First Level Virtual Debut

Trying to film a First Level test to submit to Amelia Newcomb for review was a bit of a comedy of errors.  One day I was setting up the Soloshot only to have it not turn on... because I forgot to charge it.  Another day I rode the test but ... forgot to turn it on somehow?  I think there was another botched attempt, perhaps the dressage court wasn't available.  And when we finally got it, the boards and letters were not up so I had to guestimate and asked Amelia to excuse the imperfect geometry.  Plus I think I was sure it would get messed up again somehow so my turnout was not very sharp.  I was tempted to re-ride it and try to do better, but I decided to go with a more show-like scenario, and even though it wasn't our best effort ever it was a pretty fair representation of where we're at. 

Amelia was as always very positive and supportive.  She praised our harmony and relaxation.  (Yes, finally Cupid has been very relaxed in the outdoor arena... too relaxed sometimes!)  

Harmonious overall...

...one small spook notwithstanding

The biggest thing she said we need to work on is that we show noticeably less bend through the body to the left.  She suggested incorporating some in-hand work.

10 meter half circle to the left

Other areas for improvement she said were to continue improving using his topline, push for more in the lengthenings, and work on transitions.  Her suggestions included riding lots of circles and serpentines, adding some lunging with side reins, and getting him to stretch down and reach for the bit.

Bad transition, trot to canter

Canter, left lead

Our first halt was decidedly not square

The second halt was better

Lengthening in the trot

Stretch circle

So we're not quite ready for a real show, and who knows when that might even be.  But it was fun and helpful preparing a test ride and getting some feedback.  Here is the link for the full test: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kd_SPMSE10QcsQA8mDsuUz00SA_32yYs

Soloshot in a Covered Arena

I ordered my Soloshot with full knowledge that it may not work in a covered arena based on things I've read, and just wanted to share my experience in case it helps anyone else considering the purchase.

Our covered arena is I think approx. 100x200 feet.  It is a steel structure, open on two adjacent sides and with metal siding on the other two.  Additionally there are several large cypress tress around it.  My phone generally works, though I don't use it in the arena enough to know if there are dead spots. 

Since my expectations were low (ie. I didn't think it would track at all) I was pleasantly surprised that it was able to follow me about 2/3 of my ride.  I rode for about half an hour and in all areas of the arena.  I had the camera a few feet outside it on the open long side (behind the F marker for dressage), not directly under a tree but there were trees several feet behind it.  It seems like it tended to lose me around A (an open side), and the corner between C&M (which is paneled on the short side but open on the long side), but not always.

Here's a link to a clip where it isn't tracking very successfully: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Q5vUPLJmO4t4S11PhHqncjjsmh1gkPXx


Here's another clip, where it's more successful (aside from my camera placement issue with the supports in the way!): https://drive.google.com/open?id=1B2r6FwabtKpMXk5EU2MwmdLp8HxTf9gt


As you can see from the clips, it was a gray and foggy day.  The arena lights are on, but videoing in there is generally always challenging with the lighting.  I'm not sure if I can set a preference on how much I want it to zoom.  I wouldn't mind it zooming a bit closer. 

Screenshot - Soloshot tracking in covered arena

So my overall assessment is, the Soloshot did do better then I expected, since I didn't think it would track at all.  The overall quality is sufficient to provide some helpful feedback (taking into account the poor lighting in this arena, which is a problem with most cameras).  However, I don't think it's really ideal if you want to use for doing lessons remotely.  I haven't tried a Pixio personally, but based on my understanding that would probably work better for that purpose.

Here's another clip (bonus jumping footage!) with the Soloshot set stationary.  This is a sunnier day, with no lights on.  https://drive.google.com/open?id=11xsMHuIhP6OBpJ2w692HE-KkNdCrWMzC

Screenshot - Soloshot stationary over wall

Screenshot - Solosho stationary over coop

Soloshot!

Since we haven't had a lesson in a month now, I decided to do the next best thing and get a Soloshot camera!  I was debating between Soloshot and Pixio and ended up going with a Soloshot even though it may not be able to track in our covered arena.  I haven't tried it yet - I used it once just stationary on a dim and very foggy day and the quality was actually better then I expected.  But since our outdoor is finally open again I've been riding out there. 

The first time I tried it I was a bit horrified by what I saw, and since then I've been doing part of each ride with a German martingale.  I put it on after I warm up, do about 15 minutes of my typical trot and canter work with it, and then take it off and try to keep the same feel for another 15 minutes or so. 

Here are some bad still shots, taken from my camera phone photographing the video playing on my laptop because I'm very high tech like that.

Covid Cowgirl

So it should come as no surprise that I'm stumbling into all the possible user errors.  2 out of the first 3 times I took the camera to the barn I hadn't charged it.  And I've missed [key] portions of my ride accidentally turning it off.  Like today I thought I paused it while I was taking the martingale off but I guess I just stopped it and didn't turn it back on.  As I rode through my dressage test that I was thinking of submitting for my First Level review with Amelia Newcomb.  Yeah, real smart.  I guess we'll call it a dress rehearsal.  Luckily we didn't have like the best ride ever, but I figured it was an accurate representation of where we are now so I was planning to use it and get feedback on the bad along with the good.

I'll have to add some video clips once I get around to trimming them small enough to upload.

Armchair Detectives Needed

I noticed a bit of a rub mark on Cupid behind his shoulders, even on both sides.  It's just broken/rubbed hairs, not down to the skin.  Any ideas what's causing this??

Here is some background info:

-He is currently still shedding, though almost through.

-Since it's even on both sides I don't think it's from riding / my legs (??)

-He has been wearing a rain sheet in turnout.  We have 2 we rotate.  But it's in more a concave area, so I'm not sure it's from that.  He has gotten blanket rubs in the past more on his chest.

Update

Things have been going well enough, nothing really interesting to share and just a general lack of motivation on my part to write.  (Plus it's hard getting on the computer with a baby around, he insists on joining me and pressing all the buttons.  So it's hard enough to just try to get my work done.)

We are preparing for our virtual First Level debut for Amelia.  We even got to go out to the dressage court last week when there was a break in the rain, though the boards weren't up.  And Cupid acted like he's never been out there before so we didn't really work on the test just on getting him to work through the distractions!  The footing had been packed and was still a bit hard, so I hadn't planned on cantering but he was full of go so we did end up cantering.  It took about 40 minutes until he finally trotted down the long side without trying to scoot away, so we ended on that.

When the weather is nice we've been enjoying walking around the property.   It's a nice way to warm up before going in the arena.

I haven't lunged Cupid in a while, but on a particularly wet

Online Learning with Amelia Newcomb

I've been following Amelia Newcomb, a dressage rider in So. California, on social media for a while now.  She regularly puts out short, high quality videos generally each addressing a specific riding issue.  She has helpful exercises, and what I particularly like is she generally shows common "wrong ways" people do something and how to fix it.  She also has a few workout videos I've been doing, along with the "MadFit" workout videos on YouTube.

It was actually right before the current shutdown that she announced new Training Level and First Level courses, which unlike most of her content have a fee but also include a video review of you riding a test.  Since I have been enjoying her free content for a while I decided to support this - I figured even if it's not as helpful as I hoped I have learned a lot over the past few months and want her to continue making videos!  Plus at the time I was still planning on our First Level debut coming up so the First Level course was timely.  (Now I don't know when we'll show, and will probably do Training just because it's been a while, but hopefully it will still be this year!)

The course includes a demonstration of each First Level test in full, and then additional videos and some written material breaking down moves, discussing directives and expectations, and some general tips.  I'm not sure how I'll get a video to submit, but I'll figure it out.

Cupid has been feeling really good our last few rides.  I switched back to our Myler, but I feel like it's a bit easier getting him rounder in the single joint snaffle.  But even with the Myler it's getting more consistent, I've been getting fairly good energy out of Cupid (trying not to settle for less!), and our lengthenings are coming along.  Overall I'm feeling pretty good about where we are.  Since we're not having lessons currently we may not necessarily move forward much but are definitely focusing on improving what we've been doing.

Back to Nature

Right now being out in nature, away from crowds, is not only a prudent thing to do but helping me keep my sanity and emotions in check.  After a few drizzly days the weather has been beautiful, and I have been going for lots of walks, runs, and thankfully enjoying my horse.

Alternate title: Oh Deer! But let's focus on the positive 

Even though I'm a little disappointed my show plans are all on hold, I know I can't really complain about something so relatively insignificant.  In our rides I've mainly been focusing on improving the consistency of contact, trying to quiet my lower legs, and improving our working gaits while also playing with the lengthenings.

Outside of riding, I like to go for a run when I have a lot on my mind.  There is a nice paved trail along a reservoir just a few minutes from my house.

I listen to music while I run - mostly classic rock (like Queen, Led Zep, Bon Jovi, Foreigner) and country music from the 90s (Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn).

Eucalyptus (I think)

I'm trying to pass on my love of nature and the outdoors to my son.  He doesn't know many words, but quickly learned "walk" and says it as he brings me his little shoes.  He also hands me mine.  I almost always drop whatever I'm doing when I see the happy hopeful look on his face and go for a walk.

That's our house on the right, we are lucky to have space to explore in our own backyard!