lesson today with Elizabeth, 10/28

Today was the first time I've ridden in a week... its' getting darker early, and Asher had his shoes pulled for the season Wednesday night.

I rode Corey today. I dont' ride her very often, but when I do, I sure do learn alot!

You're seat does matter. I kept pulling her to the inside, and she would move more forward. Wondering what the hell I was doing. Back to basics today. Mostly walked, with transitions, using my seat. If I did it correctly, she would walk when I asked, or move to the inside/outside of the rail. Elizabeth kept walking around, as I had to follow her.

The minute I used my reins and not my seat, she really moved forward. Then I had to slow her down. Relax my elbows, legs back, sit at the trot, sit up straight...

Today I remembered how much the walk is important. As Elizabeth mentioned it's the hardest gait.

After my ride I was informed this little mare is the fastest horse at the barn, and realized she was more difficult than my Asher to ride....

Lesson learned... :-)

Teaching, advice and more

After helping a friend out the past 2 weeks, made me think of how much I have been taught. Some instructors I have, and had, teach differently... Some really get into the lesson, walking beside you, acting out riding, moving like the horse, or what to change. I really think when someone really enjoys teaching, you learn more... I've had instructors - long time ago, admit they hate teaching... I still had fun, and I think they did, but what is the point? After hearing that comment, you almost feel guilty being there.

I love teaching, giving advice (when asked) and showing good skills of what I have been taught. If I dont' know how to explain something, or dont' know how to do it, I'm upfront and honest, and suggest to find someone who does that "skill" more. I don't do alot of trail riding, and will admit that. I ride around the farm, not in the ring on Asher, but I could never explain well enough on how I control and ride him. I could explain on using my seat and to slow him down, stop and control more, but each horse is different. Weather can take a huge take part, and your surroundings. Once you leave you 'safe' zone in the ring, it can all change.

If you have an instructor who doesn't like to teach, move on. You will get more information. If you get an instructor who doesn't say much during a lesson, move on. When I ride there isn't much time where I"m not learning something. It's constant instruction, explanation and feedback. Thumbs up, heels down, sit up straight and move forward.... and there's lot's more.

I go home to practice and always have plenty of questions the week after. I always have a problem or question to go over with Elizabeth each week, and each time we go over the same thing we did the week before, and move onto something new, or something I am weak at.

It has helped me move on to a higher level horse at her barn, and ride Asher better.

Lessons should be fun. Correction should be taken in a fun way, as you are learning and want to move forward.

training has been great this year

wow... alot of progress this year... Annette working with me at home, and Elizabeth (Beth) at her place.. really makes me think and learn... using my seat and full contact this past Friday, really helped.

I called Annette today, to say "hi" and tell her the progress I have made. It really helped this year when she had me just hold on to the buckle of the reins, and let him go. Really move forward using my seat.

I mentioned to her my lesson Friday; taking more contact and using all leg and seat, really worked, as I was taught from her to use all seat and no rein.

It helped stretch Asher out, and taking full contact knowing how to use my seat, really worked.

I know next year I can work on the next level and maybe more. I can't wait.

having the correct instuctors really makes a difference :-)

Thanks to Elizabeth and Annette.. it's really come along way this year!

Lesson for October 16th, 2009

well, I did it.. I borrowed Karen's trailer and brought Asher over to Elizabeth's.. first time driving a trailer loaded with a horse.. yahoo! wasn't that hard... just gotta remember your turns and stopping... the worse part is, worrying about someone cutting you off... all went well :-)

My lesson today rocked! Beth rode Asher first; she tends to know if they are "broken" --- Asher plays rough.. runs, bucks. the fun stuff... after about 5-10 minutes, I rode Asher... using a strong outside leg and some (little) rein... wham... good boy! round and about.. forward... forward... connection... on the bit and round like a ball.. good times...

Asher has remembered everything... it just takes the correct skills to do it! Beth mentioned he was not as "stiff" as before... I mentioned that I do ride him on "the buckle" at home to let him stretch before/after taking contact.

I will miss my lesson next week, as Beth goes to Germany to teach. I hope she has a great time. Her best friend lives there as well.

Until next time....

Trainers; Present and past

Trainers



Elizabeth Latham, Sanborton, NH - Dressage / balance seat

Annette Green, Pembroke, NH - Dressage/balance seat



http://www.susannewinslade.com/Home_Page.html - Dressage/balance seat

Pam Hunt of Haverhill, Mass. - trained hunter jumper
http://www.ridecornerstone.com/about.shtml



Chrisler Farm of Rowley, Mass.- trained hunter jumper

http://www.chrislar.com/

spelling

I apologize for the mis-spelling, as it is 4:05 and I'm ready for bed!

MRF Dressage Show for October 4th

Today was a good day, despite it was a "bad" day for Asher... just one of those days. "I dont' want to be here!"

I was up at 3:30 am to do stalls... I wanted them done, knowing I would be so tired when I got home. I had my coffee, checked my email, went to the barn... The horses were yawning but wanted to go out as the day before was so crappy out!

I put all out but Asher and Poncho... Poncho was a true camper keeping Asher company

Karen was at the barn around 6:30, braiding Asher's mane for me. I'm not so good at that, or have the patience. Boy, I owe Karen big time!

We loaded him up and he was mad from the start. All the other horses were out and happy, rolling in mud, but Asher was in the trailer, dressed to be a star ;-p



we got to Nottingham after some good laughs on the way down. Karen always has the best stories to tell... they are just so funny

Asher was okay when we got there, but saw a horse like Karen's "Bid"... as Asher was his roommate when Karen owned Asher. boy, did that set him off! LOL

I rode him around the grounds of the show, and popped into a ring outside. He was being a tird, but okay. My class was up... I could tell he didn't want to be there. Oh well.

I rode my best. Give him rein, but trying to have some contact. moving him forward. He wasn't listening to my leg at all, never mind my seat.

I left the ring discouraged, but would wait for the next class

he just became more upset as the day went on... why? well, we have our good and bad days of our "everyday" life... dont' we? Well, he just wasn't having a good horsey day.

Upon my next class, we went into the indoor to warm up, and he was just being a jerk! I used more leg than a football player making a kick...

Karen, my friend came in and helped calm him down as at that time Asher and I were "arguing". I won't take "no" for an answer, even if it means falling off at some points of my riding.

We, or I should say Karen, calmed him down to a point I could ride more, and I started the test (twice) and before my diagnol change, he was a tird again and I scratched the test. Oh well.

He wouldn't go forward with all the leg in the world and NO rein. ha ha...

oh well.. Asher had a bad day... which doesn't happen very often. Better luck next time. At least I stayed on...

I would have excepted that I fall off, but I didn't want to get my pants dirty ;-p

until next time...