I've got a show recap coming, just waiting on the rest of the pro photos.
Showing posts with label dressage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dressage. Show all posts
Wednesday, 13 July 2016
Tuesday, 7 June 2016
Beaumont Horse Trials- Day 1
Alternate Title: Breathe Dammit
The plan was to move up to Training at Beaumont HT as it's generally soft (it's the first Alberta event of the year) and it's our home course.
Despite having a good plan, a great horse and a positive prep run two weeks prior at the Chase Creek back-to-back HT (I still need to post about that trip) I was really, really nervous. Like, I may vomit on my way to the startbox nervous. I don't think I've ever been so nervous for a show.
Our dressage was more relaxed than both of our tests at Chase Creek , which was my only goal. Our scores did not reflect any improvement but I was pleased with it. It was tense and Dee wasn't super consistent but at least I wasn't riding a runaway. So I refuse to dwell on the fact that we were 25th out of 26 going into show jumping.
My SJ warm up was really good. Dee was forward and hunting the fences. A long as I kept my body back, rather than letting her pull me forward, things went really well.
Then I went into the ring. And I've never been more grateful to be sitting on the Best Pony. The course wasn't giant but there were some challenging questions. I had a game plan, but it turns out it's really hard to execute a plan when you aren't breathing.
My lack of breathing resulted in stiffness and pulling. Dee toted me around but we did jump around by Braille (I think there were only 4 out of 12 fences we didn't rub). Miraculously we only had one rail come down.
Fence 1 was a ramped oxer heading away from the gate to a fairly long stretch to another oxer. Fence 3 was set off a left turn that invited drift due to the terrain, I actually did a god job of making sure we got a good line here. Next was a hard left turn to 4AB (a one stride heading towards the bushes). We jumped in from a crawl and I just sat there. It rode like she was going to put in one and half strides, and then at the last moment she took the long. I'll just let the photos speak for themselves. But I really do have the most tolerant pony.
Fence 5 was a big square oxer jumping towards the in gate and 6 was a tall vertical that required you to hug the rail by the gate to get the right line to it. It came down a lot over the course of the day, but Dee gamely launched over it. It was then a forward bending 7 to a 2 stride combination. My plan was to bend out for a forward 8 to give us a little more wiggle room. I didn't get a good line (and I can't remember how many strides I got) so we ended up jumping from the base of the first fence. Then I didn't addenough any leg, so we put in a tight 3. Somehow Dee got us through it.
Before fence 8 I felt like I was going to fall off. My thought process sounded a little like this: I'm going to fall off. Why do I feel like I'm going to fall off. OH SHIT. BREATHE YOU IDIOT.
The last 3 fences (including the super spooky zebra vertical) rode much better when I actually was breathing, who knew?
I was super pumped that Dee had babysat me through our first Training stadium course. This spring we've had a few stops or run outs if I'm not really on it so I couldn't be more proud of her stepping up to the plate when it was important. Now I need to get my shit together and make some hefty deposits into the trust bank.
The plan was to move up to Training at Beaumont HT as it's generally soft (it's the first Alberta event of the year) and it's our home course.
Despite having a good plan, a great horse and a positive prep run two weeks prior at the Chase Creek back-to-back HT (I still need to post about that trip) I was really, really nervous. Like, I may vomit on my way to the startbox nervous. I don't think I've ever been so nervous for a show.
Our dressage was more relaxed than both of our tests at Chase Creek , which was my only goal. Our scores did not reflect any improvement but I was pleased with it. It was tense and Dee wasn't super consistent but at least I wasn't riding a runaway. So I refuse to dwell on the fact that we were 25th out of 26 going into show jumping.
My SJ warm up was really good. Dee was forward and hunting the fences. A long as I kept my body back, rather than letting her pull me forward, things went really well.
Then I went into the ring. And I've never been more grateful to be sitting on the Best Pony. The course wasn't giant but there were some challenging questions. I had a game plan, but it turns out it's really hard to execute a plan when you aren't breathing.
My lack of breathing resulted in stiffness and pulling. Dee toted me around but we did jump around by Braille (I think there were only 4 out of 12 fences we didn't rub). Miraculously we only had one rail come down.
Fence 1 was a ramped oxer heading away from the gate to a fairly long stretch to another oxer. Fence 3 was set off a left turn that invited drift due to the terrain, I actually did a god job of making sure we got a good line here. Next was a hard left turn to 4AB (a one stride heading towards the bushes). We jumped in from a crawl and I just sat there. It rode like she was going to put in one and half strides, and then at the last moment she took the long. I'll just let the photos speak for themselves. But I really do have the most tolerant pony.
 |
| Not my finest moment. |
Fence 5 was a big square oxer jumping towards the in gate and 6 was a tall vertical that required you to hug the rail by the gate to get the right line to it. It came down a lot over the course of the day, but Dee gamely launched over it. It was then a forward bending 7 to a 2 stride combination. My plan was to bend out for a forward 8 to give us a little more wiggle room. I didn't get a good line (and I can't remember how many strides I got) so we ended up jumping from the base of the first fence. Then I didn't add
 |
| The jumps look bigger than I remember them. |
Before fence 8 I felt like I was going to fall off. My thought process sounded a little like this: I'm going to fall off. Why do I feel like I'm going to fall off. OH SHIT. BREATHE YOU IDIOT.
The last 3 fences (including the super spooky zebra vertical) rode much better when I actually was breathing, who knew?
 |
| Game faces |
I was super pumped that Dee had babysat me through our first Training stadium course. This spring we've had a few stops or run outs if I'm not really on it so I couldn't be more proud of her stepping up to the plate when it was important. Now I need to get my shit together and make some hefty deposits into the trust bank.
Tuesday, 12 January 2016
Dressage Pony Has Skills.... Rider is Mediocre at Best
I only have dressage lessons every other week since my instructor's (let's call her IY) schedule is packed full. My plan is to continue to ride Dee in these lessons since Stressage dressage is our weakest phase. Anytime someone cancels, I have first dibs on their spot to have the occasional lesson with Ritchie.
For the first lesson back after the holiday break I ended up riding Ritchie. I've been struggling with sitting in his saddle and wanted some help. It's got big thigh blocks and my knees keep trying to creep over them. I also wanted to get an outside opinion on some of the crookedness I've been experiencing.
 |
| Kentaur Elektra. I find it less than ideal |
Unfortunately IY confirmed my suspicions about Ritchie's fancy new saddle (Shimmer-E bought it for him a couple months ago). While it fits him well and is an 18" seat, it is actually too small for me. It's got a fairly deep seat and rides small. I'm obscenely long from my hip to my knee for someone who is only 5'6" (for reference, my jumping saddle is an 18" with a long forward flap and it fits me wonderfully).
For now I will be doing all my riding in my jump saddle (thank goodness it fits both horses). I may struggle to keep my upper body tall while doing dressage in it, at least I actually fit in it.
My other main concern was straightness. With Dee I struggle to ride straight becuase what feels like straight is actually crooked. We've been working on re-training my perceptions and I was concerned this would colour my perceptions of Ritchie.
Thankfully my thoughts about when we were straight and when we were crooked were spot on. Ritchie is stiff to the left, wanting to bulge his ribcage in and drift through the left shoulder (completely opposite of Dee). To the right he's super bendy and I have to be careful to keep solid outside aids to ensure he's maintaining the correct bend.
IY really liked him though. She told me that he is going to make me a very quiet and effective rider since he is easily offended. She also laid into me harder than she ever has before (and I've been riding with her off-an-on for something like 7 years). She saw me bump him with my inside leg 3 times without getting any response. I know this is how to deaden a horse and I still do it. So she stopped me and had a frank discussion about how I need to be more assertive, ask once and then correct with spur or whip. Basically, I need to rise to the level this guy is capable of, not him sinking to mine.
Every lesson I have with her ends up with me having sore abs. Every. Single. One. Apparently I am lazy about my core without someone reminding me 8-million-times. Now you add in super bouncy, swingy fancy-pants-warmblood and my ab muscles were crying. But he's so sensitive it was really cool to see how much my core control affected his movement.
Basically by better engaging my core I was able to help him achieve more loft and swing in his gaits. It only lasted a few strides before both of our muscles would get tired and wimp out, but those strides were beautiful!!
Also, if anyone is looking for a pretty cool young horse, one of Ritchie's babies is for sale. She's super cute, scored well at her inspection (including an 8 for movement) and super personable. So pass it along if you know anyone looking, the weak Canadian dollar could make her someone's pretty cool bargain. (Also, when she sells, Ritchie and I get a bigger show budget)
Thankfully my thoughts about when we were straight and when we were crooked were spot on. Ritchie is stiff to the left, wanting to bulge his ribcage in and drift through the left shoulder (completely opposite of Dee). To the right he's super bendy and I have to be careful to keep solid outside aids to ensure he's maintaining the correct bend.
 |
| Random smile photo to break up the text monologue. |
IY really liked him though. She told me that he is going to make me a very quiet and effective rider since he is easily offended. She also laid into me harder than she ever has before (and I've been riding with her off-an-on for something like 7 years). She saw me bump him with my inside leg 3 times without getting any response. I know this is how to deaden a horse and I still do it. So she stopped me and had a frank discussion about how I need to be more assertive, ask once and then correct with spur or whip. Basically, I need to rise to the level this guy is capable of, not him sinking to mine.
Every lesson I have with her ends up with me having sore abs. Every. Single. One. Apparently I am lazy about my core without someone reminding me 8-million-times. Now you add in super bouncy, swingy fancy-pants-warmblood and my ab muscles were crying. But he's so sensitive it was really cool to see how much my core control affected his movement.
Basically by better engaging my core I was able to help him achieve more loft and swing in his gaits. It only lasted a few strides before both of our muscles would get tired and wimp out, but those strides were beautiful!!
Also, if anyone is looking for a pretty cool young horse, one of Ritchie's babies is for sale. She's super cute, scored well at her inspection (including an 8 for movement) and super personable. So pass it along if you know anyone looking, the weak Canadian dollar could make her someone's pretty cool bargain. (Also, when she sells, Ritchie and I get a bigger show budget)
 |
| Because when you're born on May 4th, you must be Leia |
Thursday, 8 October 2015
Summer in Cliffnotes and Photos
I can't seem to keep myself on the blogging train. Which is really sad, because I love being able to go back and see what we did (and how far we've come). I'm going to make a solid effort to rejoin the blogging community. While I haven't been posting I have been following and I've loved reading about everyone's journey whether it be full of shows, achievements and lessons or some of the most eloquent, heartbreaking thought on life and marriage.
I last left you in the midst of a clinic and then Blogger ate my scheduled posts and I had no motivation to continue. It's been a hell of a summer and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Cliffnotes version:
June:
Becky Lee clinic in June ended with us schooling a bunch of Training courses
Went to a local jumper show. Kicked butt!
Cochrane HT (at Entry) Finished on our dressage score (which turned out to be our best of the whole season)
July:
James Alliston clinic. Fell off (pilot error, miscommunication), schooled almost all the Training fences, made new friends but didn't really feel like I learned anything
Had my first therapy session with a Sports Psychologist. Fabulous idea. I haven't had a single crippling panic attack since. She reminded me that everyone has baggage, its just how we pack it away that is different. I still have fear, but I feel like I can manage it much better.
Thompson Country HT - finished on our dressage score again. Found Entry to be boring and felt completely ready to move up at Rebecca Farm
Hauled down to Kalispell early to spend a week at Herron Park with Sandra Donnelly. Had some fabulous jump schools, climbed a mountain, ate way too much pizza and enjoyed having no cell phone. Sandra told us when we get our dressage better we will be ready for Training no problem. Made a ton of new friends. Discovered my horse cannot have a day off while living in a stall, she becomes a wild beast!
Completed Rebecca Farm Novice, on our dressage score. My FB blew up when we were featured on Eventing Nation's "Who Jumped it Best?" (It sure wasn't us, apparently I felt the need to check to make sure the ground was still underneath us). Took 14th individually but my team placed 4th. The best friend and the boy both came down to support me. I couldn't ask for better people in my life. Dee got a boot rub from her XC boots that managed to get irritated and ended up with full blown cellulitis. (NEVER ask how you haul the lame horses home from an event a full day away)
Spent 10 days being wrapped and medicated, bounced back super quick.
August:
Alhambra HT- Pre-Training, toughest PT course I've ever seen. Had a great dressage test, scores did not reflect but I was super happy. The weather was horrid and the footing was slick. Picked up a 20 on XC when we slipped right in front of a jump and I pulled her off it (rather than risk near death). Still finished with time allowed. Pilot error in stadium gave us 4 faults but I was still really happy with my horse. (No media because everyone missed my stadium and dressage rides and the weather was too bad for XC)
Babysat a couple of baby Standardbreds in their first XC foray. Could have done without the 5 minute deluge and the flat tire but it was still fun.
Had pro photos taken of the pony and dog, The Boy tagged along. Dee thinks putting her ears forward is for fools
The Boy and I look at a bunch of acreages
September:
South Peace HT-Pre-Training. Rode my dressage saddle aside (only having ridden her sidesaddle twice before). My nerves got the better of me and I kept forgetting my test, which is a first for me. But them's the breaks. Had a fabulous clear stadium round and proceeded to kick XC butt (including our first buffalo jump) to finish on our dressage score once again.
Sullivan finally got branded
Skipped Championships to attend a small local jumper show that offers prize money. It worked for us! I could only attend on Saturday so we did the highest divisions they offered (.75m and .85m). Took one second, two firsts and pulled one rail. We came home with over $600 and 3 coolers (I won two for classes, and won one in the door prize draw). Perfect end to our season!
And that's our summer in a nutshell. Dee just had her shoes pulled and is enjoying a week off before we spend the rest of this year focusing on dressage.
I last left you in the midst of a clinic and then Blogger ate my scheduled posts and I had no motivation to continue. It's been a hell of a summer and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Cliffnotes version:
June:
Becky Lee clinic in June ended with us schooling a bunch of Training courses
Went to a local jumper show. Kicked butt!
 |
| We like winning! |
Cochrane HT (at Entry) Finished on our dressage score (which turned out to be our best of the whole season)
 |
| Dee felt the need to smile for the camera |
July:
James Alliston clinic. Fell off (pilot error, miscommunication), schooled almost all the Training fences, made new friends but didn't really feel like I learned anything
 |
| Zoom |
Had my first therapy session with a Sports Psychologist. Fabulous idea. I haven't had a single crippling panic attack since. She reminded me that everyone has baggage, its just how we pack it away that is different. I still have fear, but I feel like I can manage it much better.
Thompson Country HT - finished on our dressage score again. Found Entry to be boring and felt completely ready to move up at Rebecca Farm
Hauled down to Kalispell early to spend a week at Herron Park with Sandra Donnelly. Had some fabulous jump schools, climbed a mountain, ate way too much pizza and enjoyed having no cell phone. Sandra told us when we get our dressage better we will be ready for Training no problem. Made a ton of new friends. Discovered my horse cannot have a day off while living in a stall, she becomes a wild beast!
 |
| I'm spoiled to be showing with Isabel |
 |
| Herron Park is just gorgeous |
 |
| Ditch that actually had a creek running through it |
 |
 |
| Rebecca Farm is no slouch either |
Spent 10 days being wrapped and medicated, bounced back super quick.
August:
Alhambra HT- Pre-Training, toughest PT course I've ever seen. Had a great dressage test, scores did not reflect but I was super happy. The weather was horrid and the footing was slick. Picked up a 20 on XC when we slipped right in front of a jump and I pulled her off it (rather than risk near death). Still finished with time allowed. Pilot error in stadium gave us 4 faults but I was still really happy with my horse. (No media because everyone missed my stadium and dressage rides and the weather was too bad for XC)
Babysat a couple of baby Standardbreds in their first XC foray. Could have done without the 5 minute deluge and the flat tire but it was still fun.
 |
| The fabulous Jose Jalapeno and Shimmer-E |
Had pro photos taken of the pony and dog, The Boy tagged along. Dee thinks putting her ears forward is for fools
 |
| Favourite picture ever! Thanks to SMTT for the inspiration and how-to |
 |
| I love them all. I'm glad the feeling is mutual |
 |
| One of very few with pretty ears |
The Boy and I look at a bunch of acreages
September:
South Peace HT-Pre-Training. Rode my dressage saddle aside (only having ridden her sidesaddle twice before). My nerves got the better of me and I kept forgetting my test, which is a first for me. But them's the breaks. Had a fabulous clear stadium round and proceeded to kick XC butt (including our first buffalo jump) to finish on our dressage score once again.
Sullivan finally got branded
Skipped Championships to attend a small local jumper show that offers prize money. It worked for us! I could only attend on Saturday so we did the highest divisions they offered (.75m and .85m). Took one second, two firsts and pulled one rail. We came home with over $600 and 3 coolers (I won two for classes, and won one in the door prize draw). Perfect end to our season!
 |
| See, we really like winning! |
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
Where The Red Mare and I Part Ways, In More Than One Way
So my last post about the mare saw me falling off when she reared and went down. After that the mare and I hauled down to Alborak to clinic with Sandra Donnelly. I hoped that all would go well but I also really hoped that the mare would show her obstinate side so that I could get some help.
Well horses being horses, the mare was a complete rockstar. The only run-out we had was more pilot error than anything. On the morning of the second day I also showed the mare in an Extreme Cowboy event, mostly because my mom was doing it and the mare's done it before so why not. She warmed up well and we were the first ride of the day. When I went in and asked her to pick up a canter she started bucking. And I mean bucking, not just hopping around. My rein snapped and I bailed off. Turns out, in Extreme Cowboy, you have 60 seconds to catch and remount if you want to continue. I got back on the mare and managed to complete the course without an issue. I've never seen her buck before or since so I'm not sure what happened but I quickly loaded up and was off to have a great second day to my clinic.
The mare got a mini vacation at my moms horse before we did the Cochrane HT. We had a great weekend. We had two XC refusals but we jumped the ditch and finished on a number! Things were really looking up.
The next weekend was the Sidesaddle Clinic at the BarU (which is a whole post on it's own). The mare was a delight the whole weekend, even jumping aside!
And then there was Thompson Country HT. What a weekend. I thought dressage on Friday went pretty well but I felt I was tense and our corners definitely lacked polish. Turns out the judge disagreed. We were sitting in 1st out of a very competitive division of 30+!!!!
On Saturday we were having a good warm up for XC but it was excessively hot and they were running behind so we just chilled out for a bit. When we were only a few riders out my coach had me school the vertical and then come to the oxer. The vertical rode perfectly but the mare stalled out in front of the oxer and then tried to pop over it but just crashed through it. I popped off, mostly landing on my feet. After getting cleared by the paramedic I got back on, schooled the vertical a few times and re-approached the oxer. The mare slid to a stop and spun out left (witness' said it was a very dirty stop) and, you guessed it, I came off again. I landed on my feet again though. So the ground jury eliminated me after getting cleared by the paramedic. I didn't even know you could be eliminated in warmup :(
To say I was disappointing would be an understatement. I had reached the end of my rope. Between the rearing, the bucking and the stopping I was getting scared and discouraged. I'm a good rider but I also have a physical limitation with my weak ankle that also compromises my balance. After the rearing incident I had contacted a trainer friend of mine to inquire about putting some training on the mare. We had decided that she would head down in August since the trainer would be gone for 10 days to go to Rebecca Farm. She was at the event and offered to take the mare a few weeks early as she had room on her trailer. So I loaded the mare into her trailer and wished her luck.
Well horses being horses, the mare was a complete rockstar. The only run-out we had was more pilot error than anything. On the morning of the second day I also showed the mare in an Extreme Cowboy event, mostly because my mom was doing it and the mare's done it before so why not. She warmed up well and we were the first ride of the day. When I went in and asked her to pick up a canter she started bucking. And I mean bucking, not just hopping around. My rein snapped and I bailed off. Turns out, in Extreme Cowboy, you have 60 seconds to catch and remount if you want to continue. I got back on the mare and managed to complete the course without an issue. I've never seen her buck before or since so I'm not sure what happened but I quickly loaded up and was off to have a great second day to my clinic.
The mare got a mini vacation at my moms horse before we did the Cochrane HT. We had a great weekend. We had two XC refusals but we jumped the ditch and finished on a number! Things were really looking up.
 |
| It's the last fence. Can you tell I was pleased with her? |
The next weekend was the Sidesaddle Clinic at the BarU (which is a whole post on it's own). The mare was a delight the whole weekend, even jumping aside!
 |
| So much fun!!! |
And then there was Thompson Country HT. What a weekend. I thought dressage on Friday went pretty well but I felt I was tense and our corners definitely lacked polish. Turns out the judge disagreed. We were sitting in 1st out of a very competitive division of 30+!!!!
 |
To say I was disappointing would be an understatement. I had reached the end of my rope. Between the rearing, the bucking and the stopping I was getting scared and discouraged. I'm a good rider but I also have a physical limitation with my weak ankle that also compromises my balance. After the rearing incident I had contacted a trainer friend of mine to inquire about putting some training on the mare. We had decided that she would head down in August since the trainer would be gone for 10 days to go to Rebecca Farm. She was at the event and offered to take the mare a few weeks early as she had room on her trailer. So I loaded the mare into her trailer and wished her luck.
 |
| When she is good, she is so good! |
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
Beaumont HT - Saturday
My ride times:
Saturday -Dressage @ 12:28
-Stadium course walk at 3:00
Sunday-X-Country @ 1:23
 |
| One of my new favourite photos of the Red Mare |
It was very strange to sleep in on a horse show day. I got to the barn and loaded up the mare shortly before 10 and was on the grounds for 10:30. I decided to braid at the trailer because she actually stands better at the trailer than she does at the barn. Braiding went quick, that is until I got to her forelock and then it all fell apart. She was not interested in me touching it, never mind braiding it. In the end I could not get it braided with the time and lack of help.
Dressage was on grass so I tossed in little corks and headed off to warm up. Our warmup was FABULOUS despite the fact that my coach was nowhere to be found! She was forward but contained, supple and responsive. We did a bunch of spiral in and out to loosen up her shoulders. I was feeling pretty good so I headed over to find out how many riders before me. The whipper in stated I was in now, and I needed to get moving. I should have told her that I wanted to take a few minutes (since they were running early) but I was flustered and managed a single trot around the outside. The mare has never seen a dressage ring and was confused why she wasn't supposed to jump it. She was tense and very, very looky. I remembered my test and managed to complete my goal of keeping her speed and stride under control, no running since 20X40 is small!
We ended up with a 58.5% for a 62.3. Not what I was hoping for but fair. Our scores were quite consistent. A few 5's, a few 7's but mostly 6's. We need to work on keeping that relaxation inside the little white fence but that will come with some miles (and if I remember to breathe).
I then settled her in with her hay bag and headed out to walk the course. There were some questions that I anticipated being difficult but I felt all we doable. I felt that fence placement was actually a bigger question than the actual fences. My coach and I devised a game plan and I felt confident we could deliver.
 |
| 15 minutes before it had been sunny and clear |
At this point the skies were starting to darken and I popped the mare into the trailer and took cover myself because it started to pour. There was a ton of rain and hail over a 20 min period so Stadium got pushed back. We watched the last of Pre-Entry go and then walked our stadium course. It was full of turns and interesting fences. Once again we came up with a game plan. I was going to take big corners, focusing on inside leg to outside rein and be scarier than any fence out there.
It worked! We didn't have a single run-out or refusal and we only pulled one rail. Fence 1 was an oxer (seriously, this is 3 shows in a row we start with an oxer, it's like it was designed for me). Mare tried to run out but I got after her and we stalled out a little bit and then deer jumped. She didn't even look at any other fences. We pulled a rail at fence 8 because I sort of forgot to prepare for the turn and she got flat to the jump.
Needless to say I was ecstatic after exiting so it was high fives all around. My coach told me it was the nicest stadium round she has ever seen me ride!
After that I was super happy to load up, drop the pony off and return for the competitor supper (lazy perogies!!!).
It was a good start to the mare's first event.
Monday, 12 May 2014
Pony Filled Weekend
Friday was my day off so I headed down to Red Deer for the Gold Dressage show where Shimmer-E was showing her lovely 4-year-old RPSI stallion in their first Gold show.
Her weekend started off with a bumpy start, her Thursday hack was tense, distracted and Ritchie threw in a buck. Friday morning she was feeling nervous and discouraged and like she may have over-faced her horse. After another tense warm up she elected to dismount because she was not feeling confident or safe. After a quick discussion with the steward it was decided that I could in fact warm him up. So I grabbed my boots and breeches out of the car, borrowed her helmet and mounted up. Studly Pants was a little behind my leg, and a lot tense but I said "go forward, and go forward NOW" and since Shimmer-E has installed all the right buttons he responded with "Yes, Ma'am". We went on to have a solid warm up. He was no where near as relaxed as he can be, nor as forward but he was willing and obedient. For a baby stallion at his first really big atmosphere I think we can call that a win. They went in to take a 67.7% in First Level-1, good enough for a first!
Saturday I got up early to go and ride Ritchie again since Shimmer-E was teaching a first-aid course. He schooled just lovely and then I settled him in for the day and booked it home. I loaded up my mare, went and grabbed a couple of friends and their horses and made the trek to Minds Eye Ranch for our first cross-country school of the year. It deserves a post of it's own, so stay tuned!
Sunday I headed back to Red Deer to help out Shimmer-E again. I got him braided and all groomed up (she had let him roll in the arena-this is me publicly shaming her for not bathing him after!) and hoped on to warm him up again. He warmed up fabulously!!!! I couldn't have asked for anything better. There was a small jump set up (read 12", maybe) and he even got his first experience going over a fence with a rider. Once those massive joints of his fuse I'm totally stealing him and he's going to make a fabulous jumper.
Amanda got on and was having a great warm up until a gelding walked by in a scrim sheet. The sheet for some reason caused a baby meltdown. They had to go in and ride their test and Shimmer-E kept it together and rode the very distracted and tense horse that showed up and managed to pull off a ride that was good enough for 3rd. We just couldn't get his brain back so after a few 'discussions' about acceptable behaviour we ended on a decent note and put him back in his stall to hopefully let him settle.
We pulled him out for his last test of the day and he was back to being a very good boy. A few bobbles left them slightly behind their first First Level score but it was still good enough to win the class. It was a really good place to end his show weekend (after a brief photo shoot with his handsome ribbons).
Thanks to Natural Expressions Photography for this lovely photo of a most handsome boy.
 |
| I'm a braiding machine! (And Ritchie was convinced his water belonged on the floor, hence the Captain Jack pose) |
Her weekend started off with a bumpy start, her Thursday hack was tense, distracted and Ritchie threw in a buck. Friday morning she was feeling nervous and discouraged and like she may have over-faced her horse. After another tense warm up she elected to dismount because she was not feeling confident or safe. After a quick discussion with the steward it was decided that I could in fact warm him up. So I grabbed my boots and breeches out of the car, borrowed her helmet and mounted up. Studly Pants was a little behind my leg, and a lot tense but I said "go forward, and go forward NOW" and since Shimmer-E has installed all the right buttons he responded with "Yes, Ma'am". We went on to have a solid warm up. He was no where near as relaxed as he can be, nor as forward but he was willing and obedient. For a baby stallion at his first really big atmosphere I think we can call that a win. They went in to take a 67.7% in First Level-1, good enough for a first!
Saturday I got up early to go and ride Ritchie again since Shimmer-E was teaching a first-aid course. He schooled just lovely and then I settled him in for the day and booked it home. I loaded up my mare, went and grabbed a couple of friends and their horses and made the trek to Minds Eye Ranch for our first cross-country school of the year. It deserves a post of it's own, so stay tuned!
 |
| Most handsomest baby pony |
Sunday I headed back to Red Deer to help out Shimmer-E again. I got him braided and all groomed up (she had let him roll in the arena-this is me publicly shaming her for not bathing him after!) and hoped on to warm him up again. He warmed up fabulously!!!! I couldn't have asked for anything better. There was a small jump set up (read 12", maybe) and he even got his first experience going over a fence with a rider. Once those massive joints of his fuse I'm totally stealing him and he's going to make a fabulous jumper.
Amanda got on and was having a great warm up until a gelding walked by in a scrim sheet. The sheet for some reason caused a baby meltdown. They had to go in and ride their test and Shimmer-E kept it together and rode the very distracted and tense horse that showed up and managed to pull off a ride that was good enough for 3rd. We just couldn't get his brain back so after a few 'discussions' about acceptable behaviour we ended on a decent note and put him back in his stall to hopefully let him settle.
We pulled him out for his last test of the day and he was back to being a very good boy. A few bobbles left them slightly behind their first First Level score but it was still good enough to win the class. It was a really good place to end his show weekend (after a brief photo shoot with his handsome ribbons).
Thanks to Natural Expressions Photography for this lovely photo of a most handsome boy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)