Ok, so not really. But I did get a call from someone this week that lives in my area and is starting dressage. I've been out here by my lonesome for so long, I never imagined I'd get to have a dressage buddy. Now she's just starting dressage but has been doing hunter and all sorts of other riding so I imagine she is going to pick it up quickly. She mentioned something about being 2nd level ready.
I'm just happy to have someone to compare notes with and maybe even get to watch ride without driving an hour. My brain is already turning on whether or not she would be able to ride Dexter for me every now and then. I've kept him in pretty good shape with the lunging, but it still helps to have someone on him now and then. And while I still hop on him every so often, its only for walking and trail work. But we will have to get to know her first. As I've mentioned a few times before, I"m pretty picky on who I let on my horse.
Oh! And maybe I'll have someone to go to shows with next year! But I'm not getting ahead of myself. :)
Showing posts with label dressage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dressage. Show all posts
July 12, 2011
June 14, 2011
Better Late Than Never...
I know its been a while since the last show, but here are some pictures from it. Thank my husband. the prior shows he wasn't taking enough pictures. I told him the "magic" picture is almost impossible to get, so you just have to keep taking them in hopes one turns out right. He's such a good listener :) I got to sift through 400+ pictures looking for the magic one. Let me know what you think :)
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| Can you tell it was a bit dreary? |
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| Dexter keeping an eye on us from his stall. |
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| It may just look like a walk, but you try to get Dexter to relax in the middle of a test. |
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| Proof that there is at least one moment of magic in every test. |
June 10, 2011
In the Eye of the Beholder
Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to horses. I know there isn't one of us that would readily admit we have an "ugly" horse. But if I were to be totally honest with myself, I know Dexter has big hips, and hocks that turn in a bit. But he also has great legs, a gorgeous mane and tail and the cutest face Ive ever seen, and because of his personality and gates I thing he's beautiful! I'm sure to an outsider he's just a lanky bay.
And I also know my L.E. was not the prettiest horse when we got her. Her chest, face, stomach, mane and tail were all rubbed raw due to some mite or fungus that cause her to itch all the time. She was slightly U-necked and just a little chestnut quarter horse. By the time we had to sell her you couldn't tell me she wasn't the cutest horse in her class, it helped that all her hair had grown in.
Which is why I try to be as mute as possible on the subject when someone insists on going on about how pretty their new purchase is. A friend of mine is often buying and trading "project" horses that I just don't see the value in, but she knows they are going to be great. For her it all comes down to the head. "Doesn't he have a pretty head?!". (For the record I know she thinks Dexter's head is big and ugly, I love it.) And all I can think is - Yes, nice head, but the short roached back might be a problem.
Her latest purchase was a "black" 6 yr old Arab stallion. I put black in quites because I'm gonna guess he's actually a dark bay. She has been telling me about this horse for a while now, so I know she's super excited to get him. She wants to ride him and breed him to some of her mares. And of course until he showed up I had images of "The Black Stallion" dancing around in my head. That is not what showed up.... in my eyes I saw a scrawny, scraggly bay pony with a crooked tail. He does have a cute, be it, tiny head. But for 6 he's pretty lean and small.... maybe 13.2H. And I know Arabs are petite but he just looked more like a 2 year old to me. I know it sounds like I'm picking on this horse, but I'm just trying to illustrate the whole "eye of the beholder" thing. This is not my dream horse, nor a horse that I would consider buying just because he doesn't fit my image of a dressage horse, that doesn't mean he's any less of a horse.
To my friend, who has been dying for a black stallion forever, he's elegant... "petite" with a pretty head. And "beautiful movement" She keeps telling me he moves so beautifully out of the shoulders, which is hard for me to understand since I've spent the last year trying to get my horse off his shoulders and onto his butt.
It is just a reminder that the horse world is so big and everyone is looking for something different. My dream horse would never work for her and vice verse. But we both love horses and couldn't live without them.
And I also know my L.E. was not the prettiest horse when we got her. Her chest, face, stomach, mane and tail were all rubbed raw due to some mite or fungus that cause her to itch all the time. She was slightly U-necked and just a little chestnut quarter horse. By the time we had to sell her you couldn't tell me she wasn't the cutest horse in her class, it helped that all her hair had grown in.
Which is why I try to be as mute as possible on the subject when someone insists on going on about how pretty their new purchase is. A friend of mine is often buying and trading "project" horses that I just don't see the value in, but she knows they are going to be great. For her it all comes down to the head. "Doesn't he have a pretty head?!". (For the record I know she thinks Dexter's head is big and ugly, I love it.) And all I can think is - Yes, nice head, but the short roached back might be a problem.
Her latest purchase was a "black" 6 yr old Arab stallion. I put black in quites because I'm gonna guess he's actually a dark bay. She has been telling me about this horse for a while now, so I know she's super excited to get him. She wants to ride him and breed him to some of her mares. And of course until he showed up I had images of "The Black Stallion" dancing around in my head. That is not what showed up.... in my eyes I saw a scrawny, scraggly bay pony with a crooked tail. He does have a cute, be it, tiny head. But for 6 he's pretty lean and small.... maybe 13.2H. And I know Arabs are petite but he just looked more like a 2 year old to me. I know it sounds like I'm picking on this horse, but I'm just trying to illustrate the whole "eye of the beholder" thing. This is not my dream horse, nor a horse that I would consider buying just because he doesn't fit my image of a dressage horse, that doesn't mean he's any less of a horse.
To my friend, who has been dying for a black stallion forever, he's elegant... "petite" with a pretty head. And "beautiful movement" She keeps telling me he moves so beautifully out of the shoulders, which is hard for me to understand since I've spent the last year trying to get my horse off his shoulders and onto his butt.
It is just a reminder that the horse world is so big and everyone is looking for something different. My dream horse would never work for her and vice verse. But we both love horses and couldn't live without them.
May 27, 2011
Day 2 - Rainy Days
Ok, so the first day was a wash, but the second day would be better right? Nope, a wash too.... almost literally....
The second day we got there much earlier, no rushing today we were going to ride until he got it right. I even planned it so I could ride for a while, give him a break, then do a quick warm up just prior to the test. So we get there ~3 hrs before my first ride and I notice the warm-up is half under water. I guess it had rained quite a bit. The warm-up has moved to the indoor, which is half taken up by temporary stalls, so it is slightly larger than a small dressage arena. I'm not complaining, no one can control the weather, it was just an unfortunate set up for such a large show.
By the time we started our pre-warm up there were about 10-12 horses in this small arena, all about the size of Dexter.... huge. So we were more focused on how to steer and dodge vs relaxing. After about 15 minutes I realized it wasn't working and went outside to walk in the muddy warm-up. We would at least take some time to look around and get that out of the way.
For our real warm up they had moved the warm-up ring back outside, mud puddles or not. I'm guessing after watching a few too many close calls between novices and gran prix riders they thought it would be best. This is where I realized Dexter's real fear of mud. I knew he had an aversion to it, and always thought it was cute how he would steer around the wet spots in the pasture. But now I saw it, he would not canter through the mud, and he would shorten his stride at the trot. I get it, when I first got Dexter he wasn't all that balanced and he used to slip all the time with his back legs, even on dry dirt. So he's smart, and doesn't want to slip. I let it go being as the test arena looked better.... I was wrong.
First test of the second day actually started out pretty good. He was relaxed across the back or better than the day before and he was paying attention, probably because he didn't want to slip. Then we came to the canter section.... or to Dexter, the canter-break-canter-break-buck-canter-break-lengthen trot section. Every time we had to turn he broke into the trot, and was completely tense and anxious the rest of the test.... drat.
We had about an hour between tests so before I gave him a rest we went back to the warm-up and I MADE him canter through the mud and puddles to prove that he in fact could now do it. He wasn't the same lanky uncoordinated horse he was 8 months ago. I'm sure I scared a few people in the warm up as it took quite a bit of momentum to keep him going. But he did it, it took some convincing, but he made it through the mud with no falls, hopefully I had proven to him he could do it, short term anyway.
Second test started out good... again. Then the canter, again. This time at least he kept going, only breaking twice, once after he decided to leap over a suspicious spot in the ring vs go through it. But in order to keep him going we weren't all that pretty. And we ended up with the lowest score I've ever gotten with Dexter.... worse than his very first show. Every now and then you get a comment from a judge that sticks with you. Hopefully its a positive one, this one was not. "Need to work on canter basics for the safety of all involved." - OUCH!
Over all the show was pretty disappointing. Yes, the weather was a huge factor, and it was evident it affected a lot of the horses. But I feel Dexter and I were more affected than most. I'm sure I was affected by the weather and other horses, there by losing Dexter's confidence in me. And its disappointing to fall so far back from where you've come.
To top it off, I'm pretty sure that was my last show this season. Between his high spirits, the energy involved and my growing belly, I think I'll be staying local until the baby is born. Most of the time Dexter is fine at shows, but all it takes is one rainy day, one slip/buck and my center of gravity being altered to take a fall, and that's a chance I dont' think I can take anymore. I still plan on riding and still plan on taking lessons, but showing is done.
I think it was a good first season, although short. We both learned, grew and developed. We were starting to get some confidence near the end, maybe we will just erase this last show from our collective consciousness.
The second day we got there much earlier, no rushing today we were going to ride until he got it right. I even planned it so I could ride for a while, give him a break, then do a quick warm up just prior to the test. So we get there ~3 hrs before my first ride and I notice the warm-up is half under water. I guess it had rained quite a bit. The warm-up has moved to the indoor, which is half taken up by temporary stalls, so it is slightly larger than a small dressage arena. I'm not complaining, no one can control the weather, it was just an unfortunate set up for such a large show.
By the time we started our pre-warm up there were about 10-12 horses in this small arena, all about the size of Dexter.... huge. So we were more focused on how to steer and dodge vs relaxing. After about 15 minutes I realized it wasn't working and went outside to walk in the muddy warm-up. We would at least take some time to look around and get that out of the way.
For our real warm up they had moved the warm-up ring back outside, mud puddles or not. I'm guessing after watching a few too many close calls between novices and gran prix riders they thought it would be best. This is where I realized Dexter's real fear of mud. I knew he had an aversion to it, and always thought it was cute how he would steer around the wet spots in the pasture. But now I saw it, he would not canter through the mud, and he would shorten his stride at the trot. I get it, when I first got Dexter he wasn't all that balanced and he used to slip all the time with his back legs, even on dry dirt. So he's smart, and doesn't want to slip. I let it go being as the test arena looked better.... I was wrong.
First test of the second day actually started out pretty good. He was relaxed across the back or better than the day before and he was paying attention, probably because he didn't want to slip. Then we came to the canter section.... or to Dexter, the canter-break-canter-break-buck-canter-break-lengthen trot section. Every time we had to turn he broke into the trot, and was completely tense and anxious the rest of the test.... drat.
We had about an hour between tests so before I gave him a rest we went back to the warm-up and I MADE him canter through the mud and puddles to prove that he in fact could now do it. He wasn't the same lanky uncoordinated horse he was 8 months ago. I'm sure I scared a few people in the warm up as it took quite a bit of momentum to keep him going. But he did it, it took some convincing, but he made it through the mud with no falls, hopefully I had proven to him he could do it, short term anyway.
Second test started out good... again. Then the canter, again. This time at least he kept going, only breaking twice, once after he decided to leap over a suspicious spot in the ring vs go through it. But in order to keep him going we weren't all that pretty. And we ended up with the lowest score I've ever gotten with Dexter.... worse than his very first show. Every now and then you get a comment from a judge that sticks with you. Hopefully its a positive one, this one was not. "Need to work on canter basics for the safety of all involved." - OUCH!
Over all the show was pretty disappointing. Yes, the weather was a huge factor, and it was evident it affected a lot of the horses. But I feel Dexter and I were more affected than most. I'm sure I was affected by the weather and other horses, there by losing Dexter's confidence in me. And its disappointing to fall so far back from where you've come.
To top it off, I'm pretty sure that was my last show this season. Between his high spirits, the energy involved and my growing belly, I think I'll be staying local until the baby is born. Most of the time Dexter is fine at shows, but all it takes is one rainy day, one slip/buck and my center of gravity being altered to take a fall, and that's a chance I dont' think I can take anymore. I still plan on riding and still plan on taking lessons, but showing is done.
I think it was a good first season, although short. We both learned, grew and developed. We were starting to get some confidence near the end, maybe we will just erase this last show from our collective consciousness.
May 26, 2011
It's Been a While...
So I haven't been blogging much because not much has been going on, other than rain and wind. Plus I went to my first recognized show 2 weeks ago, and have been totally bummed about the experience I haven't figured out how I wanted to share it. Do I want to have a pity party about how the weather ruined all our rides? or how about a humorous internal dialogue from Dexter and his fear of mud puddles? or maybe the judges u"un0fficial" comments that didn't make the test about what the hell we were doing there?
Ehh, I'll just tell it like it is.... it was not fun, for several reasons. To start, the week before the show, it started raining, so we hadn't ridden for a few days. This was our first 2-day show where we would be staying over night, and we showed up a little late the first day so i didn't have a whole lot of time to warm up.
The first day we got there and I knew I needed to lunge him, he was acting full of himself like he had the very first show. We lunged for a while and he calmed down a bit, but not as much as I would have liked. It was cold and wet and I think the weather was getting to him. I rushed to get dressed and got on with about 15 minutes to warm up. Every show we go to we get the same comment, relax over the back. So that's all I focused on, transitions will come, the bend could be better, but for now, just relax. As this was a bigger show than we've ever been to before, there was just too much for Dexter to look at, relax wasn't going to come.
So ok, I only entered opportunity classes the first day for this reason. We would just school through this first day to get ready for tomorrow. We started out ok, he was straight down the center line and halted on cue. Overall the test was okay, but it was a huge leap back from what we had done in the last show and at home. He was counter bent, leaning on my hands, tense and just not paying attention. Same for the second test of the day. Oh well, like I said, we will school today and show tomorrow.
Day 2 - Tomorrow
Ehh, I'll just tell it like it is.... it was not fun, for several reasons. To start, the week before the show, it started raining, so we hadn't ridden for a few days. This was our first 2-day show where we would be staying over night, and we showed up a little late the first day so i didn't have a whole lot of time to warm up.
The first day we got there and I knew I needed to lunge him, he was acting full of himself like he had the very first show. We lunged for a while and he calmed down a bit, but not as much as I would have liked. It was cold and wet and I think the weather was getting to him. I rushed to get dressed and got on with about 15 minutes to warm up. Every show we go to we get the same comment, relax over the back. So that's all I focused on, transitions will come, the bend could be better, but for now, just relax. As this was a bigger show than we've ever been to before, there was just too much for Dexter to look at, relax wasn't going to come.
So ok, I only entered opportunity classes the first day for this reason. We would just school through this first day to get ready for tomorrow. We started out ok, he was straight down the center line and halted on cue. Overall the test was okay, but it was a huge leap back from what we had done in the last show and at home. He was counter bent, leaning on my hands, tense and just not paying attention. Same for the second test of the day. Oh well, like I said, we will school today and show tomorrow.
Day 2 - Tomorrow
May 3, 2011
Half Way There and Still Going!
I'm 20 weeks pregnant at the end of this week and happy to report still riding. No falls or kicks yet that all the experts warn about. We've modified our routine only a little bit, no more sitting trot, more canter work as it's much more comfortable, and shorter and slightly fewer sessions.
I will admit I'm more picky on what days I ride, Dexter gets a little frisky on windy cold days, so we stick to the warmer calmer days, which lately are few and far between. And our sessions only last 30-40 min vs 45-60 before. This is partly due to my energy level at the end of the day. And if Dexter is acting less attentive, we get some quick good work in and end the session early.
But overall everything has been great with the riding while expecting. I still have my balance and most of my core muscles. I can feel my abdominal ligaments starting to stretch and I know at some point your ab muscles start to separate (really looking forward to that) so I know at some point I won't have the tools to ride correctly, and I've decided that's when I'll stop.... or at least downgrade to walking and working on side passes, turn on the haunches, etc.
I took a lesson last weekend and it was actually one of the most productive lessons we've had in a long while. The past several shows, the comments have been about loosening Dexter's top line, so all we've been working on is getting him in the right frame and really letting him stretch and reach. And in the last lesson we got it more consistently than we have in the past.
I'm really lucky to have such an understanding trainer who recently had her own baby so knows what I'm going through and knows what I can and can't do.
I know there are people out there who may think I am taking an unnecessary risk by riding while pregnant, and I don't disagree. We are all taking on a certain amount of risk every time we mount a horse, pregnant or not. As of yet the pregnancy hasn't affected my ability to ride so I don't feel that I'm at any greater risk of falling or getting injured that I was before I got pregnant. Once I feel my balance shift and my muscles give way I'll have to re-evaluate what I can and can't do and go from there. But I wanted to share some of my progress since there are so few people talking about riding while pregnant other than general time lines. No one really talks about when and why they quit riding. I know I'm no expert on horses or babies, but I feel I can at least provide my own journey and experience for those looking for more information.
Next week we find out if its going to be a boy or girl, either way they've already won a few blue ribbons! Not many babies can say that coming out of the womb. :).
I will admit I'm more picky on what days I ride, Dexter gets a little frisky on windy cold days, so we stick to the warmer calmer days, which lately are few and far between. And our sessions only last 30-40 min vs 45-60 before. This is partly due to my energy level at the end of the day. And if Dexter is acting less attentive, we get some quick good work in and end the session early.
But overall everything has been great with the riding while expecting. I still have my balance and most of my core muscles. I can feel my abdominal ligaments starting to stretch and I know at some point your ab muscles start to separate (really looking forward to that) so I know at some point I won't have the tools to ride correctly, and I've decided that's when I'll stop.... or at least downgrade to walking and working on side passes, turn on the haunches, etc.
I took a lesson last weekend and it was actually one of the most productive lessons we've had in a long while. The past several shows, the comments have been about loosening Dexter's top line, so all we've been working on is getting him in the right frame and really letting him stretch and reach. And in the last lesson we got it more consistently than we have in the past.
I'm really lucky to have such an understanding trainer who recently had her own baby so knows what I'm going through and knows what I can and can't do.
I know there are people out there who may think I am taking an unnecessary risk by riding while pregnant, and I don't disagree. We are all taking on a certain amount of risk every time we mount a horse, pregnant or not. As of yet the pregnancy hasn't affected my ability to ride so I don't feel that I'm at any greater risk of falling or getting injured that I was before I got pregnant. Once I feel my balance shift and my muscles give way I'll have to re-evaluate what I can and can't do and go from there. But I wanted to share some of my progress since there are so few people talking about riding while pregnant other than general time lines. No one really talks about when and why they quit riding. I know I'm no expert on horses or babies, but I feel I can at least provide my own journey and experience for those looking for more information.
Next week we find out if its going to be a boy or girl, either way they've already won a few blue ribbons! Not many babies can say that coming out of the womb. :).
April 13, 2011
Frankie Says.....
RELAX!
And that is the consistent feedback I got from the latest show. The majority of the comments were around getting Dexter "relaxed across the top line," whether it was on the circle during a transition, even at the walk. And I know, we've been working on it. But I guess I thought it was better than that. Its all relative right. I know he's more relaxed than he was when I got him, but this is the first time the judge has ever seen him, so she doesn't know that, all she knows is he's still tense. And that's fine, we will continue to work on it. Other than that, all the comments were expected, he wasn't bent to the right, because he was over bending and we've been trying to correct it, so we are working on it. He isn't balanced completely at the canter yet, I know, still a work in progress. And he still needs to stretch more on the stretchy parts.... again, getting better but needs work.
I like reading the comments because it shows we are working on the right things. Despite the scores, it lets us know if we are on the right track. I guess theoretically we wouldn't be showing until all the major components were perfect, but we just don't have that kind of time. And being that Dexter gets exponentially better every time I take him out I think it's worth it. He doesn't get a whole lot better on scores, but he does on behavior and concentrating. I took him out 45 minutes before his first class, thinking we'd have to take some time to ride the buck and silly out of him before he'd settle down.... nope. He was better there than at home, I was like, ok, what do I do for the next 30 minutes??
Place-wise he got 2 firsts and a second. While I'm proud of him for doing so well, we only had 2 people in our class, so this time around we focused on the comments and overall scores. We didn't win the first places by a large margin, and where we got 2nd, the rider (she only rode in that one class) blew us away. I saw her in the warm-up, a very nice horse and nice rider, so no beef here, we were clearly out-matched.
So comparing our scores to the last show, we were about the same.... always somewhere in the 60-62% range. Our one major improvement was we got higher scores on our medium walks, may be a small victory but its a victory none the less. And a little better on our stretch circles, which is good, we will get there. I know we have it at home, I just need him (and I) to relax a little more.
Next stop.... Fort Collins Schooling Show.... I know, I'm sure there are those of you who think I may be going a bit overboard with the shows. But I really love doing it, I love the experience and seeing all the other horses and riders. And the way I figure it I'm just condensing my show season in half, trying to get as many shows in before I can't ride anymore.
And that is the consistent feedback I got from the latest show. The majority of the comments were around getting Dexter "relaxed across the top line," whether it was on the circle during a transition, even at the walk. And I know, we've been working on it. But I guess I thought it was better than that. Its all relative right. I know he's more relaxed than he was when I got him, but this is the first time the judge has ever seen him, so she doesn't know that, all she knows is he's still tense. And that's fine, we will continue to work on it. Other than that, all the comments were expected, he wasn't bent to the right, because he was over bending and we've been trying to correct it, so we are working on it. He isn't balanced completely at the canter yet, I know, still a work in progress. And he still needs to stretch more on the stretchy parts.... again, getting better but needs work.
I like reading the comments because it shows we are working on the right things. Despite the scores, it lets us know if we are on the right track. I guess theoretically we wouldn't be showing until all the major components were perfect, but we just don't have that kind of time. And being that Dexter gets exponentially better every time I take him out I think it's worth it. He doesn't get a whole lot better on scores, but he does on behavior and concentrating. I took him out 45 minutes before his first class, thinking we'd have to take some time to ride the buck and silly out of him before he'd settle down.... nope. He was better there than at home, I was like, ok, what do I do for the next 30 minutes??
Place-wise he got 2 firsts and a second. While I'm proud of him for doing so well, we only had 2 people in our class, so this time around we focused on the comments and overall scores. We didn't win the first places by a large margin, and where we got 2nd, the rider (she only rode in that one class) blew us away. I saw her in the warm-up, a very nice horse and nice rider, so no beef here, we were clearly out-matched.
So comparing our scores to the last show, we were about the same.... always somewhere in the 60-62% range. Our one major improvement was we got higher scores on our medium walks, may be a small victory but its a victory none the less. And a little better on our stretch circles, which is good, we will get there. I know we have it at home, I just need him (and I) to relax a little more.
Next stop.... Fort Collins Schooling Show.... I know, I'm sure there are those of you who think I may be going a bit overboard with the shows. But I really love doing it, I love the experience and seeing all the other horses and riders. And the way I figure it I'm just condensing my show season in half, trying to get as many shows in before I can't ride anymore.
March 16, 2011
Schooling Show - Take 2
I took Dexter to another schooling show held at the same barn as the first last weekend. When I got my ride times on Wednesday and saw 15 people in 2 of my classes (gulp) I got a little discouraged. We could barely place when there were 5-6 people in our class.... No way were we going to be in the top 3rd and get a ribbon. My only solace was that we entered the apparently dreaded Training Test 3 ... only 5 people.
Now my goal wasn't to win, or really even place, especially since we had so much competition, it was just to do better than we did at the first show. Which considering we got last place should be hard to do, plus increase our scores.
I was hopeful still, it was warmer, so we'd have an actual warm-up area, and he had been there before so his nerves should be less of a factor. We got there extra early this time (I felt a little rushed last time). So we had time to warm up then un-tack while Dexter got to chill out for a while. We warmed up in a separate ring from everyone at first. He can get bratty when I start to ask for the canter and with his size he can be intimidating when he starts to buck. Plus the "Warm-up" ring was a small dressage ring with a low rail, too many people and I wasn't 100% sure he wouldn't hop right over the rail and keep going. By the end of our warm up he was listening, going nice and steady and being an overall good boy.
I went to check my times to make sure they hadn't changed and found out that due to a fire in the near-by area a few people had scratched. My 15 entry classes were now 10... I like those odds a bit better.
Test 2 - Same concentration, he broke into the canter a few times when he wasn't supposed to but I'll forgive him because that's all we worked on in warm up.
Between Test 2 and Test 3 I got my results from Test on..... 4th place! I was so proud of Dexter and up 8 points from our last ride! I read the judges comments and she said he needed more impulsion in the canter. Oops! I was so afraid of him barreling around the ring like last time I had cranked him back a little too much. Oh well, now I know what she wants I'll kick it up a notch for test 3.
Test 3 - It was getting to be a long day and Dexter was finally relaxed, prior to this test he refused to stand still waiting to go in the ring, now he stood with his head down... "good boy, we are almost done." Again, he did well and I made a few mistakes. I forgot for half a second when we were supposed to transition from the canter to trot. So in my hesitation Dexter made the decision and trotted a little early. Drat, almost a test with no mistakes. I pushed him at the canter and after the test the judge commented on how much better it looked. I love dressage and the immediate feedback you get.
We went and got our results... Test 2 - 5th place, good boy Dexter! Then I looked at the results for Test 3, only 4 people in the class.... We got 1st Place!! Oh my goodness! GOOD BOY DEXTER!!! From last to first in a few short weeks! I'm not trying to brag but I am so happy for him. You never know how things are going to go with a new horse and a 13 year hiatus from showing. I love showing and I can pretend its not about winning.... but it sure is more fun!!
This was my fist blue ribbon in 13 years and Dexter's first ever. And all I could think on the way home was "I did it." This has been a goal of mine ever since I bought Gunner back in Texas, 6 years ago. I never knew if we'd get here, I didn't know if it was possible but I needed to try. And even though riding at home gives me a lot of joy and reminds me of what I love to do, showing is who I am. And I finally felt like I found myself again, like the little hole had been filled. I'm not just a horseback rider, or a dressage rider, I'm a dressage "competitor". That is what all the riding at home is about for me and that is where I shine (inside, still trying not to sound cocky).
For some years now, with getting married and changing jobs and new horses, I wasn't sure if I'd ever really compete again. And I had serious doubts that if I did start showing again, I wouldn't be good enough any more. I know this was just a schooling show and some of my competition were 12 year olds, but it was the first step and it was the boost I needed. I now know we can do it, Dexter and I together. I can't say it enough - What a good boy!!!
Now my goal wasn't to win, or really even place, especially since we had so much competition, it was just to do better than we did at the first show. Which considering we got last place should be hard to do, plus increase our scores.
I was hopeful still, it was warmer, so we'd have an actual warm-up area, and he had been there before so his nerves should be less of a factor. We got there extra early this time (I felt a little rushed last time). So we had time to warm up then un-tack while Dexter got to chill out for a while. We warmed up in a separate ring from everyone at first. He can get bratty when I start to ask for the canter and with his size he can be intimidating when he starts to buck. Plus the "Warm-up" ring was a small dressage ring with a low rail, too many people and I wasn't 100% sure he wouldn't hop right over the rail and keep going. By the end of our warm up he was listening, going nice and steady and being an overall good boy.
I went to check my times to make sure they hadn't changed and found out that due to a fire in the near-by area a few people had scratched. My 15 entry classes were now 10... I like those odds a bit better.
Fast forward to our first test... Training Level 1. Last time we started with a wiggle down the center line and a back-up/side-pass instead of a halt. This time, I overshot the center line, but he was straight, and we halted... square! So far so good. I won't go through every movement, but I can say half way through when we had just finished our first canter work and he came back to the trot without rushing all I could thing was "Oh my God! We are doing it! He's paying attention and concentrating. I'm relaxed and having fun!" His stretch at the walk and trot still sucked but I knew they would. He refused to stretch down unless he knows he's done.
Between Test 2 and Test 3 I got my results from Test on..... 4th place! I was so proud of Dexter and up 8 points from our last ride! I read the judges comments and she said he needed more impulsion in the canter. Oops! I was so afraid of him barreling around the ring like last time I had cranked him back a little too much. Oh well, now I know what she wants I'll kick it up a notch for test 3.
Test 3 - It was getting to be a long day and Dexter was finally relaxed, prior to this test he refused to stand still waiting to go in the ring, now he stood with his head down... "good boy, we are almost done." Again, he did well and I made a few mistakes. I forgot for half a second when we were supposed to transition from the canter to trot. So in my hesitation Dexter made the decision and trotted a little early. Drat, almost a test with no mistakes. I pushed him at the canter and after the test the judge commented on how much better it looked. I love dressage and the immediate feedback you get.
I took Dexter back to the trailer and got him ready to go home while the rest of the riders rode. I know I should watch my competition but with a husband and horse ready to go home its kinda hard.
We went and got our results... Test 2 - 5th place, good boy Dexter! Then I looked at the results for Test 3, only 4 people in the class.... We got 1st Place!! Oh my goodness! GOOD BOY DEXTER!!! From last to first in a few short weeks! I'm not trying to brag but I am so happy for him. You never know how things are going to go with a new horse and a 13 year hiatus from showing. I love showing and I can pretend its not about winning.... but it sure is more fun!!
This was my fist blue ribbon in 13 years and Dexter's first ever. And all I could think on the way home was "I did it." This has been a goal of mine ever since I bought Gunner back in Texas, 6 years ago. I never knew if we'd get here, I didn't know if it was possible but I needed to try. And even though riding at home gives me a lot of joy and reminds me of what I love to do, showing is who I am. And I finally felt like I found myself again, like the little hole had been filled. I'm not just a horseback rider, or a dressage rider, I'm a dressage "competitor". That is what all the riding at home is about for me and that is where I shine (inside, still trying not to sound cocky).
For some years now, with getting married and changing jobs and new horses, I wasn't sure if I'd ever really compete again. And I had serious doubts that if I did start showing again, I wouldn't be good enough any more. I know this was just a schooling show and some of my competition were 12 year olds, but it was the first step and it was the boost I needed. I now know we can do it, Dexter and I together. I can't say it enough - What a good boy!!!
If anyone is interested in our test 2 video I'll post it, otherwise I'll just keep watching it myself, over and over and over.... :)
February 16, 2011
AQHA Gets with the Program
I have been meaning to post about this for a while and just haven't gotten around to it. In my latest Dressage Today magazine there was an article about Quarter Horses in Dressage.
The one compromise for the quarter horses I owned what that I basically took them out of any AQHA awards and any ability to move up in the AQHA world. We were riding dressage and a the time dressage was one of the few disciplines AQHA didn't recognize. So while L.E. was the 2nd highest scoring QH in First Level in the entire country, it didn't mean diddly in the AQHA world or anyone looking to buy an AQHA horse to show at recognized shows. She didn't get any AQHA points, and with the AQHA you have to keep up with points to stay competitive. This was 13 years ago.
This article in Dressage Today was about the fact that AQHA has begun to recognize dressage and is allowing results from approved competitions to count towards their AQHA points. I say yeah AQHA! I think dressage is a good fundamental skill for all horses to have. And because if their personality and obedience, quarter horses can excel at the lower levels of dressage, where most of us ride anyways. L.E. was schooling 2nd level when I had to sell her. And she snapped her knees at the extended trot with the best of them.My only concern is the AQHA Appendix program. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of the cross, QH/Thoroughbred makes an awesome sport horse. But with the AQHA Appendix program you can breed a QH with a Thoroughbred and they get an "Appendix" added to their breed papers. They can be registered under AQHA but don't become fully registered until they get so many points at recognized shows. At that point the appendix gets dropped and they are considered straight up Quarter Horses. I worry over time this may dilute the breed, and opening the field up to dressage may quicken that dilution since the cross is usually quite good at it. I've noticed over the years already that "Quarter Horses" for sale are looking more and more like their taller slender buddies, the Thoroughbred.
But all in all I'm in huge favor of AQHA recognizing dressage. I think its a big step and may change how people view quarter horses in the future. They will no longer be seen as just pleasure and cow horses, but the real well-rounded sport horses they are.
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| Rugged Lark - The first "Spokes-Horse" for AQHA Dressage |
February 15, 2011
Dexter's First Show
So I've been talking about it (kinda wish I hadn't made such a big deal about it now), and this weekend we did it. We went out to our first show, it was just a little schooling show, but still a good learning experience. It was my first show in 13 years and Dexter and Husband's first show ever, so I wasn't exactly sure of what to expect.
Husband did great. He helped out where he could and was super supportive despite not knowing a thing about dressage. I even caught him reading the test I gave him as I rode, trying to follow along.
We cantered about 1/2 a circle in each direction before we had to leave the ring. He bucked on each depart and felt super rushed when ever I tried to go straight. I seriously considered just schooling the test and taking the canter work out all together. But I reminded myself my one goal was to complete the test, so I decided to suck it up and do the whole test as written. We started with Training Level Test 1.
He wiggled down the center line, counter bent whenever we went to the right, over bent whenever we went to the left. He couldn't keep a steady rhythm to save his life and our stretch circle was totally behind the bit. Its always so disappointing when you know you've practiced the test well (at least better than that) several times at home and in lessons and can't get it together at the show.
Luckily we were ahead of schedule so instead of another 15 minute warm-up before test 2 we had closer to 30 minutes. And due to some scratches we only had 4 people in the ring. Dexter was still full of energy so we decided to push him the whole 30 minutes, I certainly wasn't worried about tiring him out at this point. And we started to get some good work in. He was steady, when I remembered to relax he fell into my contact. And we even got some nice canter circles in. The one awesome thing was that because he was so full of it he was getting some nice elevation in his trot and canter (in the warm up anyways). At the end of the warm up he was still bucking at a certain spot on our canter circle and didn't particularly want to canter down the long side... but we were getting there.
As we were warming up the judge was watching and she commented as we finished up that he was looking much better and she was looking forward to a better test. We were the first after the warm up so all the horses left and Dexter wasn't sure about that. All alone in the scary indoor with just the judges and the husband (even most of the spectators had left). So we started, wiggling down the center line, backing up during our halt..... at this point I looked at the judge and laughed. What else can you do? I knew this test would be just as bad as the first despite our warm-up. Dexter just wasn't interested in what I had to say. We did our best and got a slightly better score. His canter was a wee bit more in control and he didn't buck at the spot he didn't like in warm up. We still didn't get the best bend and we still couldn't stretch (stretching is for relaxed horses). But we finished both tests, I didn't fall off, and he didn't take off (although I know he was thinking about it).
The nice thing about this show was you were able to talk to the judge after each test. She commented on the difference between the warm-up and the last test. She suggested that I may be getting tense causing him to resist. I agreed with her, but I think it's him that gets tense first and I follow, either way its something to work on.
The positives: We started early so hopefully when the real shows come around Dexter will be a pro. Despite his acting up we got a lot of complements on his movement and how I handled him... maybe they were just being nice. We did it, we jumped in and got our fist show out of the way. I now know it's at least possible and am ready for the next.
Overall, because I'm a perfectionist and while we did meet our goals of not dieing, I wouldn't call this show a success, but I would file it under an excellent learning experience.
Although its a bit embarrassing I promise to post the video of my second test at a later date, once I've come to terms with it.
Husband did great. He helped out where he could and was super supportive despite not knowing a thing about dressage. I even caught him reading the test I gave him as I rode, trying to follow along.
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| THE GOOD - Relativly Speaking |
Dexter and I didn't do quite as well. The arena was an indoor with a short wall on one side of the ring where everyone sat. Dexter wasn't sure about having an audience, especially one that moved. On top of that, due to the snow we have been having, the outdoor wasn't open for warm up so we only had about 15 minutes before our first class to warm up in a small dressage arena with 9 other people also trying to fit everything in in the short time. Needless to say there was a lot going on and Dexter's last concern was what I was asking him to do.
We cantered about 1/2 a circle in each direction before we had to leave the ring. He bucked on each depart and felt super rushed when ever I tried to go straight. I seriously considered just schooling the test and taking the canter work out all together. But I reminded myself my one goal was to complete the test, so I decided to suck it up and do the whole test as written. We started with Training Level Test 1.
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| THE BAD - At least what was caught on camera |
Luckily we were ahead of schedule so instead of another 15 minute warm-up before test 2 we had closer to 30 minutes. And due to some scratches we only had 4 people in the ring. Dexter was still full of energy so we decided to push him the whole 30 minutes, I certainly wasn't worried about tiring him out at this point. And we started to get some good work in. He was steady, when I remembered to relax he fell into my contact. And we even got some nice canter circles in. The one awesome thing was that because he was so full of it he was getting some nice elevation in his trot and canter (in the warm up anyways). At the end of the warm up he was still bucking at a certain spot on our canter circle and didn't particularly want to canter down the long side... but we were getting there.
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| THE UGLY - Me not Dexter - Can't you tell I'm having fun. |
The nice thing about this show was you were able to talk to the judge after each test. She commented on the difference between the warm-up and the last test. She suggested that I may be getting tense causing him to resist. I agreed with her, but I think it's him that gets tense first and I follow, either way its something to work on.
The positives: We started early so hopefully when the real shows come around Dexter will be a pro. Despite his acting up we got a lot of complements on his movement and how I handled him... maybe they were just being nice. We did it, we jumped in and got our fist show out of the way. I now know it's at least possible and am ready for the next.
Overall, because I'm a perfectionist and while we did meet our goals of not dieing, I wouldn't call this show a success, but I would file it under an excellent learning experience.
Although its a bit embarrassing I promise to post the video of my second test at a later date, once I've come to terms with it.
February 7, 2011
No going back!
Well, I turned in my entry form for the schooling show this weekend. Now I only hope my new show clothes get here in time! I didn't anticipate the blizzard from hell slowing down the shipment... oh well. Its a schooling show so I can always ride in my schooling breeches, I just prefer to look a little more put together.
The show is this weekend and thanks to the Colorado weather, we've only rode 2-3 times in the last week and may get 2 more in before the show if we are lucky. So this may not be our best performance, but we will get out there and see how it goes. I'm used to a little more preparation but I also decided I can't wait anymore.
Saturday is supposed to get up in the 40's so here is hoping that holds out. For those of you in Colorado, the show is at Triple Creek Ranch, let me know if you are gonna be there too. Dexter will be the giant hair bay snorting and whinnying at everybody.
The show is this weekend and thanks to the Colorado weather, we've only rode 2-3 times in the last week and may get 2 more in before the show if we are lucky. So this may not be our best performance, but we will get out there and see how it goes. I'm used to a little more preparation but I also decided I can't wait anymore.
Saturday is supposed to get up in the 40's so here is hoping that holds out. For those of you in Colorado, the show is at Triple Creek Ranch, let me know if you are gonna be there too. Dexter will be the giant hair bay snorting and whinnying at everybody.
January 27, 2011
Its Official - Almost
I just took the first step to committing to showing this season. I just bought my show gear. I still have a lot of my old show clothes, most of them actually. But while I'd like to say I still fit in my show clothes from 12 years ago, unfortunately this is not the case. I'm sure 6 years of making beer for a living and 2 more of making cheese didn't help.
I tried on my white breeches last year and I could get into them, but ride in them.... no. The shirts, there was no way. I squeezed on my show helmet, but its more of a hunt cap and I'm not sure it even meets any of the safety requirements nowadays. I had a Pony Club helmet but that has been lost in the moves over the years. So I bought myself a new pair of breeches, a new helmet and a new show shirt, all the cheapest I could find of course. Luckily the 2 most expensive items still miraculously fit, my boots, and my jacket, thanks mom and dad for buying me things a size or two too big.
I spent a lot of time looking for bargains and waited and waited until I was sure I was going to need these items... I hate spending money on my riding, other than the necessities of feed and lessons. The Dover catalog came and I found so many good deals that weren't on the website. I found everything I needed within a price range I was willing to pay. I even threw in a new saddle pad because it was only $15 and it looked so nice.
On a side note, what makes a pair of breeches cost $250+?? What do they do that the $70 breeches (I think $70 is too much but I am super cheap) don't? Both cover my butt. Do the $250 ones ride the horse for me? Do they move my leg to the proper position for shoulder-in? I know I'm making fun, but I kinda really want to know. Anyone out there with high-end breeches... are they worth the 300% mark up?
Ok back to the original subject .. showing. Buying these things was my way of committing to showing. I've thought about it in the past with Gunner and last summer with Dexter, but always gave myself excuses (some good ones) about why I couldn't do it. With Gunner, he was so nervous and I didn't have a trainer or trailer. And with Dexter, once I had a trainer and trailer, I wasn't sure he was quite ready. Well we've been working together for a year, we have a trainer and a trailer. Am I hesitant because he still gets spooky in new situations, and last time there was a show at my trainers barn during our lesson, he walked around with his head high whinnying at every horse he saw...yes. But we will never know until we try. The worst that can happen is we go, he's too high strung and we have to scratch. Ok, maybe there are worse things like him flipping out, breaking free and generally running amok. But he hasn't done that yet so we won't think about it.
I always told myself I would only show when I knew we were absolutely ready. Now I'm realizing you can't know if you are absolutely ready until you get to the show, especially with a relatively new horse. So our goals for the first show won't be to win, but to get there and ride and complete the test. If we do that, success, although I really really do like winning.
No all I have to do is actually register for a show.... eeeep!
I tried on my white breeches last year and I could get into them, but ride in them.... no. The shirts, there was no way. I squeezed on my show helmet, but its more of a hunt cap and I'm not sure it even meets any of the safety requirements nowadays. I had a Pony Club helmet but that has been lost in the moves over the years. So I bought myself a new pair of breeches, a new helmet and a new show shirt, all the cheapest I could find of course. Luckily the 2 most expensive items still miraculously fit, my boots, and my jacket, thanks mom and dad for buying me things a size or two too big.
I spent a lot of time looking for bargains and waited and waited until I was sure I was going to need these items... I hate spending money on my riding, other than the necessities of feed and lessons. The Dover catalog came and I found so many good deals that weren't on the website. I found everything I needed within a price range I was willing to pay. I even threw in a new saddle pad because it was only $15 and it looked so nice.
On a side note, what makes a pair of breeches cost $250+?? What do they do that the $70 breeches (I think $70 is too much but I am super cheap) don't? Both cover my butt. Do the $250 ones ride the horse for me? Do they move my leg to the proper position for shoulder-in? I know I'm making fun, but I kinda really want to know. Anyone out there with high-end breeches... are they worth the 300% mark up?
Ok back to the original subject .. showing. Buying these things was my way of committing to showing. I've thought about it in the past with Gunner and last summer with Dexter, but always gave myself excuses (some good ones) about why I couldn't do it. With Gunner, he was so nervous and I didn't have a trainer or trailer. And with Dexter, once I had a trainer and trailer, I wasn't sure he was quite ready. Well we've been working together for a year, we have a trainer and a trailer. Am I hesitant because he still gets spooky in new situations, and last time there was a show at my trainers barn during our lesson, he walked around with his head high whinnying at every horse he saw...yes. But we will never know until we try. The worst that can happen is we go, he's too high strung and we have to scratch. Ok, maybe there are worse things like him flipping out, breaking free and generally running amok. But he hasn't done that yet so we won't think about it.
I always told myself I would only show when I knew we were absolutely ready. Now I'm realizing you can't know if you are absolutely ready until you get to the show, especially with a relatively new horse. So our goals for the first show won't be to win, but to get there and ride and complete the test. If we do that, success, although I really really do like winning.
No all I have to do is actually register for a show.... eeeep!
January 16, 2011
Me & Dex Back in December - Pre-Snow Storms
I finally got around to uploading and editing some video from back in December. It short because I was taping myself and apparently kept riding out of the frame. So these were the best clips where I wasn't just trotting across into the middle of nowhere. We still have some work to do and I look like a spaghetti noodle at my sitting trot, but much better than 6 months ago. You'll just have to take my word for it. Enjoy!
January 11, 2011
Judge Me, Please!
Every once and a while my husband tags along to one of my lessons, whether it is because I need help loading Dexter or I want him to film it for me. When he does tag along he happily sits on the bleachers and listens to and watches my lessons (what a guy, right!?).
After one of my first lessons on Dexter (and one of the first lessons my husband had ever watched) he said "I don't get it, why do you want someone to tell you all the things you are doing wrong?". I laughed at him and said "How else do you get better at something?"
See, the only lesson my husband has ever had was a ski lesson 3 years ago. And that was only so he didn't die as he careened down the mountain. Otherwise he is pretty much self taught on all his hobbies. He plays 5 or 6 instruments, all self taught. He works on cars, trial and error but self taught. Is he doing it technically the right way? Probably not. But he hits the notes and gets the job done. He may work a little harder than someone who was technically trained but I think the fact that he figured it out on his own gives him the biggest sense of accomplishment.
So when he sees that I can "ride" Dexter just fine (get him to walk, trot, etc.) he doesn't see why I need the lessons, he doesn't question it,, he just doesn't get it. So I explained to him the nuances of riding, and the fact that the feedback from your horse isn't enough. If you hit the wrong note on a piano, you can hear it right away, if you aren't queuing a horse right, you may never know. Unless you are an expert (which I am not) you really need someone on the ground watching your frame and position to tell you exactly when you got it right so you can burn that feeling in your head for the next time. And that's how I think of it, my trainer isn't telling me what I'm doing wrong, she's teaching me how to do it right. The best way, the most efficient way.
For me the sense of accomplishment comes from getting it right, not just getting it done. Every thing I've ever done - track, riding, violin, I've had an expert coaching me, so I'm used to criticism, I thrive on it. I know I may get a lot of no's and negative criticism in the beginning. But I know the more I learn and practice, the more rights come along so the lessons become an encouraging positive experience. A few years ago when I bought Gunner we didn't have access to lessons. We rode around for years, working on gaits and transitions. But because no one ever saw us ride I never knew how we were doing. Granted we didn't show so it didn't matter but I never got the sense of accomplishment I do now.
And yet another reason why I enjoy dressage.... feedback and criticism. Every test your ride in front of the judge is scored and commented on. You don't just get to know if you were better or worse than others in your class, but you get to see the specifics that got you there. You placement in the class becomes secondary to your score, you start competing wiht yourself over everyone else. The goal is no longer first place but a better score than your last. You can read what the judges thought and work on that for next time.
And I get why my husband likes to do things for himself, I get the same feeling when I do things for myself. For me its the fact that I train all my horses myself. Yes, I have a trainer telling me what to do and how to do it, but I do it. I prefer to do the work vs letting someone else ride my horse. It just a personal preference. I'm sure the horse would progress better and faster with someone else, but the teaching and learning together is what makes it fun for me.
Maybe lessons aren't for everyone. And maybe some day I will get to a level of riding where I don't need them, but I don't think so. Unless I am the best at the highest level (highly unlikely to happen) I figure there is always someone better than me I can learn from. So thank you to all the excellent, positive trainers, teachers, and judges out there. We may not always like what we hear, but as long as we listen and learn, we will always like the results.
After one of my first lessons on Dexter (and one of the first lessons my husband had ever watched) he said "I don't get it, why do you want someone to tell you all the things you are doing wrong?". I laughed at him and said "How else do you get better at something?"
See, the only lesson my husband has ever had was a ski lesson 3 years ago. And that was only so he didn't die as he careened down the mountain. Otherwise he is pretty much self taught on all his hobbies. He plays 5 or 6 instruments, all self taught. He works on cars, trial and error but self taught. Is he doing it technically the right way? Probably not. But he hits the notes and gets the job done. He may work a little harder than someone who was technically trained but I think the fact that he figured it out on his own gives him the biggest sense of accomplishment.
So when he sees that I can "ride" Dexter just fine (get him to walk, trot, etc.) he doesn't see why I need the lessons, he doesn't question it,, he just doesn't get it. So I explained to him the nuances of riding, and the fact that the feedback from your horse isn't enough. If you hit the wrong note on a piano, you can hear it right away, if you aren't queuing a horse right, you may never know. Unless you are an expert (which I am not) you really need someone on the ground watching your frame and position to tell you exactly when you got it right so you can burn that feeling in your head for the next time. And that's how I think of it, my trainer isn't telling me what I'm doing wrong, she's teaching me how to do it right. The best way, the most efficient way.
For me the sense of accomplishment comes from getting it right, not just getting it done. Every thing I've ever done - track, riding, violin, I've had an expert coaching me, so I'm used to criticism, I thrive on it. I know I may get a lot of no's and negative criticism in the beginning. But I know the more I learn and practice, the more rights come along so the lessons become an encouraging positive experience. A few years ago when I bought Gunner we didn't have access to lessons. We rode around for years, working on gaits and transitions. But because no one ever saw us ride I never knew how we were doing. Granted we didn't show so it didn't matter but I never got the sense of accomplishment I do now.
And yet another reason why I enjoy dressage.... feedback and criticism. Every test your ride in front of the judge is scored and commented on. You don't just get to know if you were better or worse than others in your class, but you get to see the specifics that got you there. You placement in the class becomes secondary to your score, you start competing wiht yourself over everyone else. The goal is no longer first place but a better score than your last. You can read what the judges thought and work on that for next time.
And I get why my husband likes to do things for himself, I get the same feeling when I do things for myself. For me its the fact that I train all my horses myself. Yes, I have a trainer telling me what to do and how to do it, but I do it. I prefer to do the work vs letting someone else ride my horse. It just a personal preference. I'm sure the horse would progress better and faster with someone else, but the teaching and learning together is what makes it fun for me.
December 17, 2010
X Halt... Haaaalt, ok I Halt Salute
When I first started working with Dexter I built myself a shabby dressage ring out in a pasture to get me motivated. Its basically spray painted cinder blocks at the letters, a fence on one side but otherwise no rails or borders. The blocks have since been knocked over and moved around by the pasture ponies, but they are relatively in the same spot.
I don't work Dexter in the dressage ring very often, for one, when I got him he wasn't good at balancing and going straight so we did a lot of large circles and serpentines that wouldn't have fit in the ring. Plus, I put it right next to the corn field not aware of the scary monsters that lived in the field (wind and grasshoppers). So Dexter would leg yield and shoulder in all along the one long side, ready to bolt should anything move before telling him.
Anyway, as I plan on showing next season, and Dexter has found his center, I've decided we need to use the arena more. After schooling in the arena I decided to run through the new Training Level Test 1 to see how we were doing. Needless to say, I've found that we may need to focus on some precision work and transitions now that he's got his frame. Below is the test as written followed by our interpretation:
A Working Trot
X Halt Salute
X Halt, walk, halt, walk, HALT
C Track Left
Somewhere between G & C track left, drift out of the arena and come back in around S
E 20 meter Circle
E 15-20 meter egg-shape
A Circle left 20m, developing left lead canter second half of circle
A circle left 20 meters, canter 2 strides break to see if she's serious, pick canter back up
AFB Working Canter
AFB Trot in the corner followed by hand gallop to B
B-E Half circle 20 M
Just past B track left
Between E & K Working Trot
E ask for trot, V ask for trot, extended trot at K
A 20 meter stretch circle
Stretch at extended trot, slow down and relax the second half of the circle, just in time to pick up the reins.
Between A&F Medium Walk
Between A&F halt (now he halts) then proceed at the walk.
FXH Free Walk
FXH free walk - no problem here :)
H-C Medium Walk
H pick up reins, Dexter pull them back out. Pick them back up and grind teeth to C.
C Working Trot
C Working Trot - good boy!
Same as work to the left, egg shape, hand gallop and all.
A Down Centerline
Overshoot A Find Centerline
X Halt Salute
X Halt Salute - no problems, he knows hes done :)
Like I said, it was good to do because it magnified what I've been letting him get away with. Nothing big but we definitely have some work to do. And it's honestly a lot better that it was. I rode a test with him when I first got him and I don't think we finished. I decided it could wait when we cantered right out of the arena on our 20(40-50) meter circle.
And my thought is, if he was perfect, he'd be boring. :)
I don't work Dexter in the dressage ring very often, for one, when I got him he wasn't good at balancing and going straight so we did a lot of large circles and serpentines that wouldn't have fit in the ring. Plus, I put it right next to the corn field not aware of the scary monsters that lived in the field (wind and grasshoppers). So Dexter would leg yield and shoulder in all along the one long side, ready to bolt should anything move before telling him.
Anyway, as I plan on showing next season, and Dexter has found his center, I've decided we need to use the arena more. After schooling in the arena I decided to run through the new Training Level Test 1 to see how we were doing. Needless to say, I've found that we may need to focus on some precision work and transitions now that he's got his frame. Below is the test as written followed by our interpretation:
A Working Trot
X Halt Salute
X Halt, walk, halt, walk, HALT
C Track Left
Somewhere between G & C track left, drift out of the arena and come back in around S
E 20 meter Circle
E 15-20 meter egg-shape
A Circle left 20m, developing left lead canter second half of circle
A circle left 20 meters, canter 2 strides break to see if she's serious, pick canter back up
AFB Working Canter
AFB Trot in the corner followed by hand gallop to B
B-E Half circle 20 M
Just past B track left
Between E & K Working Trot
E ask for trot, V ask for trot, extended trot at K
A 20 meter stretch circle
Stretch at extended trot, slow down and relax the second half of the circle, just in time to pick up the reins.
Between A&F Medium Walk
Between A&F halt (now he halts) then proceed at the walk.
FXH Free Walk
FXH free walk - no problem here :)
H-C Medium Walk
H pick up reins, Dexter pull them back out. Pick them back up and grind teeth to C.
C Working Trot
C Working Trot - good boy!
Same as work to the left, egg shape, hand gallop and all.
A Down Centerline
Overshoot A Find Centerline
X Halt Salute
X Halt Salute - no problems, he knows hes done :)
Like I said, it was good to do because it magnified what I've been letting him get away with. Nothing big but we definitely have some work to do. And it's honestly a lot better that it was. I rode a test with him when I first got him and I don't think we finished. I decided it could wait when we cantered right out of the arena on our 20(40-50) meter circle.
And my thought is, if he was perfect, he'd be boring. :)
December 1, 2010
I Got One Ride In!
To my delight my family was willing to let me sneak away for a ride. My brother and his wife brought my 10 month old nice out to meet Dexter then left me to ride. It was windy and short (30 minutes) but it was just enough to fill my cup.
I would have ridden longer but the cool weather was blowing up the skirts of the horses in the pasture I was riding in. It’s hard for Dexter to concentrate when 6 horses are galloping past him every 5 minutes. So we cut our losses and gave Dexter big pats for not joining the herd. I’ve learned that pushing my luck usually ends up with me on the ground. And he was very calm in the middle of it all so he deserved a break.
So, I’m glad I got to ride, being that I didn’t expect to at all. Thanks Family!
I would have ridden longer but the cool weather was blowing up the skirts of the horses in the pasture I was riding in. It’s hard for Dexter to concentrate when 6 horses are galloping past him every 5 minutes. So we cut our losses and gave Dexter big pats for not joining the herd. I’ve learned that pushing my luck usually ends up with me on the ground. And he was very calm in the middle of it all so he deserved a break.
Family, Horses, and Turkey…oh my!
I have taken on the task of hosting Thanksgiving this year. Which means cramming my family in my house, teaching the dog that babies aren’t toys, pretending to learn how to cook a turkey and trying to find time to sneak away to see Dexter. I love my family, they have always been super supportive of my riding, even when they don’t totally get it. But they try to stay involved, when they come to visit they say they want to see the horse. I bring them out and they watch me ride, but I know it can’t be that exciting. Watching dressage at anything but the highest levels, even to those of us who live and dream it, can be a little boring. So I imagine watching me go round and round in circles as we try to perfect the shoulder-fore can get a little dry.So when I notice my dad getting more interested in the geese than the horse I try to wrap it up. And we end up with a short slightly un-fulfilling ride. How do I balance? I want to ride this weekend, in fact I think it would benefit all as it would keep me from completely loosing my mind. But how do I justify leaving my guests for 2+ hours for some “me” time. I thought a good balance would be to invite them along, but I see now, that won’t allow me to do what I want/need to. Which is seriously ride Dexter and work on our progress. Instead it will be me riding a 20 meter circle stopping ever other circle to say “What?” because people forget when you are on a horse there is constant wind. I start to feel bad as I imagine people are getting bored so I cut the ride shore before I’ve really re-centered myself. The time I spend riding ist the time I get re-focused and re-energize. I use it to erase all the petty thing s that happened that day (which can increase around the holidays) and direct all my energy to my equine partner. Riding makes me a better, calmer person, but riding distracted, not so much.
I have no children, but imagine once I do this dilemma will be a daily occurrence instead of annually. My husband is very supportive and honest about my riding. He has no problem with the time I spend at the barn as long as I don’t drag him out there with me. And that works for me.
So what do I do? Seriously? I know there are busier people out there who handle this kind of time commitment.. .what do I do?
Honestly… I’ll get over it. I’m just having a moment of self-pity… poor Kelly can’t ride her horse for 4 days.
My parents came out yesterday and I rode as long as I could knowing it was getting colder and while I was working up a sweat my Floridian parents were freezing. I know I’ll have to bring my brother and his wife out to meet Dexter and probably won’t ride then, just lots of pets and treats for Dexter. I have the excuse that the barn owner is away so I at least have to come out once a day to check on him and feed him (and just sit and smell him for a minute). Riding will probably be out, which sucks as I watch the days get shorted and colder knowing I will soon have to go weeks without. But, I’ll live, Dexter will live and Sunday once everyone is dropped off at the airport me and Dexter have a date. My husband will probably need a nap anyways.
November 30, 2010
What would you like to do?
Once I had my first horse and was firmly planted at Carol’s barn I joined Pony Club with my friends. I loved Pony Club, it was like Girl Scouts but more fun. My first horse, Bee Bop enjoyed it as well. He happily plugged along whether it was over jumps or around a training level test. We competed in the rallies and did well. I enjoyed the dressage aspect more than most of the kids, but still loved jumping. We used to go over jumps with our hands stretched out at our sides like we were flying, and to a little girl it’s about as close as you can get.
Then Bee Bop’s attitude started changing, he started to refuse jumps, and in general become less cooperative when we moved from the dressage ring to the jumping field (we practiced both every lesson). The less cooperative over jumps he got the more time we spent in the dressage ring. We later found out Bee Bop had navicular. As we tried to fix him, jumping was out so we became a dressage team. Eventually we realized he wasn’t up for that either and he was sadly re-homed to someone who was happy riding him out on the trails. Bee Bop tried his hardest but he let us know he couldn’t handle it any more.
Enter L.E. – my new Pony Club horse! Or so I thought. She jumped just fine but she hated it! And she let you know. Because we had issues with our last horse we made sure she had no soundness issues, she just didn’t want to jump. Like I said, she’d do it because I asked but she’d throw her opinion in with a little buck or grinding of her teeth (that was her favorite form of expression). And who wants to make a horse do something they don’t want to do, so we ended up spending more time in the dressage ring (again). The more I rode dressage the more I realized I enjoyed it more than jumping anyways. It was technical and very detail oriented (not that jumping isn’t, but I was able to grasp dressage’s nuances better). So L.E. made me a dressage rider, and a relatively good one at that. We still would hack around every now and then for fun, but we never really competed L.E. in the jumping arena. And because of that we kind of faded away from the Pony Club world and into the USDF world.
So after L.E. I decided I was a dressage rider and my next horse would be a dressage horse. Afer a 10 year hiatus from riding I got my dressage horse… Gunner. I had Gunner for over a year riding circles and serpentines and leg yielding before I got the nerve to hop him over a small jump. He did it perfectly, he didn’t rush, he didn’t get nervous, and he seemed to get excited about it. So I started jumping Gunner more, I wasn’t a complete fan, and it made me nervous at times, but I could tell it piqued his interest, so I made sure we found time to doe it every couple of rides. Gunner also liked to get out of the arena and run in the field, he was a thoroughbred after all. Especially when I let him stop and smell every pile of poo in the pasture as we cooled down. And when it came time to sell Gunner I was happy to know he’d be going to a couple of girls who loved to jump.
I’m still figuring out what Dexter likes to do. So far I know he doesn’t like to ride in the indoor, or in the small arena, he likes the big field. And he doesn’t like to ride in the wind. He seems to enjoy his dressage work and really loves his lessons (except at the end when he gets tired). I’m learning to read him better, for instance I’ve noticed he starts to chomp his mouth when he gets frustrated or doesn’t like what we are doing. He used to do it all time, when he’d totally avoid the bit and thought he had to hold his nose to his chest the entire ride. We have since invited him out to the bit and he’s much happier, unless I fuss with him to much. But there are some days when Dexter doesn’t feel like working, and I get it, there are days when I don’t feel like riding. Those days we do minimal work (or none at all) and just walk around and watch the horses across the street. I know that tomorrow he will be in a better mood and we will still get our work done, together.
Horses are amazing animals, the do so much for us and ask for little in return. So when possible I try to remember to ask “What would you like to do?” and see what kind of things make them happy. Sometimes its flat work, sometimes it’s jumping and sometimes it’s meandering around a big pasture with no agenda what so ever. Sure there are times when you have to buckle down when they aren’t particularly in the mood, say on a cold or rainy day, but in general a happy horse is way more fun to ride. So whenever possible I try to listen to what my horse is saying, and find a happy medium. There is no law that states a horse has to do what I want him to. So I am grateful for every good ride I have and learn from every bad one. People might think I’m being to soft and developing a spoiled horse. I don’t think so, we still ride regularly and are training and accomplishing amazing things. We are just optimizing our results by doing it when we are both tuned in to the goal. And others might say I’m silly to think the horse wants me to ride him ever… maybe so. All I know is Dexter still greets me at the gate every day, and follows me out to the field. It may be true that riding isn’t his favorite pastime, but I like to think spending time with me is and he knows to do so, some work has to be done.
It’s often hard to know exactly what a horse is going to be good at when you are first purchasing them, so its good to keep an open mind. Know that you are purchasing a good solid partner and find out what you both enjoy doing. I’ve found that ultimately equals what you both will be best at. And try to ask “What would you like to do today?” every now and then. I know Dexter likes dressage but doesn’t want to do it everyday. I’m guessing even some of the best jumpers might enjoy a swim in the local pond every now and then.
Then Bee Bop’s attitude started changing, he started to refuse jumps, and in general become less cooperative when we moved from the dressage ring to the jumping field (we practiced both every lesson). The less cooperative over jumps he got the more time we spent in the dressage ring. We later found out Bee Bop had navicular. As we tried to fix him, jumping was out so we became a dressage team. Eventually we realized he wasn’t up for that either and he was sadly re-homed to someone who was happy riding him out on the trails. Bee Bop tried his hardest but he let us know he couldn’t handle it any more.
Enter L.E. – my new Pony Club horse! Or so I thought. She jumped just fine but she hated it! And she let you know. Because we had issues with our last horse we made sure she had no soundness issues, she just didn’t want to jump. Like I said, she’d do it because I asked but she’d throw her opinion in with a little buck or grinding of her teeth (that was her favorite form of expression). And who wants to make a horse do something they don’t want to do, so we ended up spending more time in the dressage ring (again). The more I rode dressage the more I realized I enjoyed it more than jumping anyways. It was technical and very detail oriented (not that jumping isn’t, but I was able to grasp dressage’s nuances better). So L.E. made me a dressage rider, and a relatively good one at that. We still would hack around every now and then for fun, but we never really competed L.E. in the jumping arena. And because of that we kind of faded away from the Pony Club world and into the USDF world.
So after L.E. I decided I was a dressage rider and my next horse would be a dressage horse. Afer a 10 year hiatus from riding I got my dressage horse… Gunner. I had Gunner for over a year riding circles and serpentines and leg yielding before I got the nerve to hop him over a small jump. He did it perfectly, he didn’t rush, he didn’t get nervous, and he seemed to get excited about it. So I started jumping Gunner more, I wasn’t a complete fan, and it made me nervous at times, but I could tell it piqued his interest, so I made sure we found time to doe it every couple of rides. Gunner also liked to get out of the arena and run in the field, he was a thoroughbred after all. Especially when I let him stop and smell every pile of poo in the pasture as we cooled down. And when it came time to sell Gunner I was happy to know he’d be going to a couple of girls who loved to jump.
I’m still figuring out what Dexter likes to do. So far I know he doesn’t like to ride in the indoor, or in the small arena, he likes the big field. And he doesn’t like to ride in the wind. He seems to enjoy his dressage work and really loves his lessons (except at the end when he gets tired). I’m learning to read him better, for instance I’ve noticed he starts to chomp his mouth when he gets frustrated or doesn’t like what we are doing. He used to do it all time, when he’d totally avoid the bit and thought he had to hold his nose to his chest the entire ride. We have since invited him out to the bit and he’s much happier, unless I fuss with him to much. But there are some days when Dexter doesn’t feel like working, and I get it, there are days when I don’t feel like riding. Those days we do minimal work (or none at all) and just walk around and watch the horses across the street. I know that tomorrow he will be in a better mood and we will still get our work done, together.
Horses are amazing animals, the do so much for us and ask for little in return. So when possible I try to remember to ask “What would you like to do?” and see what kind of things make them happy. Sometimes its flat work, sometimes it’s jumping and sometimes it’s meandering around a big pasture with no agenda what so ever. Sure there are times when you have to buckle down when they aren’t particularly in the mood, say on a cold or rainy day, but in general a happy horse is way more fun to ride. So whenever possible I try to listen to what my horse is saying, and find a happy medium. There is no law that states a horse has to do what I want him to. So I am grateful for every good ride I have and learn from every bad one. People might think I’m being to soft and developing a spoiled horse. I don’t think so, we still ride regularly and are training and accomplishing amazing things. We are just optimizing our results by doing it when we are both tuned in to the goal. And others might say I’m silly to think the horse wants me to ride him ever… maybe so. All I know is Dexter still greets me at the gate every day, and follows me out to the field. It may be true that riding isn’t his favorite pastime, but I like to think spending time with me is and he knows to do so, some work has to be done.
It’s often hard to know exactly what a horse is going to be good at when you are first purchasing them, so its good to keep an open mind. Know that you are purchasing a good solid partner and find out what you both enjoy doing. I’ve found that ultimately equals what you both will be best at. And try to ask “What would you like to do today?” every now and then. I know Dexter likes dressage but doesn’t want to do it everyday. I’m guessing even some of the best jumpers might enjoy a swim in the local pond every now and then.
Dexter - You're a Genious.
Or our new trainer is anyways. I’ve talked about the importance or a good trainer in a previous blog and am glad that I’ve found one out here in Colorado. I would ride with Carol forever but seeing as she is in Florida, that just doesn’t seem practical.
My new trainer is smart, fun and always super positive, she makes learning so much fun. I was working with Dexter by myself for a while and was starting to get frustrated as I had exhausted all my horse knowledge and he still avoided the bit.
So we broke down and started taking lessons (I always enjoyed lessons and had planned on doing so anyways). And in a few short months he is not only not avoiding the bit, he is seeking the contact. We learn something new every lesson. I say we because sometimes we are teaching Dexter and sometimes we are teaching me, and its so fun to see that when I move my seat just a little his whole frame changes. The connection between horse and rider is so amazing. It sometimes hard to remember that even with the saddle between you two, they can still feel every weight shift, every pause, every breath. And they are constantly listening and tuned in.
So I say Dexter is a genius because we’ve had so many special moments where everything clicks and you can tell he gets it… “Oh that’s what you want me to do.” As I smile and pat him and say “Good boy, you did that perfectly!” But I know my trainer deserves a lot of the credit, we can’t have “Ah-ha” moments without someone telling us how to get there. And she’s so great in that she doesn’t get discouraged or upset when it takes us a bit longer. Theres not “asking harder” just “keep asking” and when he gets it, praise him and reward him. “Dexter you’re a genius… have cookie!”
So with my super intelligent horse and super confident trainer we have taken Dexter from a horse heavy on the forehand, that avoids the bit and drags himself around at the canter, to a horse reaching for the bit, pushing up in the canter, and for a moment last week, has cadence at the trot. And the most satisfying part is my trainer has let me do all the work. She has not ridden or lunged Dexter once, just taught and explained to me what I need to do to get it done, so I know what the aides are and I know how it feels.
It feels Great! This is why I ride, to feel that connection with the animal and work together to achieve a goal. I love dressage because it focuses on the harmony and the relationship between horse and rider. There is no making a horse do anything, you can only ask. And every time Dexter lets me get on and work with him, I thank him. And when I see how hard he tries and how satisfied he looks when he knows he got it right, I feel so grateful to have such a willing partner. And when we have those moments where I figure out how to ask and he figures out the answer, those moments are where I’m awestruck at how amazing the horse and rider partnership really is. To be able to communicate on that level with an animal of such power…. I have no words.
My new trainer is smart, fun and always super positive, she makes learning so much fun. I was working with Dexter by myself for a while and was starting to get frustrated as I had exhausted all my horse knowledge and he still avoided the bit.
So we broke down and started taking lessons (I always enjoyed lessons and had planned on doing so anyways). And in a few short months he is not only not avoiding the bit, he is seeking the contact. We learn something new every lesson. I say we because sometimes we are teaching Dexter and sometimes we are teaching me, and its so fun to see that when I move my seat just a little his whole frame changes. The connection between horse and rider is so amazing. It sometimes hard to remember that even with the saddle between you two, they can still feel every weight shift, every pause, every breath. And they are constantly listening and tuned in.
So I say Dexter is a genius because we’ve had so many special moments where everything clicks and you can tell he gets it… “Oh that’s what you want me to do.” As I smile and pat him and say “Good boy, you did that perfectly!” But I know my trainer deserves a lot of the credit, we can’t have “Ah-ha” moments without someone telling us how to get there. And she’s so great in that she doesn’t get discouraged or upset when it takes us a bit longer. Theres not “asking harder” just “keep asking” and when he gets it, praise him and reward him. “Dexter you’re a genius… have cookie!”It feels Great! This is why I ride, to feel that connection with the animal and work together to achieve a goal. I love dressage because it focuses on the harmony and the relationship between horse and rider. There is no making a horse do anything, you can only ask. And every time Dexter lets me get on and work with him, I thank him. And when I see how hard he tries and how satisfied he looks when he knows he got it right, I feel so grateful to have such a willing partner. And when we have those moments where I figure out how to ask and he figures out the answer, those moments are where I’m awestruck at how amazing the horse and rider partnership really is. To be able to communicate on that level with an animal of such power…. I have no words.
Another Spook?
 |
| Not us, but close to what we looked like. |
He did it again!! Me and Dexter were out riding yesterday evening and he was lazy the entire ride. I don’t mind, he still gets his work done, just needs more convincing on some days. And in fact he had a really good ride. His canter work was more up than out and you could tell he was starting to get the whole collection thing and realizing the canter is nothing to stress about (something I have been trying to convince him of for months.)
So at the end of the ride, it was that time just before sunset where the wind stops blowing and everything is super quiet… remember that.. quiet. I was walking him around the pasture with a loose rein allowing him to cool off and relax, and allowing myself, admittedly to start spacing out a little. The next thing I know we’ve turned 90 degrees towards the barn and are 10 feet from where we were. Dexter had spooked, again, at apparently nothing, again and was trying to take off. As I scrambled to gather my reins and balance I was glad to see the standing martingale I had decided to ride in was doing its job. It had distracted Dexter just enough to keep him for taking off completely and kept him just out of reach of locking his neck up so when I did find my reins I was able to turn him around and get him back in control.
In general I am a minimalist when it comes to tack. Not because I’m against artificial aids, just because its less to worry about and I am admittedly cheap. But ever since Dexter has tried to make a habit of bolting, I’ve started riding in a standing martingale, its set pretty loose so he can still stretch and move his head as he needs to. I have it set just short enough so he can’t snap his head up and lock those massive neck muscles. The several times he has bolted I’ve found I don’t have the leverage or strength to pull his head around and regain control. When he’s not running from the devil Dexter has a relatively sensitive mouth and has done well on the french link bit we are working in, so I hate to change to a harsher bit when he does so well in this 99% of the time. So the martingale seems to be a good compromise. This was the first time he’s spooked since we started to use it, so I’m glad it worked, otherwise it was a long way back to the barn, in probably a very short time.
As to what he is spooking at? I still have no idea. Like I said, he was good the entire ride so I’m ruling out the tack. It was beyond quiet, no birds, cars, wind… nothing. Maybe a wasp?? Who knows. I was just getting ready to hop off when he spooked, but since he had to act silly we trotted around the scary spot until he relaxed and then went in. I had a theory that he did it knowing when he acted stupid I either fell off and he got to go in or I got scared and cut the ride short. Since this new system has given me a little more confidence we will see if his issues start to decrease
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