1, 2 and...........3??

Flying changes that is!!!  We finally have two changes on a line... we are working towards #3 pretty soon!! Yesterday 1 and 2 where very very easy to get!  Good Boy Con Mar!  I will say that even though he is a super talent... I have had EVERY version of Flying Changes known to horses....it has been VERY amusing and I have had a very hard time not LAUGHING at him when he is going through his leaps and kicks... He has more control over his hindquarters than any horse I have EVER trained... he enjoys showing me how much control he has on a regular basis!
The trot work is coming along as well.  He has all his lateral work and the extended trot is FINALLY starting to make an appearence... this has been his most difficult thing... but, it is coming! 
I was right about the double bridle...he does prefer to wear it..he is much more comfortable in it (the weight I believe) so he is wearing it more regularly... I also prefer it with a stallion just in case!  My dad would tell you just because you have it doesn't mean you USE IT.... I agree.  SO.... because he is being such a good boy...he will be getting a new double for Christmas!!  There is so many to chose from that it will take me that long to get the one we both want :)
I haven't forgotten about VIDEO and New PHOTOS of Con Mar and I.... and hopefully we will be attending a clinic in October/Nov.... To Be Announced!  HAPPY RIDING!

The dog days of summer

It has been a very HOT summer so far this year... Con Mar is handling it pretty well, considering he hates the COLD weather I am sure he is thankful for the SUNSHINE :) .  Training is going very well.  We finally have a little bit of canter half pass...and starting some super collected steps which eventually will turn into passage or piaffe.  I am starting to feel the level of collection I have been looking for!  The double bridle is only be used 1 x weekly as I am not a HUGE fan of using "equipment" to train a horse to do dressage... He has accepted it's use very well and I think he will be a horse that prefers the double to the snaffle in the end.  The work he is doing in the double is very nice...and there is definitley a feeling of "I am an upper level horse" coming from him.  He is a very proud stallion! 
I haven't taken him out yet as I have been very busy training horses and showing my "Oscar" at PSG his first year (doing very well)... but, that will come before Fall... I have a few more shows in July and August and then I am looking forward to a BREAK! Photos and videos will come THEN :)

what a joy!

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful Lipizzaner stallion!!!!  'Con Mar' is doing wonderfully... he is very happy in his work and we are perfecting the 3rd level work.... I believe that 3rd level is the longest stage in a horses training after the "green baby" phase... it takes time to go from being a "baby" to being a grown up horse and having to do grown up work.  I am looking forward to the summer months and possibly showing him this year.... he will go on many "outtings" to get used to working out side of his comfort zone.

This year I will be posting some training videos of 'Con Mar' and I .... as well as a summer photo shoot!

SPRING is in the air!!

And my young stallion is BEHAVING HIMSELF (so far, as we know saying anything for sure in horses summons that behavior!)  I am very much looking forward to riding him outside this year.  We are smoothing out 3rd level and perfecting all our work...gaining strength, and collection and introducing the double bridle! Con Mar so far has ZERO issues with any of this... as he comes into his 6 year old year (july 10).... I am so proud of him...he is a wonderful horse and I am very grateful for him.

2010... A new year!

2010... wow. I have owned Con Mar for almost 3 years already! I seems like he has been with me for a lifetime already!  I am getting very excited about him.  He is doing wonderfully (still) and we are looking forward to the Spring and Summer.  Con Mar's training will continue through the winter as the temps permit...and I do think he will be training 3rd seriously and schooling all of the 4th level by mid summer.  I am not sure if he will show this year... or just go with me to school and do some clinics to get "out and about".... He is doing wonderfully and I have no desire to stop his training to be in the show arena with him... Grand Prix is the goal and we will continue on our journey there and make shows/clinics as necessary during that journey.  He is a JOY to ride/train... showing and making public appearences are always icing on the cake! (not to mention I have two of my horses who are higher levels and older so will have first choice in the show ring)

Here is too another WONDERFUL year... and enjoying the journey of my young Lipizzaner Stallion!

3rd level -WOW-

Con Mar's training is going VERY WELL.  He is schooling all of the 3rd level in a "baby" way and I could not be more happy.  Dressage is very easy for Con Mar and he has the temprement that makes training so much fun (and uncomplicated).  I could not be more happy!!  I do believe that this was one of the best choics I have made to date in horses... he may not be a BIG FANCY WARMBLOOD...but, he amuses me daily and is a horse I look forward to riding... that is worth all the $ in the world that is for sure!!

Conversano Marina and I have been enjoying schooling out in the pastures all summer long this year... we have SO MUCH FUN! He is doing very well and I am thrilled with the photos, there are more to come!

Cool mornings = Frisky stallions

We are having unusally cool (40*) nights right now and I must say that it makes the "little stallion" mucho fun to ride!!!!

Con Mar is coming along very very nicely and I am very pleased with his progress as a just turned 5 year old. I am looking forward to showing him next summer already!!!!

I have set up a new photo shoot with our barn photographer this week or next week (depends on weather) so look for new 5 year old photos very soon!!

Life outdoors, out of the arena

Con Mar has been working in the pastures!!! We are having so much fun riding outside the arena... and he has been wonderful. I am going to have photos taken soon of us working in the tall grass. Nothing better for a youngster than learning to pick their feet UP!!!!

Training is going very well, he is working on 2nd level and I am very happy with him and his progress.