Horsey holiday log

[chapsi]

Hi everybody,

this going to be a shared thread. Olav and I just spent a brilliant 9 day holiday, all spent around our horses.
We did lots of different things and the weather was wonderful. Whenever I was mumbling about being cold, Olav kept replying that it was like summer in Norway.

I love those horses. We´ll be posting a few pictures too.

[OlavS]

Hi, everyone!
I went over to be with Sàbia for her pre-purchase vetting, but stayed over a week to do lots of riding! I was so lucky, as Chapsi arranged her holidays so that I could stay with her and her husbans, and we could go to the yard every day.

The weather was really nice, I rode in a T-shirt one evening! So nice to get away from the sleet and ice for a bit :)

I rode Sàbia most days of course, but she got a few days off around the vetting. She was soo good, even stood still for the microchip. And perfectly healthy of course! Yeah!

I mostly rode her on hacks. She's only young and should have fun when I'm there, more serious work can be done later ;)
She went beautifully on the hacks, and did not bat an eye lid at cars, motocross and quad bikes or peacocks. But there was one horse eating plastic bag trying to get her from a fence, which caused a slight concern, but no flight. She did some passage when we passed some cows, though!

I rode her in the sand school twice. But as she was in season she was more keen to go play with the stallions than to listen to me :rolleyes: But we got some work done. She jumped some boxes at one point (when she took a sharpish turn), and she has the smoothest jump!
Here are some pictures of her!

http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Sabia_canter3.jpg http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Sabia_ext_trot1.jpg http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Sabia_jump1.jpg http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Sabia_jump.jpg
[cont...]

[OlavS]

[cont..]
I rode two other horses as well. Mostly on Negra, a 9 year old TB x lusitano x arab mare. She's done lots of eventing, and is very well trained. Gina (the instructor) had me working sooo hard with my legs I nearly collapsed from exhaustion!
http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Olav/Negra_canter1.jpg http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Olav/Negra_posing.jpg
I had three lessons on the lunge to concentrate on my balance and seat. I have never been lunged before, so it was a bit difficult to keep in balance - but then that was the whole point!
The first lesson I hade no stirrups, and did all sorts of swirling arms around, grabbing my feet etc. First at walk, then at trot. Luckily I had a strap fitted in front of the saddle, grabbing that saved me on several occasions :o As I got better balanced and more adjusted to Negra I had to ride with my arms out to the side or behind my back!
http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Negra_canter.jpg
The second lesson I got stirrups, and we worked on rising trot/two-point seat and transitions.
In the third lesson the stirrups were nowhere to be found, and now I had to control Negra myself using the seat and legs (I had no reins of course). It was such a great feeling when I got it right! In the end I did transitions all the time with my arms ouf to the side. So nice to finally start unlicking the secrets behind slowing with the seat! The school horses I normally ride will not listen to that aid at all...
Gina felt we were doing so well that she felt we were ready to do a jump. So we did. And as Negra jumped her neck hit my helmet and face, but not too hard. Goro me off balance, though, and as she went to the left I dismounted straight on, turned mid air and ran backwards to stay on me feet. The next time I'll consider holding on to the strap ;)
http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Olav/Negra_trot2.jpg
As Negra is quite tall I could not vault or jump back on as I had no stirrups. So I used a plastic beer crate to stand on. One-two-CRACK! The crate broke, and my feet were back on the ground, and Gina nearly wet herself from laughing! I only wish someone had take a picture, it was so funny! I got a leg up after that ;)

I also got to ride Ernesto,a 16 year old Lusitano stallion. He can do passage, Spanish walk and lots of other stuff. I rode him in tradidional Portugese tack! The saddle was so comfy! We did lots of passage, and i was trying to figure out *how* I asked for it. I think it was inside leg pushed upwards at the girth. We also did lots of leg yield, and tight circles in canter. Then we tried some Spanish walk, but that was a bit too difficult for me.
This is us doing passage:
http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Ernesto_passage_sml.jpg

I can hardly wait to go back! They are building a games room with a bar right outside the stable, and there's a swimming pool, too! I can even see Sàbia's box from there :D

I just hope that Negra will still be there when I return, as her owner wants to sell her (preferably to someone in the UK). She is such a wonderful horse to learn on!

Right, I've included some of the best photos, but left the best for last - this is Pegaso:
http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Pegaso_canter.jpg
I just love that picture, it really captures his power and movements!
If anyone wants more photos they can be found on my web page (http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/)

Olav

[chapsi]

While Olav was having fun with his mare, and going out for "wild" (i.e. speedy) hacks, I was doing my usual routine; getting Pégaso from the field (at times was like driving a big mule, or having to be extra careful with his teeth, as His Highness makes clear statments about doing something against his will), grooming him, tacking him, riding or doing something alternative.
Some days I rode in the arena at sunset. That week he wasn´t particulary cooperative and in a testing mood. One evening, he decided to give me and my trainer a difficult time; he got in a strop, bucked, started to ran backwards as fast as he could- at one point, with his trainer, he went back in a way, that he nearly fell backwards!!!:eek: We were worried, he was furious.
Another evening, he decided to be afraid of his own shadow, as if he had never ridden before at that time... So, I was riding a spookying horse every 2 minutes.
Pitty he can be so awkward, he has the best gaits of all horses at the yard, so smooth, elevated, even collected.

Here is a picture of Pégaso. He is gaining more muscle by the day as his training progresses. I am very proud of my boy.

[chapsi]

One has to be careful when approaching him. His teeth are lethal weapons;)

[chapsi]

Another one. I'm only a small person and he is a big horse (in comparison to me, anyway)

[chapsi]

It was fun free lungeing the horses. They all looked magnificent.
My horse at the end just looked at me as if saying "is that enough? can I go home now?"

[OlavS]

Well, I wouldn't say thew hacks were *that* speedy. But at times she went a bit fast as she loves stretching her legs out properly ;)

I got a lovely, slow canter from her when riding behind Shawna and Estrella though. And controlled her easily through trot,canter, gallop and back again to trot with very little effort :D
http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Hello_Sabia.jpg

[chapsi]

One of the afternoons we did some groundwork, I (re)started using Kelly Marks foundation exercises.
There are times when I sense what´s in Pégaso´s mind. I am glad I did. Eventually, as a precaution, we put a muzzle on him, and sure enough, within a few minutes he was attacking his trainer with his usual strategy: "bite swift, knock the person down with his shoulder, trod on her and run for his life"

I was glad Olav shared this week with me, at least he could see for himself how awkward Pégaso can really be... I don´t exagerate, honestly.

Anyway, the week was wonderful. The weather, the horses, the eventful days so full of different activities every single day, the fun.
We had excellent meals with our hosts, Anne and Gina, I took Olav to my local saddler and to a sports supermarket near Lisbon, and on our last evening we took Olav to my favourite restaurant, owned by horsey people- their daughter is 2nd position at the National Championship of Working Equitation for her age group (she's 14 years old). It was also interesting visiting the Equestrian Hospital at the Army Centre, run by my vet.

I ought to state that through out the days one could see the improvement that Olav was making. He is such a committed, keen rider, and very, very affectionate. It was rather touching to see a man being so gentle and loving to his horse...

Now, our next goal is Golegã, we are all going this year. Our yard is an international yard, soon a german lady will be joining, and it will be fun and challenging to be there, but ... à portuguesa.

Just to finalise, if anyone is interested in Negra, the dark bay mare, please pm me and I'll send you all her details and more pictures. She is a highly trained horse, shame to see her go.

Just one final picture of Pégaso...

[KarinUS]

Go Pegaso!
He looks wonderful Chapsi! Eventhough he may still be difficult he does look a lot better.

And Saba- boy, Olav, I sure hope you can weigh her down a bit under saddle or you guys will just take off for the moon!

Sounds like you guys are having a wonderful time.

[Showjumper]

Sounds like so much fun! And all the horses are incredibly stunning! How big is Pegaso? He looks huge in that photo of Chapsi stood with him! :eek:

[OlavS]

Thanks guys!

Karin, I'll be doing some small jumps next time I come over, but Sàbia will probably jump very high even with me on her :)
The SJ fence was about 1m. But she threatened to jump the perimeter fence to get to one of the stallions, and that's over 1.50m! :eek: The ground was a bit higher in one corner, and she was clearly thinking about jumping it there. So we made her go away from the corner, but then the stallion (who obviously thought she was hot!) broke lose and ran up to the sand school entrance :rolleyes:

As for Pegaso's behaviour, I can certainly vouch that Chapsi does not exagerate one little bit! He can be a very mean horse when he's had enough of work, and attack with little or no warning. I even saw him having hiccups to get out of work! :eek:

[sallym]

Fabulous thread! The horses look wonderful. Olav, your horse is beautiful - you are so lucky. Chapsi, I know Pagaso is no angel, but I'm so pleased that both you and he seem so much happier in the new place.

Best wishes

Sally

[LCA]

What can I say - what a couple of truely stunning horses the both of you have and I liked the look of Negra too (though I am not in the market for buying at the moment :p ). Chapsi do they do riding holidays at your yard ? - I would love the opportunity to try some of the advanced movements on a stallion that could passage and Spanish walk ! and of course spend some time in Portugal which I really like, my friend who has been living in the UK is moving back to Lisbon next month so I am hoping to get over to visit her this summer. How big is your horse - you look so tiny next to him ?

[chapsi]

Hi guys,

nice of you to speak so highly of our horses.
YES, we did have lots of fun. Unfortunately, I am back at work and the week has been sooooo painful.

Well, I adore Pégaso, I feel as if I worthship him. He is the pride and the joy of my life, although at times I honestly feel that I am not as bad as a person to have deserved such an awkward horse... I just wanted a quiet, easy going horse.

When I bought him, he didn´t look so big, because he was a living sack of bones. Then, he started to fill up and to put some muscle on him. Last time we measured him (still at the old yard), he was 16h., but now I reckon he is 16.1h. Obviously, considering that I am 5ft.2", he looks huge in comparison to me.
He can be a real gentleman (excellent ground manners, the most impressive gaits of all the horses both Olav and I have ridden), but it all boils down to "when he wants to".

LCA, I'll try to talk to the family about it.

[OlavS]

Oh, I forgot that I also rode Serruga, another 4 year old mare. She's a pure lusitano and has a very unusual but beautiful colour...but I can't remember the name, possibly cremello. Her trot was very nice, but her canter threw me a bit upwards.

I have ridden 25 or 26 horses up until now. And none come close to Pegaso's gaits (not even Ernesto). His elevation and smoothness is simply outstanding! *When* he want to work that is :p

[Tootsie4U]

You'll have to tell me what camera you have there as it obviously takes only GREAT pictures! :D

"Wow" is the word that popped out of my mouth with each picture. They are gorgeous animals. Pegaso's coloring is so vibrant and I agree with Karin, he does look so much better.

Oh Olav, that jump, holy moly! :eek:

Thanks for sharing, please go back soon so we can see more :D

[CityGirl]

I can't believe that is Pegaso. He looks a million times better than those first pictures of him! Chapsi - I know its been a long, hard road but you have worked miracles with him.

All of the pics are AMAZING. I can't believe how beautiful all of the horses are & what great condition they are all in. Olav - methinks you have a future jumper on your hands:D It looks like Sabia natually is tucking her legs up and really has a lovely bascule.

Sounds like you both had a lovely holiday - thank you for sharing the pics with us!

[kedwards]

Glad to hear that things are going so well. The horses are absolutely stunning. I do agree about Pegaso. He's always been a looker, but he's so vibrant now.

[chapsi]

Kedwards,

what is a 'looker'?

I agree that Olav´s mare has great potential as a jumping eventer.

Olav,
you ought to download the rest of the pictures.

[OlavS]

Sure thing! Here are quite a few more piccies...

http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Sabia_canter1.jpg
http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Sabia_trot1.jpg http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Pegaso.jpg http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Maria+Pegaso_trot1.jpg http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Pegaso_approach.jpg

[OlavS]

... and some more :D

http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Pegaso_groundwork.jpg http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Negra_trot_lunge.jpg http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Olav/Negra_trot1.jpg http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Olav/Negra_trot4.jpg http://home.chello.no/~horsetfd/Olav/Negra_trot3.jpg

There a tiny few more, but they are nearly identical to some of the others. But they are on my web page (click the www button below)
Unfortunately the video stills are a bit squashed sideways. But at least they give you the idea of my first lunging lesson on Negra and groundwork with Pegaso ;)

[Principal]

they are all absoulty beautiful! I love sabia colouring, shes sooooooooooooooooo pretty, and the trot is just gorge!!!

:D:D:D:D:D there all stunning!:D:D

[Kit Kat]

Oh my God Olav!!!!! I've been away too long obviously and missed a heck of a lot! Did you actually buy her - is she yours? What a stunner she looks like she could fly :) I am officially jealous.

:cool: Kat

[OlavS]

Yes, Kat, she's all mine :D :D :D
In fact I'm just about to make a huge order from RideAway to get some tack.
But I won't see her for a while now :( as I'm off on holiday to South America soon. But at least I'll get some more tack when I'm in Brazil or Argentina :D

Good luck with your share, Kat, plese tell us how it's going!

[kedwards]

Chapsi, "a looker" is slang for "he's good looking" :D