I’m shamelessly stealing Lauren’s idea (much love to ya, girl) from last week because I thought it was brilliant. I’ve had Henry for a little over a year and half now and he’s come a long way from the obese pasture puff that walked off the trailer from Arkansas. Plus photo progressions are fun! I don’t have as many nice pictures as Lauren does, and I really struggled to remember the shows and the classes, but I think I got it. Also I didn’t want to put up a million videos so I just included a video from his very first show, and then the video from stadium at his latest horse trial.
February 2014 – 2’3″-2’6″ jumpers
March 2014 – 2’3″-2’6″ jumpers
April 2014 – 2’6″-2’9″ jumpers
May 2014 – 2’9″-3′ jumpers, 2’9″ hunters
September 2014 – eventing derby, BN
November 2014 – USEA recognized horse trial, BN
April 2015 – USEA recognized horse trial, BN
May 2015 – USEA recognized horse trial, BN
May 2015 – 3′-3’3″ jumpers
May 2015 – USEA recognized horse trial, BN
June 2015 – USEA recognized horse trial, Novice
Looking at the video from his first show, I had honestly forgotten just how horribly overflexed and balled up he used to get, and how difficult it was to fix. Nothing like cantering up to a fence thinking that your horse might not actually be able to see it. He’s much easier to ride now that his head/neck/shoulder has come up and he can keep the power coming forward. Out of all the project horses I’ve had (11, but who’s counting) I’ve never had one where I had to get the poll UP and nose OUT. Henry enjoys being abnormal.
It’s also hilarious how the coal cart jump from our April event looked a little worrisome to me at the time, and now 2.5 months later I’m like “It’s so cute and little!!!”. Perspective and miles change everything, even in a short time.
It occurs to me that I should probably go to a dressage show at some point… it’s kind of the one thing we haven’t done. Whatever. Rectangles are scary.
breedrideevent.com 
Rectangles ARE scary: they have 4 sharp points.
LOVE these pictures! Henry has completely transformed since he walked off the trailer 18ish months ago. Best $900 you’ve ever spent, amiright? 🙂
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Definitely the best “deal” I’ve ever gotten on a horse! I just stumbled across the video I bought him from – that’s pretty fun to watch.
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What an absolute studly beast. You guys are rockstars.
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Wow, I remember watching that video of your first jumper show but I’d completely forgotten about it. It’s intense seeing the change all compressed like this. It hardly seems like the same horse!!
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It’s amazing how much easier things are when they’re not dragging you around, nose to chest. LOL
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Pretty easy to see how well he has progressed. He is looking good!
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I just love that down bank picture.
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For some reason I thought you had had him longer! Lots accomplished in the last year and a half!
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“rectangles are scary”….and circles even scarier 😉
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This!!
What a progression for you two! Henry just gets cuter and more awesomer!!
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I work a lot on getting my horse’s poll up, reaching into the bridle and seeking the contact so this post gives me so much hope!! He will happily poke his nose on a long rein (as any good hunter should) but when you pick up the contact he ducks and curls, it’s a hard habit to undo. What an incredible job you’ve done with Henry!
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Ridiculously hard to undo, and takes forever. There are still remnants of it in the flatwork, but it’s mostly gone o/f. Thank GOD.
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What a great progression! It seems like you really got him to open up in so many ways! =]
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great progression – he’s really blossomed in your care! now i kinda want to do one of these posts too haha
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I love his canter in the last video- looks like he’s just skipping along!
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How can it only be a little over a year?!
You guys have been on an epic journey and it is still o ly the beginning, much fun and adventure still to be had!
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Wow, what a change! He really doesn’t look like the same horse. You have done a great job with him.
https://adventuresofarerider.wordpress.com/
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I want to see the video you bought him from!!
I totally remember that first video too!! Crazy!! You have brought him so far, high five!!
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I’ll try to work it into a post next week. There’s a short w/t/c video and then him hopping over a cavaletti! Pretty cute to see now.
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That coal car still looks scary to me!
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You guys are just rocking right along. And I stile LOVE that navy jacket with the yellow trim. Looks so fantastic on you.
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It is funny how the jumps look so small until you are on the back of a horse!
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Its the opposite for me, they look huge on foot and little on the horse!
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