Champ

[Sarah]

Wow you have kids buying your horse blankets?? Everyone is going to want that child to ride their horse!!

Sounds like he is doing well, for the left lead I would suggest trying to not let him run, even though it is hard. When he is stretched out and running on his face like that he really isn't in a position to make a transition so really try to keep him collected and use a sharp, meaningful aid. A nice transition onto the wrong lead might be better than a terrible one onto the right lead where he runs around like a lunatic wherever he chooses. You could then try asking for the canter by feeling his hind legs on the ground in the canter, when the outside hind is on the ground ask him for the transition... or get someone on the ground to help you tell when it is the right time.

Keep it up!

[Champ]

thanks Sarah, that sounds like good advice. I've been trying to keep him together, ask him to PREPARE to Canter, and when he starts to move forward I actually ask him to canter. Remember Sue taught us that? It makes it like a mini explosion. He moves into a nice, forward canter that way. But it needs to much preparation and won't help me in the show ring. Anyway, thanks again!

[Sarah]

It might not help you in the show ring now but if you prepare him well for the transition the time it takes him to do it should decrease and it will help in the show ring by the summer!

[dduff]

I agree with Sarah. This is something good to work on now which will eventually benefit you for the show season. Maybe not necessarily this one cause everything takes time. But it's good to take things slow and let him properly understand what you are asking. If you boss him into everytime it's never going to look very pretty. You need to find that button that works for both you guys. Lessons always help here too cause then there is someone on the ground who is able to tell you whether or not your doing anything funny with your body that may be causing him to be a tard. A second set of eyes is always great.

[Champ]

Champ has been freakin amazingly good lately, thought I'd share We practiced a lot of sitting trot the other day, I'm starting to adjust to the new saddle fairly easily. When I saddle him, if he pins his ears when I tighten the girth I stop and talk to him until he looks happy again. It seems to be giving him a more positive outlook on tacking up.

I've been riding with my english spurs. He moves right into a canter now and stays there as long as I push him forward and don't do any sudden turns. He breaks if he isn't expecting a 20 m circle and I throw one in. On Friday he never bucked at all, even when I used my spurs a couple of times to get his left lead. The first time I asked he picked up the wrong lead. I took him back to a trot and asked for it in a corner instead, and he picked up the correct lead. I cooled down bareback.

I love my pony.

[Sarah]

That is great Kelly! What saddle did you get after? The HDR?

[Champ]

Yeah, the HDR Pro Show Jumper, the same one Sarah P has. It fits him perfectly. My new bridle and girth came last week too, but I haven't tried the bridle on him yet because I want to keep it for showing only. When are you coming back, anyway? I have to get you up on my horse!

[Sarah]

Well I graduate the beginning of June and I can pretty much come back anytime after that if someone wants to board me for a few weeks until my family comes home as well! I look forward to riding the Canadian Champ (versus my Qatari ... well Dutch I suppose ... one!)!

[krys]

Sarah, we'll keep in touch but I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem for you to stay at my house, and Robyn is at Southern now so it wouldn't be a problem for you to get back and forth to the barn.

[Champ]

Aw, Sarah! I can't wait for you to come home, you're fun to have around. If you need a place to stay, feel free to board at my house. We have a guest room now, and I cook delicious suppers- meat free suppers- every night And of course, you can come to the barn with me everyday and ride. If you have your permit I'll even take you driving.

[krys]

Sarah, I'll have my lisence in the begining of July too so lots of adventures!!

Sorry to kill the thread about Champ Kelly!

You're boy sounds to be doing great! I have to come see him asap. Rocky misses him even though Champ didn't like him very much, except on trails! Once Rocky gets settled on trails, we should go on hacks all the time!!

[Sarah]

Well when I book my ticket I'll be sure to remember both of your kind offers!!

Kelly Champ sounds like he is going great - you should get some pictures of him with his new tack!!

[Sarah P]

Sorry to hijack
the girl stays with ME.

[Champ]

oh so it's a fight you want, huh? just joking, but you gotta share.

I'll take some pics of Champ tomorrow or Thursday in the new gear, I'm still oiling the bridle so its nice and soft. I have one of those bits like Deanne has, I'm not sure what they are called, but he goes really well in it. I have to work on getting him off my hands though, he's destroying the muscles in my shoulder. Usually he'll move into a trot and his head will be at a decent spot, but as he gets lazy he'll stretch out his neck and lean on my hands. If I let go of the reins, is nose will brush the ground. I start lessons tomorrow night so hopefully Angela has some pointers, and every second week I'm going to ride someone else so I can work on my own position on an easier horse.

[Sarah]

Don't worry guys I can spend nights with everyone Seriously though, I am flattered

Kelly there must be something with the name 'Champ' because the Champ I ride here is so much like yours (well, except with like 7 years more training and experience). But definitly with the being heavy of your hands thing and feeling like you have to hold his whole front end (which is not exactly light!!) up off the ground. I find with Champ here I have to constantly be half-halting and rebalancing him, especially before a fence (if not he plows over it on his forehand, or if it is over 3' he just can't get himself over if I let him come in on his forehand). Don't know for sure but maybe that could help with your Champ?