We haz been werkin

Porkchop and I continue to chip away at all the things. Our Aiken trip is quickly approaching and we both need to be fit and sharp so we can get the most out of our lessons there.

Here's some stuffs we been workin' on:

Adding power, but keeping the poll up: This has been an issue since ... um ... forever. Hampton has an amazing hind end that fires like a Lamborghini, and what happens is that I push him past his balance and he ends up pushing himself onto my hands. That results in his poll diving and our extended trots look like this:

He is putting in max effort, it's MY fault for letting him go past what he can balance with his poll up. So I've gone back to add power, but not too much, until he gets better balance and maintain his poll at the highest point. It will ALWAYS be a work in progress but it's getting better! He loves the extended trot and it's hard not to get carried away and enjoy the ride. But I think we can get a few more points here.

That's better

The One-Tempis: These need to be more reliable and rideable. Because I have made A Big Stink over occasions when Hampton does a good line of these, he likes to now throw some ones in randomly when I am trying to do the 2s. Or he will start doing ones, but not stop when I ask. He has to wait and listen and let me ride him. All normal stuff, and I'm not at all worried about it. It's just a matter of time and practice. But right now do I know with 95% certainty that I can go in the I-2 and get 11 ones? No. Nope it's 50/50 lol.

Getting to know the I-2: I know a lot of people skip over the I-2 and go straight to Grand Prix, but I feel like this test is a good stepping stone for a green horse and rider. It's not nearly as terrifying as the GP and sets you up for success. Hopefully it will give me some confidence so that I do not totally shit my pants when I do finally try the GP. 

I probably will still crap my pants though let's be honest.

Welp, it's no longer 2020

 Happy New Year everyone! 

(said with caution ... as things don't just magically get better when the calendar rolls over)

Hampton and I are ramping back up after having a really easy November and December. He was only working 3-4 days a week, and most of our rides were stretchy rides, forward and back, long half passes and pole work. 

But now I am starting to up his fitness and will go back up to working 5 or 6 days a week. 1 or 2 of those days are hack and/or pole days. He really does not seem like he has lost much fitness. He's going really well. I, on the other hand, find myself puffing a little too much and I need to get back in FEI riding shape. I don't feel comfortable going to a gym until I am vaccinated, so I guess it's jogging outside for me. That's hard for me because I thrive on routine and structure. But, I'll make myself do it!

New Years Day ride!
Was 35, rain, wind, nasty at 10 am
Naturally by 3 pm is was sunny and 60.

Our first big thing for 2021 is our trip to Aiken at the end of Feb. I am SUPER excited this time because now I know what I am in for.

We have plans in place on following covid protocol, and what to do if someone gets sick when we are down there. One bonus is that nearly half of our group will be vaccinated by the time we go (hero healthcare workers), but we are still putting all sorts of backup plans in place.

My media game is so lame. Plus it's constantly 35 degrees raining and/or cloudy here in KY every damn day. We've got a trail ride planned with the barn girls next week so FFS let's hope it dries up enough that we can go. At least then I will have SOMETHING to blog about!

Ralston has settled right in as a housecat! There have been some ... disputes ... with Buckley, but it's getting better. 

Buckley being a dick. He likes to randomly smack Ralston.
Sucks for Buckley tho because Ralston, being a cat from the hood,
cleans his clock and has drawn blood once! I try to referee as best I can, but
Buckley is a fat bastard.

But sometimes there is peacce

Anyway, wishing everything good health in 2021. Please everyone stay safe and healthy - and your horses, too!