July 8, 2008

Neuman and I spent the weekend clinic-ing with Christian Garweg at Miari Stables. We schooled the canter pirouettes and the changes in 4 and 3. The canter pirouettes improved dramatically! (Check out the video) Christian was happy with our improvement since our first ride 8 weeks ago. Both Neumy and I are in better shape and feeling more comfortable and confident in our work. I need to improve the timing of my aids in the changes and work on suspending and unsuspending the trot (making transitions within the gait thinking about the suspension) so that I can improve the quality of the extensions and mediums and the transitions. Lucky for me Neuman has great talent for collection so a lot of the 'tricks' are easy. The challenge is maintaining the quality of the gaits. I am so lucky to have a such a talented and amazing horse to ride, not to mention such a fun character to hang out with. Jack is coming along, I had two great rides on him last week. Unfortunately I ended the week with a ride where all Jack could think about was where Neuman had gone (because he has a slightly unreasonable attachment to him) which was frustrating. I will keep focusing on the great ride we had on Wednesday and hope that we can repeat that this week. The other horses are also doing well. I hope to get some free jumping videos done of some of them this week.

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Yikes. I can't believe more than a month has gone by!

Neuman and I have competed in three shows since I visited this blog. This past weekend I competed at 'home' at Summervale Farm. The Champagne Classic at Donida in Auburn, Wa, was the weekend of July 18th and on the weekend of July 25th, I had my first experience at Devonwood Equestrian Center in Sherwood, Oregon. For anyone not of the northwest, you may not know that Devonwood is the premier dressage facility in our area. The grounds are immaculate, the people are gracious, and the judges are tough (but fair). And don't get me started on the SHOPPING! A veritable feast of options for the dressage-y set. Since I earned my first 60% (and better) at third level during the first show, I had officially 'earned' my tophat. I have to sincerely thank my oldest horsey-supporter for buying me my first one (and two pairs of breeches) - my mom! Jessy also thanks you, since she can now preserve her show clothes for her own future use. Thank you sincerely to Jessy and Patty Hartzell for outfitting me in beautiful riding clothes for the summer. Patty donated several stunning stock tie pins to give me some bling to my rides.

We had some great moments and some challenges during our mini show season. It was a huge step for me, since I have not shown in fifteen or so years, and although I have schooled through Prix St Georges, I had not shown above second level. I will be forever grateful to the Hartzell family, and especially Jessy Hartzell for their support in Neuman's and my debut. Some high points were:

• A score of 68% in third level test three from the judge at C, at the Champagne Classic.
• My first fourth level test 1, also at Champagne, ridden because there weren't any other scratches at third, with a score of 60%. I hadn't even ridden through the test prior to the show!
• Two scores at Third Level over 60% towards my silver medal.
• Two scores at Fourth Level over 60% towards my gold medal. 62% on August 9 and nearly 64% on August 10.
• Progressively better scores in fourth level, 60%, 62%, nearly 64%.
• Lots of pretty ribbons in many colors to hang on my wall.
• Some really great pictures of Neumy and I at Devonwood thanks to my mom, Ellen Bramble.

The Hartzell Family has decided to take Neuman home so that Jessy may ride him. I will miss him terribly, but I am happy to have had the summer together.

Click on the picture below for video of him the day he left and a montage of pictures from Devonwood.

picture courtesy of Ellen Regan-Bramble