Happiness

This is what happiness is....


...and I really need my hat shaped. :)

~Alyssa

August Show-Reflections

Ollie did really well this show. Of course, lots of things to fix and improve, but I am proud of how far he has come.

In this blog post, I am reflecting over what I need to fix, and what needs to be tweaked.

In the June 25th Show, Ollie:

Pros:
Trotted nicely
Was friendly with the other horses
Walked, trotted, and loped when asked
Stopped easily
Willing to try hard for me

Cons:
Loped too fast and without collection
Loped on the wrong lead on his left
Didn't set up fast enough for the judge during inspection
Didn't respect the bit enough
Didn't like to walk over the Bridge
Didn't want to sidepass
Little bit too lethargic


I spent the next 35 days (he got some days off after the show) working on his lead changes, a more collected lope, better neck reining, and more respect for his bit. I also decided to enter him in English classes.

(June) Wrong Lead, head up in the air, fighting the bit slightly. 

(August) Correct lead, head lowered, slack reins. 

His showmanship set up improved a lot as well.

He....

 Side-passed much better

Crossed the Bridge easily

Respected the bit much more

Slowed his lope

Picked up the correct lead every time I asked

Pivoted much better

Listened well

His back up needs to be more straight-both on the ground and under saddle. 

However, the things I want to fix on Ollie this month are:

Better neck reining

Holding his collection for a longer time

Lowering his head a little bit more

Being sharper on his showmanship

Sharpening my pattern classes

Backing up straight

..As for myself, I want to:

Lower my hands in Western classes

Put my leg farther back when riding English

Be sharper on my Quarters in Showmanship

Pick up the right Diagonals during the posting trot

Ollie and I have our work cut out for us, but we just keep chipping away!

~Alyssa

Aurora Horseman's Association Show-August 13th

Hello Everyone!

Well, yesterday Ollie had his second horse show. We've been working hard at home, and it REALLY paid off.

I also got 1 other 2nd and 1 3rd not pictured. :) 

Ollie and I placed 2nd in Halter....

1st in Showmanship...

1st in English Pleasure...

As well as 1st in both English Equitation and  English Pattern..

(I have no pictures from Pattern and Equitation...so here is one of my practice pictures). 

After a lunch break, I switched to Western and spent some time practicing...

Placed 1st in Pleasure...

2nd in Horsemanship and Pattern...

..and placed 2nd and 3rd in Western and English Trail. 

5 1st's, 4 2nd's and 1 3rd won Ollie and I both English AND Western Highpoint!!

With that, we won 10 ribbons, 2 plaques, and a AHA Highpoint Dover Saddlery monogrammed Saddle Pad. So thankful for this horse! 

Next Show: September 10th. 

~Alyssa 

 

Lope Transformation

January

February-March

April-May

June

Today

Big difference!! So proud of this boy!

Next show in 10 days. :)

~Alyssa