Mixing it Up

Since Houston and I come from different backgrounds and the fact that his Thoroughbred mind often needs variety, I did my best to mix up our routine.  Our daily routine often consisted of some sort of dressage work, often lounging with side riens, and working on suppleness and bending.  Sometimes I would throw in a jump just to give him some added energy and make life more interesting- jumping in a Dressage saddle is an art with an ex-racer.

I also tried to chose events that were fun and different for both of us.  As a member of the Yadkin Valley Hounds Pony Club we often received a list of events that they were sponsoring.  One came up in the Summer that was a fun Hunter Trial, a hunter/jumper show but in an open field, which to Houston felt like Cross-Country.  He excelled in his divison and even won his jumping classes.  He wasn't quiet sure why I wasn't asking him to go on the bit during the flat classes, but he enjoyed the extra freedom.  Some might think that was confusing for Houston in his training as an eventer, but anything to help his mind settled and give him more exposure to the show world was well worth it.