Yesterday I had the best ride so far on Calo, even though I had been struggling with a llama head and tiny steps up until the moment John walked in.
I had four practical questions for John: which vest to get (2 point), what harrow to get (not the ones I had flagged but one with multiple circles), when can Charlie canter (one lap at a time, once he's up to 15 minutes of trot), and is it ok to use small circles to slow Calo down when he's rushing (yes, or shoulder in).
We worked on a more prompt canter transition, and John said that Calo's ability to get into the trot from the canter without sprawling (for more than a couple steps) showed he was improving.
We did some stuff that was hard for me, but it was nice that Calo was being so cooperative. The canter work focused on getting him connected from the inside leg (keep it next to the girth!) to the outside hand (use it when he is drifting out!).
For bending, I have to be ready to put on my inside leg, because Calo is going to naturally fall to the inside. But then I have to RELAX that inside hand. I can ride Calo between my inside leg and outside hand and I don't have to hang on the inside hand and make my arm tired. I just use it to bend him, and then soften it again.
We started with some nice trot, which really only needed a bit of inside bend. Then we did a bit of leg yield, which Calo did quite nicely, stepping under himself. So then we spent the majority of the lesson working on the canter, especially the right lead canter.
We put Calo on a circle, bent him to the inside, and then I pushed his shoulders in by moving my hands to the inside (to the right, for a right circle), while keeping my inside leg on. This made a slightly shoulder in on the circle. From there, I'd ask for the canter by sitting up, and putting both legs on (inside leg forward, outside leg back, inside hip pushing down). Once he was going, we'd work on inside bend again.
John said that last year we made a lot of improvements in show jumping, but what we need to focus on next is the canter aid - that my aids are kind of weak but Charlie knows them so he knows what I'm asking. He thinks if I can sharpen them (and sharpen Charlie's response) it will help with the dressage scores. He also said that feeling how to ride from inside leg to outside hand will help me with Charlie, who likes to do half the movement to see if I'll keep asking, and help me learn that I can let go of that inside hand and still get the movement.
It was, as always, a great lesson - incredibly educational and I felt like we made even more progress.
Charlie with the long sought after cooler
Spring NWEC 2013 Novice
Friday, November 20, 2015
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
John rode Calo today
In today's lesson, we started by doing a 10 meter circle, then keeping the bend and switching to a 20 meter circle going the other direction. We did this a few times each way, with a gradual change to the correct bend on the 20 meter circle.
After we wrestled our way through some canter, John suggested that he ride him.
He made Calo look beautiful, but they were both pretty sweaty at the end. He had to use lots of hand to soften Calo, but then he switched from being an inverted U to over bent with his chin on his own chest.
John said that for the right lead canter, it would be best to have him do shoulder-in, and then ask for the canter from shoulder-in. Otherwise, he swings his haunches really far in, which throws his shoulders out, which makes him even more unbalanced than he already would be, which makes him throw his head up and rush around for a while before he can round and try to canter like a normal horse.
Peaches was watching and she said that Calo probably isn't strong enough to hold much of the trot or canter over his top line, especially after so many years. Peaches also suggested that he needs the hands, but with enough leg to keep him moving up into his hand, and then making sure to give forward, like pushing him into the bit, once he softens and gives to it.
It was really cool to watch John ride him; he got Calo to step underneath himself and to soften and come over his top line, but it took him a lot of work. He said not to get frustrated, that Calo is a frustrating horse to ride because he ignores a lot of the aids, but just to keep asking until Calo responds. Peaches also suggested that it will probably take a few months until he gets strong enough to really be able to hold any of the top line work.
After we wrestled our way through some canter, John suggested that he ride him.
He made Calo look beautiful, but they were both pretty sweaty at the end. He had to use lots of hand to soften Calo, but then he switched from being an inverted U to over bent with his chin on his own chest.
John said that for the right lead canter, it would be best to have him do shoulder-in, and then ask for the canter from shoulder-in. Otherwise, he swings his haunches really far in, which throws his shoulders out, which makes him even more unbalanced than he already would be, which makes him throw his head up and rush around for a while before he can round and try to canter like a normal horse.
Peaches was watching and she said that Calo probably isn't strong enough to hold much of the trot or canter over his top line, especially after so many years. Peaches also suggested that he needs the hands, but with enough leg to keep him moving up into his hand, and then making sure to give forward, like pushing him into the bit, once he softens and gives to it.
It was really cool to watch John ride him; he got Calo to step underneath himself and to soften and come over his top line, but it took him a lot of work. He said not to get frustrated, that Calo is a frustrating horse to ride because he ignores a lot of the aids, but just to keep asking until Calo responds. Peaches also suggested that it will probably take a few months until he gets strong enough to really be able to hold any of the top line work.
Friday, November 06, 2015
Calo's third lesson with John
I forgot to blog his second one, but it was basically progress on his first lesson. He got better and better each day until last Sunday, when he just conked out and we had a huge battle each ride for the next three days, until my right arm got so tired I just lunged him and then took a day off waiting to ride with John.
Then during today's lesson, he was basically back to the progression-Calo.
John said I need to work on inside leg, but it is hard because he tries to move to the outside instead of bending. Then I need to do squeeze and release (sometimes pulling hard and open) instead of just a steady pull, to try to break the "lock" in his neck and get him to bend.
John said Calo is fairly unbalanced in the canter, so it throws him off to bend and have someone one him (why he can canter just fine on the lunge line). He also spent about the first 15 minutes just being anxious, so we just did trot stuff to soothe him so that then he could work.
John said it is ok to let him lunge forward, then just to regroup him and try to make him bend again - not to try to make him keep moving in frame. He also said that I needed to control the tempo of the trot more.
I asked him whether he should stay, and he said yes: he doesn't eat much, it won't matter if I miss a day because I'm busy, and more hours in the saddle is always good. So I'll talk to J&M about him staying longer.
It was a good lesson, but I was annoyed with Calo for not being anywhere as naughty as he was the last four rides. I want him to be as bad with John so I learn the tools for dealing with it at home.
We'll see how much more I learned from this lesson, and how much we can progress until next Tuesday's lesson.
Then during today's lesson, he was basically back to the progression-Calo.
John said I need to work on inside leg, but it is hard because he tries to move to the outside instead of bending. Then I need to do squeeze and release (sometimes pulling hard and open) instead of just a steady pull, to try to break the "lock" in his neck and get him to bend.
John said Calo is fairly unbalanced in the canter, so it throws him off to bend and have someone one him (why he can canter just fine on the lunge line). He also spent about the first 15 minutes just being anxious, so we just did trot stuff to soothe him so that then he could work.
John said it is ok to let him lunge forward, then just to regroup him and try to make him bend again - not to try to make him keep moving in frame. He also said that I needed to control the tempo of the trot more.
I asked him whether he should stay, and he said yes: he doesn't eat much, it won't matter if I miss a day because I'm busy, and more hours in the saddle is always good. So I'll talk to J&M about him staying longer.
It was a good lesson, but I was annoyed with Calo for not being anywhere as naughty as he was the last four rides. I want him to be as bad with John so I learn the tools for dealing with it at home.
We'll see how much more I learned from this lesson, and how much we can progress until next Tuesday's lesson.
Friday, October 16, 2015
Calo's first lesson with John
It was so good to see John after 8 weeks off. We worked on Calo's basics. John recommended leaving my legs lightly on him, for support rather than to urge him forward. Then we worked on his flexion in his neck, using a squeeze and release, and then if he was resistant, opening my hand to the inside. I had to anticipate him going faster and be ready with the outside rein to slow him down, and also some inside leg to leg yield out on the circle.
We helped him work more over his top line at the canter by doing some big turn on the forehand circles before asking for the canter, and just a bit of leg yield. It made a big improvement, although he can't really hold the canter for more than 1/2 of a circle.
John said to keep working on helping him get stronger, that his muscles aren't riding strong from his couple years off, and so we need to let him build up some strength and gradually add a few more strides at a time.
The good news is it was not me. A pleasant surprise.
We helped him work more over his top line at the canter by doing some big turn on the forehand circles before asking for the canter, and just a bit of leg yield. It made a big improvement, although he can't really hold the canter for more than 1/2 of a circle.
John said to keep working on helping him get stronger, that his muscles aren't riding strong from his couple years off, and so we need to let him build up some strength and gradually add a few more strides at a time.
The good news is it was not me. A pleasant surprise.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
John's horse-keeping tips, part 1
Footing:
Peeler pole is good, but initially hard to work with. Once you get it in, though, you don't have to drag it much.
Tractor:
Get a minimum 20 hp with a front end loader. His Kubota has only needed regular maintenance for the last 16 years, but there's no real difference between Kubota and John Deere.
Dragging:
Bring him a sample of the arena footing. The cloth is really good because it absorbs moisture so you don't have to water as much. There is a special dragger that you use for cloth - not one of the straight ones which just makes it ball up, but one that spins around.
It depends on if it is felt or cloth, so he'll look at the footing at tell me.
Sawdust:
Look for Wilco to have sales and then buy a pallet at a time. Get "dryden" (?).
Hay:
I will need about 1 ton every 8 weeks for one horse. A horse eats 20 pounds/day, and a bale lasts about three days. This will be hard because I don't have enough horses to buy it in bulk, but enough to want to get it delivered. The best will be if I can find someone else ordering hay and then get one of their tons because it costs less in bulk. It can be stored so long as it doesn't get wet, but I also have to watch for condensation from the roof of whatever it is stored in.
Where to put the hay is also an issue, because I don't want to be moving hay around every day all the way across the property. He said I'll probably want to use one of the stalls for hay and feed.
Peeler pole is good, but initially hard to work with. Once you get it in, though, you don't have to drag it much.
Tractor:
Get a minimum 20 hp with a front end loader. His Kubota has only needed regular maintenance for the last 16 years, but there's no real difference between Kubota and John Deere.
Dragging:
Bring him a sample of the arena footing. The cloth is really good because it absorbs moisture so you don't have to water as much. There is a special dragger that you use for cloth - not one of the straight ones which just makes it ball up, but one that spins around.
It depends on if it is felt or cloth, so he'll look at the footing at tell me.
Sawdust:
Look for Wilco to have sales and then buy a pallet at a time. Get "dryden" (?).
Hay:
I will need about 1 ton every 8 weeks for one horse. A horse eats 20 pounds/day, and a bale lasts about three days. This will be hard because I don't have enough horses to buy it in bulk, but enough to want to get it delivered. The best will be if I can find someone else ordering hay and then get one of their tons because it costs less in bulk. It can be stored so long as it doesn't get wet, but I also have to watch for condensation from the roof of whatever it is stored in.
Where to put the hay is also an issue, because I don't want to be moving hay around every day all the way across the property. He said I'll probably want to use one of the stalls for hay and feed.
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Our first fall
This weekend was champs at Caber. I had said it was going to be a "massacre" but I meant I would be in last place after dressage based on all the professionals and really good riders in my class. To my absolute surprise, we were tied for 5th. Charlie was lazy, but felt really balanced in warm up, and the only thing I was having problems with was his down transitions (which were primarily what the judge noted too). So we need to work on those.
Then for cross country, he felt great in warm up, a little long, but nothing too unusual. I didn't do much warm up because he has been so lazy and we had to do 5 minutes at 470 mpm and I feel like he's just not in great enough shape.
There were three a/b/c combinations on the course, and the first one (fence 5a) was our undoing. It was an up bank - maybe 3' high but I'm not even sure, and we came in fast and long, and I had a moment to say something to Charlie just before we should have gone up, so I felt something was wrong.
I think he misjudged the bank or didn't even see it or stumbled as he went up, and so we went straight forward onto the gravel, and I shot off over his left shoulder (all the way to the down bank, so 20' ish because it was a two stride). The fall was actually ok, because he had stumbled down, so it wasn't from very high, and somehow I didn't scoot along the gravel too bad, but then he fell too.
I don't think he flipped over the bank, I think he fell down on top of the gravel, but then he rolled on me. He did NOT step on me, but all of a sudden I could feel all of his weight pressing me into the gravel and then his big butt moving around, and then bless his heart, he got up without stepping on me. Peaches mom was there (because Peaches was after me) and she said that he stepped on his reins, got out of them, and then ran off like a maniac. I didn't see the rein stepping, and it took me a few minutes to open my eyes, but I could see him cavorting around the field like a maniac. Like a total asshole who didn't care about me.
Some little girl caught him, and then Marc had him. They had to stop the course to get me out of the way, but all in all, it wasn't that bad because John had just put in the new gravel so it was actually really soft (for gravel). I have one little scratch on my shoulder and ring finger.
Charlie, however, has four or five, all but one on his right leg. I think he got gravel in his boot when he skidded, and then ran with it and it chewed up inside his boot. I had gravel in both of my ears.
I don't know why he doesn't have scratches on his front legs or nose or chest though.
I hope he is ok. In warm up he kept pinning his ears at the other horses and briefly at me, so I'm wondering if he is sore somewhere and needs the chiro or the vet to get back to normal. Especially with his rough couple months in the move and how much he's had wind puffs.
I went to the ER because Kevin thought I might have punctured my spleen or lungs, but nothing was wrong. They think it is cracked ribs, but they didn't even show up on the X-ray or cat scan, and my feet were filthy, my armpits weren't shaved, and I am fat and disgusting.
I can't wait to see John to ask why Charlie fell. I was getting all cocky about being ready to go up a level, and I totally didn't feel it coming or anticipate it was going to be a rough ride at all based on warm up.
And I am, of course, bitterly disappointed because we were going to be in the ribbons in Champs against all those really good people! Aaarrgghhh!
Then for cross country, he felt great in warm up, a little long, but nothing too unusual. I didn't do much warm up because he has been so lazy and we had to do 5 minutes at 470 mpm and I feel like he's just not in great enough shape.
There were three a/b/c combinations on the course, and the first one (fence 5a) was our undoing. It was an up bank - maybe 3' high but I'm not even sure, and we came in fast and long, and I had a moment to say something to Charlie just before we should have gone up, so I felt something was wrong.
I think he misjudged the bank or didn't even see it or stumbled as he went up, and so we went straight forward onto the gravel, and I shot off over his left shoulder (all the way to the down bank, so 20' ish because it was a two stride). The fall was actually ok, because he had stumbled down, so it wasn't from very high, and somehow I didn't scoot along the gravel too bad, but then he fell too.
I don't think he flipped over the bank, I think he fell down on top of the gravel, but then he rolled on me. He did NOT step on me, but all of a sudden I could feel all of his weight pressing me into the gravel and then his big butt moving around, and then bless his heart, he got up without stepping on me. Peaches mom was there (because Peaches was after me) and she said that he stepped on his reins, got out of them, and then ran off like a maniac. I didn't see the rein stepping, and it took me a few minutes to open my eyes, but I could see him cavorting around the field like a maniac. Like a total asshole who didn't care about me.
Some little girl caught him, and then Marc had him. They had to stop the course to get me out of the way, but all in all, it wasn't that bad because John had just put in the new gravel so it was actually really soft (for gravel). I have one little scratch on my shoulder and ring finger.
Charlie, however, has four or five, all but one on his right leg. I think he got gravel in his boot when he skidded, and then ran with it and it chewed up inside his boot. I had gravel in both of my ears.
I don't know why he doesn't have scratches on his front legs or nose or chest though.
I hope he is ok. In warm up he kept pinning his ears at the other horses and briefly at me, so I'm wondering if he is sore somewhere and needs the chiro or the vet to get back to normal. Especially with his rough couple months in the move and how much he's had wind puffs.
I went to the ER because Kevin thought I might have punctured my spleen or lungs, but nothing was wrong. They think it is cracked ribs, but they didn't even show up on the X-ray or cat scan, and my feet were filthy, my armpits weren't shaved, and I am fat and disgusting.
I can't wait to see John to ask why Charlie fell. I was getting all cocky about being ready to go up a level, and I totally didn't feel it coming or anticipate it was going to be a rough ride at all based on warm up.
And I am, of course, bitterly disappointed because we were going to be in the ribbons in Champs against all those really good people! Aaarrgghhh!
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Unconventional approach to Charlie's reluctance to bend
Today we had our dressage lesson out in the cross country course, which was great practice for the footing for the show this weekend, and the extra attention issues. What I did NOT do was ride without my whip, since we can't use it for champs.
Charlie remained reluctant to bend, and - who knows why - I was having a terrible time sitting the trot - so John had me use my inside hand like a side rein - slipping it a little, then using my thigh as a block so that he would keep the same pressure, then pushing him off of the inside leg (or whip). It was "unconventional" but designed to break his mental block about bending. We would do a circle or two with his neck bent (it was much, much easier to bend him to the right so we mostly worked to the left) and then go back to regular reins, and I could feel his shoulders lift and the balance improve.
John said it would be useful for me once I'm back at home, so if Charlie gets mentally stuck, I have some tools to try to break it myself.
It was insightful, but really hard to do. I was particularly uncoordinated at using my left leg and right hand at the same time.
In the warm up, unlike Sunday, I was NOT able to get a flying change each direction. I could get the hop and skip, but not the actual change. I didn't want to mess with it too much just before the show so I gave up but it is like he half gets what I'm asking him to do but isn't quite 100% sure yet.
It is amazing how fast the show is coming together at Caber. Two days ago they were still mowing; today most of the portable stalls were up, most of the cross country fences were numbered, and everything was mowed!
Charlie remained reluctant to bend, and - who knows why - I was having a terrible time sitting the trot - so John had me use my inside hand like a side rein - slipping it a little, then using my thigh as a block so that he would keep the same pressure, then pushing him off of the inside leg (or whip). It was "unconventional" but designed to break his mental block about bending. We would do a circle or two with his neck bent (it was much, much easier to bend him to the right so we mostly worked to the left) and then go back to regular reins, and I could feel his shoulders lift and the balance improve.
John said it would be useful for me once I'm back at home, so if Charlie gets mentally stuck, I have some tools to try to break it myself.
It was insightful, but really hard to do. I was particularly uncoordinated at using my left leg and right hand at the same time.
In the warm up, unlike Sunday, I was NOT able to get a flying change each direction. I could get the hop and skip, but not the actual change. I didn't want to mess with it too much just before the show so I gave up but it is like he half gets what I'm asking him to do but isn't quite 100% sure yet.
It is amazing how fast the show is coming together at Caber. Two days ago they were still mowing; today most of the portable stalls were up, most of the cross country fences were numbered, and everything was mowed!
Friday, August 14, 2015
Draw rein lesson with John
Today we had a dressage lesson, but after Charlie refused to bend his neck (and quit tilting his head), even after I rode around with my inside hand up and back for FOREVER, John got the draw reins and a whip and made Charlie work his buns. Charlie had the nerve to kick out at John when he used the whip.
Peaches rode Charlie the last two days, and I could totally feel the difference when we got on, but I just could not make Charlie bend or engage his hind end. Peaches said that the first day was a stretchy ride, but the next day she really made him work, and he kept his ears back and under protest until the last five minutes when he finally softened and she could ride with a loose rein. She said she just kept pushing him into it until he did the work himself and then worked him for just five minutes and quit. She said some horses (not all ?!?) are lazy like that about dressage.
When John put the draw reins on, Charlie's shoulders suddenly lifted and he got easy to sit, but it was still a struggle to keep him going.
John suggested that he needs a couple rides in draw reins just before the show, and Peaches said that draw reins are an aid until I learn how to coordinate the leg/seat/hand aids and don't need the draw reins to help me with it.
It was a good lesson, but I was in a mood, and so I feel really frustrated. I'm ready to start getting it instead of just pounding my head against the wall.
John did say that organizers can split open classes however they want, and that it is usually "experienced" and "less experienced". So it wasn't an accident that all the pros were in one class, or that I was in that class (with other amateurs). I am going to try to take it as a sign that Charlie and I are doing well since it is still our first year riding Training level, and we didn't get in the class with the regular peeps.
Peaches rode Charlie the last two days, and I could totally feel the difference when we got on, but I just could not make Charlie bend or engage his hind end. Peaches said that the first day was a stretchy ride, but the next day she really made him work, and he kept his ears back and under protest until the last five minutes when he finally softened and she could ride with a loose rein. She said she just kept pushing him into it until he did the work himself and then worked him for just five minutes and quit. She said some horses (not all ?!?) are lazy like that about dressage.
When John put the draw reins on, Charlie's shoulders suddenly lifted and he got easy to sit, but it was still a struggle to keep him going.
John suggested that he needs a couple rides in draw reins just before the show, and Peaches said that draw reins are an aid until I learn how to coordinate the leg/seat/hand aids and don't need the draw reins to help me with it.
It was a good lesson, but I was in a mood, and so I feel really frustrated. I'm ready to start getting it instead of just pounding my head against the wall.
John did say that organizers can split open classes however they want, and that it is usually "experienced" and "less experienced". So it wasn't an accident that all the pros were in one class, or that I was in that class (with other amateurs). I am going to try to take it as a sign that Charlie and I are doing well since it is still our first year riding Training level, and we didn't get in the class with the regular peeps.
Sunday, August 09, 2015
XC at Lincoln Creek; winter projects
Cross country was fun. Charlie was a bit of a dud in warm up again, but once we got galloping on the course, he perked up. Like last time though, he seemed to be looking at the sidelines a bit more than the fences. I'm wondering if his right hip is bothering him and that's why he seems to be missing his usual zest.
The course was fun. It was a good course for Charlie because it had long stretches of gallop, so we could do those and make up some time, and then slow down for the trickier combinations.
There were several wide tables, which were fun because we had that "hang time" in the air.
Charlie did great on the trickier elements. There was a log with a left turn up the hill to a log on top and down the hill. We lost some momentum on the way up and trotted the first few steps down, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would feel.
He did great on the skinny with a hard C to another skinny and a mound under the hard C.
The roll top to a down bank into the water with a left hand turn out over another skinny, we had the same problem as at Inavale - going into the water I flopped up and over his left shoulder, but we recovered and he didn't go all crazy so we got out ok. I know the water was really deep, but now that it has happened twice, it is probably one we should work on.
The up bank was no problem, and he rode the rail, two tight downhill strides to a ditch, several strides bending left to a shark tooth like it was a cakewalk.
We were a little fast, so we did a gentle canter to the last fence and across the finish line, and were still about 20 seconds fast.
In my class, we ended up 10th (from 15th). All nine riders ahead of me were professionals. The seven or so riders who weren't all ended up below me. So I guess that is good, but I need to get better at dressage so I can start holding my own if from now on I have to compete against the professionals.
I started thinking about what we need to work on during the drive home:
1. Flying changes
2. Faster response to the leg aid (which means I also have to keep my aids OFF except when I want to give one)
3. More "oomph" coming from the hind legs (for lengthenings and for the "jump" in the canter)
I thought of a lot more than that, but I got up at 4 am yesterday and 4:30 today, so am not on my A game.
I also want to talk to John about how to school the technical stuff that shows up at Prelim. I don't even know what it looks like, let alone how to ride it, and how much we need to school before we're ready to compete.
This year was an "off" year - training level for experience, with next year the training level to win. But for the shows we did, we did pretty well. I think next year is definitely starting at Training, maybe doing some derbies at Prelim, doing the Rebecca 3 day at Training, and then maybe finishing the season at Prelim.
I am so lucky to have Charlie. He is just such a great horse.
The course was fun. It was a good course for Charlie because it had long stretches of gallop, so we could do those and make up some time, and then slow down for the trickier combinations.
There were several wide tables, which were fun because we had that "hang time" in the air.
Charlie did great on the trickier elements. There was a log with a left turn up the hill to a log on top and down the hill. We lost some momentum on the way up and trotted the first few steps down, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would feel.
He did great on the skinny with a hard C to another skinny and a mound under the hard C.
The roll top to a down bank into the water with a left hand turn out over another skinny, we had the same problem as at Inavale - going into the water I flopped up and over his left shoulder, but we recovered and he didn't go all crazy so we got out ok. I know the water was really deep, but now that it has happened twice, it is probably one we should work on.
The up bank was no problem, and he rode the rail, two tight downhill strides to a ditch, several strides bending left to a shark tooth like it was a cakewalk.
We were a little fast, so we did a gentle canter to the last fence and across the finish line, and were still about 20 seconds fast.
In my class, we ended up 10th (from 15th). All nine riders ahead of me were professionals. The seven or so riders who weren't all ended up below me. So I guess that is good, but I need to get better at dressage so I can start holding my own if from now on I have to compete against the professionals.
I started thinking about what we need to work on during the drive home:
1. Flying changes
2. Faster response to the leg aid (which means I also have to keep my aids OFF except when I want to give one)
3. More "oomph" coming from the hind legs (for lengthenings and for the "jump" in the canter)
I thought of a lot more than that, but I got up at 4 am yesterday and 4:30 today, so am not on my A game.
I also want to talk to John about how to school the technical stuff that shows up at Prelim. I don't even know what it looks like, let alone how to ride it, and how much we need to school before we're ready to compete.
This year was an "off" year - training level for experience, with next year the training level to win. But for the shows we did, we did pretty well. I think next year is definitely starting at Training, maybe doing some derbies at Prelim, doing the Rebecca 3 day at Training, and then maybe finishing the season at Prelim.
I am so lucky to have Charlie. He is just such a great horse.
Saturday, August 08, 2015
Dressage and SJ at Lincoln Creek; dressage practice with John
Yesterday John and I practiced my Training A test. He had several suggestions which were easy to remember and made a huge difference in my test. Which was good because as I'll write in a minute, I got clobbered today, even with the tips.
First, when I enter, bend Charlie just a tiny bit to the right, to make up for his tendency to go left.
In the 15 meter circles, I push him out with inside leg for the first half of the circle, then he will try to fall in for 1/4, then I push him out again for the last quarter. This is trying to go to the wall in horse logic.
I had one perfect lengthening out of four tries, so it's really a 25% gamble at the show. And after the perfect one, I got greedy and totally blew the next one.
For the stretchy circle, do a half halt before I go back to regular trot and another half halt just before the walk. This makes for a nice down transition instead of plummeting down into walk.
Then the final canter on the left lead, after the 15 meter circle, do just a touch of shoulder in and half halt before the trot transition.
For the halt transition, just as I finish, bend him to the right to prevent him from swinging his haunches out to the left.
Charlie was much more responsive to my aids after his two days of being ridden by the working students (I didn't have to nag-nag-nag each stride) but he was also a bit stiff in the jaw, and I think he was a little confused by the aids. I wonder if his "head tilting" comment in the judge's comments was what I call him stiff in the jaw.
The show was a little disappointing. I felt like we had a really good ride, pretty consistent with the rest of this year, but we were in 13th place (out of like 16!). The comments were fair, but still felt harsh compared to our other tests. Then for show jumping (same day), Charlie was a total slug. I had to kick him, with the jabby end of the spurs, and whip him, and yell at him, just to get around the course. We went double clear, but it felt like riding a heaving sack of oats.
Then when I got home, I looked up our class. 9 professionals, and the other 7(ish) of us regular people. The other training class is all regular people. And both classes didn't have any really good scores, even for the professionals. Our class had like three people with rails down; other training had like 9.
So I am going to go with my gut was right, and it was a decent ride for us - one that would have had us in about 4th if we weren't in a class of professionals.
But is that something that happens in training and up? Do we not have amateur/horse/rider classes anymore?
Cross country looks fun tomorrow. A couple new things, but nothing that looked too intimidating.
We're up to about six people asking when we're going prelim. I'll have to ask John when he thinks we'll be ready.
First, when I enter, bend Charlie just a tiny bit to the right, to make up for his tendency to go left.
In the 15 meter circles, I push him out with inside leg for the first half of the circle, then he will try to fall in for 1/4, then I push him out again for the last quarter. This is trying to go to the wall in horse logic.
I had one perfect lengthening out of four tries, so it's really a 25% gamble at the show. And after the perfect one, I got greedy and totally blew the next one.
For the stretchy circle, do a half halt before I go back to regular trot and another half halt just before the walk. This makes for a nice down transition instead of plummeting down into walk.
Then the final canter on the left lead, after the 15 meter circle, do just a touch of shoulder in and half halt before the trot transition.
For the halt transition, just as I finish, bend him to the right to prevent him from swinging his haunches out to the left.
Charlie was much more responsive to my aids after his two days of being ridden by the working students (I didn't have to nag-nag-nag each stride) but he was also a bit stiff in the jaw, and I think he was a little confused by the aids. I wonder if his "head tilting" comment in the judge's comments was what I call him stiff in the jaw.
The show was a little disappointing. I felt like we had a really good ride, pretty consistent with the rest of this year, but we were in 13th place (out of like 16!). The comments were fair, but still felt harsh compared to our other tests. Then for show jumping (same day), Charlie was a total slug. I had to kick him, with the jabby end of the spurs, and whip him, and yell at him, just to get around the course. We went double clear, but it felt like riding a heaving sack of oats.
Then when I got home, I looked up our class. 9 professionals, and the other 7(ish) of us regular people. The other training class is all regular people. And both classes didn't have any really good scores, even for the professionals. Our class had like three people with rails down; other training had like 9.
So I am going to go with my gut was right, and it was a decent ride for us - one that would have had us in about 4th if we weren't in a class of professionals.
But is that something that happens in training and up? Do we not have amateur/horse/rider classes anymore?
Cross country looks fun tomorrow. A couple new things, but nothing that looked too intimidating.
We're up to about six people asking when we're going prelim. I'll have to ask John when he thinks we'll be ready.
Tuesday, August 04, 2015
Two-point and jumping lessons with John
Sunday we had our first lesson while Charlie is in half-training at John's. We did a grueling amount of two-point. When I got tired, I would hunch my back and tuck up my legs, and today the outside of my lower legs (both of them) are sore.
We did everything in the two-point: 20 meter circles, leg yields, transitions up to and down from canter, bending to the outside …
John said it was for fitness, balance, but also to show me that I could do all kinds of things without needing to sit down in a dressage position; that Charlie is quite responsive from the two point if I need it while we're on course.
Yesterday was his first day being ridden, which I completely forgot to ask about today. But Charlie had nice svelte lower legs and no goop in his eye, and his coat looks shinier, and he seems relaxed coming into and going out of his stall (although he is a bit grass crazed).
So today we jumped. I could NOT get a three fence line right (vertical - one stride - oxer - two strides - vertical), and John said I was looking too long at the first fence, but it didn't matter how many times we did it, I kept flubbing my way through (Charlie, bless his sweet soul, just kept saving the day).
But before that, we did a couple lines to a couple fences, and they were basically no problem. On the long stretch, I needed to get Charlie back on his haunches, and the way John had me do that was to bend him to the outside and then give him a half halt. I also sent him forward in between the fences and then sat up around the corner and to the fence. John said I needed to be able to launch or come close, and I needed to be able to pick which one.
However, Charlie had decided a monster was in the woods about 5 minutes before John got there (he was all giraffe neck and blowing) so he was actually quite peppy to ride, which was nice in a way.
It wasn't my greatest riding, but it was pretty smooth. Charlie is so great.
We did everything in the two-point: 20 meter circles, leg yields, transitions up to and down from canter, bending to the outside …
John said it was for fitness, balance, but also to show me that I could do all kinds of things without needing to sit down in a dressage position; that Charlie is quite responsive from the two point if I need it while we're on course.
Yesterday was his first day being ridden, which I completely forgot to ask about today. But Charlie had nice svelte lower legs and no goop in his eye, and his coat looks shinier, and he seems relaxed coming into and going out of his stall (although he is a bit grass crazed).
So today we jumped. I could NOT get a three fence line right (vertical - one stride - oxer - two strides - vertical), and John said I was looking too long at the first fence, but it didn't matter how many times we did it, I kept flubbing my way through (Charlie, bless his sweet soul, just kept saving the day).
But before that, we did a couple lines to a couple fences, and they were basically no problem. On the long stretch, I needed to get Charlie back on his haunches, and the way John had me do that was to bend him to the outside and then give him a half halt. I also sent him forward in between the fences and then sat up around the corner and to the fence. John said I needed to be able to launch or come close, and I needed to be able to pick which one.
However, Charlie had decided a monster was in the woods about 5 minutes before John got there (he was all giraffe neck and blowing) so he was actually quite peppy to ride, which was nice in a way.
It wasn't my greatest riding, but it was pretty smooth. Charlie is so great.
Saturday, August 01, 2015
A second day of amazing insights with Beth; moving day
Charlie started out a little fresh today, but by the time we worked on the walk, he decided he wasn't anymore. We worked on the "next layer of the onion" at the walk, with more focus on me not nagging with my legs, and more focus on keeping the "two plates" (one in front, one in back) in place so that I don't have as much forward and back movement. We also worked on feeling when each of Charlie's hind legs is coming under him, so I can give prompt, precise aids based on when the hind leg is working. His leg pushes his barrel out to the other side, so when his left hind leg comes forward, his barrel goes to the right. Once Beth explained that, I had no problem knowing when the hind leg was moving, at the walk or trot, and it helped a lot with timing the leg aids.
Charlie has trained me to slip the reins, and to let him slow down in the corners. The way around this was to give a "tap-tap-tap" timed with the hind leg (the inside hind leg on a 10 meter circle, because it is the one doing the work) as we approach the corner where he's going to slow down. Also, I need to think each step and when I feel him do it, ask him for more.
Then we worked on shoulder-in and lengthening the trot. For the shoulder-in, for some reason I turn him way too far to the inside when we're tracking right, but can't turn him at all to the left. I need to twist my shoulders (gently) to the inside when we're going left.
For lengthening, I kind of launch him forward, like a flat rocket onto his forehand. The secret to the lengthening is to connect my shoulder blades into my back. For some reason that I don't fully understand yet, that prevents me from letting him shoot out in front of me, and so he rises like a motor boat taking off instead of puking down.
I also have to concentrate very very hard on not using the leg aids to nag. It took me 10 times around a 20 meter circle to walk energetically, but eventually that time will get shorter and then I will be well served by having Charlie with a lightning fast response to the leg aid.
It was a great lesson; a little harder than yesterday but with a lot of great tips that I could feel and apply myself, and like always, Charlie was a champ who responded instantly so that I could feel when I did it right.
He's at John's starting today for six weeks, while we close on the new house. Exciting!
Charlie has trained me to slip the reins, and to let him slow down in the corners. The way around this was to give a "tap-tap-tap" timed with the hind leg (the inside hind leg on a 10 meter circle, because it is the one doing the work) as we approach the corner where he's going to slow down. Also, I need to think each step and when I feel him do it, ask him for more.
Then we worked on shoulder-in and lengthening the trot. For the shoulder-in, for some reason I turn him way too far to the inside when we're tracking right, but can't turn him at all to the left. I need to twist my shoulders (gently) to the inside when we're going left.
For lengthening, I kind of launch him forward, like a flat rocket onto his forehand. The secret to the lengthening is to connect my shoulder blades into my back. For some reason that I don't fully understand yet, that prevents me from letting him shoot out in front of me, and so he rises like a motor boat taking off instead of puking down.
I also have to concentrate very very hard on not using the leg aids to nag. It took me 10 times around a 20 meter circle to walk energetically, but eventually that time will get shorter and then I will be well served by having Charlie with a lightning fast response to the leg aid.
It was a great lesson; a little harder than yesterday but with a lot of great tips that I could feel and apply myself, and like always, Charlie was a champ who responded instantly so that I could feel when I did it right.
He's at John's starting today for six weeks, while we close on the new house. Exciting!
Friday, July 31, 2015
Amazing lesson with Beth - all kinds of things clicked!
I started my first clinic ride with Beth telling her that although I needed to keep working on all the things, I also felt like I was at the next step - a step that is so far out of my grasp that I don't even know what it is we'll be working on.
Beth told me. :) She said that it is beginning collection - getting Charlie to begin to step high underneath himself, and not go forward, but up. And amazingly enough, that's what we started to do!
Beth was on fire with excellent descriptions of what was going on and how to adjust my body and what to feel, so it was just like: Pow! Pow! Pow! with me "getting it".
We started with a walk (that marching walk that she doesn't call a march). Tip #1: If I lean a little more forward than I think is normal, the movement from Charlie switches from making me have a snaking back to hula hips. Too far forward and I go back to snaking, but just a wee bit forward from normal, the movement goes left right left right in my legs and hips. Once that happens, then I can squeeze/release (sometimes tap), and so long as I keep my hands firm so Charlie doesn't "leak out" the front, he starts rounding up and marching. He is very good at getting me to open my fingers and let him stretch his neck out, though.
From a walk where I can halt or trot at any step - once it is at that walk but not while I'm still messing around with it - we can go to a trot. Tip #2: the crazy sashay I have in the posting trot? Well, it is there in the sitting trot too. I was in denial, but if I "tighten" my left side (easiest to do by putting my left elbow on my hip), *AND* let my right hip move (by thinking about it being equal with my left hip), then I quit sashaying so much.
Tip #3: I can't feel it in my hips, but I can feel it in my legs. So when I start trotting, if I check in on how each leg feels, I can even them out. Generally, my left leg feels long and flappy (Beth says it kind of moves in a little circle but we'll fix that later) and my right leg is still all curled up tight like a tick. If I think about making them feel symmetrical, then like a miracle, Charlie's shoulders balance up and he gets nice and fluffy to sit on.
We did some leg yields, and Beth says I am working too hard. This was actually a theme throughout. I give an aid every stride, so she made me lift my legs off and hold them off until I needed to give an aid again. Especially to the right (off the left leg), I clench so tight I start lifting my heel.
An aid needs to have a beginning - middle - end, and most importantly, a purpose. Charlie needs to react to it. I can't get away much longer with my sloppy aids. He was being bad today too, ignoring the trot aid the first time like he had no idea what I was asking for.
When I sat balanced and did a leg yield without lifting my heel, I could feel Charlie's whole body lift and move sideways instead of us just slouching sideways across the arena.
Charlie is a great horse to learn on because he makes you ask for it correctly, but once I do, he instantly rewards me by showing me how different it feels to do it the correct way.
Then we worked on canter. Tip #4: I need to close my knees and not let them flap on and off the saddle. I'm not sure why (I was too busy concentrating on keeping them down to ask) but when I would rest them on the saddle, Charlie kept trying to use it as an excuse to trot. Same thing with my aids too - I need to not ask every stride to keep him going. He has to learn to keep himself going.
I also need to tuck my pelvis just a little, but that little bit helps me kind of root into his back.
Tip #5: Then we worked on Charlie on a smaller circle at the canter. This was pretty cool. First, he would stick his neck up in the air, and my job was just to keep him on the smaller circle and not let him break. Eventually, he would round his neck, and go from a hollow back hard to sit on horse to a round frame delightful to ride horse, and then we would make the circle bigger and then give him a break. It was much more difficult for both of us to do going to the right. His weak left hind leg, my crookedness. (Although! Tip #6: if I turned just a tiny bit to the outside, I suddenly got balanced and everything got easier - it was a "eureka" feeling for what is happening with the sashay at the trot) Anyway, what happens is he is figuring out that he can step under himself with his hind legs instead of shooting them out behind him (like that lesson with Asia), and when he tucks them under, he automatically gets round and soft in his back.
All in all, it was an amazing lesson. Beth showed me exactly what I needed to start looking for and how to get it and how it felt.
There are probably a zillion other tips that were in the 45 minutes, but this feels like enough to work on for the next couple months!
Beth told me. :) She said that it is beginning collection - getting Charlie to begin to step high underneath himself, and not go forward, but up. And amazingly enough, that's what we started to do!
Beth was on fire with excellent descriptions of what was going on and how to adjust my body and what to feel, so it was just like: Pow! Pow! Pow! with me "getting it".
We started with a walk (that marching walk that she doesn't call a march). Tip #1: If I lean a little more forward than I think is normal, the movement from Charlie switches from making me have a snaking back to hula hips. Too far forward and I go back to snaking, but just a wee bit forward from normal, the movement goes left right left right in my legs and hips. Once that happens, then I can squeeze/release (sometimes tap), and so long as I keep my hands firm so Charlie doesn't "leak out" the front, he starts rounding up and marching. He is very good at getting me to open my fingers and let him stretch his neck out, though.
From a walk where I can halt or trot at any step - once it is at that walk but not while I'm still messing around with it - we can go to a trot. Tip #2: the crazy sashay I have in the posting trot? Well, it is there in the sitting trot too. I was in denial, but if I "tighten" my left side (easiest to do by putting my left elbow on my hip), *AND* let my right hip move (by thinking about it being equal with my left hip), then I quit sashaying so much.
Tip #3: I can't feel it in my hips, but I can feel it in my legs. So when I start trotting, if I check in on how each leg feels, I can even them out. Generally, my left leg feels long and flappy (Beth says it kind of moves in a little circle but we'll fix that later) and my right leg is still all curled up tight like a tick. If I think about making them feel symmetrical, then like a miracle, Charlie's shoulders balance up and he gets nice and fluffy to sit on.
We did some leg yields, and Beth says I am working too hard. This was actually a theme throughout. I give an aid every stride, so she made me lift my legs off and hold them off until I needed to give an aid again. Especially to the right (off the left leg), I clench so tight I start lifting my heel.
An aid needs to have a beginning - middle - end, and most importantly, a purpose. Charlie needs to react to it. I can't get away much longer with my sloppy aids. He was being bad today too, ignoring the trot aid the first time like he had no idea what I was asking for.
When I sat balanced and did a leg yield without lifting my heel, I could feel Charlie's whole body lift and move sideways instead of us just slouching sideways across the arena.
Charlie is a great horse to learn on because he makes you ask for it correctly, but once I do, he instantly rewards me by showing me how different it feels to do it the correct way.
Then we worked on canter. Tip #4: I need to close my knees and not let them flap on and off the saddle. I'm not sure why (I was too busy concentrating on keeping them down to ask) but when I would rest them on the saddle, Charlie kept trying to use it as an excuse to trot. Same thing with my aids too - I need to not ask every stride to keep him going. He has to learn to keep himself going.
I also need to tuck my pelvis just a little, but that little bit helps me kind of root into his back.
Tip #5: Then we worked on Charlie on a smaller circle at the canter. This was pretty cool. First, he would stick his neck up in the air, and my job was just to keep him on the smaller circle and not let him break. Eventually, he would round his neck, and go from a hollow back hard to sit on horse to a round frame delightful to ride horse, and then we would make the circle bigger and then give him a break. It was much more difficult for both of us to do going to the right. His weak left hind leg, my crookedness. (Although! Tip #6: if I turned just a tiny bit to the outside, I suddenly got balanced and everything got easier - it was a "eureka" feeling for what is happening with the sashay at the trot) Anyway, what happens is he is figuring out that he can step under himself with his hind legs instead of shooting them out behind him (like that lesson with Asia), and when he tucks them under, he automatically gets round and soft in his back.
All in all, it was an amazing lesson. Beth showed me exactly what I needed to start looking for and how to get it and how it felt.
There are probably a zillion other tips that were in the 45 minutes, but this feels like enough to work on for the next couple months!
Friday, July 17, 2015
Stitches out; dressage lesson
I took Charlie's stitches out today in his shoulder. It was a few days early, but it looks good. I accidentally knocked off the scab on the left shoulder, so it isn't looking as great.
I had a dressage lesson with John. He gave me three jump exercises for homework while he is in Montana and then the next week, my Tuesday and Friday both have conflicts.
We worked on getting "more" of everything - more round, more connection, and more impulsion. He said while he is gone, the most important thing I work on is getting that feeling of being on a 20 meter circle and then asking for more of everything. He said if Charlie is stiff and won't bend at all, then I lift the inside hand (the direction he's not bending) until he gives, then put my hand back down.
We worked on 10 meter circles, leg yielding, and changing from canter to trot through the diagonal. John said he was trying to get Charlie to use that inside leg. Every few moves, we would get it right and it would all click, but I'm not at that point where it's reliable yet.
John also said he thought it progress from last year that I could see what was being tested on the courses at Whidbey (at least, I thought I could see it), and that now that I can see it, he can help me get faster at responding. But I couldn't get faster until I could see what the test was.
The ride felt really good; it feels to me like we are much better connected and I have many more tools in my toolbox than last year.
I am jealous that we're not going to Rebecca, but only one more qualifying ride and we can go next year!
I had a dressage lesson with John. He gave me three jump exercises for homework while he is in Montana and then the next week, my Tuesday and Friday both have conflicts.
We worked on getting "more" of everything - more round, more connection, and more impulsion. He said while he is gone, the most important thing I work on is getting that feeling of being on a 20 meter circle and then asking for more of everything. He said if Charlie is stiff and won't bend at all, then I lift the inside hand (the direction he's not bending) until he gives, then put my hand back down.
We worked on 10 meter circles, leg yielding, and changing from canter to trot through the diagonal. John said he was trying to get Charlie to use that inside leg. Every few moves, we would get it right and it would all click, but I'm not at that point where it's reliable yet.
John also said he thought it progress from last year that I could see what was being tested on the courses at Whidbey (at least, I thought I could see it), and that now that I can see it, he can help me get faster at responding. But I couldn't get faster until I could see what the test was.
The ride felt really good; it feels to me like we are much better connected and I have many more tools in my toolbox than last year.
I am jealous that we're not going to Rebecca, but only one more qualifying ride and we can go next year!
Tuesday, July 07, 2015
Flying change success!
During today's jump lesson, on approximately our third (but possibly 10th) try, we finally got a right to left flying lead change!! Without any leaping, just a regular old, "oh, you wanted a change, ok here it is" kind of thing! John clapped.
We also rode a few lines (a six stride, a five stride to a one stride, and a long four) quite well and forward. When Charlie took off, I could feel my hips close like they are supposed to, instead of jumping ahead.
It wasn't perfect, but somehow I got him nice and forward and he was eager to jump also.
Then we went on a nice long walk on John's uphill trail to cool off.
Charlie is such a great boy.
The secret to the change was the 3-10 tries before that, the lesson earlier in the week, but most (?) importantly, I took a breath, I'd ask him to bend right, I'd do a half pass right (on a circle), then I'd change his bend to left, lift my right hand, and ask with my legs for the new lead. I had to do each step and do each one precisely and calmly.
He did a little better too, after we jumped a fence and landed left, he'd remember left and be more likely to land on the left lead (instead of his usual 90% on the right lead no matter what) - but I am also doing a much better job looking, bending a bit a few strides out, but I still need work on my leg aids for the correct lead when we are taking off.
I also walked the lines when we were done, and the 6 walked one step short (4'), the 5 walked perfectly, and the 4 walked one big step long (4'+) so I can now apply that to walking the SJ course at the shows for when I need to ride big into one vs. ride regular vs. ride tight.
We also rode a few lines (a six stride, a five stride to a one stride, and a long four) quite well and forward. When Charlie took off, I could feel my hips close like they are supposed to, instead of jumping ahead.
It wasn't perfect, but somehow I got him nice and forward and he was eager to jump also.
Then we went on a nice long walk on John's uphill trail to cool off.
Charlie is such a great boy.
The secret to the change was the 3-10 tries before that, the lesson earlier in the week, but most (?) importantly, I took a breath, I'd ask him to bend right, I'd do a half pass right (on a circle), then I'd change his bend to left, lift my right hand, and ask with my legs for the new lead. I had to do each step and do each one precisely and calmly.
He did a little better too, after we jumped a fence and landed left, he'd remember left and be more likely to land on the left lead (instead of his usual 90% on the right lead no matter what) - but I am also doing a much better job looking, bending a bit a few strides out, but I still need work on my leg aids for the correct lead when we are taking off.
I also walked the lines when we were done, and the 6 walked one step short (4'), the 5 walked perfectly, and the 4 walked one big step long (4'+) so I can now apply that to walking the SJ course at the shows for when I need to ride big into one vs. ride regular vs. ride tight.
Saturday, July 04, 2015
Progress on flying leads!
Today we worked again on our flying lead changes. We took a break from it the last few months, but pretty much everyone I watched at Training and above for show jumping could do them, and I just can't see how I will be able to get around a prelim show jumping course without them.
It was great! First, Charlie caught on to the concept almost instantly (where he started offering them), which was a huge difference, because that seemed to be a mental hold up for him for years. He got the idea of doing them from left to right, but it was like he couldn't even wrap his head around the concept from right to left.
He was trying to do them, but in this huge lunging, kicking way, where he would leap up all gigantic and forward (actually, that is what I saw him doing with Shannon over a ground pole in a lesson with Mike several years ago), and so sometimes he would get the change during the huge leap, but sometimes he wouldn't.
As we kept working, he quit needing to do the huge leap, and could do them a bit more reasonably.
John felt that I was a lot stronger and more balanced, so I could sit up and give something to Charlie to press into. We also added in the detail of using my inside hip to press down, like if we were on the right lead and changing to the left, I would press down on my left seat bone, and put my right leg back, and use the whip, as well as have him bend to the left.
We worked on this with a couple of exercises. We would half pass from the corner to the center line, and then turn the opposite direction (so if we half passed in the canter from K to X on the right lead, then I would bend him left at "G" so that at C, in theory, we would be on the left lead heading back towards H). We also turned on the diagonal, then half passed starting at X, so if I was on the left lead, I would go pass A, turn left at F, at X start half passing to the left, turn his head right, and ask for the change at H, so by C we would be on the right lead.
Charlie was soaking wet (it was also hot out) so I walked him on the trail afterwards. It was a really great lesson. It's too much for me to try to do on my own, because John said he has a couple ways to try to evade the work (and it took me a while to get him really half passing). When he does the carousel horse, John says we have to nip that in the bud immediately. At one point, Charlie got really frustrated and wouldn't listen to anything or bend left at all, so John had us halt, then bend him left, then do a turn on the forehand, then go back to work, and it seemed to reset Charlie's brain. When he was doing the carousel horse, John had us quit working on the flying leads and work on some trot work and transitions instead.
I liked that there was a pattern that set Charlie up for success, and also helped him figure out what we were asking him for, and I also like that it is a pattern I will never do in a dressage test, so he won't get too exuberant and start trying it willy nilly.
I also asked John about my two flops where Charlie saved my bacon at Inavale. He said for the water, that it starts out at about 6", but within one stride, is like 2' deep. He asked Peaches, and she said pretty much every rider had issues in the water. So that's why the jump felt fine, and then I flopped, it was the footing and Charlie scrambling in it. He also said everyone had trouble with the triple, because when they removed the first hibiscus, it took the "round" out of the turn, and everyone ended up making an angled turn, where we drifted right toward the judge's stand, and didn't come in nice and straight. He said if they had left that fence up, it would have helped make the turn more structured. So it wasn't just me, but I was lucky to have good boy Charlie (and all those grids) work through it.
Charlie got a puncture wound on Tuesday. Diane said his stall gate seemed to have gotten half shut, and then there was a bolt on the "inside" that Charlie could have done it on. It was the only thing they found (and they took the gate out). He seems to be doing ok. I talked with her (and Bre) about whether Charlie was too much for them. They said he is more than they are used to, but they have that young horse that isn't ridden and Kevin …
She also told me that on Wednesday (?), Deb Stevens came by looking for a place to board. She said that Deb said that she used to be at Forest Park. I told her I had never met Deb. She said Deb wanted to hug Charlie, but so far as I know, the only time she would have met him was when he was a baby.
It was great! First, Charlie caught on to the concept almost instantly (where he started offering them), which was a huge difference, because that seemed to be a mental hold up for him for years. He got the idea of doing them from left to right, but it was like he couldn't even wrap his head around the concept from right to left.
He was trying to do them, but in this huge lunging, kicking way, where he would leap up all gigantic and forward (actually, that is what I saw him doing with Shannon over a ground pole in a lesson with Mike several years ago), and so sometimes he would get the change during the huge leap, but sometimes he wouldn't.
As we kept working, he quit needing to do the huge leap, and could do them a bit more reasonably.
John felt that I was a lot stronger and more balanced, so I could sit up and give something to Charlie to press into. We also added in the detail of using my inside hip to press down, like if we were on the right lead and changing to the left, I would press down on my left seat bone, and put my right leg back, and use the whip, as well as have him bend to the left.
We worked on this with a couple of exercises. We would half pass from the corner to the center line, and then turn the opposite direction (so if we half passed in the canter from K to X on the right lead, then I would bend him left at "G" so that at C, in theory, we would be on the left lead heading back towards H). We also turned on the diagonal, then half passed starting at X, so if I was on the left lead, I would go pass A, turn left at F, at X start half passing to the left, turn his head right, and ask for the change at H, so by C we would be on the right lead.
Charlie was soaking wet (it was also hot out) so I walked him on the trail afterwards. It was a really great lesson. It's too much for me to try to do on my own, because John said he has a couple ways to try to evade the work (and it took me a while to get him really half passing). When he does the carousel horse, John says we have to nip that in the bud immediately. At one point, Charlie got really frustrated and wouldn't listen to anything or bend left at all, so John had us halt, then bend him left, then do a turn on the forehand, then go back to work, and it seemed to reset Charlie's brain. When he was doing the carousel horse, John had us quit working on the flying leads and work on some trot work and transitions instead.
I liked that there was a pattern that set Charlie up for success, and also helped him figure out what we were asking him for, and I also like that it is a pattern I will never do in a dressage test, so he won't get too exuberant and start trying it willy nilly.
I also asked John about my two flops where Charlie saved my bacon at Inavale. He said for the water, that it starts out at about 6", but within one stride, is like 2' deep. He asked Peaches, and she said pretty much every rider had issues in the water. So that's why the jump felt fine, and then I flopped, it was the footing and Charlie scrambling in it. He also said everyone had trouble with the triple, because when they removed the first hibiscus, it took the "round" out of the turn, and everyone ended up making an angled turn, where we drifted right toward the judge's stand, and didn't come in nice and straight. He said if they had left that fence up, it would have helped make the turn more structured. So it wasn't just me, but I was lucky to have good boy Charlie (and all those grids) work through it.
Charlie got a puncture wound on Tuesday. Diane said his stall gate seemed to have gotten half shut, and then there was a bolt on the "inside" that Charlie could have done it on. It was the only thing they found (and they took the gate out). He seems to be doing ok. I talked with her (and Bre) about whether Charlie was too much for them. They said he is more than they are used to, but they have that young horse that isn't ridden and Kevin …
She also told me that on Wednesday (?), Deb Stevens came by looking for a place to board. She said that Deb said that she used to be at Forest Park. I told her I had never met Deb. She said Deb wanted to hug Charlie, but so far as I know, the only time she would have met him was when he was a baby.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Inavale was hot!
95ish Friday and Saturday, maybe only 85 on Sunday. Despite the searing heat, it hailed from minutes 4-6 of my cross country ride (with a 0% chance of rain) and just before I show jumped (2% chance).
The negative is we got 4th, after being tied for 5th after dressage and cross country.
The positives were:
- I felt that our dressage was much, much stronger than last year, even if the score didn't reflect it. I think the pictures showed it too. I could tell it was a picture of a trot lengthening and a canter lengthening just by Charlie.
- Charlie saved my bacon once in cross country and once in show jumping. He is an honest gentleman.
- I was very, very, very nervous about cross country after the first time I walked it. After the second time, I was still pretty nervous. The third walk was with John, and that made me feel a lot better. The fourth walk was a half walk and it was just to cement what John had told me.
- I watched the upper level riders and it was surprising how difficult a time they had. It made me feel better that even they make mistakes.
- Charlie was an absolute rock star in show jumping. I did pretty well (there is a photo of my head looking at the next fence from the center of the air over the fence - go me), until the triple, and then somehow I just completely fell apart over the first fence, stood straight up to get out of Charlie's way over the center over, and then Charlie the champ finished up on his own with me hanging on his mouth. Thank god for all those grids with John and Charlie just dutifully doing his job, unlike some of the bad horses we saw.
- The cross country had a big wide table (fence 5), then an angled three log into the water, out a ramp, to an angled ramp, two strides, down bank. I was on Charlie's neck in the water, and so again, like a true workhorse, he just took us through the ramp and down bank as smooth as could be.
He is a super, duper horse.
Then we had a HUGE trakhener, a few giant log piles, a "lion trap", and then an uphill with a hard left turn to an up bank, one stride, log pile. He did them all like he just loved his job.
I can't say enough good things about what a good boy he was. He is an amazing horse.
I wore my dressage jacket even though they were waived, and we messed up the halt, but he did really well for 8 minutes of warm up. I did a super light warm up for cross country and I was worried about the heat, 420 mpm, and 6 minutes, but then we were fast! 5:23 instead of 6:01.
I hung up a fly sheet for shade the end of the second day, and had a little battery powered fan going. He got sweaty just standing in the stall and didn't eat as much as normal, but peed and pooped pretty well.
It was fun. I think I'll need to do training again next year, but that was my original thought anyway. 1 year BN, 2 years N, 2 years T, and then 3-4 years P.
The good part was I had even more time to think between the fences and in the dressage movements, I had a little better working knowledge about what the course was asking for and how to work it, and I felt like we did a really good job together, even with the hiccups in getting started with the show season this year.
The negative is we got 4th, after being tied for 5th after dressage and cross country.
The positives were:
- I felt that our dressage was much, much stronger than last year, even if the score didn't reflect it. I think the pictures showed it too. I could tell it was a picture of a trot lengthening and a canter lengthening just by Charlie.
- Charlie saved my bacon once in cross country and once in show jumping. He is an honest gentleman.
- I was very, very, very nervous about cross country after the first time I walked it. After the second time, I was still pretty nervous. The third walk was with John, and that made me feel a lot better. The fourth walk was a half walk and it was just to cement what John had told me.
- I watched the upper level riders and it was surprising how difficult a time they had. It made me feel better that even they make mistakes.
- Charlie was an absolute rock star in show jumping. I did pretty well (there is a photo of my head looking at the next fence from the center of the air over the fence - go me), until the triple, and then somehow I just completely fell apart over the first fence, stood straight up to get out of Charlie's way over the center over, and then Charlie the champ finished up on his own with me hanging on his mouth. Thank god for all those grids with John and Charlie just dutifully doing his job, unlike some of the bad horses we saw.
- The cross country had a big wide table (fence 5), then an angled three log into the water, out a ramp, to an angled ramp, two strides, down bank. I was on Charlie's neck in the water, and so again, like a true workhorse, he just took us through the ramp and down bank as smooth as could be.
He is a super, duper horse.
Then we had a HUGE trakhener, a few giant log piles, a "lion trap", and then an uphill with a hard left turn to an up bank, one stride, log pile. He did them all like he just loved his job.
I can't say enough good things about what a good boy he was. He is an amazing horse.
I wore my dressage jacket even though they were waived, and we messed up the halt, but he did really well for 8 minutes of warm up. I did a super light warm up for cross country and I was worried about the heat, 420 mpm, and 6 minutes, but then we were fast! 5:23 instead of 6:01.
I hung up a fly sheet for shade the end of the second day, and had a little battery powered fan going. He got sweaty just standing in the stall and didn't eat as much as normal, but peed and pooped pretty well.
It was fun. I think I'll need to do training again next year, but that was my original thought anyway. 1 year BN, 2 years N, 2 years T, and then 3-4 years P.
The good part was I had even more time to think between the fences and in the dressage movements, I had a little better working knowledge about what the course was asking for and how to work it, and I felt like we did a really good job together, even with the hiccups in getting started with the show season this year.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Dressage with draw reins
In preparation for Inavale (fingers crossed), we rode in draw reins today. It was 84 out, and Charlie was a bit of a slug again. I feel bad - I should have him skinnier and in better shape before asking him to work in this heat, but I never expected it would get this hot this early in the season, and the last couple months got away from me.
We worked on 10 meter circles down the centerline, changing direction. Then we did quarter line to quarter line 10 meter circles. Wait - those are the same thing.
Then we picked up the canter from the quarter line, which was really, really difficult to do. John said he expects in warm up, in a big grassy field with no wall, Charlie will kind of ignore my aids and not really pay attention. So he recommended that kind of precision in picking up the correct canter when it sort of surprises him.
Then we did some lengthening, at both trot and canter. At first, this was difficult to really get Charlie going, but after the 10 meter circles, we got the most amazing lengthened trot yet, and then some really nice canter as well.
The draw reins really help, although I tend to let them slip.
We also worked on a 10 meter circle on Charlie's bend. It is asking with the inside leg (next to the girth!) and then at the same time, half halting with the outside hand. There is also asking him to leg yield to the outside while on the 10 meter circle, except for then the outside hand holds him and he doesn't really leg yield out.
John said it was a bit overdone, so that the show will feel like less.
As we were leaving, he talked a bit about the styles of showing, how 4* horses average competition lifespan is now 2 years, but the average age of an Olympic horse is 17 and it used to be 9. He said it used to be very difficult to get a 9 in dressage, and then suddenly it got much easier. He said it is also much more difficult for the horses going advanced and above because they have to have considerable collection for dressage, but then they can't collect like that to get over the cross country fences, so they have to know to listen to the collection for dressage but the same aid means something different for cross country. It was really interesting.
He said again not to warm up for 15 minutes - to get out there, get immediately to work, and then stop so I don't wear him out. He said check on how many riders are ahead, because sometimes they get really far behind and in the heat, I do not want to overwarm up Charlie.
We worked on 10 meter circles down the centerline, changing direction. Then we did quarter line to quarter line 10 meter circles. Wait - those are the same thing.
Then we picked up the canter from the quarter line, which was really, really difficult to do. John said he expects in warm up, in a big grassy field with no wall, Charlie will kind of ignore my aids and not really pay attention. So he recommended that kind of precision in picking up the correct canter when it sort of surprises him.
Then we did some lengthening, at both trot and canter. At first, this was difficult to really get Charlie going, but after the 10 meter circles, we got the most amazing lengthened trot yet, and then some really nice canter as well.
The draw reins really help, although I tend to let them slip.
We also worked on a 10 meter circle on Charlie's bend. It is asking with the inside leg (next to the girth!) and then at the same time, half halting with the outside hand. There is also asking him to leg yield to the outside while on the 10 meter circle, except for then the outside hand holds him and he doesn't really leg yield out.
John said it was a bit overdone, so that the show will feel like less.
As we were leaving, he talked a bit about the styles of showing, how 4* horses average competition lifespan is now 2 years, but the average age of an Olympic horse is 17 and it used to be 9. He said it used to be very difficult to get a 9 in dressage, and then suddenly it got much easier. He said it is also much more difficult for the horses going advanced and above because they have to have considerable collection for dressage, but then they can't collect like that to get over the cross country fences, so they have to know to listen to the collection for dressage but the same aid means something different for cross country. It was really interesting.
He said again not to warm up for 15 minutes - to get out there, get immediately to work, and then stop so I don't wear him out. He said check on how many riders are ahead, because sometimes they get really far behind and in the heat, I do not want to overwarm up Charlie.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Jump lesson with a quindrille (?)
I was fortunate enough to have two lessons with John this week; one dressage and one jump. It was pretty warm today, and warm up was like riding a hunk of concrete. Not only could I not get Charlie to bend, but he was essentially utterly non-responsive to my leg as well and heavy on my hand.
John had us do work on a circle, with a bend to the outside, make the circle smaller, bend to the inside while keeping everything else the same, and then leg yield back out. What this does is get Charlie bending around my leg, and then lifting through his shoulders, without just going around the ring fighting with him. Charlie and I are both stubborn, I think.
But jumping felt the same - it was like riding a downhill sled with no gas in it towards each fence. John had an oxer with a left turn to a brick wall with a right turn back to the oxer. I rode him to each fence whomping my legs on and off. I was pouring sweat and panting, but it felt like I was riding a sack of potatoes. I don't know if it was the heat or what.
Then we added in the row of five fences with a single stride between each. These were a bit more interesting because the first couple were a little bumpy, but the last two were always great regardless of how the first two started. (the one in the middle was just the middle) John said I was looking too long at the first fence, but sometimes I would also get us on a bit of an angle, but Charlie the champ would get us through anyway. The last two were really nice - he would round up and it just felt correct.
We did this a couple directions, and he finally whacked the brick wall oxer pretty good, and after that, he was a little less casual about picking up his own legs.
For the lead change, John says I get the front pretty consistently if I remember to turn my head the way I want to go. The back isn't changing, and John says to try to remember to put my outside leg on. As I type this, I'm pretty sure I'm putting my inside leg on, so I'll have to try to watch that next time.
I was also riding with my short crop, after months and months of riding with the super long crop. I hated it, so it was good to practice with John because I probably won't jump again before the show (fingers crossed we make it to this one).
It is supposed to be 101 next Saturday on cross country day.
I put standing wraps on Charlie when we got back to the barn, but I got too anxious about them sagging, him getting tangled in them, and then panicking and killing himself in the night, so we went back out and took them off. They were on for about four hours, but I didn't really see any difference.
John says for the heat, give electrolytes and cut the warm up in about half. (15 minutes instead of 30) I figure we also won't worry so much about making the time cross country because I don't want to fry him for show jumping.
It was a good lesson because I'd way rather ride with John in the heat before I ride in the show at the heat, but it was also kind of frustrating because I just didn't feel like I had him going.
John also said to keep his head up more. He said Charlie was actually coming into the jump ok, but I'd let his head drop. I need to follow up with him on that one. I thought I understood it at the time but now that I'm writing it, I'm not sure I do. He also wanted to know where my list of questions was, which was hilarious. If I hadn't had such an incredibly terrible bad start to the day, I probably would have had one, but I was wiped out and just grateful to be riding outside in the sun and not at work.
John reminded me he doesn't like to jump them unless they've done dressage the day before, which I try to do, but I had a meeting last night and there wasn't any way to squeeze in a ride too.
John had us do work on a circle, with a bend to the outside, make the circle smaller, bend to the inside while keeping everything else the same, and then leg yield back out. What this does is get Charlie bending around my leg, and then lifting through his shoulders, without just going around the ring fighting with him. Charlie and I are both stubborn, I think.
But jumping felt the same - it was like riding a downhill sled with no gas in it towards each fence. John had an oxer with a left turn to a brick wall with a right turn back to the oxer. I rode him to each fence whomping my legs on and off. I was pouring sweat and panting, but it felt like I was riding a sack of potatoes. I don't know if it was the heat or what.
Then we added in the row of five fences with a single stride between each. These were a bit more interesting because the first couple were a little bumpy, but the last two were always great regardless of how the first two started. (the one in the middle was just the middle) John said I was looking too long at the first fence, but sometimes I would also get us on a bit of an angle, but Charlie the champ would get us through anyway. The last two were really nice - he would round up and it just felt correct.
We did this a couple directions, and he finally whacked the brick wall oxer pretty good, and after that, he was a little less casual about picking up his own legs.
For the lead change, John says I get the front pretty consistently if I remember to turn my head the way I want to go. The back isn't changing, and John says to try to remember to put my outside leg on. As I type this, I'm pretty sure I'm putting my inside leg on, so I'll have to try to watch that next time.
I was also riding with my short crop, after months and months of riding with the super long crop. I hated it, so it was good to practice with John because I probably won't jump again before the show (fingers crossed we make it to this one).
It is supposed to be 101 next Saturday on cross country day.
I put standing wraps on Charlie when we got back to the barn, but I got too anxious about them sagging, him getting tangled in them, and then panicking and killing himself in the night, so we went back out and took them off. They were on for about four hours, but I didn't really see any difference.
John says for the heat, give electrolytes and cut the warm up in about half. (15 minutes instead of 30) I figure we also won't worry so much about making the time cross country because I don't want to fry him for show jumping.
It was a good lesson because I'd way rather ride with John in the heat before I ride in the show at the heat, but it was also kind of frustrating because I just didn't feel like I had him going.
John also said to keep his head up more. He said Charlie was actually coming into the jump ok, but I'd let his head drop. I need to follow up with him on that one. I thought I understood it at the time but now that I'm writing it, I'm not sure I do. He also wanted to know where my list of questions was, which was hilarious. If I hadn't had such an incredibly terrible bad start to the day, I probably would have had one, but I was wiped out and just grateful to be riding outside in the sun and not at work.
John reminded me he doesn't like to jump them unless they've done dressage the day before, which I try to do, but I had a meeting last night and there wasn't any way to squeeze in a ride too.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
3 loop serpentine at trot and canter
We didn't get to compete at Aspen because Charlie was ridiculously lame on Friday. By Monday, he was back to normal. No heat, no swelling, nothing I could find. Per Dr. W's instructions, I gave him standing wraps, bute, stall rest, and cold hosing for three days, and the fourth day was just stall rest and then I got on him.
Then today we went to John's, where I still couldn't feel anything. After my lesson, we watched a couple others, and Charlie did feel a little stiff as we walked off, so I'm wondering if it is not a foot but like a pulled muscle?
I asked John to look at his wind puffs and he said yes, indeed, they were wind puffs. I told him I was anxious because Charlie never had them before and he said Charlie was never really working before.
During our lesson, we worked on more exercises that I can do at home. They are designed to avoid frustration, where I am asking Charlie for the same thing in the same movement and not getting it. They are supposed to keep Charlie sharp and responsive, making him naturally engaged instead of me trying to force him into it.
The exercises were:
10 meter circle to quarter line, leg yield to wall
4 loop serpentines (10 meter half circles), then deep into corner, outside rein, inside rein, then forward down the long side
3 loop serpentine to quarter line, leg yield to X, leg yield back to quarter line (and vice versa, leg yield to B or E, then back to quarter line)
3 loop serpentine at canter
By the end, Charlie was naturally lifted (although it helped that he has had essentially five days off).
John said that unless there is swelling, from now on he goes to the show and if he is lame, he gets bute. He said that some abscesses can come and go, so the foot is tender if they step on a rock, but then they get over it, and it ebbs and flows until the abscess is done working its way out.
Then we watched one of his students on her young former racehorse. There were some antics from the horse that made me realize how much I am lacking in the control and balance department. Then I watched a novice rider's jump lesson, and her horse lacked forward, so it was very helpful to watch her working on that.
As always, a great lesson with John that made my entire day.
I volunteered at Aspen for 1 1/2 of the days. I worked mostly show jumping, and it was helpful to see the variety of riding styles (and personalities). I walked the cross country course, and that was a huge relief. There was a hard left turn to a roll top with a few strides to a log with a down bank into the water (first water combination) and I think one other slightly tricky combination, but other than that, I knew what the course was asking for and at least technically, I knew how to ride it (I think). Nothing looked too scary or too hard, so Training is probably exactly right for this year ... if we can just get going. I am very anxious that I am such a horrible horsekeeper that I am ruining Charlie. Thank god for having John around to check in on him.
Then today we went to John's, where I still couldn't feel anything. After my lesson, we watched a couple others, and Charlie did feel a little stiff as we walked off, so I'm wondering if it is not a foot but like a pulled muscle?
I asked John to look at his wind puffs and he said yes, indeed, they were wind puffs. I told him I was anxious because Charlie never had them before and he said Charlie was never really working before.
During our lesson, we worked on more exercises that I can do at home. They are designed to avoid frustration, where I am asking Charlie for the same thing in the same movement and not getting it. They are supposed to keep Charlie sharp and responsive, making him naturally engaged instead of me trying to force him into it.
The exercises were:
10 meter circle to quarter line, leg yield to wall
4 loop serpentines (10 meter half circles), then deep into corner, outside rein, inside rein, then forward down the long side
3 loop serpentine to quarter line, leg yield to X, leg yield back to quarter line (and vice versa, leg yield to B or E, then back to quarter line)
3 loop serpentine at canter
By the end, Charlie was naturally lifted (although it helped that he has had essentially five days off).
John said that unless there is swelling, from now on he goes to the show and if he is lame, he gets bute. He said that some abscesses can come and go, so the foot is tender if they step on a rock, but then they get over it, and it ebbs and flows until the abscess is done working its way out.
Then we watched one of his students on her young former racehorse. There were some antics from the horse that made me realize how much I am lacking in the control and balance department. Then I watched a novice rider's jump lesson, and her horse lacked forward, so it was very helpful to watch her working on that.
As always, a great lesson with John that made my entire day.
I volunteered at Aspen for 1 1/2 of the days. I worked mostly show jumping, and it was helpful to see the variety of riding styles (and personalities). I walked the cross country course, and that was a huge relief. There was a hard left turn to a roll top with a few strides to a log with a down bank into the water (first water combination) and I think one other slightly tricky combination, but other than that, I knew what the course was asking for and at least technically, I knew how to ride it (I think). Nothing looked too scary or too hard, so Training is probably exactly right for this year ... if we can just get going. I am very anxious that I am such a horrible horsekeeper that I am ruining Charlie. Thank god for having John around to check in on him.
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