Last weekend we hosted our CKD clinic, which was fabulous. She has the best little entourage and brings her working student with her, which is really great! I got to watch her sit on some of the horses and it was fun to see a real dressage rider work some of the horses. Unfortunately for me, Courtney made me work my way through my rides (which was great except she basically kicked my ass into shape!! I was whooped and would have welcomed the break!!) It was a great learning experience for all the horse and riders and we are excited to be welcoming her back later in the summer. She has also reached out and said she could teach here during the week, which is a real treat!! Hoping to get some folks interested and start a thing!
This weekend we had the combined test at Town Hill Farm. The weather report called for some not so perfect weather, but it turned out to be a fabulous day. Journey was a bit distracted, and after his stellar performance at Cedar Crest I was expecting a bit of the same good boy attitude, and not to say that he wasn't but he was a lot less focused with more going on. He finally realized what we were doing and pulled it together for some good rounds. We definitely have some things to work on, but you have to start somewhere!!
Splash was THE BEST. She was ridable, calm, relaxed, knew her job and stepped right up to the plate. Unlike Journey, she does bunches better with more going on, she can focus when the job is making her forget about what else is going on. When it's quiet, she seems to get a bit fluttered! She jumped around, was easily adjustable, put in two clean and smooth rounds, beyond what I could ask out of a 4 year old. I'm impressed, she was a ROCKSTAR.
Steve, is Steve but that's why I love him. I won't lie, we've been schooling A BUTTLOAD of dressage. And it really does show. He's come really, really far, and we do have some things to work on, but infinitely better than last year and really not too difficult of fixes...just time, patience and PRACTICE. Over fences, it's a different story.....we haven't school a ton and it also shows. We're back to being half feral, but we can get around clean (the first time!) so I guess ultimately that's what matters in eventing. We're certainly not winning any style awards, but all in due time I guess!!!
Next weekend I'lll be coaching at another Combined Test, and the following weekend after that will be a hunter pace, that I am super excited for!! Our technical first "xc schooling" of the year :)
Now, here are some videos from today!
http://youtu.be/cdt_YqaMfus
http://youtu.be/sdAwMh6_ytU
http://youtu.be/XR61gogO56E
http://youtu.be/1jbFFJryAG4
http://youtu.be/LJDdL7crrVE