Sunday, March 25, 2012

March 25, 2012 Shaggy Horse


Time to start the count down to one of the biggest local dressage shows of the season, The Shaggy Horse Dressage Show held at the Nebraska Expo Center. This will be my 2nd show in my lifetime. I went last year and did Intro A and B and received upper 50's which I think isn't bad being that I was only under saddle 9 months and a first Dressage show for either of us.... with no trainer to boot (trainer pitched a stink 3 days before the show, long story).

This year we are going to try to improve scores at intro level and show Intro B and C. We are also going to try Training levels 2 and 3, just to see where we are at. I am beginning to really enjoy working with the help of our new trainer and we are both able to really relax with her unorthodox (well, unorthodox to most dressage trainers) methods. We have greatly improved on last years shortcomings and we even achieve a good "stretchy trot circle" about 50% of the time.

This weeks plan is to get halts more SOLID and strengthen transitions as well as responsiveness to leg cues. We also need to strengthen our transitions into canter and consistently picking up the correct lead. My staff member has decided to do a LOT of this work on trail instead of in the arena. I am also going to continue strengthening my hindquarters with hill work including halting halfway up or halfway down a hill, and then  walking on from a solid halt on the incline. This may sound simple but it takes a lot of balance and if you don't have strong muscles in your back end, you can't do it. My servants conditioning with riding bareback will also continue so that she can learn to balance herself correctly instead using her legs and saddle to balance.

Beauty treatments will start tomorrow with a "secret beauty spray" treatment after my rinse. I will also get a deep hoof conditioning treatment tomorrow too. Phase 1 of ear clipping as I have to do a little bit each day because I have no patience for clippers buzzing around my ears.

I'm so so excited. Stay tuned for more updates!