I think that my arena has paid for itself already. I rode Tetley out there this morning and he did some super canter half pass. He didn't really want to work at first, and when I used to ride out there on the dirt surface, (before it got too rocky), I never managed to get good stuff out of him if he started like that. But now, a little perseverence and we get some really decent stuff. He was SO sound. I'm planning a farm ride visit soon if this carries on.
Then Tia had a workout during which she threw a number of strops about how difficult she finds a canter transition. How strange then that after repeatedly and calmly being asked to do the same thing, along with being stopped after a stride or two if she threw herself into it, she managed to produce several lovely transitions - though of course she got them right on one rein and then it was "impossible" again on the other when I turned around!
We ended with jumping over a decent size fence which she did with huge enthusiasm. I hope that means she has turned a corner with the jumping but we won't know until we get her back into a competition situation. I jumped in my dressage saddle :-0 ! I put the stirrups forward (there are two sets of bars) and shortened them up, and jumped with my knees off the front! She flew. She is very, very athletic. I hope when I do sell her that I manage to find someone who wants to go on with her, because I'd love to know how much she is capable of. I have a suspicion it's at least Intermediate and possibly Advanced too.
Their feet are amazing after working on the grit. Their soles are polished smooth. Whether it was going to happen anyway I don't know, but Tetley's heels have never been so fabulous - proper seats of corn, proper hoof wall, proper bars, proper white line. They are all exfoliating frog too - Tia and Caddy in completely v shaped onion-skin layers!
I'm so sold on the WOW saddles that I have decided to sell all my other three saddles on eBay and put the money together to buy an event flap one with a flat seat. Lorna has come up with an acceptable "second hand" package and is leaving it with Linda for me to pick up tomorrow. I will try it for a few days and then pay for it if I am happy with it. And then I HAVE to stop spending money! I will have none left for my old age at this rate.
I'll get a new pic of Caddy soon, his metabolic rate has just dropped again and he is leaving his food. He is looking very different now from the original photos.
C.
posted by cptrayes @ 4:25 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
Nice Blog!!!!!!
http://grap-your-dick.blogspot.com
What sad muppet posts comments like the one above? Dear me what a dreadful life the poor fellow must live!!
It's probably automated spam of course, but just in case he sees it I have a message for him "see a Doctor mate, you're sick".
C.
yes that treed saddle thread is brilliant. but i've never heard the like.
new photos of caddy woudl be good.
Hope tia's current good work follows through to your next event ...
a thought - i know eventing is your preference, but i wonder if there may be something to be said for taking her showjumping once or twice, to assist in the process of teaching her to concentrate on you, not the noises off?
Tia is certainly "expressive." One of my favorite and oft used terms on dressage tests comments. It means everything from an truly elegant and uphill canter departure, to a buck of protest at the depart.
Once, my old guy and I were doing a musical freestyle. We entered at the canter to the music from the bullfighters' entrance from the opera, "Carmen." At the halt, he leapt into the air in a big buck. Since words to the music, (which the very musically literate judge knew) were, "Here I come into the field of battle," his comment was, "Music well interpreted by horse on entrance." *G*
Glad to hear the saddle is working out so well. Finding just the right tack is such a joy.
Three cheers for Tetley! Sounds as if he loves your new arena.
Bit grim reading that thread wasn't it? I have to say that in 26 years I have never had a saddle that damaged me and I wouldn't have kept it if it had! The WOW's are the worst I have known, and they are quite acceptable because I can't get the flexible tree any other way.
Jean, loved your dressage to music story! :-)
The WOW event saddle is here and I'll try it tomorrow. Been in court today. What do you reckon folks? It has an 18 inch seat and a 17 inch panel. There is plenty of bearing surface, but the back of the seat sticks out over the back of the panel. I can see that there is possibly an advantage in that for jumping - sometimes if you are in trouble you can't help but smack your bum down onto the cantle, and if the panel is shorter then it won't dig right into the horses loins. But it looks less conventional than it might. On the other hand, it costs £300 less than waiting for a new one. It is in mint condition with brand new flaps and a panel and seat which are almost impossible to tell aren't new. Tell me what to do!
C.
Post a piccy of the saddle and go try it, for heaven's sake. Mess up a few jumps on purpose...that'd be good training for Ms. Particular anyhow...and see how it handles.
Then let us all know and we will offer tons of opinions for you to take or leave. *G*
Shelia...a good teacher should never discourage a student who tries. However, it seems there are a lot of "professionals" out there who are so concerned with their own reputations that they only want students who will be future stars. That way THEY look good. They'd never want to teach me because I can goof up in the show ring with the worst of them...therefore, I too would be hopeless. One very famous trainer has told people their horses are useless and if they wish to continue with him, they need to get new horses.
That said, the best teachers I've ever had would take a rider on a three legged pony and help them get better at what they were capable of doing, no matter what. Lockie Richards of New Zealand was like that and every lesson I had with him was pure genius.
If your trainer tells you you are hopeless, then find a new one. There is no reason for you to pay someone to insult you.
Jean could not have said it better. I agree with every word. Sack your trainer.
My saddle problem is solved - I hate it and it doesn't fit them. That was easy wasn't it :-)?
C
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