Don't Call it a Comeback

Well Legacy reappeared this weekend. We ran Training and the Plantation Starter Trials and he smoked the competition. We pulled at 25.9 in dressage and were leading by 8 points. We didn't add a point to our score and ended on that to win the division. The dressage was good as usual, although we were on a crappy grass ring...I think the scoring was a bit generous but I'll take it. We had one of the lowest dressage scores of the day!! The stadium was straightforward and smaller than we've seen and he was fine. I didn't ride it terribly well...just didn't prepare for each jump and didn't map out my turns well when I walked the course. But we got through it without even a rub, so he didn't fault me for my less than stellar riding. Cross country was somewhat sticky, but nothing like he was a few months ago. He galloped at the fences with a purpose which was great to feel. I basically had to have him jump a log into the foundation from a standstill at fence #3 and then we had a really awkward approach to #4 thanks to the course designer. I'd say it was somewhat spooky b/c he didn't see the house he was to jump until about 2 strides out b/c it was around a corner, but at both of those questions, he hesitated but then went forward when I applied leg. We had 2 other sticky spots, one at a dead log on course, which for some reason he seems to balk at since he does the same thing at the log at Bucks County...must be something with his vision, and the other stickiness was at the water. We had to jump a small log into the water, about 6 strides out he sort of backed off, but I just clucked, squeezed and put my hands forward and he responded. So it was by no means a breeze on XC, but definitely a HUGE step in the right direction. I've never been so nervous...before stadium Seth was standing next to me and he could see my whole body was shaking. It was just that so much was riding on this performance. I had decided if he shut down like he did at Rubicon, Surefire, MD or NJ I was going to hang it up with him. Luckily, he acted nothing like that. We just need to build confidence and I've been there before with him, so I feel so relieved. No matter what happens, I'll always have a special connection with him b/c of all we've been through and how much I've learned from him. I don't know if he'll be the best horse I'll ever ride, but he's certainly given me a lot of great memories. So that's the end of the season for Legacy and I, it was a great way to end it all. The plan next year is just to have a solid year at Training and just play it by ear. We've got one more weekend with Hobbs at Rubicon and then winter break!

No Need for a "Good Eye"

It's been a busy week for me...Seth was away last week at a wedding in El Paso, TX and I was riding all 3 of our boys (trying to anyway)....finally they are all sound!! Not to mention we also had a monsoon which created a muddy mess at the barn, our bay window started leaking and my car died. Lots of fun... But over the weekend I had some great rides on all three of them. On Sunday I had Legacy jumping two verticals on a circle and he was fantastic. I only rode him for about 15 min and then we just walked around. He's been very good lately at not changing his pace on the way to the jump and I'm not having to hold him in my hands to achieve that. I think riding Hobbs is helping me feel the way Legacy needs to be. His flatwork has continued to be strong. I feel ready for the CT this weekend at Bucks...although I've been dealing with some bad weather this week, so hopefully I can get a few more good rides in before Sunday.

Cody seems to really be progressing as well. I think he's finally given in to the fact that he has to go round and use his big butt! He's also been jumping really, really well. Seth had a lesson last night and it was the best I've ever seen them look. It was the most consistent frame I've ever seen Seth have with him. Seth's position is also getting steadier and more comfortable which has helped Cody find his own balance. As long as Seth uses his leg to push Cody through to the contact at all times (especially during transitions) then they should improve their dressage score. Seth is targeted a schooling show at Tranquility Farm next weekend.

Now for the "natural", Hobbs. He's really been fun to ride. I had a lesson last night and Danny got on him for a few minutes and I got to see a little bit of his true ability...some crazy lead changes unintentionally :). He seems to be used to having resistance and seems like he was pushed into the bridle. I'm glad Danny sat on him b/c he confirmed a lot of what I was feeling. He needs to work on unlocking his jaw and come over his back into the bridle. I need to spend the next month getting him to stretch out and down and then we can slowly bring his poll back up. I need to work on my position a lot. I need to learn that my seat keeps the rhythm in the canter and my leg is a backup and a way to direct him where to go. He's very, very good at listening to your seat and as soon as my rhythm is off he breaks to the trot....so he's a good teacher. I also need to work on keeping my outside shoulder (especially left) back to get a more balanced and upright canter. When asking for a canter depart I need to STOP rounding my back and keep my torso straight and strong. Lots of homework for me. We jumped a little and the main concept I need to learn is that the distance is set by whatever canter stride I'm on. If I shorten his stride 15 strides out, then I'm asking for him to add a stride and I can't try and move up to the fence at the last minute. If I'm on a normal stride or a gallop stride I need to either do nothing and let the stride come or I need to move up when I see the distance...I can't try and add at the last minute. I worked on this at Danny's and again last night and when I just let things happen the distance was perfect nearly every time. Using this philosophy makes the necessity for having a "good eye" obsolete.

I'm excited and nervous for this weekend. I'm just hoping for a solid day in all three phases. I don't want to feel out of whack and I just want everything to go smoothly. My ride times are fantastic for Saturday so that's the first positive note...hopefully that luck will carry through the tail end of the season :).