Tips on training event horses from DOC

David O'Connor:

• Always use flags when training on skinny fences, horses recognize these and will hunt for the next fence once established.

• Bad experiences with ditches can ruin a horse for eventing, more so than water complexes will.

• Walk horses past things to familiarize them, rather than walk them towards it. (eg. ditches)

• Use a low pole over a water tray when training, it encourages a proper jump and better shape over the fence. (particularly useful when used in a combination)

• When training a combination jump the last element once or twice first to show the horse the exit. 

• Move from your 'galloping position' to your 'preparing to jump position' 5-6 strides out (I always remember Andrew Hoy explaining he prepares about 10 strides out)

What are you thoughts on stirrup length?

It can depend a lot on your body type, taller people may need to ride longer, and ironically shorter people too in order to maintain balance, but generally you should be looking for a 90 degree bend in the knee.

- Read the full report here: http://blog.talkinghorse.net/2013/02/international-eventing-forum-2013-my.html

2013

Let’s take my lack of writing as a sign that I have been super busy, because I have, there are a lot of big changes in the works (don’t worry all good things). My office job gave me a promotion and moved me to the European hours (10PM to 8AM) which is nice as it gives me more time at the barn on Sunday. But with the barn being busy and some other things in life dragging me in 3 different directions, Regal has been spending some time with my dressage trainer. This is allowing him to work more consistently than I can give him right now. I miss him like crazy in my day to day schedule but he seems happy and is coming along really well. Not to mention his new turnout buddies and he are having a competition on who can destroy their blankets the most, that new Amigo Bravo I got him, it looks like it went through a paper shredder. *sigh* On the home barn front I can confidently say Digger is making some real progress., we have gotten a new level of acceptance of the bit and his weekly treks up the trail seem to be helping in his muscle and over all happiness. As a result I got to see him jump with Ceara for the first time with no over jumping, that was awesome to see. Now if her ankle would only heal we can get back on track! Quest, who I am riding once a week is looking and going the best I have seen him. He is really coming into a higher connection that you see in an upper level horse. Lateral work is also really hitting new highs. Though as Elizabeth found out this past weekend if you are in a hurry that all goes to hell in a pretty hand basket J Lilly, Elizabeth’s new baby, who arrived from Timberridge Sporthorses in Canada a little over a month ago is coming along well, she is very smart and often reminds me of Regal when he was 3 years old. I Suspect I will be climbing on her back in Feb for the first time. Besame is also reaching new levels in her work, being in the indoor is really helping her balance more in the canter and she is loving her cavaletti work.

Looking ahead this year Besame and Noor will both be bred (I will do a post about the stallion once the contracts have been signed). Both mares will keep in work until they can’t anymore due to bellies. I am not putting any solid goals at them since they are both maiden mares but I would like to see them both get to a few local shows and XC schoolings. Rafiki will embark on his eventing career and either stick around or be sold. Regal will start the year off at Training level, I am looking at a few clinics in Feb and March in Maryland and VA to kick us off, and then I am aiming to end the season with a few prelims under our belt. Regal will also debut in some USDF shows with Marion this year, very exciting for the big boy. Lilly will go BN and maybe even Novice this year. Quest will be looking for a full time leassor or be sold this year. I would like to see Marbles partner with someone to show in dressage and eventing, he is way too nice to stay home.

On an semi-related front, someone wants to buy my trailer, so I am currently in talks with someone to buy a 4 horse trailer, very exciting!

Students, what are your goals for 2013? I have some in mind for all of you but I want to hear your own goals first. Times to road map our year…

Young Horses

Today was a baby day. I did my first ride on Regal who had Wednesday off, he was fresh and in a bit of a mood to fight so it was a day or relaxing and just going back to the basics. Regal has had a slow transition to self carriage and really has gotten in beautifully this fall, however when he is a bit naughty the first place he goes is hallow and heavy at time, today was one of those days. So I skipped the up work, got him streaching down into the trot with lots of transitions from the seat and breath. We were able to get some good turn on the forehand and haunches before calling it a day.

Next was Dubai. Dubai is a new OTTB who came into my life recently. I had these great plans to get on and just go for a walk. So I brought him in from turnout and he immediately poops three times and can barely stand still. He now looks much bigger then his relaxed self. I push ahead dancing around him getting a dressage saddle on adjusting the bridle. Reto suggested treats and suddenly wasn't so thrilled to be riding Aston in the same ring as me. Once we were off the cross ties and out to the ring he was a ham. Even stood by the mounting block. We worked on breaks, steering and bending. He even was unexcited when a horse broke out of a paddock and Aston came trotting up behind him. He is a very quick learner. I will need spurs for the next ride. Steering is still not always accurate but we stop on an exhale and doesn't feel like a block of concrete in his mouth, success! Very excited to see what this boy can do next year.

Tomorrow is more riding, teaching, we were going to school cross country but the rain for the last two days has left everything too wet.