Gibbes Weekend!! On top of the world!

Fleck says "Who me? I'm amazing?!" But of course!

 

Oh, how I needed this!!! What a great weekend!!! It ended up that Beth was sick so she had to cancel. Luckily, Peri and I were already on the road so we decided to keep going and play on our own. Lauren and Morgan were already there so we met up with them and had a blast! And Fleck was AMAZING!!!! yay!

As usual we were treated like kings and queens. They ponies settled in well the first night and we didn't get to ride because it was getting dark when we finally made it. They slept well though and so did we.

It was a gorgeous day to ride!! We had so much fun.

I decided that I would treat this weekend a bit like schooling but with more of a competition feel. In other words, I warmed up, but then I did some tough stuff and courses without as much prep as he might have with the typical "schooling" method. So we started out in the smaller area and hung out while Peri did some stuff. Then we warmed up over a few jumps. I think just two actually. Then I took him to the small ditch and wall on the treeline. He ran past it the first time. Honestly though it was because I lost his shoulder because he was beelining towards Tess. I fixed it and we jumped it just fine the second time and then a third and fourth and fifth. Then we moved on into the bigger field. We jumped a few more fences and he was on fire! He jumped the mound coffin craziness well. He jumped the skinny hanging log triple line quite well. And then...we jumped the big bench next to the BIG ditch and wall... and then we went on to the big ditch and wall. He peeked, but he jumped it on the first attempt!!! WHOO HOO!! So we did it two more times for my  nerves and he jumped it fine. AWESOME!!!!

We jumped a few other things out in the field and I did a little mini course. Fleck was great. Then we decided to jump this upright coop bounce line. They were set offset but I decided to try them straight across first. Probably should have done them on the angle. ;) I didn't realize quite how big they were! And it was a true bounce. Fleck was awesome. He jumped in super big and bold and then pinged up over the second one. I was tossed way out of the tack and hovered in mid-air for what felt like forever. I really thought I was going to land on the ground, but he landed underneath me and was a gentleman and kept me on board. Holy smokes!! Peri was cracking up, as was I. What a good boy. So... I had to do it again, but I tried to compress him a bit more this time. I thought for sure he'd stop or hesitate after the first attempt fared crazy, but he just charged back at it. We were much more together this time, despite him still pinging fairly impressively over them! Jeesh. I decided NOT to try the angled line because I obviously wasn't sure of the striding. So we left it at that.




Then we jumped the bank complex with the ditch and the drop and he was fine. Then we did the little log to the log on top of the mound (the pimple thing). He didn't even blink as he soared over that. So then we added the corner on the bottom and he was oh so soft and lovely over that! It was a big corner too.  We decided to call it a day and took them back in. He got to use his big boy ice boots for the first time and was good. The ice freaked him out a bit when he tried to move and he was a little dancy but he settled down.

Then after the icing we decided to turn them out a bit. And they saw the pig! They FREAKED!! At one point I thought Fleck was going to jump out of his window. And Tess was more freaked. So, we decided they'd be happier turned out and they agreed. They ended up spending the night out and never went back in their stalls after that. Wilbur is SCARY!

 

 

The next day was just as pretty and Fleck and Tess were feeling good after being out all night, despite the hard day before.

 

 

We warmed up and Fleck felt great and ready to go again. In fact, he got a little grumpy waiting his turn. So we decided to just do a course once it was our turn. We added in the ditch and wall again. And got proof today! YAY!

 

He also jumped the big trakenher without hesitating. It really wasn't that big of a trakehner, but still.

After one of the courses, we were letting the others go and catch our breath and Lauren mentioned that her pony wouldn't gallop. So I offered to be some encouragement. Poor Fleck! He's getting fit though, so... We raced. Fleck was not real thrilled about it and didn't give it his usual gusto. But we had a good gallop.

Then we moved on to the water complex. I decided to "school" this properly. But before that we jumped the roll top on the ramp with the large drop on the back side (just like at full gallop where we had the refusal). He looked hard at it but went when I said to go. It was really quite fun. And of course we had to jump all the ditch and walls on the way to the water. He jumped the one in the middle of the field and then also the one we had jumped before. I decided to not jump the slightly bigger one but only because it was a better line to the other ditch and wall off the slightly smaller one. But he was jumping them out of stride quite nicely in a forward gallop. (But not strung out and not lengthening the stride to it!).

So then we hit the water. And while I did start small and build up, he never once questioned. He even leapt off big boy style! No pitter patter steps! We even did the log to the big log drop in and the jump in the water and out over the chevron!! Such a rockstar!

Eeeks!! This one scared me! It just felt huge. Plus I know Fleck isn't a huge fan of big drops.

 

I am so proud of him. And myself! It was EXACTLY what we needed! Although I do think that perhaps when I school, I school at more of training level speed and that makes it easier for us both. I did try to amp up the speed when we did our mini-courses though and he stepped up to the plate.

 

After we finished, we pulled off tack and took them down bareback to the lake. Fleck was eyeballing the geese but did get in and splash a bit. :) Then it was proper cross country cool down with ice and poultice and then we headed home.

Dressage Lesson:

Fleck and I had a lesson with Beth today at Ashland. It was great! We worked on some specific things.

We focused on our lengthenings at the trot. I tend to go too big and push him past his comfort zone. So... we came across the diagonal but I only lengthened from the first quarter line to the last quarter line. This made him pay attention and had me focus on keeping him upright and using my core. It really seemed to help. It also was beneficial to not "go for broke" and push him past his ability level.

We also worked on keeping the trot smaller. It's amazing how my "working" trot is probably closer to a medium. Which makes it hard to then show a true medium/lengthen. So... I kept him a smidge smaller, but had to keep him active. Then I was better able to show a difference.

And I really need to pay attention to my geometry. My 15 meter circles were much too small. They almost need to be like 10 meter circles in my brain. Only they aren't... but closer to 10 meter circles than I think. So... I'll be practicing some geometry!

Breathing... and counting... and shocker! RIDING!!

Today I had a jump lesson with Beth at Wishing Tree. I also adjusted Caroline which was convenient. :)

It was a good lesson! I was able to think. And breathe. And ENJOY my ride. :) :) And I counted, so we had good rides! Only once did I drop him. And *I* thought I saw the long spot and held, but Beth said I saw the long spot and dropped him. Doh. But I didn't the next time we hit that funky spot. :) YAY! And over one jump that he kind of puked over, I landed and sent him on gently and encouragingly and therefore the next line was quite nice.

We did a handful of mini-courses and the majority of the fences were quite nice!! Yay!

No photos.. poo!

Lake Play Day!

This was from Wednesday... but I forgot to post it!

After work I came home and took both boys to Ashland. I rode Dan first and he was pretty good. Then I ran into Kelli and Peri as they finished their trail ride. So I got off Dan and got Fleck. Well, since Arwyn and Tess were there in the parking lot, and Danny was in the trailer, Fleck was MAD! He couldn't concentrate on riding and was all giraffe mode and trucking! So I decided to take him out in the field first. Well.. he was on a mission! It was a full solid 30 minutes of power trotting and cantering and being on the look out. So I let him. Fine, it'll be a fitness day instead. Despite the fact that I was in the dressage saddle. ;)

So we finally got back to the dressage rings and Fleck semi settled down. I was able to get a decent run through of the test in as well as warm up.

After that I grabbed Dan and ponied him to the lake so they could both play. And play they did! Fleck even got in deep enough that the water went halfway up my calves! It was great. I think all three of us needed it!

Fleck still hasn't found his marbles!

So today Fleck and I snuck in another ride. :) We mostly walked, but also did about 25 minutes of trotting and then we headed back to the jump ring. Fleck was still awfully convinced the round pen monster was going to return! And he was still terrified of the liver pool. I managed to get him a little closer to it but he still wouldn't touch it with his nose. I also managed to get him to walk between it and the standard without flinching today. :) Then I got back on and we jumped it. Quite a few times, but he still hasn't gotten over the fear. It's so odd!! So we managed to jump it quite a few times and he wasn't quite so spazzy so we quit. Then we went for a little gallop in the XC field and soaked in the lake.

Ashland is so beautiful! I'm so lucky!

Interesting day.... Fleck lost his marbles!

So... today was a bit... odd! I was able to meet up with Kelli and Peri for a fun trail ride and then playing in the show jump ring. Only we ran out of time and it went... downhill. ;) But it was still a good day with good friends. I was hoping to get Fleck warmed up and then take off his tack and jump him without tack. :) But... Nope... not gonna happen!

We were all a little rushed and Kelli went up to lunge to get started. The round pen is hidden in the woods and you can't see it as you are walking up to the jump ring. Arwyn was a bit wacky and was running and unfortunately, she came around and was visible just as Fleck and Tess came into the ring. They both dropped a shoulder and bolted a few steps and then were terrified!! I could feel Fleck's heart pounding and they both grew a hand and had their ears up and quivering. They finally calmed down when they realized it was Arwyn but it took a good 10 minutes.

So then we started riding and Fleck warmed up fine. And now, we have a liverpool in the jump ring. Something that Fleck has jumped repeatedly!! At Ashland... at shows... Yet it was recently put back out so fair enough... Fleck was giving it the eyeball and snorting. So I asked him to look at it and walk up to it. And he barely did. He was seriously freaking out. So after a few times, I thought he was fine and trotted him up to it to jump it. He lost his mind and wouldn't go near it. Fleck!!! Really?!?! You are a prelim horse! Honestly! So I got off and tried to walk him up to it and couldn't get him near it. Sigh.. so I pulled the poles down and still couldn't get him near it. Well... then I borrowed Peri's crop and got him to get closer... and then closer still. And eventually I got him to walk past it, but he was terrified. It was totally unlike Fleck!! I managed to get him to walk over it a few times. Well, jump over it. So then I got back on and he jumped it a few times. So then I put the pole back up, to a tiny little vertical. We jumped a few other jumps to make sure it wasn't a jumping issue and get his confidence back up. He jumped around beautifully. So... I made him jump the liverpool quite a few times. He was still scared but did it without refusing.

Very interesting... I'm rather flabbergasted. I just have no idea what happened. Unless he was just so worked up for the round pen situation and it being new and not jumping one in awhile. Plus he's feeling pretty fit and has been a bit spookier lately. And I started him on new supplements, although one is magnesium, which in theory makes him calmer! But gracious. It was very odd. I don't really EVER remember him acting that ridiculous before. He's been scared, but has never taken that long to get over something. And I hate to admit it, but I got a little frustrated with him. I started out nice and encouraging but he started walking over me, so I had to get a little strict with the whip. I don't think I helped his fear at all, but he was almost to the point where he was hysterical. Very bizarre.

But at least we ended well. So.... hopefully it will stay out for a good bit. I foresee lots of walking past, over, etc to it for the next few weeks.

Jeesh... Needless to say, we did NOT get to "naked" jumping. Good grief...

But a fun day with friends regardless. :)

Back at it....Dressage work

So...it's time to get back to dressage. Especially since we dropped down to training for Stableview... and that means Training Test B. Oh how I LOATHE that test... it's so sling shotty....

 I can't wait til I fix things and we can get back up to P/T at least. And also, I had an epiphany... Perhaps the problem is not Fleck being sore, or Fleck not being a "prelim horse". Perhaps.. the problem is that *I* suck! I mean sure... I know Fleck is maxed out and not in the best physical condition. But I swear that he seems happy and is going well and I'm listening...I really think the issue is that I am so stressed that I can't ride well/effectively. Or at least thats part of it. I mean, he clocked around Chatt hills like a rockstar until the mental fence of mine. So... we'll keep at it and as long as he's happy, I'll focus on riding properly. And decreasing my life energy sucking drama. Which means... getting through Training Test B. Ugh..

So... we did have to take a little break for Mike and Holly's Beaufort trip! It was just as pretty as I remember. I can't wait to get back up there with Fleck in December. Anyways, then Mike's family came to visit, so Fleck got a few days off. I was able to sneak in a ride though! At home. And we worked on rapid transitions and it seemed to really help with the Training Test B. Of course, it was almost easier to ride 1/4 circle trot, 1/4 circle canter, 1/4 circle canter lengthen, 1/4 circle collected trot, etc...than a full circle. But it's a good prep for that test I think. So we'll keep working on that. :) Then we went for a quick hack and Mike came out to say hi and got some photos. Then on the way back in, Fleck came unglued. I don't know what he saw in the woods, but he was spooked! I thought he was going to spin and dump me in the woods, so I finally just got off. I managed to keep him calm, but he was more spooked than he's been in awhile. Crazy ness!

 See... he was all snorty and googley eyed!