First Dressage Lesson in Vegas = Amazing

Ready for our lesson.

This past Saturday Klein and I had our first dressage lesson here and it was probably one of the best and most intuitive lessons we have had.  We are fortunate enough to be incredibly close to the barn up an FEI trainer.  Her facility is absolutely gorgeous and in addition to lessons they also hold clinics, schooling shows, and rated shows regularly.  We are walking distance from this place.

I had heard nothing but great things about this trainer and was really excited to ride with her.  I stopped by their rated show the weekend prior to say hi.  She is a VERY nice lady and her entire facility is immaculate.  I had a fitting with a Custom Saddlery rep lined up for the next day and there was a storm coming in that evening.  She is friends with the Custom Rep and told her it was no problem if I wanted to just bring the girls down to her place and use her ring for the fitting since hers is covered.  She invited us in like we were boarders there for years. 

I told her that for the first lesson if she just wanted to get a feel for us that was fine.  I told her I'm also not a person that would be offended if she told me I'm not where I think I'm at in terms of our preparedness for Second Level.  I never want a trainer to just tell me everything is fine because that will just never be true.  You can always improve and anyone who isn't prepared to accept a critique from an upper level professional is on the wrong path if improvement is what you're looking for.

What I really liked immediately is that I could tell that she is a very quiet and soft with the horses.  Just the way she speaks to them, it's obvious she is very kind.  I could tell that from the ground when she met the girls the weekend before when I brought them over to work with the Custom Rep (Klein is staying in her Trilogy, Super B ended up with an amazing Custom Icon Star).

I told her that one thing I felt like we were a little inconsistent with is our connection, especially to the left.  We're not a mess by any means but the connection definitely needed some fine tuning and she fine tuned us in that one lesson alone!  I basically was giving the connection away intermittently and we fixed that with a more consistent outside rein.  We improved our upward transitions from the trot to the canter as well, just smoother departs immediately from three small changes.

We got Klein engaging just a little more and brought some more energy into our medium trot.  She definitely gave us some good homework.  She also reminded us "you can never do too many transitions."  I know this, but I needed the reminder. 

We worked on that homework yesterday and had the best connection we've had yet to the left and the most consistent overall.  This is also still in a loose ring french link snaffle.  Klein is still in that for dressage. She had some of the best transitions she has ever had as well, just more fluid both upward and downward.  As far as the canter, me giving away that outside connection ever so slightly was creating a small issue for us, and we fixed that.  Even just lowering my outside hand helped. 

I was planning to put Klein in the rated show here next month for 2-1 & 2-2 but I think we can come out better at second if we wait until the April show and get a couple more lessons in and keep working on our homework.  She told me we are where I think we are, second level is totally in our grasp right now, but we can definitely make some easy improvements before we hit the rated ring this year.  So that is the plan. There actually a schooling show at her place coming up in a couple weeks and I thought about taking Klein but Klein has all the show miles she needs and can go to any new place and own it.  Super B has been doing exceedingly well lately and I think I will end up taking her because she DOES need the show miles.  I could take them both of course, but I would like to just have all my concentration on Super B and not be dividing my attention between two horses, one of which doesn't have extensive show experience aside from various racetracks.  I think all of my energy focused on Super B would be better for her at this point, especially for a show that is just a schooling show.

For Sale: Dressage Saddle & Equisense Motion

Pinnacle Pirouette:

Anyone looking for a dressage saddle that will hold up to a lot of use and can be used on just about any horse? I’m selling my Pirouette:

17.5” Pinnacle Pirouette Dressage Saddle. It uses the Wintec gullet system and will come with multiple gullets. It has a MW in it right now. Great entry level dressage saddle, also great if you are riding a variety of horses. It had some flock (synthetic flocked) added to it last summer by Skylands Saddlery. A couple minor cosmetic flaws (small scuffs) but otherwise structurally sound and stands up to a lot of regular use (riding multiple horses a day in it). The billets are also backed with nylon. $775 INCLUDES shipping to the lower 48. PayPal or Venmo accepted, or cash with local pick up in the Las Vegas area, I am not interested in trades and not accepting payments. No trials (unless in Las Vegas), sorry I just do not want to deal with shipping it back and forth across the country.

I have ridden Klein, Mochs, and Super B in this saddle.  That should give you an idea of just how versatile it is.

I have found this saddle to be very comfortable.  The only reason I am selling it is that Super B needs something that is more fitted specifically to her, and Klein has her Trilogy (that in no way shape or form will come close to fitting Super B). 

Equisense Motion:

Very cool system that tracks your horse's or horses' workouts and syncs the info into an app on your phone. It records things like the number of transitions, time spent in each direction, stride length and symmetry, height in each gait or jump, number of jumps, etc... It can be used on any horse, and you can save those workouts as well.

Like new condition, $165 SHIPPED in U.S. PayPal or Venmo only (cash if local pick up in Las Vegas), no trades, no payments.

If you are interested in either item please email me at jumpingpercheron@hotmail.com

Total Saddle Fit Synthetic Jumping Girth

I have used Total Saddle Fit girths for over four years now and over those four years they have continued to expand their product range.  I have various models of their girths for both jumping and dressage as well as both types of their dressage leathers.  If you are unfamiliar with this girth you can learn about it here.

 It has thick, durable, elastic ends on both ends.

She is standing a bit under herself in this photo.  She does have more room behind the girth while standing normally.

Recently, they came out with a synthetic version of their jumping girth.  Klein and I decided to take it for a spin.  Right now, the only option is brown, though I'm sure black is not far behind as they have black and brown in their leather version of both their dressage and jumping girths.  There are a few reasons the synthetic girth would be a great option:  it's incredibly easy to clean and maintain (who doesn't love something you can clean in under a minute with soap and water?), it's less expensive than the leather version, and for those that choose not to use leather tack they now have an option as far as a high quality jumping girth.

As always, the quality is high with this girth.  It's constructed to last and that is evident as soon as you pick it up.  For comparison, I have a synthetic jumping girth from a popular brand.

Notice how thin and flimsy the other girth is compared to the TSF.  Also, the elastic is MUCH better on the TSF girth. The other one had thin elastic that was prone to fraying.  NONE of my TSF girths that have elastic have frayed AT ALL.

Here you can see cracks in the binding of the other girth.  That will not be happening with the TSF, the construction is much more durable in the binding on the TSF.

More cracks.  These also create sharp edges that can pinch and even cut a horse.

This picture doesn't do it justice.  Hopefully it does convey the incredible difference in the quality of the material used.

The other girth is so thin it drapes over the bar.  The TSF is not and does not drape.  Even when broken in, it is obvious the TSF still won't even have the ability to be so thin and floppy.

Klein went great in it.  I actually took it for a spin for her first small jump school since she's been back to work after her mini vacay while we moved across the country.  She has always been comfortable in TSF girths and like the rest of them there was no rubbing, pinching, or gapping anywhere.

Shoulder relief in action!  Clearly, Klein feels free!

Here are some short videos from the ride:

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A post shared by Stacey C (@jumpingpercheron) on Feb 9, 2019 at 4:55pm PST

Overall, yet another high quality product that I would highly recommend to anyone.  FYI, they also make western girths as well now, in a few different materials.  This company is also backed by reputable professionals in various disciplines.  In addition to that, while I haven't had to return anything I have received from them, I do know people that have and they absolutely stand behind their 30 day money back guarantee.  Their customer service is awesome and extremely responsive.  It's also free shipping on orders placed this month, just in case anyone was on the fence about ordering.  You have free shipping this month and their 30 day 100% money back guarantee so...you shouldn't be on the fence anymore about ordering!

Business as Usual

Klein checking out some neighbors.

It has been business as usual around here.  As of about a week ago I felt like the girls are 100% settled in.  They both couldn't be any happier and they are back to a regular work schedule that is continuing to increase.  Klein is looking and feeling noticeably fitter and Super B is feeling more and more supple. 

The face of a happy mare.

A cuddly Super B after one of our rides.  She likes to lower her head and stand quietly while I pet her ears.

I have taken them both out and about.  Right now since we do have a lighted ring riding at night is no problem.  But riding off through the neighborhood really isn't an option on the week nights since it still gets dark early.  Once the days get longer and the time changes, evening rides through the neighborhood and down to the state park will be no problem.  Right now though, we have been working in the ring on week days and then riding out on the weekends.  I don't want them stuck in the ring.

Klein baby ready for bed after some counter canter homework.  She has always been great with counter canter.  It doesn't matter what size circle, or what side of the ring, she has always held her counter canter together no problem. Lately it's getting even stronger since we've been working more in it.

The ring is always different work though.  Some days there is nothing in the ring and others I set up ground rails or small jumps.  Klein has started back to work jumping and she feels perfect.  That mare never misses a beat. 

Super B is cantering poles with zero drama too, like she was before the monster abscess came around and grounded her for a few months.  Speaking of, they just had their second farrier appointment recently.  Both of them already have noticeable changes with their feet.  It will take a bit longer for B's feet to harden up but they are already on their way.  She also had a small patch of dermatitis on her back fetlocks.  I had it under control in NJ by cleaning it with topical antiseptic and cortizone cream, but here, I stopped treating it and it has completely went away.  There is no trace of it at all.

Healed spot on the left in the photo.

And where it has healed from blowing out the top.  Look at the size of that thing!  It's completely ridiculous.

Back to the poles, she used to throw her head straight in the air and rush ground rails.  She completely understands them now and canters them like they're not even there.  She'll be jumping here soon.  She went to the state park the other week and had a great time with her buddy Zuli.  Those two have another adventure lined up this weekend.

Both of them are shedding like CRAZY.  I actually had to vacuum Klein tonight.

Everything is going perfectly and the Super Mares are right where I need them to be.  Klein will be ready for her first USDF show next month and I'm also thinking about getting her out to a jumper show soon.  I may take B instead though if she's ready for some small stuff.

A couple people have asked me about eventing.  I know where the events are around here, I know when they are.  I just didn't miss it that much last year.  I'm still not sure how I really feel about the sport.  So for now we're going to continue in dressage and jumper land.  I have considered taking B to Galway or Coconino but that's completely undecided right now and not really a priority due to the way I feel about the sport overall.  Klein will continue with her USDF shows this year for sure and B will for sure get out to some schooling shows and will be showing at rated dressage shows by fall.  They both will go to jumper shows.  There are plenty of both to pick from in the local area too because this place pretty much has it all.  We absolutely love it here, and still couldn't be any happier to be far, far, FAR away from the northeast.