She is SUCH an amazing horse and I know we are going to continue to have such a great future together. We have one or two lessons a week and each time we do better than the ones before.
In Dressage we've got the shoulder-in down at the walk and trot (though we tend to have one harder direction than the other but they switch periodically, haha) and have been working on haunches-in at the trot--which is great one direction and harder the other. Mostly from her weak hip. Hoping to have the Chiro work on her soon to help that out. She has a fantastic stretchy-trot and LOVES to do them!
Her mind is SO much better and she has become incredibly soft in the bridle and front end, using her hind end more, and much more adjustable and easier to do so.
Jumping has also been awesome. She gets excited and really loves it, doesn't rush nearly as much; usually only between combinations. We've done a lot of grid work and hoping to continue doing more of that. It's really helped her learn where her feet are and how to use her hind end better between the one strides. Her adjustability when jumping is fantastic! Hardly any more pulling (usually only after jumps will she do this here and there), she responds almost immediately to my core and body, I use less hands, and there is much less I have to worry about between the jumps. It's so nice! But, we have discovered Gertie has a "witching hour." Normally my lessons are in the morning, but I have had a few lessons in the evening along with my friend, Marian, on Denise's horse Rocky. Gertie is a SPITFIRE and a total brat in the evenings, lol!! I need to ride her more in the evenings, I don't know what it is, but she's got a fire up her butt or something!
We've schooled Cross-Country twice and the first time (weekend trip), we also participated in a Fundraiser Schooling Event. There wasn't enough entries for the Dressage phase, so we didn't do that. But the Derby was really cool and Gertie did GREAT! The first day schooling (our first EVER time out there) she was tense and over jumped EVERYTHING and refused a lot when going away from the other horses. But she got better each time. Then the day of the Derby, we refused out but we were allowed to continue on (the first refusal was totally my fault but the others were her being buddy/barn sour going away from her friends and she threw a FIT). We had two rounds and started the second round immediately after we completed our first. We just did the baby stuff, Pre-Comp, and our second round was AWESOME! Although we didn't start over at the stadium portion (two xrails really), we didn't have a SINGLE stop or hesitation on the second xcountry round. She was just awesome! Our second outing a few months later was even better. Still some refusing, my fault and her being buddy sour again, but she learned to be more independent and confident in us as a team. She wasn't nearly as tense and jumped better than the first time. We did some BN jumps like they were nothing. So proud of her! I can't wait for our next outing to see how she goes!
We had a Jumper schooling show we went to. Same thing.. refusals, which were my fault for not having a good canter to start. We did two classes and the last one was still really good! Got over almost everything until we hit a combination--which we hadn't done much of before. No worries though, it was still a good and positive experience for us! Going out there and just doing it will help us progress and learn as time goes on.
Also attended a jumping clinic recently and had a blast! Learned a lot and hope to have more of these in the future!
We aren't in a rush or hurry to get to any level. Gertie is my heart horse and plan to have her the rest of her days. We have plenty of time. I would rather take the time to do things right instead of RIGHT NOW.
Video:
Santa Paula Jumpers (2nd round): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1QDijRfb_o
2nd XC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRgxXGPim2Q
Kathleen Zins Clinic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hea3NWH224A
Here are some pictures and videos from the last few months.No particular order..too lazy
jump lesson in evening- June 19
First time Cross Country
Second time Cross County
I have a piece of advice regarding the being nappy going away from buddies at shows. Invariably, horses who are trailered together will be best friends even if they don't even like each other at home. When you get her off the trailer, don't let her hang out with her trailer buddies. Take her off on her own. If she is going in a stall, don't stable her next to her buddies: try to at least put a few other random horses in between. Even if her buddies are being warmed up at the same time in the same arena, go to the other end of it. When my coach goes to events with multiple horses she immediately switches stalls with someone else so that her two horses aren't stabled next to each other. They aren't allowed to ever see each other or hang out during the competition. Even when I take Foose out XC schooling or something I will make sure that when I warm up I consciously ride him off on his own, get him cantering away from the other horses, etc. It seems harsh because you don't get to hang out with your friends and their horses, but it works.
ReplyDeleteThe first time it was more a singular buddy that she followed over a few jumps. Instant BFF.
ReplyDeleteThe second trip out, it wasn't a singular buddy but being away from the "herd." But this time was easier and I did as you mentioned above. I made us warm up first away from everyone else (she threw a huge fit, but got over it) and kept taking her away from the group to jump other stuff while my trainer was working with another girl at a higher level. It really seemed to help boost her confidence and become a bit more independent.
Unless there is a Derby or actual Event going on, we don't stall and I may have no other choice than to tie her next to a horse she may have bonded with. But, like last time, I ignored her favoritism and struck out on our own like we would have to in an Event. I think it made her realize, when we are out there, it is just us two and we have to work together. That she has to rely on ME and I her, not on her buddies.
She is such a snazzy little jumper!!! Lookit those little knees! And that trot! I love it when horses like her can go out there and say "I may be stockhorse bred but lookit me GO!! I'll beat any TB or WB out there." :D Love her!
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