Friday, September 21, 2012
Update on Hockun!
Hockun is mine! I made the decision in August to keep him and give him a chance to recover. He is now enjoying 6 months turned out full time and learning to be a horse. I promise to post a photo of his new environment soon, but until then keep your fingers crossed he will come back sound in February!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
A short testimony to Hockun
While it is devastating that I am unable to ride and show Hockun currently, I think it is important to note that the few months I did have (end of January-mid March) taught me an immense amount that translates everyday to the horses I school and train here at High Point, especially my work with Weiser who is readily recovering. I look forward to the day I can get back on Hockun and be able to learn even more!
A bump in the road
I apologize for my lack of posts, and Hockun and I have made quite the journey from February to now!
The first weekend in March, our first outing, Hockun and I served as 2nd-level demo-riders for the Judges "L" program. Although the weather was cold and nasty, with wind whipping through the indoor, I was impressed by Hockuns overall attitude and grateful at the chance to practice my 2nd-level test in front of a whole panel of judges before our first show!
Hockun and I debuted in early March at Poplar Place Farm showing Second Level. His first show in the US! He came out very hot for our schooling session that Friday, March 10, 2012, but by Saturday he had calmed down to his normal cheeky self. With a few hiccups in our tests (my first second levels!) we managed to pull two scores above 61% and gained insight on how to do even better!
The following weekend we tried our hand at 3rd level in Aiken, SC. After just one more week of work with him, my understanding of connection and throughness even better than it was the previous weekend! My nerves got moderately in the way, and we scored 60%. I was quite pleased for my first 3rd level test! I was ready for my next shot!
Unfortunately that was when disaster struck. Hockun (like most horses in GA) had a bad case of scratches that I was doing my best to manage, and as it became apparent he was uncomfortable at the show, we scratched him out of the next two classes that weekend. When he showed no sign of improvement the following week, the vet was called and Hockun's diagnoses was worse than we'd hoped. His lameness was not caused by the painful scratches, but instead by an avulsion-fracture in the right-hind fetlock, where the suspensory ligament tore away part of his bone. He is now on stall rest for a while, and undergoing shockwave treatment. We have high hopes he will bounce back from this set-back and we will be back in the competitive arena in a few months.
For now, Hockun is simply hanging out on stall rest, able to go outside in a limited area a few hours a day. He enjoys being groomed and bathed, and of course a treat or two!
The first weekend in March, our first outing, Hockun and I served as 2nd-level demo-riders for the Judges "L" program. Although the weather was cold and nasty, with wind whipping through the indoor, I was impressed by Hockuns overall attitude and grateful at the chance to practice my 2nd-level test in front of a whole panel of judges before our first show!
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| Warming up for out demo ride! |
Hockun and I debuted in early March at Poplar Place Farm showing Second Level. His first show in the US! He came out very hot for our schooling session that Friday, March 10, 2012, but by Saturday he had calmed down to his normal cheeky self. With a few hiccups in our tests (my first second levels!) we managed to pull two scores above 61% and gained insight on how to do even better!
The following weekend we tried our hand at 3rd level in Aiken, SC. After just one more week of work with him, my understanding of connection and throughness even better than it was the previous weekend! My nerves got moderately in the way, and we scored 60%. I was quite pleased for my first 3rd level test! I was ready for my next shot!
Unfortunately that was when disaster struck. Hockun (like most horses in GA) had a bad case of scratches that I was doing my best to manage, and as it became apparent he was uncomfortable at the show, we scratched him out of the next two classes that weekend. When he showed no sign of improvement the following week, the vet was called and Hockun's diagnoses was worse than we'd hoped. His lameness was not caused by the painful scratches, but instead by an avulsion-fracture in the right-hind fetlock, where the suspensory ligament tore away part of his bone. He is now on stall rest for a while, and undergoing shockwave treatment. We have high hopes he will bounce back from this set-back and we will be back in the competitive arena in a few months.
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| Just hanging out |
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
And so it begins...
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| Photo from our 3rd ride |
So a little about the amazing "pony" with whom I have been granted these next few months. Hockun S is a 16 year old, dark bay, 16.3 hh Trakehner imported from Germany in 2005. He arrived at High Point on January 20th--just in time for us to partake in the Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel clinic hosted here the following weekend! The clinic was a success for me and was the perfect start to my relationship with Hockun. I have a lot to learn in order to really show him off well, but I am ready for that challenge and excited by the positive changes my riding has undergone these past few weeks already!
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| Hockun (left) out with Jaimsie |
So far, he is adjusting well to the farm. He likes his time outside and the "cool out" walks we do around the bridle paths. We took him on a field trip last Friday (Feb 3), and he was a saint! I look forward to our first show coming up in March at Poplar Place Farm.
Keep checking in as we progress up the levels!
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