Perfection is pretty hard to achieve for any sustained period of time.
On April 29-30 we took Ludi to the annual clinic at Westar Farms with Jen Hamilton. I wrote about my experience with Jen last year, and really wanted to show her a difference in our training this year. She noticed, and Ludi flew around the course, higher than we've ever jumped. Flying together is some fun! As it happened, I rode with Tess Greer, who owned the stable I rode at and coached me all through my teens. We were both amazed and Jen's ability to bring riders out of their comfort zone, always to great success. Jen can swing your pendulum and you'll thank her for it afterwards.
On April 29-30 we took Ludi to the annual clinic at Westar Farms with Jen Hamilton. I wrote about my experience with Jen last year, and really wanted to show her a difference in our training this year. She noticed, and Ludi flew around the course, higher than we've ever jumped. Flying together is some fun! As it happened, I rode with Tess Greer, who owned the stable I rode at and coached me all through my teens. We were both amazed and Jen's ability to bring riders out of their comfort zone, always to great success. Jen can swing your pendulum and you'll thank her for it afterwards.
May 8-9 I took Ludi for a couple of days to the beautiful Franklands Farm in Brockville, to train with Gina Smith, a 4-time Olympian and Grand Prix dressage rider. I'd taken Lud in 2015 and he was terribly unsettled, so I was very relieved when he tucked right into his stall, and we were able to get right to work in our lessons. We ran through our competitive routine, schooled some improvements, and I felt completely ready for the upcoming show.
May 13 we hosted Anne Galt, "Ottawa's Favourite Dressage Judge" for our first clinic at home. Again, Ludi schooled wonderfully, and everyone had a great ride.
May 13 we hosted Anne Galt, "Ottawa's Favourite Dressage Judge" for our first clinic at home. Again, Ludi schooled wonderfully, and everyone had a great ride.
May 20: Show Day at the Ottawa Dressage Festival. I know the grounds, I knew the tests, and I thought I knew my horse! Ludi was keen to warm up but came completely undone in the busy atmosphere, and by the time he settled down, we were both nearly too tired to dance. Our scores ranged from 52% (rotten) to 66% (a personal best), and my feelings about the day are ambivalent.
May 27: Our second Dressage Clinic with Anne Galt, and it was a magical day of well-behaved horses, gorgeous weather, and a yard full of happy people. Ludi and I schooled some more test patterns, but at home on a warm day, he feels pretty lazy and uninspired. In the barn however, he is more relaxed and cuddly than ever. Dare I say all these experiences have strengthened our partnership?
In my recent lessons, we've worked on getting him more supple and through in transitions, which means a rounder profile. If he's tired or too laid back, though, he leans forward on his shoulders and curls his neck. Now, I need to keep him travelling with his head more up and keep his hind legs reaching forward.
The pendulum swings. In training, in life!
In my recent lessons, we've worked on getting him more supple and through in transitions, which means a rounder profile. If he's tired or too laid back, though, he leans forward on his shoulders and curls his neck. Now, I need to keep him travelling with his head more up and keep his hind legs reaching forward.
The pendulum swings. In training, in life!
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