Saturday, November 22, 2008

And so it was written the rains would come....

Sooo much rain...and we're so lucky we're on high ground...6 inches of rain over 5 days....dams all full.....nothing too much washed away....

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Abrock Noah - Riding Lesson!

Don't laugh, wasn't that funny. Decided that we needed to see if I could switch Noah's focus to ME - yes ME - instead of everyone and anything anywhere but on his back... So had a 7am lesson with Jenny Kunde on Chris Forrester's u-beaut arena - it was great fun. Jenny was extremely complimentary re Noah and commented that he was the right shape to be able to use himself.... Wryly I was thinking to myself ...how challenging is this going to be.
No pix this time but get some next time as didn't quite know what the outcome was going to be....there were a skillion horses about and he was okay (just) to get into the arena, had to dodge a couple of geldings in the paddock to get there.... Luckily the instructor arrived after I was in the arena :) phew.
Gosh I forgot how hard you have to work to collect them and get them using themselves AND going forward. He is definitely NOT a fizzy horse, so at least his brain remained in his body...but Driftwood, retired chammmpppiiioonnn 28 endurance horse insisted on standing "over" the arena and keeping watch...bit challenging initially but actually Noah was really really good.
Few pigroots and jumps in the air when asking for a canter but when he did canter he was sooooo beeeeaauuttiiifffulllll - a real buzz. Jenny also had a ride, which I found invaluable as it enabled me to actually visualise what she wanted and to see how he goes for someone that isn't making MY mistakes. My hands were far too mobile and inconsistent contact then blocking and jamming him....and not enough leg, then too much all the time....
So much fun! Another lesson next week, can't wait, and will have to do some practise beforehand....Noah is at present in Tom's yard enjoying the white sub clover with Keema hanging over the fence at him demanding he get out of "her patch" now...and not even lifting his head. A different horse after the lesson - so much happier and willing to be obliging. I think HE LIKES IT!