Devoted to Dressage

Steffen Peters - Rider of the Year 2011 - USEF Awards Dinner

2012-01-28T09:01:00.001+10:00

At the Awards Dinner Steffen Peters just showed a slideshow thanking all involved, instead of a speech, upon receiving his Rider of the Year award (yes, for the third time!!!).

This would be in true Steffen Peters style...

Quaterback in January 2012

2012-01-28T07:59:00.001+10:00

Reem Acra FEI World Cup 2011/12 - Amsterdam News

2012-01-26T12:45:00.001+10:00

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro at Palm Beach

2012-01-26T12:31:00.000+10:00

WDM Palm Beach 2012 - Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester

2012-01-26T12:23:00.000+10:00

Cades lesson review

2012-01-12T22:46:00.001+10:00

I've recently been very lucky to have some riding lessons at Cades Equestrian with both Linda and her daughter Melanie Schmerglatt riding Melanie's lovely personality plus horse Ben.I loved being at Cades. It was a great experience.My lessons were really refreshing and I really appreciated their focus on the correctness of body/seat.But I need to capture some outcomes quickly so I can retain and apply more of the learnings.- should be 15% legs, 5% hands and 80% seat (core)- loosen the thighs - the hind legs can't come through if my thighs are tight and my seat can't go down either. They need to feel floppy.- when downward transitioning be neutral with the hands, do not give forward or pull back. Downward by lifting the top of the stomach and keep the thighs loose.- shoulders back, lift the top of the stomach and lead with the boobs.- keep the seat down, and get the fold feeling in my back below the belt.- be careful the right forearm doesn't get tight.- be cautious of the reins getting longer.- ride the horse "between" the hands. And keep them forward but low. Lead with the boobs.- when going right put right seat bone up to left hand, feel the pull in left outer thigh into left heel, roll left should back, feel left elbow on belt, keep outside (left) hand down, and right (inside) hand forward. If right hand takes over or goes tense bring it into the inside.Wow, lots of stuff but when it was all corrected geez did it feel good and even better was how nicely the horse went.The biggest lesson was the loose thighs. I couldn't get over how it improved the paces.I'm so happy after such great lessons and can't wait to start riding my own horses again.

Steffen Peter's new horse

2011-12-08T07:08:00.001+10:00

Check out the piaffe/passage talent of this horse.

Carl Hester - love him!

2011-12-07T23:16:00.001+10:00

Sheridyn Ashwood and Prestige VDL

2011-10-31T14:37:00.000+10:00

This is one of my favourite freestyles from the Championships. The POWER of this horse!

Delighted!

2011-10-14T21:28:00.000+10:00

I am delighted to find that today, my first instinct to slow Paddy was not to grab the reins and pull, it was instinctively to "drop down/half halt" and it worked, over and over again, and even in the canter. I can't believe it. I didn't even think about it. It just happened! Yeh! Celebration!

And still, no hotness! And there's been no hotness for months now.

Lesson Outcomes

2011-10-14T21:24:00.002+10:00

We had another set of lessons late in September and I am yet to Blog about the outcomes.

For Paddy:

Consolidated the "drop down" half halt... which I now learn is the most effective half halt for Paddy because it allows me to keep a loose body while I do it.
Consolidated the "cork screw" body with "his head towards his shoulder and my shoulder towards his hind" - but ensuring the inside hand is above the wither (inside leg must be on to allow that) and the point of the shoulder is loose (not tensed).

For Iffy:

Also the "cork screw".
But some new feelings... the "cuddling legs on" which seem to function to keep her forward even in the half halts, keep her happy and balanced, and the leg squeeze functions better as half halts with her.

For both horses:

That "wide arse" feeling... thanks to my friend for describing that one perfectly!

It's amazing how Ron sets the seeds of learning a few lessons sets back, introducing these new things, but sticking with you until you are ready for them to click, and become "part of the game". I love it! I can't wait for the next chapter.

Wow, inspirational preview clip!

2011-10-14T09:14:00.001+10:00

A new Grand Prix horse in Hayley's team - exciting!

2011-10-09T21:06:00.000+10:00

And…. Welcoming “Francy” to my team

"There are people living on the other side of the hill doing better things. Go and have a look."

2011-10-06T20:48:00.001+10:00

National Futures Squad for Dressage announced

2011-10-06T17:54:00.000+10:00

National Futures Squad for Dressage announced: National Futures Squad for Dressage announced

Something to aspire to

2011-09-25T15:18:00.002+10:00

This is Laura Collett and Rayef at Badmington 2011 (Eventing). She is only 21 and this is her first 4 star competition. They were in 3rd place (I think) after the dressage.Her horse reminds me abit of mine so watching this gives me something that seems "real" to aspire to, especially as it's an Eventing test so not quite as hard as the upper levels in pure dressage.

Dreaming again

2011-09-25T12:21:00.001+10:00

My last litte "dream time" Scarlett HW has increased in price from $55,000 to $70,000. I guess I have good taste.Anyway, I'm still dreaming... Maybe Brilliantly HW might be more my sort of horse anyway... he's seems like a cutety and quiet kind... but he's still $55,000... so more lotto tickets required....Brilliantly HW, gray Hanoverian gelding by Ballettmeister/Westerland, born in 2008, standing approximately 16.3 hands.

Shiraz Black update

2011-09-24T09:47:00.000+10:00

Here's Mary Hanna's Shiraz Black with Steffan Peters.

My package from The Tack Shed

2011-09-24T09:07:00.002+10:00

I got my package from www.thetackshed.com this week. I am so excited. I love HKM and am so pleased to be able to buy it in North Qld.

Thanks so much to the girls at The Tack Shed

So here's what I bought this time. Such great prices.

And I do have a wish list for the next shopping trip. :-)

Walldorf CDN 17th-18th September 2011 | Hayley Beresford

2011-09-23T21:25:00.000+10:00

Walldorf CDN 17th-18th September 2011 Hayley Beresford: Walldorf CDN 17th-18th September 2011

So excited!

2011-09-23T19:42:00.000+10:00

I have lessons coming up next week and I am busting for them and so excited about them! Like a kid in a lolly shop!

Bates Australian Dressage Championships 2011 - promo

2011-09-17T09:11:00.000+10:00

How exciting... I can't wait... especially to see some of the new "ready for London" freestyles.

:-) the best ride ever

2011-09-15T07:32:00.000+10:00

Yesterday I had the best ride ever on Paddy.

I am so happy.

After the warm up the entire ride had proper "Ron style" contact and I easily did all of the trot work sitting and my half halts came through easily. Not once did he feel like he was taking over and not once did it feel like he was out of control.

That's all a big step forward.

Tell the truth horse people!

2011-09-13T09:59:00.001+10:00

Just recently I've seen and heard some things that have made me remember just how truthless horse people can be... both about themselves and their horses. The quote below applies well...

"The most dangerous untruths are truths moderately distorted." ~ Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
Sometimes horse people "leave out" a lot of detail...

But there is also this...

"Only in quiet waters things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world." ~ Hans Margolius

Sometimes I think horse people live in a "fairy land" which lacks reality just so they feel better... But you know what... how well you ride or how well your horse goes has got nothing to do with what you're like as a person... I've meet some pretty wild riders who are just the nicest people. And the opposite as well...

Stop judging yourselves based on your horses or other people's horses. And remember...

"Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie: A fault, which needs it most, grows two thereby." ~ George Herbert

So take a reality check... It's Ok to dream big dreams and talk about them but don't tell lies or distort the truth to make it feel like you're living that dream... go out and do proactive things to get you closer to the dream... no matter how far away that might be.

Spend less time lying and more time enjoying and improving.

TDC Championships wrap up

2011-09-13T09:36:00.000+10:00

I had such a nice time at the Championships. This time I met lots of new people since there were riders from Atherton, Cairns, Tully, Bowen etc. And caught up with old friends as well.

Loved meeting the girls from www.thetackshed.com and since I'm already a fan of HKM it's nice to know you can buy it all locally and at such good prices. Also enjoyed making contact with the Horse North magazine editors.

The highlights were watching the freestyle performances and the horses and riders working the higher levels up to Inter I.

For me, I was disappointed that things hadn't progressed a little further than they had. I'm still very frustrated with Paddy's (my) mistakes and blunders, and my inability to rise to the challenge. I am abit sad... my patience is being tested... since all I dream about is improving, but the improvements each time are so tiny... and I'm such a realist...
On a brighter note Iffy and I posted a personal best at an EA show of 60.45% in the Prelim 1D for 5th. (But I do reflect and note the difference... since Iffy's Ag Show personal best is 72%... I have always said that mostly, Ag show results are 10% higher than EA shows.)

The good stuff included better engagement and work from the hind end from Paddy (you can see that in the photos). A better day on Sunday (he was tired) meant I could ride in spurs and not pull back so much and get some half halts through, and ride with my hands in a better position, but that did result in some disobedience. I was really thrilled to get some "true Ron style" contact in the warm up arena after our prelim test... which is the first time I've ever been able to achieve that away from home other than in lessons. I was also happy to achieve a good canter loop in the Novice 2D and a leg yield for an 8. We are now quite comfortably sitting the trot in our tests to the point that we are even doing the lengthened trot sitting for a better result than we were getting rising. Overall, the work feels better even though we are not that much better in our results.

Iffy was awesome for the whole show. Her couple of campdrafts have helped with her forward to the point that we are now getting "rushed" and "hurried" in our comments. Now just to work on 1/2 halts to bring that under control since after campdrafting even a 1/8 halt or my heels down 1/2 inch results in a total dead stop. This will be hard to find the answers to... very refined riding needed. I have found a better place for my hands which seems to keep her more forward and up but still connected and more consistently connected. Her last Novice 2D test for a 57% felt so great. I loved every minute of it.

We now have some things to work on for our up coming lessons and the T-shirt day.

Townsville Dressage Championships

2011-09-10T21:11:00.002+10:00

Some brief news from the first day of the Championships.

I all went OK... Rode 4 tests, a prelim and a Novice on each Horse.
No test was under 55% so that was a good start (but nothing over 60% either so all just average).
Mistakes (like Paddy dropping back to the trot after I half halted too vigorously after lengthened canter... oh the sensitivity of the thoroughbred... grrh) were the main problem. Lots of 6's some sevens and one 8 (leg yield) but a few 4s (and one 3 :-( ) for the mistakes brought things back.
Just out of the place getters by one in both the Prelim and the Novice.
Am happy with Paddy's relaxation in the Prelim.

So, still lots to work on.

But I am also having a lovely time... watching the Elementary, Medium and Advanced tests, and wow, the Freestyle tonight was fantastic.

And some pictures to show us in action (thanks to one of my best mates for taking the shots).

Blogging in brief

2011-09-07T20:19:00.000+10:00

It's been too long...

I have been so busy doing fun stuff and earning a living that I haven't had time to blog about it all... and there's so much to blog about.

So for now, I will blog in brief and promise to make up for it with posts in the future:

Volunteering at Hughenden Campdraft... such a great team effort and good for the soul.
Back into campdrafting... and loving it... but not for long... dressage is still the best.
Horses and hubby did great at Hughenden draft - ribbons, finals etc.
Paddy went to Hughenden draft too... he was such a good boy.
Two front pages, NQ Register and Qld Country Life, plus two full inside pages with my photos of Hughenden Campdraft... I'm stoked! Thrilled to bits! And the campdrafters bought me flowers! Makes me think I should be photographing for a living... but maybe that would take the fun out of it.
Richmond Campdraft was also fun and hubby did well there too... ribbons and finals and the big one, an 88 in the Novice on my chestnut mare Caddylena. Took some good shots there too.

And coming up:

I'm so excited to be going to the TDC Dressage Championships - I can't wait to catch up with my Townsville dressage friends and to compete again... so so excited to be going.
Woopee - CWEG T-shirt day in early October.. and I've nominated... oh ah Elementary... are we ready?
And in between... some lessons.

And I've been quickly following 2011 Bundeschampionate, Warendorf, Germany... go Furstenball.

The development of a grand prix dressage horse

2011-08-21T09:00:00.001+10:00

This is worth watching.

It is Carl Hester and Uthopia working with Jean Bemelmans.

There's 2 parts to the series.

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro back in May 2011

2011-08-20T13:02:00.000+10:00

FEI European Dressage Championships

2011-08-20T12:57:00.002+10:00

So there you go... the Brits have peeked just in time for London 2012.

And how exciting for Carl Hestor and Utopia and what about Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro (Carl's other horse). Wow, I can't wait to see more of these Brits.

And the final results are here:

http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2011/08/17/scores-2011-european-dressage-championships

Euro championships - the first day

2011-08-18T08:20:00.002+10:00

http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2011/08/17/dujardin-and-team-great-britain-takes-firm-lead-after-grand-prix-day-one

http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2011/08/17/scores-2011-european-dressage-championships

Inspiring videos

2011-08-16T21:02:00.001+10:00

I've created a new page on my blog. Somewhere I can go to quickly for a quick and instant dose of inspiration. Check out the page by clicking on Inspiring videos just below my blog header. Enjoy.

A $55,000 dream

2011-08-14T09:23:00.002+10:00

So here's the answer
http://www.hwfarm.com/Sales/urls/scarlett_hw.htm
$55,000 including import costs from Germany to NY.
So back to reality... I guess it can't hurt to dream... sometimes it's nice to dream. Even if they are impossible dreams.

My dream

2011-08-14T08:50:00.000+10:00

Look at this 3 year old! Wow! Now this is my dream... and for some reason it seems slightly conceivable... I must be mad to think that, I know. I bet she'd be worth a fortune.

Dream on... my husband would tell me to stop being so stupid... "stop teazing yourself", he'd say.

Mary Shares her Hickstead 2011 Experiences

2011-08-13T09:16:00.005+10:00

http://www.statenepark.com/">Statene

Inspiration!

2011-08-13T09:08:00.000+10:00

Carl Hester Training Sessions

2011-08-07T13:56:00.004+10:00

I love this series. I love how Carl speaks so frankly about this lovely horse. It gives me hope...

Awesome freestyle

2011-08-06T10:58:00.011+10:00

I love this... the music is great and the horse just flows!

WDM Hickstead 2011 - Carl Hester's ride, 2nd place in Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWAdvn_y76c&feature=related

Some lovely pony dressage

2011-08-01T19:39:00.004+10:00

Dutch Dana van Lierop and Lavinia Arl's German Riding pony mare Day of Diva in the Kur to Music Finals at the 2011 European Pony Championships in Jaszkowo, Poland

Third Victory for Rath and Totilas at the 2011 CDIO Aachen | eurodressage

2011-07-18T21:31:00.000+10:00

Third Victory for Rath and Totilas at the 2011 CDIO Aachen eurodressage: "Third Victory for Rath and Totilas at the 2011 CDIO Aachen"

Fun fun

2011-07-18T21:29:00.000+10:00

Today's ride was such fun... the canter was still not great, but abit bolder and I let it flow more... the trot work is really starting to happen nicely... it's like dancing, and the more laterals I string together around the arena the better it is... and the rythum now hardly changes. Loving it.

Awesome! but MAD!

2011-07-17T17:40:00.001+10:00

My horse is a complex creature.
Today he was MAD! So insane that I had to hobble him to put his boots and saddle on. He was one CRAZY beast!
But once I very quickly got on I was the best rider I've ever been and he worked the best he's ever worked. The contact was just so... the canter jumped... the transitions were smooth, underneath me, on the bit and round... he was listening and so responsive... and he let my leg on like never before. I could guide him around the arena with my whole leg pressing to where he needed to be... now that's a different feeling.
We didn't work for long... that was hard... but positive!
I'm truly happy! BUT MY HORSE IS MAD!

2011-07-17T17:34:00.000+10:00

Lord of Loxley Wins in Vierzon | Parbery Performance Horses

2011-07-17T11:58:00.000+10:00

Lord of Loxley Wins in Vierzon Parbery Performance Horses: "Lord of Loxley Wins in Vierzon"

Totilas and Matthias Rath win the Grand Prix Special at 2011 CDIO Aachen | eurodressage

2011-07-17T10:34:00.000+10:00

Totilas and Matthias Rath win the Grand Prix Special at 2011 CDIO Aachen eurodressage: "Totilas and Matthias Rath win the Grand Prix Special at 2011 CDIO Aachen"

More from Aachen - GP Special

2011-07-17T10:11:00.002+10:00

Results for the GP Special at Aachen this morning:
1. Totilas - Matthias Alexander Rath (GER)
2. Jerich Parzival - Adelinde Cornelissen (NED)
3. El Santo NRW - Isabell Werth (GER)
4. Mistral Hojris - Laura Bechtolsheimer (GBR)
5. Ravel - Steffen Peters (USA)

Aachen 2011

2011-07-16T13:58:00.002+10:00

Rath Controls the Ring

http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2011/07/15/rath-controls-ring-cdio-grand-prix-2011-cdio-aachen

http://www.youtube.com/v/5MtjTDZj0uc?version=3"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true">http://www.youtube.com/v/5MtjTDZj0uc?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390">

Twelve above 70

http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2011/07/15/twelve-above-70-2011-cdio-aachen-grand-prix

Blue Hors Romanov at Aachen 2011

http://www.youtube.com/v/svxeIj_Jg5o?version=3"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true">http://www.youtube.com/v/svxeIj_Jg5o?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390">

The Scores

http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2011/07/13/scores-2011-cdio-aachen

Thanks Eurodressage for the great coverage so far.

Tiny feelings

2011-07-09T13:39:00.003+10:00

I have well and truly consolidated the tiny "let down" the seat bones feeling that ensures the walk stays a walk. That's really working now.

And I'm working on the "let go" of the muscles in a specific spot in the small of my back that makes the trot loose and floating. I can really feel the difference.

But the newest feeling is good too. Now that I'm actually getting the opportunity to practice trot/canter/trot transitions like never before I have found that "slightly left behind" feeling that comes from leaning back ever so slightly so that the horse catches you in the upward transition. And I now remember a friend of mine working on this in a lesson with Ron Paterson about 3 years ago.

It's so funny though how these nice (and tiny) feelings are anti the default position... they are opposites... the things you are least likely to do (especially on a hot thoroughbred) when things aren't going well. It's normally tighten (which means lift) the seat, tense and hold the back, and in an attempt go forward, lean forward to follow the canter transition.

So these things will need to be practiced, over and over again, so they are the new default... and with an extremely sensitive horse like Paddy, it's the difference between nice and nasty.

Some good progress - the pyramid reigns supreme

2011-07-08T13:22:00.004+10:00

As you know, Paddy and I have been working on trot/canter/trot transitions... we've been fighting... he's sulking and pouting down the back of the paddock and I'm upset because it doesn't feel right (the fighting mostly) even if we are getting it now and then.

So two days off... time to stop and think about things...

And once again, the training pyramid reigns supreme... and it's my hot thoroughbred version of the pyramid where the whole things rests of a base of relaxation - relaxation actually comes first.

And what I've realises it that I need to step back again for this new work (stupid how trot/canter/trot can be knew work after 3.5 years... grrrhhh!). What I'm doing wrong is expecting the suppleness, contact and impulsion I'm getting in the other work to be the standard in the transitions. But how can I when it's not even relaxed (and hotness is the enemy of the training scale).

So, the last lot of work was just working on the mechanics of trot/canter/trot/canter with no fuss, not hotness and not even much suppleness or contact.

I will do this for a while until I feel it is established and in rhythm and then I will move on to a higher expectation that it should be done supple and with more contact.

I know... I have given in again... but I can't keep this fight going on when it feels so wrong.

The positive is that yesterday's work resulted in the most consecutive trot/canter/trot transitions without and hotness or any wrong leads. I hope the contact can come soon... but I must have patience...

Transitions - yee haa!

2011-07-02T11:28:00.000+10:00

Today, for the very first time ever in the history of Paddy, he did transitions from trot to canter that were round, on the bit, not hot and occuring underneath me (rather than out in front). And he didn't just do one, he did multiple on both reins. Wow... and the canter afterwards was something we were both happy with (rather than me happy and him not in canter, or him happy and me not).

So... as I expected, the transitions are the key to other things and have been a big hurdle in our training.

But... I had to work it out myself... my coach hasn't been keen to take them on (for whatever reason).

Last time I rode, it was so bad, I didn't even blog about it. Paddy and I had a big fight about transitions and in the end he was a lather of sweat and I was exhausted. But it seems like the fight was required. I hate fighting with him but we had to do something different as the same old thing (abandoning the reins, resulting in a loose rider and transitions out in front) wasn't working... or doing either of us any good.

It's been a good training session, and I'm smiling.

P.S. It's good to be back in the saddle again...

You know I love Blue Horse Romanov

2011-07-01T21:12:00.002+10:00

http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2011/06/30/blue-hors-romanov-focus-2011-european-championships

Hayley Beresford's Relampago do Retiro Euthanized after Freak Accident

2011-07-01T21:07:00.000+10:00

I am so sad that I have cried.

Beresford's Relampago do Retiro Euthanized after Freak Accident | eurodressage

I love Rozzie and Jive Magic's music

2011-06-26T13:54:00.000+10:00

I just love the music in the freestyle... especially the canter and the pretty music used for half pass. Some bits could fade abit more seemlessly. Even so, I love the fact that it seems like an epic when you watch it... building and building to some great thing.

A few little blunders in the ride and the canter pirouette is clearly not there yet, but I can't wait to watch this freestyle get better for these two as they get better.

Furstenball

2011-06-26T12:39:00.001+10:00

As you know from my Blog posts in the past, I am a fan of Furst Heinrich and many of his decendants. Furstenball must be one of the best of these. Swooon!

Floriscount and Furstenball Stand Out as Sires at 2011 German Foal Selection Shows

http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2010/11/02/stallion-stud-furstenball

Dressage Training Exercises to Calm Your Hot Horse

2011-06-21T09:53:00.002+10:00

Dressage Training Exercises to Calm Your Hot Horse: "Dressage Training Exercises to Calm Your Hot Horse"

Sydney CDI 2011 - Mary Hanna and Umbro 3rd in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI***

2011-06-20T11:02:00.000+10:00

If I win the Lotto this is the horse I would like to buy... I wonder how much Mary would take for him ;-)

Sydney CDI 2011 present Jessica Clark

2011-06-20T10:00:00.002+10:00

Sydney CDI 2011 - Day One

2011-06-20T09:53:00.000+10:00

I love the way this video features the young and overseas riders... Wow, haven't we got some promsing youth coming up.

Back in the saddle

2011-06-18T17:46:00.000+10:00

So I'm back in the saddle after Winton Show... thank god.

After what has been one of the most hellish few weeks (other than the awesome Winton Show result) I now feel like I have "some of myself" back again. Rather than feeling completely "stripped bare from the inside out".

Amazing what a horse ride can do... and it was good too. No after show "hardness", just soft soft soft, and working on my Winton Show training outcomes... flow... stillness and upness in the transitions.

Now I can't wait for the next ride...

Monte Bellini - a new love

2011-06-15T20:08:00.002+10:00

http://www.youtube.com/v/LzjVJ9mGqbY?version=3">name="allowFullScreen" value="true">http://www.youtube.com/v/LzjVJ9mGqbY?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390">

http://a-1performancesires.com/Westphalian/MonteBellini.asp

http://www.waterviewpark.com.au/pages/frozen-semen-list/stallion-details.php?idArticle=16364

Winton Show Success

2011-06-14T15:04:00.001+10:00

84% in the Preliminary 1.F (PCAQ) at Winton Show! Don't you just love those generous (and abit ridiculus) Agricultural Show judges :-)

Even so (take about 20% off it to make it more realistic) and it was still the best test ever!!!! Whoppee! It just flowed (and that's actually what I got out of the last lot of lessons - flow - after worrying I hadn't made any progress from my lessons).

So with all 8's and 9's I'm framing this test!

The other tests were good too. 64.4% for Iffy's Prelim and 72% for her Novice and 70% for Paddy's Novice... oh, and I did get 2nd for my 84% test.

Also Champion Led Gelding of the Show (Paddy) and 1st Led ASH mare (Iffy). Paddy played up really badly in his hack classes (he just can't cope with it).. 3rd District Heavy Weight Hack and 3rd Lady Rider. Iffy was a gem... 3rd District Galloway Hack, 1st Novice and 2nd Open, and Reserve Champion Galloway Hack - Nice!

Winton is a nice feel good show - not much competition and very generous judges...

So ready for Winton Show

2011-06-08T20:37:00.000+10:00

I am so so ready for the Winton Show.

The horses are all tired... thanks to the 27 camels who've decide to make the other horse paddock their home. This morning, all the horses looked liked they'd had a night out on the grog last night. :-)

I've been riding both horses every day.

Iffy is going better every day. She's getting it and I'm learning what it takes to get a connection.

Paddy is tired, sitting trot is going well and I've worked out just how much seat I need (lots) in the transitions to make them happen connected.

Cool stuff... even if Winton Show doesn't go well the prep has been fantastic.

They are all washed and ready to travel tomorrow.

I've needed annual leave from work to achieve it but it's been worth it.

Wish me luck!!! Comp is on Friday, but I'm going early (Winton Show photography section judging (my other gig) tomorrow).

Today - the best day ever!!!!

2011-06-06T20:08:00.000+10:00

Today, Paddy was brilliant and I am smiling ear to ear!!!

Today, we did sit trot properly. It didn't matter how forward he got, I could just sit. It didn't matter how bouncey he was, I just bounced in beautiful harmony.

He was glued to my seat... and I was quiet... still... he halted perfectly still almost every time.

The canter was more forward than ever before but still with jump and still connected.

WOW!

How... he warmed himself up... did three laps of the paddock at full gallop and was covered in sweat before I even got on him. Good to know... now all I need is a jockey to hire to achieve that warm up every day.

Maybe this was only today, and maybe we might not feel this again for a while, but for now... good to feel it and I now know it's possible. Smiling :-) :-) :-) lots!

Off to Winton Show this weekend... and it has a race track... I'm thinking... maybe a gallop is in order.

Jane Savoie's Sitting Trot Video

2011-05-29T09:26:00.002+10:00

This is a great video and I think has helped me understand where some of my unwanted movement is coming from.

http://equisense.squarespace.com/video-3/

The after lesson ride

2011-05-28T21:03:00.001+10:00

So the after lesson ride went well. He was hot hot hot!!! as I jazzed him up from the moment I got on him and then Chad got on him too. Poor bugger... but the work was good and I felt some of the new feelings,even though he did blow up a couple of times. It was more like in the show ring today which is all good practice for the actual. And it was fun.

And yes Sharon, you sound like Ron... "you're over thinking it"... but I just can't help it. How does a person stop thinking? Especially a person to whom riding does not come naturally. But today was better... less thinking and more doing.

Dreams come true for Cornelissen

2011-05-28T15:09:00.003+10:00

Central West Equestrian Group Dressage Competition

2011-05-28T14:56:00.000+10:00

So here's miss Iffy (Glencoe If Only) at the dressage competition we went to during April. Apart from the fact that I need to stretch up abit taller in my body, I do love this photo. She has a nice expression on her face and is in a nice frame (for Preliminary dressage).

She got both the worst score and the best score of all of the tests I did for the weekend. And we won the best presented prize.

It was a really nice competition and we had a lovely weekend, even though it was full of frustrations with my riding, but some good bits (like no nerves).

Post lesson blues

2011-05-28T14:48:00.000+10:00

The post lessons blues have set in pretty quickly this time. I've just finished 4 lessons with visiting instructor Ron Paterson. I had two lessons on each horse.

Iffy's lessons went really well and I am happy with our progress... for the first time ever, she felt (for a few strides) like a dressage horse.

For Paddy, on the other hand, it was backwards... no new work this time, just the same old stuff... me not being able to sit still and quietly enough to stop him reacting. But the problem is, I can't feel that I'm moving... what I'm moving or how I'm moving... so that I can stop moving. He's just soooo sensitive. I feel like a complete and utter idot! How can I be moving and not know about it?

Once again, I never got to work on any of the things I'm struggling with in competition... because the reality is, I can't even halt properly, or trot and canter properly so I guess transitions are way beyong my capabilities.

I'm really struggling with the concept of... am I just so shit compared to other people who just seem to "get it"? What is it that I do that makes me so bad?

Ron said it's just that my horse is super sensitive plus really powerful... he reckons Paddy is one of the most powerful horses he's ever ridden.

But if this is the case, do I have to face the reality I just can't ride well enough for my horse... and what a tear jerking reality is that... and what can I do about it anyway... nothing!... I can't afford to buy a new horse... I hardly have to cash to feed the ones I've got.

So I guess... the best way to solve the post lesson blues is to stop sulking and just get out there and "RIDE YOUR HORSE".

P.S. The good bits were a swinging trot for a few circles that I've never felt before, and a new softness in trot (without running away) that I felt for a 1/2 dozens circles or so. Plus a new outside rein feeling.

Facing past demons

2011-05-14T10:05:00.001+10:00

I know this Blog is supposed to be about dressage and horses, but for me dressage, horses and life are all intertwined... and I think as I become more liberated as a person, my riding, through my mental attitude, improves.

So, I’ve just been to a most inspiring leadership forum (thanks to my work)... and I got abit more than I bargained for. In fine “Winners and Losers” (that’s a TV show) style, during a toilet break, I stumbled into my high school bully! And I don’t mean someone who did just abit of teasing... I mean the person that gave me nightmares right up until I was 26 years old... I can’t talk about what she did (way too painful).

She said hello (clearly she didn’t remember it all how I did). I just said “Hi" and continued on. The second day she attempted conversation which I replied to politely but did not add to.

And you know... while, it may have been nice to have been:

the fit and gorgeous size 10 (rather than the plain old abit out of shape me, that’s happy at size 13 because I don’t have to fight with my body too much to be this size)

at the absolute prime of a successful career (rather than making my way through abit of a career blip, not sure of my direction, but happily making the best of the experience and opportunity)

skilfully balancing a family of three cute talented blonde haired children (rather than no kids but fine with that because I’m still scared stiff of the idea)

and living in our own “perfect” family home (rather than having the lifestyle but not the debt is our awesome little rented rural paradise).

But actually, I didn’t really care who I was, while she stood there in front of me.

Because the truth is, no matter who I am or how success is measured, I know one thing... I will never ever be the bully whose own insecurities drove her to try to ruin another person’s life, just so she’d feel better about herself.

I probably should have said thank you to her... at the time, while she was driving me to the edge, I had no idea that I’d gain the strength later in life to be as true to myself as I am now.

So, another liberating life experience... I’m starting to make a habit of these. And I’m celebrating them, because the more at ease I feel with me, the better I’ll be in all parts of my life... and that includes my dressage.

Blog avoidance

2011-05-08T19:08:00.000+10:00

Ok, time to own up, I've been avoiding my blog.

Too hard to face reality... I've been to two competitions since I last posted on my blog... and I'm sad to say that the progress I thought I was making doesn't show up at competitions.

I really did think I was improving, but sadly the scores don't reflect it. So I'm sad and frustrated about that. I'm a home ground wonder! with a warped sense of achievement... :-(

But I'm recovering and there are some good bits.

The good bits:

No nerves... awesome break through this is... I'm normally so worried and nervous that I'm almost physically ill. I just "rode my horse"
I have eliminated some people from my life (no need to add to that, only that it's liberating to be true to ones self, and awesome not to care at all what they think)
I had a wonderful time with my friends and I enjoyed being with and riding my horses... I love them more than ever (both horses and friends)

More blogging about the comps later... I promise.

Fürstinus update

2011-04-11T07:26:00.000+10:00

He's arrived... Fürstinus has arrived at his new home and his new owners are abit excited... apparently he's even better than the pictures and DVD. How exciting!

Win a Ride on KWPN Licensed Grand Prix Stallion Lingh

2011-04-09T19:54:00.002+10:00

Gutes Geling(h)en: Win a Ride on KWPN Licensed Grand Prix Stallion Lingh eurodressage: "Win a Ride on KWPN Licensed Grand Prix Stallion Lingh"

My application is in!!!!

The trick to Iffy - sitting trot!

2011-04-09T19:35:00.000+10:00

Would you believe it? Sitting trot!

I can't do sitting trot for nuts! I'm hopeless at it (... or correction... I'm hopeless at it on Paddy... he won't soften his back enough to let me do it properly).

So... of course the last thing I was thinking was that my very green galloway that I'm not keen on riding because she never seems to be moving forward (in her work or her training) would work better at sitting trot. She's moved foward +2 in her work and her training just because I sat!

And... I'm not as rubbish at sitting trot as I thought... I can do it just fine on her... And she goes much better at trot while I'm sitting - more forward and more balanced, which I guess all has something to do with more balanced me.

The moral, as always with training horses, never get locked into something, always have an open mind, never assume, and always experiment with new things.

But the canter is still rubbish... we're yet to find the trick there... other than letting my husband ride her, and that's a whole other story...

Fürst Grandios | Hayley Beresford

2011-04-03T10:08:00.004+10:00

Fürst Grandios is owned by the Elmerhaus Family of Zucht and Sport Pferde Schmidt. A son of Fürst Heinrich from an Argentinus mother, he is an impressive 172, dark bay stallion born in 2002.

He is one of Hayley Beresford's new horses (2010).

So, Fürst Grandios has some of the same lines as Fürstinus, which will make watching Hayley and Fürst Grandios all the more interesting.

For more click Furst Grandios Hayley Beresford

Fürstinus

2011-04-03T10:00:00.000+10:00

Watch the video of Fürstinus here http://www.bloomfieldfarm.com.au/March2011Auction/Lot02.html

Introducing Fürstinus

2011-04-03T09:44:00.000+10:00

I am so excited... one of my friends has recently purchased Fürstinus from Bloomfield Farm.

She's so lucky and I'm so happy for her. This will open a new and exciting chapter of her life with horses.

He is by one of my favourites Fürst Love. The stallion I would choose to serve a mare to if it was within my means. Fürst Love is amazing and I love his pedigree.

Fürst Love's dad is Fürst Heinrich. When I watched the video of him I was so impressed. It made a real impact on me.

Fürstinus's mum is Argentina by Argentinus.

So, with a story like that you can see why I'm so excited for my friend and also excited that there's going to be a horse of such quality in North Queensland. I've already tried to book a service.

But there's more to this story... watch for more on future blogs...

Belissimo M | Hayley Beresford

2011-04-02T21:42:00.000+10:00

Belissimo M Hayley Beresford: "Belissimo M" I can't wait to see this partnership grow...

Showjumping cats

2011-04-02T12:41:00.001+10:00

I know... abit off track for this blog, but I thought it was cute... back to work now Mel, you are not that bored!

Gucci Extends Equestrian link through New Collaboration

2011-04-02T12:31:00.003+10:00

Horse Deals - Horse Deals -Gucci Extends Equestrian link through New Collaboration - Magazine DVD Website: "Gucci Extends Equestrian link through New Collaboration - 1st Apr 2011" Gucci is pleased to announce that it is extending its relationship with the equestrian world through a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Edwina Alexander, the world's current number one female professional show jumper. This new initiative follows Guccis decision to return to the world of horse-riding in December 2009, after a 20-year hiatus, when the fashion house assumed the title sponsorship for the Gucci Masters in Paris and also signed a sponsorship agreement with Charlotte Casiraghi for her participation in the Global Championship Tour in both 2010 and 2011.

http://www.harpersbazaar.com.au/gucci-returns-to-equestrian-world.htm

Check out the video on link below... flash!!!

http://www.gucci.com/us/worldofgucci/articles/gucci-masters-2010

Overseas horse transport

2011-04-02T10:37:00.002+10:00

So interesting...

Busting to make amends!

2011-04-02T10:01:00.000+10:00

It's raining... which is great because RAIN = GRASS = FAT PONIES

However it's in the back of my mind that I haven't ridden Paddy since he was naughty. I'm busting to get back on a even the score... busting to settle things with a positive ride.

This will test my patience...

Naughty horse

2011-03-30T19:24:00.000+10:00

I'm abit sad today... Paddy was a naughty horse... for the first time in ages...

Bolted and scared me out on the trail... did the whole flying change to gain more speed thing that he does in the show ring.

That's abit frustrating and has blown my confidence for hacking this year.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

Acordelli

2011-03-27T16:35:00.001+10:00

http://www.thestallioncompany.com/stallion_detail.php?stallion=2007030

http://gestuet-birkhof.com/en/hengste/acordelli_video.php

Apparently he's a jumping stallion?

My dreams

2011-03-27T12:14:00.001+10:00

This is what I dream about... the day that this can happen! The day when I can ride this well...

P.S. This is Shannon Peters.

2011-03-26T10:42:00.001+10:00

Paddy, it's not winter yet!!!

2011-03-25T17:57:00.000+10:00

Even though the temperature range is 19 to 34 degrees my Paddy has still decided to grow his winter coat already... ho hum so frustrating!

At this rate he will need clipping soon... or else he'll die in the heat!

Does this mean we're in for a very cold winter? I think I'll be purchasing some new clippers this year... :-(... putting the new saddle even further away from my financial reaches.

Travers left was even better today

2011-03-18T20:54:00.002+10:00

I'm so impressed with Paddy's travers left today... it's really coming along...

but with all this talk about travers I thought I should post some visuals and descriptions.

Haunches-in (also called travers, "tête au mur") is a lateral movement used in the dressage discipline of horse training. It has a close cousin, haunches-out ("renvers", "croupe au mur"), that is slightly more difficult. Both movements are four-track, meaning they produce four lines of hoof prints in the sand, as opposed to the usual two seen if the horse is straight and to the three-track shoulder-in.

In haunches-in, the horse bends its hindquarters slightly to the inside of the arena, away from the arena wall, so that the horse is bent in the direction of movement. The front legs and shoulders should not move from the original track. This produces the four tracks, with the outer track made by the outside foreleg, the second track by the inside foreleg, the third track by the outside hind leg, and the inside track made by the inside hind leg.

Both movements are used in dressage training, as they encourage collection from the horse, help to produce impulsion, can be used to supple the horse and make him more responsive to the aids, and helps to strengthen the hindquarters.

Additionally, travers is a stepping stone to the more advanced half-pass,[1] and goes together with the turn on the haunches, which also asks the horse to move in the direction of bend.

When the student is ready, the master appears.

2011-03-18T18:09:00.000+10:00

~ Buddhist Proverb

I am always astounded by how often this happens... however, it may be because I am constantly readying myself... or even constantly on the lookout for the master.

Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.

2011-03-18T18:04:00.002+10:00

~ John Cotton Dana

Animo at Ashbourne

2011-03-18T10:20:00.000+10:00

A friend has put me onto this label.

http://www.animouk.co.uk/home

Some unique gear. They are also the home of PrestigeItalia (nice saddles!)

Blue Hors Romanov, Danish Stallion of the Year 2011 | eurodressage

2011-03-17T08:26:00.000+10:00

Blue Hors Romanov, Danish Stallion of the Year 2011 eurodressage:

I've blogged about Blue Hors Romanov (and his rider Sune Hansen) before... it seems I must have good taste...

The basics - Amen!

2011-03-16T22:18:00.000+10:00

So my last two rides have been great! A fresh new look at things - again.

My learnings -> that my high expectations of and insistence on a certain level of suppleness is absolutely fundamental!

I need to assess this at all times... if the high standard is not there... stop and go back to the basics... get it back again... no matter if it's at the start of the ride or throughout.

This must also carry through to my warm up for competition. As I know that the suppleness is what goes missing at comps.

I've set the benchmark and now my awareness of it needs to be razor sharp.

I enjoy my rides so much more when there's good suppleness. Things can happen.

American Steffen Peters Rides Ravel to Record Win in Grand Prix at 2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach | eurodressage

2011-03-12T20:09:00.001+10:00

American Steffen Peters Rides Ravel to Record Win in Grand Prix at 2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach eurodressage: "American Steffen Peters Rides Ravel to Record Win in Grand Prix at 2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach"

They finished on 80.872%, a record CDI Grand Prix score for the pair. Peters received a 10 for his riding.

“I wish I had a 12 to give you,” said Ground Jury President Cara Whitham to Peters after the test.

Not happy with the work, but happy with the thinking

2011-03-12T15:50:00.000+10:00

I wasn't happy with all of the work last ride.

Some tension, and not the expected suppleness.

My thoughts are too much trying for improvement in things that cause abit of tension (travers left and upward and downward canter transitions). Or at least not enough suppling between those things.

Anyway, I'm proud of myself for identifying it immediately...

Now,once it stops raining and I can ride again... trail ride first and then back to the basics... long and low, 1,2,3 and squares to move the shoulders and hind, and some elasticity work. We'll do that for a while until the suppleness comes back.

I ask - what's the difference in a "female" saddle?

2011-03-12T15:37:00.000+10:00

I should have known that YouTube could tell me the answer.

Be flexible with the training

2011-03-10T21:40:00.001+10:00

We're not great at travers left (not sure, me or him or both).

Anyway, today I tried something different and it worked. Paddy's better about his haunches to the left if we travers right for half the long side and then change to renvers. Or, even zig zag, half pass right and then change to half pass left.

Weird I know... all that's supposed to be harder...? He just seems he gets the concept better if we start right and then change to left.

So, keeping an open mind and trying different things out is the key... I guess it proves that all horses are different. And I guess if you were training lots of horses this would just be assumed.

Nice learnings from today :-)

And for freestyle trot?

2011-03-06T10:55:00.002+10:00

Playing with Freestyle music

2011-03-06T09:57:00.001+10:00

I've been mucking around with some freestyle music and some clips from my last lot of lessons. I was looking for something uniquely Australian and since Paddy's name is Bush Twist I was looking for something earthy for him and abit folky for me.

You've heard the canter music in the previous clip of Paddy and I.

This is some walk music.

Blue Hors Zack

2011-03-06T08:04:00.002+10:00

I've blogged about Zack before... so here's a nice video.

Paddy and Mel at lessons with Ron

2011-03-04T10:26:00.001+10:00

Finally, a video of us.

Double click the video to see full screen if the side of the video is cut off on your screen.