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Post by Kea's Crest on Apr 7, 2010 19:52:17 GMT -5
Just a quick "Emma Update." Her school was delayed by a week because of a training delay for a horse in the prior cycle. But... class started Monday and I got to stop by for a session since I was home from work. The trainers are so happy with her. She remembers everything she learned from last years "short course in manners" school. She has matured so nicely and responded to all her cues so well they have had the saddle on since the beginning and today was Emmas' first day with a rider (our trainer Kathleen) actually sitting across her back. We've done the "lay across the saddle" thing to get her used to the idea in the past but this was the first time she looked back and saw somebody taller than her back there. She did real well. It is a pretty windy/gusty day out here today so we didnt push it much more than a few steps but she led real calm. It was a good experience; no arching or locking up... eyes were calm,... time to get off and move to other items. Of course there were a couple hours of other training but the ride was the fun part. Pictures to come when the weather is nicer. On another note; the wheels are in motion for Emma and Duchess's registration with the ASHA. I cant say for sure that we'll be successful but we will have certainly given it a try.
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Post by Kea's Crest on Apr 27, 2010 10:07:49 GMT -5
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Post by schwung on Apr 27, 2010 10:27:53 GMT -5
She looks great under saddle! Go Emma!
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Post by monicabee on Apr 27, 2010 10:29:03 GMT -5
Another blossom of spring! Emma has not lost her delicate looks as she has matured. Good to see her going under saddle. Congrats.
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Post by mswan on Apr 28, 2010 9:06:20 GMT -5
Way to go Ema!! She looks great and is as beautiful as ever. I can just see the two of you riding the trails on your very pretty ponies. Good job!
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Post by Kea's Crest on May 9, 2010 9:40:31 GMT -5
Emma had a great lesson last week. She has gone from being merely cooperative during her training to having a good time with it. Her trot has natural spring and is really beautiful to watch. She did so good she was rewarded with her first trail ride (well supervised of course).
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Post by Kea's Crest on Jun 1, 2010 12:23:51 GMT -5
Yesterday was my first ride with Emma! She did terrific. Only my trainer has been on her before so it was a new experience for her to have someone else back there. Quite the rainy day, we all got soaked. Thankfully it wasnt cold so it worked out fine. There were three of us on the ride and she did well in front middle and back of the group. Four of the trainers dogs come along for the rides and Emma minds them not one bit. They are always running thru the line, scaring up birds along the trail and basically having fun mischief that ends out being a great desensitizer. A couple times they spooked up birds along the trail that startled the other experienced horses but Emma just stopped and watched cooly. There were some big mud puddles that were a little daunting and required circumnavigation but plenty others where she overcame her fears and plowed on thru. From the spooky little "tween" pony she was to the "cool as a cucumber" girl she was yesterday; I was very impressed. She has really come a long way. All in all it was a terrific experience and she truely seemed to be enjoying herself. We are back out this afternoon for another ride.
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Post by mswan on Jun 1, 2010 18:17:14 GMT -5
That is so exciting!! I am so proud of you and our Ms Emma. Happy Trails!
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Post by Kea's Crest on Jun 3, 2010 10:25:47 GMT -5
We went on a second ride on Tuesday and she again did real well. We had a couple "Man From Snowy River" type hills to go up and down on the trail and she was very collected and smooth. Such a good girl. Today is her last day of two weeks of "trail riding training" in her program. Tonight she goes back to roundpen/arena work for a week to polish off any final rough edges and then she comes home next Thursday. Yay! Then it'll be time for her and Duchess to explore the trails here at Kea's Crest.
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Post by Kea's Crest on Jun 22, 2010 9:34:54 GMT -5
I have received final word from the ASHA they will be unable to register Emma. Since her dam; Shell Game, was never blood typed or DNA tested there is no way within their rules to authenticate her blood line. I had hoped to persuade them to allow photographic evidence, etc but their registration panel chose to stick to the DNA. I had only hoped to authenticate her family line/history with this process. I guess her whole story will be all about "looking forward" and not back. Hmmmm; pinto registry, I think all that requires is color......
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Post by Kea's Crest on Jul 13, 2010 16:44:00 GMT -5
Today Emma and Duchess had their first trail ride together. They did terrific and I was very proud of them. It was very interesting to see Emma really interested in being the "leader" on the trail. She wasnt racing ahead or anything; simply wanted to assert herself as the one in front. She was very alert and I could tell was enjoying herself tremendously. It was a very "positive" ride and I think it will reinforce trail riding here as a happy experience for both girls. Emma and Duchess get saddled up for the ride.
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Post by Sara on Jul 14, 2010 10:01:54 GMT -5
Such beautiful girls! I am sure you guys will get comments wherever you take these two stunning girls! How tall are they, they look like giants in this picture.
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Post by kdunham on Jul 14, 2010 12:59:16 GMT -5
They both look great, nice saddle too!
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Post by Kea's Crest on Jul 15, 2010 11:39:16 GMT -5
Ha, that's cute. The girls look like giants next to our trainer, Kathleen. She coulda' been a jockey in another life. They still are right in the 15.3 - 16.0 h range. Emma is starting to put on some muscle and fill out a little so that is fun to watch. Emma's saddle is a Tucker "Equitation/Endurance." Duchess's is a Tucker "High Plains Trail." Their saddles fit their personalities as Duchess would be happy to hum "Happy Trails" to herself on a ride while Emma loves to be prancing out front to see if anyone notices her exceptional taste in Aussie/English style.
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Post by kdunham on Jul 17, 2010 2:25:36 GMT -5
I ride in a Tucker "Equitation/Endurance" saddle quite a bit and was admiring your great taste... :-)
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