Chloe Again...

[aBreeze]

lets hope this thread is less controversial than the last!

Heres my 6 year old neice Chloe, riding our 26yr old 13.2hh rescued Arab mare. This is her second time in the english saddle, shes been riding bareback[w/ a tiny bit of western] for the last 2 years. Today I introduced heels down, and thumbs to the sky... so at this point its lot of reminders w/ some inconsistant results, lol. But both girls did great! PLEASE dont critique the horse! Shes dedicated her life to hauling kids around, and shes great at what she does.

So Im wondering what you see... just in case Iv got the rose colored glasses thing, lol thanks!

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/max/march19ride/2.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/max/march19ride/19.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/max/march19ride/18.jpg

going up and over a big pile of dirt, not going to say anything about this, since she did great for a 6yr old in a totally different saddle[aka a saddle, lol, shes always ridden bareback]
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/max/march19ride/28.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/max/march19ride/27.jpg

trotting - this is huge, Chloe's pretty timid, and is only comfortable trotting on Ginny her first teacher whom has AWESOME gaits...
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/max/march19ride/42.jpg

she needs to look up, push her heels down a bit more[though thatll come w/ time, cant expecther to have that so soon!] same goes for thumbs up
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/max/march19ride/44.jpg

I think she looks really good, though she needs to look where shes going... and bend her elbows... im loving the leg.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/max/march19ride/53.jpg

first time going over the thingy all by herself, a little nervous so her heels came up
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/max/march19ride/52.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/max/march19ride/56.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/max/march19ride/55.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/max/march19ride/60.jpg

[CMR]

She looks great, however I refuse to critique a six year old :D ;) I do have to say she looks as though she has an extremely secure seat in the picture of her going uphill, and her saddle looks a little small for her(funny to say, really, how can such a teeny girl be too big for any saddle :D )

[Jaimee]

I agree, I wouldnt be critical of her at all. I think she is doing fantastic! I have a 7 year old beginner student and she is not as far along.

That wee girl you have there appears to have awesome sensitive hands, very forgiving and I dont think her heels look out of place in any picture taken. Lovely old pony too. Nice and trustworthy. I wish we had the luxury of an experienced mount. They are worth their weight in gold for teaching kids.
Great pics, its good to see the wee girl is have a ball with big smiles like that also.

[LMS]

Mwahahaha, ready for my critique?
Here I go:
Other than the picture where your niece is tackling a huge mountain...where all I can advise is for her to grab a chunk of mane (she's relying on the reins) to put her in a better position at handling this obstacle.

This little equestrian looks like she's having a ball on a very co-operative horse.

I like how there is just enough contact with the reins for her to "communicate" with her horse. And you already know about bending the elbows.

She gives an air of confidence and she really seems to be listening or seeking guidance from you.

Lovely pictures, good job, keep it up.

[Vicki&Milo]

I don't really think there's much to critque, just maybe to worry a *bit* less on position and more on the overall effect. Perhaps aim less for independent control and do some fun stuff on the lead rein or lunge-e.g., hands on head, touch your toes?? Just helps boost confidence and makes everything fun!!
Vicki xx

[LMS]

BTW the instructor (you I presume?) seems to be having fun as well?

Now why would you think someone would critique the horse? She looks lovely to me. And age doesn't really matter; we retired a horse from our program (therapeutic) at the age of 30. I adopted her & she passed away in a freak incident a year after.

[domane]

What fabulous photos.... absolutely no critique coming from me as I think she is brill for only 6. I really posted to say that the last picture captures the mood so fantastically well......

....Lovely :D

[1 morejump]

great photos! cute kid and pony, she is lucky to be learning on such a good little girl. The only thing I can see (I hate critqueing a 6 year old but you have to learn sometime) is she needs to learn foreward going up the hill, its easier on the horse's back. Going down you need to lean back too. Keep it up!

[laura jeanne]

I can't even describe how cute I think that is. They both look great together and Chloe looks so happy and like she is having a wonderful time.

[vimto92]

I can't even describe how cute I think that is. They both look great together and Chloe looks so happy and like she is having a wonderful time.
Exactly what I thought!:D

[aBreeze]

thanks everyone! the only reason Im so fussy is because the plan is for walk/trot this summer, and knowing Chloe, she'll be very upset if shes not as far along as the other kids...


I have had some people comment on how Maxi's so strung out... which is messed up, shes an old lady with a 6 year old on her, what do you expect?!