October 10 Questions

Because I've had a hard time putting words down lately. So I'll just do this blog hop on the very last day of October.

What do you consider "jumping high" for yourself? 

Well, I haven't been jumping consistently for...a long time now. Tony LOVES jumping, and would be much happier being a jumper, but I'm determined to dressage that pony. I have jumped 3'6" with him, and felt good jumping 2'9" courses. I did a 3' course with him once, and the jumps themselves felt easy, it was the maneuvering between them that I had trouble with ;) So right now, I'd say 3' is jumping high. In college, when I was riding IHSA (the last time I was in a consistent jumping program), I was jumping 2'6"/2'9", I'd say.

3' about 3 years ago.

What are your short term goals for riding? Do you think you'll reach them?

I want to get to where I am a competent third level rider (maybe 4th?) by the time Lines has to go home (March). I hope I'll reach it! Only a month in to riding him, and I'm feeling more and more like it's within reach.

Long term goals for riding? Do you think you'll reach them?

Long-term, I'd like to ride dressage at the FEI level. I never thought I'd be able to reach that goal, but now I'm realizing that between good timing, perseverance, and a little luck, good things can happen. So that's my goal, and I WILL reach it :) I've got a lot of riding years left (knock on wood...)

How many barns have you been at in your riding career?

I haven taken consistent lessons out of 4 barns - one in Washington and one in Maryland as a kid, one in Michigan as a college student, and the one I'm at now. 

How many different trainers have you been with in your riding career?

Once again, for consistent lessons, I'd say 5 or 6. Although the barn in Maryland I think I rode with a few different people (up/down teachers... I did not have the greatest experience at that barn, so I think I've blocked a lot of the memories). For trainers I remember, it would be V, J, and K (V and J in Washington, K in Michigan in college), and then G and JW now (I've ridden with G for 5 years now, although I did take a few lessons with her when I was in high school, and then JW I've been taking clinic lessons from since May, and hope to continue- she's the best!)

Ever worked at a barn? What did you do?

Yep, I am currently working turn-in at my barn 3 nights a week. It gets exhausting with my day job, but I cannot afford board otherwise. I bring horses in, feed, check waters and blankets, and blow out the barn aisle. I've also groomed for my trainer and tacked and hacked lesson ponies at the barn in Michigan. I also started working as a camp counselor at a farm in our area...it lasted a week (reason why in next question).

Scariest thing that has happened at your barn?

Hmmm...I mean, there's been a fair amount of your basic horse and horse people injuries. Nothing too traumatic that I've witnessed at the barn. The scariest thing that has happened to me at a barn would be when a supposed kid-broke trail horse reared and flipped over on me when I was alone on a trail my first week working as a camp counselor, two and a half years ago. I broke my femur, and had minor fractures in my pelvis and sacrum. It majorly sucked. I'll tell the whole story here sometime...

My leg in traction

 Have you ever given a lesson? What level was the rider?

I've given some basic beginner lessons to friends and family. Nothing for money though. 

What is your opinion on the accuracy of critiquing riders online?

I suppose it can be helpful, but I never critique anyone, and I don't like putting myself out there to be critiqued. Honestly, when I post riding pictures or video on the internet, I just want people to tell me how pretty my ponies are ;) My trainer can yell at me for looking like a sack of potatoes. 

What is the ideal height of a horse for you?

In my adult life, I've ridden everything from a 14hh pony, to a 17.1hh Warmblood. I prefer the bigger guys, as I'm not exactly a small person, but I think I look fine on my 15hh "pony." 

14 hands, but a large enough barrel to take up my leg. 

I Have a Type

So trainer G and I discovered in my lesson this week that I have a "type." G hadn't ridden Lines yet, and I really wanted her to get on and get a feel for him so we can have a plan of action for our lessons. Turns out that Lines can be a little bit of a bully. He doesn't always respect the bit, and he doesn't want to move over when you put your leg on. Having ridden Tony for a few years now, I am just amazed that any horse will move its butt over even a little bit. Turns out a little bit isn't enough. I am not holding Lines up to a high enough standard. G says that if I blow on him, he should be moving across the arena.

At least he's super cute, even if he's not reaching for contact...

So I need to be doing lots and lots of downward transitions and leg yields in all gaits to get him respecting the bit. Once you can do that, he is much more supple and maneuverable. My first lesson with G on him, I could barely control the canter. Partly because I am so tense in the canter myself from years of defensive riding on Tony, and partly because I didn't have Lines respecting the bit. He wants to blow through my aids a bit.

I'll be doing some experimenting with getting Lines more supple and respectful, and then I'm hoping we can start moving up! Turns out he is not so unlike a certain golden pony in attitude. I joked that he's like a more schooled Tony (extended trot on the circle instead of cantering for one thing), and really it's not that far off. So it's super good practice. I do want Tony to move up at least a few levels, and learning to ride on Lines will give me lots of tools for how to get more out of my pony.

Selfie attempts...more difficult with a tall horse turns out...

Especially when he's trying to lick your face