Did anyone get the plate number of that truck?

My lesson last night started off fantastic.  We did our normal walking warm up with lots of bending, circles and serpentines. We moved on to a little bit of leg yields and Gryfon was really trying. I am finally getting the feel for how much contact he needs and how firm my leg aids need to be. I'm also working on using my outside aids to turn and not my inside rein as much.

We moved on to some trot work and did a few movements from the Intro B test. I had a great time lengthening and shortening his trot stride! It felt great! In-between trot circles we took walk breaks and worked on leg yields from different areas in the arena. CG blew my brain by asking me to leg yield a few steps in one direction and immediately doing a leg yield a few steps in the opposite direction! I finally got a handle on my aids after a few attempts. 

Towards the end of our final trot work, Gryfon spooked and took exit stage left and I went right. I came off and landed in the dirt. (I'm fine, sore, but fine, annoyed that I need to buy a new helmet, but fine) I'm feeling like I was in a car accident today.

CG got on Gryfon while I pulled myself together and found out Gryfon spooked at a very narrow sunbeam that had crept its way into the side of the arena. Gryfon was absolutely convinced it was going to eat him in one bite. Once we figured out what spooked him,I hopped back on and did some walking around until we both a relaxed a little. 

Post "El Diablo Sauce"

I got off work a little early and the sun was actually shining! I immediately headed outside to tack up and ride! I turned the horses out at lunch so both boys got to get bucks and wiggles out. I loaded up my mobile tack cart and rolled it out to the arena. I got Gryfon and groomed him and tacked up right in the arena. I walked him down to the end of the arena to set up my Pivo. I must have hit the "stop recording" button putting my phone on the pod. I got a .7 second video of my hand...ugh

I began walking him on a fairly loose rein but asking for big loop serpentines. As he warmed up I shortened my reins and asked for smaller circles. We did figure 8s as well as some leg yields from center line to quarterlines. Then we started on trot work!

He was such a good boy with so much try tonight. I tried to support his outside shoulder with my leg in each direction. I paid attention to his bend and kept a steady tempo. It felt magnificent! There is a soft spot in my arena, not surprising after the horrendous weeks of rain we've had, so I tried to adjust my geometry to keep him from stepping in it.

After trotting, we took a break, working on a free walk corner to corner, with a medium walk on the short sides. After the break I moved on to a little canter work. I was able to pick up both leads multiple times! 

To cool down we practiced down Centerline and halt at the walk. All in all it was such a fabulous ride. I was so relieved to have my normal steady Eddie, mild sauce boy back! We finished off the night with another BEMER treatment. 

When to Say When

Knowing “when to say when” has been somewhat difficult for me in the past. I have always been “gung-ho” and basically fearless. Over the past few years, I have started stepping back from the “fine line between hard and stupid.” Last night was just such a step.

Last night’s lesson was much different than I expected. From the second I got Gryfon out of his stall, he was “extra spicy.” It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle on the ground, but I was a little nervous about stepping into the saddle. I had to lunge him for a few minutes before I loaded him into the trailer so that made me a few minutes late. Once I arrived at the indoor arena where I take my lessons, Gryfon was a little calmer. I tacked him up and headed to the arena. CG, my trainer was just getting off the horse for the lesson before mine. My gut told me that he was still a bit too spicy for me to ride and I asked CG if she would at least warm him up for me. That turned in to a good call.

Almost as soon as CG stepped into the saddle, Gryfon was Super Spicy, and by that, I mean “Louisiana Diablo Hot Sauce” spicy! He threw a few tantrums and actually threatened to buck! CG worked on bending, moving off the leg, leg yields, picking up the correct canter lead, and more! She got him good and tired! You know what they say, a good horse is a tired horse. After the lesson I put him in the trailer and watched some of AK’s lesson. Her horse was spicy too! We deduced it must be “Naughty Pony Day.”

Once we got home. I gave him a good grooming and used the BEMER on him. I have rented an Equine Unit for 2 weeks and will let you know if it helps him!

“BEMER is a PEMF device that temporarily increases local blood circulation in healthy muscles. PEMF stands for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field. PEMF technology used for therapy produces electromagnetic fields with various waveforms and frequencies that stimulate healthy muscles in order to improve and facilitate muscle performance.” (from the website)

I am hoping for a break in the rainy weather so I can get some consistent work done with him.

For your viewing pleasure, I am including a link to my Intro Test B ride from the Summervale Show! (Pre Diablo)

Another Show Report

My trainer, CG, talked me into registering for the April Fools Dressage Schooling Show at Summervale. And by "talked me into it" I mean strongly suggested / strong armed me into it. Haha I had planned on skipping a month and recharge from our Donida episode, but since Summervale only hosts 3 schooling shows per year, I really did think it was a good idea to go.

Since I decided to register only 3 days before the show, I had my work cut out for me to get ready in time. First on my list was to groom, groom, groom and groom some more. Gryfon loves to roll in the mud every chance he gets...

I looked at the weather and saw it was going to be storming, windy and cold, similar to the Donida Show weather. Thursday I did a short training ride with him in the wind and purposely rode by all the moving things by my arena. He did very well. I spent all of Friday evening grooming him. 

Saturday we showed up at Summervale and Gryfon was quite nervous. I got there in plenty of time to walk him around and let him "eyeball the area." My friend SI came with me and was a huge help running to get things I needed, holding things out of the mud, and taking fabulous pictures!

After a couple hours of walking him around, it was time to tack up. SI suggested we use the merlot color combination and I think we look stunning!

In the warm up arena, both Gryfon and I were very nervous and just kept feeding off of each other. After about 30 minutes, I asked CG to hop on and do her magic. She was able to calm him down and get him listening. I got back on and felt much better.

Once it was our turn in the show ring, the heavens opened and rain and hail began pouring and pelting us. CG walked us into the show ring. I'm not going to lie, it was miserable. Hail was hitting me and Geyfon in the face, I was soaked through and freezing. I think that distracted me enough to ride quite well. I was able to get out of my own head about it and just ride. Obviously this worked for me!

I got first place in my class and scored a 67%! Not gonna lie, I am thrilled with our effort! We took a few minutes to walk around and then went back to the warm up arena to prepare for our next class, Intro B. Now, full disclosure, I only entered this class because I was not going to haul to the show and only enter 1 class....I read through the pattern the night before, but hadn't practiced it one little bit. I was sorely unprepared. 

CG did her best to review the test with me, and was an excellent caller for both tests. I listened as well as I could and focused on visualizing my test.

As expected I did not do as well as my first test, but I did earn a 3rd place ribbon and a score of 63%! 

All in all it was a wildly successful show. My trainer was amazing and so supportive. The next show is May 6th. I plan on going, and competing in the same classes. CG will not be attending that show, but I feel she set us up for success and it will be a great show. This time I will practice for both tests!