Brennan's new saddle

In my whole life I have never, ever, had a new saddle. So, when Brennan's BRAND spanking new Wintec arrived on Monday night I was very, very excited!

The package included a Wintec Pro with contourbloc, the entire Wintec gullet system (including a gullet gauge for measuring), stirrups, Wintec webbers, an elasticated Wintec dressage girth, Wintec saddle cover and white saddle pad and when opening the box I felt like a kid on Christmas morning.

Unfortunately the weather yesterday was not conducive to trying the saddle on for size (we had thunder, lightening, hail, sleet, snow and wind!) but today is a beautiful day so I trundled out this morning to give it a whirl.

Brennan measured wide with the gullet gauge so Nick and I pulled the medium gullet out and put the wide gullet in and I tacked him up and clambered on board. I have not ridden Brennan for many, many months and am packing a few extra winter kgs so the ride was short but very, very sweet. I was amazed at the new tricks he has learned and so impressed with the fantastic job Karen is doing producing him. We even nailed a couple of walk to canter transitions - wicked!

Now I can't wait for Karen to try it out!!

I got the Dressage Queen in a flatseat!

Today we have photographic proof that DQ's do jump. I think Karen thought I was joking when I told her she was going to be riding Brennan in a flatseat today. Joking I was not, haha! I am so bummed that the first photo today ended up being a little out of focus but I am sure there will be other jumping pix to come so it is not the end of the world. Karen did a fabulous job today, especially considering that it has been about 17 years since she last jumped (don't you dare tell her I told you that tho!!).

Brennan also tried a new bit today, a Myler, but he told Karen, in no uncertain terms, that he did not like it, so he went back into the Neule Schule. It's a little big but he is happy in it so, until we can find one in his size, it will have to do.

Today was more dressage schooling followed by by a bit of zoom zoom over poles. Brennan was feeling quite 'well' today and, for the first time ever, nearly unseated Karen when he kicked up his heels at one point. I didn't laugh, honest, well not much anyway. I also didn't get a photo of it, darn!

I like you ...

The season is ramping up now - woohoo! We have a measuring day to take Brennan to next weekend and then a cross country practice weekend the weekend after. I have asked Kim if she will come over and take Brennan for a spin over the intro jumps at the Solway Showgrounds and she has said she would love to so he's going to get his first taste of XC. Karen and I will take him down on the Sunday so he gets a double whammy. Can't wait! I brought him in for another session on the lunge this morning and included a few trot poles and some barrels - He ate it all up and was very enthusiastic. This bodes well. Here are some photos and the video: