The Fall Horse Show

Jakes participated in the Fall Horse show this past weekend. And he has improved SO much since the last one.  He's sitting straighter, heels are down even farther each time, and he's asking questions to make sure he understands everything.  I am so proud of him!

The day is started with a prayer for safe rides for everyone.

Miss Nicole is giving final instructions to Freckles.
"Give her the ride of her life!"

Miss Kathy also instructed Freckles on how to behave.

Jakes rode MilkShake.  This is him in two-point position.
The judge said he was in perfect position!

Sitting trot over the bar.

And of course, all his ribbons.  Great Job Jakes!

The day ended with a competition without the horses but that the kids love just as much.  Its called "Down and Out".  They set up a a jump, very low to start, then after everyone clears the bar, they raise it one level.  This continues until everyone has jumped or missed.  The last one standing wins the money.

Check out the height my kid gets over the bar!

Oops!  I missed!

All in all it was a fun day.  Jakes and I got to hang out with friends and horses.

The Love of Horses - WW

Jakes gettin' some love from Buttons

Back to the Farm

Its been a cold and snowy winter here.  We haven't been able to go to the farm in AGES.  Every weekend, Jakes has asked if we can go.  Every week, Ms. Jill posts on Wednesday that she hopes to have lessons on Saturday.  But then Saturday rolls up and there's no lessons.  UGH.

Finally, this past Saturday I got a text from Ms. Jill saying COME OVER!  It was a lovely day.  Sunny and dry.  And everyone showed up to have fun!

The Kitties have missed the kids

The horses have missed the kids

The kids have missed the horses.

Jakes heading out for a Happy Ending Ride on Milkshake

When we can get back to the farm, that tells me Spring is on the way!  Here's hoping we go back this weekend!

The Star of the Farm - This Week

Jakes was features on the Farm's blog this week!  Ms. Jill is just SO proud of Jakes and all he has accomplished.

Check out her post!  She did a fabulous job of singing my son's praises!


http://anythingforhorseandrider.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/you-go-jac/

Farm Drama

As I was on my way to get Jakes after work, I ran into one of the mom's from the farm.  She gave me a heads up that there was drama happening at the farm.  Okay.  She gave me the low-down on what she knew so I could give Jakes a heads up and let him be ready for whatever would happen on Saturday.

We got to the farm and checked in with Ms. Jill.  She didn't share details but then unless they affect me or Jakes, I don't really need to know about the details.  The two newest trainers had left the farm for another farm. Lots of kids are disappointed with the changes but they are staying at Jill's place.

Ms. Jill assigned Jakes a couple of jobs for the day and they were off and running.  It was a wonderful day at the farm, lots of lessons to be given even with being short-handed in trainers.  Jakes gave a lesson to Timmy on Brutis, Megan gave Jakes a lesson on Buttons.  All the kids worked together to make sure all the lessons were given and everyone was happy.  They even ran pretty much on time!

We have a standing joke with Ms. Jill that her little piece of heaven runs on its own time.  None of us parents mind it because the farm is such a relaxing place to be, we just expect to hang out under the tree and chat for a while.  Its lovely.

When Jakes got home to his fathers, he checked Facebook and was going to message his trainer only to find that she had unfriended him.  He called me SOBBING because she didn't want to be his friend.  He felt hurt and used by those two.  I validated his feelings and let him rant and rave about it.  I agreed that it wasn't handled appropriately.  I also reminded him that in time, he would be able to forgive them and move on.  I reminded him that Ms. Jill will forgive them eventually too, that it is the right thing to do.  But that he is entitled to be hurt.   

A while later, Jakes let me know that he was okay.  I thought it was all over and done with.  This morning, I was dragged into the drama.  sigh.

Jakes had sent a very appropriate message to one of the instructors who had just left, expressing his anger and frustration with the situation.  He also stood up for his friends who had been hurt by their actions.  I didn't have any problem with what he sent.  I was proud of his message and I hope it helped him to come to terms with the situation.

But the Instructor did and she messaged me to correct Jakes. I told her I didn't see anything wrong with what he wrote but that if she did, she could feel free to address her concerns to him or just block him on Facebook.  Well, then I got a message from her MOTHER, who was another instructor who left the farm.  I didn't bother to read it.  I don't have time for their temper-tantrums. I just need to get Jakes to block both of them and to move on.

Jakes had already blocked them and once Facebook got over its technical difficulties, I blocked them as well.  I can only hope we are done with the drama created by immature adults and that we can move on with the good life at the farm each weekend.

The Down and Out Horse Limbo Competition

 At the farm, the trainers are riders as well as trainers.  Ms. Tori has won at Devon previously.  She looks marvelous on a horse, any horse!  Some where along the trail to the Barn Show a challenge was issued.  The students could out jump the trainers.  Challenge Accepted.

In the Down and Out Competition, the bar is started low.  Each time you make the jump you proceed to the next higher level.  If you miss the bar, you're out.  Whoever jumps the highest and is still in, wins.

First up, at a low level was Emily.

Emily on Buttons. She has been riding for about a month.  On her first ride at the Farm, Buttons decided he wanted to go over a jump.  Emily stayed right with him and is HOOKED!

Next up was Ms. Tori.  She makes it look easy.

Here is Eva and Milkshake.  Shake is her favorite horse at the farm and they have a special bond.

They moved the bar up a little higher and Emily was out.  This left Ms. Tori (trainer) and Eva (Student)

Good clearance, Ms. Tori!

Fabulous Jump, Eva!

They moved the bar to the highest level.  Ms. Tori went first.

And she MISSED!  Ut oh! Now Eva has to make the jump to be declared the winner

And she clears it with space to spare.  And judging by Jakes reaction, you'd think he jumped it himself.

What a beautiful smile!  You did great today, Eva!

 Suzanne is a mom of Emily.  Suzanne loves to ride herself and has just started back in the saddle.  She wanted to participate in the Down and Out with Emily.  So she got her own category, Horse Limbo.

Suzanne all saddled up and ready to go.

Way to go Pumpkin!  Let's see how low you can go!

And that's just one of the many ways we have fun at the Farm.  There is always much laughter and love in this little corner of heaven on earth.  Jakes and I were truly blessed when we were sent here.

The Barn Show

There was a Barn Show at the Farm this past weekend.  Jakes worked the Farm and I took pictures. I ended up taking over 600 pictures!  Don't worry, I am only going to share a few of them.  ENJOY!

The Gear all lined up and ready for horses

Every Ride starts with a prayer.  Everyone grabs hands or horse

Eva and Freckles.  I love Eva's seat on any horse. She just melds with them.

Megan brings her dancers grace to the ring.  She is riding Hershey who is a throughbred and can be temperamental at times. Megan makes him mind and won't let him bully her.  They are a beautiful pair

Jakes worked the gate for the show and did a wonderful job

Megan and Hershey walking in the morning sunshine/fog

This is Ms. Jill. Trust me, she's under there.

Here are some of the Therapeutic Riders. Everyone gets a leader and a side walker. They do wonderful and fun things on the back of the horse.

They even ride backwards with no hands.  Its great for the balance and to strengthen the torso muscles.

Buttons had a crush on Ms. Erica, our judge.  Or was he just trying to get more points for his riders?

here are the littlest therapeutic riders.  They are so tiny and SO good at riding!  They get a leader and TWO side walkers.  Don't want anyone taking a header off the ponies.

Of course, I'd want to ride horses all the time if I got to play fun games like basketball!  That's TWO points for Juliana!

I mean, look at that face!  Riding is FUN, not therapy!

Tomorrow we'll talk about horse limbo and the Down and Out Competition.

Back in the Saddle

Two weeks ago, Jakes became an authentic horseman, when he fell off the horse.  Go here to read about it.....

This past weekend, he got back on Milkshake and looked like he'd never been off!  His instructor told me after his lesson, that when he first got up in the saddle he was so scared he froze.  Jakes won't admit he was scared.

Ms. Eileen worked closely with him to get him comfortable on the horse again and by the end of the lesson, he was trotting around the ring like the pro he is!

Jakes asked to go into 2-point position & he was PREFECT!

Jakes was practicing "posting" and he's lifting more from his pelvis and less with his legs which is how you're supposed to do it!

Check the position of his butt, off the saddle!

He was holding the perfect position & Ms. Eileen shouted it across the ring

These next photos will show Jakes going over a cross-rail in the perfect position once again.  Ms Eileen was THRILLED with his performance!  Look for her in the background of the pictures. lol

All in all it was a great lesson to get Jakes back in the saddle!

Jumping For Joy

Jakes has been doing riding lessons for about 3 years now.  He's been through several teachers over the years.  They have all been great teachers and he's learned things from them all.  One day we arrived to find another new teacher, Miss Torri.  She's been riding since she was 8 months old.  WOW!  Miss Torri brought her mother with her.  Miss Eileen has worked with horses and in many barns over the years.  She has been away from it for a long time.

Being at Ms Jill's farm is a healing experience.  And the farm worked its magic on Ms. Eileen as well.  She stood there watching all the kids, the ones taking lessons and the ones who were there early to work for their lessons. 

Ms. Jill was running behind on some lessons and asked Ms. Eileen to step in and help out.  It all came back to Ms. Eileen and she was in heaven.  She didn't realize how much she had been missing this until she stepped into the ring. 

That was three weeks ago and she has given Jakes his lessons every week that they've both been there.  She fell in love with my Jakes and who wouldn't?   He fell in love with her too.  Ms. Jill asked him to work with Ms Eileen, making sure she had the horses she needed, etc. 

Jakes and Eileen formed a wonderful team.  Ms. Eileen would be in the middle of the ring, tracking the progress of the horse and rider with Jakes walking (or running) beside the horse in case the rider needed assistance.  He listened to everything that Ms. Eileen was telling the rider and would help to remind the rider of their position, helping them to correct it before Ms. Eileen could. Ms. Eileen loved that Jakes was learning everything she was putting down for the other riders and she wanted to see if he would be able to apply it to his lessons.

For the last three weeks, Ms. Eileen has been giving Jakes his lessons and I have seen SO MUCH progress in him!  With the other teachers, Jakes would say "I'm not ready" and they wouldn't push him.  Ms. Eileen has been working on Jakes confidence and comfort with the horses and he has been trotting (something he was afraid of) and she had Jakes CANTERING this weekend!  He didn't realize it but he was!  Jakes even JUMPED this weekend!!!  And he went back begging to do it again.  Ms. Eileen has been a godsend for my Jakes. 



Jakes on Milkshake with Ms. Eileen instructing him

During Jakes lesson, Ms. Eileen told him he was off his diagonal.  He said, "I know, give me a second" and he fixed it without Ms. Eileen having to tell him how!  She was impressed by my Jakes.  I am impressed with my Jakes. ( I have NO clue what the diagonal is but as long as Jakes does, that's all I need to know) 

Here is the video Ms. Jill took when Jakes went over the jump. Sorry its so small. But I am still proud of the progress my Jakes has made!

At the end of the day, everyone gathers under the trees to chat and enjoy the delicious breezes that are ALWAYS at the farm.

The Gathering Tree

I have said time and again, how blessed we are to have found Ms. Jill's farm. There is just so much good being done there. Ms. Jill's mantra is "with God all things are possible."  And she is right. 

God does watch over this little farm and its inhabitants and visitors.

Say a prayer with me that He continues to watch over this little piece of Heaven on Earth.

Teaching

Since we're finally back to riding lessons, Jakes wants to spend as much time at the Farm as possible. I don't blame him as its something he loves and is good at.  So imagine how happy he was when Jill texted to ask if he could stay until 1 on Saturday.

An old picture of Jakes on Pumpkin

She explained she had a new student starting, who was about Jakes age and supposedly has trouble making friends.  He loves horses (like Jakes) and Jill thought putting the two together would be a good thing.  And I would never say no to Jill with all she does for Jakes.

Jakes greeted the new kid (NK) and Jill got him up on Pumpkin.  Jakes led the horse to the practice ring they were using and followed Jill's instructions.  Jakes was encouraging to NK and yelled at me for bring Jaxon back to the ring.  Silly boy.

One of FOUR big doggies at Jill's and Jaxon
her dogs are SO gentle!

When the lesson was done, Jakes worked with NK to teach him to unsaddle pumpkin.  Jakes showed NK what needed to be done and allowed NK to do it.  He did help NK with the saddle, I don't think NK was ready for the weight.  They went together to put the saddle in the tack shack.  Then Jakes got the brushes out and showed NK how to brush the horse.  And the let NK do the brushing. 

I was SO proud of Jakes for teaching and not just doing.  While they were doing, they chatted about Pumpkin and his likes and dislikes; about horses and how they like to roll in the dirt. NK had lots of questions and wanted to learn.

My kid is doing so much lately to make his momma proud!  He's growing into a wonderful young man!

Special Kids and a Rant

My Jakes is a special kid. I know this.  I also know how to work with him, usually.  With his Asperger's, he may need extra attention and prepping to accept a situation. 

Such as when AZ and I decided we were moving.  I didn't say anything to Jakes about it cause I didn't want his father hearing about it.  But that also meant, Jakes didn't get the prep time he would need to make the changes in his mind to make the transition.  I basically picked him up for the weekend and said "we're moving, deal with it."  Had Jakes been living with me full time still, I would have told him about moving and the reasons behind it, I would have explained why we were considering moving where we did, etc.  Since I didn't do this with him, he wasn't happy about moving at all.  He's coming around and even liked being at the house last weekend and is already telling me of the things he wants to help with this weekend while he's visiting. 

Another sign of Asperger's is lack of empathy for others around him.  Jakes is learning this over time.  He worries over his Grandpop when GPop doesn't feel well and Jakes is always ready to help carry things up and down the steps.  Jakes also worried about Mam, his paternal grandmother and does what he can to help her out.  I love this about him.  It shows me how much he has grown and how much he can care about others.  It makes me proud. 

Another thing that makes me proud is the reports from his riding teacher.  She loves having him around and tells me how wonderful Jakes is with the horses and the other teachers.  This week she asked if he could come over on Thursday to help out with a group of Special Needs kids who are coming.  She said he is wonderful with any child who is different.  He is patient and tender with them and she knows she can trust him to protect them and the horse they are on.  She knows she is blessed to have Jakes around to help out.

How is it that a child who has a diagnosis and is special in his own ways, can be so loving and compassionate with others similar to him yet there are people who are not diagnosis as special are so cruel to my child and others like him? 

When Jakes and JR met the first time, things didn't go well.  Ok, I can understand that.  Jakes is different.  But now JR avoids being around Jakes as much as possible.  He won't even come home when Jakes is around.  This bothers me.  A lot.

I am not expecting them to be the best of friends, nor do I expect them to hang out together.  I would like to know that JR is comfortable coming home when Jakes is there.  Jr lives there after all and they will have to share a bedroom. 

AZ supports his son leaving and spending time with his mother while Jakes is visiting.  I have a problem with JR visiting his mother.  There is a reason AZ has custody and its been proven time and again why its not good for JR to be at his mothers so much. 

I don't think its right that JR be allowed to avoid Jakes, to avoid getting to know him and to learn about his differences.  One of the things that Jakes has to deal with in school is the narrow-minded kids who pick on him because he's different.  JR should learn to deal with people and kids who are different than he is.  And Jakes could learn from JR about more normal interaction and activities.

AZ and I have discussed this some but he seems as though he doesn't want to force the issue for JR and Jakes to be in the same place at the same time.  Well, we're going to have to figure it out because we have lots of camping trip ideas and if its a weekend when I am scheduled to have Jakes, I don't want anyone to miss out on the fun.

My motto for the past 6 months or so has been "we'll figure it out" and that's true in this instance as well.  We'll figure it out and time will tell how the chips will fall.

Riding Lessons Part 2

Jakes has been counting the days until we could go back for his next Riding Lesson.  I can get him to do almost anything with the threat that he might not be allowed to go riding next week!  Not that I would do that to him, well.....   maybe. 

When we arrived, Ms. J asked Jakes what he remembered from last week and he rattled off several things.  She was thrilled!  She also commented that his posture was much improved and was pleased with his efforts.  So the lesson started out on a very good note.

Jakes went into the ring to get acquainted with his horse and for the life of me, I can't remember the name of the horse!  Anyway, Jakes started with brushing the horse and checking his feet to make sure they were clean.  He did such a great job!  And he loved being brushed with the horse brush himself! 



Brushing the horse





Checking his feet



Using his muscles to put the saddle on.
Gentle!




After putting the Bit in and climbing the steps, Jakes is up
And so happy!



learning the commands and walking around the ring



They wandered out of the ring and followed the driveway.
Jakes liked the sound of the horse's hooves on the driveway.



After removing the saddle and sharing treats,
a hot and sweaty Jakes gets to
lead the horse back to his field

Ms. J. is very impressed with Jakes focus when he's with the horses or just listening to her.  She says he has a sense of the horse and what to do with them.  Once he learns basics, he will be a fabulous horseman.

While Jakes was working with the horse, I texted his father to ask he if would take Jakes to the riding lesson next week when Jakes is with him.  He agreed!  I'm scared!  And Jakes is so excited to be able to ride again next week and to have his father watch him.

Jakes good behavior carried over into home life. We stopped for dinner and we were able to be a little silly with each other without Jakes getting over the top.  Once at home, he listened to instructions and did his chores without too much argument and he even left me alone so that I could sit with the family and watch the beautiful sunset!  See....  so many positive things from this!