Learning to Turn on his Haunches

For the last 2 months, Dale has been doing exercises to prepare for a turn on the haunches. What does this mean? Walking, halting, backing, trotting and bending for 20 minutes each day. Dale is beginning to get excited about the way his "new" body feels and tries to anticipate my cues. This makes me smile and tests my patience:)

Pony - You Make Me Proud

Rosie, my super fast, super quick, sometimes annoying pony surprised me yet again. She showed me her loving, kind, sweet and adorable side. I know, who would have thought.  When Ellie started riding Rosie, I realized my little racehorse pony liked little girls. When an even younger rider rode her last week, I wanted to close my eyes, but my pony made me proud. Well, Rosie, I get the point, you like little girls, not big girls and that makes sense.

Dear Pony, You Win

I thought I could change you. From day one you wanted to go fast and jump high. I wanted you to fox hunt and event, slowly. This weekend when I chose to ride you at the hunter pace (not because all my TB's had missing shoes or anything), I finally agree. So, watch out pony jumpers, here comes Rosie and she likes to win!

Get a Witness - Jubilee Novice 2nd place

Meet Get a Witness. Isn't he gorgeous? Wit came home with 2nd place in his first Novice 3 phase last weekend at Jubilee HT. The new course at Jubilee is very impressive to say the least. Some of those jumps looked huge!  The drop down, which some competitors said looked training level, got several inquiries, but met regulation.  Get a Witness sailed over everything without hesitation including the super scary halloween table which had several stops.Wit is Sum Mojoe's best traveling buddy. They stable together at shows and swap stories. I think it was Wit who got Mojoe fired up about running his cross country round:)

A long wait, but Worth It

After watching all his shed row mates showing all day Saturday while he was left behind, Mojoe was a bit upset. He could see the cross country jumps and couldn't wait to get out there. On Sunday, he was the star and happy to be in the spotlight all day long. Sum Mojoe not only came home with the blue in his first 3 phase, but with great comments to help improve our dressage and a realization that even at a show, Mojoe needs to have his early morning training just like I need my coffee:)

Horse-you are suddenly awesome

Little Dale is beginning to get it. This morning his canter was to die for. He was so collected that we actually did a sort of nice 20 meter! He had tons of momentum, knew where his feet were and was so happy to be training. Little Dale, you made my day. Please keep surprising me with your awesomeness:)

My horse Dale likes the wind

Today, with the wind gusting over 35mph, my super horse Dale had his best training session yet. He was forward moving, easy to collect, and did his first auto lead change! I've trained hundreds of ex-race horses and Dale is the first who didn't spook in the wind. Then I remembered. Dale grew up in the plains of western Oklahoma where the wind never stops blowing. Today, Dale felt right at home.

Foxhounds and Eagles

I saw my first bald eagle (outside of a zoo) in the 90s hunting behind my favorite field master, Linda Brown. Linda would point them out as we rode along the kings river. Saturday, with temps in the teens, I was lucky enough to watch several bald eagles, 2 young eagles who didn't have their white and a huge majestic eagle perched high in a pine. Hunting and Eagle watching in The Ozarks = EXTREME FUN!

Dear Pony, you were awesome today.

You walked out nicely on a loose rein. You had the most comfortable sitting trot ever. You turned on your forehand. You picked up both leads perfectly. You stayed focused and ended the work out walking quietly to the gate. Yes, my pony Rosie had a great day and that's what makes it all worth while:)

LV - My big helper

My man Louis V is a Canadian Percheron. He came to the U.S. in-utero after the Premarin facilities were closed in Canada. On mornings such as today, when the thermometer reads 18F, you can bet Louis V has used his size 6 hoof to break up his icy water tank. Thanks LV! You Canadians sure know how to handle the ice!

Hunting Flint Creek

On Saturday the girls and I had another amazing day riding behind the Harvard Fox Hounds. Not long after departing, the pack found scent of a coyote pair and we were treated to music and a chase. During the 2.5 hour hunt we saw 3 bald eagles, a dead orange snake in the creek, and jumped many fun fences. Later at breakfast when Ellie was asked what was special about the day, she replied "watching the hound named Ellie! She did very good!"

Ponies - It's a Fact

Ponies - It's a Fact

Its a fact. All ponies like to 'take off for the barn'. I'm a survivor. My Shetland, Blondie, tried to remove me from her back many times by bolting into the barn while side swiping the door. I'm smarter now. So this morning, when Rosie tried to wheel into the barn as I was swinging my leg over, I had a flashback and quickly grabbed the reins. Keep trying Rosie, my Shetlands taught me well!

Little Dale - Typical 4 Year Old

Little Dale is like most 4 year olds you know. He likes to put things in his mouth, follow you around asking "why" all the time and has an attention span of 10 minutes max. Yesterday, for 10 minutes, Dale began to learn how to stand quietly and turn on his forehand. To you and I, that seems short, but to Dale the session lasted for eternity! Doesn't he look exhausted?

Sent from my iPhone

Rosie - A Love Hate Relationship

I hate to admit it, but I'm beginning to like my pony. After my first 12 years of riding Shetland ponies, I finally got my first horse and swore to never ride a pony again. Then came Rosie. I suddenly find myself training her as a sale prospect and enjoying it. She is a 13.2H pony with the attitude of a 17H TB and I love it! She is smart, forward, willing and easy to mount:) So, Rosie and I have a relationship, I hate to love her. Look at her, is that the face of an evil pony?