Well, here it is! Our riding course portion of the Northwest Extreme Mustang Makeover. I've watched it and nit picked myself to death, but am still very pleased with how Steve Holt! managed to pull himself together and up in the over all standings.
Before leaving for Oregon I spent a great deal of time watching both the EMM videos as well as reining videos on you tube. I knew Steve Holt! wouldn't have the control at a fast paced lope, so I elected to go for slow. As Ruben pointed out, I played it safe. And that was okay, really, because it did show Steve Holt! at his best. Gone was the high head and racing speed; here was a horse who showed a nice, easy ground covering stride on a loose rein. I let him stop and pause between elements just like you see the reiners doing, giving their horses a moment to regroup before being asked for the next move. I think that in the long run this is going to benefit Steve Holt! over all.
Had I been a judge, I probably would have dinged my ride on the excessive patting that I did; I'd wanted to keep him quiet and reassured, but I think I went overboard. And while training aides were allowed, we knew going into this that we may lose points for using them. I'd originally planned on not using it, but after Thursday's little episode decided it was better to be safe than sorry.
Naturally, Darling has videos of a lot of competitors, so as the week goes on we'll sneak a few more in for you. Here's Lair McCabe on Mustang Sally doing his riding course (not Darling's video, but thought you may like it just the same):
Before leaving for Oregon I spent a great deal of time watching both the EMM videos as well as reining videos on you tube. I knew Steve Holt! wouldn't have the control at a fast paced lope, so I elected to go for slow. As Ruben pointed out, I played it safe. And that was okay, really, because it did show Steve Holt! at his best. Gone was the high head and racing speed; here was a horse who showed a nice, easy ground covering stride on a loose rein. I let him stop and pause between elements just like you see the reiners doing, giving their horses a moment to regroup before being asked for the next move. I think that in the long run this is going to benefit Steve Holt! over all.
Had I been a judge, I probably would have dinged my ride on the excessive patting that I did; I'd wanted to keep him quiet and reassured, but I think I went overboard. And while training aides were allowed, we knew going into this that we may lose points for using them. I'd originally planned on not using it, but after Thursday's little episode decided it was better to be safe than sorry.
Naturally, Darling has videos of a lot of competitors, so as the week goes on we'll sneak a few more in for you. Here's Lair McCabe on Mustang Sally doing his riding course (not Darling's video, but thought you may like it just the same):
15 comments:
Tracey I think you and Steve Holt! did awesome in the riding portion. He was very calm and collected and my aunt and myself noticed the lose rein you had on him and made comment about that as almost every other rider rode VERY tight reined and I didn't like that. How are you giving a release when you have nothing but contact with tight reins? I didnt understand that but oh well. Love the video and loved watching this just as much the 2nd time around as I did the first :o)
I agree with Christa--Steve Holt! looked relaxed in that lope and you weren't all over his face. Great job!!
Great job Tracey. I am in awe of you, taking a wild horse and getting him to that point in such a short amount of time. He looked relaxed and cooperative. Just the kind of horse people would be lucky to have.
WOW!!! Tracey I think you did awesome! You and Steve Holt! are the best! He looked so good out there, you should be really proud of the job the two of you did! :-)
Haven't had a chance to watch the video yet, but having watched it in person, I'd have to say Tracey, your ride was one of the smoothest and quietest. SH! looked relaxed, his head was down, your reins were loose and you had fun. So many did ride with a tight rein, saw some gaping mouths, they were trying to do sliding stops but heads were popping up in the air and front legs jamming in the ground on these horses that just weren't ready for that. Way to go :)
Speed is dramatic...but when you analyze the details, that's not training...just raw responding to forceful cues. In the long term, Steve Holt! is way better off! Not only that...he's too young for that kind of high impact riding (IMO). I am all about what's best for the horse...not the audience.
I thought you did great!
Patience is hard...I can't wait to see pictures of Flicka ;)
I was going to leave a long, detailed comment... but I think I'll just say DITTO to Jeanette. I love how you work with your horses.
Tracey:
Bottom line you stayed true to what was right for Steve Holt! You put the animal above the performance and kudos to you for that cause some of the guys just don't have that same care (shame on them!)....LOVE the video....Great ride....
I think you two did great. I like how you chose to be quiet with Steve Holt!.. It makes the overall appearance and training experience look so much better. The other riders and their sliding stops are pretty fun to watch, but the horse is sooooo anxious. Most average riders wouldn't want an anxious horse, and isn't that the point of the Mustang Makeover, to adopt out the horse? LOL expect for you Tracey. ;-)
Well, Tracey, training is all about working with the horse and not forcing the horse to work with you, and I think there is no doubt that Steve Holt! and you work well together. In comparing the two videos, I'd much rather see the relaxed style that shows me you haven't fried your horses brain by pushing him to do things that he might not be ready for. Good job, girl!
Thank you all for the kind words.
I surely didn't mean to compare Laird's horse course with mine...he had a great ride. I was truly impressed with what he had done with that mare when I saw them working on Thursday prior to the competition. Just wanted to show you his round because I thought it was nicely executed.
No, I'm glad you posted Laird's video and realize why you did...it really was a great run for a mustang with 90 days...
but...
Steve Holt! will be better mentally in the long run. Mustang Sally was pretty hyped up, and in my mind, almost a lil' bit fried. I think you did a fantastic job and did right by your horse...
Tracey, you did an amazing job with Steve Holt! He has a beautiful way of going and is nice and relaxed through the whole ride. Congrats on a job well done!
I think it was an amazing statement of how well you two work together, and I saw no over patting. It was so relaxed and controled, a partnership, not forced or pushed, I loved it.
Well done Tracey and Steve Holt! !!!! I think you did fantastically! Personally, out of Steve Holt! and Mustang Sally, if I were looking to buy a horse I'd choose Steve Holt! and I'm not just saying that because he's your horse and I follow your blog!!! =) I prefer a relaxed horse on a loose rein than a stirry fast horse, ANY day! I also didn't like the way Sally was throwing her head around every time she was asked to do something. But that's just my humble opinion!
Having just read Angela's comment, "put the animal above the performance" I don't think I saw much in Sally's performance that I thought, well...Steve Holt! couldn't do that! He just did it slower and more carefully...which is what I prefer anyhow!
Enough from me! Again, GREAT job!!! Still catching up on your posts, sorry I'm so behind...I see there's a video of Flicka coming up, YAY!!
Post a Comment