Growth and Comfort do not coexist

I recently had a cross country lesson with Dom this past weekend. Overall, I walked away extremely excited but can't deny there were some hard moments that opened my eyes to how hard this sport can be. Dom reassured me that there cant be growth without pushing the limits and that I shouldn't stress about where we struggled and that the good news is, her reaction is very typical of a green horse at the level...I just need to put on my own big girl riding pants and learn how to help her better.

Like this happened...maybe the dap on horseback can be a new in thing?

Upper level riders certainly make riding through those tricky combinations so easy, but what we don't usually see, is all the training it took to get a horse to that point that they can skip through the questions so smoothly. So it was nice to have the reassurance of Dom telling me this is all par for the course and I will start getting better at reacting quicker the more we do them.

I realize I have been incredibly spoiled to not have ever had a stop or run out on this horse. So this lesson where we had not just one, but a few was mostly due to my lack of knowing how to ride it and just not reacting quickly enough. I thought for sure after the first one, it would throw me off a bit more...but I was so excited about the recent bit change that it didn't deter me one bit.

OMG an actual uphill canter

So onto the bit update: I was practicing galloping Tillie last week which resulted in some not so fun moments including Tillie bolting, getting her head low and bucking when I would try to half halt. It isn't the most warm and fuzzy feeling in the world, and this issue with her has been a recurring one.

It also has been nagging at me. With our move up to Training, going faster needs to be able to happen out on XC, without all the fighting. Its been something I have been talking to Dom about and other trainers, which resulted in the conversation about having her vetted in case it was a pain related issue.

Locking on!

After her vet evaluation, we know we would like to try injections, but it is so mild that it this isn't 100% physical and its the dreaded training issue. At least that's good-ish news right?!

So Dom schooled Tillie for me a few weeks back and had some discussions with Tillie about the half halt. It means NOW, not in five strides and not lean more on my hands...when I say balance or rate yourself it means do it now.

So we can avoid jumps like this

After our galloping incident, I had a horsey friend suggest trying a different bit. Not necessarily a harsher one, but one that applies pressure differently than the Pelham since the Pelham tends to promote lower the head when that's the last thing we need.

Most horses raise their heads when they get hot...mine likes to get down. So after some research and asking around, the gag bit was what came up. I did even more research and looked up some videos of Clayton Fredericks using one with his 4* mare Be My Guest. Low and behold the mare tends to gallop a bit like Tillie tries to and this bit allows him to let her gallop like her natural way of going and set her up before fences without needing to fight with her the whole time.

I read a bit more about it here: http://www.horsenation.com/2012/06/07/a-bit-of-advice-gag-bits/

Yea, no more of this....taken this time last year

Dom was kind enough to let me borrow his (which my inner fan girl almost died when he said it was the one he used on Boly - the horse he just got 6th on in the FHI 2*) and left it with me to play with for a few days leading up to our XC lesson.

Right away, as soon as I took a spin around the track and windurra, I knew it was exactly what we needed. Tillie didn't lean on it at all...and when she would try to test it, all she could do was slightly root, but would quickly come back up when she caught herself in the mouth.

I was able to let her gallop and bring her back...for the first time I felt comfortable keeping my leg on.

All smiles even when going really fast

Dom was quite excited about the change too and was pretty impressed with how quickly I could get her back again.

So now onto the actual XC lesson!!!

Dom had us warm up first in the field inside the track. It was a blistery cold, wet and windy day so we knew it would be a good test for the new bit...also since Tillie had a light two days prior (one day off, one day of 20 ish minutes stretching).

He reminded me to use my turns to get good lines to the jumps, look sooner at my jumps and to not mess with our canter....find a rhythm and stay there. So he had us do a figure 8 exercise to sort of establish where we needed to be.

Once we warmed up, we put a few of the jumps together...Tillie just got a bit funny to the one table resulting in my losing one rein, but we got it together to keep going:

And youll see we had our first run out at the skinny...and let me tell you, it surprised me how large it was as I approached it, so wasn't all that surprised Tillie wasn't sure. Especially since we haven't xc schooled in quite a while.

So we circled back to school the Skinny:

Not the prettiest, but we made it happen.

So next we moved on to a ditch and skinny log...which apparently Tillie doesn't care about ditches anymore and just runs through them:

This run out was totally my error...I was too busy chuckling about the ditch to properly present this skinny, also with brush and quite large. Dom gave me a bit of a talkin to on this one saying I needed to sit down in my tack, widen my hands and not allow her a way out.

So we do it again with some flair:

Clearly it still makes her a bit anxious so her response is to speed up. Dom explained that this is a normal thing and her being green to them and having this reaction is pretty standard so we need to keep skinnies in the forefront of our training. Build some small ones at home in the ring - especially with brush and just do them every so often to keep them fresh.

Next we schooled the corner which I did better and keeping her in front of me even with her anxiety with it:

The next portion of the lesson was definitely the hardest xc combo we both have ever seen...and it certainly gave us some trouble, but it was quite the learning experience for us.

First attempt could have gone better if I was more prepared and didn't lean at my jump:

Second attempt I had to really ride and be scrappy to get her through it...which she basically crawled over the second jump - but we got it done and Dom said that it was the kind of ride that needed to happen:

So he had us come through in reverse and I apparently forgot how to ride all together:

But after a good butt kicking from Dom we went through the whole thing one final time, nicely and in a good place:

WHEW! Shockingly I wasn't super nervous about doing these...even after the trouble we had. But looking back at the videos I cant help but think mayyybe I just turned my brain off because I HATE down hill anything and these are awfully steep downhill!

We moved on next to another line of jumps to a skinny combo around to a half coffin to which Dom basically warned me about the run out and told me to not allow it to happen:

We didn't have a run out!!! woo!! But we didn't quite get the right half halt to the second jump so Dom had us do it again:

Basically, I had the right idea, but I rated my canter a bit too much and needed to keep my leg on and find a more even distance there.

Finally we moved on to the water complex:

Apparently Tillie ignores down banks too! Luckily it didn't phase her from remaining being locked onto the jump in the water but Dom sent us out to try again:

Which resulted in her taking a funny leap into the water again...lol so one more time:

We ended after this with Dom saying he is quite pleased with the progression...I expressed some of my own ability frustrations as well as my excitement for the rideability I now have in the gag.

Dom lectured a bit, saying its all learning and there wont always be pretty moments...but as long as we both learn from them is what counts. So here's to progress! Even when it isn't linear!

Changing the game on a mare = acting like a monkey

After this weekend's outing, I decided I had to try to squeeze in another Dom lesson before the weekend...with the way this week was panning out, our normal lesson later in the week wasnt going to work. We managed to get in a time today as long as we hauled up there.

Initially, we were going to go XC at Windurra USA again, but the weather had other ideas so we re-routed and rode, for the first time, at Dom's indoor.

I went in explaining to Dom I really wanted more security over those bigger fences when Tillie is jumping large. While this weekend's training out was a good one, I dont want to be in a position where I feel like I need to focus on recovering from getting jumped out the tack, PLUS handling a combo, PLUS terrain out XC.

Mare glare for days

Dom was really understanding and said it isnt surprising with how powerful he's seen her jump. He agreed some of it was most likely do to my ingrained habit of sitting up too fast and jumping the back side of fences like I am jumping a down bank.

So the goal was simple...keep the exercise simple and focus on staying out of the tack. Basically an entire lesson staying in 2-point. I must admit, I was thinking I would get winded or tired really quickly. I am proud to say, I didnt at all but do need to work on the jumping portion more ( I still am having the tendency to lock my knees and ankles on landing).

Dom pretty quickly into warming up suggested I try his saddle - a monoflap Stubben S Zaria Optimum.

Hello goregous 

I was a bit skeptical at first but agreeable (not that Dom would EVER know I was skeptical...unless he reads this blog that is). I tend to feel really insecure in other saddles. Its just more or less that feeling of not knowing it or being comfortable so was pretty certain we would have to switch back. Much to my surprise, my leg instantly felt stabilized. I could feel my body adjusting at first, testing the thigh and calf blocks before settling in right where it needed. It was odd at first not feeling the bulk of the girth and oddly disconcerting, yet really nicely balanced all at the same time.

Dom had me feel it out and set the tone with cantering around in it and then in two point to really establish my weight down in my leg:

Once satisfied with that we moved onto warming up with cavelletti...which I am noticing Dom loves to use alot at first and a training technique I need to incorporate more even if I dislike them (which btw is something i realized today probably because they are freakin hard!)

Here is us warming up over them in a serpentine trying to get our leads...please excuse Tillie's sass at me for making her turn a bit harder (a bit of a theme of todays lesson):

You can hear Dom helping to coach me to stay up out of the saddle without using my hands or sitting too soon...easier said then done! Not on film was a much longer discussion about it with him empathizing as to why I do it, her sass and her past habit if landing downhill and in a heap, but despite her sass, in his opinion he really isnt landing like that anymore so I need to be better about letting her land on her own and figure it out. 

Can you say micro manage too much on my part?!

At least the above video we get our leads consistently and manage to complete the exercise fairly well until the very last gappy one...but hey Ill take it! I realized i dont like these so much because Tillie really badly wants to get flat and throw herself at them, just like the last jump in this video above...I realize by doing more of these, that elusive perfect half halt will come more nicely.

Then Dom added the jumps to the mix with the same concept, just stay out of the tack. Tillie was all fine and dandy, but make sure you wait alllll the way to the end. Sure enough its right after Dom convinces me to be nice and be softer to let her land and figure things out...she pulls her old sass I havent seen in a really long time:

It doesnt freak me out nearly as much as it used to, even if it looks like I get unseated, it doesnt feel that way anymore. In all honesty, she was just really excited and feeling good it felt like.

Dom agreed, if you listen he calls her a monkey! LOL. After filming he said it was a much nicer jump on my part but it was a bit of a longer distance then he wanted hence the excitement and at home we want to get a bit closer while in competition that is acceptable for sure.

So here we get a bit better. But I still am being really hard on myself and see I just dont keep my darn butt up in the air. My lower leg is solid, it isnt sliding, but I still really want to snap back with my upper body and sit my butt in the saddle. At least we start to find a rhythm, but Tillie was a lot sassier today about the change of pace...plus her massage on Sunday I think has her feeling realllllly nicely.

Below, she finally fell into a rhythm over the line but the Oxer we just didnt see the right distance so we started to drift and got a pretty long spot which resulted in pulling a rail and Tillie really getting mad about it:

Unfortunately my videographers had a bit of an issue, so werent able to capture our last but really awesome jump over it...go figure! But they did manage to get the line in one more time, which rode more forward and in a clean 5 rather than a short, added 6:

All in all, it was a tough lesson...and one I am determined to keep working on at home. I am being really tough on myself, but know I have a ton of work to do. I can see my tension in my lower leg on landing and incredibly frustrated with just keeping my silly butt out of the saddle!!! I know it takes time to change an old habit, I just dont like being the student that requires repeating the same thing more than once is all. 

I am glad to know though Tillie isnt hurting after the step up! I am set on doing more conditioning though, but please to know she isnt unhappy or backing off her job. I am starting to consider taking more lessons on other horses so I can keep practicing without over working her. 

Dom Schramm lesson prepping for Training Level

So as most of you know, we have our sights set to move up to Training level this year. The plan is to test the waters this weekend and Fair Hill's derby which is basically set up like a stadium and XC portion of an event, but not timed. So I am going in with the schooling mentality: We will jump all the training fences if they feel good...if not we will reroute and do novice.

standing perfectly in cross ties before our lesson

I was determined to get a jump lesson in with Dom Schramm this week to talk over my plans for this event as well as whats coming down the pike...and to jump actual training level sized fences. So I sucked it up and paid for a private lesson with my barn mate on vacation. It really isnt unreasonably priced and totally worth it!

Resting up before lesson time

Tillie was a bit spry starting out in warm up, which came as no surprise with her having the day before off to rest. Dom coached me through how to get her off my hand and had us try some shoulder fore and softening which worked really nicely. He suggested trying more of this so we get more and more strides in a row where she self carries and gets the nicer uphill gait. He also had us work on bending off our leg before using reins and doing it inside, straight and counter bent without changing the rhythm in the trot. It was a bit tricky at first because I still want to ride her like a green bean over exaggerate, but Dom talked me through being more subtle about it.

Hello gorgeous new thinline pad

We warmed up over a small vertical addressing my concerns about Tillie being harder at shows to get the left lead. Turns out I drop my left shoulder and dont ride her straight enough (just like Dan told me in a lesson a few months ago when working on flying changes over ground poles). The smaller jump, Tillie really pulled me to and got strong so Dom addressed the half halt and had us working on the turns to back her off, getting her straight to get the lead and me being softer in my elbows. You can see in the video below a bit of these issues warming up:

After talking about getting her straighter and opening my rein more without leaning...He put them up a bit despite the lead not really coming (he told me not to stress and stay consistent) and VOILA the lead came:

Couple things: I really need to work on my left leg sinking into my heel way more, releasing more..but holy cow can my mare jump!! It felt good :)

We jump at home in the snaffle so its tough at first to get her lighter, but by the time we did this exercise with the higher fence height, she settled into a nice rhythm. Dom complemented my riding and said he saw improvement on my rid-ability and decision making which was really nice to hear.

Tillie digging in and gettin it! 

While Tillie and I caught our breath and Dom was setting the course, he chatted with us about our goals, this weekend etc. He thought my plan was solid and even suggested we try to qualify for the AEC's which means more recognized shows. I dont think that will happen this year with us only doing two unless we manage to kick butt and get 1st at Loch Moy, but I told him I would be really interested in it next year as a goal.

see left heel isnt down, but look at my horses tight hind end!!

He set the jumps to a training course and sent us through...it needed some refining, mostly timing of the half halt and more releasing on my part, but Dom said he liked what he saw and raised the fences again:

The first fence took me a bit off guard, but I felt like I recovered ok...and Dom was super please with how well she was jumping and told us to call it a day on that. She didnt touch a single rail and Dom said he could have raised them another 3" with how well and high she was jumping. He gushed a bit (Ill take that any day!!) about how she was a better than average jumper and said we would have a blast at training level this weekend.

We also will be trying to meet up at our fair hill event july 2nd so we can refine more things at Novice.

It felt really good to have this lesson and it was exactly what I needed before Saturday. Dom loved that we jumped in the snaffle and said to keep doing that at home and was on board with still using the pelham since its been working so well. We talked about possible trying the bit converter again and ditching the curb rein since XC at training level we will have a bank drop combo which means needing to slip the reins and re-adjust quickly.

A little better with my form and heel here

All in all its really exciting. And I really am excited to have a trainer who is excited about my horse. Jumping her at 3ft felt comfortable despite my worries it would be hairy or weird...but she just takes it in stride. I LOVE how game she is.

REALLY big oxer = NBD for Tillie

Finally, I am thrilled with the thinline pad and its just perfect timing now the jumps are getting bigger. I may need to add some shims to the front like my other pad, but the material of the thinline being kinder for Tillie's back makes it a huge win in my book.

So HAPPY FRIDAY everyone! Wish us luck tomorrow :)

A little distance and the right distance

It has been far too long since I have been able to make it out to a jump lesson with P. I finally caved and we got one on the books for last night which typically we dont do weeknights. A little distance isnt a bad thing...because it was nice to catch up with P and talk about what she has seen improved, what she see still needs work and actually get to work!

Sleepy Tillie and Wick

It has been such a long time I found myself getting anxious in anticipation to see P and wondering if Tillie would even remember being at this farm. Tillie was fine, and has become such a pro at new places (minus the whole dressage part). She hacked out to the ring with her head so low and relaxed I thought she might face plant.

She warmed up wonderfully, which after the previous day's ride was a pleasant surprise. What is so nice about lessons with P is the small stuff I usually work on for dressage I can sort of let melt away and test its staying power here...also for both Tillie and I to let loose and NOT have to stress about the small stuff every single ride.

Gettin it! Tillie didnt even bat an eye at the corner

We warmed up over an outside line and Tillie hit the striding dead on. P sent us around to warm up over the skinnies...Tillie just jumped over them like no biggie guys - which is awesome considering skinnies tend to be the rare time where she questions.

Video of the skinnies:

Next P has us jump a three jump line which rode in 3 strides each...the middle jump was at an angle though so we had to jump it almost slicing it. I knew Tillie wouldnt be bothered by this at all and just sit up and maintain an even 3.

The second part we got a bit short, but P admitted her set up was off but liked how Tillie adapted despite that. She adjusted it and said we would get to do it again when we did the entire course.

Then P pulled out the corner which I felt fine with, but knew I would have to come in really tall and confident since it was skinny. To my surprise Tillie ate it right up:

P put the jumps up a bit higher and sent us through a course. I realize in hindsight that I need to start getting better about riding distances when height changes...I am bad about this in the moment. BUT what was cool about my fails, Tillie really stepped up to the plate and showed me how much shes grown up. While there were some looooong distances which got Tillie a bit flat, what I really likesd was how well she recovered and excited that now we can start getting better at finding the right distance.

All in all it felt really good. P seemed to be pleased and really didnt have much feedback other than the obvious ride more to the base but felt that I did a good job when she didnt recovering and fixing it for the next one and reassured me it would come with more miles for both of us. She agreed based on what we talked about the Training level was within our sights and we chatted about the possibility of trying it out at the recognized event this farm hosts since we know it and can school it before they close off the course.

P actually said she felt height wasnt the issue for us, but rather the questions out XC since she hasnt seen us go XC yet. Can we do coffins? Banks into water etc... But promised we would try sometime soon to try to get out there and start testing the waters.

So we shall see! Where ever we are thats feelin this good is where we will be.

all good things must come to an end

That title sounds like something really bad happened...dont worry it wasnt THAT bad. I have been incredibly fortunate that Tillie and I have been really cookin and on a good streak for quite a while. This is by far the longest consecutive number of GOOD rides I have ever had with her so for that I am grateful.

Arrived at Windurra! 

This lead in makes it sound like yesterdays ride was really bad...lol no it really wasnt! But comparing to our really really GOOD rides lately, it just didnt feel good. Ill elaborate more in a minute.

First off though, Windurra is really as beautiful and awesome as people say. It wasnt too bad of a drive, and pulling in I was excited to see many inviting jumps for all levels (not just giant upper level stuff). This makes sense since young horses have to start somewhere too right?

Alllll the jumps

I mentally noted this is definitely a place I want to come school more often because it has EVERYTHING including coffins and other combinations that will eliminate the guessing game of it Tillie is ok with things like that before we come across them in a show. Dom met us there and told us to meet him in the jump ring first to start. I will preface to say, we ran out of time to actually XC school which was disappointing, but we really worked on some coursework that was beneficial and needed.

Dom had told me last week to bring my pelham...but I did manage to ride her in the snaffle which I think was partially why things didnt feel as good.

kind of an odd shot, but you can see a bit more of the ring!

Tillie was fine hacking to the ring shockingly, but in the picture above you can see the entrance way to the ring is flanked by two sheds. Tillie did NOT like this one bit and spooked backwards a bit. Luckily my barn mate was there with her horse and he led us in. Tillie wasnt so sure about that area even warming up but did eventually get over it to some degree.

She was a bit jazzed and coiled and Dom commented that despite this, he could see why we do so well on the flat because she has really nice movement even when tense. So while thats nice to hear, It really isnt a pleasant feeling when she gets like this. While I know her well enough now that she isnt going to full blow up or be stupid, she just doesnt relax and braces and it just isnt comfortable for me riding, but also I do have to work harder lol. Nothing wrong with that, it just isnt pleasant. Dom said when he has a horse like that he does so many transitions...and within the gait transitions to help soften them. It helped slightly...but we didnt have a ton of time so we didnt really scratch the surface on that.

Totally loving my trailer!!!

Dom had us start by warming up over some cavaletti sprinkled throughout the ring and work on getting deep to them. He sent us through the curved bounce exercise similar to one of our recent lessons with him which he loved for Tillie to get her to back off.

Here is a video of after warm up, putting that exercise to use:

Couple things...you can see i get pitched forward on the oxer so finishing with the two stride was a bit hairy. Not to mention that 2 stride was LONG and set for higher heights and competition striding lol but we got it done. Dom complemented me and said he noticed I was doing much better staying tall and waiting for the fences, but the pitching forward is my not staying in my two point long enough and sitting up too soon. Which when she gets strong is a bad habit I do because I get defensive.

Dom was really positive despite me not feeling 100% and said he could see improvement in us, and this was GREAT practice because it sort of emulated what I have when being at a show. Granted the last few Tillie hasnt been like this (i think largely because if the pelham)...but regardless I need to learn to work through it especially with my goals of moving up. He said the bigger jumps will only get her more jazzed up so homework is to take her places often like this to get her to relax like she has been lately.

I never asked Dom to switch to the pelham and he never offered it, which on one hand is good because she was still rideable in the snaffle, it was just really hard and she can lean on it, which youll see in the later videos shes low and flat again because I cant get her off it.

Here is our first attempt at the course before he put them up:

Once again, lots to like and lots to go hmmm lol. How about the flying lead change around the jumps?! Then she had a very enthusiastic change after the 5-6 stride line.

She was really tough to get that left lead especially over that first vertical. I would have liked to work on that more, but Dom I think knew it was just her not getting off her right shoulder which wasnt going to change in that snaffle.

What I LIKED about this round was I put in a nice 6 in that outside line...I could have gone for the 5 which we did get when the jumps went up, but it was nice I still had adjustability in the snaffle. The final line was tough because I struggled getting her right to the first fence which Dom said think of riding it more like an oxer so you land long so that your horse doesnt have to reach sooo much for the next jump.

He had us come around and try again:

Not a whole lot better, but when they went up in height it did and we whoad right after it on the straightaway which Dom LOVED and suggested when we jump even when she isnt strong throw that in every 5-10 jumps so she starts anticipating that.

Tillie was huffing and puffing after our last round so Dom called it and said to come back the folling week just to xc school :) So hopefully we can then.

We did take a hack around afterwards, I did go down a bank at the walk because you all know my fears of those lol and we walked through the water.

I realize yesterdays ride and the bracing and just overall her being strong is a bit of a chicken or the egg syndrome. I know I can cause a lot of it when I start trying to hold her or micromanage she gets claustrophobic and it exacerbates her behavior. So im not sure really WHY I still do it...lol.

At last my mare is totally game and saves my butt

Im hoping it was a bit of that yesterday and I need to chill the fuck out and go back to less is more...find that balance of the accurate ride without being too much in Tillie's way. I do also think without that pelham I cant always get her to lay off the bit. She KNOWS the difference and its evident.

I talked to Dom a bit afterwards and he said not to fret, its a huge open ring and with a horse like her, quite normal. We talked about our upcoming novice events and he thought it sounded really solid and agreed that IF she was quiet and just as awesome at those as she was for our first one then he would talk  to us about a move up (ehhhhh idk!?)...but as we all know horses training isnt linear and yesterdays ride is a prime example of what I dont want to happen if we move up before we are ready.

He reassured me that if that lesson was as strong as shes been in a while its promising and he is confident to give us that push if we can get that just a hair more refined, But he also said he agreed and didnt want us to move up if she would possibly get really excited about the bigger fences. I wholeheartedly agreed and stressed to him I dont want that to happen and go back to fighting her...things have been feeling soooo good.

He laughed at me and promised we will keep it that way and we have a solid plan ahead with options and thats a great place to be. While I didnt feel great about that ride, it did feel good to have an instructor talking to me about it and instill confidence in the work we are doing.

So fingers crossed for this weekend!!! And heres to hoping that this was just the kick in the butt ride we needed and NOT something starting to develop lol. Lets hang on to that good streak eh!?

Monday morning lesson - feeling hopeful

A bit last minute, Dan invited me to join in on a lesson early this morning before work. So I got myself up at 6am so I could be ready to ride by 7am. 

Initially I wasnt too keen on rising before 7am outside of a show morning, but I am really glad I did because it gave me a nice kick start to my day. There is something just so relaxing about it and it sets you up for the rest of the day so nicely. 

Ready to work! 

I havent had a lesson with Dan since before our first show of the season at Olde Hope back in April. With him being a bit farther its been harder coordinating, but I sort of like the bit of time in between so I have time to process and practice. His lessons are always more technical and thinking lessons. They really do challenge us and get us pushing past our safe zone which is exactly what we need with me aspiring to move up the levels. 

The above says it all, and this mornings lesson really made me reflect on this in a way to appreciate the grit and crappy rides we went through and, Im sure, will still experience in the future. 

I see some fellow barn mates struggling with confidence or having those harder rides right now and really struggle with what to say because I know when I experienced my own low period, not a whole lot said made me feel better. All I know is, they really suck...but somewhere in there is a silver lining. I just want to hug them all and reassure them it will get better. 

Today's lesson wasnt the best feeling lesson...it was really hard and majority of the time we didnt achieve the entire exercise cleanly, BUT I did feel growth and did have a few light bulb moments. 

Tillie ready for breakfast after a hard lesson

Just like the flower image saying we need to go through dirt before it gets pretty...yea well thats what this lesson was all about. 

It was nice starting out...Dan was riding, but said he would shout out things as he saw them and for the first time, he was pretty satisfied with what he saw.  He said he liked what he saw and that Tillie was connected and pushing from behind which was good, but now he wanted to see how true it was and if she could be ridden deeper, lower etc without losing the connection since Training level will ask for a stretchy trot. 

I sorta sighed in my head like oh crap....but then mentally blocked it knowing we have been working on this and sorta bucked up and confidentially started allowing the stretch to happen.

This is from Schooling on saturday but a still of me trying to find the adjustable frame

I didnt quite hear what Dan said after this, but Emma was there and said "He said your horse looks good!" Coming from Dan thats super nice to hear!!! 

Next he set up ground poles for a figure 8, lead change exercise where we would ask for the flying change over the poles. I immediately thought "oh crap" again and rather embarrassed asked him how I would go about doing that. Fun fact: I have only ever ridden horses that had auto changes, so knowing how to ask, the timing, let alone training the lead change is really foreign to me. 

He was really patient and he himself rode through the exercise talking me through it. When it was my turn, it was of course not as flawless as his...and the first few times was a bit like trying to walk for the first time...but it slowly started to get smoother and a little less rough around the edges. 

He made me drop my stirrups (**GASP!!!**) to make sure I wasnt leaning or twisting to ask for the lead, but doing it correctly off my leg. I thought I was going to die....lol but we survived! 

Sweaty mare!

I discovered Tillie is much easier left lead changing to right lead, which is no surprise there, since that tends to be her easier side anyway. Dan scolded me a bit on being more accurate to my poles and said that riding a rhythm is great and all and very important with jumping, you also need to see the striding and adapt. Dan put them up to jumps and I happily put my feet back in my stirrups and we moved on with the same exercise but now with jumps.

Tillie was pretty good, but on the landings with longer straightaways wanted to get a bit low and basically tell me she didnt want me messing with her. Dan was encouraging though and kept reminding me to get her sitting down in the canter, really work to get it sharp and in front of my leg with more collection. 

He preferred us to get a deeper distance and really kept getting after me when going right lead changing to left lead to keep Tillie more straight. She has a tendency this way to drift left and drop her left shoulder so Dan was persistent to not turn too sharp on landing and that going straight would get the clean change. 

Ears up Tillie! No one likes a mare glare

Sure enough after staying on her enough, we eventually were getting them. Not every time, but there wasnt a lack of trying!

By the end of the lesson I was huffing and puffing clearly needing to work on my own fitness, but Dan seemed pretty happy with what we offered. It was even more exciting for him to wrap up with what this exercise was all about saying with my goals of moving up, taking more responsibility in my riding rather than letting Tillie pick every spot will get us to Training and Prelim. Dan said at those levels you need to choose your spot depending on the question, you cant jump a table like you would a combination...etc

He sounded pretty positive Training level was a definite for us this year (he offered that...I honestly wasnt asking about it at all) and even said he thinks Prelim is definitely in our reach next season. Both sound really exciting and terrifying all at the same time, but I am committed to only doing whatever level we feel confident at. But it is kind of cool to think Dan thinks we are capable!  

I am happy and hopeful...and trying to challenge us enough to grow without hurting either of our confidence. 

Jumping all the things

We finally made it out to see P for a jump lesson last saturday...I have been eager to see her and thank her for all our past lessons that have set us up so well lately. Thanks to her, I am able to confidently jump Tillie...not an easy thing to feel just a few short months ago. 

So game!

I don't have much to say about this lesson since it was a fairly large group of riders, so actual ride time was brief. BUT because Tillie did so well, short and sweet sometimes is just the way to be :)

There are some small things watching the video I know we will need to iron out (like the lead change thing) but all in all I am super excited and pleased with how well we are managing to stay in tune to each other. P had set some fun "different" jumps. 1 being a triple bar oxer which none of the horses even blinked at - but holy cow did all of them jump it so well!

The other was a line of two skinnies...which Tillie tends to tense up when she sees. I was really impressed with her this lesson because she did tense a bit questioning whether or not she knew how to jump over something so narrow, but with a small squeeze she picked herself up and went on through. 

Here is the footage:

I still notice I am getting ahead with my upper body which makes for the not so great jump on Tillie's part, so my homework is to wait on my shoulders and hold my release longer on landings. (AND get the damn lead). 

All in all I am feeling confident and hope that going to Rolex wont mean a set back from lack of time in the saddle. 

Embracing the Challenge

After the Dom Schramm clinic two weekends ago, I was quite excited with how  well Tillie developed over the two days we participated. There were many light bulb moments and it certainly helped that Dom expressed how cool he thought Tillie was.

It got me thinking about trying him out for lessons outside of a clinic with him being a reasonable distance to us. Turns out he is close enough that he is willing to come to us!

Waiting for Dom!

So that he did yesterday and I found myself a little nervous. I haven't taken a lesson at home in a while, and in the past those home lessons were usually not so great. Not sure what it is about home... whether its because Tillie can see her friends, the footing or whatever, she just doesnt give me the same ride as off the farm. Almost like she thinks she knows better at home where as off farm, she relies on me a bit more. She gets a bit, what I call, squirley and sucks back then leans, goes too slow then jigs...just in general is just not as soft and willing. She anticipates and I can really only choose certain battles...

Dom was super pleasant and began setting up some jumps clearly knowing what he wanted to do. Something about his complete knowing and having a plan soothed my anxiety a bit. Warming Tillie up, she instantly felt softer both ways than in my dressage lesson the day before. We told Dom our plans for competing this Sunday and he asked if Tillie and I were doing the training division!? EEKS!!! lol I laughed and said no that we are starting out BN but training definitely a goal Id like to get to with her one day. He finished setting up and sent us out to warm up again.

Tillie figuring out where her legs go and sitting down to jump!

When we were trotting around warming up, he said right away to develop a nice energy level in the trot...for jump warm up you do want softness, but it isn't the same as a dressage warm up. Right away he picked up on my left hand dropping down issue and another light bulb moment...rather than tell me to lift that hand he said "your left leg just isn't doing much is it? So your left hand is trying to compensate." Don't know why that never occured to me but he laughed and after a few laps of actually using my darn left leg he said it was remarkably better.

Our canter transitions still arent 100% there, but they were better and less all over the place until Dom asked us to do one on cue. (of course right). At this point is when she started getting a bit lit up but Dom was understanding and really didnt force the issue, just said no worries take a walk and lets use the warm up exercise to develop the ride we want.

He said to let the warm up exercise help develop the canter and jump we wanted so we didnt spend too much time for warm up.

Warm up:

The first exercise was set as three small one stride jumps on a curve. The idea is to test the horse's balance and if they are their jump should show improvement over each jump so the final jump should build to a nice round  jump. It also is meant to test and develop your eye on distances since the approach should be a bit deeper take off from a smaller canter.

Easier said than done!

The first two attempts we got a bit long coming in so Tillie jumped flat. But once we found the sweet spot she did a nice job through and Dom just sent us through a few more times to confirm it. We changed leads and came in from the right and had a bit of a struggle bus moment again where Tillie drifted left a bit. Dom just reassured us, sent us through again but had us open the inside rein earlier on the approach which helped.



Serpentine Exercise

Next Dom had two verticals set up roughly 40 - 44ft apart...this is what he said he guestimated it at. With a 20 meter circle being 66 ft that it was set to ride on a 20-25 meter circle. He said that measuring it always helps, BUT you want to look at it and see if you can ride it in 4 strides in the arc primarily and then adding 5 and 6 strides would come as long as you could ride the 4.

He had me go first...yay us! He had us set out to try it thinking of changing our leads and get it in 6 strides first. We struggled at first getting the right striding and the left to right lead...but as we kept doing it we started hitting a decent rhythm. He told us not to slice the approach too terribly much and to use the curve for the right stride not the angle of the fence. That proved to be a bit challenging...

Then we tried it in 5 strides then 4. While we started getting some nicer even strides the precision of getting the number of strides we wanted wasnt always there. It definitely is my piloting error and in the nicest most encouraging way possible, Dom said I just need to be better at this and the better I get Tillie gets better. It is evident throughout the exercise that when I ride it right so does she. It also became evident that riding her on the more forward stride, there was more adjust-ability there...GO FIGURE!

What was really challenging but cool about this exercise :

1. is it helped develop our eye for the distance through the turn much farther out (rather than trying to adjust the last 2-3 strides before) and get the canter for the correct ride in the turn. 
• This will help me with Tillie's rideability according to Dom because she does get so lit up and strong that it will allow me to ride her through the turn and be softer once we lock on to a jump
2. Adaptability to be able to know in the future which striding or path is the one to take depending on the first jump. This technique will help with stadium courses and stringing together fences. 
3. Getting the lead mid jump and being more aware of that. 

So yea lots to think about, but it is a great exercise to show some holes that need to be ironed out. 

Putting it all together

Finally Dom put some fences up and had us ride a mini course to see if our horses learned anything and the goal being- did they (as well as us riders) develop accuracy and a nice form over a fence?

I would have loved to try the entire thing again, but Dom had us ride the oxer a few times more for me to work on the landing side keeping my hands forward to allow Tillie to finish the jump. He said she is so powerful with her hind end over them and kicks it up so high and her tendency to land strong has gotten me in the habit of sitting up quickly...which he said is the right thing to do, but do that while keeping my hands forward enough for her to stretch.

Again - duh! P has been trying to convey this very message to me for months now...more release more release and just a simple rephrasing was like Oh...well....Yea! 

Conclusion

I LOVED the lesson...while it didnt FEEL awesome, it was definitely a lesson with exercises meant to challenge and open up holes to fill. Dom still said how cool Tillie is and offered to keep coming down despite not having a full group that he would be happy to help us through the season. He also invited me and Brita (my lesson partner) up to XC school at Boyd's place anytime and to text him to set it up... UMMM YEA!!!!

He was reasonably priced and actually pretty affordable...so I am definitely thinking to keep trying this!

Here is the compilation of the lesson...sorry for the odd clips, next time Ill tell the kiddies to just keep filming since I like hearing his feedback and commentary too.

Bipolar east coast weather = Cold and wet jump lessons

This past weekend was hopefully mother nature's last hurrah for winter...sick cruel joke if you ask me to have sleet/snow/rain for the first day of spring. Eventers are known for sticking it out through all weather, so we all loaded up, layered up and headed to our weekly saturday jump lesson with P.

Very wet and very cold lesson

I am not going to hide it, I was a bit of a baby after we stopped moving after warm up and in between our turn trying each exercise. But in my defense, my layers were not staying waterproof and ultimately soaked through which had me shivering and teeth chattering after a few minutes of sitting still. Tillie really didnt see to care and would have much preferred to nap instead.

#marefaces

Before our lesson, we saw the fitter to try a few different saddles to see what would work. Tillie was a star and stood patiently through the entire appointment even when it came to hopping on and off her a few times to try her moving in each one as well.

Yawning / Tired Tillie

We were hopeful as we drove to the lesson that the weather would hold off since it seemed to lighten a bit. But once we arrived it was pretty steadily coming down so we headed to the indoor to warm up. P came in and announced it wasnt doing anything that hard anymore so we should go to the outdoor ring (which is preferable with less dust and more space).

  The lesson seemed straightforward, but it could have been my brain was so distracted from being wet and cold I just glazed over.

Or froze over...

I had a bit of a realization in this lesson. I really do a poor job as a rider with the approach to the first fence on course and lines the first time through...I can trot into fences all day long, but as soon as you ask me to come in cantering I just cant sit up and wait for that first fence. Exhibit A:

Before going into this, I had asked P if I could just try trotting the skinny fence since skinnies tend to be the fences Tillie sucks back and questions by fishtailing a bit. P told me quite boldly no lol and to own it and we would be fine. Clearly from the video, Tillie could have cared less.

P sent us around to try it again to clean up the first fence by using more of our turn on the approach which seemed to work well. I also rode a but more forward to the coop...which we didnt remove a stride or anything, it was more mental for me to ride her without needing to do much and let her figure it out:

So P had us string together the entire course together:

So we had a bit of a blip on the outside line...and I clearly dont know how to freakin wait with my shoulders, but Tillie was a solid citizen and saved my butt. I can see a few of the jumps where I micromanage she isnt jumping as well, but Im trying not to worry so much about her form and realize, shes getting over these without issue and isnt over faced so I need to stop.

P had us try the outside line on more time to get the striding right and man, when the forward stride works it feels so great...and it makes me realize I need to get more comfortable riding out of this forward stride now that Tillie is allowing me to half halt her without losing her mind:

I didnt really think all that much of good or bad outcome from the lesson...probably from being so could. But either way, its def one to check off for testing riding in crappy and less than ideal weather right?!

The still over the second fence of the open 3 stride line. LOVE Tillies form here :)