FIVE YRS OLD!

It is very hard to believe that the cute little Lipizzaner I shipped from Iowa on the coldest day of the year in February 2007 is now FIVE! He has grown up so much from that cold winter day it is a little bittersweet... He is not a 'baby' anymore...he is a grown up stallion who is schooling 2nd level and working well. He is beautiful and happy.... developing into a stallion that is fun to ride and even fun to be around on the ground (a day I wasn't sure would come)... this is not to say he is perfect... *LOL* he still needs reminders that i am the boss but he is getting MUCH MUCH better... he loves a good bath and loves to work (every day if I could). I am very much looking forward to what the future brings for him.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG WHITE STALLION (he likes being told he is BIG!)

Above is Con Mar at a clinic with Alex Gerding in Indiana April 15th 2009. While we had a problem with sore feet that day...and a mare in heat the end result was very nice and I am/was pleased with him for the first time out in 2009...

Growing Pains

Con Mar is growing... LIKE MAD! He is about 2/3 inches butt high.... and it is making for some very awkward work undersaddle....

I have decided that this young stallion WILL NOT show this summer. We will prepare for the FEI 6 year old classes next summer and only do day trips and clinics this year....he needs some growing up time and some more experience. He is such a nice stallion, conformationally almost perfect for his breed... I am looking forward to his future as a FEI horse.

Genius?

Con Mar's training continues to go very smoothly...he is so very smart and highly in tune to correct dressage training that it is making this journey SO MUCH FUN. He has really responded to coming more into his outside rein and his LY and SI are becoming very easy for him....today we even played with haunches in at the trot and my goodness he did it! Only to the right.... the left we are both outta whack...but, for the first time doing it very well in once direction is WONDERFUL.

I am considering taking him into the FEI 5 year old classes and trying to qualify for the Champoinships....what was going to be a training year...is now being considered for a showing year due to his super talent and work ethic.

I will keep everyone posted!

Spring???

Well there is finally light at the end of the tunnel and Con Mar's training has begun again after a short "winter break".....

This spring Con Mar is learning the beginning stages of Selfcarriage. For him particularly this is very important at this age/stage due to his coarser neck and front end. He is doing VERY WELL and as usual excelling quickly.

Showing this year is up in the air....I have 3 other horses two of which are much higher level. So Con Mar may take this summer to grow and train. I am looking foward to showing him at least once but, no major campaiging....His strong suit is going to be the FEI levels....so we may come out at 2/3rd level next summer instead and just do field trips... stay tuned for the final choics on that! :)

Living in Siberia

We are entering the coldest part of the year here in Michigan. From now until February it will be VERY VERY COLD here and little official training gets done. Of course we will always be monitoring MANNERS especially with Con Man and Con Mar over the next few weeks!!!

Please stay tuned for this Blog to be updated more regularly once we are OUT of this cold snap!!

'Con Mar' was one of the featured horses in artist Karen Brenners study of "The Beautiful Horses of Michigan" We are extremely HONORED to have him in her series of horses for Michigan. Please go to her website www.karenbrenner.com to view the whole collection of amazing paintings!

Custom Saddles...Oh boy!q

I have had HUGE issues with Con Mar when it comes to saddle fit...so I finally broke down and bought a Custom Saddle Advantage. It fits alright but, not perfectly and is somewhat comfortable for me...but, I HATE NEW SADDLES...ick. I have a sneaking feeling that he is going to be an on going challenge when it comes to saddle fit...boooo hiss.

VERY cold weather here. Buckling down and keeping the horses happy and worked is hard now, but it sure does make you appreciate SUMMER!

Winter is coming

Con Mar continues to develop into a wonderful dressage horse. He is working on improving his leg yeild and new to him shoulder in. He can do the First Four counter canter loop with no issues what so ever! I cannot tell you what a wonderful thing it is to have a young stallion who has a CANTER! All my previous horses didn't have the canter that he does...what a wonderful thing a good canter is!! This winter we will continue to build strength and stamina, as well as working on perfecting his first level work. He is a very talented young man undersaddle and I am excited to show him at first level. I am not a big fan of training level!!

I am hoping to take a ride in the snow this winter which should be really fun!! Depends on if the footing under the snow stays good...no ice for me!

I am also planning on doing a Christmas video of both stallions....so look for that!!

Those Wonderful fall rides

Con Mar and I have been enjoying some very warm fall weather. He has really started to mature and the change in him has been amazing. He is schooling most of first level and the plan (so far) is to show First Level at the USDF shows in 2009.

We had a wonderful hack through the tall grass in our LARGE pasture yesterday...he was (as normal) perfectly behaved.

I cannot see where this little stallion's future goes....he is such a wonderful horse undersaddle.