Search found 446 matches

by mari
Mon Mar 18, 2024 12:01 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: In like a lion, out like a lamb - March and April Goals and Progress
Replies: 76
Views: 2085

Re: In like a lion, out like a lamb - March and April Goals and Progress

Congrats Khall! Had a semi-productive lesson this morning. My jumping instructor (who is also a dressage rider and coach) said that the single changes were good enough to start practicing tempis, and that specifically I need to focus on getting my count right and my aids on at the right moment. So t...
by mari
Thu Mar 07, 2024 8:49 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: In like a lion, out like a lamb - March and April Goals and Progress
Replies: 76
Views: 2085

Re: In like a lion, out like a lamb - March and April Goals and Progress

Good luck with your foal Khall! Pics mandatory :D Had such a nice jumping lesson on Tuesday, where I was actually more effective than a frightened sack of potatoes :lol: This morning with my dressage instructor, we focused so much on mobility of Odin's left hind. We've been working it more in a ther...
by mari
Fri Mar 01, 2024 5:57 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: In like a lion, out like a lamb - March and April Goals and Progress
Replies: 76
Views: 2085

Re: In like a lion, out like a lamb - March and April Goals and Progress

Jan and Feb were not very productive for us. I was on holiday halfway through Jan, then sporadic riding, then a broken car for a few weeks and I couldn't ride, then sporadic riding, now away again and returning home this weekend. So March will just be a fight for consistent saddle time and focus on ...
by mari
Mon Feb 19, 2024 8:06 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)
Replies: 153
Views: 7745

Re: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)

Chisamba, sorry about your saddle-fitting woes. It can be so frustrating. Every fitter that comes out also has a different take on things oftentimes, just makes you realise that, while there are certainly some principles to take note of, it's definitely not an exact science and there is a lot of roo...
by mari
Fri Feb 09, 2024 7:28 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)
Replies: 153
Views: 7745

Re: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)

We've had a lot of snow requiring that the horses remain inside their stalls. Three horses pent up with energy to burn, not good. We closed work early today due to the road conditions. I came home and tended to the dogs and then the horses. I let each one out in between snow squalls to roll and bla...
by mari
Tue Feb 06, 2024 6:02 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)
Replies: 153
Views: 7745

Re: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)

So relatable. We are working on tempis with my guy and I am also getting changes all the time when I don’t want them. I swear I’m not changing my leg position but if I’m not firmly and clearly asking for the current lead with my legs and seat I risk a change. We have been working on suppleness and ...
by mari
Mon Feb 05, 2024 6:27 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)
Replies: 153
Views: 7745

Re: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)

Aleuronx such lovely photos! Exvet - you're so right that the hurt is worth the relationships we have with them. We're working on trot HP and flying changes. For the trot HP, he doesn't have access to a lot of sideways jump, if that makes sense. He needs a bit of forward oomph first, and then the hi...
by mari
Thu Jan 18, 2024 7:14 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)
Replies: 153
Views: 7745

Re: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)

Chisamba - really nice pictures, I especially like the one of Saiph!
by mari
Mon Jan 15, 2024 7:38 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)
Replies: 153
Views: 7745

Re: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)

Chisamba wrote:I cannot explain how irritated i get when i write a thoughtful update. Hit post and it disappears.


That's why when I write anything longer than a sentence I write it in Word first. Very annoying!
by mari
Tue Jan 02, 2024 2:20 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)
Replies: 153
Views: 7745

Re: Trotting on to 2024 - Goals, Progress and More (Jan-Feb)

Myself: Up my protein intake and get into a strength-training routine. I am lean and semi-fit, but would like to build a bit of muscle this year as a project. T Riding: Continue with the theme of more. More bending, more suppleness, more sideways, more fitness (canter canter canter), more accuracy (...
by mari
Wed Dec 20, 2023 7:51 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress
Replies: 194
Views: 269618

Re: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress

I've had my last ride of the year on Monday, taking a 3-week break. My potato with legs (aka Odin) is going on a bit of a diet, hopefully by February he will be looking more - ahem - athletic... We ended off the year with some cool jumping lessons, and lots of flying change schooling. We're at the v...
by mari
Wed Dec 20, 2023 7:40 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress
Replies: 194
Views: 269618

Re: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress

Chisamba I'm so sorry about your dog, what a heartbreaking thing to happen
by mari
Wed Dec 13, 2023 6:05 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress
Replies: 194
Views: 269618

Re: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress

exvet wrote:Do y'all think you've been taught how to properly bend the horse - for a 20 meter circle, 15, 10?


No. Because on the very rare occasions I get to ride with one of the national coaches, the thing that gets yelled at me above all else is "MOOOOORE BENDING" :lol:
by mari
Mon Nov 13, 2023 1:05 pm
Forum: Technical Support
Topic: Adding images hosted on Google Photos
Replies: 3
Views: 1292

Re: Adding images hosted on Google Photos

Aaaaaaaaaaand still a fail.

The above worked fine in the preview, and immediately on submission of the post. But when I came back to the board the next day the images didn't show. HELP!
by mari
Mon Nov 13, 2023 1:01 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress
Replies: 194
Views: 269618

Re: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress

Chisamba wrote:Mari gid you salute with your left hand or did the photo invert itself??


I did salute with my left hand. Both halts :oops: No comments from the judge though :lol:
by mari
Mon Nov 13, 2023 12:59 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress
Replies: 194
Views: 269618

Re: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress

Mari - from your links, I had to click on the photos again, and then right click on them and choose "copy image address", and then paste that in between the [img] tags here to make them show up. Glad you had a successful show; your spotty boy is gorgeous as always. There was a very loud b...
by mari
Sun Nov 12, 2023 10:46 am
Forum: Technical Support
Topic: Adding images hosted on Google Photos
Replies: 3
Views: 1292

Re: Adding images hosted on Google Photos

Okay, figured it out I think. So I'm going to answer my own question but I'll leave it here in case I forget... On Google Photos, open the picture fully. Then right click and select "Copy image address". This long address then gets pasted inside the [Img] tags, and the pic should show. Rem...
by mari
Sun Nov 12, 2023 10:42 am
Forum: Technical Support
Topic: Adding images hosted on Google Photos
Replies: 3
Views: 1292

Adding images hosted on Google Photos

Some tech help please!

I've always been able to add images to my post by including the image link (hosted on Google Photos) in an [Img] tag. But so far this year it hasn't worked at all.
My images are less than 150kb, I'm not sure what else to do. Any tips?
by mari
Sun Nov 12, 2023 10:35 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress
Replies: 194
Views: 269618

Re: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress

We got a 2nd place in our class yesterday, with 62%. So happy, even though we rode midday in 32C heat. More mistakes than at our previous show, but overall the marks and comments indicate improved quality, so we scored slightly higher than the previous show. Most importantly, we managed both flying ...
by mari
Mon Nov 06, 2023 7:19 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress
Replies: 194
Views: 269618

Re: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress

Awesome show report Exvet! Well done!!! I agree with Tanga, such a nice pair.
by mari
Thu Nov 02, 2023 10:31 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress
Replies: 194
Views: 269618

Re: Powering through to the end: November December Goals and Progress

Riding goals for me remain the same as last time: MORE MORE MORE. More suppleness, more bend, more response to the leg, more sideways, more submission. We've made some good headway over the last 2 months, and I want to keep building on it. Our canter half-passes are much nicer than the trot ones. Tr...
by mari
Tue Oct 24, 2023 8:09 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September October, we go on and on.

Mari, when I came to the USA from the eastern cape it didn't take me long to get used to the USA system of levels. One thing I like a lot about the US tests is that the purpose of the particular test is stated very clearly, as well as the new movement(s) it introduces. The only speedbump for me is ...
by mari
Tue Oct 24, 2023 8:06 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September October, we go on and on.

You had 6 tests per level! Ours is same or similar as USDF ones with 3 per level. I'm not sure I could have remembered all the tests if there was that many that could be chosen! The more advanced levels have fewer I think, but even up to Medium there is 6. It is really nice, because there were many...
by mari
Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:30 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September October, we go on and on.

We (South Africa) are moving over to the US system of levels, and the same tests. So we've had a few online seminars around it, and in the next two months some of the show venues will be offering the new tests as ride-and-go tests so the riders can get a feel for them. (A ride-and-go is basically wh...
by mari
Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:26 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September October, we go on and on.

https://youtube.com/shorts/gUPcJ_nMVBM?si=b2ll6xKRaXh3V9Z0 I was looking at my videos from the clinic and my friend made this cute little clip. Lots to learn again in reviewing the video. Tesla looks might cute, and what lovely scores. Wrt loose hips, the clinician had me relax my whole leg, and sa...
by mari
Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:24 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September October, we go on and on.

StraightForward wrote:We had a super day to wrap up our show season, if you can call it that.


Very sweet test!
And I LOVE the bat :lol:
by mari
Mon Oct 09, 2023 7:40 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September October, we go on and on.

Aleuronx - those are really coming along, lovely. Chisamba - Good results for you and your students, congrats! We had a lesson this morning in nice cool temps for a change. My instructor ran us through a Prix Caprilli test for fun (her fun, not so much mine). Lots of changes, and half-passes, and it...
by mari
Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:59 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September October, we go on and on.

Chisamba I'm so sorry you have to face a tough decision with your mare. Sending you lots of good and kind wishes.
by mari
Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:27 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Leslie Morse Clinic Notes
Replies: 10
Views: 2027

Re: Leslie Morse Clinic Notes

Do you all agree on the warmup routine? I'll elaborate a bit to explain my reasoning for my horse. There is a very specific exercise that I start with on dressage arena days (lessons or schooling by myself). It's an exercise where he anticipates a prompt upwards transition, and he knows it well eno...
by mari
Mon Sep 25, 2023 10:21 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September October, we go on and on.

Well done Zevida and Tanga!

Tanga - I'm with Quelah, hope it's a broken bone and not ligaments/tendons.
by mari
Tue Sep 19, 2023 6:39 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September October, we go on and on.

exvet wrote:Yes, mari we have a plethora of cicadas. For the horses and I, it's just 'white' noise.


We don't have them here (afaik), and it was super noticeable to me. So cool :D
by mari
Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:11 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Leslie Morse Clinic Notes
Replies: 10
Views: 2027

Re: Leslie Morse Clinic Notes

Create one warmup and do it every time, horses need routine (I think she meant all in general, but probably this one especially). I've found one that works on my lazy horse, and I've been sticking with it for a few years now. Sometimes we ride some slight variations, but it really boosts his brain ...
by mari
Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:36 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September October, we go on and on.

SF it sounds like you had a very productive clinic. Thank you for sharing the notes. I was very pleased with my two boys yesterday despite having some ponytude in the beginning. I showed Junior in third 3 and fourth 1. When I started to warm him up I felt that he was a bit lack luster, not under th...
by mari
Tue Sep 12, 2023 9:39 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September October, we go on and on.

What do you enjoy about riding. Do you still love the same things or have you changed. Are your new goals habits from the past or designed to make you happy? What do you enjoy about riding. My answer is very aligned with Blob's. Riding is like meditation for me. Doesn't matter what is going on in m...
by mari
Mon Sep 11, 2023 7:29 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Just wanted to share!
Replies: 5
Views: 1441

Re: Just wanted to share!

A very positive article, thanks for sharing!
by mari
Fri Sep 08, 2023 5:58 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September October, we go on and on.

OK, ONE more time! Let's see if this works. https://youtu.be/pS1NjZ3od-0 https://youtu.be/i1vuo1y0HX8 Success, it works! :D I liked the suggestion of counting, even for a single change. We've got nice singles now, but I "allow" them rather than actually "aid" for them. Which loo...
by mari
Thu Sep 07, 2023 8:19 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September October, we go on and on.

Flight you got a spotty one! Welcome to the dark side :D I had a session with a guy that ran a clinic on rider position. He evaluated us on the horses, and then did some "releases" and "adjustments" on the riders, after which we had to get back on and report how much better it fe...
by mari
Thu Sep 07, 2023 8:08 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Spinoff: So Apparently Breathing Can Be an Aid, Too
Replies: 9
Views: 1723

Re: Spinoff: So Apparently Breathing Can Be an Aid, Too

I use breathing pretty well when I do workouts, but it's never been easy for me on horseback. I tend to take a breath, and then hold it til near-collapse :D
by mari
Sun Sep 03, 2023 6:23 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September Octiber, we go on and on.

Flight that sounds so amazing! If I'm ever lucky enough to visit the US, the national parks will make up my entire trip.
by mari
Thu Aug 31, 2023 8:10 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: September October, we go on and on.
Replies: 240
Views: 574758

Re: September Octiber, we go on and on.

We're heading into spring, yay no more freezing early morning rides!

My goal for the next few months is just MORE. More suppleness, more bend, more positioning, clearer transitions. So that when we compete and I can only find 70% of what we have at home, that is enough.
by mari
Wed Aug 30, 2023 8:32 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress
Replies: 275
Views: 492052

Re: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress

My goal was to do a graded class at EM, and I did that, and it went better than expected. I'm going to ride the same test in a few weeks again, with the goal of improving one or two specific things.

We had a lovely jumping lesson yesterday:
https://youtu.be/tAUpwKJfMCo
by mari
Tue Aug 22, 2023 6:56 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress
Replies: 275
Views: 492052

Re: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress

That sounds like an intense weekend Moutaineer! I've never taken my horse to an away show, we're lucky to be surrounded by show venues that are less than an hour away for the most part. Our yard does quite a few away ones per year, but the hassle and stress (and enormous expense) of it has never app...
by mari
Fri Aug 18, 2023 12:49 pm
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress
Replies: 275
Views: 492052

Re: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress

Chisamba I love your pictures, that looks like such amazing fun.

Chisamba wrote: Mari, nice pictures. How did it feel to get out again?


I was in my own head too much, and the scores show that. But overall a very positive experience and I am very keen to go out and try and improve specific points.
by mari
Thu Aug 17, 2023 9:33 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress
Replies: 275
Views: 492052

Re: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress

Flight - Ding is being such a good kind horse in that video, so cool
by mari
Wed Aug 16, 2023 6:06 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress
Replies: 275
Views: 492052

Re: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress

Mari, those are great pictures. I hope you got a good score on that halt. Very nice! Nope, a 6 :roll: He went up the CL very slowly and wobbly, proper drunken tourist. And the photo managed to get him in the split second where he pretended submission instead of swinging his head up and down and to ...
by mari
Mon Aug 14, 2023 8:09 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress
Replies: 275
Views: 492052

Re: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress

We survived our first show since before Covid. I was having some kind of out-of-body experience for the first part, really wasn't riding at all, and the marks reflect that. The trot work was just very okay. The canter work was lovely, and the first show at which he was very polite and rideable and s...
by mari
Mon Aug 07, 2023 8:16 am
Forum: Dressage Training
Topic: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress
Replies: 275
Views: 492052

Re: Of fly spray and soaked saddle pads: July and August goals and progress

Chisamba those giant friendly ears are lovely!!!

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