Aug. 19, 2011

After reviewing my video from the previous run and knowing what has helped in the past, I set out on Friday to #1) keep Skippy calm before a run, #2) don't tug or pull on the outside rein going into the 2nd barrel and #3) do the best I can with the horse I have. So in my previous runs I made this summer, I thought I would incorporate a couple of practice runs prior to my actual competition run in an effort to get myself right. Well with Skippy, this just makes him more agressive and I don't need that with him going to the 1st barrel. I need to keep things slow right now, almost like I am starting over with him. So this time we just warmed up and waited for our turn to go. Well it paid off because he stayed calm going into the arena and I did not have to fight with him so much getting closer to the timer. He also had a much nicer 2nd, (still not perfect) getting around it quicker. The 3rd still needs work, but I am happy with the improvements. I feel I am headed in the right direction. My time was 19.629 which is my best time so far this season.
My next plan of action will be to work on Skippy's circles, both large and small and I have some great excerices to help mix it up some. I'd like to continue to work on making our barrel turns smoother which, in turn, will make them faster. I am really trying to educate myself on proven methods that help in this area. Does anyone have any suggestions, if so please let me know.

The Classified Horse @ Dunn's Arena Sat. 08/13/2011

Although the weather said thunderstorms, I didn't not see any rain while at Dunn'd Saturday night. The plan was to do the same in competition as I had been doing at practice and Skippy had been doing well. Friday night I practiced and had great expectations for the run on Sat. but here is the breakdown-I had some help at this race, my daughter video taped the run and I was bale to see where my mistakes were. This is so helpful.
We did an exhibition run and everything went well. Skippy was listening to me and I did not have to rack on him. He rated well at the barrels and turned each one nice.
We were 4th out, which was fine with me and we entered the area and Skippy did his normal trot to where we start out. As we picked up to a lope and came around to be lined up with the 3rd, he started getting pushy with me so I had to hold him back. Then as we approached the timer, I let him go and gave a couple of kicks. (I usually don't kick to the 1st) We came in wide to the first, but he turned it and we were set up for the 2nd My hands are where I want them to be while going around the 1st, but I could sit deeper in the saddle.
Going to the 2nd, I held the outside rein too much, making him tip his nose too far to the outside. I can see why our turns at the 2nd are off. I am totally throwing Skippy off balance. He should have a slight tip to the inside before we get to the 2nd. This is why he is coming out so wide on the back of the 2nd. He lines up nice to the 3rd as we are leaving the 2nd and I held the horn all the way, then sat and turned. The turn was wider than I would like but that is an issue I will have to work on after I get barrels 1 & 2 better.
So I am trying to download the video-which is not pretty-so you can see what is happening. Please post any comments you may have.

08/09/2011***Practice, Practice, Practice****

After getting a couple of tips on Utube from Ty Mitchel, I set out this evening to do some time only's or practice runs at Larkyn Arens where the ground is very nice. While picking out my horses hooves, I found that one of his front shoes must have gotten caught on something because it was bent a little and there were 2 nails that had gotten bent over like it had almost been torn off. With the help and advise of Bill Lake, a reputable trainer in the area, he took out the bent nails and said as long as I don't run him hard, he should be good.
I had ridden him on Sunday evening and Skippy felt much more solid and riding him tonight, I feel that way even more so. With the combination of getting him  listening to me, making sure I am relaxed, using my outside leg on the approach to the barrel, sitting straight in the saddle and checking him at my transition area, he will really stand up as he is going around the barrel. Pretty good going slow, but when you add speed we'll have to see if I can stay up with him. The more I practice, the better I will be able to handle it. A little at a time.

Buckle Series-The Classified Horse

On Friday, 08/05/11, Skippy and I went to Dunn's for our 3rd run in the Summer Buckle series. Our times have been getting faster with every run, little by little. Starting out with a 20.089 on 07/09(not the buckle series), then on 07/22 we ran 19.753(1st place 5D) and on 07/29 we ran 19.639(times were slower this night so we ended 5th in 4D). All the while I am making sutble changes and keeping track of what is working, and what is not. I had a Vet out on Monday 08/01 to check for lameness issues, which he found that Skippy was sore in the Stifles, so we had him injected. I did not ride on Sat or Sun of last week, he had to be off from the injection for 2 days, my work schedule Wed was 7:30am to 7pm, shoer was out on Thur. so Skippy and I did not get any work out what so ever this past week. NOT GOOD! Our run on Friday was less than perfect, our time was a 20.009(6th place in 5D). One adjustment I made was to go into the 1st barrel more aggressive. I did this and he turned it so nice! I will continue to work on this. Riding into the 2nd, I lost timing by taking hold of outside rein but not holding up the inside rein. We came out of the back side very wide, almost crossing the timer. Lost alot of time there, the 3rd was okay but could be tighter. 
I have decided that I should focus more on using my outside leg both going into the barrel and on him to get around quicker. I should continue to push going into the barrel and not pulling on the outside rein. I also will be working him more during the week on excercises to help him get around the barrel faster.