Testing the steering

Today's jumping lesson was all about getting us ready to go to the show next weekend.  We've been working so hard on our grids and gymnastics that I haven't seen a course in a month.  Time to fix that! 

Trainer A was all about tight turns since our show is in a rather small ring.

No, the drawing isn't to scale, because I can't figure out how she got everything to fit in there.  Most of the roll back turns were 12 to 15 meters.  The orange dots are the part of the ring she blocked off with cones, just to make our lives more interesting.  The jumps ranged from 2' to 2'6".  #2 was the plank fence, #3 was the barrel jump, and #6 was the one stride set a bit short.  Notice the turns at #3 to #4  and then at #5 to #6?  Whee, roll backs!  Nothing like a 15 meter turn, one stride straight, and then a one stride combination to make sure you're very balanced.

She also took some video of us trotting around for me to have as a reference.  Behold, mi papi!

That is actually a vast improvement.  He's almost tracking up even though I'm not kicking.  I love a little natural forward.  He's becoming such a stud muffin.

Tomorrow is a spa day to get all of the prep for the show done early.  I also need to actually look at and possibly ride through our dressage test.  After I find out which one we're doing.  I think it's Beginner Novice A, but now I'm wondering if I read that wrong.  Details, details.

Light bulb

Theo and I have been working together for just under two months at this point.  We've learned a lot about each other in that time, but there's a lot we still have to figure out.  I stand by my theory that it takes about a year for a rider/horse pair to really lock in, so we're only 1/6 of the way there.  I still don't know how Theo will react to things, and it doesn't help that Theo is changing very rapidly.

He's gotten more mellow, more chill about life while also getting stronger and more enthusiastic about his work.  We were in the jumping field tonight and he needed to wait while Trainer A grabbed a pony to ride down with us.  He stood and watched the cars go by with me sitting on him, completely unaffected and surprisingly patient.  I tried to get a picture of him on his best behavior, but ended up with the trainer photo bombing the shot.

Oops, hey, teach!

She's on Juice Box who is a fun, fun pony that needed a ride away from the kids.  He was ecstatic to go gallop around and jump a bit.  Theo and I weren't jumping since he did get injured over the weekend.  It was more about getting him out of the ring, working on some uneven ground, and getting in some serious hill work.  There's a pretty steep hill on one side of the jumping field and we spent half of our lesson working on that.  First we walked up and down, working on keeping Theo balanced and on his haunches.  Then we trotted up and down, keeping mi papi nicely balanced.  I was honestly shocked at how well he took the rebalancing half halts and his willingness to sit on his butt on the down hill.  Mister Klutzy actually trotted down the hill in a way that made me completely comfortable after a couple of reps.

After a break and some work at the canter on the rolling part of the field, we had him canter up the hill in a short frame.  He really had to sit his butt down to keep a consistent rhythm up the hill without pulling himself up with his shoulders.

The wild thing was that, instead of shutting down as the intensity went up, a different gear showed up.  After the first two reps cantering up the hill, Theo picked up the canter from the walk and hauled us up the hill with enthusiasm.  The light bulb turned on and the infamous thigh master suddenly realized he was having fun.  I wasn't kicking, I was just balancing and supporting while he cantered around the field and then up the hill.  His shoulders came up and I thought 'holy crap, he feels like an eventer!'.  He had a blast in the jumping field.  I never saw that coming. 

After all of his fun, I hopped off and had him jump the ditch in hand since he has a reputation as being ditchy.  He wanted to stop, but he jumped it both times without too much fuss.  It did make him anxious, but it was manageable and his second jump was perfectly reasonable.  We walked around while the trainer put the adorable pony through his paces.  The gnats were bad and mi papi kept trying to rub on me.  I don't usually allow it, but the bugs were so bad . . .

He rubbed his bridle right off.  One minute I'm walking a pony, the next he's staring at me and I'm holding his bridle.  Fortunately he immediately started eating grass while I tried to stop laughing long enough to get his bridle back on.

After our rather intense ride, Theo got a bath and a massage with liniment.  I suspect he'll be a bit sore in the rump tomorrow.  He really gave me a great ride from a mental perspective.  He didn't fight, he didn't fuss, he just tried his big ol' heart out for me.  He's going to be doing a lot more time on those hills now that I've done them once and have a better idea of how balanced he can be.  Hill work will make all the difference as I ask him to lift up his shoulders.  Considering how much he's changed so far, I can only imagine the booty he's going to have by the time we're stuck in the indoor for the winter.

That big ol', big ol' butt, yeah

It's good to know that I can still be surprised.  I was sure that Theo would be less than keen on doing hill work.  I never thought I'd feel him hit the bridle and carry me forward to something like that.  I don't think Theo is what everyone thought.  At all.

Milestone #2

Milestone #1 was the first horse show.  It wasn't perfect, but it definitely occurred.

Milestone #2?  Getting a saddle that fits well enough that the saddle fitter pats it and says he's competely happy with it.

 Gary Severson, aka the Saddle Doctor of some Eventing Nation fame, was out today and took a look at my find.  We chatted a bit about the article going viral and the saddle I picked out.  I swear, everyone loves this saddle.  He did rearrange some of the wool to get it just right for Theo, but was very happy with the tree and overall fit.  He moved wool away from the shoulders to give mi papi a bit more space, whacked on the panels a bit with a wood beater thingie, gave the saddle a pat, and declared it very nicely balanced.  Houston, we have a saddle!

I didn't even realize how much that had been weighing on me, to not know if I had a saddle that fit him when I rode.  Now I know I've got a saddle that fits him and not only does it fit, it's a jumping saddle.  Score!

And with that last (huge, painful, beautiful) purchase, I have a base set of tack to use on Theo.

My locker got organized this week with some baskets and a drawer so my stuff actually fits.  The baskets get my polos and boots up and out of the way.  Note the large jug of treats to keep mi papi happy and working.

Now I get to move on through my shopping list.  Up next?  Lunging gear.  I need a caveson, surcingle, and Vienna reins for topline development work.  I've always wanted to learn how to do long lines, seems as good a time as any to learn.  I just have to figure our where the heck I'm going to hang up more tack . . .

Chasing the bronze

The USDF's rider award program is meant to give riders a goal even if they don't have an amazing warmblood that barely needs to touch the ground in order to get across the ring.  Score over 60% and you're on your way, regardless of the fact that the winner in your class scored a 75% or something else insane.  I really like this program.  Fiona actually got a certificate of accomplishment at the Training level because of her multiple scores in the 60's.  The Bronze medal is the award that most ammies strive for since Third Level is achieveable even for us mere mortals with our flawed horses.

Even those of us with draft crosses that pull both front shoes, go foot sore, have pads added, and are now in a stall because their delicate tootsies need a break from New Hampshire's number one crop:  granite.

Good work, Theo.  Hand walking and bute are a go until his tootsies feel better.  Hoof testers didn't show anything specific, so we're hopeful it's not an abscess, just sore from being barefoot longer than expected.  Not that he minds being in a stall with a full hay manger.

There's no reason a sound, sane horse can't do Second Level, even if he is a bit klutzy.  I've schooled Second Level with Fi, so I'm aware of what the test calls for and how the movements go together.  Theo's already been introduced to a lot of the movements while we teach him to carry his own weight.  He's a cute mover and he's starting to handle the mental pressure well.  A decent work ethic is emerging.  There's really no reason at all that he can't be a Second Level horse.  Not this year or next year, but two years from now?

Next year:  First Level.  I think I need one more qualifying score since I ran Fi in the opportunity classes at her last couple of shows and those don't count for rider awards.  Also, mi papi needs some miles.  So my goal for next year is to get him going at First Level, ideally scoring over 60% in First 3.  It's going to be hard, we're going to have to bust our butts all winter, but he's got it in him.  Then we can step up to Second Level.

And who knows, maybe even Third one day.  Theo can get me the first 4 scores, I know it, and possibly all 6.   

I've been unofficially chasing my Bronze medal for years, but now I want to make it my official goal.  Hang it up on the wall, so's to speak. I know there are a lot of ammies out there like me that are bravely stepping into the world of dressage with their non-typical horses and with non-typical training and attitudes.  But we can do it!  Each of us will fight to sit back, will push for every inch of reach from our not so floaty partners, and will strive to nail those square halts to get extra points where we can!  We will ignore the fact that we can't remember which is tranvers and which is renvers, will practice in our jumping saddles when necessary, and will always be proud of our ponies for not executing airs above the ground during the test!

We are dressage riders, hear us whimper while trying to sit an extended trot!

Wardrobe

Ever have one of those days where you wake up, look in the mirror, and decide you don't want to adult today?  I had one of those days recently.  I just didn't have it in me to be an adult.  Fortuantely I work from home, so no one cared that I was in ripped, baggy jeans and an Invader Zim tee shirt that I've had since high school.  When it came time for me to head to the barn for my lesson, I kept the shirt but swapped to breeches.  Trainer A promptly asked 'are you wearing an Invader Zim shirt?'.  Evidently I'm usually very clean cut in my presentation at the barn.

At one point, I rode at a barn where tucked in collared shirts were required for lessons.  Collared shirts, usually polos, were also required for instructors when working.  It seems the habit stuck.  I got caught up on my laundry today and took a look at my riding wardrobe.  I might as well be wearing a uniform.

Yes, yes, I have a section in my closet specifically for my riding shirts.  No, I'm not a perfectionist or detail oriented at all.

The light colored shirts on the right are my office shirts.  The shirts on the left are my sweatshirts.  The ones I separated out in the middle are my riding shirts, and they are all collared shirts in some shade of blue, green, or purple.  My breeches are all dark with contrast stitching (except the one pair of tan breeches I loathe but couldn't pass up on when on clearance for $15).  For me to show up to the barn in a graphics tee with a bright green alien dog was probably a bit startling.  It wasn't until I stopped and looked at my clothes that I really noticed how similar all of my riding clothes are.

I also appear to have a thing for plaids. I didn't realize this until looking at the photo.  Why do I have so many plaid shirts?

It's not necessarily a bad thing to have a uniform for riding.  I don't have to do any actual thinking when I dress for the barn, which is a good thing after a long day of work or before an early morning lesson.  It also means every thing matches without me having to do any type of decision making. 

I have the attitude that you should show up for your lesson ready to work.  It shows respect for your trainer.  You wear a snug shirt or tuck it in, your hair is neat, your horse is well groomed, and your tack is tidy.  I typically tuck my hair under my helmet, wear gloves, and use my white saddle pads (as opposed to the saddle pad with hearts all over it).  Having said that, I think I need to shake things up a bit.  Get some other colors in the wardrobe, and not necessarily wear something with a collar every single ride.  Theo would look stunning in some strong red and I actually look good in pink, even if I rarely wear it.  I could even use more royal blue, since that's supposed to be part of my cross country colors, and soft yellow works for me.  No orange, though, I draw the line there.  I'm too pale for that color, it makes me look unhealthy.

Maybe, just maybe, I should start busting out the tee shirts when I ride on my own.  I don't think I can unbend enough to wear a tee shirt in a lesson regularly, but what's the harm in wearing some Hello Kitty on other days?  Other than to my respectability as an adult that's supposedly a responsible member of society, but who needs that?

Psychic

Today's riding lesson had all of the markers of being a fun and important one.  First up, the demo saddle going out for round two and seeing if it was a winner.  Today was also forecast to be a lovely day with some clouds and a high of 73.  Trainer A texted me this morning to see if I could ride at noon so we could go out in the field and jump mi papi over some of the natural obstacles.  Of course I said yes and pulled my jumping vest out of storage.

It's funny, but it felt weird to get my vest out and dust it off.  The last time I wore it was when I did the Training level cross country with the Meathead.  It was a tough period for me and I had to take some anti-anxiety herbs to help me get around that course.  Ben was a saint for a lot of things, but cross country was not one of them.  I still get a little muscle weakness thinking about galloping down to that corner and feeling him drop off my aids and dive onto his forehand.  When I went back to riding, I didn't intend to go back to jumping and I certainly never wanted to go back to cross country.  Theo was supposed to be my dressage partner.

But adrenaline addiction is a hard thing to break and I have been happily jumping in the ring.  It doesn't bother me at all.  With Theo's little spooky issue and lack of confidence when facing something new, of course we need to get him out and challenge him.  It was my idea to have our lesson out in the jumping field.  The reality didn't hit me till I got my vest out.  I'm back to cross country.  I can only hope that it's a smoother trip than what I had with the Meathead.

Armed with the demo saddle, the jump vest, and my resolve to get back out in the open,  I retrieved my mighty steed.  Lo and behold, it started raining and I noticed something was a bit off when Theo stepped on the asphalt . . .

No front shoes.  He managed to pull them both this morning in turn out.  He must have heard us planning his jumping and galloping lesson and decided 'well, I'll just take care of that!'.  He is out of work until the farrier can come out, hopefully tomorrow.  Today was the Fourth of July, so no farrier available.

Papi went back into his field and I grabbed the one and only Miss Thang for my jumping lesson.  She recently had a career change from dressage to hunters and it made perfect sense for us to have some quality time together.  We did grid work and practiced her stretching out and doing a nice, smooth jump instead of collecting up and launching over things.  While Theo is unbalanced from back to front, Miss Thang is unbalanced from side to side.  It takes a lot of muscle to keep her steady between the aids unlike Theo, who takes a lot of muscle to keep his shoulders up.  My stabilizing muscles are killing me now, but we had a good ride. 

I do think Miss Thang and I would have eventually learned to work together well, but even Trainer A seems to prefer the way Theo and I work together.  We just jive well and that's not true for everyone that rides him.  He has a long list of riders that have fought him and either lost or ended up hating him.  He's an opinionated pony.  I recently discovered that there are specific people he can't stand and will try to bite if he thinks they're not looking.  I'm taking it as a compliment that when he sees me, I get cuddles instead of being nipped.  I don't think he's in any danger of losing me to the beautiful warmblood mare, even if he does completely disrupt our plans by losing his shoes.  We'll just try again in our Tuesday lesson.

Champagne taste

It probably says a lot about me that when I noticed some soreness in Theo's back under the cantle of the Wintec, I bombed off to the saddle shop within 48 hours to see what I could find.  And find I did.  I love saddle shops.  Our local saddle shrine is Pelham Saddlery.  Hundreds of used saddles just waiting to be pet and purchased.  The employees are educated and helpful, which is fantastic when you're faced with walls full of saddles.  I got lost in the dressage saddles and had to ask for directions to the close contact saddles!

I gave my shopping guide a copy of my saddle fitter notes and we set to work.  Adam Ellis was a new name for me and the saddle I tried was close, but the mono flap look is still not something I'm used to in a jumping saddle.  The knee rolls also seemed a bit close for me, which is very bizarre when I'm so short.  I also sat in an Albion Kontrol and generally liked it, but the cantle was high and made me feel a bit trapped.  The Bates Elevation felt nice, but I still don't trust the CAIR panels.  How do I get that adjusted for my asymmetrical pony?

The winner was a Frank Baines Evolution.  The Evolution is the flatest of the Baines trees.  That, combined with big ol' rear gussets, long front gussets, and a seat that makes me feel like I'm sitting on a cloud, sold me.  Theo's dressage saddle that works well for him is a Baines Reflex dressage saddle, so he likes their saddles.  Alas, it meant I needed a new saddle and not a used saddle.  Don't ask what the price tag said, I might cry a little.  But damn, butt candy!

I zipped over to the barn even though it wasn't one of my days to ride to pop it on mi papi and take a look.

Of course it looks fantastic on him.  He's got expensive tastes.  The only thing under it is the baby pad I used to keep dirt off of the demo saddle.  Yeah, it sits like that with zip zero nada underneath it.  The panels are deep enough at the shoulder to fill in those dips.  It doesn't bridge.  When I saw the spendy saddle on him, I checked for straggling summer campers before cursing like a badly wounded sailor that just found out his life partner is leaving him for his parrot.  Why does it fit so nicely out of the box?!

Clearly I'm a masochist, because I got out the girth and wrapped the stirrup leathers so I could take it for a spin.  Love it.  Freaking love it.  Theo has plenty of room in the shoulders, not rocking or rolling, and my butt was in heaven.  Only amongst riders can I say that without getting a lot of weird looks.  I showed Trainer A my choice and she said 'it's a pillow for your a$$'.  That's pretty much it.  Mi papi tracked up nicely and used his open canter stride, so he seemed to approve.  I popped over some fences and was pleased with how it held my position, considering I was fighting with stirrups that had standing wraps wound around them.  Having a solid inch barrier between your leg and your flap is a bit of a problem.

Oh, and I was dressed for the office.  I was wearing dark slacks and a white shell blouse.  This wasn't a planned ride and I was lucky that my field boots were in my car, since I was wearing ballet flats.  I got a lot of double takes.

Now the question is whether I just keep this saddle or if I return the demo and order up my very own version.  In my dreams, I get this saddle in the darker havana color with the piping on the seat in royal blue (it's in red on the demo).  I'd also get the blocks with velcro so they're adjustable and I think I might get the short flap.  The price is the same, they don't charge for the custom options.  But this saddle is really, really close.  It hasn't been oiled and I rather liked this color on my dappled bay partner.  The rolls were there when I needed them over the scary panel jump and I don't look like a pony clubber.  I'll let Trainer A vote in my lesson on Saturday.  Resale value for a regular flap is better, so I'm leaning toward keeping the regular flap so long as it's not an issue for my position.  Also, a custom model wouldn't be in my hands until August.  That's a long time to improvise.

I'll do my jumping lesson with it on Saturday and let Trainer A have the final say.  As of tonight?  I kind of love it.  It was amazing to get on without any fear of the saddle rocking and rolling.  Speaking of rock and roll . . .

80's super star

I can get away with a lot after 20 minutes of body work.  Theo cares not after a lot of cantering and a vigorous rub down through his neck and back.

I hear from other riders that mi papi is still a bit of a puke with them, but I'm not sure if that's back sore due to rotating saddles or just him getting away with being a bully.  Six of one, half dozen of the other?  Either way, this looks like a really good first ride and I'm optimistic.  Update coming on Saturday, hoping we have a saddle!