[drivingpairs] Re: pairs help

Well, I guess I'm just going to have to pipe in.  I was the person riding with 
Laurie on the drive when her pony went down.  I have
to say, all things considered, that Laurie was a little bit unlucky that day.  
There were some mistakes made, and some little
problems here and there, but the ponies were doing well and not complaining.
The one that fell was working nicely, straight, honestly and obediently.  Her 
mother is hotter and stronger and has some issues
about going straight and honestly forward.  I didn't happen to be looking at 
the exact moment Heidi complained, but what should have
been a moment of irritation turned into a problem when she got her leg over the 
pole.  The pony learned a lot.  We all learned a
lot.
The issue of harness fit was known, the pole had been cut down once and it was 
decided that it needed a little more before we went
on the drive, but Laurie had not had time to do it.  Actually, from the 
beginning the pole was not too long, the traces and pole
straps didn't have enough adjustment.  I think Dana was right about fatigue 
being an issue as the pace did not allow for a good trot
rhythm for the little ponies and there were frequent hills to deal with.
Laurie's been taking lessons all summer and has especially learned how much 
there is to learn and how long it takes to change ponies
who never were expected to do anything except go along with out trouble.  
Dressage training takes time and there's no substitute for
getting out there frequently, consistently to school.  It's a work in progress 
and there's nothing like experience to bring some
points home indelibly.  We've all learned best from our problems and 
eliminations and seldom make those mistakes twice.  It's too
bad we have to make them but they happen and this kind of post mortem is one of 
the best learning experiences of all.
Anne

Anne Councill
Driving in Birch Hollow
Stewartstown, PA 17363
717 993 8956
Cell 717 880 3840



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