We have had a lot going on since September! In early October we had a large group go to the Dutch Knob Pace Event. A pace event (also known as a paper chase) is where they mark a trail, usually 5-7 miles, that you follow. There are usually jumps along the way that are optional. You try to ride the course at the optimum time which they pre-determine. The trick is, they don't tell you what the time is beforehand!
Mid October we had our very first Knights Landing Horse Show for all of our students and boarders. We had a great turnout with 34 students/boarders in all! It was great to see so many friends and family turn up to cheer everyone on and it wound up being a really successful/fun day :)
October 26th we had a small group (Christina and I included) show at Blue Goose Stables at their Combined Test. A Combined test is where you ride a Dressage test and then jump a stadium round. They score the whole thing together to determine your placing. This is a great way to get ready for a full event (which includes Dressage-stadium- cross country). Combined tests are also just a good way to get your horse out to get more experience without the added expense and anxiety of getting through all three phases of an event. I like to use them as a good way to work on my Dressage tests, while letting Mikey have some fun afterwards in the stadium round! The great thing about Blue Goose is that they do introductory tests for those just getting started in Dressage and eventing. They have a broad spectrum-- a walk/trot test with a cross rail jump course, all the way up to a training level event test with a 3'3 jump course and everything in between.
Here are mine and Christina's Dressage tests!
Mine- http://youtu.be/dYRzE7Hi1wc
Christina-http://youtu.be/Id0_HpOeSi0
Our two newest lesson horses are doing really well. Rosie came about 2 months ago now and has gained a lot of weight. She is doing everything from up/down, walk/trot lessons to lessons with the girls who are trying to master their jump position over smaller sized fences. Kota who came mid summer (and was also very under weight upon arrival) is doing walk/trot/canter and jumping small courses with the more novice level students. She has been out cross country schooling as well as trail riding. She is also one of the horses who went on the Dutch Knob ride! We couldn't be happier with these two girls :)
Earlier this week we had a new boy named Dixon come in, he will hopefully begin to get plugged in to lessons next week. He is a 7 yr old Thoroughbred Gelding, about 16.1 hands tall and has some show experience already, jumping up to 2'9. He is super sweet, inquisitive and really a nice guy to ride.
