The case of the missing flying change

 Welp.

8 am show time!

I took Hamp to a show on Wednesday down in Lexington to try another rated I-2. 

He warmed up fine, felt pretty good. But the SECOND I went into the ring he just ... decided to clock out of work early that day. I asked for piaffe. He planted his feet. So he got a big pony club kick. He BUCKED before we even down down centerline. So behind the leg, downhill, just trashy all over. The ones didn't really happen (how could they?) and I felt like this ride was not even close to what we are capable of. It was so disappointing.

Show office kitty

HOWEVER. Here's a kicker. It seems I have been forgetting a movement THIS ENTIRE TIME of riding I-2. I think this is the 4th time I have shown it, and none of the other judges including a "S" judge at another rated show have ever rung the bell, or marked on my test that I have missed this movement.

During the first medium canter, you do a flying change at X.

Well I had been diligently doing the change at the rail THIS ENTIRE TIME.

Well this judge (Natalie Lamping, pretty highly respected) rung the bell on me finally. So I will NOT be forgetting this change again.

Yep there it is. The missing change.

Another kicker, even though my ride my shit and we made all sorts of mistakes. I still got a 59.6%. In front of Lamping.

Had I not had an error, we would have had a 61%+

So looking at it that way, it is promising. And heck even so it's an improvement from our 54% back in April. 

So while Hampton certainly had an off day, we are going to keep on keeping on. More lessons in the works and I think I'll keep showing the I-2. I think it's good for us and I see no reason to stop since scores are showing improvement. One off day should not be the end all. 

We were in and out of the show though because I had ANOTHER show to get to later that day!

Stay tuned for The Time Karen Bit Off More than She can Chew by Also Going to a Saddlebred Show!

(sorry for lack of Hamp media. I was all alone at the show at 8 am so didn't really get any photos)

Sneak peek of the saddlebred!

Clinic nuggets of wisdom

Wittle bebah snuggles!

I watched a handful of lessons at a Gwen Poulin clinic this week. When she comes back in town I think I will try and ride with her. She was very helpful and positive and I liked how she approached different riders and horses. (Yes, she is the daughter of Tom Poulin - top judge and founding member of USDF).

Anyway, here are my notes!

• In trot: Haunches in, circle (10-12m), back into haunches in (really helped a horse and rider who were leaning on each other)
• If the back is supple, the mouth will stay closed
• Riders behind the motion will pull
• Lean forward in extended trot, otherwise they ski out in front of you

• Use canter within trot work to add power. Little segments then back to trot
• Leg yield in the down transition from extended canter to collected canter
• leg yield canter zig zags (no lead change). Add power into direction of true lead
• If they don't come back with power from extended trot, go into canter
• Small corrections within canter pirouettes. Big corrections just disrupt balance
• Live in the canter pirouette, keep correcting little by little
• Canter half pass, straighten go forward, back to half pass
• Trot half pass down centerline, when you hit the wall - piaffe Stay slow in trot
• Can do walk half pass to the wall and into piaffe too

Meanwhile, Hampton and I are headed to a show this week. (Another attempt at the I2!)

And also stay tuned for fun news I am pretty sure I have lost my mind this week, too! (No I have not purchased a horse or cat)

Into the wild

Some of the trails were a bit "pick your own path"

There is a private farm (Temple Equestrian Center) about 10 min away with 2000+ acres of property and trails. We had never been here before but it was fabulous trail riding! The owners were very nice, too. We were on for about 2 hours and rode down to the big creek, back up and through another section of woods. The ride to the creek was not for the timid but there are plenty of easier trails and we barely scratched the surface.

Definitely going to explore this place some more. On the map there is a location marked swimming hole so maybe next time we will check that out? 

Hampton loves the creek. He enjoys splashing and soaking us both in the process.

Gorgeous meadow that was at the end of one the trails

Splashing