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Wow! You sure had a lot to say about the turn-around. Thanks so much for all the help. You know the best part about it? Now I know I’m not the only one that thinks it’s a difficult maneuver. It’s really hard to get the hang of! They (the they, you know who they are) make it look so easy.

I got to go to my third Les Vogt clinic last weekend, as you know (only my second on horseback). During his clinics, there is free time where he’ll let you choose what you’d like to work on and have him help you with individually. I chose to spend most of my time, under the watchful eye of Les, doing turn-arounds and the collected sequence stop.

I think the two maneuvers have one major thing in common, that thing that Les is always saying, “It’s all in the neck!” This clinic really hammered home the importance of that. If the horse isn’t supple and soft in the neck, the maneuver will always fail. I don’t know why it’s taken so long for that to sink in to my noggin.

With the turn-around, I worked on the approach a lot (riding into it like Al says)–bumping the back of the horse up to the front, always keeping the form of the neck. When the neck was right I could make the attempt. I really had to pay attention to my hands (drrr). The inside rein (hand) helps create that bend where you should only see the horse’s eyelashes, and the outside rein (hand) controls the speed and also helps to keep the form of the neck. With Les supervising several attempts, I feel like I’ve really got the idea now and realize that it’s going to take a lot of practice before it becomes second nature.

I get it now. Basically, there should be no resistance in the neck whatsoever. None. Thats where I need to work with Leo right now, but he’s pretty dang close (I say this with no small amount of pride).

Amanda, you were talking about some hip issues? I think you said your horse might be swapping ends a little? Leo does that too. I watched Les have some riders really go to work on that. If the horse is swapping ends than one thing he suggests is “having a conversation” with the horse about it by pushing the inside hip to the eye, before trying again. Also, where is your foot/leg? Have you tried cuing from farther back, like you would to move the hip in a turn on the forehand? You probably already know that but just in case–it might help hold the hip in.

It’s already been two weeks since my first Les Vogt clinic and I haven’t even given you guys my report. But it’s summer! I love summer! Horses and dust and sun and horses!

The clinic was 2 days. The first few hours of the first day, I was terrified. I normally ride alone or with one or two other riders, but mostly I’m alone. If I am with other riders, they’re riding English (unless it’s Jim). So, to be surrounded by other Western riders, in a huge arena, was SUPER intimidating. They had such beauuuutiful well-trained horses. And they could all ride so well. I felt really lucky though because there was a lady there who was at the last clinic (the one I watched) who recognized me and kinda took me under her wing. She kept checking on me and offering words of encouragement.

Since I’m normally alone, well, so is Leo. So I wondered how he would behave around all the other horses. He was an absolute angel for the entire clinic. It was almost as if he knew how important it was to me.

By the second day, I was filled with confidence and ready to try anything. I think that’s the best part about learning from Les; he has a way of making you focus on all the cool stuff you can learn instead of worrying about all the stuff you might do wrong. It’s ok to make mistakes in front of him because he shows you how to learn from it and do it correctly.

Biggest challenge for me was the turn-arounds. I really paid attention when watching the other riders. One rider had a horse that was turning like a top. It looked amazing and perfect to me, but Les and some of the other riders could see the mistake. It was the way the horse was placing one of it’s back hoofs at the start of the turn. He was stepping outside and not under himself. One wrong step! Continue Reading »

I had a great weekend. It was opening day of the Summer Series at the ranch–let the team roping commence! Even though Leo isn’t trained for roping yet, Jim likes to take him out there so he can get used to all the activity.

I was hoping Leo would be on his best behavior, and he was! Although, he had a hard time concentrating because of the new setting. We worked in the arena before most of the ropers got there, but there were plenty of steer, horses, and strange newness everywhere to keep his ears perked up the whole time.

My friend Monica took that picture of us. He was just as good as he could be. Last month Leo was getting really ornery with the snaffle I was using (D-ring, slow-twist). So when I went to the Les Vogt clinic, I picked up an Elevator bit. It’s a strange looking bit to be sure, but so far, a wonderful training bit. It’s cool because it also kind of acts like a full-cheek snaffle, which seems to help with training in lateral movements. Les says that you give a horse a new bit when he asks for one. I think it finally sank in that Leo was asking for one. He was getting pretty brave with his rearing up and being generally disrespectful.

Last week, first day in the new bit, like clockwork, he had a tantrum and came off the ground with both front hoofs. When he was on his way up to classic Trigger position, I bopped him once (quick jerk on the bit with one rein), he grunted in surprise (and no small amount of discomfort I’m sure) and replanted both hoofs firmly on the ground. I’m not sure if that was the right thing to do, but for the rest of the ride, he was a perfect gentleman. We had two more arguments like that in the days followed, and then he just quit behaving badly. There are no ornery tantrums.

SO! This is what we have so far in terms on the “five easy pieces.” Leo knows how to independently move his head, his shoulders, and his hips on both sides (Yay! Finally turning on the forehand in both directions). He’s great two-tracking to the left, but falls apart on the right, so that’s what we’re working on now.

Back to Saturday at the roping; it was great! Leo was so good. I didn’t work with him long because he was behaving so well and trying so hard. So we hung up the gear, he had a carrot, I had a Cliff bar, and we kicked back and watched Jim catch!

Everyone has an idol. When it comes to horse training, mine is Les Vogt. Even though I’d never met him, I had this idea about the kind of person he was. He just seemed like such a nice person, and a natural born teacher with a sincere interest in helping people improve their horsemanship skills. I’ve been watching those training videos of his for months now.

Then again, do you really want to ever meet your idol in real life? What if he isn’t what you thought? What if he’s just a dude looking to make a buck; someone who doesn’t really care at all? I’ve heard stories about people meeting their idols before, stories of football heroes that wouldn’t give a kid an autograph; or a famous authors who talk down to their fans; stories about idol meetings that were devastatingly disappointing.

BUT THAT’S NOT MY STORY! LES VOGT WAS THE BEST!!! I got to attend one of his clinics this weekend (just watch; not with my horse). My brain is so full from everything I learned and my grin still hasn’t gone away.

He is the nicest person! And an amazing instructor–he tells you how to do it, shows you how to do it, and then has you show him how to do it. Everyone was having so much fun. My favorite moment was when one young woman, (after Les spent about 5 to 10 minutes with her), got her horse to do the most amazing slide. She couldn’t believe it! No one could. We all clapped and cheered like she’d won the gold.

I have a lot more to say about the clinic, but for now, I’ll just say, if you ever get the chance, go to his clinic. You won’t regret it.

I just found out that Les Vogt will be having a clinic in March. First I went through the jumping around phase. Now I’m in the “oh-man-what-if-he-says-I’ve-ruined-Leo” phase. What if I get there and all the other riders are doing 20 foot slides and cyclone spins? What if he says I’m doing everything all wrong?

I’ve never been to a clinic before (well…there was that time in Hawaii when I stepped on a spiny sea urchin…). Then there’s that whole it’s THE Les Vogt thing I have to get over and try not to get so nervous that I can’t think. It’s really intimidating if you think about it though. I mean, he’s the master, he’s in the Hall of Fame, he’s won world, he’s the man, and he’s going to be watching me ride. Maybe I’ll blend. Or maybe I’ll be a disaster and he’ll shake his head. Maybe Leo will finally launch me into the fence. Or the other riders! Jim (Leo’s owner the Team Roper) got to rope with Trevor Brazile last summer and he said he goes through the same thing when he’s around the pro ropers. So I guess this freaking out thing is normal. Or maybe Jim and I just aren’t normal…that’s definitely a possibility.

I’m really looking forward to having him tell me what I need to work on and what I’m doing wrong and correctly. It’ll also be my very first reining lesson. How cool!!! Les Vogt is coming to town!!!

Leo and I have 2 ½ months to prepare. I’m just going to have to get some rain gear, quit being a wimp, and start riding in the rain. I want to be as prepared as I can be, so I can get as much out of the clinic as possible. Les Vogt’s coming! Woooohoooooo!

It’s been dumping rain for weeks. That means no saddle time. Winters in western Washington can be a little bit of a downer. I opened up the trailer on Christmas and all the bridles (except Leo’s) were covered in gray fuzz. Mold—a lovely western Washington variety. I threw a handful of tack in my trunk to take home and clean up. Somehow, cleaning tack just isn’t as much fun as riding.

I’m trying to look on the bright side. Just because I’m stuck inside, doesn’t mean I have to stop learning, right? It’s probably good that I’m spending more time reading. Is it completely geeky that I’ve started making flash cards to use to memorize the different techniques and exercises that Les recommends? Probably very, but it is a lot to remember when I’m riding. I don’t have it all down yet.

Leo isn’t learning by standing around in the field though. What if he forgets everything? I hope the rain lightens up a little soon.

Al, I don’t think I deserve that pat on the back now. And Amanda, I’m not longer feeling snafflerific. What seemed so great yesterday, fell apart today. I’m trying to remind myself that there were a lot of negative factors: Leo loaths puddles and the arena was full of them; Leo wanted to go to his “magnet corner” since we were next door to home; and he had a new bit in for only the second day.

BUT, Les makes everything look so easy! I did a lot of reading in his workbook last night and got frustrated with myself because it’s all right there and I don’t remember it all when I’m riding. For instance, I haven’t been using hands AND legs consistently when working on vertical flexion. I get absorbed in just ONE element and forget all of the other stuff I should be doing. So, tonight I was really concentrating on the hands and legs and vertical flexion. I thought since Sunday went so great, I’d really be able to focus on vertical flexion and collection. Here’s what happened.

He was not yielding. He was ok when we were walking away, but if we were headed toward his magnet corner of the arena he would ignore my requests until I was almost pulling on him to stop. I think he did so well yesterday because he was in a new place and wasn’t focused on going home. With the shank bit, he’s soooo good at doing a counter arc. But he was either confused or was just flat out refusing to do it today. Also he started tossing his head again. He doesn’t toss his head in the Billy Allen bit, but he seems to do it in a snaffle. Is it possible that he just isn’t comfortable in a snaffle? Or maybe he was just irritated and confused.

I’m going to call the barn owner tomorrow and see if she’ll help me. She’s an incredible English riding instructor. I suppose, if you’re going to talk about snaffles, who better to go to than an English riding instructor? She knows a lot about horses, so I’m hoping she’ll take a peek at him.

Something really great did happen today though. Guess what…he did almost a half circle of turn around the forehand. I almost jumped off and danced a jig. He’s getting it!

Today was an adventure for Leo and I. Jim drove us to an arena for the first time. The weather has been so bad that it’s been impossible to ride outside—constant rain has turned the outdoor arena into one big mud puddle.

I had a few goals for the ride and some concern. Leo was a pretty nervous horse last summer at the team roping events. I was concerned that he would revert back to his old ways and express his frustration and nervousness in a unconstructive way. When we arrived, Jim and I took him inside with just a halter and lead rope. The big beautiful gloriously-dry arena was empty! Woo hoo! We did have an audience though, as soon as we slid open the door, a row of stabled horses popped their heads out of their stalls to see who the new kid was. Leo ignored them and snuck a bite of their hay on the way by (bad horse).

I walked him around the arena, and he seemed fine. He was checking things out, but wasn’t jumpy. So we saddled him up, and I went for a ride. I started him out slow, and once I realized he was fine, we started working on our Les Vogt moves: zones one, two, three, and four. We’re working hard on getting those down. Although I feel like we have a long way to go, I’m so proud of Leo. His behavior was wonderful. He was relaxed and listening. He seemed perfectly comfortable. I like that he was curious of his new surroundings, but still paying attention to me. Continue Reading »

There are only a few days left of my two-week vacation. I still haven’t seen any live horses in Denmark (but I have tell you, Copenhagen is probably the equestrian statue capital of the world). My sister thinks I’m a little obsessed with learning reining. I can’t blame her since she’s been watching me ride an invisible horse around her apartment for the last week (trying to get the 5 easy pieces sequence memorized).

As you know, since I don’t have an instructor, I’m learning from DVD’s. The program that I’m following is Les Vogt’s Cowhorse U. I think it’s a great program because it’s teaching me the fundamentals of body control. Not having an instructor though, it’s hard to know if I’m doing everything the way Mr. Vogt shows in his DVD’s. When I watch the DVD’s, I pay attention to where he has his hands, his feet, how he’s shifting his weight etc. However, I just can see myself to know if I’m doing what he’s doing.

A few weeks ago, Leo’s owner, Jim, wanted to film me riding Leo. He wants some before and after footage (he’s been pleased with Leo’s progress). When I watched the videos he took, I saw everything that I was doing wrong. My hands! Oh my gosh! My hands are so high up in the air that the reins are hanging down like puppet strings! Continue Reading »

So far, this is the only horse I’ve seen in Denmark. It’s only day two though, so I’m not discouraged. I’m in contact with a Scandinavian reining committee member (I think) who said she would do a little checking around for me. Keep your fingers crossed.

About the statue, I’m not entirely sure what the naked guy is doing by the horse’s hooves, but I suspect he threw himself down there to be trampled to death after spending two maddening weeks trying to get his horse to turn on the forehand. Continue Reading »