The Partially Elevated Trot Grid

I found a book!

I got this book a few years ago at RMWF after helping work at the Horse Country Magazine booth. I never really looked at it until today, when I was feeling inspired to do more than just hack around. Flipping through I found a lot of exercises, starting with just poles on the ground, to grid work, to more challenging things such as introducing bank jumps and fixing common problems (running out included). So, I picked an exercise and set off across the yard to set up my jumps and poles and then headed out to get my horse who was loving all the grass outside, but not loving the bugs.

Willard is still the outsider here at home. The other three horses we have keep him atleast 10 feet away from them in the big pasture. They must be jealous of his mad skills. Or just scared of how big he is. Both?

Anyway, back to the point. The exercise I picked for today’s ride was “The Partially Elevated Trot Grid”. A very simple exercise consisting of four trot poles, each one elevated on one side. I started out with just basic trot poles, and actually didn’t get around to the exercise until 40 minutes into the ride as I had to get Will’s focus back on me and not on how high his head to get in the air looking for the other horses. My refocusing strategy today was very blunt. Since all Will wanted to do was prance around like a fool and over collect his neck, I decided that if he wanted to show off his energy I was going to use up some energy. So, we did laps. This gave me a great chance to work on my two point and keeping my upper body back and leg steady as we galloped for a good 15-20 minutes. After a few laps each way, I began asking him to do small collected canter circles on the short ends, and lengthen again on the long sides. Then I did serpentines with flying changes up and down the ring, then did some canter-halt-canter transitions, and then, when Will was finally ready to break to a trot, I did some more lengthen and shortening work around the whole ring. After this extensive refocusing/energy ridding warm up, he was much more compliant to what I wanted to do and much less worried about where his “friends” were.

This is the point where I started working the exercise. The benefits of this exercise are, that by raising the alternate ends of the poles, a definite straight line to ride straight through the centre of the grid is defined. This allows you to concentrate and establish your calmness, balance, and rhythm before moving on to other exercise. It also gives your horse a chance (if they meet the first elevated pole on an off-stride) to figure out how to adjust their step to stop over the poles cleanly.

The first few times I went over the grid, Will banged his way through, slightly surprised at the newly raised poles. But, after a few times through (going away from the gate) he was stepping neatly over each pole. Then I switched directions and started coming home. This changed the scenario a bit. Will was now refocusing on where the other ponies were and not really seeing the grid ahead of him. So, after a few times of him rushing through and not paying attention, I added in tight turns, or stops, or walk transitions, to get him concentrating on mea gain. Horses are sometimes like boys (ages 8-19) who have a gameboy in their hands. You have to do something dramatic to get their attention. Throw a loop into their plans every once in a while.

I used the grid as part of a circle, getting Will to bend around my leg and coming to the centre of the pole off the curve of the circle. This got him listening in no time, and I was able to end with him in a gorgeous frame and calmly chewing the bit and licking his lips. Finally. I got through to him. 

From Beach

Shot taken by Christine Budzak at Beach Party 2011. Love this picture, definitely one of my favourites of Mr. Willard.

Oxers oxers oxers!

I hacked Willard at home last night for the first time, and he was surprisingly good. I mean, take out the wild eyed looks every time we passed the corner closest to the barn and he was damn near perfect! One thing I know is going to be a challenge is working with him on an open gallop stride, as my ring is not quite wide or long enough to open his striding. I might have to move our hacks back to the grass pasture.

Tonight we trailered up to McMullans for a lesson, and Charlene and Mike had been scheming on how to fix our oxer/running out issue. They’re plan was dynamite. We started out the evening with Mike lunging Will over some jumps. Watching Mike work with horses is one of my favourite things to do. He always knows how to earn their respect, without over doing it or punishing them. The jump started out as a vertical, maybe about 2’9, with a brick box underneath on the short end of the arena. Then a back rail was added. Then the back rail was moved up to about 3ft. Then to 3’3″. Will started trying to run out a few times, but quickly realized that Mike was not to be toyed with and jumping over the jump from whatever distance he found was a MUCH better option. Next, the oxer was moved up to approx. 3’6 and Will was asked to jump it. The first few times he got himself into bad distances, but jumped out anyway. If we didn’t know he was scopey already, this was a good sign. After a few ugly, awkward jumps, he finally figured out that he wasn’t going to get a break until he did it right and didn’t mess around. The last jump was gorgeous. Nice and round, with his feet kicking up far over the back rail. At this point Mike stopped him immediately, said “good boy” and handed him over to the mercy of my hands.

After getting on and letting him chill for a bit, we promptly started up the work again. Mike told me to pick up a canter and go to another oxer built along the long wall. This oxer was maybe a bit bigger then 3ft, and decently wide with all white rails. We got into a tight distance, but Will jumped out no problem. Next, we were told to gallop down to the 3’6″ oxer on the short side. This was definitely the biggest jump I’d seen in a while, so I was a tiny bit nervous, but I didn’t hesitate. You don’t say no to Mike, and he generally knows how far to push. So off we went, and we got a tight distance, but Will jumped over the thing like it was hardly there. I actually hardly felt him jump it was so smooth. This gave me confidence for the next 6 times we hopped over it. We only had one stop over that jump, and it was because of a super deep distance. Will actually started to jump it, but decided that it was probably best to just put is front feet back on the ground. Forgivable!

Charlene then took over the lesson, and we did a course of oxers, all around the 3ft range. He carried me to each one with ease and jumped BEAUTIFULLY. I couldn’t help but smile every time he went over a jump. I wish I had video to show, but nothing can replace the feeling of a horse jumping so cleanly and round with seemingly no effort. Hopefully tonight gave Will the same amount of confidence it gave me in his ability.

To say the least, I am very impressed. And very grateful to have coaches who are as talented and insightful as Mike and Charlene.

Image

Some “Pro” Shots from Heart

Here are some shots my dad took at Heart! 

This is how you pull muscles up the side of your stomach!

He looks so innocent...

Medal course walk with Charlene and Patti!

Three and Four Heart.

Well. It sort of got better. Saturday we competed in Sr. Low Handy, Open Low, and Adult Ami classes. My first round of these three was a gong show. We added in everything and had a rail I believe. My second round started out gorgeous. Coming to the second jump, and oxer with natural rails, a brick box, and pink flowers with the perfect pace and distance to take off, my dear boy decides to run out the side instead. We went back the second time and he jumped it nicely and went on to complete the course. Okay, well that sucked. But we moved onto our next round. Similar course, coming to this oxer. He does the same thing. He wasn’t spooking. Just casually changing direction. It wasn’t something I could feel or predict. He really did have the perfect distance to the jump. And every time, he went back very perfectly the second time and did the rest of the course with no issue. FRUSTRATING. We placed 4th out of 5 in our Adult Ami/ Non pro that day, and third in the flat portion. He was very good in the flat, probably the best flat class I’ve had all season. He was trying to make amends I think.

Hanging out at Heart!

Sunday. Medal day. Our first class was the Open Age Medal. Once again a repeat of yesterday’s shenanigans. Second jump, and oxer out of line, runs out the side. Out of nowhere. Goes back, does it perfectly the second time around and finishes the course like a champ. A douchey champ. Next class, Adult Ami/Non-Pro Medal. Starts out gorgeous, does a beautiful roll-back from three to four but runs out the side of four. Goes back perfect and does the last half of the course better then anything he’s done this year. Go figure. Even Charlene had no ideas as to why he was doing this over and over again. I can’t feel it coming, therefore I can’t predict when to correct him.  Charlene is just as confused as I am.

As you’ll see in the video, he literally just changes direction in a split second. He comes right up to the jump, and like a stride out from a great distance he just shifts over. Wtf.

Farewell Bluebear

It all started with Chicken McNuggets and a very lucky conversation almost 13 years ago.

That’s right, McDonalds is partially responsible for getting me into this sport. The summer when I was 6, on the way home from dance class I believe, we stopped at McDonalds for lunch. While I was munching away on my nuggets, my mom started a conversation with a lady sitting near us. Long story short, because I don’t want to write an essay, she name dropped Sheryl Feller and Bluebear after my mom mentioned that I loved horses. Numbers were exchanged and we both went on our separate ways. Later on that summer, my mom phone Sheryl and a day was set up for us to come out and meet some horses. Another long story short, I was introduced to Bluebear Farms, and Otis. My mom and I started out just trail riding every once in a while, then it was decided I needed some lessons as I was very confident but had zero skill. Dangerous combo. Jaimie Feller was my first teacher, on Otis of course, in a western saddle. I remember always trying to run him over. Oh, and when he asked me to drop my stirrups? I only dropped the side he could see. Or I would drop them both but grab the horn. When he asked me to let go of the horn? I took my stirrups back. I was such a good student.

Oh, and Jaimie, do you remember that time on a trail ride when you bet me a dollar to jump the caution tape in between two trees? Did I ever get that dollar?
I continued with western for a while, and then got interested in english after I saw another student jumping. Sheryl started me with that, and the first time I wanted to canter, of course I fell off. This was my first of MANY falls, and I remember Jaimie saying to me “It takes at least 7 falls to be a good rider, you’ve got one down”. I’ve stopped counting, but I think I’ve surpassed “good”.

After that I went back to the safety of a saddle with a horn. By this point my mom and I had moved to Carman and bought a small acreage with a barn and pasture. Otis was purchased from Bluebear, and my beloved boy was moved to a new home. We continued taking lessons through 4H, which Sheryl came up and taught and I also went there and rode other horses. After a few years in 4H I was ready to try english again, in a big way. I started taking lessons on Buster, and I never looked back.

This must have been when I was about 10.

 

I rode Buster in lessons, and then moved onto others such as Scottie (who has taught many a rider what leg means), Ronnie, Kazoo, Maddie the pony, Hunter, Kodak (once, and she jumped me off), and then finally my own horses. Monty was the first one I jumped.. successfully anyway. I tried with my mom’s stubborn QH gelding, Washington. From Monty we went to Flash, and from Flash we took a giant leap to Willard. Fast forward and I now am not only taking lessons at Bluebear, but I’m a boarder there as well. Will spent a year at home, where we learned about his fear of cattle, and then we moved him into Bluebear, where he stayed for 4 years until we moved him back home tonight.

So, Bluebear, and all the people involved, thank you for the past 13 years and starting my career in this sport.  I’ve learned many lessons. Including, but not limited to:

  • Not all horses can or like to jump, but trying to make them do this task makes you a better rider.
  • It takes time and patience to make braids look decent. In my case, many years of patience.
  • Learning how to fall correctly is an necessity.
  • Fly spray fly spray fly spray.
  • Rubber boots don’t pass for english boots.
  • When you hit the dirt, you dust yourself off and get back on.
  • Horses are relatively uncomplicated, people are a different story.
  • Eliminate your tracks (shaving prints down the alleyway).
  • Know which lights are the arena lights, before you turn them off.
  • Always latch gates.
  • You can learn something from every coach.
  • Horses keep us humble.
  • Wear gloves. Especially when it’s -30.
You’ll always have a fond place in my memories. I can remember the days before the nice lounge, the bathroom, the locker room, and the big paddocks. Before the menagerie of jumps, the big grass ring outside, the nice new sign. Yoyo. It was a second home to me for many summers, and tagging along with Sheryl while she went to shows or just worked around the barn was always a highlight for me. I remember going to Heart and Brandon Fair almost every year since I can remember to watch, and dream about when I would get to go into the show ring.
That dream came true, and is now continuing to evolve as I’ve moved onto bigger horses and expanded my horizons. My 10 year old self never even thought about flying around the globe to pursue this sport. Who knew.
Thank you for all you’ve taught me, and giving me the tools to go out and learn more.

Two Heart

Today was better.

My body was functioning properly, which made riding so much easier, and fun. I could actually follow my horse’s movement with my body, instead of just sitting there and steering, like I was doing yesterday due to soreness. I didn’t actually start riding today until about 2, due to delays in the ring. My three classes today were Open Low, Sr. Low Handy, and Adult Ami/Non Pro. All 3fts! And let me tell you, the courses at Heart are actually the right height, 3ft looks gigantic to me! I guess it’s usually slightly smaller at other shows.

My first round was going VERY well. The first three jumps were gorgeous, we were on pace and jumping great! Then coming down a 5 stride after the first fence, Willard caught eye of something outside the ring and ran out of the exit oxer. It’s too bad, cause we were at the perfect distance and he was set up perfectly! Almost every horse today had issues with that line, it was spookier then it was yesterday I guess. He went back to it and jumped out nicely the second time.

Our next round, Sr. Low Handy, was not awful. It was definitely an improvement of  yesterday. Our pace and trust is starting to come back, inch by inch. I couldn’t get him back as quick as I would of liked coming to the trot fence, so we weren’t set up in a nice curve to get to the next fence. I’m not going to complain though, it could have been a lot worse.

Adult Ami/Non-Pro wasn’t as hot as Sr. Low. Will got a bit strong and mouthy after the first part of the course, and started dragging me to the base of jumps. We placed fourth out of five in this class. There is some tough competition at this show. And some gorgeous horses. Can’t wait to see what the next two days bring!

Videos coming soon!

One Heart

Today was an off day for both horse and rider. Last night’s schooling was mediocre, but I was having a hard time focusing and Willard had too much energy. But whatever, we moved on. This morning I got to the show early to hack out some excess energy. Then we did the usual waiting routine, and begun our day with 2’9 schooling rounds. This is the only 2’9 class we’re doing this weekend! It went all right, there were parts of it that were very nice, like the far outside 6-stride, which we could get right for the life of us last night. Other parts, the the white 5 stride weren’t as nice. But, it was a schooling round after all. So no hard feelings.

My second class of the day was my Sr. Low Hunter.

This round was slightly messier than the first round. By this point in the day, my hip was even stiffer then it started out and my shoulder was being a bad word too. As anybody who rides knows, the hip is a vital joint in our sport. So when that seizes up, you’re pretty much screwed. I was riding very stiff today, and I think that’s why it was hard for us to find our pace on course. It’s frustrating, especially coming off such a great show at Beach. It almost makes me regret taking the past 2 weeks off to rest. Was it worth it? Even when the issues come back as soon as I start competing again? I mean, I didn’t completely take them off, but I did only ride twice in those two weeks. Even more frustrating? The two times I did ride, my body felt fine. Of course, once we get to Heart everything falls apart again when I really need it most.

After my classes today I went straight to an appt with my AT, where I was supposed to start my strength training routine again, but because all my numerous issues have returned, we were unable to do anything besides treatment. My quad, hip, lower back, shoulder, and glute were all worked on. Most of which are actually feeling a little better, except for the shoulder.

But you know what? Tomorrow is a new day. A new show day. We’re going to forget about the pace and distance issues we had today, and start anew in the morning. One day at a time.

Thirty Six

36 days until I get into a car with my Uncle, grandparents and mom and head off to BC for my cousin’s wedding. I leave Carman on September 5th, and a week after that I fly from Kelowna, BC after celebrating my 19th birthday with my grand-parents, to Vancouver- where I spend 8 hours hanging out at the airport waiting for my 8:30 pm flight to…. AUCKLAND!!!! I fly out of Canada on a Wednesday (Sept. 14), and get to the other side of the world at 6:30am NZ time on Friday morning. It’s getting close! And starting to feel much more realistic!

If all goes as planned, I’ll be picked up at the airport in Auckland and taken to my new home and job for the next 8 or so months at LC Horse Farms (www.lchorsefarm.com).

I have no idea what to expect, and therefore no idea what to buy or pack for my trip. Of course, breeches and a helmet, boots, muck boots (cause I know I’ll be doing lots of that!), running shoes, and all the other necessities. You have no idea how excited I am to pursue my dream in the horse industry and travel while gaining experience in the industry.

I had my second appointment at Legacy yesterday with Dr. Pethrick (chiro) who assessed me again. I swear, I’ve got the assessment routine so down I can assess myself by now. He said that with my shoulder he wants me to do some work activating my lat muscles, which are the big muscles in the back that keep your shoulders down and back, because

when I raise my arms above my head when being assessed my tendency is to scrunch my shoulders up in compensation for not using the lat muscle. He also gave me a couple exercises to improve the stability and movement in my hips. Links to these are at the bottom of the page. The third link is the exercise for “waking up” the lats.

After assessing me he did some active release on my hip and shoulder. It ended not being as painful as I thought, my AT has done worse anyway. Basically it was deep tissue massage, while moving the joint and muscles being worked on. He also did a chiro adjusted my hip. I must say, he is very good at his job. So far, besides my regular AT, he’s one of the only ones I’ve felt confident in and I found it easy to talk to him. I’m not always the most trustworthy with doctors.. I’ve been through a few who don’t listen well. He told me to come back in two weeks, unless everything has been phenomenal and I don’t feel I need to.

One day at a time.

So, as a result of all this good news and pain free week I’ve had, I’ve moved back into my strength training routine and I’ll start back riding full time again on Monday. My AT said she’d help me set up a strength fitness plan, so I’ll go in and see her after competing Thursday. Now we get to see if this painlessness lasts once I start working my body again. The real test will be Heart of the Continent, which starts Thursday and goes through till Sunday. As I recall, the last show wasn’t so great on the pain front and that was only a three day show. But, one day at a time. That’s my motto and I’m sticking to it.

What have we learned from this? Equestrian is definitely a sport and definitely requires cross-training to develop and maintain the muscles necessary to ride properly AND effectively. Anybody who says otherwise is a fool.

(http://www.functionalmovement.com/exercises/chop_from_half_kneeling_with_fmt)

(http://www.functionalmovement.com/exercises/lift_from_half_kneeling_with_fmt)

(http://www.functionalmovement.com/exercises/reach_roll_lift_assisted_with_fmt)