Extern: Day 2

This morning we started off watching a demo from Pat. It was cool for me because in a lot of situations I evaluate how I would go about doing things and my ideas were similar to Pats so I guess that means I have savvy! Then we came back and talk about some knots. Annabelle called out to me when I came with more water for her. After lunch we played with our horses online and liberty testing each game and rating it 1-10. Annabelle was so awesome, offering a lot staying pretty calm and centered. Now I just want to be able to see if it's obedience or curiosity. I want to be able to see the difference in her. She gave me tons of try so at the end I let her graze. 

Extern: Day 1

Day 1 went pretty great, Annabelle has been amazing from the start. She is being very centered, connected, brave, and calm. She didn't want her grain which I thought was kind of weird. But the other day she didn't want it either. We started as a group at 11 we went through all of our stories. Generally I like to keep the fact that I've only been riding for 2 years more on the down low because I don't want to be treated any differently. I want the same challenges everyone else is getting and not to be "babied". Our group is very diverse, people from all of the world its awesome. I am very tired though and am thinking about going to bed soon. The only thing we did with our horses today was let them lead us around. To build their confidence in new areas, also a great way to see different horses do different things because of horsenality.

Extern starts tomorrow!

A later night then I wanted to have but that's okay. So happy with how the farrier did Annabelle's feet tonight, wasn't planning on having her done. But she got a massage in too and Annabelle loved her! First new person she hasn't tried to kill that was doing stuff to her lol. She even found a scratchy spot that Annabelle loved. I was really happy with everything. I'm feeling mostly calm about everything, I feel excited more then nervous. I know how hard it's going to be mentally learning everything and being out of my comfort zone a lot. That part scares me a little bit and I hate to admit it. I try to remember 'never ending self-improvement'.

 During a trail ride yesterday Annabelle had a squeeze game on either side of her and she was hesitant so I looked down to see if there were any easier paths. While I was deciding to get off or find a new way she decided to jump over these bushes/trees. It was over 4 feet, from a stand still. I was totally not ready, not balanced and fell off. Everything was fine she stopped and looked at me like 'did I do good mom, and why are you down there?' She had a very cute expression and loved it. So, with that said one of my main goals for this externship is to become a more confident and better rider, and I know everyone says it takes time to develop it, especially jumping 4+ feet from a stand still.... But I'm ready! 

Made it!

Finally made it to Pagosa, 7 hours later! Annabelle was happy to be out of trailer, she was very calm at the new place planning for an easy trail ride tomorrow. I always forget how pretty it is here. My condo and roommate, Lindsey are both awesome! I don't have much to say because I'm exhausted from being up since 4am, I will sleep good tonight! I am both excited and nervous for Monday.

2 days 19 hours

It's hard to believe my externship is finally here. I don't feel 100% ready but I don't know if I ever would. Giving Annabelle a break today because it's supposed to be 94° Since I've been back I see things that I didn't see before, that working with other horses helped me see. The first day doing a walk circle was impossible because she was so RBE but yesterday I was able to pull out my 45. I haven't been riding because of some muscle tightness and soreness from me not being there for 3 weeks. I am excited and I know it will go by so fast so I just want to enjoy it! Won't be using my Facebook much other then to post my blogs. Another post to come Friday morning when I leave! 

The Motions

I have been focusing on my riding position while I have been at Heathers. As most of you know I have only been riding for 2 years. Today we went to a jumping barn because that's I want to see what they had to say about my seat. Heather and I both thought it would be good for us since neither of us have much experience with jumping. It was HORRIBLE!! I had a really hard time with the people. But it was a good experience because it reminded me of my old life how I didn't have enough confidence to speak for myself and I just did what people told me and went through the motions. This felt that way but it was like I counqured it because I wasn't going to jerk on the horses mouth and make my reins as short as she asked me to. I was able to communicated how I was feeling effectively and that felt really good to say no! I won't be going again but I am glad for the experience because it just makes me even more grateful for the journey Annabelle and I are on. 💗

Level 4

With my externship coming up quickly the pressure to get level 4 in some areas is growing, and I need a 3++ in online and liberty anyhow so I'm going for level 4. My online is pretty solid but my liberty isn't- all the tasks with drive are super easy (naturally with a RBE) but my tasks that have draw seem so hard! I can't get over this bump in the road. My figure 8 is really good online but moving it to liberty without any feel in the rope I have almost 0 draw. We tried filming and got through everything except figure 8 and a consistent circle game. She jumped 3ft, half jumped barrel, stick to me flying changes, trailer loaded, amazing sideways (even from zone 5), lead by tail, even a slide stop thing at our stick to me game. 

My first attempt filming my circles were AMAZING better then ever even got cantering both ways with a draw (her circles were small). As the day went on she was leaving at the canter, probably feeling just as tired and frustrated as me so I'm trying again this weekend. 

My figure 8's have great drive but not draw around the barrel she stops and looks at me (I do love the question). Figure 8's are the hardest pattern for us even was online. 

I can get canter draws online and sometimes at liberty but when I try to out the draw into a task I lose connection. 

Any suggestions or ideas would be awesome to help our draw!