The Longlining Continues

Delphi has been continuing her longlining sessions with her trainer Karen Brown and we've noticed much improvement in Delphi's self carriage, collection, and engagement:

HRH Lola Kai

Lola posed for us at the trailer after our ride:

Chocolate Bayou Trail Ride

Karen and Lola, Rachel and Wizard, and Delphi and I went for a hack along Chocolate Bayou today.

Lola and Wizard stop for a snack:

Karen and Lola in the honeysuckle:

Rachel and Wizard enjoying the view, with Delphi in foreground:

Delphi and I pose, with Lola's ears in the foreground:
Prissy was our advance guard:

Lola and Wizard had a gallop through the wildflowers:

What fun!

Delphi on the ATA Home Page

Click on "Delphinia and Chaffin win at Topsider Farm Dressage I" to see the News From the Show Circuits on the American Trakhener Association website.

Barn Buddies

As seen from Delphinia's back today during our trail ride with Wizard and Rachel:

Photo Shoot

Because we took absolutely NO pictures at our last show (Topsider Dressage I) today I braided Delphi, got her all cleaned up, and put on her show browband to take a couple photos for posterity's sake.

Long Lines

In-hand driving is an excellent way to develop balance and engagement; it encourages the horse to better connect from behind so the hind legs can step under to carry weight.
Karen taught us some basics in our lesson this week.

We begin:

Just as in riding, I keep my elbows down and my core engaged:

Though we'd like to see her neck more relaxed, Delphi is engaged and becoming more uphill:

Delphi is relaxing into the work; I need to lower my elbows so my rein aids are more effective:

Uphill canter; engaged and in self carriage:

The uphill tendency is there; we would prefer Delphi's neck be more relaxed so she can better raise her withers:

Inside (Delphi's right) hind leg stepping well under her body, with withers raised in relative elevation:

Photo credits: Karen Brown