Bruise Watch

My bruise has reached my foot. Like, gravity has pulled it all down and it is now pooling in my foot. It looks so pretty! Like a purple, brown and yellow sunset!!

-.-

Schooling pics and videos

Natalie schooled both horses today (I'm out for a few days due to my kicked leg) and I got some photos and videos of both horses.

Lots of me talking in the videos - please don't mind me :p. My commentary in the video kind of shows what is going on anyway, so you may as well listen to it.

Let me know how you think Nat did! I think she is an excellent rider with a good feel and a lovely seat.

Video:

Video:

Ouch.

Gracie just got me a beauty. I was stupid, putting a rug on Allie in the paddock and I felt Allie rouse on Gracie because she was standing too close but I didn't move quick enough - Gracie let fly, Allie (who is used to Gracie's savage kicks) got out of the way and I copped it on the left leg. She dropped me on my arse and by the time I got up and ran after her to deliver swift sweet revenge it was too late and she had run off, tail flagged, with a 'la la la you can't catch me!' kind of attitude.

Ugh. I've never been kicked properly before. It really hurts :( I have a big hematoma and a hoof shaped bruise.

Thank heavens I don't shoe them.

Lesson Videos

Had another lesson with Ann today. Gracie and Nat came to have a lesson after mine too. While we were getting ready a horse galloped in his yard and spooked our mares - who then proceeded to pull back, break the twine they were tied to (Gracie has NEVER done that before!) then they pranced off to disturb the lesson before us and ran all over the property causing havoc. Allie even ducked under a temporary one strand fence! Brat

Allie was amazing there as per usual. We worked on proper flexion (she tends to tip her nose to the right to avoid that rein) and transitions within the trot.

It was pretty fun, the exercise we were doing - big trot, then little trot (almost walking) then immediately bog trot again, over and over. She did so well!

Then, out of the blue, Ann said "alright, now canter, don't even think about it" and suddenly she gave me the most beautiful right lead canter depart. I laughed out loud it was just perfect and easy and I can't wait to do that again.

Left canter was pretty funny - the video below shows how hard Allie tries to get it right but she just doesn't have the balance there to canter while being through anf forward into the bridle. IT's geting there though.

Seriously though - watch this video, it's pretty funny.

Photo spam of pretty well behaved ponies:

Pretty mareface!

Ann talked Nat through the whole 'lowering the neck' and 'reaching down' and 'taking control' thing. I think it is some sort of initiation into dressage? :P

Next lesson in a month's time. We certainly have some homework to do!

While We Wait

While we wait for my husband to figure out how to get the video of my winning test off the borrowed video camera (apparently there is a cord missing?) to post here, have some more pro pics from the Sunday comp.

I've bought the lot of them so my guilt at posting them is almost nil!

Pro Pic

Just one pro pic - I'm going to buy it so that makes it ok that I'm posting it here right?

This Is after my prelim test on Sunday. Can you tell I was pleased?

Hell Yeah!

Oh hell yeah first place!!

She smashed prep 1 - 75.667%. I don't even care that it was only a prep test (no canter).

More photos and full update later.

Whoops - results

We scored 62.6 yesterday with a placing of 11th of 16.

Back in the 60's - that was my only goal yesterday!