September October, we go on and on.

[zevida]

Anyone remember the string of pearls exercise that Zettl was always so fond of? Molly and I were commenting and reminiscing when we each were first introduced to the exercise (she in 1997 on one of her grand prix horses and me in 2000 at a symposium). Well poor Junior worked the exercise at all three gaits, we worked leg yields and half passes into the exercise to boot. He wasn't exactly thrilled about it but he is starting to connect the dots.

I don’t know this one can you share the exercise?

[khall]

Sounds like some great successes from our riders here! Awesome score SF! Well deserved with your perseverance with T.

Nice changes chisamba. I’m still trying to figure out seat on Joplin. Her canter especially challenges me.

As for our weekend schooling show it had a rocky beginning Friday when I was supposed to be fueling up loading up etc instead I spent the day in the ER with mom (86 almost 87) had a fall. Not a bad one more slipped and slid down the wall but still her age and osteoporosis and pain meant she had to be seen. God I hate hospitals though and especially ERs. Over booked with two patients per cubby. Long wait times. Just a miserable day with worry and waiting. No fractures still some intermittent pain. Not sure from what. Her dementia is at stage 5 pretty advanced and while she’s still verbal she really cannot articulate her pain completely. My sister and I had already decided to start looking at care homes knowing that paying for 24/7 care at home any length of time would go through her money quickly. Difficult decisions to make.

But with good caregivers last night and today I made it to the show. Running a bit behind so I only had 10 minute warm up before 2 nd 1. Not our best but got 62 and change. I then had time before 2 nd 3 to rev her up in the work with some piaffe in hand and piaffe US and a couple of sharp reminders to keep the engine since getting up at a this show grounds is not an issue for Joplin. They have great footing and while the warm up can be a bit crowded at times good place to show. Joplin went in much more engaged ended up with a 66.6 at 2 nd 3. Only our second show doing second level and our first time showing 2 nd 3. I need to ride tests more! So out of practice. Gorgeous weather and a good friend that came to help. No video. Friend forgot to hit record button during 2 nd 3 just took pictures in 2 nd 1. Have not gotten them yet. I showed HC because I rode in my Spanish saddle. Trying to figure out what will work for Joplin.

Tried Devacoux this week and they have one that will work but has to be customized to her. Big $$$. Sigh. At least I have a saddle to ride in!

Next month is my WE clinic I’m hosting and I’m hauling to a big indoor facility locally during a big open show with dressage classes to school. See what Joplin thinks of the bigger atmosphere.

Enjoy your cooler weather! Absolutely lovely here

[Chisamba]

Nice changes chisamba. I’m still trying to figure out seat on Joplin. Her canter especially challenges me.

Just proof that you can keep warm with a sweater buttoned wrong.

I probably am not going to ever have the prefect seat, but I can still train and accomplish two changes over the centerline on a circle and hopefully continue to progress even more.

[exvet]

Nice picture and nice scores SF!

I'm jealous Chisamba. Maybe one day Junior and I can change in the air like that.

khall sounds like not only did you juggle life well but you ended up putting in some good rides. Congrats.

I'm just trying to get my two ridden this am before heading into work. Long day ahead and more to come..........oh well at least I am still able to work so I can support all that I have going on right now.

zevida - I am pressed for time but will post later on the specifics of the exercise.

[Kyras_Mom]

SF…so spiffy. Love the theme. Congratulations on all the guts and sweat to get there.

Kyra has just continued to be lovely. Grant you, I am not really pointing toward anything. We basically are working on basics. I feel no way to go wrong there. I thoroughly enjoy constructing exercises and testing ourselves. Yesterdays was walking a serpentine then about 5 m before CL, leg yield 3-4 steps then immediately to canter over CL. I am trying to get her straight straight on the serpentines and not lean into the turn. Plus, the LY got her really on the outside rein which resulted into much better transitions with good sit and less pulling with her chest/neck. The ride before there were several jumps set up and I used all the jumps as an excuse for a 10m circle at whatever gait. On one side riding between 2 jumps decreased the size by a meter or so but even at canter she had no problems. Also threw in a bit of CC serpentine on the side with only 2 jumps. She seems really ‘happy’ despite the barn being much more active since the owner change.

IF I can get my as* in better shape, I may dive into lessons again next year. It kind of depends of course on elder care issues but my former instructor has moved back into the area. I have to get MUCH fitter and it remains to be seen if I can pull that off.

Susan

[Flight]

SF, love the pic! I've got a training day coming up and I have ambitions to paint a skeleton on Ding, but I know my skills and patience is poor so not sure how it will turn out. Your test was really lovely, you have to be very happy with that.
Khall, sounds like nice work at your show too, congrats. Sorry about your mum, hope she is ok.

Yay for the 2x tempi Chisamba! I agree, you cant try and get everything perfect otherwise you just get stuck at the one spot. You just keep trying and then fixing any holes that come up and then keep pushing on. I would never have thought I'd be able to train my horses up to what they can do. Are my horses grand prix competition worthy? no, maybe it could be one day if that's what I wanted but it would have to be without the expectation of the big flashy horses that you see on FEI tv etc. Saiph looks the part, I have to say. She's really lovely to look at.
I got to watch a video of a famous person schooling. The rider was lovely and the horses was BEAUTIFUL. It actually was one of the things that has totally stopped me from competing in dressage. My horses are never going to look like that. I"m never going to look like that! So I'm sticking with working eq

I've not ridden much, we've decided on selling and moving to a bigger property. It's been a tough decision and I"m not sure if it's still the right one because we love our little property and where we live. But decision is made so I'm madly trying to get this place looking as best it can to sell. Plus working, plus other stuff going on, it's more stressful than I ever remember before when selling a place.

I have been doing small amounts with Bear, the new spotty horse I got. I can sit on him now. My sister is coming down in a week or so (she's horsey) so I'll wait for her to give me a hand with the first actual riding. It's when you start moving that they can get worried, but I'm taking things very slowly so I'm hoping it will be completely boring.

Screen Shot 2023-10-23 at 8.24.40 am.png (186.37 KiB) Viewed 92811 times

[mari]

We had a super day to wrap up our show season, if you can call it that.

Very sweet test!
And I LOVE the bat

[mari]

https://youtube.com/shorts/gUPcJ_nMVBM?si=b2ll6xKRaXh3V9Z0

I was looking at my videos from the clinic and my friend made this cute little clip.

Lots to learn again in reviewing the video.

Tesla looks might cute, and what lovely scores.

Wrt loose hips, the clinician had me relax my whole leg, and said I had too much tension in my shoulders. She wanted me to keep on place ( stay in position) without tension. Relaxed knee, relaxed hip, relaxed shoulders but stay in position.

Lovely!

[mari]

We (South Africa) are moving over to the US system of levels, and the same tests. So we've had a few online seminars around it, and in the next two months some of the show venues will be offering the new tests as ride-and-go tests so the riders can get a feel for them. (A ride-and-go is basically where you ride the test for the judge, they score and spend 10mins or so discussing the test with you and where they want you to make changes, and then you ride it or parts of it immediately for them.)

I quite like the format of the tests so far. They seem fairly fluent.

A negative is that there is only 3 per level, where our current levels have 6 official tests per level.

[Flight]

You had 6 tests per level! Ours is same or similar as USDF ones with 3 per level. I'm not sure I could have remembered all the tests if there was that many that could be chosen!

[Chisamba]

Mari, when I came to the USA from the eastern cape it didn't take me long to get used to the USA system of levels.

FEI have even fewer options at each level, ha! ( one PSG) , one I1, one IA one iB and one I II although there are three grand prix, technically, short, gp and gp special.

[mari]

You had 6 tests per level! Ours is same or similar as USDF ones with 3 per level. I'm not sure I could have remembered all the tests if there was that many that could be chosen!

The more advanced levels have fewer I think, but even up to Medium there is 6. It is really nice, because there were many pattern variations.

[mari]

Mari, when I came to the USA from the eastern cape it didn't take me long to get used to the USA system of levels.

One thing I like a lot about the US tests is that the purpose of the particular test is stated very clearly, as well as the new movement(s) it introduces.
The only speedbump for me is that I will have to move up half a level before we're 100% ready. Our EM level (which I started riding this year) is just a tiny bit below US 3rd. But I think we're up for the challenge.

And I LOVE that there is renvers in US 3rd. We didn't have it any of the SA tests. Apparently it used to feature, but for some reason fell away.

[Moutaineer]

I liked it when we had 4 tests per level to pick from. With just 3, the middle one always gets ignored and I usually feel like the test writers skimped on it a bit too. But the jump between the first test of the level and the third can be quite a big one.

I let Justin do a quick warm up, but I actually did a proper WTC ride today. Worked on lengthening and shortening the stride while maintaining the tempo and keeping him through and over his back. Now I'm absolutely wobbly exhausted (but happy!)

It's a glorious crisp Fall day. Potters was very "up" and full of himself at the start of the ride, no worries about being behind the leg! He settled down nicely and gave us some lovely work out in the sunshine.. The weather is changing dramatically over the next 24 hours, so probably our last outdoor ride of the season.

[Tanga]

Hey, can I just vent a little? OK, we all know I am not the best, but I do what I can. I couldn't get enough GP scores (along with a LOT of other people) to ride it at champs, but did get my freestyles, and I rode four GP freestyles during the year under three judges just so I can get year end awards. Yeah. We're first in SWANA at everything because we're the only one to compete, but hey. So the USDF doesn't have me under any year end awards for GP freestyle. I emailed them. She says I need four rides not including champs. (which are after the year end for awards.) Yeah, I have those. She says I need to qualify for them. Yeah. I've been qualified for a long time. Then she says I have to have gotten enough GP scores during the year. BS. Here's the email back and forth:
Me: I earned the required two scores over %60 at the next highest level test, I-2. The year-end award rules for Musical Freestyle state “Must have two non-freestyle scores of 60 percent or higher at the highest test of the level, or any two tests with a score of 60 percent or higher at the next highest level, earned in the current USDF competition year.”
USDF: Intermediate II is a lower, not higher, dressage level. Since there are no dressage levels higher than Grand Prix, for the purposes of the Adequan®/USDF Year-End Awards, to be eligible for a musical freestyle award at Grand Prix, you must have earned two non-freestyle Grand Prix scores, of 60% or higher, in the same competition year.
Me: This is a problem that you are interpreting it this way. I am a language specialist, and in no way is your interpretation correct, and since it is not clarified in the text that they must be at GP, the "next highest level" is clearly I-2. For even more clarity, here is an explanation I found: "
It mostly depends on context -- if the "highest" has just been mentioned then "next highest" almost certainly means the one below but adjacent to the highest. This is also the standard assumption there's been no prior mention of an adjacent element.
On the other hand, if one says "next higher" (not "highest) that very likely means the element that is above but adjacent to the element just mentioned (even if prior element was the lowest)." If it is meant that the scores must be earned at GP, the "highest" level, it should clearly be stated that that is what they meant instead of the intended meaning of the next highest level.

I mean, it doesn't really matter, but this year has been insane and expensive, so at least give me the stupid standing. And with my average as %65.6 (mostly because I forgot where I was in one test) I should end up at 16th the AA GP nationally, with Alice Tarjan and Charlotte Jorst being at the top. This happens regularly with USDF with me losing time and money because they don't have any clear rules (the I-1 and I-2 aren't consecutive levels, the leather curb chain not allowed because it's not original to the bit, even though you can change the hooks . . . )

I've been riding some. Almost back to full energy. The girls a doing well with lots of attention from my leasors. I've been going through the work with Quinn on doing the GP, and she is doing really well. She needs a little more work on the ones, but she's got them, and doesn't do that sneaky can't feel not changing behind Quilla does. And right now I think her piaffe/passage is better because she is just so consistent about it.

[Lipsmackerpony88]

Tanga, that is frustrating!! I know in the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter as you are rocking it and enjoying your horses but dang I know how expensive all that must be! Just for them to be so nitpicky... And difficult about the awards.

Well Lynx got mesotherapy today! They said they didn't think his back was all that sore at all. Which is wonderful to hear. But the mesotherapy wasn't very expensive and I've heard great things about it so why not. Now if he's still moving funky I think we need to look at other reasons besides the back now.

Fingers crossed that we might even be able to get on him next week! Hopefully the weather improves I'm not riding a kite. Lol

[Flight]

Tanga, that's frustrating. It is a lot of effort and $$ to achieve what you have and it's crap that they are arguing over semantics. Glad you're feeling better though.
Same for you Mountaineer, sounds like Potters is going well.
Hope you can ride Lynx, Lipsmacker!

[StraightForward]

Tanga, all that rule stuff is making my head spin. Luckily not something I am anywhere near having to worry about. At least know you have made amazing achievements all of your own doing. It's impressive whether there is a title bestowed upon it or not.

LSP, jingles for Lynx, and for you the first time back on.

The last couple rides I thought Annabelle felt a little sub-par, so I made a lameness appointment for her, as I already have to haul T to the vet one more time next week. So of course this morning she was so fresh I had to pull her tack and let her bomb around the arena a few times. When I got on, she felt great, and was lighter in the bridle after a few days in the double. Well, it will be good to get her checked out and not waste time like I did last winter blaming her struggles on conformation when it was probably hocks getting sore.

This afternoon was ride #1 of the second clinic with Leslie. She agreed that Tesla's trot was much better and she really put us to work, just getting round and into the contact. She had me riding with much wider hands than I'm used to, and a looser leg. That took me by surprise, but hopefully tomorrow I can start out that way and see what the difference is. She said the canter is still pretty poor, and she wondered if I'd had any diagnostics for it. Not something I will rule out, but I feel the progress that has been made in the last month is pretty huge, and I should just stay on this track for awhile. If we stall out again, I'll look into some other things, but for now I believe the riding can improve the canter.

[exvet]

SF - I think Junior and I are a great 'test'/'study' for improving the canter. All three of his gaits have improved immensely under saddle. To think he barely came close to stepping into his track at the walk and now oversteps by 1/4-1/2 a hoof print is huge for us. Both his trot and his canter have improved and though we're not there yet, we are definitely on the cusp. My point is that I think your plan is a solid one for Tesla.

I had an interesting lesson with Molly and the thread that holds it all together is the reason why I value riding with her so much. All of my Welsh Cobs and I have struggled with some aspect of their conformation, often shorter back/shorter neck/longer hind leg (downhill)/stout or a combination thereof. The challenge to help them learn how to use their bodies in order to perform the movements 'at ease' as compared to their desire to do so 'efficiently' and with energy conservation in mind has been daunting at times. Though the stinker pony had a lovely canter and a quick hind leg and Junior and his sire having the best conformation of them all, Monty who always looked like he was put together by the Welsh conservatoire committee as they were imbibing has always found it easiest to try and comply and achieve the meaning of the directives. So the object of Junior's lesson was to find an exercise that would help Junior learn that he can sit and push and be supple and remain round at all 3 gaits. While that was the key there was an added twist. We needed one that would encourage him to go forward too.........................and I believe Molly found one based on her observations of his weaknesses and his strengths. It still involved the string of pearls exercise.

So it started with walk just so I could get the footfalls figured out and of course allowed a brief warm up. Then we went to trot and the goal was to really apply it to the canter. I started with head to the wall leg yield down the long side in the trot then came across the short side with a good forward round supple trot, then leg yield from the corner back to the original long side where I started but going in the opposite direction. Then it built to repeating this but when I came to the quarter ling while doing the leg yield, start the string of pearls exercise to test how supple and round I could keep him while negotiating the change of bend while doing at least 2-3 10-meter circles end on end and then pick up the leg yield or finish it back to the opposite track. The real piece was the canter. From the trot I picked up the canter and leg yielded Junior from the corner across the diagonal really getting him to pop his leading shoulder out (so he was counter bent because this was a true leg yield). Then as I hit the opposite long wall I would continue on the correct bend so continued in counter canter around the short side......this naturally mobilized his shoulders and invited him to seek and be happy with the opportunity to go FORWARD in balance in the canter. Then as finished the short side in counter canter I would come across the diagonal asking for a bit of medium (which he was glad to do) and then go straight to the string of pearls exercise again as I hit the quarter line all the while keeping the same canter. I would come to the trot when it was time to change bend and go the other direction. This achieved a few 10 meter circles at the canter with a round forward pony who was staying supple.......you could see some glimmer of light when he was able to do this without getting stuck or rocking back on his hind end and lurching in the canter as he had been. The goal will be to eventually introduce flying changes once he realizes that Forward, Supple, Engage and Push can all be accomplished in the same stride SMOOTHLY as we go from canter to a canter depart in the other direction. As I was finishing, Molly share with me another story of another person who stayed at second level for 5 years as she finally, successfully taught her horse how to take a correct canter depart. Junior and I might hold the record for just how long this is going to take but all hope is NOT lost.

On more of a bummer note, Brandon came in yesterday morning and didn't finish his breakfast. I wasn't too concerned because he was eating his hay (just not his ration balancer) and he's been 'picky' before. I rode him and he felt pretty decent. He seemed normal when I fed him hay at noon but by yesterday evening he was depressed, refusing to eat, pawing......you know where this is going. His temp was normal, heart rate was 36, resp rate a little elevated but still just 44. Guts sounds could only be heard in the ventral quadrants so definite hypomotile in the dorsal colon on both sides. I couldn't pick up any obvious gas sounds but of course I didn't have any banamine. I called my colleague/friend with the equine practice who does my dentals now and she was on call but was trying to get her daughter to her recital after finishing up an emergency she was currently at.......so she offered to meet me on the road in passing so she could give me some banamine while transporting her daughter..................fortunately she and I are well acquainted with similar priorities in the sense that I used to walk in her shoes and she in mine. We laughed as we held our arms/hands out of our respective truck windows in the pitch black passing 'drugs' preparing for some good Samaritan to report suspicious activity. Good news was the banamine did help Brandon. This morning he is much more normal but still refusing HIS ration balancer. I offered him Junior's Well Solve and he gobbled it up. Sometimes horses seem to act more like cats. Whether or not Brandon's ration balancer (fresh/no mold/seems fine) is what caused the problem or not, he's convinced it's poison so another $150 will go into the dumpster. Geesh horses. I'm convinced he only did it because I got my rides times yesterday for the horse show that is a week from today.

For zevida - String of Pearls - a series of 10-meter circles (usually 6) end on end from A to C with the focus of bend (supple), round and maintaining a consistent forward tempo at whatever gait you're executing. At canter you can use the canter walk canter transition to change bend/direction, trot canter trot transition or canter - canter (ie, the flying change).

[blob]

Exvet--thanks for the lesson update, always helpful to get a clear description of your exercises! Re: the ration balancer: RP gets picky about his feed sometimes. I realize it's not very glamorous food compared to the performance grain others get, but i still want him to eat it! When he gets picky, rather than tossing it out--I just add some soaked alfalfa cubes to the mix or hay pellets. That usually does the trick.

I've become boring--work remains awful and riding remains little to none. A woman at my barn has just sold her horse and has not yet found a new one, so I think she is going to put some rides on MM during the week to keep her fit. Though MM's breathing has also been bad latley. It's tough because it's partly bad because she's not fit....but hard to get her fit when she's breathing badly. Sigh.

I did schedule a lesson for next Thursday. And I will go and ride come hell or high water.

[StraightForward]

SF - I think Junior and I are a great 'test'/'study' for improving the canter. All three of his gaits have improved immensely under saddle. To think he barely came close to stepping into his track at the walk and now oversteps by 1/4-1/2 a hoof print is huge for us. Both his trot and his canter have improved and though we're not there yet, we are definitely on the cusp. My point is that I think your plan is a solid one for Tesla.

Yes, I hope so. I have noticed T being more "grabby" with her hind legs recently. I took her off ALCAR as an experiment, and that is supposed to help with muscle function, so I will put her back on it and see if the grabbiness abates. Today we got some really good work in the trot. Other than BEND and DON'T GIVE UP THE CONTACT, I didn't get yelled at for the same things as yesterday, so that's nice We did get some bending through T/C/T transitions to the right, but again on the left, she was bending in the neck, but not in her body, and quit on me when we really tried to insist on bend while incorporating the canter. Next ride I'll try doing the work to the left first and see if she can do it; I suspect she was partly just mentally done with the level of pressure. I decided to call it after 30 minutes as we were both sweating and I didn't think there was much to gain by picking at scabs or picking fights. I felt like I got enough to work through for a few months at least. Leslie did say she saw some funkiness in the RH, so I'll have the vet check things out while we're there on Wednesday, but I strongly suspect that it's not joint related, and just needs to be addressed through strengthening and stretching.

When we got home, I had a good ride on A. I upped the ante on her kind of like one of the clinic rides yesterday for a mare who was behind the leg. Luckily A didn't buck like the mare in the clinic The result was good, and I think we can get the simple changes and maybe the flying changes soon if I keep it up. At the end we played a little with half steps, which she is really getting the idea of.

I think the best advice I heard at the clinic was "Dressage is really hard and takes a lot of focus. Don't fiddle around and ride bad steps. Ride a few good steps, and stop before you lose focus. Get your shit together and then go again."

I hope Brandon is OK today! A pony at the barn coliced suddenly and severely this morning just as I was getting ready to head to the clinic. He is at the vet overnight and they don't know if he is going to make it, so jingles for little Pablo.

Blob, I hope work eases up and you get to ride more soon! I am thinking of putting out feelers for a half lease for Annabelle. Luckily I work for the government, so they can't demand crazy hours from me, but I still see way too much work ahead and don't see how I can keep two going through winter with everything else. Her jump rider is headed to Ocala for the winter, so I'm kind of on my own.

Hopefully if the weather holds we'll have cross-country clinic with the new jump/event trainer at the local XC course next weekend. The weather is changing rapidly - my girls just went from sheets to 50 gram to 100 gram blankets in the past week or so.

[Moutaineer]

Flight, I do so love your spotty horse! I hope the move goes as smoothly as these things can. Easier when you are upsizing than downsizing, at any rate!

How did day 2 of the clinic go? SF. She was meant to be here a couple of weeks ago, but things intervened, and she has been postponed.

I'm now completely surrounded by mega-mega-dollar horses with wonderful riders at the barn. I've been having a bit of imposter syndrome going on. However, watching my horse go today before I got on, I realize that not only is he really pretty damn fancy, but I'd also rather be riding him than any of the (undoubtedly fabulous) big moving and rather intimidating superstars.

It's pretty obvious I'm the weak link in this partnership! I really do need to get my stuff back together to make the best of him and me. It's very frustrating running out of steam as quickly as I do at the moment. I was in such good shape before all this started. I need to get myself back into a fitness program pronto and get myself back to doing some Yoga as well. I know I can get back there. (She says, sitting here with her back complaining loudly about the ride she had today. My saddle obviously needs some attention, too!)

[Moutaineer]

Posted before I saw recent updates!

Jingling madly for Brandon--always scary stuff.

Thanks for the clinic update SF!

Blob, work suddenly got very busy for me too. What with that and not feeling that great, life has been a bit of a struggle. But at least I can pay the board bill...

[khall]

Mountaineer it’s always a work in progress riding! At the schooling show there were some fancy horses with pro riders aboard. Recently imported sales horses. I was happy with my sporty homebred buckskin girl that tries so hard each day compared to the big moving teeth grinding black WB that probably cost more than I want to know!

Here is a great example of just continuing to try to improve. Cedar on JP’s Zorro that she’s done all the training on developing him to GP but still working on improving him and her. He’s got more typical Iberian movement that some judges just aren’t fond of but dang if he can’t piaffe and passage!

https://fb.watch/nYdsa7pkq_/?mibextid=onwyNj

Exvet hopefully Brandon continues to feel himself. I hate it when they get picky over feed!!

SF thanks for the clinic notes (and your clinic thread) you’ve done a good job of working through Ts issues to this point I’m sure you can continue to sort her out as you develop her this winter. Glad you are getting some good clinics in to help with the details even more.

Blob I’m sorry work is difficult! It’s our best time here in Georgia for riding:(. Though heck our temps Monday are supposed to hit mid 80’s before falling mid week. Roller coaster colic weather.

I’m only blanketing two on the farm this year. Joplin and my boarder’s mare Juliet who has PSSM 1. Rip grows a yak coat each year and Gaila has plenty of coat and a big belly to keep her warm.

I’m happy I’m just riding Joplin this winter and not having to juggle 2. May be facing some life challenges and changes with mom as she continues to deteriorate in her dementia. She’s stage 6 of 7 now requiring so much help every day. The caregivers are wonderful but 24/7 caregivers which we are probably looking at is not sustainable long term. So we are visiting skilled nursing facilities. One yesterday ugh. The contact person reminded me of a used car salesman during our tour. I minded my manners but it was a struggle. My sister feels a bit differently on this issue than I do but is letting me make the final decision since frankly I’ve been here daily for mom the last 4 years. Now with awesome sitters. She might see her once a month.

As for training I’ve been playing even more with piaffe both in hand and US. I’m also gearing up for some serious collected canter work. My goal is for better C W transitions and think canter in the spot type work. I know HI on the circle can help engagement and renvere in CC. I’ve gotten Joplin more upright on all 4 legs now to build on that training in collection.

Have WE coming up soon. Then Thanksgiving (mom’s 87 birthday which we are celebrating) then Cedar and Christmas (gosh this year has flown by!). Anniversary trip right after Cedar.

This time of year gets so busy and this year seems it will be too

My biggest news is just over 11 lbs down 29 more to go I hope. Tracking macros and it’s been pretty easy.
Happy riding all!

[zevida]

For zevida - String of Pearls - a series of 10-meter circles (usually 6) end on end from A to C with the focus of bend (supple), round and maintaining a consistent forward tempo at whatever gait you're executing. At canter you can use the canter walk canter transition to change bend/direction, trot canter trot transition or canter - canter (ie, the flying change).

Thank you!

[zevida]

It's pretty obvious I'm the weak link in this partnership!

Aren’t we all???

[Quelah]

Exvet I hope Brandon is feeling himself again and being a proper Cob hoovering everything down ((Brandon))

[Aleuronx]

75 and sunny meant last full bath of the year yesterday as today’s high is in the 40’s and rain. Managed to sneak a ride in outside before the precipitation started. As I’m feeling the outdoor arena time waning I decided to give a play with asking for more than one change in a sentence.

Kora is by no means confirmed in the changes but I want it to be no big deal to ask for another. And definitely want to introduce the concept prior to being stuck riding toward 4 walls inside. She was brilliant, a slightly dodgy change in there but was not the sole purpose of the ask. Happy with her response and mental relaxation for it.

https://youtu.be/wD-hvNakpSA?si=04x_lVEaK5iahNAQ

[Chisamba]

May not be helpful but I ask for the changes on the circle so there is no beginning and no end so the walls don't matter. It helps keep the horse relaxed and waiting for the aids rather than anticipating a place . It also helps with counter canter to C which suddenly becomes a thing after a number of tests ask for changes at M or H.

I find trot counter canter trot transitions super helpful for improving flying changes. Everyone taught me walk canter transitions were important for " dressage" flying changes but Particia Kottas had me working on " perfect" trot canter transitions and she was so right. They have so helped Saiph find her jump and better uphill . So I recommened people try trot counter canter transitions on the circle to find the jump in their flying change.

I have also found that doing a lot of lateral work and suppling exercises rather than improving the FC tend to muddle it.

I know, I know. So many people say the perfect simple change and all kinds of leg yield and half pass and travers to renvers. I don't find it helpful for the actual flying change. All of that is super helpful for the halfpass flying change zig zag, but I only add that once the horses is super confident and comfortable with the FC and on the aids and I have broken the habit that we instill in greener horses that lead is always away from the rail. The disadvantage of always schooling in a menage is that horses are so spacial in their perceptions that e might believe they are responding to the aids for lead but they are avidly absorbing spacial concepts and have to unlearn them to counter canter and do multiple flying changes.

If you think about it and find the thought useful, I'd be glad. I realize not everything functions for all riders and all horses.

My horses in africa were all trained in fields with occasional lessons in a menage. Counter canter, flying changes and such were always super easy. It took me a while to realize it was not that I suddenly sucked when I came to America, it was that I had to think about the horses perception of space. When Kea got stuck with her flying changes I rented riding time in a trotter track and with the long open spaces and always being on a half mile loop she suddenly understood it wasn't the fence or the letter or the space, but the balance and the aids.

Maybe the weakness is in me. Perhaps I allow the horse to use space instead of really focusing on communicating aids. A horse ridden in the same landscape is like a savante at association and that just is.

[blob]

Aleu-- Kora's changes look great and are really coming around. Interestingly, your best changes are not the first in the sequence, but the second or the third. So, it probably is quite useful with her to continue to practice changes in a sequence even if you're not counting any specific stride count.

[Aleuronx]

It was definitely a worthy experiment that I will be repeating. Teaching flying changes is such a nuance and not something that I'd say is my specialty so I'll take all the ideas openly! I've done a few out of the circle but not necessary continuous so I'll give it a go and see what we get. For Kora at least right now the biggest thing is keeping the lateral open-ess of the shoulders and being able to control them up and out as she tends to drive down on them.

I'm closing out this section with a success across the board on all goals. Flying changes are being touched upon in most 'work' rides and the latest trot work is improving faster than I'd expected. We introduced half-steps to great first attempts and will likely play with that through the winter with a secondary trainer that stays here over the winter. Fall hacking has been lovely, but mostly walk as fields are a bog and wet from all this years continually rainy weather. Treadmill isn't a total failure to keep going on. I'd say harder goals next section but these are all up there in difficulty for us truly!

Section Goals:
Flying Change Hell; 1-2 rides a week work on changes
Trot with shoulders up, neck down - throughness
Half steps introduction
Enjoy the cut field and fall hacking

Keep on tread mill 2-3 times a week for me

[Chisamba]

Goals.

Maybe choose a stud for Kimba.

Saiph, button up the flying changes and work toward tempi.

Flei, establish leg yield, canter and get his feet healthy. He is still recovering from years of road shoes and diminished frogs with deep heels.

Honey, continue her recovery to remuscling and also get the lateral work started and progress her connection to more length in the neck to the bit.

Me continue the long slow journey to healthy weight. Maybe just dye the darn hair. I'm not a huge fan of my salt and pepper look.

Kimba. Did not choose to breed, she is just starting back in canter work with her rehab.

Saiph. Yes a little tempi work but more work on foundation of good flying changes

Flei. Had to rest him a he got a nasty kick across his hind tendon

Honey. First show. Walk trot canter established, muscling beginning to happen, leg yield in progress.

[blob]

This has been mostly a wash, but here's my recap:

I've been reading and following but not posting much lately--work, travel, etc. But hoping for some good fall riding:

Me:
Continue to try to cook/eat leftovers as much as possible
Find healthy ways to balance work/riding/life work has been a nightmare and nothing else has really happened

MM:
Continue to enjoy her by doing different/fun things as much as possible
Keep her in shape/maybe even lean down some to help with breathing

RP:
Continue to build strength
Continue chiro/acu for SI
Re-evaluate at end of bi-mester whether we've had improvement I suppose i can re-evaluate, but that seems unfair given how little riding was done

[exvet]

Ah Mari I have the same goals more or less...............it's endless.

The next two months are probably the nicest at both of my residences. I'll be moving the horses back down to the Valley in a couple of weeks. Prior to that I have one more schooling show up here, then we move back for two weeks of (re)acclimation to the hotter temps and then the regionals. My dear sweet daughter has taken the Friday of that weekend off of work to help me out, bless her. After the regionals we have the recognized show in the beginning of November. I will likely only take Brandon; but, that decision won't be made until I'm done with the regionals. Either way it will be more focus on fine tuning the basics. Brandon has been getting stronger and is ready for me stepping up the second level work so that is the tentative plan.

Ah Blob my last two months weren't what I had hoped or expected either. It was far far hotter than normal in the Valley so I was competing at 103 degree temps at the Regionals outside at 1:30 pm. I came in last in every class third and fourth level as well as dressage seat finals in every test/class. The last time I was so stellar was when I was competing on my Arab. Both he (a true heart horse) and my 'larger' stinker pony (Junior) was/are far smarter, more clever, and quicker than I am to keep up with and prevent all the evasions. It didn't help to be so hot. Brandon was injured and then a few weeks later colicked and was out for the count though I will be taking him to the show this coming weekend as planned/suspected.

Now I really am not a negative Nellie so I will emphasize that I have learned a lot over the last two months..............and following everyone else's journey, especially Chisamba's is helping.

[blob]

Here's to a better November for us both, Exvet!

[StraightForward]

Tesla - we have a clinic with Leslie Morse in two weeks. Until then, I'm just kind of trying to smooth out the things that are working and not push the envelope to shutdown mode. Second clinic with Leslie is at the end of October, so we'll be doing whatever she says this period. Also, try to jump 1x per week and ride off property in addition to the clinics. Good here - we did a show and schooled on the XC course. Changing the bit in September really helped a lot. I'm super happy with T's progress this two months.

Annabelle - get her back on the market soon. Nope - had a couple word of mouth nibbles, but I think she's here for the winter. The right knee is looking pretty good, but still has a scab
Keep her jumping up while Autumn is away in Montana. I've been doing a good job with the jumping. A couple clinics with a new instructor helped a lot
Maybe play with some FC exercises. She showed that she can do the H/J changes. I've been working on the canter quality, but not for changes specifically.
Hopefully she'll become a schoolie for one student 2x a week. First lesson is today, so we'll see if it's a fit or not. She's been super, but they've only done about three lessons. Seems something always comes up.

Me - keep up the fitness from DRT 3. Run at least 1x per week now that it's getting cooler.I haven't been running outside at all, but overall staying pretty fit. I didn't pass out or need a break from the butt kicking in my clinic, so that was good.

[Tanga]

Oh boy. I'm not doing my recap. I went back and looked. It went really badly with Sora, but it ended up being the best it could. Still weird having so much less to do at the barn. The BO mentioned it was weird to see me walking with only two horses.

Interesting Leslie Morse keeps coming up. I knew her from way back when at the beginning of dressage's rise in CA and she never had the breaks. I was scribing at the local show, not big, on Sunday, and she was there apparently helping some people. Sigh. Must be nice to have the funds. I'm really glad she's out there helping everyone. She's had to really work and not quite "make it" to the top. It was heartbreaking to watch her rung out at the World Cup on Kingston.

I was scribing for Renee Johnson, who is a newer S, so it was interesting to meet her. I really like her. We had a lot of interesting discussions about judging. My perception that the word went out to lower the scores everywhere was correct. She said they all got the word that only people at the top level should be getting those 70's. And then of course we talked about all of the BS about the "lead" judge telling everyone to do one thing and then doing another. In talking about the BS of the people with power and money get the scores, she was telling me that she doesn't go back to certain shows when she didn't score the right people high enough. I recall her being overly picky when she first started judging around here, but she has really changed that. We discussed how there are the judges that pick and mark down for everything, and usually the better, more experienced judges can ignore little things and give overall scores for movements. She uses the scales--it was a day, so we had score ranges from 1 to 9, which I like. I mentioned to her it was nice to see, because it seemed with a lot of judges in the last year or so they were more freely using the lower end of the scale, but stopped using the upper end. 8 has become a rarity. She kept saying "a 7 is satisfactory." Yep.

[Moutaineer]

All I have to say about the last two months is. Oh, well. Man plans, the gods laugh.

But, all was not lost. Potters has been in full training for the past two months and I'm really pleased with what they have done. It's all been about rideability and adjustability and building topline and strength. He looks fabulous and is obviously very happy in his work, and the few bits and pieces of riding that I've been able to do have been most enjoyable.

[StraightForward]

Interesting Leslie Morse keeps coming up. I knew her from way back when at the beginning of dressage's rise in CA and she never had the breaks. I was scribing at the local show, not big, on Sunday, and she was there apparently helping some people. Sigh. Must be nice to have the funds. I'm really glad she's out there helping everyone. She's had to really work and not quite "make it" to the top. It was heartbreaking to watch her rung out at the World Cup on Kingston.

Yep, well apparently she moved back to the LA area last year to be closer to her mother and is focusing on clinicing now, so it make sense she is out and about the west more. I'd honestly never heard of her, but it's been impossible to get clinicians up here. When Gary Rockwell came a year or two ago, it was filled by the chosen people; no chance to sign up. The fresh eyes and tougher set of standards have really been helpful, so I'm hoping she comes back in the spring *when* Tesla's canter has improved.

Interesting notes about the judging. It is a bummer to hear about judges feeling the pressure to bias their scoring. We don't have big names here so it's less of an issue, but there are still suspicions about inflated and deflated scores.

[blob]

the new trainer I have recently started working with is an S judge and right now we are really only focused on getting RP' back to a functional riding horse, i am curious/eager to see what kind of learnings/insights I will get from her as i start thinking about showing again.

[khall]

Wrap up I accomplished all that I wanted to these last two months.

Joplin went to two schooling shows. Stepped out into 2 nd level for the first time. Very happy with my girl!

Great Cedar clinic too.

Me I’ve lost 12.5 lbs. Still working on it. Edited. Weighed this morning.

Mom is losing more of herself to this horrid dementia but as of right now still has as good of a quality of life as she can living in her own apartment on our farm with fabulous caregivers daily. Has her dog and her flowers. Turns 87 this month.