Clinic roundup Part 2: Lessons

Photos by: Kirsten McChance

Day 1

Our Tuesday lesson was at 3 pm in the blazing hot 1000000-degree KY weather and 1000000% humidity. We hauled in, oogled over the farm a bit and complained about the heat. But both Hampton and I sucked it up and worked out asses off.

Our main focus was the basics this first day, which I LOVE.

Trying to look professional so that no one notices I am actually total riff raff.

Some basic notes:

• Add power, especially at the canter. I had developed a rather bad habit of letting him suck bad in the corners and that most certainly does not set you up for movements very well. You have to go with it, and not shut him back down.
• We spent a while leg yielding at the canter to the center line, and then shoulder-in. Rinse, repeat. Then leg yield to the CL, flying change, leg yield back to the rail, forward-half half- CHANGE. Repeat. Canter leg yields have always been magical for Hampton and doing these exercises really bring out his fantastic canter, and HUGE, straight changes.

I know, I know I need to keep my butt in the saddle for his giant changes.
Keep in mind this photo is a MOMENT IN TIME, and I thought it was a lovely photo of us really
concentrating, imperfections and all.

Ellesse noticed that at times he evades my legs with the changes, so adding the leg yield forced me to put my leg ON and made him accept it. I think this may be part of the problem with our 2s.

A big take away is that BOTH of us have to become comfortable in these bigger gaits with more power.

After our lesson Hampton of course got many pats and treats, and Ellesse gave me a little bag of Mrs. Pastures and a hat! She is SO SWEET. A total class act and I was immediately looking forward to the next day's lesson.

I just love how he is just working so hard for me here. We were really in sync.

Day 2

Well by the time it was my lesson time it was storming. Elmendorf has no indoor, but the nice thing about being in Lexington is that you just call up another farm and I was off to ride in a lovely covered arena about 6 miles down the road. No photos of day 2, sadly!

So I packed up everything and once at this other farm I took Hampton off the trailer and hopped on. It was thundering and lightning, mind you. In a brand new arena. He never once put a foot wrong.

We focused more on the actual tempis today. The 4s and 3s were solid and straight, but as I feared the 2s just were not there. One or both of us start to lose our balance and they start to become all over the place by change number 3 or 4. Hampton has huge changes and it's easy to lose your balance! I think it will just take some more time and schooling. We will get them.

He is very expressive. #swoosh

Ellesse really gave me some excellent pointers are how to change my half halt timing to help him in the 2s, and it did start to help. We didn't want to drill him so we stopped, but I have good homework.

The last part of the lesson we did piaffe/passage work. Again, she really helped me finesse my aids to help with sitting, and sharpness in the piaffe, and then lift and balance in the passage. She helped me some from the ground and I really wish I had video because Hampton did some of the best passage I have ever gotten out of him.

---

Sorry this has turned into a rambling novel. Anyway I really got a lot out of these two lessons and would def ride with her again. She really helped me finesse all of my aids and really start to add more power to our overall balance. A super compliment to my training program at home. Onward!

I'm not sure here. 

Clinic roundup Part 1: The farm OMG

Remember the online lesson I took?

The instructor, Ellesse, was in Lexington for a clinic and for a price within my budget so I was all over that opportunity.

Before I get into my clinic notes, I want to do a post solely on the farm that this clinic was conducted at.

Because:

The original stone columns from the mansion.

The mansion in 1901

Cute washracks

Another shot of the columns

This old building was mostly storage. I did snoop a bit and it was full of
carriages.

Adorable hunter pony in turnout.

There is quite a bit of history out on the internet about Elmendorf farm.

Man O' War's sire and dam are both buried on the property, along with a number of other racing champions. It has a history if horse racing going back to the early 19th century.

We stayed at the Columns barn which was easily a half a mile from the main barn and arena. The farm owner suggested I trailer him up for my lesson, but I said it would be a treat for us to make the hack. So that's what we did.

A Hunter barn with a collection of ADORABLE ponies was also staying in this barn for the KY circuit.

I'm not sure how I found myself stepping foot on this property with my $500 Indiana Warmblood.

The main barn

Passed some stone lions on our hack to the arena

But there I was.

And if you are looking for a retirement home for your horse, Stone Column Stables at Elmendorf is top notch. If I am ever in a position where I can retire Hampton to horse heaven, this is my first choice. They don't just chuck them out in a field, they are cared for, grained in the field and have human eyes on them several times a day. You don't get much better than this farm. Shameless plug from me.

I mean it's just down the road from a little farm called Gainsway, too.

Once I was able to pick my jaw off the ground, I remembered I had two days of lessons!

To be continued ...

Harmony in the Park show results

Alternate title: In which I grab 4-3 by the balls
Alternate title: Horses, man. They keep you guessing.

As you may recall, Hampton had been tight, behind the bit and just overall weird in the weeks leading up to this show.

Sunset grazing at the show

I came fully prepared to deal with Tight Hampton. I took him on extra walks, massaged his back, used the nicest snaffle and curb bits I could find for his bridle.

When we warmed up Saturday for our first test - the PSG - he felt just fine. Not tight at all. I kept giving him plenty of breaks in the warm up because it was hot, and I didn't want him to get all riled up and tight.

hahahaha.

Well, we got in the ring and I had a dead broke, behind the leg, diving in the bridle plow horse.

It was sort of impressive that we fumbled through most of the movements in the most downhill fashion possible. Half halts didn't work, bumping him with my leg only drove him more down. He just laid on those nice bits and drug me all around. We missed the 3s too. He just wasn't sharp.

BUT, I could tell the judge (a notoriously hard judge) WANTED to like us and give us scores but she just couldn't. We ended up with a 58 and some change which I thought was generous at the FEI level.

You know who is NOT downhill, Royale! Who also did well this weekend!

Whenever I have tests like that, I always get mad (mostly at myself) and it makes me ride better the next time.

An hour later we did 4-3 and you better bet I put his normal bits back in and came into warm up lighting his pants on fire a little bit.

The test still had some moments where he dived down, but overall it was much better - we got all our changes and FFS it's 4-3 which is INSANE as a test. Sadly I went off course once (I got the PSG and 4-3 canter work confused. Easy to do) We rode under the same judge and this time got a very respectable 64%+. Now I was much more encouraged. (You may recall the last time I rode this test I got a 52 and a 55 ....)

From Saturday's 4-3. 64%+

Sunday we just had 4-3 and I must thank the show organizers who were letting people go early (we rode an hour early) so that we could miss the incoming storms.

I warmed up Hampton much better, I made it known that I meant business and he was plenty fit and he better stay sharp and respect my half halts.

We went in the ring and he felt really great!!

The ONLY little issue we had is something out in the distance in the 4H barn caught his eye and he stopped dead in his tracks after one of the counter canter loops. I mean STOPPED DEAD from a canter. hahahaha! That earned us a 3, but I recovered quickly and went straight into the canter half pass zig zag. BOOM. It's so rare that Hampton does things like that at shows. I laughed it off, horses be horses man.

This one was under a different judge and she rewarded us with a personal best score of 65%+!! This is a personal best at 4th! I KNEW Hampton could be a 65% horse at these upper levels and now he is!! And we still left plenty of points on the table! This is encouraging as maybe we will get my 65% at PSG one day. His conformation is very difficult for both of us to overcome but it's not impossible.

Ahhh look at all those 7s! Got a 7 on his gaits both days too! 

We were also High Point AA at 4th level for Sunday. And we are qualified for Regionals at 4th!

And we missed the downpour by mere minutes! Whew!

Overall a good first show. It was a bummer we had that First-Test-oftheyear-Itis for the PSG but it happens. I didn't know which Hampton I was going to get that day and I played it too safe. But overall we have made a lot of progress over the winter. I raised quite a few 6s up to 7s.

And I apologize for the utter fail to get much media. I ended up showing at the same time as Liz and my coach most of the time so we couldn't get photos for each other in the ring.

Most adventures coming up!

Selling the drama

Morning on the farm.
Can you spot May from May As Well Event?

We have our first show of the season this weekend!

Naturally, all the wheels are falling off the bus.

Hampton went through a phase where he turned into an utter RAVING LUNATIC for 2 weeks. Spooking, bolting, rearing, rearing and trying to buck at the same time, launching in the air, etc. He actually threw my back out and I had sleep with a heating pad and load up on Advil. There were blisters on my hands from the reins and I ride with gloves.

It was bad.

I had everything under the sun suggested to me on what was wrong, but I decided to treat him for ulcers first. On day two of Ulcerguard, he was so dead quiet it was alarming.

His behavior changed pretty much right away. Yes he will still spook here and there but that is more normal Hampton and not crawling out of his skin Hampton. I've kept him on Ulcerguard and a new supplement to help him out too.

He has been MagnaWaved a couple times, too.

But then he got .... weird. Hampton has always been a pretty heavy horse in the bridle. He has never cared what bit I used. He could give two shits. But suddenly he is behind the bit, sucked back in the neck, getting his tongue over the bit, wrenching his neck one way. This of course destroys EVERYTHING we do. He could not do even one flying change. In fact he would often just ignore me. Massively crooked, tense back. When Hampton is behind the bit it is the worst feeling ever.  He can hang and drag me around ALL DAY and that is better than having no horse in your hands.

I upped the UlcerGuard, and changed bits. I picked out the nicest bits ever - a nice happy mouth curb, and my boucher french link. He was much better in this combo, altho still a tick behind the bridle. But his mouth was much more quiet and our changes were back.

I guess that's what we go with this weekend?

10/10 do not recommend changing your equipment ... um 48 hours before a show.

So I'm heading into this show with a pit in my stomach. Thank fuck I entered 4th level and one PSG, instead of being a hero and debuting at I-1.

But still, I am having PTSD from a couple years ago when he felt like this and it was a DISASTER

I can't find any soreness in his back, but I think perhaps it's time for a vet visit after the show so see if something else is up.

I have a good plan in place to keep him loose at the show so hopefully things will be ok.

*bites nails*

Equicore

The slave driving wench has put more straps on me.

Hampton was due for a light day so I borrowed a friend's Equicore pad.

It's just a saddlepad with buckles and two rubbery elastic bands. It looks super easy to make one yourself if you were inclined.

Now, I wouldn't recommend doing what I did. Which was to just hook up both bands and go right to lunging. I know Hampton would give zero shits, but a more sensitive horse might take offense if you don't introduce it properly.

We did out normal light lunging session and to be honest I didn't notice any difference in his movement. *shrug*

I do see how this system would benefit a horse who likes to hollow his back (not in Hampton's nature or way he is built), or a horse who is recovering from EPM or stall rest or something. And I think it's good resistance training. I like it much better than say a pessoa training rig.

Maybe I'll try riding in it and see if I can feel a difference next time. But Hampton was utterly bored.

Anyway, an interesting tool!

Price: $220
Number of shits given from Hampton: 0
User friendly: 10/10
Website: http://www.equicoreconcepts.com/


Note: I am not getting anything for this lame review. Just my personal opinion.

Welcome to horses. Derby edition.

Let's say that during one of my dressage tests, a horse is another ring bolts and in turn spooks my horse, who then jumps out of the arena.

I get eliminated.

Even though it wasn't my fault.

Let's say my horse stumbles during a test and bites his tongue, resulting in blood in the mouth.

Guess what, I get eliminated.

If you break the rules, you get penalized. Sometimes eliminated.

This seems to be a concept that many people refuse to accept with the weekend's Kentucky (or is it spelled Kentuky now?) Derby.

Yep you can now buy the shirt! 

It's like a bunch of helicopter parents in a rage because the refs called a foul on their kid.

It's not fair! Its the wrong call! It's rigged! The horse got robbed!

....

Except, that the rule book is clear.

“A leading horse if clear is entitled to any part of the track. If a leading horse or any other horse in a race swerves or is ridden to either side so as to interfere with, intimidate, or impede any other horse or jockey, or to cause the same result, this action shall be deemed a foul.”
-- Kentucky Racing Commission


It doesn't address or even mention INTENT. This is the unfortunate result of some of these rules. They can't address intent because then all sorts of people would lie and point fingers. It has to be a hard and fast rule.

I agree that it's not fair. Maximum Security crossed the finish line first.

We could play "What ifs" all day long, but horses are unpredictable. And now you have 20 horses, 3 year olds who may or may not even steer, in an extremely high pressure race going at Mach 10. Just because it's the Derby doesn't mean they should bend the rules. It is, after all, just another horse race.

The thing is, if you are going to own, train, ride or otherwise be involved with horses, you had better be ok with accepting that sometimes you are going to throw $500 out onto your lawn and burn it. Or, in this case, a million dollars. ha. Sometimes shit happens, and horses will break your heart and your bank account. They don't know or care how much money was on the line. They were simply doing what was asked of them, and trying to protect themselves.

It is incredibly heartbreaking for MS and his connections. But the stewards had to make that call, and it was the right call in accordance to the rules.

Maybe the rules need looked at. I don't know. 

I am no racing expert, but I do know what it's like to be in the horse business.

Like a Washington Post article said, "Elation, confusion, dread and despair."

Yeah, welcome to horses.

I took an online dressage lesson

International dressage rider and trainer Ellesse Jordan Tzingberg posted something interesting on her Instagram a few weeks ago. It was an opportunity to train with her - virtually!

The price was right, so I signed up for one lesson.

I sent her a questionnaire with information about myself and Hampton, my goals, our struggles, etc. And then sent her a 20 minute video of us schooling.

I kept the good, the bad and the ugly in that video.

(These 3-tempis were pretty good, but you can see he still gets croup-high on occasion. We get away with this in the 4s and 3s but it can't happen in the 2s)

After 2 or 3 days, she sent back an absolutely amazing 7-page PDF full of exercises, advice, instruction and other comments regarding our video and overall picture. PLUS, she sent an audio file of her comments while she was watching our video in real time. I was so pleasantly surprised at 1) the quality of the instruction and 2) the professional manner in which everything was done.

She seemed very sweet as well, and had many wonderful comments on both what we do well, and what we need to work on.

My big goal currently is to try and improve Hampton's overall way of going. I'm not worried about the movements as he is a smart boy and we all know he can pick those up. But he is still downhill and flat, and I know there is only so much I can do but I don't think he is tapped out yet. She has loads of great advice and I have been using her exercises nearly everyday since.

She is officially launching this online training program in about a month and I fully intend to keep up with these virtual lessons. Would be great to do this once a month or so! It's just really nice to have another set of eyes and a fresh perspective on things. Her advice was spot on

By the way she also gives online coaching for jumpers, too!

A thumbs up from me!