I'm going pro.
I've been mulling it over for a while lately. But I like to teach. I'm not going to be teaching dressage, but I'm going to teach basics to western and english riders. I'm not that much of a snob that I can't tell someone that they've learned enough that they need a more advanced teacher.
I guess turning pro I can branch out and do some other stuff. I really can't train horses at our facility, it'd be too complicated with their rules and such. I wish I could get a project train it and then sell it, but with my schedule I wouldn't be consistent.
I guess I could find horses for people. There's so many different levels of pro. I know if I competed against some of the pros I'd get my rear handed to me, but I like the kids. I like the two little girls that ride Lilly every Tuesday. They're so cute. They drew me a picture of Lilly and I need to post it on the blog.
Friday, April 30, 2010
2 1/2 hours later...
So yesterday the little girls that ride Lilly couldn't come out. Which worked out for me, because all the gals who are showing Saturday were going to get together and school.
So I did my chores and then got out Lilly and started to groom. Of course there were like little things that I had to do, make sure the treasurer cut a check for the judge, keep going back to 2 different places where my equipment is strewn about. I need to get a tack trunk to keep my stuff organized in. But that'll be later.
So I finally get on and school a little in the smaller arena. Then me and Cherie went over to the arena that has the dressage ring set up. I helped Cherie with her test a bit.
Then I did my test.
My position in the saddle is blah. It's not the new saddle's fault, it's mine and my fault only. Sometimes not having a pair of eyes to watch you you creep back into your old hunter habits.
So Lilly was being a pain, she wanted to spook in a corner and buck. But I really said no ma'am.
Then Nadege came over and saw me. I like my instructor Kelly's teaching style, but Nadege's style is a little different. She yells (in a nice way) more. More demanding.
Nadege says I drop my shoulders when I ask for the canter and give to her. I need to keep my shoulders up and back and not fall on her forehand. So she worked me another 45 minutes, after I already been riding an hour.
Then I read her her test so she could have a quick run-through.
Then we talked more and then she wanted me to get on Monty, her 17.2h Hanoverian. He's a big boy. She worked me again another 30 minutes.
I wouldn't call Monty a schoolmaster, but I think riding a horse more experienced helped me a little. You really have to ask him right to do it, and when you do he responds to you.
God is he big boy. Fun.
I'm going to ride more with Nadege. Having eyes to watch my position to be more consistent will be great. Too bad she's leaving in June. :(
So I did my chores and then got out Lilly and started to groom. Of course there were like little things that I had to do, make sure the treasurer cut a check for the judge, keep going back to 2 different places where my equipment is strewn about. I need to get a tack trunk to keep my stuff organized in. But that'll be later.
So I finally get on and school a little in the smaller arena. Then me and Cherie went over to the arena that has the dressage ring set up. I helped Cherie with her test a bit.
Then I did my test.
My position in the saddle is blah. It's not the new saddle's fault, it's mine and my fault only. Sometimes not having a pair of eyes to watch you you creep back into your old hunter habits.
So Lilly was being a pain, she wanted to spook in a corner and buck. But I really said no ma'am.
Then Nadege came over and saw me. I like my instructor Kelly's teaching style, but Nadege's style is a little different. She yells (in a nice way) more. More demanding.
Nadege says I drop my shoulders when I ask for the canter and give to her. I need to keep my shoulders up and back and not fall on her forehand. So she worked me another 45 minutes, after I already been riding an hour.
Then I read her her test so she could have a quick run-through.
Then we talked more and then she wanted me to get on Monty, her 17.2h Hanoverian. He's a big boy. She worked me again another 30 minutes.
I wouldn't call Monty a schoolmaster, but I think riding a horse more experienced helped me a little. You really have to ask him right to do it, and when you do he responds to you.
God is he big boy. Fun.
I'm going to ride more with Nadege. Having eyes to watch my position to be more consistent will be great. Too bad she's leaving in June. :(
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
And the winner is...
Wintec Pro. The HDR Pro didn't fit. Their regular is a little wierd. IF I meet a horse that it fits it must be a stick horse.
I was in CVS and my dad called. My shoulder is uber jacked up, so I went to see my friend who was a nurse practictioner. She told me she can't give me any of the fun meds. Plus she thinks its my muscles are just really tight, because she didn't think it was anything else wrong, since I had full range of motion.
So I rush home and open the box. I have to say the new Wintecs are pretty snazzy. There was this strap that I just couldn't figure out. So finally I go to the other side and realize the other end has buckles. I guess it's to keep the flaps down. I have no clue I'll read it later.
So it fits Lilly. It has good clearance and she moved so well last tonight. She was being a little bit of a shit so I had to find a dressage whip. Mine is MIA of course.
The only thing that she was really doing that was irking me was she was being so hard jawed. She really didn't want to bend at the trot. Finally towards the end she started softening up, but good grief she was being such a mare.
The Wintec Pro kept me in during 1 spook and a few half-hearted buck attempts. She was feeling good, the weather is nice and sunny but COLD!
All in all I do like the Wintec Pro. I think I'd rather have a little more foward flaps, but I'm just not used to riding with very long stirrup leathers. But I'll get use to it eventually.
The sadddle came with a girth, stirrup leathers, and stirrups. So pretty excited about that.
I've also decided to just concentrate on Training 1 and 2 since I'm going to do the licensed show in June. So I'll just stay consistent.
I was in CVS and my dad called. My shoulder is uber jacked up, so I went to see my friend who was a nurse practictioner. She told me she can't give me any of the fun meds. Plus she thinks its my muscles are just really tight, because she didn't think it was anything else wrong, since I had full range of motion.
So I rush home and open the box. I have to say the new Wintecs are pretty snazzy. There was this strap that I just couldn't figure out. So finally I go to the other side and realize the other end has buckles. I guess it's to keep the flaps down. I have no clue I'll read it later.
So it fits Lilly. It has good clearance and she moved so well last tonight. She was being a little bit of a shit so I had to find a dressage whip. Mine is MIA of course.
The only thing that she was really doing that was irking me was she was being so hard jawed. She really didn't want to bend at the trot. Finally towards the end she started softening up, but good grief she was being such a mare.
The Wintec Pro kept me in during 1 spook and a few half-hearted buck attempts. She was feeling good, the weather is nice and sunny but COLD!
All in all I do like the Wintec Pro. I think I'd rather have a little more foward flaps, but I'm just not used to riding with very long stirrup leathers. But I'll get use to it eventually.
The sadddle came with a girth, stirrup leathers, and stirrups. So pretty excited about that.
I've also decided to just concentrate on Training 1 and 2 since I'm going to do the licensed show in June. So I'll just stay consistent.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Time to get serious
So this winter I've been doing the intro tests. Only due to the fact this winter has been horrid and really did it so I could get some show time.
But now she's strengthening up and getting stronger. I love how she looks right now. She's nice and round and looks fabolous. Well now she's a bit red clay shade, but other than that she's rocking.
I kind of want to jump into Training 3 & 4, but I think mentally I need to work on me a little more. I tend to get a bit nervous lately and not trust her. So our barn is hosting a small schooling show, so I've decided to do Training 2 and if she schools well next week do 3, if she's being a butt I'll stick with 1.
Hopefully my saddles will be in. I sat in the Wintec Pro at a local tack shop and I have to say I'm happy with it. I'm glad I didn't get the contourblocks because I really wasn't digging it. They weren't that big, but I can see how they would maybe annoy me.
The only thing that annoys me is that I heard the Wintecs run big. The 17.5 was actually a good size for me. So hopefully a half and inch won't be totally crazy big.
I also sat in an HDR Rivella which isn't the model I got but similar. It was good, but it puts me more in a chair seat.
Nadge said she's going to let me borrow her saddle, but for now western saddle.
Lesson tomorrow hopefully the rain will hold out.
But now she's strengthening up and getting stronger. I love how she looks right now. She's nice and round and looks fabolous. Well now she's a bit red clay shade, but other than that she's rocking.
I kind of want to jump into Training 3 & 4, but I think mentally I need to work on me a little more. I tend to get a bit nervous lately and not trust her. So our barn is hosting a small schooling show, so I've decided to do Training 2 and if she schools well next week do 3, if she's being a butt I'll stick with 1.
Hopefully my saddles will be in. I sat in the Wintec Pro at a local tack shop and I have to say I'm happy with it. I'm glad I didn't get the contourblocks because I really wasn't digging it. They weren't that big, but I can see how they would maybe annoy me.
The only thing that annoys me is that I heard the Wintecs run big. The 17.5 was actually a good size for me. So hopefully a half and inch won't be totally crazy big.
I also sat in an HDR Rivella which isn't the model I got but similar. It was good, but it puts me more in a chair seat.
Nadge said she's going to let me borrow her saddle, but for now western saddle.
Lesson tomorrow hopefully the rain will hold out.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Saddle Time
So I ordered two different saddles. One is a Wintec pro the other a HDR Pro. Let's see which one I like better in a few days.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Morven Park Championship Show
So this past weekend Morven Park hosted its winter series championship show. I qualified for it. I got Lilly all nice and pretty, her blanket was sparkling white and she was very shiny. Thank you Microtek.
We got at the show at 9:00am, thinking that's enough time. But by the time I ran up to get my number and ran back that was like 15 minutes, because the show office isn't really close. Thank god my friend Leann went with me. So she tacked up Lilly. I got changed and hoped on. I had like 10 minutes to warm up.
She was spooky. The wind was howling and slamming against the indoor, so she was being a spaz. So I was unnerved because I was feeling rushed and hectic. So our warm up wasn't good.
We showed and it was just blah. We scored 55.5%. Which was fair, it wasn't a horrid test, but it wasn't good either.
So I went back into the warm up arena and we schooled. I practice leg yielding and did circles. We relaxed and were better prepared for our championship class.
We did a very accurate test. We were a little late in one transition, but we did good. I was a little off my final centerline.
The judge said on the score sheet that since her neck is set lower that I shouldn't keep my hands too high and to work on the developing a rounder connection. She said I need more impulsion.
First time I've shown under an "r" judge. So it was a great learning experience.
There was a guy riding and he got so close to us. I wanted to say dude, got a young spooking horse, but then I figure she'd just have to deal with it and it's good for her, because those warm up arenas can be hectic.
We got 65.5 in our 2nd test and Championship for the class. We got a Wegman's tote bag, some organic horse treats, chocolate, organic shampoo and bran mash. Very exciting. Now on to Training Level. :)
The judge said on the score sheet that since her neck is set lower that I shouldn't keep my hands too high and to work on the developing a rounder connection. She said I need more impulsion.
First time I've shown under an "r" judge. So it was a great learning experience.
There was a guy riding and he got so close to us. I wanted to say dude, got a young spooking horse, but then I figure she'd just have to deal with it and it's good for her, because those warm up arenas can be hectic.
We got 65.5 in our 2nd test and Championship for the class. We got a Wegman's tote bag, some organic horse treats, chocolate, organic shampoo and bran mash. Very exciting. Now on to Training Level. :)
Monday, April 12, 2010
Budi Workout
My friend Budi donated a clinic for our club. I rode Lilly as the first ride of the day. Budi always does a mini-training ride on all his lesson students. He likes to feel the horse and pretty much warms them up for you so he can understand your horse better. After the warm up he gives you your horse back.
My friend Nadge let me ride in her saddle. Oh my god it was heaven for my butt. It put me in a great position and whew Lilly was flowing and grooving under saddle.
She got her saddle in Germany so I've never heard of it before.
Budi gets excited when he teaches, so I told the new people that if you want a break you'll have to ask. Budi will keep on teaching until you pass out. lol.
Lilly was funny, because I didn't feed her breakfast since we had the early ride. So she was grumpy when I hooked her up to the tack post. Then Budi gets on her and he wore spurs. He poked her once and her face scrunched up like dude what's your issue. Don't poke me! He told me I need to add spurs to help refine my aid.
We worked on leg yields and shortening and lengthening her stride. He wants to see her get stronger in the canter. He was impressed on how much she's changed for the better. I think he's always liked Lilly. I joked that I'd breed her to Popeye K and give him the baby to train, and he was like okay! haha. But Popeye K's stud fee is 2,6k, and I can't afford embryo transfer. :P
But had tons of fun. Pretty happy with the pony.
My friend Nadge let me ride in her saddle. Oh my god it was heaven for my butt. It put me in a great position and whew Lilly was flowing and grooving under saddle.
She got her saddle in Germany so I've never heard of it before.
Budi gets excited when he teaches, so I told the new people that if you want a break you'll have to ask. Budi will keep on teaching until you pass out. lol.
Lilly was funny, because I didn't feed her breakfast since we had the early ride. So she was grumpy when I hooked her up to the tack post. Then Budi gets on her and he wore spurs. He poked her once and her face scrunched up like dude what's your issue. Don't poke me! He told me I need to add spurs to help refine my aid.
We worked on leg yields and shortening and lengthening her stride. He wants to see her get stronger in the canter. He was impressed on how much she's changed for the better. I think he's always liked Lilly. I joked that I'd breed her to Popeye K and give him the baby to train, and he was like okay! haha. But Popeye K's stud fee is 2,6k, and I can't afford embryo transfer. :P
But had tons of fun. Pretty happy with the pony.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Spring time Fun
So the Lillers is feeling better. I really had no energy to ride, plus I had some chores I had to take care off, so I ended up grooming her a bit, lunging her, then feeding and leaving.
Someone just drag the arena, so we the whole arena to play in. She's such a good girl. I think she's happy to be back to work.
My friend is having Patrick Tigchelaar (http://tdstables.com/)come to the barn tomorrow. I'm leaving work to watch her lesson, then go to the Cherry Blossom festival and watch me some Caps action with my father. My Friday is jam packed.
Budi clinic is on Saturday and I plan to ride the Lillers. Then I'm going to be a ring stewart for the Vada/Nova spring licensed show. yay!
Someone just drag the arena, so we the whole arena to play in. She's such a good girl. I think she's happy to be back to work.
My friend is having Patrick Tigchelaar (http://tdstables.com/)come to the barn tomorrow. I'm leaving work to watch her lesson, then go to the Cherry Blossom festival and watch me some Caps action with my father. My Friday is jam packed.
Budi clinic is on Saturday and I plan to ride the Lillers. Then I'm going to be a ring stewart for the Vada/Nova spring licensed show. yay!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Break time
Lilly has had about a week break. She was feeling stiff the last time I rode her. So opted to give her a break. By the weekend still stiff. I think running from her paddock mate she torqued herself. He tends to go after her, no biting just rushes her and she runs away. I lunged her on Sat evening, still stiff. Sunday I was going to get some joint supplement, but it being Easter all the places were closed.
I gave her a real good liniment bath and massaged her real good. Monday I just watched her she seemed a little better. Yesterday I lunged her and she seemed much better. She was bucking and actually trotting forward instead of only wanting to jog. I got some joint supplement. I think I got Vita Flex or something. I'll probably use that until its empty and go to SmartPak and order some.
So I'm going to ride tonight and see how she feels again.
I gave her a real good liniment bath and massaged her real good. Monday I just watched her she seemed a little better. Yesterday I lunged her and she seemed much better. She was bucking and actually trotting forward instead of only wanting to jog. I got some joint supplement. I think I got Vita Flex or something. I'll probably use that until its empty and go to SmartPak and order some.
So I'm going to ride tonight and see how she feels again.
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