Groundwork is the foundation of all training and I’d be doing my students a disservice if I didn’t incorporate it into their lessons. I love groundwork because it connects you with your horse; it’s like dancing where you and your equine partner move together in rhythm. I like to challenge my students to strive for perfect circles on the lunge line in both directions. Then once they get in the saddle I like to challenge them to ride those same circles from on top their horse. It’s a excellent warm up and not as easy as it sounds. Shylow and Emery both did very well with my challenge especially for a first ride in the outdoor arena. We are all just extremely happy that the weather is allowing us this gift in the middle of March!! So take advantage of it and go make yourself some perfect circles!!
BSS PROUD MOMENT: Elizabeth is a seasonal lesson student who began her lessons with us one summer when her family was here on vacation at their lake house for a couple months. Elizabeth was around 10 years old when we first met her and right away I could see she had extraordinary natural talent. I encouraged her mom to find a stable down state where she could continue her riding on a more full time basis. Every summer I could see improvement. At the time I had a couple jumping horses in for the summer so we started working on those skills. Elizabeth even participated on our show team. I don’t recall her ever coming in first place but she had a lot of fun and it was a great experience!! Over this past weekend Elizabeth participated in the National Capital Equitation League finals and won first place!! Having a true competitive heart; after hearing that she had won Elizabeth looked at her mom and said, “I could have done better!” I think that’s very good advice coming from a now 16 year old young lady who I’m proud to be a part of her equestrian journey. Can’t wait to see you this summer and congratulations on your success!!!
BSS Proud Moment: When Emery got her own horse Sophie it was not love at first sight. On her first ride she hit the ground and we soon learned that this mare had the most “jack hammer” trot I’ve ever seen a horse have. I honestly worried that Emery was going to have brain damage from all the bouncing. This mare HATED every bit we put in her mouth and could “bang her head” better then any heavy metal rock band singer. When Emery would do a simple change of direction Sophie would drop that shoulder and turn so fast that I thought they both might fall and hit the sand. I knew if we had even a slight chance of slowing this mare down that it would take a LOT of hard work, consistency and patience’s and then more patience’s and then even more!! Emery is strong willed. Her horse is strong willed. I’m a strong willed riding instructor and I’ve said, “do a circle” over a million times to this duo. We’ve had so many moments of frustration, taking deep breaths, going back to basics and then one day, finally, I noticed that Sophie wasn’t as frantic. We kept working, staying the course and little by little that feisty paint mare began to slow down. Not every student would hang in there like Emery has done without spiking an attitude with me, well maybe once lol but I honestly could understand. This video was taken last night, in the cold when most horses are full of vim and vigor and look at this “jog” and the loose reins and Emery’s quiet seat!! This is iron clad proof that if you work hard enough and stick with it knowing your goal then eventually things will start coming together. We still have work to do but this is a proud moment that really makes me VERY PROUD!!
Congratulations to Fran Reynolds on the purchase of her new Rocky Mountain Mare, Ebony!! We are so excited to watch this new relationship grow into a lifetime partnership.
When the sun comes out and the horses want their coats off 😂
Shout out to all my employees who brave this weather to insure the horses get some turn out time so they dont go stall crazy. You guys are the BEST!! Mattia, Violet, Tara, Caleb and Andie. Clients have no idea what all you do in a days time for their horses!! I thank God daily for all of you!!
Another Proud Moment
BSS PROUD MOMENT:
There are times, regardless of all the hours of preparation, that your horse has one of those dreaded “horse moments”.
At our recent fall freestyle competition Lucy experienced that very thing with her horse Sadie. From the first trip around the arena Sadie spooked in the corner then did the exact same thing again on the second lap. It was heartbreaking to watch because Lucy had a awesome routine; one she drew up herself on paper just like a show pattern. Lucy is a perfectionist and at practice her routine flowed perfectly with the music of her song. I watched as Lucy navigated through her performance that was nothing like she had practiced and she never once got frustrated. She just kept riding and improvising till the music was over. It was so disappointing but she handled it all with dignity and poise. I wish the audience could have witnessed her routine without the hiccup but that’s the way it can go with a horse. So proud of the way Lucy hung in there, finished the routine, and still smiled when it was over. There may have been a roll of the eyes as she exited the arena but totally appropriate and she still loves her horse!!
Autumn Glory Trail Ride
We had our annual Autumn Glory Trail Ride today in the worst wind we’ve ever ridden in. Some of the horses were a bit jumpy and there were times we had to get off and just walk them. It’s a ride we will be talking about for days to come!! 🍁🐴🍁
BSS PROUD MOMENT
BSS PROUD MOMENT:
Learning to ride does not come easy for some individuals, in fact for those physically challenged learning to ride can be down right hard.
Meet Donna, a 60 something year old client who has honestly thought about quitting on many occasions. She’s very hard on herself and can get frustrated when her brain says go left after I’ve said go right.
Donna works extremely hard during her lessons and I have tremendous respect for her and her desires to spend quality time with a horse. Donna feels safe inside the arena but struggles when I suggest a walk through the woods. Yet deep inside she would love to be able to go on a trail ride together with her daughter.
Yesterday I convinced her to let me walk beside her while she rode Beau, a Missouri Fox Trotter. I didn’t realize the wind was blowing so strongly but I trust this horse and really felt it was a good idea. Donna started out fine but the further we went the more her anxiety increased. I told her it was just fine to turn around but I wanted her to ride without me by her side. I know that was a BIG request but she did it and I was able to get this short video. The ride may have been short but after it was all over Donna thanked me for pushing her through.
I always tell students that if riding was easy then anyone could it. I’m so proud of Donna and her hard earned accomplishments over the 3 years she has been here. I just know that someday we will take that trail ride and I’ll be on my own horse and not need to walk beside her.
For your courage I commend you Donna!!!
