Nicole's Blog

I only audited it on the 27th (Friday).  All I have to say is that it was a real confidence booster, since I ride better than many of the participants. Some said they showed a certain level when it was clear they didn’t or they did and scored horribly on their tests.

Once participant was riding an Arabian and said it was Second Level, but clearly wasn’t since it was all strung out and not on the bit at all.

Then there was this elderly lady who said she rode 2nd/3rd Level, but clearly didn’t. I don’t think she really knew how to ride, her hands where everywhere  and she couldn’t even post! She had an I-1 school master, who was randomly piaffing since her rider didn’t know how to ride and was so tense, she was unintentionally giving the piaffe aids, even after the clinician telling her several times not too. She was tense, forward and her legs way back.  When the horse would do it or would trot nice and forward the rider would scream at her. I felt so bad for the poor horse, which was under weight (you could see the hip and spine bones).

I have to give massive kudos to the clinician, Jane Weatherwax. The antidotes she used where just funny and made you definitely remember.

What I Learned:

• When sitting the trot the movement of your seat should be up-and-down like a pogo-stick or a bouncing ball, not side-to-side or forward-to-back.
• Posture should be strait and shoulder blades back like one of those carved women on the front of ships, she called it the Viking Princess.
• When cantering you should sit on the top of your saddle and “shine it” not grind it.
• Your outside rein should be practically on the wither while you inside rein is a little off of it. The tendency is to do the opposite, one of my bad habits. This also helps the rider from crossing one rein over the wither.

I get to go audit the CDS Adult Amateur clinic on Friday (March 27) and Sunday (March 29), down in Highland at Shadow Ridge  Equestrian Center. I love visiting Shadow Ridge, I have a very sentimental attachment to it. Since my aunt was the trainer their for about 15 years? Komo is also back, so I have to make sure to give him a big kiss.

The clinic is one of my goals for next year.

Well, Penny’s brand new bit came today! It is a Herm Sprenger Loose-Ring Snaffle Bit, I really like the Albacon/German Silver, since it encourages salvation. I knew she did well in it since her Bradoon is an Albacon!!

This is about Jehovah’s Witnesses’ and their superiority complex.  This vent has been a long time comming. I consider myself I very open person, but their religion is just a bunch of crap.

All I have to say is anyone who is one is an idiot. How could you be apart of something that outcasts everyone else in the world. That says the whole world is wrong except them. The members are so incredibly brainwashed its pathetic.

I remember a time when someone lectured my grandmother about how her religion isn’t right, my grandmother was born a Buddhist, which has been around for thousands of years, compared to one that’s been around about 60 years? In compared to the other religions in the world The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ are nothing. They think they can tell others that their is wrong, but the “Jehovies” are the ones that are wrong, they disagree with EVERYTHING all other religions say. They celebrate NOTHING.

I refuse to be apart of anything that dictats how someone should live their life. Therefore they aren’t really living.

I have to say that that felt good.

This rule would eliminate spurs in all dressage classes below 2nd level.

The theory here is that if  riders can’t ride these  walk/trot/canter tests without spurs they’re probably doing something very wrong and won’t be able to progress up the levels anyway.  Again, there is no cost involved and it is 100% equitable since it applies to ALL horses ridden in all dressage classes below 2nd level.

Bunch of crap if you ask me. Some horses don’t behave without spurs, for instance my Thoroughbred has to be ridden with spurs and a whip otherwise is doesn’t listen. You don’t have to use them on him, he just knows you have them and is more obedient.

I always ride with spurs! Penny gets hot with the whip and not with spurs, so I use only spurs. Just because someone wears spurs doesn’t mean they spur their horse the whole time or misuses them. Many of us wear them to remind our horses to listen and use them only when needed.

They can’t make a rule based on those who misuse them, it isn’t fair to the rest of us. So, a well schooled rider can’t wear spurs. Than her horse his who needs the reminder doesn’t listen during the test so she is marked down. That’s just not right!

I understand not using them at Introductory and Training Level since all you do is walk/trot/canter circles and such. But at First and Second Level they should be allowed.

Than make the spurs optional at below 2nd Level. That way those of us who always wear spurs can keep our spurs and those of you who don’t ride with them don’t have to have them.