Moving to Second Level and Other Things

I have been really debating the move to second level.  After showing a full year at first, I am still not certain our collection is there.  Simple changes are 90% and we can handle all of the other things on those tests.  Her changes are there, but we only ask for them when we are jumping.  I think collection is the major block, and my over thinking.  Next show will be in July.

I've taken Ivy a couple of times to Lone Tree Farm.  She was so good each time.  Our first trip was during the high winds of early April.  As we headed into the wind, my helmet would shift from the severe headwind.  Ivy took it all in and was very willing.  My last trip was last weekend and I actually jumped some BN fences! Not ready to compete, but my confidence is back.

Big changes are happening this month. Ivy went to the breeders.  Not sure if she took, but we check next week.  I am not going to stress over it nor spend a ton of money on breeding.  If she doesn't take for two cycles, then it wasn't meant to be.  I really love Irish horses, and either way I am going Irish on my next one.  I still plan on showing and going to my first HT while she's in foal.

Ivy is still loving her pads.  I have been using leather, but will be changing to a harder plastic pad.  They don't break down as fast and they last longer on harder ground.  I plan on the Tildren treatment next year for her foot issues.  It runs about 1500 for initial treatment then 100 a month after that.  I am looking at about three grand, so saving all my pennies for this one.

Dressage Show

Ivy and I went to our first rated show of the year. A bit of a late start.Again I am doing first level.  I am afraid to make the jump to second.  I was reading some other blogs about when to move up a level.  I found it interesting that several people stated that riders need a 70% before the move.  Really? Um, Ivy will never get close that score.  She is very tight and reactive and .....Plus, not the best mover. I never bought her to be strictly dressage.  The horses that scored in the 70's had a lot of hock action and jump. They truly are beautiful to watch, but way out of our league. But, Ivy can camp, jump, trail, and ...I love my girl.

We ended up w/ a 66%. Almost a 67%!! Got a 7 on trot lengthening and an 8 on halts. Lost points on free walk and stretchy trot 6.5's.  Should have known there was an issue then.  The day before the show, Ivy was in season.  She was flirting with every horse in the arena. The pee thing is such a nightmare and I know when she hits me w/ her tail, it's time to leave.

We had a two hour break and Ivy just stood by the trailer eating away.  As I led her away to the warm up, she wouldn't walk.  I freaked out. She looked like she needed to take a big poo.  She finally moved off and we walked a while.  I alerted my coach and hopped on.  It was awful.  She felt like she had a hump in her back plus lame behind.  Poor girl.  She was in pain, so I scratched.  Of course she was fine on Monday.  Really need to deal with her spring cycles.  When she was younger she would colic during her cycle.  Had the vet up every month. In time her cycles did get better.

In the end we did great!
 

April Jump Lesson

We are making great progress! I need more work on my release, but Ivy is very forward to the jump.  I am using half halts but I can clearly see she is not listening.  I am just thrilled she is jumping and not doing the dreaded stop thing.  We have our big show next weekend and are currently working on our second level stuff.  Counter canter to the right is finally smoothing out and keeping her straight through the neck and poll helps.  I have been watching videos online w/ the three loop serpentine and see a lot of riders w/ too much neck/poll bend.  My goal is to be consistent.  Our left lead is still a major mess.  She is weaker on that side and I have tendency to stop riding her.  Rein backs are good and turn on the haunches are fine.  I know I will loose half of all we know on show day! I am just grateful for every day that I can ride.

Another Lesson

The rainbow filler.

Last jump is our first stone wall. 

We went to a new barn to try something different.  They have a cute lot for xcntry practice.  It had a slight slope and the footing was a mix of dirt and manure w/ lots of uneven spots.  The arena was hard and had very little give.  I am not an arena snob, but when steel shoes slide on top of the base, I know it's too hard.  If I fall on that, I know I will break something.  At first we thought she was off, but after a round pen flat lesson we couldn't find the issue.  Not sure if I need to change the pads to thicker ones or chiro work.  I really think she hates working on cement footing. She is very willing and forward to the jumps.  She was never forward before the pads, but after we fixed her feet she is so much happier.  We worked on adding a stride and then removing it between jumps.  Then we worked on the rainbow filler.  It was moved around the front of the jump until it was placed in the middle.  Ivy just popped over it.  I need to work on my eq.  It was a good lesson, but I really disagree about jumping horses on cement (hard footing).  I was told that event horses have to jump on all surfaces.  I get that, but there are limits.

Big Lesson Weekend

On Saturday we had our lesson with Heidi. The weather was very warm so I decided to just hop on. We rode outside and there were lots of things to spook at.  Ivy held it together.  Ivy has about 5 different trots and they aren't good.  She can get rushy or lazy.  She can look like she has four square wheels (not good). Heidi told me to pick her up (shorten the reins) and kick her butt, but also keep her from rushing on the front end (half halts).  We got it!  Lots of abs, and get in and out w/ leg aids.  We then worked on travers and shoulder in.  Shoulder in was spot on and I had to do it posting ( very hard for me).  I thought our travers was correct, but Heidi said that the angle had to be greater for the judge to see it.  By this point we are working on sitting trot.  I really didn't think I could sit the trot, but Ivy gave me a spot.  I am not a pretty rider and I know I give Ivy way too much busy information.

We leg yielded down the rail almost perpendicular to it, then straightened the shoulders (and mine) on the rail to exaggerate the travers. I then worked on canter and collecting it.  We had haunches in going left and worked on straightening that out.  I totally forgot to think of shoulders in.  Finally I did a clean change for Heidi.

Sunday was a jump lesson.  Ivy was very tired, but did everything I asked.  We jumped all the jumps and even made it over some barrels.

Lessons and New Saddle

Love the new saddle.  I find it really puts you in a perfect balance position.  Half seat is a breeze.  We have also been working on aspects of the second level test.  Canter walk and counter canter along the wall.  We also have our changes.  I mainly use those in jumping and only practice them during the jumping lessons.  Ivy loves changes too much now.  She is telling me when to change.  I like to ask for my change on a straight line before the corner. I was told to skip second level test 1 because of the 3 loop canter movement.  I don't want to loose the changes by drilling counter canter.  Some horses find changes harder if they are drilled too much on counter canter.  Now I have to teach her counter canter is what I want.

Her pads are still doing the trick and I limit my jumping to one day a week.  I work on pole work and dressage.  Looking forward to the first show and will have 2 clinics w/ Heidi Gaian to see a judges opinion on our progress.

New JRD Jump Saddle!

Just got my new saddle.  It was used, but you can barely notice it.  It's a monoflap by JRD.  Love the blue trim.  First ride tomorrow and I will see if I can stay on.  Long billets so I won't have buckles under my legs.