Germany- Week One
***Sorry if I spelled any names, words, etc. incorrectly. :-)***
Monday, September 25th
Fizzy and I had an uneventful night at the “Animal Hotel” in Schipol. I convinced the very cute guy on duty to give me a tour of the place, and he showed me the dogs and cats that were either coming or going, including two cats destined for Australia, and two German Shepard puppies heading to Tennessee. He said Amsterdam is the major animal transport hub, and he said the coolest thing he ever saw (of course, this is the kind of question I ask, lol) was when the Vancouver Zoo had a BALUGA shipped all the way from Singapore! I was impressed.
The shipping company arrived to pick Fizzy up right on schedule- around 7:30am. Tees, from Guido Klatte’s company would be shipping us, and Fizzy got to ride in a beautiful 10-horse slant load. He loaded right on- which surprised me a little- he had spent 6 hours on our trailer, loaded onto another trailer the next morning, loaded onto a transport box, and then the next morning loaded onto another trailer! Horses truly are amazing- the things they do for us!
We ended up leaving Schipol around 10:30am (after paperwork, having a vet check the horses over, and having breakfast), and arrived at the Balkenhol’s just after 1pm. I had only ever seen pictures of Klaus’ place, but it is more beautiful than the photos suggest. Klaus wasn’t there when we arrived, so Anabel, Klaus’ daughter, showed me Fizzy’s stall and where I will be staying for the next few months. After I made sure Fizzy was happy and healthy, I left for my room to take on the daunting task of unpacking. J I am so pleased with how well Fizzy traveled- he lost no weight from the trip, and doesn’t seemed stressed in the least. He used to be a bit of a nervous shipper, but I think because I was with him for so much of the time, he was happier. Not to mention the fact that the horse must have eaten 10lbs of carrots! Well… Almost.
Tuesday, September 26th
Today I rode Fizzy for the first time. We just did loosening exercises in the snaffle- I want to make sure I give him enough time to recover from the trip before asking him for too much. It is warmer here than it was at home, so I want to make sure he adjusts to that, too. That being said, he feels really loose and supple for having had such a long trip. He was a little strong in the hand, but he often is in a new place because he’s excited.
I got to ride two horses for the Balkenhol’s today, as well. Their Berieter, Steffen, is in Australia for two weeks giving some sort of clinic, so they need some extra help riding. First, I rode Eden, a four year old by Ehenrusch II I believe. He is very nicely trained so far, and really good in his rhythm for a four-year-old. I rode him in a long frame, and Steffen said I could actually close him a little more and ask for a little more collection. He is not quite as balanced at the canter, but still very good. He is also extremely comfortable to ride, and has just the sweetest temperament. Don't tell Tweakie and Violet I have another four-year-old love! :-)
Next I rode Robin- an 11-year-old gelding by Rubenstein. Robin is the first horse I’ve ridden that I actually think might be 18 hands. People always tell you horses are bigger than they are, but Robin truly is enormous. Steffen said he needs to work on becoming more supple, but that if you get him he has super piaffe/passage. He said the trickiest part about him was the flying changes, and that he was quite sensitive. He was a blast to ride, and gave me a really nicely uphill feeling in the collected canter. He is so light on his feet and light in the hand for such a big horse, and very responsive to the half-halts. I tried a few changes, and he was actually late to my aid for the first one, so I gave him a little kick, which he did not enjoy. The next change he came a little up with the croup. Lord knows I have ridden enough horses that can be tricky in the changes, so I did what I knew worked best in the past for me- the changes on a serpentine. This worked well for me and Robin, and I just did the single changes for today. Steffen said he does everything from the Grand Prix except the one-time changes, but I don’t think it is fair for me to get on these horses and ask them to do everything they know- I’m not familiar with how they are ridden, and I feel that I should give them a chance to get used to me before I ask them for things.
Wednesday, September 27th
Today I woke up with such a smile on my face. I still can’t believe that I am here. Fizzy is in the stall that Kingston usually goes in. I am getting to ride today with the US Team coach. As I said in my e-mail to my mom last night, “It’s OK, you don’t need to pinch me, I already pinched myself!” This is such an unbelievable opportunity, and I am far beyond grateful to the individuals and organizations that helped to get me here (espicially the Dressage Foundation who really made it possible at the end!). If you get to do something like this once in your life… Wow, I just still can’t believe it. And all with my Fizzzyyyyy-Gigs. :-)
I know people will always talk, and say maybe “Oh, she is rubbing it in our face that she gets to go to Germany”- but that is never my intention. I feel so lucky and fortunate to be here, and I only wish I can share my experience with other people. I hope everyone can someday have a dream like this come true. I mean, who am I? I am not so different from everyone else. I trained my horse up as well as I could, and I worked hard to find sponsorship. I did not have this handed to me, and believe me, I have insecurities, doubts and worries like everyone else!
I got to ride a few more horses today. I started again with my buddy Eden who was very good again- a little stronger at first than yesterday, but I also rode him inside yesterday, and out today. What I love about him is that he is so sensible for a four-year-old. He just does whatever you ask and is so sweet. I tried to work him a little lighter than yesterday- yesterday I think I was on him a bit too long. I hope I can perhaps ride him again tomorrow, he is such a sweetie pie!
I also rode Robin again today. I learned yesterday from my ride that he warms up best with walking, and then just a little trot, then canter. He is so cute when you let him stretch in the canter he shakes his head a little and is fresh and fun. He is never naughty, but clearly enjoys his stretching time. :-) I worked a little more on lateral movements today, and I got a really lovely collected trot from him. The canter is so much fun to ride, and he makes me feel like a little princess up there because he is so big and comfy! He really loves his work, and is a very funny guy. I like him a lot.
I had my first little lesson with Klaus today on Fizzy, which was fun. I told Klaus that Fizzy has been a little tired, I think because he is growing his new winter coat, and Klaus said OK, between that and the trip we will just do a little with him. What I took away from my ride was to do more walk breaks (I stretch him a lot in the trot during our ride, but not always a lot of walk breaks, so that was helpful), to make sure my aids are really going through (No… It’s not ME who lets Fizzy sit on the reins sometimes :-) ), and to make sure my half-halts are working.
A big treat was getting to ride a sweet mare named Vinci after Klaus had ridden her. It was so cute, with Klaus, he tapped her lightly with the whip and she gave a little buck, and he just smiled and laughed. I like that. I like how happy all the horses are, and how much the Balkenhol’s like them. Sometimes you see riders ride, and they never smile, and it seems as if they almost don’t like riding. Here it is so relaxed, and the horses are all so happy and well cared for. It is not the kind of barn with chandeliers and all the accessories, but it is built and run with the best interest of the horse in mind, which is so refreshing and wonderful to see.
Anyway, back to Vinci! She is six, but had two foals, so she is like riding a four-year-old. She is very forward thinking, and really fun. I practiced my half-halts, and if she didn’t listen, I did a full halt. She is like a couch to sit on, and really just sweet. I did a little canter, and she totally lost all steering, while remaining mostly on the bit. It was hysterical. We did an impromptu canter loop from First-4. I just laughed. She thought it was pretty funny, too.
There is more, but I need to go to bed! I am such a genius, I brought an outlet converter for my laptop, and proceeded to immediately try to use it for my hair dryer. After my hairdryer sparked and died, I read the pamphlet for the converter: “Under NO circumstances should this device be used with a blow dryer, hot iron or curling iron.” I read a little further, and saw there was an extra spark plug, which I was sure I had lost. Tonight, finally, I read all the directions, ready to go on a fuse hunt in the bathroom (where I had originally opened the packaging), when I saw the extra fuse was in a compartment in the converter. Needless to say, my computer is now plugged in and charging.
More tomorrow. P.S. Sadie is being PERFECT. She is only a year-old, but listens like a big dog, and everyone likes her. She is sleeping at my feet right now. :-) There is a track around the whole property which I can’t wait to take Fizzy on, and I am hoping she will come with me!
I ride Fizzy tomorrow for Klaus at 8:45. I will ride better half-halts and with more short walk breaks.
Thursday. September 28th
Today was a really exciting day because Klaus sat on Fizzy for the first time. I warmed Fizzy up better than yesterday, thinking more on the hind leg from the start, and he was immediately listening to my half-halts better. He felt fresher today, as well. I did just a little walk, trot, canter, and then Klaus asked to get on. Fizzy was flipping his neck and playing stallion a bit with me which I just laughed about- I like it because it means he is feeling good, and Klaus asked me, “Is he ever crazy?” I told him no- which coincidentally is one of my favorite things about Fizzy- he can put his neck straight in the air to watch a horse a mile away, and you feel as if he would just implode, but he never does. He is so sane that way.
Klaus worked on making Fizzy sharper to the hand and leg, and on the balance overall. He did some super piaffe/passage work- not for too long, but enough to see how he was. He also did some lovely canter half-passes, and thinking canter pirouette on a circle. Klaus then had me get back on, and I found Fizzy’s back to be better up and the half-halt to be working better. I would still like him a little fresher to my leg, but I think he is still feeling perhaps a little under the weather from the long trip and from his winter coat growing in- usually he is so quick to the leg and he has been just a little slow lately.
I got a very good feeling in the canter, and Klaus reminded me to come a little bit back with my upper body when I rode the half-halt. He also said that when he gets strong to tap lightly with the whip to remind the hind legs to keep working, which in turn made him lighter in the hand. I was really happy with my lesson overall, and am looking forward to tomorrow!
Today I also rode four other horses, and took Fizzy for a hack around the track this afternoon which he loved. He was bucking and squealing in his stall, so I thought it best if I took him out again. I guess he is starting to feel like himself! Tomorrow hopefully I will have another lesson, or perhaps just ride on my own, I’m not sure. Since I am not used to lessons every day, it might be nice to have a day to myself to just school and try to get my half-halts right, and Fizzy sitting on his bum!
Friday September 29th
I am happy to report another really good ride on Fizzy today. I understand pretty well what Klaus is looking for- I know this because when I feel something and have an “ah-ha!” moment, Klaus usually says good or “Ja vol” at that moment. I like that. :-) Starting Fizzy in a slower trot is helpful for me, because it keeps him a little more off the forehand and more in balance. Usually I just let him do as he pleases in the beginning- not that he’s rushing on his own, but it’s more of a training/first level balance. What Klaus has me do is just a little bit slower and almost thinking passage.
Today we worked on getting more expression in the trot, a little bit the piaffe/passage, and a little bit half-pass and tempi changes in the canter. In the trot, again, Klaus had me think of more expression and as he said, “bigger rhythm” (more cadence and lift). Fizzy was very good about this, and also is getting better on the half-halt. Thanks to Mr. Schumacher I know what Klaus is looking for with the half-halt and then immediately uberstreichen (give the rein so they can maintain self carriage). Fizzy’s passage was very nice today, as well, and we worked a bit on the move off from walk to passage. Klaus always stresses that short walk breaks are necessary during the ride to keep the horses fresh and allow the muscles to relax. Usually at home I only do two or three walk breaks during a ride (between the warm-up and work phase, and once or twice during the work itself). Here we do many more.
Every day Fizzy feels a little fresher. I usually do not ride him with a whip, but I have just been carrying one, and if he gets a little strong, a tap-tap to remind him of his hind legs :-). This makes him, in most cases (if I am sitting well) immediately light in the hand. It is so hard as a rider to not deal with the problem you feel immediately (“He is strong in my hand, so I must supple him to make him lighter with my hand”) and deal with the root of the problem (“To make him supple, first I need the attention of the hind leg”).
We also worked the tempis for the first time today. Fizzy was very good, although Klaus said I needed to be more clear with my aids at times. He also stressed doing the tempis on different lines- for example, begin on the diagonal line, and then move toward the centerline. Fizzy came a bit too strong and above the bit at times, so Klaus had me school the tempis, and especially the one tempis on short diagonals. This was helpful because Fizzy couldn’t get away from me so much.
Saturday, September 30th
Today we didn’t work Fizzy very hard- Klaus said it is important to listen to the horses and not overwork them. Fizzy has been a really good boy, and after such a long trip and everything, it was probably best that we didn’t do too much today. We did school the tempi changes a bit again (at my request), and a funny thing happened. Because Fizzy is listening so much better to the half-halt, my changes are getting better. Klaus said, if he gets too strong to halt him, and then go for the change again. I used to do this at home, but because he didn’t respect my hand and seat as well, it didn’t make much difference- sort of like a halt was the right idea, but it didn’t work so well because I wasn’t definite enough in my aids. Well today, doing the halt worked extremely well, and I got really through changes both directions, and even in the tempis. In the double it’s fine, but I can’t keep him as well in the snaffle. Today, we did the tempis in the snaffle the best we’ve ever had. And light in the hand and from the seat.
After we schooled the tempis it started to rain, so we went inside to school just a tiny bit of piaffe/passage. Fizzy was very good, and his piaffe is so easy I just sit there and come a little stronger with my back and put my leg a little back. He feels totally confident in the piaffe now, mostly because I am bringing him in a better balance. The passage was also good- Klaus helped me a little from the ground to get more expression. I was having trouble keeping him supple enough in the neck, so we made a walk and tried again.
The best part of all of this so far that it is through such quiet work that my horse is getting better. You know, sometimes you work with a trainer, and they hammer the extended trot and push the horses to the maximum. Klaus has with me just worked on the balance, and on making Fizzy physically stronger. And Fizzy never feels overworked or tired after our rides, which is important to me- he is the kind of horse that will never quit, and I don’t ever want to push him to the point where he feels overworked or burned out.
Overall, my first week here has been more amazing than I ever could have anticipated. I have had so much fun getting to watch everyone ride, and my favorites are Michael (Barisone's) horse Neruda and Belli's mare Easy. They are both doing the Grand Prix, so I try to watch and learn as much as I can every day.
Monday, September 25th
Fizzy and I had an uneventful night at the “Animal Hotel” in Schipol. I convinced the very cute guy on duty to give me a tour of the place, and he showed me the dogs and cats that were either coming or going, including two cats destined for Australia, and two German Shepard puppies heading to Tennessee. He said Amsterdam is the major animal transport hub, and he said the coolest thing he ever saw (of course, this is the kind of question I ask, lol) was when the Vancouver Zoo had a BALUGA shipped all the way from Singapore! I was impressed.
The shipping company arrived to pick Fizzy up right on schedule- around 7:30am. Tees, from Guido Klatte’s company would be shipping us, and Fizzy got to ride in a beautiful 10-horse slant load. He loaded right on- which surprised me a little- he had spent 6 hours on our trailer, loaded onto another trailer the next morning, loaded onto a transport box, and then the next morning loaded onto another trailer! Horses truly are amazing- the things they do for us!
We ended up leaving Schipol around 10:30am (after paperwork, having a vet check the horses over, and having breakfast), and arrived at the Balkenhol’s just after 1pm. I had only ever seen pictures of Klaus’ place, but it is more beautiful than the photos suggest. Klaus wasn’t there when we arrived, so Anabel, Klaus’ daughter, showed me Fizzy’s stall and where I will be staying for the next few months. After I made sure Fizzy was happy and healthy, I left for my room to take on the daunting task of unpacking. J I am so pleased with how well Fizzy traveled- he lost no weight from the trip, and doesn’t seemed stressed in the least. He used to be a bit of a nervous shipper, but I think because I was with him for so much of the time, he was happier. Not to mention the fact that the horse must have eaten 10lbs of carrots! Well… Almost.
Tuesday, September 26th
Today I rode Fizzy for the first time. We just did loosening exercises in the snaffle- I want to make sure I give him enough time to recover from the trip before asking him for too much. It is warmer here than it was at home, so I want to make sure he adjusts to that, too. That being said, he feels really loose and supple for having had such a long trip. He was a little strong in the hand, but he often is in a new place because he’s excited.
I got to ride two horses for the Balkenhol’s today, as well. Their Berieter, Steffen, is in Australia for two weeks giving some sort of clinic, so they need some extra help riding. First, I rode Eden, a four year old by Ehenrusch II I believe. He is very nicely trained so far, and really good in his rhythm for a four-year-old. I rode him in a long frame, and Steffen said I could actually close him a little more and ask for a little more collection. He is not quite as balanced at the canter, but still very good. He is also extremely comfortable to ride, and has just the sweetest temperament. Don't tell Tweakie and Violet I have another four-year-old love! :-)
Next I rode Robin- an 11-year-old gelding by Rubenstein. Robin is the first horse I’ve ridden that I actually think might be 18 hands. People always tell you horses are bigger than they are, but Robin truly is enormous. Steffen said he needs to work on becoming more supple, but that if you get him he has super piaffe/passage. He said the trickiest part about him was the flying changes, and that he was quite sensitive. He was a blast to ride, and gave me a really nicely uphill feeling in the collected canter. He is so light on his feet and light in the hand for such a big horse, and very responsive to the half-halts. I tried a few changes, and he was actually late to my aid for the first one, so I gave him a little kick, which he did not enjoy. The next change he came a little up with the croup. Lord knows I have ridden enough horses that can be tricky in the changes, so I did what I knew worked best in the past for me- the changes on a serpentine. This worked well for me and Robin, and I just did the single changes for today. Steffen said he does everything from the Grand Prix except the one-time changes, but I don’t think it is fair for me to get on these horses and ask them to do everything they know- I’m not familiar with how they are ridden, and I feel that I should give them a chance to get used to me before I ask them for things.
Wednesday, September 27th
Today I woke up with such a smile on my face. I still can’t believe that I am here. Fizzy is in the stall that Kingston usually goes in. I am getting to ride today with the US Team coach. As I said in my e-mail to my mom last night, “It’s OK, you don’t need to pinch me, I already pinched myself!” This is such an unbelievable opportunity, and I am far beyond grateful to the individuals and organizations that helped to get me here (espicially the Dressage Foundation who really made it possible at the end!). If you get to do something like this once in your life… Wow, I just still can’t believe it. And all with my Fizzzyyyyy-Gigs. :-)
I know people will always talk, and say maybe “Oh, she is rubbing it in our face that she gets to go to Germany”- but that is never my intention. I feel so lucky and fortunate to be here, and I only wish I can share my experience with other people. I hope everyone can someday have a dream like this come true. I mean, who am I? I am not so different from everyone else. I trained my horse up as well as I could, and I worked hard to find sponsorship. I did not have this handed to me, and believe me, I have insecurities, doubts and worries like everyone else!
I got to ride a few more horses today. I started again with my buddy Eden who was very good again- a little stronger at first than yesterday, but I also rode him inside yesterday, and out today. What I love about him is that he is so sensible for a four-year-old. He just does whatever you ask and is so sweet. I tried to work him a little lighter than yesterday- yesterday I think I was on him a bit too long. I hope I can perhaps ride him again tomorrow, he is such a sweetie pie!
I also rode Robin again today. I learned yesterday from my ride that he warms up best with walking, and then just a little trot, then canter. He is so cute when you let him stretch in the canter he shakes his head a little and is fresh and fun. He is never naughty, but clearly enjoys his stretching time. :-) I worked a little more on lateral movements today, and I got a really lovely collected trot from him. The canter is so much fun to ride, and he makes me feel like a little princess up there because he is so big and comfy! He really loves his work, and is a very funny guy. I like him a lot.
I had my first little lesson with Klaus today on Fizzy, which was fun. I told Klaus that Fizzy has been a little tired, I think because he is growing his new winter coat, and Klaus said OK, between that and the trip we will just do a little with him. What I took away from my ride was to do more walk breaks (I stretch him a lot in the trot during our ride, but not always a lot of walk breaks, so that was helpful), to make sure my aids are really going through (No… It’s not ME who lets Fizzy sit on the reins sometimes :-) ), and to make sure my half-halts are working.
A big treat was getting to ride a sweet mare named Vinci after Klaus had ridden her. It was so cute, with Klaus, he tapped her lightly with the whip and she gave a little buck, and he just smiled and laughed. I like that. I like how happy all the horses are, and how much the Balkenhol’s like them. Sometimes you see riders ride, and they never smile, and it seems as if they almost don’t like riding. Here it is so relaxed, and the horses are all so happy and well cared for. It is not the kind of barn with chandeliers and all the accessories, but it is built and run with the best interest of the horse in mind, which is so refreshing and wonderful to see.
Anyway, back to Vinci! She is six, but had two foals, so she is like riding a four-year-old. She is very forward thinking, and really fun. I practiced my half-halts, and if she didn’t listen, I did a full halt. She is like a couch to sit on, and really just sweet. I did a little canter, and she totally lost all steering, while remaining mostly on the bit. It was hysterical. We did an impromptu canter loop from First-4. I just laughed. She thought it was pretty funny, too.
There is more, but I need to go to bed! I am such a genius, I brought an outlet converter for my laptop, and proceeded to immediately try to use it for my hair dryer. After my hairdryer sparked and died, I read the pamphlet for the converter: “Under NO circumstances should this device be used with a blow dryer, hot iron or curling iron.” I read a little further, and saw there was an extra spark plug, which I was sure I had lost. Tonight, finally, I read all the directions, ready to go on a fuse hunt in the bathroom (where I had originally opened the packaging), when I saw the extra fuse was in a compartment in the converter. Needless to say, my computer is now plugged in and charging.
More tomorrow. P.S. Sadie is being PERFECT. She is only a year-old, but listens like a big dog, and everyone likes her. She is sleeping at my feet right now. :-) There is a track around the whole property which I can’t wait to take Fizzy on, and I am hoping she will come with me!
I ride Fizzy tomorrow for Klaus at 8:45. I will ride better half-halts and with more short walk breaks.
Thursday. September 28th
Today was a really exciting day because Klaus sat on Fizzy for the first time. I warmed Fizzy up better than yesterday, thinking more on the hind leg from the start, and he was immediately listening to my half-halts better. He felt fresher today, as well. I did just a little walk, trot, canter, and then Klaus asked to get on. Fizzy was flipping his neck and playing stallion a bit with me which I just laughed about- I like it because it means he is feeling good, and Klaus asked me, “Is he ever crazy?” I told him no- which coincidentally is one of my favorite things about Fizzy- he can put his neck straight in the air to watch a horse a mile away, and you feel as if he would just implode, but he never does. He is so sane that way.
Klaus worked on making Fizzy sharper to the hand and leg, and on the balance overall. He did some super piaffe/passage work- not for too long, but enough to see how he was. He also did some lovely canter half-passes, and thinking canter pirouette on a circle. Klaus then had me get back on, and I found Fizzy’s back to be better up and the half-halt to be working better. I would still like him a little fresher to my leg, but I think he is still feeling perhaps a little under the weather from the long trip and from his winter coat growing in- usually he is so quick to the leg and he has been just a little slow lately.
I got a very good feeling in the canter, and Klaus reminded me to come a little bit back with my upper body when I rode the half-halt. He also said that when he gets strong to tap lightly with the whip to remind the hind legs to keep working, which in turn made him lighter in the hand. I was really happy with my lesson overall, and am looking forward to tomorrow!
Today I also rode four other horses, and took Fizzy for a hack around the track this afternoon which he loved. He was bucking and squealing in his stall, so I thought it best if I took him out again. I guess he is starting to feel like himself! Tomorrow hopefully I will have another lesson, or perhaps just ride on my own, I’m not sure. Since I am not used to lessons every day, it might be nice to have a day to myself to just school and try to get my half-halts right, and Fizzy sitting on his bum!
Friday September 29th
I am happy to report another really good ride on Fizzy today. I understand pretty well what Klaus is looking for- I know this because when I feel something and have an “ah-ha!” moment, Klaus usually says good or “Ja vol” at that moment. I like that. :-) Starting Fizzy in a slower trot is helpful for me, because it keeps him a little more off the forehand and more in balance. Usually I just let him do as he pleases in the beginning- not that he’s rushing on his own, but it’s more of a training/first level balance. What Klaus has me do is just a little bit slower and almost thinking passage.
Today we worked on getting more expression in the trot, a little bit the piaffe/passage, and a little bit half-pass and tempi changes in the canter. In the trot, again, Klaus had me think of more expression and as he said, “bigger rhythm” (more cadence and lift). Fizzy was very good about this, and also is getting better on the half-halt. Thanks to Mr. Schumacher I know what Klaus is looking for with the half-halt and then immediately uberstreichen (give the rein so they can maintain self carriage). Fizzy’s passage was very nice today, as well, and we worked a bit on the move off from walk to passage. Klaus always stresses that short walk breaks are necessary during the ride to keep the horses fresh and allow the muscles to relax. Usually at home I only do two or three walk breaks during a ride (between the warm-up and work phase, and once or twice during the work itself). Here we do many more.
Every day Fizzy feels a little fresher. I usually do not ride him with a whip, but I have just been carrying one, and if he gets a little strong, a tap-tap to remind him of his hind legs :-). This makes him, in most cases (if I am sitting well) immediately light in the hand. It is so hard as a rider to not deal with the problem you feel immediately (“He is strong in my hand, so I must supple him to make him lighter with my hand”) and deal with the root of the problem (“To make him supple, first I need the attention of the hind leg”).
We also worked the tempis for the first time today. Fizzy was very good, although Klaus said I needed to be more clear with my aids at times. He also stressed doing the tempis on different lines- for example, begin on the diagonal line, and then move toward the centerline. Fizzy came a bit too strong and above the bit at times, so Klaus had me school the tempis, and especially the one tempis on short diagonals. This was helpful because Fizzy couldn’t get away from me so much.
Saturday, September 30th
Today we didn’t work Fizzy very hard- Klaus said it is important to listen to the horses and not overwork them. Fizzy has been a really good boy, and after such a long trip and everything, it was probably best that we didn’t do too much today. We did school the tempi changes a bit again (at my request), and a funny thing happened. Because Fizzy is listening so much better to the half-halt, my changes are getting better. Klaus said, if he gets too strong to halt him, and then go for the change again. I used to do this at home, but because he didn’t respect my hand and seat as well, it didn’t make much difference- sort of like a halt was the right idea, but it didn’t work so well because I wasn’t definite enough in my aids. Well today, doing the halt worked extremely well, and I got really through changes both directions, and even in the tempis. In the double it’s fine, but I can’t keep him as well in the snaffle. Today, we did the tempis in the snaffle the best we’ve ever had. And light in the hand and from the seat.
After we schooled the tempis it started to rain, so we went inside to school just a tiny bit of piaffe/passage. Fizzy was very good, and his piaffe is so easy I just sit there and come a little stronger with my back and put my leg a little back. He feels totally confident in the piaffe now, mostly because I am bringing him in a better balance. The passage was also good- Klaus helped me a little from the ground to get more expression. I was having trouble keeping him supple enough in the neck, so we made a walk and tried again.
The best part of all of this so far that it is through such quiet work that my horse is getting better. You know, sometimes you work with a trainer, and they hammer the extended trot and push the horses to the maximum. Klaus has with me just worked on the balance, and on making Fizzy physically stronger. And Fizzy never feels overworked or tired after our rides, which is important to me- he is the kind of horse that will never quit, and I don’t ever want to push him to the point where he feels overworked or burned out.
Overall, my first week here has been more amazing than I ever could have anticipated. I have had so much fun getting to watch everyone ride, and my favorites are Michael (Barisone's) horse Neruda and Belli's mare Easy. They are both doing the Grand Prix, so I try to watch and learn as much as I can every day.
posted by Liz @ 2:18 PM
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