From racing to riding... the training diary of an off the track Standardbred

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

What In The World Have I been Up To?

Jet and I have been doing pretty well. After the last show, I was worried that I had pushed too far to fast lameness wise but he has been perfectly fine since then!

We have really been working on his canter. Going to the left, he has made noticeable improvements but unfortunately I can't say the same for the right lead canter. Any tips? He will pick it up but he leans in, counterbends and is fast. I know all of it is due to him being extremely unbalanced and I know he is tighter on his left side making it harder for him to stretch it and bend to the right. I really try to encourage his right hing leg to move forward and underneath himself but I don't seem to be getting anywhere. In a field, he is much better and balanced but my tiny 70x80ft "riding ring" is not giving him the same oppurtunity to stretch and balance on a straightaway.

We have also started jumping again. We started out with crossrails at the very beginning of September and have managed to work our way up to 2'3" at my friend's house (she has a much better set up for jumping than I do). We have even started working on lines! He seems to be enjoying it or atleast putting up with it. I don't see him ever going much higher than this but I guess time will tell. Here are some videos:

X-rail

2'3"

X-rail to 2'3"

Cantering 2'3"

Best Vid!

And a few pics (:

2'3"


MK riding Jet



 The boy himself (:



Our competition schedule for the rest of the year looks like this:
October 2nd: Flatlands Combined Test or Horse Trials, haven't decided yet
October 15th: Fall Show at my School
October 23rd: Last Haskins Show
October 30th: Apple Knoll Halloween Hunter Pace

We have a busy month coming up! I hope we are ready!!