Challenge ACCEPTED

we are the best at toodling

Courage and I are taking some intentional down time from dressage and have been toodling and doing nothing.

The internet is a dangerous place for toodling, as you might be aware. I was reading through Eventing Nation's #EventerProblems list and I thought it was funny right up until I saw the last image on this list.

And because I am toodling (and have loony friends), I thought "we can do that" and then immediately "I bet I can make a competition out of this". So I emailed it to the obvious choice for the challenge (and not the one that would kick both our asses without even trying) and obviously, she was in.

It's all been a very hush hush project, because you don't go advertising to your competition just how you train your horse to WIN, but here's what I did on day one:

1) Get water trough.

I'll teach those DQs to leave things laying out....

2) Show it to horse in the arena.

so interesting now

3) Lunge horse over similar skinnies to remind him that he does things other than dressage.

so easy now

4) Lunge horse over it with standard(s).

OH YEAH

4) Show it to horse under saddle and establish that he still has to go forward/straight.

forgot to take a pic of this part, so you get yesterday's shot again

5) Jump over other, similar skinnies that horse is familiar with to get him thinking about jumping. And skinnies. And straightness. Oh, and to re-tune my jumping position/aids.

Wore the same outfit, but looked better in my head

TO BE CONTINUED (DUN DUN DUN)!!!!