Updates

I know I know, shame on me for not posting for so long. The horse show on May 24 was a success. We came home with two blue ribbons, one second, and one third...not too shabby for our second time out (and a slew-foot that just turned four on May 14!). We rode the two USDF Intro tests, scored 64% on Test A and 60.5% on Test B. Also rode the two GLASS-ED (our local USDF GMO) tests, scored 62% on Test 1 and 61.3% on Test 2. Some good comments were "lovely steady mover", "elegant horse", and solids 7's on gaits. The main thing that they wanted to see us work on was better flexion and bend to the right (she has developed a marked stiffness in that direction). I plan on waiting to make another public appearance until we are solid at the canter and ready to do Training Level (hopefully sometime in July!). I have been working Mattie on the longe at the canter, starting to develop her balance, some work with side reins at the trot (not quite strong enough for SR at the canter yet). No attempt at the canter under saddle since the launching incident a few weeks ago, planning on having someone longe me at the canter before we try it again loose (I know, I'm a wimp, but hitting the ground hurt!).

Phenomenal

What a fabulous ride today! Todd and the kids came out, he read the four tests to me that I will be riding on Saturday. Mattie was absolutely incredible. I am so excited for the show that I might burst!

Lovely Weather

...ok, a bit breezy but sunny, so that's all that counts. A good ride today in the outdoor arena. Took a bit to get her settled in (wanted to go out back where the rest of the horses were and wasn't taking no for an answer, yeah, steering is a good thing) but once she got over it she was really quite sensible. Also rode Quinn today and he was charming as usual (thanks Cheryl!). Counting the days till the horse show Saturday!

Sassy Pants

A decent ride today after three days off over the weekend (I confess, I was occupied with yard work, terrible horse mom). She has aquired the "having you on my back is really old hat now so I am going to see what I can get away with" attitude...looking around at everything, "no, mom, I really do not want to go on the bit in a frame", oh and lest we forget the infamous "I'm on the down swing of my first heat and you really can't tell me what to do because I am WAY stronger and super sexy". Wondering what will happen Saturday at our first show, but hopefully she will be better than at home in different surroundings (as they usually are...looking to mom for support and confidence). Working on trot-walk transitions, trying to keep her on the bit and moving forward in the walk instead of losing it altogether. Think like a FEATHER! (With this horse?!?)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Mattie turned four years old today! A decent ride today, considering she hasn't worked much in the past couple weeks. Back at it tomorrow to get back in shape for our first show of the season on May 24th.

Back to work

After a little over a week off, back at it today. Mattie is out of heat now (thank the lord). A bit of longeing today and then some horsie beautification...clipped her bridle path and the hair on her fetlocks (I was torn, now instead of looking like a Friesian, Cheryl says she looks Dutch! haha). Plan on riding tomorrow if all goes well.

All grown up

Well...Mattie is in the midst of her first heat. Tried to ride yesterday but she was pretty...um...shall we say...bitter. She was good for about the first ten minutes but then started the head tossing and refusal to go forward game. It is really frustrating for me and I tend to beat myself up a bit about it, because she was doing SO great until about a week or two ago. I have to keep reminding myself that she is still a baby (she will be four on May 14) because it is easy to "forget" because she is so big and well-behaved (normally). But on an exciting note...I AM GOING TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY ON SATURDAY!!! Can you tell I am excited? I have watched the Derby on TV since I was a little kid, but I've never actually gone. I am so elated I might weep! And I will be in the grandstands, not in the infield! How awesome is THAT?

A Great Lesson

Our lesson with Carolyn yesterday was fabulous. She eased my mind that Mattie is at just the right point in her training for her age, and gave me some things to work on before tackling the canter again (rhythm at the W/T, acceptance of bridle at W/T, work on canter on the longe with side reins to improve balance, etc). She rode Mattie for a few minutes and Mattie was confused...told her that Colleen had been on her once, but other than that, she was only the second person to be on Mattie's back besides me...Carolyn was surprised to hear that and complimented me on the work I had done with her so far (which was really nice to hear). Didn't ride today, went to the Detroit Tigers game yesterday and I'm still a bit tired from that! But definately back at it tomorrow with Cheryl!

4/25/08

After (another) day off yesterday, back at it today. It was REALLY windy but we rode outside anyway. Longed initially to work her back into the canter...same behavior at first, tossing head, hopping along, but then when I pushed her forward (on the longe) she came into a nice easy canter. Switched directions, same behavior at first, but then settled into it. Hopefully it will continue to get better. Good trot work today under saddle. A horse in the paddock next to the arena spooked her and she took off, but only for about four strides before I got her back down (she's really strong, but let's hope she doesn't figure that out!)...does that count as a canter under saddle today? (haha) Having a lesson with Carolyn tomorrow morning, hoping she can talk me through the canter depart under saddle, because I know it in my head but I get hung up on the whip and bucking thing.

4/23/08

What beautiful weather today! Mattie is figuring out that her head needs to be a little higher, and I am figuring out how to not instinctively raise my hands when she buries her chin. Great walk and trot work today. Tried a canter and it wasn't pretty, sort of hoppity hoppity and wouldn't go forward, tossing head, etc. I am admitedly a bit leary about using the whip on her since the bucking incident Saturday, but it is needed, especially at the canter when she totally ignores my legs (but again, today was our fourth day ever cantering under saddle, so forgiveable at this point). Cheryl thinks she was testing me today with the canter behavior, and she's probably right. I need to get over it, but it's hard, especially when I'm still sore from Saturday! Can't wait to ride again tomorrow!

4/22/08

Rode today after a day off yesterday. Mattie has learned to put her head way down and her chin by her chest (behind the bit), so this is our next hurdle...getting her head back up where it's supposed to be. I am supposed to use check-give with my reins instead of holding them steady, and use my legs to drive her forward when she buries her head in her chest. It took me so long to finally get her head down, now it's down way too far! Sheesh! No canter work today because I am still a bit sore from my spill on Saturday, but definately tomorrow.

4/20/08

Still sore. Rode Mattie and my mom took some pictures (thanks mom!). Some good trot work. And I suppose that's about it for today.

4/19/08

Well, the deed is done. Today I took my first spill off Mattie. Today was the third time cantering under saddle, it was my fault, I used the whip but didn't give with my hands, she had nowhere to go but up and then she bucked. Cheryl said I was about ten feet in the air. Got back on (after a minute of laying in the dirt regrouping) and did a fantastic canter. Yup, this old lady's pretty sore. Can't wait to do it again tomorrow (and hopefully stay on! haha).

Intro

Welcome to the Waltzing Matilda blog. Mattie will be turning four years old on May 14, 2008. She was started under saddle July 2007, and given the winter off. We are just beginning our third week back in training. She is a black Percheron/QH/Morgan cross (Friesian look alike). We are currently schooling Training Level and hope to show the USDF Four-Year-Old Test this summer. Check back often for updates and news! Think Spring!