I have to say I’m just having so much fun jumping Maestro. We have plenty to work on but I love that feeling of heading to a jump and the horse you are on is just loving what he’s doing right with you. I posted this on my Instagram but for those of you that haven’t seen it there here is a video of Maestro and I doing a course about a week and a half ago.
Here’s is a comparison video of our first jump ever together when I went and tried him.
Then about a week ago Maestro’s old owner tagged me in a baby picture and omg the cute!
I also put to use my second new Ogilvy saddle pad that I bought last year. I think it’s my favorite.
Love the way this pops!
I rode Maestro bareback last week and had such a blast. I had gotten on him bareback to walk around once right after I bought him and we were waiting for his front shoes to get put back on but this time we did full flatwork. Definitely going to add more bareback rides into our schedule, this guy is so comfy!
One furry couch
Last week I was also out of town for several days for a work training in Kalamazoo, Michigan so I didn’t get to see Maestro Wednesday or Thursday. I did however get to meet Sarah from Draft Mare for a nice chat and amazing dinner at Hop Cat. I had never been to a Hop Cat before and the food was so good! Crack fries are their thing and they are tasty!
Friday I had planned to ride but instead came home to a water trough with ice and a frozen hose so barn chores for the chestnut boys took priority over riding. I did find time to make a quick stop out to see Maestro though and take a selfie after picking his feet and feeding him some cookies.
Frozen selfies
I had another jumping lesson this past Saturday and Maestro was extra soft for our hunter course and many of our lead changes were improved. We decided to try out an equitation course and that also went pretty well. Better yet I had changed out his bit on a hunch that the bit we had previously needed had now become too much and I was correct because he was much more willing to move forward. I don’t think I’ve found “his” bit yet but I think we are narrowing things down a little more. It’s crazy how fast things change when you are in the early period of a relationship with a new horse!
There is a Mark Leone clinic at the barn this weekend so I’m looking forward to doing some spectating and hanging out with barn friends. I participated in this clinic with Stampede twice and it was a great experience. I considered doing the clinic this year but I just don’t feel like we are prepared for some of the questions that will be asked. I’m sure we could do it but I think we are better off learning those things in regular lessons and then finessing them in a clinic at a later date. Do you do clinics to work on new concepts or to confirm/improve on what you and your horse already know?
He is super cute. You said he’s Irish? Do you know how he’s bred?
Thanks! Yes he’s an Irish Sport Horse. Sire is Ballymore’s Celtic Lad and dam is Shadowsto Sunshine. His sire is pretty popular in my area and is standing in Michigan – the farm where he stands is Maestro’s breeder. I didn’t find anything about his dam (TB) when I searched originally but need to do a deeper dive.
I was given all of his registration paperwork but he has never actually been registered so I may do that. Any thoughts on that?
I love how much fun you’re having with Maestro!
Me too! 😉 You need to make a road trip!
Looks and sounds like Maestro was a great find. I’m glad you’re having fun with him!
I don’t really do many clinics, but the few I have done, the clinicians are usually pretty in tune to where you are with your horse. So I’ve never felt overwhelmed in one. I did a clinic with Nona Garson on a horse I’d only ridden once, but I dropped down to a lower fence height to make sure we’d feel confident and hopefully not overwhelmed.
So far he seems to be a great find!
I posted about it a while back but I had a horrible clinic experience with Stampede many years ago so I’m a bit more skeptical than in my younger years. Phoenix and I did an Anne Kursinski clinic back in the day and it was such a great experience! I swear there is video somewhere but I haven’t been able to find it.
Holy crap I am so jealous of Maestro’s canter!! It looks so balanced, steady, and even. I would kill for Rio’s canter to look that effortless. You guys look incredible, so glad you are enjoying each other so much!
Well his canter is best when jumping, lol. It actually feels worse than it looks in corners but it is definitely his weaker gait especially tracking right. He is really strange about his lead changes and wants to just dive in so we are working on it. Tracking right on the flat it can be hard to maintain tempo. I love flatwork though and I know we will get there. He’s a fun guy!
aw so happy for you! he seems like a really really lovely guy!!
Thank you, he is really a good egg thus far!
This all makes me so happy for you!
Thank you, it was a long road to get to this point and I’m loving every minute of it!