Saturday, June 15, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
OH MY GOSH - OH MY GOSH - OH MY GOSH!!!!!!
I just heard from Tommy and Sport just WON his championship class!!!~!~!! Tommy said there were 9 horses in his class!!!!!!! YIPPIE!!!
THANK YOU SWEET JESUS!!!
remind me to one day tell you all how miraculous it was that I came to own the brood mare!!
THANK YOU SWEET JESUS!!!
remind me to one day tell you all how miraculous it was that I came to own the brood mare!!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Shaking Head and Squinting My Eyes...
Shame on you Sport!
After performing beautifully in his Park Pleasure class, he REFUSED to back up for the judge in the line up. The judge liked him so much that he even came back to him and gave him a SECOND CHANCE to do it ...and the little pill STILL REFUSED. How often do you get a second chance like that?
In Saddlebred Saddleseat pleasure classes, it is mandatory that the horses both flat walk and back in the line up....
So... yep ... he was placed LAST.....
Little Butt Head.....
After performing beautifully in his Park Pleasure class, he REFUSED to back up for the judge in the line up. The judge liked him so much that he even came back to him and gave him a SECOND CHANCE to do it ...and the little pill STILL REFUSED. How often do you get a second chance like that?
In Saddlebred Saddleseat pleasure classes, it is mandatory that the horses both flat walk and back in the line up....
So... yep ... he was placed LAST.....
Little Butt Head.....
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Chattanooga / Cleveland TN. Charity Horse Show...
Sport is showing here tonight... with Tommy up since I could not go... (biting nails waiting to know how he did)... but the show starts at 7PM and they are in the last class of the evening. I may run out of nails to bite by the time I find out how they did!!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
New Sidesaddle Covers!
Jeanne Cracknell is making me new sidesaddle covers. This is the fabric pattern I chose since my barn colors are black and white! LOVE THEM!!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Antique Corsets
As you probably remember - I do not like to ride aside, even when I practice, without wearing a riding corset. It helps my back beyond explanation! I know lots of you feel the same way, so with that in common, I figured you probably also have an interest in corset history. I could write a long dissertation about the history of corsets... but others have already done that ... and probably done a better job than me.. so without further delay, I just wanted to share these quite unique antique corsets. Keep in mind, these are NOT riding corsets.
This first beauty is from 1880.
This is a bridal corset...so delicate and feminine!!
This is actually a corset made for a circus performer circa 1870. You can see that it supported the young lady with her acrobatic act.
...and here is something I truly wish I owned a modern version of... a silk corset cover. I have something similar - a cotton camisole I wear over mine, but it does not come close to the elegance of this garment!!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
A Little Celebration Gift To Myself!
...for our first win together!! Turning our memory into art.
I found this huge shadow box frame at Hobby Lobby.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
A Photographers Creation
Stevie B was the photographer at our TASHA show...
..and this is what she created with one of the pictures she took of Sport and I winning the Park Pleasure Championship class. I was BLOWN AWAY when I saw this!!!!!
Monday, June 3, 2013
So Many Updates..
Well, I have not been posting much on my blog recently, not because there has not been anything happening; but because what has been happening has not really had to do with riding sidesaddle. It does not mean that things are not moving forward in the "whole" journey, but since this blog was suppose to be about riding aside, well... most of what I have to post about currently is about up and coming horses not currently or not yet being ridden sidesaddle. So with that here we go:
EQUUSSPORT
Sport is still in full time training with Tommy Benton. He is still only being ridden 3 gaits and competing in the Park Pleasure division. I rode him at TASHA and we won both the qualifier and the championship classes. My first championship win EVER! So cool that is was with a horse I bred and raised!! Next show for Sport is in Chattanooga, TN. with Tommy riding. He is still quite sensitive in the mouth and when we were warming up, I was asking for the canter. I must have grabbed him in the mouth, because he lurched forward in a mini rear. Maybe by the end of the year, we can start working him as a 5 gaited horse again ...
SOUTHERN REVIVAL
Joy showed this stallion for the first time at TASHA as well. He is not a finished horse and we have been working hard to keep him moving forward in the full bridle. When we started, he would stop if you touched the curb bit instead of just lower his head. Although we made great progress at home, he really fought her in the show ring. He showed 2 times and we decided to send him back with Tommy as well. He has not yet reached his potential and needs to be finished so we know where to show him. We also made the very difficult decision to geld him. He is a magnificent horse and although a part of me would love to see what he could produce.... the other 9 horses we own have first priority. Rev just seemed quite distracted. He was a perfect gentleman in the show ring, but if he is going to be trained and shown... we just need his full attention!
We went to visit him after only being with Tommy for 2 weeks and I could already see a difference. Gelding surgery has yet to be scheduled.
OLIVER
He has become my practice sidesaddle horse here at home. I thought about taking him to TASHA, but knew I would not be able to make the costume changes needed in good time. I also wanted to focus my full attention on Sport.
"EDWARD" don't know his registered name
Edward does not belong to us. I brought him home from the TASHA show since Tommy was taking Rev back with him and did not have enough room on the horse trailer for both horses. .... Try explaining THAT to a suspecting husband!!! He was sent home with me on a free lease for Joy to ride as a practice horse. He is a very big but sweet boy. He is a slow picky eater that needs to gain some weight too... NOT a normal horse for our farm!! 5 seconds after he got here, he threw a shoe, so I will take some pictures soon and let you know more about him.
MY GENIUS BRITTANY
During the time Rev was at our farm, his presence threw every one of our mares in to full blown heat. Among the mares flipping their tails, winking and peeing ... was a mare I bred late last summer. We were expecting a foal in July, but she obviously did not take. A part of me was sad... but a tiny part was a bit relieved too.
BELLA EQUUS
Is now a 2 year old, but she is so small in stature that I am going to wait to send her off for training, maybe a whole year.
CHASTAIN
SWIZZLE LYNN
EQUUSIT
EQUUS ESPRIT
DOMANCE VILLA
... are all pasture rats.... or as my husband likes to call them, YARD ART!
EQUUSSPORT
Sport is still in full time training with Tommy Benton. He is still only being ridden 3 gaits and competing in the Park Pleasure division. I rode him at TASHA and we won both the qualifier and the championship classes. My first championship win EVER! So cool that is was with a horse I bred and raised!! Next show for Sport is in Chattanooga, TN. with Tommy riding. He is still quite sensitive in the mouth and when we were warming up, I was asking for the canter. I must have grabbed him in the mouth, because he lurched forward in a mini rear. Maybe by the end of the year, we can start working him as a 5 gaited horse again ...
SOUTHERN REVIVAL
Joy showed this stallion for the first time at TASHA as well. He is not a finished horse and we have been working hard to keep him moving forward in the full bridle. When we started, he would stop if you touched the curb bit instead of just lower his head. Although we made great progress at home, he really fought her in the show ring. He showed 2 times and we decided to send him back with Tommy as well. He has not yet reached his potential and needs to be finished so we know where to show him. We also made the very difficult decision to geld him. He is a magnificent horse and although a part of me would love to see what he could produce.... the other 9 horses we own have first priority. Rev just seemed quite distracted. He was a perfect gentleman in the show ring, but if he is going to be trained and shown... we just need his full attention!
We went to visit him after only being with Tommy for 2 weeks and I could already see a difference. Gelding surgery has yet to be scheduled.
OLIVER
He has become my practice sidesaddle horse here at home. I thought about taking him to TASHA, but knew I would not be able to make the costume changes needed in good time. I also wanted to focus my full attention on Sport.
"EDWARD" don't know his registered name
Edward does not belong to us. I brought him home from the TASHA show since Tommy was taking Rev back with him and did not have enough room on the horse trailer for both horses. .... Try explaining THAT to a suspecting husband!!! He was sent home with me on a free lease for Joy to ride as a practice horse. He is a very big but sweet boy. He is a slow picky eater that needs to gain some weight too... NOT a normal horse for our farm!! 5 seconds after he got here, he threw a shoe, so I will take some pictures soon and let you know more about him.
MY GENIUS BRITTANY
During the time Rev was at our farm, his presence threw every one of our mares in to full blown heat. Among the mares flipping their tails, winking and peeing ... was a mare I bred late last summer. We were expecting a foal in July, but she obviously did not take. A part of me was sad... but a tiny part was a bit relieved too.
BELLA EQUUS
Is now a 2 year old, but she is so small in stature that I am going to wait to send her off for training, maybe a whole year.
CHASTAIN
SWIZZLE LYNN
EQUUSIT
EQUUS ESPRIT
DOMANCE VILLA
... are all pasture rats.... or as my husband likes to call them, YARD ART!
Friday, May 24, 2013
More TASHA Photos
One of TASHA benefactors is the American Heart Association. Here is some of the great show decor.
My friend Erica did our hair and make up.
Ready to show - Joy and I.
I am challenged when it comes to tieing a tie... so Bill Marple helped me out and had me in stitches!
Here is our trainer Tommy Benton. He looks so dashing on a horse..... and off!
Tractor Supply was a major sponsor of our show, so here we are doing some promo shots. That is me armed with Fly Spray!
Joy (behind the camera) and her puppy Jax.
I will never forget this show. It was not just the first show where I won a championship class, but I did it on my Sport - the horse I bred and raised! Thank you Sandy and Tommy.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Pressing Through to a Victory!!
For those of you who have followed the story of Sport - know that he went through great times of achievment in his training and then a time of regression. He had some serious bitting issues and due to the fact that the Saddlebred horse needs to efficiently wear probably one of the most complicated bitting systems, we had to give him a vacation and back up and restart some of his training. To help him progresss, both his first trainer Sandy and I thought it best if he were to go to another trainer she works closely with and all I can say is that it has been a total success!!!
Now - at one point, I was riding Sport in all 5 gaits and riding him aside. When we started over, we backed way up. For the last 4 months, he has only been ridden astride and only in the basic 3 gaits of walk trot canter until he is completely secure in his bridle. He has made remarkable progress - so without any further delays, let me just show you! Here we are at the Texas American Saddle Horse Show in a Park Pleasure Class.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI387vDT7eY&feature=em-share_video_user
Thank you Kristen so very very much for recording this victory for me. I will cherish it forever!!
Oh yes, even though I do not have a video of it, we did also go on to win the Park Pleasure Championship class as well.
Now - at one point, I was riding Sport in all 5 gaits and riding him aside. When we started over, we backed way up. For the last 4 months, he has only been ridden astride and only in the basic 3 gaits of walk trot canter until he is completely secure in his bridle. He has made remarkable progress - so without any further delays, let me just show you! Here we are at the Texas American Saddle Horse Show in a Park Pleasure Class.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI387vDT7eY&feature=em-share_video_user
Thank you Kristen so very very much for recording this victory for me. I will cherish it forever!!
Oh yes, even though I do not have a video of it, we did also go on to win the Park Pleasure Championship class as well.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Dream Squashers...
This is a post for beginners .. but do you know what? This is a post for beginners of all categories - all dreams .. not just sidesaddle dreams.
This is my story:
At the age of 48 I decided it was now or never. Although I was is relatively good physical shape, I decided then it was now or never for learning how to ride aside. Many things fell into place ... great Blessings to be perfectly honest .. so that I was able to start this journey. I was given a horse for free, I found a nice antique sidesaddle that was rideable for a price that I could afford at that time and I was advised by a show manager that I would be allowed to ride aside in our breed shows in almost any class!
I looked long and hard for an accredited instructor. The main sidesaddle club of Texas is breed specific to Paso Fino horses, a breed that does not trot. A secondary club was not helpful to me because they were stagnant, and even though I offered our farm for a place to hold a riding clinic, I could never get anyone to agree.
I did have a friend/trainer who used to ride aside with Arabians and she so graciously agreed to help me with my endeavor. I was thrilled to find someone to help me.
Weekly, I hauled my horse Oliver over to her farm with my sidesaddle equipment and we worked very hard. At night, I would read everything and anything I could get my hands on to assist me with this dream. I bought books from e-bay, and journaled my experiences in this very blog.
It was HARD... very very hard. Almost seemingly too hard. I had a few good rides, but seemed to get exhausted too fast. Oliver was such a trooper. He learned how to trot slow for me, but still have the animation so desired by the Saddlebred owners.
I decided it was time to go to a show. With Saddlebreds, at the time, there were no clear rules about sidesaddle showing. There were no sidesaddle classes, but at one particular show where Saddlebreds showed with Arabians, there was 1 class for any breed of horse sidesaddle, and that is what I set my sights upon.
I was thrilled to learn of a very few ladies who had, in the past ridden Saddlebred's aside. One even wrote me and told me she was going to be at this particular show. I was so excited. I wanted to meet her. I wanted her to look at my horse, at my sidesaddle and I even asked her to give me a lesson time permitting. I was so hungry for knowledge and instruction.
We arrived at the show. Oliver gets very amped up at horse shows and is 10 times more difficult to ride - no matter what the saddle choice is! I went to the show office and asked if anyone there knew this woman. The show manager knew her and I asked if she could relay a message that I was there.
I was to show in 3 different classes. 2 were saddlebred classes and 1 was the any breed sidesaddle class. This was over a 3 day period. The entire time I was at this show, I tried in earnest to locate this woman and could not. I left messages with anyone who said they knew her, advising where I was stalled and other information, so she could have easily gotten ahold of me..... and it never happened.
I showed in my 3 classes. Oliver was as amped up as ever. In the all breed class, I was the only entry. At one point, Oliver lurched forward and I almost lost my balance, but did not. Obviously, I finished the class and claimed my ribbon. I am proud of that ribbon.
This woman... the one whom I thought was going to help me... the one who at one point in my life, I thought was a kind of mentor to me ... I found out was in center ring with the judge during that class. She could not find 5 minutes in her schedule to help out a struggling beginner... but do you know what she did find time to do? She wrote me to tell me that the judge thought that I was going to come off of Oliver and wanted to dismiss me from the class.
I cried for 2 days ... and came very very close to giving up on my dream.
This woman was very experienced. I can only guess that because I was such a bad sidesaddle rider at that time, she did not want to associate with me.. who knows... and who cares..
The sad part is .. she probably could have easily identified that my sidesaddle did not come close to fitting Oliver. I'll bet that she could have quickly seen that when I got scared, I would wrap my left leg under the horses belly .. so much so that my upper leg would pop out of the protective head of the saddle and that is when I was putting myself into danger... and so many other little things that I have since learned that I was doing wrong..
but that was then ... and this is now.. So no matter what your dream is... DO NOT LET DREAM SQUASHERS TRIP YOU UP. Keep your head up. There really are good people out there who will help you and encourage you. Just surround yourself with those and shake off the others.
This is my story:
At the age of 48 I decided it was now or never. Although I was is relatively good physical shape, I decided then it was now or never for learning how to ride aside. Many things fell into place ... great Blessings to be perfectly honest .. so that I was able to start this journey. I was given a horse for free, I found a nice antique sidesaddle that was rideable for a price that I could afford at that time and I was advised by a show manager that I would be allowed to ride aside in our breed shows in almost any class!
I looked long and hard for an accredited instructor. The main sidesaddle club of Texas is breed specific to Paso Fino horses, a breed that does not trot. A secondary club was not helpful to me because they were stagnant, and even though I offered our farm for a place to hold a riding clinic, I could never get anyone to agree.
I did have a friend/trainer who used to ride aside with Arabians and she so graciously agreed to help me with my endeavor. I was thrilled to find someone to help me.
Weekly, I hauled my horse Oliver over to her farm with my sidesaddle equipment and we worked very hard. At night, I would read everything and anything I could get my hands on to assist me with this dream. I bought books from e-bay, and journaled my experiences in this very blog.
It was HARD... very very hard. Almost seemingly too hard. I had a few good rides, but seemed to get exhausted too fast. Oliver was such a trooper. He learned how to trot slow for me, but still have the animation so desired by the Saddlebred owners.
I decided it was time to go to a show. With Saddlebreds, at the time, there were no clear rules about sidesaddle showing. There were no sidesaddle classes, but at one particular show where Saddlebreds showed with Arabians, there was 1 class for any breed of horse sidesaddle, and that is what I set my sights upon.
I was thrilled to learn of a very few ladies who had, in the past ridden Saddlebred's aside. One even wrote me and told me she was going to be at this particular show. I was so excited. I wanted to meet her. I wanted her to look at my horse, at my sidesaddle and I even asked her to give me a lesson time permitting. I was so hungry for knowledge and instruction.
We arrived at the show. Oliver gets very amped up at horse shows and is 10 times more difficult to ride - no matter what the saddle choice is! I went to the show office and asked if anyone there knew this woman. The show manager knew her and I asked if she could relay a message that I was there.
I was to show in 3 different classes. 2 were saddlebred classes and 1 was the any breed sidesaddle class. This was over a 3 day period. The entire time I was at this show, I tried in earnest to locate this woman and could not. I left messages with anyone who said they knew her, advising where I was stalled and other information, so she could have easily gotten ahold of me..... and it never happened.
I showed in my 3 classes. Oliver was as amped up as ever. In the all breed class, I was the only entry. At one point, Oliver lurched forward and I almost lost my balance, but did not. Obviously, I finished the class and claimed my ribbon. I am proud of that ribbon.
This woman... the one whom I thought was going to help me... the one who at one point in my life, I thought was a kind of mentor to me ... I found out was in center ring with the judge during that class. She could not find 5 minutes in her schedule to help out a struggling beginner... but do you know what she did find time to do? She wrote me to tell me that the judge thought that I was going to come off of Oliver and wanted to dismiss me from the class.
I cried for 2 days ... and came very very close to giving up on my dream.
This woman was very experienced. I can only guess that because I was such a bad sidesaddle rider at that time, she did not want to associate with me.. who knows... and who cares..
The sad part is .. she probably could have easily identified that my sidesaddle did not come close to fitting Oliver. I'll bet that she could have quickly seen that when I got scared, I would wrap my left leg under the horses belly .. so much so that my upper leg would pop out of the protective head of the saddle and that is when I was putting myself into danger... and so many other little things that I have since learned that I was doing wrong..
but that was then ... and this is now.. So no matter what your dream is... DO NOT LET DREAM SQUASHERS TRIP YOU UP. Keep your head up. There really are good people out there who will help you and encourage you. Just surround yourself with those and shake off the others.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
SUCCESS!!
As many of you already know, I ride American Saddlebred horses and have been riding aside in our breed shows for the last couple of years. Because I was the only one riding aside in non-hunt type classes, I always had to compete against astride riders and usually it was a huge disadvantage. I made great strides and accomplishments earning second place pinnings at times.... but that is nothing compared to what I learned that my earnest efforts have given birth to....
You see, because of my determination .. I just found out that the USEF has now written a addition into the rules for the American Saddlebred rules for SIDESADDLE RIDERS!!!
You see, because of my determination .. I just found out that the USEF has now written a addition into the rules for the American Saddlebred rules for SIDESADDLE RIDERS!!!
Saturday, May 11, 2013
I Promise To Come Back Soon
.. but there is a LOT going on at the farm and in our family right now that needs attention... but I will leave you will this stunning photo of Sport from the Big D Charity Horse show.. Tommy said he was winning the large class until someone one threw shoe, the class was stopped for quite a while and when they started back, Sport was acting silly and bucked at the canter. While he did not get last place for acting badly.. from what I hear, he only beat out the horse that reared up.... tisk tisk tisk.... shaking my head ...
I am suppose to show him astride at TASHA next weekend.
now - I have to ask you.... would this not be stunning in a sidesaddle?
I am suppose to show him astride at TASHA next weekend.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Just For Fun Friday...
sorry I have been out of pocket this week... but here is a funny for everyone!
there are no words for this except - HA HA HA HA HA HA....
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Horse Transportation.. a bit of history
First there was horse transport by.... horse. (1 lucky and 1 unlucky!)
.. horse transport by ship..
..horse transport by train - these are horses being shipped for war efforts..
Motorized Transport
The earliest motorized van for conveying horses was
apparently designed in 1902 ( Robertson, 1974). It was not until 1912 that horse
boxes fitted to internal - combustion motor car chassis began to be mass
produced by Vincent Horse Boxes of Reading, England. The Vincent motorized horse
box was a three ton motorized horse box - similar to today's horse vans. They
were used by the British army in 1914 to transport horses to war The
disadvantages and dangers of rail transport of horses began to loom larger than
it's benefit. During the 1920's the railway's fought the take over of bloodstock
transport by road haulers".
"there was no doubt in the minds of trainers that the
advantage of sending their horses by road were inestimable. Train journeys were
not only tedious but highly strung Thoroughbreds did not take kindly to being
shut up in an often darkened box whilst their train shunted and jerked, rushed
noisily through tunnels and was passed by other thundering railroad giants. At
least one Derdy winner was only boxed onto his train at the eleventh hour by the
brute force of some dozen men, and many trainers complained that their horses
arrived on racecourses after long train journeys having lost weight and
condition (Seth-Smith, 1972 )
This horse is on his way to a race.
Horse Trailers
Before automobile motors became more
powerful in the late 1950's and early 1960's, most motorized horse transport was
accomplished in large trucks and vans. For short trips cars were used to tow
small light weight trailers. Trucks backed up to ditch banks or ramps were also
used with bed rails. The horse trailer as we know it today has evolved
Thursday, April 18, 2013
How About Some Fun?
With all of the stressful things going on in our country - the Boston bombing and the West, TX. explosion, and what is going on for us personally, our son in law being deployed and just so much more personal stresses...well, I am just in the mood to go into dream mode....so here are some dreamy ideas for home decorating and special touches for a party - all with that Equestrian feel!!!
Take a deep breath .... exhale.... and enjoy!
So here is a drawing of the home we would love to build on the back of our farm - only to make it more aesthetically pleasing with our white and black barn, we have decided it would be better as a white home with black shutters - a more Southern house feel
..I love sconce light fixtures - again the fixtures on the walls give a home an older more established feel.
How about this for the back door? I believe it is a gardening boot, but to us, it also looks like a rubber riding boot!
Al over the house - there will be signs of horse love... tucked in here and there...
even the guest room will have a bit of a ranch feel..
Who would not love to have these to pull out when a drink is served to a friend?
.. ingenious...
..and it rains in Texas...so we would need a place to put our wet umbrellas..
..and okay - I admit it - this has nothing to do with anything equestrian ..other than using it to wash off dirt from riding and grooming..but hey - I just love it anyway!!
..and this magnificent photo - Oh my ... wouldn't this look amazing just about anywhere in my dream home???
Take a deep breath .... exhale.... and enjoy!
So here is a drawing of the home we would love to build on the back of our farm - only to make it more aesthetically pleasing with our white and black barn, we have decided it would be better as a white home with black shutters - a more Southern house feel
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
My Boy....
Two of my friends also have recently sent their horses over to Tommy for training. They we able to go and visit this week and took this adorable picture of Tommy working Sport!! I am one proud Momma!!
Monday, April 15, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Friesian Horses Aside
There is no denying - this is one beautiful breed of horse!!!
..but put a sidesaddle on one, and you increase the beauty quota by multitudes! Here is a horse with a long enough back to accommodate the sidesaddle and a long enough neck to not be miniaturized by the height that the sidesaddle raises the rider.
JUST BREATH TAKING!!!
Monday, April 8, 2013
A Wonderful Day!
Today I arose at 0430, readied myself and left for the airport. After checking in for my flight, I found out it was running 50 minutes late. I work for the airline and travel standby. I waited patiently until my name was called. It was going to be a full flight. I was the last passenger called. Once I got down the gateway and was at the entrance of the aircraft, the pilot called the gate agent and said due to the large amount of checked baggage and weight, the number of passengers on that aircraft had to be reduced... so I was the first to go! Ha...
I raced across the airport terminal to get to the next departing flight, waited patiently and was thrilled to be boarded - again on a very full flight. I took my seat, unzipped my purse and pulled out my daily devotional called Jesus Calling. I am behind in my daily reads, so I decided to read what it said for April 1st. You won't believe it:
"I am calling you to a life of constant communion with Me. Basic training includes learning to live above your circumstances, even while interacting on that cluttered plane of life."
I rolled my head back and laughed out loud catching the attention of the gentleman sitting beside me. I just pointed to what I read. He laughed too and asked me if I was a believer. Ohhhh Yes! I exclaimed. He was an assistant pastor of a church in San Antonio. We had a wonderful time exchanging stories of family, horses, and faith.
Once I arrived in Baton Rouge, got my rental car and drove out to Maranatha Stables, I saw that Sport was already groomed and ready to go. He looked magnificent!!! Tommy tacked him up with a wonderful Freedman cutback saddle. He wants me to buy a new saddle and is letting me try out the different ones he has. What surprized me is that he also had the full weymouth bridle on Sport....the very thing that had caused all of the strife and stress with him!
Keep in mind, in the past, every single time I tried to ride Sport with the full bridle, it was so chaotic, the grooms would change him out of it and back into the training bridle. The former trainer could ride him in in, but I could not. In the training bridle, I was instructed to ride with a good hold on him, especially on the bottom rein. In the full bridle though, if I made any contact, Sport would become so upset, he would toss his head and even start jumping off of his feet.
Now, here I was being asked to mount him and ride him in this astride saddle, which to me almost feels foreign since I have been riding aside for so long. I was quite nervous and very very reluctant to make contact with the bit, but tried very hard to do what Tommy told me to do. We walked half way around the arena and I was instructed to trot. I clucked him forward and slowly took a light hold of the snaffle bit. The curb rein was so loose, it was dangling. Tommy told me to take the slack out of it...and I did.. about 1 centimeter at a time! I was so very cautious. Sport worked hard for me. He trotted with beautiful animation and enthusiasm around and around the arena. We changed direction and trotted again. I started to relax a bit and was more comfortable feeling the snaffle bit - still reluctant though to use the curb.... maybe next time. We cantered 3 times as well, with wonderful success.
"Tommy, I want to ask you a very important question and I need you to know that there is no wrong answer."
He looked up and nodded at me.
"Do you believe that what happened to Sport is a result of me riding him sidesaddle?" I looked intently at him for the honest answer I knew he would offer.
"I do not believe that. I believe that too much was thrown at this horse at one time though. He was not working well in the full bridle, he was asked to be a 5 gaited horse and he was asked to carry a rider aside very close to the same time and I just think it was too much for him to handle, which is why he started to rebel."
Tommy went on to explain that he understood how badly I want to ride sidesaddle, but that his first responsibility was to his riders safety. Sport was in such a bad place when he arrived at Maranatha that he was on the verge of becoming a dangerous horse, offering to rear...or worse. He told me that in his entire career he had 2 riders experience horses not only rearing, but flipping back on them. He knew I understand the dangers of a horse flipping on a rider who is riding aside!
With that he laid out a plan. Since Sport did not have a totally clean ride at Pin Oak, the next horse show, Tommy will once again show him for me. Next up will be me in an astride saddle for about 6 or 7 shows, whatever the equivilent of about a year is. By then Sport should have regained his confidence and not be so sensitive in his mouth, or resentful for a mistaken off balance pull. Then, he said would be the time to reintroduce him to the sidesaddle. He went on to say that Sport is extremely talented and with a bit more finishing will not be out of place at the world championship show!! (shhh - don't tell - but I kind of already knew that!!)
A lot more was discussed - but I was so comforted by what Tommy said and by the way he handles himself and the horses... I gave him a huge hug and thanked him over and over!
I felt very comfortable with this plan.
I raced across the airport terminal to get to the next departing flight, waited patiently and was thrilled to be boarded - again on a very full flight. I took my seat, unzipped my purse and pulled out my daily devotional called Jesus Calling. I am behind in my daily reads, so I decided to read what it said for April 1st. You won't believe it:
"I am calling you to a life of constant communion with Me. Basic training includes learning to live above your circumstances, even while interacting on that cluttered plane of life."
I rolled my head back and laughed out loud catching the attention of the gentleman sitting beside me. I just pointed to what I read. He laughed too and asked me if I was a believer. Ohhhh Yes! I exclaimed. He was an assistant pastor of a church in San Antonio. We had a wonderful time exchanging stories of family, horses, and faith.
Once I arrived in Baton Rouge, got my rental car and drove out to Maranatha Stables, I saw that Sport was already groomed and ready to go. He looked magnificent!!! Tommy tacked him up with a wonderful Freedman cutback saddle. He wants me to buy a new saddle and is letting me try out the different ones he has. What surprized me is that he also had the full weymouth bridle on Sport....the very thing that had caused all of the strife and stress with him!
Keep in mind, in the past, every single time I tried to ride Sport with the full bridle, it was so chaotic, the grooms would change him out of it and back into the training bridle. The former trainer could ride him in in, but I could not. In the training bridle, I was instructed to ride with a good hold on him, especially on the bottom rein. In the full bridle though, if I made any contact, Sport would become so upset, he would toss his head and even start jumping off of his feet.
Now, here I was being asked to mount him and ride him in this astride saddle, which to me almost feels foreign since I have been riding aside for so long. I was quite nervous and very very reluctant to make contact with the bit, but tried very hard to do what Tommy told me to do. We walked half way around the arena and I was instructed to trot. I clucked him forward and slowly took a light hold of the snaffle bit. The curb rein was so loose, it was dangling. Tommy told me to take the slack out of it...and I did.. about 1 centimeter at a time! I was so very cautious. Sport worked hard for me. He trotted with beautiful animation and enthusiasm around and around the arena. We changed direction and trotted again. I started to relax a bit and was more comfortable feeling the snaffle bit - still reluctant though to use the curb.... maybe next time. We cantered 3 times as well, with wonderful success.
"Tommy, I want to ask you a very important question and I need you to know that there is no wrong answer."
He looked up and nodded at me.
"Do you believe that what happened to Sport is a result of me riding him sidesaddle?" I looked intently at him for the honest answer I knew he would offer.
"I do not believe that. I believe that too much was thrown at this horse at one time though. He was not working well in the full bridle, he was asked to be a 5 gaited horse and he was asked to carry a rider aside very close to the same time and I just think it was too much for him to handle, which is why he started to rebel."
Tommy went on to explain that he understood how badly I want to ride sidesaddle, but that his first responsibility was to his riders safety. Sport was in such a bad place when he arrived at Maranatha that he was on the verge of becoming a dangerous horse, offering to rear...or worse. He told me that in his entire career he had 2 riders experience horses not only rearing, but flipping back on them. He knew I understand the dangers of a horse flipping on a rider who is riding aside!
With that he laid out a plan. Since Sport did not have a totally clean ride at Pin Oak, the next horse show, Tommy will once again show him for me. Next up will be me in an astride saddle for about 6 or 7 shows, whatever the equivilent of about a year is. By then Sport should have regained his confidence and not be so sensitive in his mouth, or resentful for a mistaken off balance pull. Then, he said would be the time to reintroduce him to the sidesaddle. He went on to say that Sport is extremely talented and with a bit more finishing will not be out of place at the world championship show!! (shhh - don't tell - but I kind of already knew that!!)
A lot more was discussed - but I was so comforted by what Tommy said and by the way he handles himself and the horses... I gave him a huge hug and thanked him over and over!
I felt very comfortable with this plan.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
My Ollie is Back!
Anyway - with that last lesson, I noticed he was not limping at all - so after the lesson, I switched out saddles and gave him a try. He was wonderful. I called the farrier and had him put some plates on Ollie and last weekend, I rode him sidesaddle for the first time! Yippie!!
I still think - just because he is an older boy, I need to get his hocks injected, but now I have a sidesaddle horse at the farm to practice on and even take to local shows!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
