These blog hops are just a ton of fun...and in the spirit of keeping the fun theme going and celebrating I decided to create my own. Thanks to the inspiration from Firn's our everyday wins.
Show me some silly moments of you and your horse!
Tillie clearly thinks icing is boring
I seeeeee you
Must reach the grass on the other side
Tillie's take on showing...Just relax and have fun mom!
This riding stuff is rough
Tillie's opinion on the Vet X-raying her leg
Snowdy day kisses!
Very mad at me after a harder ride...talk to the butt says Tillie.
Does this make my butt look big?
Eating while laying down is totally normal
My present after returning from Rolex...Burrrrrs everywhere. Tillie clearly didnt enjoy us making fun.
I am new to following Firn and was referred to her blog by fellow blogger, Emma. Emma convinced me last night I should participate in this blog hop of the "Everyday win" - so here goes!
The blog post starting this whole thing - our everyday wins sums this up what the photos will show: So let's pull out some schooling (or unaffiliated schooling show) photos we're proud of. Moments where our horses are taking steps to greatness; where they may be a long way from the blue ribbon, but advancing on the right path. Between Firn's post and Emma's constructive criticism v. public shaming post, I felt inspired to jump on the bandwagon and share my more proud moments. Especially since my more recent posts contain frustrations and a general feeling of being stuck. I know I need to abide more by this:
I am never 100% confident, but I am guilty of letting, what I view, as a failure get to me. So here is to trying to do Tillie justice and show her off!
This was taken just minutes after Tillie arrived. My first mare and my first greenie!
Just after a few weeks of having her, I don't know what the hell I was thinking and took Tillie to her first event. She had some "Up" moments but we finished the event!
Even after rehabbing and not having alot of time to prepare, we last minute added this event where Tillie blew me away and scored our best dressage score to date.
This winter was the first, most consistent time being under saddle after her rehab - and that was even with needing to haul out to ride in an indoor 1-2x a week due to a frozen ring with no lights. This is a moment from a lesson where I felt she was working the most correctly AND on top of not being ridden everyday.
Not the greatest form for either of us, but it was the first time I felt brave enough to jump this height outside of a lesson setting and really just had a blast
Tillie and I at her first event this 2015 season where our hard work paid off and we went clear!
I just love Tillie's form over this fence. I hope one day we will always get this kind of jump out of her all the time.
An XC schooling where I didnt have any bolting or over excitedness!
I love the look on Tillie's face in most of the photos at this event. She killed it for her 2nd ever BN and event of the season...We beat out my trainer in the same division to get 2nd overall!
Our lesson Tuesday...the first lesson we have had with D that I left smiling and really felt like we rocked it.
My recent posts have mostly been about being frustrated, building confidence and all the things Tillie and I are doing to get past this slump. I realize I nit pick and set unrealistic expectations so lately its been about toning those down and setting more attainable goals. So much easier said than done!
I am borrowing this image from fellow blogger Miseventer:
This image really resonated with me. That has been me quite frequently after rides and I am lucky to have some great barn mates around that let me despair...for a while at least but then kick me in my rear and help me see the positive things rather than dwell on the negative.
My barn friends and fellow bloggers have been kind but finally nudged me to do something about how I was feeling. Sitting around and feeling sorry for myself wont do anything...I tried taking care on my own position but found without constant nagging from someone, catching myself and fixing it wasnt happening. So I decided to take action and set up back to back to back lessons - which a few posts ago I announced.
I have not ridden Tillie outside of a lesson or clinic the past 4 rides. Sure I spent a fortune, but I look at it as its money I would have otherwise spent to do an event and havent been able to do because of my suffering confidence.
The final lesson in the installment of my lesson frenzy is also the lessons I tend to struggle in the most - With "D", a local 4* event rider. He sets up pretty challenging exercises that are really meant for both horse and rider to muddle through and come out the other side with some more experience and wisdom. Except I have fallen harder and felt the most inadequate in those lessons as of late.
So yea...needless to say I've been having this embarrassing "please dont make do it" feeling towards his lessons. Sure there is a balance where a trainer/instructor's lessons should challenge you but also give you confidence and really to no fault of this trainer I have felt more on the challenged side. I always feel as though Tillie and I are the problem children in the lessons that consume most of his attention and irritation.
Anyway...yesterday was the lesson. The ultimate test.
And well...things finally fell into place! - The starts magically aligned!
First, let me show you the exercises:
We warmed up over this fence and the other in the same line off both leads. Whatever lead we landed on is the direction we went after landing. We jumped them from both directions as well (towards and from the gate)
Then we added the 6 stride line to the mix.
Once we ironed out our adjustability in the line, we jumped a 3 stride angled line. We also did these both directions.
Finally we put the whole thing together.
Here is some video piecing the exercise together:
I actually got a kudos from my trainer! Mind you, this trainer is not one to hand out compliments...I seriously thought I was going to burst from excitement.
I was oh so excited to see the pictures from the XC Clinic since we jumped some fun stuff and Tillie felt so amazing...But turns out we just dont photograph well. It is to no fault of the photographer. She got some pretty great photos of everyone else, it just seems me and Tillie just had awkward hats on that day or something.
I am quite disappointed...Everything aside from the first warm up fences were smooth (even the warm up fences were, just at warp speed!) I thought for sure we would get some pretty awesome pictures from the questions D had us doing. There werent any awkward spots or distances - at least none felt that way.
Instead we get this.....
This totally looks like she balked at this when in actuality it rode smoothly and in great rhythm. It felt like we totally nailed this....
and this.....
Ok this one isnt soooo bad, but my horse jumped everything so darn low in the wither based on the photos. She looks like shes about to land on her face.
and finally....
Holy long spot! Once again...didnt feel like this AT ALL. Is it just me or does she look totally whatevs about the whole thing?
So back to feeling a bit down and out...these photos make it painfully obvious that my mare gets by for now but isnt really jumping properly. I always have known her form needs help, and we have been working on her lifting more from the wither. It is just really upsetting to see it so prominent...such a shame as she really loves to jump.
I have had my trainers say they think we can get to higher levels but seeing these really makes me question that...I have invested so much time at this point so Ill ride the wave as long as I can. Just feeling a bit unsure.
The last few days has been a flurry of activity for Tillie and I, mostly because I reached a point of no return and simply needed a lesson before I rode again without eyes on me....At least I felt that way. Riding alone has been frustrating to say the least - Not to any fault of Tillie's, but rather me trying to recreate what I learn and feel in a lesson. It is so hard to do when someone isn't there nagging you pushing the limits (but really shouting at me to correct my rouge right hand).
It started Thursday evening when I rode and just got so in my head and frustrated I had to stop. We suddenly lost our downward transition from canter to trot...We have been really drilling doing these just off my seat and staying through. Instead, she reverted back to doing the tightening spinning top thing and not stepping under herself. She would just canter this itty bitty (albeit lovely) canter instead.
So I just threw one of my students on Tillie in a lesson afterwards. Seeing her go sometimes helps me (don't worry it was all for selfish reasons, this student really learns a lot off Tillie)
My fire breathing dragon trucking around a kid over fences just as cool as a cucumber!
And to my pleasant surprise Tillie stepped right up and told on my student's mistakes without being mean or malicious or scary or sassy...etc and the many more things I could list she has done in the past. She even popped over a small vertical without running, diving or bolting. Yayyyyyy Tillie!
That at least made me feel a little better. Nothing like seeing some buttons we have been working on actually working with someone other than me.
Lesson #1 - Dressage
So I promptly scheduled a lesson for myself and Tillie to solve this mental block and frustration for Friday the next day. I trailered out to C (just using first initials of trainers here) for a second try with a lesson with her after feeling slightly disappointed in the first.
I was not disappointed this lesson and got some really nice and soft moments where Tillie felt really just unlocked. The goal is to start getting her activating and unlocking the muscles at the base of her neck and withers. It was also nice to hear her say she did see some improvement since the July 4th lesson and could tell an overall difference in both Tillie and me (Especially my lower back).
She had me ride with a dressage whip since Tillie was a bit more dead to my leg and shockingly better tracking left and softer that direction. Silly horse...anyway the whip really pointed out and helped me with my right hand issue. So homework is to ride with a whip (to Tillie's dismay I am sure).
Tillie was quite please with herself after our dressage lesson.
I still need work on keeping my leg down and long when using it which seems to be the next thing on my list ;) We did a lot of work on the canter transition and getting her to JUMP into it. We also did basic leg yielding really focusing on keeping her straight in them and coming out of them with more step in the trot and not just losing steam in the process of doing them.
Lesson #2 - XC Clinic
D riding one of the horses in the clinic to help get a point across to the horse.
Saturday we geared up and drove to this gorgeous facility for my other trainer D's XC Clinic. I was nervous all morning watching the others go dreading if Tillie would pull her old antics, cross her jaw and just dive and be silly after fences. The last time I did a XC lesson with D, I fell off twice. Yes you read that correctly - TWICE in an hour. I wanted to die of mortification.
Anyway, the first few warm up fences, she absolutely was bracing and diving after fences and I felt myself sort of go "oh crap" as D kept hollering to let go, use less hands and more leg. UGH the dreaded more leg fixes all...except leg on doesnt always make Tillie soften yet. So after a very enthusiastic finish that involved bolting up the hill after the first set of fences D sent us away to time out and just go let her run it out.
So we came back and with each fence we started to get a groove. We schooled some bending lines over roll tops, canter down hills (did I mention how much I HATE downhill?!), ditches, banks - up and down and finally water jumps.
The water was by far my favorite!
Lesson #3 - More dressaging
Sunday morning companion.
So Sunday I went ahead and had the other C come for a lesson as Tillie was barely winded after XC schooling and figured some dressage the day after a hard day would help us push through her limits.
Right away she commented how much improved Tillie's walk looked and overall seemed happy, relaxed and had better improved muscling in more correct areas. She kept reminding me to carry my hands and watch that silly right hand which gets grabby both directions **sigh**. Homework - work on giving with the right rein only without locking the left.
We also rode with a dressage whip which Tillie instantly changed her demeanor in good and bad ways...but decidedly went OK and worked well. We worked on the walk to trot transition and did some leg yielding in the canter to work on softening and getting a bigger step. VOILA our canter to trot transitions were back!
The most interesting exercise we did that helped unlock Tillie's withers and shoulders was to ask her on a small 15m circle to bring her shoulder in (trying not to use the inside rein - guiding only) with the outside rein but pushing and using the inside leg to get her to step over and fill the outside. I needed to be better about closing and supporting the outside rein and once I did she did it well.
It decided to downpour in the middle of the lesson despite no clouds to be seen in bright sun. Very odd, but kinda cool outside the getting soaked part. Trainer commented it would prep us for our first 2* at FH! Not that we will ever get there ;)
My looming Lameness worries
The only slight worry I have is she kept tripping up/mis-stepping on her right hind in the Sunday lesson a handful of times. She was sound in the lesson, but C commented to watch that....and that is all I need to hear to get worried and frantic.
I always worry about her soundness and that leg is the fretted cellulitis one she protects and had residual higher lameness issues last year as a result. Strengthening work helped it go away and be nonexistent - until yesterday.
I am hoping she was just a bit tired from the sudden burst of lessons which are making her work correct and she was just tired. I did some stretches with her and today she gets a well deserved day off.
Conclusion
Tillie has blossomed this summer and, dare I say it, finally grown out of the terrible toddler phase of protesting, sass and just silly nonsense she used to pull under saddle. It quite definitely is still in there, but our rides lately has been more on the spur and kick ride. She is very much a pull ride majority of the time, but she's finally learning running around and speeding through aids gets nowhere.
I actually the last two rides in the sandbox have need a dressage whip!!! Oh boy does tillie not like that!
Between the clinic and lessons I realized I had pleasant rides from her without needing to push buttons too terribly hard because of protesting. She went on and off the trailer each day nicely, stood nicely on the trailer and just in general acted like a seasoned show horse.
The last two rides I have been trying to focus on just going with the flow...not overthinking too much but also not letting things slide either. Tillie is way too smart to let things go. The trick for me is trying to the find the balance between taking it serious enough but also not too seriously.
I have been trying to ride with music lately and it has seemed to help. I tend to get so in my head I sort of realize I am tuning the music out at times. So I shake it off, take a breath and focus on the beat. It sounds silly, but its been working.
Between Tillie's attempts to mutilate herself, I have managed to get a few rides in since my last post.
Look Mom I'm trying to be like Harry Potter
We have also had quite the heat wave here but it hasnt stopped Miss Tillie or made her worse for wear. Ill break down what I have been working on for myself and then what I have been working on for Tillie (I know both relate so I will do my best to separate for the sake of making it easier to skim!)
What I have been working on for myself
Primarily:
Even hands - Left hand has this tendency to drop lower and be uneven
Tucking my butt under myself so my lower back isn't perched
Stepping into my right stirrup without bracing and skiing on that leg
Jumping flaws I've been wanting to fix:
Hunching on landing
Toes out, jumping ahead, swinging lower leg
Not giving enough release
Winging out toes and sitting too soon indicating weak lower leg and core
Hands rise the last few strides to a fence - anticipating
Hands drop the last stride at a fence (yes both of hand issues have happened simultaneously and its quite the skill)
Tip forward/lead with shoulders up to the fence
See told you I am up to no good ;)
What I have been working on for Tillie:
Taking the bigger step behind for more push and impulsion
Keeping the shoulders up no matter what we are doing (especially after landing on jumps)
Not bracing on my inside rein
Canter to trot transitions without needing hand
My ride yesterday:
Yesterday I rode and focused the first 30 minutes just on me. The whole hand thing I listed and all... Then worked on adjustability in our walk and trot...slow smaller steps to larger steps (without going fast and flat) I have tried to get out of our safety zone of the 20 meter circle and try serpentines and changing directions to really test acceptance of the aids. At first she would get a bit tight in her back through the change but by the end was perfect - in relative terms of course.
Next, I did trot to canter transitions without holding her and really stepping into my inside leg (boy is that hard!). She somehow lost the ability to come back to trot just on my seat which was frustrating since the last few rides shes done them flawlessly. BUT we took a break and I decided to test our jumping to see if our flat work is paying off.
Jumping from a more forward canter
Lets break it down:
Approach stayed in rhythm, hands are stable and I am sitting tall. Tillies shoulders are up!!! WOOOO!! Some tension though in my shoulders and lower back still.
Hands are the same! But tension in the lower back...at least I waited and didnt jump ahead right?
Good with the lower leg, still see tension though which is preventing a bigger release. Reins are better and much longer than usual but will become an issue with higher fences if I dont release better.
Siiting too soon still, only slightly hunching though! Lower leg isnt pushing forward and water skiing as much
ANNNNNND back to tension and hands coming back, at least my upper body is up and tillie isnt on the forehand.
Still with the hands **head desk** but Tillie is taking a nice big stride without being downhill
And just telling her how smart she is
Another "such a smart pony" because the downward transition after this was spot on with no hand!
