Sometimes, you do ride the pedigree.

    As I reflect on Lincoln's first show this last Sunday, I continue to be astounded by his behavior. He took so many new stimuli and experiences in stride, with an infallible instinct to be alert, yet controlled in all aspects of the day. Truly, I feel like I've won the lottery with such an amazing young horse. It's not a lottery though, is it? Genetics can be notoriously unpredictable, but when you think about the generations of ponies/horses carefully bred, imported, and competed in Lincoln's pedigree alone, you start to realize it's less of a lottery and more intention than originally thought.

Lincoln's damsire, Glenormiston Cuchulainn, who has two 

crosses back to Carna Bobby, a very influential 

sire in the Connemara breed.

That look- I get it all the time!

I've always heard people say, "You don't ride the pedigree, you ride the horse." And I feel like for a grade horse, that's obviously true! Some grade horses or "oops" horses are just as competent in their vocation as their purpose-bred/registered/inspected counterparts. I, however, hold strongly to the fact that you are dealing with a known quantity when you look at a horses pedigree, but some traits are more difficult to qualify than others. For example, I was recently talking with Kelly of Dark Horse Station Connemaras, who bred Lincoln's dam, Dark Horse Leap of Faith, and imported her sire, *Glenormiston Cuchulainn in utero. She had some really interesting things to share about the photo I recently shared of Lincoln, with a very specific expression on his face. She mentioned that Sue Clark (of Glenormiston Connemaras) seemed that it was a very strong, inherited trait from the Carna Bobby line, as Cuchulainn also had that same expression on his face frequently, as did Carna Bobby. Is this a nature versus nurture argument? That is definitely a possibility, but to be "nurtured" that far down the line is near extraordinary. I believe it's definitely an indication of a strong sire line through Carna Bobby. In all reality, it's neither here nor there, but it's an interesting anecdote to consider. I do believe you do ride the pedigree, more often than we might know!

Patrick King Horsemanship Clinic: 21-22 September 2019

Natalie and Don with Patrick

    This weekend Lincoln and I were fortunate enough to clinic with Patrick King at Pearl Equestrian, where I board. Patrick has focused on in-hand work and classical dressage principles with Pearl horses before, and I have been following him on social media for some time now. I really appreciated that his posts could always be applied to almost any situation, and it was broken down to apply to the average horse person. I've been intimidated by classical dressage, and specifically in-hand work, before training with Natalie, because it is so incredibly difficult to find someone competent to get you started on this journey. There are plenty of trainers who offer clinics, but they never seem to come remotely close to my location and they, more often than not, fill before I can even inquire. I was feeling quite fortunate that I was able to get into this clinic at all, and I was really looking forward to a great weekend of learning with Patrick!

Here you see the whip moving towards Lincoln's hip, indicating we are
preparing to halt. My body position has started to change as well.
Not perfect, but slowly improving!  

   Day one was a bit of a whirlwind. For an hour lesson, we crammed in a lot of new information and experiences. Lincoln is a very friendly horse, and of course walked right up to Patrick to say hi. We briefly went over Lincoln's history with me, what we had been working on with Natalie, and Natalie chimed in with her thoughts on where I needed to improve, and her general impression of Lincoln. After that, Patrick asked us to show him what Lincoln and I had been working on. We have only taken a handful of lessons with in-hand work, so the basics were not truly established yet. We established a better position for me, and briefly discussed less is more, especially with a horse as sensitive as Lincoln. With
Lincoln, a slight wave of the whip in his direction is still too much, so we did work on generating forward energy without any physical cues. Patrick likened it to dancing with a partner: there's no pushing or pulling, but you move together regardless. That seamless communication with Lincoln was something we worked on throughout the weekend, and when I was able to "lead" without any physical cues, that moment of togetherness was so rewarding for both Lincoln and I. We spent some time teaching Lincoln that the consistent feel of the whip on his hip or shoulder means halt, and we only removed the touch of the whip after he fully relaxed (when he lowered his head, mainly, but Lincoln usually goes the extra mile here and throws in a big release in the form of a yawn.) Patrick mentioned that this would be very helpful in competitive dressage as well, because when you come down center-line for a halt, the whip resting on the shoulder will help generate a prompt halt. Lincoln picked that up so quickly, and it meant that he was halting in balance and off the forehand. Next we moved on to a really interesting exercise that I look forward to incorporating into our daily in-hand sessions. we schooled shoulder in for a few steps, then counter shoulder in, then back to shoulder in. It definitely wasn't perfect-when Lincoln became off-balanced, he rushed and wanted to push through me. It was an adjustment for me as well, as this is the most complex exercise I have ever attempted in-hand, and it's a steep learning curve, but Patrick was very welcoming with all of my questions and clarifications, and often offered other analogies or explanations to aid my understanding, and he definitely kept a good sense of humor through it all, which absolutely aided my own relaxation, which in turn caused Lincoln to relax even more. I don't think I've ever been challenged so much in a lesson, but I definitely feel like Lincoln and I genuinely enjoyed it. Lincoln and I have such similar personalities that the same things rattle us, but that also means the same things also inspire us. Throughout the weekend, Patrick also explained how movements build on each other and prepare for other aspects of riding/training, which I appreciated (ie reinbacks build for piaffe which builds for the levade). I need to see the long term picture, not just what is going on in a particular moment, and Patrick was more than happy to offer more information.

Here's a crooked reinback, where you can see the added tap of the whip
on the top of the hindquarters. So, I could have prepared him more
appropriately from a balance perspective. We will be working on this! 

     Day two we focused almost entirely on rein-backs. We did start with the shoulder in/counter shoulder in exercise, but balance again became an issue. Patrick took over for a few minutes, demonstrating both technique and timing of the rein-back, before passing the reins back. During that time, Patrick made an interesting aside that reinbacks are categorized as a movement, but should be treated and improved upon like a gait. Lincoln and I had briefly worked on rein-backs in our most recent lessons, so the basic understanding was already there, but we really established our understanding on day two. It was fascinating to watch Lincoln begin to tuck his pelvis and move the diagonal legs with more precision and intent. We added a rhythmic tapping of the whip to the top of his hindquarters, and I just couldn't stop smiling after that. I have NEVER seen Lincoln engage his hindquarters like that. The instant his hindquarters sat, and there was flexion through his hocks, his front end came up in the same movement. Patrick explained that that occurs concurrently, not consecutively like most people teach. Physiologically speaking, it is impossible to have one without the other. So we would walk forward several steps, and the second Lincoln began to rush, we halted, waited for the release, and then proceeded to rein-back. Sometimes we walked three steps, sometimes six, but the rein-back was always at least four. This was also where straightness became an issue, and I've been taught previously that straightness needs to be corrected immediately, but Patrick wasn't concerned with straightness at all. He explained straightness is a direct result of balance, so when the horse is balanced, the rein-back will be straight. That will

Forward movement in decent balance- no rushing yet!
Whip in neutral position.

happen naturally. At this point I was so fascinated. Clearly I have been educated incorrectly in the past, but I truly didn't realize to what extent until this clinic. Patrick was so complimentary of Lincoln as well, positively remarking on his build and temperament, as well as his confidence and personality. He seemed to think piaffe in-hand will be very easy for Lincoln, and that we should be able to start that in 6-12 months. (I should note, at this point I was internally squealing. How COOL is that?! I've never ridden or schooled piaffe in-hand, so until this point, it has just seemed unattainable.)
     So, long story long, it was a fantastic weekend. Lincoln greatly enjoyed the work, and I am so impressed with him! Patrick was an encouraging, funny, and relaxed instructor who made all the knowledge and information he was passing along both digestible and attainable. The confidence I gained in the in-hand work over the course of the weekend was vital for our path forward. And although we only schooled a handful of movements and exercises, it never felt like we were drilling ourselves into the ground, and I think a huge reason for that is the energy you should be generating when working in-hand. Basically, if you have the chance to clinic with Patrick, I highly recommend. 10/10 would recommend. He's coming back to Pearl in May, and I've already secured my spot!

Foal Frenzy: Why I Chose This Path

Lincoln at 3 days old.

     Foals are probably some of the cutest beings on the planet. I mean, what's not to love? Bottle-brush tails, soft foal coats, bright and inquisitive eyes, and SO snuggly! (See photo at right. Admit it, you want to snuggle it.) But breeding and young horses are a long game to play, and the stakes are high. Plenty of people on a budget invest in a foal, whether in-utero or pre-weaning, in order to get a nicer quality horse than they might be able to afford if they waited for the same horse until it was 3-5 years old. An investment in a foal means you assume a significant amount of risk: the foal could injure itself in turnout, or by playing with a field mate, it could grow incorrectly or too quickly, or certain issues could come to light as it develops. A perfect example of this is the traditional Irish stallion, Jackaroo. His full-siblings, Mandiba and High Kingdom have indelible records. Mandiba was the World Breeding Federation Event Horse Of The Year in 2010, he went to the 2008 Summer Olympics and placed 8th. High Kingdom has had an equally illustrious career: finished 10th at the 2011 Burghley 4*, 8th individually at the 2012 Olympics, and one of only nine pairs to go clean inside the time. So certainly, for a rider, Jackaroo would have been a sure thing. A clear winner with full-siblings doing so perfectly well. That is, until he was injured as a young horse and could not compete. Luckily, both his pedigree and his direct relations were successful enough to warrant sending him to stud. Not everyone is so lucky!

Lincoln shortly after turning 3 years old. 

     Certainly there is always a risk in horse-ownership. So why put ourselves through the uncertainty and potential heartbreak when they don't develop how we hoped/they choose to prefer another job than they were bred for/they injure themselves beyond ride-able repair? While I cannot answer for everyone, I chose this path for a big reason: the bond and relationship you develop with a horse when you are a part of it's life from conception. Eventing is a test; a test of endurance, stamina, obedience, and agility, but also a test of the bond between horse and rider. We willingly gallop our horses at solid-obstacles, risking life and limb to compete and test ourselves. To put it simply, our horses trust us to navigate them well, and to set them up correctly for each obstacle, and we, in turn, trust them to be honest to the fence, see the distance we ask them to, and that all their feet go where they should. This is truly a challenge, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Imagine being the one person that stays consistent in a horse's life from the moment they open their eyes. You are a constant in their life, and they in yours. I know that with Lincoln, it has made all the difference. He doesn't worry that I won't come around anymore: he has no idea this could ever even be a possibility. He greets me the same, and certainly treats me with more care and possibly more sass because of it. But I know him. I know why he acts a certain way about flies (his dam is hypersensitive to them, and I think he must be too), or how he threw out his back playing in the field as a weanling, or how he got that tiny scar on his left-front knee... The ways I know this horse are infinite. And inversely, the same is true for him. He has molded himself around me, he knows what my expectations are of his behavior, and he knows how exactly far he can push me before he is reprimanded (and trust me, he toes that line daily), and he knows ME. If he could talk, he could tell you more about me than I probably can. He is constantly focused on me, analyzing my behavior and discovering how I work. And even at three years old, we work pretty seamlessly together. He definitely is a young horse with energy and an opinion, but he also knows that I have yet to ask anything of him that he is not capable of, and he trusts that I can lead him positively in the right manner. The other day, I was shortening his mane, a time-consuming and tedious process, but not painful in the way traditional pulling is. I fly-sprayed him in two layers (he doesn't dance when he's sprayed well in the summer), and proceeded to groom him and then moved to his mane to start shortening it. He reached around and rested his muzzle on my forearm, signifying he needed a moment before I continued. I obliged him happily. I paid him some attention, snuggling him and offering scratches in his favorite places before returning to his shoulder to continue my work. He faced forward and lowered his head slightly, indicating he was ready for me to continue. This may sound like a conversation between two people, but he speaks through his body-language and facial expressions. And I know the entire spectrum of his language, and how that spectrum has expanded as he has aged. I may have been his leader as he has grown, but it has slowly developed more and more into a friendship, two partners whose journey's seem to be heading in the same direction.
     And someday, he will be the leader, blazing the way cross country, and saving my tail more than I could ever possibly repay him for.

We're all in this together.

I had never met 3/4 other women in this photo, and
yet we had a blast helping a fellow eventer and
getting to know each other! 

     The unsung heroes of the equestrian world are oftentimes those people we just speak to or see in passing at the barn. Maybe a fellow boarder who is always offering a compliment or positive tidbits of wisdom to brighten your day, or a fellow lesson go-er who gives you an air high-five as you pass each other in the ring after a particularly tough, yet rewarding, lesson. We need those people in our lives. Being a horse-owner is a difficult road: emotionally, mentally, financially, and even, sometimes, spiritually. Throw in a competitive drive with some goals, and it can quickly devolve into a cut throat world where people tear each other down in order to raise themselves up. Don't. Be. That. Guy. If you leave your lessons crying, or feeling defeated, something needs to change. If your fellow boarders are snickering behind your back about your riding, or horsemanship, something needs to change. If your equestrian friends are constantly gossiping about other people, and it never seems to be positive, you probably need new friends. We should be raising each other up, not tearing each other down. I have been on the receiving end of unkind gossip more than once, and from supposed friends, and I can honestly say I will do everything in my power so that no one I interact with should feel that way. I am your friend, not your trainer. You pay your trainer for their training prowess, not your friends. Your equestrian friends are merely there for encouragement and positive vibes, and solicited opinions! (And in my case, snacks. I will always bring the snacks.) If you are putting your horse first, you have a friend, and a cheerleader, in me. I have cleaned house more than once on social media, and in my life, to remove those negative influences from my life. I unfollow businesses who highlight negativity, and professional riders who don't seem to have their priorities in order, because I want to be surrounded by both positivity and authentic horse{wo}men. 
     So, keep fighting the good fight, and surround yourself with radiant people who support you and want the best for you, and don't let anyone tell you or make you feel poorly about yourself. You are incredible and amazing and valued, and your horse is lucky to have you. Keep on, keeping on!

Positivity is contagious!

The aptly named school horse Proton, aka Positively Charged. 

      I recently started taking lessons again (thanks goodness, says every horse I've ever ridden) and while it took me awhile to take the plunge, a huge part of that was waiting for the right environment. I didn't want to be swirling around in the black hole that is barn drama, running a race I never wanted to be in, surrounded by people who think riding is a rat race and that whoever wins the most blue ribbons MUST be the better horsewoman. I just want to enjoy my horse, and enjoy my time around horses (not that I don't want to compete, but as good ole George Morris said, "If I were in this for the bright lights and blue ribbons, I would have quit a long time ago.") So, when I stumbled across a barn that was welcoming, with a calm and encouraging vibe, I drank that Kool-Aid about as fast as I wrote the check for my first lesson package. It wasn't just the quality, well-managed school horses, or the encouraging and positive instructor: it was a lot more than that. I usually try to get to the barn early before a lesson, whether it is on my own horse or a school horse; there is nothing worse than being rushed around horses."Act like you've got all day, and it will take 15 minutes. Act like you've got 15 minutes and it will take all day." -Ray Hunt 

    While I was assembling my tack and grooming supplies, I ran into a young woman who has been working her tail off with her pony. He's a little hot and a lot sassy, and not the easiest ride in general, it seems. I watched a lesson of hers a few weeks ago, and she was quick to praise him when he was well-behaved, and you could tell she was willing to put in the work to improve their rides and their relationship. She was cleaning her tack in the tack room after a lesson (hers ends right as I need to start getting ready for mine) and we hadn't actually had a chance to talk before. I introduced myself, and we chatted about her pony and her lesson, and she had the most positive praise for that pony. She said they were working hard, and getting better every week, and she's excited for their first horse trial of the year in May. Her positivity and excitement were absolutely contagious! And that's really thanks to the great team at Pearl Equestrian. When the horses are happy and well-cared for in meticulously maintained facilities, and the instruction is both kind and encouraging, you yourself are the only element left to determine whether or not you will be successful. And the parting words of that sweet kid? "I'll see you later! I hope you have a great ride!" And out she went into the world with a friendly wave and a contagious smile. And a great ride was had by Proton and myself. 

" Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things."  -Philippians 4:8