New Wash Rack

Old Chocolate Barn- so named for its proximity to Old Chocolate Bayou- now has its own washrack. No more slumming it under the tree. Hip hip, hooray!

Wizard and Delphi Gait Comparison

Delphi and Wizard will be collaborating this summer in a Pas de Deux. We've settled on Spanish music for our theme.


2011 USDF First Level Freestyle requirements:
1. Walk (20m minimum continuous free walk).
2. Walk (20m minimum continuous medium walk).
3. 10m or smaller circle in trot (no smaller than 8m)j.
4. Leg yield in trot. (Coefficient of 2)
5. Lengthen stride in trot.
6. 15m or smaller circle in canter (no smaller than 10m).
7. Change of lead through trot. (Coefficient of 2)
8. Lengthen stride in canter. (Coefficient of 2)
9. Halts at beginning and end of test.
10. Gaits- rhythm and regularity
11. Impulsion- energy, elasticity and engagement
12. Submission- basic issues of submission, technical aspect of the rider.

Artistic Impression:
1. Harmony between Horse and Rider. (Coefficient of 3)
2. Choreography- use of arena, design cohesiveness, balance, and creativity (Coefficient of 4)
3. Degree of difficulty. (Coefficient of 2)
4. Music-suitability, seamlessness, cohesiveness (Coefficient of 3)
5. Interpretation-music expresses gaits, use of phrasing and dynamics (Coefficient of 3)

2007 USDF Pas de Deux:
Technical Execution:
1. Performance as a Pair- spacing, alignment, and synchrony (Coefficient of 4)
2. Required elements- Technical Execution (Coefficient of 3)
3. Impulsion & Submission. (Coefficient of 3)
Penalty for exceeding maximum time. (One point is deducted from the total for Artistic Impression for exceeding the time limit. There is not minimum time or specified deduction.)

Artistic Impression:
1. Harmony between Horses & Riders. Fluency of performance. (Coefficient of 3)
2. Choreography. Balance, creativity, difficulty, construction. (Coefficient of 5)
3. Musicality. Suitability, cohesiveness, editing, phrasing and dynamics. (Coefficient of 2)

Time requirements: no minimum time for any level. Training-Fourth: 5 minutes max; PSG-Intermediate: 5 minutes max; Grand Prix: 6 minutes max

"Food"

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