Happy Halloween!

Just a pic to prove I do occasionally go somewhere other than the barn!

 

Red Solo Cup guy won the contest and $500 (not bad for a trash can painted red)

Pretty young thing is my oldest daughter, Bree

 

 

 

First Body Clip...

...and no one was injured in the process!

Riva was super for her first body clip.  Thank you, thank you to my daughter for spending her first day off in ages with me at the barn this morning.  She even rode my mare afterwards and gave me a lesson. 

 

Several people at our barn employ a former groom/barn manager to clip their horses where I board.  Last year, I just didn't think Riva was ready and we were not working that hard over the winter.

This year, I knew we had to go for it and was hoping Riva had matured enough to handle it.  She was a bit nervous at first, but the groomer fed her a carrot with one hand with the running clippers in the other hand and let Riva get used to the noise.  She then let Riva stand up against the half wall in the barn aisle and started on her side.  After a bit of moving her feet around, Riva stood still and let me feed her treats and handfuls of hay for the entire clipping.  She even seemed to like having her belly done - she looked like she was in a trance for a few minutes!

I had the groom do everything but Riva's legs and face - she did shave her muzzle, bridle path, and her ears just a little.  I could not have been happier with Riva's behavior :)

Once the clip job was complete, we got her tacked up and working.  Lex got on her first to see how she is going and was pleased with how soft her mouth was and her gaits.  She even worked on a little counter canter and Riva tried and got a few steps each time.

Lex gave me a lesson - we worked on the box exercise that I learned at JC's last Saturday and we worked on canter departs and keeping a nice steady canter going.  Lex instructed me on working on counter canter a bit, which Riva seemed to like.

Once done, Riva got her blanket put on and turned out with her mare friends.  She was pretty tired - she normally takes off bucking and galloping as soon as you get her halter off and give her the ok.  Not today...she walked off and started grazing...tired pony girl.

First Lesson with JC

Really enjoyed my first lesson with JC and came away with homework.  JC had Alexis ride in the lesson with me to make Riva (and me) more comfortable for our first time in her arena.  I was so proud of Riva - she tried hard the entire lesson and was forward and calm. 

 

JC started by talking with me about my goals and what we most needed to work on.  I had thought about this, so I was prepared!  Told JC that I want to successfully compete at Training Level next season and that we most needed work on canter, in particular, the right lead. 

 

So she had us get moving and instructed me to stay up with Alexis's horse, but stay about a horse length behind.  It was kinda like follow the leader, with JC calling out what she wanted us to do.  She told me that she really just wanted to watch how Riva goes and get a feel for where we are right now.

 

 

 Husband took lots of pics, but only the still or walk shots turned out -

lighting was pretty low in the arena.

 

 

Blurry - but I like our position.

 

We did lots of cantering - starting with just cantering on the short ends - and progressing later in the lesson to the long sides.  She told me not ot worry about roundness just to keep Riva moving in front of my leg.

 

One exercise we did that helped get Riva sharp and off my leg was what JC called the box.  She would have us halt on the wall and then back 3-4 steps, then move her off the wall with the outside leg, halt, back 3-4 steps, move her back to the wall (on and off the wall was to be with no moving forward, so like sidepassing), then trot off.  We have not worked much on backing so JC had to step in and do some in hand for the backing and sidepassing.  But after doing this exercise several times, Riva was sharp off my leg and went right into the bridle.

 

We did lots of change of direction, 10 meter circles, trots across the diagonal, stretchy trot and even cantering on a long rein, which I have only done once before.  Before the end of the lesson, JC had Alexis stand in the middle with her horse and had me trot and canter Riva on our own to see how she did.

 

We took one walk break, so by the end, Riva and I were beat!  We spent the walking cool down talking about what to work on until my first lesson.  JC wants me to work on lots of canter - not to concentrate on contact in canter, but just moving forward.  She wants me also to work on the box exercise.

 

 

Good girl hug!

 

I liked that we were constantly moving in the lesson, which kept Riva from getting bored.  She did so well for her first lesson in a new place.  Only snorted at a pallet of arena footing that was near one corner, the first time we walked by it, then ignored it.  I think she likes looking at herself, so the entire long side and one short side of mirrors were great.  Love the footing in JC's arena and how huge the place is.  You can get a great full speed (for us!) canter going on the long sides.

 

Another lesson there in 2 weeks!



 

 

 

New Bridle

Sweaty mare and me after our Saturday lesson

 

Will post about the lesson tomorrow...tired from shopping all day at the covered bridge festival!

 



Lesson tomorrow with...

Alexis's trainer!  We are hauling the Diva to the barn where Lex is a working student to have our first lesson with JC.  Very excited...nervous...etc.  I am trying to get goals set in my head and things I want to work on, because I know she will ask.  I plan to haul up for a lesson every other week and then have Lex give me a lesson on the other week. 

In other Riva news, she is getting body clipped a week from today for the first time.  She is already getting a winter coat and was very sweaty after a couple of our rides this past week.  I plan to leave the hair on her legs and face.  She already has a mid-weight blanket and we can use Hennessy's old heavy weight blanket which has a hood, but need to get a light weight turn-out ordered.

I did make one purchase at KY Horse Park last weekend - a new rolled padded bridle for Riva!  I will try to remember to get a picture of her in it.  I love it and think she goes better in the new than the old one, which is in sad shape.

So you know I am not done with KY pics just yet...

Lex and her trainer headed back to the barn

 

The Budweiser horses arrived at KHP while we were there!

 

The Budweiser Dalmations :)

 

After the last test at KYP - I think that is a smile of 'finally, we are done!'

 

 

 

More Regionals Pics!

 

Heading in to Training Level Test 3 - day before Championship class

 

 

Me waiting with Lex before she goes in to receive her Championship ribbon

 

 

Walking in to the Rolex ring to be in the victory lap - love that smile!

 

 

Dressage Regionals in KY!

Be prepared for lots of pics and proud mom rants!

 

 



 

Alexis and Emerald

Training Level Jr Division - 5th place Champions!

 

 

In the Rolex Arena - getting their ribbon for the Championship class

 

 

 

Training Level - Jr Division Victory Lap

 

 

What a great 3 days in Lexington at Kentucky Horse Park - would not have missed it for the world!  Wish I could have been there all 4 days.  Lex competed twice a day, Thursday thru Saturday, and then her Championship class on Sunday.  She competed her Trainling Level Test 3 every day and First Level test 1 and 3 on Friday and Saturday.  She earned two more scores towards her Bronze medal in First Level.

 

Lots more pics, videos and posts to follow!  So very proud of Alexis!  Emerald has been her project horse for the past year at her working student position.  She qualified for Regionals at her first sanctioned show in May.  She worked so hard to get to this point and all the hours paid off!