A Sherwood Success Story

So.. There are no pictures. Obviously. Why in God's name would I have pictures?? But take my word for it. Picture my big beautiful mare in the contact, bending and counter bending, not even shying away from the stupid hammock, and... happy. I think I figured out that secret, too. It sounds so simple, but really, it kind of is. In an elusive, secretive kind of obvious way. Relax; focus with soft eyes. Give with your hands, but keep at her, gently, to let you "borrow" her head. Let her really warm up, and remind yourself that she is your bestie. Don't let her get away from you- the ball is always in your court, you just need soft hands and eyes to keep it. And... go. Remember to breathe, sit up straight, give with your elbows but keep your fingers strong, except when you're wiggling your fingers to encourage contact, push down with your heels but let your ankles do the shock-absorbing, don't pinch with your knees, hold with your thighs and calves, keep your back flat, head up! head up! Oh, and... smile! :)

But really. Start to the left. We did a ground pole line of pole-18ft-pole-18feet with three trot poles 4.5' perpendicular-6" cavaletti. Stop. Halt-Trot transition. Go right at the end. Stop. Halt-Trot transition to the left but go over the trot poles and head right after, then down the grounpole line. Repeat to the left. And.. repeat each step as needed until you both are confident, bendy, contacted, and stop before you get bored. Now go trot down the road and walk back. Done. Love my pony. 

GMHA 2020... Finally!!

Just got back from GMHA with Andi, as well as Shelby with Mo and Jess with Brigit. What a great couple days! We left early Friday with an uneventful trip up- we even managed to caravan the last hour or so when I caught up to them on the highway! We got there in time to hack out a bit, where Andi had one sliding stop over a truck, but was overall looky but pretty solid. Then, Andi successfully led most of the way during the next 2 days on the trails- 14.5 miles the first day and 7.5 miles the second, with another 2-3 miles thrown in after just cruising around the cross country course and continuing the hack because they all felt fresh. 

First day was slower paced as it was the first time we'd tried anything of that length. Andi was definitely tired on the way home- "Mom, I can't control my feet anymore, I's so tiiired!!" Then had plenty of energy to throw temper tantrums in his stall all night- to the point we locked his gate whenever we had to take Mo out. Oy. 

The second day we decided to do at a fast pace and trotted and cantered the majority of the time- they all came back tired but not exhausted, so we messed around the XC course, and Andi did banks, water, and a small log without even a blink at them. Success!!

I also figured out that the secret to success is.. "Bearhug the Boy"- AKA, wrap your legs around him and any time he even feels a bit shaky, just.. hug him with your legs. He calms right down and comes back to you. *Shrugs* Whatever works, right?

As for us girls, we had plenty of time to hang out, drink a bit, drive up and down a mountain dirt road MANY times back and forth to the barn, and just.. be thankful to have at least one outing in a COVID world. Also- I think in the future, we may do no frills weekends because Jess is AMAZING at packing a lunch that I think up. haha And Shelby hits the nail on the head with the drinky drinks factor. We are a great team!!