Today I rode a lovely grey Oldenburg mare, Miss Ida. (She had all (PINK tack- including bridle, polos, saddle pad- and I wore my matching pink shirt) What a girl!
Ida's Quirks:
* Ida was heavy in my hands in the beginning (my right shoulder is so sore!)
* At the end, she was flexing, bending, rounding and moving off my leg!
* Very forward, wanted to canter :)
* ADORABLE.
We worked on:
* lots of lateral work!
--- shoulder-in
--- haunches-in
--- leg-yielding
* bending and rounding
* extensions across diagonal
* trot to walk transitions (and my leg not tipping forward)
Positive notes:
*My heels have greatly improved
*I got quite a workout
*I am refreshed with some lateral movements
*Her extended trot is amazing- I felt like I was flying!
Need to work on:
*not tipping my leg too far forward
*keeping my shoulders inline with my hips
*deepened seat
Lily's dressage saddle came in today. I got a Crosby Prix St. Georges, for a very good deal. It is beautiful and cannot wait to ride on it! :)
Monday, March 30, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
The Owls Approve Blog Hop: Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis
We've talked about what your horse doesn't like to do, and I don't want to confuse this with that. I'm not talking about personality quirks or training foibles. Tell me: if you could change something (or things) about your horse, what would you?
I would change her age...I'd bring her back a couple years. Maybe to age 8 or 9. (She's 13)
I would change her height. Just a hand or two. I like 'em big. ;)
I would change her hocks. (They suck.) I would also build up her front end: she's a bit downhill.
I love her grey....but she's got melanomas...I would change that. At least, make it so she couldn't get them ): plus she can get hella dirty!
Even though she can be a straight pain in the ass, I wouldn't change her personality for anything.
The Owls Approve Blog Hop: Defining the Relationship
Defining the Relationship
Snookum-ukums, where do you see this going?
Let's be realistic. What's the plan with your pony? Is it a five-year investment with a return, is it until you move up beyond the Kin's abilities, or is it forever*?
FOREVER. AND EVER. AND EVER. And that is all.
Sure, I will lease her out to a learning student when she is age 22. Sure I will teach young kids how to jump on her, sure she will live out her aged days in a pasture....but she will always be mine.
The Owls Approve Blog Hop: Fail
I'm three weeks behind. Crap.
Fail.
We know what makes Thunderhooves happy, but what does he hate to do? Let's not ignore those times that you have whip out all the tricks or pharmaceuticals for grooming.
Lily used to hate going on trail rides. I know, RIGHT?! But I guess you could call in barn sourness...I later found out it was because this awful girl who occasionally rode her would whip the crap out of her at every hesitation....ugh. Now she loves trail rides so I guess that doesn't count ;)
Anyway. Lily also hates, and I mean HATES to stand still.
Cross ties, trailer (she goes on no problem- and hauls with ease- but doesn't like to be parked), tied, showmanship, being held for the farrier, the vet, the dentist, etc., standing still while being mounted, standing while mounted, standing in a class line-up, halting and saluting in a dressage test, bathing, clipping, waiting for food, being in a stall, being in a stall....
But god bless her, she will stand ALLLLLL day in the pasture...
She does not like her udders being cleaned.
She does not like Kristen Buckley.
Oh and Lily does not like miniature horses pulling little mini carts.
Catching up...
After a relaxing week in Florida and then a week filled with schoolwork, lessons & then two exams (bleh!) and a lovely weekend, it is time to finally sit down to write a post!
I've been riding Aries (the 20ish year old Morgan gelding) and training him to go "western" per his owners request, and now have the opportunity to work with 17hh black OTTB gelding, Fred, at the same barn- I'm very excited for this!
----
I've also begun riding at Fairfield Farm, learning the elements of classic dressage!
Today marks my second dressage lesson! I am LOVING it. As a former 4-H/Hunter/Jumper now working with more eventing, dressage is extremely important to me! It challenges me to change up my riding style and really connect with my equine partner. I love the rhythm
I'm going to start a little lesson log.
My lesson last week:
Caleigh: a TB gelding
- leans like Lily does
- forward, but easygoing
- schoolmaster
Caleigh was a wonderful, uncomplicated ride that challenged me to (actually!) lift up my heels (I've been cranking them down for what seems like since my infancy) and sit deeper and taller. My hands have become much softer, and more giving. My seat also feels better and more independent. We did some leg yields, circles and transitions. It was a day to "figure everything out".
My lesson today:
DeeJay: a QH gelding
-slow western-y gait (but not pokey)
-mouth fussy/playful
-took effort to achieve roundness
DeeJay was a super cute and very playful ride! Today, he challenged me to "ground him", "bring him low and long" and to "step into" rather than drag me, into an upwards gait. He asked me to think about keeping a loose but still rather "firm" overall position. I didn't want to be disrupted by a change in gait- I wanted the transition to appear effortless and not to be carried away by the canter. What really hit me today was that I was asked to "ground" or "soothe" him which coded in my head to loosen and lengthen my legs, pull my seat underneath me and to further soften my hands. It worked! Yay!
We're loving this dressage stuff ;) We've signed up for a clinic in June for Lily and I- wahoo!
XOXO
DJC
Riding Updates!
I've been riding Aries (the 20ish year old Morgan gelding) and training him to go "western" per his owners request, and now have the opportunity to work with 17hh black OTTB gelding, Fred, at the same barn- I'm very excited for this!
----
I've also begun riding at Fairfield Farm, learning the elements of classic dressage!
Today marks my second dressage lesson! I am LOVING it. As a former 4-H/Hunter/Jumper now working with more eventing, dressage is extremely important to me! It challenges me to change up my riding style and really connect with my equine partner. I love the rhythm
I'm going to start a little lesson log.
My lesson last week:
Caleigh: a TB gelding
- leans like Lily does
- forward, but easygoing
- schoolmaster
Caleigh was a wonderful, uncomplicated ride that challenged me to (actually!) lift up my heels (I've been cranking them down for what seems like since my infancy) and sit deeper and taller. My hands have become much softer, and more giving. My seat also feels better and more independent. We did some leg yields, circles and transitions. It was a day to "figure everything out".
My lesson today:
DeeJay: a QH gelding
-slow western-y gait (but not pokey)
-mouth fussy/playful
-took effort to achieve roundness
DeeJay was a super cute and very playful ride! Today, he challenged me to "ground him", "bring him low and long" and to "step into" rather than drag me, into an upwards gait. He asked me to think about keeping a loose but still rather "firm" overall position. I didn't want to be disrupted by a change in gait- I wanted the transition to appear effortless and not to be carried away by the canter. What really hit me today was that I was asked to "ground" or "soothe" him which coded in my head to loosen and lengthen my legs, pull my seat underneath me and to further soften my hands. It worked! Yay!
.JPG) |
| DeeJay says HIIIII! |
We're loving this dressage stuff ;) We've signed up for a clinic in June for Lily and I- wahoo!
XOXO
DJC
Thursday, March 5, 2015
The Owls Approve Blog Hop: Ermagerd
Blog #13!
Ermahgerd.
What is your pony's absolute favorite riding activity? What makes those little ears perk and causes the knees to lift? Let's just focus on the favorites - we'll save the bucks for next week.
Lily loves to jump. Loves to jump.
She always has and I think always will. It's just something we like to have fun with!
Lily also loves barrel racing and galloping!
In general, anything that is MOVEMENT Lily loves- the more work the better!
Jumping gymnastics, things that make Lily use her BRAIN are also more fun for the both of us!
The Sunshine State.
Only One Day Left. FINALLY. :D
My first spring break in college will be well spent with my boyfriend and I's first semi-solo vacation! We are heading to Orlando to stay the week with my grandparents! We will be going to Disney's Animal Kingdom, hitting up the beach, and hopefully enjoying a night or two out to eat (perhaps at somewhere fancy!) I love travelling. This summer we will also be returning to Quebec also for our annual camping trip! Yay! :)
I can't wait to visit places around the globe someday. 2016 will be Ireland/England riding trip- which I am beyond excited for.
Which leads me to....
Oh The Places You'll Go! (One of my favorite childhood books- minus The Runaway Bunny, Goodnight Moon and Here Comes the Train- okay among like 28592305 others!)
"You've got brains in your head you've got feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose"
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
xoxo~
DJC & Lily
My first spring break in college will be well spent with my boyfriend and I's first semi-solo vacation! We are heading to Orlando to stay the week with my grandparents! We will be going to Disney's Animal Kingdom, hitting up the beach, and hopefully enjoying a night or two out to eat (perhaps at somewhere fancy!) I love travelling. This summer we will also be returning to Quebec also for our annual camping trip! Yay! :)
I can't wait to visit places around the globe someday. 2016 will be Ireland/England riding trip- which I am beyond excited for.
Which leads me to....
Oh The Places You'll Go! (One of my favorite childhood books- minus The Runaway Bunny, Goodnight Moon and Here Comes the Train- okay among like 28592305 others!)
"You've got brains in your head you've got feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose"
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
xoxo~
DJC & Lily
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
A Happy Fifth Year Anniversary
As I am away at college, I don't have any photos from today...but this Friday I'll be home to see my pony! :)
Anyway, today marks the fifth year anniversary of ownership! <3
I have some photos from our lease period in 2009, the day I bought her and then a photo or two from each year!
Enjoy!
2009 (First year I leased her)
March 3rd, 2010:
AND NOW: A photo from each year of ownership!
2010
2011
2012 (This year Lily was on and off lame...pictures of riding were few and far in between)
* And I still can't find that jacket ^ I'm bumming about that still....meh
2013
2014
March 3rd 2014: (Our fourth year anniversary)
2015 (I don't have any riding pics this year...Still waiting on some....xD)
March 3rd 2015: Here I am in college...three hours away...Luckily I still got my pony-time today....shhh don't tell Lily! But hey- we'll celebrate this weekend!
Cheers!
Anyway, today marks the fifth year anniversary of ownership! <3
I have some photos from our lease period in 2009, the day I bought her and then a photo or two from each year!
Enjoy!
2009 (First year I leased her)
 |
| Hell, we looked good! |
March 3rd, 2010:
 |
| My life began on this day <3 |
AND NOW: A photo from each year of ownership!
2010
 |
| We started jumping more regularly... |
2011
 |
| The year we qualified for the Big E! |
 |
| Mare-y Chrstmas! |
2013
 |
| Missing these days! |
2014
 |
| Our first relatively "big" height class |
March 3rd 2014: (Our fourth year anniversary)
 |
| Four years! |
2015 (I don't have any riding pics this year...Still waiting on some....xD)
 |
| Happy 13th Birthday, Lily |
March 3rd 2015: Here I am in college...three hours away...Luckily I still got my pony-time today....shhh don't tell Lily! But hey- we'll celebrate this weekend!
 |
| Aries looking awkward and cute! |
Cheers!
XOXO
-DJC
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