LOCK ME PLEASE C:

[Livid-Silver]

Before and after! So much improvement!

The picture on the left is the 85cm/2'7" jump - I'm so in love with Mr. Robster <3

He looks amazing! That is some huge improvement there! Both you and Roby 8D I'm sure if you two could stick together you would go far, he seems to have talent. Are you going to be able to ride and see him when you get back?

@Flitter Sorry I didn't get to reply to your last post, but I'm glad your feeling better <3 Rose sounds like an adorable horse! I hope she turns into one of those sensible TBs. When you find one of those you don't ever let it go lol XD Could you get pics?

@Cody That horses looks like some kind of warmblood, perhaps even a Warmblood/Thoroughbred cross. It's a bit hard to tell without seeing the horse in conformation or knowing it's breeding.

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And now I'm sorry guys but I am going to rant a little I just haven't had an overly good day and feel free to ignore this bit but I would appreciate comments and ideas. Anyway today we tried to contact my instructor several times to ask if it was okay if we brought Donny over and couldn't so we called over to the stables to see if she was there. She was and she said we could for today but Donny can stay anymore and would have to be brought back and forth for each lesson. I didn't end up walking him over anyway because of some cows in the driveway that kept threatening to charge and Donny was stressed about it and I didn't really want to deal with charging cows and a freaking out horse. We asked D why he couldn't stay and she said that they're lacking pasture for the schoolies, which is fair enough since we're losing some of the paddocks to new buildings but also she said he'd brought attention to himself and had run into a gate last week. He wasn't hurt or anything but I was a bit ticked that she didn't tell me when it happened or mention to us last night that we wouldn't be able to bring him over A friend of mine actually kinda said that he'd run into a gate last week when they were bringing the horses in and they didn't really want him staying anymore, but D said nothing about it so I didn't worry. Basically I have no way of getting him to and from school for my lessons anymore. Mondays my lesson is straight after school and I wouldn't have time to get him over and Wednesday my lessons finish at dark and I'm not walking or riding him back in the dark. I don't have acess to a float and even if I did we don't have a car to tow anyway. It's just so annoying and upsetting because I'm always down there and always helping and now I can't even have lessons anymore. Sometimes I just think all I do down there doesn't matter and I don't always feel like it's apprecated. D has gotten better though, like she says thanks more often or let us go with the beginner group if they go trail riding but still. It's even more annoying because I've got less than two weeks to be ready for the interschools and I haven't even been able to ride my dressage tests and missing out on jumping tomorrow is NOT going to help either, and I asked my trainer if we could work with dazzle boards specifically for Donny. We can't even get the saddle fitter out now because we need lights and there aren't any at my aggistment. It just feels like all my hard work and effot has been for nothing. I really can't see anyway around this and I may have to give up my lessons I just don't know what to do anymore...

[Hime]

@Hano: Well, if your leg position doesn't mess your riding then I guess it's okay... Just that the few people I've seen on lessons that have had their leg bit like that have had issues in posting ect. I guess it depends on the saddle too. As I said it's been ages since I last rode in a AP/jumping saddle, so I'm not sure how much different they are to ride compaired to dressage saddle. XD It might not be a bad thing to ride in longer stirrups if you are not jumping.

@Benexo: That's a clear improvement I see there.

@Cody: I agree with Amy Pond. Warmblood most likely, don't ask which one as they all are really similar, maybe some TB blood. I would also say he(?) looks quite young. Andalusians are more rounder looking imo and have stronger neck.

@Amy Pond: So now you've had Donny at the stable you take lessons for few days when you have lessons and then brought him back home? Could he move there for full time or is it too complicated for you? For the saddle fitter issue, could you still take Donny over there when it's still bright outside and have the saddle fitted? But then not have him stay over.

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Didn't get to lunge or ride yesterday... There was only two lessons this time so would have had plenty of time. But when I brought Heta from the paddock and took her rug off she was all sweaty on the front and slightly damp from couple other places as well. It was really hot in the sun though, and her itch rug is dark brown, so it was probably just that, but I really didn't want to ride her like that with the heat and all. So I just washed her a bit and took her for a walk in the forrest path where there was some shade. She did cheer up from that and was pretty normal otherwise. L was first worried that she might have colic but I could hear her gut grumbling and she didn't look to be in pain, so it wasn't that. We also moved her to a paddock with the most shade.
I had plenty of time before the party because I didn't ride, so I helped out by filling some waters, raked most of the yard and when L finished with a priveta training lesson I cleared up the arena from the poles so people could park their cars there. Now that took a while... And I only managed to do the main half of the yard and few paddock fronts. It's also annoying to rake hay strands off the sand when you keep on dragging the small pebbless with you. The party itself was fun, I chatted with people that I don't see so much and heard some interesting things. Then got home real late. XD Around 2 am maybe....

[Livid-Silver]

It would be good if he could move there full time Hime but they don't offer aggistment/livery. Basically what used to happen was we'd walk him over on Sunday because I wouldn't have time to before my lesson on Monday and he would stay until Wensday, I would have my flat lesson on him then we would float him home. And with the saddle fitter she is seeing my friends who just brought their new horse before us and by the time she would finish with them it would be dark. I think they're having her come out at 4 and it takes about an hour and it gets dark by about 5:30 at the moment. When daylight savings comes along we might be able to make it work but that's not for awhile yet. Thanks for your comment and suggestions though, it's a bit hard to explain over the net It's a shame you didn't get to ride or lunge Heta but it still sounds like you had a good day

[Hime]

I see.. That kind of sucks. And with the dark coming so soon it doesn't leave much chance to work in day light. I can totally relate to that, as it's the case here in the winter.
Here it starts to get dark around 10pm,at the moment that is, but it's gradually starting to darken earlier... ): In winter it's quite dark at 4 pm already. Meaning usually in winter the only time we can hit the trails is around noon, which usually limits the trail rides to weekends. : P And when there's lessons during the evenings, times when you can ride can be very limited.

[tiny]

Okay I finally have a moment to tell about my trail ride yesterday >u<

it was absolutely amazing! I simply adore Charm, he's the sweetest thing quq I was the first person at the barn (I got there around 9:20 am yesterday) so I just kind of sat around and pet all the ponies until his owner got there about fifteen minutes later. We got her horse and Charm tied up and I started brushing and such.

It's so funny, because the person I lease him from has two horses including him, and the other horse is a mare who he can't take not being around- it's just so funny x3 If she's not in sight he'll start to get a little flustered. He's just like her little puppy dog.

After the other boarder came, I got on in the barn because there was no way on earth I could mount from the ground, because this horse is like 16.5 or something around that. So I got on my janky little stool and managed to get on. We rode on the road, which was a first for me, and the horses were totally cool with it. Charm was all up in the horse ahead of him's butt, and Sonya (his best horse friend) was all up in his butt but none of them seemed to mind too much.

They guy who owns the barn has tons and tons of just open fields to ride on, and that's just what we did. It was so relaxing and beautiful and I just loved it. We stayed out for about two hours.

Charm did really, really good for me. His owner said that this was the first time he'd not lead on a trail ride as well as his first trail ride with more than two horses. She said she was surprised how good he was doing, but honestly we were just getting along so well it was incredible.

The only thing was my English saddle D: we only rode for a really short trail ride and it was already causing me pain in my ankles and butt, and we are talking about trailering to Biltmore estate to go on like 4+ hour trail rides as well as some other places.

Therefore, I dug out ye olde western saddle to clean and try out Tuesday, since I don't have work then and I'm going to go ride x3
It hasn't been used in probably a good twenty years, but it is probably the most gorgeous western saddle I've ever seen, even still. I'm pretty excited to try it out, even though I kind of suck with riding in a western saddle. xD

The only bad part about that day: Sonya likes to push the other two horses that are there around. And she did so while the other boarder was leading her horse. She got knocked to the ground and trampled on. Her horse knocked her in the leg, and it was swelling up so bad but nothing was broken. I felt so bad for her, but she was so positive about it. I love it when you can tell how much people love their horses since they don't blame them for anything when that happens. She just kept saying, "I'm fine, he was trying to get over me, and he didn't get my face."

I'm so so excited to go back >u< that horse just makes my whole life amazing <3
you've made it to the end of my long post, congrats. xD

[classi]

@ Cody; Looks a lot like Rhumba. It's probably a WB x TB.

@ Amy Pond; Gaaah, that sucks. ):
Stupid light. On school days, I have to ride in the dark and it's really irritating.

No one say my... Maclay... realization? Lol, not too sure how to word it. xD

[Dolphinlover~]

@rain: Oh okay, if she didn't trot before that jump then at your level a chip in should be OK.
I know what cross cantering is, I just thought you said counter canter and I was just like uh oh xD Yeah counter cantering is really frowned upon if you never fix it lol. Cross cantering isn't great and it definitely feels weird but again, I don't think it's that big of a deal at your level.
Well as you advance just be ready for the judges to judge on the control you have over your horse because that is also part of eq. Just don't be surprised when judges start judging distances, strides, cutting corners, ect. ect.

On the Maclay videos: I watched the videos and their eq actually isn't horrible. I mean yeah sure I saw some of the rider were a bit ahead of the motion at the sitting trot, their horse was a bit fast for a sitting trot, or their heels were even with their foot, but that doesn't make them bad riders. No one is perfect, even the riders in the Maclay. Also, notice in part of the flat phase they had to drop their stirrups.

I also looked at some over fences videos and yeah some of their eq isn't great. I did see a rider who was ahead of the horse's motion in the air and who's leg slipped back. Not all of them ride like this however, since the Maclay is one of the most prestigous competitions. They do have great control of their horses, even though they are really fancy, and their distances are spot on. The ride really ends up being pretty good. I will tell you that this is what I mean when there is politics involved in big shows like the Maclay. Some of these riders aren't great but still make it in and or do well in the Maclay because of big name trainers and amazing horses. This is the perfect example of the politics involved in the show world.

@Flitter: I can be the same way sometimes. Although not all the time, sometimes I really enjoy riding in front of people because I push myself more and other times it's just fun. Like today I think I have a semi-private lesson with the woman who owns Bubbles and I am very excited for it! Aha! I think I actually just figured something out. The times I usually am worried about riding in front of people is when I ride with girls my age. I think this is because teenagers are very judgemental and I dislike that. When I am riding with someone older than me however, I like it since I know they really don't judge me (: Wow, that was an interesting "aha" moment xD
You really should try showing though! Especially if you just go out there to have fun and don't care about pinning or winning. With that atitude you should have a ton of fun. That's the atitude I go into the show ring in and I end up having a blast. I am sure you will enjoy it though, it's a great atmosphere ;D

Aww thank you! Yeah I was pretty happy with that lesson <3

It was so much fun being able to go back and visit with friends (both human and horsie :3). That is great that you visit your old barns too, it is a lot of fun seeing everyone again and makes me less sad about having to leave. Yeah I am devastated that they might build a bypass over it and have to close. Hopefully they can be moved to the other side of the bypass but I/they have no clue as to what is going to happen. Haha yeah it is a tough situation but it might be best to stick with my trainer who has big plans for me lol xD Thanks for all of your help and good wishes <3

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On another note, I have my lesson today. I am pretty sure I am riding with Bubbles owner, which I ma very excited about. She is super nice :3 It seems like a nice day outside too, it is overcast but as long as it doesn't rain it's all good xD I will try to get pictures today too!

[classi]

At the Maclay level, though, you should be able to sit the trot and stay with your horse's posting trot.
They were also bouncing all around at the canter, their hands were completely limp, their legs were sliding around and jiggling...
There are a lot of Maclay riders that ride awesomely, but there are also a lot that should go back to jumping two feet. xD

I guess cross canter and counter canter sound really similar, lol.

Yup, I know that a big part of equitation is how the rider controls his/her horse, but at my level that isn't really the main thing. Oh well, I can't wait until the next show!

[Dolphinlover~]

Leaving for my lesson now (: It's raining and grss outside so I am sure I will be riding inside /: Oh well, I am still excited and will try to get pictures, if I can't get pictures today I will be sure to get some on my hack tomorrow :3

[tanner]

Oh my gosh, Wyomimg is amazing! The mountains are in the background of every picture. They're massive and breathtaking. We're staying with my grandparents in Bondurant, it's near Jackson Hole.
So far we've seen buffalo, pronghorn, eagles, mule deer, horses, mules, foxes, and a beaver, but we haven't seen any elk, moose, wolves, or bear yet.
The weather is awesome, it's such a change from 100 degree Texas weather. It's around 80 during the day, and 40-45 at night. No clouds, no sticky hot weather, just clean, crisp air. Oh, I want to live here now, I'm falling in love.
We've [finally -_- ] scheduled a [guided] four hour riding trip up into the mountains for tomorrow, and I'm very excited for that.
I already have about a thousand pictures- no joke, seriously, and I will upload some soon. I havent gotten my mountain-ey sunset picture yet. It's just so beautiful out here, a person with a disposable camera and no artistic abilities could take a beautiful picture.