9/16/10 - Training Update - Week 2 -
Every day, we go to the barn between 8 and 10am. From then on, practice, walking horses, cleaning stalls, grooming horses, turning them out, working-out, washing horses, riding horses, having fun, going in the boat at the lake, etc... starts! It's so fun to be there all day! I've been able to ride Cheval around - Trails, road, arena, in the fields, we can do it all, and BAREBACK! He's so much fun to ride! And just want to say, a big THANK YOU to Tammy (barn owner) for her amazing hospitality. Thank you for opening your home and facility up to all of us crazy vaulters. Without you and your family, this would never be able to happen!
Ok, so for that training update, we've been working pretty hard in this hot, humid weather. Every day we've been working on the barrel, going for a short run, and doing lot's of stretching. Conditioning, too. It's like being in Europe, it feels like Germany, looks like Germany, and we're doing what we'd be doing if we were in Germany. It's great! The only thing that's different is that everyone here speaks English, and Cheval, Pally, Spike, Rubin, Phoenix, Hobie, and Hudson are here. All of out babies :-) They're such good ponies!
Our last freestyle training practice went quite well - I did all of my freestyle parts just about perfectly! The beginning of the freestyle is on it's way to WEG quality, and Devon't Pas de Deux is looking great with Rosey. It's really coming along well. Compulsories are proving a little more challenging, but tomorrow (Friday) we are only going to focus on them. We are also going to try a little different surcingle that proved to do us better before.
Today, we did a lot of compulsory drills, too. Mount, mill, scissors, and 1st half of Flank were the main focuses. And, I'm so excited, I FINALLY got a little sore on my belly button! Now, mine isn't bleeding (not that much) like the other girls were not to long ago, but hey, I finally earned my bruises! I'm so proud of myself! HA! The things I get excited about in this sport, gotta love vaulting!
Today we also did each of our freestyle mounts 6 times, and I did all of my parts 3+ times. That was fun. Devon, and Nanners, I have a nice little bruise on my arm from one of your vice-grips! I haven't figured out who this one is from.... hehehehe ;-)
So... I'll be waking up bright and early tomorrow to training my brain with homework, and then training my body for WEG! WHOOHOO! I had, yet again, another extreme realization that we are GOING TO THE WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES!!!!! YAY!
Talk soon! And don't worry, I'm taking some pictures!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
First Day of Training in TN -Compulsories
9/12/10 - On Sept. 10, the whole FACE team was reunited to each other after 10 days off of team training. While we are here prior to WEG, we will be training 6 days a week (Monday we have off). This was our first 3 day weekend "clinic." It went ok. It deffinatly proved to be a "LEARNING" weekend, really enabling us to set into WEG training mode.
Day 1 - Friday Compulsory Day - Today was the first time I'd ever been to the barn, and boy did (and do) I love it! It's so beautiful there - The horse facility is lovely, the grass is all green, and the environment refreshing and relaxing (well, when it's not pouring rain with thunder and lighteninr!). All of the horses are happy and healthy. Pally, Cheval, and Van Dyck made it to TN piece of cake! I helped Carolyn with some horse chores for the firt part of the day. Turned out the horses, took Pally on the walk, groomed Pally, cleaned his stall, etc... It was fun! Right in my element!
Training was ok, not perfect, but there were good qualities. Everyone was a little rusty from the time off of team training. Some of us had actually almost 10 days off of vaulting completely. Pally had some pent up energy from being in his stall, and is still recovering from the drive to TN. He was a little frisky at practice! We worked a lot on the first 3 comps, also a little scissors/ clicks and stand. With some more focus and "grounded" energy, it would have turned out 10 times better, but hey, first practice! :-)
Barrel training consisted of drills and compulsory run-throughs. Some strength training on the ground, stretching, and a short run.
Blake and I trained on Cheval in the early afternoon, just for fun, but it was actually really good training. We only worked on first 3 comps and stand. Cheval is perfect for that kind of training! I am focusing more and more on my riding seat - Conciously trying to do it like I am riding in the perfect dressage seat, totally in flow with the horse. Let me tell you though, it's much more difficult when you have short legs! hehehehe ;-) My flag seems to be getting stronger. And my mill is on it's way.
Day 1 - Friday Compulsory Day - Today was the first time I'd ever been to the barn, and boy did (and do) I love it! It's so beautiful there - The horse facility is lovely, the grass is all green, and the environment refreshing and relaxing (well, when it's not pouring rain with thunder and lighteninr!). All of the horses are happy and healthy. Pally, Cheval, and Van Dyck made it to TN piece of cake! I helped Carolyn with some horse chores for the firt part of the day. Turned out the horses, took Pally on the walk, groomed Pally, cleaned his stall, etc... It was fun! Right in my element!
Training was ok, not perfect, but there were good qualities. Everyone was a little rusty from the time off of team training. Some of us had actually almost 10 days off of vaulting completely. Pally had some pent up energy from being in his stall, and is still recovering from the drive to TN. He was a little frisky at practice! We worked a lot on the first 3 comps, also a little scissors/ clicks and stand. With some more focus and "grounded" energy, it would have turned out 10 times better, but hey, first practice! :-)
Barrel training consisted of drills and compulsory run-throughs. Some strength training on the ground, stretching, and a short run.
Blake and I trained on Cheval in the early afternoon, just for fun, but it was actually really good training. We only worked on first 3 comps and stand. Cheval is perfect for that kind of training! I am focusing more and more on my riding seat - Conciously trying to do it like I am riding in the perfect dressage seat, totally in flow with the horse. Let me tell you though, it's much more difficult when you have short legs! hehehehe ;-) My flag seems to be getting stronger. And my mill is on it's way.
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