A New Milestone

 My last lesson was extraordinary. One of my horsey BFFs, AK, came to watch and also played videographer. She took some amazing videos, and I am quite appreciative! My trainer CG gave me so much to work on that my head is still spinning today. I will try to process it all over the next few days. I would really love to have my own winter arena to ride in so I could solidify all I learned.

I worked on bending, of course that is nothing new, and my geometry. As you recall from last week, CG rode Gryfon for my last lesson. Well, he was ultra-responsive and had ALL the buttons ready to go. While it was tough to bend him, all he wanted to do was canter. CG talked me through getting a better bend from him and supporting him better, so he didn't fall into the circle as much. It was a great lesson for me to see how my movements influence his movements. (Thanks again to AK for the videos, they are really helpful.)

During our left circle work, CG asked if I was ready to canter. I thought I was, although I was terrified deep down. So, on one circle I gave a little ask, and he gave a little canter! I know it is unbalanced, and I am all over the place, but dang! I am still floating on cloud 9 over it! It was so exhilarating and seriously, I was nearly in tears (happy tears) over it. I am still a bit emotional when I watch the video. I honestly didn't think I would ever canter again, but here I am... killing it!

I need to fine tune my movements, queues and pay more attention to his bend. I am still watching all the videos AK took, and can really see his bend, or more appropriately his resistance to bending. I can see what moving his ribcage looks like and what it looks like to bring his nose around to the point of his shoulder. I got so much out of the videos and listening to CGs comments while watching them. I think I am going to "bite the bullet" and buy a pivo. I think I would get a lot out of watching my lessons.

We finished up the lesson going over Intro Test A, a couple of times. I am trying to get ready to attend a show in March! All in all, Gryfon was a really good boy, and I am proud of our progress so far!

When Your Trainer Rides Your Horse

Sometimes it is so comforting to see that your trainer has the same types of issues you do when riding your horse. However, it is also amazing to see how effectively said trainer influences said horse and gets so much better results. That was definitely the case tonight.

Once a month my trainer, CG, rides Gryfon for me. He hasn't ever done any arena work before and was used mostly on trails. While he has an amazing brain and a good attitude, he hasn't been asked to bend or engage his hind quarters. These are things he really struggles with, and in turn I really struggle with properly asking (enforcing) him to bend and engage. CG is such an effective rider, that Gryfon throws a tiny fit or two, and within seconds, CG has reinforced the expectation and Gryfon settles into the work trying to do what is asked. I learn so much just by watching CG ride.

CG has been working on Gryfon's right lead canter. It was discovered that Gryfon does indeed have a button for that! It is different than his left lead canter button, but he does have it! After discovering that button, CG tested it several more times and almost every time Gryfom picked up the correct lead quickly and without any drama at all! 

We also discussed my show plans for 2023. I am excited to announce I am going to the Donida Schooling Show in March! I will be entering 2 classes: Intro Test A and 6 feet on the Ground (an in-hand class). I'm super excited and will be spending the next few weeks getting ready! 

Winter Weather, But Still On Track

After my fabulous in-hand lesson last week, I was determined to do my homework, however... best laid plans and all that...

It was either windy, rainy or windy AND rainy all week long. I know, welcome to the Pacific Northwest... Anyway, I tried to do what I could. I practiced stretching and bending in the grooming stall, backing straight down the barn aisle and mini side passing in the grooming stall as well. While I didn't do everything I would have liked, I did do what I could. I'll take it!

Tonight's lesson was phenomenal! I got this great book of dressage exercises and tried one of them during my warmup tonight. It was a series of 10-meter circles followed by a slight shoulder in down the arena to the next letter where you complete the next 10-meter circle, and so on. I feel like I finally figured out how to tell my left leg to "be active" and not just keep pressure on! We had some really great bendy moments, but we also had a lot of falling out of the circle. I still have a long way to go.

We also worked on Intro Level Test A! WOOT WOOT! Goals! My incredible trainer, CG, talked me through the pattern and near the end of my lesson I felt like I nearly had it memorized. We also worked on Gryfon's freewalk. He has a GREAT walk and I just need to stay out of his way while influencing his direction. (AKA stay straight) 

Towards the end of the lesson, CG talked me through using my corners and the geometry of a circle. I feel like we make a lot of progress tonight and I'm super excited for the rest of the year! My homework this week is to continue the "groundwork" and stretching and if the weather lets up, do some of it outside! 

I will say that the storms over the last few days made a gorgeous sunset last night. I haven't seen such a pretty sunset since I left the high desert. Enjoy!

In-Hand Showmanship?

I am super lucky to have a fabulous trainer. When Gryfon had not 1, but 2 abscesses blow out of both front hooves, I knew it would be a groundwork day for my lesson tonight. CG set up a very creative course using cones, rails, fake flowers and a huge barrel. She had me walk him through different patterns practicing my non-existent in-hand showmanship skills. Now, I have never done anything like that, so it was a steep learning curve for me. Boy, let me tell you what, I had the time of my life! It was so fun and so much of the things she showed me translates to working better under saddle, for both of us! CG gave me plenty of homework to do and I plan to have a lot of fun with Gryfon this week. 

I've got some great ideas for setting up my own course that can be used in-hand or under saddle. I see a trip to Home Depot in my future! 

One thing that we worked on was leading from both sides of the horse! Talk about round pegs and square holes! It felt so awkward to be on the right side. We worked on executing a square halt and backing straight and in a circle. We also did a little bit of side-passing and trot work too. 

It was a great lesson and I think both Gryfon and I had fun. Just the right amount of work coming out of the Holidays, sickness and abscesses! I didn't get any pictures but will be sure to get some next week. In the meantime, here is a picture of Gryfon after he rolled in the mud yesterday. It took a lot of grooming to get him ready for our lesson today! 

Doing my Homework

I'm spending the weekend figuring out what shows and events I want to attend, what associations I need to join, and what I need to do to accomplish my Bucket List this year.

I've decided to attend the Summervale Schooling Show Series. They are located in Roy, WA, so less than an hour haul from me. Their shows are in May, July, and September. Check out their link HERE. To be eligible to enter their shows, I must be a member of USDF and Gryfon needs to have a USDF horse member ID # as well. So, step one is complete. I have registered as a participating member of the USDF and registered Gryfon as well. 

Next up, finding the trail rides I want to complete!

The first one is the Spotted Pony Ride. I tried to attend this ride in 2022 but ended up going to the wrong location. What a fiasco that was! I drove over 3 hours to the base of Mount Rainier and was the only truck and trailer there. I unloaded Gryfon, groomed him, then went for a hand walk. Once I got home, we practiced eating and drinking at the trailer. Even though going on the ride was an "epic fail," the day itself was a success.

Next ride I am interested in attending is a ride at Fort Lewis. I don't have any of those details, but it is also fairly close and should be a lot of fun.

Last ride is the Midnight Rider. Check out the 2022 ride info HERE. They offer an "Intro" day ride that is 7-10 miles. I think that will be perfect for us! I do not have to join any clubs or associations to attend this ride, but if I do, the entry fees will be a little less. 

I think the most important thing for me to remember this year is that I am starting at the beginning. I am not the same rider I was before I broke my back, and I cannot compare myself to that time of my life. I can remember it, fondly, but cannot dwell on it or put unrealistic expectations on myself. Here are some pictures of that time as a symbol of the past and to give myself permission to start fresh.