Yesterday John rode Duke, and today I could tell. Duke was light in the bridle, forward, and very responsive to leg aids. After John rides, Duke doesn't like for me to give a lot of aids with my hands.
We worked on 10 meter circles, cantering with loose hips (and relaxed back) and then pushing Duke forward when he needed it with the hips, and then making a smaller circle around John with Duke counterbent, crossing his outside leg over his inside leg, and then moving to correct bend and pushing him out on the circle so he led with his bent body, NOT with his outside shoulder.
We worked on down aids by closing my leg (with a little inside rein to keep him from going above the bit), and moving him forward and bringing him back with mostly leg aids at the trot.
It was a great lesson, and Duke was a delight to ride.
Charlie with the long sought after cooler
Spring NWEC 2013 Novice
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Jumping with Christa - outside!
We got to jump outside today. Duke was a little strong but obedient, until John told us to do a round again, but better, and so we crashed into the first fence, then I stupidly hit Duke with the whip twice, and then his poor little mind was blown.
We started, like usual, with a cross rail, then a vertical and Duke was just dreamy.
Then we jumped an oxer. Still dreamy Duke.
Then a little course - an oxer on a bending six stride line to another oxer, a left hand turn over a narrow, a right hand turn down a four stride line (vertical to oxer).
First time through, Duke dreamy.
Second time, crash. From there, Duke was so panicked he just wanted to grab the bit and run. So then John had us halt in the middle of the four stride, then act like we were going to halt. Then halt, then trot then canter then jump a vertical. Then halt, then canter, then jump. Then halt, then canter, then walk.
Duke maybe forgave me a little bit after I let him eat grass for half an hour, gave him an apple, rubbed off his shedding hair, and gave him carrots, but he was NOT happy that I hit him.
I wish we'd jumped it "better" but at least it was a good learning opportunity, and it was great to ride with Christa again. And be outside in the warm sun.
We started, like usual, with a cross rail, then a vertical and Duke was just dreamy.
Then we jumped an oxer. Still dreamy Duke.
Then a little course - an oxer on a bending six stride line to another oxer, a left hand turn over a narrow, a right hand turn down a four stride line (vertical to oxer).
First time through, Duke dreamy.
Second time, crash. From there, Duke was so panicked he just wanted to grab the bit and run. So then John had us halt in the middle of the four stride, then act like we were going to halt. Then halt, then trot then canter then jump a vertical. Then halt, then canter, then jump. Then halt, then canter, then walk.
Duke maybe forgave me a little bit after I let him eat grass for half an hour, gave him an apple, rubbed off his shedding hair, and gave him carrots, but he was NOT happy that I hit him.
I wish we'd jumped it "better" but at least it was a good learning opportunity, and it was great to ride with Christa again. And be outside in the warm sun.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Holy Dressage Lesson
Tonight's lesson was chock full of useful things, that I (hopefully) absorbed.
First - I finally - FINALLY - felt my elbow and why it mattered. If it is out from my side, I lose the connection in the rein. John was talking about my elbows, and then the next time I cantered, I felt it when it went loose.
Second - John had us work with a little more weight on the inside hip, which pushes Duke to the outside. He said we'll use it just on 10 meter or 15 meter circles, and then cantering lengthens just at the start and just at the end. He said Duke is the sort of horse who will learn to ignore it and/or his back will get sore, so don't overdo it. He said next we'll apply it to leg yields, and if he pins his ears, just back up and don't work on it anymore that day.
Third - we got a high five for the rein connection and hip.
Fourth - we earned hill work! John had us walk up the hill past his house (round) and then back down, twice.
Fifth - John said that yes, we'll start with Modified at Spokane, and his goal is that we'll ride Prelim this year. He said that sometimes he might make us drop down to Training, just so Duke has an easy round, and to trust him on that. And I said of course. He said sometimes it's hard for the riders to back down, but it's for the horse.
Sixth - John said to ride with the inside hand just a little shorter rein than the outside, so that I don't have to pull my inside hand back so far, and so the reins don't look lopsided.
Seventh - we talked about the show. He said I was still cutting the one line in too much (despite working on it in my lesson (twice), at the clinic, and then having rounds to do it at the show). John said that the 3' too short lines will be part of how to ride at the show, and that horses get faster and flatter as the course goes on, so putting a short line at the end of the show means people get rails on the last fence. He said that Duke rides best when he comes around the corner and looks at the fence, instead of grabbing the bit and charging to it.
We also talked some about Duke's personality and how he likes to be ridden. John says he doesn't like even connection on the rein, so each side you have to ride him just a little different. He said it took him about 4 months to figure Duke out. And that he memorizes the tests and starts doing the movements too soon, so make sure not to drill them in order.
We worked on 20 meter circles, then would do 10 meter, and the art here was using legs to bend him around the circle. He said that I'm doing it fine in show jumping, so I can definitely do it in dressage too.
It was a lot more work getting Duke round, at one point John gave me 20 seconds to do it (and, even being generous, we made it by a hair). There was some think flex to the outside, but before he bends go back to inside (without moving outside elbow).
It was a great lesson. Duke worked really well, and I feel like we've started to make some forward progress. John said he thinks it was Duke's response to the 10 meter circles this winter, as well as seeing and feeling how different he moved after John rode him.
It was also great to have a clear day after Daylight Savings, so it was still light when we left, and I even walked the dogs too.
First - I finally - FINALLY - felt my elbow and why it mattered. If it is out from my side, I lose the connection in the rein. John was talking about my elbows, and then the next time I cantered, I felt it when it went loose.
Second - John had us work with a little more weight on the inside hip, which pushes Duke to the outside. He said we'll use it just on 10 meter or 15 meter circles, and then cantering lengthens just at the start and just at the end. He said Duke is the sort of horse who will learn to ignore it and/or his back will get sore, so don't overdo it. He said next we'll apply it to leg yields, and if he pins his ears, just back up and don't work on it anymore that day.
Third - we got a high five for the rein connection and hip.
Fourth - we earned hill work! John had us walk up the hill past his house (round) and then back down, twice.
Fifth - John said that yes, we'll start with Modified at Spokane, and his goal is that we'll ride Prelim this year. He said that sometimes he might make us drop down to Training, just so Duke has an easy round, and to trust him on that. And I said of course. He said sometimes it's hard for the riders to back down, but it's for the horse.
Sixth - John said to ride with the inside hand just a little shorter rein than the outside, so that I don't have to pull my inside hand back so far, and so the reins don't look lopsided.
Seventh - we talked about the show. He said I was still cutting the one line in too much (despite working on it in my lesson (twice), at the clinic, and then having rounds to do it at the show). John said that the 3' too short lines will be part of how to ride at the show, and that horses get faster and flatter as the course goes on, so putting a short line at the end of the show means people get rails on the last fence. He said that Duke rides best when he comes around the corner and looks at the fence, instead of grabbing the bit and charging to it.
We also talked some about Duke's personality and how he likes to be ridden. John says he doesn't like even connection on the rein, so each side you have to ride him just a little different. He said it took him about 4 months to figure Duke out. And that he memorizes the tests and starts doing the movements too soon, so make sure not to drill them in order.
We worked on 20 meter circles, then would do 10 meter, and the art here was using legs to bend him around the circle. He said that I'm doing it fine in show jumping, so I can definitely do it in dressage too.
It was a lot more work getting Duke round, at one point John gave me 20 seconds to do it (and, even being generous, we made it by a hair). There was some think flex to the outside, but before he bends go back to inside (without moving outside elbow).
It was a great lesson. Duke worked really well, and I feel like we've started to make some forward progress. John said he thinks it was Duke's response to the 10 meter circles this winter, as well as seeing and feeling how different he moved after John rode him.
It was also great to have a clear day after Daylight Savings, so it was still light when we left, and I even walked the dogs too.
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Clinic and JumperDaze (#2)
Yesterday, Duke and I rode with Allison and Sara, which was intimidating and kind of cool. Duke was much better than last time, but it was still a pretty rough ride. Afterwards, we walked around the track with Allison and Mojo, and she said that he might not be more difficult in show jumping after cross country this year because the height of the fences might back him off a little bit.
John said that I have to balance him in the corners, but then keep my leg on to the fence. I'm also having trouble with the tighter turns - it is kind of going "too far" and then lining back up with where I want to go; otherwise, I cut in and miss the striding. Since these turns have to be ridden just right, I really need to figure this out.
Duke did much better with me telling him "whoa" in between fences, and also a little more nuanced half halt, with lower leg squeezing.
He had a few times he got strong, and John doesn't want him to get bad habits, so he had to halt afterwards (or halt on the way to the fence), and then we had to re-ride some when he leaped in long and flat and fast, to get the 5 strides (instead of doing it in 4).
Watching the other riders made me feel a little better because they seemed to have some of the same issues as me, although I bet we looked a little rough too.
Both Allison and Andrea said that Duke is looking really good, and he definitely loves jumping and tries hard. I'm still pretty anxious though about whether we're really going to be ready to ride prelim this year.
The good news is I had the height wrong. It's not 3'11", but 3'7".
It was good to ride in the nice weather, and an improvement, but I'd like to have an honest conversation with John about expectations.
John said that I have to balance him in the corners, but then keep my leg on to the fence. I'm also having trouble with the tighter turns - it is kind of going "too far" and then lining back up with where I want to go; otherwise, I cut in and miss the striding. Since these turns have to be ridden just right, I really need to figure this out.
Duke did much better with me telling him "whoa" in between fences, and also a little more nuanced half halt, with lower leg squeezing.
He had a few times he got strong, and John doesn't want him to get bad habits, so he had to halt afterwards (or halt on the way to the fence), and then we had to re-ride some when he leaped in long and flat and fast, to get the 5 strides (instead of doing it in 4).
Watching the other riders made me feel a little better because they seemed to have some of the same issues as me, although I bet we looked a little rough too.
Both Allison and Andrea said that Duke is looking really good, and he definitely loves jumping and tries hard. I'm still pretty anxious though about whether we're really going to be ready to ride prelim this year.
The good news is I had the height wrong. It's not 3'11", but 3'7".
It was good to ride in the nice weather, and an improvement, but I'd like to have an honest conversation with John about expectations.
Sunday, March 03, 2019
Jumping with Parker
Today we worked on similar exercises to the jump lesson we had last week with Christa. John was working with Parker when we arrived, and so we did some warm up and then John had Parker take a break while we warmed up over fences. Mostly he had me work on getting Duke round, like he was yesterday, which was pretty easy, but I had a eureka moment. For the down transitions, Duke likes a steady calf pressure, not a squeeze, not on and off, on and off, but solid pressure. This worked really well, if I could use my calves properly.
We started over a green vertical, then added the yellow oxer, then went over the two stride, and then down the angle/angle/angle with two strides in between.
Duke was getting a little feisty like last week, so John had me either use the outside rein, or halt. We had a hard time with the five stride bending line, so John had us ride it towards the E, and then halt instead of jumping the fence. Then he told me to ride it and halt again, but two strides in, told me to jump, and finally we jumped it perfectly. We ended on that, and then walked down the road and back in the gorgeous weather.
Duke was a bit sleepy on the ground (I assume tired from his hard work with John yesterday), but he pepped right up. John said he didn't want him to get any bad habits, so to make sure that he halted.
John said it was good he rode Duke yesterday (and I agree), and this was a better lesson than last week, but I suspect we're going to have a hard time with stadium in prelim this year, especially the day after cross country.
John said that what makes Duke a good cross country horse (he jumps anything I point him at from wherever I point him) is going to create some challenges in stadium.
(On the other hand, his lengthening today was world's better than yesterday, after one ride from John.)
He said when I'm riding the course, I want to know where I want to go, but I don't want to look ahead of time, so that Duke doesn't get latched onto what happens next, especially since he can make the turns so sharp.
We started over a green vertical, then added the yellow oxer, then went over the two stride, and then down the angle/angle/angle with two strides in between.
Duke was getting a little feisty like last week, so John had me either use the outside rein, or halt. We had a hard time with the five stride bending line, so John had us ride it towards the E, and then halt instead of jumping the fence. Then he told me to ride it and halt again, but two strides in, told me to jump, and finally we jumped it perfectly. We ended on that, and then walked down the road and back in the gorgeous weather.
Duke was a bit sleepy on the ground (I assume tired from his hard work with John yesterday), but he pepped right up. John said he didn't want him to get any bad habits, so to make sure that he halted.
John said it was good he rode Duke yesterday (and I agree), and this was a better lesson than last week, but I suspect we're going to have a hard time with stadium in prelim this year, especially the day after cross country.
John said that what makes Duke a good cross country horse (he jumps anything I point him at from wherever I point him) is going to create some challenges in stadium.
(On the other hand, his lengthening today was world's better than yesterday, after one ride from John.)
He said when I'm riding the course, I want to know where I want to go, but I don't want to look ahead of time, so that Duke doesn't get latched onto what happens next, especially since he can make the turns so sharp.
Saturday, March 02, 2019
John on Duke
John rode Duke (he was already in riding clothes so I asked him to), and it was nice to watch him ride. He would counterbend Duke and then ask him to lengthen or straighten. When Duke got tense, he would make some circles or do a bit of lateral work. Duke looked great under him, but John said that we're going to have some trouble with the scores for the lengthenings, just because of the way Duke's front end is built. John also worked with him on halting, and waiting until he took a breath, then praising him (patting him and telling him good boy) and letting him move forward. Eventually, Duke seemed to figure out it wasn't a crazy ploy, and he could just halt.
After John rode, I got on (Duke had a frothy butt) and John had me work a bit on the aids, which was closing my leg (no spur) for halt, and then squeeze/release inside hand for both up and down transitions, and then inside leg to outside hand for everything. Duke's back felt like it was like 3 inches higher than before John rode him, and he was so light and forward. It is always amazing to get on after John has been on him, even for just a few minutes, to feel what Duke's potential really is.
After John rode, I got on (Duke had a frothy butt) and John had me work a bit on the aids, which was closing my leg (no spur) for halt, and then squeeze/release inside hand for both up and down transitions, and then inside leg to outside hand for everything. Duke's back felt like it was like 3 inches higher than before John rode him, and he was so light and forward. It is always amazing to get on after John has been on him, even for just a few minutes, to feel what Duke's potential really is.
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