tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post6614992671873978442..comments2024-02-29T09:31:25.294-05:00Comments on camera-obscura: updates on the hillbilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-83055962268922937562008-11-17T21:07:00.000-05:002008-11-17T21:07:00.000-05:00Lisa, I would love to make it to 4th level. I am n...Lisa, I would love to make it to 4th level. I am not sure if I will! Keil Bay is a solid second level horse, who has some skills from 3rd level (flying changes) and I've seen him on more than one occasion free lunge down center line doing one tempi changes, so I feel like someone sometime must have taught him that. <BR/><BR/>My personal goal with Keil Bay is to learn as much as he knows while he can still do it comfortably. I will never inject his joints to keep him in work, though.<BR/><BR/>Salina is a third level horse, and I have ridden a few flying changes on her. She is incredibly sensitive to the aids and always moves "correctly" when under saddle. However, she is retired now. I wish I could have ridden her when she was younger and didn't have the arthritic knees. I'm sure she was amazing.<BR/><BR/>My hope is that if/when I get through second level and maybe higher with Keil Bay, I can get a dressage-trained horse who is younger to go up the levels with. I have no aspirations to show or compete, but it would be wonderful to keep learning and growing w/in the discipline.<BR/><BR/>I have some issues with the dressage showing rules - I have no desire to wear spurs, for example, or use a double bridle. As it is, I barely want to use the double-jointed snaffle bit! But I love the partnership, harmony, and athleticism that (in my opinion) should be hand-in-hand with the higher level movements. <BR/><BR/>The women locally who I have worked with believe that it takes years to train a horse to the upper levels, and even longer for a rider. So I figure I have something to work on for the rest of my life. :)billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-89613726486866240202008-11-17T20:56:00.000-05:002008-11-17T20:56:00.000-05:00Arlene, I never did find the gloves, but rode anyw...Arlene, I never did find the gloves, but rode anyway. It wasn't that chilly today with the sun and no wind, as it turned out. Tomorrow is a different story - looks like the high will be 40 and winds up to 30 mph! If that is truly what comes tomorrow, I'm leaving the blankets on! <BR/><BR/>I'm not quite ready for this kind of weather!billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-77882520379722691802008-11-17T20:48:00.000-05:002008-11-17T20:48:00.000-05:00It's so wonderful to read about the goings-on arou...It's so wonderful to read about the goings-on around November Hill. Sounds like everyone is transitioning well into the late stages of Fall and preparing for winter.<BR/>We've been having a wonderful warm spell here with temps close to 70. Sunny and warm. So lovely!<BR/><BR/>Rafer and Redford are just the cutest little donkeys. I bet you can never get enough of being around them and watching their adorable antics.<BR/><BR/>I'm not too familiar with dressage, except the basics, so I looked up the dressage test and am now curious. Do you have aspirations in competition and goals for reaching Fourth Level?<BR/><BR/>How exciting! I hope you'll post more about it. I'm looking forward to reading more about this one day. :)<BR/><BR/>~Lisa<BR/>New MexicoLaughing Orca Ranchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03562627840013868980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-19766999014066831462008-11-17T20:47:00.000-05:002008-11-17T20:47:00.000-05:00Those donkeys are the cutest things ever. Everyone...Those donkeys are the cutest things ever. Everyone else seems to be handling the change in weather just fine. Glad Salina is feeling good, I know personally how arthritis and cold weather affect joints. We've got a few days of the cold here too. Hope you find your gloves, I'm about to look for my regular gloves as I won't be riding anytime soon. Stay warm!Grey Horse Mattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837575441967937196noreply@blogger.com