What a beautiful day!
I worked with Brie outside. We did little dressage patterns. We mainly walked. Then I went inside and tried to teach her how to canter from a stop. I felt so bad for her; she was so confused. But we'll work on it.
Other than that, her hooves still haven't been trimmed. The farrier hasn't been out and won't return any phone calls. And the stalls were all dirty still. Ugh. Just a couple more weeks til things get better.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
State Fair
What a bunch of favoritism.
Pardon my language.
On the subject of Brie: she did really well! She placed her first ever third place! And got a fifth too. And I won $150! I'm so proud of her. She got excused twice at night, I don't think she's a night person. She got caught in the middle of a traffic jam and was the unlucky one, she got scared and almost backed up over the judge. Oops. =]
Nina also did well. Anthony rode her and I forgot what she got. And my mom rode her as well and got a 6th, which is okay, it was her first time showing Nina.
On to the sabotage!
So Taco, as I've said, is a very good horse. He has the bloodline of probably the most famous horse in the Paso Fino world, Capuchino, and did nothing out-of-step, yet he got excused every class. Why, you ask?
Because the judge doesn't like Capuchino babies.
There are over 5000 Capuchino babies.
Yet this man does not like them. He doesn't like 5000 horses in the breed. Not only is this statement ignorant, but how the hell do you know who is a Capuchino baby when that horse enters the ring? Completely ridiculous.
And this is what makes people want to quit.
This is why when the Midwest goes to America's Nationals we lose.
This is why when America goes to the World Nationals we lose.
This is why other experts are pulling out of PFHA and are starting their own organizations that follow the rules they themselves write.
On an ethical note, let me leave you with this question.
Principe, a well-known performance horse, was put into retirement because of kidney damage.
Someone is leasing Principe in order to make a name for his granddaughter.
I'm not even asking if that's right. I'm asking, how could Principe's owner agree to leasing him when he's the one who sent him into retirement?
Pardon my language.
On the subject of Brie: she did really well! She placed her first ever third place! And got a fifth too. And I won $150! I'm so proud of her. She got excused twice at night, I don't think she's a night person. She got caught in the middle of a traffic jam and was the unlucky one, she got scared and almost backed up over the judge. Oops. =]
Nina also did well. Anthony rode her and I forgot what she got. And my mom rode her as well and got a 6th, which is okay, it was her first time showing Nina.
On to the sabotage!
So Taco, as I've said, is a very good horse. He has the bloodline of probably the most famous horse in the Paso Fino world, Capuchino, and did nothing out-of-step, yet he got excused every class. Why, you ask?
Because the judge doesn't like Capuchino babies.
There are over 5000 Capuchino babies.
Yet this man does not like them. He doesn't like 5000 horses in the breed. Not only is this statement ignorant, but how the hell do you know who is a Capuchino baby when that horse enters the ring? Completely ridiculous.
And this is what makes people want to quit.
This is why when the Midwest goes to America's Nationals we lose.
This is why when America goes to the World Nationals we lose.
This is why other experts are pulling out of PFHA and are starting their own organizations that follow the rules they themselves write.
On an ethical note, let me leave you with this question.
Principe, a well-known performance horse, was put into retirement because of kidney damage.
Someone is leasing Principe in order to make a name for his granddaughter.
I'm not even asking if that's right. I'm asking, how could Principe's owner agree to leasing him when he's the one who sent him into retirement?
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Days 7 & 8
Day 7
Brie was good today! She didn't even break into a canter as I rounded the corners of the arena. And I walked her outside. She seemed really happy. I think she really loves being outside but doesn't like being cooped up inside. I've been misinterpreting it all along as the reverse. Yesterday she was happy as a clam walking around outside but when she saw the barn, that's when she started acting up. She stopped and turned her head to the side, refusing to look at the barn. So now I think I'll make going outside more common with her.
Well yesterday this guy from Florida was up here. He looked at all of the horses and said what he thought of them. Now this guy is a trainer for one of the stables that keeps winning everything. Well he didn't really pay attention to Brie, which is okay. But he looked at Nina. Nina's having a hard time listening to what we want her to do. She just stops walking, refuses to back up, which I attributed to being a young horse who is tired. Well this trainer said that she is tired, tired of being pushed. Andre pushed her faster and faster to grow up and be a Fino horse (the most desirable of the Paso Fino breed) only because my father and brother kept badgering him to. So I don't blame him for that. Maybe I should start working with Nina, but then again maybe not since I'll be at school now. I only hope that my mom will take over for me and let Nina just be a horse.
I didn't work with Taco because of all the commotion with the visiting trainer. Perhaps I'll work with him tomorrow. There's really nothing to do other than let him out of his stall and stretch since Jane's already at the fair.
Day 8
So this trainer says that we should be utilizing the outside arena more. We don't use it at all, there's grass growing in it! So we all rode outside today. Brie was doing really well! I walked her around the property and she was doing okay but towards the end she started getting a little freaked out. I let my mom and dad rid Brie as well, she was pretty calm for them =]
Nina was a whole world different today. She was very good, didn't die out. We changed her nosepeice to a harder leather. So we'll see how that goes.
Taco? Well Andre changed his bit -.- I personaly didn't like it, Taco was pulling too much. But we'll see how Jane likes it.
The state fair's next week! I'm so excited, wish me luck!
Brie was good today! She didn't even break into a canter as I rounded the corners of the arena. And I walked her outside. She seemed really happy. I think she really loves being outside but doesn't like being cooped up inside. I've been misinterpreting it all along as the reverse. Yesterday she was happy as a clam walking around outside but when she saw the barn, that's when she started acting up. She stopped and turned her head to the side, refusing to look at the barn. So now I think I'll make going outside more common with her.
Well yesterday this guy from Florida was up here. He looked at all of the horses and said what he thought of them. Now this guy is a trainer for one of the stables that keeps winning everything. Well he didn't really pay attention to Brie, which is okay. But he looked at Nina. Nina's having a hard time listening to what we want her to do. She just stops walking, refuses to back up, which I attributed to being a young horse who is tired. Well this trainer said that she is tired, tired of being pushed. Andre pushed her faster and faster to grow up and be a Fino horse (the most desirable of the Paso Fino breed) only because my father and brother kept badgering him to. So I don't blame him for that. Maybe I should start working with Nina, but then again maybe not since I'll be at school now. I only hope that my mom will take over for me and let Nina just be a horse.
I didn't work with Taco because of all the commotion with the visiting trainer. Perhaps I'll work with him tomorrow. There's really nothing to do other than let him out of his stall and stretch since Jane's already at the fair.
Day 8
So this trainer says that we should be utilizing the outside arena more. We don't use it at all, there's grass growing in it! So we all rode outside today. Brie was doing really well! I walked her around the property and she was doing okay but towards the end she started getting a little freaked out. I let my mom and dad rid Brie as well, she was pretty calm for them =]
Nina was a whole world different today. She was very good, didn't die out. We changed her nosepeice to a harder leather. So we'll see how that goes.
Taco? Well Andre changed his bit -.- I personaly didn't like it, Taco was pulling too much. But we'll see how Jane likes it.
The state fair's next week! I'm so excited, wish me luck!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Day 6
What a blow out at the stables. But that sort of argument doesn't belong here, this is about progress made, not arguments with Andre.
It was scorching hot today. I only rode Brie for about 10 minutes and braided her hair. My brother rode Nina outside and she got so hot that she stopped and didn't want to move.
Andre rode Taco. Jane brought her granddaughter today. Well Andre rode Taco unnecessarily harsh and he was pulling Jane's granddaughter. She got upset, I got on. Taco was an angel! Tired and hot, but an angel. Jane's going to fire Andre. I'll help her. Sometimes it just takes a different touch.
It was scorching hot today. I only rode Brie for about 10 minutes and braided her hair. My brother rode Nina outside and she got so hot that she stopped and didn't want to move.
Andre rode Taco. Jane brought her granddaughter today. Well Andre rode Taco unnecessarily harsh and he was pulling Jane's granddaughter. She got upset, I got on. Taco was an angel! Tired and hot, but an angel. Jane's going to fire Andre. I'll help her. Sometimes it just takes a different touch.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Day 5
Today was so damn hot out.
But I'm pleased. Brie did a really good job, I think with next weekend being the last weekend before the show I'll be able to finish tightening her reverses and controlling the difference between largo and corto.
I also worked with Taco and Jane today. Taco was a dream! Beautiful as always. Jane did pretty well on him too. I think all that she has to overcome is her self-doubt while riding. She's also firing Andre.
Nina is where the problems are. She's just a young horse so she runs out of energy quickly. We have to work on buliding her stamina.
As for tomorrow, we'll probably just go out to shower them since it's going to be 97 degrees. I guess summer arrived late this year.
But I'm pleased. Brie did a really good job, I think with next weekend being the last weekend before the show I'll be able to finish tightening her reverses and controlling the difference between largo and corto.
I also worked with Taco and Jane today. Taco was a dream! Beautiful as always. Jane did pretty well on him too. I think all that she has to overcome is her self-doubt while riding. She's also firing Andre.
Nina is where the problems are. She's just a young horse so she runs out of energy quickly. We have to work on buliding her stamina.
As for tomorrow, we'll probably just go out to shower them since it's going to be 97 degrees. I guess summer arrived late this year.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Day 4
My day today?
Phenomenal! We get to the stable, the stalls are cleaned, but only because the owner and his kids cleaned them. Ken is definitely on his way out. I tack up Brie and Nina and today was my first day with Taco. I work Brie while my mom works Nina. After a few bucks and kicks, Brie is under control. Her gait is amazing. I managed to slow her corto down. It's more of a power-walk now. And her largo is now the speed her corto was. I'm really looking forward to the state fair because if she keeps up this way I could win some money!
On to Taco. I don't know what on earth Jane is talking about because that horse is wonderful! A little fast paced walk, yes, but that's his nature! We even went outside with Nina, Brie, and Taco and the only one freaking out was Brie (but we all expected that). I just walked Taco and he was fine. Corto'd Taco and he was fine! There may be some tweaking as far as calming him down for an old lady to ride, but I think it's mostly her I need to work with, not the horse.
Today was the first good day in a very long time =]
Phenomenal! We get to the stable, the stalls are cleaned, but only because the owner and his kids cleaned them. Ken is definitely on his way out. I tack up Brie and Nina and today was my first day with Taco. I work Brie while my mom works Nina. After a few bucks and kicks, Brie is under control. Her gait is amazing. I managed to slow her corto down. It's more of a power-walk now. And her largo is now the speed her corto was. I'm really looking forward to the state fair because if she keeps up this way I could win some money!
On to Taco. I don't know what on earth Jane is talking about because that horse is wonderful! A little fast paced walk, yes, but that's his nature! We even went outside with Nina, Brie, and Taco and the only one freaking out was Brie (but we all expected that). I just walked Taco and he was fine. Corto'd Taco and he was fine! There may be some tweaking as far as calming him down for an old lady to ride, but I think it's mostly her I need to work with, not the horse.
Today was the first good day in a very long time =]
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Day 3
So today.
I arrive at the stables and find out our horses' stalls haven't been cleaned. The person who's supposed to take care of the horses, Ken, decided to not come to work today. Already frustrated, I go to ride Brie. Bad Idea. I end up deciding to change her bit. So I go from the snaffle bit to this new Colombian bit that Carmello said I should use.
I guess it was my frustration that made it take so long for Brie to calm down. I ended up riding for about 2 hours. I decided to ride outside. Also a bad idea. She ended up getting more worked up, so I had to walk her more. Finally she calmed down. She walked and gaited really nicely. I just need to work on slowing down her corto (slower Paso gait) and largo-ing(faster Paso gait) her without breaking into a canter(almost a gallop, full out running).
So we're all cleaning stalls. Ugh. We find out that the owner of the stables is gonna fire Ken and bring in Paco to work and live in the apartment above the riding arena after Nationals. Which I can't even go to because I have to move in that week! Bad luck =/ But I really like Paco, he was at one of the stables we were at before. He really loves the horses and knows how to take care of them the right way, always keeps the stable clean. I can't wait to finally be able to go to sleep knowing my horses ate and get out.
Now here comes Jane. She owns Taco, a horse who I rode on a whim at a show once when his trainer asked me to. Apparently Taco has been horrible for Jane and Andre just keeps messing around with Taco and tryin to re-train him. Jane was so angry with Taco she was ready to sell him (I'd gladly buy him). So I asked her about him, how is he acting. He's acting just like Brie was before Dominic told me how to calm her down! Taco's just misunderstood by Andre and feared by Jane. So I offered to work Taco for Jane on the weekend when I'm there an maybe on wednesdays if I can get out there.
So I end this post disgusted with the hired help, disappointed in Andre's lack of patience, eager to work on Brie's gait changes before the state fair, and have myself my first client! Even if it's unpaid =]
I arrive at the stables and find out our horses' stalls haven't been cleaned. The person who's supposed to take care of the horses, Ken, decided to not come to work today. Already frustrated, I go to ride Brie. Bad Idea. I end up deciding to change her bit. So I go from the snaffle bit to this new Colombian bit that Carmello said I should use.
I guess it was my frustration that made it take so long for Brie to calm down. I ended up riding for about 2 hours. I decided to ride outside. Also a bad idea. She ended up getting more worked up, so I had to walk her more. Finally she calmed down. She walked and gaited really nicely. I just need to work on slowing down her corto (slower Paso gait) and largo-ing(faster Paso gait) her without breaking into a canter(almost a gallop, full out running).
So we're all cleaning stalls. Ugh. We find out that the owner of the stables is gonna fire Ken and bring in Paco to work and live in the apartment above the riding arena after Nationals. Which I can't even go to because I have to move in that week! Bad luck =/ But I really like Paco, he was at one of the stables we were at before. He really loves the horses and knows how to take care of them the right way, always keeps the stable clean. I can't wait to finally be able to go to sleep knowing my horses ate and get out.
Now here comes Jane. She owns Taco, a horse who I rode on a whim at a show once when his trainer asked me to. Apparently Taco has been horrible for Jane and Andre just keeps messing around with Taco and tryin to re-train him. Jane was so angry with Taco she was ready to sell him (I'd gladly buy him). So I asked her about him, how is he acting. He's acting just like Brie was before Dominic told me how to calm her down! Taco's just misunderstood by Andre and feared by Jane. So I offered to work Taco for Jane on the weekend when I'm there an maybe on wednesdays if I can get out there.
So I end this post disgusted with the hired help, disappointed in Andre's lack of patience, eager to work on Brie's gait changes before the state fair, and have myself my first client! Even if it's unpaid =]
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