 A Non-Profit Organization PO Box 47 Zimmerman, MN 55398 (763) 856-3119 |
The Challenge | The Trainers and Students | Event Information Saturday, October 10 Christa was happy to come home after the challenge! She was dead tired that day as she didn’t even want to walk over to get her ribbons, but being the trooper she is, she walked along with me. She has been relaxing for about three weeks now and is enjoying it. She has been able to spend a lot more time outside and will begin lessons this weekend. From my previous posts perhaps you guys know how much I adored this little mare. She would do anything I ask of her and while I don’t ask all that much, I was a bit surprised by that. She did such a great job at the Challenge I was just in awe of her. While we practiced a lot of stuff, we never practiced it all in one day! While I wanted a Saddlebred as a lesson horse because I teach and train Saddlebreds for Saddleseat, I just couldn’t let Christa get away. I was interested in adopting Christa before the event, but like anyone I had to weigh the options and think about what was best for her. The morning of the Challenge I was definitely leaning toward the adoption, but just couldn’t say yes yet. After her first class (halter), I started getting closer to the YES option. Then after the second class I thought well someone nearly ran us over and she kept it together so that pushed me closer to yes. Then came the scary trail class, which for Christa ended up only being scary in the parts that no one else was scared of, so I wasn’t sure again. Then at lunch my mom came to ask what I was thinking and how much we should bid. I thought well we’ll put in a bid to ensure she is adopted, but if someone else really wants her she will make them a perfect horse. But then came the freestyle event and she was a perfect doll, so I said at that point, okay this mare is coming home with me forever. And of course win she wins me money, it’s like saying here is the money to adopt me, now just go ahead and do it! And of course I did. Everyone back at the barn was happy that she will stay forever and no one is happier than her and I. We definitely have some special bond so now we get to enjoy that the rest of our lives! …Happily ever after… Thanks to everyone for your kind words and congratulations to everyone as I think everyone did great on a tough task that we volunteered to take on. It’s amazing what can be done when you put your mind to it. As Cher said, “If you really want something you can figure out how to make it happen.” We all made it happen for these horses! Congrats everyone! Monday, August 10
Christa and I are now deciding what exactly we are going to do during the Free-Style part of the Challenge. I have a few different ideas, but I am not sure which idea I (we) like best. Other than that it’s been business as usual; conditioning and collection. I practiced an obstacle course bareback and of course she was a perfect lady doing all the tasks. I encourage anyone interested in visiting this wonderful horse to come on out so you can try her out before the Challenge. She is suitable for nearly any rider and only gets better as the days go on. While I have focused on English Hunt Seat, I am confident she would be happy to learn any style you choose. She learns quickly and looks for direction when she’s confused. Thanks! Tuesday, August 4 Now not only was she a star in the stall, but she showed in the Open Hunt Seat Pleasure class and well…WON IT!! This little mare beat a Saddlebred at a Saddlebred show - now that’s something to be proud of. Have I mentioned yet how wonderful this horse is? She will do anything you ask as long as it is within reason and will try with all her might to behave like a champ. She likes new ‘adventures’ and goes along with whatever you ask. I wasn’t sure how the show would go simply because at Saddlebred shows we do a lot of yelling, whistling, and clapping. Christa just went along like she had been doing it her whole life. We will work on some more conditioning this week and continue to emphasize collection. We will just continue to polish our skills and we will be ready for the challenge! Wednesday, July 15
Christa went on her first ‘longer’ trail ride and did very well (of course!). She led for a time and followed for a time and enjoyed both positions. She is definitely not herd bound in any way and is fine by herself or with others in the pasture. She has lived in a stall while with me and does great there too. She was hooked up to a cart for the first time and guess what…that went well too! She warmed up rather quickly to this ‘thing’ following behind her so closely. I've included a picture of her second real drive. Christa will do about anything and would be great for a child or adult who wants to just have a good time with their horse and try new things. I invite you to come out and visit Christa, as she is safe and ready for just about any rider. This is a truly great mare. Come out and give her a try or come out and watch her being worked, either way she will want you to pet her and give her attention! Friday, July 3
There is a student from Texas in MN who attended the show we showed in last week and she rode Christa for me. Of course Christa just acted like she knew everything and gave this student no problems in any way. Christa even practiced an off the rail workout that the student was just learning. This is a great mare who can (and will) do about anything you ask. Monday, June 22
We worked on getting in and out of the trailer last week and that went well. This mare will do about anything you ask when she is comfortable with you. She clearly trusts me and this makes our work go so smoothly. I have a week long horse show this week, so Christa will get another break, but we will get back to work on Sunday. We'll work on conditioning a lot next week.
This week’s update is a bit exciting to me…I decided last week that it was time to get on Christa and have her start figuring out how to be ridden. On Sunday I warmed her up and then we took our first ride. She was surprisingly calm and basically just went along with it. Now that I am able to ride her, we will begin working on the many aspects of riding. Christa has a great mouth both riding and long lining (ground driving) and respects the bit just as I would hope for. When I first brought her to my facility she had trouble trusting me enough to let me pick her feet out and she has gotten over a lot of that. This is a good horse and I am proud of her of at least one thing each day I work with her. She is going to get a break this weekend because I am taking one of my horses to a horse show in Cannon Falls. We’ll be right back to work on Monday though… Friday, May 23
We have spent our time together so far learning about what each other like and dislike and how much we know. She has already figured out that I 'may' know a bit more than she does and she can trust me and look for direction from me. This is a big hurdle for many horses and I am glad we have gotten over it so quickly. This is a fun mare who I enjoy working with and can't wait to see how far she will come in our short time together. > Back to the Trainers and Students
About Natalie Payne: I grew up loving horses and my sister and I made my mom take us to trail riding places EVERY weekend. Eventually, we convinced her it would be easier to just buy us each a horse. We must have been pretty convincing because she did! Shortly after this we started taking lessons with Judy French, an instructor who would come to the barn where we boarded. A friend bought a Saddlebred and once we saw a 'Saddlebred' show we were hooked. We were soon deeply involved in Saddlebreds and I was always happy that my trainers said I had quite a talent with these horses. When I graduated from high school I started training horses full time and worked closely with a few Saddlebred trainers here in Minnesota. Claudia Bearman, the late Barry Yount, Bob and Linda Jensen, and Dawn DeHart were the trainers and instructors I spent the most time with and learned a lot from. I have worked with many horses that come to me with issues; nervousness, disrespect, or some that are just too young to know any better. I am comfortable teaching horses how to be ridden, teaching them how to respect and enjoy human companionship, and teaching them trust. I am a Saddleseat trainer and instructor and along with this discipline goes horse shows. I thoroughly enjoy showing and having my students show at horse shows! I don't know that I will get Christa, my horse from the challenge to a show, but that is a task that is at the very bottom of the to-do list. If you'd like to learn even more about me, please visit my website at www.FosterFarmMN.com.
|
Copyright © 2000-2009 Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation, Zimmerman MN USA |
Here's another photo from the great show last week!
Christa attended her first horse show over the weekend and because we like to jump in with all our might, she actually showed at the Washington County Fair. I guess to no one’s surprise, she was an ABSOLUTE STAR!! All of the people walking by her stall stopped and pet her and talk to her, which she soaked up and loved. 
Christa has now been ridden in three lessons by my students and she has done well each time. She is a nice size, sturdy but small, so she does not intimidate students. I am still working on slowing her canter, but the students have found her to be fun to ride. 
Christa has again made me a proud trainer! This mare amazes me all the time. This past week we focused on collection and conditioning. I began using a martingale and she just bent her neck right over. Since this was so easy for her I decided it was time to work on trail obstacles. Tarp is just not scary for her and me grabbing something out of someone’s hand is seemingly just normal. 
Christa definitely has this riding thing down. She seems to really enjoy it and feels very happy under saddle. We are slowly starting to work on collection and also cantering at a slower pace. She makes great progress some days and it just makes me enjoy her that much more! 
Tuesday, June 2
While I as a trainer have a clear love of the Saddleseat discipline, I do appreciate all disciplines and realize not every horse can carry their heads and knees high like a Saddlebred. To my great surprise when I picked up Christa, my student for this challenge, she ended up lifting her legs and showing off a lot like the breed that I love so dearly. I decided when I entered the challenge that I would need a horse that could be ridden English, but I figured Saddleseat would be pushing it. It turns out this little mare may be able to go a few different disciplines!