By the way – the inspiration for my post about “feel” was inspired by a TV show I saw over the weekend called “Chopped”. Chefs compete against each other to create the best appetizer, entree, and dessert. There are required ingredients for each dish. One person got high marks for the technical execution of his […] more

Do you know why 20 meter circles are one of the first patterns a newbie dressage rider does? My trainer told me that a long time ago the “ancients” figured out that a 20 meter circle is the natural amount of bend that a green dressage horse will have when asked to flex. Farley did […] more

Do you have “feel”? I don’t. I have to work at it very very hard. Consistently and deliberately picking up a certain diagonal or lead is a challenge. Here’s how it currently works at a trot. If I immediately pick up the diagonal that feels right, that is the right diagonal (as judged by looking […] more

Based on my earlier post, I thought I might pass along my favorite websites for daily perusing of used tack. Bay Equestrian Network: www.bayequest.com***Absolutely, hands down, the best place to find general used tack in California. There’s also a southern california sister site. Most sellers will ship, so you non-California people, check it out! www.Endurance.net***A […] more

a tack hoarder. *hangs head in shame but can’t keep evil grin off face considering the GREAT deals I got yesterday*. It’s a documented fact. I cannot pass up a good deal if it relates to tack. Let’s consider a historical example before diving into the present shall we? The weekend after Minx’s death in […] more

My first dressage lesson was last night and I LOVED it. I was only going to do a lesson every other week, but I’m going to see if I can possibly fit a lesson almost every week into my schedule…. I went into the lesson unsure of myself. Having never had lessons, I didn’t know […] more

On Sunday I knew I wanted to go riding. I just didn’t know where. Actually, I didn’t really want to go riding. I really wanted to spend the day on the couch. But I knew I should want to go riding as the days are growing short and my weekends are very full for the […] more