millitiger
Well-Known Member
So... went to pick up Vinnie last weekend and brought his Italian adventure to an end; excited and was looking forwards to him coming home but also dubious about whether I could do him justice.
I had a jumping lesson with Vittoria the day we picked him up and it was great- I need to work on getting my lower leg super-solid, folding down over the saddle instead of climbing up his neck and need to straighten my arms right out towards his mouth as he gets very techy if he even thinks you might possibly be thinking about maybe touching his mouth
Vittoria did say he was 'unconventional' and not the easiest horse to jump which made me feel a bit better that it wasn't all me but I won't kid myself I have a lot of work to do to make the most of him.
I thought I was doing ok until I got home and looked at the videos and now I think I need to go back on the leadrein
I'll be brave and add then for CC if you can see anything I haven't already mentioned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bhbja_XCUo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWaX2n7EJi0
So brought him home to a new yard to both of us and he has settled in great He is living out 24/7, very relaxed and chilled so far with everything.
I am struggling a little bit with riding the new, improved Vinnie- he is much stronger in the contact now so I need to make sure I keep my leg on and don't pull against him in the hand; canter has been a little bit interesting this week to put it mildly!
Decided as he has been home for a whole week, we'd go to a competition yesterday so went to do some dressage.
Very long story short... he thought about having a small nap going to the warm up but I growled as fiercely and loudly as I can and got him forward and then ended up trotting the walkway to the warm up- sorry to everyone in there at the time but when you get forwards you need to keep the button engaged until you are sure you can turn it on again reliably on him!
Warmed up well and softened nicely over the back- canter was still very onwardbound but the same as we currently have at home.
Went into the arena and he shrunk up behind me and peacocked a bit and I forgot to ride and just steered him around
Still ended up on around 64% and got 2nd but I am under no illusions it was a nice test!
Went back in HC and did a much better test- I actually prepared and supported him and surprise, surprise, he went much better!
Got nearly 69% with that test so all round.
He is such a lovely horse at competitions, stands by the box quietly, I can load him by myself, will stand on the trailer munching his hay without bother for as long as you like... bliss! Makes such a difference to having a nice day out when they are easy around the box.
So, next on the agenda is some jumping at home tomorrow and then probably taking him to do some show jumping on the weekend or next week so I'm sure another report will follow then
I had a jumping lesson with Vittoria the day we picked him up and it was great- I need to work on getting my lower leg super-solid, folding down over the saddle instead of climbing up his neck and need to straighten my arms right out towards his mouth as he gets very techy if he even thinks you might possibly be thinking about maybe touching his mouth
Vittoria did say he was 'unconventional' and not the easiest horse to jump which made me feel a bit better that it wasn't all me but I won't kid myself I have a lot of work to do to make the most of him.
I thought I was doing ok until I got home and looked at the videos and now I think I need to go back on the leadrein
I'll be brave and add then for CC if you can see anything I haven't already mentioned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bhbja_XCUo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWaX2n7EJi0
So brought him home to a new yard to both of us and he has settled in great He is living out 24/7, very relaxed and chilled so far with everything.
I am struggling a little bit with riding the new, improved Vinnie- he is much stronger in the contact now so I need to make sure I keep my leg on and don't pull against him in the hand; canter has been a little bit interesting this week to put it mildly!
Decided as he has been home for a whole week, we'd go to a competition yesterday so went to do some dressage.
Very long story short... he thought about having a small nap going to the warm up but I growled as fiercely and loudly as I can and got him forward and then ended up trotting the walkway to the warm up- sorry to everyone in there at the time but when you get forwards you need to keep the button engaged until you are sure you can turn it on again reliably on him!
Warmed up well and softened nicely over the back- canter was still very onwardbound but the same as we currently have at home.
Went into the arena and he shrunk up behind me and peacocked a bit and I forgot to ride and just steered him around
Still ended up on around 64% and got 2nd but I am under no illusions it was a nice test!
Went back in HC and did a much better test- I actually prepared and supported him and surprise, surprise, he went much better!
Got nearly 69% with that test so all round.
He is such a lovely horse at competitions, stands by the box quietly, I can load him by myself, will stand on the trailer munching his hay without bother for as long as you like... bliss! Makes such a difference to having a nice day out when they are easy around the box.
So, next on the agenda is some jumping at home tomorrow and then probably taking him to do some show jumping on the weekend or next week so I'm sure another report will follow then