Jumping Series - One

This is the first ever video taken of me jumping at any point in my riding life.  I’ve never seen myself on video doing this before.  Interesting really and the jumps look so small.  When I think about it though, I wonder if I’m not putting in enough effort by not raising them?    When Ink goes over a jump the first or second time he’s into it and does it pretty well, but then getslazy when we repeat.  I know he is capable of more, but I am trying to nurture my confidence, as well as his..  Hmm…  I’m really going to shoot for better, we both need to be pushed some. 

Watch in high quality by clicking here and then by clicking the blue “watch in high quality” button below the video.

Things I am happy with : Ink’s canter, his response to the aids, his potential.

In the first few, trotting over fences, clips - We had already warmed up, done the fences and he shows his lazy, “been there” attitude. 

The first Canter over the fence - I like it, but I started to take off before him.  Going the same direction, repeating it, you see he does start to get lazy.

3:14 cantering segment - I really like both of us there.  And he gets lazy after we repeat.

Well we have a ways to go, but we’re going to get there in time for the show.

Critiques are always welcome in a respectful manner, please.

Getting Fit is Tiring

But fun!  I’m having a randy time with Ink and our jumping.  Nothing too special in our early stages, we did a 1′9″ x-rail today, working on distance, my eyes staying up..  Not big a bit, but we need to get solid down low before we start moving up and he needs to become more supple, more fit before I expect or ask more out of him.  Sometimes I really think he gets bored doing the low stuff, but I don’t want to ask too much too soon, so we’ll have to just push through and practice patience and discpline.  Nothing wrong with that ;). 

Matt instructed me again, if my eyes went down I would have to canter twice around the arena, which was SOOO tiring after a while.  Ink was fine, became a little lazy, but our pace is getting better which is nice.  ‘Keeping’ the pace is hard at times, but I can already feel how nicely it’s coming along tracking right.  Left is still not so great but I don’t expect that to come round for a while. 

I rode in the middle of the day, (do I dare call these lessons, more like boot camp) which thank goodness for the breeze at times or else it would be horrible.  I hate riding in the middle of the day in the heat.  I like riding in fog, cold weather, fresher horses are much nicer to ride.  But in the summer I usually try to ride in the evening when it’s cooled down. 

I’m thinking about the whole lead change thing, never attempted teaching a horse it, wondering when will be the right time although Ink will probably let me know, but how to teach it.  I think I have an idea but want to do it right.

Jumping Series

I’ll be doing a new video series - Ink and I jumping!  I can’t imagine that it will be a pretty thing to watch, as I am rusty and I have neglected jumping lessons for nearly 5 years, but I am trying no less.  

Well hopefully there will be a video posted later today..

Back in the Jumping Game…

Another goal to add to the list.  I am planning on showing Ink in the jumpers (most likely) and the hunters, 2′3″ classes in addition to my initial plan of showing him in the walk, trot equitation. 

Today Ink and I started our first time back jumping and he is more ready then ever.  He was on and there was no hesitation.  I had never cantered him over a jump before, so today was our first time.  It felt sensational and the big guy really enjoyed.  He was so full of himself!  Matt instructed me on the things he can instruct on such as my eyes up, heels down, while I focused on getting the right take off, so I was not ahead of him.  I really tried to push Ink, we made some great break-throughs and my confidence went up a lot. 

I think some of this can be thanks to the new saddle.  I bought the used Collegiate close contact and boy is it comfortable!  I felt secure and not on “edge” like with the old saddle. 

Tomorrow I’m going to school half + flat work and then do some jumping at the end.  I’m trying to figure out the schedule and how to achieve this goal given the appropriate time before the show.

Pastime Jumping

Some old videos of Ink jumping early this year.  He loved it very much and tried hard. 

I’m soon out the door to go look at a CC saddle.

Yesterday I went to a tack swap and picked up some great things for GREAT prices.  Hock boots for Ink, show shirts for $3.  A pair of riding pants and a really nice fitted vest for $5.

The Competitive Horse..

Over time I am becoming more of a person who likes to ride with others.  I used to want to go over to the barn solo, ride solo and manage my own.  But now I miss when Matt doesn’t come.  Yesterday he didn’t come with me because he had to do something with my dad.  I was a little disappointed because over the past two years Matt has been my #1 horse buddy.  He doesn’t like to ride, but likes to hang out and help me.  He’s a great guy I must say and I’m very lucky!  But yesterday flying solo I thought that I would be riding in a quiet arena, no one around.  The optimistic side of me said that it would be good for Ink and I to share some alone time.  Well when I got to the barn I was mistaken.  The boarder and BO were just getting ready to ride when I got there and soon here came our family friend who got us in contact with the owner when we were looking for a boarding place.  Then here comes a horse trailer pulled by a nice lady and her bay mare with the two icey blue eyes.  Yes, I wasn’t going to be alone!

Ink was such a love when I was tacking him up.  He was in a great mood and had his head lowered, eyes soft when I was tacking him up, not a care in the world.  I’ve always said what a crazy OTTB I own… *eye-roll*. 

After I tacked up I mounted and made my way to the arena, where all four ladies were walking their horses.  After a little while walking, I asked Ink for a trot, did both directions and went back to the walk.  Over came K* (the family friend) and her chestnut horse.  Together we walked and chatted while our horses enjoyed eachothers company.  Ink is a real friendly guy with other horses, he LOVES making a new buddy and apparently so did K*’s horse.  I told her I was going to do some more trotting and as we start to make our way from her horse, the chestnut comes loping up.  K* started laughing and said she wasn’t doing it, Pheo* wanted to stay with Ink.  It was so cute.

When I decided to do some canter work, Ink’s competitive racing nature stepped in.  If Pheo* was ahead Ink wanted to follow, no stopping.  He tried really hard yesterday and I was so proud of him.  The good thing is that it was our first time riding with a group of other horses.  Now I know what to expect at the show when we’re doing our equitation class.  Ink was really paying attention to me believe it or not.

Another Move in View

As I blogged before, the move to the current barn is not a permanent situation.  The paddocks flood and the arena is not usable during the winter.  I have set my sights on the one that has multiple arena’s and like I said before that’s hardly the reason why I chose it.  I liked it because when I first met the owner and took the tour of the place, I got a great feeling in my stomach.  It was the only one I have visited that had this type of effect on me and my decision has been made.  The price is moderate, not bad, but not super wonderful.  You get what you pay for however and if that is the case this place is perfect both on price and in environment. 

Since the show will be in October I have thought about the pro’s and con’s of moving them either before or after, for the sake of relaxing.  I want them to have time to adjust if they do move before the show.  Together they will do just fine in adjusting I think, but still a new place and routine is a change nonetheless.  Besides that I have thought about starting Ink over ground poles and some small fences again.  For fun and a change of pace for him mentally and physically - and to continue to strengthen his hind end. -  That of which is not available at the current facility and I thought that I’d enter him in the small hunter 2′ class for the show.  If I do that I would need to start schooling him by September, at latest, so I could incorporate it about 2 times a week between our regular sessions. 

We’ll see how things go.

Tired Boy

Yesterday evening and this evening when I got the big guy out to work he was reluctantly behind my leg.  He plodded around and just didn’t want to go.  Yesterday he was “on” but just not forward.  He was being a silly guy who wanted to go play amongst the rest of the horses that were running around after a long hot day.  The cool evening air must have ignited their fire from the hot tiring day earlier.  So Ink was weird, up and on but just didn’t want to go forward.  He was in a real dorkus mood.  Ah the ride was short, not because I was frustrated but because I just thought that is wasn’t necessary to push him along.  I walked him, we hung out and visited with Errika and watched the dogs play ball.  It ended up being a later night than usual, we didn’t leave until after dark.  I spent some time trying to wash Ink’s fly sheet so I could put it on the next day. 

Today was another hot day.  Honestly, just last week I was wearing a vest and a long sleeve!  It was cold and now it’s been hot.  Can anyone explain this? 

Despite the fact that it was still a little warm this evening I was keen on working Ink solidly.  Again, still behind my leg, but after warming up, asking for a canter transition, he started to put his mind in the game.  It was great.  I felt like we walked away from today’s session with another block in the foundation.  I did some cantering.  I feel he’s ready to start working on that since we are doing mighty well with the trotting work.  I haven’t asked for a lot of canter work because he just isn’t strong enough yet and to be honest I’ve been a little uncomfortable asking for it.  I can’t really explain why, I do however think it might have to do with the fact that he goes down-hill and it frightens me, as if he’s going to tip forward.  Anyway, I left that all behind me and we achieved some nice cantering in both directions.  It was work for Ink because he got sweaty.  I gave him breaks in between and that really helped collect himself for when I asked for it the next time.  It’s only a matter of strengthening those muscles before he will have some great canter depatures down.  He really likes to make it right and knows exactly what I’m asking for.  If we make an unsuccessful canter departure, he tries so hard to make sure he does it the next time.  

I also did some trotting figure eight’s, good work-out for him and that was about it.

I had a light-bulb moment…durr..when I figured out why he’s been lazy these past days.  - Both horses have been turned out during that time..

Show Visit

We made our way out to watch the show yesterday!  Not too long of a drive and I was really happy we went.  I brought my camera just in case, although I was just planning to spectate.  I started taking pictures of the hunter/jumpers and then a nice lady asked if I was selling those photos.  Then another lady who was showing asked as well.  Granted next time I would love to take more pictures because it’s really nice to finally get some equestrian sport photography practice.  I’ll probably try to update my photography blog later, but I have to say that I think I did a pretty good job with the timing.  It’s a little easier in fact, than taking photos of the race cars because they can be a little more un-predictable than the horses over fences. 

Just watching made me itch with anticipation to get out there.  I’m looking forward to it very much!

On Friday I rode Ink.  I had Matt take a video and it will be included in the equitation series.  That day was great for Ink.  Video’s are always humbling, but the highlights of our ride was at the end.  I wanted to work him at the near end again, to work on his arena sour-ness.  But I didn’t just let him plod around, I made him work into the corners, bend and then we did this long and low.  He has a tendency to fall on the shoulder and push on me to get through the circle quicker, it was harder to encourage him into the corners while he was stretching, at the beginning, but then he really started to respond to the aids and we had a great time.  I came across this quote and does it ever make a lot of sense. 

“First comes the rider’s concentration, then the rider’s performance, then the horse’s performance, and finally, the horse’s attention.” - John Lyons, The Making Of A Perfect Horse.

     

Patience is Worth Practicing

The horses’ Majesty Wafers have run out today, but I put an order in for CortaFlex.  I’ll give it a go and see how it works.  Since the horses are grained it’s more affordable to use that verses the wafers.  I think it should be here tomorrow.

I gave Ink today off.  He’s worked hard this week and deserves a little vacation.  I think tommorrow, I’ll do a light stretching session and call it a week.  He seemed a little tired today when we went to visit.  I initially wanted to lunge the big guy for a little bit to see how he was moving.  It lasted about 5 minutes and he was looking good. 

Not too much else to report on.  I am going to take a drive down to the place where the schooling show is going to be.  Their hosting one this weekend and it will be the same format as the one Ink and I will be attending this fall.  Thought I would check it out and see what’s up :).