Sunday, July 24, 2011

July 24, 2011

LBR and Anna in the "Modified Hunter" class last weekend. They finished 2nd out of 28 horses:




We headed to the stables this morning for lessons. Gary took the lesson on LBR while I rode Mani.

We both had great lesson. LBR packed Gary around like a champ. Their flat walk/trot work was at a great consistent speed and they did the four (4) ground poles like champs - even with Gary's eyes closed. Their canter was "to die for". LBR got his correct lead in both directions, avoided 2 horses while circling and coming back to the walk with perfect transitions.

Mani was good for me too...lazy as usual at the canter, but improving with every ride. We did the most georgous circle - though it took a lot of leg and kissing.

We then moved on to course work...OMG, LBR has turned into the packer. Gary and he had perfect courses with no rushing (trotting in and sometimes cantering away).

Mani was good as well...though the added rolly-polly jump was "scary" and he stopped 2x - not a scary refusal, just a stop. On the third time, he stopped, and then did a levade - waiting for me to balance before jumping over the 2' thing...LMAO.

After the lesson, Gary cantered LBR a bit more while I took Mani on a ride around the property to cool off. By the time I returned to the barn, Gary had rinsed LBR and I finished grooming him while Gary rinsed Mani. I headed back to the paddock with LBR and Gary followed behind with Mani.

We are so loving having these two(2) horses - different in personality, but a perfect fit for the family.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Gary headed over to the stables in the morning to beat the heat. He rode Mani and they had a nice ride. LBR got the day off due the evening lesson yesterday.

The heat is unbearable for me in the evenings, so I unfortunately will probably not be riding in the evenings until some time in September:-(

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Anna took a lesson on LBR tonight. She said he was "fabulous" and we couldn't agree more (Gary groomed LBR before her ride and I met them after work) His canter was so consistent and he hit some lead changes...yay!

Today, LBR's adopted brother, "Mani", moved into his paddock with him. All is going well so far. LBR is an Alpha horse, but not agressive at all - only defends his feed.

Feeding time has to be tough for Mani though. He gets 1/4 of a scoop (approx. 1.5 lbs) twice a day while LBR gets 1 1/2 scoops (approx 9 lbs) twice a day. That's the difference between and American Azteca and a Thoroughbred;-) Mani finishes his slowly and then just heads to the round bale to eat hay.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Gary had a fabulous ride on LBR today. Their flat work was great and they even did a few canter courses.

LBR's brother had the day off today.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Gary rode LBR and his brother today. They were both very well behaved. He did flat work and course work with both of them.

Monday, July 18, 2011

LBR had the day off today. His new "brother" got lunged.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

July 17, 2011

We hauled back from the show last night - it's only about 10 miles from the stables and unloaded LBR. He was one tired horse and we were two tired people.

Today, LBR had the day off. We decided to keep/buy Mani, the horse we had on trial. I rode him on the flat today and Gary rode him over some cross rails. He will have his own blog soon.

After riding, I took carrots and treats down to LBR. He looked so tired and the day off was well deserved.

July 16, 2011

On orders from Anna, the morning at the show started with a 45 minute lunge for LBR. Gary warmed him up at the trot and then it was 15 minutes cantering to the left, then 15 minutes to the right and because he was still "fresh" another 10 minutes to the left.

Well...Anna is a very experienced horse rider with tons of showing experience and a lot of it with "forward" horses which she loves to ride.

LBR had 4 classes today. Each one got better than the last. The first one had some trotting and zig zag approaches, but Anna had stepped up to a stronger pelhem and LBR was over reacting. The second one was too forward and included having to circle once. The third one was better (chain adjusted on baby pelhem). The fourth one....OH MY, OH MY - was the most awesome course I've ever seen. He never rushed, was always straight, curled his knees perfectly.

After the class and a lunch, Anna told me secretly she thought she got a ribbon with that ride. There were more horses to go in the last class including 2 others from our stable. The class finished around 3:00 (LBR had gone around 10:30) so we headed to the results table to see how he did. Gary looked at the results pads that have the ribbons attached for each class. His expression looked sad as he looked through the 5th & 6th place ribbons. I was a nervous wreck standing back and watching. There was one board with a red (second ribbon) that he chose to check last.

His face brightened up and he did a fist pump. LBR placed 2nd out of 28 horses in the Modified Hunter class. I still get goose bumps when I think about it.

WAY TO GO ANNA AND LBR. Next show is in two(2) weeks. The pictures from this show should be available tomorrow.

July 15, 2011

Gary headed over to the show mid-morning to watch everyone in their classes. After work, I headed over and Anna schooled LBR. Today's bit was a pelhem. After the curb chain was adjusted properly, LBR schooled well.

After the ride, LBR was rinsed and we headed home...tomorrow's the BIG day.

July 14, 2011

Gary hauled LBR to the Expo Center for the show in the mid-afternoon. Anna schooled him with the trainer after work and Cindy arrived in the evening.

LBR was good for schooling. Anna has to work tomorrow (Friday) so LBR won't be showing until Saturday.

July 13, 2011

Gary lunged LBR this morning as it has been 105F degrees in the afternoon. The lunged on the flat as well as over ground poles and cross rails.

LBR was very good - not rushing and adjusting for the jumps as needed.

July 12, 2011

Our friend, Anna, from the the stables where we board is going to ride LBR at the show this weekend.

Anna took a lesson on LBR after work. They had a good lesson that included both flat and course work. She is a very experienced rider and VERY used to riding "forward" horses. She has a bag-o-bits to try this week to find the balance of control and response/reaction.

After the lesson, Gary & Cindy let LBR hand graze for a while.

Monday, July 11, 2011

July 11, 2011

It's Monday - time off for LBR.

July 10, 2011

We headed over for my 9:30 lesson around 8:30. I rode the trial horse today. His flat work is greatly improving. His trot is becoming more consistent and his canter is coming along.

The plan for LBR was to have one of the young (teenage) riders take a lesson on him and possibly show him next week. Unfortunately, they were not a good match so she decided not to ride.

Luckily, another friend was at the stables and is planning on going to show/school a horse at the show. She offered to ride today and also school/show him. They looked awesome together. His forwardness and strength don't phase her at all.

Yay!

July 9, 2011

We headed over to the stables early to beat the heat. We tacked up the trial horse and I rode him first.

He was pretty good. His bad/lazy habits are slowly improving. He has literally been out to pasture for 14 months and I think that is where he would rather be.

Gary rode LBR next and they had a good ride.

July 8, 2011

The trainer put a training ride on LBR and the trial horse today. LBR was FABULOUS according to her.

The trial horse has a new nickname - Fatty McBratty. He has been used for a lesson horse and knows all the lazy tricks on the books for avoiding work. Once scolded/corrected though, he did very well.

July 7, 2011

Gary lunged LBR today in the grass arena. They focused on transitions and jumping at both the trot and canter on the lunge line.

July 6, 2011

The trainer put a training ride on LBR. He was very good...alsmost back to his old self with no rushing away from jumps and no excitement in the corners.

July 5, 2011

Gary took the trial horse to the vet today. He still failed his hard-surface trot test as he gives to his right front.

We're going to put shoes on him to see if that helps.

After returning to the stables, Gary groomed and lunged LBR. He was very well behaved.

July 4, 2011

We flew back from Portland, OR today. What a shock to go from 50F degree weather there this morning to 100F+ degrees when we landed.

We stopped by the house before heading over to visit LBR. We rinsed groomed him, rinsed him off and then let him graze for a bit in the common areas.

We still have the other horse on trial...vet check scheduled for tomorrow.

Monday, July 4, 2011

July 3, 2011

No visit for LBR as we are out of town.

July 2, 2011

No visit for LBR today as we are out of town.

July 1, 2011

LBR had a training ride today - no updates yet on how it went.

June 30, 2011

No visit for LBR as we are out of town.

June 29, 2011

Gary & I had a lot of errands and appointments today so we didn't make it over to the stables until around 7:00 p.m.

Gary rode LBR and I rode the "trial" horse. We both had great rides and ended with a trail ride around the property. Both horses got "extra" carrots and I hand grazed LBR until well after sunset.

We are headed out of town until July 4th - going to miss the horses.

June 28, 2011

LBR had a training ride today. He was very good. Gary & I were able to watch the rdie - I have the week off before starting my new job.