Chip at the Trainer's

[lady dumpling]

Looks like Chip is at a great trainers and he is doing really well!Congrats,I look forward to seeing more pictures of him and his progress.I am assuming your trainer does dressage also (Warmblood and the dressage letter in the arena in the pictures)

[Mister's Mom]

Oh he looks fabulous and is coming along very nicely! I really like what your trainer is doing with him. And I love his pedigree - definitely WP with ZCC and Hot Rodders JetSet.

One tiny question out of curiosity - the pics you took 2 weeks ago (or so) - was it raining in the last few? It looked like it was and it put a really neat dimension on the pictures.

[Red Gate Farm]

Originally Posted by lady dumpling

Looks like Chip is at a great trainers and he is doing really well!Congrats,I look forward to seeing more pictures of him and his progress.I am assuming your trainer does dressage also (Warmblood and the dressage letter in the arena in the pictures)

Yes she does! She started in QH racing and moved onto breeding and showing in everything from halter to western pleasure and trail and has also done hunter, jumper and dressage. That big grey in the first pics is one of the frequent boarders who gets tuned up. He's a jumper and dressage horse.

[Red Gate Farm]

Originally Posted by Mister's Mom

Oh he looks fabulous and is coming along very nicely! I really like what your trainer is doing with him. And I love his pedigree - definitely WP with ZCC and Hot Rodders JetSet.

One tiny question out of curiosity - the pics you took 2 weeks ago (or so) - was it raining in the last few? It looked like it was and it put a really neat dimension on the pictures.

Not that I remember. We actually would LOVE to have had rain back then. We got it in the last couple of days though.

[Lorna]

Chip and my Whiskey are related!!! When I figure out how to put in the pedigree I will post it. Glad that the trainer is working out for you!!!

[Red Gate Farm]

Originally Posted by Lorna

Chip and my Whiskey are related!!! When I figure out how to put in the pedigree I will post it. Glad that the trainer is working out for you!!!

Really? That will be so cool to see. Let me know when you have the pedigree up!

[Red Gate Farm]

The insides of my thighs are sore . Now how did they get so sore?

I RODE CHIP LAST SATURDAY!

It was the first time I got up on him. His two months training is done tomorrow and I pick him up, but first I had a short lesson on him. I was SO nervous. Not about riding him, but that I'd be too heavy for him because of my weight.

First off I had a short lesson on saddling him up. The trainer, Diane, said I likely didn't need all this, but it was part of what I paid for. I did get a few new tips on how to keep him comfortable. Never too old to learn, eh?

Then we went into the indoor arena and she showed me how to lunge him, where all the buttons were and how to keep him supple and focused and relaxed.

Then we got the mounting block. Diane's legs are FAR longer then mine and I didn't think of that. Even standing in the stirrup I couldn't hoist my body high enough up to gracefully get my right leg up and over his butt. So I didn't. I just stood on the mounting block again and laughed a bit, patting Chip (who was understandably confused) and telling him I'm mount up presently. Darn old out-of-shape muscles.

Diane was very kind, pointing out that we, as riders and horsewomen, have a responsibility to keep certain things in shape in order to have a pleasant riding experience. We were both laughing and I tried again. This time my left leg gave me a bit more boost and my right leg gently lifted over his butt, then my butt settled softly into the saddle and we readjusted the stirrups. Chip, that little angel, just stood there while Diane shortened the holes up around three more holes, which was still a bit too long, but it was the best we were going to do and I could stand in the stirrups a bit. I felt secure enough so out we went to the rail at a walk.

Chip was hesitant, getting used to my weight and I could tell I wasn't giving him enough direction. I was trying to be careful on him. After we went around once and I relaxed a bit and he relaxed a bit, we just clicked and he stepped right out.

Oh my god it was fun! We were jogging almost right away and I can sit his trot! Then I pushed him into the extended trot and posted. "You're on the wrong diagonal" Diane coached and I sat for two beats then posted the right way. hey, it's been like 20 years since I tried that and it was right there, waiting for me.

We did small circles, serpentines, lateral movements, turn on the forehand, turn on the haunches and I didn't want to get off! He is SO smooth. I didn't lope, I didn't want to push my growing confidence.

I'll take him back in the spring and we'll work on the lope at that time. Diane told me that saddle was a 14" Circle Y. Say what? My big butt takes a 16" but this one fit? I know I haven't lost weight, must be a quality saddle just feels and fits better.

She also mentioned he would look terrific as HUS if he hit the 15 hh mark, which we're hoping he will since he's just 3 years old. He only has two inches to hit that 15 hh mark. He has that beautiful, calm impulsion (says the trainer, what do I know?) to do the flat work, and he comes right back into the WP jog, so I have the beginnings of a horse that will go both english and western.

I'm just jazzed that I can ride him. We have years to work on HUS stuff . Right now hubby will ride Scotty and I'll ride Chip and we can go for nice long walks across the countyside together and get used to each other.

Sorry this was so long, it was just a terrific day!

[SilverLexi]

Is your trainer Diane Jackson? I have heard nothing but good things about her. I can relate about getting "back in the saddle". I am So happy for you and Chip. Many Many happy trails.

[Horselessnomore]

Congrats!! Sounds like you had a great ride.

[Red Gate Farm]

Originally Posted by SilverLexi

Is your trainer Diane Jackson? I have heard nothing but good things about her. I can relate about getting "back in the saddle". I am So happy for you and Chip. Many Many happy trails.

Yes it's Diane Jackson. She doesn't take as many horses now, but will evaluate each one. I feel very fortunate she took Chip and likes him so much! She's more then happy to accept him back in the spring as well, so I think we're in very good hands.

[Horselady44]

Sounds like a great ride! But no pictures of you riding him! Shame on you Looking forward to you bringing him home and new pictures I bet you very proud of your boy

[Red Gate Farm]

Originally Posted by Horselady44

Sounds like a great ride! But no pictures of you riding him! Shame on you Looking forward to you bringing him home and new pictures I bet you very proud of your boy

I went to borrow the camera from work last Friday, only to find it was already loaned out! I really have to get my own camera. By the time I do get pictures of me on him, he'll be a fuzzy little critter but I will get pictures!

[Sonseeahray's_girl]

AWESOME

You have many happy miles ahead of you!

[Horselady44]

Originally Posted by Red Gate Farm

I went to borrow the camera from work last Friday, only to find it was already loaned out! I really have to get my own camera. By the time I do get pictures of me on him, he'll be a fuzzy little critter but I will get pictures!

They are so cute when they are fuzzy! Im looking forward to the pics