I have really put this poor little blog on the back burner this year, but there's actually been lots of great things happening!
Iggy and I have made huge leaps forward this year in terms of balance for both of us. I am finding ways to stay softer in my hands and more supportive of his straightness that has really helped. Iggy has really gained so much strength in his canter and feels like a totally different horse. We still get changes behind, but it's no longer the defining point of the ride. We switch back and carry-on just fine.
Iggy has attended 3 horseshows, and he has been wonderful. He has gotten progressively braver at each show in the warm-up, and I think he actually understands the drill now. He gets a bit excited and "takes over" a bit, but it's a great feeling to have a horse that wants to go! Although I am most thrilled about the huge boost in his confidence, his performance has been great too. He has won all of his classes, with only one score of 69 not in the 70s. He has been high score of the show at all three shows -- just crazy incredible. He's also currently ranked 15th out of 215 first level horses in the U.S. and 4th among Adult Amateur riders at 1st level.
Ryan Yap is my rock of a trainer that keeps us focused on our transitions and connection every single month. And it is paying off in spades. At the last clinic, we played with the introduction of flying changes. Obviously, we have lots of work to do there, but it feels so exciting that everything is heading in the right direction.
And Iggy has been carting me around and competing with me having a baby on board. Currently 18 weeks pregnant, I feel incredibly fortunate to keep on doing what I love for as long as I can. Iggy is very sharp and sensitive, but he is thankfully safe and sensible too. I'm still fitting in just a couple pairs of my stretchier breeches but see riding tights in my near future!
Iggy and I have made huge leaps forward this year in terms of balance for both of us. I am finding ways to stay softer in my hands and more supportive of his straightness that has really helped. Iggy has really gained so much strength in his canter and feels like a totally different horse. We still get changes behind, but it's no longer the defining point of the ride. We switch back and carry-on just fine.
Iggy has attended 3 horseshows, and he has been wonderful. He has gotten progressively braver at each show in the warm-up, and I think he actually understands the drill now. He gets a bit excited and "takes over" a bit, but it's a great feeling to have a horse that wants to go! Although I am most thrilled about the huge boost in his confidence, his performance has been great too. He has won all of his classes, with only one score of 69 not in the 70s. He has been high score of the show at all three shows -- just crazy incredible. He's also currently ranked 15th out of 215 first level horses in the U.S. and 4th among Adult Amateur riders at 1st level.
Ryan Yap is my rock of a trainer that keeps us focused on our transitions and connection every single month. And it is paying off in spades. At the last clinic, we played with the introduction of flying changes. Obviously, we have lots of work to do there, but it feels so exciting that everything is heading in the right direction.
And Iggy has been carting me around and competing with me having a baby on board. Currently 18 weeks pregnant, I feel incredibly fortunate to keep on doing what I love for as long as I can. Iggy is very sharp and sensitive, but he is thankfully safe and sensible too. I'm still fitting in just a couple pairs of my stretchier breeches but see riding tights in my near future!
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