Champ

[Champ]

Since I am buying Champ at the end of the month and have already put a deposit on him, I'd like to start a training log.

So here's the basic information on him.

I've been riding him since I was 13 and he was a yearling(well, I wasn't riding him then, but I was halter training him.) That makes him 10. His mother was a Belgian/Quarter horse cross and his father was a quarter horse/Newfoundland pony/clydesdale cross. He's a 16.3 HH chestnut gelding.

John Tee owned him at Seaside Stables for about 7 1/2 years I guess, where he was lead horse(and I was the trail guide leader.) I have ridden him every summer since he was saddle trained-and I was the first one on his back. Angela bought him for Equine Meadows almost 2 years ago and I rode him from Bay Bulls to Equine on a nearly 6 hour ride.

So now that Mel is buying Prancer, I can finally buy my baby. He's w/t/c and jumps quite nicely. Angela thinks he'd be great in dressage(but dressage is so boring) and I think he's great for any thing over fences. He's a bomb proof trail horse- I can't wait to take him to the shows next year.

Here's a pic of him on his first day at Equine Meadows. I will post another updated pic of him later with his mane all grown out.

[Robyn]

Congratulations on him Kelly!

[Champ]

Today was my first day riding Champ in months! he was excellent, I rode him when all the lssons were over. We did w/t/c and 20 m circles and 3 loop serpentines. I did some 2-point over poles and we practiced trot/halt transitions. I was just enjoying the ride today though, not really attempting anything huge! Angela and Deanne thought I was hilarious- I couldn't stop smiling. Now I need to buy a saddle and a bridle for us I hope everyone gets as much enjoyment out of their horses as I got out of Champ today.

And for those of you who know what Champ is like- he never bucked once! or even tried one of his stop and turn tricks, he actually seemed to enjoy everything we did. (btw, dont worry, I still spent some time with Prancer- I love her too! and I am riding her tomorrow on our trail ride.)

[Jessica]

Kelly of corse he was exellent for you! He just knows who his mom is, thats all:)

[Champ]

I rode Champ again today Thanks to Jess and Emily. We went on a trail ride to Cochrane Pond, I rode for about 4 hours. We got to go for a gallop and I love him I love him I love him!

[Mellu]

did you take Prancer on the trail ride?

[krys]

She rode Prancer on the way there and Emmo let her ride Champ on the way back.

[Mellu]

Awh, that worked out perfect! .

[Champ]

I have some pics but I can't post them right now- I'm going out. Tomorrow though.

I rode again today Jess gave me pointers ("keep your heels down!!") and we did w/t/c and 2o m circles at the trot. Then Jess said up a crossrail(which was so small compared to Champ that he just trotted over it.) and then she changed it to a vertical which he was more enthusiatic about. When you see the pics, you'll understand what I am working on: I sit waaaay too far back on the flat and waaay too far forward in my 2 point, though it did improve with the guidance of Jess! As for Champ, he will be working on staying on the rail in the canter and forward energy, mainly in our trot/canter transition. his down transitions are pretty good.

[Champ]

Okay, I have some pics to put up today. I rode again yesterday for an hour and we're still just getting used to each other all over again, but I am enjoying this soooo much. I can't ride today because I'm delivering pizza until 12 but I will be out all day tomorrow since I have to work 3:30 anyways.


Trot pic, taken by Jess


Jumping pic taken by Jess


canter pic, taken by Jess


me and my baby


Here's our tall shot, taken by Maria

[Sarah]

Cutie

[Sarah]

you guys look some purdy

[krys]

Aww, Kelly, you and Champ look great together! He's a babe!

[Champ]

Thanks guys!!

I rode today for less then an hour and boy was he ever a cranky ass! He flat out refused to move forward, instead trying to buck me off! But I am still loving this, and I can't wait to own him. 10 more days!!!

[Jessica]

Don't mind him Kelly! You should have seen him for the girl that ride him the day before, he bucked like every other stride!