Equinpilot's Foal Pool Contest

Head on over to http://equinpilot.blogspot.com and enter Nicole's Foal Pool Contest by April 1st!

Fergie's dame is her stallion's granddame - and he is gorgeous!

The handsome Roscoe -  Castleberrys ReFflection

Still time to enter!

Switching it Up

Riding two very different horses over the past few weeks has been a new experience for me.  Not only physically, but mentally.  My daughter has had lots of experience with this from her years of being a working student and it has made her a fabulous rider.  I don't expect that to happen to me  riding both Riva and Fergie, but I hope it will eventually improve my skills.

 

Husband is busy working around the farm and no time to take new pics!

I look forward to riding Fergie - she is eager, forward, and will just keep trying, even when sweaty and tired.  She remembers everything from the previous ride and we can build on that and add in new exercises.  Currently we spend time each ride working on transitions, straightness and bend, and picking up the canter promptly. Left lead is getting much easier - right lead is still sticky, but I am starting to figure it out.

 Fergie 'assisting' her Dad with stall cleaning.

Riva is maddening...she reminds me of a kid who doesn't like to practice but loves to perform.  You know the type.  She is always on at a show - but it is very difficult to progress when you need to school movements at home but we end up spending the entire ride just getting a decent connection and her hind end engaged.

Annoyed Riva Diva - not to worry, I brought her in after I took a photo!

Indiana weather gave us a good stretch of dry weather, and I was able to ride 6 days out of 7 last week - and then we got an inch of rain yesterday...  Hoping for a dry Spring and lots of saddle time to work with Riva - get out in the pasture for hacks and out of the arena.

And have a beer sitting on my little pier!

Riding times 2!

Another announcement - no, we did not get yet another horse...I am going to be a grandmother soon!

Our youngest daughter is expecting a little girl in early June! 

 

If you know Alexis, you can tell she looks a little thicker here on the day we tried Fergie. 

She has ridden Fergie once at the walk since we brought her home and now is just coaching from the ground.  Which means I am suddenly the sole rider of the two mares who could not be more different.

Riva is very much a kick ride at home (those who have seen her at a show might not know this!).  She is lazy and will only do what you insist she do.  She also will pull like a freight train with her neck and chest if you let your leg relax.

Yes, I know - get that right leg down and heel down!

Fergie, on the hand is like a little sportscar and will go, go, go.  Very light in the bridle and will tuck her head behind vertical, which we are working on.

Working on canter

If we had ideal conditions in Indiana, I would be in phenomenal shape.  Our outdoor arena is still a work in progress and any rain means no riding for several days.  Every day that arena is rideable, I am out there times 2, grateful for every minute!

I am excited to announce we have a new family member and Riva has a new best friend!

 

Meet Castleberrys Fflying Duchess - Fergie! 

While no horse will ever replace our OTTB, Cheers, this little mare has stole our hearts in a short amount of time.

 

Thank you to Jen of cobjockey for introducing us to Fergie's breeder!  We spent a warm sunny afternoon in late January visiting her farm and playing with Cobs.  My daughter and I both tried Fergie under saddle that day and fell in love.  

This moment happened before I rode - yeah, I knew she would be coming home with us!

Fergie is 7 and had 4 months of under saddle training last year.  She is green but so willing to learn.

Second time cantering her - my third ride on her since bringing her home.

 Riva and Fergie had zero issues adjusting to one another.  This made my heart happy!

We took her on a 30 day trial - had the pre-puchase exam, farrier visit, and first lesson with JC, hauled her to an indoor to ride...picked up her papers today and made it official.

 

She is not gigantic...15 hh!

 

Welcome Miss Fergie!  We could not be happier with this new mare and look forward to many dressage adventures together!