We are moving along!

Well it has been a while since I posted because life got pretty busy. Kizzy is doing awesome and I am riding her more and more. During the past month Chels has been working on getting Kizzy relaxed and moving forward she has also been adding in trot poles which Kizzy seems to enjoy.

My friends Cindi, Patricia , Corey and I did a mini camp at Aspen Farms about 3 weeks ago and it was amazing. We rode the more experienced horses (Linus) in the morning and then the babies in the afternoon. Now Kizzy is at Aspen's old barn so we hauled her over to the main barn each evening for the lesson. This was the first time she was hauled in and rode so it was a big test especially with 3 other young horses doing there thing too. She handled it like a champ and besides getting a bit quick never offered to do anything crazy. I was so proud of her and myself. We rode in the indoor and the outdoor. We did flat lessons and a lesson over ground poles with a horse running around in the next pasture. She was awesome and even with the other horse running she just got quick and I never felt like she was going to do anything other then that. She seemed to like being somewhere different.

My other lessons with Linus during our camp were great and Suzy really worked Cindi and I on our basics...Boy do I have a lot of work to do with my riding. My legs don't work like I want them and I feel like my whole position fails a bit when I am focused on one aid. Linus as always was great and made you work for everything. My goal is to get healthier, exercise and loose some weight.

These past two weeks we free jumped Kiz to see how she would like it. Suzy and I did the first set and she did well. She used her body well and didn't get excited or scared even when she stopped at one and we had to have her enter the chute again. She set herself up to the fences and never faltered. Suzy, Chelsey and I did the free jump last week and although it took a little encouragement to get her working again once she was comfortable she handled it again like a champ. We will start adding the free jumping into her weekly routine and ground poles. Chelsey had her cantering over ground poles just yesterday.

We are starting to add all the components to introduce eventing to Kizzy and so far she is handling them all well. If she continues to progress like she has been and we feel she is ready we are going to take her to the YEH Series in Montana at Rebecca Farm. This Series is set up to see young talent it is like an equine talent search. It gives owners the opportunity to showcase the potential of their four and five year old horses. The classes focus on education and preparation of the event horse in a correct and progressive manner. There are 3 sections...Conformation, Dressage and Jumping. The ultimate goal is to choose the youngster that possesses the talent and mind set, and with the proper training, will excel in the uppermost levels of the eventing world. Now I am not sure what level is my goal so we will see how Kiz and I do....Here is a pic of her jumping although it is a bit blurry...

Dan, Gage and I were also in the Parade of the Species in Olympia. My friend at work asked us if we wanted to help with the whale in the parade...How could we say no. We ended up being dolphins and running up and down along the whale for about 1.5 hours. Gage was really tired by the end (along with the rest of us) so ended up getting carried a bit but it was a blast. It was so fun! Here is a pic...

The first ride!

So it was time for me to ride Kizzy and I was so excited. Chelsey has been doing a great job with her and she has been so good. I arrived at the old barn and got Kiz out to brush her and get her ready. Other horses were also getting ready and she just looked around and stood like a champ. We brought her into the indoor and it was windy. The sides of the indoor are not completely closed in so you can hear things going on outside but you can't see them. There were also things banging on the roof and hitting the side of the arena. Kiz was on her toes but only jumped a few times and then went back to work. Chelsey put her through her paces and explained what she had been doing. I asked questions through out the whole ride and it was amazing that Chelsey didn't just tell me to shut up. I was a little worried Kiz looked a bit ready to go and I am not the most confident person in the world but I came out to ride and that is what I want to do. So when it was my turn we lengthened the stirrups and up I went. All I have to say is it was amazing.

Now I know Kizzy can move and that she is balanced but sitting on her and feeling that first hand was awesome. She made riding easier and I never once felt nervous on her even when she spooked. She never made me feel like she was going to blow or do anything stupid. She listened to all my body language and did everything like she had much more experience. She moved away from my leg she slowed when I slowed my breathing and she even moved from my seat aides. She of course had her green moments because she is still a baby but she was so balanced and responsive that it was hard to believe she was just started a little over two months ago. Patricia did such a great job starting her and getting her used to so many things now Chels is just continuing the good work. I have to say that she is the best horse I've sat on and I've sat on a bunch. I've decided I am not going to sell Kiz because even though she is neurotic on the ground and may not be the best family horse you can't have everything. She is the most talented horse I've ever owned and I want to compete her. Gage can play and help with Gunny and Kiz will just be a horse that he can help mom with but just not as much. My plan is to work with Chelsey and hopefully do derbies, schooling shows, clinics and at last a BN recognized event...This blog is going to get much more interesting as we start diving back into the eventing world....