March 11, 2015

Boot Camp Week

Thanks to living in Indy all this week, I get to see my horse nine days in a row.  That's a new record, previous record was I think 5 days in a row for the actual 3 day event we did last June.

He's probably going to get sick of me.

"Yep, sick of you."

You'll notice that his mane did get pulled this week though!  Spring has sprung.

Since I'm seeing him so much this week, and since our homework was picky Dressage work, I knew I had to pop him over a few fences yesterday night before our boot camp.  Over the next three days we have THREE LESSONS!  I knew all those subzero nights of missed lessons would pay off sometime.


Awkward Dachshund Stance. 

He was so happy.  He's content to think and use himself in Dressage, but when we took the first fence, his ears pricked and he really got in front of my leg.  We didn't do much, since he's getting so many rides this week, but we did enough to remind him that there's more to life than thinking very carefully about where to place each foot.

I also got asked "So what's up with Connor's hairdo?"

Half-pulled here.

Just a desperate attempt to prevent him from looking like a Thelwell pony all summer after his mane gets pulled.

Speaking of which - the length has been reduced by half:


So not only do I have an appropriately sized black girth and some black leathers waiting for me at home, I also now have a socially acceptable looking horse.   Everybody party!

15 comments:

  1. I love that feeling of seeing their ears perk forward and lock on to fences. It's so stinking cute. Also his mane looks great!

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  2. Jealous of your boot camp and tons of lessons! That sounds amazing

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    1. Yes it does! Hopefully it provides the kick in the pants that we need.

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  3. I keep getting distracted by the cwd in the background...

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    1. Oh, girl, you and me both. Incidentally, any recommendations on appropriate schooling pads for a super forward flap saddle?

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    2. budding in, Ogilvy baby pads are good for this! Or Ecogolds :)

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    3. Your tastes are way out of my price range!

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  4. What measurements do you need? I have a extra long extra forward 17.5" jump saddle and my favorite pads are this:
    http://www.bitofbritain.com/Quilted-Euro-Saddle-Pad-p/4066.htm

    in large - maybe a medium would work for you since you've got a 16.5? I emailed BoB to get measurements and they were super helpful. I splurged and got a custom Tolkat Classic III Cross Country pad for XC and love it as well - both are very well made and the first link is fantastic quality for the price. They are made by PRI so a regular PRI pad might work well too. Major thumbs down on the Riders International Extra long Quilted pad as it's too long spine wise (weird) and too short flap wise, and doesn't stay up off the withers. I'm tempted by this:

    http://www.doversaddlery.com/riders-xlong-quilted-piped-pad/p/X1-19929/?eid=X18A00U1000&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=MerchantAdv&zmam=1460880&zmas=1&zmac=114&zmap=0019929001981X1-19929&mkwid=BJaKHYfy&pcrid=74184362167&pdv=c&gclid=CjwKEAjwz_-nBRC0zbDb_YOT1TgSJACW2VECXD-Hhbbd2CBM52c3IN7_vBIEi_D1BzSROVCkEfAGvhoC51nw_wcB

    (roma Mini quilt shaped pad) but I haven't found reviews or measurements for it, and I like my PRI pads so much I might not even bother since they're so nice I won't have to replace them for quite a long time.

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    1. Wow, very interesting and helpful, thank you! I also love the construction of the Toklat pads, even though I have never owned one, so I'll consider that. I may get that Roma pad and try it out, for $27, I can't lose. Also I have seen that euro pad before but didn't know they were that cheap. Definitely good suggestions, thank you!

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    2. :) I'm glad I came off as helpful instead of a total weirdo - I was super excited that all of my pointless saddle pad researching could possibly help someone. I hope the Roma works out for you! Otherwise, the euro pad comes in a lovely shade of hunter green...

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  5. He is so stinking cute & I too am uber jealous of your lesson bootcamp

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  6. Love his cute pulled mane. :)

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  7. what fun! i kinda love the idea of just jumping around a bit to keep it fresh and interesting before buckling down for boot camp. and, incidentally, i'm super excited to read about all your upcoming lessons!!

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