Stepping out at Novice level

Kerry enjoyed a fairly relaxed day with Victor at the Alexander Park T-shirt day competition on Sunday. Some very nice leg-yieldiing and 15m canter circles before he nodded to the judges!
Bit of a clown at heart, I think!
Thanks to Chris Sullivan for the photos!

Learning the alphabet

Victor is back to work on the flat with Kerry Sullivan. Lovely to watch his confidence and athleticism develop. He's just thriving on the dressage training ladder under Jeremy's watchful eye and direction.
The exercises  working off the leg, shoulder-in, renvers, travers, leg-yielding, half-pass are improving his strength off his quarters and his flexibility, and he is becoming more able to give an immediate response. Brain/understanding and muscle strength are developing to allow him to confidently react to the slightest indication of an aid.
Today he was extending his understanding of the rider's aids as he worked on the turn on the haunches, establishing a good marching pace as he begins to sit on his haunches. Then Kerry asked for canter from a standstill and return to a walk, or halt. He's really developing an understanding of the response required for increasingly refined aids.
He is so chuffed to get a pat when he gets it right! Really works for his pats!!

Victor had his first exposure to jumping yesterday, with Emma Bishop. He rubbed a crossrail when trotting over his first upright, but didn't touch a thing, thereafter! Some lovely canter work off both leads.
The verdict? Bold, talented and very quick to learn! After 30 minutes he was jumping 60cms in really good 'form'. That's the height of Introductory eventing jumps.
Emma says he feels very like Paeon.
Today, settled back to his dressage work with Kerry very happily.

Victor now has four tests under his belt at Preliminary level.

Started at Alexander Park championships with the 1D then 1C; then the Hunter Valley Dressage Championships for the 1A and 1B. Better than mid-field in full classes (25 -30 entrants); lots of positive comments by judges and spectators!

Great rides from Kerry and coaching from Jeremy!

 

Dressage Debut!

Victor was 'cool as a cucumber' when he made his dressage debut with Kerry at Singleton Dressage Championships on Sunday. He had never seen a polypipe arena before, but you would never have known!! Travelled on the NK truck with 5 other horses of varying experience, and he had a "huge" look at everything when he offloaded at the Showground...but that was IT. He proceeded to work with partner Kerry, with a full understanding of the job to be done.
Kerry said he was tired at the end (6am to 2pm!) but he had concentrated so hard...it was justified!
The pair performed So well!!! Top score of 70% in the Prep 3...his first public outing in 5 years.

Spring Swim for Harry

Harry has become quite independent, and brave, with his mate Victor away; he hasn't got a henchman to look out for..and to back him up!!
Lovely warm Spring day and the rugs are off, so the mob took the opportunity to have a dabble in the dam, then do laps, just for fun.
Maybellene and Cloud, momentarily, acted like mature ladies, watching the young lads strut their stuff...Then they had to join in!!

Victor in Readiness

Kerry and Victor concentrate on their preparations for his first dressage competitions over the next three weekends! Serious business!