Okay, so I've been MIA for a while. First, I wanted to give Ransom a break. Then, I went to the concert. Then, it POURED rain at my house, puddling almost the entire property.
So, with things finally dried out enough to get to the trailer door, I grabbed a brush, and Romeo's link bit, and walked to the pasture.
Brushed off the dirt, well, where my bottom would go. Took of his cribbing collar, put the bit on, and hopped on with great apologies. See, I'd had a stressful day at work, and I felt kinda bad even asking him to do anything. The day was bad enough that I worked late, got home about a half hour before dark began. That left no time for a saddle, and no time for a proper grooming. I just needed my hiney-time.
We walked around the house just a minute or three, to see what kind of goober mood he'd be in. Acting like he'd been doing this for years without a day off, Romeo rumbled straight down the road, head down, ears alert in every which direction. He went up the trail on the sharp corner of the road, the one where I always worry we'll run into a deer, dog, or 4-wheeler. When we got to the straightaway again, I leaned, squeezed, and prayed.
We trotted for a little bit, along the side of the road, until a neighbor's car approached. They slowed to a crawl, so I did them the courtesy of coming to walk. Walked past them, then quickly picked up trot again. When I ran out of "side of the road" to be on, and the gravelly dirt road was our only choice, we went back to walk as we approached the mailbox.
Suddenly, something got Romeo's attention. What's that! Oh My Goodness! It's a big purple & blue MONSTER! A horse-eating monster! No silly man! It's just the neighbor lady exercise walking down the road! She's headed this way, so you better get used to it.
I got us to the mailbox, and she passed us. She said to me, "Well, that sure looks like a fun relaxing way to go get the mail! You're getting fresh air, too! What a good idea!" And, it hit me...
I was on my horse
Bareback
In barely enough bit to stop him if I'd needed to
On the road
Away from home
Side passing to the mailbox to grab the mail & stuff it in my coat pocket
And I was enjoying myself
What a far cry from my previously terrified rides, where it was all I could do to walk in a western saddle with a death grip on the horn, praying nothing bad would happen & send my butt catapulting to the gravel road.
Romeo and I alternated walk & trot the whole way back home. He was relaxed, and I let him go all the way to the buckle, trotting along in the dusk. It was approaching dark(er) when we got home. And I didn't care. I've accomplished another goal - walk,trot,bareback,away from home. We're well on our way, now...
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
1. We need sunshine!
2. I got my picture taken with three of the Casting Crowns crew last night, and it made me smile.
3. If you want my attention today, get in line! It's been one disaster after another at the office today.
4. I'm probably not riding Ransom this weekend because it's rained A LOT at my house today.
5. Massachusetts has a proposed 5% sales tax on elective cosmetic surgery; I think I don't care, since I don't live there.
6. A five day weekend makes for a happy holiday.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to bah humbug, watching it rain, tomorrow my plans include weed eating fenceline or working on the ceiling and Sunday, I want to enjoy choir and a combined Thanksgiving service!
2. I got my picture taken with three of the Casting Crowns crew last night, and it made me smile.
3. If you want my attention today, get in line! It's been one disaster after another at the office today.
4. I'm probably not riding Ransom this weekend because it's rained A LOT at my house today.
5. Massachusetts has a proposed 5% sales tax on elective cosmetic surgery; I think I don't care, since I don't live there.
6. A five day weekend makes for a happy holiday.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to bah humbug, watching it rain, tomorrow my plans include weed eating fenceline or working on the ceiling and Sunday, I want to enjoy choir and a combined Thanksgiving service!
11/19/09 Matt Redman, Casting Crowns
Absolutely blessed!
We arrived about 6:30pm, in the POURING RAIN. Meet & Greet was supposed to be from 6-7, but nobody was standing anywhere near the front, except for under the tents. Well, correction - there were a few rain-slicker diehard fans sitting in their chairs. R & I dove under the roof of the smaller stage.
About 7:15, they said, "Show's on, in just a few." At 7:25, or so, they got started up. Matt Redman was first. As he sang, I remembered where I knew that voice from.
I attended a Southern Baptist college convention in Eastern PA during my years at Geneva. We got to learn a lot of the new music from the first Passion conference, just a week after. Our music leaders for our event had snagged the music, and learned it all. The Sunday (last day), this fellow stood up at the morning music session, played "It's All About You", other students were clapping & hollering, all excited for whoever that guy was. He led the one song, and sat straight back down, participating in the event. It was Matt Redman! Holy wow! So his set of the show was a "walk down memory lane", back to college... when life was simple... and I could praise without any stress or worry.... wow.
Casting Crowns took the stage.... all six of 'em. What a sound! Incredible performance! Mark Hall (lead vocal) shared a lot of himself on that stage, telling us he's ADHD/dyslexic , and he usually sings to a teleprompter to help him remember his words under the stress of performing. Due to the heavy rains, however, they didn't plug the prompter in. When he admitted a little fear he'd forget his lines, I started watching his lips, listening to every word, muttering a prayer of thanks with each remembered word.
After they played, Meet&Greet was on! And, somehow, I don't know how, but somehow, R & I were near the front of the line. CD's in hand, they each introduced themselves, shook hands, took pictures, and signed my CD lyrics sheet. There's verses in there too, I hope to get to look up & enjoy seeing what they like most. A really neat moment - a bit more personal than the M&G earlier this year with ThirdDay.
An absolute incredible time of worship... And best, God held off the heavy rains for the duration of their show. It quit raining as Matt Redman was finishing up, and didn't start back up heavy again until our journey home.
I tease him for the camera that is almost always out & running during the concert, but I hope if I smile just right, R will share with us some pictures of the event.
We arrived about 6:30pm, in the POURING RAIN. Meet & Greet was supposed to be from 6-7, but nobody was standing anywhere near the front, except for under the tents. Well, correction - there were a few rain-slicker diehard fans sitting in their chairs. R & I dove under the roof of the smaller stage.
About 7:15, they said, "Show's on, in just a few." At 7:25, or so, they got started up. Matt Redman was first. As he sang, I remembered where I knew that voice from.
I attended a Southern Baptist college convention in Eastern PA during my years at Geneva. We got to learn a lot of the new music from the first Passion conference, just a week after. Our music leaders for our event had snagged the music, and learned it all. The Sunday (last day), this fellow stood up at the morning music session, played "It's All About You", other students were clapping & hollering, all excited for whoever that guy was. He led the one song, and sat straight back down, participating in the event. It was Matt Redman! Holy wow! So his set of the show was a "walk down memory lane", back to college... when life was simple... and I could praise without any stress or worry.... wow.
Casting Crowns took the stage.... all six of 'em. What a sound! Incredible performance! Mark Hall (lead vocal) shared a lot of himself on that stage, telling us he's ADHD/dyslexic , and he usually sings to a teleprompter to help him remember his words under the stress of performing. Due to the heavy rains, however, they didn't plug the prompter in. When he admitted a little fear he'd forget his lines, I started watching his lips, listening to every word, muttering a prayer of thanks with each remembered word.
After they played, Meet&Greet was on! And, somehow, I don't know how, but somehow, R & I were near the front of the line. CD's in hand, they each introduced themselves, shook hands, took pictures, and signed my CD lyrics sheet. There's verses in there too, I hope to get to look up & enjoy seeing what they like most. A really neat moment - a bit more personal than the M&G earlier this year with ThirdDay.
An absolute incredible time of worship... And best, God held off the heavy rains for the duration of their show. It quit raining as Matt Redman was finishing up, and didn't start back up heavy again until our journey home.
I tease him for the camera that is almost always out & running during the concert, but I hope if I smile just right, R will share with us some pictures of the event.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Surprises & Special Events
Okay, so I forgot. I didn't remember a concert for tonight, and when I was reminded earlier this week, I was beyond excited.
I'm going to
Concrete Street in Corpus Christi, TX.
I'm going to see
Casting Crowns
I'm sitting
In the Second Row!
I'll blog about it tomorrow, but
I'm E-x-c-i-t-e-d!!!
Blog ya'll later :)
I'm going to
Concrete Street in Corpus Christi, TX.
I'm going to see
Casting Crowns
I'm sitting
In the Second Row!
I'll blog about it tomorrow, but
I'm E-x-c-i-t-e-d!!!
Blog ya'll later :)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
I Stepped in It - Wind Farm Creates Jobs
http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2009/11/obama-stimulus-bill-saves-or-creates-thousands-of-green-manufacturing-jobs-in-china/
I don't care if they create a dozen new permanent positions, and a few hundred temporary ones in the construction. There's going to be a new windfarm in Dallas, and that's a good thing.
No I don't like our current regime in government (and lest you judge, I don't like 'em locally, either). But far be it from me to complain about any job creation.
Someone tell me why the new work is so bad, please?
I don't care if they create a dozen new permanent positions, and a few hundred temporary ones in the construction. There's going to be a new windfarm in Dallas, and that's a good thing.
No I don't like our current regime in government (and lest you judge, I don't like 'em locally, either). But far be it from me to complain about any job creation.
Someone tell me why the new work is so bad, please?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Show's On! 11/15 TL#2
We rode around at the free walk, watched other riders warming up, and two before me, Jen got us back to work, trotting figure 8s and serpentines. I had his attention, and I was just thinking, "Now's about time to canter a little", when Jen & R hollered, "Right before you scratched. It's your turn. Get in there!"
Yipes! So much for that! I'm not ready. Too late now! Let's get this show on the road.
In my courtesy circles waiting on the judge, she rang the bell quick. I told Jen, "I've got a full minute. I'm going to get his attention first." I trotted on the right diagonal, knowing that was our first turn off centerline. A few wiggles of the reins, his tucked his nose, and off we went.
1. Enter working trot, halt at X, salute, proceed working trot
Alrighty. I'm not ready. Too late to worry about it now. Hey! Judge ain't looking, AGAIN! Good grief. Ransom, halt all-the-way before I'll salute. All four hooves. Now! Okay, let's get outta dodge..
5 = halt on 3 tracks. careful not to pull rein; head twisted
2. Track right, circle 20m
I won't miss the turn this time. Looking right, Looking right. Good deal, Ransom, that was nice. Glance a grin at the judge, yup, that'll do for now. Dive on into the circle, and offs we go. Make that circle a circle. HEY! Look! A lady with a huge fancy camera. Alright, ain't no sense in being serious for that, too. Smile at the camera!
6 = needs ground covering stride
3. Change rein working trot KXM
Down the diagonal. Hi R sweetie! Neat! Let's smile at him, too. Oh heck, why be so darn serious?! I don't feel prepared, I wasn't warmed up, I know this test, Ransom knows the test. Let's just chill & enjoy the ride...
7 = fairly straight - needs more ground covering stride
4. Working canter left lead between C & H
In the corner, sit deep, squeeze. Wheee! That was solid and FUN!
6 = bit braced
5. E Circle Left 20m
Up into the circle, smiling, smiling, we're enjoying this! Lady with the camera taking more pictures, cool! Hi Jen! Hi Judge-Lady! Hi R! *heavy sigh of relief & peace* .. And just as I did, Ransom did the same, in a big slobbery sigh. I laughed flat out loud!
6 = circle to be rounder
6. Between E and K working trot
Settle into the reins, squeeze knees, tug on the reins. Gosh I need to quit having to tug so darn much. Something to work on at home, I think it's tension in my seat, I think I think.
6 = needs prep & bal
7. A medium walk
Settle in AT THE LETTER. Whee... this is darn fun. All of a sudden, I couldn't give a flip less. I am just enjoying the ride.
7 = smooth
8. FXM Long free walk down the diagonal
Spread my hands out, relax, glance & grin at the judge *cheese!*. The scribe is smiling! Awesome! I wonder if all the rides feel this good when I force myself to chill out! His head's dropping down, he's tugging a little on the reins. Oh well, at least he's stretching down & out. Get ready to pick the reins back up into the working walk. Back to Business, Ransom!
6 = shows some stretch. ask for more
9. M-C Medium Walk
Wiggle Wiggle fingers, creep up the reins. Hurry up! We're almost at "C". Eek! Yeah, that'll do for now. I'll gather more on the circle at trot, I s'pose.
6 = needs more march
10. C Working Trot
Squeeze easy, Judge lady is staring at me. I feel her judge-lady eyes peering straight through me. Wow, so this is why dressage is so pressure-driven. Guess I hadn't realized she really is staring at me. (Again, in the corner from C, was laughing at myself.)
7 = prompt
11. Circle Left 20m
Look at the big camera lady, smile at R again, Hey! Jen's even looking! Hi Jen! Smile at Miss Jen! OH Yeah... Make the circle round, Ransom. Outside leg, inside rein. Hey neat, I think he's bending his entire body around my leg. Cool!
6 = circle to be rounder
12. Change Rein working trot, down the diaganol
Diagonal, diagonal. How I wish you were straight. But no, Ransom decided this was the time to weeble-wobble. Oh well. Popped his cute little head in the transition of diagonals, too. darn it. Well, at least he's moving out. That's a for-sure, we ARE going somewhere.
6 = needs more ground covering stride
13. Between C and M working canter right lead
Last big transition, near corner, look down the long side, deep corner. Sigh, tuck the toosh, squeeze, Yeah! Lead's right, now keep him easy with tight toosh until the circle. Look around the circle...
6 = depart OK then braces
14. B circle right 20m
Canter the circle, Wheee! *thphpht* Ransom, I get it. You've got snot & slobber. Smile at the camera lady again! "Cheese!" Smile at R, video camera's still on. Wiggle the reins to keep him off my fingers, there we go. Circle's done.
6 = circle to be rounder
15. Between "B" and "F" working trot
Back to the trot, settle in the seat, tug tug TUG. Well, that transition was pretty easy. I can just guess how wore out Ransom is. I know I'm Pooped! Let's smile up centerline & call it done.
5 = comes off track
16. Down "A" centerline, halt, salute.
Okay, we're done! That was a freaking blast! I'm going to have to laugh more often in my tests. Heck, Judge Lady is kind of grinning at me. I wonder if she knows how absolutely UNserious this whole ride just was?! Good job Ransom, let's go hose off & go home!
6 = careful not to pull rein. horse loses bal; n/g straight (?)
Rider comments
Gaits = 6
Impulsion = 6
Submission = 6
Rider = 6
Attractive pair! Horse needs better relaxation in back & stretch over topline
Yipes! So much for that! I'm not ready. Too late now! Let's get this show on the road.
In my courtesy circles waiting on the judge, she rang the bell quick. I told Jen, "I've got a full minute. I'm going to get his attention first." I trotted on the right diagonal, knowing that was our first turn off centerline. A few wiggles of the reins, his tucked his nose, and off we went.
1. Enter working trot, halt at X, salute, proceed working trot
Alrighty. I'm not ready. Too late to worry about it now. Hey! Judge ain't looking, AGAIN! Good grief. Ransom, halt all-the-way before I'll salute. All four hooves. Now! Okay, let's get outta dodge..
5 = halt on 3 tracks. careful not to pull rein; head twisted
2. Track right, circle 20m
I won't miss the turn this time. Looking right, Looking right. Good deal, Ransom, that was nice. Glance a grin at the judge, yup, that'll do for now. Dive on into the circle, and offs we go. Make that circle a circle. HEY! Look! A lady with a huge fancy camera. Alright, ain't no sense in being serious for that, too. Smile at the camera!
6 = needs ground covering stride
3. Change rein working trot KXM
Down the diagonal. Hi R sweetie! Neat! Let's smile at him, too. Oh heck, why be so darn serious?! I don't feel prepared, I wasn't warmed up, I know this test, Ransom knows the test. Let's just chill & enjoy the ride...
7 = fairly straight - needs more ground covering stride
4. Working canter left lead between C & H
In the corner, sit deep, squeeze. Wheee! That was solid and FUN!
6 = bit braced
5. E Circle Left 20m
Up into the circle, smiling, smiling, we're enjoying this! Lady with the camera taking more pictures, cool! Hi Jen! Hi Judge-Lady! Hi R! *heavy sigh of relief & peace* .. And just as I did, Ransom did the same, in a big slobbery sigh. I laughed flat out loud!
6 = circle to be rounder
6. Between E and K working trot
Settle into the reins, squeeze knees, tug on the reins. Gosh I need to quit having to tug so darn much. Something to work on at home, I think it's tension in my seat, I think I think.
6 = needs prep & bal
7. A medium walk
Settle in AT THE LETTER. Whee... this is darn fun. All of a sudden, I couldn't give a flip less. I am just enjoying the ride.
7 = smooth
8. FXM Long free walk down the diagonal
Spread my hands out, relax, glance & grin at the judge *cheese!*. The scribe is smiling! Awesome! I wonder if all the rides feel this good when I force myself to chill out! His head's dropping down, he's tugging a little on the reins. Oh well, at least he's stretching down & out. Get ready to pick the reins back up into the working walk. Back to Business, Ransom!
6 = shows some stretch. ask for more
9. M-C Medium Walk
Wiggle Wiggle fingers, creep up the reins. Hurry up! We're almost at "C". Eek! Yeah, that'll do for now. I'll gather more on the circle at trot, I s'pose.
6 = needs more march
10. C Working Trot
Squeeze easy, Judge lady is staring at me. I feel her judge-lady eyes peering straight through me. Wow, so this is why dressage is so pressure-driven. Guess I hadn't realized she really is staring at me. (Again, in the corner from C, was laughing at myself.)
7 = prompt
11. Circle Left 20m
Look at the big camera lady, smile at R again, Hey! Jen's even looking! Hi Jen! Smile at Miss Jen! OH Yeah... Make the circle round, Ransom. Outside leg, inside rein. Hey neat, I think he's bending his entire body around my leg. Cool!
6 = circle to be rounder
12. Change Rein working trot, down the diaganol
Diagonal, diagonal. How I wish you were straight. But no, Ransom decided this was the time to weeble-wobble. Oh well. Popped his cute little head in the transition of diagonals, too. darn it. Well, at least he's moving out. That's a for-sure, we ARE going somewhere.
6 = needs more ground covering stride
13. Between C and M working canter right lead
Last big transition, near corner, look down the long side, deep corner. Sigh, tuck the toosh, squeeze, Yeah! Lead's right, now keep him easy with tight toosh until the circle. Look around the circle...
6 = depart OK then braces
14. B circle right 20m
Canter the circle, Wheee! *thphpht* Ransom, I get it. You've got snot & slobber. Smile at the camera lady again! "Cheese!" Smile at R, video camera's still on. Wiggle the reins to keep him off my fingers, there we go. Circle's done.
6 = circle to be rounder
15. Between "B" and "F" working trot
Back to the trot, settle in the seat, tug tug TUG. Well, that transition was pretty easy. I can just guess how wore out Ransom is. I know I'm Pooped! Let's smile up centerline & call it done.
5 = comes off track
16. Down "A" centerline, halt, salute.
Okay, we're done! That was a freaking blast! I'm going to have to laugh more often in my tests. Heck, Judge Lady is kind of grinning at me. I wonder if she knows how absolutely UNserious this whole ride just was?! Good job Ransom, let's go hose off & go home!
6 = careful not to pull rein. horse loses bal; n/g straight (?)
Rider comments
Gaits = 6
Impulsion = 6
Submission = 6
Rider = 6
Attractive pair! Horse needs better relaxation in back & stretch over topline
Show's On! 11/15 TL#1
I'll write this up in bits & pieces. I forgot my tests at home, so I'll add judge's score & comments later on. For now, at least, please savor my memories of how the tests went, written just like those from the Oct 25th show.
1. Enter working trot, halt at X, salute, proceed working trot
We're going to head left, so let's circle on the left diagonal going in. EEK. That judge ain't smiling. She's scowling. Oh boy... Just grin at her & let's DO THIS!
7 = fairly straight
2. Track left, circle 20m
Left, yeah, left, we're going left. Hey, Ransom, I guess it'd help if I LOOK LEFT! Sorry, buddy, we lost a little forward movement there, didn't we. Sorry, man.
6 = needs btr bal @ "C"; circle t/b rounder
3. Working canter left lead between K & A
Oh Don't you DARE do what you did last month. Sit DEEP, squeeze those butt muscles, and give it to me, you super horse!
6 = a bit tense
4. B Circle Left 20m
Wheee! Look for the circle, look at the letters, smile at the judge, smile at R holding the camera. Oh this is MUCH better than last month!
5 = circle t/b rounder; counterflexed
5. Between centerline and B working trot
Heavy sigh, sit deep, try to relax my rear end, oops. Can't seem to relax my legs... Wiggle the reins down to a trot ...
6 = needs prep & bal
6. C medium walk
Yes, walk AT the letter. Got it this time. I can feel those judge-beady eyes looking RIGHT at me, yup, there she is. *siiiiiiiiiggggggggh* into the walk. Good job, mister!
6 = careful not to pull rein
7. Long free walk down the diagonal
Spread hands, wiggle, wiggle, Oop. he wants to break to trot. Don't do that, Ransom! Hold on. Oh my... it's MY FAULT. I'm holding on with my butt. Okay, relax my thighs, left, right, and r-e-l-a-x my butt. There it is. Let's try to not hold on with the hiney again in the ride. No wonder he felt so darn tense.
4 = horse to stretch down & out; allow w/rein. head wagging, none seen (?)
8. "A" working trot
Half-Halt, squeeze, Nice job hon. A little more head goings than I'd like, but at least I'm relaxed now. So sorry I didn't realize it before now.
6 = a bit hurried
9. Circle Right 20m
Look at the circle, look at the direction, relax my seat, add a little leg. Whowee! He's really going somewhere today! This trot is tons better than last month!
6 = tense short steps. needs ground covering strides
10. Working canter right lead in the corner
Okay, one lead down, one to go. We're almost done, Ransom. Lean back, sit deep, squeeze, PEEK, yup. got this lead, too! Yay!
7 = obedient
11. "B" circle right 20m
Look at the circle, look where I'm going, wiggle wiggle the hands, get off the forehand, Ransom. Tug tug TUG, there, now he's carrying himself. Ooop.. Squeeze the knees he's flying around the circle. Jumper dude! =)
6 = needs better bal
12. Between centerline and "B" working trot
Settle, *heavy sigh*, squeeze the knees again, settle down, tug the reins, there... easy into the trot, sweet!
6 = needs fwd thinking
13. Down "A" centerline, halt, salute.
We're nearly done. It's almost over. Wow that was a helluva lot better than last month. Ain't perfect, we've got much to do. I've got to learn to let this first test look effortless to the judge. Oh my, she STILL ain't smiling. Settle into the halt... Salute. OH! There! She's smiling now! My goodness... is that a forced smile she just gave me?! Who knows... But it's over.
7 = overshot ctr. halt fairly straight
Rider comments
Gaits = 6
Impulsion = 6
Submission = 6
Rider = 6
Attractive pair! Horse needs better relaxation in back & ground covering stride.
As I left the arena, I could still feel my legs tight. I relaxed them, peered over at Jen, who asked me, "It was better, right? Pat him, tell him Good Boy, something?! You did great! That looked awesome!"
At that moment, it settled in my brain. Our test was amazing. Much Much better than the last show, and in fact, it felt better than the TL#2 from the last show as well. He was really moving forward, he didn't toss his head all over the place, and he also wasn't leaning on my hands as much. I got just out of the arena, got ready to hop off, and Jen said, "Nope. Let's walk him over to the big uncovered arena, out by yourself, and walk him out a bit. There's a few rides in between this one and the next. Let's keep him moving."
1. Enter working trot, halt at X, salute, proceed working trot
We're going to head left, so let's circle on the left diagonal going in. EEK. That judge ain't smiling. She's scowling. Oh boy... Just grin at her & let's DO THIS!
7 = fairly straight
2. Track left, circle 20m
Left, yeah, left, we're going left. Hey, Ransom, I guess it'd help if I LOOK LEFT! Sorry, buddy, we lost a little forward movement there, didn't we. Sorry, man.
6 = needs btr bal @ "C"; circle t/b rounder
3. Working canter left lead between K & A
Oh Don't you DARE do what you did last month. Sit DEEP, squeeze those butt muscles, and give it to me, you super horse!
6 = a bit tense
4. B Circle Left 20m
Wheee! Look for the circle, look at the letters, smile at the judge, smile at R holding the camera. Oh this is MUCH better than last month!
5 = circle t/b rounder; counterflexed
5. Between centerline and B working trot
Heavy sigh, sit deep, try to relax my rear end, oops. Can't seem to relax my legs... Wiggle the reins down to a trot ...
6 = needs prep & bal
6. C medium walk
Yes, walk AT the letter. Got it this time. I can feel those judge-beady eyes looking RIGHT at me, yup, there she is. *siiiiiiiiiggggggggh* into the walk. Good job, mister!
6 = careful not to pull rein
7. Long free walk down the diagonal
Spread hands, wiggle, wiggle, Oop. he wants to break to trot. Don't do that, Ransom! Hold on. Oh my... it's MY FAULT. I'm holding on with my butt. Okay, relax my thighs, left, right, and r-e-l-a-x my butt. There it is. Let's try to not hold on with the hiney again in the ride. No wonder he felt so darn tense.
4 = horse to stretch down & out; allow w/rein. head wagging, none seen (?)
8. "A" working trot
Half-Halt, squeeze, Nice job hon. A little more head goings than I'd like, but at least I'm relaxed now. So sorry I didn't realize it before now.
6 = a bit hurried
9. Circle Right 20m
Look at the circle, look at the direction, relax my seat, add a little leg. Whowee! He's really going somewhere today! This trot is tons better than last month!
6 = tense short steps. needs ground covering strides
10. Working canter right lead in the corner
Okay, one lead down, one to go. We're almost done, Ransom. Lean back, sit deep, squeeze, PEEK, yup. got this lead, too! Yay!
7 = obedient
11. "B" circle right 20m
Look at the circle, look where I'm going, wiggle wiggle the hands, get off the forehand, Ransom. Tug tug TUG, there, now he's carrying himself. Ooop.. Squeeze the knees he's flying around the circle. Jumper dude! =)
6 = needs better bal
12. Between centerline and "B" working trot
Settle, *heavy sigh*, squeeze the knees again, settle down, tug the reins, there... easy into the trot, sweet!
6 = needs fwd thinking
13. Down "A" centerline, halt, salute.
We're nearly done. It's almost over. Wow that was a helluva lot better than last month. Ain't perfect, we've got much to do. I've got to learn to let this first test look effortless to the judge. Oh my, she STILL ain't smiling. Settle into the halt... Salute. OH! There! She's smiling now! My goodness... is that a forced smile she just gave me?! Who knows... But it's over.
7 = overshot ctr. halt fairly straight
Rider comments
Gaits = 6
Impulsion = 6
Submission = 6
Rider = 6
Attractive pair! Horse needs better relaxation in back & ground covering stride.
As I left the arena, I could still feel my legs tight. I relaxed them, peered over at Jen, who asked me, "It was better, right? Pat him, tell him Good Boy, something?! You did great! That looked awesome!"
At that moment, it settled in my brain. Our test was amazing. Much Much better than the last show, and in fact, it felt better than the TL#2 from the last show as well. He was really moving forward, he didn't toss his head all over the place, and he also wasn't leaning on my hands as much. I got just out of the arena, got ready to hop off, and Jen said, "Nope. Let's walk him over to the big uncovered arena, out by yourself, and walk him out a bit. There's a few rides in between this one and the next. Let's keep him moving."
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