The "S" word.

You  guys all know what this is:

It's the dumb dressage training pyramid. Eh ok, there may be something to it.
But as a rider who has been working through the levels, I'd like to let everyone in on the secret of the REAL dressage pyramid:

Anyway, now for serious.

Hamps and I have really been focused on straightness lately. It is a real challenge, but we are getting better and stronger. Our issue with crookedness really come out in the tempi changes. Ok, who am I kidding. We don't do actual tempis yet. But rather randomly-placed, drunk looking flying changes.

The other place where you really notice our crookedness is the extended canter. He throws his haunches in, which is VERY COMMON. But I have trouble maintaining the straightness, AND the power needed in that movement.

Random "done with test now horse exhausted" photo from 2013
Problems with straightness really start to rear their
ugly heads in second level.

So here is an exercise we have been working on. I stole it from Lainey Ashker, but modified it some. You can modify this depending on your horse's level, mood and how much you want to torture yourself that day.

Set up 4 canter poles approx 9ft apart (depending on your horse's level of collection). I also added two poles to make a little chute.

Coming on the right lead (so counter cantering on the left rein) ... come around the corner and canter through the grid. IF he feels attentive and jumpy, try a change after the grid. Turn RIGHT (so now you are counter cantering on the LEFT lead). And repeat.

You could canter in from the true lead, you could do simple changes instead of flying. You could just canter straight on through. Maybe add a halt? So many things you could do. You could add canter leg yields even! The point is to stay straight and keep the rhythm.

It was more difficult than it looks! One time Hampton actually changed his lead WHILE CANTERING through the poles. Such talent, this one. So many times we would canter through and I wouldn't change at all. You have to wait, horse. WAIT.

My skillz

Interestingly enough, after schooling this for a while we went back to the trot and I had an extremely obedient and supple horse! Hell for you eventers you could even make this a crossrail or small vertical exercise. Go wild!!

I hope you guys find this little exercise helpful. I do apologize for my pathetic art. No one ever said I was an actual graphic designer, just a visual journalist. Lower your expectations.

Sea horse.

I have this post all about straightness and how it is KEY TO ALL DRESSAGE in the works ... but I am just too lazy to put it together right now.

So instead you get pics of our trail ride this morning. The weather was finally nice enough (and dry enough) to go creek stomping again. I love it because 1) it is gorgeous and peaceful and 2) Hampton thinks it is playtime, but he actually has to articulate his joints and work a little bit to walk through the water.

Lots of splashing ensued.

Then Hampton pooped in the water. Gross.

Derp alert.

On our way back to the barn, sometimes I let Hampton canter up a couple of hills. He was suddenly FULL OF HIMSELF and happily shook his head and cantered up the first hill. I giggled at him. Some people may not allow that behavior, but I like his spirit.

Then there is a portion of fence we have to STEP OVER to get to the bigger field. I am talking like 2 boards on the GROUND. Literally have stepped over them 100 times. It is not a big deal.

Wellllll .... Hampton thought "Oh hey human! Wanna pretend like we are at Rolex!!!??" and fucking lept 4 feet off the ground over the damn boards on the ground .... during which I was dislodged (because I did not see it coming, and I was in my dressage saddle ...) ... then proceeded to joyfully buck twice before I squeaked out a "whoa" and he stopped. I very nearly bit the dust and was thinking in my head "Dammit I am going to have to walk all the way back to the barn."

So needless to say his privileges of cantering up the other hills was revoked and we walked politely back to the barn.

Sorry to spoil your fun, horse.

Kentucky you are so gorgeous in the spring.

Send Me on My Way (show report!)

Seems like many bloggers have been out at their first shows of the season this weekend!

Hamps and I went to Majestic Farm in Ohio for our first recognized show of the year. It was my first time at Majestic, but won't be the last. I really liked the facility, rings, footing and stalls. It was well run (even a typed test, and my score was texted to me in less than 10 minutes after I walked out of the ring!).

7s on our half passes.
Never thought I'd see the day.

This show was run entirely indoors, which was fine considering it's early April. But I'd like to come back and show when all the rings are set up outdoors. It's gorgeous.

Speaking of the indoor, it was causing problems for multiple pairs all weekend. The end of the arena by the judge was highly offensive. Plus, there were 50mph+ wind gusts all day Saturday which made the atmosphere quite electric as the horses were getting spooked and feeding off one another.

One of the gorgeous outdoor arenas
Plus some sketchy ass weather rolling in
(BTW: It SNOWED that night)

Hampton was unfortunately not immune to the CORNER OF DEATH and expressed his opinions on the matter several times, especially in our first go which was 3-1. I did what I could, but he was just too much of a snarky shit spooked in that corner so our test wasn't as fluid as it could have been. Even so, we squeaked out a 61%. I'll take it considering.

Not a movement in 3-1

May be one of the best comments I have ever gotten.

Later in the day we came back for 4-1 and he was better, but still spooked a few times. After our shoulder-in on the centerline, he came to a dead halt before A. (sidenote: There was not a halt there in the test). Sigh.

But when he was listening, he was so good! Our score was 61% and some change. I was more than happy with that for our recognized debut at 4th. The environment was just not ideal and I rode the best I could. It's a score toward my SILVER medal though! That alone is worth celebrating!

Still stunned that we are now a 4th level pair!

On Sunday the weather was much better and we just did the one test, 4-1 in the afternoon. It was going splendidly until the left canter half pass when he dropped too low in the poll and shut down on me - swapping leads and napping up and down. Considering I had nothing to lose, I booted him over but it did ruin the two movements (half pass and the flying change right after). GRRRR.

BUT even with those mistakes, we got a 64%!!! I was thrilled with that!!! Many 7s including GAITS and RIDER POSITION. Boy did he make me work for it though. At no point was I ever just sitting there enjoying the ride. I was half halting every stride and basically praying for the extended walk to come up so I could catch my breath. haha.

9:30 pm visit (I may have had a lot of tequila)

Sucks that we were not allowed to be in the indoor area to take photos. Everyone had to watch in the (admittedly lovely) observation room behind glass. So, I do apologize for the crappy cell phone shots.

Between myself, my instructor and her other student we hauled in 10+ blue ribbons. Not too shabby! And BFF Liz also came along with the wonder pony and showed Second 3. I was super proud of them, the pony mare is not easy and neither is that test (or the level for that matter). She's going to get her score to do her freestyle very soon. They are knocking on the door!

Overall I am super super pleased with Hampton. The quality of our work has really improved this winter. We just need to keep focused on straightness and strength. 

The only thing we are missing for the PSG is the damn tempi changes!

Porkchop will get a day or two off and then back to work!