Wednesday, March 2, 2016

You're never really ready, but we're doing it anyway!

My first rated show with Taran is this weekend. We're doing Training 2 and 3 on Saturday, and Training 3 and First 1 on Sunday.

That's right, we're moving up to First.

I'm actually SUPER excited about this. I'm SO OVER training level... sure, we're not going to go out and score an 80% and there's tons of room for improvement, but let's be real, I've been at Training for basically my entire life. I'm over it and ready to move on.

He's still throwing himself up into the transition, but at least they are coming more from behind and we're able to recover within a few strides. 

Our version of a lengthen trot. It'll do.

Our version of lengthen canter. I'm really trying to ride it UP in front instead of burying him on the forehand.

Dragging your horse around a 10 meter half-circle via the inside rein is probably not the best idea.

Instead, use inside leg to engage that hind leg and push his shoulders around with your outside thigh.

Perhaps I should consider getting my shoulders back some?

And here's a little video of some of our canter work from last night.

I'll be thrilled if I can reproduce that level of work in the show ring. Oh, and I promise not to wear that particularly non-matchy shirt and saddle pad again. Whoops.

38 comments:

  1. I dunno what you are talking about, I think you guys look great and are going to do great!

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    1. Haha well we definitely have our weak points which are unfortunately worth double. Hopefully the judge is kind!

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  2. You are ready for first level! Looking good!

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    1. I dunno if we're REALLY ready, but we're ready to fake it ;)

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  3. woohoo!! super exciting- have fun & good luck!

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  4. haha i'd say you guys are definitely ready to give it a shot!! (esp if i'm considering myself more or less ready for 1st LOL)

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  5. Replies
    1. Thanks! He's not haffie cute, but he'll do :)

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  6. You guys look awesome! Can't wait to hear how the show goes :)

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    1. Thanks! I'm hoping to keep it together this weekend :)

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  7. The video is lovely (but it's definitely all trot work, with no cantering?), and Taran looks sooo good. I'm really impressed.

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    1. And naturally, I uploaded the wrong video. Fail.

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    2. It's still a great look at what you're working on though! haha.

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    3. Thanks! I'll find the canter vid somewhere...

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  8. go go go Taran! you can do first level I am sure! btw is that the Austrian saddle pad? lovely!

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    1. Yup that's the pad! Doesn't it look nice on him?!?

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  9. Y'all are gonna kill it. So in tune!

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  10. Replies
    1. Let's just hope he doesn't spook at anything lol!

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  11. You guys are doing amazeballs. Have a great time ☺

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  12. Good luck and have fun! Also, different shades of blue still totally count as matching.

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    1. Eeeeeyeah. Depends on who you ask and how color blind they are. ;)

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