1st Time at Fresno Horse Park

We went to Fresno Horse Park over the weekend. It was a long haul, but they offer so many jumps for beginners.  When we got there I had to wait for the rest of the group.  We walked around and grazed for a while and got used to the gun range near by.  I just hopped on and followed my group.  I did bring a lunge line just in case.  I had my homemade jump strap on, but it needs modification.  Now we have not jumped since September so when we headed to our first log, I shut down.  She jumped it, but stopped the second time.  I blame myself because she was willing and I have this memory of all the stopping.  I know she knows I don't trust her.  She spooked once when a rider made a ton of noise in the water.  Go figure that water never bothers her.  She looks at it and then goes in to play.  We headed out on the intro course, and did about 6 round tops.  She stopped at a few, but went right over them after a look.  She also jumped a stair like jump that looked spooky to me.  She just went for it and I decided to end on that note.  She was so good.  We might never win at anything, but I think if we take lots of road trips she might like it.  She certainly doesn't act unhappy.  Well, there was lots of grass to eat there.

First Show

Well, we did it!  First show of the year and the weather was great.  I had my ride times in the morning but not as early as others.  Ivy came off the trailer looking for food, which is a good sign.  I decided to just hop on without lunge work.  She was looking and snorting but no bolting or bucking.  I only warmed up for 20 min. and then went in.  As we made our way to the judge, Ivy decided that the shadow monster must be down there.  It took all my will to keep her going and flexing away from said monster.  As I rode my test I felt stiffness and no suppleness.  After the class I decided I would be more firm with my aids for the next one.  I ended up with a 68% and winning the class of four riders.  My First Level class was harder.  I did get a 7 on my lengthening, but she got quick in the canter 6.5.  Judges comments were about stiffness, and suppleness.  I ended up with a 63.1% and a second place out of five riders.  All in all it was a great show and I have lots of homework. 

Making the Move to First Level

I find it amazing how many people seem to stay at training level.  There is nothing wrong with that, but isn't it the universal goal to move up?  However, I am guilty of the same thing.  Here I am doing Training Level test 3 and First Level test 1.  Why can't I make the full leap up.  Fear of mockery or what.  My show is Sunday and my goal is to ride forward, through and have fun.

Is My Horse Through!

My clinician teaching my horse to get off the front end!

The big debate now is my horse not being through and setting a frame rather than her seeking the contact.  Now I get that, but according to my clinician 90% of horses are not correct.  People have no idea that the horse will seek the contact rather than the rider picking it up.  OK fine, then teach me.  What kills me is that now this is a problem.  After two years I've been wrong.  I don't pull back and I make sure the energy is coming from behind, but my mare is a tough cookie.  Her neck is very short, stiff and set low.  Another issue is when she down transitions she can slightly drops the front end.  For starters you can't even see it nor can you feel it unless you really focus on it.  It's so slight but this an issue too.  She tells me that I will never be able to teach my horse properly and that I need more lessons.  I think the clinician was a bit cranky today.  I will never be perfect, but I will get better.

Lesson

Suffering from a really bad cold I didn't want to give up on my lesson this this week.  I decided to would put Ivy on a line w/ side reins to warm her up before my ride.  She had one big blow up and then just wanted to gallop on.  Normally I never let her play or buck w/ tack on, but my trainer said let her be today.  That is the big debate now among my friends, do you let your horse buck and play on a line.  I was told that when a horse has tack on the line, they need to focus and listen and never buck.  Since we don't have a place to let them run I do let her play on a long line w/ out tack. 

After about eight min. I hop on and pick the contact up.  We work on trot to walk and back to trot transitions.  Spiral in and out on a 20 meter at the trot, and finally canter.  Her canter seems less hollow now, but needs more energy.  Not one hint of connection issues or rein lameness.  I really focused on leg first to hand w/ a steady contact.  Going to the right I used counter flex to true to get her lower in the poll. My trainer said that it was the best lesson ever and that I should warm her up on a line for five min.  I need to reflect on it now.  Jumping is still on hold, but trot poles are starting next week.

Rein Lame and Connection Issues

We are getting back to work now and I am causing major issues with my horse.  Tracking left the connection is there, but only after I counter flex to true flextion or inside flextion.  I don't over bend the neck and I always use my leg first.  Once I have her flexed from the poll to the inside I drive with my inside left leg to the outside rein.  When we track right, her better canter side, I cause her to go rein lame.  This only happens when I ride and not when I lunge her w/ side reins.  I let my reins slide for her to stretch and she is fine, but when I pick the connection up we have issues. 
In my lesson this week we worked on haunches in on the circle and shoulders in on that same circle to the right.  The connection improves and when I sit it's perfect.  I must be twisting my body and pulling the reins back when I post.  We also tried turning my shoulders to the right and really making her bend around my inside right leg.  Today I worked on the same exercises.  I think it's working, but I need a lot of work.  Can't show till I solve the connection issue. 

Back to Work

Ivy seems to have other things on her mind besides the routine.  I am now getting her back to work, but she's not on the same page.  Warm ups are long and low and we even do a little canter work.  I've been doing canter, but only in a half seat to get off her back.  She seems to spook at the silliest things. Trash cans, water dripping on a tarp, wet spots in the arena, wind.  I know I will be going through this again w/ another young horse, but Ivy is going to be 9 already! 

Now to the connection issue.  I get it, I really do, but I just can't get a clear connection.  Half halts and down transitions to make sure she isn't nose diving. Getting her light to the aids.  OK, now flex and drive w/ inside aids. Counter flex when she's resisting.  Leg first! Always go to the leg aid first if she dives.  She is one tough cookie.  Short necked and lacking in back engine.  I need to slow the front end and then get the back end moving with hocks flexing.  Sure, I could just crank her head in and say she is truly correct.  How often do I see that!  I talked to one rider who says she needs a stronger (thinner) bit because her horse leans on her.  He is slightly built down hill, but he still needs to understand coming through from behind. 

First show is in Feb. Not looking forward to the weather!