Longshot Stables LLC

09/06/2026

Also at Harmony Hill-
Eleanor had a great lesson with Sterling and Lottie continued to build Mr. Knightly’s confidence.

09/06/2026

This mare is so cool! She’s had a year of flatwork… today was her fourth time on some courses… she’s brave, scopey, and more adjustable every time out. At some point she needs to belong to someone that wants to jump. She’s really sorted out herself over the jumps and is now knees high and ears forward every single fence. 🤩

As always, the courses, the footing, and the owner (Kathy) at Harmony Hill provided a really nice schooling experience.

09/05/2026

One Pony Preschool ticket left for Saturday 9/19 with Miss Christine!

Pony preschool

09/05/2026

Elsa’s harder lead change is right to left. We’ve found this particular exercise is working for her more then any other. It’s VERY difficult.

She starts with a lot of walk to canter transitions on the circle. Both right and left leads at her choosing. Usually just a few strides of canter, then walk, and repeat. When we first explored this one months ago, she would need to set up the counter canter as if she was leaving the circle for a diagonal, then bring her back into the circle. She’s chipped away at it and we’ve used this exercise maybe 3 times in the past few months. She can now stay on the 20m, choose which lead she wants, and stay balanced.

Once they’ve done quite a few walk/canters, she then asks for the flying changes on the circle. This has been helpful to also keep Bella from twisting herself for the change.

Eventually they’ll be able to do multiple on the 20m!

09/05/2026

09/03/2026

The girls thought it was funny I had to wring my socks out afterwards…

09/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JXcoQkF2V/

"Your horse will never go above 2nd level"

I have heard that line myself from judges and an instructor or 2 that I lessoned with. Have you ?
I know a few people I teach have heard that line. A certain teenager that I teach as a supplement to her regular trainer heard it last year. " Your pony will never have the gaits for 2nd level ".
Next year ...she got her Bronze medal 2nd level scores on said pony and went to Pony Cup and was successful.
Guess what she heard next " Your pony won't be able to do 3rd level...the gaits aren't big enough etc ".
So yes. She has been scoring mid 60s at schooling shows at 3rd and I am sure her final Bronze Medal scores will be completed very soon.

When someone, especially in a "position of power " says these things to you...use them as FUEL ! Fuel that builds your fire into an INFERNO ! 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
Unless your horse has lameness issues or impure gaits....never stop trying. Now, might it take her 2 seasons to develop the strength for 4th level ? Good possibility. But my bet is on this little power house of determination and her spirited pony.
We have already added half steps into her schooling. Collection builds extension and vice versa ( takes some time to truly understand this idea ). Collection comes easy to this pony.

It can be a real downer to hear these limiting words. Do not give up. You'd be surprised what determination, persistence, the right exercises, cross training, and a dash of stubbornness can do.

Pictured : myself with my Appaloosa / Thoroughbred Wapsicle who passed away last year at age 29. In this photo she was 4 years old. I heard these things. She was the easiest horse I taught to piaffe. Learned it in 30 days. She had super canter pirouettes. Collection was easy. I enjoyed riding her very much. She was extremely stubborn and gave me 150%. And yes. I should have been wearing a helmet.

08/31/2026

Zoooooomies on the Pony Playground track!

08/30/2026

New Class!

Pony preschool