Loving my pony at the moment; and even managing to work through the skedaddles on 'those' days!
Had an awesome show jumping lesson with Wendy today.
Initially did some work on transitions, trying to keep him lighter in downwards, and sharper upwards. I also need to work on keeping my calves on him and not tilting forward with leg back to 'kick'....magic dressage whip helps :-)
Then the dreaded pole exercise....two pole set at 12.00 and 3.00 on a circle, maintaining canter over them and moving from three to four strides between the poles....HARD work! but definitely on the improve which is good.
Then a few warm up jumps, a one stride double to an oxer, and then a four loop serpentine at canter with a jump each crossing of the centre line. I need to keep my eye on the jump so I am not cutting in and turning too early, and even if we're on the wrong lead keeping the canter balanced and a little up in front.
Sampson jumped really well, and is actually very good at maintaining a rhythm; one just needs to ensure the engine is kept going so his butt is under and the forehand lighter.
Absolutely thrilled with how we both went today. (I was also really pleased with myself in that initially when I looked at the jumps I thought they were FAR too big to start, but didn't even suggest that they go down, and was more than happy when they actually went up)
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Kaurilands 08.08.2010
A few skedaddles warming up, but again Wendy held him together for his first test, scoring 64% for 4th equal with the gorgeous Flybuddy (MJ Blair) and Dux De Luxe (Angela Matheson) who took out overall honours in Primary for the series. Quite pleased with Sampson when I see both the others have grading points, Dux having amassed a total of about 86!
In his second test, he was more relaxed warming up, but did look like he had just about had enough sometimes coming a little behind the vertical, and not always completely in self carriage. However, despite the judge noting those wee faults that we had also seen creeping in, Sampson managed to win another test with a score of 70.87%, so very pleased with the wee boy.
Wendy achieved an overall second placing for the series in Primary (behind Dux de Luxe), third overall for entire series (all classes) for thoroughbred score, and Won the membership sash for highest points over the series.
Beautiful sashes!
And many thanks to Wendy, not only for the wonderful job she has done with Sampson, but also helping me gain the confidence in myself to be able to ride him myself!
Friday, July 16, 2010
SJ Lesson 17.07.010
Great lesson with Wendy.
Did quite a bit of work initially on getting him to stretch down and out, and then on raising his poll, before moving onto the canter pole exercises....PUFF PUFF PUFF - geeze, I sound like an old, unfit, 2 packet a dayer! Not to mention that I also felt like I'd been in a sauna for several hours.
Sampson went very well, and apart from me learning to control his shoulder, and turn using my legs, all was good.
Moved onto a trot cross to oxer with the object being to use my legs, rather then my upper body, particularly when he feels a little flat. I need to build up the energy (not the speed) on the approach and keep him sharp. He can tend to fall asleep a little if allowed to - yeah, sounds a bit strange when my problems with him stem from skedaddles and reactivity.
He can actually be quite hard work (although a lovely lovely ride), and often not particularly sensitive. But when the mood takes him, he becomes reactive to his surroundings (or any excuse really)...so it becomes a feeding balancing act so that he retains sufficient focus to enable him to be able to do his job. (As well as me learning not to react too, and just correct and ride)
We then moved onto jumping a course, which he did well. Up with a few of the jumps and we finished off with a lovely round...I did lose his shoulder on one turn, but it was all good. I just need to be more demanding with him. Wendy tells me that because he is so big and strong, she finds her half halts are ten times stronger than with any other horse. And yet when he is soft, he can be very soft.....all part of his learning curve I guess.
So, very pleased with how both he and I went today.
:)
Did quite a bit of work initially on getting him to stretch down and out, and then on raising his poll, before moving onto the canter pole exercises....PUFF PUFF PUFF - geeze, I sound like an old, unfit, 2 packet a dayer! Not to mention that I also felt like I'd been in a sauna for several hours.
Sampson went very well, and apart from me learning to control his shoulder, and turn using my legs, all was good.
Moved onto a trot cross to oxer with the object being to use my legs, rather then my upper body, particularly when he feels a little flat. I need to build up the energy (not the speed) on the approach and keep him sharp. He can tend to fall asleep a little if allowed to - yeah, sounds a bit strange when my problems with him stem from skedaddles and reactivity.
He can actually be quite hard work (although a lovely lovely ride), and often not particularly sensitive. But when the mood takes him, he becomes reactive to his surroundings (or any excuse really)...so it becomes a feeding balancing act so that he retains sufficient focus to enable him to be able to do his job. (As well as me learning not to react too, and just correct and ride)
We then moved onto jumping a course, which he did well. Up with a few of the jumps and we finished off with a lovely round...I did lose his shoulder on one turn, but it was all good. I just need to be more demanding with him. Wendy tells me that because he is so big and strong, she finds her half halts are ten times stronger than with any other horse. And yet when he is soft, he can be very soft.....all part of his learning curve I guess.
So, very pleased with how both he and I went today.
:)
Monday, July 12, 2010
Kaurilands 11.07.2010
Despite being a "little inattentive" and reactive warming up (resulting in a few skedaddles), Wendy rode Sampson beautifully and managed to hold his attention through both his tests.
1.4
68.8% for 1st place
4.2
68.75% for 1st place
So the wee boy gained his first red rosettes.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Another Awesome lesson 28.06.010
Toddled out to Wendy's, where Sammie is 'at boarding school', and had a SJ lesson.
Sampson didn't put a foot wrong, and I was thrilled to find that I had not one moment of even slight concern, or the "what if's".
Hard work though....we did a lot of work on my position, and in particular keeping the lower leg in the right place, rather than swinging. In fact, if I hadn't swung it so much in the early part of the lesson I may not now be in agony with a large rub on my leg. So much for cheap chaps...the burn on my leg is not nice, and extremely stingy in the shower.
Lots of work on two point, working on balance and maintaining leg position.
And trying to simply sit and wait for the jump, whilst maintaining rhythm and impulsion.
Sampson just kept on doing his thing while I tried again and again to get it right - lucky for him I did - eventually.
Interesting also, that now I am learning to ride Wilson more forward focusing more on getting him to come from behind, he and Sampson feel a lot more similar to ride. OK, Willie doesn't have the spring from behind of Sampson, but I felt yesterday riding the two of them, that there was FAR less difference between the two of them. I also didn't feel that Sampson was going too fast at all, which initially had been my feeling when going from one to the other. So that tells me that I am also riding Willie much better too....so all good!
Sampson didn't put a foot wrong, and I was thrilled to find that I had not one moment of even slight concern, or the "what if's".
Hard work though....we did a lot of work on my position, and in particular keeping the lower leg in the right place, rather than swinging. In fact, if I hadn't swung it so much in the early part of the lesson I may not now be in agony with a large rub on my leg. So much for cheap chaps...the burn on my leg is not nice, and extremely stingy in the shower.
Lots of work on two point, working on balance and maintaining leg position.
And trying to simply sit and wait for the jump, whilst maintaining rhythm and impulsion.
Sampson just kept on doing his thing while I tried again and again to get it right - lucky for him I did - eventually.
Interesting also, that now I am learning to ride Wilson more forward focusing more on getting him to come from behind, he and Sampson feel a lot more similar to ride. OK, Willie doesn't have the spring from behind of Sampson, but I felt yesterday riding the two of them, that there was FAR less difference between the two of them. I also didn't feel that Sampson was going too fast at all, which initially had been my feeling when going from one to the other. So that tells me that I am also riding Willie much better too....so all good!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Kaurilands - 13.06.010
Sampson is now an old hand at this dressage lark, and he is ever improving under Wendy's careful schooling.
He just seems to be getting more and more confidence, and more relaxed. Wendy has helped him heaps with his little insecurities, and it is really good for me to see first hand the fact that with a rider who does not get tense and anticipate trouble (like I tend to), Sampson manages to cope with the little distractions.
Both his tests were on the grass, which was a bit slippery for a big green horse, but he tried really hard.
First test was in torrential rain and I was so proud of him; he just kept on trucking.
I was writing for his second test (otherwise would have had some photos), and again it was a 'proud mummy' moment. He lost a little balance on occasion but overall went very nicely and he looked so relaxed.
Much kudos to Wendy for the help she gives him.
First test:
80.83 % for 2nd
Second test:
67.69% for 4th
So again a very successful outing for the wee pony.
And again, many thanks to Wendy for the wonderful job she is doing with him.
He just seems to be getting more and more confidence, and more relaxed. Wendy has helped him heaps with his little insecurities, and it is really good for me to see first hand the fact that with a rider who does not get tense and anticipate trouble (like I tend to), Sampson manages to cope with the little distractions.
Both his tests were on the grass, which was a bit slippery for a big green horse, but he tried really hard.
First test was in torrential rain and I was so proud of him; he just kept on trucking.
I was writing for his second test (otherwise would have had some photos), and again it was a 'proud mummy' moment. He lost a little balance on occasion but overall went very nicely and he looked so relaxed.
Much kudos to Wendy for the help she gives him.
First test:
80.83 % for 2nd
Second test:
67.69% for 4th
So again a very successful outing for the wee pony.
And again, many thanks to Wendy for the wonderful job she is doing with him.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Change of Heart
How surprising!
Like many others before me, I changed my mind about selling.
I think if the initial agent had managed to contact his buyer sooner, I wouldn't have had the time for my doubts about selling to grow. The agent had looked at the pony, liked him and asked for first option, which then delayed him being listed on the open market.
However, no sooner was he listed than people wanted to view him. As soon as someone had made an appointment I knew I wasn't ready to sell.
Maybe I had to go through this exercise to realise that in my heart of hearts, it is not the right thing at this moment. It may be that down the track it is the right thing to do, and I will be more sure of my decision at that time (hopefully).
I think also, having looked for a replacement with a budget MUCH higher than any I have ever had before, it made me realise that it isn't that simple.
17h does not necessarily mean 17h, indeed it seems you are lucky if it is a good 16.2 (which is big enough anyway).
Good paces and 'straight' movers often dish.
Never bucked, reared, shied etc, means that on viewing the horse does some big leaps at trot, then proceeds to hop behind at the canter.
The horses that I actually got to the point of looking at, and even riding, just didn't cut the mustard. In fact the ones I tried, I found that I quite simply did not feel happy on. And funnily enough, having ridden them, Sampson suddenly felt so much safer - added to which he is a lovely ride anyway.
And of course good old Willie: he's also a tough act to follow in terms of comfort.
Maybe I am just spoilt.
Well, too bad.
Now to continue to work on the confidence, and Tally Ho!!
Like many others before me, I changed my mind about selling.
I think if the initial agent had managed to contact his buyer sooner, I wouldn't have had the time for my doubts about selling to grow. The agent had looked at the pony, liked him and asked for first option, which then delayed him being listed on the open market.
However, no sooner was he listed than people wanted to view him. As soon as someone had made an appointment I knew I wasn't ready to sell.
Maybe I had to go through this exercise to realise that in my heart of hearts, it is not the right thing at this moment. It may be that down the track it is the right thing to do, and I will be more sure of my decision at that time (hopefully).
I think also, having looked for a replacement with a budget MUCH higher than any I have ever had before, it made me realise that it isn't that simple.
17h does not necessarily mean 17h, indeed it seems you are lucky if it is a good 16.2 (which is big enough anyway).
Good paces and 'straight' movers often dish.
Never bucked, reared, shied etc, means that on viewing the horse does some big leaps at trot, then proceeds to hop behind at the canter.
The horses that I actually got to the point of looking at, and even riding, just didn't cut the mustard. In fact the ones I tried, I found that I quite simply did not feel happy on. And funnily enough, having ridden them, Sampson suddenly felt so much safer - added to which he is a lovely ride anyway.
And of course good old Willie: he's also a tough act to follow in terms of comfort.
Maybe I am just spoilt.
Well, too bad.
Now to continue to work on the confidence, and Tally Ho!!
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