Ok before I recap the goings-on around here, first I have to post these pictures. This was one year ago today:
And this was on Friday:
Omg. OMG. O. M. G. By this time next year I think he might dwarf Henry.
Anyway, on to the weekend that went awry. I had entered a little local show, doing two dressage tests only (Prelim A and Prelim B). Which I think is the first time ever for us to do only dressage at a show. Or trying to, anyway. Apparently the weather gods also share my feelings about dressage, because Saturday morning dawned like this
LOL yeah nah. It stormed its ass off all morning, dropping upwards of 3″ of rain in some places. The showgrounds got over 2″ in less than an hour, rendering the parking area way too wet to get trailers in and out of, thus cancelling the show. Hey I tried, but I guess I’m just not destined to fancy prance, y’all. Which is probably good because to be honest I’ve never really done more than scan quickly over the Prelim B test before, and who the hell even knows where all the letters are in a long court anyway? Granted, I should probably figure that out before July since Coconino runs the B test. Details.
So instead of a dressage show, Henry did a lot of this:
And I did a lot of this:
Bless these live streams. I was watching XC from Florida and XC from California side by side. And I love getting to see coverage of Prelim/2* stuff, which is much more in our wheelhouse than the typical 4*/5* stuff. Seeing how stuff rides, seeing the different questions, thinking about how they would relate to my own horse… it was fun. Also, California has got some really badass kids pinging around there on ponies. I was impressed. Maybe there’s a market for higher level sportponies after all.
The sun came out on Saturday afternoon, along with the wind, which helped start drying things up pretty quickly. Sunday was absolutely gorgeous, so I did that thing where I told the SO that I was going to the barn for a couple hours and it really ended up being like 5. Y’all know what I mean.
The colt-starter guy that’s been putting some basic miles on Cannavaro wanted to ride him out in the fields for the first time, so Henry and I tagged along with them just in case. He didn’t need us at all, that horse was absolutely foot perfect, super quiet, brave and happy to go anywhere with or without Henry, and really relaxed. The guy was even swinging his rope around on him for a while, then put him to work trotting around the hills, cantering circles, changing directions, working on his half halt and his whoa, etc. I continue to be extremely impressed by Cannavaro, not only his brain (which is maybe one of the best I’ve ever seen) but also his quality. This is a nice horse.
After a stretchy w/t/c ride with Henry, it was Presto’s turn. I put his bridle on again, which he’s starting to hate less. It’s also possible that I’m bribing him, the only time in his life when he gets treats (because he’s a walking MOUTH) is when his bit goes in. Don’t judge me, he’s basically a dog so food motivation works well. Either way, it was the easiest bridling yet, especially considering it’s been over a month since I last put it on. I also had to let everything out a hole. His head really doesn’t need to grow much more.
We went out and did some long-lining, attaching the reins to the bit for the second time. The steering is decent. I mean… it’s definitely better when he wants to go the direction I’m asking him to go, but it does work both left and right. And the whoa button has always been good with this one. We made some circles and figure eights, went over some poles and between standards, and then wrapped it up with a mounting block session. It’s so tempting just to slide a leg over. So tempting. I know I could and he wouldn’t care a bit, but alas we’re waiting until Fall for that.
So maybe it wasn’t the most productive weekend on paper, but the horses still got worked and I got some education via the live feeds. Definitely not a waste. Plus now I get to be like “Oh darn, totally tried to dressage but got rained out, omg sad.”. Totally believable, right?
breedrideevent.com 
B for browband! Presto looks so handsome in his big boy bridle. The navy and green are great colors for him.🙌🐴😍👍
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It looks SO GOOD on him!
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C for cute! 🙂 I can’t believe how big Presto is getting and omg that photo from a year ago is hilarious. Shudder on the scorpion. ICK…
Glad Henry didn’t have to just do dressage and had a fun weekend instead 😉 HA I am sure he was not upset 🙂
We got the rain here too and it was not good. I am so sick of flooded roads when trying to get to town. ICK. And of course my dry paddock and field….are muddy pools of water again 😦
GRRH
Fall will be here before you know it!
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Henry feels like he had a great weekend.
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getting rained out of dressage might be the best cancellation ever. I love the colt starter with cannavaro, he should just be a roping horse.
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The guy was like “This is a horse I would buy. The only thing wrong with him is that he’s a thoroughbred.” LOLOL
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Comparison shots like that are both awesome and terrifying. You’re going to need a step ladder by the time he’s done.
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Kind of already at that point lol
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I can’t believe how big P is now! Those pictures are awesome. Every time I’ve signed up for or gone to a dressage only show, the weather has been terrible. Some have been cancelled, some we’ve shown in between thunderstorms/pouring rain. M. Nature clearly believes dressage shows are a waste of time.
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And who are we to argue with Mother Nature?
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I love how in the old pic Henny is like ‘I hate dis baby’ and then the current one he’s like, ‘I’s hate you but you’s isn’t going anywhere but I guess that’s ok’. Big brudder.
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He’s figured out that Presto makes a pretty fun punching bag.
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I’m really interested in the Colt starting process for Cannavaro. Would you/Bobby be willing to do a guess post or a post focused on what made him decide to employ the Colt starter, and what the Colt staters background and experience is? It seems really cool and a departure from the “Ammy trains OTTB” experience that is more and more common. Also, it’s really nice to see a skilled horseman of color showcased! Diversity in horsemanship is cool. The comment about the ‘kind of horse I would buy except it’s a thoroughbred’ made me LOL.
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I passed this on to Bobby and he’s in! We’ll draft something up.
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Cool! Looking forward to it!
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Presto is getting really tall! At what point do you expect him to widen? I’ve never raised a horse before so I’m really curious if they typically reach height then fill out.
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for him, probably like… 6. His mother was scrawny forever (now she’s a whale) so I expect him to be the same.
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Presto is gigantic, holy crow!
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I can’t believe the difference in Presto, he definitely doesn’t have that baby look anymore. And, well…. he’s gonna be huge. Sorry.
Wonder how Henry figured out how to make it rain on dressage day?
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If it makes you feel any better my pony was supposed to go to a dressage show a few weeks ago but apparently decided he didn’t want to. So he pulled a shoe a week before, spraining his pastern in the process… And then pulled it again the day before for good measure.
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I love following your progress. I think your blogs have a great sense of humor, humbleness and great insight/information.
Information is what I’m hunting for from a blog I read by you regarding Henry and his hate for bits and finally finding one he accepted and relaxes in. My guy HATES everything I try. He rides better in a rope halter or the Meroth leather bit – neither of which are obviously acceptable in dressage. Our dressage scores come back with comments like “tense” “tight neck and aggressive chomping on bit” – please help?
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