Fancy

We arrived at the show ground and parked win a gold spot which means no backing necessary and close to the arena of competition! Fancy unloaded and put on her show outfit. We went to the arena and walked around. We ran around (she ran around) some and she looked like a horse I could ride, I mounted and the. We discovered one long end of the arena is scary. We made that manageable and returned to the trailer. YI went into the tack room, hid my phone from myself…

After a rest period of a couple days, Fancy went back to the stable. We rode. Fancy is still a go and then go horse. I'm still trying to figure out how to keep her at the same speed in the flat foot walk and fox trot. We are doing better, but there is not much consistent speed. Also, she takes umbrage at my request to go forward, hollows her back, throws up her head and goes into a ugly lateral gait (pace). I discover her back is sore and…

Clinic time with Tony and Jenny Vaught. Oh how I need these two days. We arrive in Springfield, Mo area on Thursday afternoon. I am escorted by a handsome young man to Fancy's stall. I get Fancy out of the trailer and my young man parks my truck and trailer for me. (Parking involves backing which is in my lower wheelhouse talent.) The handsome young man helps me carry stuff to Fancy's stall. Oh the joy! I get everything in place, mainly Fancy's food and water.  I left for my…

Two Fancy stories from the wonderful Gaited Horse clinic with Tony and Jenny Vaught 1.  Fancy has been to this arena several times , the last as recently as two days ago.  That was a good day. I had to persuade her to move up into the flat foot walk and fox trot. Was she tired? Today there were about 12-15 equines in the arena.  When I got on her, she got into a high energy mode.  Twenty minutes of figure eights and small circles did not slow down her…

How did I get so lucky? I’m in an overwhelmed thankful mindset existing with rain hatred. I had a lesson today with Erin Patterson. This was perfect timing. Fancy and I have just “jelled” together. Now is the time for Erin to explain to me how/when to get Fancy into consistent gait. Fancy loves to speed up. Erin coached me through how to not speed up. Timing on my part was critical. “Feel” is critical...feel of the horse and feel on the reins. Twenty plus years of experience under Tony…

Jumping Fancy Jump online.  If she did go over poles, she walked over them, hit the poles and mangled the pole and pole supports.After a year she jumps the pole without hitting it with her feet.  She just recently cantered over the pole about 1 -2 feet.  Last year we tried to jump over small barrels.  Slide stop.This year we switched to plastic support and pole up about six inches.Many online attempts with her feet hitting the pole and mangling the support blocks.Riding- we walked over the pole, often hitting…