One Day Clinic

On August 9th we booked a one day clinic with the same guy we went to last fall, Greg Michelson.  I dunno if anyone remembers, but he does some reining training and lots of lessons and stuff.  Real good teacher, easy to listen to and always makes it a fun time.  So we thought it would be fun to get together and go for a day.

(Greg on his stud)

There was I think 8 of us there, me on Razz, Char used Jess, her niece used Dude, Susan and Twister, a neighbor and her chubby pony, a good rider with her Morgan stud who is super broke but hasn't been out in public much, a nervous girl on her daughters paint, and Greg's daughter on her horse.  Quite a bunch of people but also a nice mix.

(Char and her neice)

(the Morgan)

(Susan by Jessie's sleepy head)

(the neighbor girl)

(Greg's daughter)

The morning started out a little wet and so we went to his indoor and did a few things and then he set up an obstacle/trail course for us to see our abilities and test us some.  I never brought my camera inside I wish I had of there woulda have been lots of opportunity for pics.  I was actually surprised how good Razz was for not being ridden in a year, I was actually a little nervous about her but she was super good, a little rushy and unsure at first but just settled in quickly.  I never loped her cause I knew I didn't have 3 days to wear her out, lol.

The course had walking and trotting and loping to certain spots, then a box we had to get off our horse and ground tie them and walk on the outside of the box around them and then get back on.  I know my horses are followers and  so of course they stay inside the box but walk around in a circle beside me, lol.  Greg made those of us whos horses did that get on the right side.  That was awkward but interesting.  Then a bridge to walk over, I knew Jessie would do it cause we walked on rubber mats at Doug's a few days before that without her questioning it, but I didn't know about Razz and sure enough just stepped right up and looked all proud of herself, wasn't even in a hurry to get off.  I was pretty happy about that.  Then we had to pick up a rope off the fence and carry it to a post and set it on there, that was no big deal either.  A few horses didn't want to get that close to the wall, but I think everyone got it. After that we set up some backing and it was a little more challenging for me with Razz than I expected (I suggested it, lol) because I forgot she is so responsive to the leg so a little touch is a big movement of her hip, I got it eventually although she was still kinda fighting me a bit and I didn't know what that was about yet.

He has a flag run by an old bicycle to before we broke for lunch we did a few turns on it.  Was fun for those of us who have worked the flag but even those whos horses never seen a flag before were doing pretty good after a few turns.  He was a little lenient on me I don't think he really wanted to say much but I woulda got after me a few times, lol.

After lunch it dried up and he harrowed the outdoor so we went outside.  It was a beautiful day, warm enough to not wear a coat but not so hot we were melting like most of the summer has been.He started out with us loping a big circle around 4 pylons.  I wasn't looking forward to loping Razz so I suggested he should ride her and show us what he means.  He was game and had a hard time getting her to lope, that's weird for her and then we finally figured out we think she was sore in the hip somewhere.  Poor girl, no wonder her backups weren't great.  But I rode her again at a walk and trot and she didn't feel or look sore so that was confusing.

Then since he rode my horse he said I had to ride his.  Well its his super broke reining stud that hes competed on a million times so I figured it would be easy.  Well first off his stirrups were super long but he said Id be fine so I left them and wow was that hard of the thighs!  But we did it and he wasn't perfect, he liked to head back to the crowd on the one quarter so lots of outside leg at that one spot.  But he was fun to ride.  I was glad to see when Greg got on him he did the same thing.

Then everyone else went and we changed directions, I rode Jess going the other way, it kinda felt like cheating cause she can move her shoulder so easy that when she almost run over a pylon I just touched her with my spur and she moved sideways it was fun.  A lot easier on my own horse though even though his was broke because I know what Jess would do.

We also did rollbacks and stops and that is always fun on Jess shes always good. although after both me and Char riding her I think she was getting tired, which is good.  And she still tries every time no matter what I ask of her and I like that.  Was a long enough day so we called it quits there.  I was happy with how the day went, always learn something when I go there.