Pace work

Wohooooooooo it was so scarey and exciting going to do pacework at the beach when a storm was coming in and it was full tide!! After Oliver's eyes went back into his head he went in the water and the waves didn't seem so scarey after all, he did get tired very quickly and start to lean on my hand and as he's big and heavy rather than try to pull him it the trick is to do a downward transition and then canter off again so he gets his hocks more underneath him. So nice having such a rhythmical horse.

Jen Hamilton Clinic

21/22nd Feb we went to Hunua (Angela Lloyd's place) and did a clinic with Jen Hamilton, she is awesome, i wish she came over more often, i also went last year with Tigger and for two such different horses she was great for both. Oliver was amazing, i couldn't have asked for more, he got a bit tired near the end on both days but for a horse that has had about 3 months work he is a star. He is so rhythmical and has good technique, Jen said he has got a lot of ability he just needs to get strong so he is more balanced and fit, she also said if we improve 2% a week by the time she is over next year we would have improved 100%. I am so motivated and inspired now and I love Oliver. He cracks me up with his personality which has taken me a while to understand but he is a tryer and loves to be doing stuff that he has to think about, infact he seems to find hacking rather boring. Off this weekend for a xcountry school at Te Rapa and some canter work tonight at Duder's Beach, i know i need more photos!! Will attempt to, got the first day of the clinic on video which was good to watch so will see if i can get some photos off that.

Second Phillip Lesson

Well Oliver went like a star last night, there was already huge improvement from the last lesson, much softer now and was more forward, I guess he's getting stronger and more balanced every time, he still gets tired near the end though so we give him a few breaks throughout the lesson, his left canter was even round and on the bit and in control, the right still needs a little more work, he runs a bit and doesn't want to be so round but it will come. His trot work really is lovely and he was so soft i just had to wiggle my fingers and he was through and light. Phillip said i need to be careful as just because he is a big solid horse he still doesnt have the strength yet so not to push him to much and listen and read the signs when he's had enough ie. the jumping when he starts to get a little strong, so think I may ease off on that until i get him going beautifully and balanced on the flat and he is stronger and then may go back to the jumping as we are in no rush and want to have fun positive times. Also from how he's jumped so far I can't see there being any issues and that's what he's bred for so...... Now i just have to decide weather the Jen Hamilton clinic next weekend may be too much for him, so contemplating pulling out, will have a think.

Jump Lesson

Well Oliver was a bit tired after his dressage lesson yesterday and there was a lot of stuff going on at the arena but it was good for him anyway. His transitions are awesome now and his canter work is getting better and better, when we trotted into the cross bar Oliver eyed it up, did a huge jump and squeled and went bowling off after, he must have missed not jumping in the last couple of weeks because he was enjoying it now, everyone just started cracking up!! It's the first time he's been really keen, the other times he's quietly trotted around the jumps so this was a new side to him!! We placed trot poles in front of the cross and he was jumping it nicely so Kirstin wacked it up to an upright, much bigger than i'd ever jumped him, i thought being a little keen and young like most he would trot in and wear the rail and then be really carefull the next time, well i was WRONG, he trotted in beautifully and lifted his knees up and did a fantastic jump, he's so careful and clever, Kirst was impressed, said he's obviously a bit green and was a little distracted today with everything going on but it makes things that much easier when they are carefull!! Poor Oliver was exhausted after his two lessons so i left him out for the night instead of boxing him, he gets a hack tomorrow and then a couple of days off as I am going to the Mount, he's got a bit to think about now anyway!! Definately talented that's for sure, and both instructors commented on how smart he is and what a quick learner, sometimes smart may not be a good thing though ?????? haha

First Lesson

We had our first lesson last night with Phillip Oxenius, well Oliver is a star, he had moments when the head went in the air and said ahhhhhhh help me, but got some amazing work out of him. He is so us and through when he really gets going, like riding a flash dressage horse. Phillip said i ride him much better than my old horse (who i never really clicked with even though i bred him) and we really seem like a good team together and he really liked him....... so i've got two weeks until we get the next one, just have to be careful not to do too much or he could get a little sore, in saying that, jump lesson tonight!! Poor Oliver....... but wanted to get a dressage and a jump lesson so i've got some stuff to work on, plus i know i'm too soft so a lesson will give me a rev up and let me know what i should be working on.

Beach Ride

We went for a ride at the beach on Wed 14th, it was also my little friend Teddy's birthday. Mum was off work sick so we thought we would go for a nice relaxing hack. Got to the beach and the tide was in so we rode around the bridle paths which was fun except the flies drive me crazy. Cassandra's horse is spooky and jumps at a lot but i just plodded along. When we got back to the truck Mum decided we should have a paddle in the water. I love the water, i walked straight in, infact i nearly didn't turn around for Mum as I wanted to go for a swim but Mum didn't agree. We also jumped in off the grass bank, it was so fun, i enjoyed sticking my nose in the water right up to my eyes as well. Mum knows i enjoy it so she's going to try and get me there once a week to have some fun as our friend Imogen lives in riding distance to the beach and to give me a break from schooling. I have a lesson with Philip Oxenius next week on Wednesday so that will be hard work. We also have the Jen Hamilton clinic in February so we are starting to get busy. We got the saddles fitted to me last night, so it's all go, fullsteam ahead. I also get boxed at night, i love my stable and most night's a lie down and have a big sleep, sometimes when Mum lets me out at 5.30 in the morning i have shavings on my face, the side i've been sleeping on, i love sleeping

Wow awesome present from Imogen

Yes well the photo pretty much says it all, Imogen went for a holiday for 3 weeks to Canada and brought Oliver back an awesome present, she said it looked huge in the shop and automatically thought of Oliver's giant head and had to buy it, now Oliver glows in the dark!!