Events

Mondays
Jumping Fun Classes at Canterbrooke, (Ames)

Tuesdays
Riding Communication Classes at The Paddock (Truro) .

May 8-9
Clinic at Catalpa Corner

April 10 and 11
Clinic at Catalpa Corner.

June 4-6
Clinic and Schooling Show Catalpa Corner
(Iowa City)

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Waiver form

"Only way that horses will win is to sit there and spend time with them. Show 'em that you're trying to help 'em. Love 'em. Talk to 'em. Get to know 'em. Now that's what you gotta do. You love 'em and they'll love you, too. People might call me crazy, but that's the way it is."

-Eddie Sweat, groom for Riva Ridge and Secretariat

Training Log for Louis Hickman

10/1/08 Louis is now serving Ken as his backup huntsman's horse.

9/24/08 Hunt at South River. He was light on his toes for the first bit, but did very well in the group and jumping through out the first hour and a half. By about the two hour mark the stress of it had taken its toll and he was very tired. We went home. I suspect his back is out of alignment because he is quick to rest either of his hind legs or switch weight back and forth slowly when he is asked to stand. He will get chiropracted Monday.

9/17/08 Hunt at South River. He did somewhat better with relaxing when the group stopped. He jumped well. We got separated from the group when I chose not to go through a bog when the hounds were not on. It was actually good, because I got to canter him for long stretches sort of looking for the field. He started to figure out that the pace he is set at is the pace he should maintain in and even rhythm. He was a delight to ride out alone.

9/10/08 Hunt at South River. He did really well at times and at others got really tight. He jumped well. Standing at checks is haaaaaard for him. This is typical tb stuff and will pass.

9/1/08 Foxhunt at Grand River. He was a little light on his feet for the beginning, started to settle in and did some good cantering in the groups, got a bit undone trying to stand still at the check and then got a little overwhelmed afterward. Typical off track tb intro to hunting. I cut it short when he was showing that he was overwhelmed. He had a good rest at the trailer and we will see how Wednesday goes.

8/31/08 Jump school in the arena at home and he did great. Very proud of himself.

8/29/08 Jumped some coops @ Grand River with Diane and Jay. He was quite unsure at first, but got better and better.

8/28/08 Warmed up and he was quite a bit behind my leg, but once I got him moving forward and over his back, he was great with his neck. After some trot warm up, went over a cross rail, which was a bit nervous but fine. Then we went over two poles on the ground followed by a small vertical. He could not get him mind around jumping over the small vertical. I got off and led him over it and he was still not getting it. Some in hand work and he figured it out. I started to carry a crop because I needed something to back up my leg. Under saddle he went through the gymnastic just fine after the ground work. Then some work on a cross rail off a turn. We had a few run outs and at one point I used the crop on his butt and he bucked. He was barked at, but we both were over it quickly. Next time around, with support and reassurance, he was over it just fine. By the end of the night he was doing a 2'6" vertical to a one stride to a vertical just fine and proud of himself. Needs more reps and confidence, but on the right track.

8/27/08 I warmed him up with some in hand work, reminding him about giving to pressure, backing and keeping his attention on me, which all went well. I put the bridle on (french link, no martingale). It was a small hassle to put it on, but didn't last long. I got on and he immediately wanted to step forward so I asked him to halt and stand until he took a breath. Took a minute. Very good. Then a lot of bending work in small slow circles at walk, asking him to let go in his neck. He did some overflexing and some tossing of the head trying to figure it out, but he did figure it out. He's pretty smart. Then on to walk work in a larger circle, transitions to halt and backing, and then slowly on to trot work, with lots of transitions. Every time he slowed when asked he got a release on his mouth and he figured out that reacting more quickly with his feet, rather than worrying in his mouth is a good thing. Then on to canter work. What a lovely canter! Balanced, easily round, and goes over poles on the ground without a problem, no rush, straight, just reorganizes the feet. I really like this horse. He is smart, athletic and willing. However, he is also sensitive and won't put up with a lot of ham handedness and, to go well, will require a mindful ride. These are the best horses to ride because they really appreciate and go well for thoughtful riders, and they'll just about hand you their hearts.

8/25/08 He arrived and settled in nicely. In the evening I put a halter on him and worked him in hand. He is quite smart, but he is inattentive and has some space issues. We worked in hand on him letting go in his neck, moving his feet when asked, staying attentive to his handler and giving to pressure. He did very well with it. Then I switched his bit to the french link provided and put it on. He was a bit fidgety about it, but got over it. I took it off and put it on again and it was better, much praise and done for the night.

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