Sudi update with pics!

[Heather]

Well, Mike came over and rode both the boys. Sudi was in totally chilled mode, both with me, as I hopped on him first to show Mike what I had been doing with him, and then went beautifully for Mike too- very calm in the canter as he had also been with me today. But strangely, the piaffe has gone to pot atm! It is winding him up totally, whereas even during the spell where the feed had hotted him up, he was still piaffing on a loose rein! But this can happen, you sort out one pace and then something else goes wrong. But I worked him from the ground with Mike aboard, in passage, which was absolutely stunningly effortless, and the most amazing Spanish walk I have ever seen him do- huge height and totally in rhythm. WOWWWWW!!!

I rode Rei for a few mins, and showed Mike the massive improvement in the canter, and then put Mike up. I cant believe how different he looks minus that awful gut- Rei that is - not the pencil slim Mike!! But Rei still has a lot to build up on his back end. Frankly, it was the one thing I never liked about him as a youngster, and hoped it would build up in time, but it has never built up to match his lovely front. I am hoping now that he is really using himself properly, that it will come. Kim has said she will strap him if not!!

But again, working from the ground to get the shoulders up, we had the most astonishing extended trot I have ever seen Rei manage- about four strides and he was at the end of the indoor school! Mike also worked on the changes- it is the one thing that I am still not so good at teaching a horse under saddle myself, despite teaching ponies to do it when a youngster, to make them handier in gymkhana games! We got a couple of nice changes, and left it at that. Now, I just have to improve my timing again!! But was delighted with both the boys!!

Heather

[issywizz]

Ahem,where are the vids???? 

[Heather]

Videos, what are they?!!!

I need my camerawomen, Debbie or Lucie, as I just dont think to take the video camera out with me. I wish I had it though to record Rei's extended trot today, anyone who ever said Lusos cant extend needed to see it! It is not yet quite balanced to do a whole side or diagonal of the outdoor school, but it wont be long!

Heather

[EmmaB]

Thats great news, sounds like you have two Portuguese superstars in the making at your place!
 

[Mike A]

They are indeed both superstars!

Thanks so much Heather for letting me come over and have a sit on them. I feel very privileged to get to ride such lovely, well schooled horses- it makes a nice change from my day to day riding for work! (Not that I don't adore Gen and Dom, if Sylina and Lin are reading this...!) Both boys have improved dramatically since I last saw them, it's so nice to be able to pop over to East Leigh now and again and reap the rewards of Heather's hard work.....! 

[Heather]

Yep, but also nice for me to check in with East Leighs first ever working student- erm.........ten years ago isnt it Mike?!! The boys went beautifully for you- and as you know I let VERY few people sit on them!!

Heather

[Mike A]

Worryingly, ten years sounds about right! That makes me..... well, ten years older than I was ten years ago!  Rather more scary though is that by my reckoning, that makes Henry 15 this year.... And he's STILL never done a decent days work.....!   

[Heather]

Erm, it might be 11 if Henry is 15- he was 4 when I bought him, a few weeks before you joined us!!!

Heather

[shoveltrash]

not even one photo?
i was SO LOOKING FORWARD to *seeing* Mike on your horses!!!!!
Wah!
(please understand, i have to live "vicariously" thru vid & pics here )


sounds like a great session . 

[Heather]

He'll be here again soon, Trish! Trouble is, I just cant concentrate on working with the horse and rider and film, that is the problem!!

Heather

[Heather]

Well, Sudi went the best he has ever gone today- so relaxed in canter it was like riding a different horse! The piaffe, oddly, has gone to pot atm, though, winds him up something awful, so I have stopped working on it for the time being. Funny how when one thing comes right, another goes to pot for a few weeks!! But I will try to get some video of him shortly, he is losing his coat and looks very well indeed.

Heather

[luckyrider]

Oh dear, I am positively salivating at the prospect of a vid of Sudi (and Rei too, please!).  Can't somebody pop in and do the filming, quick, before my whole keyboard short circuits!

[Heather]

Both went extremely well today, although I am glad we lunged Rei first on the outdoor school as he put in some airs above the ground that wouldnt have been out of place at the Escola Portuguesa!! But the canter work was so collected and soft, even counter canter which he has always found so difficult and why I backed off teaching him changes.

Sudi's canter is so much calmer too, and he is back to his chilled self!! Will try to get some video soon!! It is having someone on hand to film us that is the problem!!

Heather

[Roo]

I'm sure that Robin  will be happy to record you when we come down with Adriano and Zimbral as he'll be bringing down his camera to record us.  I'll then be able to burn it to DVD for you after we've returned home.

[Heather]

Thanks Roo, but hopefully, Lucie (lmevans) will be down the last week in May to start the filming for the DVD series, as she is very good with a camcorder, so we should have some other film in the can then to put here on the forum.
I have a semi pro camcorder, and professional sound equipment, so we have the gear, just need someone here more often to be able to operate it!!

Heather