My July PhelpsSports.com Column

Following is an excerpt from my new (July 4th!) column for PhelpsSports.com:

So happy that my horse is back!

It has been a fantastic ten days since my horse, Jaliska, has been back in Massachusetts. She has been away in intensive training in South Carolina, and then Pennsylvania, for five long months.

Since her return in late June, trainer Adrienne Iorio, Apple Knoll Farm, Millis, MA, has been working with me every single day to hone my riding skills to the extent that I can ride her properly when Adrienne heads home to Pennsylvania for the month.

It has been a tough road since November 2011, and the saying, “Man(kind) plans and God laughs,” comes to mind.

Let me explain....

To read the whole story, become a PhelpsSports.com subscriber today!

A Brief History of My Quest: From Gypsy to Jaliska

Figure 1: The author, shown with curly brown hair,
pets her new pony, Gypsy, on Christmas Eve

I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. When I was five Santa brought me a dappled gray Shetland pony named Gypsy.

My father put me on her with just a bridle to cling to. Gypsy took off galloping, tearing across the neighbor’s property lines; I was instantly hooked.

When I outgrew Gypsy my father bought me Nehi a strawberry roan aptly named after the popular 1970’s soda.

Many of the girls in our neighborhood had horses, too. We kept them in our backyards with open sheds as stalls.

Given the mild weather, that’s all they needed. Our summers, weekends and time after school were spent riding bareback in the woods, along the bay, and through the orange groves.  

Life was good.

Sadly, though, it was not meant to last. Due to a series of unforeseen events, I found myself on my own at the young age of 16. Thrown into the rigorous demands of life, I was not to ride again for 30 years.

Fast forward to 2007: I now have two children. My 6 year old daughter has caught the horse bug and has been riding since the age of four.

Figure 2: My daughter Nicole had to stop riding
for a few years

This year, however, I have to put her lessons on hold. I started a new business and didn’t have the time to drive her to the riding stable, as it was too far away to fit into my busy schedule. This was heartbreaking to me as I had been vicariously living my dream of riding through her.

So although Nicole didn’t seem to mind her break from riding so much, it bums me out big time.

This led me to put out a call to the Universe. “Universe,” I say, “can you bring a stable closer to me so I can put my daughter back into a riding program? Please?!”

So there it was, asked.

I continued to move about my life, launched my business to some early success and, before long, a few years had flown by.

But the Universe had not forgotten about me or my request, for the next thing I know a stable was being built right down the street from my home. A trainer and his family purchased an old farm and VOILA! I had my riding stable.

Thank you, Universe!

Given that it was so close, I took this as an added sign that now was the time to start riding again, too.

No excuses.

So I jumped into a program, right alongside my daughter. It really was a dream come true. 

Not long thereafter, I was encouraged to go to the Fidelity Classic in New Hampshire.  Now this was not just any horse show, it had a Grand Prix competition.

This sounded like fun, so my daughter and I made the hour trip to the show, singing along to Rascal Flats and Taylor Swift the whole way.

Figure 3: My current ride, Jaliska

Once there, watching the riders catapult over those enormous jumps made me, for some totally inexplicable reason, say to myself, “I want to do ‘that’ too!”

So there you have it. The Prix is my goal and this column details my journey in getting there. 

I hope you will join me in my Quest and that mine will inspire you to begin your own.

Quest for the Prix is dedicated to all the riders out there young and old with a dream, and to my horse, Jaliksa, and two children Nicole (11) and Bobby (13).  

You can accomplish anything if you believe.

Please send your comments and advice for Victoria Waters to: Victoria@questfortheprix.com

Riders are encouraged to post their riding dreams and share their photos and videos at: www.Facebook.com/questfortheprix  or www.questfortheprix.com.

Black Sheep of the Barn


I was considered the black sheep of the family for, of the ten boisterous kids, I was the quiet one. A homely child, with my unruly curls and large eyes, I was painfully shy.  Needless to say, from a very young age I was a bit of a loner, marching to the beat of my own drum.

Therefore, it came as no surprise to those who knew me, that in my early twenties I decided to move from Colorado to Boston, not knowing a soul in Massachusetts. I did this on a whim, thinking, “If I am not smart enough or rich enough to go to MIT, then at least I can live there!” With that mantra I moved to the town abutting the Cambridge campus and never looked back.

A happy black sheep today.

So to now find myself, a show jumping Grand Prix wannabe, training at an eventing barn, is well, just par for the course.  To me, this recent adventure reaffirms my tendency to seek out new experiences and challenges as well as my commitment to the sport.

The way I figure it, I am learning SO much in this world of formal equestrian riding, totally removed from my childhood experiences riding bareback through the Florida orange groves, that terms like, “two phase,” “prelim,” and “combined test,” are just more of the same.

My quest for the prix is a journey, and it has challenged me to continue to step out of my comfort zone to meet new people, tackle new information, and openly share my experiences with the world.   

Rainy Days Don't Get Me Down

It is raining “cats and dogs" outside and the forecast calls for more of the same all week.

Distracted by the sound of it pummeling down onto my roof, I glance outside my bedroom window to witness the site. Hmm...I contemplate, it’s going to be a wet ride today.  

I have to admit, I am quite cozy in the dry warmth of my room reading from what appears to be an eerie glow coming from my bedside lamp, made so against the stormy backdrop.

Still, the thought of not showing up at the stable today, doesn’t even occur to me.

Don’t get me wrong, there have been plenty of times when I have hesitated and even rescheduled my ride due to an unplanned event arising at the last minute such as a hurt child, or call from a client that I simply had to take, or more recently due to ‘doctors orders' i.e. "if you ever want to use your right arm again, then you must rest and ice it for a week!” 

Inclement weather, however, is generally not a good enough reason for me to miss my ride.

I actually enjoy riding in the dead of winter, when most shutter at the thought. You know when it’s so cold outside that you can actually see your breath and not feel your fingers or toes, even with winter gloves and boots on? Yeah, that kind of weather. I love it, for it keeps me cool when I am working hard at trying to learn this challenging and oh so demanding sport.

I do find it smart though to plan around hot weather. For example, if I know that it is going to be a blistering and humid day out, then I will purposely wait until the evening to ride, if I happened to miss my early morning opportunity that is, not only for me but for the sake of my horse, as it is just not optimal to intentionally ride in the heat of the day when there are more intelligent options available.

Geared up for the rain.

So for now, I happily throw on my ‘Wellies’ (knee high rain boots), a slicker and my beat up Boston Red Sox cap and head to the barn.

I know that Duncan will be in his field as he is an 'out all day and night’ kind of horse, sturdy that is. I have read recently that it is actually healthier for horses to be outside in the fresh air, grazing and roaming about day and night than to be in their stalls, go figure.

Anyway, this poses no problem to me, as affixed with my rain gear; I am up for the muddy challenge, so to speak.

As I make my way to the back pasture, the rain dances off my cap, and lands on my face, so much for that strategy.

But then the smell of wet grass, mingled with hay, floods my senses and I am suddenly taken back in time to when I was a young child growing up in Florida doing this very same thing. 

It is as if time has stood still.

I pause and think to myself, “if this is to be my Quest, then I hope it to never end.”

Duncan

When I first see him grazing in the field next to Dottie’s horse, I think to myself, “How nice they bought a companion mule for Fannie.” 

Now this wasn't meant to be a slight, I actually like mules and have heard wonderful things about them, the thought just popped into my mind when I first saw him, his coloring was so unusual, and well, mule-like.

So when I ask Betsy, “Can you tell me where I can find Adrienne’s horse Duncan, I am riding him in my lesson today?”and she replies, “he is the Palomino in Fannie’s field,” I am bit taken aback.

Now I have seen many Palominos, as they were popular where I lived in both Florida and Colorado, and this is not a Palomino, well not in the classic sense anyway.

“Well, what do you know?” I say to myself.

I walk down to the field and put on his halter, “looks like he is part draft too,” I contemplate.

I proceed to lead him into the stable to tack him up for my lesson.

He is extremely well mannered, as are all of Adrienne’s horses.

Adrienne has been working on developing Jaliska’s manners and I have to say she has been coming along quite nicely, that is, until I came back into the picture.

“Victoria,” Adrienne said the other day, in an accusatory tone, “Jaliska has been acquiring some bad habits since she has been back at the farm.”

Busted.  

I have been letting her graze on the rich, green grass abutting the fenced pastures while walking her to and from her paddock.  She has since been pulling at the lead to grab a mouthful every chance she gets during her daily commute.

“Only when you allow her to, can she graze,” Adrienne instructs me.

“Duly noted,” I reply and further add, “I promise to do my best to keep her in line.”

Back to the matter at hand. I ask Adrienne, “What breed is Duncan?” “I don’t know,” she replies as a matter-of-fact. “I bought him in Aiken for my Mom, but he proved too tall for her.”  “He is only five,” she adds.

I hop on him to begin my lesson. I am trying to learn how to get a horse “round on the bit.” He does so pretty easily, much more so than Jaliska, with a lot less prompting, even though I am still pretty inept at asking, and holding him to it, me being such a novice still.

My new ride.

I walk, then trot and then canter him around the ring. You could literally fall asleep while in canter, he is so smooth.  

“Looks are deceiving,” notes Adrienne, “you would think him a clunker, but he really floats.”

I agree.

She puts up a jump set and I quickly learn that he is really fun to jump.

I am a bit rusty, it has been so long since I have jumped, and it wasn’t pretty the last time as Jaliska was so wound up.

The next thing you know I am popping around a course of fences.

 I love it.

 I love him.

Before the end of the lesson, I have agreed to lease him so that, “I have a horse to learn on and ride while Jaliska is in training,” Adrienne says.

For the second time today, I find myself saying, “Well, what do you know?”

Press Release

Victoria Waters Expands Reach in Her Quest for Prix

Online Equestrian News Site, PhelpsSports.com, Introduces New Columnist

May 8, 2012 Wellington, Florida—Equine sports news media giant, PhelpsSports.com, introduced its newest monthly columnist, Victoria Waters, to their members earlier this month. 

Victoria’s new column, “Quest for the Prix,” details her journey to what many consider to be the pinnacle of competitive show jumping, a Grand Prix competition.  What caught the attention of PhelpsSports.com and their readers were Victoria’s unique story and the lofty goal she has set. Victoria, an accomplished business owner and mother of two, is a complete novice to the sport, having had no formal training up until just recently.  To compare her goal of riding in the Grand Prix would be like teen sensation, Justin Beiber, declaring “I want to become a professional boxer.”

Victoria is the first to admit that she has been “outright laughed and scoffed at and even told point-blank that, “Yes, you could do it once, but then you would be dead.” The latter statement is referring to her request to jump ‘just one’ five foot fence.

Quest for the Prix on PhelpsSports.com will highlight Victoria’s trials and tribulations in learning how to ride and compete at the top level in show jumping, including as she puts it, “the good, the bad and the very ugly.” 

“We admire Victoria’s passion and commitment to the sport and are interested in reading about her progress in the months ahead through her new column at PhelpsSports.com,” commented Ken Kraus, Executive Director, PhelpsSports.com.

Victoria is not alone in her passion. “Baby boomer women are currently the largest and most financially powerful demographic group in the U.S. and more and more older women are continuing an active, even competitive, horse riding career into their 60's and 70's,” according to Lisa Hughes of PositivelyRiding.com. “In greater numbers than ever, these so-called ‘mature women’ are just beginning to live their life-long dream of horse ownership,” added Lisa.

This goal is not the first for Victoria.  In 2008, she started the nonprofit Green Education Foundation (GEF) with the mission of creating a more sustainable world through education.  Since then, GEF has become the leader in K-12 sustainability education, and through its newly launched division, GEF Institute, now offers sustainability education and training programs to corporations, higher education institutions and professionals.

Adrienne Iorio has competed at
Rolex, Blenheim, & Fair Hill


“Most riders don’t set their goals high enough,” stated international event competitor, and one of Victoria’s trainers, Adrienne Iorio, of Apple Knoll Farm in Millis, MA.  “I think she can do it.”

Victoria understands that the road to her goal will be a long and difficult one, fraught with many challenges and twists along the way, yet she hopes that her dream and the chronicle of her journey will inspire others to begin their own.  She concluded, “what I have found, so far, is that the fun is in getting there, it’s the journey, it’s the ‘ride.’”







Send your show jumping advice and comments to Victoria Waters at Victoria@questfortheprix.com and post your riding goals, photos and videos at: www.Facebook.com/questfortheprix or www.questfortheprix.com

About PhelpsSports.com
PhelpsSports.com is a highly innovative subscription equestrian sports website, offering equestrians and fans of equestrian sports from around the world a single web address for the latest breaking news of the Hunter, Jumper, Dressage, Eventing and other High Performance disciplines.

PhelpsSports.com features up-to-the-minute audio reports, video interviews and unique features from around the globe, photography, and the creative writing and reporting of some of the finest equestrian journalists in the world. PhelpsSports.com has free trail programs and is currently offering savings on spring subscriptions, visit www.PhelpsSports.com to learn more.

About Victoria Waters
Victoria Waters, CEO of Green Education Foundation (GEF), a non-profit organization, is committed to creating a sustainable future through education. GEF provides free curriculum and resources to K-12 students and teachers worldwide with the goal of challenging them to think holistically and critically about global environmental concerns and solutions.

GEF Institute was established to meet the increasing market demand for sustainability education and training. The Institute offers courses in sustainability to educators, employees and professionals. Visit www.greeneducationfoundation.org or www.gefinstitute.org to learn more. Join the sustainability education conversation by following GEF on Twitter @greenedufdn and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greenedufoundation.

Meet My New Partner - PhelpsSports.com

My first column on PhelpsSports.com

I am excited to announce my new monthly column with PhelpsSports.com!

For those of you who are unfamiliar, PhelpsSports.com is a highly innovative subscription equestrian sports website, offering equestrians and fans of equestrian sports from around the world a single web address for the latest breaking news of the Hunter, Jumper, Dressage, Eventing and other High Performance disciplines.

PhelpsSports.com features up-to-the-minute audio reports, video interviews and unique features from around the globe, photography, and the creative writing and reporting of some of the finest equestrian journalists in the world.

My column Quest for the Prix will provide PhelpsSports.com members with all the details of my journey to the top level of show jumping - the “good, the bad and the very ugly.” 

Join www.PhelpsSports.com to read about my interviews and training sessions with top riders and trainers along with their tips, advice and recommendations.

Thank you PhelpsSports.com for supporting me and my dream!

My Horse is Back

Reunited with my girl

I am so happy to have my horse Jaliska back in Massachusetts after a long 2.5 months!

Other than being a little thin from all the travel, she looks happy, healthy and beautiful.

I am so excited to ride her again, I can’t stand it.  

Jay will be staying at Adrienne’s stable for the time being. So while I have Twilight to ride at my home farm, it seems I will be barn-hopping a bit until I can bring Jaliska home.

My plan today is to go on a trail ride with "Twi" at the farm and then to spend the rest of the day with Jaliska at Adrienne’s barn.

I can’t think of anything better to do on this beautiful spring Saturday in New England.

Just Teddy

It is a breathtakingly, gorgeous day in New England, and I am off to ride.

Quite frankly, I can’t think of anything better to do on such a glorious day then to ride (or for that matter on a rainy day, chilly day, snowy day...OK, you get the point).

Teddy sizes me up 

I love riding Adrienne’s horse “Just Teddy” or as I call him (just) Teddy.  

My plan with Teddy today is to practice hitting the right spot in front of a ground pole, in canter, on a circle, and to stay relaxed in a collected seat after the “jump.”

What I have learned from riding Teddy  is that if I touch or pull on his mouth AT ALL, he gives me a good yank and takes off in canter, telling me in no uncertain terms to KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY MOUTH.

After numerous laps around the outdoor, I have taken note and am doing my absolute best to abide by this rule.

Another thing that I have learned with (just) Teddy is to sit up after each jump for if I go into my half seat afterwards, he speeds up and it is very challenging to get him back in control due to the KEEP YOUR REINS FROM PULLING ON MY MOUTH issue.

So my goal today is to keep a consistent, relaxed pace, hit the right spot, and to keep this pace after the jump by immediately sitting up. By doing all of this, I will stay LIGHT on the rein and keep Teddy happy (and thus me happy too).

My goal is to do these things and hit my mark, at least five times in a row in each direction.

I practice cantering to the pole a few times.

Hmmm, what I find is that if I am not at the right pace going INTO the turn and have to adjust it at all AFTER the turn to to make the right line to the jump, then I miss my takeoff spot, EVERYTIME.

Alternatively, if I have a COLLECTED, EVEN PACE going into the turn, and keep it to the straight line to the pole, then I nail my takeoff spot, EVERYTIME.

Wow, this is eye-opening (but not shocking as I have been told this by at least two of my trainers on more than one occasion, but having it finally sync in is, well, priceless).

Another thing I notice, after playing around a bit with my course size, is that if I make my circle tighter, then Teddy stays at a more relaxed pace, and again, I hit my mark consistently.

Once I learn these tricks, I stick to them, and nail my goals for the day.

Happiness is finally getting something right.

Twilight

Twilight's grandfather was
Secretariat

Meet Twilight.


She is nineteen.

I am now leasing her.

She is from royalty, her grandfather was Secretariat.

Twilight is filling a hole in my heart and I in hers.

Let me explain.

Her rider has been away at college for the winter and with the exception of an occasional “vacation break ride,” she is not being ridden. With my horse Jaliska gone now for nearly three months, I am desperate to have a horse to ride on a regular basis. And while it’s nice having my friend’s horses to ride on occasion, in order for me to continue progressing in my Quest, I really need a horse to practice on.

So, in speaking with my trainer about “affordable” horse lease possibilities at the barn, I asked “how about the young horse Stella?” My trainer suggested her mother, Twilight.

Perfect, I thought.

So a few days later I headed to the barn to give Twilight “a try.” When I went to tack her up, she was so excited that she nearly “ran” out of her stall. So I said “hello Twilight,” to which her eyes widened, ears pricked forward and she proceeded to give me a little nudge as if to say “hello” back.

I groomed her good, put on her saddle and bridle and led her to the indoor.

When I started our ride, I likened her immediately to the Tin Man from “The Wizard of Oz.” You know, the part in the movie when Dorothy and the Lion found him alone, rusting in the woods?  

Like him, she was in need of a good oiling.

I can do that, I thought. I recalled how I eased Jaliska back into riding shape after she had lime. Ten minutes of walking, then fifteen, a bit of trotting, cantering and so on, until she was once again up to speed.

Although Twilight was a bit stiff, I liked her immediately and saw her potential. So I had my trainer put me in touch with her owners. After a quick phone conversation and meet up at the farm, they were just as excited as I was to have me ride her regularly.

"Twi" is Nic's ride for our summer hacks

We agreed on a lease arrangement that was a win-win, I would work with Twilight to get her back in good form and in addition to my riding her they would let my kids ride her too, under my supervision. My son is such a beginner that he just needs a horse to sit on for the most part to learn the basics as well as to have a horse to practice on to refine his grooming skills. My daughter will now have a horse to ride on the trails with me me and Jaliska, when she comes back this summer.

Fast forward a few weeks to today.

To my surprise and delight, Twilight has turned out to be a really good horse for me. She seems to have had quite bit of formal training. She is honest to a fault and responds to my aids, letting me know in no uncertain terms if I am being too strong on the bit, or when not using enough leg or a firm seat, etc.

It would seem that Twilight is my perfect muse.

So my Quest continues with an unlikely, but willing and able partner.

Sometimes life has a way of working itself out, for while my young mare is being trained in Aiken, two “older mares” are taking comfort and delight in having found each other back at the farm.

The Acorn Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

My son Bobby, 13, learns the
fine art of grooming on Twilight

Nothing makes me happier then horse time with my son, except that is of course horse time with my daughter. 

Bobby confirmed this evening that he will be my groom for the Prix. The thought of it makes me inexlicably happy for some reason.

He should be plenty strong and capable by then, no doubt with years of practice and training under his belt.

I hope to make a rider out of him too.

"Grooms have to know how to ride," I explain, "to warm up and cool down the horses for their riders," he nodded in agreement as if to say “no problem Mom, piece of cake.”

Ignorance seems to run in the family.

But you know what they say - ignorance is bliss.

Watch, Listen and Learn

Those who can’t compete, well - don’t.  

With my horse laid up for now, the jury is still out on exactly what is wrong with her, my mission is to train, train and then train some more this spring and summer.

I recall my Army drill sergeant telling me, "Victoria, take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth.” In other words, shut up and listen.

I know there must be a correlation like this to riding.  Mine, it would seem is to “take Victoria out of the competition arena and into the practice ring.” At least for the next several months anyway. 

This is not a bad thing, given the results of my first and last competitions, which really, in all honesty, can't be referred to as competitions at all, at least on my part that is anyway.

Cormac at Fieldstone
 April 2012

So to that end, I plan to "watch, listen and learn"  from the best this show season.

Here are some of the best at my barn, starting with my trainer and two good friends Zoe and Mindy.

Cormac on KEC Primetime

Zoe on KEC Zara

Mindy on Lalypso

Riding Goals

In addition to focusing on daily riding goals, it is important to write down your longer term goals. Here are some of mine for 2012. 

I would like to achieve the following goals by August:

• To ride with smaller posts, hands quiet, and heels down

• Canter a figure eight over a pole with smooth transitions while changing direction
• Land on the correct lead after every fence (9 times out of 10)
• Gauge the right take off spot to a fence, five times in a row, then ten

I would like to achieve the following goals by October:

• Master lead changes
• Gauge correct take off spot from a distance of six strides to a fence
• Complete a course with the right pace, track and balance
• Make it to the jump off in at least one competition
• Ride confidently

So Far Away

Just when I thought I was well on my way to a Prix, in record time I might add, I realized this weekend just how far I have yet to go L.

The one thing I know for sure, besides my lack of skill, is that I am 100% committed to my goal. I am “in it to win it” and no matter what "I shall never give up the fight" (I took that last part from my Army pledge).

Anyway, it hit me after riding over the last few days that I need to do something radical in order to up my game. 

What this means I am not quite sure but I am looking forward to finding out.

Plan Your Work -- Work Your Plan

It was suggested that I make a plan prior to my practice rides each day. I should think through and write down exactly what I need and or want to focus on during each of my training sessions. Obviously, this does not apply when I am in a lesson as that is what I am paying the instructor to do. So when I have a practice ride, which I try to do at least 3 to 4 days a week, I now make a plan.

Following is my plan for today and the rest of the week.

Today is Saturday and I am riding Teddy, Adrienne’s talented and spirited Eventing horse. He is a lot of fun. I plan to work on getting him round on the bit while working on consistent circles during my 25 minute warm up (all the while paying attention to small posts and quiet hands). Next, I will practice figure eights over a pole in trot and then in canter, making a point to look early at the pole when changing direction. Last, I will work on nailing the correct take off spot (or distance to the fence) when jumping a small cross rail and to keep a quiet seat after the jump so Teddy maintains an even pace prior to and after the fence. My goal is to achieve a perfect takeoff distance and landing seat for at least ten jumps, preferably in a row.

Sunday I am riding Twilight. My plan with her is to focus on keeping my hands quiet or still at all times and sinking into my heels as well as reducing the size of my post when in trot and trotting figure eights over a pole. I am going to see how well she does in trot prior to having her canter it. If she is successful in a trot then I will work on cantering figure eights over a pole too, remembering to look early at the pole when changing directions.

Monday I will work on all of the above, trying to bring it all together.

Tuesday I have a lesson so my dressage trainer Kathy will be in charge.

Wednesday I will figure out where I have been weakest and focus on improving in those areas.

Thursday I am in Chicago on business.

Friday is my jumping lesson and therefore my jumping coach will be in charge.

Saturday is open at this point. I have a few different riding options so it could go either way (and yes, it is really nice to have options).

Sunday I will ride either Teddy or Twilight and will figure out a riding plan closer to then.

Notes From Lessons Last Week

Cadence

Allow the horse transition time, so in going from canter to trot think – one, two, three – trot (or three beats) same for trot to walk, etc.

Transitions should look and feel very smooth, never abrupt. Count out loud the cadence when trotting, walking or cantering to help focus and relax me and my horse. So that would be a cadence of one beat at the walk, two at the trot and three at canter.

Practice cantering ten strides, then transition to trot for six beats then canter again for ten strides and so on, all in a smooth and effortless manner. Be ever so light on the rein and leg with your requests. Think finely tuned movements, no jarring of the horse, just a whisper.

Leg Yields

Leg yields to the wall. Use your inside leg (heel) and outer rein to bring and keep the horse to and on the outside wall.

Circles

Practice coming into a tight circle, then expanding to a larger one, filling the space, using the heel of your inside leg and outer rein. Practice having the horse turn in on the center line from a large circle, gracefully.

When engaged in circles make sure they are the same circle in each case (unless you are intentionally bringing them in or out). Keep the same circle shape when changing direction too. When you ask to move up and the horse doesn’t respond, use two quick movements with both heels to get them to listen and keep doing it until they respond.

The Three Key Elements to Jumping Courses Successfully

The three most important things to consider when jumping a course of fences are track, pace and balance. In order to perfect your track, look at your fence early. Most riders wait until it’s too late. Trying to overcome the wrong track is difficult at best, you can correct for pace and balance pretty fast, but fixing your track quickly is challenging and without the right track the horse will be off balance and not able to perform optimally going over the fence.

You should have an even pace going to a fence and in between fences. Make sure that your stride distance is equal in between the fences too. So if you want to achieve four strides between the fences, they should be four equal strides.

Figure it Out

If you get your spot wrong twice in a row (or more) then figure out what the problem is and fix it. Same with uneven strides between fences, fix it by going in with the right pace from the start or correct it immediately after the first fence. Do not wait to adjust it at the last fence, you want the horse concentrating on the jump at that point, don’t distract him or her.

In trying to figure out the problem ask yourself, did I have the right pace, track, point of take off, equal stride distances, etc.? Where was I off? You should know. Then fix it.

Worth reiterating, correct where you are off early, not at the jump. You need to let the horse “be” at this point. Your conversation with the horse must be a whisper when approaching the fence. If she is on the wrong lead then so be it, leave it and let them jump the fence as is. They are fine jumping on the wrong lead or in cross canter. Just focus on the jump and getting them to land on the correct lead over the fence.

Hands "On" at All Times

Keep your hands in constant contact with the bit until you are through riding. They should not be too tight but taunt enough to feel tension. With the contact keep in mind the elastic feel of the connection especially through the elbows. Only when you are done should you relax your reins. When in forward motion give up the rein (towards the horses head) about four to six inches at each stride whether walking, trotting or cantering.

After the Jump

When moving towards a jump (and after a jump) your pace should be smooth and consistent.  Don't go into half seat as it can cause the horse to increase it's speed. You want to keep them in a relaxed, collected, frame with their pole up. Causing them to speed up can lead them to pull their head down and forward. This is not optimal for balance for the rider, you want their pole up.

Keep the pace smooth and stay in your seat in a relaxed manner. If you land hard over the fence when sitting back in your seat it can accomplish the same thing as going into half seat i.e. it will cause the horse to move faster and with some horses I have noticed, it can also make them harder to control i.e. slow down.

Homework

Practice figure eights over a pole and look soon when switching leads back towards the pole. Practice reducing posting height in trot. Keep hands quiet. Practice circle work.

Observations

Jaliska being away has unintentionally brought with it several new opportunities.

Let me explain.

First, I have been able to focus more on my business since I am not riding as much during the week. This is a really good thing since I am the boss and primary source in locating revenue. Revenue is important if only that it is the sole means of my being able to continue my Quest and yes to feed my kids, pay the bills, etc.

Second, now that I am the full time parent during the week, I would not have been able to ride Jaliska every morning as I previously had since I have to get both kids on the bus. Therefore, her being in Aiken training has actually been a blessing as I would have felt terribly guilty about not being able to ride her as much or would have done so during the day which would have affected my company’s bottom line and ultimately mine and along with it my Quest. Once summer hits, Jaliska will be back and I will be able to ride her everyday once again.

Third, I have to say I am really enjoying riding more experienced horses and with them new and varied training. This combination, to my delight, has taken me to a whole new level of riding ability. OK, I know that when you are starting at the bottom as I have this “new level” isn’t very high, however, for me personally, it has been substantial, if only incremental.

To that end, I feel that my unplanned plan seems to be working out really well.

So that would be that while Jaliska is getting better, so am I.

Through the Kindness of Others

While Jaliska is making progress, I have been fortunate to have been able to continue my Quest.

Let me explain.

First, my #1 trainer waived Jaliska’s monthly board while Jaliska is away in Aiken, as he was able to fill her stall with another boarder. This is a huge help, for to say the horse business  -from leasing, to owning, to boarding, to training, to shoeing and showing and of course not to forget the biweekly "lessoning," etc., is expensive is an UNDERSTATEMENT at best! Throw in a daughter who rides too, and all bets are off. 

Because I do not have to pay board, I am able to continue with my lesson program.

Thanks #1 trainer.

Thanks to good people, I can continue to train
while Jaliska is away.

Second, a friend at my barn has been letting me ride her horse a few times a week. It is a so great to have a horse to ride while Jaliska is away, I just can't thank her enough, but I will try.

Thanks Mindy.

Third, my Aiken trainer is letting me use one of her horses to take dressage lessons on at her Massachusetts facility. 

Thanks Adrienne.

Last, but not least, a very experienced riding friend of mine is letting me ride his amazing horses and along with it providing me with some pretty phenomenal instruction. Wow.

Thanks equestrian friend extraordinaire.

How lucky am I to have such great people in my life?

Very, I would say, very.