It's almost perfect riding weather, only the pesky mosquitoes are a bit of a pain. Last night we took the boys out on a trailride and had a very relaxing time. I was wondering a bit how Saumur would deal with it, after having spent the last months less on the trails and more in the arenas. Turned out he took to it like he'd never done anyting else!
First we encountered our neighbor Jim 'speeding' on his lawn mower. Then, as we had barely hit the trails, a huge coyote ran right in front of us. And sure enough, Chambord took exception to some large boulders (that incidentally had the same coloring as he has). Hmm... But with some encouragement from JP he marched right by.
Further along we came across a buck and two does (men!), and as it goes with deer, they really waited until the last moment before deciding to go back into the woods.
Now that the season is over, it's time to look ahead. I really want to do a freestyle, that was my goal all along. A 3rd level freestyle and then showing 4th next season seems to be a good plan. There is a freestyle clinic coming up in November, and I am thinking of signing up. I rode with that freestyle designer before, and unfortunately things in the past didn't go so well as Saumur was spooking all over the place in the unfamiliar arena. Time to give in another try!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
What a week - what a season!
Good news first: Saumur won the 3rd level series championship (comprised of five shows) at Waterloo Dressage. Yeah!!! We got to do our victory lap to the tunes of "Ghostbusters" - very fitting! But I am jumping ahead...
Last Sunday we trailered the boys to Sandy's for lessons. It was one of my more frustrating moments, nothing really seemed to 'click'. As I had to leave for a business trip on Monday we left the boys at Sandy's until Tuesday night.
We took Saumur to the show Thursday night, after a struggle getting Chambord settled in time at his 'sleepover' with equine companions at Colleen's. As soon as JP and Chambord left, Saumur started to scream his head off. I was afraid he would come through the stall door. Argh, having two horses that do not want to stay alone is no fun. Good thing Saumur loaded fine and off we went. Which brings us the the above mentioned fitting music of 'ghostbusters'. Saumur definitely saw ghosts all over the place at the showgrounds. Sandy had her work cut out to keep both horse and rider in check and together.
First class on Friday we scored low, but then we hit the 65's! Wow. We got from both judges '8s' for our entry, halt salute, and one judge gave us a '9' for the turn on the haunches. Saturday another 65% in 3-3! We were done by noon, and JP was ready to load and go before I even had a chance to catch my breath (the man does not waste ANY time!). Luckily Carrie from the showoffice came up to me and asked that we stay for the awards ceremony because "You won the series championship, and by a large margin!" Well, of course, we stay and do the victory gallop!!!
It was so much fun, especially after all the hard work, ups and downs during the season, and the constant juggle to find time to do it all. And, yes, I have to admit, leaving some expensive imports "in the dust" was just the icing on the cake. Go Morgan!! I can't say it often enough that this success is really a team effort. Without Sandy we wouldn't have come that far, and yes, the encouragement (read: butt-kicking) from JP and Francis had a major impact, too. I am also truly grateful to have JP and friends that are there with encouragement when the going gets tough and to cheer me on when things are great. And to top it off: a horse that truly touches my soul.
Last Sunday we trailered the boys to Sandy's for lessons. It was one of my more frustrating moments, nothing really seemed to 'click'. As I had to leave for a business trip on Monday we left the boys at Sandy's until Tuesday night.
We took Saumur to the show Thursday night, after a struggle getting Chambord settled in time at his 'sleepover' with equine companions at Colleen's. As soon as JP and Chambord left, Saumur started to scream his head off. I was afraid he would come through the stall door. Argh, having two horses that do not want to stay alone is no fun. Good thing Saumur loaded fine and off we went. Which brings us the the above mentioned fitting music of 'ghostbusters'. Saumur definitely saw ghosts all over the place at the showgrounds. Sandy had her work cut out to keep both horse and rider in check and together.
First class on Friday we scored low, but then we hit the 65's! Wow. We got from both judges '8s' for our entry, halt salute, and one judge gave us a '9' for the turn on the haunches. Saturday another 65% in 3-3! We were done by noon, and JP was ready to load and go before I even had a chance to catch my breath (the man does not waste ANY time!). Luckily Carrie from the showoffice came up to me and asked that we stay for the awards ceremony because "You won the series championship, and by a large margin!" Well, of course, we stay and do the victory gallop!!!
It was so much fun, especially after all the hard work, ups and downs during the season, and the constant juggle to find time to do it all. And, yes, I have to admit, leaving some expensive imports "in the dust" was just the icing on the cake. Go Morgan!! I can't say it often enough that this success is really a team effort. Without Sandy we wouldn't have come that far, and yes, the encouragement (read: butt-kicking) from JP and Francis had a major impact, too. I am also truly grateful to have JP and friends that are there with encouragement when the going gets tough and to cheer me on when things are great. And to top it off: a horse that truly touches my soul.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
A revelation : "Sticky is good" - and a horse that had to pee in a cup
We had a very good Waterloo show this weekend, despite a bit of a rocky start. Thursday night I was pretty stressed out about work and the possibility that our (long awaited) vacation in Montana might not happen due to a meeting in France at the same time.
First ride Friday felt good but the judge didn't share my feelings. We got dinged all the way through because Saumur had his mouth open at times. Sandy recommended we go back to the old curb bit. Uh, here I thought I was doing Saumur a favor, buying an expensive Hermann Sprenger bit because I didn't want to subject him to cheap Chinese metal. Guess what - we switched the bits and he was fine. There goes the vote for the fine German quality. Second ride went really well, we got 7s on the changes with the comment "straight" - a true first for us!
Yesterdays rides were good, too, but I managed to bungle the last ride a bit with not enough collection before the 'V' changes. Oh, well, it still netted us a 63%. After the first ride the official USEF vet came up to us "Congratulations - and you have been selected for drug testing". That was a first for us. The vet explained that Saumur had to pee in a cup and give blood. Oh, great. Well, Saumur handled it like true athlete (at least the ones not doped). As soon as he went his stall he peed and the vet tech collected with a cup. Then the female vet did a really wonderful job drawing the vials of blood from " Mr. Do-Not-Poke-Me-With-A-Needle'.
As I had only entered Friday and Saturday the plan was that JP drives Saumur to Sandy's, picks up Chambord and brings the boys home. So far, so good. I stayed for a bit to load the equipment and catch the freestyle exhibitions, when JP called to tell me he wouldn't make it to Sandy's due to a horrible Thunderstorm. I was barely off the phone with him the show canceled the rides, issued a severe storm warning, and the sirens went off. I was REALLY worried about JP and Saumur on the freeway in this torrential weather. The horses at the showgrounds were all very calm. As soon as the weather let up a bit I drove home. Saumur was clearly worried about being alone, but settled in for the night. Unfortunately, this morning he woke the entire neighborhood, better than any rooster could have done. JP set off to pick up Chambord and as I write this I look out the window and see the boys grazing. Life is complete again!
The big revelation I had this weekend was that what I feel and what the judges see are two different pair of shoes. I used to wonder why I got good scores for something that felt "sticky" to me, and not so good scores for movements I thought went well. It started during the George clinic, where I consistently had the feeling that Saumur was not 'forward' enough but George liked it. Then this weekend it happened again. Sandy explained what felt "sticky" to me was collection, what felt "forward" was running. Big lightbulb moment: "Sticky" is good!
First ride Friday felt good but the judge didn't share my feelings. We got dinged all the way through because Saumur had his mouth open at times. Sandy recommended we go back to the old curb bit. Uh, here I thought I was doing Saumur a favor, buying an expensive Hermann Sprenger bit because I didn't want to subject him to cheap Chinese metal. Guess what - we switched the bits and he was fine. There goes the vote for the fine German quality. Second ride went really well, we got 7s on the changes with the comment "straight" - a true first for us!
Yesterdays rides were good, too, but I managed to bungle the last ride a bit with not enough collection before the 'V' changes. Oh, well, it still netted us a 63%. After the first ride the official USEF vet came up to us "Congratulations - and you have been selected for drug testing". That was a first for us. The vet explained that Saumur had to pee in a cup and give blood. Oh, great. Well, Saumur handled it like true athlete (at least the ones not doped). As soon as he went his stall he peed and the vet tech collected with a cup. Then the female vet did a really wonderful job drawing the vials of blood from " Mr. Do-Not-Poke-Me-With-A-Needle'.
As I had only entered Friday and Saturday the plan was that JP drives Saumur to Sandy's, picks up Chambord and brings the boys home. So far, so good. I stayed for a bit to load the equipment and catch the freestyle exhibitions, when JP called to tell me he wouldn't make it to Sandy's due to a horrible Thunderstorm. I was barely off the phone with him the show canceled the rides, issued a severe storm warning, and the sirens went off. I was REALLY worried about JP and Saumur on the freeway in this torrential weather. The horses at the showgrounds were all very calm. As soon as the weather let up a bit I drove home. Saumur was clearly worried about being alone, but settled in for the night. Unfortunately, this morning he woke the entire neighborhood, better than any rooster could have done. JP set off to pick up Chambord and as I write this I look out the window and see the boys grazing. Life is complete again!
The big revelation I had this weekend was that what I feel and what the judges see are two different pair of shoes. I used to wonder why I got good scores for something that felt "sticky" to me, and not so good scores for movements I thought went well. It started during the George clinic, where I consistently had the feeling that Saumur was not 'forward' enough but George liked it. Then this weekend it happened again. Sandy explained what felt "sticky" to me was collection, what felt "forward" was running. Big lightbulb moment: "Sticky" is good!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Hard work, morale boost, and a proud horse
George Williams clinic at Southview Farm: Intense instruction in 90F Heat and Humidity – and I had two of the best rides ever!
Saturday George focused almost entirely on our canter work. I had told him of the difficulties I am still having with the 3-3 movements of halfpass to X, straight ahead, then change. George had us work on it differently: canter halfpass to X, straight, then halt and rein back. He agreed that especially with Saumur we cannot practice elements exactly as they are in the test, as Mr. SmartyPants figures it out right away and takes over. George recommended that especially in the warm up at the shows not to ride exact sections of the tests. We also worked on collecting the canter, getting Saumur to carry more weight behind, with me really taking a risk of Saumur breaking into to the trot.
I was so focused I didn’t notice the intense heat and humidity or anything else. I truly felt like I could ride! Saumur tried his big heart out, and sure enjoyed the applause he received after the lesson. Sandy told me she was really proud of us, and that somebody came up to her and asked “who is this woman, is she your student? She is riding really well”. Of course, that went down like oil (not sure if that is an expression used in English?). Boy, after the depressing judges at Copper Creek I really needed that!!
Sunday George had us work on the canter again, this time with the flying changes. Key is to have Saumur really on the aids (that, of course, is nothing new, I just have to DO it). It is all in the preparation. I need to remember to really collect Saumur in the corners before the half passes, then we just float. We also worked on trot shoulder in to 10 m half circles to half pass. Another exercise we did (really fun!) was medium canter along the long side, with a collected 10 m circle at the end. All this while a huge thunderstorm was pelting down on his, with rain so hard it drowned George’s voice out despite the speakers. Saumur unflinchingly focused and didn’t put one foot down wrong, despite the noise and rain coming through the doors.
It is so rare having two great rides in a row and I sure will savor it for a very long time! My only regret is that I didn’t have it on tape. I would have loved to actually see my rides. It also gave me a big boost when George told me not to listen to any judge telling me that Saumur is not ready for that level, that this is just not true. According to him, Saumur talented and able to do the work. It was funny to see Saumur after our lesson: he was craning his neck left and right “I was good, wasn’t I?! Where are the treats?? Please admire me!”
JP, of course, went in for the kill… he rode Chambord in the arena after the clinic while George was in the observation room watching. George told him that Chambord is a nice horse and JP is doing a good job with him. So JP deadpanned and asked George to promise not to retire in the next 15 years, so he can sign up to ride with him!
Saturday George focused almost entirely on our canter work. I had told him of the difficulties I am still having with the 3-3 movements of halfpass to X, straight ahead, then change. George had us work on it differently: canter halfpass to X, straight, then halt and rein back. He agreed that especially with Saumur we cannot practice elements exactly as they are in the test, as Mr. SmartyPants figures it out right away and takes over. George recommended that especially in the warm up at the shows not to ride exact sections of the tests. We also worked on collecting the canter, getting Saumur to carry more weight behind, with me really taking a risk of Saumur breaking into to the trot.
I was so focused I didn’t notice the intense heat and humidity or anything else. I truly felt like I could ride! Saumur tried his big heart out, and sure enjoyed the applause he received after the lesson. Sandy told me she was really proud of us, and that somebody came up to her and asked “who is this woman, is she your student? She is riding really well”. Of course, that went down like oil (not sure if that is an expression used in English?). Boy, after the depressing judges at Copper Creek I really needed that!!
Sunday George had us work on the canter again, this time with the flying changes. Key is to have Saumur really on the aids (that, of course, is nothing new, I just have to DO it). It is all in the preparation. I need to remember to really collect Saumur in the corners before the half passes, then we just float. We also worked on trot shoulder in to 10 m half circles to half pass. Another exercise we did (really fun!) was medium canter along the long side, with a collected 10 m circle at the end. All this while a huge thunderstorm was pelting down on his, with rain so hard it drowned George’s voice out despite the speakers. Saumur unflinchingly focused and didn’t put one foot down wrong, despite the noise and rain coming through the doors.
It is so rare having two great rides in a row and I sure will savor it for a very long time! My only regret is that I didn’t have it on tape. I would have loved to actually see my rides. It also gave me a big boost when George told me not to listen to any judge telling me that Saumur is not ready for that level, that this is just not true. According to him, Saumur talented and able to do the work. It was funny to see Saumur after our lesson: he was craning his neck left and right “I was good, wasn’t I?! Where are the treats?? Please admire me!”
JP, of course, went in for the kill… he rode Chambord in the arena after the clinic while George was in the observation room watching. George told him that Chambord is a nice horse and JP is doing a good job with him. So JP deadpanned and asked George to promise not to retire in the next 15 years, so he can sign up to ride with him!
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