Product Review: Kerrits Sun Lid

Product claim: keeps you cool and protected from the sun.

Review: I ordered this hat from SmartPak; it cost $18.

Pros: A very cute hat, this lightweight sun lid does a nice job of keeping the UV rays off the ears and neck. It's long on style and I've gotten some nice complements. The ponytail port is a bonus.

Cons: It runs large so does not stay on snugly especially while riding (though one could argue that I should be wearing a helmet while mounted anyway).

Bottom line: I like it for sun functionality but wish it stayed on more firmly-- a brisk wind can take it right off. For cleverness and sun protection, I recommend it.

Canter Lengthenings

Our lesson today focused on canter lengthenings. At this point, from a collected canter ten meter half circle, I go onto the long side, half halt up, and ask for an immediate lengthening of frame for a few strides only. By thinking leg yield against the wall I am able to keep Delphi straight and not falling in onto her shoulder. After an initial good response to the "go" aids, I bring her back by stepping into the inside stirrup, half halting, and collecting the canter. Delphi needs to practice lengthening and coming back until she is comfortable with the process, and no longer feels the need to "RUN!" but rather realize she can come back to a collected frame after an arousing lengthening. We had some nice ones today!
We also worked on the walk pirouette. The key is in thinking haunches in, then allowing the turn with the outside rein (NEVER pull on the inside rein), meanwhile keeping the pure walk rhythm by reminding the haunches to march in a small circle with your outside leg.

Top Dressage TV site

Go to the Top Dressage TV site and cover "Just Arrived" on the left menu then click on "Top 10 Feestyle 2 Music Aachen 2009" for videos of the top ten freestyles at Aachen! My favorite is the piaffe shown by Alexandra Korelova and Balagur.

Broken Record

Yes, it's the shoulder in UH-GINN. To further improve the shoulder in, I must activate the inside hind, keep Delphi's hind and front legs crossing (tapping the shoulder with the whip and stepping rhythmically down into the inside stirrup helps this), keep her round and seeking the bit, keep a connected but not pulling outside rein, maintain just enough bend with the inside rein, allow her to sustain self carriage, and keep her moving "straight" along the three tracks of shoulder in. We can do this!

Video taken a year and a half ago; proof that Delphi can indeed perform shoulder in (if only to convince her owner!):

Product Review: Pyranha Wipe N Spray

Product claim: provides a protective coating against flies while giving a high sheen to the hair when brushed. Kills and repels flies and mosquitoes.

Review: a moderately priced repellent (~ $15 per quart), this spray was recommended to me by a local tack store owner.

Pros: This is by far the best fly spray I've tried. It repels both flies and mosquitoes and is very strong. The oily medium lasts well, even on sweaty days. A nice side effect is that it shines Delphi's hooves and makes them darker even when I don't apply it directly to the hoof-- just from the fallout of the oily base.

Cons: The oily vehicle makes it easy to deliver too much product in a small area. Care must be taken to spray it on evenly and not get too close to the skin while spraying, otherwise it goes on too concentrated and I've seen it irritate sensitive skin-- even causing welts. If you wet the skin with this product you'll cause (potentially severe) irritation.

Bottom line: Once and for all the best fly spray. Be careful to apply it so it goes on evenly-- not concentrated on a single area. I recommend it.

Pure as the Driven Snow

Okay, so maybe not always, but she's mine and I love her. And she is this much fun to ride. Sometimes I can hardly believe it.
Photo credits to Pam and Bob Langrish. Click on photo to see larger view. I love the feet-- she's got those hooves launched!

Australian Equine Behavior Center Link

Follow this link to view articles recommended by my trainer Karen Brown.

Rocky Mountain High

Thank you Lori, Don, Dave, and Jen for an awesome visit! Some photo hilights of our trip back to Colorado:

Mountains in Estes Park:

Animal sightings included
Elk:

On the sidewalk strolling home to our B&B, we saw this doe:

A marmot:

Random baby kangaroo in Kit Carson, Colorado (it's a long story):

We played in the snow like goofy Southerner tourists:

Snow Goobers:

And the best part, Dave's Fourth of July show finale: