Breakfast in bed ππ
When we went to Masterson Station Park a few weeks back we got to play with going through water! He loves hose water, doesn't bat an eye at puddles, but was suspicious of this water...I think from how they treat it, it looks different.
We ended up being able to go through it walk, trot, canter no problem! What a good boy and a fun day π! And I didn't drop my phone in the water - an extra plus π
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16 one tempis! You can look at my smile at the end of the video and know I'm pretty excited!
How did we get there though? How does one show at a lower level while developing higher skills?
I go back and forth.
Last winter I worked on one tempis. I got to the point of doing 11 of them! I got to that point once and then backed off. I started looking toward my spring and summer show goals which did not include one tempis. After our current show goals concluded in June, I resumed in July working on one tempis.
Here we are, yesterday. I had done 16 on Wednesday, but without any eyes/evidence. Yesterday I confirmed they weren't just a happy accident π. Still not completely solid, but they're there!
I've had huge guidance and influence from my mentor, JP Giacomini, on how to train, which has made a huge impact on my skills and career! From there though, I've trained Majestic myself. This horse is my happy place. At the end of the day of work I want to be able to do as much or as little as I want. I don't want the pressure of doing everything perfectly or at a certain rate. Yet, we continue to develop because he's an amazing horse and I am dedicated in our practice.
I am so thankful for this horse and all that he shares with me. I thank him every time I dismount. For his patience, effort and heart.
P.S. sorry for the video quality...lighting is so hard with the open arena sides...I adjusted the lighting as best I could! Also, sound on for the matching music π!
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We had a great time at an obstacle playday at Masterson Station Park last weekend put on by Chris Pepplitsch! (Link below for another one offered in November!).
Majestic is super with most obstacles, but has not been very interested in getting all four feet on a platform at the shows we've been to (to be fair, one was a narrow balance beam and the other was a teeter totter in the shadows π
), so it was great to get to work on that. It was also fun to try out some new ones, including the round spinning/seesaw board. If I got his feet placed center enough, it kept the board balanced and I could play with rotating his hindquarters and the board would turn. Playing with the balance in his shoulders was a good exercise!
There were things to drag, a tarp to raise by pulling a rope, streamers to ride through...among others! It was a good variety, spaced out well so everyone had space and the people who ran it were so supportive and encouraging.
I'm enjoying venturing into the obstacle realm, and something about it that I really appreciate is that in-hand is encouraged. I do so much in-hand work with my dressage work because I believe it really sets the learning up the right way. It was nice to apply that concept by wandering the obstacle course in-hand and then returning under saddle.
Link to the next obstacle playday:
https://facebook.com/events/s/met-benefit-hunter-pace-and-tr/1289651248679823/
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It's probably been a year and a half since I've ridden Zorro bridleless. It's just not a main focus, but as JP asked me to check back in with the bridleless work, I did so.
This horse is special. A year and a half and I got on straight away with the neck rope and was able to do all of our lateral work, piaffe and passage and things like play with two tempis to one tempis back to two tempis.
He is proof of the exceptional character that can be found in these horses. He is also proof of the training. Yes, he has been trained with a bit, but that doesn't mean it will automatically transfer or everyone would be doing it. It means he is responding to my seat, posture, neck rope, legs and my intention.
In this video I asked for the reverence stretch for the second time ever without a bridle (the first was right before I went to get my phone) and he understood me clearly.
I'm definitely not opposed to bits at all, but I do love playing with training and testing out the limitations (or lack of). Love what Zorro shares with me π©΅.
Our July adventure! We went to a county fairgrounds show and competed in their obstacle course!
We had a little trouble navigating the side-pass over the large pipe, but once the dimensions clicked, we were good! And I was so proud of him for touching it and not reacting and settling right back into work mode.
The teeter was hard. What you can't tell from here is that it was covered in shadows. I was happy he tried it and then we moved along.
Such a good boy with all the rest. I'll post the course in the comments if anyone wants to see the details.
Also, sound ON if you want to hear Phillip's encouraging words! It was a loooong day as the show had a lot more people/took a lot longer than expected and Phillip was happy to hang and support us π. So appreciate him!
Oh, and we placed 2nd π₯π!
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Each year I try and set some fun goals for Majestic and I. I stay so busy with the rest of the horses I work with; my goal setting is a way of making sure I keep time for Majestic and I to keep developing together.
Two years ago the TIP Champs in western dressage was a goal. Last year the TIP Champs in both western and classical dressage was an exciting achievement (Level 5 and Intermediate 1). This year, they decided not to have the Kentucky TIP Champs and so I wondered what I could do new this year as a goal.
It wasn't too hard to find something: a freestyle.
I have a notebook I travel with for journaling and jotting notes and diagrams. Flying home from a clinic, probably a few years back now, I drew out a freestyle for Majestic just to pass the time. I was already aspiring then but hadn't made it a priority.
This year, I decided it was time. I put one together and the first time I rode it with music was for this year's WDAA International Online Challenge. I followed it up with riding it at the KDA Western Dressage show and so enjoyed getting to do it live! Such a fun experience with my boy π!
At the KDA show Majestic and I earned a 9 on the entrance of our first test and then a 69% both days on our freestyle! I had a little trouble hearing my music at the live show and felt we were better in sync for the online show which resulted in a 73.8%!
Posted with this is a clip from the live show of one of my double pivots...my nemesis in WD! You are supposed to keep the inside hind foot in one place and pivot around it twice while maintaining forward intent. It's not something I work on a lot because, from a biomechanics perspective, I prefer the actual forward stepping turn on the hindquarters in classical dressage. I still find the pivot a fun challenge though and was pleased to get a solid one!
The pivots aren't as good in my online show submission, but I'll still share that link with you since it's easier to hear the music if anyone wants to see the whole
Some clips of Caxi's new freestyle at the KDA May show! It was our first time showing it. I don't own the rights to the music, but hopefully a bunch of little clips together will be allowable.
I love doing freestyles; they're my favorite! And Caxi did so well stepping up to the difficulty I added compared to his previous freestyle; such a good, golden boy βΊοΈππ©΅!
Back from a fun clinic in GA! It was our 3rd of 5 there this year. It's a group that is always eager to learn and try different training approaches that can help the horses in different ways. Though I only have video of 2, there were 4 students who played with long lining (and others who watched with plans of incorporating it into their practice). Also, this was actually the first time for the two horses in the video. I was so pleased with how they handled it and how their people did guiding them β€οΈ!
I really love approaching training from different avenues. Makes for well rounded training and helps find the elements that need a little more development. So fun journeying with my students β€οΈ.
Horse Session ~ Life Lesson
Awareness & Wandering: Set Yourself up for Success
When I have a day that I'm tired, but have the time to ride my own horse, I still try to seize the opportunity. I don't take our rides for granted and I know as winter gets more and more behind us, things will continue to pick up and our rides will be squeezed in between everything else.
Other equine professionals surely understand because fitting your own horse in is always the challenge! And the rest of you are likely to understand too because your own job may be taxing, or you may have an elderly parent to take care of, or your own health challenges that deplete your energy. Life is busy and requires both time and energy.
It's important to be aware that when tired, your ride may be harder. You will have to summon the energy to do your part. It is up to us to be aware enough to either step up, or step to something different. And there's nothing wrong with changing things up. In fact, it can be good mentally and physically (for both parties) to do some in-hand work instead, or go for a walk outside, or even just groom and do some extra tail detangling. Do what you can mentally and physically step up to the plate for. Just as we look to set our horses up for success: set yourself up for success.
So, long story short, when I was tired last week, but had the time to ride...we went outside! We both enjoy that and it stimulates us. We did some dressage work along the driveway and in different patches around the farm and then, we just wandered. We explored a deeper section of the farm I haven't ridden through in years because of farm configuration changes we've made. It's basically become a little deer sanctuary back there.
Sometimes, it's nice to just wander. Especially with a friend like Majestic π.
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Thorough:
Detailed.
Careful.
Deep.
Comprehensive.
If you look up "thorough", you may find these other words. Words that are positive and thoughtful, words that embody the training journey.
In this video I'm playing with asking for some steps of a working canter pirouette right followed by some steps of a working canter pirouette left, all while I remain on one side. I can do both sides from the other side as well. This is an example of thorough training and a process I really enjoy π!
Lucky to have this sweet boy (and many others!) to journey with πππ!!
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Does anyone have any new year goals with their horses?
It can be as simple as taking more walks.
Or spending more quality time bathing, grooming or hand grazing.
Maybe a show goal or a clinic goal or your own specific training goal?
Feel free to comment and share!
My goals? I have some show plans I'm looking forward to, clinics I'm excited to get scheduled, and it is also always a goal to enjoy the moments like this walk with Majestic.
When I reflect on 2023, it's not the exact achievements that stand out. It's the moments where I remember a feeling that are most clear.
I may have had a good test at a show, but it's the feeling that I remember. The feeling of an especially connected test. Or the feeling when I salute and thank my horse and feel the emotional culmination of hard work, stresses, patient perseverance and deep passion brought into a moment of time.
It's walking someone through their first counter canter at a clinic and their excitement of their success is tangible.
It's taking the few extra minutes in a constantly busy routine to condition and comb through Majestic's tail.
I remember these moments. They are achievements. And I look forward to many more this year with these horses that feed the soul π.