It was time for another try at getting Berry's lead changes. Super skilled rider hopped on her again for another attempt. I warmed up Berry and we started the lesson, working on lengthening the trot and the canter. Since lengthening the canter sometimes felt like galloping, this was quite fun! It[...]
I am not an eventer at all, but I decided to audit a Boyd Martin clinic because I am actually interested in riding cross country. Not competitively, because I am a still a huge weenie, but it'd be fun to go schooling, or take on some jumps on trails or hunter paces. Why not get my introduction to it[...]
There have been a few times where I've felt doubt that I picked the right horse. I picked all my horses without a professional's help, except for Berry. I did get some assistance when I bought Berry - she came from Pony Man's current trainer. I went to see a different horse, and I told her what I w[...]
Pony Man was standing quietly at the edge of his stall. He liked to put his hooves on the threshold and stick his head as far over as it could go to watch the aisle. Luckily that obnoxious goat was nowhere nearby, so there were no distractions as he contemplated life. He vaguely remembered a time[...]
If you are at all serious about jumping, or possibly even riding a horse, you know who George Morris is. He is impacted hunter/jumper riding in such a monumental way, it's impossible not to know who he is. One of my very first books on riding was George Morris's Hunter Seat Equitation. If you eve[...]
We were on what felt like the millionth exercise to teach Berry and I lead changes. We started going down the long side, circling, leg yelding back to the rail, and asking for the change. The leg yeld was easy. The change was not, and wouldn't happen. I could sense Berry's annoyance. I ended up aski[...]
I kept my head, and didn't let my nervousness get to me. I call that a success! My trainer went up the night before with her horses/ponies/kids and everyone spent the night there. We helped the organizer set up the course, and I am impressed by her collection of jumps. I intended to ge[...]
Since I had a lot of time to kill at Morven Park, I decided to check out their cross country course. On foot, of course. Certainly not with any intention of riding it, because I want to live a bit longer. But, I will start with arrival. Morven Park has the weirdest entrance to the horse area. It ma[...]
In the past, I've gone extended amounts of time without a trainer. When I was a kid, I literally thought I knew all there was to know, causing me to get untrained Vintage and fall off so many times I lost count. Also, one time she threw her head back so hard, it smashed my face and I literally saw[...]
This warm weather has been incredible, and inspired me to make the beautiful image above of trotting through a glorious meadow (just squint and use your imagination). Finally, I can emerge from my hovel, and get back to riding. Except that my poor Berry, who has been mostly idle for the duration of[...]