Do You Ride Horses?

[Aquishira]

Oh, yes I ride! No matter how my allergies bother me! I will ride forever.

[opal.]

@Spyro
Welcome! I am a Western Dressage rider right now, and have been riding for 11 years. I did hunter/english (Just flatwork although I've jumped before) for 8 years, then I did western pleasure for 1 year and western dressage for 2 since my horse has showing etiquette problems. Now he and I are very happy in Western Dressage and compete in out of state A shows in the discipline I still supplement my riding with english though, as it helps keep my eq. in check.

This is JJ, my baby


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@Everyone else
Oh my goodness I totally forgot to tell you guys about the clinic! If anyone remembers, I did a western dressage clinic/demonstration with my trainer at the National Western Stock Show, and it was AMAZING. There were 400 people watching us! It was terrifying, but everything went so well!

I got to meet Thunder, the Denver Bronco's mascot and kiss his nose! He was such a cute little arabian XD I also got to meet and talk to Tommy Turvey and JJ was stalled across from Tommy's three horses, two of which were BREYER MODELS. I helped my trainer out and what not grooming and bathing before he showed his stallion,Tuffy, and was there from around 7:00am to 10:00pm two nights in a row, which I missed school for :B When we were there, the heavy draft driving teams were showing so there were massive Clydesdales and Percherons EVERYWHERE. Our little Morgans looked so tiny compared to them, especially Express, my other trainer's horse who is only like, 14hh.

Anyway, if your still reading (Thank you!) JJ was terrible in the warm up arena. I mean, like, I made my mom get on him first because I was so nervous, and he was jigging and freaking out at everything, just like at every show we've ever been too >.> Anyway, after he started walking regularly, I got on, and did some simple circles, leg yields, shoulder-ins and haunches-in. When it was time to go in, JJ would flip out when we tried to go through the passage into the arena, so we had to follow a different horse in. This is the arena we were in. After we were in, JJ was walking okay, but he wouldn't halt (typical, he does that at other horse shows too) so we walked in small circles when we had to "halt" (so glad my trainer was the one doing the clinic, since he understands JJ's problems XD) After that, we did some 10m circles (four in a 20m) circle both ways, then did the same at the trot. JJ was jiggy in spots, but he was doing the circles well and listening, even though he spoked a couple times. After that, we moved to the trot, and did the same things. He was fine, no problems there. He even ignored people which were (inconsiderately-- come on, we're riding horses!) shaking off table cloths. Then, we did some turn on the forehands and haunches-- he was perfect, no problem there. All that took about at hour, and then there was a 10 minutes break before the second half. After the break, we did some half-passes and leg yields, also no problem, in fact, we got applause from the crowd multiple times for how well he did them! Then, we went back onto the 20m circle, and we were going to do some canter work (which took me by suprise a little since my mom told me it was going to be walk/trot, and I was happy to do walk/trot since JJ is so psychotic). My trainer asked me if he would be okay to canter, and I wasn't sure, but I said I'd try and if he was bad, I just wouldn't do it. So, we went back onto the circle, and he picked up the canter PERFECTLY. Like, it was BEAUTIFUL. Afterwards, everyone I talked to said it was the prettiest canter in the group! I was so happy! We cantered both ways, before coming back down and walking on the long rein, then to finish up, we did free, working, and collected versions of all three gates, which JJ did wonderfully. We got applause from the crowd for our collected canter! I had been in the saddle for close to three hours by the end, and JJ was all sweaty, but I was so proud and I'm really happy that he got himself together. I got so many complements from complete strangers afterwards telling me how great I did and I felt like I was just beaming for weeks afterwards. I even kept my "112th National Stock Show Exhibitor" pin, which I hope to keep for a long time.

Over all, it was a fantastic experience, and apparently the Stock Show people got such good feedback about the clinic that they want to bring it back next year and make it a MULTIPLE DAY THING. My trainer was really proud of me too, and Abskjghsj it was just great.

Here are the photos! If you REALLY want to critique them you can, but there isn't a lot to critique, mostly since I'm cueing him in most of the pictures so you can't tell what my Eq. is like XD
Turn on the forehand
Asking him to curve a little more on a 10m circle
Putting my inside leg on him because he was falling in on the 20m circle right there
Another turn on the forehand (I think)
Jogging the 10m circle
Really, thank you to anyone who took the time to read that, and please excuse all spelling errors since I'm on my Ipad

[wibeke]

So I was about to reply to everyone, but I was poking around marestare and ended up watching a mare give birth. The filly is trying to stand up right now, and it's really adorable. Thought I;d post the link in case anyone wants to watch her stand up for the first time? =)
http://www.marestare.com/fcam.php?alias=smr2farm
edit: and she's up!

[timaeus Testified]

@Spyro: Lol, what is with horses and cameras. Mikey poses well for me but sometimes he is like "ooo camera" and starts sniffing it and everything. That is super cool, we were suppost to move into a place that was going to allow horses (so i could of had a horse and then boarded it at a neighbors place). But then we chose a suburban neighborhood. We still have lots of farms i the area, infact there is one like half a mile from my house but its private. They have a few horses and cows that they round up and i sooo wish i knew them! Also how is gymkhanas judged, i know you and your horse have to intertwine through poles as quickly as possible but is there more to it than just that?

@ Mr. Milo
xD Some horses are just plain camera hogs lol.
Gymkhana is judged by your times ^^ It has different divisions though, some slower and some faster. The division I'm in is a slower division(FC). I cruise through patterns at a trot and casual lope. >u< I like being in the slower division because I care more about accuracy and control. Going fast looks pretty fun though. And my horse certainly gives me a difficult time when I wanna go slow lol. She likes going fast xD I swear she doesn't know her age lol.
There's all kinds of fun, interesting patterns too :3 Not just poles. There's Figure Eight Flags, where you do a Figure 8 around barrels while switching flags from a bucket of sand; Speed Ball, where you go around a cone and toss a golf ball into the top; Keyhole, they make a little keyhole design out of chalk powder on the ground, so you go in, make a tight turn, and go out; Clover Leaf Barrels- pretty much barrel racing lol.
Many other patterns too ^^ I love Keyhole and Hurry Scurry. Keyhole really tests your ability to make your horse go in a straight line(to make sure you don't touch the chalk, or you get a no time), stop, turn, and get out.
Hurry Scurry is a fun pattern. There are three jumps and a pole. You go onto either side first- one side has one jump, the other has two- then you go around a pole, and down the other side.

Our group does things like costume contests and cakewalks too, they really like to focus on horsemanship and that's what makes it such an awesome group to be in ^^
There are a few drama causers, but you learn to just avoid it lol.

@ Opal
Wow! He's stunning! o_o
And thanks ^^
What's western dressage like?

[opal.]

@Spyro
Thanks! He's my baby <3
Western dressage is great, and I feel like it's really supplimental to any discipline even though I show in it competatively. It's a really great boredom breaker for any horse who's stuck doing flatwork all the time, and really improves people's connection and communication capabilities with their horse. You really learn how to put your horse where you want him, and master cueing him properly as well as what works for you and your horse. Just after two years, JJ and I are doing turns on the haunches, turn on the forehand, leg yields, half-passes, shoulder-ins, haunches-in, flying lead changes, and pirouettes at the canter. It has IMMENSELY improved all our transitions, and really got him listening to my cues and moving where I ask him too Even if you never get competative about it, I would highly recommend it for anyone and any horse

[stirrupirons]

@everyone: Sorry, I forgot to put the link up D: I'm on my phone too so I can't do it. If you go to Thinker's page in my signature and scroll down to videos there's one that says trotting 2/10/13, that's the video :3

[Hime]

Super quick pop in, had to reply. More after I get off work.
@Wibeke: You are watching at marestare as well? Me too.

The great power of EDIT:
@Current topics: I like watching cross country, dressage and Icelandic shows(especially pace classes).
Any three horses...
1. Five gaited, silver blue dun(plus splash and/or roan would be even better) Icelandic horse mare (I wouldn't mind a stallion either...)
2. Silver dapple(doesn't matter which) or buckskin pony type Finnhorse with loud white marks and possibly blue eyes as well. Should be the ultimate all rounder, who you could ride and drive anywhere.
3. Black/bay sabino arabian (I know... XD)
And a super fuzzy manefull shetland pony, preferably some interesting color as well. ;D A pony doesn't count for the three horses, right? lol jk

@Spyro: Hello, and welcome. Very pretty older girl you got there.

@Opal: Lol, sounds like JJ could use little better show nervers, but glad he pulled himself together when it was show time. Sound like had absolutely blast there and that's the best thing.
I've done one sort of clinic as well, but it was over weekend and private thing. But it was definetly lot's of fun and met some new people and horses.

@monchele: Watched the video. Not bad at all. Little too short clip to get a really good look, but on the other hand nothing caught my eye instantly(=good thing). Your hands could be little closer to you(more bend at the elbows), but that's about it.
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Was planning on going to see Heta today after work(got of kinda early), but it's snowing again. -_- It's kinda bad, but getting little better now. Though it's supposed to get worse again and where the stable is it's supposed to be worse than where I live. XP

[Bluebird22]

Oh gosh, this moves so fast! Okay, I will try to catch up on everything, but sorry if I missed your post.

Spyro: welcome to our little horse "family" your mare is so pretty! I love her coloring and build! I don't own Robert (a 26 year old ottb who acts like he is 10 sometimes.) but he always comes up to my dad when he is taking pictures lol. Do you have any other horses on your property? Or buddies for her?

Smokey: good for you! Lol, I trip over my self so much! My sister does some modeling (or, she will be getting into more of it) so she does a lot of turns and catwalks xD those questions are pretty easy! If possible, you could try to work on it in a corner or circle before the rodeo, and see if that helps. Or just try to ride on the right (is it the right lead Queso isn't picking up?) as much as possible and just work of the left a little bit so that doesn't become the bad lead, sorry I'm not much help, but I couldn't think of too many things.

Monchele: that is so great! You have come back from your fall so quickly! Like you said, but a little while ago you were terrified to canter, now look at you! I wish I was able to ride for mor then an hour, but Robert is kinda time limited because of his age. I can't wait to see the video :3

Having parents and family watching: both my parents actually see me ride a lot! My grandma and uncle have seen my ride once but it was just at wt. Also none of my sisters have ever seen me ride other then a few pictures on Facebook.

Scarlet: That horse is so pretty! I normally am not big on grays, but she is really well colored and groomed. (Most of the grays at my old barn are a little stained because they haven been washed this winter. It is around 25-50F durring the winter.)

Opal: your clinic sounds like a lot of fun! Too bad JJ was being a pain for a bit on the warm up, but at least you got it under control. Hold crap, 400 people! And those horses... who were you riding in the clinic? It doesn't look like JJ.

Hime: I'm sorry about all the snow. I think you would love my weather. The past couple days it has been sunny and in the 40-50F! But tomorrow we are suppose to get snow...-_-

[MochaTheLlama]

I just want to point out. That this is the cutest 'future champion' picture I've ever seen. xD

Have any of you guys seen an adorable picture of a girl and her pony that you'd like to share?

[opal.]

@Bluebird
It was JJ, that was just what he looks like with his winter coat. We can't body clip him in the winter because our barn isn't heated and a variety of other reasons Why the "O.O" face about the other horses? XD

@Hime
Yeah, I'm glad he did too It was a lot of fun.