My dad and I are on our way home.... Leaving Steiner dressage is very bitter sweet. I am already planning when I can go back, and I'm wishing we weren't so far apart! But the important thing is that I had an amazing experience. I can't believe the whole summer has gone by already.
I was supposed to show Webby this weekend, but unfortunately I was in the hospital this past week with a nasty staph infection :/ it is what it is now, but I am definitely bummed that I'm not going to get a quantitative reflection of the progress he and I made this summer. We worked really hard and then didn't even get to show off!
Fortunately, this doesn't change the fact that I learned so much and made tons of progress this summer. Training with Betsy has started to set the stage for my career. I am getting the foundation I need to become a professional. We were very intense all summer because I am driven to do well and be the best that I can be and Betsy was more than happy to push me and teach me. It's been a bit of a whirl wind, but I learned so much. It's a little daunting to know that I've come so far but still have a really long way to go. I am so ready to get this staph situation all healed up so I can get back in the saddle! You would think that a summer of barn labor 6 days a week would scare me away, but it has only fueled my fire. Full time training has only made me want to ride more...
So I guess Betsy turned me into a Dressage rider after all ;)
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
**ANNOUNCEMENT**
I got a new horse!!! His name is Rubato, he is an Oldenburg gelding, he is a dark bay, and he is 8 years old. He has shown through Prix St. Georges, but schooling a little above that. We are calling him "Otto" for short. Betsy and I are totally in love with him. He has the best attitude. He knows he is good at his job and all he wants to do is show everyone how special he is. I am very excited to start a partnership with this horse! I think we are going to do well together :)
Betsy has been riding both the boys the past few days because I'm a little under the weather, and they both look outstanding! Otto struts around like he owns the place, and Webby has developed a GORGEOUS topline. He is big, beautiful, and so round!! He fits right in the the rest of the dressage horses here ;) (my mom didnt even recognize him when she saw him last week) I cannot get over the complete transformation that Webby has made in the past year! He does not look like the same horse, and he is absolutely beautiful. He and I have both grown a lot together so I am sorry that I have to say good bye to him soon. He will stay here with Betsy to be sold, but I know he will be happy to teach someone else everything he has taught me :) Web turned out to be so much more than what we expected when we bought him 5 years ago. He and I have had our ups and downs as many of your know, but he has been a more than gracious partner to me and I wouldn't trade my time with him for anything. He is a lovely horse and a wonderful teacher. I am excited to see what he will do for his next person.
Betsy has been riding both the boys the past few days because I'm a little under the weather, and they both look outstanding! Otto struts around like he owns the place, and Webby has developed a GORGEOUS topline. He is big, beautiful, and so round!! He fits right in the the rest of the dressage horses here ;) (my mom didnt even recognize him when she saw him last week) I cannot get over the complete transformation that Webby has made in the past year! He does not look like the same horse, and he is absolutely beautiful. He and I have both grown a lot together so I am sorry that I have to say good bye to him soon. He will stay here with Betsy to be sold, but I know he will be happy to teach someone else everything he has taught me :) Web turned out to be so much more than what we expected when we bought him 5 years ago. He and I have had our ups and downs as many of your know, but he has been a more than gracious partner to me and I wouldn't trade my time with him for anything. He is a lovely horse and a wonderful teacher. I am excited to see what he will do for his next person.
Equilates
As y'all may or may not know Betsy Steiner started equilates- a type of exercise based in Pilates but targets muscles used in riding and specifically addresses balance and core strength.
Last week a lady named Cyndi (played role in development of equilates) came to the barn to do a clinic with several of the clients here and some other people as well. There were 3 sessions for each rider: the neuro muscular warm up, work out using Bio Coreds, and a ball work out. The warm was done before riding to obviously warm up muscles and also to create body awareness and tune in to the core and balance. We did things like standing on a mini Bosu ball with both feet, one foot, and then with eyes closed. Taking away vision really challenges your balance. I could stay pretty balanced with my eyes open, but as soon as I closed my eyes I was wobbling all over the place! We also did some stretches to loosen us up before we rode. After riding we worked with Bio Coreds (bungi chords designed for low impact resistance training. The chords provide both support and resistance to work with. We mostly did exercises that targeted the core muscles because core strength is very important for riding. Stability, balance, and cues all come from the riders core. Finally we did a group ball work out which was a lot of fun! Sitting on a yoga ball makes you very awar of your body position. You can easily feel whether you are straight, slumped over, leaving to one side, or have your back arched. This awareness is important for while in the saddle. The horse feels everything the rider does. So if the rider is crooked the horse will be too! Many of the ball exercises also worked on coordination between arms and legs, alternating sides, and isolation all while maintaining balance.
I was also able to take a Pilates class! I had no idea how much it related to riding. Betsy has been wanting me to get into Pilates for a while but I didn't listen! Well now I believe her ;) Pilates also focuses on core strength. Using a reformer allows you to isolate muscles while also being fluid through the movements an exercises. This coincides with riding really well. After al horse and rider are dancin together, and dancing only looks beautiful and effortless if it is fluid and seem less.
These experiences have been very insightful for me! This type of exercise not only makes the rider stronger, but it also makes you realize how much your body influences the horse. The more control and strength I have within myself, the more effectively I can ride. I hope this doesn't sound like a bunch of nonsense! If you're reading this and you are a rider then try it! Think about how much you use your abs to lift the horse up and over their back, and how your balance and straightness effects the horse. If you're not a rider well then I hope it makes sense! If not ask me!
Last week a lady named Cyndi (played role in development of equilates) came to the barn to do a clinic with several of the clients here and some other people as well. There were 3 sessions for each rider: the neuro muscular warm up, work out using Bio Coreds, and a ball work out. The warm was done before riding to obviously warm up muscles and also to create body awareness and tune in to the core and balance. We did things like standing on a mini Bosu ball with both feet, one foot, and then with eyes closed. Taking away vision really challenges your balance. I could stay pretty balanced with my eyes open, but as soon as I closed my eyes I was wobbling all over the place! We also did some stretches to loosen us up before we rode. After riding we worked with Bio Coreds (bungi chords designed for low impact resistance training. The chords provide both support and resistance to work with. We mostly did exercises that targeted the core muscles because core strength is very important for riding. Stability, balance, and cues all come from the riders core. Finally we did a group ball work out which was a lot of fun! Sitting on a yoga ball makes you very awar of your body position. You can easily feel whether you are straight, slumped over, leaving to one side, or have your back arched. This awareness is important for while in the saddle. The horse feels everything the rider does. So if the rider is crooked the horse will be too! Many of the ball exercises also worked on coordination between arms and legs, alternating sides, and isolation all while maintaining balance.
I was also able to take a Pilates class! I had no idea how much it related to riding. Betsy has been wanting me to get into Pilates for a while but I didn't listen! Well now I believe her ;) Pilates also focuses on core strength. Using a reformer allows you to isolate muscles while also being fluid through the movements an exercises. This coincides with riding really well. After al horse and rider are dancin together, and dancing only looks beautiful and effortless if it is fluid and seem less.
These experiences have been very insightful for me! This type of exercise not only makes the rider stronger, but it also makes you realize how much your body influences the horse. The more control and strength I have within myself, the more effectively I can ride. I hope this doesn't sound like a bunch of nonsense! If you're reading this and you are a rider then try it! Think about how much you use your abs to lift the horse up and over their back, and how your balance and straightness effects the horse. If you're not a rider well then I hope it makes sense! If not ask me!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Ready to be inspired!
If you don't know the Olympics start tonight!!! Everyone should
Watch and support our country's athletes who have worked so hard to represent us. I am so excited to watch and be inspired by them!
Webby and I are doing really well! But I think we are about to up the ante ;) my core and seat are getting stronger and so is Webby. We are truly making some great progress!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
GERMAN!
Over the past couple days we have taken a few videos of Webby an I. I am ver happy with his progress (hopefully I can post it soon. It's on Betsy's video camera), but after watching them I saw things that I really want to fix! So yesterday I told Betsy that I want to go into hard core training- no more loosey goosey in my core and no more too tight curb reign! Also I wanted to work on getting Webby more forward with more jump at the canter.
Well she gave me what I asked for and went totally German on me! She told me I need to respond more quickly and not take so long to prepare for each movement, transition, adjustment, etc. "boom. Halt now. Canter now. Small zig zags on and off the rail in canter with flying changes. Off the rail now. Quicker. And change. Back to the rail quicker. Stay strong in your core. Engage your abs, now come with power from your flutes and hamstrings and bring him up to your hands. Watch your curb reign. Don't let his shoulder fall out. Make him quicker behind. Come bump bump with your lower legs. Come on! More. Watch your curb. Bring your right shoulder back and down. Lift him up to your hands. Soften him in front. Flex flex to the inside, support his outside shoulder, a little kick with the inside leg, tap with the whip. Give with your hands but come immediately with more power from your seat."
This was Betsy's commentary durin my lesson! Very intense! I did get a compliment out of her though ;) "nice position here."
Haha it was a lot to take it, but I liked being pushed! And Webby was even more fabulous today than yesterday! So it's working! Webby's hairs have really improved- he is lovely, up, round, through, and has a nice bounce and swing. I am very very happy with him :)
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Update
Betsy has been out of town at a clinic so I have just been riding on my own for the past couple days. Webby has been a rock star though :) so I'm very pleased with him! Just thought if give y'all an update so no one thinks I've fallen off the face of the earth :P
Monday, July 9, 2012
Double bridle
I have been struggling the past couple of days with Webby being to heavy in my hands. I had not asked Betsy to get on him because she had knee surgery a few weeks ago. But when I told Betsy a couple days a go that Webby was really heavy she offered to hop on him to feel what was going on. She was able to get him lighter, but suggested that I put Webby back in a double bridle. Sometimes it's just not worth fighting over some things with a horse :P also Betsy felt that I have been driving Webby too much with my legs, and thy I need to lighten up and relax more. Let him do the work!
A double bridle is exactly what it sounds like. It is a bridle with two bits and two sets of reigns. It is only allowed to be used in 3rd level and above. Webby has been much better in the double bridle the last couple days :) but I would like to note that a few weeks ago he could not have gone in it. It has been important to get him to stretch his neck down and bring his back up before putting him in the double which gives the rider more leverage. If I had put Webby in the double too soon it would not serve the correct purpose.
With that being said, we practiced 4th level movements on Saturday and Sunday and Webby was a champ! He has developed the muscling and habits of being properly through his back so now with the double bridle he is very light and lifted through his shoulders.
We are going to a schooling show tomorrow evening to do our first 4th level test! Although things did not go perfectly while practicing, I am feeling very confident that Webby and I are ready! I am also interested to get a judge's point of view on where we are and what we need to improve on before we go to the recognized shows in August :)
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Long Lining
I have started to learn how to long line Webby! Not only is this a great skill to have in general, but Webby is responding to it very well AND it is helping me literally see the improvements he is making instead of me just feeling them or Betsy telling about them :)
Basically long lining is a form of lunging except there are two lines that connect to either side of the horse. So when then horse goes around you in a circle, you hold the two lines like they are reigns. The main purpose of long lining is to allow the horse to find balance and roundness in their body. Long lining is an important toll because it allows you to teach the horse things without someone on their back getting in the way or muddling signals. Long lining is a very straightforward way of show the horse how you want them to use their body, and you have more leverage on the ground so you don't have to fight with them if they are having a hard time understanding.
Good news though is that Webby is doing so well! He totally gets the long lining and seems so happy to do it! It has greatly improved the quality of his gaits, and I hope that it will continue to have this effect. I am also taking to it pretty well- Betsy said I am a natural :) which is exciting! I am excited to continue to learn more and get better at this and continue to watch how it helps Webby grow. The best part is after a few times of long lining, I could really feel a significant difference is Webby's movement the next time I rode him. So we are long lining Webby at least once a week since it has been so successful thus far.
Basically long lining is a form of lunging except there are two lines that connect to either side of the horse. So when then horse goes around you in a circle, you hold the two lines like they are reigns. The main purpose of long lining is to allow the horse to find balance and roundness in their body. Long lining is an important toll because it allows you to teach the horse things without someone on their back getting in the way or muddling signals. Long lining is a very straightforward way of show the horse how you want them to use their body, and you have more leverage on the ground so you don't have to fight with them if they are having a hard time understanding.
Good news though is that Webby is doing so well! He totally gets the long lining and seems so happy to do it! It has greatly improved the quality of his gaits, and I hope that it will continue to have this effect. I am also taking to it pretty well- Betsy said I am a natural :) which is exciting! I am excited to continue to learn more and get better at this and continue to watch how it helps Webby grow. The best part is after a few times of long lining, I could really feel a significant difference is Webby's movement the next time I rode him. So we are long lining Webby at least once a week since it has been so successful thus far.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Very eventful week and it's only Wednesday!
Monday was my day off, but there was still some unwanted excitement. I took Webby out to hand graze him, and I clumsily dropped his lead rope for a second. When Webby realized that I was not holding on to him, he took the opportunity to gallop around the farm for about 15 minutes. I sprinted down the driveway to close the gate so he could not get on the road, but Webby was more interested in causing some mischief with the other horses that had been grazing quietly in their pastures. So he proceeded to run between every pasture to make sure all the other horses knew what was going on, and he would stop sporadically to squeal with a buddy, and then take off again. It took four people to corral and catch him... he can be such a stinker sometimes!
I was supposed to have a lesson on Tuesday, but when I started riding Webby I thought that he felt a little weird in the hindquarters. He was not reaching with his back legs like he normally does and felt very flat. Betsy could also see that he was not moving normally... BECAUSE HE WAS SORE FROM GALLIVANTING! I was bummed that I could only walk him, but it serves him right! That's what he gets for being bad. Silly horse. He is 15 and still acts like a kid!
This morning, I was in the arena on another horse and Jessie was riding Coney (a young Lucitano stallion). I don't know what got into Coney, but Jessie gets the High Flyin' Award! He bucked and spun and wiggled and backed. I really thought she was going to fall off, and I was very impressed that she was able to stick with him. There were times when there was a lot of air between her and the saddle... it was not looking too goo, but she hung on and then worked right through it!
My lesson on Webby went very well! He was still a tad sore, but he seemed to work out of it the longer we worked on stretching and suppling. We had some really good moments were he really stretched through his body and over the topline. We did some haunches in at the cater while leg yielding the shoulder to the outside to help get the inside hind leg quicker. Moving his shoulder around in the counter canter also helped with suppling and balancing him. One of the exercises was a bit challenging, but it helped a lot. I did a 20 meter circle in counter canter and then a 10 meter circle in true canter and then back to the 20 meter counter canter circle. This was tough for Web because it forced him to balance himself. We also worked on the canter depart by doing some turns on the haunches and forehand then leg yielding out slightly before asking for the canter. This series of movements straightened his shoulders and elevated his back so that his inside hind leg could really step up and underneath himself. The first several strides after the departs felt lovely, light, and correct, but then Webby kind of pushes out in his chest and gets heavy in my hands. We ended on a relaxed but very deep trot. We did not push for more in the canter since he was not 100% today, but the plan is to push him a little harder tomorrow. I would really like to get the canter as consistent, through, and powerful as the trot has become.
I was supposed to have a lesson on Tuesday, but when I started riding Webby I thought that he felt a little weird in the hindquarters. He was not reaching with his back legs like he normally does and felt very flat. Betsy could also see that he was not moving normally... BECAUSE HE WAS SORE FROM GALLIVANTING! I was bummed that I could only walk him, but it serves him right! That's what he gets for being bad. Silly horse. He is 15 and still acts like a kid!
This morning, I was in the arena on another horse and Jessie was riding Coney (a young Lucitano stallion). I don't know what got into Coney, but Jessie gets the High Flyin' Award! He bucked and spun and wiggled and backed. I really thought she was going to fall off, and I was very impressed that she was able to stick with him. There were times when there was a lot of air between her and the saddle... it was not looking too goo, but she hung on and then worked right through it!
My lesson on Webby went very well! He was still a tad sore, but he seemed to work out of it the longer we worked on stretching and suppling. We had some really good moments were he really stretched through his body and over the topline. We did some haunches in at the cater while leg yielding the shoulder to the outside to help get the inside hind leg quicker. Moving his shoulder around in the counter canter also helped with suppling and balancing him. One of the exercises was a bit challenging, but it helped a lot. I did a 20 meter circle in counter canter and then a 10 meter circle in true canter and then back to the 20 meter counter canter circle. This was tough for Web because it forced him to balance himself. We also worked on the canter depart by doing some turns on the haunches and forehand then leg yielding out slightly before asking for the canter. This series of movements straightened his shoulders and elevated his back so that his inside hind leg could really step up and underneath himself. The first several strides after the departs felt lovely, light, and correct, but then Webby kind of pushes out in his chest and gets heavy in my hands. We ended on a relaxed but very deep trot. We did not push for more in the canter since he was not 100% today, but the plan is to push him a little harder tomorrow. I would really like to get the canter as consistent, through, and powerful as the trot has become.
The Olympic Trials
Both Friday and Saturday mornings (the 15th and 16th) we drove over to Gladstone, about 30 minutes away from the barn, to watch the National Dressage Championships/Olympic Trials. This was my first time to see a Grand Prix dressage competition in person.... I don't think I could have picked a much better show to go to! (other than maybe the Olympics haha)
The horses and riders were of course impressive. It was really cool to see the best of the best up close and personal. However I was surprised that even though all the horses were very athletic and extremely well balanced, there were not many that were truly outstanding. On one hand you could view this as watching the cream rise to the top, but on the other hand I expected the top 10 riders in the country to all be pretty spectacular. But maybe I am being too harsh... It's not like I can do any of the stuff they do :P Regardless, it was still a ton of fun to watch! I spent most of the time picking the things I liked about each horse and rider. For instance, two of the riders had absolutely flawless seats, some of the horses were so beautifully fluid it looked like one movement just melted seemlessly into the next, and some horses had some really stand out gaits.
The highlight of the whole thing though was after Steffen Peters was announced the winner, he took his victory lap- he was piaffing and passaging around the ring with one hand on the reigns and the other waving his top hat in the air while the crowd was clapping to the beat of his horse's stride. That was really incredible! It was definitely a moment I will never forget :)
The horses and riders were of course impressive. It was really cool to see the best of the best up close and personal. However I was surprised that even though all the horses were very athletic and extremely well balanced, there were not many that were truly outstanding. On one hand you could view this as watching the cream rise to the top, but on the other hand I expected the top 10 riders in the country to all be pretty spectacular. But maybe I am being too harsh... It's not like I can do any of the stuff they do :P Regardless, it was still a ton of fun to watch! I spent most of the time picking the things I liked about each horse and rider. For instance, two of the riders had absolutely flawless seats, some of the horses were so beautifully fluid it looked like one movement just melted seemlessly into the next, and some horses had some really stand out gaits.
The highlight of the whole thing though was after Steffen Peters was announced the winner, he took his victory lap- he was piaffing and passaging around the ring with one hand on the reigns and the other waving his top hat in the air while the crowd was clapping to the beat of his horse's stride. That was really incredible! It was definitely a moment I will never forget :)
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Lessons yesterday an today
Webby felt the best today since we have been here! He did so well and I am so pleased with him!
Yesterday Betsy asked me how Webby felt and what I thought he needed. So I told her that he felt worried- like he was a little scared of what we were going to do to him next. With that in mind we decided to take it slow and easy. We did a lot of stuff to get him to reach and stretch down. We focused on having a nice smooth and relaxed rhythm. This seemed really good for Webby's mind.
Today it's like Webby said "Thank you!!" he came out today ready to rock and roll! He was light and up an just perfect. We did a series of turns on the forehand and then immediately a turn on the haunches at the walk. Then we walked in a square doing turns on the haunches at each corner. After a turn on the haunches I would immediately ask of a canter depart. This series of movements made Webby really light and balanced.
At the trot we worked on expanding and contracting Webby's stride. To contract Betsy told me to slow down the front end while asking the hind legs to speed up. This made Webby really come up through the withers and he felt wonderful! I am so happy with him :) it was like once we took a step back and let him relax he was ready to step up to the plate and give me 100%. He seemed to really let me know that he needed yesterday's work in order to be on his A game :)
Sunday, June 10, 2012
First Couple Lessons
So sorry that I have not posted sooner! I tried to put something up a couple days, but it never loaded :/
These are some very long days! The barn manager, the other intern, and I feed and hay the horses four times a day, refill their water, clean the buckets, turn out the horses in paddocks, groom horses, tack horses up, clean tack, give the horses baths, do their laundry, pick the stalls, and sweep sweep sweep the aisles! haha so we all stay pretty busy. Plus Tuesday-Saturday I take lessons with Betsy.
Ok so now for the good stuff...
First lesson:
Betsy wanted to go easy with Webby this first week so we worked mostly on loosening up his body (and mine). The first thing that we worked on is something that Betsy said is a very important concept to grasp- being able to feel Webby's outside hind leg with my hips and then to feel the outside front leg coming around to the inside (almost shoulder fore) using my outside upper leg. It is very important to have strong outside aids to give the horse direction. This also makes them straighter and more stable. Once the outside aids were established, Betsy told me to think about lifting Webby's inside shoulder into the outside reign with my inside leg.
Then we worked on some turns on the forehand, which is done by stopping the outside shoulder with a slight counter bend and move the haunches around. This was really struggle for Webby, but this exercise is great for straightening the shoulders. After a few turns on the forehand, I could feel the difference in the foreward movements. Straightness makes each step feel more powerful.
We also worked on counter flection at both the trot and canter by moving the shoulders in but not allowing the neck to go to the outside. This flection also straightens the shoulders and does not allow them to drift to the outside.
"Shoulders" were kinda the theme of the week. But that's ok because I have always struggled with controlling Webby's shoulders so the exercises are really great for both of us. So far he is responding very well.
Second lesson:
I warmed Webby up with the previous day's lesson in mind- really focusing on suppling his shoulders with inside and outside flection.
During the lesson we continued building on what we started with the day before. This time we did A LOT of haunches in by holding Webby's haunches to the inside of a square and pushing the shoulders out with my inside upper leg. The hardest part was maintaining this around each corner because the haunches had to stay in as I brought the forehand around. We did this exercise at both the trot and canter. I could feel a huge difference in the cater after doing this exercise because I forces Webby's inside hind leg to really step up. Betsy said that this exercise will help improve the half pass and pirouettes.
Betsy commented that to the left I sit much straighter than to the right, and that I need to remember to relax my upper body, especially my shoulders. I have been trouble isolating my body- when I start using my legs in new ways my upper body becomes tense.
This kind of work makes Webby very through in his back and steady in the contact. With this we did some walk and trot transitions in rhythm- trot 1, 2, 3, 4...walk 1, 2, 3... trot again 2, 3, 4... walk 2, 3, 4... counting really helps me with rhythm and consistency. I tend to have sticky transitions so this really smoothed them out.
Betsy commented that Webby looked very serious that day. He gets in the zone! haha
Third lesson:
Web came out very forward! Even a couple spooks in warm up, but he seemed to channel the energy pretty well. I am very happy with how Web's trot is coming along. He is very forward, through, and engaged.
We continued to work on Webby's shoulders. First we started with voltes (very small circles, about 8 meters or less) and then made them smaller until it became a turn on the forehand.
In trot, moving the shoulders is getting much easier. We started with counter flection on the long side, then moved the shoulders in with my outside upper leg, and finally asking for inside fleciton with a little playing on the inside reign- resulting in the should in. I know this seems like a complicated way to ask for shoulder in, but it has made a big difference. I have have worked on this particular concept on the my own, and it makes the movement much stronger and more correct. The shoulders are truly moving on a more inside track instead of just the neck bending inward.
At the canter, moving the shoulders inward while maintaining counter flection in harder... this exercise mostly resulted in flying changes, but I did work on it on my own. It is very difficult for Webby to do. We have been asking him to truly use his body properly, and I think the adjustment is a little tough because he is used to carrying himself a certain way and now I am asking him to do something different. BUT when we do get it, I can feel how it makes Webby more balanced.
Betsy said to be sure and push Web forward if he gets heavy on the reigns. The hind legs need to be quicker if the horse gets heavy in your hands.
Tomorrow is my day off, and my next lesson is on Tuesday. Next Sunday we are all going over to the Olympic Trials to watch! I am so excited! Talk about a BONUS :) Hopefully I will be able to get some good pictures!
PS- the other intern (Alex) and I discussed taking pictures of each other riding so hopefully I will be able to get some pictures up soon!
Please let me know if you have any questions. I do not mind explaining things more in depth.
Funny story- a girl hauled in with her horse for a lesson with Jessie on Friday. After her lesson she was hosing off her horse in the wash stall when Alex walked by with a dog bowl. The horse got all excited and started whinnying very enthusiastically when Alex walked by so Alex went to the mare and I guess the horse was really thirsty because she drank from the dog bowl in Alex's hands! It was quite a funny sight? Definitely not something you see every day....
These are some very long days! The barn manager, the other intern, and I feed and hay the horses four times a day, refill their water, clean the buckets, turn out the horses in paddocks, groom horses, tack horses up, clean tack, give the horses baths, do their laundry, pick the stalls, and sweep sweep sweep the aisles! haha so we all stay pretty busy. Plus Tuesday-Saturday I take lessons with Betsy.
Ok so now for the good stuff...
First lesson:
Betsy wanted to go easy with Webby this first week so we worked mostly on loosening up his body (and mine). The first thing that we worked on is something that Betsy said is a very important concept to grasp- being able to feel Webby's outside hind leg with my hips and then to feel the outside front leg coming around to the inside (almost shoulder fore) using my outside upper leg. It is very important to have strong outside aids to give the horse direction. This also makes them straighter and more stable. Once the outside aids were established, Betsy told me to think about lifting Webby's inside shoulder into the outside reign with my inside leg.
Then we worked on some turns on the forehand, which is done by stopping the outside shoulder with a slight counter bend and move the haunches around. This was really struggle for Webby, but this exercise is great for straightening the shoulders. After a few turns on the forehand, I could feel the difference in the foreward movements. Straightness makes each step feel more powerful.
We also worked on counter flection at both the trot and canter by moving the shoulders in but not allowing the neck to go to the outside. This flection also straightens the shoulders and does not allow them to drift to the outside.
"Shoulders" were kinda the theme of the week. But that's ok because I have always struggled with controlling Webby's shoulders so the exercises are really great for both of us. So far he is responding very well.
Second lesson:
I warmed Webby up with the previous day's lesson in mind- really focusing on suppling his shoulders with inside and outside flection.
During the lesson we continued building on what we started with the day before. This time we did A LOT of haunches in by holding Webby's haunches to the inside of a square and pushing the shoulders out with my inside upper leg. The hardest part was maintaining this around each corner because the haunches had to stay in as I brought the forehand around. We did this exercise at both the trot and canter. I could feel a huge difference in the cater after doing this exercise because I forces Webby's inside hind leg to really step up. Betsy said that this exercise will help improve the half pass and pirouettes.
Betsy commented that to the left I sit much straighter than to the right, and that I need to remember to relax my upper body, especially my shoulders. I have been trouble isolating my body- when I start using my legs in new ways my upper body becomes tense.
This kind of work makes Webby very through in his back and steady in the contact. With this we did some walk and trot transitions in rhythm- trot 1, 2, 3, 4...walk 1, 2, 3... trot again 2, 3, 4... walk 2, 3, 4... counting really helps me with rhythm and consistency. I tend to have sticky transitions so this really smoothed them out.
Betsy commented that Webby looked very serious that day. He gets in the zone! haha
Third lesson:
Web came out very forward! Even a couple spooks in warm up, but he seemed to channel the energy pretty well. I am very happy with how Web's trot is coming along. He is very forward, through, and engaged.
We continued to work on Webby's shoulders. First we started with voltes (very small circles, about 8 meters or less) and then made them smaller until it became a turn on the forehand.
In trot, moving the shoulders is getting much easier. We started with counter flection on the long side, then moved the shoulders in with my outside upper leg, and finally asking for inside fleciton with a little playing on the inside reign- resulting in the should in. I know this seems like a complicated way to ask for shoulder in, but it has made a big difference. I have have worked on this particular concept on the my own, and it makes the movement much stronger and more correct. The shoulders are truly moving on a more inside track instead of just the neck bending inward.
At the canter, moving the shoulders inward while maintaining counter flection in harder... this exercise mostly resulted in flying changes, but I did work on it on my own. It is very difficult for Webby to do. We have been asking him to truly use his body properly, and I think the adjustment is a little tough because he is used to carrying himself a certain way and now I am asking him to do something different. BUT when we do get it, I can feel how it makes Webby more balanced.
Betsy said to be sure and push Web forward if he gets heavy on the reigns. The hind legs need to be quicker if the horse gets heavy in your hands.
Tomorrow is my day off, and my next lesson is on Tuesday. Next Sunday we are all going over to the Olympic Trials to watch! I am so excited! Talk about a BONUS :) Hopefully I will be able to get some good pictures!
PS- the other intern (Alex) and I discussed taking pictures of each other riding so hopefully I will be able to get some pictures up soon!
Please let me know if you have any questions. I do not mind explaining things more in depth.
Funny story- a girl hauled in with her horse for a lesson with Jessie on Friday. After her lesson she was hosing off her horse in the wash stall when Alex walked by with a dog bowl. The horse got all excited and started whinnying very enthusiastically when Alex walked by so Alex went to the mare and I guess the horse was really thirsty because she drank from the dog bowl in Alex's hands! It was quite a funny sight? Definitely not something you see every day....
Monday, June 4, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Arrival
We arrived at the barn in Frenchtown this morning! It is so beautiful, cool, and green here :) Webby has already become accustommed to the royal treatment here. He has TWO windows and he acts like it's about time he had these kind of accommodations! Spoiled horse haha. I will put up pictures soon, and we start riding on Tuesday!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Before Picture
My dad and I are leaving bright and early tomorrow morning! We will drive to Ashville, AL and stay over night there, then keep on truckin toward New Jersey!
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