05/10/2026
So Manny had his ode debut a few weeks ago, and unfortunately between it being his first ODE, first dressage test, dressage ON the XC while machines set up and everything else....Manny lost his brain cell. He was a gentleman the whole time, but really insisted we should be in starting gates, galloping, or going home.
So sometimes taking it a step back, breathing, realizing horses need confidence in themselves and the job being asked, means taking it back to basics.
A few days after the event I went out with the purpose of just lunging him on XC - maybe at trot/canter, maybe over some fences - but the common denominator is that I was going to listen to him when he told me what he needed.
So we walked...a lot...trotted some, popped a couple baby fences, played over the ditch and splashed in the water. And that was it.
We ended.
We built some trust in taking time.
I know as a retrainer I take a long time....but I take as long as they need. Because when they leave I want them confident and secure in themselves and how their body moves - to both trust themselves AND their rider.
You'll get a horse that knows themself, not a horse straight from the track and just put through the same paces they saw everyday.
You'll get patience, strength, and willingness. You'll have a partner, not an animal to do your bidding. And your partner will help you as much as you help them.
Get in touch today about Manny, Freddie, or Bella.