For me, the most disappointing setbacks are those not in training, but in circumstance. On the Saturday just passed, I was entered for a local show. I was really looking forward to it! Lou was doing really well, and I had been working SO hard to make the improvements that I saw needed making since Nationals.
Of course, just to further build my character, she had a fat leg when I pulled her out of the paddock on Friday to wash and plait! grrrrrr. Had obviously banged it in the paddock. Iced and warm poulticed alternately for a couple of hours, but it didn't get better enough for the morning ridden classes. So frustrating!
A couple of days off, it seemed better yesterday so I had a ride. Mainly at the walk but very productive, worked on shoulder in and counter shoulder in transitions, got a beautiful forward fluid walk, and some lovely trot transitions.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Back from the National Show Horse and Pony Show
Totally exhausting yet rewarding week away with horse, child and friends. It really was the show I had been building towards - the two previous recent outings were a warm up and as I had said, gave me confidence that Lou would rise to the occasion. Putting ourselves up for consideration at national level showing was a little nervewracking in that I knew that no matter how much we improved afterwards, I was never going to live it down if she blew up! I know I shouldn't care what people think but hey, I'm human.
The good news is that she was GREAT. Hot and fiery and eyes popping out but overall happy and obedient and FUN to ride. A couple of minor placings but in my world, we won the title! I was just so thrilled that we pulled it off and did it the way I wanted to.
It was inevitable that I was going to be down the line from horses displaying their tension in more 'acceptable' ways - hollow backs, dropping behind the bridle, broken at the crest, open mouths so I wasn't disappointed. If that is what that judge wants - yay them. I'm happy to wait for our time.
There was plenty to see that horrified me, of course. Horses being lunged in what can only be described as rollkur with a drop noseband in the heat (and it was HOT), lame horses being bullied in double bridles, draw reins of course...lots of miserable looking horses and to be honest, miserable looking riders! The only thing that seems to get most of them smiling is a red ribbon or championship sash. How depressing.
The good news is that she was GREAT. Hot and fiery and eyes popping out but overall happy and obedient and FUN to ride. A couple of minor placings but in my world, we won the title! I was just so thrilled that we pulled it off and did it the way I wanted to.
It was inevitable that I was going to be down the line from horses displaying their tension in more 'acceptable' ways - hollow backs, dropping behind the bridle, broken at the crest, open mouths so I wasn't disappointed. If that is what that judge wants - yay them. I'm happy to wait for our time.
There was plenty to see that horrified me, of course. Horses being lunged in what can only be described as rollkur with a drop noseband in the heat (and it was HOT), lame horses being bullied in double bridles, draw reins of course...lots of miserable looking horses and to be honest, miserable looking riders! The only thing that seems to get most of them smiling is a red ribbon or championship sash. How depressing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)