Hi,
I just have to say how happy I am with the progress Rex has made. I have had the best two lessons in a row, EVER! He is now more forward thinking and easier to get round. I even cantered 15 and 12 meter circles, with some nice jumping strides. Tracie has done so much with him and my lessons keep me from screwing up all her progress , ha.
There is a good article in the March Dressage Today by Ingrid Klimke about training . I knew it was important to warm up a horse well , but did not know it took 10 minutes for their joints to become lubricated with fluid.
Happy riding,
Holly
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday musings...
We had more paddock maintenance going on today, so more chaos! The paddocks are looking great tho, so lots of thanks to Manuel and his team.... even tho they took out one of the fences with the tractor. Ha! But all is fixed now....
Eternity was super today! She was soft and supple, and that is not an easy feat for this mare! I had soft, quiet changes, and even some good medium trot work. Lonnie must have tuned her up for me on Monday!
Gen was also good today. She started a bit rough, not wanting to be really round, but once I got her going she was stellar! I worked on her counter-canter as well as straightening her changes, especially the L-R change. She gave me super walk/canter/walk work today.
I surprised Sandy by showing up late, fresh from the dentist with a numb mouth, and then jumped into a lesson! Sandy had a great lesson and did 3's on Fritz! Woo hoo! How cool!
Lisa took a lesson on William and had some really expressive lateral work! Her shoulder-in work was FEI level, and was really nice! She also got ones on William without even trying... NO FAIR!!! And the best part was that William didn't even try to run away today.... maybe his time in the correctional facility (aka Percy's paddock) and behavior modification programs (aka lots of lunging when he runs away) are finally working. LOL!
Kathy had a lesson after Lisa. I had told her that I would ride Welka first today, but then switched it up on her. My tongue/face/jaw was still numb from the dentist, so I figured riding was not the smartest thing... I need my tongue to talk after all! Welka was wound up and very forward, but she wasn't too thrilled about working hard. Kathy did a wonderful job of making her focus on her work. I am so impressed with Kathy's position, relaxation, and steady hands! This mare demands perfection in the rider's position, and Kathy is delivering! It is a big change from riding the big, powerful geldings that she is used to! Welka was a bit argumentative at the end of the ride, but Kathy made her focus and work. It was SO cool!
That's all for now....
Tracie
Eternity was super today! She was soft and supple, and that is not an easy feat for this mare! I had soft, quiet changes, and even some good medium trot work. Lonnie must have tuned her up for me on Monday!
Gen was also good today. She started a bit rough, not wanting to be really round, but once I got her going she was stellar! I worked on her counter-canter as well as straightening her changes, especially the L-R change. She gave me super walk/canter/walk work today.
I surprised Sandy by showing up late, fresh from the dentist with a numb mouth, and then jumped into a lesson! Sandy had a great lesson and did 3's on Fritz! Woo hoo! How cool!
Lisa took a lesson on William and had some really expressive lateral work! Her shoulder-in work was FEI level, and was really nice! She also got ones on William without even trying... NO FAIR!!! And the best part was that William didn't even try to run away today.... maybe his time in the correctional facility (aka Percy's paddock) and behavior modification programs (aka lots of lunging when he runs away) are finally working. LOL!
Kathy had a lesson after Lisa. I had told her that I would ride Welka first today, but then switched it up on her. My tongue/face/jaw was still numb from the dentist, so I figured riding was not the smartest thing... I need my tongue to talk after all! Welka was wound up and very forward, but she wasn't too thrilled about working hard. Kathy did a wonderful job of making her focus on her work. I am so impressed with Kathy's position, relaxation, and steady hands! This mare demands perfection in the rider's position, and Kathy is delivering! It is a big change from riding the big, powerful geldings that she is used to! Welka was a bit argumentative at the end of the ride, but Kathy made her focus and work. It was SO cool!
That's all for now....
Tracie
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday stuff
We've had a couple of crazy days with all the paddock maintenance. The tractor has been going about 6 hours/day the last couple of days. It makes for an exciting atmosphere for the young horses!
Diva was pretty excited by all the stimuli, and was very forward today! She continues to amaze me because even when she is nervous she is well behaved.... just very forward!
Duncan in learning leg yield and shoulder-in. He does get confused, but he was much more consistent today. He is doing well!
Cessna was exceptionally good with all the chaos! He went about his job and had a nice workout today. I'm looking forward to taking him to the Blue Ribbon Show in a couple of weeks! What a great mind to work with!
I got 8 ones on William today, and was able to get it twice! We are making progress!
Fritz was a bit of a handful for Lisa today. He was really lazy! She was able to get him focused and working, but he certainly didn't give it up easily. Ha!
That's all I have time for tonight.... have a good evening!
T
Diva was pretty excited by all the stimuli, and was very forward today! She continues to amaze me because even when she is nervous she is well behaved.... just very forward!
Duncan in learning leg yield and shoulder-in. He does get confused, but he was much more consistent today. He is doing well!
Cessna was exceptionally good with all the chaos! He went about his job and had a nice workout today. I'm looking forward to taking him to the Blue Ribbon Show in a couple of weeks! What a great mind to work with!
I got 8 ones on William today, and was able to get it twice! We are making progress!
Fritz was a bit of a handful for Lisa today. He was really lazy! She was able to get him focused and working, but he certainly didn't give it up easily. Ha!
That's all I have time for tonight.... have a good evening!
T
Another Request for stuff!!
Guys, I'd like to get photos of each of you with your horses so I can create a GMF Community page on the website. If each of you send me a photo and a short paragraph about you and your horse, I'll put together a page. It should be fun! The photo can be casual or more formal .... whatever you want!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Green Meadow
Let's get everyone posting!
How about we say a few words or comments on why GMF is so great :)
How about we say a few words or comments on why GMF is so great :)
Name Plates for Saddle Racks
Please email me your name as you would like it
on your saddle rack and your horse's papered name,
and his barn, pet or nick name.
Holly glued up all of the leather backs-Thank you
Holly!!!!!! and so we will be putting up the brass
plates and names.
For example:
Lisa H. Daws
Larry a.k.a "Pooh Bear"
on your saddle rack and your horse's papered name,
and his barn, pet or nick name.
Holly glued up all of the leather backs-Thank you
Holly!!!!!! and so we will be putting up the brass
plates and names.
For example:
Lisa H. Daws
Larry a.k.a "Pooh Bear"
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Test diagrams
I found a great site that offers diagrams of all the 2007 USEF and 2009 FEI tests.
First, here are links to each of the tests. Each link brings up a PDF of the test movements.
Next, if you'd like to "practice" a test, click here for a sheet that has 12 arena diagrams on which you can draw your own set of movements. Make a few copies to plan a freestyle! :)
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Need more posters!!
Ok, guys! We need more post-ers! I've been doing all the posting and mine are boring! Let's get some more fun stuff up here. We need to have more cameras at the barn!!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Beautiful Day!
Wow, what a nice day it was! It's alot easier to get motivated when the sun is shining. After battling a cold this week it was nice to feel good again! Let's see, here is the rundown...
Rex was quite good for the first part of the ride, but then when I started working on hauches-in to the left, he got mad at me! I'm still trying to figure out why the haunches-in is so hard for him. There isn't anything about his conformation that should make it hard. Hmmm... we'll just keep working on this, and I'm sure he'll eventually get the hang of it!
I rode Kreo today for the first time and gained new respect for how hard Robin has to work! He really doesn't want to be round or bend much. Ha! We spent 10 minutes or so with "yes you can"/"no I can't"/"yes you can"/"no I can't". Eventually we did get a round and forward horse! Later, Robin had great trot and canter work. She is definitely learning how to let Kreo do the work so she can work less hard!
Duncan started the ride wanting to drift to the walls ... it was like the walls were giant vacuums, sucking him over!! After some discussions about staying off the wall, I had a great ride. His canter is getting so much more balanced, and he is now able to canter a 10 meter circle without struggling.
Fritz came up with an abcess in his right hind today. Thank you Lisa for soaking him! I was able to find the abcess and open it up. Poor Fritz was literally shaking while I was trying to find it....what a good boy he was to stand still! When the pressure was relieved, we had a hard time getting his foot out of the warm water.... poor guy! It's funny how satisfying it can be to find pus! HA!
Lonnie had a GREAT ride on Eternity. We worked on getting her elbows in front of her waist so she carried her arms and let her hands be independent. Sound familiar? The difference in the way that Eternity went was really amazing. Lonnie also rode Rex for a bit, and cantered in both directions today. Awesome!
Cessna was a bit lazy today, but he is such an easy baby to work with. I'm planning to take him to the next Blue Ribbon show, so I worked on Training test 1. He sometimes has a hard time picking up the correct canter lead, but today he was perfect in every transition! I really love his attitude!
Gen was especially good today. I started working towards passage and she was getting it! She is really strong in her top line, and it is fun now to start working on the more collected gaits. I also started working on schooling pirouettes, and she is doing great!
Wromeo was also very good today, and MUCH steadier in the contact. Today I felt like he was stretching and reaching in all his gaits. He is such a fancy boy! He is still settling in, but today I felt like I got some very solid work. Once I get him steady in the connection and forward, I want to work on straightness. He is pretty good with his balance, but the next step is for him to learn to move off the leg.
I think it's time for me to feed horses... I didn't get to everyone, but I'll try to write more this weekend.
Tracie
Rex was quite good for the first part of the ride, but then when I started working on hauches-in to the left, he got mad at me! I'm still trying to figure out why the haunches-in is so hard for him. There isn't anything about his conformation that should make it hard. Hmmm... we'll just keep working on this, and I'm sure he'll eventually get the hang of it!
I rode Kreo today for the first time and gained new respect for how hard Robin has to work! He really doesn't want to be round or bend much. Ha! We spent 10 minutes or so with "yes you can"/"no I can't"/"yes you can"/"no I can't". Eventually we did get a round and forward horse! Later, Robin had great trot and canter work. She is definitely learning how to let Kreo do the work so she can work less hard!
Duncan started the ride wanting to drift to the walls ... it was like the walls were giant vacuums, sucking him over!! After some discussions about staying off the wall, I had a great ride. His canter is getting so much more balanced, and he is now able to canter a 10 meter circle without struggling.
Fritz came up with an abcess in his right hind today. Thank you Lisa for soaking him! I was able to find the abcess and open it up. Poor Fritz was literally shaking while I was trying to find it....what a good boy he was to stand still! When the pressure was relieved, we had a hard time getting his foot out of the warm water.... poor guy! It's funny how satisfying it can be to find pus! HA!
Lonnie had a GREAT ride on Eternity. We worked on getting her elbows in front of her waist so she carried her arms and let her hands be independent. Sound familiar? The difference in the way that Eternity went was really amazing. Lonnie also rode Rex for a bit, and cantered in both directions today. Awesome!
Cessna was a bit lazy today, but he is such an easy baby to work with. I'm planning to take him to the next Blue Ribbon show, so I worked on Training test 1. He sometimes has a hard time picking up the correct canter lead, but today he was perfect in every transition! I really love his attitude!
Gen was especially good today. I started working towards passage and she was getting it! She is really strong in her top line, and it is fun now to start working on the more collected gaits. I also started working on schooling pirouettes, and she is doing great!
Wromeo was also very good today, and MUCH steadier in the contact. Today I felt like he was stretching and reaching in all his gaits. He is such a fancy boy! He is still settling in, but today I felt like I got some very solid work. Once I get him steady in the connection and forward, I want to work on straightness. He is pretty good with his balance, but the next step is for him to learn to move off the leg.
I think it's time for me to feed horses... I didn't get to everyone, but I'll try to write more this weekend.
Tracie
Monday, February 16, 2009
Alex and stuff...
We had a wonderful clinic with Alex Gerding the last couple of days. You can check out his website at: www.alexgerding.com. I rode William and Kathy rode Welka. William and I worked on our ones (yeah... what else is new?). But I do think we got a bit better! I'm still confident that I will get it some day...
Kathy and Welka were super today! Alex really likes her horse, and says she needs to do the 5-y.o. test this year. The mare was great again - her second time out - and went right to work. I'm having such a good time watching Kathy and Welka grow together... they are such a wonderful pair with an unlimited future!
I rode Wromeo for the first time today, and he was such a good boy! He looked around alot, but he didn't spook at anything... not bad for only 2 days in a new place. He is such a pretty horse and fancy mover! I'm really looking forward to finding the perfect home for him.
Lonnie rode Rex today and cantered on him! She was nervous, but she did it, and Rex was very good. It's so helpful to ride other horses and gain both confidence and experience. I'm so happy to have a barn full of people who are willing to do this!
Thanks to Sandy for the camel dressage.... what a hoot!!
Kathy and Welka were super today! Alex really likes her horse, and says she needs to do the 5-y.o. test this year. The mare was great again - her second time out - and went right to work. I'm having such a good time watching Kathy and Welka grow together... they are such a wonderful pair with an unlimited future!
I rode Wromeo for the first time today, and he was such a good boy! He looked around alot, but he didn't spook at anything... not bad for only 2 days in a new place. He is such a pretty horse and fancy mover! I'm really looking forward to finding the perfect home for him.
Lonnie rode Rex today and cantered on him! She was nervous, but she did it, and Rex was very good. It's so helpful to ride other horses and gain both confidence and experience. I'm so happy to have a barn full of people who are willing to do this!
Thanks to Sandy for the camel dressage.... what a hoot!!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Camel & horse in a Pas de Deux
I found a video that answers the burning question of "What does it look like when a camel does dressage?" Here's a link you can paste into your browser to view a Pas de Deux, complete and resplendent with flying changes...yes, the camel does flying changes: http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-videos/editors-choice-videos/camel-does-dressage.aspx
Enjoy! :)
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Happy Valentine's Day!
Today we welcomed Wromeo to the barn. Wromeo is a 6 y.o. Winterprinz gelding owned by Jeanne Streeter. I have worked with Wromeo in the past and really thought he was special. He is a half brother to Cessna.... They look completely different tho!!
Jeanne is planning to lease or sell Wromeo, and I'm hoping to find a good match for him! He is super talented and VERY pretty. I look forward to seeing how he goes!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Spring Into Dressage
Hey Guys! I know we are busy signing up for schooling shows. I'm just taking a poll to see if anyone is planning to sign up for Spring into Dressage in March? I know Martha is interested, and I'm on the fence. Is anyone else interested? If so, entries are due soon!
Tracie
Tracie
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
First Video!
Hi! Here's the first video from the Blue Ribbon Show. It's of Tracie and Ali - they did SUCH a great job! Look at those 'articulate steps'!! But, of course, who's horse doesn't look great with Tracie on them?!?! Kathy - I'll post your video tomorrow :-) I'll also make DVD's and leave them at the Barn on Friday.
Let me know if you have any issues opening the file or if its slow? If not, I'll try uploading a bigger file for better quality.
Thanks!
Sarah
Monday, February 9, 2009
Back to work on Monday!
OK... I was tired today!!! Ha! It was a really fun weekend, but I'm thinking I'm not a spring chicken anymore! :-)
Star of the day goes to GEN! She was fun today. I'm really impressed with how uphill she moves now! I can tell that Monica's hands are getting really steady, because Gen was solid in the connection right from the beginning. She is moving uphill and really starting to develop a powerful thrust from behind. I started working towards passage and Gen lifted her back instead of trying to leak out the front end. She is feeling more powerful and her gaits are getting more expressive each time I ride her. Cool!
The second star of the day goes to Diva!! I rode her off the line today, and she was perfect! Thanks to Lisa for helping me ... it is so important to have good ground help when starting babies. It makes them so much more confident.
Lisa, Martha, and I celebrated with wine after riding horses today.... happy hour at GMF is getting to be a regular thing!! You all need to attend!! :-)
More later!
T
Star of the day goes to GEN! She was fun today. I'm really impressed with how uphill she moves now! I can tell that Monica's hands are getting really steady, because Gen was solid in the connection right from the beginning. She is moving uphill and really starting to develop a powerful thrust from behind. I started working towards passage and Gen lifted her back instead of trying to leak out the front end. She is feeling more powerful and her gaits are getting more expressive each time I ride her. Cool!
The second star of the day goes to Diva!! I rode her off the line today, and she was perfect! Thanks to Lisa for helping me ... it is so important to have good ground help when starting babies. It makes them so much more confident.
Lisa, Martha, and I celebrated with wine after riding horses today.... happy hour at GMF is getting to be a regular thing!! You all need to attend!! :-)
More later!
T
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Wow!! Blue Ribbon Show
What a wonderful day!! Everyone had such a great show, and it was really fun!!
I think we got good pics and video that will be posted shortly.
Congratulations to all on a job well done!!
Whew!
Tracie
I think we got good pics and video that will be posted shortly.
Congratulations to all on a job well done!!
Whew!
Tracie
Friday, February 6, 2009
Friday rides and schooling show!
Today was quite the busy day!! I had lots of horses to ride in the morning, and in the afternoon we went to Devonwood to get ready for the schooling show tomorrow.
Robin and Kreo started off the day with a lesson. Robin has come a long way to getting her seat softer! Kreo would love for Robin to do LOTS of work to help him go, but Robin is quickly learning how to make Kreo do the work. They had some really good canter work today with Robin's hands and shoulders very still, and her seat very soft.
After the lesson, Robin and Kreo headed to Devonwood to settle in for the Blue Ribbon show.
Duncan: This was Duncan's best day! He was perfect in the cross ties and was super under saddle! I did not get one buck or even a hump in his back.... he worked walk, trot, canter and several transitions. I was very pleased with him! Our next goals are to solidify his working without the resistance, and get better at balancing when asked to bend.
Cessna: Once again, Cessna put in a solid day of work. We cantered in both directions today with no resistance at all! He is still a bit skittish if he sees something unfamiliar, but I am very pleased with his progress.
Diva: With Sarah's help, we did quite a bit of trotting under saddle with Diva today! She was a little tense, but quite well behaved. Sarah had her on the lunge line while I sat on her. I think she will be ready to go solo in the next week or so.
Blue Ribbon Show:
We have a GREAT group at the blue ribbon show. We are all stabled in the "A" aisle down below at Devonwood. Come and see us tomorrow!! It is SO fun to have a group at the show.
Robin and Kreo got there first and Kreo was very well behaved! He must be a veteran! Kreo's task tomorrow is to listen to his mom and not make her work too hard! Robin stayed around and helped everyone else, including entertaining Kasen and Kyler while I was coaching... Thank you!
Lisa: Lisa helped haul horses, get ready for the show, and help with whatever was needed! Thanks, Lisa for all your help! Kasen and Kyler were watching DVDs in Lisa's truck tonight and I had to drag them out to bring them home! I asked: "Do you want to go home to have dinner and see Daddy?" "NO! WE ARE WATCHING MOVIES!" They begrudgingly agreed to go home with Mommy eventually! (hilarious!)
Holly/Rex and Sarah/Bella were next. Both of these pairs were super!! Holly and Rex have never been out together, and Holly has had a long sabatical from showing. Rex was super well behaved, but a bit inattentive. Holly was very good with her riding and made Rex focus on his work. I was really happy to see how well they worked this evening! They will have a great ride tomorrow.
Sarah and Bella were good as well! Bella was afraid of the geese that were walking around the grounds (pretty hilarious), but after she got over that trauma, she was super! Bella settled right into work and was as steady as I have every seen! She stretched over her back in all three gaits, and looked like a pro! It will be fun to see her shine tomorrow!
Monica/Gen were next. Monica had a quite funny brain-freeze in which she couldn't find her horse, but after that, everything was better. When Monica rode there were 12 other horses in the arena, so it was quite a circus. Gen was pretty forward, but focused on her job. I'm sure Gen will be a bit more settled tomorrow. ( and Monica will be more rested!)
Kathy/Welka: I was so happy to watch Kathy and Welka work tonight. Welka was a GEM! Kathy was able to get soft and relaxed, and the two of them were lovely! I couldn't have come up with a better pair in my dreams! How cool!
Tracie/Ali: I was so happy with Ali tonight. He was nervous but he gave me his best. Poor guy! This was a really big day for him, and he did his best! I'm really lucky to have him!
So... we'll see you all tomorrow at the show, and we'll have reports! Hopefully we'll have some pics and video too!
Tracie
Robin and Kreo started off the day with a lesson. Robin has come a long way to getting her seat softer! Kreo would love for Robin to do LOTS of work to help him go, but Robin is quickly learning how to make Kreo do the work. They had some really good canter work today with Robin's hands and shoulders very still, and her seat very soft.
After the lesson, Robin and Kreo headed to Devonwood to settle in for the Blue Ribbon show.
Duncan: This was Duncan's best day! He was perfect in the cross ties and was super under saddle! I did not get one buck or even a hump in his back.... he worked walk, trot, canter and several transitions. I was very pleased with him! Our next goals are to solidify his working without the resistance, and get better at balancing when asked to bend.
Cessna: Once again, Cessna put in a solid day of work. We cantered in both directions today with no resistance at all! He is still a bit skittish if he sees something unfamiliar, but I am very pleased with his progress.
Diva: With Sarah's help, we did quite a bit of trotting under saddle with Diva today! She was a little tense, but quite well behaved. Sarah had her on the lunge line while I sat on her. I think she will be ready to go solo in the next week or so.
Blue Ribbon Show:
We have a GREAT group at the blue ribbon show. We are all stabled in the "A" aisle down below at Devonwood. Come and see us tomorrow!! It is SO fun to have a group at the show.
Robin and Kreo got there first and Kreo was very well behaved! He must be a veteran! Kreo's task tomorrow is to listen to his mom and not make her work too hard! Robin stayed around and helped everyone else, including entertaining Kasen and Kyler while I was coaching... Thank you!
Lisa: Lisa helped haul horses, get ready for the show, and help with whatever was needed! Thanks, Lisa for all your help! Kasen and Kyler were watching DVDs in Lisa's truck tonight and I had to drag them out to bring them home! I asked: "Do you want to go home to have dinner and see Daddy?" "NO! WE ARE WATCHING MOVIES!" They begrudgingly agreed to go home with Mommy eventually! (hilarious!)
Holly/Rex and Sarah/Bella were next. Both of these pairs were super!! Holly and Rex have never been out together, and Holly has had a long sabatical from showing. Rex was super well behaved, but a bit inattentive. Holly was very good with her riding and made Rex focus on his work. I was really happy to see how well they worked this evening! They will have a great ride tomorrow.
Sarah and Bella were good as well! Bella was afraid of the geese that were walking around the grounds (pretty hilarious), but after she got over that trauma, she was super! Bella settled right into work and was as steady as I have every seen! She stretched over her back in all three gaits, and looked like a pro! It will be fun to see her shine tomorrow!
Monica/Gen were next. Monica had a quite funny brain-freeze in which she couldn't find her horse, but after that, everything was better. When Monica rode there were 12 other horses in the arena, so it was quite a circus. Gen was pretty forward, but focused on her job. I'm sure Gen will be a bit more settled tomorrow. ( and Monica will be more rested!)
Kathy/Welka: I was so happy to watch Kathy and Welka work tonight. Welka was a GEM! Kathy was able to get soft and relaxed, and the two of them were lovely! I couldn't have come up with a better pair in my dreams! How cool!
Tracie/Ali: I was so happy with Ali tonight. He was nervous but he gave me his best. Poor guy! This was a really big day for him, and he did his best! I'm really lucky to have him!
So... we'll see you all tomorrow at the show, and we'll have reports! Hopefully we'll have some pics and video too!
Tracie
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Notes for this week...
Thanks for posting the pictures, Sarah! It doesn't matter if they aren't great - it's always fun to see young horses under saddle for the first time!
We will definitely try to get some additional pictures and maybe some video when Sarah is here tomorrow.
Here are some updates from earlier this week:
Duncan: He is progressing each day! On Wednesday he was good in the cross ties and also pretty good under saddle. He still bucked one time on Wednesday, but after I got after him he was great. It is still relatively hard for him to balance in the canter, and he wants to fall on the inside leg. But with a combination of leg and moving my weight to the outside, his balance is getting more consistent. He's been very solid on the lunge line, and I know the lunging will help his balance. My goal for next week is to get solid work without any bucking! :-)
Cessna: We cantered on Wednesday!!! He was quite unsure about himself, but he did it! His steering is getting better every day. He sometimes has a hard time focusing on me instead of his surroundings, but that will get better. Next week I'll just continue to introduce more canter. He does spook once in a while, but because he is so BIG, it always seems like slow motion! Ha!
Diva: Wow, I have alot of young horses! Diva has been the exceptional one of the bunch. With Lisa's help this week we went from sitting on her - being led around - and then doing some trot on the lunge line! Of course it would be the girl that was the fastest learner!! If all goes the same, I'll probably try her solo this week. That's always an adrenaline rush!
William: William has been my challenge for the last couple of months. After seeing that Jeremy can get on him and get 18 ones, it is obvious that he can do it, but he doesn't do it with me! Ugh! Nothing like a little humiliation to motivate you... ha! Anyway, I've gone back to working on twos instead of ones and getting them really solid. I think I need to get my aids more consistent and I need to get William more forward in the tempis. Next week will be all about tempis!
Percy/Lisa: Lisa had a lesson on Percy on Wednesday and it is always so fun for me to see how he reacts for the first lesson! Lisa did a splendid job with him - especially for the first time! It is quite helpful for me to see how everyone's seat affects Percy's gaits. If anyone tightens up their hips, Percy will passage, canter in place, or do his famous lateral walk. He is a great teacher for soft legs and hips, and really makes the rider be honest. Lisa had some great work on him and did a wonderful job of figuring him out! Of course, he pulled his "I have to go pee" routine both before and after the ride!
Rex: I had a couple of really good rides on Rex this week. It really amazes me how much he has learned in a short time. I keep having to remind myself that dressage is completely new to him. At this point, Holly and I are trying to teach Rex how to disengage his neck from his shoulders so that he can bend without just following his nose everywhere. It has been pretty hard for him, but he is starting to get it. Once he softens in the base of his neck, his back comes up and he starts using his hind end. Of course, you always get the expressive grunts to let you know how hard he is working!
Tomorrow we will be getting ready for the Devonwood Blue Ribbon Schooling Show. I am really looking forward to this being a blast!! Come and join us for a glass of champagne on Friday or Saturday!
The brave souls are:
Monica and Gen
Holly and Rex (1st show together!)
Kathy and Welka (1st show together!)
Sarah and Bella
Tracie and Ali
This will be Ali's first time out, so any and all prayers are welcome!!
More later!!!
Tracie
We will definitely try to get some additional pictures and maybe some video when Sarah is here tomorrow.
Here are some updates from earlier this week:
Duncan: He is progressing each day! On Wednesday he was good in the cross ties and also pretty good under saddle. He still bucked one time on Wednesday, but after I got after him he was great. It is still relatively hard for him to balance in the canter, and he wants to fall on the inside leg. But with a combination of leg and moving my weight to the outside, his balance is getting more consistent. He's been very solid on the lunge line, and I know the lunging will help his balance. My goal for next week is to get solid work without any bucking! :-)
Cessna: We cantered on Wednesday!!! He was quite unsure about himself, but he did it! His steering is getting better every day. He sometimes has a hard time focusing on me instead of his surroundings, but that will get better. Next week I'll just continue to introduce more canter. He does spook once in a while, but because he is so BIG, it always seems like slow motion! Ha!
Diva: Wow, I have alot of young horses! Diva has been the exceptional one of the bunch. With Lisa's help this week we went from sitting on her - being led around - and then doing some trot on the lunge line! Of course it would be the girl that was the fastest learner!! If all goes the same, I'll probably try her solo this week. That's always an adrenaline rush!
William: William has been my challenge for the last couple of months. After seeing that Jeremy can get on him and get 18 ones, it is obvious that he can do it, but he doesn't do it with me! Ugh! Nothing like a little humiliation to motivate you... ha! Anyway, I've gone back to working on twos instead of ones and getting them really solid. I think I need to get my aids more consistent and I need to get William more forward in the tempis. Next week will be all about tempis!
Percy/Lisa: Lisa had a lesson on Percy on Wednesday and it is always so fun for me to see how he reacts for the first lesson! Lisa did a splendid job with him - especially for the first time! It is quite helpful for me to see how everyone's seat affects Percy's gaits. If anyone tightens up their hips, Percy will passage, canter in place, or do his famous lateral walk. He is a great teacher for soft legs and hips, and really makes the rider be honest. Lisa had some great work on him and did a wonderful job of figuring him out! Of course, he pulled his "I have to go pee" routine both before and after the ride!
Rex: I had a couple of really good rides on Rex this week. It really amazes me how much he has learned in a short time. I keep having to remind myself that dressage is completely new to him. At this point, Holly and I are trying to teach Rex how to disengage his neck from his shoulders so that he can bend without just following his nose everywhere. It has been pretty hard for him, but he is starting to get it. Once he softens in the base of his neck, his back comes up and he starts using his hind end. Of course, you always get the expressive grunts to let you know how hard he is working!
Tomorrow we will be getting ready for the Devonwood Blue Ribbon Schooling Show. I am really looking forward to this being a blast!! Come and join us for a glass of champagne on Friday or Saturday!
The brave souls are:
Monica and Gen
Holly and Rex (1st show together!)
Kathy and Welka (1st show together!)
Sarah and Bella
Tracie and Ali
This will be Ali's first time out, so any and all prayers are welcome!!
More later!!!
Tracie
Monday, February 2, 2009
Young horse progress - proof is in the pictures!
Ok, here goes... Here are 2 pictures of Diva, and 2 pictures of Cessna. I took the ones of Cessna - Lisa took the 2 of Diva. I clearly need more practice with my action shots (Lisa - yours of Sandy and Diva put mine to shame, do you give lessons?!) I'll get one of Duncan on Friday - if someone doesn't get one before then.
~Sarah
~Sarah
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