Good Things

Yesterday was pretty good. H was there and since we both had bad rides Tues. we dicided to make a jump chute and free jump the ponies.

Warrior thought we were silly humans making him jump sticks ont he ground so he spent most of the time running circles around us.

Pronto thought it was great fun, but jump really flat. He basically keeps his back level and just jerks his legs up...makes for impressive pictures though. I feel llike he could jump higher actually, he just doesn't know how. He is quite graceful for such a big fella.

Yankee was a perfect gem, minus one refusal. He was having such fun. I didn't push the height because of the 9 hour drive we have to take tomorrow. He still hopped like he had wings though.

Also, THINSG SHIPPED TO ME!!! EEEEEEEEEEE! Mainly my saddle last night...it...is ....AWESOME!


My happy face.

It is SO gorgeous and perfect and I can't believe I found it for $500! Its not brand new but I don't care. I still lost money on the deal. I sold my saddle for $425 and after ebay fees ($43) and Shipping fees ($75!!!!) I only got $307 out of it...which is still a loss. Whatever, I have peace of mind now :)

Also I got my smartpaks, quietex, new stable wraps and some liniment in the mail today :)




Shaved ponyface


Big ole 19 hand Pronto taking a gander at jumping


This was the only whoops moment we had...dunno what happened, he just thought his striding was off or something. No matter, he was a gem yesterday.




spring loaded! He could jump that black fence if he tried.


Boing!


Making it look easy


Beast!


Nice Yanks :)


Looking gorgeous free!

Tomorrow I hva eonly 2 classes so I am heading to the barn to bathe him and finish packing then we will load up and head to Ohio for EA!

I am pretty excited. Getting to visit numerous old instructors, riding friends, 4H leaders and Pony Club advisors. :)

Now if only I can lose like 10 more lbs before then, lol

That's Unfortunate

Yesterday was crap compared to Sunday's ride. Both in the Passier.

I don't know what our deal was, but neither of us could get it together...

Yankee thought he was a 3 year old again and spooked at every leaf and decided bending and using his back correctly was not in his gameplan for the day. Instead he was gonna run around on the forehand and run through contact and be all kinds of strung out and crooked.

Now, I can't blame him all that way... my riding was COMPLETE SHIT yesterday. I just could not keep it together
.
I mean look at this picture. How HORRID is my equitation here?? Shoulders rounded, tipping forward, chair seat, hands down......WTF.

All day I could not seem to keep myself aligned and I KNOW it was causing some problems.
It was a viscous circle...he wouls act up, I would ride defensively and start to crouch, he would resist, I would get pissed.

And so it goes.

Now we had some ok moments...




But most were like this....

Thanks for the distraction Komik...

oh nice, that'll win some good points..

Anyways, just frustrating. I'm sure you all experience ups and downs but I say this over and over again...I'm sure you;re sick of hearing it.
"Oh god we had such a nice day today! I freaking love my horse! We win everything! Oh noes today sucked, I hates him. Why do we suck so much???"

Yesterday he was EXCEPTIONALLY stuck. Like, not bending at all and sucked back in the contact. I have a feeling it had to do with the major wind and Komik providing excellent distractions.

I tried everything.

Wide hand placement, half halts on inside rein leg to outside rein, no half halts, stretchy circles, transitions, renver/traver. sidepassing........NOTHING loosened him.

We fought. We bickered.

Then we both got tired and gave up and looked somewhat normal.

This was not a saddle issue. This was just a case of us both sucking ass.

Getting some bend


VERY nice L canter, his worst direction
oddly. BIG half halting here though and inside leg/rein to outside


Another pretty nice canter L


counter canter practice, again with my EQ


pretty good, except he is WAY too bent...


Some extreme haunches in




Not too hateful. Our trot work was the worst though.

ALSO...

I AM WAIT LISTED FOR THE DRESSAGE SHOW NEXT WEEKEND. noooooooooooooo!

I have an icky feeling they let ALL the riding college students from William Woods and Stephens get in first then put everyone else in if there was room because I sent my entry 2 weeks before close and I am waitlisted.

Whatthecuss dude.

Anyways...just took an exam, most likely rocked it (fingerscrossed) and now I can take a breath from school and concentrate on EA this weekend! So much to do! I shaved his face yesterday, don't know if you can tell.

Excitement

ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod

SHOWSEASON IS ALMOST HERE!

I have sent entries for 3 shows already...




I cannot waaaait to do this again...


....or this for sure...


...And even this!

Equine Affaire 4 days away!

1 exam, 3 paintings and a few other random pointless assignments stand in my way!

WHO ELSE IS EXCITED FOR SHOW SEASON!??????

Can you tell I am excited?