Apollo BUCKED. Under saddle. *gasp!*
I have to laugh, though. It was a straight up and down buck, not the buck and twist that Reveille could get going. He didn't drop his shoulder, just humped up and bucked. Hee.
He only did it at the canter, only late in the ride, only on the right lead, and only three or four strides after the depart. He bucked a little; I said "quit that" and asked for the transition again. He bucked again; I growled "Stoppit," took off my spurs so as not to be inadvertently spurring him and causing it, and asked for the transition again. He bucked a bigger buck; I said "FUCKING STOP THAT!", hopped off, and longed him at a canter for several minutes. He didn't really want to canter or keep the canter, but I had to make a point. I'd already conceded the point by dismounting, but even though I wasn't having any trouble riding the bucks, I don't need a fall right now. So I found a different solution.
So we'll see how he is today, whether he's sore or what. I hope it was just attitude after not getting ridden Wednesday.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Ker-ZONK!
Last night, I don't know what it was, but when I walked out of work, it just seemed like the cold was that damp cold that seeps into your bones. Misty, dark, wet, and cold evening. I'd been tired to begin with, my ankle and my shoulder/elbow hurt after Tuesday's gym session ... so I decided I needed to rest.
I think this was a really good decision, even though I didn't ride. I always feel terrible when I don't ride, like I'm letting someone down, but at the same time, my various joints feel better this morning, and I got some really restful rest. Some really desperately needed rest. I could have slept another few hours this morning, but gotta get to work.
I'm looking forward to riding tonight -- it shouldn't be nearly as ugh this evening, and I want to see my 'pollo pony. :) Note to self: grab spare blanket before going into the barn. I really, really hate that he lays in his pee spot. Can haz pen naow plz? At any rate, must wash blanket. Blech.
Anyway, I'll leave you with a video of a new favorite artist, Tim Barry. No horse relation here, just a good song. :)
I think this was a really good decision, even though I didn't ride. I always feel terrible when I don't ride, like I'm letting someone down, but at the same time, my various joints feel better this morning, and I got some really restful rest. Some really desperately needed rest. I could have slept another few hours this morning, but gotta get to work.
I'm looking forward to riding tonight -- it shouldn't be nearly as ugh this evening, and I want to see my 'pollo pony. :) Note to self: grab spare blanket before going into the barn. I really, really hate that he lays in his pee spot. Can haz pen naow plz? At any rate, must wash blanket. Blech.
Anyway, I'll leave you with a video of a new favorite artist, Tim Barry. No horse relation here, just a good song. :)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Good horse.
Well, Apollo is fine. Hooray! Just being a horse, with random off-ness; he must have slept on it funny or something. The left pastern was still noticeably warmer than the right, but ... well, he's sound on it. So we rode. Sort of. :) I didn't have a lot of time, but I got to play with all three gaits both directions.
And I rode in spurs. I don't think this will need to be a constant thing, but it did help with the lazybones bit last night. I will still need to warm him up slowly and completely, but other than that, there's no reason why I shouldn't be riding him like a normal, sound horse in training, so let's get ON with it!
For the first time in a while, I got a gorgeous, sound right lead canter. :) It's his better lead, and that canter is just so fun to ride! Now, to get the left lead to match. I should probably schedule some dressage lessons to get some assistance on the places we're lacking.
For instance:
* Certainly when we're just getting started and sometimes when we're good and moving, if I go to bend him (especially to the left) or take a feel on the outside rein, he slams behind my leg and slows down. I actually think this is something I can resolve on my own by getting him pushing from behind and truly connecting through the rein, riding from back to front. Practice required. I see a sweaty horse in my future.
* Getting the left bend dialed in, loosening the left side of his body.
* Working on my position in the canter transition and in riding the canter. Getting us both in the habit of long canters.
* Staying connected and round through transitions up and down -- see the first bullet, I think.
* Keeping me sitting up and my shoulders back.
I'm sure there's more, but I'm thinking about work at the moment, so. :)
And I rode in spurs. I don't think this will need to be a constant thing, but it did help with the lazybones bit last night. I will still need to warm him up slowly and completely, but other than that, there's no reason why I shouldn't be riding him like a normal, sound horse in training, so let's get ON with it!
For the first time in a while, I got a gorgeous, sound right lead canter. :) It's his better lead, and that canter is just so fun to ride! Now, to get the left lead to match. I should probably schedule some dressage lessons to get some assistance on the places we're lacking.
For instance:
* Certainly when we're just getting started and sometimes when we're good and moving, if I go to bend him (especially to the left) or take a feel on the outside rein, he slams behind my leg and slows down. I actually think this is something I can resolve on my own by getting him pushing from behind and truly connecting through the rein, riding from back to front. Practice required. I see a sweaty horse in my future.
* Getting the left bend dialed in, loosening the left side of his body.
* Working on my position in the canter transition and in riding the canter. Getting us both in the habit of long canters.
* Staying connected and round through transitions up and down -- see the first bullet, I think.
* Keeping me sitting up and my shoulders back.
I'm sure there's more, but I'm thinking about work at the moment, so. :)
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
In which I edit my post to add:
In which I raise an eyebrow, slightly concerned:
Hrm. Got out to the barn, ankle notwithstanding, got on the pony, and he was quite off. In a new sort of way. I kept working, thinking he'd work out of it. 20 minutes or so after I got on, I decided that it wasn't getting better and that the head-bobbing was new.
His LF was hot, though not swollen, and it had no visible injury. It was hotter in the pastern than the cannon or the knee, and hot down to the coronet.
*wrinkles forehead*
TW said she'd give him a once-over this morning, since it's hard to pinpoint heat after a horse has worked. I'm hoping it's nothing. I'm hoping he's just being a horse, which does entail occasional random, unexplained off-ness.
If it's something, I'm hoping it's nothing more complicated than an abscess. That would be a real PITA, but it'd also be a known quantity.
But let's hope it's nothing. Especially because he was working well (other than the ouchy foot) and I was riding well last night.
EDITED TO ADD: TW says no filling, no heat today. There was no filling last night, no injury, so I'm somewhat unsurprised that there's no fill today ... and quite relieved. She'll check him on the longe quickly after lunch to be sure. Whew. I am hoping he looks perfect on the line, too. Yay for TW!!
In which I consider saddles I might like:
So I won't be able to buy a new jump saddle for a good while yet. But I am considering what I might like to try when it comes time to buy. And putting my intentions out there for the right opportunity to come along when I'm ready. :) A little woo-woo, but hey -- who doesn't need all the help they can get?
Anyway, I'm thinking definitely a used saddle; new ones are right out of the budget. (Remind me to buy a lottery ticket.) And I'm thinking Black Country or, if I can find one at my price point, County. Another girl (woman, really; I think I shall christen her Badass, because she is) at the barn rides a monoflap Amerigo and loves it, and she's liked a monoflap Devocoux as well. ME and LH both ride County Conquest saddles, and the saddles made an immediate and noticeable difference in their position over fences. TD and MT ride County saddles too. It's a strong argument.
Badass offered to let me try her Amerigo; I think I'll take her up on it when we both have some time. I've never ridden a monoflap before, and I'd be interested in trying. Devocoux is a possibility, but I have no idea.
Might see if I can sit in one of the Countys floating around the barn, see how they fit, how I like them, what sizes are too small or just right for my butt.
So: The list of RIGHT OUT or at least I DO NOT LIKE THEM, SAM I AM includes: Barnsby; Ainsley; Courbette; Wintec; probably Bates; Collegiate (sad); HDR
The list of PERHAPS BUT NOT EXCITED ABOUT IT NOR INCLINED TO TRY TOO HARD includes: Stubben, Crosby, Circuit, probably other low-end saddles
The list of NO FRAME OF REFERENCE includes: Prestige, Devocoux, Revere, Amerigo
The list of YES PROBABLY includes: County, Black Country
And meanwhile: Covet covet. County Stabilizer, 17.5, M. Not a bad price, either. I might prefer a Conquest, but I don't have enough data yet.
Hrm. Got out to the barn, ankle notwithstanding, got on the pony, and he was quite off. In a new sort of way. I kept working, thinking he'd work out of it. 20 minutes or so after I got on, I decided that it wasn't getting better and that the head-bobbing was new.
His LF was hot, though not swollen, and it had no visible injury. It was hotter in the pastern than the cannon or the knee, and hot down to the coronet.
*wrinkles forehead*
TW said she'd give him a once-over this morning, since it's hard to pinpoint heat after a horse has worked. I'm hoping it's nothing. I'm hoping he's just being a horse, which does entail occasional random, unexplained off-ness.
If it's something, I'm hoping it's nothing more complicated than an abscess. That would be a real PITA, but it'd also be a known quantity.
But let's hope it's nothing. Especially because he was working well (other than the ouchy foot) and I was riding well last night.
EDITED TO ADD: TW says no filling, no heat today. There was no filling last night, no injury, so I'm somewhat unsurprised that there's no fill today ... and quite relieved. She'll check him on the longe quickly after lunch to be sure. Whew. I am hoping he looks perfect on the line, too. Yay for TW!!
In which I consider saddles I might like:
So I won't be able to buy a new jump saddle for a good while yet. But I am considering what I might like to try when it comes time to buy. And putting my intentions out there for the right opportunity to come along when I'm ready. :) A little woo-woo, but hey -- who doesn't need all the help they can get?
Anyway, I'm thinking definitely a used saddle; new ones are right out of the budget. (Remind me to buy a lottery ticket.) And I'm thinking Black Country or, if I can find one at my price point, County. Another girl (woman, really; I think I shall christen her Badass, because she is) at the barn rides a monoflap Amerigo and loves it, and she's liked a monoflap Devocoux as well. ME and LH both ride County Conquest saddles, and the saddles made an immediate and noticeable difference in their position over fences. TD and MT ride County saddles too. It's a strong argument.
Badass offered to let me try her Amerigo; I think I'll take her up on it when we both have some time. I've never ridden a monoflap before, and I'd be interested in trying. Devocoux is a possibility, but I have no idea.
Might see if I can sit in one of the Countys floating around the barn, see how they fit, how I like them, what sizes are too small or just right for my butt.
So: The list of RIGHT OUT or at least I DO NOT LIKE THEM, SAM I AM includes: Barnsby; Ainsley; Courbette; Wintec; probably Bates; Collegiate (sad); HDR
The list of PERHAPS BUT NOT EXCITED ABOUT IT NOR INCLINED TO TRY TOO HARD includes: Stubben, Crosby, Circuit, probably other low-end saddles
The list of NO FRAME OF REFERENCE includes: Prestige, Devocoux, Revere, Amerigo
The list of YES PROBABLY includes: County, Black Country
And meanwhile: Covet covet. County Stabilizer, 17.5, M. Not a bad price, either. I might prefer a Conquest, but I don't have enough data yet.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Annie Underfoot
Lesson on Saturday -- we did some little grid work. I'm still working on keeping from stepping into my stirrups just in front of the jump and on keeping a nice, positive rhythm to the jumps. Overall, it was better than the last lesson, and I think I might remember how to ride, here soon. :)
I find that with Apollo I'm not concerned about the height of the jump, or even the jump at all, really ... at least, in my mind I'm not. I would guess that MT would say, from my position and the stepping into stirrups, that I'm very focused on The Jump, instead of position and approach. I guess what I mean is that I'm not concerned about whether Apollo is going to jump or if he's going to do something dishonest. I know that I can think about line, position, preparation, etc.
So it was a good lesson. Lots of work on position, heels down, patience, leg on, etc. I'm getting better.
After MT looked at my saddle, it's official: one of the holes for the gullet screws is a bit cross-threaded. It needs professional repair. The piece of hardware that anchors that screw is supposed to be held down to the whole apparatus with a staple, as well ... Said staple came out. So the right outside tree attachment is kind of floating at the moment. Must get it fixed. MT said it's okay to ride in for now, that the velcro will hold it together well enough to use. He also said on the topic of a new saddle that he's a fan of using what you have and making it work. That's certainly going to be how it is for the next while ... new-to-me saddles cost money.
So that was Saturday.
Sunday I was dressed and ready to go for my lesson. I ran upstairs -- accompanied by my girl corgi, Annie -- to grab my inhaler case. I came downstairs -- also accompanied by Annie. She was excited and ready to go to The Fun Place, and she got tangled in my feet somehow. So I slipped/fell down the last few stairs.
Ow. Ow, ow, ow, my ankle. Grrr.
Lesson was definitely not happening. It's not broken, probably not even sprained badly -- but the bruise is going to be impressive. I spent yesterday on the couch with ice and ibuprofen. Good thing: I watched all of Downton Abbey season 2. Bad thing: No lesson! I was looking forward to that second day of jump practice, since I am always better on day 2. Hmph. Dammit dog.
But I can't be too mad. She's a dog. I need to figure out how to train her to either heel or stay at the top of the stairs and let me get all the way down before she runs down. Bad dog trainer! Bad dog trainer! No biscuit.
I find that with Apollo I'm not concerned about the height of the jump, or even the jump at all, really ... at least, in my mind I'm not. I would guess that MT would say, from my position and the stepping into stirrups, that I'm very focused on The Jump, instead of position and approach. I guess what I mean is that I'm not concerned about whether Apollo is going to jump or if he's going to do something dishonest. I know that I can think about line, position, preparation, etc.
So it was a good lesson. Lots of work on position, heels down, patience, leg on, etc. I'm getting better.
After MT looked at my saddle, it's official: one of the holes for the gullet screws is a bit cross-threaded. It needs professional repair. The piece of hardware that anchors that screw is supposed to be held down to the whole apparatus with a staple, as well ... Said staple came out. So the right outside tree attachment is kind of floating at the moment. Must get it fixed. MT said it's okay to ride in for now, that the velcro will hold it together well enough to use. He also said on the topic of a new saddle that he's a fan of using what you have and making it work. That's certainly going to be how it is for the next while ... new-to-me saddles cost money.
So that was Saturday.
Sunday I was dressed and ready to go for my lesson. I ran upstairs -- accompanied by my girl corgi, Annie -- to grab my inhaler case. I came downstairs -- also accompanied by Annie. She was excited and ready to go to The Fun Place, and she got tangled in my feet somehow. So I slipped/fell down the last few stairs.
Ow. Ow, ow, ow, my ankle. Grrr.
Lesson was definitely not happening. It's not broken, probably not even sprained badly -- but the bruise is going to be impressive. I spent yesterday on the couch with ice and ibuprofen. Good thing: I watched all of Downton Abbey season 2. Bad thing: No lesson! I was looking forward to that second day of jump practice, since I am always better on day 2. Hmph. Dammit dog.
But I can't be too mad. She's a dog. I need to figure out how to train her to either heel or stay at the top of the stairs and let me get all the way down before she runs down. Bad dog trainer! Bad dog trainer! No biscuit.
Friday, November 23, 2012
This is SO not happening
Absolutely not. The island is NOT sinking.
Apollo has NOT changed shape. I do NOT need a new jump saddle. Mine is SO NOT bridging. It doesn't rock. NO.
No ... please ... I don't want to have to saddle shop. I definitely don't want to do it on a budget like mine would be.
I mean, I could get away with it for a while yet. At least until I had some money. I wonder if there's one to borrow? Sigh. Just ... sigh. It fit so well when Apollo first came to the barn ... but now it's just not working. He grumps when I put it on and tighten the girth, which he didn't do when he came, and he grumps when I go to take it off. I wonder if any of my newly discovered jumping position problems are attributable to this? Meh. Just meh.
I think a riser pad in the meantime, unless there's one I can borrow, which is unlikely. Then, once I have some money, after February or so, I might be able to sell this one and shop for a new one. I am going to have to think long and hard and come up with the best possible plan if I need a new saddle. And I have the sinking (ha!) feeling that I do.
Apollo has NOT changed shape. I do NOT need a new jump saddle. Mine is SO NOT bridging. It doesn't rock. NO.
No ... please ... I don't want to have to saddle shop. I definitely don't want to do it on a budget like mine would be.
I mean, I could get away with it for a while yet. At least until I had some money. I wonder if there's one to borrow? Sigh. Just ... sigh. It fit so well when Apollo first came to the barn ... but now it's just not working. He grumps when I put it on and tighten the girth, which he didn't do when he came, and he grumps when I go to take it off. I wonder if any of my newly discovered jumping position problems are attributable to this? Meh. Just meh.
I think a riser pad in the meantime, unless there's one I can borrow, which is unlikely. Then, once I have some money, after February or so, I might be able to sell this one and shop for a new one. I am going to have to think long and hard and come up with the best possible plan if I need a new saddle. And I have the sinking (ha!) feeling that I do.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Survey time.
Real entry one back, if it's not showing on your list.
To make up for silence, have a survey entry. I swiped it from L. Williams at Viva Carlos. :)
Splurge or save:
1. saddle: Save, but get the best you can.
2. board: Splurge, I guess. Spend as much as you can afford; care matters.
3. halter: Save
4. bit: Save
5. bridle: Splurge, if I'm any example
6. saddle pad: Save
7. trailer: Splurge ... like the board question, get the best you can. Safety matters.
(See, this category is hard for me, because my thought on all of this is that you should spend as little as you can on the best possible items. Find quality stuff, and find a way to save money on it.)
First thing that comes to mind:
1. Haflinger: Jellybean, Kylie's pony.
2. Quarter Horse: Short, brown, good-using, versatile horse.
3. Thoroughbred: Racehorses in mid-gallop.
4. Warmblood: Big, round-barreled thing.
5. Welsh Cob: Stocky, good bone, handsome animal. The picture of the Welsh Cob in the horse breed book I have.
This or That:
1. English or Western: English mostly, Western on the trail
2. tall or short: I'm short. I like horses medium.
3. trail ride or beach ride: Trail ride
4. long mane or short mane: Short
5. hunters or jumpers: Eventers!
6. XC or barrel racing: XC
7. outdoor arena or indoor arena: For what? Jumping - outdoor. Dressage - indoor.
8. trot or canter: Canter
9. canter or gallop: Gallop
10. paddock boots, tall boots, or cowboy boots: Tall boots
11. horse shoes or barefoot: Shoes
12. saddle or bareback: For what? Mostly saddle, but I like bareback.
About you:
1. How long have you been riding? Consistently from 8-16, inconsistently from 17-24, consistently at 24, inconsistently from 25-30, consistently from 31 to now. So 14 years consistently. But I'd say I only really started to learn to ride correctly when I came to this barn. And you thought this was an easy question.
2. Do you own or lease a horse? Own.
3. Breed? Age? Height? Name? 8 yo Thoroughbred gelding, 15.2 1/2, Apollo's Double.
4. Do you have any other pets? 2 cats and 2 corgis.
5. If your horse was a person, what kind of voice would he have (you can use a celebrity for an example)? Hm. He'd be friendly and laid back, but he'd have kind of a joke to him. Kind of a teenager's voice, or a young adult's. Taylor Lautner would work for a celebrity.
6. Does your horse have a “color”? If so, what is it, and what do you have in that color? Royal blue and white. My helmet cover, show pad, show boots, and lead line are all royal and white. I have a white polo I use for xc, too -- I stitched royal chevrons to the sleeves. Clever. :) Harder to see with my new vest, though, as it has shoulder pads. My polo wraps are royal ... basically, if I can find something in royal I do. Funny: our "official" barn colors are hunter green and black, since that's what TD rides in. We kind of have three color groups of riders: greens, blues, and burgundies. Green is TD and Andrea, blue is me, Katie, ME, and Bandit's mom, and burgundy is KR, TG, and I think LC. I guess you could say LH is red, and Bandit's mom is partly red. But I claim her for the Blue team!
7. Does your horse do any tricks? Not that I know of.
8. Have you ever dressed your horse up for Halloween? I dressed Reveille up once.
Favorites:
1. Breed? TB, Trakehner, or Knabstrupper.
2. Discipline? Eventing!
3. Coat color? Leopard spotted.
4. Famous horse? Charisma.
5. Horse race/competition? Rolex.
6. Brand of tack? Bridles: Five Star Tack. Saddles: Hennig, or County.
7. Thing to do with your horse? Play, groom, and general brush n' hug. And jump, of course. :)
To make up for silence, have a survey entry. I swiped it from L. Williams at Viva Carlos. :)
Splurge or save:
1. saddle: Save, but get the best you can.
2. board: Splurge, I guess. Spend as much as you can afford; care matters.
3. halter: Save
4. bit: Save
5. bridle: Splurge, if I'm any example
6. saddle pad: Save
7. trailer: Splurge ... like the board question, get the best you can. Safety matters.
(See, this category is hard for me, because my thought on all of this is that you should spend as little as you can on the best possible items. Find quality stuff, and find a way to save money on it.)
First thing that comes to mind:
1. Haflinger: Jellybean, Kylie's pony.
2. Quarter Horse: Short, brown, good-using, versatile horse.
3. Thoroughbred: Racehorses in mid-gallop.
4. Warmblood: Big, round-barreled thing.
5. Welsh Cob: Stocky, good bone, handsome animal. The picture of the Welsh Cob in the horse breed book I have.
This or That:
1. English or Western: English mostly, Western on the trail
2. tall or short: I'm short. I like horses medium.
3. trail ride or beach ride: Trail ride
4. long mane or short mane: Short
5. hunters or jumpers: Eventers!
6. XC or barrel racing: XC
7. outdoor arena or indoor arena: For what? Jumping - outdoor. Dressage - indoor.
8. trot or canter: Canter
9. canter or gallop: Gallop
10. paddock boots, tall boots, or cowboy boots: Tall boots
11. horse shoes or barefoot: Shoes
12. saddle or bareback: For what? Mostly saddle, but I like bareback.
About you:
1. How long have you been riding? Consistently from 8-16, inconsistently from 17-24, consistently at 24, inconsistently from 25-30, consistently from 31 to now. So 14 years consistently. But I'd say I only really started to learn to ride correctly when I came to this barn. And you thought this was an easy question.
2. Do you own or lease a horse? Own.
3. Breed? Age? Height? Name? 8 yo Thoroughbred gelding, 15.2 1/2, Apollo's Double.
4. Do you have any other pets? 2 cats and 2 corgis.
5. If your horse was a person, what kind of voice would he have (you can use a celebrity for an example)? Hm. He'd be friendly and laid back, but he'd have kind of a joke to him. Kind of a teenager's voice, or a young adult's. Taylor Lautner would work for a celebrity.
6. Does your horse have a “color”? If so, what is it, and what do you have in that color? Royal blue and white. My helmet cover, show pad, show boots, and lead line are all royal and white. I have a white polo I use for xc, too -- I stitched royal chevrons to the sleeves. Clever. :) Harder to see with my new vest, though, as it has shoulder pads. My polo wraps are royal ... basically, if I can find something in royal I do. Funny: our "official" barn colors are hunter green and black, since that's what TD rides in. We kind of have three color groups of riders: greens, blues, and burgundies. Green is TD and Andrea, blue is me, Katie, ME, and Bandit's mom, and burgundy is KR, TG, and I think LC. I guess you could say LH is red, and Bandit's mom is partly red. But I claim her for the Blue team!
7. Does your horse do any tricks? Not that I know of.
8. Have you ever dressed your horse up for Halloween? I dressed Reveille up once.
Favorites:
1. Breed? TB, Trakehner, or Knabstrupper.
2. Discipline? Eventing!
3. Coat color? Leopard spotted.
4. Famous horse? Charisma.
5. Horse race/competition? Rolex.
6. Brand of tack? Bridles: Five Star Tack. Saddles: Hennig, or County.
7. Thing to do with your horse? Play, groom, and general brush n' hug. And jump, of course. :)
The haps
I feel like I should have something to write here -- things have been happening -- but I just haven't gotten around to it.
Let's see. I judged a local schooling jumper show on Saturday. Classes went from ground poles to 3'3, and participants ranged from teeny kids on ponies to a local trainer and a very good event rider. It's not a recognized show in any way, shape, or form, which is why I could actually judge it. ;) Requirements: Know the rules, be willing to sit in the cold all day, be patient with people. Check, check, and check. I actually had a pretty good time. I got to see some good rides, some good lines and choices on turns, and some incredibly cute kids on ponies. I had at least three mini heart attacks, too, which I maintain ought to incur penalty points. First refusal, 4 faults. Lower the height of the jump, 4 faults. Scare the judge, 1 fault.
Anyway, I'm hoping I can actually get to and compete in one of these shows this year. All depends on confidence and how Apollo's doing.
The first part, confidence, is going to be fine as long as we keep doing what we're doing. We had a jump lesson on Sunday, and Apollo was -- as expected -- a total gentleman. I had issues with sorting out my position, remembering the course, and getting all caught up in OMGJUMPING! By the third time through the course -- bending line to bending line with bounce to 3/4 cloverleaf to bending line with bounce -- I had calmed down some and was able to ride some of it. All the pieces are in here; I just need to get them rearranged and get them moving at the right times.
It seems that I've gone from being behind the motion and sitting too straight, not enough angle in my hips, to being a little ahead of the motion and coming too far forward. I have no idea how this happened. Other main issue is I've not re-locked-in the part of my leg that needs to be on for a jump. If I can remember to get my heel out of Apollo's side and close my leg at my knee and thigh, things go beautifully. It takes some reminding (like every stride) for me to get there at first, though. Sigh. I think that's a combination of Apollo being a different shape from Reveille (who I did ride for five years, so it makes some sense) and just being out of practice. Since the last jumping lesson I had with Reveille in June? July?, I've now had a total of four jumping lessons. Maybe five if my counting is wrong. So I'll keep improving, get stronger, and get more confident.
Especially because Apollo is just the most wonderful horse on the planet. Patient, willing, honest, and athletic. I get all frazzled and he just keeps coming on to the jump quietly. He doesn't charge jumps, and he keeps a lovely steady rhythm (unless I foul him up). He jumps well. MT said in the lesson on Sunday that he doesn't think I could have bought a better horse. :D I agree. Apollo's just the most amazing fellow ever. (er, except for the troll-brony thing.)
So I'm thankful for Apollo. I'm thankful for what seems like a second chance.
Let's see. I judged a local schooling jumper show on Saturday. Classes went from ground poles to 3'3, and participants ranged from teeny kids on ponies to a local trainer and a very good event rider. It's not a recognized show in any way, shape, or form, which is why I could actually judge it. ;) Requirements: Know the rules, be willing to sit in the cold all day, be patient with people. Check, check, and check. I actually had a pretty good time. I got to see some good rides, some good lines and choices on turns, and some incredibly cute kids on ponies. I had at least three mini heart attacks, too, which I maintain ought to incur penalty points. First refusal, 4 faults. Lower the height of the jump, 4 faults. Scare the judge, 1 fault.
Anyway, I'm hoping I can actually get to and compete in one of these shows this year. All depends on confidence and how Apollo's doing.
The first part, confidence, is going to be fine as long as we keep doing what we're doing. We had a jump lesson on Sunday, and Apollo was -- as expected -- a total gentleman. I had issues with sorting out my position, remembering the course, and getting all caught up in OMGJUMPING! By the third time through the course -- bending line to bending line with bounce to 3/4 cloverleaf to bending line with bounce -- I had calmed down some and was able to ride some of it. All the pieces are in here; I just need to get them rearranged and get them moving at the right times.
It seems that I've gone from being behind the motion and sitting too straight, not enough angle in my hips, to being a little ahead of the motion and coming too far forward. I have no idea how this happened. Other main issue is I've not re-locked-in the part of my leg that needs to be on for a jump. If I can remember to get my heel out of Apollo's side and close my leg at my knee and thigh, things go beautifully. It takes some reminding (like every stride) for me to get there at first, though. Sigh. I think that's a combination of Apollo being a different shape from Reveille (who I did ride for five years, so it makes some sense) and just being out of practice. Since the last jumping lesson I had with Reveille in June? July?, I've now had a total of four jumping lessons. Maybe five if my counting is wrong. So I'll keep improving, get stronger, and get more confident.
Especially because Apollo is just the most wonderful horse on the planet. Patient, willing, honest, and athletic. I get all frazzled and he just keeps coming on to the jump quietly. He doesn't charge jumps, and he keeps a lovely steady rhythm (unless I foul him up). He jumps well. MT said in the lesson on Sunday that he doesn't think I could have bought a better horse. :D I agree. Apollo's just the most amazing fellow ever. (er, except for the troll-brony thing.)
So I'm thankful for Apollo. I'm thankful for what seems like a second chance.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
I could've sworn I had words here
A few brief thoughts before sleep ...
Is there anything better when you're not feeling good than a normally-cheerful horse who's in an extra-good mood?
Clean mirrors are scarier than dirty mirrors.
Even so, Apollo's spook was easy to ride, easy to see coming, and easy to defuse the next million times past the mirror of doom.
I am pretty sure I had something else, but it's gone now. Gnight.
EDITED TO ADD: oh yeah. Why the fruitbat do I not have an electric heati pad??
And have I mentioned lately that my horse is the best? He is. Fuzzy and sweet. Except when trolling other horses.
Hey, if you haven't been over to Katie's blog, wander over: http://youngdreamsandeventing.blogspot.com. She's the working student at the barn, and she makes a mean YouTube video. And clipping stencil.
Is there anything better when you're not feeling good than a normally-cheerful horse who's in an extra-good mood?
Clean mirrors are scarier than dirty mirrors.
Even so, Apollo's spook was easy to ride, easy to see coming, and easy to defuse the next million times past the mirror of doom.
I am pretty sure I had something else, but it's gone now. Gnight.
EDITED TO ADD: oh yeah. Why the fruitbat do I not have an electric heati pad??
And have I mentioned lately that my horse is the best? He is. Fuzzy and sweet. Except when trolling other horses.
Hey, if you haven't been over to Katie's blog, wander over: http://youngdreamsandeventing.blogspot.com. She's the working student at the barn, and she makes a mean YouTube video. And clipping stencil.
Monday, November 12, 2012
You are SO GROUNDED, young man!
So yeah. My horse is the asshole in the pasture. Sigh!! I'm so embarrassed -- but at the same time, it's not like I trained him to beat the crap out of other horses or am saying "oh no, it couldn't be Pookie's fault! He's an angel!" I mean, he IS an angel ... to me, and when in his own area. ;) Sounds like he probably deserved and provoked the kick that hurt him, though I'll argue that I didn't deserve the heartache and wallet ache! Heh.
Anyway, for the meantime, he's back in Folsom Prison for aggravated assault. As soon as there's a pen for him, he'll go out in a pen.
Anyway, for the meantime, he's back in Folsom Prison for aggravated assault. As soon as there's a pen for him, he'll go out in a pen.
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| I know I had it coming; I know I can't be free. |
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