A video of me and Saville.

A video of me and Saville schooling today. We had so much fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHmSG06gTOo

The New Horses...

We sold two of our horses since I last updated. Lumos Maximus went to be a therapy horse. He was a wonderful pony, but he was below the level my Mom needed. Mab went to a beginner, because, once again, she was below our level of riding. We got Nimbus shortly after rehoming Mab. Our new mare, Thea, came in November. 

Thea is a beautiful, sweet, talented mare. She is a hunter and is learning to jump. She's a lot of fun.

Mom schooling Thea.

Me riding on Thea.

We also have a miniature and a Shetland now. Our miniature is a registered four year old stallion. He is very sweet and we are training him to be a cart pony. 

Our third additon is a Shetland pony named Cartman. He is a rescue. He was offered for free online and the owners said they would have to shoot him if no one took him because he was so dangerous. We took him in and got him gelded. He is doing much better now and is a very sweet, smart little pony. 

An update.

I haven't updated the blog in a long time. I lot has happened since then! My show season was very successful. Saville and I ended up winning Series Champion in the W/T 13 and Older Division. I was so proud of him! Right now we are training for hunter jumpers. I am practicing my equitation - keeping my lower leg in place and working on my balance - and teaching Saville his turns, lines, leads, rhythm and balance. 

The New Pony at the Barn: Nimbus 2000

Since I last blogged, my mother and I have acquired a new horse. He’s a flashy, speedy, little jumper who stands around 13 hands. We've named him Nimbus 2000.

I first went to see him with the intentions of showing him to help a friend who was trying to sell him for another friend. On the first ride my Mom and I fell in love. He was super responsive and willing to please. We jumped him the second time we rode him and that pretty much sealed the deal. He was amazing.

We plan to show at a hunter show in a couple of months (even though he isn’t exactly a hunter pony), and begin showing him in jumper classes next year.

Mom cantering on Nimbus. He's a very forward, energetic pony.

Jumping. He really loves to jump.

He's a beautiful pony.

Saville's First Show!

I'm quite exhausted as I write this, because the last few days have been very busy! Friday morning I was at the barn at eight to ride. Saville was wonderful, and the new bit I used on him worked wonders in controlling his speed. I spent the morning cleaning tack and loading the horse trailer, and, despite a freak rainstorm, was able to get Saville washed and braided to perfection before turning him out. 

I was up at five on Saturday and set off for the barn at six to get the boys loaded. We arrived at the show grounds at eight and got the horses tacked. Saville was right at home from the moment he left the trailer and was an angel in the warm-up arena. He stayed calm and relaxed throughout. After our warm-up, we walked around the show grounds as my Mom and Lumos competed in their morning classes. When it was around one hour until my classes, I gave us both a once over and went to wait for our turn to show. I tried my hardest not to set any goals other than to have a good ride and have fun and to stay calm.

Our first class was W/T Equitation. Saville and I weren’t completely warmed up in this class, but we still did pretty well, placing sixth out of nine riders. I was delighted. My first ribbon on my own horse!

Our second class was W/T Hunter. Saville was AMAZING. His headset was wonderful, and he was always seeking contact. The best thing was that he was this wonderful, even though it was around 90 degrees and he was already tired. When we lined up I figured we might place second or third. After a minute or two the announcer said
“In first place 109…”

I couldn’t believe it. The little pony who I’d spent the year working with, had, at his first show, won first out of nine horses. I patted his neck and couldn’t help but start laughing and crying and telling him “We did it Saville, we did it! Good boy!”

In our third class, W/T Pleasure, I was so distracted by the fact I had just won my first blue ribbon that I didn’t fully apply myself. Plus, both he and I were slowly getting tired. In this class we placed fourth out of nine.

Our fourth class was Hunter Hack, which is a class where you simply canter once around the ring on the lead of your choice. Saville was great! We decided to go on our right lead, which is our best. At first he picked up the wrong lead, but I quickly changed it and continued cantering. I rode out of the ring grinning, and told my instructor that we weren’t perfect that time, but I didn’t care, because he did his best. A few minutes later I heard the announcer say that we had won second out of the four riders in the class! I was surprised and proud.

Our final class was W/T Equitation Over Ground Poles. There were five people in the class. I’d thrown this class in for fun and in hopes of possible winning reserve or grand champion in the division. Our first line was a little crooked, but our last was perfect. I left the ring with a grin on my face. A few minutes later I heard the announcer say that we had WON! I laughed out loud. Apparently I was the only one who two-pointed over the poles. LOL.

 At the end of the day we finished with two blues, a red, a white and green and big medallion for reserve champion. I was ecstatic.

Saville’s reward was lots of love, pats, treats, and going to hand graze until my Mom and friend had finished their classes. He was a happy pony.

Before we left I was convinced by friends and family to sign up for the whole series in hopes of placing reserve or grand champion at the series finals. So wish me and my pony luck! We’ll be showing once a month throughout the whole fall! <3 

Happy pony and happy rider.

My little brother was my cheerleader yesterday. He was so cute.

Ribbons. Such a wonderful day.

8/8/11

Cantering through some sunbeams.

Time: 7 P.M.

Weather: Warm/hot.

Saville’s mood: Kind of grumpy. He tested me a lot today.

My mood: Pretty happy.

Tack: Same as usual. I used my bendy stirrups.

Today was nothing extraordinary but it was a pretty good ride. I worked on my flatwork again for the show this coming weekend. Saville was spooky this afternoon because of the time we rode. The arena is bordered on two sides by trees, and at seven the shadows lengthen and the woodland creatures begin to stir. If we ride near the trees at this time of day Saville sometimes gets anxious.

Our walk/trot was pretty good today, except Saville wanted to pull the reins from my hands.  At the canter, all we worked on was the left lead, which is his weakest. It took him many, many, tries to pick it up correctly, but he finally did for a lap.

I’ve been working on my equitation as much as possible. It’s getting better. At the canter I had a pretty good half seat, but I’m still trying to figure out my three-point seat. I just have to remember to relax my ankles to my stirrups don’t bounce off!

So overall, what I need to work on and/or fix is:

Saville’s left lead: He needs to learn to pick it up correctly more quickly.

My full seat: I need to practice it.

The Reasons Why I love My Pony...

There are oh so many reasons why I love him. I love when I go to the pasture and he greets me with a nicker. I love grooming his coat until it shines, braiding his tail and brushing his mane. I love when he follows me around the round-pen after I lunge him. I love when we meet a challenge, when we clear a fence, do a flying lead change, or go for a canter, gliding along in perfect harmony. I love going for a walk in the field at sunset. I love when, even though he's nervous, he trusts me to guide him. I love going for a ride bareback. I love giving him a bath and a treat for his hard work, and, most of all, I love to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his muzzle.  There are so many reason oh so many reasons why I love him... <3