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CALM, FORWARD, STRAIGHT






CALM, FORWARD, STRAIGHT






PAGES

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 * How we met...





SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2011


OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW...


January

We started the year treating Val for hay needles - a noxious weed in his hay
that lodged in his gums, made eating very uncomfortable. There was some good
progress in getting on the bit after a long stretch of bareback rides. And the
coldest winter anyone could remember + a (for us) major snowstorm.




February

We rode - a lot. Made progress in the arena and out... with an eye towards
reinstating trail riding. Worked on connection, half halts, and forward. I
video-ed us for the first time - how revealing *eye roll*. Loving my horse...


 


March


Fine weather = feeling good + lots of rides. We rode bitless for the first time,
lots more bareback and several mini trail rides. Got a lesson on a whirlwind hay
trip - first in about six months, and one of the last as it turned out. A month
full of progress.















April


A lesson with a different trainer who helped me get my horse forward. Not a
dressage lesson, but very helpful. Shedding season, Val likes beer and plays a
convincing dead horse. (no connection between beer and dead horse...)







May



A fall (sort of), more bareback with posting practice + mini trail rides, Val
self loads, the farmette gets a garden - I made the raised beds and Val made the
dirt. We break ground on the new arena...




 












June


The garden grows despite the drought making life difficult.  I find the Shimmy
Shack and start making moving plans. I travel to my trainer's farm for what turn
out to be my last lessons with her....
 










July


Super hot - the arena footing deteriorates. We stay cool with frequent baths and
watermelon snacks. The garden starts to bear, and the Shimmy Shack moves in.










August


Dad and I get the Shimmy Shack hooked up to utilities - and I clean it within an
inch of it's life. Val spends much of the month wrapped and on bute due to a
mystery swelling and then being stocked up. Sold produce to a farmer's market
and a local restaurant until hurricane Irene tears up the island - just when
everything was going so well. Found an injured kitten on the side of the road
just before the storm - newest member of the household is christened "Seven". He
has twenty four toes!











September

A month I'd rather forget. Trapped on the island with no road off, and about a
billion mosquitos. Enough said.







October
  
We get the road back. My Dad and I build a kick ass deck around the Shimmy Shack
and she's ready to move in, which I spend most of the month accomplishing. Val
and I have a few good rides, and find out the break was good for both of us.


November


We make amazing strides. Val takes contact and works over his back -
consistently. I'm having to manage myself less as a rider. I had serious doubts
that we would move forward without a trainer. Riding has been an absolute joy.
Still getting my living space arranged, but it's coming together.


 





December


My farrier gives me trimming lessons. Made contact with a potential new trainer.
More great rides, a small step backwards, and then forward again. We end the
year on a super high note with our partnership strengthening. High hopes for
2012 - Happy New Year everyone!!!









Posted by Calm, Forward, Straight at 10:04 PM 16 (CLICK HERE FOR) comment(s)
Labels: 2011 review



WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2011


IN THE ARENA #97 - PROCESS OF ELIMINATION...


Val and I worked twice last week, with a focus on the forward that has been
lacking. Before Wednesday's ride, I gave him some bute, letting it take effect
while grooming and tacking up. Happily, the bute didn't appear to make any
difference in the quality of his movement. His desire to move, sadly, was still
lacking. Frustration resulted in a mini meltdown (mine) which then led to a much
improved ride. Releasing tension always helps.

And a brainstorm...  It occurred to me that there is an element of our training
that I hadn't (over) analyzed yet in my last few posts. New boots. In September
I ordered Val a pair of SMB VenTech Elite sports boots. Okay, we're certainly
not elite, and it's a stretch to call us athletes... but the persistent drought
this past summer caused super deep footing in our sand arena, which really
concerned me. Horses get bowed tendons here pretty often, if over-worked in deep
sand, especially on the beach. I've heard that horses work fifty percent harder
when training in sand, and figured Val could use some extra support. I liked
that these boots claim to stay cool, comfortable and don't restrict movement.

If you put them on right that is... There are numerous straps that attach with
hyper aggressive velcro. I'm questioning the one that runs under the fetlock. I
didn't exactly consult any directions about how to put them on, thinking that it
should be self explanatory. Famous last words. I've since found some instruction
online.


The next day we rode without the boots, without bute, and without a saddle. The
ride began with Val heading straight for the gate. He hung his head over and
began messing with the latch. I got the hint. No dice on a bareback trail ride
though, or on arguing about heading back into the arena. We returned to the
mounting block, started again and went on to have fluid, forward ride. What a
relief!


A conversation later that evening with a fellow student of my former trainer put
things into perspective. She has two friends, dressage riders, both facing
tremendous obstacles at the moment. Not obstacles to accomplishing dressage
goals mind you, but obstacles to life. They both have late stage cancer. And one
of them also lost her lovely Morgan, who suddenly dropped dead a couple of weeks
ago. Getting out of the house, out of bed even, can be a major ordeal for them.
As my friend pointed out - they would give anything just to be on their horses
these days. (At this point I felt like such a whiner!)

The takeaway... always double check your tack + your attitude. More importantly,
every ride is a gift - so cherish them all!



✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿


Holiday treats :)























 










A good time was had by all...

Posted by Calm, Forward, Straight at 11:13 PM 9 (CLICK HERE FOR) comment(s)
Labels: attitude, forward, xmas



SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2011


TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS...


Merry Christmas to all our blogger friends. We hope that your holiday is filled
with as much joy and love as little Grace and her (new) pony Encore...

Best wishes for a healthy, happy New Year to you all!! (((♡♡♡)))




Posted by Calm, Forward, Straight at 5:22 PM 8 (CLICK HERE FOR) comment(s)
Labels: holidays, horsey love



FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011


IN THE ARENA #96 - I "RODE THE HORSE I HAVE TODAY".. NOW, MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE
ONE I RODE YESTERDAY?!


With the glorious weather still hanging in here Thursday, I was compelled to
ride. Canceled an appointment, groomed and tacked, and away we went...

Nowhere. No go button at all. We argued about going forward, which direction to
not go forward in, and ultimately which spot to refuse to go forward from. My
recent strategy of skipping walk work and moving on to the trot was ineffective.
Asking for the trot elicited a series of head shaking crow hops, with some
dropped shoulder added in for effect. On a good note I stayed put no problem,
and managed to run through my mental checklist instead of worrying into a fetal
position.

My last few posts probably conveyed the sinister little undermining sense of
disbelief I had at how well our rides have been going, for an extended period of
time now, without a trainer. I tried to temper my enthusiasm, knowing that the
pendulum would ultimately swing back the other way. Self fulfilling prophecy...

Yesterday was a day that I totally needed and missed the help of a better, wiser
rider. I got completely frustrated at not being able to resolve the no go
situation in a positive way, with a positive attitude. My mind went to that
unhelpful place that predicts bad future events instead of being here now:

"If I don't end this ride on a good note, the sky will fall, and the sun will
never shine again, and my horse will be broken. Waaaaa."

I dismounted. And quasi free lunged (chased him around waving my arms) for a few
minutes, until I got control of my emotions, and he got with the moving forward
program. Bingo.

Deep breath. He licked and chewed, I remounted, and we continued the ride. We
did some nice big walking - best walk work we've done yet, he was covering
ground. Then we moved out at the trot. I dropped my stirrups and rode on the
buckle.*Val was super responsive to my aids. We ended on a very good note, as
far as the riding part goes.

Now, here's the worrying part. As far the rider is concerned - I know that I
struggle with being consistent in my aiding, with being even in my body, with
not giving unintentional aids. The last few months suggest to me that I have
become a more competent rider...

So what about Val? I believe his saddle fit is good. The sweat marks are always
even and the same on both sides. My trainer inspected the fit and okayed it. Val
doesn't react negatively to being saddled or to the girth being tightened. His
mouth is great according to his natural balance dentist. He takes the bit
willingly, and takes his time letting it go when we untack. He has been getting
a nice foamy mouth lately, so I don't think there's a bit problem.

Could something be bothering him physically? He seems sound to me. I can
certainly see when I'm not in the saddle that he shows no movement issues. Could
he just be testing my leadership? Does everyone have day like this where it
seems like they're going backwards? Should riding feel this hard - or more
precisely, shouldn't it eventually feel easier?

For my own peace of mind, I'm going to give Val some bute before our next ride,
which hopefully will eliminate if there is a physical issue that I've missed.
And the next ride after that will be bareback. If the problem stems from my
riding, I'm pointing my finger at how my tight right hip affects my seat. *I've
noticed that when I drop my stirrups and ride on the buckle at the end of our
rides, Val is the most responsive and loose that he ever feels.

I'll keep you posted. The dressage journey is nothing if not interesting and
mentally engaging - resisting the urge to whine here - even more so when you're
learning solo. :)





Posted by Calm, Forward, Straight at 3:13 PM 17 (CLICK HERE FOR) comment(s)
Labels: balking, forward, steering, whining



WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011


IN THE ARENA #95 - ...OF MICE AND MEN


I've learned to be wary of going into our rides with too much of a plan. I have
better results by responding to what goes on in the arena - "ride the horse you
have today." However, there is a little strategy I cooked up, and this was the
day to try it out.

While we've been improving by leaps and bounds this last couple of months, there
is still an unresolved issue. An issue that derails warming up at the walk +
steering, and often keeps us from using the whole arena. Recently I've avoided
it by moving immediately into trot work, where forward cures steering problems.
Bypassing the issue, but not solving it.



Sometimes steering is a monkey on our backs...


As I lay in bed the other night, I visualized beginning a circle at the top of
the arena. Instead of closing the circle, I would drop further down the arena,
creating a series of loops - sort of an open slinky shape
(sneaky)





This would theoretically accomplish two things: surprise my horse thereby
keeping his interest - he's very allergic to predictable - and move me
throughout the entire arena at the beginning of the ride, in a roundabout way,
without arguments. Holy cow - it worked! Nothing challenges my creativity like
dressage.You simply cannot phone it in with a partner like Val.

We proceeded to have a lovely ride focusing on contact, stretchy trot and big
walk. Although I struggled with keeping my lower leg on consistently - when I
was able, he responded by reaching into the contact. Listen to your horse...


✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿


As I prepared for our ride this afternoon, Val surprised me with a new trick.
Each time I glanced up from grooming, he was in the midst of untying his quick
release knot. First mouthing the loop, loosening it. Next pulling the end to
dismantle the knot. Then finally yanking the whole rope back through the tie
ring with a flourish as the leadline dangled from his mouth. He cut glances at
me throughout the entire process, looking quite proud of himself. I was
supremely bummed not to have my camera handy, although I expect I'll have other
chances to document this behavior. Good thing we ground tie now.

I recently got a comment asking about how we work on ground tying. It's pretty
simple. I halter Val, then lay the lead rope over his back. I begin grooming,
picking feet, bug spraying etc. As soon as he moves a step, I (calmly) stop what
I'm doing, send him back to where he started with a light hand on his lead, and
resume. This process also involves lots of cookies.

Initially, the exercise consisted of moving Val back into place, over and over.
Now - he might take a half-hearted step or two, get put back, sigh, politely
drop his head and wait. It's good to set yourself up for success, ie choose a
nice calm day when your horse is feeling pretty mellow, practice after exercise,
and have a wall, fence or some barrier to limit avenues of escape. How do you
all do it?

Posted by Calm, Forward, Straight at 10:05 PM 14 (CLICK HERE FOR) comment(s)
Labels: contact, ground tying, steering



SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2011


IN THE ARENA #94 - IT'S NICE TO SHARE...


Friday was farrier day. My farrier has kindly agreed to teach me the basics of
barefoot trimming my horse, since he may not be able to continue traveling to
our island much longer. Several horse owners here skipped out on his
appointments with no notice last visit. He drives seven hours round trip to get
here... people just blow my mind with their ignorant behavior sometimes.

Anyhow - I did Val's fronts this go round. Will work on the hinds next time. I
feel pretty good about knowing what to trim, how much and why... using the tools
smoothly, positioning myself and holding Val's feet comfortably and safely are
going to take time. (understatement) It went well considering. My farrier is a
patient teacher who can put his knowledge into words - lucky for me. My horse
has decent feet after two years of being barefoot, so I'm not having to correct
any major issues - also lucky.

I tacked Val up for a ride after we trimmed him. Cowboy was already working
beyond the far end of our arena. It's been a while since both horses were
working at the same time. Val indicated that he'd like to stay at the far end
and watch Cowboy work - like he usually does. It took some time and patience to
convince him otherwise. After settling our little difference of opinion, we
enjoyed a workmanlike ride - the high points being steady contact (foamy mouth),
round 15m circles, decent transitions and some stretchy trot at the end of the
ride. It was fun to ride with someone else for a change. For one thing, there
was room in my tiny breeches pocket for treats since I didn't have to cram my
cell phone in there. And it's always nice to have company when doing chores. A
really good day at the barn. :)

Last night Val followed me out into his paddock while I picked manure. As per
usual, while nosing about, he suddenly needed to munch on some discarded hay
that had sat on the floor of his run in all day, until I put it into the manure
cart (where it's desirability skyrocketed). I proceeded to jokingly offer him
hay, one strand at a time. He politely ate for as long as I offered. After the
snack, he rested his chin into the crook of my shoulder, quietly breathing onto
my neck, while we watched the sun set behind the trees. *sigh*



 









































Posted by Calm, Forward, Straight at 9:19 PM 7 (CLICK HERE FOR) comment(s)
Labels: barefoot trimming, farrier, love my horse



THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2011


IN THE ARENA #93 - AND THEN RAINBOWS CAME FLYING OUT OF OUR -----


After a brief cool down, we were blessed with another week of unseasonable
delightful warmth and sun. Yesterday was likely the end. For real this time.

I cleared my schedule by early afternoon, and got Val ready for our ride. The
horses were surprisingly calm considering that tree trimming guys spent half the
day clearing my property around the electric lines with power tools, and then
disposing of the cuttings in a giant, deafening wood chipper...

Cat crossing property nowhere near arena = horse eating monster
Wood chipper screaming and whining next to arena - not so much...

I recently have been experimenting with reintroducing some on the buckle warm-up
work before we move on to the trot - 'cause I'm stubborn like that. Apparently
yesterday I crossed the line into tediousness, and Val acted up... refusing to
listen to my aids and getting super choosy about where he wanted to work. After
a bunch of head tossing, a spin and getting bucky with it, I gave him a stern
"NO" and a little smack with my dressage whip. Instant attitude adjustment. It
was so awesome! :)

Believe me, I have traveled a long road leading to the point where I can
reprimand my horse and feel okay about it. Too often in the past, I let Val get
away with this type of behavior. I made excuses for him, and ultimately I was
afraid. Afraid of how he would react, and afraid I would lose my cool.

His tack fits, his teeth are good, he's not in pain. He tests my resolve because
he can... because I let him get away with it for so long - ie I trained him to
do it... because I can be inconsistent and inaccurate with my aiding... because
he's smart and easily bored... and because he's conservative with his energy
pretty lazy sometimes.

The best thing is that the confidence I got from giving that correction, letting
it go immediately and moving forward, will likely help keep me in the frame of
mind that heads off this type of situation in the future. Sometimes a little
spanking is a good thing...



✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿


So on to our ride, post correction. Simply our best yet. We got on the bit
quickly, with Val carrying himself so nicely that I could have sat the trot all
day - which I didn't, as my posting is coming along but still needs lots of work
so I can get to where I don't have to think about it every stride. Besides,
sitting the trot right now feels like a sinfully delicious treat, one that I'm
not sure I've quite earned yet, or maybe might contain too many calories...


We also did some serpentines, baby leg yields and rode deep into our corners. I
focused on using my core, especially for downwards transitions, as well as
making sure I banish piano hands, and aiding from my elbows, which stay at my
sides. There was some big marching walk after the trot work, and tantrum free on
the buckle work as well. We finished up as a cold rain started falling...
winter's calling card.


✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿


I miss lessons with my trainer... besides the info and supervision, I miss the
barn time, companionship and watching lessons with people who are as obsessed
with dressage as I am. Nonetheless we are making progress. And ironically this
break from instruction is the reason. I have had to accept responsibility for
our training.  I stepped up, took responsibility, and found out I'm plenty
capable. At least, I'm not going to ruin my horse. Total surprise to me. 


Now I'm contemplating the canter - stay tuned...








Posted by Calm, Forward, Straight at 8:46 PM 11 (CLICK HERE FOR) comment(s)
Labels: confidence, contact, corrections, serpentines, sitting trot, transitions



SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011


IN THE ARENA #92 - LOVE ME TWO TIMES BABY...


Happily, I have two more rides to report on. We're on a roll :)

On Friday I got done early with my responsibilities, and headed straight home in
the midst of a superb day - sunny, in the sixties with no wind. The arena was
toasty. Val and I started work right away - grooming and tacking up while he was
ground tied. There were a couple of efforts to walk off, and some impatience,
(head bobbing + lip flapping), which I patiently corrected, then returned to my
grooming tasks. After a big sigh, Val stood still for the remainder of our
preparations. He has really made progress with ground tying, and I believe that
the benefits of this work also show up under saddle.

Just as I finished tacking Val up, my neighbor cranked up some sort of jack
hammer-ish, super loud tool right next door to the arena. Oh goody... It didn't
impact the ride at all though, which made me very happy.

We moved right into our trot work, which lasted for over an hour, with a couple
of walk breaks thrown in. We alternated posting and two point, focusing on half
halts and transitions. Nothing new, but we are refining his movement and my
aiding, little by little.

After the ride I hung all my tack out on the arena gate and cleaned it - a super
thorough job. I took it apart, saddle soaped and oiled everything.






Val helped too. He pulled the stirrups down, grabbed pieces that I wasn't
working on and dropped them in the sand, and groomed me. I finally had to banish
him to the far corner of the arena...






✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿


Today there was a milestone. Our first (intentional) sitting trot. Val's coming
on to the bit, and my confidence in taking up more contact presented me with a
lovely lifted back as I sat the first few strides of a trot transition, so I
kept it up. It felt great, and Val snorted and motored on pushing from his hind
end. This is the first time I've sat the trot where it didn't feel like I was
unnecessarily bouncing around on his back, and it didn't take tons of effort to
sit in my horse, not on him. Yay - so dressagey!

Next I dropped my stirrups for some posting practice, which followed the sitting
trot work quite nicely. To finish up we worked on turns on the forehand. The
right handed ones were very sticky - lots of resistance from Val. After the ride
I remembered that I had rotated my leathers post cleaning the other day, but
neglected to check for stretching. Sure enough, my left leather, formerly right,
had stretched and needed to be raised, so I was likely more uneven than usual.

All in all a very satisfying ride. :)





✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

I'm thinking if horses could smoke, or suck their thumbs... or bite their nails,
these two would be prime candidates. So orally fixated...




















Posted by Calm, Forward, Straight at 10:47 PM 10 (CLICK HERE FOR) comment(s)
Labels: contact, milestone, orally fixated, sitting trot, tack cleaning,
transitions, trotwork

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Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. Voltaire



"What day is it?"

"It's today!" squeaked piglet.

"My favorite day..." said Pooh.




✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯









FACE BEHIND THE VERTICAL - A MODERN DEVIATION FROM THE CLASSICAL IDEAL
BY ERIK HERBERMANN

 * Part I - We must listen to the horse...
 * Part II - The secret of good riding...
 * Part III - By their fruits you will know them...
 * Part IV - With this knowledge strive to cooperate with rather than impede the
   horse...




♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕♕






MY DRESSAGE GOALS

 * I want to deserve the willing cooperation, partnership and trust of my
   (awesome) horse.

 * I want to progress, and acknowledge that when my physical (and mental) selves
   can work with the coordination and subtlety that classical dressage requires,
   this will happen.
   

 * I want to progress - but never at the cost of my horses health, mental or
   physical.

 * I want to earn our accomplishments in due time, when we're both ready. There
   are no shortcuts in dressage.
   




♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡


super smiley


Egon von Neindorff 1966



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PRODUCTS WE REALLY LIKE...

 * Thinline Bareback Pad
 * Seabuck Complete
 * Le Tixerant dressage girth
 * FITS breeches
 * Nibblenet




SOME GOOD READING

 * Paradigm Farms Horse Retirement
   Tuesday Pictures
   
 * A Collection of Madcap Escapades
   Fingers Crossed 2024
   
 * camera-obscura
   The Brave and Happy Life (a reposting from 2009)
   
 * Contact.
   Regionals wrap up
   
 * Seaside donkey
   Chico gets on Ramblings with Clare Balding!
   
 * Travels With Harley
   What's next for us?
   
 * News from Oak Creek Ranch
   The Orchard Takes a Hit
   
 * We Are Flying Solo
   A New Name For A New Life
   
 * Rockley Farm
   Crumble's 8 week update
   
 * Wyvern Oaks
   Second level: "Done" and dusted
   
 * Grey Horse Matters
   All Good Things Must Come To An End
   
 * sweet horse's breath
   Rest in Honor and soundness, my sweet Lazarus.
   
 * Tails From Provençe
   Perfectly Provence : Where I Live
   
 * Wait For The Jump
   I’m Writing
   
 * The 7MSN Ranch
   A little bit of peace on earth
   
 * DIY Horse Ownership
   November Recap
   
 * Pia's (and Prairie!) Parade
   Quiz Update - Five Weeks Out
   
 * Dressage Training Journal
   Surprise's First Test
   
 * Teachings of the Horse
   Sing the Water Song
   
 * A Year With Horses
   New Blog Address
   
 * A Work in Progress....
   Situation Normal.....
   
 * Collecting Thoroughbreds
   Sundays
   
 * Life of Riley
   New blog redirect!!!!!
   
 * Panic and the Pony
   Officially Official
   
 * Equine Insanity
   I See You
   
 * Memoirs of a Horse Girl
   Shoo Flies
   
 * I am Boyfriend
   Homecoming
   
 * TB at X
   Remy in Horse Illustrated!
   
 * honeysuckle faire
   Looking for Beautiful Things
   
 * What was I thinking.....?
   Tragedy, Triumph and Whatever
   
 * Equestrian Ink
   IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BASE...OF THE NECK
   
 * It's Quarters for Me
   Redeeming herself
   
 * Equestrian At Hart
   Wedding: Photo Dump 2
   
 * Bay State Brumby
   Better Late Than never!
   
 * Brays of Our Lives
   Mani-Pedi
   
 * The Grey Horse
   Summer on the Playground
   
 * Confessions of a Struggling Dressage Rider
   Tension is the Enemy
   
 * All Horse Stuff
   Hello, hello!
   
 * It seemed like a good idea at the time...
   Packing up and moving to our very own domain
   
 * From Wingman to Witching Hour
   Fly-By for Topline!
   
 * CANTER in the Carolinas
   What does YOUR Thoroughbred want to be??
   
 * Miles On Miles
   Oh, Hey! Hi! How's It Going?
   
 * Schooling Your Horse
   New Post - New Site
   
 * Thoroughly Yours
   Happy Holidays
   
 * It's Harder Than It Looks
   
   
 * Of horses and boys... and everything in between.
   
   
 * From The Horse's Back
   
   
 * TB Friends Home
   
   







BOOKS

 * A Horseman's Notes - Eric Herbermann
 * Dressage Formula - Eric Herbermann
 * Dressage in the Fourth Dimension - Sherry Ackerman
 * Dressage Unscarambled - Bill Woods
 * The Art of Classical Horsemanship - Egon von Neindorff



She's the sweetest sweetest Pea
in the whole wide world,
she's the sweetest sweetest Pea
in the whole wide world...
Ain't no Pea, sweeter than SHEEEEEEEEE!
(the Sweetpea song)


Q + Lucky Barnett
Dogs and cats embracing?
Dogs dancing with cats???
This is wrong on so many levels...
wrong, wrong, wrong :)



Seven



LABELS

"completes work in a timely manner" (1) ♡♡♡ (3) ♫ I've got the pow-ah ♪♫ (1) 😉
(1) 1.20.17 (1) 1.26.02 (1) 1.26.19 (1) 2010 World Equestrian Games (1) 2011
review (1) 2012 dressage freestyle video (1) 2012 year in review (1) 2015 recap
(1) 2016 (1) 2016 xmas card (1) 2017 (1) 2017 year in review (1) 2018 (1) 2018
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On the eleventh day of Christmas (1) On the fifth day of Christmas (2) On the
first day of Christmas (2) On the fourth day of Christmas (3) on the ninth day
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steering (7) Steffen Peters (1) stirrup length (1) stirrups (1) stitches out (1)
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success (3) sunrise (1) surprise (1) surveyor (2) surviving le spook (1)
Sweetpea and Q (1) tack (2) tack cleaning (2) tb friends (1) teamwork (2)
telling it how it is (1) tempes (1) thanks Dad (1) THANKS JENN (1) the blanket
dilemma (1) the boogie stick (1) the camera doesn't lie (1) the cuteness never
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turning (1) Twelve days of Christmas (9) twisted (1) two point (2) ujjayi
breathing (2) ultimate dressage goal. one tempis (1) unbearably sad (1)
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/ Bernardini foal (1) Zenyatta delivers healthy colt (1)






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FEI ROLLKUR PETITION

Please visit this petition sight and consider supporting the effort to reinstate
the actual rules of the FEI regarding rollkur / "low, deep and round" /
hyperflexion.

Here is the text of the conclusion:

In Conclusion

1) We ask that the FEI immediately begin upholding the official General
Principles of Dressage in the warm-ups, in competition, and by reinstating item
10 of the Code of Conduct send a clear message that the Principles of Dressage
characterized by a concern for the health and welfare of the horse apply to the
entire training of the horse not just the show ring.

2) A supple poll as the highest point of the neck according to the stage of
training and the extension or collection of the pace, describes the best posture
for developing the dressage horse in a healthy and respectful manner.

3) We protest vigorously the FEI's acceptance of LDR (low, deep and round) and
stand against any changes to the rules that would allow LDR or alter Article 401
Item 5 to make LDR permissible. LDR is not approved in the Rules now and it
should never be added.

4) We ask that the FEI consider that it is not and has not been fair to the
horses and sportsmen and women everywhere that the Rules have been clearly
disobeyed. A level playing field requires that all riders follow the SAME code
of conduct in training AND in the show ring.




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