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Post by Michelle Clarke on Sept 5, 2011 21:33:24 GMT -5
We are getting ready for our show season and working hard! In two weeks we have a Versatility show: Dressage, Western Dressage, Trail and In-hand Trail. We are taking my Kiger gelding, Rev; Lynns' Kiger/QH mare, Lana; another Kiger/QH cross, Amada (who has only been under saddle for three weeks!!!) and Reina. We went to Dr. Marys' wonderful arena - the horses were spoiled on the bouncy rubber footing! Rev and I working on transitions:   Reina, learning to keep her head in place and concentrate instead of being distracted!   Lana, working on moving out and following the rein without losing momentum; my sister, Emily, riding:   Amada - first time off the farm, trailering and in a covered arena! Three weeks under saddle. Emily has done all the training on her and I am just tickled at Amadas' great attitude and easy going way about her:  Obstacle work this week and back to Dr. Marys' Saturday for a mock show. Oh, here is Dr. Mary's first ride on a Kiger - I think her expression says it all!  |
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Post by stormyranch on Sept 5, 2011 22:03:58 GMT -5
Cool!
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Post by barbhorses on Sept 5, 2011 22:15:15 GMT -5
Awesome! Hope your horses do well. Love the pics!  |
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Post by gotkiger on Sept 6, 2011 10:30:59 GMT -5
awesome
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Post by sbutter on Sept 6, 2011 11:14:58 GMT -5
Lovely photos! Amada sounds fantastic to make that much progress.
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Post by fantasykiger on Sept 6, 2011 12:38:30 GMT -5
how exciting  the pics are great, I can not wait to hear how they do. |
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Post by lindad on Sept 6, 2011 20:24:39 GMT -5
Everyone of them look like a winner to me. Lovely horses!!!!!
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Post by DianneC on Sept 6, 2011 21:11:23 GMT -5
Dr Mary looks like she is riding in a Ferrari sports car for the first time. REv looks magnificent. How wonderful to have so many horses coming along so beautifully. Go Amanda! What a good girl!
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Post by angelsdream on Sept 7, 2011 8:21:40 GMT -5
Those are great...all the horses look so relaxed. and gorgeous btw..! Reina is very nice!
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Post by stormyranch on Sept 7, 2011 10:06:49 GMT -5
I see you are all riding with the same bit-less bridle. Are you allowed to you this bridle in the show?
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Post by Michelle Clarke on Sept 7, 2011 12:58:06 GMT -5
Yes...we are allowed to use the bitless bridles. I've actually been back to the bit the last couple days with Rev; which he HATES. This is due to my previous "Classical" work - he gets way behind and curls his chin in - even with a loose rein. I've just been riding him forward and gently lifting the reins until his head comes up. We had a tough day yesterday but today was much better. He may not look "show ready" because his head is coming up a little high but soon enough he'll find the balance. He stays pretty round most of the time due to all the suppling and balancing exercises I do with him but we are just touching on collection slowly. That surely can't come until he stops evading the bit.
Reina is submissive to the rein/hand and is just beginning learning roundness (we had a wing-ding on the ground today working on spirals!). She has figured out how to cut her forward energy way down whenever the rein is changed; she gets more up and down so the rider may still feel like an effort is being put out. If you call her bluff then she just gets stiff and bowls forward. You can tell by her topline that she is not really working as she should - such a slacker!
Lana is learning to put effort out in her movement and Amada - well, I'm just so thrilled she is so laid back and easy going! She went out on the obstacle course yesterday under saddle for the first time and did it all with no balking. Her steering was not so great but she'll get there!
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Post by sbutter on Sept 7, 2011 20:53:36 GMT -5
I can't wait to hear all about it Does your sister train with you? It is always great to have a horse crazy family. |
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Post by mystickiger on Sept 7, 2011 20:59:46 GMT -5
Nice pictures! I really like Rev and feel your "pain" with that bitless to bit transition at this stage of training. Not that it's by any means more or less important but definitely different at this level than transitioning between the two for trail riding. He's looking good!
What show or circuit you preparing for? I would love to find a versatility show around here that allows bitless.
Karen
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Post by lilnagy on Sept 8, 2011 10:00:39 GMT -5
I think Rev is just beautiful! that first pic he looks so willing and free, and soft. Is he one you bred for? or adopted?
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the pics are great, I can not wait to hear how they do.
