When I was little, we did a ton of stuff we probably shouldn't have. We would jump on the school horses in the bottom of their pasture with no saddles, no bridles, and kick them all into a gallop to the barn. We would jump things bareback. We would stand up on our horses, would lay down on our horses... do pretty much anything with them, because they were our best friends, and we didn't know any better... (although we must have known better because we sure didn't let the adults see us doing it).
Well, know that I know P's saddle was bothering him so much, and my new saddle is 'thisclose' to getting here, I figured it's high-time I spend some time bareback.
Keep in mind, that my bone-y derriere and P's bone-y back don't make a perfect combination for either of us, so I employ the use of a lovely bareback pad.
But it's been very nice, and educational. I've kept P in his hackmore and me without saddle and we've gotten some very nice work. I think when you take away some of that outside stuff, you focus on where things are going wrong. Much of the issues we have in our dressage revolve around the fact that I have the ability to hold him together in places where he wants to fall apart - by breaking things down to the basics, I require him to hold up his end of the bargain, which changes his mind-set a bit, and he grows up a little bit each time.
And for all the training mumbo-jumbo, it's really just fun to ride around bareback and get a hint of the feeling that we used to get riding when I was young...
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
I guess I didn't worry enough...
In my family, we have a running joke about "worrying properly." My mom is a big worry-er, and my dad will say, "Let me do the worrying, you take a break." She'll always reply that he doesn't worry properly.
Well apparently I didn't worry properly.
After last weekends big success, I went into this weekend worrying about certain things. I worried about the long drive to Aiken with my little truck, I worried about Prophet traveling well, I worried about the cross country course. yada yada yada.
I got to Aiken just fine, took P-man out for a hack where he was very good. I then proceeded to get lost on the way to the hotel (and I didn't even have to make a turn - NO turn, and I managed to get lost for 30 minutes!).
The next morning I was surprising relaxed. Hardly any feelings of puking! :)
P-man put in a workman-like dressage test considering the loose horse beside the ring as we started our test. I walked the cross country course, which looked quite easy - nice and galloping.
Then came stadium...
Being alone, I had no one to set fences for me in warm up, which means P-man put on his big-boy pants and warmed up over 3'9" fences! He was jumping out of his skin a bit, but jumping surprisingly well - if not a bit exuberant! I went in the ring, not realizing that they had to completely replace a jump that a horse before me had destroyed. Hanging around the ring for 5-10 minutes didn't do us any favors, and when we started on course, he hit the second rail (royally pissing him off). He then spent the next 7 fences jumping HUGE... and I did exactly what I shouldn't have done which was continually pick and pick, shortening his frame rather than riding forward. He cantered up to the triple line, jumping HUGE in over the oxer, and I proceeded to do a very graceful dismount (I think would have definitely scored a 10, as I stuck it perfectly). I was still holding the reins of my very confused horse!
I led him out of the arena, jumped a few fences in warm up which he was fine with, and proceeded to pack up my stuff.
I pulled out of the show grounds and promptly missed my road, which was ok, because I wanted to go to the gas station anyway. Too bad I could hear my trailer tire hissing air when I pulled in! 2 hours later, a very nice repair guy, and Thank the Lord for US Rider, I was on the road again, and finally made it home (7.5 hours after leaving the show grounds), with a very travel weary pony.
Yesterday I volunteered at a lovely dressage show before teaching lessons. It was great to see so many people enjoying their horses!
AND Ethel the Donkey at WhinScott Farm (where I teach) had her baby! We were the first to see it! I'll post picture of the donkey later, but it definitely provided some much needed comic relief after the taxing, long weekend!
Prophet and I have plans to jump BIG over the next couple of weeks so we can get a bit more comfortable at that level before The Ark on October 10th. We should be good to go!
Well apparently I didn't worry properly.
After last weekends big success, I went into this weekend worrying about certain things. I worried about the long drive to Aiken with my little truck, I worried about Prophet traveling well, I worried about the cross country course. yada yada yada.
I got to Aiken just fine, took P-man out for a hack where he was very good. I then proceeded to get lost on the way to the hotel (and I didn't even have to make a turn - NO turn, and I managed to get lost for 30 minutes!).
The next morning I was surprising relaxed. Hardly any feelings of puking! :)
P-man put in a workman-like dressage test considering the loose horse beside the ring as we started our test. I walked the cross country course, which looked quite easy - nice and galloping.
Then came stadium...
Being alone, I had no one to set fences for me in warm up, which means P-man put on his big-boy pants and warmed up over 3'9" fences! He was jumping out of his skin a bit, but jumping surprisingly well - if not a bit exuberant! I went in the ring, not realizing that they had to completely replace a jump that a horse before me had destroyed. Hanging around the ring for 5-10 minutes didn't do us any favors, and when we started on course, he hit the second rail (royally pissing him off). He then spent the next 7 fences jumping HUGE... and I did exactly what I shouldn't have done which was continually pick and pick, shortening his frame rather than riding forward. He cantered up to the triple line, jumping HUGE in over the oxer, and I proceeded to do a very graceful dismount (I think would have definitely scored a 10, as I stuck it perfectly). I was still holding the reins of my very confused horse!
I led him out of the arena, jumped a few fences in warm up which he was fine with, and proceeded to pack up my stuff.
I pulled out of the show grounds and promptly missed my road, which was ok, because I wanted to go to the gas station anyway. Too bad I could hear my trailer tire hissing air when I pulled in! 2 hours later, a very nice repair guy, and Thank the Lord for US Rider, I was on the road again, and finally made it home (7.5 hours after leaving the show grounds), with a very travel weary pony.
Yesterday I volunteered at a lovely dressage show before teaching lessons. It was great to see so many people enjoying their horses!
AND Ethel the Donkey at WhinScott Farm (where I teach) had her baby! We were the first to see it! I'll post picture of the donkey later, but it definitely provided some much needed comic relief after the taxing, long weekend!
Prophet and I have plans to jump BIG over the next couple of weeks so we can get a bit more comfortable at that level before The Ark on October 10th. We should be good to go!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Yay!!!!
There's only one word that can describe this weekend, and it's "YAY!!!"
Not gonna lie... I definitely came into this weekend feeling a bit of apprehension. 3 long days in Southern Pines, lots of money spent that wasn't necessarily in my budget (stalling, hotel, etc...), and XC wasn't until Sunday for me, so I was worried that in a split second, it could all come to a sliding halt (literally).
Now I'm not one that gets super, super worried about stuff (usually), but after P-man's disappointing water experience at Lumber River, I couldn't help but have those disappointing thoughts lingering in my brain. I tried hard to visualize myself coming across the finish line full of smiles, to push the negativity away and focus on the positive - which was a struggle I can assure you!
Friday went very well. My good friend Kristin trusted me with her 13 year old daughter, Sarah, and let her come with me to serve as my slave! Prophet appeared just a bit dull after his trailer ride, so we spent a bit of time grazing him, and letting him brighten back up. He felt very good for warm-up, and performed a very nice dressage test. There were a few bobbles, but parts that felt great! I was left a bit disappointed with our score of 35.8, but that left us in a 3-way tie for 4th at the end of day one.
I had a whole new horse for show jumping, and it I think it may take me a bit to learn to ride the new jumping beast! I've worked really hard to get him to 'take' me to the fences, and TAKE me he did! He jumped like a million bucks, easily made all the strides and was balanced and rideable, even while being strong. I got several compliments on the way out of the arena - not something that happens very often! He was one of a handful of double clear rides, which left us alone in 4th.
Sarah went home with her mom after show jumping which left me alone Saturday night where I did not sleep well, and spent ALOT of time riding the XC course in my head - Again, this worrying thing is NOT characteristic. The majority of the difficult questions were early on in the course, and I just kept riding and riding and riding them over and over and over from my very cold hotel room!
Apparently I didn't need to though! Prophet jumped around like a super star, minus one discussion about galloping away from the horses in warm-up. It was a treat to ride him to all the fences, although we need to work on our gallops between them, as we were about 45 seconds over time!! After watching the video, I realize that he just gets short and choppy between the jumps until I take a hold, and then he engages his back and uses himself. I just need to develop that engaged back between the jumps!! At this level, I've never really "gone" for time anyway, as I'm more concerned about him being confident and learning something throughout the course. Maybe I'll throw a couple kicks in there this weekend at Paradise HT and see where we can go!
His new Nike's get put on tomorrow, and then I'll try to work on the galloping stretch on Wednesday morning and see where we end up!
I have a busy week of teaching and re-packing the trailer before leaving Friday afternoon for Aiken. Will post the video and pics shortly!
Until then, RIDE FORWARD!!
Not gonna lie... I definitely came into this weekend feeling a bit of apprehension. 3 long days in Southern Pines, lots of money spent that wasn't necessarily in my budget (stalling, hotel, etc...), and XC wasn't until Sunday for me, so I was worried that in a split second, it could all come to a sliding halt (literally).
Now I'm not one that gets super, super worried about stuff (usually), but after P-man's disappointing water experience at Lumber River, I couldn't help but have those disappointing thoughts lingering in my brain. I tried hard to visualize myself coming across the finish line full of smiles, to push the negativity away and focus on the positive - which was a struggle I can assure you!
Friday went very well. My good friend Kristin trusted me with her 13 year old daughter, Sarah, and let her come with me to serve as my slave! Prophet appeared just a bit dull after his trailer ride, so we spent a bit of time grazing him, and letting him brighten back up. He felt very good for warm-up, and performed a very nice dressage test. There were a few bobbles, but parts that felt great! I was left a bit disappointed with our score of 35.8, but that left us in a 3-way tie for 4th at the end of day one.
I had a whole new horse for show jumping, and it I think it may take me a bit to learn to ride the new jumping beast! I've worked really hard to get him to 'take' me to the fences, and TAKE me he did! He jumped like a million bucks, easily made all the strides and was balanced and rideable, even while being strong. I got several compliments on the way out of the arena - not something that happens very often! He was one of a handful of double clear rides, which left us alone in 4th.
Sarah went home with her mom after show jumping which left me alone Saturday night where I did not sleep well, and spent ALOT of time riding the XC course in my head - Again, this worrying thing is NOT characteristic. The majority of the difficult questions were early on in the course, and I just kept riding and riding and riding them over and over and over from my very cold hotel room!
Apparently I didn't need to though! Prophet jumped around like a super star, minus one discussion about galloping away from the horses in warm-up. It was a treat to ride him to all the fences, although we need to work on our gallops between them, as we were about 45 seconds over time!! After watching the video, I realize that he just gets short and choppy between the jumps until I take a hold, and then he engages his back and uses himself. I just need to develop that engaged back between the jumps!! At this level, I've never really "gone" for time anyway, as I'm more concerned about him being confident and learning something throughout the course. Maybe I'll throw a couple kicks in there this weekend at Paradise HT and see where we can go!
His new Nike's get put on tomorrow, and then I'll try to work on the galloping stretch on Wednesday morning and see where we end up!
I have a busy week of teaching and re-packing the trailer before leaving Friday afternoon for Aiken. Will post the video and pics shortly!
Until then, RIDE FORWARD!!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
I got my boots tied tight....
The past week has been a busy one, with lots of exciting news to report! First off, two very awesome companies have signed on to help P-man and I out with equipment donations--check out www.hoofwraps.com and www.bluhorseclothing.com to check out what we will be stylin' this fall.
The first event of the fall season is this weekend at the Carolina Horse Park. It runs thru advanced, so we will be competing over 3 days... with only Prophet with me to ride, it's going to be like a vacation!
Prophet's been very good lately. Very excited to see if we can keep it all together this weekend.
More information coming shortly -- gotta run & do work!
The first event of the fall season is this weekend at the Carolina Horse Park. It runs thru advanced, so we will be competing over 3 days... with only Prophet with me to ride, it's going to be like a vacation!
Prophet's been very good lately. Very excited to see if we can keep it all together this weekend.
More information coming shortly -- gotta run & do work!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
I said BBBBRRR it's cold in here....
So the weather managed to go from being too hot to put a fly sheet on, to almost turnout sheet temperature in a matter of 2 days. It's supposed to warm back up, but it was lovely hacking out this morning with a long sleeved shirt on! Pony is doing well, nothing really new to report, so I'm posted some lovely pics I just got from our event at Lumber river nearly 3 months ago! Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)