Consistency, Please

As everyone who shows their horse knows, it takes a huge amount of effort and a certain amount of good luck to make it to the summit of riding for six minutes in front of a judge at a dressage show. Delphi got marks everywhere from "good" (8) to "insufficient" (4). We are working to become more consistently through, with more engagement of the hindquarters and more thrusting power- with relaxation- in all gaits and paces.

For example, in the leg yield at Saturday's schooling show in first level test 4, judge Grace Harris gave the first leg yield to the left: "Fluid, but needs energy: 7 (Fairly Good)."
But leg yield right got: "No crossing shown: 4 (Insufficient)."

The transition to canter: "Hollow in depart: 5 (Marginal)" but the change of lead through trot was: "Few too many trot steps but straight and balanced: 7 (Fairly Good)."

The halt got: "Straight; balanced: 8 (Good).

In second level test two the walk work and halt/rein back got 7's (Fairly Good) while the travers ("too little angle" and "hollow- no angle or engagement") got 4's (Insufficient).

The first medium trot was: "hollow, losing rhythm: 5 (Marginal) but the second medium trot got: "lacks throughness: 6 (satisfactory)."

Delphi's gaits and my rider score were both 6 (Satisfactory).

Of course we're striving to improve our scores at the summit experience of shows while keeping in mind that it's the journey to the summit-and how we build on it- that really matters.

Hearthstone Schooling Show

Left to right: Dezi, Sarah, Tina, Delphi, Carrie, Karen, Karen, Christy, Rogue, Marlene, Allie, and Crystal

The Hearthstone Riding Stables schooling show was a blast this past Saturday June 26, 2010. Photographer Laurie Virkstis was there capturing memories like this one of a group of some of the Centerline Training students. View more proofs of the show at www.laurievirkstis.com.

Another group photo:

Left to right: Christy, Bailey, Ceil, Karen, Allie, Crystal, Carrie, Delphi

Jeff Moore Clinic June 19, 2010

Test riding strategies was the theme for our rides with Jeff Moore at beautiful Belle Terre farm. Among other topics, Jeff discussed:

• For the turn down centerline, aim for an 8 meter turn, thus allowing yourself room to correct an overshoot and then glide straight onto centerline; also applies for turns at E or B
  
• At home, ride 1 meter in from the rail, then ride deeply into each corner of the arena as if describing the corner pockets of a pool table; do this militantly unless you are specifically doing another figure such as a circle etceteras
• When showing medium gates, show an immediate and impressive surge of medium directly AT the starting letter, then show a distinct return to the collected gait at the ending letter- think trot (or canter) in place for two or three steps
• When showing leg yield or half pass, exaggerate the sideways movement immediately AT the starting letter; at the lower levels show exaggerated sideways early in the movement then glide along the rail if you reach the rail somewhat early
• On entry, line up your centerline with the judge and some (very) distant focal point behind the judge rifle sighting style; ride to the judge not necessarily the letter C marker
• Always brighten 10 meter circles so they are even more lively than your regular gait
  

Topics not covered by Jeff but exceedingly helpful if, like me, you are fortunate enough to have these tough-to-come-by but very appreciated additional items:

• Have an incredible support team surrounding you with positive vibes and encouragement (cheering is optional but valued!)
• Have your horse ridden regularly by, as well as take lessons from, a remarkable Dressage trainer who not only teaches your horse and you, but apprentices you how to train your own horse
  
• Have the world's best slave/therapist/friend/all around competent horseperson as your groom

If you accomplish all of the above, you're sure to succeed!

Guenter Seidel Breaks Pelvis in Horse Related Injury

Yesterday, June 13 2010, Guenter Seidel fell from a bucking runaway horse at Klaus Balkenhol’s farm in Germany, breaking his pelvis and puncturing his lung. After repair surgery, Guenter is in stable condition in the ICU at Munster. With a good prognosis from his surgeon, Guenter is expected to recover well hopefully within several months. See a more detailed update at Dover's World blog.

The Pupil Exceeds the Master

Delphi is fast approaching surpassing me in her Dressage training. It's true there are many things we can still work on together, but I've reached a point in my own training where I need to again start riding a variety of horses, this time at the upper levels of Dressage, to push beyond my current limits.
As a seven year old when I purchased her, Delphi could walk trot and canter in a round pen environment. Her primary-and only- job before I owned her was as a broodmare. Never having lived off the farm where she was born, Delphi led a somewhat protected life. In fact the one and only time she ever left the farm where she was born during her first seven years of life was to go to her inspection. When her previous owner and breeder dropped her off for my initial two week trial period, she casually mentioned that Delphi did very well getting on and off the trailer especially since it was only the second time in her life she'd even seen a trailer, and that by the way I might want to have her ultrasounded because they had recently implanted an Andalusian embryo in Delphi as a recip mare in their breeding program. WHAT?? Turns out all was well in the end-- she was open.
Thank heavens for our trainer Karen Brown, who we increasingly rely on for the campaigning of team Delphi. In the mean time I'm looking forward to riding the FEI movements on mounts such as Fee, Gryphon, maybe even Poder and Alli.
It is both a satisfaction and spur for action that I have taught Delphi almost all that I possibly can at this point. From learning to trailer obediently and quietly, standing passively for ear, face, leg and tail trimming, mane and tail pulling, to making accordion steps up and down the training scale and ultimately learning elements of self carriage and straightness, ours continues to be a fun and satisfying erudition. I'm very proud of Delphi and how much she has both learned from me and taught to me, and continues to do so.