About Me

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USDF Region 1, United States
Rigitta is a 2005 Lipizzan mare,(Pluto II Dixana x Rheia), that I finally found Dec 2010 after a 2 year search for a Lipizzan. Many adventures and new found friends later, Rigitta and I begin our partnership and eventual dressage competitive career. Rigitta has not been started yet so this will all be from scratch just like my 2007 Dutch Warmblood, Cedar(Theo), has been. I am an over 50 Adult Amateur Dressage competitor. I am a supporter of the Nokota Horse and have owned several. ... www.nokotahorse.org ... Amy Dragoo is helping me with my Blog photos. Majority are from her. ... AK Dragoo Photography, LLC ... www.akdragoophoto.com ... You can follow her Blog here: http://akdragoophoto.squarespace.com/view-all-posts/ ... Also a shout out to Sarah Casey and Waltzing Horse Farm Berlin, New York where I got Rigitta ... http://www.waltzinghorsefarm.com/ ... Make sure you click on "older posts" at the bottom of the page to see everything that has been happening since the beginning of the adventure!

Friday, May 27, 2011

And on we go

Rigitta had her Chiro check up last night to see how she is doing with the new saddle. She has greeatly improved in 3 weeks.  No more muscle spasms or stiffness.  I am looking forward to another ride with her today.

I start with a plan and then have to revise!  Theo will do the July  Andreas Hausberger SRS clinic in New York because it will be more demanding and he is ready for it.  Gitta will go to Melanie's for Christian Bachinger later in July as it is more low key.

Theo is ready to move up to Training 1 for June schooling shows.  And I am ready to pick up the regular ride on him in July.  Time to rock and roll!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

All Good!

Things are progressing finally, with another good work session for Rigitta.  We lunge , long line and spend just 15 minutes under saddle all to get her stronger without emphasizing any one thing.  She stretched down in the last 5 minutes undr saddle.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Training with Melanie Adams

Good two days working with Melanie Adams this weekend.  Nice roadtrip for Rigitta down to Maryland for a "sleep over".




Thursday, May 19, 2011

New saddle

I have a saddle for Rigitta now that fits her.  It is a 39 CM Duett dressage Saddle.  What a difference!

She has recovered quite well from the bad saddle fit and is relaxing again on the lunge in side reins.  I sat on her in the round pen tonight at the walk and she seemed to be feeling comfortable.  Will slowly re-introduce undersaddle work mixed in with the lunging and long lining.  Will keep to the walk and make sure she has the steering and gas pedal well understood and moving away from the leg.

Gitta and I are going down to Melanie's tomorrow thru Saturday for 2 training sessions and her second off farm trip.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Saddle Fit

It is well into May and I have not blogged for awhile.  Rigitta is having trouble with saddle fit.  She was not doing well under saddle the  last 10 days of April.  I have her back on the long lines and lunging in a Pessoa.  She needs to build up her top line and I need to get a saddle for her that fits.  She measures to a 40 CM.  So I expect to start her all over again June 1st, all things being equal.

Theo is continuing to develop well doing 2 schooliong shows and 1 day clinics with Bob Orton and Julio Mendoza.  I ride him for Julio and Anecia rides him for Bob Orton.

Gitta's saddle fit issues have slowed down her progress so Theo will be doing the 2 Spanish riding School Clinics.