Improvement, But Sheesh!

8/28/2013

I showed this video to JL at Monday's lesson. While she agreed that I don't ride like this at home, she was quick to point out the many, and I use that term loosely, good points. The thing she most liked was that I rode him much better than a year ago when he was this high and wild at home. So while it's still an ugly video, it's a lot less ugly than what it all looked like this time last year.

So here's the video for Training Level Test 1. It is better than the first ride, of that there is no doubt. I tried to lower my hands for this test, but I can see that I have reverted back to a very old habit; I didn't allow my elbows to bend at all, and I locked my wrists. Sheesh.

I will say, it is much easier to relax your joints when you're not riding a jack hammer. I am not saying that Sydney is to blame for my poor riding, but he sure didn't make my job easier. The good thing is that ugly as it is, the ride doesn't look as bad as it felt. I still hate to show it to you though.

Our score for Training Level Test 1 was 56.875%. I can't wait to see what we'll be able to score when we both relax a little.

Judy

8/28/2013 12:13:05 am

Loved the video! It certainly shows Sydneys potential.

Amanda

8/28/2013 12:41:53 am

Sooooooo much better than the one you posted yesterday! Sydney looks like one tough customer, but when he's on he's gorgeous. He clearly prefers your hands down and you did a great job making that correction from the first test to the second.

I am sure he's up to date on everything but he does the same thing with his head that Topper does when he needs his teeth done. Topper is a princess so yearly dentals don't cut it for him as the slightest ridge or point is pretty much the end of the world ;-)

Austen link

8/28/2013 01:12:12 am

Aw! Sydney is a happy mouthed lip flipper! I love those! You can certainly see his potential here. Those expressive steps must be hard to ride along with. I also love how he's listening to you, even when he's throwing a fit. Check out his ears during your second canter transition. "What's that, Mom?!" He seems to be saying. The confidence isn't quite there, but the attention is.

I would say again to not take your legs off the hot horse, even though that seems counter intuitive. If you think about it, he starts getting fast, so you pull. But without your legs on, he stops. He's not quite sure what transitions within gaits are, so [stop] and [go] are the only things he really has to operate with. Sometimes those final-seeming commands can really stress out the thoroughbred brain when used together. (She said GO! But then immediately said STOP! I don't understand!) That's a hard concept to teach, but keeping your legs on will help them move into your reinspace and figure out how to carry themselves in a package (No matter how much head flipping and silliness it takes, they WILL get it. I promise. They just don't know where to put themselves yet. Think of all that head flipping and wiggling and faster/slower stuff as a "conversation" between your horse and yourself. He's trying new things, and trying to see if that's what you want. That thought keeps me from getting too frustrated with my own testy creature.)

I think you'll find that Sydney will want you to be a more advanced rider and trainer than Speedy. You might think about trying more advanced training methods to try to get through to him. Work on controlling the shoulder has helped me a lot, think voltes (focusing on the outside rein guiding the shoulder in, inside leg bending the horse and pushing him into the outside rein, and seat sitting heavy on the outside and inside hip really guiding the inside hind forward.) and transitions both within the gaits and into different ones. Keep him thinking about you, and focused on you. I think you might find that the extra attention that demands from both of you will help you work together more.

Just some ideas!

Kelly link

8/28/2013 02:15:18 am

I think this test looks much better than the Intro C - Sydney looks like he is really trying to do what is asked of him. Going around the perimeter - before you go in to begin the test - he looks very nice!

He certainly does not look like and easy ride but you are making so many strides forward with him!

mia link

8/28/2013 02:34:57 am

Holy crap, Karen. You did a fantastic job with with him! it looked like he was going to bolt several times, and you kept your cool and had him back in line in seconds. You severely don't give yourself enough credit.

As an outsider not invested in Sydneys antics, he made me laugh a few times with his lip flipping and "Ah, that'scarey! Just kidding." responses he gave you during that test. What a character! He's such a TB. Ha. :)

Karley link

8/28/2013 03:56:19 am

Looking great girl!

Val

8/28/2013 05:53:27 am

Very noticeable improvement from test 1. Just imagine what you will be able to do by the next show!

Calm, Forward, Straight link

8/28/2013 08:29:20 am

There were several nice saves in there. He really was trying - you two will get there. :D

Lauren link

8/28/2013 08:44:32 am

He's going to be super nice when he relaxes a bit. You did a great job with the horse you had that day.

Karen

8/29/2013 09:16:12 am

Once again, and again, and again ... thank you for the advice, encouragement, and support.

It's frustrating to have you all think I am such a poor rider. I am really not that bad, but it is hard to ride your best when you are tense, your horse is tense, and a judge is watching. We're working on improving my feel, developing Sydney's confidence in me, and improving his obedience. Hopefully, when show season stars up again in the late winter, we'll be breaking 60%.

Sarah link

8/30/2013 02:36:49 am

Alas, all riders share the frustration of realizing we ride worse when we need to ride our best (ie, when the horse needs more hand-holding), and we ride our best when the horse just does what he's supposed to! Those trail rides really really really paid off, I think. Smart thinking and great riding - not many people can make that amount of improvement from one test to the next! Great job and he sure is a handsome boy =)

8/31/2013 12:39:09 am

Thanks, Sarah. :0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage