#riding diary

Ed is still a happy little man content with bumbling around having a good time but MAN this child can jump!! he loaded/unloaded off the float absolutely fine but got a weensy bit tense when I hopped on (the consequences of my own actions not riding him enough last week lmao), there were a few showjumps set up so we just trotted around and he kept jumping the poles lying on the ground so that was Fine. happy as anything to walk around on the buckle but kept expecting something Super Exciting and got jittery when I picked up contact but, again, my fault for expecting a 3yo to be foot perfect after almost a week off lol

he didn't think he could actually make it to the other side when I pointed him at the first little cross country jump (might've been a 35-40cm rolltop?) so we had to get a lead over it following my trainer and her horse, which he promptly stopped and walked over it instead of jumping it like a normal horse - but he got the idea the 2nd time around and just sproinked over it like it was 1.30 instead of 30cm

he was more confident going over the little brush fence than he was going over the more solid-looking wood fences, only had to look at it once before he decided it wasn't gonna eat him and then he did the tiniest jump of the day and went over it really nice and calmly!

Wenglish life ✌️ next time we'll work exclusively in the round pen and I'll have more treats on me to reward her. Learning to lower my standards so we're both happier.

We finally made it back out to a show! Of course after covid, things were a bit different - usually this venue’s shows end around 3 or 4 pm and have tons of people competing, but this time there were way fewer riders and the show itself ended at 1. You also needed to keep your distance and wear a mask if close to others or entering the office, but being an outdoor show things were mostly business as usual once you were riding.

We trailered in (he’s an absolute saint about trailering and tying, and I love him for it) and it was HOT, so it was good that things wrapped up early in the afternoon before the heat got overwhelming. I mentioned a while back that I couldn’t decide if I wanted to compete Intro C with Training 1 and 2 again, or move on and do the entire training level for the first time. We were ready for the move up and had no real reason not to, besides my perfectionism, which @sanddancingwithanxiety pointed out to us, and so we made the step up. And I’m glad we did!

Throughout the week our practices left something to be desired, they were mostly fine but he insisted on being fussy about one specific thing that would always interrupt our tests. I’m going to say that’s mostly my fault for drilling, but I was a little concerned about our upcoming outing nonetheless.

And yet, I have to give him credit for knowing when to get down to business and put his game face on. Despite my worries about him being tense and how our tests would go, he came out feeling just fine!

We did test 1 and it felt much much better than the first time we competed it here last year, way more relaxed and put together. It was a solid test with no major mistakes that could’ve used some polishing up. We got a 65.7% and 3rd of 5!

Next was test 2, and again it was pretty solid. A bit of crookedness on the centerline and our stretchy work was lacking unfortunately, but all the work was there and overall I was happy with it! We got a 65.1% and 3rd of 7.

Last was test 3 for the first time. The arena we did this test in was different and had posters against the fencing all around the ring, and that really threw him off. He spooked a fair amount for his lap around the ring and I was convinced we’d have a disaster of a last test, but once again he just went in there he did his job. Overall good test that could’ve used a pinch more accuracy, but considering how it could’ve gone I was thrilled. My friend later told me that judge slammed her and I was sure we’d get a failing score, but to my surprise we got a 63.1% and 4th of 9!

Good day and good show all around I think! He picked up the correct canter lead every single time over the course of the day, and that was my biggest concern because it was our main problem when practicing at home. I’m also glad that we had enough left in us for a third test in the heat!

06/26/2019 

 I had my first lesson at the new barn. Really we could just call it my first lesson ever, since the way my teacher Aimee does things is different from the last teacher. Got to the lesson 20 minutes early. Oops. Had to stop for gas on the way gas on the way. So even stopping for gas it was about 30 min to get there. So at least we know when to leave next week.

 So my lesson started at 5:30. Aimee was running a bit behind schedule so she had to bring her horses in. Well 3 of her horses in, including my lesson horse, a 25 year old OTTB named Missy. Missy is a beautiful bay standing 15.3h. 

 With Missy in the wash rack getting groomed, while I learned the ins and outs of grooming her including picking hooves, the horse in the next stall was not happy that he wasn’t receiving all the attention. Later in the lesson I learned that Sir is a 4 year old, 17.3h Oldenburg, I’m not sure if he was a stallion or a gelding. He is a jaw dropping jet black, and I have never personally seen a horse as tall as he is.

 After grooming, saddling and heading into the arena, I learned how to mount, how to old the reins, and that the horses were neck reined. We walked a bunch of circles both directions, then we did some cone weaving. We ended the lesson on a trot. 

 Missy has a “ok I go fast” when asked for a trot lol, so you need to tell her she needs to slow down. Can’t wait until I learn how to properly sit a trot. I know I will get there eventually.

Okay wow.

This week I am feeling that I have really had the chance to develop a bit more. I’m noticing little improvements- tiny things in the grand scheme of things that I can now do- but they’re big achievements for me.

Today:

After riding the same horse for all my lessons to date I rode a different one today, unlike the smooth ride of the last horse Rupert (the chestnut dude in the photos) has a super bouncy trot. I was told if I could trot on him I could trot on just about any horse. I nearly fell off the first time we trotted but after a few more tries it got better which was kind of reassuring. Riding another horse was a great learning experience.

I got to learn a bit more about the feet of horses and putting water based creams on them to stop them cracking if they’re dry (also learned that oil dries hooves out).

I was able to turn out a couple of horses by myself and didn’t mess up putting on or taking off their headcollars. That honestly sounds like a tiny thing but I was so damn proud of myself okay.

And the biggest thing that I have upgraded to doing is holding the lead rein and helping kids in their riding lessons. It’s a nice change of perspective and I really like being with the horses on the ground as I feel more connected to them there.