Rupert at walk, trot and canter

Rupert is on ride number 6. Zach is doing a great job! A few days ago he cantered a bit after walking and trotting in the round pen. Friday he put on a side pull bridle and walk, trotted and cantered to the right no problem, nice and relaxed. Canter to the left was a rodeo bronc ride. I don't know how Zach stayed on as long as he did! He got right back on trotted around then got off and put a snaffle bit in. Thank goodness as the next L canter was a total take off. Haunches down, forehand up and scooting as fast as he could go in the round pen. In 30 seconds I think he went around 2-3 times. Zach was amazing staying on that. Lots of experience starting young horses well over 1,000 is what kept him on. His comment "That is a lot of horse". He repeated it again with the same scoot and run. Very interesting how the Right canter is so relaxed and to the L, his stiff side it is not.
Photo's to follow :)

Fourth Level Test 1-2

Our first time out to show in over a year and a half. I always love going to the Haku Baldwin Horse Center. The beautiful outdoor field surrounded by jacaranda trees is always spectacular. Dad helped trailer and hold Kalae. It was her birthday too, 14years old. She was amped! The first 15 minutes was spent leaping, striking out bucking on the lunge in the indoor. Thank goodness for very small shows and nobody in the indoor. I walked her back to the trailer to put on my boots and the next thing I knew she was down rolling with all her tack on and dad saying "She's going to ruin her saddle" Ahhh GET UP! Silly girl. Talk about riding a keg of dynamite.
It is fun to have all the power but at the same time there is just too much tension and the medium trots break into canter. The extended walk is jig in 3 to 4 places. Not listening to any flying changes on the straight line. But we had a lot of good moments. Half pass and Shoulder-ins got 7's as did the medium and ext canters. Slowly, slowly getting there as it was our first time showing 4th level. It was fun. We had a piaffe in the beginning too :)

Rupert ready to be ridden this week

Rupert's ground training has been pretty long. But it is paying off big time. I have been thinking, "Where did the time go?" "Why has it taken so long to get him ridden?" I forget that I could not even lead him away from his mom. You could not get a hose emitting water near him. Plastic bags - forget it. Any new thing I did he freaked out. It has been a progressive, patient introduction of one exercise after the next. Yesterday he had a flank cinch put on and maintained his cool. He also had a side rein put on and worked quietly. He is respectful and trusting. After his workout he got hosed down and seemed to enjoy it.
Yeah Rupert!

Rainy, Windy Days

Gale winds with up to 50 mph gusts. Rain flying sideways, over an inch. A day of rainbows.

Rupert is to be ridden!

Rupert's training started last June when he turned 4 yo. In 2 months doing the Clinton Anderson ground training exercises he was ready for a rider. Then what happened? Life zipped by and now it is March and no one has gotten on him. Now it is official. 30 rides by Zach who started some of my other youngsters. Rupert has had a surcingle and a English saddle on. Yesterday he had his first ever western saddle on and did not buck. Big stirrups hitting his side as he cantered around the round pen. Stirrups striking the pen itself on the outside making a loud noise. Today he had his KK bit and bridle on for the first time. Learning to give to pressure to turn his head to the R or Left. Fortunately he knew how to do this with his halter on. Nervous mom syndrome. I am so glad I spent so much time working on the ground exercises.

He looks really big in western gear. He is BIG! Long legs. Zach says he could be registered as a Pinto because of the way his blaze goes through his eye and nose. :)

Somebody is shedding

Wind and Rain the last 2 days

Wondermann feeling good. For the last 2 days it has been blowing a gale at 30-40 mph,raining and then drizzling. The horses were shivering due to the wind chill and are nice and toasty with their turnout sheets. The arena flooded with approximately an inch of rain. The chickens were protecting their chicks with their wings fluffed out like a poncho. Little feet poking out under the hen. The roosters were wet and bedraggled. Everyone is takeing the opportunity to wear jackets they never get to wear. We were at dinner at Jessica's: Chris was wearing her Dad's Police jacket with its fur trim collar and I was wearing my Dad's brown sueded coat from the 40's.