Transformations

Back when I bought this scruffy little 3-year-old I never would have imagined she would be the incredible horse she has become, although I really foolishly hoped so.

Woah, what was I seeing in her when I bought her....

In the beginning she was just a side project and a possible future pony for my kids if things worked out. Around the time I was going through struggles and uncertainty with Miss Tea I decided to focus on Savvy and get her training under way.

The state of her hooves when she first came home.

Early first rides.

She was surprisingly easy to work with despite all of her opinions and we happily dove into dressage lessons. This was a year well spent on details of connection, posture and straightness. These tools have been invaluable to me moving forward with a very eh, elastic pony that can very easily be anything but straight.

Dressage was fascinating. I soaked up every bit of information I could and discovered great horsemen/women such as Walter Zettl and Karen Rohlf.

Give-it-a-go dressage show

But I was missing jumping. Savvy had never really taken to it up to this point and either would smash through or awkwardly step over with no form. Despite her lack of natural talent, I thought it was worth a try to see if she could learn so off we went for jumping lessons.

And it turns out she can jump! sometimes...

It hasn't been all daisies and roses with steady progress; more like one step forward, two steps back. However, the pony is learning and after every apparent set back it is like she is taking it in and figuring it out, and well, just improving so much! Along with her, I feel myself learning and becoming more confident as well and it is just a really place to be right now because in five days we will be attending our first derby!!

Savvy jumping all the weird makeshift jumps at home like no big deal. :)

 

I am preparing myself mentally to ride this weekend like it is a clinic. Show up to learn and take notes. Saturday morning is in fact a lesson with a very sought-after coach I was fortunate enough to get assigned with. Then Saturday afternoon I am volunteering to help set up flags on course (I am thinking familiarity breeds relaxation, right?). Then Sunday will be derby day with dressage followed by my pace and xc rounds. I can't wait!!!