Freezing / Piggy Update

Posted inFancy, Flying Change
The group lesson people had an opportunity to get our weekly lesson four days since the horrid cold rain and mud shut down our regular Monday lesson. Erin told us we could have a lesson on Friday and scheduled for 3:00 warm afternoon. Sadly, something came up and it was scheduled for 9:30. That time of the morning was a 32 degree day. I've been thinking a woman in her third childhood should not have to ride when it's that cold. However, I jumped at having a group lesson. I…

It was a Piggy Day!

Posted inFancy
I had asked Erin to ride Fancy today. Flying lead changes are still a training item. Also today, the future new owner of the stable moved in. Erin Patterson will continue to train a few horses there and then change to giving only riding lesson at the facility. Mini pig and two mini babies had moved into a stall adjacent to the arena. Three sheep and a young llama moved into another stall. These stalls are attached to the indoor arena. When I asked Erin to ride my horse today,…

They are Not Muck Boots!

Posted inFancy
Group lesson Monday with Erin Patterson trying to control our regular three riders and a person new to our rowdy group. Names omitted to protect the guilty. We were doing flying changes and every rider needed the entire arena. The other three riders hid in the corners. The corners are the safe space, except when Fancy starts her straight line flying changes . Pity the new rider, but at least she wasn't in the corner where Fancy wants to canter into it at full throttle. The regular group riders are…

Another Banner Flying Lead Change Day!

Posted inFancy, Flying Change, Missouri Fox Trotter
Group lesson Monday was another day for the flying change record book! Group lesson today was two quarter horses and a fox trotter. One quarter horse is a former reining horse! The other QH is designated by me as a million dollar horse....safe for anyone and has heart and try. He is learning flying lead changes, but because of his breed and try, it’s easy for him. Flying changes are difficult for many reasons for all riders! All us riders are ornery. Only Erin can keep the humans under control.…

First Flying Change is Magnificent!

Posted inFancy, Flying Change, Missouri Fox Trotter
Yesterday Fancy gave me the best present I have wanted in all my second childhood years with my horses.  My dream is clearly written in both books I have written about my horse journey. On 12/23/2019, Fancy gave me a flying lead change. She is a smart, athletic horse who loves to GO.  I am blessed. Thanks to Erin Patterson for setting up lead change patterns and coaching in our individual and group lessons! Thanks to Tony Vaught who developed her potential and gave her the "restart" a horse like…

Big Half Lie

Posted inFancy, Flying Change
Here is the half lie: I know more about flying lead changes than full time amateur reining competitors. I would score a 100% on a scholarship test. I could write a Master's Degree thesis about flying lead changes. My brain knows everything about flying changes EXCEPT when I'm riding. When my brain is sitting on top of a fast cantering horse trying to be the brilliant controller, it experiences failure. My brain refuses to remember all the facts when zipping around the arena. The brain can now usually remember which…