Saturday, June 28, 2008
Quik upd8
Wow day! 7 rides of 70 or better in the gp. Peters n ravel. . . Omg! debbie had little bobbles- opened the door 4 c.king 2 take 2nd- 75+ . . . She basically got her spot 2 hk in the bag w/myth. A gr8 test! xpresv and uphil ttfn
Friday, June 27, 2008
We r here
A long day. Got 2 see the psg- gibson won. I missed the first 6 rides, but she had a clean test and showed his gaits well- not 2 passage like. I look 4ward 2 sat. Ttfn
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Trials Updates
The post below is a test post from my Mobile Phone. I'm hoping to be able to give some albeit brief commentary about our time down there. The awesome stuff .... like watching Mr. Steffen Peters ride.... ANYTHING! ;-)
So you will see text style posts like the example below:
Ptrs Ravel gr8 piaf
Meaning Peters had a great piaffe! I know... duh.
I'll probably put things like this:
sppl = supple
miss 1tempi = mistake in the 1tempis
miss 2tempi = mistake in the 2 tempis
gr8 = great
OMG = Oh, My GOSH!
Wow = wow ;-)
gd trans = good transitions
blnc= balanced
str8t = straight
.... a little like scribe language....
You can get live updates on the scores by visiting the Fox Village site. But, I can share a spectators view of what is actually happening. I will be trying to post these little updates when I can and of course get a lot of pictures to share.
So you will see text style posts like the example below:
Ptrs Ravel gr8 piaf
Meaning Peters had a great piaffe! I know... duh.
I'll probably put things like this:
sppl = supple
miss 1tempi = mistake in the 1tempis
miss 2tempi = mistake in the 2 tempis
gr8 = great
OMG = Oh, My GOSH!
Wow = wow ;-)
gd trans = good transitions
blnc= balanced
str8t = straight
.... a little like scribe language....
You can get live updates on the scores by visiting the Fox Village site. But, I can share a spectators view of what is actually happening. I will be trying to post these little updates when I can and of course get a lot of pictures to share.
Test my blog
Lets see if this works to send a comment on a ride ie: petrs ravel gr8 piaf will be like that
Ready for some inspiration
And some fresh air. With all the fires going on in Nor. Cal this week its hardly been a good idea to do much in the way of exercise outdoors. Between the watering itchy eyes, scratchy throat and cough, I'm more than ready to breath some Southern California air.... which is the honest truth and just says how really bad its been up here!
Of course this happens JUST before I'm planning to be gone for 4 days so we've been making compromises. Ernie has been going for walks mixed with a little bit of stretchy trot and canter in the double bridle. Weee!
Romeo has taken some nice long walks around the farm and is getting bolder as he's getting more through the back. I rode him a little deep in the walk with a strong leg and then let him take the reins down and out to the buckle for a jaunt around the property where he shrugged off darting squirrels, farm implements, and assorted horsey spooks.
Philipe wanted nothing to do with a low key week and so after a long walk warm-up where he agreed to walk we played some piaffe before stretching down in extended walk and then cantered a little at which point he was so through, so straight and so in front of my leg we played with throwing changes in anywhere at any time and did a nice series of 4's on the diagonal today and down the quarterline. I see the light of PSG!
Destino is now stretching down in the canter and blowing. Finally.... poor horse was so messed up about canter when we got him. Yikes.... Please don't ride your horses hollow, or in halters, or in whatever so called "natural" method you think feels 'light' to your hand but is nothing more than an unengaged tight backed, either behind the vertical or above the bit frame where the horse cannot release his topline and carry himself with a free range of motion. Please.... for the sake of your horse. Ride him correctly over his back and connected from the hindquarters to your hand. He will stay sounder, respond better, and be happier. Not to mention, he'll likely never end up headed to a rescue organization because your 'natural' trainer says he's either lame or mentally ill. In this horse's case its neither- not by a long shot. But, I've had to pick up a lot of pieces.
* that's my rant for the day. ;-)
Augie has remarkably actually been getting a lot of riding in lately and its such a joy. He is a once in a lifetime horse. I learned the hard way with him in my well intended pursuit of "a better way," that what is labelled as natural is usually far from it. My ventures into the world of bridleless riding, the 7 "tricks" and assorted flavors of modern natural guru horsemanship all led me to understand just exactly how and why all this mind/body connection works. That you simply cannot have an honest relationship with your horse without having deep and meaningful challenging conversations with him- the kind where you not only set him up to use his body correctly, but insist on it. For without engagement of the hindquarters you have no engagement of the mind. Without a supple body that accepts contact and moves through the aids you do not have a horse that is supple in his mind or emotions. He won't ultimately accept you. Knowing this and understanding it on a different level now, my little horse and I have progressed back to training level. At 18, blind in one eye and forever stiff from the ligament damage he sustained coming out of surgery, he's no quite capable of doing much more than trails and low level dressage. But, as we attain greater degrees of harmony through perfecting the basics, our relationship is better. In spite of all the amazing liberty acts, bridleless jumping and cow-working etc. we did that could 'oooh and ahh' a crowd, we are further along for doing the most imortant things, walk, trot, canter, on the aids, on basic figures the best we can. True to the principles of classical horsemanship, he is sounder and looking better than he did 5yrs ago.
* My soapbox for the day
It will be a few days before I'm back on to share more of my general opinions on horsemanship and dressage, but in the meantime, I am going to try "Mobile Blogging" to this web address. I have the capability (whether or not I succeed in applying the technology remains to be seen) to post brief text messages of the happenings at the Olympic Selection Trials. I will try to do so.
Therefore, check back in over the next couple of days. Get updates and a little more of the action..... or it will be here Monday at the latest. HA!
Have a good weekend.
Of course this happens JUST before I'm planning to be gone for 4 days so we've been making compromises. Ernie has been going for walks mixed with a little bit of stretchy trot and canter in the double bridle. Weee!
Romeo has taken some nice long walks around the farm and is getting bolder as he's getting more through the back. I rode him a little deep in the walk with a strong leg and then let him take the reins down and out to the buckle for a jaunt around the property where he shrugged off darting squirrels, farm implements, and assorted horsey spooks.
Philipe wanted nothing to do with a low key week and so after a long walk warm-up where he agreed to walk we played some piaffe before stretching down in extended walk and then cantered a little at which point he was so through, so straight and so in front of my leg we played with throwing changes in anywhere at any time and did a nice series of 4's on the diagonal today and down the quarterline. I see the light of PSG!
Destino is now stretching down in the canter and blowing. Finally.... poor horse was so messed up about canter when we got him. Yikes.... Please don't ride your horses hollow, or in halters, or in whatever so called "natural" method you think feels 'light' to your hand but is nothing more than an unengaged tight backed, either behind the vertical or above the bit frame where the horse cannot release his topline and carry himself with a free range of motion. Please.... for the sake of your horse. Ride him correctly over his back and connected from the hindquarters to your hand. He will stay sounder, respond better, and be happier. Not to mention, he'll likely never end up headed to a rescue organization because your 'natural' trainer says he's either lame or mentally ill. In this horse's case its neither- not by a long shot. But, I've had to pick up a lot of pieces.
* that's my rant for the day. ;-)
Augie has remarkably actually been getting a lot of riding in lately and its such a joy. He is a once in a lifetime horse. I learned the hard way with him in my well intended pursuit of "a better way," that what is labelled as natural is usually far from it. My ventures into the world of bridleless riding, the 7 "tricks" and assorted flavors of modern natural guru horsemanship all led me to understand just exactly how and why all this mind/body connection works. That you simply cannot have an honest relationship with your horse without having deep and meaningful challenging conversations with him- the kind where you not only set him up to use his body correctly, but insist on it. For without engagement of the hindquarters you have no engagement of the mind. Without a supple body that accepts contact and moves through the aids you do not have a horse that is supple in his mind or emotions. He won't ultimately accept you. Knowing this and understanding it on a different level now, my little horse and I have progressed back to training level. At 18, blind in one eye and forever stiff from the ligament damage he sustained coming out of surgery, he's no quite capable of doing much more than trails and low level dressage. But, as we attain greater degrees of harmony through perfecting the basics, our relationship is better. In spite of all the amazing liberty acts, bridleless jumping and cow-working etc. we did that could 'oooh and ahh' a crowd, we are further along for doing the most imortant things, walk, trot, canter, on the aids, on basic figures the best we can. True to the principles of classical horsemanship, he is sounder and looking better than he did 5yrs ago.
* My soapbox for the day
It will be a few days before I'm back on to share more of my general opinions on horsemanship and dressage, but in the meantime, I am going to try "Mobile Blogging" to this web address. I have the capability (whether or not I succeed in applying the technology remains to be seen) to post brief text messages of the happenings at the Olympic Selection Trials. I will try to do so.
Therefore, check back in over the next couple of days. Get updates and a little more of the action..... or it will be here Monday at the latest. HA!
Have a good weekend.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
For Sale
The other day I mentioned our sale horse "Gina" a 6yr Iberian Warmblood Mare. She's coming along well and our ads have been placed. Here is another photo from our original shoot.
Last weekend I shot some video of her and made a little YouTube movie. You can view that here right now. And down below that I have some information on a saddle and bridle I'm selling.
Saddle For Sale
2002 County Competitor
17.5" seat and extra wide tree: modified short flap
This saddle has a generous deep seat which puts the rider in a good balance and is comfortable to sit in. It fits wide horses and those needing extra shoulder freedom very well. It is 6yrs old, but had been used only a handful of times when I bought it over a year ago. I've used it lightly on a few of the wide ones here. Circumstances allowed me to have a custom saddle made for the horse I originally bought it for and so I no longer need it. New, these saddles go for close to $3000. Selling it for $1,250 or best offer. In excellent condition.
Otto Schumacher Swarovski Crystal Bridle - Full size
Stunning bridle! Made for a chestnut or rose grey - chocolate brown leather with a burgundy padding and burgundy Swarovski crystals. It was jaw dropping on my colt when he was still rosey, but he is getting very white and the bridle needs to move on to decorate another special horse. Catch attention and get a unique, but classy look for your horse. To order these bridles through Dover costs nearly $350. I'm selling it for $175.
Last weekend I shot some video of her and made a little YouTube movie. You can view that here right now. And down below that I have some information on a saddle and bridle I'm selling.
Saddle For Sale
2002 County Competitor
17.5" seat and extra wide tree: modified short flap
This saddle has a generous deep seat which puts the rider in a good balance and is comfortable to sit in. It fits wide horses and those needing extra shoulder freedom very well. It is 6yrs old, but had been used only a handful of times when I bought it over a year ago. I've used it lightly on a few of the wide ones here. Circumstances allowed me to have a custom saddle made for the horse I originally bought it for and so I no longer need it. New, these saddles go for close to $3000. Selling it for $1,250 or best offer. In excellent condition.
Otto Schumacher Swarovski Crystal Bridle - Full size
Stunning bridle! Made for a chestnut or rose grey - chocolate brown leather with a burgundy padding and burgundy Swarovski crystals. It was jaw dropping on my colt when he was still rosey, but he is getting very white and the bridle needs to move on to decorate another special horse. Catch attention and get a unique, but classy look for your horse. To order these bridles through Dover costs nearly $350. I'm selling it for $175.
Friday, June 20, 2008
The recipe for success
When people want to know the surefire way to improve their riding, there is really only one answer. Its the quickest most lasting fix even though its not a "quick" one. Perfection can be time-consuming, but improvements will be felt immediately. There is absolutely no "relationship" with your horse without it. And no matter if you compete or ride casually, you can never be good enough to do the ultimate justice to your horse.
What is this absolutely powerful and necessary ingredient?
The correct seat.
Sometimes someone comes along who thinks they can "change" it, redefine it, or even throw all prior knowledge out the window. They ultimately all fail and its very easy to pick apart the results they have with their horses. While none of us is perfect and none of our endeavors to be perfect ever result in it, without fail, riders who improve their seat and position improve their horses.
I grew up riding the "big eq", the Medal and Maclay classes at the 3'6" divisions as a junior hunter/jumper rider. Everything, absolutely everything was related to the form and function of an effective and elegant seat that would translate into displaying the horse to his best form over fences as both a stylist and a showjumper. When I transitioned to dressage, there was a lot to learn about this classical seat and it exposed my weaknesses over fences. Every day, I expose more weakness, more imperfection.... of which in places there is gross imperfection!
I rarely like to watch video of myself for not being able to get past my inadequacies. I've learned over the years to be honest, but also forgiving and recognize my improvements.
Injuries can plague us and this year I've had to deal with that in a huge way. Recognizing that I didn't ever get a complete diagnosis of my injuries in a bad jumping crash at the age of 17, meant admitting that much of my struggle with the same issues has been a bit in vain. I'm not sure how or why I suddenly digressed so rapidly over the fall and winter, but the result was losing much of the mind/body perception and communication through the left side of my back and hip. Subsequently I sustained some fairly significant secondary lameness!
Now that I am healing all of the injuries and can actually change my seat, I'm again feeling the proof of the pudding. Its all about the seat!
The work here is not done by any means. But, I'm getting back to actually feeling good about how I'm influencing my horses and how I'm presenting them. The horses are happier too, when the rider focuses not just on the horse's behavior, but rather on their own INFLUENCE towards the behavior and movement. Too often people blame their horses when its entirely their lack of correct riding. Unfortunately, short cuts are often sought instead of the hard work of going back to basics. There is no alternative way to approach one's riding other than as a sport. It is an athletic endeavor and to ride well means practicing one's sport, working out to improve their fitness and agility, and taking care of their body. It also means setting realistic goals. Riding once a week won't cut it. Riding an inappropriate or too green a horse won't cut it. Riding in a poor fitting saddle won't cut it. Riding in attire that does not support or properly allow for correct position won't cut it either. Discipline and focus in all regards will improve one's riding which is the only way to ultimately and completely improve one's horsemanship and the relationship they have with their horse.
What is this absolutely powerful and necessary ingredient?
The correct seat.
Sometimes someone comes along who thinks they can "change" it, redefine it, or even throw all prior knowledge out the window. They ultimately all fail and its very easy to pick apart the results they have with their horses. While none of us is perfect and none of our endeavors to be perfect ever result in it, without fail, riders who improve their seat and position improve their horses.
I grew up riding the "big eq", the Medal and Maclay classes at the 3'6" divisions as a junior hunter/jumper rider. Everything, absolutely everything was related to the form and function of an effective and elegant seat that would translate into displaying the horse to his best form over fences as both a stylist and a showjumper. When I transitioned to dressage, there was a lot to learn about this classical seat and it exposed my weaknesses over fences. Every day, I expose more weakness, more imperfection.... of which in places there is gross imperfection!
I rarely like to watch video of myself for not being able to get past my inadequacies. I've learned over the years to be honest, but also forgiving and recognize my improvements.
Injuries can plague us and this year I've had to deal with that in a huge way. Recognizing that I didn't ever get a complete diagnosis of my injuries in a bad jumping crash at the age of 17, meant admitting that much of my struggle with the same issues has been a bit in vain. I'm not sure how or why I suddenly digressed so rapidly over the fall and winter, but the result was losing much of the mind/body perception and communication through the left side of my back and hip. Subsequently I sustained some fairly significant secondary lameness!
Now that I am healing all of the injuries and can actually change my seat, I'm again feeling the proof of the pudding. Its all about the seat!
The work here is not done by any means. But, I'm getting back to actually feeling good about how I'm influencing my horses and how I'm presenting them. The horses are happier too, when the rider focuses not just on the horse's behavior, but rather on their own INFLUENCE towards the behavior and movement. Too often people blame their horses when its entirely their lack of correct riding. Unfortunately, short cuts are often sought instead of the hard work of going back to basics. There is no alternative way to approach one's riding other than as a sport. It is an athletic endeavor and to ride well means practicing one's sport, working out to improve their fitness and agility, and taking care of their body. It also means setting realistic goals. Riding once a week won't cut it. Riding an inappropriate or too green a horse won't cut it. Riding in a poor fitting saddle won't cut it. Riding in attire that does not support or properly allow for correct position won't cut it either. Discipline and focus in all regards will improve one's riding which is the only way to ultimately and completely improve one's horsemanship and the relationship they have with their horse.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Taking the plunge
Or at least dipping my toes in the kiddie pool...... I signed Romeo up for a schooling show week from Sunday. Yikes! I've had so much inconsistency in my riding and the young greenies have suffered the most in lack of attention and progression. However, when I stepped back into the irons on him a couple of weeks ago he was an improved horse. Go figure. (I'm thinking I learned something and am simply riding better for my "rehab") It all lasted a week until he began to try second guessing everything- smarty pants. I then decided he could just do some more challenging things being such a clever pony to which he had a couple of "teenager" eye rolling moments. Tough bananas buddy! Seriously, he is schooling his second level lateral work, does lengthenings and a bit of counter canter. I think he can do a training level test.
Either way, he's 6 and woo hoo.... doing training level. Not the plan I had in mind, but it seems to take an intergalactic alignment to get both of us in the arena together on the same day at the same time, for more than a week straight without some major other event happening that sidelines either of us from the other. I'm persistent and he's awesome.
Philipe had a major OOOOHHHHHHHHhhhhhh, THAT! moment today. It seems a half-halt on the outside rein in time with his outside hind stepping into the sand has not equated to him with push down harder in the ground and propel thy little spanish self upward with greater push in the next moment. He's interpreted such aid (and I may be .... okay I probably am, equally at fault for not making it perfectly clear) as push up against the half halt at that moment which of course has resulted in some rather large "croupade" "ballotade".... ah who am I kidding? Its just bucking. I sit SIT Sit deep in that saddle and close my legs and give a little in the hand and sometimes not so much and other times keep flexing like a mad beast on the other side to keep him from getting his strong Iberian jaw against the bit and it feels oh so NOT pretty or helpful, but he always seems to get it a little better and I'm a bit more tactful, a bit quicker, a bit more clear and there is less and less rear end hopping and much more sitting.
Today he was one tough little thinker and just put his mind all the way into it to figure out the puzzle. It was as if he could see some light to head towards. Suddenly he was jumping in a pirouette and we did several flying changes down centerline that were arrow straight and all I did was shift my legs in the slightest. He realized he could push himself in the air to get more time for his back legs. Quicker wasn't what they needed. It sure felt that way (and is where I was going a bit off course trying for quick when he was plenty quick, just not pushing off from there enough) He even offered up piaffe on the spot. Now to capture those feelings and reproduce them reliably.
Ernie and I played our freestyle music on my cool phone as I rode my first choreography draft and it went okay. I kept up to the music, was where I thought I'd be in the ring, but the music doesn't repeat on itself at all. (not something I thought about when I picked it out) It builds and keeps progressing into slightly different expressions on the theme. For my choreography, that means I can't just make a change of direction and flip the pattern around. Therefore, its all set to a point. It builds nicely, flows from each lateral movement through circles and into our extended gaits and then I can't figure out where to take it to show everything the other way. I can't just play half of my trot, do my walk/canter and then repeat the same trot work the opposite way. It breaks the music up too awkwardly. I did get some ideas, but as I sit here with my little arena diagrams, my editing program loaded and my headphones on.... its going so well that I came over here to post!!
I have to figure it out soon because I already signed him up for a show to ride it! Nothing like a little pressure to motivate. July 12 at Pacific Equestrian Center. We've got some time.
In between then and now however, is the trip to San Juan Capistrano for the Olympic Selection Trials! (Go Krisi and Rociero!!) Find out more about them HERE
It will be a welcome "vacation" of sorts, but I'm really looking forward to all the ideas and inspiration I'll come home with. There is so much to learn and absorb by spending time focused on top sport dressage. Its why I spend a lot of time hanging out at the warm-up arena when we go to shows. Something always strikes me or solidifies another idea. Dressage is an incredible journey of learning. At times it can seem overwhelming and then you hit on something new that lights another fire on which to go further.
Life is good. :-)
Either way, he's 6 and woo hoo.... doing training level. Not the plan I had in mind, but it seems to take an intergalactic alignment to get both of us in the arena together on the same day at the same time, for more than a week straight without some major other event happening that sidelines either of us from the other. I'm persistent and he's awesome.
Philipe had a major OOOOHHHHHHHHhhhhhh, THAT! moment today. It seems a half-halt on the outside rein in time with his outside hind stepping into the sand has not equated to him with push down harder in the ground and propel thy little spanish self upward with greater push in the next moment. He's interpreted such aid (and I may be .... okay I probably am, equally at fault for not making it perfectly clear) as push up against the half halt at that moment which of course has resulted in some rather large "croupade" "ballotade".... ah who am I kidding? Its just bucking. I sit SIT Sit deep in that saddle and close my legs and give a little in the hand and sometimes not so much and other times keep flexing like a mad beast on the other side to keep him from getting his strong Iberian jaw against the bit and it feels oh so NOT pretty or helpful, but he always seems to get it a little better and I'm a bit more tactful, a bit quicker, a bit more clear and there is less and less rear end hopping and much more sitting.
Today he was one tough little thinker and just put his mind all the way into it to figure out the puzzle. It was as if he could see some light to head towards. Suddenly he was jumping in a pirouette and we did several flying changes down centerline that were arrow straight and all I did was shift my legs in the slightest. He realized he could push himself in the air to get more time for his back legs. Quicker wasn't what they needed. It sure felt that way (and is where I was going a bit off course trying for quick when he was plenty quick, just not pushing off from there enough) He even offered up piaffe on the spot. Now to capture those feelings and reproduce them reliably.
Ernie and I played our freestyle music on my cool phone as I rode my first choreography draft and it went okay. I kept up to the music, was where I thought I'd be in the ring, but the music doesn't repeat on itself at all. (not something I thought about when I picked it out) It builds and keeps progressing into slightly different expressions on the theme. For my choreography, that means I can't just make a change of direction and flip the pattern around. Therefore, its all set to a point. It builds nicely, flows from each lateral movement through circles and into our extended gaits and then I can't figure out where to take it to show everything the other way. I can't just play half of my trot, do my walk/canter and then repeat the same trot work the opposite way. It breaks the music up too awkwardly. I did get some ideas, but as I sit here with my little arena diagrams, my editing program loaded and my headphones on.... its going so well that I came over here to post!!
I have to figure it out soon because I already signed him up for a show to ride it! Nothing like a little pressure to motivate. July 12 at Pacific Equestrian Center. We've got some time.
In between then and now however, is the trip to San Juan Capistrano for the Olympic Selection Trials! (Go Krisi and Rociero!!) Find out more about them HERE
It will be a welcome "vacation" of sorts, but I'm really looking forward to all the ideas and inspiration I'll come home with. There is so much to learn and absorb by spending time focused on top sport dressage. Its why I spend a lot of time hanging out at the warm-up arena when we go to shows. Something always strikes me or solidifies another idea. Dressage is an incredible journey of learning. At times it can seem overwhelming and then you hit on something new that lights another fire on which to go further.
Life is good. :-)
Friday, June 6, 2008
Where did the week go?
I thought I'd give Philipe two days off after the show since he has been working like a work horse for the past few weeks. It turned into 3 as I found myself suddenly at Wed. which flew by, and Thursday wasn't much better as I rushed off to my Pilates class, rushed back for afternoon lessons and then spent the day today per our usual up at the crack of dawn and onward until sundown routine plus the usual mix of buzzing over to the feed store, fitting in time to pull a mane, get some pretty new silk flowers to decorate the arena for summer, (or watch Anky's GP Special ride at De Steeg today go here for archives)
I did manage to get some wonderful rides on Ernie all week where today he finally had a lightbulb moment about going from collected trot to half-steps. Breanna got into a bunch of yellow jackets who decided to bite her above the knee which swelled and was miserable for most of the week. She wasn't ever lame, but wasn't happy about her hot itchy leg either. Long soaks under a cold hose did wonders for the not so little girl.
Romeo amazes me and while I was prepared a few months ago to sell him in order to fund a 'fast track' to FEI, I decided that he's my best serious hope for a CDI horse in the future and I'll just stay on my slow boat to FEI. At least there won't be any claims that I can't train a horse myself.
I'm very happy with all the training horses and the recent addition of our "sales barn." I've never wanted to be a sales barn, but pretty soon one accumulates enough clients who have themselves accumulated horses or found that their lives change and you're asked to sell. I do like matchmaking horses and riders and over the years have had very good success in finding people the right one. So, I take on the "selling" of a horse in much the same way- looking for that horse's ideal human. Fortunately, so far I've got very nice horses to work with. A few weeks ago this lovely Andalusian/TB came in the barn. She had a few trails miles logged, been popped over some fences for fun, but was in pasture and not doing anything. I've put a few weeks on her and she's a blast! Mom and I got some nice pics today and now I sit here making flyers and writing ad text.
(Shameless ad here: call me if you want more info on this cool girl!)
I did manage to get some wonderful rides on Ernie all week where today he finally had a lightbulb moment about going from collected trot to half-steps. Breanna got into a bunch of yellow jackets who decided to bite her above the knee which swelled and was miserable for most of the week. She wasn't ever lame, but wasn't happy about her hot itchy leg either. Long soaks under a cold hose did wonders for the not so little girl.
Romeo amazes me and while I was prepared a few months ago to sell him in order to fund a 'fast track' to FEI, I decided that he's my best serious hope for a CDI horse in the future and I'll just stay on my slow boat to FEI. At least there won't be any claims that I can't train a horse myself.
I'm very happy with all the training horses and the recent addition of our "sales barn." I've never wanted to be a sales barn, but pretty soon one accumulates enough clients who have themselves accumulated horses or found that their lives change and you're asked to sell. I do like matchmaking horses and riders and over the years have had very good success in finding people the right one. So, I take on the "selling" of a horse in much the same way- looking for that horse's ideal human. Fortunately, so far I've got very nice horses to work with. A few weeks ago this lovely Andalusian/TB came in the barn. She had a few trails miles logged, been popped over some fences for fun, but was in pasture and not doing anything. I've put a few weeks on her and she's a blast! Mom and I got some nice pics today and now I sit here making flyers and writing ad text.
(Shameless ad here: call me if you want more info on this cool girl!)
Sunday, June 1, 2008
We're Qualified for USDF Regionals
This morning Philipe and I rode our test 3 and had overall huge improvements from yesterday. I was anxious to see if we could find the harmony and rhythm that was there for the 3-2 ride where we received the %67. It was a very nice test in many ways although the wind was not whipping the flags up at the far end so he wasn't as "under himself" as yesterday and I didn't do any revving up. Impulsion wasn't quite there and it showed in the med/ext where he got 6's instead of 7's. Our changes were still clean, but not as uphill so 6's. However, his walk work was vastly more free and swinging and all the scores went up a point. All totaled our 3-3 ride scored a %65.116 which qualifies us for the USDF Region 7 champs.
All I needed was my %62 on the 3-2 test and we would be CDS qualified. I did the revving up with some halt/trot transitions as we circled the ring. Philipe was super up and I GAVE after my half-halts and no surprise that helped- not to mention that I then also put my leg on! Woo hoo... I might just figure it out. I had a very uphill and bold moving horse who was swinging his back and reaching to my hand. I think I was a little enamored or perhaps I could blame it on not being sure of my left leg/left hip, but somehow I didn't bend enough in my lateral work which resulted in a 5 on one half-pass and a 6 on the other when those should be solid 7's for us - and they carry a coefficient. I have to pretty much count on my med/ext trots being 6's.... 7's are gifts on Philipe. So, the points have to be made up in the things we know for sure he could do for an 8.... like lateral work. Ugh...
We did however receive an 8 on one walk pirouette... 7 on the other. Yes. Another place where you can score just as well as a big flashy fancy pants horse. Then rode some respectable canter half-passes for a pair of 6's where he wanted more angle.... and going from D to R/S doesn't afford much angle.... anyhow. And then in all my might and determination to repeat the performances of my other flying changes through the weekend which were a decisive improvement over our last shows, I completely overrode them causing him to go croup high and get a bit crooked. I knew it wasn't going to be in the 50's at least. It wasn't terrible, and while I hoped it would be a %62, and qualifying I had a sneaking suspicion that the dressage gods would tell me I needed to ride 3rd at one more show at least before the champs. And so it is to be as we posted a score of 61.795. Buggers! ;-)
However, watching the freestyles has made me decide that I will pick music this week, and just go for something... anything and do a 3rd level freestyle while Ernie and I will begin to choreograph to our already selected music to do a 2nd level freestyle.
All I needed was my %62 on the 3-2 test and we would be CDS qualified. I did the revving up with some halt/trot transitions as we circled the ring. Philipe was super up and I GAVE after my half-halts and no surprise that helped- not to mention that I then also put my leg on! Woo hoo... I might just figure it out. I had a very uphill and bold moving horse who was swinging his back and reaching to my hand. I think I was a little enamored or perhaps I could blame it on not being sure of my left leg/left hip, but somehow I didn't bend enough in my lateral work which resulted in a 5 on one half-pass and a 6 on the other when those should be solid 7's for us - and they carry a coefficient. I have to pretty much count on my med/ext trots being 6's.... 7's are gifts on Philipe. So, the points have to be made up in the things we know for sure he could do for an 8.... like lateral work. Ugh...
We did however receive an 8 on one walk pirouette... 7 on the other. Yes. Another place where you can score just as well as a big flashy fancy pants horse. Then rode some respectable canter half-passes for a pair of 6's where he wanted more angle.... and going from D to R/S doesn't afford much angle.... anyhow. And then in all my might and determination to repeat the performances of my other flying changes through the weekend which were a decisive improvement over our last shows, I completely overrode them causing him to go croup high and get a bit crooked. I knew it wasn't going to be in the 50's at least. It wasn't terrible, and while I hoped it would be a %62, and qualifying I had a sneaking suspicion that the dressage gods would tell me I needed to ride 3rd at one more show at least before the champs. And so it is to be as we posted a score of 61.795. Buggers! ;-)
However, watching the freestyles has made me decide that I will pick music this week, and just go for something... anything and do a 3rd level freestyle while Ernie and I will begin to choreograph to our already selected music to do a 2nd level freestyle.
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