Left, Left, Left Right Left...

[Allyson]

;D

A certain Appy princess is going to a very special place in a couple of days. She's going to get to know a very special someone.

MUHAHAHAHA....Cassie's goin' to boot camp!

Ok so it isn't that dramatic...or maybe it will be, you know her...but i digress. Cassie is going to spend a week with Jon Ensign. Originally, the plan was to send her to him for a couple weeks in February...alas, Jon is going home during that time. With the next colt starting clinic not until April or so, I had to decide wether or not to take Jon's last available week NOW, or wait until spring.

So, sorry Cass, I've opted for now. At least he'll be able to evaluate her, and hopefully set us on our path so when he does come back in April, we'll be ready. In a perfect world, we'll be so far beyond colt starting that we won't even need that clinic in April. Hehehe, wishful thinking? I hope not!!

So, say a prayer for the Appy Princess, or just wish her well- cuz she's gonna have a lot to say over the next week.

Let the record be reflect that today I worked with her and despite what she'll tell Jon, I know for a FACT that she can (and can do it politey) do the following:

• Flagging- I flagged the bejesus out of her, within inches of her ears, under her belly, behind her bum. She can stand there and deal with it.
  
• Being sent to and fro with a finger in the direction.
  
• Disengage the hind quarters- either from looking at 'em, or getting bend in her neck and then asking with hand.
  
• Give to pressure: head down, head up, hooves, go here, go there, move laterally. Yes She can.
  
• Can stand there relaxed while i clap, stomp, jump, skip, snap all around her.
  
• Be saddled without bucking. English OR western.
  
• Respond to cues for forward, backwards, halt, up transition, down transition.
  
• Longe.
  
• Clip.
  
• Bathe.
  
• Carry a bit AND give to it.
  
• Carry a rider, though, pissily so.
  
• And finally, she can bloody well get into any trailer.
  

So Cassie, in advance of Sunday...let me just say: I call your bluff ;D

Have fun girlfriend!

[Allyson]

Day 2 of pre-camp riding. She was fine.

[rachel]

hahaha Cassie is in for an awaking!!!! I know she will try to convince Jon that you never did anything with her and that she knows nothing. She is good at that! Oh I cant wait to hear how she does and what she tries to pull there. lol Give her loves for me and tell her to have fun!

[Allyson]

Hehehe, I know. I actually had WITNESSES last night to prove that she's not some wild freak. She's not fooling me, and I just got off the phone with Jon, and told him the same thing! LOL

I rode her again today, waiting for her chariot to come pick her up and bring her to training. She was dead quiet and super easy. Thanks Cassie, for now causing me to question why exactly I'm spending a butt load of cash to send you off. Appys always have the last word, LOL.

Anyhoo, I had some fun with my camera phone. Here you go:

Pre Ride:



I realized i could use the mirror to take photos of us riding together, LOL.

[lorsadoon]

I love the photos, especiallly the one where you took the picture between her ears while she was looking at the mirror.

[Allyson]

Well, I'm sure everyone wants to know how Cassie is doing at boot camp.

On Tuesday I went out to see Cassie. I half expected a nervous appy mare...but to my surprise that is not what I met! She was very animated, relaxed, and very confident. I was relieved, and knew that she was probably doing ok!

I've been in touch with Jon a few times. The first was to make sure he wasn't dead...he wasn't ;D He's been working with her with a lot of ease, actually. The first couple days he did ground work with her as she was completely scared of him- which i expected would be the case. But by day 3 he was on her back, taking her out onto the property, w/t/c, all around. He said she was a little nervous, but it was probably because of his big saddle and such- she's used to me and my wee english saddles.

Yesterday she got hauled to a different ranch and he said she was excellent. Very soft in giving laterally, w/t/c with no problems at all. He said he was impressed.

On Saturday I am going to see him work with her- get caught up on the progress they've made. Then either on Saturday or Sunday she'll be brought home, and introduced to Ally boot camp, LOL.

Yay for Cassie! I am so proud of her. Being able to work with another human is HUGE for her- I am sure it has grown her confidence by leaps and bounds. I can't wait to see her in action!