Monday, December 5, 2011

gymkhana redeux

The rained out gymkhana was rescheduled for yesterday.  The weather was perfect, a little cool with no wind.  It was fun to see so many different kinds of horses and riders.  There were huge draft horses and a Fjord pony along with the usual quarter horses and warm bloods.  Very few of the riders had competitive speeds.  In fact, in the peewee division some horses were led by parents.

The next one is in two weeks.  Apparently the ranch runs them once a month.  Since it happens so often and many riders just trot through, there is no pressure to be great.  I think I'll try G in the barrels at the next one.

After the event was over and everyone went home, I took G to the arena and rode for a long time.  The barrels were still set up, so we rode the pattern.  Most of the time we walked and trotted it.  A few times we loped back after the last barrel.  He seems to have had experience with it, because he knew to go around the barrels with tight turns.  I wish he would keep his head up when he lopes, it feels like he's going to somersault!  Maybe the new saddle pad will help by getting the saddle off of his withers. His new saddle pad is in Chino now.  It should arrive before I ride again on Wednesday.  I'm very excited.

He has more energy than before.  He looks more alert, too.  It will be a month or more before any weight gain will show.

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