Passage

Delphi and I played at some steps of passage today in our lesson with Karen Brown. The Pumpkin is able to maintain about six to eight good steps in self carriage and on the bit. Today Karen said Delphi's hind cannon bones were parallel to the ground! How snappy!

We started the lesson schooling flying changes: in order for Delphi to jump through the change I must develop an impulsive collected canter by using more leg reinforced by whip taps as needed to create enough jump and impulsion. We schooled a couple good changes in each direction.

(We started all the "big" stuff: passage and piaffe, etceteras previously in the long lines so by the time we ask for it under saddle the horse has a glimmer of an idea of what we want.)

Unfortunately there was no camera rolling during today's lesson, but here are some stills of Delphi's first few passage steps in February 2012 (with me- Karen has schooled some steps previously) under saddle:

Karen schooling passage steps earlier 2011:

Outside Rein

Not another tired old lecture about the outside rein. This topic has become so overused in the dogma of dressage babble that one wonders if it's even useful to talk about at all.

Let me just say that for Delphi and me, especially in the challenging gate of canter, that outside rein connection is all important for a couple key reasons: 1) in the up trans from halt or walk into canter, Delphi has to be into that outside rein to maintain a balanced, through up trans; 2) to maintain an uphill balance and throughness during canter the outside rein has to be assessable and accessible. To do this I must continue cycling through asking if I can have Delphi's throatlatch both on the inside AND outside flexions, and even go so far on the outside rein to counter-flexion at times to really establish the throughness on that outside rein. And OF COURSE always remembering to GIVE (for me and Delphi at this point Karen said the give should be about 85% of the time and the "take" [or "TEST" would be the better word] the remainder) to allow self carriage.

Two older photos from the vault for illustration:

An example of what NOT to do: pulling the outside rein, with no true give in the jaw; to correct I should re-test the flexion even if I have to go all the way to counter-flexion, then give again and possibly cycle through the flexion test again followed by uberstreichen:

Here we see Delphi better into the outside rein, evidenced by a soft jaw and uberstreichen:

Thus concludes today's lecture on the Outside Rein. Thank you for tuning in.

Country boy from the Ozarks

Farm fresh and just off the trailer, meet Juno, a 16 hand buckskin Andalusian cross (double registered as both an Andalusian and Azteca) bred in Phillipsburg Missouri. His sire is the famous Andalusian stallion Kripton Seni II. His damsire is the beautiful black Andalusian stallion Genio III.

We will eagerly be watching Juno as his career develops. Congratulations to his new owner, trainer Karen Brown!





From Harper Collins Dictionary:
Juno:

n

(Astronomy & Space / Celestial Objects) Astronomy one of the largest known asteroids (approximate diameter 240 kilometres) and one of the brightest

First Love

Working with Big Gem, a nine year old ex-racehorse who is changing careers from hunter jumper to dressage, has reminded me why Thoroughbreds were my first love. Always willing and trying to say "yes," Gem can get tense but settles quickly when asked to do so. His mouth is THAT soft and lateral work is coming very easy to him. With an uphill "10" canter and just about 17 hands he is easy to sit since he is so eager to offer his back up to you.
What a dear, fun boy. I got to spend some time chatting with his owner today: she's a 72 year old retired nurse who has campaigned Gem the last few years on the hunter circuit but now wants to learn dressage both for fun and as a means to keep her awesome horse fit and sound. Well done.

Big Gem: truly a diamond that shines brighter and brighter with polishing!

Windy Knoll Farm spring dressage I and II snapshots

Good Show

Delphi and I showed at Windy Knoll Farm spring dressage shows I and II this weekend March 16-18, 2012.

What did I learn from this show? Arriving on the showgrounds the day before the show is extremely helpful as Delphi and I were able to school with our adjunct trainer Lurena Bell in the actual competition arenas which gave us time to focus and relax. Delphi improves as the day goes on, but only if I am careful not to overtax her especially on the final day of the show. Giving Delphi a "mercy lunge" for just a few minutes very early in the morning helps her to relax both days of the show. Having a trainer to direct our warm up and otherwise coach us at the show is indispensable. Finally, using my seat and body in a swinging, relaxed way especially in transitions allows Delphi to stay relaxed.

Five positive things that went well at this show:
1) Delphi and I made our individual and collective debuts at third level at a recognized show.
2) We were able to work through much tension to achieve calmness and relaxation, even in the face of over a week's worth of stall rest secondary to wet weather and no riding secondary to some swelling in one of Delphi's legs.
3) Delphi remained calm and navigable before, during and after all her flying changes.
4) We gained show mileage and learned a lot about show strategy, especially warm-up and relaxation tactics.
5) Even in the midst of raging stallions, uncontrolled rogue horses, lunge whips cracking almost directly in her face, strange dogs in strollers, and myriad other wind-flapping distractions, Delphi remained extremely obedient and safe all weekend.

Jeff Moore Clinic

This weekend February 18 -21, 2012 Delphi and I spent schooling improved canter, trot half pass, extended gaits, flying changes, lateral work and even passage and piaffe; both in hand and under saddle.

Flying changes:


Delphi's piaffe steps with me in the long lines:


Schooling half pass, extended trot, passage and piaffe under saddle:


Collected, extended, and counter-canter improves:


Jeff takes the long reins to school piaffe:

Jeff, me and (a seemingly sleepy) Delphi the final day of the clinic:

High Cotton

Delphi will arrive in style in her new 2012 two-horse straight load trailer with walk in dressing room and two 7 foot walk-through side doors. With seven feet, six inches of head room and a full ten feet of stall length, Delphi will now have room to invite even the largest of her buddies to join her for trail rides, shows, or wherever she wants to travel stylishly.
Just sold the "little trailer that could" last night and the new trailer on order from EquiSpirit should be delivered by some time in March.

Full length solid doors with ramp over to provide the best in safety; and wide open, light and bright interior with no rear divider and a completely removable shoulder divider:

Easy to step over no-slip low angle ramp:

AND, a walk-in (seven foot door!) dressing room with plenty of bridle/saddle space and a custom made tack trunk/seat in the nose:

Can't wait for it to get here!

Another Fat Envelope

Mailed our entry today for the Windy Knoll Farm Spring Dressage I and II March 17-18 2012. Our goals at these two shows: 1)complete our score requirements for our USDF bronze medal by earning 60% or better- once in second level and twice in third level, and 2)qualify for the Region 9 championships at second level by earning 61% or above at second level on each of the two days.

Lofty (and attainable!) goals I know so I'm really thinking positively. Oh and doing my due diligence by generating wet saddle pads. The Jeff Moore clinic February 18-21 will be a perfect tune-up.

Seventh Annual Teeth Float

Dr. Mike Davis visited Delphi today to float her teeth. Once the speculum is in Dr. Davis always invites me to feel her teeth. I'm amazed at the sharp edges I palpate, and a little saddened when I see the irritating lesions those sharpnesses can produce. I can't help but think of the horses that do not get regular dentistry care who suffer in silence.

Note the lesion where the sharp tooth edges rubbed against the outer gums:

Here's a video clip of the process: