I wrote this post for a May release, and unfortunately never finished it. There are a TON of updates on Stanley and our adventures and I’m so excited to tell you all. For now, here is the ALMOST latest.
While the retired horses at home are quiet and peaceful things are starting to progress with the coming of spring at the barn. The weather is better and we’re riding outside now.
The boys are also loving the better weather. They rip around their field reliving the glory days. It keeps them fit even when we’re not riding.
The horses also have also perfected their training for smiles. Tiger does it pretty well on command, and Stanley…well….Stanley does it if we aren’t giving him attention. He’s getting better about learning he needs to wait for the cue. I swear if we did class superlatives this boy would be voted class clown.
My best friend is continuing to lease and love Tiger! Tiger was recently diagnosed with anaplasmosis. He never went off grain or got sick, luckily, he’s simply been ever so slightly off and extra lazy. He went through a round of doxycycline and seems to be doing better.
Watching Suzanne and Tiger work together is serendipitous. I love them both already on their own but the pair is something like art. They work together happily and harmoniously and it’s truly a sight to see! Since putting the pair together Tiger has grown up immensely. He’s muscled up but also has become more mature in his everyday routine.
Stanley and I are becoming quite a bonded pair as well. At our last farrier appointment, we put shoes on to support his changing body and feet. You can SEE the diet change in his hooves so clearly.
In the last month, I felt a change in our rides. It felt like a lightbulb turned on in Stanley’s mind and we started to bloom. He was already impressing me but now I just smile almost continuously whenever we ride.
You might remember from my last update Spring Is Here that I have trouble getting Stanley into a left lead canter. Last month I audited a clinic with FEI 4* judge and renowned trainer Sarah Geike. I watched her ask the student to look over her right shoulder while tracking to the left to really feel her seat bones. Later in the day, I tried this trick. I was shocked when I realized how different my seat bones felt. There they were, and the right felt at least 2″ lower than the left.
Odd!
But you know what….
We nailed our left lead canter depart from the walk after this!
And then again.
And every ride, even from the trot….as long as I look to the outside before asking for the left canter.
The only time we really miss it now is when he and I start to get tired.
His canter is becoming so much more balanced and relaxing. It’s still a LOT different than Nahe and I am finding the need to improve my fitness even more to sustain my own suppleness, but the amount we’ve improved is simply making my head spin.
We also began to jump more. Being a big horse Stanley has a huge stride, and it’s something I find I need to get used to. When it comes to jumping I’m realizing that I ask him to put in an extra stride in places he didn’t need. Instead of taking the long spot we chip in and it often costs us a rail or a smooth rhythm. I am getting used to it slowly but I’ve been saving the majority of my jumping for lessons to help me not interfere with him (and me) finding the right spot.
In my most recent lesson, we made great progress in finding our sweet spot. I’m getting more confident in him and he’s getting more confidence. More and more I trust that he will go right over the jump I point him at. More and more we are willing and able to see the longer spot…in fact, a more correct spot if I wasn’t a weenie. During that lesson, we jumped beautifully over a jump I built for my trainer…took the right spot, and held the right position. when we measured the jump it was about 2’6″!!! I am beyond proud of Stanley and myself…and grateful for everyone who has had a role in our lives. 2’6″ is the highest I have jumped aside from an accidental (and poorly ridden) 3’3″ on a hunter pace once. Yet at this height, Stanley and his big legs actually had to jump for real.
Earlier this week I asked Stanley to cross a trail bridge in the arena. He was confused and wasn’t sure what I was asking. Happily, I jumped down and led him over it, he followed without question. I got back on and he now walks across the bridge as though he’s always known them.
He’s seriously SMART!!!
With all of this great progress, it makes you think we’re ready to go to shows.
Well…I have more news to share.
Since I wrote this we have gone to a couple events. Stay tuned and I’ll fill you in as soon as I can about what we did and how it went. You’ll want to stay tuned…it involves a three-time Olympian!
The Green Horseman 
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