Robert Taylor Clinic

I can say with a fair amount of confidence that Penny probably isn't anemic anymore. I'll find out for certain soon (she got blood pulled yesterday.) Last weekend we went to a Robert Taylor clinic in ABQ. I really enjoyed the clinic. It was at just the right pace (lots of resting) for me and for my furry pony. Pony was full of energy, to the point that she was being fast to the point of almost scaring me. She's been really energetic lately and it was only this weekend that it occurred to me that lack of anemia is likely the reason. What it means for me is I'll be able to take her off the blood builder she's on, one less supplement to feed.

Back to the clinic: on Saturday we did stadium and the jumps stayed on the low side. Robert focused on basic issues that were affecting the whole of one's ride. The local pony club coach has been teaching everyone to keep their hands high, something that Robert said was okay for stadium, but not okay for XC. I have the opposite problem after all my months of dressaging. I'm just starting to bring my hands back up and had to really think about it when I was riding. Penny was a little scary. She spooked twice and threw in a really good buck. I stayed on. My friend that was riding with me said that Robert said a lot of good things about my pony, I couldn't hear because of the wind rushing past my ears as she galloped around. It again illustrated that Penny needs to listen to the bit better. She had her teeth done yesterday and there was enough amiss that her teeth could be the reason, we'll see on that one. I have my fingers crossed. Robert said I was a good rider, which was nice to hear.

XC was fun and Penny was raring to go. We did some of the novice fences and I think a training fence too. The big thing we worked on, and I'm so glad we did, were drops. They're the only thing that I'm nervous about, so getting some good experience with them was priceless. We also did a jump with a roof. R said that the horses don't care about them, the riders do, so just jump the fence like it's not there. Penny and I fought a lot. She wanted me to let her go, but I knew she'd take off at warp speeds, so I didn't. Hence, fighting. R told me I really just need to let her have her head, I know that. We don't have a problem when we're out on course, because she gets enough running to settle. Schooling, because it's jump the fence, stop, jump the fence, stop, was just pissing her off.

I feel confident going into the season. St Johns is in a little more than two weeks. Penny is home this week. She got vet stuff done yesterday and I clipped her and pulled her mane. The farrier should be out today to put shoes on her. She's back to Pony Boot Camp this weekend to get our dressage polished up and then off we go.

Did you know you can <a href="https://www.facebook.com/betterthanicecreampony">
like Penny on Facebook?</a> I think she needs legions of fans.