tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post4243448546898895140..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: Cross TrainingMugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-4308063925640086592009-04-27T18:55:00.000-06:002009-04-27T18:55:00.000-06:00PS: After rereading my request for help, I left so...PS: After rereading my request for help, I left some things out.<br /><br />To rate him when we are behind other horses, I tend to get heavy as he is not listening. I'll alternate between a two rein slow down with hands and seat to a one rein sort of half halt thing. He can be pretty unruly when behind. Hmmm, I'm wondering if the switching is winding him up. He's not sure what I expect. He's still pitching a hissy fit but maybe the inconsistency is a problem...<br /><br />Well, any help would be greatly appreciated and thank you!Beasley the Wonder Horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15980053756419492309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-58210498409119932652009-04-27T18:50:00.000-06:002009-04-27T18:50:00.000-06:00Hay!
I have a problem. I noticed you accept probl...Hay!<br /><br />I have a problem. I noticed you accept problems from people and am hoping you'll review mine. <br /><br />I have a horse I trained myself. I adopted him at 18 months and am happy with how he has turned out except I have a problem now and wanted to know a solution. <br /><br />I'm a trail rider. I do not have access to riding arena so all my training happens on the trail. When I ride by myself, I can stop in a flattish area and school on whatever needs to be fixed. <br /><br />Our current problem is jigging on the way home however I solved it by as soon as the horse makes the little hop for a jig, I turn him around and we head the other way. If I have energy at the end of the ride, we trot the other way until I feel him give up. If I'm too tired, we just turn and walk. It has solved the problem. Again, anything else that crops up, I fix.<br /><br />But when I'm riding with friends, it is harder to stop to school and turn to stop the jigging. If I turn to school, my friends have already left and trotting to catch up to them is not the training I want at that point. So if he acts up, I either leg yield on the trail, left and right, left and right. Or I do a shoulder in kind of movement. I'm still going forward but I'm working him hard. I give a little if he walks, then we can walk on a loose rein until the jigging starts up and then I go into work mode again. <br /><br />(I'm an old dressage rider. This horse goes in a full cheek snaffle and direct reins.)<br /><br />This horse has gotten my number. He knows when we are out with people, the schooling is not as hard nor do we stop to school.<br /><br />And recently, this work mode in a group of horses seems to wind him up? I'm not sure if it is a physical problem. He is a bit of a head shaker and because of spring, the symptoms have intensified. I have a nose guard (like a hair net for his nose) on order.<br /><br />However, what would you recommend to do when a horse gets particularly wound up in a situation when others are around and you can't stop to school? What are exercises you do that don't interfere with others riding but get your horse listening to you? DO you drop out of the trail ride and say you'll catch them at the trail head? <br /><br />Also, this horse likes to lead. We've been working on being behind and staying a length behind the horse in front. This in particular winds him up and the constant correction really winds him up. He has a long stride and the people I go out with have slower horses. When I say constant correction, I need him to rate and not be on the other horse's butt. If I was by myself, I would stop and school in circles or simply turn the other way as I mentioned but in a group, I can't always do that. Again, I'm looking to hear what you do? Exercises along the trail behind a pack of horses.<br /><br />One thing I've found is to alternate the exercises prior to his winding up. And, when I say he gets wound up, he starts pitching a hissy fit and then gets more wound up. I understand he should rate...Again advice..<br /><br />Oh and one thing I do want to ask is when we turn for home, he does pick up the pace. Is that considered jigging...really? Should that be rated as he is kind of giving me the finger by walking as fast as possible without jigging?<br /><br />Thank you so much and I so enjoy all your columns.<br /><br />p4eBeasley the Wonder Horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15980053756419492309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-89909779561744482522009-03-19T02:23:00.000-06:002009-03-19T02:23:00.000-06:00Poetrix – as it seems like you are not intending t...Poetrix – as it seems like you are not intending to answer my questions, I’ll answer for you.<BR/>If you had seen Andreas Helgestrand train his horses, you wouldn’t post comments like the ones above.<BR/><BR/>I have seen him train.<BR/><BR/>He is not only a very talented rider, he is also a very sympathetic person.<BR/><BR/>He does NOT use rollkur.<BR/><BR/>I’ve seen Andreas just by playing with a talented 4 yo show some steps in piaffe.<BR/>That’s what he does.<BR/>He plays with the talented ones.<BR/>He often does not show them at younger ages as he adapts the training to each horse. <BR/>But when they reach GP the horse is ready.<BR/>Training a horse up to GP level takes 4-5 years with a talented rider and a talented horse. <BR/>Being 9 yo as Matinee was at WEG is rather normal. <BR/>What is not normal is the exceptional talent in the horse and rider.<BR/><BR/>What you have written above is injurious. <BR/>If you want to bash someone, bash someone else somewhere else.HorseOfCoursehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15907659164579327290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-25414474096996090332009-03-14T16:04:00.000-06:002009-03-14T16:04:00.000-06:00Poetrix - I am kindly once again asking you either...Poetrix - I am kindly once again asking you either to back up your comments about Helgestrand with facts, or delete them.HorseOfCoursehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15907659164579327290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-23062584018723707132009-03-13T08:27:00.000-06:002009-03-13T08:27:00.000-06:00Poetrix - what kind of information do you have to ...Poetrix - what kind of information do you have to state that Helgestrand is using rollkur?HorseOfCoursehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15907659164579327290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-81816263015251913492009-03-10T16:47:00.000-06:002009-03-10T16:47:00.000-06:00Re: Rollkur/hyperflexion, etc.One of the real reas...Re: Rollkur/hyperflexion, etc.<BR/><BR/>One of the real reasons this technique wins in higher levels of competition is the dramatic over-extensions it brings to the piaffe, passage and extended trot sequences. Like a spring when you have coiled up a horse's muscles that tight and conditioned it to stay coiled until the explosive burst of energy is needed for the flashy extended foreleg movements, you have a brilliant *looking* gait. BUT...<BR/><BR/>If you watch the videos carefully, especially the much-feted Helgestrand ride at the WEG in 06, you can see how off-tempo his little mare is, especially at the piaffe and passage. Her hind feet are striking at different times than her fore feet. She's also *barely* lifting her hinds off the dirt - she hasn't got the stretch in her back or the strength to lift those feet crisply and precisely, as used to be demanded by the judges. That is *directly against* the base principle of rhythm in dressage. (And for those fangrrls out there, yes, I am saying Bleu Hors Matinee was trained and shown with Rollkur techniques. She was *9* at the WEG...)<BR/><BR/>The schooling and pre-show riding hard on only the curb rein are abuses of a legitimate training technique, a shortcut of proper, careful conditioning of both rider and animal. Those horse go "light" on the bit because their faces have ceased being wrenched on for the 8 minutes they ride their test.filidhe@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02600844257123260411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-57321892915072533112009-03-08T14:16:00.000-06:002009-03-08T14:16:00.000-06:00I'm way late in replying...I absolutely love my hi...I'm way late in replying...<BR/><BR/>I absolutely love my hill for training. I've always used trail riding as a training tool...but the hill work is a bonus. My experience is mostly with newly started colts, not horses with strict WP arena lifestyles. As soon as I can get them safely out of the round pen, we're off to widen our horizons.<BR/><BR/>Their first trips out are usually ponyed beside a trusty gelding. They get to stop and look at stuff and then we go on. I don't make a big deal out of anything. The only thing they have to do is face whatever it is that's bothering them.<BR/><BR/>After they get going and are relatively safe, I'll switch things around. Sometimes we do a warm up on the trail, and sometimes we do a cool out. Sagebrush is a great tool...supplying exercises at the walk or trot...keeping balanced and listening...changing speeds of gaits.<BR/><BR/>I had a 7 year old warmblood come in last summer for "real life experience training." He belonged to a friend of mine that I'd known for years and she has gotten the middle age fear factor going on. This guy is broke to death, but didn't have a lot of outside experiences and she wants to trail ride. We rode on my hill almost every day. There's some pretty steep side hills and we had cows grazing too, which always added a bit of interest when they stood up from behind a large stand of sagebrush. He just acclimated to the daily routine of checking cows for calves, coyotes and deer popping up, and my dogs running a muck.<BR/><BR/>When his owner came to take him home, I made her ride him on the steepest side hills and up some pretty steep hills. I didn't tell her what we were going to do, we just did it. Afterward, she said she would never have thought that she could do it. But, Deseo took her without a fault. It built her confidence and today they are going out trail riding and she's doing what she didn't think she could ever do again.<BR/><BR/>I guess I'm just saying that it boils down to my confidence in the horse that they can do it and then that I expect them to do it...and they do.<BR/><BR/>For my cow horse, Colt, it gives him time for a mental break, even though we are still training...he just doesn't realize it.gtyyuphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02402170522183324256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-36339890743988658082009-03-08T12:36:00.000-06:002009-03-08T12:36:00.000-06:00I tried your suggestion on Friday and it seemed to...I tried your suggestion on Friday and it seemed to work out a little better. He was able to canter through *one* turn, but not more than one so I went back to asking him to drop back to the trot going into the short side of the arena and picking the canter up as we come to the next long side. He offered to keep cantering (I noticed he hesitates ever so slightly going into turns - I assume because he doesn't think he's balanced) on a couple of the turns so I let him continue on at the canter. I noticed I have to keep him all the way out to the wall (60x120 indoor arena) because he can't seem to make a turn at the canter on a smaller path. Anyway, we'll keep at it, just wanted to give you an update on our progress. Thanks for the tip!Candy'sGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10714758020336093821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-21539076993750999452009-03-07T17:14:00.000-07:002009-03-07T17:14:00.000-07:00For cross training here are the working equitation...For cross training here are the working equitation classes (two of them, another is working with cows). In both of these it is the same stallion Oxidado:<BR/><BR/>the speed test, the course must be completed in the fastest time:<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5895K-Xjupk<BR/><BR/>the maneability test, the style of horse and rider is judged:<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEKJ5iw4vhs&NR=1<BR/><BR/>This is a typical Doma Vaquera compeition, however is very different than what Oliveira was doing which was dressage.<BR/><BR/>Just thought I'd show you what Karl got upset about.<BR/><BR/>Not trying to hyjack the blog. Sorry. I just get excited about topics and then get carried away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-54167583663456900232009-03-07T17:01:00.000-07:002009-03-07T17:01:00.000-07:00mugwump:Nuno Oliveira (Portugal) gave performances...mugwump:<BR/><BR/>Nuno Oliveira (Portugal) gave performances and trained riders who competed. He himself was trained by a master who had been a rider for the King in the style of the Academy of Versailles. They say Nuno was the last one to have a connection back to the old masters. But, he was not bound to the old, he was obsessed with the new too.<BR/><BR/>Then there's Philippe Karl who showed comeptitively (studied in the French military Academy, , Saumur School, big jumping and so on, Eventing), and taught show people. <BR/><BR/>Philippe Karl still teaches (French School) at an Academy he has now opened on his own. He is very strict with the rules. I know someone who was in this acadmey working on her certificates, he threw her out because she put on an event recently, Working Equitation Doma Vaquera style. It is like Western Trail but goes very fast at full gallop (it looks very flashy and is very precise, but hard on the horse). <BR/><BR/>He was appaled because he does not like this form of competition. If I were her, I would have not done that and had stayed with his academy. She would make more as a master than running working equitation shows which are not that popular here, just unusual.<BR/><BR/>Oliveira's books are deep in philosophy of riding along with details, Karl's books seem more dry to me. More technical. But, he explains precisely. The two schools are different but in technical ways really, the philosophy is fairly the same.<BR/><BR/>Dorrance: I probably get about 30% and the rest I fill in with what I think he's saying and try it and see and go back and read it again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-32203325452226703562009-03-07T16:20:00.000-07:002009-03-07T16:20:00.000-07:00Great post - cross training is something that shou...Great post - cross training is something that should be done more often. My pleasure horse does the usual pleasure horse events - showmanship, pleasure, horsemanship and we're working on trail. We also do English Pleasure and English Equitation at local shows. When we feel like a break, he also (surprisingly) trail rides, can dabble in games like barrel racing, and even plays polo. He does it all quite well, really - his only problem ever is not being able to relax enough to really perform.<BR/><BR/>Which brings me to a question I was wanting to ask you... I love your training methods and matter of fact approach, and I was wondering if you would help me with a little problem I've encountered - mostly in our rail work.<BR/><BR/>I've read about your AWESOME yellow mare, and how she's a spooking fool - and how that makes her competitive. My pleasure horse is competitive...and a spooking fool. While I have figured out how to get him to calm down and not be so crazy spooky (in truth what gave me that extra shove is your "Ride Like Bob" Sonita story =)), he still is a little tense, which I think is a contributing part of our main issue.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure if you've done a post on how you teach self carriage, but as a pleasure rider self carriage is a big part of our work. I'm a bit different from the style of pleasure seen these days - I do not allow my horse to four beat, nor do I have him go around the outside with his hip canted in, but I do ask him to travel with the much sought after level headset. I'm finding that, though he knows how to lower his head with a left-right of the reins, he does not consistently keep it there - if we go off the rail into a circle, he gets a little nervous and the head comes up, and of course I then have to ask him to lower his head again - which further frazzles him. The result is a tense horse who takes short, choppy strides and raises his head above the bit to avoid contact. I don't like constantly nagging him for his headset - I'm sure it's terribly annoying to him, and I feel bad for being on his face a lot. I only ride him in a snaffle, but he's got a very soft mouth and I don't want to ruin that.<BR/><BR/>He originally was a very highly trained show horse, and I believe he was spur-broke, but he came to the barn I take lessons at and was encouraged to leave that training behind him so that he could be easier for the kids to ride him. I do not wear spurs on him - I do all my training sans extra equipment like martingales.<BR/><BR/>I guess my real question then is, how do you get a good performance out of a horse who easily gets tense and nervous, especially when asked to do anything other than rail work? I can drive him forward and try to make him keep his mind on the work, but the result is still a tense horse, and his gaits suffer. Also (I'm sorry, I'm pestering you now...I'm constantly thirsting for information that will help me and my horse), how do you teach self carriage, and is there a different method I can teach my horse to get him to lower his head? The only one I can use as of yet is a left-right movement with the reins, though I've heard of people using their legs etc...A check doesn't work on him, either - he just picks up his head and gets tense. Mostly I just want to be able to get him to relax so that we can both enjoy our practicing, but I was also curious about teaching - or bettering - self carriage, as it's been our greatest challenge from the beginning.<BR/><BR/>Sorry for the novel =/ Hats off to you if you even read all of this, haha.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-86472343886204849832009-03-07T13:52:00.000-07:002009-03-07T13:52:00.000-07:00I don't know how you guys read Bill Dorrance, espe...I don't know how you guys read Bill Dorrance, especially when English is your second language. Don't get me wrong, I love him to death, but his books are very poorly written. <BR/>I have had to read and read them to pick up his concepts. He's a tough read.<BR/>Another problem with Dorrance and Ray Hunt, who I learned mountains from, their methods don't create a show horse.<BR/>Which is how I got caught in the middle like I did. Because I believe in their philosophy, but was left wanting.<BR/>So maybe I need to look at Oliveira.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-73431276323694863232009-03-07T08:29:00.000-07:002009-03-07T08:29:00.000-07:00I'm facinated by Bill Dorrance. I have his very bi...I'm facinated by Bill Dorrance. I have his very big book, and read it and read it, and try to wrap my head around his thoughts. My trainer actually gave it to me, because he said his english wasn't that good, when I started to read it I understood why, because it is dialect and terms he defines in a new and unique way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-86870226565993284832009-03-07T07:01:00.000-07:002009-03-07T07:01:00.000-07:00From time to time, the eqestrian world is gifted w...From time to time, the eqestrian world is gifted with people that are more Horsaii than others. Nuno Oliveira is one, Bill Dorrance is another. <BR/>I both understand and share your fascination Anon. <BR/>As a matter of fact David Oliveira is holding a clinic here in Norway in april, and I'm going there.<BR/>I guess it all comes down to wanting to share something that means much to us.HorseOfCoursehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15907659164579327290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-85737310052335147772009-03-07T04:37:00.000-07:002009-03-07T04:37:00.000-07:00Hi folks:Just wanted to say that I wasn't preachin...Hi folks:<BR/><BR/>Just wanted to say that I wasn't preaching at all, sorry if it came across that way. Rather, I was trying to answer mugwumps questions on Rollkur and then the other questions she asked. I am so against rollkur that probably it sounds like preaching.<BR/><BR/>However, with regard to mixing and matching and exploring techniques, to go back to masters and old techniques Nuno was a modernist, he always said to look everywhere for solutions to problems, to never close your mind and to explore new riding methods.<BR/><BR/>So, my comments were only against rollkur because personally I think it is totally against what dressage was initially meant to be, and that is of course my personal view. I'm not preaching about where someone can find their answers nor am I adamant about my stance with respect to masters.<BR/><BR/>But, they are well worth investigating and reading, in my view. As, I think, they practice the art of riding to its highest form.<BR/><BR/>Hope that clears up my posts if anyone was thinking I was preaching.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-83946415682692719142009-03-06T21:44:00.000-07:002009-03-06T21:44:00.000-07:00mugs, anon, and HorseofCourse, I have enjoyed your...mugs, anon, and HorseofCourse, I have enjoyed your discussions! For many years, we, in the western world, have been hearing that dressage principles can be, and should be, applied to our western training techniques. I whole heartedly agree! Through my training, I have done many of the movements I am now reading about, so now I'm working on perfecting the maneuvers. I have left the show pen to trail ride also. Maybe that is what happens to us when we reach middle age!!! thought...sounds like Rollkur is just an easy fix to having the horse give his face, maybe like in western disciplines when we overused the training forks and draw reins! mugs...keep hitting those trails! I truly enjoy them too!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-8501166184063684092009-03-06T12:38:00.000-07:002009-03-06T12:38:00.000-07:00mlks: I have done that with this mare before she ...mlks: I have done that with this mare before she had the baby. It does work wonders! BUT this mare has a very strong mind and the first time I did the drive her away thing, I was out there for 1 1/2 hours!! I never chased after her, but when she got to where SHE wanted to go, I would walk over and cluck to her and make her move. At the end of the 90 minute session, I was able to walk right up to her, put the halter on and give her treats and then turn her loose. After about 2 days of doing that morning and nite, she was easy to catch and I didn't have any other problems with her. Sometimes she would trot away from me for about 20 strides, then look back at me like,"Oh yeah, I remember what happend last time I did this!" <BR/> Thanks for the compliment Mugs. I am glad that someone is agreeing with me. I was hoping that my idea would agree with others...LOL<BR/>This morning she was VERY hungry and went right into the pen with me holding the bucket. I gave her the full rations of grain this morning and she ate half of it with me holding the bucket. When she was about half way done, I petted her and went to the panal and closed it behind her. She started to panic, but I just quit and went over and petted her and she went back to eating, so I closed the panal the rest of the way. I gave her some hay and left her in while she ate that. I think tonite I will try to give her the hay with me in the pen...if she runs the other way, I will lock her out until she figures out that I have to be present in order for her to get the food...that way she will "Hopefully" make the connection that I am her food source and that I am not BAD! <BR/> Thanks again everyone for you tips...I will try them on some of the others that are difficult to catch, but not like this one mare.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-24932078864461712612009-03-06T12:14:00.000-07:002009-03-06T12:14:00.000-07:00Mugwump:You're absolutely right. I didn't explain...Mugwump:<BR/><BR/>You're absolutely right. I didn't explain myself well. :-)<BR/><BR/>I meant, push a little until they stop, stand, and are resigned to being caught. Which seems to be exactly what you said.mlkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13055549307137836768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-78240427237720563022009-03-06T11:36:00.000-07:002009-03-06T11:36:00.000-07:00HorseofCourse- Please don't apologise, like I said...HorseofCourse- Please don't apologise, like I said, you phrased it perfectly......mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-55296747421819104072009-03-06T11:34:00.000-07:002009-03-06T11:34:00.000-07:00Sorry Mugs, maybe I was a bit grumpy today. It jus...Sorry Mugs, maybe I was a bit grumpy today. <BR/>It just makes me sad that some horse people have to be so rigid in their ideas and also condemning in their views of others. I've been thinking about this a lot while reading on other blogs, and you know sometimes it just gets too much and you have to vent off. No offence ment to anyone, it was more a kind of heartfelt sigh.<BR/>You remember all the wonderful answers you got on the Horsaii-post? <BR/>We all love our horses. <BR/>I really like your blog because it's a place to exchange thoughts and ideas, no matter what kind of background or type of training you do.<BR/><BR/>And Redsmom - best of luck! I'll keep my fingers crossed all the way from Norway!HorseOfCoursehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15907659164579327290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-80644621228160284922009-03-06T11:09:00.000-07:002009-03-06T11:09:00.000-07:00who = show - fast typing.who = show - fast typing.Redsmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03473393390441394419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-19323743350876345172009-03-06T11:07:00.000-07:002009-03-06T11:07:00.000-07:00Okay, MugsJanet! thanks! I feel better now. You...Okay, MugsJanet! thanks! I feel better now. You inspire confidence in me. I am hoping it will be fun and I will be able to show what old Matty can do. It is him I am proud of and want to show to the (tiny slice of the) world. I will keep remembering that. He is a valuable old soul and I have to remember that he KNOWS when he's in a show pen. - he really does. One day when we first got him, he was walking all stiff that morning and I almost scratched, but my daughter wanted to go in WTC, so they went and Matty was brilliant - never stepped stiff once in the pen. 10 deep breaths between maneuvers...don't look back at any mistakes, just go forward and who what Matty can do. I feel better. Thanks!!Redsmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03473393390441394419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-88636697475808138942009-03-06T10:23:00.000-07:002009-03-06T10:23:00.000-07:00Redsmom- Here's my thoughts.1. Before you show, sc...Redsmom- Here's my thoughts.<BR/>1. Before you show, scope out the arena. Find the center line of the arena both up and down and across. Find how far you have to travel to guarantee you go far enough down the arena to pass your cones.I find landmarks and use those, like, "the telephone pole past the Hank's Grainery sign."<BR/>2. You have paid the judge to watch and score you. He works for you. Walk in there, look him in the eye, smile pleasantly and make him earn his keep.<BR/>3. Stop and take 10 deep breaths between each maneuver.Every time you stop your horse, settle him and slow count to ten on a relaxed rein. If you can do this the whole run was a success, nothing else matters.<BR/>4.Look ahead. If you make a mistake just keep on going.It doesn't matter, all you are working on is settling between maneuvers, remember?<BR/>4.Show softer than you practice, not harder. Make the whole pattern slower and calmer than at home. <BR/>5. Once they close the gate behind you the show is done. Your pattern is just showing what you've been working so hard on.You're working towards the next show now.<BR/>6. Try not to worry about who's watching you. The only people who are paying attention are the one's who love you and are rooting for you. I have scribed a bunch, trust me, the judge is rooting for you too.<BR/>You can't back out now, we're all waiting to hear how it went!mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-68628588743729568812009-03-06T10:10:00.000-07:002009-03-06T10:10:00.000-07:00mlks- I used to have a lesson horse (not Annie!) w...mlks- I used to have a lesson horse (not Annie!) who could have happily spent her life never seeing a human again.<BR/>I would go out in her 40 acre field with my trusty Subaru and go "car cutting". She would blow around for ten minutes or so, tail in the air, then square off and stare at me. Then I could catch her. It was insane. She eventually knocked it off nd let me catch her.<BR/>I think Slippin' is handling it just right.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-77048776495350265612009-03-06T10:08:00.000-07:002009-03-06T10:08:00.000-07:00Wow, this exploded. I'm going to go back and read...Wow, this exploded. I'm going to go back and read the whole thing, but yes, Mugwimp, I want your thoughts on Saturday -- I'm about the talk myself out of it so HELP. Please. Thanks.Redsmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03473393390441394419noreply@blogger.com