Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Sunday's Hunter Show

I can't complain, Ms. Lat was great for the first show of the year.

She got a 2nd, 6th, and a 3rd. We showed in 4 classes but we did not get anything in the first class. Considering that this was the first show of the season and she has not been anywhere since November of last year I was very pleased with her performance.

I do not like to show at this show because the ring is very small and I ride a very big horse (17.2). In addition to the ring being small there were 10 horses in all four classes. Four of the horses were Standardbreds and three of the four pinned in most of the classes.

Yea, Lat did stay in frame as you can see. I am very proud of my girl, I just love her to death.
I am extremely proud of how the Standardbred's excelled at the show. They were turned out beautifully and did exceptionally well. There is life after racing.

Oh...A real dressage horse!

My girl and I had a lesson saturday with my coach. Let me tell you my girl was fantastic. My coach said to me "You have her really rounded now, that opens a whole new world of what we need to accomplish."

We worked alot on transistions, bending, and a little on the canter. I was very pleased but disappointed that I did not have my video camera. I find it difficult to remember all the things I am told during an hour lesson. I feel if I video tape the lesson I can go back and review and see what she is doing and what my coach told me to correct.

On a whole I am sooooo happy with my girl, she is coming along very, very well :) My sister was up from Florida and watched the lesson and was amazed at how Lat looked. She did say that "She looks like a real dressage horse." Sunday we will show at a hunter show, let's see if I can keep her in frame.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Canter....What is that?

My sister is up from Florida with my mom and we are having the best time. Great rides through the nursery and great advice from someone I trust. She is sooooooo very helpful. Yesterday we rode over to a friend's farm that has an indoor. My sister's suggestions helped again. After over a year of riding "Lat" it suddenly dawned on me that even when we are riding around the farm I should keep her in frame. Duh!

Today's ride was in the ring late in the day because it was raining again. I always start with a warm up of walking around the farm and doing leg yields in the aisles in between the paddocks, trotting, transitions, etc. etc. Today I made sure that she was also in frame even at a walk. When I finally hit the gate of the ring we are relaxed, supple and ready to work. Ms. Lat's trot was great, she was nice and supple and bending in frame. Our goal today was to work on cantering. The left lead is great (although not collected yet) but the right lead is a battle. I am open to suggestion.

My sister and I were thinking that maybe longeing may be the answer. It will give my mare more confidence and force her to canter in the right lead. We will see. Feel free to make comments or suggestions, I appreciate the input. I will let you know how it works out. The weather tomorrow is suppose to be great and we will give it a shot. :)

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

RAIN . . . . . . . . . . NO MORE

I have not ridden since Friday. It has been raining and raining. I hope that tomorrow will be a better day.

I thought about showing on Saturday and Sunday but at this point we will see. Tomorrow I get to go see my Easter Bunny granddaughter. I cant wait.

Is anyone else having the same problem?

Saturday, April 11, 2009

2008 Awards onward to 2009


Well it was so miserable today that I thought it was time to pack away the 2008 ribbons and trophies. Ms. "Lat" was nice and clean because I planned on going to a schooling show today but because of the rain we cancelled.


Down to be barn I go with all of the 2008 awards to set up our photo shoot. "Lat" was very cooperative and did not even attempt to eat the ribbons. I took some shots and now the ribbons can go away.


Hopefully 2009 will be a good year also.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Great Riding Weekend

Saturday was a horrible day but I did have a lesson at 8:30 in the morning. I was pleased with my girl we worked very hard and we are now bending better to the right. Thank goodness I didn't have to ride outside; that wind was brutal.

Sunday was just a great day. I rode "Tobe" in the morning and we worked on steering and halts, he did well considering he has not been worked in a while. Later after going to the Horse Park to see the carraige driving stuff I came back and saddled up "Lat" and K saddled up "Villa" and we went to the nurseries for about an Hour and a half. We trotted hills and many more areas, they both did very well. It seems that "Lat" just loves going out across country. She actually JUMPED a tiny stream with me, that was a first.

I hope that next weekend we will show at Handy Acres and the 11th at The Meadows for the dressage show. The rest of this week we will practice, practice, practice.