So by a massive twist of luck and two people not being ready to show, I have been selected for the Quebec provincial finals in the novice reining division.
All because I managed to get through one novice class without mistakes and places second. There are so few people on the division who have points that apparently that was enough.
I'm not complaining!
I get to go ride in the finals at Sorel Tracy, no pressure because my region is TERRIBLE and didn't get one placing in any class last year. My coach has told me to just go for the experience.
So I'm going :-)
Friday, 26 July 2013
Wednesday, 10 July 2013
All is calm
The show was fantastic. Both days. All three patterns. On day one I screwed up 8 by doing 5 spins one way but rode 5 nicely and won that class. The next day I rode 4 and I overspun a quarter to the left but recovered and ended up second in the novice class, my first time placing in that. He stopped in the middle very well, even down to the gate and the last mini stop. I rode 8 again and got it right this time and won my second green Reiner of the weekend. It's my last year in that category and I am aiming to win the division. I've won 3 out of 4 of the classes so far this year. Not bad for a greeny!
I rode hard the Friday evening because he was a pig in warm up, even having been out all day. I longed him for about 30 minutes til he stopped plunging around and then got on him and loped and loped until he was soft and listening. It was busy so I sat on him a long time to get some space and then worked our stops and roll backs. They weren't bad.
The next morning I was up at 6.30 to ride before classes started and he was in a much better frame of mind. I showered him and hand grazed him after that and then got on for midday warm up for around an hour before my classes. It worked well. He was still hyper in warm up with all the other horses and he wanted to pull on me but I remained calm and disciplined and didn't allow him to get away with anything. In the pen it paid off.
To improve for next month, circle shape consistency, PIVOTS for me, staying calm and consistent and transition from a fast to slow lope in the circles.
All in all, I'm thrilled. Super happy with how it all went, now I know what I need to do, work wise, with him.
I rode hard the Friday evening because he was a pig in warm up, even having been out all day. I longed him for about 30 minutes til he stopped plunging around and then got on him and loped and loped until he was soft and listening. It was busy so I sat on him a long time to get some space and then worked our stops and roll backs. They weren't bad.
The next morning I was up at 6.30 to ride before classes started and he was in a much better frame of mind. I showered him and hand grazed him after that and then got on for midday warm up for around an hour before my classes. It worked well. He was still hyper in warm up with all the other horses and he wanted to pull on me but I remained calm and disciplined and didn't allow him to get away with anything. In the pen it paid off.
To improve for next month, circle shape consistency, PIVOTS for me, staying calm and consistent and transition from a fast to slow lope in the circles.
All in all, I'm thrilled. Super happy with how it all went, now I know what I need to do, work wise, with him.
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Pushing the tempo
Given that I lose 50% at LEAST of tob's focus and calm when we get in the ring, this week I am working on pressuring him at home. The reality is that I am doing another show this weekend and I only rode rollbacks for the first time yesterday. This is the riding by the seat of my pants I am committed to and spending all my money on and it is so worth it! Exhilarating even.
My trainer never despairs with me, she just pushes me on and when I remind her I've never done something, or only watched it on YouTube then she scales it back and we go again.
Our spins are doing well. Her quote was 'not my taste but if thou do that at the show you'll be fine' which is a compliment from her. I need to keep his shoulders up so that be can move around that pivot leg and not hit himself. I need to bend with the inside rein and collect with the outside, using plenty of leg to keep him moving. When the reins are bridged I can still correct him. This is a relief to me. Also: loose reins!!! I have a tendency to hold him which is bad.
In a rollback I must look over my shoulder in the direction I want to go then neck rein and leg to get him to roll. He should bend in the direction we go and pick up the right canter lead for that direction. I will practice this more today for sure as my corrections are not automatic after just one day..!
As for stops, I timed them all yesterday in front of my trainer and although one of my patterns is 4, with stops in the middle which will wind him up something crazy, he did well in practice and I just need to give myself room and keep him collected. I'm going to have to use that bit!
My trainer never despairs with me, she just pushes me on and when I remind her I've never done something, or only watched it on YouTube then she scales it back and we go again.
Our spins are doing well. Her quote was 'not my taste but if thou do that at the show you'll be fine' which is a compliment from her. I need to keep his shoulders up so that be can move around that pivot leg and not hit himself. I need to bend with the inside rein and collect with the outside, using plenty of leg to keep him moving. When the reins are bridged I can still correct him. This is a relief to me. Also: loose reins!!! I have a tendency to hold him which is bad.
In a rollback I must look over my shoulder in the direction I want to go then neck rein and leg to get him to roll. He should bend in the direction we go and pick up the right canter lead for that direction. I will practice this more today for sure as my corrections are not automatic after just one day..!
As for stops, I timed them all yesterday in front of my trainer and although one of my patterns is 4, with stops in the middle which will wind him up something crazy, he did well in practice and I just need to give myself room and keep him collected. I'm going to have to use that bit!
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