Julie Carpenter Clinic at Jade Ranch
Day 3
As usual, we started at 9 AM with a recap of yesterday and a discussion of plans for the day. Julie unburdened herself of the notion that today was the day that I was going to get on Sunny. Yikes! I don't remember much of the rest of the discussion.
As usual, we were the first to go in the roundpen, and we started as we had the other two days - some walking, then some sends. Then I put the saddle on her.
Julie had me put my foot in the stirrup and take it out really quickly several times. Then she had me put weight on it. I fouled this up: the way to do it is to quickly stand up. I misunderstood and sort of inched my way up onto her, which made Sunny really nervous. When I got the idea, it worked out, though. Sunny wasn't too fond of the whole process and, while she didn't buck, she did snap a few times and I had to have my elbow at the ready the whole time. Julie made me do this on the right side, as well as the left, which was nearly impossible.
After I'd been up and down a couple of times on each side, Julie had me lean over her and pet her on the opposite side. After a few times of that, I put a leg over and sat on her! The third time I did that, Julie told me to pull Sunny's head around and yield her hindquarters, which I did - then I got off and put Sunny away for the day! Whoo Hoo!
Julie's current project horse, Kassim, is a little sticky going forward, so Julie and Greg got Kassim and Gallileo out in the arena, with the idea that Gallileo, who's pretty forward, would encourage Kassim to loosen up. It looked successful and was very beautiful to watch.
After that, I got to ride Conrad. Oddly, to me, Sunny's saddle fit him, although he's almost 17 hands and 6 years old. He was a joy to ride, too sedate if anything. Greg, Erica, Julie and I rode out after awhile in the arena, and Marcia and Bart followed, with Marcia handwalking Bart
What a day!
