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!