This week has been busy with a mix of schooling and getting organised for the show. It seemed like yesterday that it was weeks away. But time marches on and all of sudden ride times are getting emailed.
It's been an interesting week with Quaid. He's been a little challenging earlier this week. On Sunday he was fixated on Carmen and what she was doing out in the field. For the record Carmen was just moseying around living her best life and couldn't have cared less about Quaid. At one point we were cantering a circle and he was counter bent. I asked him to bend to the inside and he got pissy and kicked out. I probably held the aid too long but anyway he hooked his leg over the bottom tape and pulled it out. Which freaked him out. I got him stopped but had to dismount to put it back. I was irritated and felt like I shouldn't ride but didn't want to stop. So I popped him on the lunge and worked him until his focus was totally on me. Then I got back on and worked him at WTC until he was soft and tuned in. It felt like a breakthrough.
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| pony can trot nice when he wants to |
Then I rode him Tuesday and he was really up. The work was going really well until he threw a few spooks, one of which almost got me off. I realised that I wasn't being consistent with my outside rein. He as also being really reactive about going to a certain spot of the ring. So I had to work on riding him forward, keeping my outside rein and having the expectation that he can definitely go to that spot without freaking out. It was good work and we ended on a good note.
Today, butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. Everything was yes ma'am, no ma'am but in a good, tuned in way. I've added two new mantras to my collection:
I sit up when I ride
I ride with an outside rein
Carmen continues to be nearly perfect. I had a lesson on Saturday and it was so good. Even though, through a miscommunication, I got on her way too early and ended up riding her for 90 minutes. Fortunately she's fit. It really neat riding her and feeling things click together. It's requiring me to up my riding and be more refined with my aids. I'm loving it.
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| I'm having so much fun |
Which brings me to the show. I'm showing Carmen 2nd level 2 & 3 and Quaid training 1 & 2. It's easy to get caught up in the whole show thing and lose sight of what's important. So I've thought about my goals for the show:
Carmen:
- keep her stepping under and into a recieving hand
- straightness and rhythm
- warm up to get her supple and on the aids
- ride him forward
- be proactive and give him clear direction
- use the warm up to get him focused and relaxed
- make sure I have him in the outside rein
- if things go wrong, regroup and carry on
- stay out of my head and remember that I actually do know how to ride. Repeat my mantras
- sit up and keep my seat in the saddle.
- keep the outside rein, for the love of god.
- Breathe during the tests
- have fun
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| Carmen: don't worry, I've got this |
Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI love that you have clearly defined goals prior to stepping into the ring. It gives you a more objective look at how well you did, instead of going just by feel. As you know, it's possible to feel like you rode your worst, because we're our own worst critics, but actually have had a really good ride.
ReplyDeleteI think all three of you are going to do great!
The goals really help me stay on track. And you’re right about being critical.
DeleteLove your mantras — I’ve been using a similar approach of just trying to stay laser focused on a couple key aspects (esp that proactive bit) when it’d otherwise be easy to get drawn into the chaos lol. I’m excited for you guys tho — hope you have a great show and great experience!
ReplyDeleteWhen this get chaotic I become passive thinking I’m being calm. But I don’t actually give any direction lol.
DeleteLove these goals! And that you're having fun with your horses. It can be so hard to regulate our own emotions, let alone help our horses do the same at the same time. Great job training Quaid!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am actually viewing the irritation as a positive step away from ‘oh god, I’m gonna die’ lol
DeleteOh DEFINITELY a better place to be, lol!
DeleteRiding at home, where they can see their buddy grazing, does present challenges. Haha. Your consistency took care of it and he is better for it. You’re all going to do great at the show.
ReplyDeleteRemember that you “actually do know how to ride.” Young horses sure make us revert to feeling like we’ve never ridden a horse before! As I work with Tweed, and gain confidence in him, I feel my past trail riding self emerging more and more, too. A horse is a living, breathing, unique animal and it takes time to sync our grooves.
It really does take time. I’m loving the progress you’ve made with Tweed.
DeleteThere are as many distractions at home as there are on the trails or at shows. Seems you are doing a good job handling all types.
ReplyDeleteI love your mantras! And it makes me smile so much to hear how much you and Carmen are clicking and how much fun you're having.
ReplyDelete