and expected to see me come puffing around the corner ready to get back on......But I was nowhere to be found.I saw her looking for me and tried to call out but I could not make a sound loud enough for her to hear.She looked over to the ring and sprinted right over.Poor Sallie ,by then I was a real mess.I assured her I was alright it was just my lips bleeding ,that I had feeling etc.She could not make my phone work so she ran back to the barn to get Barbie's phone.I called 911 and mumbled into the phone my location.
Sirens came very shortly afterwards.Backboards,straps and velcro started flying about
everywhere.I was packed up like a sausage in seconds and off we went to MCG (Medical College of Georgia) sirens and lights a blazing.
I asked Ray the ambulance man to turn on the AC full blast,which he did. You could see your breath in the meat wagon by the time we got there. But it made me feel much better.I kept counting out loud,"one,two ,threee......." over and over again,while Ray set me up with heart monitors and IV'S."why are you counting?"he asked.I replied,"to keep the rythm and not think of you with those damn needles!"
As we flew down the road,the usual medical jargon flew and radio talk,then the drivers started yelling,,,"Oh my God,Look at that,Oh my God!!!!!!!What is she doing?"
I knew exactly what was happening......"Is the car light blue"I asked with a bloody smile?
Good old Nanu (My super mother)was in hot pursuit,right on the bumper of our screaming ambulance!God help the cop that try's to stop her I thought. I have never been prouder of my mommy.No one stops Nanu.
The doors flew open and I was the main actor in an ER episode.Trauma status gets you in there fast. Off came the clothes with 4 people each weilding those geat scissors that cut anything.Out came more monitors,Ivs bright lights etc.
After the initial acessment, I had x rays and Ct scans,then came back for about 30-40 stitches.Mom and barbie were allowed in after I was sewn up.I was very concious and awake. My hands were turning into small claws by then and the pain was excruciating.There was some swelling on my spinal cord that was creating this pain.Nothing they gave me touched it.
I am a good patient and unfortunately have a lot of experience at being hurt.I knew that all I could do was lay still. And I just kept counting. Over and over.You have to put yourself in a zone where the pain does not rule you. You rule it.
I was sent upstairs to a room about 2.30 am.in stable condition.Poor mom and Barbie went home.I slept on and off,stayed in my no pain zone as best I could till 6 am then got drugged up for an MRI.Fortunately the valium worked and I didn't panic in the wretched tube.Even more fortunate was the fact that little showed up on the scan.
I was released that afternoon to go home to chateau Nanu.I have been here over a week already. I may never leave.My mother is without question my best friend. We have had a wonderful time in these crazy circumstances.
So I have about 5 fractured vertebrea and one broken rib and a broken bone in my hand and a few stitches.My hands are getting better each day.Thanks to everyone for their good wishes.
Barbie ands friends are running next weeks horse trials. Yikes.Stay tuned.All is well.....
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