Zoey and I had the opportunity to do a clinic with Silva Martin. Since my goal has been to take Zoey more places, I thought I should do it. The clinic was held at Stable View Farm, a beautiful facility just north of Aiken, SC. If you haven’t heard of it, you should check it out. They have a beautiful indoor, several outdoor all weather arenas, grass dressage rings, cross country course, etc. The clinic was held on February 10, which turned out to be (I think? In my mind at least.) the coldest day of winter! Zoey was not super thrilled with the whole deal.
Zoey decided I was crazy the day before the clinic, when I decided to ride in preparation and it started snowing during our ride. She was very good though, so I felt ok about the following day in spite of the forecasted high of 34 degrees.
34 degrees doesn’t sound totally awful (to some people) but the day of the clinic also was really, really windy. I managed to fit long johns under my breeches and stripped off my fleece lined pants at the very last second. Luckily, my lesson was the first after the lunch break, so I took the opportunity to lunge my pony in the covered arena. Zoey is bouncy when cold!
My friend Janelle came and helped me get on Zoey and get going. Zoey was going ok until it came time for our actual lesson in the dressage ring they set up inside the covered arena. There was a set of bleachers at one end, with people all wrapped in blankets, plus a trailer sitting directly behind that outside the covered arena. Zoey said there were lions and tigers hiding in there.
I had a difficult time getting Zoey down to the end of the ring. Silva was understanding and let me work mostly at the other end. I was shocked because it is completely out of Zoey’s nature to refuse to do something.
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The most useful thing Silva introduced to us was the concept of “almost walk.” Basically, ask Zoey to do a few strides of slow trot to get her sitting more on her hind end. We also did lots and lots of transitions. The staff at Stable View videoed everyone’s rides and gave complimentary videos. Super cool. I don’t get to see videos of me riding very often.
Overall, was super disappointed that my pony was so spooky. But am willing to give her a pass because it was like 5 degrees out. Hopefully, we can more steady in her frame as we continue along.
I felt pretty good that I did stick it out. I briefly felt like getting off my pony in the very middle. It was not our best day, but we didn’t give up either.
