Centerline Sweep

The Centerline Training group was a hit at this weekend's All Heart Horse Farm Houston Dressage Society show. We took champion, first, and second places in all levels entered: third, first and training; with Rajah and Tiffany champion training level (and overall show highpoint training level and above) and Allie and Lisa champion first level.
Amazing what solid coaching, supportive atmosphere, and excellent training at home produces! With thanks to our wonderful trainer Karen Brown who empowers us- horses and riders alike- with solid principles of classical dressage, plus that extra something that is empathy, respect, and love for our equine partners and each other.

Long time buddies Allie and Wizard arriving:

The Centerline group from left to right Marlene, Tiffany, Lisa, Karen, Rachel and Carrie, with a Wizard nostril in the foreground (with thanks to helper/photographer Amy, Rajah's owner!):

Having a blast; Wizard/Rachel, Rajah/Tiffany, Allie/Lisa and Delphi/Carrie:

Perspective

Having chosen the slow, intentional path to learning the art of dressage, one expects good days and poor but with an overall progression toward harmony and influence over one's horses.

At least that's how I'm trying to keep perspective after two unsatisfactory scores at our most recent one day show. At 59.4 I was just shy of getting my final second level bronze qualifying score, and when I received a 47 from a different judge at the same show I couldn't help but feel disappointment.

To gain further perspective I began thinking about disappointment versus perseverance. While it's true my goals include an element of prize riding, that is not the ultimate objective. I contemplated my personal dressage odyssey that has serendipitously overlapped with some pretty awesome and amazing people and horses, and realized that a couple of bad scores shall not deter.

My trainer Karen Brown, to whom I owe a debt of gratitude and whose experience and knowledge I benefit from on an almost daily basis, just celebrated her tenth year anniversary of being cancer free. Beautiful Windy Knoll Farm, where Delphi and I spent this past Saturday in idyllic surroundings, was 1/4 mile from being burned to the ground by the recent Texas wildfires but by the efforts of local and volunteer firefighters was spared. My gentle and trustworthy mare obediently travels with me to shows, clinics and trail rides and is my daily partner, teacher, and co-scholar.

Yes, 47% on a second level test sheet with not receiving my qualifying score stings. Yet with so much to be thankful for I decided this weekend to graciously accept the red and blue ribbons on behalf of my "white horse" and march ever gratefully forward toward harmony and understanding.

Far from perfect but enjoying the journey.
Delphi and me at our first show in 2005:

Delphi and me on a trail ride earlier this year:

Delphi Beginning to Learn Half Pass

Our lesson this week focused on trot half pass and counter canter with steps of canter half pass. In counter canter along the wall I worked on bringing her haunches over toward the direction of the canter lead (as I would for canter half pass) which stood her up for a more balanced, more collected counter canter. To do this I kept stepping my weight into the leading stirrup, brought my outside (of the canter lead) leg back to ask her haunches to come in, thus standing her up. The counter canter work helped to improve Delphi's natural canter.

Here are some stills of Karen Brown schooling Delphi the previous day:

Delphi shows good relative elevation with good use of her shoulders in right canter half pass:

Delphi is still developing the required strength to maintain the bend:

"Sufficient" for third level, this reach of shoulder shows promise for improved half pass as Delphi gains strength and training:

You can see the balance still comes and goes; here she is in right canter half pass slightly on her forehand but still showing good energy and bend:

Good again with the shoulders and reach, however we expect improved collection and lower haunches as her training continues and her strength increases:

Here she is in right trot half pass; again "sufficient." Good crossing and bend but will work toward developing more impulsion:

I'd say this is "fairly good" to "good" for a third level initiate's left trot half pass. Like the energy and it has good crossing, reach, and bend.

Good crossing and from this angle we can really see the lightness of the forehand:

Again we see moments of Delphi struggling as if trying to balance with her neck. Though we wish we had more impulsion I like the crossing and bend, and we anticipate better use of the shoulder as her strength develops:

Again good crossing and lightness of the forehand. And from this angle-wowza that is one looooong body Delphi has to collect and carry:

(And no, she's NOT currently carrying a foal, just a rather large hay belly!)

Better use of the neck, and as her strength increases we will see more consistent collection; at this point the uphill tendency is consistent but there are still varying degrees of relative elevation as we see here:

And here, though with good crossing and shoulders leading the half pass:

Unfinished Business

It's true we're not quite ready to take it on the road, but with perseverance we'll definitely be ready for the 2012 show season at third level.
Witness as Delphi attempts bits and pieces of third level:



Note that Karen is riding in the outdoor arena. Dare we hope for cooler days?