In Motion Sport Horses, LLC
Dressage Training , Instruction and Campaigning | Starting Sport Horses with Balance and Forward Movement | Horse Training Granit Bay, Orangevale, Fair Oaks CA | Hand Made Lead Ropes

Tinkerbell debuted at Third Level at this show.  You’ll see some blunders, but even with those in the test, she scored a 65.455% and won the class.  Just think what her scores will be as the training continues and she becomes more solid.  Please disregard the added entertainment in the filming.  I was disappointed to see there wasn’t a professional videographer at the show.  So, a dear friend borrowed a tablet, which she didn’t know how to operate, in order to capture my rides.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoW4DNEF4dE

Tinkerbell and I were among several pairs selected to be Demo riders for the fall symposium. What a privilege to ride with Janet Foy and Debbie McDonald! It was a wonderful learning opportunity. In addition to that, it was great to listen to their opinions on what a lovely dressage prospect Tinkerbell is. Enjoy the videos as you learn what to look for when you search for a dressage prospect.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvMzO84awfU

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxlU3RybXhY

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xqu_oE5GTc

September always brings the Oregon Dressage Society State Championships. This year I had the privilege to compete Tinkerbell, a 6 year old Oldenburg mare, belonging to Catherine Ulrey of Salem OR, at First Level.

A Grand Entrance

On Friday, we showed Second Level Test 2, Tinkerbell’s 3rd time of competing at Second Level.  The overall test went well, with us falling apart at one point, earning just a 4 when she lost her lead in the counter canter.  She still received a score of 68.077%.

https://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11C4tqckr8c

Then the Championship Classes were on Saturday and Sunday.  We competed for a First Level Title in the Open Division.  Saturday we rode First Level Test 2 and scored 65.938%  Sunday we rode First Level Test 3 and scored a 69.118%.  For the championship is averaged between both tests.  We ended up 9th overall.

I ordered new business cards this year.  I was coaxed into changing up the design of my previous cards.  I think it was a good decision to make.

The Front of New Cards

The Back of the New Cards

I’ve desired to ride like Stephen Peters or Edward Gal, but now my goal is ride and look like Charlotte Dujardin. What incredible harmony between she and her horse!

Charlotte hosted her first symposium in the US in March 2014. I didn’t get to attend, but the following bullet points were taken down by someone who did! I’m paying full attention, Susan Peacock!

• Dressage is about the development of the horse.
• The job of the rider is to get the horse equal in both reins.
• Bad transitions at home make for bad transitions at shows.
• Work without the whip, when you can.
• The first impression is the halt, so there is no excuse not to practice it.  Halt square for everything, even when you dismount at end of ride.
• Keep our leg on- it’s tough, but you need to get the control.
• Passage work done is rising trot helps the stuck horse go forward.
• In piaffe, always be in control of the steps-number and how forward your horse is going.
• Remember to have a forward-thinking hand.
• The discipline you have as a dressage rider is related to what scores you want to receive.
• Your horse has to be in front of your leg.

The fall weather was great for a horse show in Southern Oregon. However, as one can expect with horses, not everything goes as planned. Tinkerbell was entered into three classes on Saturday, October 11th and two classes on Sunday, October 12th.  Her owner, Catherine Ulrey, came from out-of-town to help, watch and enjoy her mare.

We hauled to the show grounds on Friday, set up and schooled.  Tinkerbell became quite relaxed as she acquainted herself with her new surroundings.  We settled her in for the night and left to feed and settle ourselves.   We arrived early Saturday and took Tinkerbell for a walk before braiding.  We still had some time to kill before tacking and warming up for our first ride.  We left the mare to happily munch on some more breakfast.

When we returned to her about 25 minutes later, it was apparent that something was a miss.  She had bonked her head and cut it open.  Not a big cut, but bleeding.  The USEF rules don’t allow a horse to be shown if there is any blood present.  I appreciate this rule, as it protects the animals.  Tinkerbell certainly had hit her head hard enough, as well, that she was uncomfortable, probably touting a headache.  Needless to say, we scratched out of all our classes on Saturday.

Sunday being the new day that it was, started fresh.  I had missed the Dressage Rider Test for First Level on Saturday.  I really wanted to make it up, so we scratched from our First Level Test 1 class and did the Rider Test. It went pretty well for my first attempt at it.  We scored a 65.6%.  Next we competed at First Level Test 2.  Tinkerbell came in second, with a score of 63.6%, missing first by one point.

We were able to pick up one more ride later in the day.  It was First Level Test 3.  I had never practiced the test on Tinkerbell, nor had I schooled her at counter-canter.  I also hadn’t ridden the test in a year.  It’s a good idea to bring along a test book to a show.  You just never know what you may need to review.  I practiced the counter-canter during my warm-up.  She was great!  In we went to the competition ring.  Of course, it was the best test of the day and we didn’t get it on film!  She scored a 67.5%.  Again coming in second, one point behind the leader.

Catherine and I are very proud of Terrific Tinkerbell.  For no more schooling than she has had and to arrive at her first Rated show, we think she did really great.

Here is the video of First Level Test 2.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvuJLoURc9c&feature=youtu.be

I got the biggest surprise when I put my gloves on today. There was something squishy inside of one of them. I quickly drew back my fingers and glanced inside. There, staying cool I presume, was a tiny frog! Smiling, I released him to go catch bugs. The gloves then slipped right onto my hands and off I went to continue my work day.

You never know what you will find inside a glove!

Frog in a Blog!

I just have to say how very proud I am of three particular horse 4-Hers:  Jasmine, Kaelyn and Celena.  You girls and your mounts did TERRIFIC  at jumping and dressage this year.

Jasmine earned a Second Place award in Hunter Hack

Kaelyn earned a Second Place award in Hunter Hack, her first ever jumping competition!

Selena won her Jumping Class!

Each one of you have learned and progressed at jumping and your flat work.  It really showed during your classes this week.  I’ve enjoyed teaching you and your horses.  I look forward to helping each of you learn more and more!

In usual style, the Jumping Clinic at Eastern Slope Ranch in Baker City, OR is always a blast.  The students, some new and some repeats, were attentive and inquisitive.

Saturday morning session of flat work. One must have effective flat work to jump well!

Percy and Leslie Dickerson always do a nice job hosting the clinic.  This year with the help of Kevin Rasmussen and others, they added a cross-country course to the ranch.  They did quit a nice job of building fences and will continue to add to the course for seasons to come.

A zig-zag complex for three different levels, with Lydia Anderson on course.

This fence was built all in fun specifically for long time student, Annika Anderson and her mount this season, Halo.  They didn’t jump this obstacle, nor were they suppose to!  🙂

Annika Anderson aboard Halo contemplating tactics to the other side of this giant hay bale.

Saturday afternoon we schooled over a grid of gymnastics on the grass and then headed to the cross country course to school.  Each horse and rider combination had an opportunity to practice jumping all the fences of the course, preparing for the following days competition.

Leah Vengley on Chewey, a very green, but willing horse, building confidence going through the grid.

Erin Swanson aboard Red. Red earned the “Most Improved Horse Award” at the clinic.

Sunday morning found me sitting at the judges table, with scribe, Drea Rasmussen for the competitors Dressage Tests.  It was the first time for me to see each of these riders actually in a competition.  I am very proud of each one!

Marilyn Williams and Blue

To wrap up the days Derby Competition, Leslie presented the awards.  She went all out for the winners of each division.  Awards for the clinic were also given to Marilyn Williams for The Most Improved Rider and Erin Swanson’s horse “Red” for The Most Improved Horse.

The Award Ceremony

All in all, it was a terrific weekend.  I look forward to heading back across the state for another clinic at Eastern Slope Ranch in 2015!

Take life’s hurdles in stride. Loosen the reins. Spur yourself on to greatness. Be free spirited. Keep the burrs from under your saddle. Carry your friends when they need it. Keep stable. Gallop to greatness.