Nicole's Blog

I hope to start lessons at Shadow Ridge in Highland, CA next month! For me it is like coming full circle, since my late aunt was the trainer there for several years and it was there that I was first stuck on top of a pony those many years ago. I just need to find someone who can trailer me down once a month for my lesson.

Also, I have decided to replace my spurs with the dressage whip in hope that it will teach Penny not to get over stimulated plus it is more realistic and more to the standards of the level I am schooling.

To have a horse that tries EXTREMELY hard to do everything I ask. Yesterday we did our first full run through of First Level Test 2 and she even picked up the left lead when asked! My mom also said she did her leg-yields better than she ever has (she does them great for her, but not for me); the canter lengthenings are another story however to the right she likes to put her haunches-in along one long side (but not the other), so we REALLY need to work on straightness! Trot lengthenings are ever approving…so are our turns (need to be more square) and circles (really need to work on the stretchy-chewy circle).

I really think we will reach our goal of First Level next year!

And I am still POed about my uncle’s comments.

I’m just so proud of Penny. Today I rode her without the the input of my mother. I think it was successful, we did our first attempt at First Level Test 2 and at canter leg-yields (for the first time in a while). She was very good, not any spicier than usual. She picked up the left lead twice, after the second time I leave canter alone for the day and move on to something else.

I really think we’re going to make our goals for next year!

Well, yesterday after work I got to ride Penny, she is improving a lot on being round and on the bit and also in her canter. The left lead is till a bit of a hassle however, she picked it up twice. We ran through the first half of First Level Test 1 all in all it wasn’t bad until the left canter lead came up; she of course insisted on not picking it up. Other than that it was a good ride.

Also, on a less brighter note my uncle decided to come up and visit, of course he tells us like an hour before he shows up. He can’t call the day before like most people. Everything is an argument with him, he’s so angry at the world. First off accordingly to him the whole sport of dressage is about backstabbing, never mind there is backstabbing in ALL sports. Second, he he hates two people I consider to be two of the nicest people in the world, all because his wife couldn’t do her job. Also, he said it has been three years since we lost auntie, it has been four.

I stayed in my room the whole time. Since every other word he says makes me angry. Don’t bask my family, my sport and my friends!

The last three days have been exceptional! I finally figured out how to get Penny to pick up the left lead, one word SEATBONES. I have make sure I’m on my left seatbone and viola instant left lead. It was something so simple this whole time and here I was racking my brain for the solution! Yes, I have finally learned to listen to my mom.

Now, that we have overcome our biggest hurdle thus far, there is no way but onward!