Instead of continuing to complain about winter, I decided to come up with a bit of a plan to have something to look forward to. I am hoping to try Spencer at a couple of local schooling shows this summer and I need to get riding soon to see if we can pull it off. I would love to start riding regularly in March and it is sometimes possible, (like last year) but some years our snow doesn’t melt until April. I can sort of work Spencer in his paddock or up and down the laneway, but due to footing, we can’t do any trotting or cantering. The snow is even too deep and crunchy/uneven to do showmanship practice.
I don’t have a ton of extra cash to pay board right now, but I was able to negotiate a bit of a deal with the stable down the road. I’m taking Spencer down there in mid-March and we’ll stay until the end of April. It will give me a chance to either ride indoors or in their outdoor sand ring while my place melts and dries up. It’ll also give me a chance to have someone come in April and clean up the manure pile in my paddock – if it is dry enough!
I’ve also got lessons planned with a local coach. She is also a judge, so I feel like I’m in good hands. She is quite blunt, so I’m expecting to get an honest assessment from her on whether I’m ready to show or not. I’m not too worried about Spencer as he has been shown for the past 5 years or so. I’m definitely the weaker link in the equation!
The stable is only 1 mile down the road from me, so I’m planning to walk down and back most nights, since the exercise will be really good for me. I’m pretty excited about this – it has a bit of a boot camp feel to it. This new coach is pretty hard core (in a nice friendly way) and I’m hoping she will help motivate me to ride a lot and make some progress. This is a great opportunity for me to work with a well-known judge and meet more horse people. This judge knows everyone in the AQHA and APHA worlds around here, so it might be fun to see who else I will meet.
I have a tendency to kind of stall on things and change my mind, but I’m hoping this is the right situation to give me a big push and get me more confident and get doing some interesting things with my horse! It will be interesting to see if Spencer gives me lots of attitude once we start working, since he is out of shape and has been enjoying his leisure time… Or will he respond well to more structure? I’m hoping the latter, since the two of us need to bond a bit more and trust each other under saddle. Here’s hoping it all works out!
Name That....
2 days ago
4 comments:
Sounds like a good plan. Hope you and Spencer get to spend some good quality time riding soon.
Sounds like a great plan! It will also be a nice reminder that spring is just around the corner. Maybe that will be motivating during the last of winter's worst.
I could use something boot-camp like to motivate my own fitness but I definitely think being in regular lessons with Armani is very motivating in terms of progress on the horse training/riding front.
I bet Spencer will like the extra work and structure but I wouldn't be surprised if he takes some convincing at first.
How lucky you are to have a stable with an indoor just a mile from your house. If it were me, I'd keep my horse at home and just ride her down the road to the indoor arena to play. I very much enjoy a nice ride in the snow during the winter as long as it's not too windy.
Good for you making some plans for you to have something to look forward to. I do that a lot in making trail riding plans and inviting friends. It's like going to the gym...having the support of friends is very helpful and encouraging. :)
~Lisa
I think it's a fantastic idea. I hope it all works out and that you get to do some showing! I can't wait to get some consistent warmer, drier weather to get more horse time in. I have been working Rio, but the others are enjoying their time off.
It also does help knowing people and it helps you get out and just do it because they are! It's always more fun when you have other horsey people that are doing the same thing whether it's showing, trail riding or whatever! Have fun!
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