Finally I have a moment to write about the jump chute clinic. To say we were stressed was an understatement, but we needed to bring Ember to the event. DaVinci cooperated by looking better the day of and easing our minds about leaving him. A neighborhood friend of Peggy's loaned us a trailer and we were set.
Not bad for a rush job
Ember's time was in the early afternoon which gave us time to polish him up. I quickly did his braids even with bands breaking. Then we washed his chrome and scrubbed his body before loading him on the trailer. Bless him, he walked on the strange trailer and traveled well for his first solo ride since coming from Indiana.
Ember decided he would only be difficult about walking into the arena. He has a thing about different materials abutting each other. In this case cement before the footing. Once he was in, he took it all in quietly. We chatted with the host who remembered Roscoe. She decided she really needs a Roscoe baby. She just needs to find a good Cob mare first. What does it mean when people ask if your horses are for sale?
We handed the lead over to Martin to do the in hand portion. I will always pass on to someone with long legs. We told him he would have to work harder than with Roscoe. Ember was a bit lazy to begin with, but he moved on with encouragement. Once he had done the poles a few times in hand, they let him loose to do them on his own. The clinicians were amazed by his big stride. When they saw his canter, Martin said it would be tough for Ember to package so to be patient once he was under saddle. Ember has his moments of looking like he does not know what to do with his legs at times.
When the jumps began going up, Ember said he could do this stuff. I love when even I am impressed with my horses. Ember took time to think and relax in between jump sets. He did not seek us out like his social butterfly father, but he takes new things a bit quieter than Roscoe. Plus Roscoe was the only child and learned to demand attention. Ember had too many siblings to get that way.
Thinking time
Ember had jumps with square knees and some with dangly feet. We were happy that he never seemed over faced and stayed willing. I am even more excited to see him in a couple years. And best of all, we made it back to the barn with no layovers.
Not long ago someone shared an event happening close by. It was a Free Jump Clinic. I decided to sign Roscoe up since he enjoyed the chute. His time was at 230 and we had an hour drive. Mom, Peggy and I loaded up Roscoe earlier so we could watch at least one session before his.
We knew this would be a pretty high end barn since we got a gate code with his time. The last few roads before arriving, Peggy kept saying she had been on this road before. She could not remember when though. The barn was European inspired and so new it still smelled like cut wood. We went to find the people running the event. Eventually we found them in the upper viewing area. As we talked, we heard the name of the barn manager and Peggy finally remembered.
A few years ago Peggy and Roscoe's breeder went to see a Cob mare for sale in our area. Peggy emailed back and forth with her owner for a bit before Larry said "no way." The mare ended up going to PA. Her new owner asked me about breeding to Roscoe, but went with her Lusitano. This year she won the bid during one of the auctions and will breed to Roscoe. And small world that the equine community is, the barn manager at the event was the mare's owner in VA.
Needless to say, we did not watch much of the clinic because we were talking to her about Cobs. Luckily there were not too many going through the chute during our chat. Roscoe ended up going at 2pm since that person had not arrived yet. This place is so fancy, they pick your horse's feet before entering the indoor. We handed him off to the clinician to begin the in hand portion. I swear my pony stands and poses better for other people. He behaved well while trotting over the poles. It helps that the clinician had long legs.
When they released him, he knew the routine. He did decide to mix it up by changing direction. Have you ever wondered why everything in done off the left?
Then the jumps began to go up. This clinician was different from the USEA one because he adjusted the distances for Roscoe. He did say Roscoe is a show off, which is not surprising to anyone who knows him. We did not get much feedback as the session went on. I was okay with it. You could see Roscoe was having fun and that was what this was about.
He always knew when it was time to stop while they changed the jumps. We had to fend off someone who wanted us to leave Roscoe with her.
Roscoe's waiting spot
The clinician asked if we wanted to go higher. As long as it was safe and Roscoe was willing, sure. His last jump was 3'3" and the clinician said he was amazing. He thought he could be a great show jumper.
My awesome Stud
We asked him about when to start Ember in the chute. He said that if we are not selling to take our time. Longevity is key. That made me feel so much better about the fact we took so long with Roscoe. I have always said I want them to last.
As we watched a couple more sessions, we chatted with a lady who turned out to be the barn owner. She thought Roscoe needed white boots, so that his socks are not interrupted. I may be looking for some.
Overall it was a great day and I can't wait to bring Ember to one in the future. Roscoe will start some jumping lessons, so that I can catch up to him, next week. And for those keeping track Roscoe has been called great by an Irishman, a German and now a Frenchman. We joke that Roscoe is an American, Welsh Cob, German Riding pony. Good thing he is pretty dang secure in himself :)
I kept telling Roscoe we were going to have fun. He did not believe me since he had to have his chrome cleaned and his tail washed. He at least was able to have some turn out before we loaded him at noon. Loch Moy farm is a two hour drive into Maryland, so we definitely wanted to make sure we topped off the tank. After driving by the entrance once, we made it there by 230. That gave Roscoe an hour to chill. Well it turned out to be a bit longer. The 230 person still had not gone when we arrived. I was okay with it. We got to watch three sessions and see how things worked.
The Jump Chute set to beginning height
Chris Ryan the clinician, comes from Ireland and it was wonderful to watch him work. First he has the head collar (yes that is what he called it) removed and let the horse settle into the area. Once they are ready he asks the horse to move around the arena. During this time he checks their balance and their acceptance. One two year old Appy/TB cross had some balance issues, cross cantering, wrong leads, and he figured out that he could barrel through the pole barriers. Chris kept telling the owner not to worry, his talent was still there. He found positive points with every horse. This horse he also recommended he learn to respect people.
The arena wrecker :)
The next horse was another young one, either two or three, Donnerhall son. This big boy floated around the ring. Chris said he did not trot, he danced. He had the owner lead him into the chute so the horse would be comfortable. I did not get to see much of his session since I went to get my screaming horse off the trailer. Peggy was practicing with the camera which is why I have this photos.
Dancing Donnerhall son
Roscoe was a bit of a shit when he caught sight of the other horse, but he was not unmanageable. We walked down to the arena to see how things would go. I think they were all cautious of the fact that Roscoe is a stallion.
I think someone grew...
Chris asked if I would be able to catch him if the head collar was removed. Of course I said yes. So off Roscoe went to explore.
Can someone open the chute?
Chris said "This will be fun." Watching Roscoe canter around, Chris was thrilled with his build and uphill movement. He asked me if Roscoe could cover TB mares. He proceeded to say that he should cover a line of TB mares. The Irish are big into TB/crosses so I took this as a big compliment.
Then they opened the chute and had Roscoe trot in and go over pole, pole, pole, baby x, three times. This let him see the chute and focus on the work. Plus he tested the helpers.
The jump was raised and he went through again, no worries. To back him off, Chris put coats on the jumps and when the second jump went up, a back pack under it. Roscoe was funny because he got tired of waiting for them to put the jumps up and went for a run. When it was time to go in, he played hard to get. When they left him alone, he did a U turn and went into the chute. Silly Cob!
Long spot
They raised the verticals and the oxer, which Roscoe took in stride. Chris was saying he wished Roscoe would hit one and learn to respect the fences. It never happened, that boy flies. As Chris raised the oxer he said Roscoe is exhilarated to fly. Roscoe's canter gives him the awesome jump. I have heard it forever, you can fix the trot, but not the walk or canter. That they are born with.
The final jump over 3 or four runs, you can see the changes.
The rain started during this part and soon turned into a downpour. Roscoe kept working. He had his hiccups, but with some encouragement he moved on. Last 30sec is pocket fuzz, since the rain got too heavy.
The jumps went up and Chris asked him to canter in. He needed to come in controlled and rock back for his take offs. Chris said Roscoe would like it better since he wants to push off square. He said Roscoe is a smart pony. In the saddle I would need to keep my hands soft and my leg on.
The final run made all our hearts soar as Roscoe's feathers flew over a big oxer. Chris asked all during the session if I was happy.
Hell yes! Chris worked Roscoe in hand a bit to get him to respect a person's space. I was pleased that Roscoe worked well with him. All the volunteers seemed to figure out he was not a fire breathing stallion as he visited them during the session.
Sadly, the USEA photographer/writer left just before. Chris even told Peggy that they should do an article about Roscoe. Coming from someone who evaluates young horses all the time, that was an amazing comment for Roscoe. It is always nice when a non biased person tells you your horse is wonderful.
Checking out his audience
He comes back in September and I am considering going again. It is definitely worth the $70 and 4 hours of driving. Even if you have a mature horse the jump chute can be beneficial to reminding them to be quick with their feet and to take care of themselves. After putting Comrade through at home, jumping him today was night and day different to our previous jumping sessions. Comrade has a confidence that made the jumping easier today.
