Well, he's not really mine, but since Ike has been my project since the autumn, I call him my horse. And he's been smart.

He's five now and while not ready for the 5 year old classes, he's making great progress in his training. Ike has to fight his conformation a bit, having a rather un-helpful neck (some might say it's put on upside-down, but I wouldn't say it because I love him). He has good use of all his legs, a good trot with lots of potential, an incredible canter, good walk, but he is always starting lazy off the leg, tight in his back and his neck is like a 2x4 that is better suited for building a tree house.

However, despite his physical shortcomings he is a great horse to work with. He has been a challenge on many occassions, but I always felt that there was a lot under the plain surface of this guy. I'm glad I've had faith in him because he's starting to show others what he's got.

Last week his owner came out to watch him work and he was brilliant.  The owner is great, and comes regularly to see Ike work. She's understanding of difficult stages in training, and always pleased that there's progress each visit, no matter if it's small or big.

It takes Ike quite a while to warm up and he starts off trotting like an old, cheap pony. After he loosens up, usually involving some head tossing and playful mini-bucks for good fun, he gets to work and gradually becomes this fancy horse. Ike has really found a new gear in the last week or so, where his legs come off the ground quicker and higher, his back stays so soft and he becomes nicer and nicer through his neck into my hands. It's the kind of feeling that makes a rider sit a little taller because you think that people may just start watching this mount of yours, and you'd like to match his performance.

He gave me all of this and more Friday, in front of the owner and a few of the other riders at the farm. I was so proud of him and pleased with how far he's come. The best part though was the next day when a man who'd been in the arena the night before asked me if the horse I'd been riding was a stallion. Ike! A stallion! With that neck!  What was also interesting is I know this man has seen Ike a few times, but not for quite a while. That he didn't even recognize him and thought he might be a stallion made me very proud of the little stinker.

Then later Saturday we did cavaletti work with Ingrid and he was once again excellent. We haven't done any (canter) cavaletti for a while, but Ingrid asked if I'd been practicing with him because he was soooooooooo much better, really using his back and staying round and soft over the bounces and other excersices . I could only say no I haven't practiced, he's just smart.

I'm so grateful his owner took a chance on an unknown foreigner (yeah okay, at Ingrid Klimke's recommendation, but still...) and let me take her horse in training. He's been complicated and frustrating at times, but mostly such a pleasure and a teacher as every horse can be if we as riders listen to what they need. Smart, smart, smart horse.

Yesterday we hacked and then today played around some more canter cavaletti and small jumps. Tomorrow he gets a well deserved day off and then the fun starts again.

Did I mention that my job rocks?

Now it's time to try to sleep, but I'm a little jacked up on sugar from a special mail delivery today of Cadbury Mini Eggs. Some things (well, a lot of things really) you just can't get here, and Cadbury easter candy is the crack-cocaine my sweet tooth craves. The only thing better than getting mail from friends is getting mail you can eat. Nummy.

Eiren

Well, maybe you think your job is better, but I doubt it could be.

Yesterday and today I got to practice 1-tempi changes. That's flying changes every stride. Like they do in the Grand Prix. That's above and beyond my at-times-ultra-challenging-three-or-two-tempi-changes.  Riding this amazing schoolmaster has been such a treat and I'm just hoping to get as many rides in while she's here. Like a good professor, this mare forgives some mistakes but if you're wrong she doesn't do it all for you. 

Knowing my flying change challenges, I have always felt that the 1-tempis would be the ultimate challenge - I was pretty sure either the horse or I would implode the first time trying it. Turns out I was wrong, it was actually quite calm, steady, and purposeful. 

After I thanked Ingrid for the opportunity to try this she said, 'I was lucky to learn this on my father's horses. You need to learn the next step and when we have a horse like this here it's the best chance. It's so important to feel it on an experienced horse so you can learn it.'

I also got to school some passage on this horse. I am soooooooooooooooooo lucky.

Besides the Amazing Ride of Flying Changes, I also rode 8 other great horses today. My first ride was 'only' a 45 minute walk outside, but what a great way to start your day - sun shining, fresh air, birds singing, and seeing signs of spring everywhere. Then the weather went to hell and I rode inside the rest of the day, but at least I got some outside riding.

It's not just the older horses that get me smiling each day. The young, uncertain ones are also so rewarding and exciting. I think I'm lucky that I can take just as much satisfaction from a super-sensitive four year old mare trying to stretch her neck and back for the first time as I can from a line of one-tempi changes. Every horse is different and it's such an incredible thing to learn their personalities and earn their trust. This is my job! Wow! How can anything be better?

On a side note, I had a great week with my dear friend Susan visiting. We did lots of horsey things -watched horse show, watched auction horses, worked my jobs, bought horsey things. But we also had an amazing non-horsey mini-holiday in Hamburg. We walked, ate, drank, slept, shopped, walked, ate, drank, slept, shopped, etc. The weather was beautiful and we had probably one of the best meals I've EVER had. And without a doubt the best Mojitos I've ever had. Hamburg is a place I can't wait to return to.

I'm getting excited for my trip to Canada in April. I will be doing my first clinic in Saskatchewan, and returning to BC for the great crew in Winfield. I just got some dates for summer clinics in the USA, so I'll be organizing something soon.

Cheers & happy riding!
Eiren

Yesterday Herr Stecken was at the farm for a lesson. He comes usually the week before Ingrid has a show and watches her run through a test and gives her help, making it better. Also when Ingrid is gone for some days he will come and give us a lesson. Sometimes, even when Ingrid is around, he'll be there to help us. His lessons are similar to a Pony Club group lesson where we ride on a 20 meter circle, doing transitions then following eachother in serpentine lines or down the longside in a medium trot or canter. Herr Stecken's 92 (or 93 now?) year old eyes don't miss much. He is after perfection, doesn't seem to like to say the same thing more than 3 times in a lesson, but is always quick with a laugh.
Yesterday there were four of us - Carmen, Maria, me, and Laura (a girl who's here for two weeks) - riding together under Herr Stecken's watchful eye. In the first lesson I rode a new 3 year old stallion, we call him Blondie. I am amazed at how well behaved this young fella is and how easy he is. Having said that, he's still a 3 year old stallion, so I sometimes get a little knot in my stomach when I get on and walk that first round of the arena, and am more than a little cautious when the arena is crowded.
So Mr. Stecken kept telling me to just let him stretch. Give him a chance. Open your hand and let him stretch.
On any other horse it's no problem, but on a 3 year old stallion I've only ridden maybe 7 times, the idea of letting the reins long enough for him to get his nose all the way to the ground... well, it makes me nervous (Keep in mind I got bucked around the arena earlier in the morning by another 3 year old, a fast and tall mare). But Herr Stecken just kept telling me to give him a chance, let him try. 
Even though I don't always understand everything Herr Stecken says (he speaks no English), I try my hardest to do what he wants. So Blondie learned how to stretch his neck and back yesterday, and I learned how to trust a 3 year old stallion.