Does this rider make my butt look big?

My has it been a shamefully long time since Daatje and I have attempted to school dressage.  There was a time when we were solid at 1st level and schooling some 2nd level moves, but now?  Disconnected might be a good way to put it!  My brother came out a couple of weeks ago and took some photos of us while schooling in the field.  (Thanks Nate!)  It was blatantly obvious to me, after looking at some of the photos mid-ride (educational tool when too poor for lessons!) that I was rounding my shoulders, sitting in a godforsaken chair seat with piano hands (blame the dingbat whacker for that!) and causing Daatje to be short in the neck and too deep behind the vertical.  Ugh.  Knowledge is power though, so after seeing the photos, I went back to work to try to correct the errors of my ways.  Here are some photos of the efforts after.

She has a ridonkulously short neck to begin with, so I have to be super careful not to scrunch her up in front.  So easy not to notice with a high necked horse!

With Daatje, I'm happy to see her light in front and slightly in front of the vertical.  I think we're picking up our canter here.

Really trying to maintain my out-of-shape-for-dressage self....but look at how nicely she's stepping under.  She really is a joy to ride.  So comfortable and balanced!

We had a good workout, the both of us!  Only 30 minutes of just trying to maintain a good rhythm and balance and we were pooped!

I sure do wish I had the resources for more dressage lessons.  Maybe someday.  For now we'll have to work with what we've got!  Getting back into shape will help.  I'm glad Daatje doesn't mind if her rider makes her butt look big. :)

All shortcomings are quickly forgiven with a few peppermint cookies.  ;)  Don't worry Daatje, we'll get back into practice this spring!

Is that a Western bridle?

You may remember my mention of Daatje and I being Zorro and Tornado for Halloween this year?  Well, I finally got the bridle/bit/reins that I want to use as part of that get-up so I had Daatje model for you all. :)

You'll notice there's no curb strap....I don't have one to match this bridle yet, so no riding in it until then, but I think she looks smashing in Western tack! 

I'll have to school her in this bridle some before we're ready for the Halloween Hunt/Costume classes/Hunter Paces though.  Although she's had driving training in a Liverpool, and hunts in a Pelham, she doesn't neck rein well enough for me to be comfortable riding her in this bit in an exciting setting.  It will give us something to play around with!  :)

So, after I took these modeling shots, we tacked up in our regular gear and went for one of the best trail rides we've had so far this winter.  It finally snowed, which I really could have done without, but it makes for great footing out on the trails!  We enjoyed quite a few good gallops.  I think she missed being able to get a good run in.

Happy Birthday Daatje!!!

Well, it was yesterday, but better late than never!  On 2/28/2001, little Daatje was born to a 4 year old mare named Sientje vd Wildenburg.  She came out curly haired all over with her left ear folded over her forelock.  Such a precious little thing she was!  You can see photos of her as a baby here.

So hard to believe that was 11 years ago.  She's grown so much!

I managed to get in a nice ride a couple of weeks ago and my brother took some photos.  I'll post about that later.  This winter has been lacking wonderfully in the snow department so the footing in the field is actually pretty decent!

That's all about the change though, we're supposed to be getting 10+ inches of snow tonight!!!  Stay tuned for the next post about our winter dressage practice........

The Ice Ride 2012

I knew the trails were rough for the lack of snow, but I was not prepared for just *how* rough!  Took Daatje out today, met up with a friend to explore our trails.  We were gone for 3 hours, covered about 12 miles and had to tip toe over some pretty slippery stuff!  We crossed the spillway and went all the way into Hampstead.  Here's some shots of the ride:

Heading out onto Academy Ave from the driveway.



Turning onto Crystal Hill Rd from East Rd.  No photos on East Rd, too many cars to deal with.



Still on Crystal Hill here.  Something *super* scary is about to appear over that rise.  (rolls eyes)

Of course, nothing of the horse-eating persuation was anywhere to be found. :)

Climbing the hill of Crystal Hill Rd.  We just passed the trail head on our way to meet up with our friend and she's kinda confused......

But easily un-confused when she spies some waving flags on the light poles up ahead.  Oooh those scary waving flags.

After we met up with our friend, we hit the trails.  This is my friends stunning white German Shephard Dog who came along for some exercise.

Following "Inky" on the trail.

Daatje leading the way.

I can't get over how pretty this GSD is.....lovely girl.

Just after crossing the spillway.....a pretty deep and wide, rushing water crossing.  it was a man-made channel to feed mills and such.  Now, it's just a fast moving brook bordered by the ruins of the old mills.  Pretty cool, but I was too distracted by dodging ice chunks to whip out the camera and take a pic while we were actually crossing it.  Maybe next time, when there's no ice.



After we crossed the spillway and climed the hill through the pine forrest, the footing got wicked dicey!  I was so focused on putting Daatje in a good spot on the trail that I totally forgot I had my camera with me.  So, here we are, probably 2 hours after the photo above this was taken, on our way back home, hacking out on Crystal Hill Rd.



Approaching East Rd........woah that blue tarp is sooooper scaaaaary.

Suspiciously eye-balling the blue tarp as we pass it.

Last stop before traffic-land.  East Rd is THE reason why I wear hi-viz gear and carry my "dingbat whacker".  Daatje is waiting for the word "go".

Finally home, safe and sound and very tired!

Cookies?

Checking out a jogger going down the street.

Just before untacking and cleaning off all the fozen mud from her legs and belly.  She blinked.

So that was our adventure of the weekend.  I'm not sure I'll repeat those trails again, unless we get some serious snowfall.  I never thought I'd say it but........I miss the snow.  :o

Slow winter

I've ridden exactly three times the entire month of January.  3, THREE, tres......that's pathetic!

This winter has been so slow.....dark evenings, poor footing.  The lack of snow is killing my desire to hit the rocky trails, alternately frozen and muddy.  Yuck.

So I've been daydreaming alot about what I'm going to do with Daatje as soon as the seasons improve. 

Daydream #1)  Costume for the Halloween Hunt

I always get caught off guard in October and end up short on time to prepare a costume for the hunt on Halloween.  This year, I had an idea early on.....and I'm workin' it.  Daatje and I are going to be:

Zorro and Tornado!

Of course, this requires about $600 worth of extra "stuff". :P  I'll need the whole outfit:



Gauntlet gloves, cape, sword (foam, of course), bandana, fake moustache.....and last I checked, Zorro did not ride english.  So, I'll need a new bridle, bit, reins, breastcollar and yup, you guessed it.....a western saddle.

 

Which is kinda cool because I've been meaning to get one so my husband can get on her and feel more secure (my treeless saddles don't do much for him!) and now I have another reason to get one.

Daatje as Tornado.......me as Zorro.  Now that's an entertaining thought on a boring winter day!

Where did the season go?

I just purchased a digi download of a photo of Daatje and I at the All New England this past November.  In looking back, it seems like the season was gone in the blink of an eye!  It was a good one, I'll give it that. :)  If not a bit fleeting.  Here's the photo I bought:

Doesn't she look happy?  I love how gung-ho she was this year.  I haven't ridden much lately.  Very busy working on the house and having been sick for the past week (blech) I didn't have much of an opportunity to ride.  Horse is getting bored with her vacation, I can tell.  Hopefully we'll be back to our regular hacks soon.

Oooh, I got barn kitties!  Two little kittens, ferals, that were looking for a home.  They were graciously delivered by a volunteer of the trap/fix/release program south of here.  They are Nicholas and Noelle.  I'll have pics as soon as they come out of hiding.  For now, they are confined to the grain room for a few months while they imprint on the property.

Oh are the days short!  It's getting dark already and it's only 3:30pm.  I'd better go so I can feed while I can still see!  More on the kitties later......

Meet Princess Penelope

Not much happening with Daatje these days.  We're taking a break post hunt season for some R&R, so I thought I'd introduce you to my little friend, Penny the Princess "P".

Ever since my Italian Greyhound, Carlo, passed away (2005) I've been yearning to find another precious little Iggy to warm my heart.  My husband and I have rented for the past 8 years, so no dogs were allowed.  Well, this past August, we bought our first property and the search for my next Italian Greyhound began in earnest!  I researched breeders, scoured the shelter websites, breed rescues......and where do you suspect I find little Penelope?  On Craigslist!  Of all places. :)  Folks were moving, couldn't take her with them, and upon meeting her, I fell intantly in love!  So, here's a photo or two of my lovely little Penny the Princess "P".  She's all of 8 lbs and was born 6/25/2010.  Enjoy!

I love this little girl so much!  We've been together since the end of September, and it seems like it's been always and forever.