Given the snow has cancelled FOUR clinics for us this winter, I haven’t had a lesson since January. There’s been some pretty major freak-out-itude going on ’round here. So when Scott said he could move his schedule around to accommodate two trailer-in lessons for me on Monday, normally my day off, I jumped at the chance.
Yes, I drove three hours up and four down (rush hour traffic) for 1½ hours of riding. News flash: we horse people are crazy.
I took Ella and Fender. Fender needed a road trip, and Ella’s causing me more turmoil than Midge at present. But there was no turmoil during her lesson—she was a star. Entries for our first recognized show are due soon, so I told Scott that I needed his help making The Big Decision: ride the Brentina Cup qualifier in March and have a drop score; don’t do the Brentina qualifier in March and only have three shows, so no drop score; or don’t try for the Brentina Cup at all. I’m down with whatever is best for her, of course. She’s so spectacular, and still so young (only 9 this year), so I’m in no hurry, and I want the job done right.
I trotted around a bit, made some transitions, took a walk break, and went to the piaffe-passage. It takes her a bit to get quick to the passage, but she came around pretty fast, and our first transition in and out of piaffe was actually pretty good. Scott had me make two changes—first, ride the neck up a little more. I’d been allowing her a little lower carriage thinking it would make things easier for her back, but as soon as I brought her poll up her whole balance shifted. Too easy!
Second, he had me keep a little more contact in the transition from piaffe to passage. I’d been allowing a lot of freedom in front, not wanting to restrain her or catch her in the teeth should she lurch (as greenies to this work are sometimes prone to doing—balance at this level ain’t easy!). By keeping the “front door closed,” she had something to help give her the leverage she needed to stay on her hind legs—not pulling, just offering a little resistance to help her out. BIG improvement too.
Then I rode through the test, and it felt terrific. She gets pretty hot by the time I get to the tempis, and as her back’s getting tired, she gets a little quick and frantic, but if I make good half-halts before, use the corners well, and keep myself from getting too far ahead, I can support her through it. They may not be 10s in March, but she can make them clean and organized, which is an awfully good start.
The decision? Let’s go for it! The Championships aren’t until August, and having a drop score will keep the pressure off us both a little more. If it’s a disaster, I’ll change the plan, but for now she feels fit and keen.
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Vim and vigor was the theme of the day, because Fender was a bit of a schmuck. I’m not terribly surprised, nor terribly concerned. For a not-yet-4-year-old’s first road trip, he was awfully good—stoic on the trailer, only a little yelling when I took Ella away, and very brave walking around the ring. And then I put my leg on.
Good news: He’s neither strong nor balanced enough to launch me. Bad news: He’s REALLY athletic.
I stayed on but dismounted as soon as I could to longe him. And when I got back on, he still periodically decided he was going to leave the arena, thank you, no matter what I said, which was not exactly funny. When he settled, though, he felt bigger and puffier and more forward than I’ve ever had him at home. It was unbelievable. HUGE power, big gaits, and eventually enough relaxation in the back to really swing. If I can make him obedient with that much giddyup, look out, world.
He was about two steps from the grave on Tuesday, but I wanted to get Fender out and show him that no, the world did not come to a screeching end when we went off the farm, and yes, he did have to listen to me all the time. We walk-trot-cantered each way, then went for his longest hack yet, and he was a pro about it all. Good boy, you’ll learn.
Ella was more incredible feeling at home than she was at Scott’s, and even though she was definitely tired and a little sore in the back, we ran through the whole test again, no drama, no mistakes. The taller neck position makes SUCH a difference. Hoorah!
