Pictures

Some pictures I just managed to upload from the British Open:

parelli team


my proud mum took a picture of me helping carmen zulauf


Scurry driving


Super cute ponies!!


jean pignois..or something similar (natural horsemanship)


and again


I've been so busy recently with revision, so on the weekend I didn't have time to do much with Olivia. I spent loads of undemanding time with her, but I also got out my new 45ft and had a bit of fun! Its such a different feel from the other lines, but its nice and light and cool looking! Olivia was a bit freaked out by the ziiiip noise the 45ft line makes, but she got over it pretty quick which was nice.

Jo x

Parelli Zone at the British Open

What a tiring day! Worth it though - I got a free parelli t-shirt :P

The parelli zone was fantastic - I got to speak to a few of the instructors which was cool, and was used as a human/horse for Carmen Zuleuf (can't spell her second name!) which was a good experience for me! (Me in front of lots of people = ()!*£)"(&**(!&£! )

It was mostly basic stuff, but a good reminder for me about the importance of games 1,2&3. And the difference between the parelli zone and the main arena was incredible. I wanted to watch the barell racing and this guy called jean pignois or something, but everything was running late so we caught the end of the Hunter Championships, and every rider was having a power struggle with their horse, and they did not look as if they were enjoying themselves. The results were horses tied down and mouths tied shut and giving little effort. It wasn't pleasant to watch. Then in the parelli arena, Alison Jones was doing her spotlight and her horse didn't jump over the barrel first try. She giggled, as did the crowd, tried again, and the horse willingly popped over. And there was less then 100m between these two arenas!!

There were a LOT of people walking around with the beginner pack (you could tell because of the huge carrot stick poking out of their bags !) which is really promising - its becoming more and more popular in the UK.

Anyway, I'm back now with loads more inspiration, and a 45ft line, theraflex pad and finesse reins (yay!), so I've got lots to be getting on with!
Jo x

Circle at Liberty Today!

Title says it all! In the field, Olivia is a star at liberty! Whenever I go out to bring her in (and have her catch me), we always play a little with liberty. And today she did a whole circle around me, no wondering off despite the fact we were in a mahosive field, with other horses and plenty of grass to eat!

We're much better at liberty in the field than in the arena, which is interesting since there are so many more distractions. But soon we'll be able to do it anywhere, I'm sure.

Yesterday and the day before I didn't play with Olivia because I was off in Durham looking at the university (very scary...!), so today she was fresh which was nice, but the weather was totally against us with constant drizzle. So other than doing a bit of a figure of 8, we did nought. Back at the stables, I introduced Olivia to my hand massager and she didn't even bat an eyelid - just went on munching her hay and making a mess. That was cool :)

And tomorow the vet is coming out to take a look at her and *fingers crossed* she'll be on best behaviour and blow his socks off ! And then....on Saterday I'm off to Birmingham for the British Open which is gonna be AWESOMEEE!! Then on Tuesday I'm back to school (booooooooo) which sucks because it means exams are very very close.

Eurgh. At least the summer holidays are getting a little bit nearer!
Jo x

I got me a show jumper!

Happy Easter to everyone!

Today, a lovely lady at the stables set up a grid and invited everyone to come and have a go, and since I've always enjoyed jumping and Olivia seems to have talent (see picture a few blogs earlier), I thought SURE! So off we went, everyone else looking good and smart on their thoroughbreds, and me in my trainers and rope bridle...

:P

Anyway. It was 4 bounces and then 2 unrelated jumps and my horse just flew over them all. Everyone was fairly impressed (I think..) but I was in a bit of shock because not only had my horse behaved beautifully in a arena with 1 crazy little pony shooting all over the place and about 6 other horses but she just offered to jump. WOW WOW WOW!!

It's definately something I'm going to pursue. I'm so impressed with her, but I run the risk of repeating myself if I write much more! So believe me, she is amazing !!!

Woopdidooo x

Camera Shy

ARGHHHHHH!!!!!!

Its very frustrating - I've been practising my online audition for a while now, and it's really good when there is NO ONE watching...not even a bird...
But then my mum comes along with the camera and it all goes to pot :( Its quite shocking! Its happened about a gizzilion times, and I do realllyy want some kind of formal accomplishment, and a string, ANY COLOUR WILL DO!!

But nope. What happens is I tense up and I seriously want EVERYTHING to be perfect. The thing that runs through my mind is, 'oh my god...what's pat parelli going to think when he sees me do this ?!!!??'. But I'm sure he'd think 'oh, theres some one who is at least TRYING to do best for her horse'....

Well...we can keep trying I guess. I just don't want to have to pay a fee, come May!! So except from the filming, all is good in Olivialand.

Jo x

Wow...What a day!!

I know that one of the problems I have is that I LOVE finished products, but I HATE middles which often means that I don't get the proper finished product... And I know thats what I did today BUT....

First bridleless ride?? YES!! It was totally spontaneous, but Olivia did fantastically! We only walked and had a few steps of trot - but woooow! Luckily my friend had come along to take loads of photos, and she would tell you how ecstatic I was!! WOW WOW WOW !!! Bridleless ride aside, it was a good session! Lots of play and energy (at the right times). Enjoy the photos:















Jo x

Springs here :)

What beautiful weather we've had since I got back from freezing Iceland! Which, by the way, was incredible! The country is unbelievably baren and yet it's still beautiful. We weren't blessed with good weather though - the 2nd day we had snowstorms and couldn't leave the hotel and the 3rd day it was horrible and cold and sleety. However - I did spot herds and herds of super cute Icelandic horses!! I didn't take any pictures of them because I only saw them from the coach and I hate taking photos through windows, but trust me they are ever so cute - especially when they are up to their knees in snow!!! I was with school so obviously couldn't deviate from the plan they'd made but if I ever go back to Iceland again I definately want to see all the sights from horseback. I bought back some leaflets of horse treking as well :)

Anyway, Olivia seems to have forgiven me for not being around on her birthday (phewww!!). My emotional fitness is really improving - what used to really frustrate me is now just making me smile and laugh, and I can see Olivia's expression looks a lot more like shes having fun. I also feel like I've got loads of arrows in my quiver - I'm winning the 7 games :D !!! I'm still having trouble with sideways because she always goes forwards but when I break it down its better...ish...!! I'd also noticed that our change of direction was getting really rushed and it had begun to turn into a fight so I've taken that right back to basics as well. Today I wasn't in the mood to ride, so we had a lovely slow session. In the field we did a little liberty and she was AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I was blown away by how she just stuck to me and followed me, and I drove her from zone 3/4/5 for the first time ever and she was just brilliant!! walk, trot, stop, back up. Bizarely, when I tried to do a little liberty at the school she wasn't as good...!! Even though in the field she had grass and other horses and 10000000s of things to distract her!

I think I may practise a little liberty in the field now, then I guess I ought to try the patterns at liberty..big step!! Anyway, all is good :) !!!

happy spring every one - I don't know what it's like where you are but I think I may have caught a bit of a tan today !!!
Jo x