12/4/10 Harley, The Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vFQ-F89AJk

I really thought this went out yesterday. Note the random musical selection. *grin* How funny!!

I got about 45 minutes of total video, and this is probably the better of the clips. I longed him a while, to get a good video of his movement, rode a while for the camera... Then we worked on a few leg yields, which went particularly better than I figured they would.

Finally, this linked video clip was collected. Directly after this video was taken, Harley was sweaty, and warm... So I walked him over to the pond, and dismounted in the field somewhere near the pond.

Hand walked him over to it, and, with a little encouraging, he stuck all four feet proudly in the water. Splashed around with a front hoof a bit, and laughing at him, I carefully led him out, and back to the house.

Show Video!

I was going to link up my show videos.
And then I wasn't.

And, now, I am. And you know why? Because I'm willing to accept the criticism anybody has to toss my way. I've got the scores and the results to go with these rides, from rated judges. These aren't USDF rated shows, they're little schooling events. Thus the lax attire. :)

So, watch, enjoy, critique. But, I will ask this. If you've got it to say, say it here. Comment, Email, or tell one of my frequent comment folks to pass it on anonymously. Please don't link it on your blog, or your friends' blogs, or on any public viewing forums. Speak your peace right here. We've got a beautiful ribboned wall showing how great we've done this year.

Oct 9th Sienna Stables, Training Test #1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXc1VbI_1co

Oct 9th Sienna Stables, Training Test #2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvwvoh5RiUA

Oct 30th HearthStone Stables, Training Test #3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnJyMAOLHEg

10/5/10 Ransom Teaser

Here's a handful of videos of Tuesday night's ride, focused on leg yields at trot. Check it Out!
Leg yield left to rail.... facing camera


He's not great at it - but I think I see one effort in crossover there. He was NOT even easing over to the rail prior to the chiro work, so this is incredible that he's even limber enough to try.

Leg yield right to rail ... heading away


more in a while...

Sunday Lesson

I won't get to the text of the ride today, I don't think. I know that a few folks are patiently waiting out there for some jump video. I've got two snippets to share..

Let me disclaimer - I'm new to this! I'm learning! See? Helmet! Polo wrapped legs, all four. Half-chaps, suitable breeches, eyes UP! Am I perfect? No! But! Before you steal these video clips, and use them in a teasing manner.. I issue this challenge - Send me a video of YOU on a horse YOU OWN, currently riding, doing it better than me. Show me what "RIGHT" looks like.

2/28/10 Lesson with Jen, her DH watching, and my R shooting the video.
Quiet, Please! (A little HM humor)
Poles at the Canter

Trotting to, Canter from, Cross rail

10/25/09 Show's On! TL #2

Enjoy!

Don't copy this video, stick it on another blog or website, and critique. I'm learning - I'm the first to admit I've got a long way to go. But, I've come a long way as well.

10/25/09 Show's On! TL #1

I shouldn't have to say this, but I'll do it anyways. Don't copy this video, stick it on another blog or website. If you've got it to say, the comment form is available to you.

Yup, Test #1 wasn't real hot - I have evaluated, I see what the judge saw, and I know what to be practicing on. Ya'll Enjoy!

I'm in Philadelphia, Musings on my HomeTown

"Half way Home". It's going to be a stressful trip, I can already feel it. Please pray for peace... for me, and immediate family. Dad just said to me, "I really admire your strength for choosing to come home knowing what you're walking into. You're a good kid." Here's hoping that's still the case in a few days.


Plans are to stay in town and depart Tuesday. The kids are all boarded and/or cared for at home. I'm going to miss my boys terribly.


Here's that loping video of me & Romeo. Yee Haw Buck-A-Roo!


He's in the "wrong lead", but we had a blast!!! There's a bit near the end with a little trot work, and a little rollback or two. I did the trot because this was the second video clip, and I wanted to make sure he doesn't get in a habit of "walk, trot, canter" in that order and always quit after canter. I need to focus on going back to trot-work and play with some collection work after the canter. Cantering those circles loosens up his brain, and his body. He gets really focused after the canter, and always trots & backs up sweeeeet.

As I titled this, I'm in PHL airport, and I strongly dislike this airport. It's not well mapped, not well labelled, and, unless you know exactly where you're going, it's quite hard to navigate. The people are friendly, enough. That's what's great about Texas... everyone is friendly. I can smile & say "hi" to anybody in TX, and they smile & say "hi" back. No questions, no curious glares, no untrusting responses. It's a great place to live.

In this family mess, I have realized how great I do have it in Texas. Good job, great hobby (ability to afford a hobby that ain't cheap like knitting or sudoku puzzles), great friends like Cowboy Les, and generally, I feel safe everywhere I go. I can't remember a time in TX I got the "scared heebeejeebie" feeling that somebody was following me. Oh, well, there was that one time .... ah, well... the police were at least polite when they came to answer my call. I generally feel that I have more than one or two people I can "call on" if I need something. It's far from PA, and a bit warmer than I wanted to live, but I really do like it there, and plan to stay as long as there's work.

10/25/08 Tracking Steers

Well, sort of.

Took Romeo to the rodeo arena with Cowboy Les. It would just be us that day, as they weren't team roping or practicing. This was a good thing, I would later find out, as Romeo would teach me.

Les's wife MG came briefly to videotape some canter for me. I've watched both videos, and they're pretty good. I've got work to do, for sure, but I was satisfied to see my back upright & straight, and my heels underneath my hips, and not sprawled out in front of me. Video will be posted in the next few days if all goes according to plans.

MG left, video camera doo-diddies put away (including my hat that was trying to blow off my head), and Les & I penned up about 4 steers.

We went to tracking. The point in the game was to stay at the steer's hip, pushing, and head as fast as the steer, whether walk, trot, canter, or all-out gallop. The first steer was slow, and not playing the game. Romeo was biting his rear end, and we were right on top if him, but he wouldn't push out.

Second steer had the game in mind. Took off down the arena... and I said to Romeo, "Let's go get her!!" Well, he took off... but when the steer cut to the inside, Romeo didn't. He kept on running right down the arena. Steer ran to the out-gate, Les chased it back up the long side, and we took off after it again, still not fast enough. Back at the out-gate, I said to Les, "Okay, it's your turn.. I'm exhausted, and he's not getting it." Les & his friend's horse in-training Blue, took off, full speed ahead. Blue tracked a LOT better than Romeo, obviously showing his training experience.

Romeo was exhausted, and so was I. We had a blast, but if we're going to get into cow-sport, he's going to have to learn to do some of the thinking for the both of us... because I can't balance, and steer, and chase the steers running amuck...

April 6, 2008 Part Three

Fences to the Left, Rail 6 Down
Last Place

April 6, 2008

Jumping to the Right
First place

Sienna Stables, April 6, 2008

Woke up around 6:00am, after accomplishing only about 4 hours rest. Still weak, but darn determined not to pack up & go home. I ate a little breakfast, and headed for the arena.

It was peaceful & quiet there around 7:00am, which I found strange. By 8:30am, Robin arrived, found us tacked & ready for warm-ups. I finished dressing for show, and off we went.

Navigated a while at the trot around some other horses, and when the arena was all ours, sailed over a few cavaletti poles around 12" high. No big deal. Romeo was a little more energetic, and I found that he needed no push over fence #1, a rest, and new pressure over fence #2. Knowing the rails were really spread out over the arena, I figured I should continue this in the class.

Class #1 walk/trot on flat, Class #2 Warm-Up Fences, One time around to the right (two crossrails on each long side) Class #3 two times around to the right, Class #4 two times around to the left.

I'll put up the good news BEFORE the video clips.
Flat class - 3rd of 5
Warm-Up Jump - Clean... HUGE jump at 1 & 3, but rider in the center, and no rails down
Jumping Right - 1st of 4
Jumping Left - 4th of 4 (rail 6 down)

My Summary.... The flat class was judged for dressage-balanced riders (higher hands, legs in front). I rode my best.

Warm-Up, he tried to avoid #1, and #3, and I forced it for both fences. Got some huge AIR over them, but never felt like I lost control.

Class Right over Fences, just a clean, good, solid round. I felt in control, and got the impression my horse enjoyed his job. He cantered just a little from 3 & 5, and came right back underneath me.

Class Left over Fences, he got tired, and lazy, and I forgot to add leg. #6 one rail down.

The "Eww" Yuckie Face

This face will never get old. He was just exposed to some mouthwash spray, but just about any odor will do. Mints, cologne, perfume, deoderant, soda pop flavors he doesn't like, you name it. All yield a huge "EWWW" upper lip, and a big laugh from me.