FEI 6 year olds

[M Martin]

Anyone doing the FEI 6 year old test this year? Although my horse won't actually be 6 until after the National Champs, I'm working on the tests. We'll definately ride Second level this year, ready for that now.
We just took a video if anyone wants to see www.martinsweb.org/molly go to Rossi (he's only one year under saddle, be kind)

[Gimbal]

Hm, don't know if it's my internet or your vid, but after 10 mins of downloading I gave up. Will try again later as I'm very interested to see how it's going. Pretty amazing to get a horse to second level in one year but then as the horse is mature, it makes sense.

[Hoof'n It]

Hm, don't know if it's my internet or your vid, but after 10 mins of downloading I gave up.

Me too.. maybe upload/link the video to youtube for a faster download speed?

[mandabailey]

I think he looks like a great candidate for the FEI tests. He has a really nice active hindleg and uphill way of going. Looks like so much fun to ride. What is his breeding?

I have one that I might take into the six year old class later this year. I have had him out at second already this winter. I've just started the changes and don't think they will be a big issue for him. He has such a balanced active canter already. Here is a recent pic of him.

[MagicEm]

Nice video! I really like him!

[M Martin]

mandabailey, BEAUTIFUL horse! I wish you the best with him. I hope you make the finals.

My boy is by HS Wistar (Hungarian) out of a TB mare. He's super fun. About 3 inches taller than I wanted He had a huge growth spurt the two months after I bought him

[M Martin]

magicem-Thank you!

[Gimbal]

Hey, got the vid to work. Looks good for the amount of time you've been at it. My one comment is work on relaxing the horse more. The drool and swinging tail show his moments of tension and resistance. More softening rein and just building up his strength, helping him relax should eleviate this. You might put on the flash or drop noseband to help support his mouth a bit - I'm not a noseband fixes everything person but I thought I saw your horse cross his jaw in the down trans from canter. The rider was pulling him down. Transitions are pretty key for a young horse so getting him more on the rider's seat would be good.

I attended Michael Brigdell's, young horse trainer for Hilltop Farms, clinic on preparing the horse the young horse tests. From what I got on his comments, the horses have to be in top physical condition and the judges's are pretty picky, so no faking things.

Good luck with this. Would love to hear about how it goes.

[M Martin]

Hi Gimble.
He is wearing a flash.
This is actually quite calm and relaxed for this VERY HOT horse. He's quite electric and often explosive to the leg. It's an ongoing process. He's 100% better than when I got him, but only 20% to where he needs to be. It's my biggest concern with his training, getting relaxation and trying to get his back to swing and allow me to put my leg really on.
Good observation.

[Gimbal]

The vid was small, guess I missed the flash.

Big and hot. Sounds like you have your hands full. Very ambitious going for the 6 yo tests.

[M Martin]

He's super safe though. I think it will all work okay once we get to FEI. But right now, relaxation is tough. He's very reliable and not spooky. That helps. Just uber sensitive. I let one of my 4th level students on him and she either got an extended trot or halt. Nothing inbetween. I didn't let her canter. She just wanted to try the saddle and it's to narrow for any of the other horses in the barn.
We do tons of trail rides and that has been the biggest help in relaxing him to the rider. That's where I practice desensitizing him to my leg the most. In the ring I just try not to suprise him.
I can finally carry a whip now to. That was a big revelation!
The 6 year old tests in my area are all in June so I'll just see what I have come that time. 4 months is still a long way off.
I'll let you know if it happens or not

[Gimbal]

I'm envying you trail riding at the moment. That's the best training around.

Yes, please post about how it goes. The sensitivity should work for you as you progress. Good luck!

[student]

Your hand is restricting him at all three gaits. You are in a backward feel to his mouth. Your hands should be forward and always communicating with your fingers. Give him somewhere to go. When you do your stretchy trot circle, that really shows what his trot can look like....ride him to get that trot in the collected movements. The FEI tests are to show the horse's gaits and abilities not the accuracy of the tests. He is lovely...it would be a shame to ride him like that and get lack luster scores. Now if you plan on asking for a bit more in the tests then possibly I can see working on the suppling and getting that perfected before you do that but restricting him in the back is not a way to build up to that. I believe his lack of suppleness and crookedness is a big reason his changes are late (just saw the left change).
Beautiful horse.