Save the Best for Last: Show Recap, Carmen the Magnificent Edition

 My last post was all about Quaid. But Carmen would like you to know that she also went.  I realised after my ride on Quaid on Friday that I was looking forward to an 'easier' ride on Carmen. The whole weekend showed me that with all the focus on Quaid I just assume that Carmen will be fine. 

Freshly bathed and ready to shine

Spoiler alert: she was more than fine. As long as her servants (Paula and me) made sure she had fresh water and hay she was quite content.  On Friday I tacked her up and took her to mount. Just as we left the barn a woman mounted her horse who immediately dropped his head and bronced her off! She had the wind knocked out of her but ended up being fine. It was scary. I was starting to think that this Friday the 13th thing was real. Or it was me.  Our ride was good. She was very mature in the ring and we had a really good schooling session. 

honestly, all she needs is a bell to ring for service

We were riding Second Level Test 1 & 2. and they were scheduled for the middle of the afternoon on Saturday. I was tired which actually took care of any nerves. Our warm up was good. To be honest, it's kind of a blur. I do remember thinking she walked into the ring saying Which one of you scared my Quaid?!   I don't have videos of the tests but they felt really good. She was good with the half-halts and didn't get too fussed about things. For 2-1 our scores were really consistent: 6-7.  She got 7's for her gaits and I got it for 'riders position and seat'. Our final score was 65.57 with the comment to work for more suppleness. 

At the time I didn't know the score because I usually don't check and I didn't really have time to dismount between tests. I did know that it felt good. In between the tests I walked her in small serpentines, SI/HI to keep her supple and on the aids. Close to our ride time I did some canter transitions. Going in I was pretty sure I had 5 minutes of riding left in me but it was a close thing. Our test was really consistent again: 6-7 with 5's for our turn on the haunches. The comment was that she was stepping out. It's hard because I actually don't feel her step out so that's something to work on. Our final score was 64.74 and the comment was to work for more engagement and self-carriage. We had first place for both classes. 

enjoying some post show walking and grazing

By Sunday afternoon I was pretty beat. I was really glad that I had paid a young woman to clean my stalls (it was a great option for this show).  But no one forced me to show 2 horses so I got my butt in gear. When we went into the warm up Carmen felt stiff and tight. Fortunately Jane was there to coach us through it. She had us walk and change the flexion left and right. then we did shoulder in to haunches in. That helped so much. I could feel her start to loosen up and begin to swing over her back.  

For our first test (2-1) I worked really hard to sit up, half-halt and keep my butt in the saddle. We had a few bobbles but I was able to sort them right away. It felt really good. Our scores were 6-7 with a lot of 7s! Our final score was 67. 29. Again I found this out later but I was thrilled. This was a personal best for us!

Soon enough it was time for our last test (thank god I thought). This time I tried to really pay attention to the turn on the haunches. Our first one received a 5.5. In the second one I kept my outside leg on to stop her from swinging wide, which resulted in a brief hesitation but garnered us a 6 so I'll take it. Our other low score was as 5.5 for the free walk. But otherwise we had 6's and 7's. Our final score was 65 even. 

This was the most consistent Carmen has been at a show. Often by Sunday she is over this crap and gets feisty. But not this time. She stayed right with me. Any 'squabbles' were small and short and we carried on. I attribute that to the work I've done at home not being in to any spooking. 

At the end of the show they always do the awards. They give out the ribbons for the afternoon and then the champions for each level and high points. It can be a bit long but it's important to support other riders. In our classes I placed first and second. Which was lovely.  Then I sort of zoned out while they started on the awards. Not completely I clapped for everyone but I was mentally thinking about the trailer ride home and that my feet hurt. All this to say that  when they said that the Second Level Champion was me I stood there stunned, pretty sure I heard it wrong. That's you! Said Paula. Teresa you won!  said Tanya. 

No.  I said. it must be a mistake. 

Spoiler, it was not a mistake. I freaking won.  I actually got a little teary. Which probably sounds silly but I've worked so hard with this mare. And she's not been easy but this weekend she was there for me and it paid off.  A few years ago I said to Jane I know that it's shallow, but at some point I'd love to win an award at a show. It's not why I do it and I know it's not important but still.. Jane just smiled and said 'don't worry,  you will' 

Jane was right

I won a beautiful blanket and a bunch of swag. See that fern behind Carmen? As we turned to go back she spied it and dove right in. NOOOO  shrieked the poor woman who had arranged for the loan. For a second I thought I bought a fern but it seemed to be okay. 

I was so happy

isn't it gorgeous?

the lovely thing about the blanket is that it was sponsored by Steele Family Warmbloods. Theresa Steele has always been so encouraging and supportive to me which made this all the sweeter. 

So that's a wrap on the weekend. It was hard, tiring, fun, stressful, and absolutely fabulous. I was so proud of my two horses.  And of me. And Jane. 

I knew that Carmen the Magnificent could live up to her name. 

Forward Solves Everything- Show Recap

 So last weekend I took both horses to show. It was an epic weekend filled with lots of action, fun and learning. To keep it simple, I'm going to divide it up between the two stars of this blog, starting with Quaid. 

The show takes place over 2 days but you can haul in the day before and ride in the show ring (5$ per 30 minute slot, which is a good deal).  I left Friday morning. I was all alone so glad that both horses walked on without any difficulty (probably because I had a plan if there was any problems).  The trip was uneventful and we pulled in around 11:30. Paula met me there and we prepared the stalls and unloaded them. 

Not sure but fine

 

I had two slots for warm up- 1-2 and 4-5. I decided to ride Quaid first. I got him tacked up and took him out to walk around the ring. He was really good about it. So I left to mount up outside and ride back in. Just as we were walking towards the mounting block a horse got away from her rider (trying to put the bridle on) and took off. She ran at us, then past us then back again. finally she was caught. Quaid was wide eyed and, understandably, a little freaked out. So I walked him a bit and then got on. 

We went into the ring and he was definitely tense. I did what I always do which is try to contain him. Spoiler alert, Jane is not a fan. She says that the more we contain the more explosiveness we create. And she is, as always, right. But when you're riding it feels wrong to push them forward. I (and I'm sure I'm not alone) want to hold hold hold.  Jane got us to trot forward and keep his mind busy. She was also on me for leaning forward and not having my butt in the saddle. 'SIT DOWN'  was a refrain that all of her students heard that weekend. That, of course, worked really well. I was quite pleased with our ride.   

My rides were very reasonable: 9:15 and 10:00. I had lots of time to braid him and then take him into the warm up ring. It's been a long time since I rode Training Level and I've forgotten how the warm up ring can feel like Thunderdome.  There were quite a few horses going every which way. Poor Quaid was quite rattled. There was one horse that it didn't seem to matter how much I tried to avoid always seemed to be crowding us or being hit hard by us. It's a lot to ask of a young horse who's essentially ridden mostly solo or with one other horse.  He was really uncertain about horses coming at him or near him. Sometimes there were horses coming at us and beside us at the same time. 

Then a horse spooked at the open window. Quaid, who had been quite fine with it before was oh god. that horse is scared of it so it must be scary. Now I'm scared.  He started to get spooky and throw some big spooks. I totally understood, he was responding to the herd dynamics and was in full self-preservation mode. My 'let's go forward and it's all fine' was not really cutting it. I'm not gonna lie, without Jane to do her magical mix of cajoling, advice and ass-kicking I'd have gotten off and scratched right there.  But I listened and tried. Failed, tried again, and kept trying.  We slowly began to settle.  I took him towards the centre and had him walk around and let down some adrenaline.  We breathed.  He showed an incredible amount of trust in me. 

Then it was time for our class. I rode Training Level 1 & 2.  I have videos of our rides Saturday but not Sunday.  But that's okay.  Here's the first one:

When I was watch it I can see how conservative I'm being and I should have not 'held' so much. But I'm also being quiet and steady. Our scores ranged from 3-7. The 3 when he balked going into the corner at M. 7's for our trot and centre line work. Our final score was 56.35 with the comment "Unfortunate. Think to stay forward, more on the aids'.   

We had a brief break and then back in the warm up for 10 minutes (it was a lot quieter) and then in for our second test. This went a lot better, with scores ranging from 5-7.  It felt so much better and I was really pleased. Our final score was a respectable 63.62.  He was done for the day and I was pretty happy with him. Honestly, I think he was relieved to be out of the warm up ring. 

I should note that for both our tests I would ask for the canter but did not make a big fuss when he broke early. I simply tried to settle him into the trot and carry on. The goal was not to win but to lay down some groundwork and experience.  We ended up placing 3rd and 2nd. 

Sunday our ride times were similar. Our warm up was a lot better until I tried to do some more canter work.  The wheels fell way off the bus for that. Jane was on me for going forward and lightening my seat. He needs you to be the stabilising force. If you go on his withers you're telling him to buck.  I really really tried.  We had good moments. He was WAY better about the other horses being around. I was really happy with that. 

yup

nope

 

When we rode our first test (TL1) he had a full on melt down in the corner by M.  He balked, backed up refused to go forward. I was expecting the bell to be rung to eliminate us so instead I made a diagonal line to B and carried on. I cut that corner but just carried on. I felt I rode more forward but I have no video proof. Our scores ranged from 4 to 7 with a final score of 57.5.  I was happy to not be eliminated so was not going to cry over a very generous score.  The judge asked me what happened and I shrugged and said 'babies'. 

Our second test I went in with a plan to ride forward. In TL 2 we track right, right into the corner. By then I figured out that it was the reflection in the glass freaking him out.  Anyway, as we went to the corner he full on balked and carried on. I thought about saluting the judge and giving Quaid a break. But instead I took a breath and decided to carry on and show him it's all okay. I sat up guided him forward and carried on. Laster one we were to come through that corner and pick up a canter between C and M. I decided that I was not asking for the canter. Instead I bent him to the inside, put on my inside leg and trotted him through it. When he went through I patted him and asked for the canter at the centre circle. It was a shit show. But I tried.  When we trotted down centre line I squared my shoulders smiled at the judge and trotted him forward. Again our scores were 4-7. Our score was 56.9. But the comment was awesome: 

new favourite comment

I think we placed 3rd and 4th. I was so proud of those ribbons. They were hard earned. Jane was able to watch this test and she said she was really pleased that as the test went on I rode better and better. I didn't unravel.  I realised that I hadn't been nervous or worried at all. I was just thinking about how to support him. 

It would be easy to frustrated with how his show went.  Old me certainly would have been. At home we can do the Training level stuff easy. But the current me can see all the gains we made at this show: 

1. we tried and no one died, cried or unraveled. It was really close and without Jane's support I probably would have scratched. 

2. Quaid tolerated the show without kicking the stalls when left or refusing to eat. He did call but even that was not as frantic as last year. 

3.  I think if we had down intro level it would have been easier but not the challenge we needed. He can do this work.   We need to learn to travel and do the work. It will get easier with miles and experience. I talked to Jane about it. She said something along the lines of 'if you rode him walk/trot then you would think of him as a walk/trot horse. A baby. And he's not that.  To quote my friend Tanya: 'he's just a genius, not a baby genius'. 

4. Quaid tried really hard to listen. Just sometimes what I asked when against his instincts and he responded. This has informed what I need to do with my training at home. He's pretty easy going so I need to introduce some stressors at home and show him he can work through it. I can't expect him to know how to deal with it without practice. And clearly I can't assume that because he's fine at home he'll be fine in other places. 

5. He handled the warm up really well. Each time I rode him in it he was better.  He coped with the chaos and I got really good at keeping him in his own zone. I scanned the ring and moved us away from other horses. When I couldn't I sat up and kept my outside rein.  I really tried to keep Jane's advice in the forefront: 

• he needs me to be his stable centre. To do that I need to stay over his centre of gravity and not move around. 
• I need to not be passive or try to contain the energy. Let it go out. If you activate the hind legs you engage in the brain.  

6. Forward is key. Not fast. But forward into contact. 

Like I say, I don't show to win. I show to see where we are. And to hang out with friends.  Friday night a bunch of us go to dinner. This year the show committee held a reception on Saturday night with pizza and beverages. It was a great time.  

Generalization

 Back when I was studying to be a Speech Language Pathologist we learned the concept of generalisation: the ability of an individual to apply something learned in different situations and settings. It promotes independence and adaptability. 

This applies to horse training as well. At home Quaid is doing incredibly well. He's a solid horse with a lot of try. But the proof is whether we can do the things we working on: WTC, rating his speed, steering and focus in other settings.  For example, he's quite good at ground tying in the ring but not in the barn. I've started working on that and it's coming. But he'd much rather explore the barn. 

Quaid: standing is boring

We have a show this weekend. It's the first one of the year. I wanted to get him off property before we went so I arranged to travel to Krista's for a lesson with Jane. It's not a totally new place, he was there last year for a clinic. To be 100% honest I was a little worried. I was leaving Carmen behind but I wanted to test that as well. I got everything ready and asked him to get on the trailer. He walked on by himself but needed some encouragement to take the last two steps. I got there about 90 minutes before our lesson. I put him in the stall. 

I walked him around and was happy to see that he wasn't a nervous wreck. Just more on edge. 

he approved of the grass

When it was time for our lesson I was able to bring him in to do some ground work. The wind was high and the canvas ring was flapping a bit.  It was definitely unnerving but he did well to focus on me. I then mounted. I wish I had some footage but I messed up and decided otherwise just get to the lesson rather than fuss with it.  

Not gonna lie, it was a really tough lesson. Quaid was nervous and uncertain and I was tense and worried. Not the best combination. Jane, however, was great. She kept telling me to put my butt in the saddle and ride. You are a good rider. You need to ride like it!  I was really struggling though.  Riding is hard but the mental part is the hardest part of it. The physical is, by comparison, easy.  He was a speeding up and slowing down and getting pissy when I tried to rate his speed. My tension was not helping either.  

At one point she asked me to canter and it was terrible. Bouncy, zero steering feeling really precarious. I rode like I'd never sat on a horse in my life.  I brought him to a halt and Jane said 'you decided that you were coming off and gave up.  I looked at her. Absolutely. I said.  She laughed. I think she was expecting me to argue, possibly blame Quaid. But she was right. I went into full self-defence mode.  

That seemed to break something loose and I was able to, finally, buckle down and ride the damn horse. And when I did things got better.  I was able to follow instructions and get back to work. Jane said that at the end it was good. She was firm that I need to be stable to help him find his balance. Which is true. And hard. But anyway we got it done and it was a valuable lesson. I might have thought that Quaid needed practice off property but clearly so did I. 

I put him back in his stall and loaded my stuff back in the trailer. When I went to load him he refused to self load. I was at the end of my stamina by then so I walked him on and tied him. Fortunately, he followed me easily and did not pull against the tie.  We made it home and I hosed him off before letting him out in the field.  

I was going between being frustrated with myself and recognising all the positive things.  

I gave him the next day off and rode him on Tuesday. He was not happy and the things I thought had been solid at home were definitely not.  The canter wheels had totally fallen off the bus.  I decided that this was a great opportunity to work on making what I thought was solid, truly solid. Because clearly it was not.  It was a difficult ride again. But rather than give in to my nerves or be frustrated I took what Jane had taught me and put it to work.   I refused to hide from the canter work.  Even when it sucked. Especially when it sucked. I did my damndest to sit up and ride him forward.  I rested when he gave me a good try.  

I just love teal on him. 

I was bit worried about the show after that ride. I texted my friend, Tanya, that we no longer had a canter and the show was going to be GREAT (sarcasm font).  But she told me to get a hold of myself.  So I did. 

Today I decided to ride Carmen first. I figured that if my rides on Quaid were going to be hard then it didn't matter and Carmen would give me the chance to work on keeping my seat in the saddle and not tensing my thighs.  Whether it was the weather (warm and sunny vs cold and windy the day before) or the hard work I did or the stars aligned but I had my horse back.  Early in the ride he picked up a canter by accident and I just rolled with it. and it was fine. We had a great schooling session of him listening and me supporting. It was nice to feel us jell again. 

Tomorrow both horses are off while I pack. We leave Friday and come back Sunday. I don't know how it will go there.  But my goals are not to win any red ribbons. It's to support and ride my horse while keeping my eye on the real prize: being a team. 

Out and About

 After the clinic and all the work we've been doing I've been really wanting to get out and hack at Coveside. It's such a beautiful location and riding there is good for the soul.  My worry was leaving one horse behind. But I've been doing a lot of work on separating them so I figured I could take Quaid and leave Carmen for the first time. I've also thought about riding one and ponying the other. 

Anyway, before I could reach out to Tanya to see if she wanted to go Julia messaged me that she was home for a visit. So before you could say 'wait, what?' I arranged for all of us to go to Coveside for a ride on the Monday after the clinic. 

We trailered there pretty easily and pulled in at the same time.  I tied Quaid to the trailer and had Carmen ground tied. I was pretty impressed with how quiet he stood in the parking lot. It was busy, there were side by sides, tractors and large equipment moving around. 

Quaid: this is fine

Carmen: does anyone even care that I'm not secured? 

We mounted up and headed off. We decided to go the longer way to the trail to avoid having to go by the large excavator doing some digging.  This meant that we rode by the paddocks and the horses got a little excited. There was also a donkey who was wondering who the heck we were. But everyone walked by with some tension but no shenanigans. 

Tanya took the lead and Suzi was excited. Carmen was pretty cool about the whole thing. Last time I rode Quaid here (last year) he was pretty excited and took a lot of half-halts (that he resented). This time he was much more mature. Still worried a bit but not fussing with the bit or getting annoyed that I kept his pace calm. 

Tanya slightly more excited than Suzi, lol

The nice thing about Coveside is that there are ton of trails but it's completely fenced around the perimeter so, while you can get lost, you can't get lost lost.  

I love walking in the woods. Riding in them is even better.  Suzi was really striding out, Carmen slightly and Quaid was being a little short strides and then trotted to catch up. I let him because, at some point, I do want to trot these. We did a lot of hills. Some of them were quite steep. I was impressed with how he dropped his head and just powered up. Carmen was the same. 

We skirted some fields and walked over bridges and by some buildings and rocks. He looked at everything but was good about going by.  Carmen, as always was completely chill about all of it. 

Now before you start thinking 'my goodness that Quaid is a perfect horse. I'm gonna steal him'. He had a pretty baby moment. About 2/3 into the ride we decided to put Carmen in front and Suzi behind Quaid. Carmen went from total relaxation to more alert. Julia said it was like she realised that she was now in charge and had to be vigilant. She still was fine.  But Quaid was not happy about Suzi being behind him. But not greatly unhappy, just aware and a little annoyed if she got too close. I should have paid more attention to this because he suddenly gave a big buck.  At least I thought it was a buck. Turned out he kicked Suzi!  I was appalled. Fortunately, Suzi was okay. We moved them around again so it wouldn't happen again. In retrospect I realised that he doesn't yet know that he can't work on herd dynamics when being ridden.   More on that later. 

Other than that one incident, it was a good ride. We rode for about an hour and did 5.7 km. Not bad. After we untacked. I made sure that Tanya forgave me. Suzi never did get sore (thank god). 

I am hoping to do this again pretty soon. It's good for us. 

Establishing Contact- Clinic Recap

 But wait, there's even more lessons!  If you've read my blog for any length of time you know that I have done many clinics with Johanna Beattie Batista over the years. She has been as much a part of my journey with Carmen as many other people. Johanna is a level 3 Centered Riding Instructor and has a long history of classical dressage training in Spain.  She is now semi-retired and living in Portugal. 

This year Stephanie and I managed to snag her to our area for 2 days of lessons. Johanna stayed with me and I transported her back and forth. It gave us time to have to some lovely chats. 

A little side story: I told her about starting karate and she said 'good for you!'. It turns out that Centered Riding encourages their instructors to do martial arts training because it's so good for breath and body control. She herself does Tai Chi. 

I did two lessons back to back on both horses. I do have some video and photos. 

We started with Quaid. When I ride both horses I almost always start with Quaid because he's, well, easier. Carmen can be a bit draining so it's just better all around to start with him. If having these two has taught me anything (too much really), it's that it doesn't matter the age so much as the temperament. 

Cordelia fell in love with Johanna. It was 
hilarious and adorable. 

Anyway, Johanna wanted us to work on his taking of the contact. I was to ride with soft hands and follow his motion so that he learned to go into the contact. This is not new, Jane has also been working on this with me. It was a slightly different approach and it's good to learn the same thing in new ways.  Johanna was quite impressed with Quaid and really seemed to like him (he's hard to resist).  You will notice that I'm not in a t-shirt because the weather turned cold and cloudy. A typical May in Nova Scotia is full of warm days, cold days, rainy days. Sometimes they are all in the same day.  

lovely square halt

This sort of work can be frustrating because it's so subtle and it's very tempting to just 'take' the contact. But, if I understood Johanna correctly, if he learns to go to the contact then everything will be easier as we move to more advanced work. Which I totally get. It was interesting because I suddenly felt when took the contact. It was cool. 

getting closer

Here's a video (because my phone battery is not so great, I managed to get media of Quaid on day 1 and Carmen on day 2.):

What I love about this horse is his try. He really wants to figure things out. He can get frustrated and annoyed but he almost never says 'no'. 

Carmen went next and she was in a totally different mind set then Quaid. As you know I've been struggling with her barging through my rein aids and half-halts. It has been getting better but today she not in the mood for my crap. Johanna took one look at this said 'Okay, she's not allowed to pull this shit'.  'This shit' being leaning on my hands and pulling me all over the ring. There's a difference between being heavy and just bullying.  As I think about it, it really is the same as her old behaviour of spook and bolt. But because she can't bolt on me anymore it manifests differently. 

Anyway, Johanna's solution was to not let her build up a head of steam. I was to not ride any straight lines. I had to do 10 metre circles, shoulder in, haunches in, leg yields, half-pass, turn on the haunches, forehand., etc. This accomplished a few things: one she couldn't get super strong and pull the reins out of my hands, two, she had to think and three, it set her back on her hind legs and not her forehand.  Carmen can be a real physical and mental ride and this was no exception. When we were done I felt pretty wrung out. I'm sure that Carmen felt the same. But we definitely ended in a good place. 

After lunch Stephanie picked up Johanna because I had to wait for a repairman for my washing machine. Because, of course it would happen now. Adulting is hectic at times.  Fortunately, it was an easy repair and I baked a cake while I waited. I managed to get to see Stephanie's ride. All I'll say is that its been wonderful to watch her partnership with her new horse blossom.  

Bob and Stephanie came for dinner that night and Ed made a wonderful Mexican meal.  After eating, laughing and talking they went home and we all collapsed into bed. 

The next day was also cold but not super windy so that was a win. Quaid came out and was like 'oh I remember yesterday. You want this, right?'  It was so neat to see the carryover. He felt a little tired to me as well. The day before hadn't seemed so hard but it's possible that he was just not feeling it. Either way we decided to work on him going forward into downward transitions and not just fall onto his forehand.  It was a good lesson and, once again, it was wonderful to see how good he is given that he's five. 

Then it was Carmen's turn. She was less feisty but still not super keen on the this whole work idea.  We basically repeated the lesson from the day before- no straight lines.  The goal was for her to come to contact without trying to take it over.  Johanna kept repeating that the whole point of, say, a shoulder in was not that it be perfect. But that it keep her thinking and listening. 

And it definitely worked, I could feel her come onto her hind leg and take real contact not 'gimme that rein'  contact. 

Here's a video. 

At the end Johanna suggested that maybe a different bit would be better. I like her current bit in that it prevents her from getting her tongue over it. But I think I will try her in Quaid's bit to see if she's more respectful. 

The next day I drove Johanna back to the city and gave her back to Stacie after a great lunch. It was a good two days and I really enjoyed the intensity of the work, even if I needed a nap after. 

The Mushy Center

 It is ironic that in the winter bloggers write very little because very little is happening. In the warmer months, they also write less because they are very busy with all the things happening.  Or maybe that is just me.  Anyway, I am behind updating you on all that is happening with the horses. 

Carmen: you should go check that out Quaid. I'm 
right behind you. 

Last week I had two lessons with Jane. She's been very busy and, with one thing and another, I haven't had many lessons so far. Fortunately, she was able to accommodate me have back to back lessons on Quaid and Carmen on Friday the 16th.  Spoiler alert: both were excellent. It was a warm day with a mix of ominous clouds and blue sky. 

With Quaid, Jane was very pleased with our progress. She zeroed right in on me collapsing through the middle and not giving him enough support. In trying to be soft and fluid, I ended up collapsing my centre and not providing him enough stability to find his balance underneath of me. We did a lot of transitions at all three gaits and I was to be like a tree trunk not (my words not hers) 'a sack of mashed potatoes'. 

It was great to feel how stabilising myself allowed me to be clearer in my aids. Unfortunately, I had set the Pivo up wrong and I had zero video. You'll have to settle for this photo of a warm and tired Quaid: 

oh that face. 

Then it was Carmen's turn. And she came out loaded for bear. I was stupid, contact was stupid, half-halts were stupid and Jane could go to hell. Now, in all honesty, at some point every spring Carmen gets like this. What part is due to hormones and what part is due to being on grass I'm not sure. In previous years that usually meant spooks, spins,  bolts and generally intimidating behaviours. But I'm a better/stronger rider now so those I shut down pretty damn fast (the mantra's come in handy too). 

when the sky and the mare's mood match

Jane's approach was to keep my rein and half-halts and not let her pull the reins out of my hands or duck behind the contact. She told me don't try to make her light. Not because she didn't want Carmen to be light, (that is the ultimate goal) but because it was false. She wasn't taking the contact she was hiding and then couldn't really be in balance or on her hind legs.  I remember when I realised that a horse could be slow and behind the leg and also fast and behind the leg. I'm realising it's the same with contact. A horse can be heavy and not accepting contact, and light and not accepting contact. I don't know if this makes sense to anyone but me but there you have it.  

But it's a struggle for me. Because a heavy contact feels really wrong and like I'm being harsh. Yet when I looked at the video it didn't look like I was wrestling her or that she was in distress. Pissed, yes. Distressed, no. I was disappointed to see how collapsed I was in my middle so I've been trying to sit up better in my rides.  

This was a hard lesson. Physically I mean. I, again, found myself, collapsing through my middle and trying to hold with my hands. Which is not correct. I needed to take some firmness in my core and then I'm not just relying on my arms (hello centred riding).  It was also great timing for the lesson because it stopped me from backing off and instead we worked through it to have some really amazing work at the end.  Jane said that it was some of the best canter we have done. From there we worked on walk-canter-walk transitions that were actually half-decent.  And Carmen was no longer in a rage but actually working. 

leg actually reaching under and not just sprawling forward

I've been trying to get a video clip to upload but my iPhone is being really contrary so I gave up. Just trust me. It was great. Since those lessons, I've been trying to stay aware of what my core is doing and not let it be mushy. 

Karate Crone

 I've been pretty open on this blog about my fitness journey and how beneficial I've been finding it for my riding and for just feeling pretty good. I belong to the local Rec Centre and the membership is really inexpensive for what you get, especially for a seniors membership. We can skate (I don't skate), the pool and all the group fitness classes. 

This January there were some new classes to choose from. One of them was called Bodukan. When I read the description I realised it was a karate class.  I always wanted to try a martial art and since this was included I signed up.  I like trying new things and I have strong feelings that people (especially women) should have some self-defence.  (note: the karate is Goju Ryu which is a Okinawan traditional karate and not a sport). 

Here's a photo of Cordelia 'helping' me in the 
kitchen to break up the wall of text. 

So I totally expected to like it. What caught me off guard was how much I liked it. I bought a Gi (for a steal off of FB marketplace) and was excited for every class.  I think it has to do with how much I like to move and use my body. But I believe that the main reason is that I found it so relatable to horse riding. And I am not kidding. There are so many similarities between riding and karate. 

The Physical: 

It was very early in the classes when I began to hear things like 'keep your elbows at your sides'.  Other gems include: 

• breathe with everything. if you stop breathing it not only tires you out but it keeps you from thinking
• align your shoulders and your hips
• ground yourself physically
• You may need to be tight in one part of your body (e.g., arms) but you need to be relaxed in the others
• look up
• focus and don't get distracted by what others are doing (or not doing). Hello warm up ring! 
• Don't overthink. Let your body do what it knows
• Repetition is essential. Honestly, the first time our Sensei said this "I know we're doing things over and over but don't get frustrated. it's how we get better".  Me "repetition is my jam!"
• As you gain proficiency pay attention to the details. 

The Metaphysical: 

The philosophical overlap is somewhat scary: 

• everyone is on their own journey so don't compare
• we do the movements and katas striving for perfection knowing we won't every achieve it. 
• the learning is in the doing
• respect for your teachers and coaches
• no matter how advanced you are you will always practice the basics
• We don't train to start fights, we train to not lose 

Today I tested (successfully) for my yellow belt.  It is the first one but I am still quite proud of it. To pass you have to show what you have learned. Tell me if this sounds familiar: 

When it was my turn I went I into the middle of the Dojo, bowed to the Sensei. Then went through my chosen Kata, A kata  (in case you don't know) is a series of hits and blocks usually taking 1-2 minutes to complete.  You are judged on your accuracy and form. If you mess up the Sensei may stop you and have you start again or wait until you are done. When you are done you wait until (in this case) he acknowledges you and then you bow and leave. 

As I go up the levels it gets more complicated and harder.  I honestly don't know how far I'll get as a person starting karate at the age of 60! But I don't care. I'm really enjoying it and I made some friends too.  Our class is small and the core group consists of four older women and one woman's daughter.  We support and encourage each other. I also suspect that there's far more giggling than is typical in a dojo. 

The lesson I take from all of this is that things are more connected than they may first appear. I know that Mark Rashid talks about Akido and relates it to horsemanship. I think I'll do a deeper dive into his writings on that. And the other lesson is try something new because you never know what will resonate. 

Spring Maintenance

 Spring for horse owners is an expensive time. This year got a little extra expensive with my horse trailer needing some minor repairs and two new tires.  But now the horse's bus is as good as new. Which was good because this year I had to trailer the horses to their vet appointment.  With the vet shortage it was the only option if I wanted them to be seen before the end of June.  The downside was that I had to miss a clinic that was (of course) on the same day. 

Carmen: well this is new
Quaid: where are my snacks? 

It wasn't too bad really. The horses self-loaded and the ride was pretty easy. I'm glad I went when I did because they both had some sharp edges that needed to be treated. Quaid also had a wolf tooth that she popped out pretty easily. 

So stoned post dental work

I noticed he's much less fussy in the mouth since it was done. He did react to the vaccines again but much less than last year. Just a little off his feed the next day. I gave him some banamine and he was okay by the day after. I'm hoping that as he ages his reaction will get a lot less. Carmen, of course, reacted to nothing and was herself the next day. 

I've been able to ride pretty steadily over the past few weeks and I'm seeing some real changes.  Quaid is better every ride and his canter is getting easier. There's no shenanigans in picking it up but he still struggles a little with balance and maintaining a steady rhythm. All of which makes sense. What I am loving is that he tries so hard to do what I ask. I'm not getting any of the questions or balking I had before. 

Carmen is doing really well in lots of ways too. I've been honing in on our half-halts these days. She has a habit of simply bearing down and powering through them, especially at a canter. I've been trying to keep my plan and be really clear with my ask. If she blows through my half-halt I will put her in a 10 metre circle, rebalance and carry on. This is working and I'll be curious to get Jane's input when I have a lesson later this week.  I realised that I have let he blow off the half-halts for a long time so now I need to go back and fix my mistake. But when she does come back and rebalance I can feel everything shift to her hind leg. 

Honestly, riding is a series of doing the thing, then realising that you should have been doing it differently/better/more consistently and then doing that. Until you get the next bit of learning. Or maybe that's just me... 

Steady Eddy

 It seems that Spring has decided to stick around and that's it made it much easier to be consistent in training.  At first it was  exhausting keeping two horses in work. But it feels like I've found a rhythm with it. I ride both of them 3-4 days a week and other days just one horse. I do try to take one day off.  Those days in the gym have really paid off.  

with spring starts the weaning onto the back pasture. 

I've been tackling my goals and working towards getting ready for our first show. Earlier this week I sent in the entries for the first show. *gulp*  I signed Quaid up for Training Level 1 and 2. Carmen will be doing 2nd level again. I'm hoping by the end of this year we'll be ready to move up. 

With my last lesson on Quaid showing me how tentative I'm being with him I've been trying to improve that. Rather than canter being a big thing I've been working on it being no big deal.  To do that I've been asking for it early in our ride as part of the warm up. The first time I did it the left went fine but the right was a struggle. He showed some signs of wanting to bounce, rather than pull on the reins I sat up and urged him forward. I even gave him a tap with the whip.  Now each time it's better and not so emotional.  I'm trying to keep my arms steady and stay balanced in the tack. Not that I'm perfect, heaven knows. 

That dot is Cordelia lounging about 
while we work

What is really striking to me is how steady he's being with me. Even when things don't go as planned.  Earlier this week I was riding Quaid and was trying to decide if we were done. Then I heard a rumble in the field next door and a young person riding a lawn mower popped up over the hill in the field next door. We looked and she waved at us. Quaid was curious but fine so I decided that it was a good time to finish.  When we were walking back in the barn a barn swallow dive bombed him and he jumped 10 feet. 

That's when I realised that he's much more confident being ridden. I'm assuming that it's because of all the work that's been done, starting with the early work I did, then the training Mike and Nikki did last year and then what I've done (with so much support from Jane) over the past year. When he spooks he's asking for direction, not looking to escape. When I can answer his question of 'what do I do?!' he takes a deep breath and carries on.  

Today when I was riding we were doing really well.  At the beginning I realised I had brought up Carmen's bridle instead of his. I left him unhaltered and ran down to get his bridle. I was sure he'd wander to eat the grass in the ring. But he never moved. 

Quaid: is this a test or did you just 
abandon me? 

 I was working through some of the TL test: 20 m circle at A picking up the canter the first quarter of the circle and then going down the long side.  The first time was not that great but he really tried. By the third try it was much better so I let it be and we went on to do other work.  Near the end I decided to do some walk work as part of our cool down.  We've been doing leg yields so this time I decided to play with that a bit. We walked down the rail and I asked him to bend to the outside and leg yield in a few steps and then switch bend and leg yield back. 

As always, the first time he was like wait, what? I'm pretty sure that this is wrong.  Fortunately, unlike Carmen when he doesn't understand he doesn't get annoyed, just curious. Then after a couple tries he understood and it was felt pretty good. So then I wanted to work on shoulder fore. It feels pretty easy with him TBH. Then he began to be distracted and acting worried about the brush. I figured it was the birds fluttering about and that he was getting tired so more easily distracted.  Then he began to balk at going forward. So I made sure I had the outside rein consistent and my inside leg on. 

Then suddenly a cat came streaking from behind him with Cordelia hot on its heels! Not one of my cats but a neighbour cat that's been hanging around. Why it came so close with Cordelia there I don't understand.  But anyway...  As the cat and Cordelia went streaking by us (pretty much under his head) we came to a screeching halt. The cat disappeared into the brush and Quaid stood there stock still with huge eyes I TOLD YOU THERE WAS SOMETHING THERE! 

 I was busy calling Cordelia and then I realised that Quaid hadn't moved a muscle. I quickly hopped off because I was worried Cordelia would run onto the road.  I was trying to figure out if I should leave Quaid to follow when she came bounding back looking very proud of herself I chased off the intruder! I'm the best dog ever! 

I was super impressed with how Quaid handled the ruckus. It would have been completely understandable if he had taken off but instead he waited for direction.  I have zero idea if we'll be 'show ready' but if I keep riding we'll be okay. 

'Ride Like it's October' Lesson Recap

 The weather finally seems to be getting better which has lead to more consistent riding. So yay. But it's still been chilly until very recently.  On Friday I had a lesson booked in the afternoon and it was Quaid's turn.  I was really looking forward to having input on us and it did not disappoint. 

sorry for the picture quality the sun was off to the right

Jane had us walk and honed right in on my right leg being too far forward. It felt really weird to move it back. Then she was correcting my rein aids because I was giving and taking too much with my arms rather than following with my elbows.  I've been really struggling with this, I tend to take more with hands and bend the wrist. Or tighten my hands into fists. But it's not like I was all terrible. Quaid feels a lot more steady this year and Jane commented that his trot is way better.  Our steering is also much better.  

Quaid is not steady in the contact and, not surprisingly, takes exception to me holding him. But he also has a habit of pulling the reins out even when I'm not being hard.  Turns out that the answer is to absorb the movement in my elbows. I definitely didn't really get it during the lesson but I was really trying. 

at least our halts are square. And look how fuzzy he still is! 

trotting into contact

For the transitions I was to make sure that the contact was consistent on the outside rein throughout the transition. If he ducked behind the contact I was to follow with my elbows but not let him think the contact was to be avoided, rather he needs to learn to go to it and I need to make sure that it's a steady contact not hard.  

I had told Jane that we were just starting to canter this year.  And of course you know that she was going to put us through our paces.  

there was some nice moments 

and some feelings

 As we went along Quaid was getting frustrated and there were a few things going on. One was he wanted to have his head free to drop it and buck a little (in a playful way not a 'get off' way) and was getting pissed that I wasn't letting him.  The other was that I was riding too stiff in my hips/legs.  Jane told me to 'ride him like he's a broke horse. Ride him like it's October, not April'.  Funny how riding with expectations really help. 

I had to give him a few days off after the lesson between weather and family easter events.  Tuesday I tacked him up but first I lunged him in side reins. I thought that they might help him understand contact without the added randomness of my interference.  Being on the ground and helping him to go forward to the contact seemed to make a huge difference and I could see the penny drop. Especially at the trot-canter transition. When I rode I really tried to shift my focus and feel with my elbows not my hands. I have no idea if I can explain it correctly, but it felt like when I shifted to keeping a consistent feel in my elbows my hands were softer and I could maintain the contact way better.  So I guess the penny dropped for me too. 

Today it was even better and I was able to do multiple transitions without any fussiness with his head. And he went to canter from trot without feeling the need to pop up behind.  

I used to think that riding training level (which is where we are, albeit barely) was boring. Now I find it so fascinating because Quaid is so honest. It is such a privilege to bring along a young horse and help them figure it out. 

My goal is to have weekly lessons, alternating between Quaid and Carmen. So far the 'weekly' part hasn't been happening but we'll keep trying. 

Quaid: "I'm such a genius. I deserve all the cookies"

On-Again/ Off-Again

 When I returned from my vacation things were melted and I was excited to get started.  I had a plan for gradually building up the horses' fitness. I am well aware that Carmen is 15 this year (like how?!) and I need to make sure that I don't over stress her joints. Same for Quaid but because he's 5. 

Unfortunately, the weather has been a major obstacle. It's been a cold and wet spring. But I was doing okay, getting enough rides in to feel we were moving forward, even if at a glacial pace. Glacial being the right word because sunny and warm days were very rare. And 'warm' was just by comparison.  I did manage to get a ride in on Saturday April 6 on Quaid and Monday on Carmen.  

Then it snowed. And a fair amount of snow.  It lasted a couple days and then I got sick. Sigh. 

just ugh. 

 By the weekend I was feeling better but the weather rainy.  On one of the rainy days neighbours started to burn some stuff in the yard and it really freaked out the horses. I needed to get Ed to help me with them because they were acting panicked a wild. It was weird because Ed has had a fire and they never reacted. But no one has been on that property for years so I suspect it was the novelty and smoke freaking them out. Quaid stayed agitated for a couple days which might be related to his ride last year where the truck caught fire. 

That meant it was Monday this week before I could even consider riding. The weather was cold and windy but not rain (or snow, ugh) and I was determined to work both of them. I figured that, between the weather, activity next door and a week break,  both would be excited. I dragged the ring and Carmen watched me closely. When I was almost done she found a muddy patch (not hard to find) and had a lovely roll. She shook after and looked at me smugly. 

double ugh. 

 I decided to ride Carmen first with the idea that she'd settle pretty quickly. Turns out I was wrong on that. Despite being out of shape she was lit and was a fire breathing dragon. Not over the neighbours, just life in general. I was pleased that I never got flustered or tight, I just kept riding and we ended on a good note.   I kept my focus on rhythm and bend and didn't buy into her assertions that she couldn't go there or over there or how about here. She was sweaty at the end but, honestly, that was her choice. 

I put her back out (to roll yet again) and got Quaid ready. I tacked him up but was thinking we might just be lunging to help him get over his worries about next door.  But after a few minutes he settled right in to the work. Even when we heard voices from over the field. He looked and then carried on.  I kept the ride short but there was nothing to worry about. 

I rode him again today. This time I rode him a bit longer and he had some feelings about that. And by  feelings I mean a little grumpy and then settled back to work. His trot is nice and forward this year. We actually did our first wee canter of the year. I've been working it on the lunge - getting him to pick it up and drop to trot softly and with little drama. And that was just want our canter depart was. It felt nice and balanced too which wasn't the case last year. 

the best mule

 Later this morning the saddle fitter came out and adjusted his saddle with a bigger gullet. He got a little bored in the cross ties and lifted his front leg to stamp or paw. I looked at him uh-uh I said. He froze with his leg up and then quietly put it back down. I had to laugh. 

I'm so impressed with him this year.  Quaid is going to be 5 the end of May and he's behaving so grown up.  I can imagine how it will go when we can work with some consistency. 

his 'can I have a cookie' face