Hey Holly,

Raymond did an amazing job with Joey! He worked a lot on lifting the shoulders and suppling the right side. I still have a lot of work to do before I can get Joey to look like he does with Raymond, but he already feels a lot better than he did during the winter.

Overall I'm very pleased with how far he's come in only a month and I can't wait for summer break to get here so I can start working more with him!

Hi Zoe,

Just wanted to touch base to see how things are goin with Joey!  How did he do with Raymond?  I really enjoyed your last pattern and see a big difference in your guiding and your back up!  I hope you'll have a chance to try an IPHDA V-Show this summer.  Looking forward to seeing you at the clinic. 

Cheers,

Holly

I'm back!

Sorry for the lack of posts! I've been having trouble with my internet connection lately, but it is now back to normal.

Joey is leaving tomorrow for some training with Raymond Hache, so I won't get to work with him for about a month, but I just thought I'd give you a bit of an update on how we've been doing.

The excercises you gave us have deffinately helped! His lope transitions are a lot better, and he is a lot more supple. He doesn't brace against me anymore, and it feels great!
The only thing we've had trouble with, is the "circles for the ribcage" excercise. No matter how much leg or voice I use, he always breaks to a walk or even stops. Maybe I'm doing it wrong?

I also use the bit you told me and I can see a huge difference. At first he didn't like it, but now he goes great with it.

Here is the video I had planned on entering in the contest (which I wasn't able to do, after all). In that video he has the new bit, and I'm doing the pattern you told me to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym6O_kpO4Ro

I already saved my spot for the july clinic at Sylvette's, and I'm super excited to get to work with you in person again :)

Clinics with Holly MacDonald

Looking to jump start your riding season? Join us for the only 2010 clinic in Nova Scotia with Holly MacDonald! May 1st & 2nd, Squire Hill Stables, River John, NS.  Contact Brittany MacLellan for more information (902)351-2095, or squirehillstables@hotmail.com.

Hi Zoe,

Sure thing, even if you can stick the camera up in the corner and try to work in front of it, I'm sure it'll be fine.  Have a great weekend!


Holly

Thanks for the excercises, I will deffinately try those out!
As for the pattern, I probably won't have anyone to film us, so would it be ok if I just put the camera on a standard or mounting block or something?

Hopefully I'll have new videos to show you around sunday/monday!

Our Plan of Attack

Your pattern was absolutely great, Zoe.  I would really like to see you give this a try in the February IPHDA Show - the deadline is March 8th, so you still have time to get a video in!  You could do Level 1, Pattern #2, and I'm sure you would be very happy with the results.  Throw on a saddle (english or western) and use pylons as shown on iphda.com.  Also, make sure your videographer stands to the left side of the arena if you choose to enter the show.  Go for it! 

We have already covered the tools that I think will help you best with Joey's current performance, so let's see what happens when we put them into action!  To summarize, I would like to see you work on the following 4 exercises:

- Circles for the Ribcage  (Later progressing to #2, Leg Yielding Circle & #3, Double Reverse Counter Arc.  We can tackle those in time.)

- Backing Up in Circles

- Pivot on the Forehand (POTF)

- Haunches In

When you feel ready, video you and Joey doing these exercises, along with you at the walk, jog, lope, stop & back up.   I'm anxious to see how it goes!  It will not come over night, but typically you will see a difference over a course of 3-5 rides.  I think this will make a huge difference in your routine, and will get you really feeling for a reaction in Joey's body.  I would really like to see you using Bit #4 (the D ring with ported Billy Allen style mouthpiece.) 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!  If you'd like, we can also arrange a time to chat on Facebook or MSN.  I have thrown a lot of info at you over the past couple of days, so please take your time and don't feel like there is a rush.  I'm looking forward to seeing another video and I hope you will consider doing this IPHDA V-Show!  You're ready.  :)