Changes

Well it has been a month, and I am going to sell my horse.  I am not rushing the sale, and plan on showing next season.  She really hasn't the heart for jumping.  She will do it, but then she might not.  I think she is happy just popping over little things and going to shows.  I just took a video of my dressage lesson.  All I can say is YUK!  Why my left elbow does what it does I don't know.  And that left leg!  Why is it moving!  Now I have not ridden her for a month, so I was a little weak.  Lots to work on for now. Oh, and keep those thumbs up already.  Arms to my side too! And........

Lesson Friday

Jumping 3'!

We had an OK lesson.  Warm-up went well and she was forward to the aids on the flat.  Then the jumping.  First set were great, but then she started stopping.  It was 93 out and she just shut down.  On a good note, we jumped all required jumps in lesson after stopping.  Lesson to take home was that I stop riding 2 strides out.  I need to ride her all the way to the base.  She leaves this week for 30 days :(.  Major boot camp for both of us!

Lesson Friday and Training News

We are going for a lesson on Friday.  Not sure if we are going to jump since I have decided to send her out for the month of August.  This was a very hard decision, but I really need some polishing.  She needs to be forward to the aids and leg yields are shoulder leading.  Since she has never had formal training, it will be interesting to see how bad or good she'll be.  I'm sure I've created many of her issues.  The best part is that she'll be part of a jumping program and it includes one trip to a horse park.  I will also get one or two lessons a week. 

At home I've only been working on small planks, poles and X's.  Pole work has been great.  I set them about 45' apart and work on 3 strides, 4's and then 5's back to 3's.  She's flat w/ the 3's but at least she's willing to give it to me.  Now, I'm working on canter to walk and about a million trot to walk transitions w/ a couple of halts.  We actually had a clean change last week!  Since she's going out, I have put shows on the back burner. 

Can't wait for the Olympics! 

The July Show!

T3 Test

The stress of showing is over.  The outcome was great!  This was the first rated show where I thought the cool misty weather would be good for forward.  We arrive 40 min. before my class starts.  I tack her up and go to the warm up arena.  She was willing but needed more engagement.  I work on down transitions back to forward again.  Did a few trot to halts and two steps back.  First class was T3 and I only messed up one shallow loop.  Ended w/ a 66% and off we went to First level.  I think we were tired by the time I walked into that class.  We ended up with a 63% and now I am moving into first.  I was very nervous and conservative on trot lengthening.  Got 6 and 6.5 for those.  7s on halts and stretchy trot.  All in all I am very happy and really don't care if she ever jumps again.  OK, not true.  Cross rails would be fine :)

What To Do and Show Nerves!

Well, I just got my ride times.  Did a run through on my tests and it's OK, but we have issues.  I don't want to leave training level!  I know it's time after two years, but we are going to get our butts kicked.  I tell myself scorse don't matter.  They do if you get a 40%, and I have scored in the 40's.  We had issues that year.
Now to the jumping issue.  Just rode with Brian, and I either sell my mare or have a serious talk with myself about goals.  Is it that imprortant to compete at a HT or can I just be happy to clinic.  She has to look at every jump before she jumps it.  Now that just can't fly at a show.  I really love my horse.  I think I will keep her and just maybe, one day in the future, we might make it to a HT.  It's been a long road from the 3.5 year old bucking fool to cuteness.  Only regret was that I wish I had the money to send her to training.  It might have saved me from all the pain of getting thrown off!

First Show!

Well it is official.  I am now going to our first rated dressage show of the season.  I still don't think I am fully prepared.  Our canter departs are late, and our down transitions can be abrupt.  I do have a few steps of trot lengthening and the canter, well let's hope we stay in the court.  We are doing T3 and 11.  Goals are to ride round circles and not ovals, and keep the connection through the whole test. 

I have also signed up for a Brian Sabo clinic this Sunday.  Might get video of that.

Neck Straps and Training Differences

All I can say is that I want one!  Just got back from Woodside Horse Park, but only had time to watch the Beginner Novice and Novice rides.  I can say that a HT is a lot different from my old hunter shows.  First, the warm up was crazy!  Some of those horses must have been crossed bred with a rabbit or a deer. I loved the variety of horses from Arabs, Quarter X's and ?  Plus, the cutest ponies too.  Jumping style was all over the map.  I am really not sure how some people stayed on.  This is where the Neck Strap or Jump Strap would come in handy, even in stadium.
 Gina Miles rode with one and she was showing in Beginner Novice Horse.
Here is a nice picture of You Know Who.  It's just part of the gear.  I wish more people would ride with them.  Maybe they think they are better riders than others, but from what I saw........!  Come on people!  From now on I will never leave home w/ out one.

Now, I have a bone to pick about jumping techniques.  My horse stops, and yes I know I created this problem.  We are getting better, and I am in it for the long haul w/ her.  Some trainers want you to beat them, others not.  Some want you to back up and then jump it or make a circle before the attempt.  I can truly say that beating my mare will not get you anything but a pissed off red headed cow: not good.  She hates to back up, thus this seems to work.  We are jumping such little things, so there isn't the fear of not getting over it.  What we lack is forward!  I am being told that my current trainer lacks good advice because we use the back up and very little beating.  The jury is still out on this, but I feel we are moving forward.  OK, very slowly.