At the end of the jumping lesson tonight, E's instructor called Monte a "scopey pony." Scopey pony? What's that?
I now know that means a horse or pony that has a large "scope" or can jump a large distance/height. Tonight, Monte jumped a 9' spread. A ground pole had been set out to help them set up the jump; he just started his jump from that point and never took the step or two that were supposed to happen in between.
Silly pony. Don't you know I'm just joking when I say you can jump over the moon?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Barn Project
I think that's what I'm becoming - the "barn project." :)
E had a jumping lesson last night, so I pulled Zoe out for some halter work. Another parent at the barn, L, stops me and declares that I need to ride and that she will ride her horse with me. I immediately tell her that I'm still stuck in a slow walk - but that's no matter to her, she'll walk right along with me. Well, how can I back out now? So I swallow the ball of fear in my throat (which settles quite nicely and solidly in my belly, thank-you-very-much!) and begin to tack up my horse. This may be only the third or fourth time I've ever tacked up a horse completely on my own - and definitely the first time in over a year.
It takes me a bit longer to get ready and L is already out in the dressage arena by the time I get out there. Another teenager was trotting and cantering around that particular arena so I decided to begin my ride in the round pen by myself; a second adult rider then joins L and the teenager, and she understands my hesitation to go out there. I'm still not sure enough to leave the controlled environment of the round pen. Everyone needs a security blanket at times!
Zoe and I did just fine together. I think I'm getting more consistent in letting her know what I want and she's figuring out what my pullings and pushings mean. :) I had to get off once to tighten the girth and Zoe was very quiet and patient during the whole process. At one point in our ride, she did start to trot so I slowed her back to a walk; the trot was easy to sit for those few steps she took, but it needs to be my idea, not hers! In the end, I spent about 40 minutes in the round pen walking with my horse.
Throughout the ride various barn residents would call out encouragement. It was really sweet. L stated that we need to get a pattern together and ride the doubles class in the fair next year - our horses are almost identical in size and coloring. I laughed since I'm not sure I'll be cantering by then. Several people assured me that yes, I would be!
See, I've become the barn project. And I'm quite happy.
E had a jumping lesson last night, so I pulled Zoe out for some halter work. Another parent at the barn, L, stops me and declares that I need to ride and that she will ride her horse with me. I immediately tell her that I'm still stuck in a slow walk - but that's no matter to her, she'll walk right along with me. Well, how can I back out now? So I swallow the ball of fear in my throat (which settles quite nicely and solidly in my belly, thank-you-very-much!) and begin to tack up my horse. This may be only the third or fourth time I've ever tacked up a horse completely on my own - and definitely the first time in over a year.
It takes me a bit longer to get ready and L is already out in the dressage arena by the time I get out there. Another teenager was trotting and cantering around that particular arena so I decided to begin my ride in the round pen by myself; a second adult rider then joins L and the teenager, and she understands my hesitation to go out there. I'm still not sure enough to leave the controlled environment of the round pen. Everyone needs a security blanket at times!
Zoe and I did just fine together. I think I'm getting more consistent in letting her know what I want and she's figuring out what my pullings and pushings mean. :) I had to get off once to tighten the girth and Zoe was very quiet and patient during the whole process. At one point in our ride, she did start to trot so I slowed her back to a walk; the trot was easy to sit for those few steps she took, but it needs to be my idea, not hers! In the end, I spent about 40 minutes in the round pen walking with my horse.
Throughout the ride various barn residents would call out encouragement. It was really sweet. L stated that we need to get a pattern together and ride the doubles class in the fair next year - our horses are almost identical in size and coloring. I laughed since I'm not sure I'll be cantering by then. Several people assured me that yes, I would be!
See, I've become the barn project. And I'm quite happy.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Horse-filled day
What a busy day! I started off with a 6 mile walk (14:30 pace) up the Mill Creek trail. I actually get energized by my morning walks, so that was a great way to begin today. Once home, I prodded E out of bed so we could make it to the barn by 10:00. I had a "date" with C to ride Zoe and I wasn't going to be late for nothing!
C pulled out one of her Western saddles to try on Zoe; it actually fit fairly well so I felt a little more comfortable/safe getting on her back today. Zoe was patient as I put on her tack - I bet it's the first time I've done this in about a year. I led her into the round pen and C held her while I got up, but really, she stood quite still on her own.
I spent about 30 minutes just walking with her, getting a feel for her movement and learning how to turn, stop, move over and back up. Zoe was very good for me, only spooking a little bit when we got near the side of the pen that has a tree (wind was blowing this morning). My hesitancy probably didn't help her get over her own fears, but we managed.
After my 30 minutes, C got on to see what skills Zoe actually has. She was so impressed with the smoothness of Zoe's trot and also found her canter nice. Zoe didn't offer to kick-out today when asked to go faster; not sure what the reason is, but happy she didn't act out. The horse spooked a little more significantly while C was riding, but it wasn't anything I wouldn't be able to control once I have a few more skills myself. At the end of her ride, C said, "Go write a check for this girl!" Obviously, she enjoyed Zoe. :)
The afternoon was spent preparing for E's D-2 rating and then actually completing the rating. She passed with flying colors, managing a few "exceeds standards" in the riding portion of the test. To help make sure Monte was ready, E has been riding him daily since Thursday; she didn't want a repeat of the star-gazing pony she rode during Hot August Nights!
Congratulations E!
It's back to work for me tomorrow, and then fair preparations begin in earnest. I think our horse time is going to be seriously encroached upon. I'm hoping we can squeeze in some fun rides, though. Crossing my fingers right now! :)
C pulled out one of her Western saddles to try on Zoe; it actually fit fairly well so I felt a little more comfortable/safe getting on her back today. Zoe was patient as I put on her tack - I bet it's the first time I've done this in about a year. I led her into the round pen and C held her while I got up, but really, she stood quite still on her own.
I spent about 30 minutes just walking with her, getting a feel for her movement and learning how to turn, stop, move over and back up. Zoe was very good for me, only spooking a little bit when we got near the side of the pen that has a tree (wind was blowing this morning). My hesitancy probably didn't help her get over her own fears, but we managed.
After my 30 minutes, C got on to see what skills Zoe actually has. She was so impressed with the smoothness of Zoe's trot and also found her canter nice. Zoe didn't offer to kick-out today when asked to go faster; not sure what the reason is, but happy she didn't act out. The horse spooked a little more significantly while C was riding, but it wasn't anything I wouldn't be able to control once I have a few more skills myself. At the end of her ride, C said, "Go write a check for this girl!" Obviously, she enjoyed Zoe. :)
The afternoon was spent preparing for E's D-2 rating and then actually completing the rating. She passed with flying colors, managing a few "exceeds standards" in the riding portion of the test. To help make sure Monte was ready, E has been riding him daily since Thursday; she didn't want a repeat of the star-gazing pony she rode during Hot August Nights!
Congratulations E!It's back to work for me tomorrow, and then fair preparations begin in earnest. I think our horse time is going to be seriously encroached upon. I'm hoping we can squeeze in some fun rides, though. Crossing my fingers right now! :)
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