Took the kids on the ACTHA ride. They were horrible.
Majesty liked the new bit initially, but once the newness wore off, he became a little fiesty. Morg started OK, but kept rushing up to Majesty's bum. She tossed her head, wouldn't stop, wouldn't stand, wouldn't walk. It was frustrating but manageable. I decided there is no recourse with the bitless, so we'll need to try a bit for awhile.
Todd rode behind me and as Morg was fighting me, he told me my seat had improved. It was nice to hear!
After the ride, Deub talked to Bill and I. Said I don't sit in my seat - I sit on it. He's right. I'm anticipating rather than relaxing. Said I need to clear her out of my space and quit letting her run over me on the ground. He's right. Said I need a bit as well, but my saddle is OK.
Showing posts with label ACTHA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ACTHA. Show all posts
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
January 27, 2013 - Morgan and Majesty, 1 hour
* hoof trim, Morg & Maj
Had a little trouble with Morgan loading. She got in once she felt the butt rope. Have to work on that.
Trailered to Gina's. Morg wouldn't hold still for a trim, had to round pen her. Mr Shameless was there and calling out to the mare, it was windy, Majesty was out of sight, but still! She calmed down once she was saddled.
We walked over to a mounting block and as Bill was swinging over the saddle horn, Maj snapped his head up (he got surprised by a small dog) and caught Bill in the nose - bloody mess! Bill decided to ride anyways, so we headed out.
About 30 minutes in, Majesty's bit snapped in half so we had to walk back. On a good note, Morgan handled herself like a dream!
When we got back, we noticed Bill's hat was lost. We untacked, loaded (no problems), and drove down the path till we found the hat.
3 strikes and the ride is over! We have to ride the trail again on Saturday for the ACTHA competition. We'll see how it goes.
Had a little trouble with Morgan loading. She got in once she felt the butt rope. Have to work on that.
Trailered to Gina's. Morg wouldn't hold still for a trim, had to round pen her. Mr Shameless was there and calling out to the mare, it was windy, Majesty was out of sight, but still! She calmed down once she was saddled.
We walked over to a mounting block and as Bill was swinging over the saddle horn, Maj snapped his head up (he got surprised by a small dog) and caught Bill in the nose - bloody mess! Bill decided to ride anyways, so we headed out.
About 30 minutes in, Majesty's bit snapped in half so we had to walk back. On a good note, Morgan handled herself like a dream!
When we got back, we noticed Bill's hat was lost. We untacked, loaded (no problems), and drove down the path till we found the hat.
3 strikes and the ride is over! We have to ride the trail again on Saturday for the ACTHA competition. We'll see how it goes.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
November 25, 2012 - ACTHA Ride: 2.5 hrs
Morg had to inspect each water bottle before I could put them in the "pit"
Checking the obstacle ... needs a few more bottles
Morgan walked through the pit with water bottles, down a ravine and back up the other side, through streamers, and then she walked right up to a smoking camp fire, around it, and continued on to the end. Like a rock star!
Morgan and I deep in conversation ... or, Amber blabbing away and Morgan patiently putting up with it ... again
The only "trouble" we had was standing still at the third obstacle. She was tired but was in better shape than Majesty. The two of them stood like champs tied to the trailer before and after the ride.
Being dorks in front of the smoking embers
I couldn't be prouder of Morgan! She was fun to ride and well behaved! Rock.Star.
Checking on riders ... making sure no one got left behind
Saturday, November 17, 2012
November 17, 2012 - Mochie, Majesty, & ACTHA ride
Rode Mochie on the trail ride. Was told I would need to ride 1st because there was a young Morgan stallion who walked fast. Damn! Where was my Morgan?! They left before I could get Mochie out the gate and tried to catch up, but Mochie did her springy walk/trot and bounced my iPod out of my pocket twice cause me to turn back/dismount. Once I saw the Morgan had made the 1st turn, I headed Mochie back to join the 2nd group and Majesty. She hustled her butt back, that's for sure!
She kept dragging her feet, but she kept with the pack and only occasionally tried to snack on the road. I can't seem to keep her on the trail ... she wanders off to the left/right, but not straight.
Majesty climbed the huge hill on his first try, then
calmly walked back down. Bill had the camera, so no pics. :(
We let Maj, Mochie, and Gina's horse stretch out and canter at one point. Great fun! Still not used to the bumpy ride of a QH :)
They finished just fine and loaded right up. Good day, but I still wish I'd taken Morgan.
Mochie & Majesty waiting to head out on the trail
She kept dragging her feet, but she kept with the pack and only occasionally tried to snack on the road. I can't seem to keep her on the trail ... she wanders off to the left/right, but not straight.
Mochie and I at the top of a sand dune
Majesty climbed the huge hill on his first try, then
calmly walked back down. Bill had the camera, so no pics. :(
Mochie and I finding the trail
We let Maj, Mochie, and Gina's horse stretch out and canter at one point. Great fun! Still not used to the bumpy ride of a QH :)
Some days, I'm amazed at the scenery we get to see
They finished just fine and loaded right up. Good day, but I still wish I'd taken Morgan.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
November 4, 2012 - Morgan and Majesty
Morgan and Majesty - 2 Hours
Loaded both and hauled them to Todd's house. Had hooves trimmed. Saddled them up and went on a 2 hour trail ride with Todd, Gina, Wade, Cristian & Carol (paint).
Morg wanted to walk in front and wouldn't hold still when asked (at all), but she climbed sand dunes and went through Mesquite trees like she'd been born to do it. Couldn't get her to focus on the obstacles if she saw Majesty, and we spent the "rest" time running around bushes and up and down dunes. Did great on walking trough creepy/close quarter obstacles. Walked in then backed out of a thicket, and walked down a steep hill. We need to work on side passing - we could not do the "open and shut" the gate. But, by then my mild headache had turned into a full blown throbbing ache. We got ahead of the group and let Majesty and Morgan flat out run for a good stretch, then turned and ran back to the group. She walked home as quiet as you please, and was covered in sweat, salt, and sand. Loaded like a champ!
What did I learn?
1) work on side passing
2) she does not like to be in the back
3) she follows too closely
4) she has way more energy than I thought. Spent most of my time pulling her back/off others. Shoulders ached for 2 days.
5) she does not like to stand still
6) climbs dunes like a rock star!
7) we do better alone than in backs. Bill says she needs more saddle time.
8) she kept a wary on on the dogs with us. Not sure about that.
We will be leading a group for the ACTHA ride next week. Ought to be interesting.
Good note: Todd commented that I got after Morgan - he said it like it was a compliment
Loaded both and hauled them to Todd's house. Had hooves trimmed. Saddled them up and went on a 2 hour trail ride with Todd, Gina, Wade, Cristian & Carol (paint).
Morgan peeking through the bushes at Bill
Morg wanted to walk in front and wouldn't hold still when asked (at all), but she climbed sand dunes and went through Mesquite trees like she'd been born to do it. Couldn't get her to focus on the obstacles if she saw Majesty, and we spent the "rest" time running around bushes and up and down dunes. Did great on walking trough creepy/close quarter obstacles. Walked in then backed out of a thicket, and walked down a steep hill. We need to work on side passing - we could not do the "open and shut" the gate. But, by then my mild headache had turned into a full blown throbbing ache. We got ahead of the group and let Majesty and Morgan flat out run for a good stretch, then turned and ran back to the group. She walked home as quiet as you please, and was covered in sweat, salt, and sand. Loaded like a champ!
What did I learn?
1) work on side passing
2) she does not like to be in the back
3) she follows too closely
4) she has way more energy than I thought. Spent most of my time pulling her back/off others. Shoulders ached for 2 days.
5) she does not like to stand still
6) climbs dunes like a rock star!
7) we do better alone than in backs. Bill says she needs more saddle time.
8) she kept a wary on on the dogs with us. Not sure about that.
We will be leading a group for the ACTHA ride next week. Ought to be interesting.
Good note: Todd commented that I got after Morgan - he said it like it was a compliment
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