tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15289492713171642292024-03-05T06:36:27.892-08:00Dressage Training JournalCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.comBlogger378125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-3529791837311044872018-07-16T05:03:00.001-07:002018-07-16T05:10:54.413-07:00Surprise's First Test<div dir="ltr">
We had a Scotia Series dressage show here at our place on July 7 and 8. I decided to ride walk trot A with Surprise after the show was over, while they were getting the ribbons ready.<br />
Somehow I mixed up what time it was and lost an hour! That left me ten minutes to lunge and warm up in the outdoor before coming in to ride the test.<br />
Surprise warmed up in the outdoor (second time there), walked by all of the new show surroundings and into the ring by a new entrance without setting a foot wrong. The judge gave her a 71 - by far the highest I've ever gotten with any horse. I think she was being kind , but Surprise was a star. She'd never done a test before and I hadn't ridden one in years. Surprise is the easiest horse I've ever ridden. So sweet and tries so hard. I'm feeling very lucky to have her.</div>
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Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-82809865450510416022018-07-01T07:07:00.001-07:002018-07-30T09:42:12.418-07:00Lesson June 26<span style="font-family: inherit;">Surprise continues to surprise with her willingness and ability to learn. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Back to Surprise. We're in regular lessons with Jane Fraser - usually one or two weekends a month we have Saturday and Sunday lessons, plus one or two Tuesdays every month.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our main areas to work on now are:</span><br />
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<ol>
<li>Contact - Surprise stays in a lovely position pretty much all of the time, but it can be deceiving. She isn't always taking a good contact and using her back. Sometimes she's just tucking her head into a pretty frame :). When she was first backed she curled up behind the vertical a lot, but as she gets stronger and more confident in what we're doing she is taking more contact. Some days are better than others but she's definitely coming along.</li>
<li>Canter - The transition into canter from trot can be tricky but I think it's more me than her. This is especially true on the left lead where I tend to turn my body too much to the left. I have another lesson today so we'll work on that! For the most part she canters very nicely once she's into canter. She still needs to build her strength but it's going very well. Jane has me cantering very forward with her (not rushing - just a big canter), so she understands that we want her to canter and use her hind end. </li>
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Here's a photo of us from our lesson. I'm wearing paddock boots because I have a lot of problems with foot pain in my right foot, but I have new petries and am getting them broken in. Coming soon :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01693716990917125028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-29025368113091623772018-06-06T20:22:00.001-07:002018-06-06T20:22:26.047-07:00Brittany Fraser Beaulieu Clinic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Surprise participated in her first ever clinic last weekend, with Canada's top ranked dressage rider Brittany Fraser Beaulieu. Terri Braithwaite rode her in the clinic. Terri backed Surprise last fall (and did a FANTASTIC job) and was the main rider until March. I offered her Surprise to ride in the clinic because I didn't have a rider spot, but to be honest I wasn't sure I'd be ready to ride her in a clinic anyway (story for another post, but as it turns out I'm riding her all the time now).<br />
Brittany was a wonderful clinician, quickly focussing on each partnership's main needs and coaching them through exercises to improve their specific training goals. Each combination noticably improved and there was dramatic improvement over the two days with some of the participants.<br />
Poor Surprise didn't know what hit her. Ha ha, I'm kidding. She was a star but she was pushed to a new level of work and that's a good thing. She was ready for it.<br />
We'd been taking it easy with her since she was backed because she's still growing and still young (she doesn't turn four until the end of July). She did light walk trot over the winter, no more than three times a week, and only did an occasional canter on half a long side. She didn't do her first canter circle until four days before the clinic and suddenly she was being asked to hold her canter on a circle for short periods - whaaaat? :)<br />
Anyway, she stepped up to the plate and worked very well. She's solidly schooling training level and even a bit of first now. She still needs to reach into the contact more, especially when she gets tense (she gets behind the vertical) but all in all she's progressing nicely.<br />
Here are a few photos of Terri and Surprise in the clinic, as well as a video clip.<br />
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Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-60902243671357133282016-09-22T11:40:00.003-07:002016-09-22T11:40:59.017-07:00Current Goals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I know I said my next post was going to be about the Arthur Kottas clinic, but I have to find my photos. It will be great to do it because I need a review.<br />
In the meantime blogging again has got my riding more focused. I started keeping a paper journal beside Rogo's stall so I can write my observations about the ride as soon as I get off - what worked and didn't work, what improved, insights I have about my riding and immediate goals for the next ride. I think I'll go back to writing month goals and keeping a score card.<br />
A couple of days ago I rode third level test one for the first time. It was very sloppy but we did the whole thing with all of the elements. Just getting through a test from beginning to end is a challenge for me :). I had a lung infection over the summer which left me with NO stamina at all.<br />
Rogo's main area for improvement right now is more hind quarter engagement and taking more weight back. He gets heavy and too long very easily - my fault, I let it go on far too long. To work on this we're doing lots of:<br />
<ul>
<li>rein back, both in-hand and under saddle</li>
<li>transitions within and between gaits</li>
<li>caveletti and ground poles </li>
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My main areas for improvement are to ride more quietly and to keep my body relaxed. My legs especially nag him, and I don't even feel myself doing it. The improvement in his walk when I consciously relax and leave him alone is quite astounding. The more training he gets, the more sensitive he becomes to every movement I make, whether intended or not, and I can easily put him off balance and ruin the rhythm. I'm sure most riders know this but I haven't ridden above level one before Rogo and that was with a lovely draft cross who had the rhythm of a metronome. Rogo is working hard at my training :). To improve my relaxation and quietness I'm doing the following:<br />
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<li>riding to music with a strong beat and being mindful of keeping the beat and not aiding except for an occasional quick, light ask (believe me it isn't easy and I catch myself slipping back to old habits all the time).</li>
<li>getting Doug (my husband) to watch me and remind me to keep my legs off.</li>
<li>I'm lining up a longe lesson with a teacher who's amazing with equitation</li>
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Does anyone have any suggestions for the above? I'd love to hear them!</div>
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For some reason I can't respond to comments. I'll figure it out asap. In the meantime, thanks for the comments! It's so great to hear from all of you again.</div>
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Monthly goals and score card coming soon. Here we are at the end of a recent ride. I don't ride him behind the vertical, but I think I'm slow to release at the halt...<br />
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Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-87606609416584171552016-09-12T09:10:00.003-07:002016-09-12T09:10:55.605-07:00It's Been A Long Time...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've missed blogging about my training with Rogo and I'm thinking I have time to do it again, so here goes...<br />
My last post was a year ago. Here's the short version of what's happened since then:<br />
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<li>A young woman from Germany, Sinah Klumper, was in our area going to university for the year, and she started riding Rogo in the fall. She's a former member of the German national pony team and an FEI rider, so she was a great help to Rogo and I (she gave me lessons too). She rode Rogo in our in-house Scotia Series dressage show last October (provincially santcioned series) and scored high 60's in their second level tests, winning their classes. Neither she nor Rogo had done the tests before, but she excels at test riding and Rogo knew all of the movements. That was exciting to see! Sinah returned to Germany in the spring.</li>
<li>Rogo and I had a good winter, but in the spring I came off and broke my collar bone (a freak accident and we've put it behind us). Rogo kind of tripped and went down. After consulting the vet and Arthur Kottas it was decided I'd just been letting him get too log and on the fore-hand. I'm very motivated not to do that again!</li>
<li>Arthur Kottas was here in early May, about three weeks after my fall. I wasn't sure about riding Rogo and thought we'd do in-hand work, but Arthur lunged him (now THAT was something to see) and declared that Rogo looked the best he'd ever looked and we should continue our training. This clinic will be the main topic of my next post.</li>
<li>Joan was all set to continue our lessons after Arthur left, but she hurt her knee and hasn't been able to teach me since. She's hoping to be able to start again this month. I've had the odd lesson here and there with others and also my husband Doug just started helping me too (more on that as well).</li>
<li>Personally, we got a mini home installed at our horse facility Five Fires Equestrian Centre, so Mom, Doug and I could spend the winter together. The previous two winters we were building and establishing Five Fires and Doug was mostly there by himself while I traveled back and forth from our home in Noel Shore, twenty minutes away. We still have our old farmhouse in Noel Shore, but we live in the mini home at Five Fires now. Now it'a a special treat to be at the house on the shore, and we look forward to time away there for walking on the beach, swimming with the dogs, and kicking back. We actually had a full time staff person over the summer, Rachel O'Connell, and she was just about the best worker it is possible to be. We were able to get away some and have a life. She's gone back to school now and working part time, but in general life is good :)</li>
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Sinah Klumper and Rogo, Second Level, October 31, 2015</div>
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Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-37470790996869412662015-08-27T18:56:00.001-07:002015-11-07T14:32:55.539-08:00Walk Improvement - Lesson With Arthur Kottas <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-20613109423542199832015-08-27T18:41:00.001-07:002015-08-27T18:41:06.705-07:00Lesson With Don Halladay, Five Star Parelli Professional <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPcgkEiRNLXNbmNfTKf5hJb2l0HRnEc0wDhzFmoBe44xdbyUctphg0ndDZNY31yr6gMbVcVd7ZDfS1VZqXN71ME5Bs63sUD_yDYWDTiFRJqxxc3g-FpQ6-lkE6MAAB3743PO-V4cE_Wo/s1600/Screenshot_2015-08-27-22-37-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPcgkEiRNLXNbmNfTKf5hJb2l0HRnEc0wDhzFmoBe44xdbyUctphg0ndDZNY31yr6gMbVcVd7ZDfS1VZqXN71ME5Bs63sUD_yDYWDTiFRJqxxc3g-FpQ6-lkE6MAAB3743PO-V4cE_Wo/s640/Screenshot_2015-08-27-22-37-01.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrH0qHoq4Ud1xB5SfEcirhWjZgu7o0aB9pWycvIEdkKzOCnqO8LxBNZyDdYV8bLjv6CbcqkfEjZspV3yRUHfIFJ4hfSbBfTb65zEmAjHnQkJ8T6MFAOI6bDoLmwHrtPoNH8XjJNFnRqE/s1600/Screenshot_2015-08-27-22-37-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrH0qHoq4Ud1xB5SfEcirhWjZgu7o0aB9pWycvIEdkKzOCnqO8LxBNZyDdYV8bLjv6CbcqkfEjZspV3yRUHfIFJ4hfSbBfTb65zEmAjHnQkJ8T6MFAOI6bDoLmwHrtPoNH8XjJNFnRqE/s640/Screenshot_2015-08-27-22-37-22.jpg"> </a> </div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-50974795931139680312015-08-27T18:32:00.001-07:002015-08-27T18:32:20.631-07:00Bella Is A Star <p dir="ltr">Today I put the saddle on our two year old Bella for the first time, tightened up the girth and led her out of the stall (no intention of backing her - just playing around). She was completely nonchalant even though she's never had anything on her except a blanket when she was a weanling. Then didn't the stirrup leather catch on the latch coming out of the stall! (stirrups were run up but it caught anyway). This stopped her in her tracks and pulled the saddle off of her back and down around her side, so it was hanging on her sideways. She just stood there and let me unfasten it, put it back on, and then lead her calmly around the ring. I'm LOVING this girl! I really haven't spent any time with her but I think it's going to be fun. <br>
I should also mention I had her tied up to a ring on the wall while saddling her, and I'm pretty sure I've never even tied her <u>before</u>. She acted like she'd been doing this for years - no reaction at all. Am I getting lulled into a false sense of security and in for a big blow up? <br>
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Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-11066258418084350022015-08-14T06:00:00.002-07:002015-08-14T06:00:30.986-07:00Arthur Kottas Clinic Four, Day Four<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I rode Rogo twice on day four too, instead of doing in-hand in the afternoon. The main focus of the day four lessons was canter half pass. The morning lesson was only 20 minutes because Rogo responded so well and we didn't want to over tire him.<br />
We did half pass off the rail to the centre line and Rogo did the right lead quite well. This was the first time we did it off the rail (and second time doing canter half pass). Tuesday we did it from the 3/4 line to the centre line.<br />
The left lead wasn't as good when starting from the rail. He moved over well, but didn't keep his bend to the left - his body became too straight. To fix this we started the half pass from a small circle. He still didn't hold the bend as well as he did to the right. Arthur suggests we circle again mid half pass, before he looses his bend, then continue in half pass.<br />
His left is his stiff side so loosing the bend doesn't surprise me. He does better at this point starting from the 1/4 or 3/4 line when on the left lead, than starting from the rail. Arthur wants us to do shoulder in and haunches in at canter to help fix this, especially on the left lead, but on the right too.<br />
I am supposed to collect his canter once he hits the centre line and straightens, but I wasn't very successful at that. It's part of our homework. I think I'm giving my outside leg aid too strongly in moving him over, and he gets quite forward.<br />
Once we have this perfected and I can collect him on the centre line after the half pass, I should ask for a flying change and go onto a ten metre circle on the opposite lead, then continue down the centre line. This exercise is designed to introduce and school flying changes. If the horse and rider remain balanced and calm it can be repeated in the opposite direction, or do a large circle at the end before repeating,<br />
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Arthur always gives home work for his next visit. In addition to the above exercise mine is to:<br />
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<li>Practice shoulder in to haunches in and back at canter. I should just ask for a slight haunches in (I tend to ask for too much).</li>
<li>Practice half walk pirouettes.</li>
<li>Improve the forward energy at the walk - we're habitually too slow at the walk. </li>
</ul>
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It was a great four days. I learned a lot and Arthur told us we'd progressed in our training and fitness, so that's motivating. He returns in November so we'll be working hard to get ready.</div>
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Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-86059244297710904152015-08-12T15:55:00.001-07:002015-08-12T15:55:52.849-07:00Arthur Kottas Clinic #4, Day Three <p dir="ltr">It was another great day at the clinic. I'm completely energized by the teaching - watching other lessons and having my own. <br>
Our under saddle lesson in the morning addressed:<br>
- Walk and trot shoulder in <br>
- Walk shoulder in to haunches in and repeat, continuing around the short side<br>
- Trot shoulder in to haunches in <br>
- Walk and trot half pass from the rail to the centre line and one walk half pass from the rail across the whole arena<br>
- Rein back, trot, halt, repeat <br>
- Walk and trot down the long side doing a ten metre circle, eight metre circle and six or seven metre circle <br>
The main purpose of the exercises was to get Rogo carrying more wait behind. We also practised collecting from my seat and outside rein half halts to prepare for transitions. This is also to take weight back. <br>
For our in hand lesson Arthur taught me to do shoulder in on the long side, half circle, leg yield to the rail. We also did halt and Arthur showed me how to touch Rogo on the bottom outside of his leg to square him up. Then we'd do rein back. <br>
The lead line was on the centre ring of the cavesson. To half halt give a quick, light tug - upwards if he's too low, downwards if he's too high. <br>
Tomorrow is the final day of the clinic. It has me on a total high. </p>
Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-50541513246852182532015-08-11T16:59:00.001-07:002015-08-13T03:00:19.330-07:00Arthur Kottas Clinic <p dir="ltr">Today is the second day of the clinic. I've been riding twice a day for thirty minutes each, instead of one longer lesson. Tomorrow and Thursday I'll do a riding lesson in the morning and an in-hand lesson in the afternoon. <br>
Today we did canter half passes, a first for both of us. They went quite well for a first attempt. We'd canter up the 3/4 line and then half pass to the centre line before going straight down the centre line, going directly onto a 20 metre circle, and then coming off the circle onto the 1/4 line and repeating. <br>
Rogo was a star. He tried so hard, didn't get excited, focused and did exactly what was asked of him even though he had never done it before. I loved this exercise. Rogo and I really clicked with it. He was completely on the aids and responding to every ask. <br>
The was I think our best exercise. He's also doing a pretty fair rein back, which he's only been doing since May. <br>
Our worst movement was half walk pirouette. We keep stopping and doing a stationary turn on the haunches instead of a walk pirouette, but I think I'll get the feel of how to get it soon. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-5ggoIBb16eMIVdfCrQaNVzw9GdEoxB4Crni1CRto5VguZXE7echHIZd4XmXGFfRmEeRD3FMJ3EME9wI7JmzUp3sFsQA8sua0cuQ08yIpJp2oMXxEHHwpmsRN3QPDzzxVdGlnd9KIxc/s1600/20150810_142449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-5ggoIBb16eMIVdfCrQaNVzw9GdEoxB4Crni1CRto5VguZXE7echHIZd4XmXGFfRmEeRD3FMJ3EME9wI7JmzUp3sFsQA8sua0cuQ08yIpJp2oMXxEHHwpmsRN3QPDzzxVdGlnd9KIxc/s640/20150810_142449.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-x_sCKecOrbApZ39V5d-PeqtXxhnHE_FpG4bTH5VpFmCwnJuGsJLwUZhZ7vR1ZKRN1h3lAkfBCq0cFkW9OI8UR9T_rCmk11SisBCWGf93rrfklQPCagXao-UsEWtPDW3Gb7_Vgh9UfxM/s1600/20150810_142446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-x_sCKecOrbApZ39V5d-PeqtXxhnHE_FpG4bTH5VpFmCwnJuGsJLwUZhZ7vR1ZKRN1h3lAkfBCq0cFkW9OI8UR9T_rCmk11SisBCWGf93rrfklQPCagXao-UsEWtPDW3Gb7_Vgh9UfxM/s640/20150810_142446.jpg"> </a> </div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-294719786799918372015-07-21T14:09:00.001-07:002015-07-21T14:09:21.665-07:00Battle Scars <p dir="ltr">As you can see, I'm very lucky I didn't break my arm. This is four days out. Rogo's swelling is gone today so I'll start riding him again Thursday. Thanks for the kind wishes! </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRa8YmTTcHLeLhCgzviOA7UdhEYtwgjE41LKdFrqTVB5255_b-DZ8Dp1aRECkbkVaVUTXVC03sWzBj2ucIknmgnM3ZhaNslVB6q9r1Gdvk6545is3DDNkY2CAw4TcGw9GXeXzbriRT-48/s1600/2015-07-21%25252018.07.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRa8YmTTcHLeLhCgzviOA7UdhEYtwgjE41LKdFrqTVB5255_b-DZ8Dp1aRECkbkVaVUTXVC03sWzBj2ucIknmgnM3ZhaNslVB6q9r1Gdvk6545is3DDNkY2CAw4TcGw9GXeXzbriRT-48/s640/2015-07-21%25252018.07.27.jpg"> </a> </div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-56043416727052339832015-07-19T05:44:00.001-07:002015-07-19T05:44:26.128-07:00Ouch<p dir="ltr">We had a mishap in our lesson on Friday, and once again I can tell you that I was saved by my helmet, on a day on a horse where some people might think it wasn't needed. <br>
My sweet, calm, trained ten year old was doing a lovely canter up the long side in the indoor. It was a quiet, sunny day and I was having a lesson. <br>
Suddenly with no warning he tripped and went down hard. I slammed into the 2 X 6 rough cut kick wall with my head and arm. I'm unharmed except for a badly bruised arm, but without a helmet it would have been a different story. <br>
Rogo's left front is slightly swollen. He hit it with a back foot and it's scraped a bit. He's on bute and is going to have a few days off. Fingers crossed he heals quickly and well. <br>
I'm not sure what caused his fall. I went back to look at the hoof prints and I could clearly see the step he took where he went down. There was a small rock inside the hoof print. Joan, my teacher, thought the stone must have rolled. Maybe it hurt his foot. I really don't know so that's kind of scary. </p>
Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-57764939638909041522015-07-16T04:55:00.001-07:002015-07-16T04:55:18.207-07:00Trot Canter Trot <p dir="ltr">I've been putting off posting because I'm so far behind, I have videos and pictures from the Arthur Kottas clinic to edit, etc. But... I just don't get there so I'm jumping in with where we are right now. <br>
Rogo and I are schooling level three and some of four. It isn't show ready but we're making respectable progress for the most part. <br>
Want to know where my biggest challenge is right now? I guess the title gave it away - trot / canter, a training level requirement. <br>
Unless Rogo is on a circle we're picking up the wrong lead (from trot) much too often. We have walk / canter nailed; I'd even go so far as to say 100%. He gets canter and counter canter from walk anywhere in the arena. <br>
I haven't worked on this with my instructor because she assumed it was something I could fix myself, but I'm going to be asking for help. We get it, but then I forget to practice it and it's gone again. I can feel that he feels easily blocked on the inside shoulder from trot to canter, so it seems to help a bit if I slightly raise the inside hand. Also if I collect his trot A LOT before I ask, that helps too. <br>
However, an easy and fluid transition from trot to canter mid long side eludes us. He is 100% on a circle or corner, but if I try putting him in that position on the long side it doesn't help get the correct lead. <br>
Any suggestions are welcome. For now I think we'll practice it on the circle much more and then start 'stretching' the circle down the long side. </p>
Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-56113197908703532672015-05-28T19:54:00.001-07:002015-06-01T16:41:09.626-07:00Savanah, Arthur Kottas Clinic, May 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/El97s_xMplw" width="480"></iframe><br />
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This is Doug's mare Savanah being ridden in the Arthur Kottas clinic we just had. I'll upload one of Rogo and I soon.</div>
Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-85090992603842807882015-03-16T05:02:00.001-07:002015-03-16T05:02:11.452-07:00Traumatized <p dir="ltr">I'm posting this so I can look back on the future and see what this winter was like. It's kind of a big whine, but I want to remember it. I'm writing about what it was like at our equestrian facility, Five Fires, but the picture was taken out the back door of our house in Noel Shore (twenty minutes away). <br>
The bad:<br>
- Working in the barn for hours with a wind chill of - 30 after getting up repeatedly through the night to make sure the water was still running. <br>
- my first ever frost bite, and then repeated several times <br>
- dehydration (I didn't realize how cold could be so drying to people) <br>
- waking up in the camp when it's so cold the pets' water bowls are freezing (actually waking up isn't bad - getting out from under the covers is the rough part 😀) <br>
- fatigue like I've never experienced<br>
- riding less than I've ridden any winter since I took up riding again nine years ago, even though we now have a fabulous indoor. It's been too cold to ask the horses to work (based on University of Guelph recommendations not to work when it's colder than - 10). Also with travelling from Noel Shore to the barn there have been stretches of days at a time when the roads were just too bad to get there. <br>
- being away from Doug for days at a time while he's at the facility and I'm in Noel Shore, or vice versa <br>
- multiple friends and acquaintances loosing their horses and / or foals <br>
- knowing / seeing how hard Doug is working, non stop, to keep everyone safe and healthy - plowing, plumbing (frozen pipes), heating, supplies (feed, bedding,...), and on and on <br>
I'm told it's the worst winter on record since 1935, but I don't know if it's true. <br>
There's good news to though :<br>
- no property damage (many bands and arenas last their roof this winter) <br>
- healthy horses (fingers crossed it stays that way) <br>
- we bought a mini home so we can all be together at Five Fires soon <br>
- Doug and I have a great time when we are together <br>
- Mom is healthy and doing great </p>
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Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-84134200669356686472014-11-26T17:49:00.001-08:002014-11-26T17:49:21.660-08:00Music Revolution <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JWs88TVwTWTFwAEM6BfB07SuoJjV2DjoOJIQrYlQOIjH_N0Hg3ODgdsndLSveMrf90Ywv-wsJ144lBkdW0yepKC7DcVexY4EL78y5W789aBxbERswvozx7glm614DaaHvbarI5CWtgc/s1600/blog%252520nov%25252019_01%2525281%252529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JWs88TVwTWTFwAEM6BfB07SuoJjV2DjoOJIQrYlQOIjH_N0Hg3ODgdsndLSveMrf90Ywv-wsJ144lBkdW0yepKC7DcVexY4EL78y5W789aBxbERswvozx7glm614DaaHvbarI5CWtgc/s640/blog%252520nov%25252019_01%2525281%252529.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BlL9ODDVI6wIpULakU7N9a5CZ9q20OY2LX0aggeA8zDCFlPldW1ap12jDvYskZ_5n58Q24NMGAECfyR5-lr3LB5DTuklTO8UB3YiqhBZkbz4tYthhbvDD1nwHftBIukr71haHctn6yw/s1600/blog%252520nov%25252019_02%2525281%252529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftyf-_FTXs6IpU5H9pGV2hJTqZxRBE-wXfSYInBd2oTMB_n6wP5RwtFeyrajBGvsH1NPNRjhchZenZ964fFP91TEFom0XmxLqr-qath4HwkLnyFPH3JF4UqLalRgMc9U_j93YmyY3Jcs/s1600/blog%252520nov%25252019_07%2525281%252529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftyf-_FTXs6IpU5H9pGV2hJTqZxRBE-wXfSYInBd2oTMB_n6wP5RwtFeyrajBGvsH1NPNRjhchZenZ964fFP91TEFom0XmxLqr-qath4HwkLnyFPH3JF4UqLalRgMc9U_j93YmyY3Jcs/s640/blog%252520nov%25252019_07%2525281%252529.jpg"> </a> </div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-44285619103184714062014-11-09T19:19:00.001-08:002014-11-09T19:42:50.950-08:00Rant <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sorry, but I have to get this off of my chest. It's a topic that could go on for pages, but I'll keep it short. First let me say that I love classical dressage and I have a great respect for both the professionals and amateurs who pursue this discipline / art. My rant certainly isn't directed at everyone using the term and not at any of my fellow bloggers here.<br />
Lately I find the term 'classical dressage' is being usurped more and more by people who, in my opinion, are badly off track. They try to make it about baroque horses, the riding and gaits put forward as good are awful, and they heap vitriol on anyone outside their 'group' who they hope to feel superior to. This makes me mad.<br />
Honest to God, from what I've observed at times, even riding your horse on the bit must be abusive. Apparently the only way to avoid riding behind the vertical is a half loose rein held like a china tea cup - never mind that it's whacking the horse in the mouth with every stride. And the fact that the beautiful, sensitive horse has hollowed his back and stuck his head up in the air isn't related to this either. No that's caused by some vague, grey, as yet undiagnosed training issue that can probably be fixed with a different bit, or no bit, or more riding from the seat and core with even less rein (Guess what? You need both). God. <br />
This can go on for years. The horse develops incorrect muscles, with all the accompanying problems, but of course this isn't being negligent or careless about the horse's welfare. They drop training levels instead of gaining them, but hey, those levels are part of the whole crazy, modern dressage world anyway, right? <br />
Look I know there is lots of room for improvement in competitive dressage, but there have been huge positive shifts too. Also I love classical dressage (thus the blog name, which I may now change) which makes me angry that the term is being taken over by flakes. <br />
This new classical community (an oxymoron?) has lots to say, criticizing 'modern dressage'. They are all over the Web. They can and will do damage to dressage. I wish they would shut up, stop trying to out do one another in pointing out what's wrong with every other discipline and rider in the world, and focus on getting their own horses going correctly. <br />
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Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-45621507999053082882014-11-08T20:17:00.001-08:002014-11-08T20:17:24.690-08:00Arthur Kottas Riding <p>solokottasnl 2: http://youtu.be/AkAo_s6D4Hc</p>
<p>I wanted to post this so I could find it. It's hard to find video of him riding and he doesn't ride anymore. </p>
Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-62968131778377382802014-11-02T18:31:00.001-08:002014-11-02T18:31:52.279-08:00A Few More Notes From the Arthur Kottas Clinic <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvXp7f_xhjoVGi8UYYdM8rdVZEvD5eZmviDoVYqHz7Du90ol2oAnI8QTKf7rxM6QfJbSXP0KrDloHhBxrVPlpVkwGcElCyg_ug-j_u48hRZp9EIy500LpbMG52Oj38l4_tGGCWK0Kpbo/s1600/ak%252520oct%2525202014%252520notes_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvXp7f_xhjoVGi8UYYdM8rdVZEvD5eZmviDoVYqHz7Du90ol2oAnI8QTKf7rxM6QfJbSXP0KrDloHhBxrVPlpVkwGcElCyg_ug-j_u48hRZp9EIy500LpbMG52Oj38l4_tGGCWK0Kpbo/s640/ak%252520oct%2525202014%252520notes_01.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FfR5li-y-kMwW1U08Dk6-zvSuf9139G-wRxn0OUWxZvwEGJ3WKJ1aRRHwL_GdFviHUMJGYwMhu4F1FCLJeLWxDNjpGqxi4sN5tEEb6R3KChKD_bMHJkMJRK2H0SUCNkpO8hTZW-CPOE/s1600/ak%252520oct%2525202014%252520notes_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FfR5li-y-kMwW1U08Dk6-zvSuf9139G-wRxn0OUWxZvwEGJ3WKJ1aRRHwL_GdFviHUMJGYwMhu4F1FCLJeLWxDNjpGqxi4sN5tEEb6R3KChKD_bMHJkMJRK2H0SUCNkpO8hTZW-CPOE/s640/ak%252520oct%2525202014%252520notes_02.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JSRDNNGh-AKV1q-x4IAr-KCsq0lbR0abMw-rJqsFQsXoLlOUyVxFAA1NYv0ts0DIFuIatNbE9cjynFFE-q81frSp1QVd_3Z5zMc_eD7-0mpGNAQpyYDfe43uK5_QiRybiiOoIVJftck/s1600/ak%252520oct%2525202014%252520notes_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JSRDNNGh-AKV1q-x4IAr-KCsq0lbR0abMw-rJqsFQsXoLlOUyVxFAA1NYv0ts0DIFuIatNbE9cjynFFE-q81frSp1QVd_3Z5zMc_eD7-0mpGNAQpyYDfe43uK5_QiRybiiOoIVJftck/s640/ak%252520oct%2525202014%252520notes_03.jpg"> </a> </div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-38187582966785739382014-10-31T19:47:00.001-07:002014-10-31T19:51:34.942-07:00Arthur Kottas Clinic #2, October, 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I keep waiting for the right time to write a comprehensive post about the clinic, but there is never enough time, my pictures aren't down loaded, etc. so I'm just going to start and keep adding pieces / posts as time allows.<br />
There is so much great information! To clarify, Arthur Kottas shares so much great information. I don't know if I'll be able to convey very much of it. Every lesson was packed full of invaluable knowledge.<br />
Tonight I'll start with the good news for me. As you know if you've been reading at all Rogo and I have lost a lot of time in our riding and training. Most recently he was lame on an off for quite some time, making it impossible to progress in our training. Also, he's my first warm blood, my first time training a horse through the levels in dressage, and I've only come back to riding in my fifties after thirty years of not riding. It isn't easy for an old gal like me to learn to train a big moving warm blood! Anyway Rogo's been sound since last spring, and it's been wonderful.<br />
Because I didn't want Arthur to be appalled at our performance, I noted on the schedule that we were level 1. Well I couldn't have been happier, euphoric really, when Arthur immediately, in our first lesson, took me to task: "you can't stay in level two forever. I want you at level three when I return in the spring - walk, trot, canter shoulder in, haunches in, half pass and flying changes. In my opinion you and Rogo have the talent to do that.".<br />
Of course I didn't feel bad about being scolded for still being in level two. I hadn't even thought he'd consider our gaits and movements good enough to call level two let alone good enough to plan to move up in the spring. <br />
So that was the good part. The not so good part was that at times I find it difficult to process and respond to new coaching, especially new coaching that's pushing my limits and coming from someone who intimidates the hell out of me with their knowledge. Who in the world knows more about teaching classical dressage than Arthur Kottas? No one? That would be my answer.<br />
That he's there in person, in our arena, in our little back water of Nova Scotia, Canada, giving me lessons, is almost beyond my comprehension.<br />
He arrived for our four day clinic after giving three previous back to back clinics in North America, flew back to Vienna on Tuesday arriving Wednesday, went to Sweden Thursday, on to Belgium, England and back to North America. The man is 70 and his last lesson of ten private lessons a day, on the fourth day was the most vibrant and information packed of them all. So... it isn't really on for me to tell him I'm tired :).<br />
Back to processing and responding to coaching - I recognize that my somewhat 'frozen' mental state is as much an area that I have to learn to deal with as the physical aspects of riding, and I'm determined to learn it. The lessons are fantastic and I made break throughs I couldn't imagine, but to me, at my level, they are intense. They wouldn't be to an experienced rider. (And I was beyond exhausted which didn't help - riding in a clinic which you're organizing / hosting and has a lot of riders and auditors is always a challenge, but... see previous note about being tired. Cry me a river, eh?).<br />
As I wrote the above I saw something - he's treating me like a decent rider. I've watched him teach. He doesn't push people who can't do it. Hmmm. He actually said this to me, but it didn't sink in until now: "do you think I don't know what you can do?". God. I cringe thinking about it. <br />
As a side note, Arthur is very good about gauging the amount of information you can absorb. He takes breaks from teaching and talks to the auditors in detail, so they get lots of good information too, and the rider has time to absorb what he's saying. This (absorbing, processing, calmly responding to information) is my issue completely. I own it and I'm going to become good at it.<br />
So this is my first insight - it isn't new or earth shattering but I have a new clarity about it. When a gifted teacher gives me their attention, and I'm not just talking about international clinicians, they are truly giving me a gift and it is incumbent upon me to appreciate that gift by doing everything in my power to make it worth their while.<br />
It would be easier for teachers to coast somewhat and let students coast. How exhausting and depleting it would be to be completely engaged with each individual rider, intensely, all day. They deserve the respect and complete focus of each student trying their best and committing to improve.<br />
Arthur is a wonderful teacher and if you want to improve I highly recommend him. <br />
Here is one area where I made a break through in my lessons. It is ridiculously simple, yet no one had done it for me before. He asked me to do a half pass. We'd done our fist ever half pass at his clinic in May but I hadn't done it since and didn't really know the movement. I tried to do it, he told me to put my leg back further, I thought I did, he said I didn't, confusion ensued (see above mental awareness notes). He placed my leg where it should be - what? Back that far? My leg didn't easily stretch back that far. I'd never put my leg back that far. But...you may recall... I've always had difficulty with lateral work.<br />
Anyway, in the moment, it was a bit of a mini train wreck. I didn't really process it at the time and didn't do a very good half pass. I talked it over with my teacher and a trusted friend later and that's really when I realized I hadn't put my leg back (far enough) when he told me to. I rode Rogo on my own and tried it - he scooted his hind quarters over. Oh. My. God. It took us many months to get a simple leg yield back when we were learning that, something most horses get the basics of very quickly. I was able to do lateral work on Savanah and Dan, but they are smaller than 17 hand, long, big boned Rogo.<br />
In order to get my leg on the same place on his body as it would be on Savanah's body I have to move it back farther. Of course. You may be rolling your eyes? Well, I know it sounds simple, but it is quite subtle. The difference in position isn't a lot, I've had great teachers who didn't push this, but the difference in reaction when you hit the move sideways sweet spot was, I'd venture to say, dramatic.<br />
It's made such a difference that we've gone from being a flop at a walk half pass to doing a decent canter half pass in a matter of a few days.<br />
That's all my writing energy for tonight. Sorry I didn't have more profound lessons to share. I doubt I can convey those lessons anyway, but I'll try to outline more in the coming days. Thanks for reading!<br />
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Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-71155987950320742432014-10-24T06:54:00.001-07:002014-10-24T06:54:05.692-07:00Dreaming of Rogo <p dir="ltr">Last night I dreamed that I was beside a beautiful Creek by the Bay. I looked across the Creek and there was Rogo in the trees - I called him and he came to me, swimming across the Creek. We jumped in the Creek together, and we swam and played and I laughed at our happiness and joy. It was amazing. <br>
We just finished our second Arthur Kottas clinic on Monday, and it pushed my límits - mentally, emotionally and physically. I'm going to write a post about it, but I think this dream is about that. It (the clinic) was awe inspiring on so many levels. </p>
Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-36020923652636130562014-10-11T19:10:00.001-07:002014-10-11T19:10:23.756-07:00My Strange But True Shoulder In Lessons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxL2hO37UxB47e207ur_fpLwvrF7aXpO6199jrxJHoKjwItrLKwbwr3I8OosDXipkSEsxC3t1xP2mLgZJkqhETHkST77LW4h7vKFp5EWS1mc1Wl4pv7ah1FwtGpLRokodXDqD3Mg3xqc/s1600/Blog%252520post%25252C%252520shoulder%252520in_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxL2hO37UxB47e207ur_fpLwvrF7aXpO6199jrxJHoKjwItrLKwbwr3I8OosDXipkSEsxC3t1xP2mLgZJkqhETHkST77LW4h7vKFp5EWS1mc1Wl4pv7ah1FwtGpLRokodXDqD3Mg3xqc/s640/Blog%252520post%25252C%252520shoulder%252520in_01.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0m_mHetiH0ybT1x3Lk1AnoS7ue3X-0eyPIDIJ47Dd3sEnZRdt7dvlnB9bmaRQpxznw_geJ5KWBHKSOYFFgRU3XJ7WtKO1PLUW4LaNw4H9RJGlWcUQX2PutkmNP0i9b3HxV0QzPm1OrE/s1600/Blog%252520post%25252C%252520shoulder%252520in_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0m_mHetiH0ybT1x3Lk1AnoS7ue3X-0eyPIDIJ47Dd3sEnZRdt7dvlnB9bmaRQpxznw_geJ5KWBHKSOYFFgRU3XJ7WtKO1PLUW4LaNw4H9RJGlWcUQX2PutkmNP0i9b3HxV0QzPm1OrE/s640/Blog%252520post%25252C%252520shoulder%252520in_02.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn9ZPvwsOFaphdKNisyuieC9jIsDoA076zoryByWg-7uncymE0ZmOSitP6SFrY4d3nG8eI8cqt2xxSDw7rcp8ydHz2RZiqIsjSck3_j6mQC-h5DNwXP2h83CdkbA-Rr-G85krkIQkbzs/s1600/Blog%252520post%25252C%252520shoulder%252520in_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn9ZPvwsOFaphdKNisyuieC9jIsDoA076zoryByWg-7uncymE0ZmOSitP6SFrY4d3nG8eI8cqt2xxSDw7rcp8ydHz2RZiqIsjSck3_j6mQC-h5DNwXP2h83CdkbA-Rr-G85krkIQkbzs/s640/Blog%252520post%25252C%252520shoulder%252520in_03.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1TMR0cujg0Ol6jH9v-Lr4eXUWnThELCE6eg2mqAAjxsNRtVkF-c-EN9mRHjZBKQ_FVbdSrANUXf2ia3YqyQj8NFcwyQMreAouqWWNNpmMgBhNQBTScTPMbeUiXT7Lg_bsx7t9Pv00nU/s1600/Blog%252520post%25252C%252520shoulder%252520in_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1TMR0cujg0Ol6jH9v-Lr4eXUWnThELCE6eg2mqAAjxsNRtVkF-c-EN9mRHjZBKQ_FVbdSrANUXf2ia3YqyQj8NFcwyQMreAouqWWNNpmMgBhNQBTScTPMbeUiXT7Lg_bsx7t9Pv00nU/s640/Blog%252520post%25252C%252520shoulder%252520in_04.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIvP5EJdeDyin4bQkG8RjLW0ZimPsx3WT95U4eGBzSlgSZcqoDhhVMV1e92pEQX_NI21npKHfCBeX4LvcjeWuS09RPt8qKEDS8D1GfipJs3xqiVrfBiqotBDMm8dIefZQVDsbKm2ha04/s1600/Blog%252520post%25252C%252520shoulder%252520in_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIvP5EJdeDyin4bQkG8RjLW0ZimPsx3WT95U4eGBzSlgSZcqoDhhVMV1e92pEQX_NI21npKHfCBeX4LvcjeWuS09RPt8qKEDS8D1GfipJs3xqiVrfBiqotBDMm8dIefZQVDsbKm2ha04/s640/Blog%252520post%25252C%252520shoulder%252520in_05.jpg"> </a> </div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.com7