Early 40s rider who took a bit of a gamble on a green prospect in March as my last “green pea” probably of my riding career, with the intention of being the primary rider. Have fallen in love with this filly and despite not PPE-ing her beyond a few rads she’s been very sound. I’m shifting gears and working with a gifted protégé of Warwick Schiller to start this baby - I have never seen a horse started this quietly and stress free before, it’s been a pleasure to ride her. I often just hop on in jeans and tennis shoes. The work is radically different from anything I’ve experienced before. I’m learning so much and the training sessions are fun and carefree.
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Sire and son. Black in front is almost ready to be brought in an gentled. He has been home a year-ish.
IMG_2057
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I’ve had a heck of a spring/ summer with work stress etc. so far, so I am really holding onto my joy of successfully debuting my mare at Third (only the second horse I’ve ever brought up that high myself doing my own riding!) Our not quite confirmed changes were 5s but we still got 66% and she was a doll - so grateful for how far she’s come.
I also got my dressage personal best getting a 68% debuting Fourth with my precocious 6 year old. I’ve only shown Fourth once before (highest level I’ve competed) with a schoolmaster and a 65. This baby boy is my best accomplishment in the decades I’ve been riding. Big whatever’s to my job stress - this is enough to keep me happy!! 
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Lovely! What fun and very inspiring!
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What great pics!!
I’m finally getting my 21yo going again after an eye ulcer that took 3 months to clear up and some truly awful weather. She’s tricky under saddle but when you get her with you, she’s such a pleasure to ride. Signed up for a clinic in August with my favourite trainer for a much needed tune up for me and I’m very much looking forward to it.
We won’t talk about how the 5yo is going haha
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Well. Hard to believe I started this thread almost 2 years ago!
In the winter I fell and hit my head, sustaining a severe concussion. So I haven’t ridden since December. And I didn’t want to ride. I was getting a bit nervous that that was the end of that and I was done in the saddle.
But yesterday I got back on and we had a nice 15 minute ride. It was just a test the waters thing, like longeing to check for soundness. Happy to say it was all still there.
Of course today it’s raining buckets for the first time in weeks, but at least it will make for nicer footing tomorrow!
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Mazel Tov!!!
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That is so awesome!
We didn’t get the crazy rain so I rode again. Longer then yesterday.
I’m having to sit on my hands so I don’t immediately text an old coach and set up lessons again. Like running - you go for a 10 minute jog and start googling half marathons to enter 
I want to achieve some super modest goals on my own at home (like, riding consistently) and then start hauling out again in the fall. Wish me luck!
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Congratulations on being back in the saddle!
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0 to where you are is a HUGE accomplishment. Congratulations, and embrace the joy!
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About 2 years ago I decided that my 19 yr old Lusi was topped out at I-1. I bought a young (7) Lusi/hannoverian cross that had some good basics and talent, but has some little quirks. About a year into all this discovered my aging back had a variety of issues, and I was not feeling stable in the saddle so I handed the reins to the youngster to my trainer. He will do his first CDI at PSG/I-1 in September and is on track for a GP debut around yearend. This is very exciting for me even as horse show mom!
In the same period I was still riding/working my old man but feeling uninspired. Some friends convinced me to do a freestyle - so we went to work on a 4th level program last fall - easier for both horse and me - and have done it at two shows. It was SO MUCH FUN - no pressure, and it gave me a goal again!
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I have been working on cantering a lot lately. today we simply had some fun and enjoyed the gorgeous outdoor ring 
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What a lovely horse! Look at that reach with the inside hind. Glad you had a fun ride
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Thank you 
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Well it took me days to read through all of these but I just loved this thread! It’s so refreshing to see the support of each other on this thread and read the amazing stories!!
This past weekend I took my appendix gelding, who I just started this spring, to a show to actually compete rather than buddy and somehow unbeknownst to me, we ended up Reserve Champion in the hack division and I didn’t even feel he was as well behaved as at home.
I’m just so thrilled with this horses brain! I’ve had a lot of baby horses over the years and I think I have found ‘The One’ at last.
Proud mama! 
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Much joy for me over the past seven days!
Last weekend I showed my sweet Appendix mare for the first time since last September. She has been a bit explosive at shows in the past, but she was a star. It was our first rated show, and first time showing second level. For a “limited” horse, as noted by the last judge we showed under, we crushed first-3 with almost 66%, and got a decent 61% our first time riding 2-1.
And today’s lesson with my six year old WB, who has been under saddle two years, and a pretty tricky mare. Shoulder in and lengthen? Yes we can! We got an accidental clean flying change too, when we got a touch off course and had to canter over a ground pole.
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You guys are lovely and your WB IS STUNNING. Well done!
Feels so good to come off a successful show!
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Thank you! I didn’t want her, got her in trade 4 years ago for a horse with a bucking problem I was desperate to get ride of (with full disclosure). This is what she looked like when I brought her home:
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For the life if me I can’t figure out how to quote on my phone but outerbanks, she’s gorgeous. Even 4 years ago, the bones were there!
I’m starting back to ship in lessons on September 6th. 12 days before my theoretical show ring debut, so I’ll ask her opinion.
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