Rally Time

As a new comer to Pony Club I was thrilled to finally have my very own event horse to take with me to Rally.  When I had Glory I borrowed horses to take to rally, clinics and shows since she wasn't old enough to participate.

Houston and I set off to our very first Rally at Why Not An American Ark in Monroe, NC for Show Jumping.  Nerves were flowing from both of us but we had a few other horses from our farm attending as well which made it a lot easier on the horses and people. 

Inspections went well, Houston was still under weight but looked rather spiffy if I do say so myself.  We received a small deduction in points due to a not so clean sheath.  Houston and I were still working on perfecting that part of rally prep.  If anyone knows how to get a spotless sheath- let me know!

We were entered in the Horse I level jumping 3'3", we went clean, had zero time faults for both days and even moved to the jump off.  Our team received first place for the Rally in our division then Houston and I were named top qualifier for Nationals.  I was in shock and so proud of my Off the Track Thoroughbred. 

We did not attend Nationals that year because Houston still needed lots of work to assure his body was in top shape for bigger competition.

We only had one mishap the entire weekend- and that involved a Gatorade bottle.   Houston LOVES Gatorade.  I was drinking out of the bottle with the twist top and Houston began grunting and begging from his stall door.  I decided to pour some in my hand and let him try it. Bad idea!  He was so geared up about the Gatorade that the small amount in my hand just wasn't enough.  He reached up and grabbed the top of the bottle, jerking the plastic top off and into his mouth.  I of course went into panic mode so one of the girls on my team rushed over to help me pry the large, green top out of his mouth.  She opened his mouth, pulled his tounge out to the side and I reached in the long mouth to retrieve the plastic intruder that had no business being in my horse's mouth!  Crisis averted and potential colic disaster avoided.

Cross-Country Schooling

Teaching an ex-racer to be steady and maintain a constant speed through out a cross-country course isn't easy.  So Houston and I have spent lots of time schooling and perfecting the art of cross-country techniques.  Our first trip out was less than impressive, as you can tell by my face in this picture.

Houston thinks every jump is a monster that must be lept over with the utmost height.  Take off is about 3 ft away from the jump, crest 2 ft over and we land and take off.  In the beginning we focused mainly on getting over everything with ease and then worked to make it more collected and organized. 

Lessons at the farm often consisted of tying ribbons on fence posts as markers for timing.  I needed to learn what 350 mpm (meters per minute) felt like and Houston needed to mellow.  My trainer would often time us and let me know what time it was at each marker.  This was no easy task for Houston or me.  Manufactures give you watches to help track your time, trainers give you the skill set to help you navigate the courses but what it all comes down to is you, the horse and the minute they count you down to 1 in the start box.

First Event

When I purchased Houston we had major work to do.  Not only had I recently switched disciplines to Eventing, as a former Hunter/Jumper, but Houston had a past as well.  Our trainers had their hands full!  Houston and I learned Dressage together and it took close to 2 years for us to be competitive in this phase.

One thing that came naturally was jumping.  Houston cleared everything by at least 2 feet.  He was tremendous- so athletic!  And he loved it.  Every turn that led to a jump resulted in ears straight forward, head up (giraffe like) and hind quarters engaged.

We decided to enter our first event, 2 months after becoming a team, at a local farm in the "We Have Just Begun" division.  We arrived at the event and Houston traveled like a champ but when it came time to warm up for Dressage- the race horse syndrome kicked in.  He trotted sideways, head straight up in the air and called to every horse he saw.

We made it through the test, but did maintain any sort of a frame.  Houston was covered in sweat at the end of Dressage, but was less worried than he was before.  Cross- Country was phenomenal!  We were on time, cleared everything and Houston was calm, cool and confident.  Show-Jumping went equally as well and although we received 6th place in our first event- Houston and I had bonded. 

It was a huge motivator to work harder and help Houston feel loved and comfortable with me and his new home.

The Purchase

I grew up begging to be with horses.  Finally at age 7,  I was given riding lessons.  My dream was realized! I was finally content.

I purchased my first horse when I was 13.  And at age 15 learned the heart ache of selling a horse.  Glory did not mature to the height anticipated and my 5' 7" frame looked quiet awkward on the small 14.2 hand horse.  Glory was sold to a family with 3 young girls and was cherished from day one.

My next horse search began and ended in the same day in 1999.  I tried two horses at a local farm where a horse broker had two promising mounts.  The first was a WILD, refined thoroughbred mare,  not my type.  The second horse wasn't the best looking stead you've ever seen but I was very attracted to his large 16.2 hand stature.

Gizem was a 9 year old, off the track thoroughbred who came to NC by way of PA where he was a Fox Hunter. He was severely underweight, bony and his coat was badly bleached.  None the less, I took my prospect into a large open field since the farm lacked a riding arena.  Immediately I knew he was trustworthy.  He went easy in both directions, wasn't concerned with his surroundings and listened to every cue I gave him.  Then came time to jump.  Of course there was not a rail or standard in sight so we had to improvise.  A hot pink muck bucket became the hurdle of choice.  Houston trotted right up and never looked twice at the odd object I was facing him with.  I was sold!  My heart immediately went to this large, sun bleached ex-racer and I knew I had found my match.

After the vet check and lots of begging Gizem was mine.  First order of business- name change!  Not sure where Gizem originated from.  I retrieved Gizem's pedigree from the Jockey Association and searched for a new name.  Nothing fit this tall drink of water.  He needed a strong, bigger than life name,  Houston was perfect.  He's a southern gentleman and has a heart the size of Texas.

This picture was taken the first day Houston came to live at our barn.