Abbey the eventer!

I joined the Mildura Adult riding club yesterday in their rally and we had a wonderful time exploring the cross country jumps.  Having never seen  cross country jumps before, Abbey did a fantastic job and just took it all in her stride. We had an absolute ball. 

July 2011 Sunraysia Quantum Weekend

When: 14th - 17th July 2011

Where: Riverbend Vet Clinic, Buronga

Daily Programme:

Morning 9.30am - 1.00pm
Level 1 Advanced: Level 1 Overview
Combine skills learnt in Level 1 - Build your Confidence in all gaits - Prepare for Level 2

Afternoon 2pm - 5.30pm
Level 2 Primary: Lessons 5 & 6
Advance on our Basic Skills with Positive Reflexes— Work on longer lines—Go looking for the truth at Liberty—Gain an independent seat with Bareback Riding


I think everyone at this Quantum Weekend made lots of progress with their horsemanship this month!  The Level 1 Overview group started getting well prepared for finishing their Level 1 with a look at how the ground work relates to our ridden tasks and there were lots of discoveries about really getting their focus up in their direct reins (both on the ground and in the saddle).

We had some newies for the Level 2 Primary lessons as well as some students revisiting this lesson and what a group they made!  With everyone keen to get started on their lessons at liberty, we worked on developing & strengthening the connection between horse and rider, by being clearer with their communication through the rope first.  There were lots of 'ooh's & aahhh's' when the halters came off (some for their first time) and the horses remained connected with their leaders!

To top the weekend off, we were all invited to Dr Debs house for Spaghetti on the Saturday night.  A fabulous place to spend a chilly winters evening and we all had a chance to watch some of the previews of the new Harmony In Motion DVD's whilst we ate.  Thanks Dr Deb, the spaghetti was delicious!

A Huge thank you to everyone who came along to make this weekend such a special one and especially to those who traveled all the way from Melbourne and surrounding areas, just to be there.

Student Ta-Dah's!
Tigger went backwards in a figure of 8!
McLeod surprised me with contact with rope
Dream went well being sent on the circle
Grace put her front and back feet in a hoola hoop and did yields around the hoop!
Nice spirals and changes of direction.
I had my first canter on McLeod!!
I loaded my pony by myself!!
Dream - trotting circles with 1 rein trough 5 obstacles & then cantering.
Grace went sideways a  step.
Grace stood up on the box in the arena with her front feet on the box then put all 4 feet on the box.  She stopped when I asked and went forward when I asked!!
I saw Jen do some fantastic sideways down the fence with Clancy.
I saw Alexa establish her personal space with Anki and as a result, Anki did a beautiful spiral in.
I saw Karen create a lovely connection with Tigger and had him circle her at liberty for the first time.
I saw Maggie working to help Gracie to become more comfortable with standing over a pole.
I saw Sally help Dream in her short range circles and then put her calmly over the jumps.
I saw Chris steer her horse around the cones beautifully with 1 rein.
I saw Samara achieve a nice flex through Grace's body in her bend to a stop.

Lindy & Rocky, Level 1 Grad

Congratulations Lindy Fullarton and Rocky for completing your Level 1 Assignmnets!!

You have had a few bumps along the way, but now you have your RED STRING!! Woohoo!! Well done Lindy

Congratulations Sue & Phoebe!

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Sue Wright and her fantastic horse Phoebe for completing their Level 1 Assignments!!

Well done Sue, you put in a huge effort with Phoebe and really deserve your RED STRING!!