What does weight have to do with it?

A lot, in this case -- I am referring to weight aids. I always struggled with keeping Saumur straight in the canter departs. Especially going to the left he has a tendency to do haunches in when I prepare for the depart. Today it was really obvious and together with Sandy we figured out that it has to do with how I use my weight aids. I was taught a long time ago to "really put the weight on the inside seat bone to prepare for the canter depart". By doing this, and probably not staying straight myself, Saumur thought I must be asking for something else and offered haunches in.

It made a huge difference when I kept my weight centered and just lightly asked with a half-halt followed by the leg aids. Sandy mentioned that she recently read a quote from Kyra Kirklund, where Kyra stated that the weight aids are over-rated. Her advise: "just sit centered". In my case, that is the key. It also reminded me of something Catherine Haddad wrote, that you have to ride off the skeleton, and not the muscle mass. Keeping in mind that a horse can feel a tiny fly on his hide, there is no need for the rider to 'throw the weight around'. Yes, shifting the position, but with finesse, not exaggeration.

Sandy and I discussed the plans for next year - would I have time for everything, 3rd level freestyle, showing 4th, and bringing out Remy? All this while my travel calendar for next year is already filling up. We'll see. I am very hopeful that we'll be doing well next year, Saumur finally is 'rideable', meaning we don't spend three quarters of a lesson trying to overcome a spooking issue. Today, for example, we did the trot work out of the St. Georg test, with 8 m circles.

While I was in Germany my dad offered to buy me a shadbelly for my birthday and Christmas (both are just a week apart), but I really didn't want to jinx it. I'll buy it when we are ready to do a decent test, not before. And yes, weight has to do something with it. What if by the time I get to the FEI levels I am not as 'svelte' anymore? Just kidding!

Back into the swing of things

Literally ... it is amazing what a week out of the office will do for my back. My first ride after the trip to Germany was awesome - the tightness was gone, my hips were swinging, and Saumur felt wonderful. That of course, is due to Sandy working with him in my absence.

It sure feels good to be home, and with home I mean Milford. As much as I like to visit Germany, as the old saying goes: "Home is where the heart is". I did have a great time visiting family and friends, and of course the Stuttgart German Masters horse show. It is incredible how well the show is run, 8,000 spectators, and something for everybody: Jumping, Dressage, Four-In-Hand Driving, Jump and Drive, Indoor Event, Vaulting, and not to forget a great show program and shopping. The main attraction was Lorenzo, the "Flying Frenchman". I said to Ingrid, good thing JP is not here with us, it would have giving him some ideas to try at home. Lorenzo is famous for standing on two horses, one leg on each horse, no bridle, no saddle, only two sticks to guide the horses, while 10 other horses are staying around in formation. And they all jump together. But I think one flying Frenchman is enough!

Disappointing was the judging in the Dressage freestyle, goes to show, even an international FEI competition does not guarantee good judging. The very educated audience made no bones about their opinion and loud protests and whistles attested to that. But overall, it was FUN! It's amazing to have a show go until midnight, and then have people stay on to party. And great food... something I have not encountered at our local shows, that's for sure. Champagne bar, anybody?

So, back into the swing of things. Yesterday we had quite the outing, we took Chambord and Remy to Sandy for lessons, in addition to my lesson with Saumur. It was a busy day at the barn, which was actually good for me. I have a hard time staying focused when there is lots of activity and there are several people riding at the same time. Sandy reminded me that I had to stay "in my bubble" and only focus on Saumur. It is very obvious, if I am distracted, he thinks he needs to be on high alert. The focus was on 'less is more', and the 'point and shoot approach' to turning. Less hand, more leg.

Remy longed well, however, I needed some reminders to be more precise, and careful. When Remy is out of balance he cross canters, so Sandy asked me to quietly get him back to a trot and right away into the correct canter. She wants me to talk to him, but preferable in only one language, as it might be confusing for him otherwise. Yes, I have to admit, I constantly switch from English to French and back. After all, as JP never ceases to point out "French is the language of love"  -- hmm, come to think of, all of our animals listen to both languages. For the longest time, our neighbors thought that one of our dogs was named "viens ici", which means "come here"!

Relax your lower back - with the help of "imaginative 'Botox'"

OK, not to get any misconceptions here: There are no "Botox-Babes" at Southview Farm. Admittedly, the natural beautiful women at the barn do spend money on injectables and needles, but those go right to the horses, in the form of Adequan and Acupuncture.

The subject came up during my lesson with Sandy, she was trying to get me to relax my lower back. What would be best: Novocain, Peridural, Botox?? When things get iffy, i.e. a spooking spot for Saumur, I tend to tense my back. Of course, that in turn signals to Saumur that there MUST be something wrong - and so it goes... I really have to work hard on it, relaxation is not something that comes naturally to me. But once I let go and breathe into my back (learned from my Yoga lessons) things really improve significantly. Imaging is everything (and free)!

The other image Sandy wanted me to have in my mind is how water flows through a hose. Now, if you narrow the outlet, the water comes out with more force. That is a good image when going from working trot to collected trot: if the outlet is more contained, the energy from behind is higher and leads to more elevation.

Remy and Chambord also traveled to Sandy's on Saturday. Chambord and JP had a lesson. We took Remy to see how he would react in his future 'winter-quarter'. Remy is such a cool boy, he walked into the barn, around the huge indoor arena, no problem at all. The observation room was of interest to him (it's an entire wall of windows), but nothing more. I am really not used to have such an uncomplicated horse, so I am constantly amazed - and silently wondering if / when the honeymoon will be over?

With all that wondering a dose of muscle relaxant (frown lines!) would probably be in order - but wait, with winter board and lessons I guess that is not considered an 'essential expense'.

Of Husband and Horses

Yesterday I worked late so on my way home I met JP for dinner at our favorite Bistro. He happily told me about his after-work activities: Not only had he worked Chambord, but also Remy, and both boys had been very good. I was quite surprised (although I shouldn’t have been) that he took it upon himself to repeat the exercises we did with Remy on Sunday. And all this in addition to cleaning the barn, preparing the feed, and walking the dogs. 
 

After all these years I am still amazed and grateful for “Mr. Perfect” (OK, almost perfect) J. I mean, how many women dream of a husband that supports their riding endeavors wholeheartedly, never question time or money spend? Especially considering his decidedly urban background (Paris!).  I did write a story some time ago that started with “all my husband knew about horses was what his mother served him on Saturdays”. Sounds pretty gruesome, but it is the truth. Now, my mother-in-law, Marguerite, was a lovely lady and a gifted cook. To her and to the majority of the French, horse meat was just another way to cook a delicious meal.

When I met JP he had never been exposed to riding horses, let alone women deeply infected with the ‘horse-bug’. Fast forward – not only did he offer me a horse for our first wedding anniversary, he stands by me with unwavering encouragement through all my ups and downs related to horses. In the process, JP became a dedicated horseman himself (five broken ribs and a permanently crooked finger later).

So, ladies, careful what you wish for; I sometimes get the distinct feeling I now have to compete with the horses for his attention. Hmm, shouldn’t it rather be the other way round??

P.S.  NO - he's not up for grabs!

To err on the side of caution

The freestyle clinic is coming up next weekend. Together with the details I also received a note from the organizer and barn owner informing the participants that one horse at the barn is sick with Potomac horse fever. The letter assured everybody that there is no need to worry, as Potomac is not transmitted from horse to horse (mosquitoes are the culprits).

My internal alarm went up instantly and I called my vet. He said there is no test that really confirms Potomac, and there are other infections with similar symptoms. (The horse in question had to be on an IV drip with antibiotics). I also called Sandy's barn vet and sent an email to Sandy, in addition to checking with horse owning friends. Well, everybody confirmed my gut feeling: better safe than sorry - meaning better scratch than ending up with a sick horse. Of course, I was told I am the only 'overprotective mother', and my spot got actually filled by somebody on the wait list. Do I have any regrets? No, I am convinced I made the right decision. Yes, certainly, I'll miss riding in the clinic, but the risk (even though probably small) is not something I am willing to take. Especially as I am leaving for Europe the next day, and I wouldn't want to risk the health of Saumur, the horses at home, or the horses at Sandy's!

The weather was beautiful this weekend, on Saturday I rode Saumur outside in the large outdoor arena. We did something we hadn't done in a long time: gallop in two-point. It was FUN! Saumur didn't get wound up and we finished walking quietly around the fields with Linda and Hopper and Megan and Savannah. A nice and relaxing finish.

Today was Remy's turn. I noticed that when I am longing him he has a tendency to bring his shoulders in the circle. We did the following exercise: longing over poles in the walk and trot, with the reins behind the stirrups, which act a bit as side reins in this case. Remy relaxed and had to focus where he placed his legs. Afterwards I got on and we walked over the poles. He is such a good baby! OK, a bit on the spoiled side (thanks, JP). I have to watch his tendency to be pushy, and trying to check what's in my pockets. It's hard to resist when he's batting his huge eyes with the long lashes at me -- I am melting. OK, I admit, I am a sucker for charming guys (especially the ones with French names).

Putting the Whoa in the Go and the Go into the Whoa

At first this sounds pretty confusing, but once it sinks in it makes sense. More importantly, though, it increases collection.

It is what we worked on during our lesson yesterday, while keeping Saumur on the lightest aids possible. Sandy had me initiate the downward transitions trot – walk, canter – walk from thigh pressure, and - if needed - with a slight close of the fingers. I could really feel how well Saumur responded, we were able to ‘whisper’ to each other, as opposed to shouting (he hanging on the bit, me giving strong aids). “Putting the whoa in the go” means asking Saumur to pick himself up more through half-halts, engaging his belly muscles, so he comes up more in front and carries more weight behind.

“Putting the go in the whoa” is asking him to be engaged during and after downward transitions, or during transitions within the gaits (no stalling or falling on his forehand). I had an important ‘Aha’-Moment when I continued to have my seat engaged during a transition within the trot, going from working trot to more collection. If I stay supple and keep me seat engaged we can do this!

We worked a lot on the canter transitions, walk – canter – walk, again all with the lightest possible aids. Saumur felt pretty awesome. He was sweating quite a bit; while I savor the last days of 60F weather the poor guy is “overdressed” by already sporting his winter coat. Saumur was bred and born “Up North” (Northern Michigan), so his genes tell him to get prepared in October for the icy months ahead.

Ah, speaking of icy months, yesterday I used my navigation system on the way home from Sandy’s to be prepared for construction detours. It really hit me when the friendly lady told me that I am driving over 120 miles (192 km) from the office to the barn and home! Yikes. I still have barns to scout out closer to home, as an option for at least Chambord and Remy during the worst months. Oh, a kingdom for an indoor arena – or an opportunity to winter in the South!

Vorfreude

"Joyful Anticipation" –  that’s what I am feeling right now! In two weeks I’ll be at the Stuttgart German Masters, enjoying with 8,000 other horse enthusiasts a great event. It covers the whole gamut: Dressage, Jumping, Four-in-hand driving, vaulting, indoor-eventing, “Jump and Drive”, and usually has a great show program. The competitions go late into the night, followed by parties in the catacombs  of the event center. Great shopping, too. This is the once a year time when I jump off the vegetarian wagon and actually eat a Bratwurst (or two). It’s a must with all that beer!

Sometimes I daydream and think of how cool it would be to have a Morgan competing there – now there’s a goal for Remy J