Ashe has improved again with the hosing. He spooked at it (to be fair his chin got hit when I was getting his front legs from behind), pulled away and then came right back and let me finish everything. WITH the hose head attached rather than just free running water. Woo!
So we went to my trainer's clinic again this year :) 2 days overnight. I wish he'd get along in the field over the fence with her horses but alas, he has to stay stall bound except for supervised free time in the ring. Last year's clinic (clicky!)
We did so much better! We did BN dressage test (I went off course the first time I did it, never done it before in my defense) and then jumped a "Student" designed jump course complete with a "pick your own" derby section! He even jumped his first corner without a second glance (the pipes apparently are optional to him and I have to "wide hand" it to get him to focus).
For dressage we need to work on connection and smoothness. And actually free walking :P
For jumps I need to work on my hands and getting stiff over smaller jumps. He needs to work on getting the correct lead and not diving into the turn off jumps.
Instead of bucking, he tried to roll with me under saddle but I will take it so +1 there!
Also looking at getting a new vest based on our safety discussions and am updating my first aid kit!
All in all it was great. Now for Videos!
Dressage (Round 2, because I forgot where I was going in Round 1)
Also, I would fail because I am so used to using my voice to help him stay focused on me...
A little late in coming but before I post about our wonderful 2 day clinic that we did, I wanted to get these up! We did the puddle jumpers 18" division and one class of jumpers 2-2'3!
Not much has been going on the past few weeks (months...). We've been riding, a lot of outside hills and interval sets for trot and canter.
We've been working on turns and rollbacks over fences.
All for this moment.
We had our FIRST SHOW. And it was FANTASTIC.
I was thinking he was going to be more like how we are at the fun shows. Full of energy and little brakes....
Well he was the complete opposite. Cool, calm and did have the oomph when I asked, and listened to my half halts.
We had quite a full class for the 18" jumpers and placed 3rd, 5th and 3rd again. We stayed on, remembered all the courses (each class was a different course!) and rode really consistently.
The 5th came about because he cross cantered after a jump and couldn't get himself sorted by the turn and we tripped. He was a little lazy jumping but he doesn't really put in the effort at that height.
On top of it all, we got Reserve Champion for the division!
Then he was feeling so good we did one class of the 2' to 2'3 and the jumper monster in him came out. We placed 3rd then too. Our trainer says that we can do the 2' to 2'3 division next time if we wanted. (We mostly did the 18" as we had no idea how he would be nor how I would be remembering all my courses).
I'm waiting on photos, but overall it was a fantastic and awesome day!
He seemed to settle almost instantly (after the usual prancing, snorting, and showing off for the two other geldings in the fields next to him). The place is nice and I know he'll have good care.
I will have to get used to riding in all kinds of weather as I had to give up the wonderful indoor that we had. I need to get a spring raincoat for riding (all I have that is waterproof are winter jackets).
Beyond that, we're working on how quickly he responds to cues (particularly trot to canter), and changing leads over ground poles. He's doing great so far!
Most people do this around New Years... or maybe Thanksgiving...
But we're coming to a new chapter in our partnership. The current barn we're at is retiring, and therefore we have to find a new place by the end of March. EEK.
I realized how much I adore the place I'm at and the care... and am planning on doing a big Thank You card for the owners. But I'm only a week into searching for a new place, and its difficult!
It also got me realizing just how far in two years we've come as a partnership.
He comes to me when whistled at in the field, he trusts me implicitly, we play together loose in the indoor, and we've gotten over so many of his fears already.
Then I found this, I made it at our 2 year mark... the difference for the both of us is astounding.
I'm so proud of us. And I know wherever we end up, we'll be okay.
