This summer I will be attending the Advanced Camp at my barn. It's only for a week (July 25 - 29 from 9am to 4pm), and it's not overnight. Here is the description:
"This camp is recommended for those at the Novice and Advanced levels. Riders must be able to canter confidently to attend this camp. You will be assigned a horse/pony for the week (or bring your own) and will be completely responsible for them for the week. Riding time will be geared toward jumping and games on horseback. We will have a visit from an industry professional or guest instructor. We will cover such topics as show prep, trail riding, lunging and ground work. We will also enjoy horse related activities, crafts and afternoon swimming. Riders must have their own helmets and boots If you are not currently a student at BHS, you must schedule an evaluation lesson prior to being accepted into this camp. "
I'm very excited because last year I attended the Introductory Camp, which was a good start for me but now I'm ready to get a little more serious. I can't wait to start thinking about jumping as well! I think being assigned one horse will help me get more comfortable with caring for them and getting used to a new horse. Yes, I said it - a new horse. My instructor told me at my last lesson that I probably wouldn't be able to ride Captain at camp. Long hours in the sun would be hard for him, and even doing an hour lesson each week is challenging. So it will be a huge change for me, as I have been riding Captain for a while (since winter) and I've grown quite attached to him. But I know the switch will be worth it, because a new, younger horse can offer much more energy than an old one. But don't get me wrong, I still love Captain! I hope I can continue to ride him during my lessons even if I won't during camp.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Lesson 6/13/11
The weather today was fairly decent for tonight's lesson. It wasn't too hot (although it was in direct sun) and there was some breeze, so I was more comfortable than previous lessons.
We warmed up quickly today, doing S-curves and walk-halt transitions to help Captain loosen up and get ready, and then we did some half-halts into a trot. That's when you are walking and you almost halt completely but then you go right into a forward trot. It took a while (as usual) to get Captain to actually move faster than a slow walk, but I was able to get him into a decent trot after a little while.
After that we worked on cantering. I tried a few walk-canter transitions but I wasn't really ready for those yet so we just did trot-canter transitions. It was very frustrating because Captain kept cutting off every corner so we were making very small circles. It was tough to get him to go deep in the corner, especially at the trot and canter. The transitions were okay, and my instructor told me to get Captain in the biggest canter I could. She wanted to see if I could get him to go to the next level (galloping?), but I couldn't. It's hard enough, just because Captain's old, but throw some heat into that mix and it's even worse. And tonight wasn't nearly as hot as some other days this week have been!
Before I go on, I'll explain what two-point is. You've probably seen it when show jumpers go over a jump, although I wasn't taught to lean over that far - it's when your butt is off the saddle and your back is flattened out and stretched over the horse's neck (see picture). This is a good position to do to learn to keep your heels heavy, which of course is something I need to focus on. It's helpful for me to do it in the trot because it let's me know if my feet are in the correct position on the stirrup. If they are, I will feel grounded and balanced. If they're not, I feel pretty wobbly and insecure.
Anyway, usually I go into two-point in my warm up, but tonight my instructor told me to try it in a canter. I've seen people do it before but I myself have never attempted to do it. The first time I tried it, I felt like I couldn't really control Captain's speed, but once I tried again I was able to keep him going at a canter. It felt very strange to be in a canter without doing that rocking chair motion that I'm used to doing, but it got a little more comfortable after I'd done it a little more. It was actually a great way for me to learn to keep my heels down in the canter, which is something I've had a lot of trouble with before. I also did feel really grounded, even though it was difficult at first, almost like I had more of a support block than before.
Tonight's lesson was fun. I feel like I'm learning a lot, and definitely improving in some areas (even thought I'm still struggling in others). And I'm really excited for pony camp in July! I'll write a blog post about that later. :)
We warmed up quickly today, doing S-curves and walk-halt transitions to help Captain loosen up and get ready, and then we did some half-halts into a trot. That's when you are walking and you almost halt completely but then you go right into a forward trot. It took a while (as usual) to get Captain to actually move faster than a slow walk, but I was able to get him into a decent trot after a little while.
After that we worked on cantering. I tried a few walk-canter transitions but I wasn't really ready for those yet so we just did trot-canter transitions. It was very frustrating because Captain kept cutting off every corner so we were making very small circles. It was tough to get him to go deep in the corner, especially at the trot and canter. The transitions were okay, and my instructor told me to get Captain in the biggest canter I could. She wanted to see if I could get him to go to the next level (galloping?), but I couldn't. It's hard enough, just because Captain's old, but throw some heat into that mix and it's even worse. And tonight wasn't nearly as hot as some other days this week have been!
Before I go on, I'll explain what two-point is. You've probably seen it when show jumpers go over a jump, although I wasn't taught to lean over that far - it's when your butt is off the saddle and your back is flattened out and stretched over the horse's neck (see picture). This is a good position to do to learn to keep your heels heavy, which of course is something I need to focus on. It's helpful for me to do it in the trot because it let's me know if my feet are in the correct position on the stirrup. If they are, I will feel grounded and balanced. If they're not, I feel pretty wobbly and insecure.
Anyway, usually I go into two-point in my warm up, but tonight my instructor told me to try it in a canter. I've seen people do it before but I myself have never attempted to do it. The first time I tried it, I felt like I couldn't really control Captain's speed, but once I tried again I was able to keep him going at a canter. It felt very strange to be in a canter without doing that rocking chair motion that I'm used to doing, but it got a little more comfortable after I'd done it a little more. It was actually a great way for me to learn to keep my heels down in the canter, which is something I've had a lot of trouble with before. I also did feel really grounded, even though it was difficult at first, almost like I had more of a support block than before.
Tonight's lesson was fun. I feel like I'm learning a lot, and definitely improving in some areas (even thought I'm still struggling in others). And I'm really excited for pony camp in July! I'll write a blog post about that later. :)
Monday, June 6, 2011
Lesson 6/6/11
Tonight's lesson was amazing! I hadn't ridden since two weeks ago, because my family and I were in Canada for a wedding, so I was very eager to ride again. It was good to see Captain again after all that time (it felt like forever to me!), even though he was a little grumpy when I groomed him - he kept swishing me with his tail and fidgeting a lot.
This week we worked on walk-canter and trot-canter transitions and bending. First we did a little review of my last lesson because I sort of forgot what we had done. Then I worked on my turns, because I still struggle a little with turning from my center first, rather than my hands first - it's my instinct just to turn my hands and pull, but you're supposed to turn using your seat and legs before you use your hand. When Captain was warmed up, we went into walk-canter transitions while doing figure-eights. It was relatively easy once Captain got moving, but before that he refused to move faster than a slow walk. The transitions were pretty smooth though, so I was happy with that. Then we kept doing transitions while doing lots of turns to help get Captain to bend, paying special attention to right turns and leads because that's Captain's weaker side - he has a harder time bending his body than with his left.
Overall though, frustrating as it was sometimes, this lesson was really satisfying. My mom talked to my instructor briefly afterwards while I was sponging off Captain (he gets really sweaty this time of year) and she said that my instructor said I was doing very, very well. That was a great boost of confidence that I needed, especially this week as I will be graduating very soon (!) and it's exam week. But once this week is over, I'll be able to focusly mainly on my riding, and nothing else! :)
This week we worked on walk-canter and trot-canter transitions and bending. First we did a little review of my last lesson because I sort of forgot what we had done. Then I worked on my turns, because I still struggle a little with turning from my center first, rather than my hands first - it's my instinct just to turn my hands and pull, but you're supposed to turn using your seat and legs before you use your hand. When Captain was warmed up, we went into walk-canter transitions while doing figure-eights. It was relatively easy once Captain got moving, but before that he refused to move faster than a slow walk. The transitions were pretty smooth though, so I was happy with that. Then we kept doing transitions while doing lots of turns to help get Captain to bend, paying special attention to right turns and leads because that's Captain's weaker side - he has a harder time bending his body than with his left.
Overall though, frustrating as it was sometimes, this lesson was really satisfying. My mom talked to my instructor briefly afterwards while I was sponging off Captain (he gets really sweaty this time of year) and she said that my instructor said I was doing very, very well. That was a great boost of confidence that I needed, especially this week as I will be graduating very soon (!) and it's exam week. But once this week is over, I'll be able to focusly mainly on my riding, and nothing else! :)
Monday, May 23, 2011
Lesson 5/16/11 and 5/23/11
Sorry I didn't have time to post last week. I've been a little busy with school, and we just got back from a school canoe trip last Friday.
Last week's lesson (5/16/11) I was taught by the lady who owns the barn, so I was a little intimidated at first. But once we got started, I felt a little more comfortable. We first worked on bending (having the horse's body move in a curve around a turn, sort of), and then she taught me how to switch diagonals a different way than I normally do. When you post, you rise with one pair of legs (either front left and back right or front right and back left), and ideally you want to be rising out of the saddle when the front outside leg is moving forward (a little complicated, I know). Usually when I am on the wrong diagonal and need to switch, I sit for two beats and start to post again. This time though, I was taught to switch diagonals while standing up, so to speak. I tried it and after a while, I sort of got the hang of it. It was really cool to feel the difference, and not as bouncy!
Tonight I was back with my regular instructor, and we worked on leg flexibility and movement. It's very easy for me to tighten up when I ride, especially in the ankles and legs, so my instructor but a board under my foot and moved it around to help me loosen up - it sounds strange, but it really worked. After that, I felt much more connected and grounded. Then we started to work on walk canter transitions, which I only did a little last week. I was told to loosen up my legs (I did a lot of leg shaking out tonight) and then ask for a canter. It was frustrating at first, but after a bunch of tries I finally got it, and everything kind of clicked. Captain and I got a few perfect (or near to it) walk to canter transitions, and my instructor was very pleased. She even said at the end my lesson, "That's the first time I've ever seen you really ride!" I was very statisfied as well. Overall, it was a great lesson and I really learned a lot!
Last week's lesson (5/16/11) I was taught by the lady who owns the barn, so I was a little intimidated at first. But once we got started, I felt a little more comfortable. We first worked on bending (having the horse's body move in a curve around a turn, sort of), and then she taught me how to switch diagonals a different way than I normally do. When you post, you rise with one pair of legs (either front left and back right or front right and back left), and ideally you want to be rising out of the saddle when the front outside leg is moving forward (a little complicated, I know). Usually when I am on the wrong diagonal and need to switch, I sit for two beats and start to post again. This time though, I was taught to switch diagonals while standing up, so to speak. I tried it and after a while, I sort of got the hang of it. It was really cool to feel the difference, and not as bouncy!
Tonight I was back with my regular instructor, and we worked on leg flexibility and movement. It's very easy for me to tighten up when I ride, especially in the ankles and legs, so my instructor but a board under my foot and moved it around to help me loosen up - it sounds strange, but it really worked. After that, I felt much more connected and grounded. Then we started to work on walk canter transitions, which I only did a little last week. I was told to loosen up my legs (I did a lot of leg shaking out tonight) and then ask for a canter. It was frustrating at first, but after a bunch of tries I finally got it, and everything kind of clicked. Captain and I got a few perfect (or near to it) walk to canter transitions, and my instructor was very pleased. She even said at the end my lesson, "That's the first time I've ever seen you really ride!" I was very statisfied as well. Overall, it was a great lesson and I really learned a lot!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Essay Update and Frolicking Horses
Well, I finished my essay. I cranked it out pretty fast yesterday, and then I went back and fixed it today. Basically I talk about how I started riding, Captain, my job (which I will elaborate on later in this post), and horseback riding in general. It's about three pages long (it's only supposed to be two - hopefully they won't care!) and it took me most of the afternoon yesterday. I'm just glad it's finished.
I've never mentioned this before, but every Sunday I work at the same barn I ride at. I'm in a Work-to-Ride program, so in exchange for working I only have to pay half price for my lessons each month. I feed all the horses on the farm (all of them get hay and some get grain), give them water if needed, let two paddocks out to pastures, and muck out two stalls. I start at 10:30 and usually finish between 11:30 and noon. It can be pretty tiring, especially when it's hot out and all the bugs are swarming, but I'm happy to do it to get a discount on my lessons!
Today was the third week in a row where I've gotten to let two paddocks out on grass. I couldn't for part of the winter because one horse destroyed all the fencing (and I think another reason but I'm not sure what that is), so I've just recently gotten to start opening the gates again. It's one of the best feelings in the world to open the gate and immediately see horses trotting or cantering out to run in the field. One horse was rolling his neck and bucking - he was so happy to be able to run around! It made me smile to see them having so much fun. Those kind of rewards are the most satisfying ones of all. :)
Happy Mother's Day!
I've never mentioned this before, but every Sunday I work at the same barn I ride at. I'm in a Work-to-Ride program, so in exchange for working I only have to pay half price for my lessons each month. I feed all the horses on the farm (all of them get hay and some get grain), give them water if needed, let two paddocks out to pastures, and muck out two stalls. I start at 10:30 and usually finish between 11:30 and noon. It can be pretty tiring, especially when it's hot out and all the bugs are swarming, but I'm happy to do it to get a discount on my lessons!
Today was the third week in a row where I've gotten to let two paddocks out on grass. I couldn't for part of the winter because one horse destroyed all the fencing (and I think another reason but I'm not sure what that is), so I've just recently gotten to start opening the gates again. It's one of the best feelings in the world to open the gate and immediately see horses trotting or cantering out to run in the field. One horse was rolling his neck and bucking - he was so happy to be able to run around! It made me smile to see them having so much fun. Those kind of rewards are the most satisfying ones of all. :)
Happy Mother's Day!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
End of School Essay
For the end of the year everyone in my grade at school has to write an essay. The essay is pretty open-ended, but you have to follow a few prompts. The prompts this year are basically 'How have you changed throughout your middle school years?' and 'What events/people have influenced those changes?' So you can write about anything you want as long as you talk about how you've grown since you were in elementary school.
So why am I writing this on my blog about horses, you may ask. It's because (surprise, surprise) I've decided to write my essay on how horseback riding has changed me and made me a different person than I was when I was younger. I was really excited to start writing because this is something that I'm passionate about talking and writing about, but now that it's the weekend and this essay is due on Monday (yikes!) I'm feeling some pressure and I don't know where to start.
There's so many ways I've changed because of horseback riding, but it's so hard to put it in words! I plan to start writing my essay today, so when I've actually gotten somewhere with it, I'll try and post an update, probably when I'm finished. Hopefully the awesome music of Mumford & Sons will inspire me to write something revolutionary. :) Wish me luck!
So why am I writing this on my blog about horses, you may ask. It's because (surprise, surprise) I've decided to write my essay on how horseback riding has changed me and made me a different person than I was when I was younger. I was really excited to start writing because this is something that I'm passionate about talking and writing about, but now that it's the weekend and this essay is due on Monday (yikes!) I'm feeling some pressure and I don't know where to start.
There's so many ways I've changed because of horseback riding, but it's so hard to put it in words! I plan to start writing my essay today, so when I've actually gotten somewhere with it, I'll try and post an update, probably when I'm finished. Hopefully the awesome music of Mumford & Sons will inspire me to write something revolutionary. :) Wish me luck!
Monday, May 2, 2011
After the Dressage Show and Lesson 5/2/11
Well, Saturday turned out great, even though I had some concerns. I got a first place blue ribbon (much to my surprise and satisfaction) and earned a total of 152 points (about 66%) out of 230. After my test I found myself thinking that I could have done more tests, but I think the one was stressful enough, so next year I'll probably do all the tests in one division.
My worries were pretty much not needed at all (and I knew they wouldn't be). Captain was perfect, giving me a good canter and trot the whole time, even though he was a little grumpy about getting his girth tightened. I was surprised and grateful to him that he wasn't sluggish, because I had figured he would be since so many kids had ridden him earlier that day.
There was a downside to that though. My lesson tonight was good and fun as usual, but tonight was fairly challenging after Saturday, because I think all that work Captain did for the show finally caught up to him. It was really difficult and frustrating sometimes to get him to trot fast, very hard to get him to canter, and even harder to keep him in that canter. Even his walk was really slow. But I don't blame him. He's old, and it was pretty warm out tonight. Also he spooked at something twice, so I guess his mind wasn't really focused. But I still love him all the same, of course.
So tonight my instructor had me work a lot on turning, which sounds simple, but it's really not. You can't just pull on the reins and get him to turn correctly. I mean, I guess you could, but without a proper turn from your 'center,' you won't have a good connection with your horse that will be beneficial later on. So a lot of the time I spent working on turning from my center without any reins at all - I had to drop them around Captain's neck and completely rely on my seat and legs to turn him, which could be difficult and frustrating at times. But I think I'm getting better (well, I hope I am) and I'll continue to work on that.
My worries were pretty much not needed at all (and I knew they wouldn't be). Captain was perfect, giving me a good canter and trot the whole time, even though he was a little grumpy about getting his girth tightened. I was surprised and grateful to him that he wasn't sluggish, because I had figured he would be since so many kids had ridden him earlier that day.
There was a downside to that though. My lesson tonight was good and fun as usual, but tonight was fairly challenging after Saturday, because I think all that work Captain did for the show finally caught up to him. It was really difficult and frustrating sometimes to get him to trot fast, very hard to get him to canter, and even harder to keep him in that canter. Even his walk was really slow. But I don't blame him. He's old, and it was pretty warm out tonight. Also he spooked at something twice, so I guess his mind wasn't really focused. But I still love him all the same, of course.
So tonight my instructor had me work a lot on turning, which sounds simple, but it's really not. You can't just pull on the reins and get him to turn correctly. I mean, I guess you could, but without a proper turn from your 'center,' you won't have a good connection with your horse that will be beneficial later on. So a lot of the time I spent working on turning from my center without any reins at all - I had to drop them around Captain's neck and completely rely on my seat and legs to turn him, which could be difficult and frustrating at times. But I think I'm getting better (well, I hope I am) and I'll continue to work on that.
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