Current logs for horses in training at Three G Farms after December 15, 2008, can be found at www.midwest-driving.com.  Logs for horses no longer at Three G Farms on December 15,2008, can be found by clicking  Inactive Logs  and then the name of the horse.  Active logs, listed below, are the logs for horses in training at Three G Farms December 15, 2008, that are a record of their training prior to that date.

Azure Wind Sonata

Winnie is a 5-year-old pony owned by Eleanor Eagly, who drove her with success in the 2007 competition season.  Although she is her driving pony, Eleanor would like to keep Winnie's riding knowledge current, so that, in a few years, her 7-month old twin granddaughters would have a pony to ride.  So Jada is riding her a couple of times a week.

11/05/08    Worked on staying forward in the bridle, and smooth, soft transitions.  Also worked on the halt and staying soft through the halt transition and while standing at the halt

11/03/08    We worked on changing the direction and the bend smoothly, and going all the way into the corners with the correct bend.  Lots of transition work.

11/1/08    Eleanor and Winnie had a wonderful lesson with Robin Groves . . . they are coming along as a turnout. Robin was impressed at Winnie's physical development . . . she is finally done growing, and Eleanor's growth as a driver.  

10/29/08    Today's focus was transitions and not popping her head up through upward and downward transitions.

10/28/08    Worked on stretching her frame and staying soft (the usual!)

10/25-26/08    Eleanor and Winnie traveled with other Iowegians (see Where to Meet Us) to the 2008 Cowboy Country CDE in Stillwater, Oklahoma.  She was a very good girl on the trip in the competition, doing everything Eleanor asked of her. 

10/20/08    Again worked on dressage moves, being soft, stretching, bending, changing the bend and staying soft through transitions. 

10/18/08    Eleanor drove Winnie in cone weaving at Games Galore, and took third place.  After the games were done, she drove her dressage test while Theresa Burns scored her.  Room for improvement, of course (that's true for all of us!)  It was nice to have a chance to receive a score on her dressage test a week before the REAL competition!

10/17/08    Worked in the outdoor dressage arena, focusing on being and staying soft, steady, and forward.

10/15/08    Jada continued the work on dressage elements:  getting her to be soft in the neck, especially through transitions, helping her bend and stretch over her topline and down. 

10/13/08  Eleanor had a lesson with Jada today.  They worked on Training Test 4 (the test for Cowboy Country) and then went out on the marathon.  A good day!

10/9/08    Worked on shoulder fore, getting her inside hind leg up under her to lift her body.  Continued to work on being soft and round through bends and transitions.  That is a never-ending task!

10/8/08    Worked on being soft and staying soft through transitions.

10/6/08    Still working on being soft through her pole, which is coming along, but not there yet.  This is one of the hardest things for any horse to learn, and she is getting there!

10/1/08    Jada checked the dressage test for Oklahoma, and then worked on relaxing, using her rear end to push and carry herself correctly.  It was a very good day.  She is getting lots better about staying round and smooth through transitions and bend changes.

9/29/08    Worked on rounding and relaxing through her neck and pole, which will help her have a good dressage test at Oklahoma.  Also worked on bending and changing the bend smoothly.

9/25/08    Worked in the cones course, which she loves.  The focus of the day was getting her to stay soft in the transitions and to change smoothly and quickly when asked.

9/24/08    Still getting used to the new bit, a Dr. Bristol.  Worked inside, getting her to stay soft and stretch.

9/22/08    Jada tried a new bit today, a double jointed snaffle, to see if she will release her neck, instead of setting it so tightly.  It will take a couple of days for her to adjust to the new bit, but Jada saw improvement in softness today.

9/19/08    It seems like a broken record (broken log?) to repeat that we continue to work on the basics of a training-level test, which Eleanor will drive at Oklahoma the end of October:  bending, straight on the center line, 40-meter circles, long-rein walk, steady trot. 

9/17/08    Worked on changing the bend, and not falling over her shoulder in the bend.

9/16/08    Worked on dressage moves, especially bending and stretching.  She needs to work on bending and stretching every time she is driven, or she slacks off!

9/11/08    Drove in the outdoor arena, and, for a change, worked on smooth transitions and a soft halt by doing a reinsmanship pattern.  She still needs work in those areas, but she is getting there!

9/10/08    Worked on three distinct trots, something that she will need at higher levels in CDEs and for pleasure shows.  Also worked on bending. 

9/9/08    Continued worked on stretching the frame and transitions.  She is coming along!

9/3/08    Went on the cross country course, and did cones, which she loves.  She needs a break from the dressage work!

8/28/08    Drove, working on bending, stretching, and transitions, and lengthening at the walk and trot.

8/27/08    She was much better today, so she was worked in the indoor arena. with emphasis in stretching over her back when asked (particularly at the trot!)

8/26/08    Winnie's neck was still stiff from her rabies and West Nile boosters, so she had the day off!

8/22/08    Eleanor wants to drive prelim test 6 in her lesson with Robin Groves in November,  so Jada is working on the key to test 6:  getting her to stretch in the trot is the key to a good score, and that takes LOTS of work.  That is Jada focus now!  Winnie was also driven in cones, which she LOVES!

8/20/08    Eleanor drove her today in the arena with Kieron, Joe, and Kevyn.  She will not be competing in arena classes at Harvest Moon, but can use the experience.  She has almost as many problems with other horses in the arena as Kevyn does!  Also drove her through the cones course, which she loved!

8/19/08    Worked on prelim test 6, mostly preparing her to stretch down in the trot (one of the requirements in test 6).  Also worked on a calm, steady, relaxed halt.

8/18/08  Played in cones, which she loves, and on the marathon course.  Jada pushed her to do the prelim marathon time, which she did easily.

8/15/08  Worked on stretching and relaxing through her neck and over her back.  Worked on smooth transitions, which are getting much better.  She is becoming quieter when driven. 

8/12/08    Drove in the arena while it rained outside.  Continued to work on steady gaits, smooth transitions, and staying soft.  While she was being driven, Mary and Kevyn were also working in the arena, so Winnie was driven next to Kevyn, to prepare him for the arena classes at Harvest Moon.

8/11/08    Drove her inside and outside, working on transitions, standing quietly, and the reinback.

8/06/08    Worked on the walk, so that she lengthens and then comes back smoothly.  Worked on staying soft through those transitions.

8/04/08    Continued work on bending, steady gaits, and smooth transitions.  She continues to improve, but still is not where we would like her to be.

7/30/08    More work on bending, stretching (long rein walks count DOUBLE in dressage tests!), and staying soft.

7/29/08    Continued work on staying soft, transitions, and bending.  She is getting much better about getting soft, and carrying herself instead of depending on the driver for her balance.   

7/28/08    Driven in the arena, working on being soft, stretching and bending.

7/25/08    Worked on relaxing, stretching over the back, and staying soft, especially through transitions.

7/22/08    Driven in the arena, working on being soft on the bit and bending both left and right.

7/10/08    Out on the marathon course again.  She was a good girl on the course, and had excellent pulse and respiration at the end of the drivel.

07/07/08    Drove, working on stretching over her topline and transitions, all things she will need for the next Driving Trial or CDE.

07/02/08     The marathon course is still up, so Winnie drove it again, and seemed to enjoy it just as much as she did on Sunday.  

06/29/08    A perfect marathon let Eleanor and Winnie hold their third place finish in Training Level Single Pony.  Winnie deserves to have a day off!

06/28/08    Eleanor and Winnie drove a respectable 54.55 in her dressage test at the Skunk River Driving Trial.  Only one ball down in cones, within the allotted time, and they were in third place after dressage and cones.

06/25/08    Eleanor came for lesson, working on the dressage moves (long rein walk, 40-meter circles) that are a part of any of the training level tests.

06/23/08    Drove in the outdoor arena, working on dressage test 2.

06/18/08    Lesson with Winnie's owner, Eleanor.  Worked on working trot, lengthening, reinback, walk, and trot.   Also worked on round circles and correct figures for Training Test 3, the dressage test for the Skunk River.

06/1608    Worked in stretching and transitions, also conditioning for the marathon.

06/12/08    Drove. Worked on being and staying soft, stretching and bending . Also worked on halt and transitions.

06/11/08    Worked on bending ,and becoming and staying soft. Also worked on stretching and letting out her neck.

06/09/08    Went outside. Worked on transitions and fitness.

06/02/08    Drove. Worked on transitions and stretching. Mike trimmed feet.

05/28/08    Drove, worked on transitions and stretching.

05/26/08    Worked on transitions and bending. also worked on steady gaits and staying soft and relaxed through neck and jaw. Went on cross country course. Good girl.

05/21/08    Worked on transitions and bending. Didn't work too hard since she just had a long trip back from Georgetown, KY, where she placed 3rd in dressage out of 13 or so and 5th overall. Good job Winnie and Eleanor.

05/12/08    Worked on dressage test 4. Worked on keeping circles round and full and transitions.

05/09/08    Drove. Worked on steady, smooth forward transitions and staying soft and relaxed through transitions. Also worked on bending both directions. Later in the afternoon she went on a trail ride with Reba (Jada riding). She was very good girl. Not one problem. It was a lot of fun taking Reba and Winnie both out.

05/07/08    Lesson with owner.

05/05/08    Worked on stretching and transitions.

05/02/08    Worked on bending, changing direction and bend. Keeping circle out  and moving into the outside rein while keeping throat and jaw soft.

04/30/08Lesson with owner. Worked on bending, halt and test 4.

04/28/08    Worked on bending and transitions. She was stuck in the jaw and throat so we worked on untightening and relaxing in that area.

04/21/08    Drove outside. worked on moving more forward and onto the bit. good girl.

04/19/08    Lesson with Robin Groves.

04/14/08    Worked on bending and lengthening/coming back. good girl.

04/11/08    Drove. Went outside. Worked on hills and hazards. (barels and cedars) Also worked on lengthening and collecting.

04/09/08    Much better day. Much lighter and more relaxed. Worked on transitions and stretching.

04/07/08    Worked on letting go through her neck and jaw. Also worked on steady gaits and smooth transitons/halt.

04/02/08    Lesson with owner. Worked on relaxing through neck, poll and jaw and stretching down into bridle and comming back up to more of a collected walk and trot.

03/31/08    Drove. Worked on relaxing and stretching over topline. Also worked a lot on letting go and relaxing through jaw and neck.

03/26/08    Lesson with owner. Worked on Winnie relaxing through entire body and being soft through neck, through poll and jaw. also worked on starting to collect and lengthen. good day.

03/24/08    Drove. She was very frisky today so we worked on paying attention and being soft.

03/21/08Worked on stretching over topline and reaching for bit. Also worked on smooth downward transitions and a smooth halt.

03/19/08Lesson with owner. Good day.

03/17/08Drove. Worked on developing a good stretch over her back and through her neck and poll. Also worked a lot on letting go through her jaw and being soft.

03/14/08Drove. Worked on transitions, body carriage and halt/stand. Sorry Tad and EleanorI forgot to measure her in the Meadowbrook cart, I will do it tomarrow.

03/12/08Lesson with owner. Worked on rounding, and body carriage/holding herself correctly.

03/10/08Worked on body carriage, transitions, bending and changing bends without changing any of these things. Also worked on a square halt and straight back.

03/06/08Worked on bending and rounding body through neck and relaxing through poll and jaw.

03/04/08Worked a lot on transitions and the back.

03/03/08Drove. Worked on rounding body, and stretching neck/tucking nose and lifting back. Also worked on lengthening and shortening strides at walk and trot.

02/29/08Showed owner progress. She was a very good girl. Worked more on bending, starting to collect and lengthen.

02/28/08Worked on transitions and bending.

02/27/08Drove with owner. Worked on body carriage, Forward gaits and transitions. Good girl.

02/25/08Worked over ground poles. Worked on getting a relaxed, forward, lifting trot and walk.

02/19/08Worked a lot on transitions and making them smooth and quie, but responsive and quick.

02/18/08worked on body cariage and not running through hand aids or hanging on reins, especially through corners and turns.

02/11/08Worked on lengthening and collection beginning. Also worked on transitions and not dropping shoulder through transitions and turns.

02/08/08Worked on bending , transitions and halt.

02/07/08Worked on not holding onto bit or running through bit aids. Worked on body carriage, rounding, lifting and stretching. Started working on a collected trot and moving back into working.

02/05/08Worked on reaching over topline, lifting back and pushing with hind legs forward. Also worked on a prompt halt without compromising body carriage or wiggling.

01/31/08Light work in cart. Worked on transitions and relaxing.

01/28/08Rode. Worked on relaxing and steady gaits. Also worked on not dropping back or sucking in neck or locking jaw.

01/25/08Worked on a real stretch, over topline, through back and with nose in. Good day. Also worked on the back and halt.

01/21/08Drove. Worked on rounding, body carriage, stretching over topline and square halt.

01/17/08Worked on square halt and stand, back and transitions without changing body frame or position.

01/16/08Owner worked with Winnie today. She was a good girl.

01/14/08Worked on transitions, steady consistent gaits and body carriage. Also worked on a square halt and stopping on the bit.

01/09/08Lesson with owner. Worked on developing good frame and working through and over topline. Also worked on smooth transitions, lightness in bridle , square halt and stretching.

01/08/08Worked on steady gaits and stretching over back through body. Also worked on smooth transitions, a square halt and smooth back without putting head up.

01/04/08Worked on rounding back and bringing nose in through reaching over back and pushing from behind.

12/31/07Worked on body carriage and bending. Also worked on using bit reaching through body.

12/27/07Again worked on bringing nose in and reaching over topline, using back, pushing from behind and relaxation, and letting go in the neck, jaw and poll.

12/26/07Worked on reaching over topline and pushing from back end. Worked on transitions and a square halt.

12/20/07Drove. Again worked on rounding, bending, body carriage and being soft in the bridle especially through transitions and at halt.

12/19/07Worked again on rounding body and using back and body carriage. She is starting to become a lot more relaxed through the jaw and neck. She is also starting to develop a nice muscle through the top of her neck.

12/17/07Drove. Worked on rounding body and tucking flexing poll while relaxing neck and jaw. Worked a lot on transitions and making them smooth and relaxed while holding herself up and not leaning on bit.

12/12/07     Drove, worked on relaxing neck, back, throat, and poll while working in the cart and tucking nose in, lifting back and pushing from behind without increasing speed.

12/10/07     Lunged, worked on ground over ground poles. Also worked on transitions and a square halt.

12/07/07     Rode, worked on steady transitions, without tossing head or dropping back. Worked over ground poles to develop a higher energy trot but not faster.

12/05/07     Drove, worked on steady gaits and balance. Worked on not holding onto bit and letting go and relaxing through jaw and throat.

11/30/07Drove in arena, worked again on rounding and using back and body. Getting much better through poll, neck and jaw. Starting to become soft and let go and stop holding onto bit.

11/28/07Worked in arena with other horses. Worked on steady gaits and using hind end a little bit more also worked a lot on rounding and lifting back, tucking nose and pushing from behind.

11/26/07Drove in arena. Worked on tucking nose in and rounding back. She is still figuring out where a comfortable place is and how to carry her own body, but getting better.

11/20/07Rode, worked over ground poles. Also worked under saddle on rounding body and bringing nose further in and holding it. She is starting to understand and be able to put body where it is needed but will have to develop the strength and muscles to be able to hold herself completly and for very long.

11/19/07Drove in arena. Worked on tucking nose in on vertical, rounding over topline, pushing off from hind end with  inside under body and moving more forward and freely.

11/17/07    The participants in ISU's Master Equine Management Program were visiting Three G Farms.  In the discussion of types of training, Mary drove Winnie in the indoor arena.  She was very good, standing quietly while the participants looked at her harness and carriage, and asked questions. 

    Beginning Monday, November 19, Jada will be working with Winnie, either riding or driving, for ground pole work and for work on getting her round, with her nose in. 

11/16/07    Dressage work in the outdoor arena.  She had a steady trot, and is learning to bend, particularly with the whip on the inside shoulder. 

11/14/07    After all of the confusion of the day before, Mary wanted a good session with Winnie.  After warming up, they headed for the outdoor arena.  Where it was very, very windy.  Not to mention very cold.  So they went back to the cones course and pretended that the south end, where the cones course narrows, was the equivalent of an end of the dressage arena.  Worked on bending in a 40-meter circle, which she did very well.

11/13/07    Winnie and Mary had warmed up in the indoor arena with the standard 10 minutes of walking.  They had trotted around the track once and were at the end near the road when they heard a horrible racket.  Jada had been working Dusty in the indoor arena, and somehow he got away from her and was now streaking through the yard.  He went around the house and out the driveway.  Mary was very concerned that he would be back, perhaps headed for the track.  So they took the opportunity to get back to the indoor arena, where Mary unhitched and unbridled the pony and tied her in her stall with her harness while she want to help corral Dusty.  Who was found more than 2 miles away, after crossing US 69.  Bummer, but Winnie was safe.

11/12/07    Friends were visiting from Texas, so Gary rode with us on the marathon course in the Bellcrown.  She went hard and showed very little stress, even though she pulled two people for more than three miles at a pretty good clip.

11/09/07    Eleanor had a lesson this evening, and we began by helping her learn the tricks of long reining, first with the short pair of long reins through the loops, then through the terrets, and finally, the long (red and blue) pair of long reins through the terrets.  Eleanor and Winnie did very well!

11/08/07      A nice day, so Mary and Winnie worked outside on prompt transitions, bending in the dressage arena, and, of course, her dynamite long-rein walk. 

11/06/07    Mary is not as comfortable with long reining as Jada is, and so decided to practice with Winnie before introducing the ground poles.  Jada is right:  long reining is lots easier when the pony already knows how to drive!  And it is easier with the red and  blue reins, although they are pretty long.  But it will be easier to do the ground poles with the red/blue reins.  Besides, it is easier to tell which one to pull when you want to hold the outside rein.

11/04/07    Eleanor took a lesson with Robin, and both did very well.  Both were relaxed under what has to be pressure!   Eleanor and Mary will review the tape of the lesson in the new year!  Robin recommends ground pole work, which Mary can do on on long reins or Jada can do under saddle.

11/01/07    Earl and Joe Boeser changed the shafts (getting them in backwards first . . .)  Eleanor was able to come out for Mary's noon lesson with Robin.  And the pony was wonderful!  Getting her in the short shafts let her bend very well, particularly when reminded to bend with a whip on her inside shoulder, to prevent her falling in.   A good lesson!

10/30/07    Dressage work in the outdoor arena, which convinced Mary one more time to drive Winnie in one of her lessons with Robin Groves.  This is a pony that has matured nicely, and should be able to bend.  Light bulb!  Maybe the shorter shafts would help.

10/23/07    An absolutely glorious day outside, especially in the afternoon.  Mary had a friend from Ithaca, New York, visiting, and so she waited until late afternoon, and then took Winnie in the Meadowbrook-formerly-known-as-pink with Ardie as a passenger through the marathon trails.  Winnie was a very good girl, moving out when asked and slowing down when appropriate.  A really nice drive that she seemed to enjoy as much as we did!

10/22/07    Kind of a crumby day outside, so we worked inside on bending.  Getting her into the bridle helps with both bending and getting her nose in.  That is coming!

10/19/07Jada drove, we worked a lot on rounding, and relaxing through the poll, neck, shoulders and withers. We also worked a lot on letting go of the right rein. (She was hanging on the right rein). We worked on bending, changing bends and smooth, transitions.

10/08/07Went to horse chiropractor.

09/27/07Mary drove. Worked on dressage, including bending, rounding and moving up into bridle.

09/25/07Mary drove worked more on dressage and bending. Winnie is getting to be much more steady, more prompt in transitions and more supple and flexible throughout body.

09/23/07Winnie completed a very tough marathon course to finish 1st overall in training level single pony at The Longview Lake CDE in Kansas City, MO, and to win the training level championship.  Good Job Eleanor and Winnie.

09/22/07In Kansas City, MO Winnie performed an excellent dressage test and a very good cones course, with no time penalties and only one knock down.

09/18/07Drove in new bit. Went in french link D ring. Planning to get a half inch wider and circle, or liverpool french link. In the afternoon Winnie's owner drove her in a dressage lesson.

09/12/07Lesson with owner.

09/11/07Mary drove and Ali rode.

09/06/07Drove, worked on transitions and reaching over topline- with tucking nose (not sticking nose out). She is starting to get much better. Also worked on square halt and reinback without tossing head or sticking nose out.

09/05/06Ali rode.

09/04/07Drove, worked on transitions, not leaning over shoulder, balance and square halt.  George Gibbs trimmed feet.

09/01/07Owner drove in practice pleasure show. Worked in arena with 4 other horses. Practiced passing, being passed, three trots, walk, halt, standing in line up and reinback. Very good girl. Very quiet, responsive.

08/30/07Ali rode

08/30/07Ground drove and other ground work. To keep her reminded of space and to give her something else to do. Worked over poles and over bridge, tarps, over barrels, between poles and barrels. Good day.

08/29/07Ali rode.

08/27/07Drove, worked on smooth transitions and letting go in the neck and jaw. She started on wanting to lean on bit and run through bit, got much better as worked. Started to even round back, lift and push from behind.

08/23/07    Inside again.  Today Mary watched the corner mirrors to make sure she was not dropping her shoulder and falling in, especially to the left.  She gets better about this daily, but it is a struggle!  We're looking forward to when we can work outside again!

08/22/07    This week has been the monsoon season, so she was worked inside, with emphasis on square corners and not counterbending in circles.  Her owner watched the lesson.

08/18/07Riding, standing up straight in corners, using shoulder and picking up back.  Getting better in neck and jaw, showing less resistance and much more willingness. Good day.

08/17/07Rode worked on straight halt and back, steady gaits and smooth transitions.

08/15/07Owner rode, worked with other horses and worked on balance and steady gaits.

8/13/07    Warmed up inside, to give William experience with another horse in the arena (which does not bother him at all!)  Then to the outdoor arena, to reinforce 40 meter circles in both directions, square corners, and walk transitions.  She was a good girl today!

8/10/07    EARLY this morning, so we went outside to work on dressage.  She is quite sure that she CANNOT bend to the left, so we worked hard on that, doing several 40 meter circles at different places in the arena.  She never did bend as well as she does to the right, but at least she tipped her head to the left and did not counterbend.  We also worked on a smooth downward transition from trot to walk.  Lots of times she takes more steps than she should.  Finally, we did all of test 2, without the reinback.  And it went very well.  This was the best test she and I have ever done. 

8/08/07    Our session today was in the late afternoon, so, again, we stayed inside.  Worked on bending left and right, and on reinbacks.  She does a very nice reinback when reins to in the left hand and they are pulled down with the right.  Her reinback is smooth and relaxed when done with the technique. 

8/07/07    The flies were really bad today, so we stayed inside for most of the session.  Worked on smooth transitions (she is slow to come back to a walk when asked) and on calm, relaxed halts.  She can be worked out of counterbending, but she has trouble bending to the left.  That still needs more work. 

8/03/07    Driven outside, working on transitions, halting, getting her head down and nose in, and stretching over her back.

7/31/07    Dressage work today in the outdoor arena.  Worked on bending in the corners, free walk with no jigging, steady gaits, and slow, working, and strong trots.  She did well!

7/30/07    Jada drove her on the marathon course, doing hill work, so she is comfortable trotting or cantering up the hills.  It really is easier to canter up steep hills, but sometimes it is hard to convince the pony of that fact . . .   It was a good day for 

7/28/07    The cones were set up in the indoor arena for the Robin Groves clinic, so we took advantage of them to work on bending, which is Winnie's main weakness for dressage.  We went up and back and around.  We varied the pattern enough so she did not get bored . . . and she seemed to love the session!

7/26/07    Worked in the outdoor arena on dressage elements.  Today it was 40-meter circles with the right bend, in all areas of the arena.  We got chased out of the outdoor arena by Jada and Hank in their Groves lesson, so finished the session on the cones course, where we worked on left bends.

7/25/07  The Groves clinic was going on, so we worked outside on conditioning for a marathon.  We did 20 minutes of trotting, ten minutes walking, ten minutes standing, and 15 trotting.  She was hosed down afterward, but was simply not the least bit stressed, even though it was a warm day.

7/24/07    Eleanor is not quite sure where she will compete with Winnie next, but it is safe to say that she will need to do 40-meter circles, prompt transitions, steady trots, and working and long rein walks.  She needs to be reminded to make prompt transitions.  Sometimes trot to walk takes a long time.  Today we worked on the walk transitions, going from working walk to long rein walk and back.  One thing we need to remember is to work on reinbacks, just not at X.

7/19/07    We got home from Winnipeg on Tuesday, so Winnie got Wednesday (the 18th) off.  She and Eleanor did a nice job at Birds Hill, coming in 5th in a highly competitive training level single pony class.  Eleanor's daughter, Chandra, flew from Lansing, Michigan, to Winnipeg, to navigate for her mother in the marathon.

7/9/07    The morning got away from us, so Winnie and Mary headed to the dressage arena around 4.  When the flies were awful.  She was sprayed with fly spray liberally before we went, but it wore off.  One new thing . . . she seems to be getting her tongue over the bit.  Her nose pops into the air and there is no control at all.  She gets it back in place quickly . . . but it ruins an otherwise nice dressage test.   We need to think about raising her bit maybe half a hole. 

7/6/07    Today Winnie was asked to maintain a sustained trot for 20 minutes, which she did willingly.  Then we walked 10 minutes . . . also easy for her.  If it had not been so hot, we would have halted for 10 minutes and then trotted another 20.  But, by the time we were done, it was beastly, so we quit.

7/5/07    More work on dressage, focusing on prompt transitions and steady gaits.  For some reason, Winnie stuck her nose in the air several times.  It felt a little like tongue-over-the-bit.  If it was, she got it back pretty fast.  That is the first time she has done something like that.

7/4/07    Eleanor worked on dressage, with Mary watching/critiquing.  Eleanor is able to nail the halt at X almost every time!  And the long rein walks are coming along (worth double in the test!)

7/3/07    To keep her from getting bored with dressage, we went to the cones course today, where she could practice changing directions and bending in another venue.  The cones were set at 170 centimeters for Mary's Meadowbrook.  At first, we hit a lot of cones, as Mary practiced her new cones technique.  But we got better with practice.  A measurement after the fact revealed that Eleanor's cart is 5 centimeters wider than Mary's Meadowbrook.  Which, of course, explains at least some of the problems!

7/2/07    Mary got home around noon, and it was just too hot to work her then, so she was worked in the evening in the outdoor arena.  They worked on transitions, walk to trot, trot to walk, walk to halt.  At the beginning of each session, her transitions are poor . . . late and sloppy.  She always improves with work . . . note to Eleanor . . . make sure she is warmed up well before her dressage test, with lots of transitions in the warmup.

6/29/07    Mary worked her in the outdoor arena, working on bending left (she does well bending to the right), 40-meter circles any place in the arena, and the working walk-long rein walk-working walk transitions.  She was VERY good!

6/28/07    Eleanor drove the marathon course today, with Jada navigating.  They ended the course in the middle of the window.  

6/27/07    Eleanor came early in the morning, and worked with Mary on dressage in the outdoor arena.  One of the goals was to figure out how to nail X, which we did by counting strides from A to X.  Seemed to be successful.

6/26/07    On the marathon on Sunday, June 24, Winnie was several minutes over in time.  Today Mary drove her on the course, with Jada navigating.  Winnie was not pushed AT ALL, and they came a minute under the three-minute window!

6/19/07    Eleanor drove her again today, working on dressage in the outdoor arena.

6/16/07    Eleanor drove her early in the morning, before helping with the course for the Skunk River.

6/13/07    Eleanor drove her today, working on her dressage test in the outdoor arena.

6/12/07    Mary is not comfortable yet getting into Winnie's new carriage alone, because it is a front entry, meaning that the driver must get in by stepping in front of the wheel. If the pony moves at all, the driver could be knocked off her feet.  And there was nobody around to head her.  So the goal of the day was having her stand quietly in the cross ties without banging her head around.  She did well standing for the harness.  But when the bridle was introduced, she began her usual dance.  We looked it over carefully, and think we now have the nose band and the bit adjusted so she will be more comfortable.  We took the bridle off and then put it on and took it off several times. 

6/11/07    George Gibbs trimmed her feet.  Much better!

6/7/07    Fitted the new bridle to her.  It needs a couple of extra holes at the top of the cheek pieces to get the blinders in the right position.  We will do that as soon as we locate a punch.  Had Robin Groves check the fit of the harness and the carriage, and the combination of the two.  A few minor adjustments and she is good to go.  We shortened the traces to the last hole, so the overgirth would be aligned properly, and then checked to make sure she had enough room between her back legs and the carriage at the trot (which she does).   The shafts are the right length and the right width apart, but need to be tipped out so that they will not stab her in the side on a tight turn in the marathon.  She (and her driver) like her new carriage a lot.  She needs to have her feet trimmed badly, however, so we will not drive her again until that is done.

6/5/07    Driven in the arena and outside today.  Hitched to her new Bellcrown with her new Camptown harness.  We had trouble getting the breeching tight enough.  Finally had three wraps and in the third hole, and there was still a little too much slack.  She was really hyper, so we walked for 45 minutes, inside and out, until she relaxed.  Then we worked on elements of Training Test 2 in the outdoor arena, which she will perform at the Skunk River.  It has been awhile since we have driven her, and, as we harnessed, we remembered what a TWIT she is in the cross ties.  She stands still, just moves her head ALL THE TIME.  We'll make standing a part of her training this month!!

5/04/07    Eleanor came out in the evening, with the idea that we would hook Winnie to, first, our training cart, and then to our Meadowbrook.  The training cart had flat tires.  We pumped them up, but they did not last very long.  (Need to get those in the "to be fixed" list because we have horses in training that will need that carriage soon! )  They stayed pumped up long enough for Eleanor to drive Winnie at a walk in the indoor arena.  Switched to the Meadowbrook without incident.  Stayed at a walk.  Will trot the next time.

5/02/07    Winnie had an accident at the CDE camp, dumped her driver and navigator, and galloped home with the cart careening behind her.   One question is whether she will be able to drive again.  It has been 10 days since the accident, so it is time to try her.  We put her in the drag inside, and she did very well.  Totally unconcerned about it.  GOOD!

4/6/07    Ridden at walk, trot, and canter.  A very good day.  She is moving off the leg much better.  She is starting to get softer in the neck, more rounded, and forward in movement.

4/4/07    Ridden at walk, trot, and canter.  Worked on changing bend, moving off the leg, and steady gaits.  She was very good today!

3/16/07    Ridden again.  Worked at steady gaits, being soft in the neck through transitions, and moving off the leg without running forward.

3/15/07    Ridden at the walk and trot. She has a good canter!  Today she bucked a little, which is understandable . . . it has been months since she was ridden.  But she worked out of it and did a good job understanding Jada's requests for transitions.

Sweet Pea

Sweet Pea is a 3-year-old Shetland pony owned by Diane Howey from Brandon, South Dakota.  Sweet Pea arrived at Three G Farms on Saturday, August 16.  She has been started under saddle, and has been ground driven in harness.  Her owner wants her trained to drive, wants her road safe, and would like to compete with her in pleasure shows.

11/06/08    Inside (it was bitter outside!), continuing to work on transitions and a steady, committee, square halt.

11/05/08    Worked outside on steadiness and forward gaits.

11/04/08    Worked on going into corners and bending correctly.  She is starting to stretch her neck out and down.

11/03/08    Worked on bending and softness.

10/30/08    Another lesson with her owner, out on the cones course, driving smooth direction changes.  They will have fun together!

10/29/08    Sweet Pea's owner, Diane Howey, came for a couple of days, and took her first lesson with her own pony and Jada.  Worked on handling the reins, harnessing, and hitching.

10/28/08    Worked on steady gaits and a committed halt (no moving or wiggling!)

10/20/08    Drove outside in the dressage arena. Worked on  bending and changing direction smoothly.  A good pony today!

10/17/08  Drove inside, working on transitions, halting and standing.  We would like her to have steadier gaits than she does. but she is getting there!

10/15/08    It was raining outside, so she worked in the indoor arena.  LOTS of trot work, with bending, changing directions and maintaining steady gaits emphasized.

10/14/08    Worked on the track near the road, where she was exposed to cows and cars and trucks and tractors, not to mention trucks pulling grain trailers and harvesting equipment.  For a three-year-old, she was very good.  A lot of sights and sounds that were new and potentially scary. Then she was driven all around the farm.  She really is a calm pony!

10/13/08    Worked outside on bending, steady gaits, and transitions.  She was a very good girl today!

10/10/08    Outside, with continued work on transitions, halting and standing.  She also went by scary new things without dodging or ducking.

10/9/08    Worked on bending and changing bends smoothly.

10/7/08  Worked inside and outside on steady gaits and following rein aids.

10/6/08    Worked on going in a straight line at the walk and trot, and not wobbling, which is not the easiest thing to do!  Also worked on maintaining a steady gait while changing directions.

10/2/08    Today Sweet Pea drove outside again, while we worked on keeping her gaits steady, and teaching her to make smooth transitions.  She is going to make her owner a very nice driving pony!

10/1/08    Outside again (the weather is so nice, it is a shame to waste it inside!) working on smooth, prompt transitions and halting and standing quietly with lots of things to see!

9/30/08    Drove outside, working on bending and steady gaits in the outdoor arena.  A good day!

9/29/08    Drive outside, working on steady gaits and not wobbling in transitions.  A good girl today!

9/25/08    Outside again today, in the outdoor arena.  Worked on changing directions, halt, stand.  Then took her through the cones course, and she was a hoot.  She would look at the cone, and then very carefully side step to avoid any chance of contact with the cone!  But she got into the idea of moving smoothly through the cones course.

9/24/08   Outside today, all around the track, and in the outdoor arena, showing her the barrels that are our dressage markers.  Took her through puddles, which she did very well!

9/23/08    Today was an inside day, working on little things that make a pony fun to drive:  halting smoothly, standing quietly, prompt, smooth transitions, steady gaits.  She is doing SO well!

9/22/08    Her first day venturing outside.  It was raining a little, so Jada took her around outside the barn.  She did very well. She did not react to any of the new sights and sounds!  What a good girl!

9/19/08    We used our small road cart today, and she was such a good girl!  After hitching her, she was ground driven around the arena once, so Jada could assess her attitude and relaxation with the carriage.  When she was satisfied that Sweet Pea was ready, Jada got in the carriage and drove her, mostly at the walk, both directions of the arena.  Jada trotted her a few steps, however, and she was just fine with that. 

9/17/08       Hitched to the carriage for the first time, and ground driven in the carriage in the arena.  It was, truly, a nonevent.  We used her owner's carriage, which is quite noisy, and she did not react at all to the noise.  What a good girl!

9/16/08    Her first time outside in the drag.  When she heard the noise of the drag on the gravel, she stopped.  With encouragement, she moved ahead slowly, and then decided that the noise was okay!  Around the track, in the dressage arena, around the barn, all at a walk.  She was really quiet for her first time outside.  She prefers walking in the grass rather then on the rocks!

9/15/08   More work in the drag inside, working on transitions, and halt.  She needs to be reminded that she must STAND to be hitched!  She is getting much better at standing to be hitched without moving!

9/11/08    Time to trot in the drag, which she did well, but reluctantly at first.  Worked on going from the trot to the walk to the halt without moving around.  She is progressing very well.

9/10/08    In the drag again, still inside, still walking.  She was very relaxed and responsive.  What a good girl!

9/9/08    Hooked to the drag for the very first time, and she was WONDERFUL.  Calm, responsive, relaxed.  Worked inside at a walk, changing directions and halting.  Her biggest problem was that she needed a boost to get her going!  But she did very well!

9/3/2008    Ground drove her at the beginning, and then put the drag in the loops but did not hook it up.  Mary and Anita held the drag in place in the loops, and provided the "power" to pull it, so that she would hear it behind her and feel it in the loops, but did not actually have the weight of it behind her.  She did very well.

9/3/2008    After ground driving a short time, the drag was introduced.  She was driven around with the drag being pulled behind her, beside her, on both sides, and in front, so she knows what the thing looks like that makes the sounds behind her.  

8/29/2008    Ground drove outside with side poles.  Went all around the farm, around the track and one the cones course.  She was very good . . . she has developed a good work ethic and seems to really enjoy working.

8/28/2008    Ground drove with side poles on both sides.  Worked on walk, trot, and standing.  She was very relaxed and calm/

8/27/2008    More work with the side poles, this time with poles on both sides simultaneously.  A very good girl.  She walked calmly around the arena with the poles bumping her as she went.  She is taking to the idea of driving very well.

8/26/2008    Before getting her teeth floated (which the vet said she REALLY needed!), the side poles (10-foot PVC pipes) were introduced.  First Earl rubbed her all over with the pipe, then put the pipe in the tug loop.  While she stood quietly, he moved he pole around in the loop, bumping her gently with the pole, so she gets used to the feel of something on her side.  Then she was asked to move off at a walk with the pole bumping her as she moved.  Then these actions were repeated on the other side.  She accepted the poles very well!

8/25/2008    More ground driving, with the goal of having her bored with it before we move on.  She was very good today, responsive to voice commands, showing a good work ethic.  Time for the side poles!

8/22/2008    Another good day of ground driving, focusing on  responding to voice commands for transitions.  We have also increased her grain a little.  She is working pretty hard, and we want to keep ahead of her nutritional needs. 

8/21/2008  This was a very good day.  She was ground driven, and is getting much better about responding to aids.  Her halt and stand is greatly improved.  She is settling in and figuring out what she needs to do.   And as she learns that, she wants to please.  A good girl today.

8/20/2008  Ground drove.  She is getting much better about her work ethic, but still needs lots of work on halting and standing without fidgeting.  That will come, and is essential for a safe driving pony.

8/19/2008    Fit the bridle and long-reined her in the harness and bridle.  She started out a little antsy, wanting to run out the door, but as she worked, she settled into her job.  We are going a little easy at first, because she may not have been worked this hard before!

8/18/2008  Fit the harness to her, and worked with picking up her feet and accepting fly spray.  Worked on the longe line at walk, trot, halt, and direction changes.  She was unwilling to work at first, and had what amounted to a tantrum, throwing herself on the ground.  But Jada persisted, and she relaxed and worked!

Sidney is a 3-year-old Morgan gelding owned by Edna Oakly of Clear Lake, IA. He is just starting his training in driving and riding with hopes that he will replace her Morgan Gelding, Jake whom she lost this past summer.

12/01/08    Worked on the lunge line in harness. He is getting much better with verbal cues, relaxing and paying attention. Worked on transitions, whoa/stand, moving around him, and developing a relaxed walk and trot.

11/26/08Worked on the lunge line again. Worked more on relaxing and introduced outside line dragging. He seems to want to move faster when things come up behind him, but is starting to understand he dosen't have to run.

11/25/08Worked on relaxing and paying attention. He is getting much better with breeching and crouper. We are working on relaxing through neck and back until he can put his head down and move foreward and do transitions. Also worked on moving away from pressure at his shoulder and his hip. Good boy.

11/24/08fit training harness. Lunged in harness. He took a little while to get used to the breeching. (he wanted to tuck and run), but he settled down and went to work. We also worked on walk, trot, and whoa. Good boy.

11/20/08Let him settle in and get used to the barn and other horses and feeding routines