Blog
MORE NEWS ON CHANGES!!!
13/11/2017
Today, I went to the barn at around 11 am. Casi was sleeping in his stable and he looked so adorable that i decided to just go sit by him and not riding. I will ride him in the afternoon when he will - hopefully- be more awake. The last days he has been in a very good mood and it was really fun to work with him.
07/11/2017
Our riding seminar was quite an interesting experience, while it unfortunately not bring so many new impulses, but still it was good. We also took Portrait pictures of Casi on Saturday. Take a look for yourself!
03/11/2017
Our focussed work on basics paid off. He finally feels much better under the sadle and is more motivated in general. sometimes one step back means two steps forward. Tomorrow, we will have a riding seminar for two days.
16/10/2017
Back to Basics was the last point I made last week, but actually it is taking more time than imagined. Casi is kind of annoyed at the moment. He always tries to be on the bit and is not really willing to work. We just wanted to have him in a bit deeper outline, but it ind of didn't work out. We are working on it for like nearly one week now - it's still not really working. Maybe I need to overthink our schedule and change it a bit, so that he finds his motivation again. Actually I don't really know why he is like that. It was out of the blue.
09/10/2017
Last weekend was a three day competition for us. On Friday we had a test on M-Level that ended with a score of 6.1 - he felt a bit unconcentrated the whole test, but he still did it well for our only forth time at that level.
On Saturday he was very strong on the bit, but he behaved well in our test gaining 7.2 and a good 9th place.
On Sunday we had our second test on L**-level. He didn't feel good or anything, but nevertheless we won with a score of 62.29%. Also on Sunday, we had another test at L*-level, where we gained a 6.8 - unfortunately I didn't get any placing, but actually he felt pretty tense and was totally strong on the bit again. Seems like we need to focus on basics the next days. Today we just had a lovely walk ride without a saddle.
27/09/2017
Today I competed again at Recklinghausen Gut Berghausen's Late Entry dressage competition. The test was our first at L**-Level and we ended with a score of 64.79% and a good forth place - One spectator even gave us 67.03% ! I am very satisfied with Casi's development at the time. He's really doing great and is truly willing to work at the moment.
20/09/2017
Last week we had some pretty amazing trainings. So first of all, it was the first week after a long time in which I had 3 training sessions with a trainer and second, I got the chance to ride one of my trainee's horses - what an opportunity!
With Casi we worked a lot on Lections of our tests and on the basics. Flying changes and half-passes were just a little part of our lessons. After those three -very exhausting- lessons, we really could feel the progress.
One of my Trainees is going on vacation tomorrow and I'm so happy and proud that she asked me to take care of her horses, so that the next week I will probably be pretty busy. On Friday I will support my newest Trainee at a competition.
11/09/2017
Our new saddle pad arrived. Now we finally can have our Logo on a pad and I think it looks amazing.
11/09/2017
The weekend is over and so is the competition. We had quite a good ride on Saturday scoring 7.0 and placing fifth. Yesterday, We had another score of 7.0 at L-Level, but he was way not as supple as the day before. We had some problems during our test, but well, the score shows it still was kind of good. The spectators commented on my ride " The Rider has a good-balanced seat and is independent from the reins" or "transitions were well marked and harmonious" - which makes me really happy. Work pays off. The following days we will focus on basics again and try to avoid tension. Some relaxation training and also poles and ricks. We need to do some change and then go back to focused dressage work preparing for our next competition in two and a half weeks.
24/08/2017
Our Training towards suppleness seems to pay off. He gives me a much more better feeling while riding and I hope that we can improve it even more, so that we can start with stuff like flying changes and half-passes again. With this losing of suppleness it got so hard riding nearly everything. I think we are on the way again.
14/08/2017
After I've been on vacation in South France I'm finally back at training. During the next days we will focus on suppleness as well as collection regarding to canter work. Those flying changes really got us and we still need to improve! But as he feels at the moment, I guess he needs two or three month to relax more while doing those exercises.
29/07/2017
Over the last few weeks, we had some competitions.
Many times we had grades between 6.5 and 7.0 which almost ended up - unfortunately - without a placing, but in general I have been happy with my horse.
Two weeks ago, we also had our first test on M-Level. I have to say that it is very hard to ride for the first time. I chose a horse show where mostly professional riders went, so I would know that they really are better than me → I feel more confident around them and I don't feel bad, if it wasn't that good, especcially when my expectations were nearly 0. We ended up on 18th Place, but I was still super happy with my Boy.
So today was another competiton and we competed at L-Level again. We got a score of 6.6 with some mistakes of mine. I hope tomorrow I will be better at concentrating on my test, so that I wont make such unneccessary mistakes.
I'm still super thankful for this horse. At the moment our training sessions go very well and he already develops the beginning of canter pirouettes. Couldn't be prouder.
28/05/2017
Our last competition was exactly one month ago. Looking back this month of 100% practice and work, I have to say some things changed. The flying changes got more easier for us - still not the way I want them to be, but it's obviously better. We also worked on lateral work. It also got better and we worked on Hand one time, which really helped him engage the hind quarters.
I got a new book called '' Dressur von A bis S'' which is by Alfred Knopfhart (in English: Dressage from A-Level to S-Level). It really helped me focusing on the important aspects of riding based on the scale of training Dressage like contact, impulsion, straightness and collection at the top. We focussed the most on straightness and bending the horse.
On May 31, Casi will have his 8th Birthday. I already bought some apples, bananas and some other stuff.
15/05/2017
Back to training and more:
We worked a lot on collection the last week and focussed on the bit (or rather off the bit) because we had some problems regarding to suppleness in collected exercises. Focussing on collected work, we made sure to never forget riding forward!!! and pet him as much as possible.
So today, Casi was outside eating grass for 4 and a half hours, enjoying the sunny weather and then I made him ready for our training. It was great to ride around 1:30 pm because there was literally no one at the barn and we had the arena all for ourselves. → My all time favorite!!♥
Today, our training focussed on small circles in trot and canter and collected walk. In the end, we also tried some flying changes and they were surprisingly good. I hope that we can improve them more, so that I can totally rely on him in that point, but as we know, the flying changes are one of the most difficult things for my horse at the moment. They are not exactly how I want them to be later, but I think we are on a very good way.
After our training, we needed time to relax. We went out in the forest for like 15 minutes and I'm proud to say that it was the first time after 2 and a half year (long story... he was so nervous that it was kind of too dangerous - and it came out of nowhere) and he was so cool and behaved so well that I think I can go to the forest more often.
After our ride, Casi got cooled down with some fresh water on his legs and shoulder and then he could finally go in his stable and enjoy his freetime.
07/05/2017
I cannot put in words how amazing this horse makes me feel. Last weekend we got placed forth in our only second test at L-level on curb with a grade of 7.4 and we got placed 2nd with 7.3 on an other L-level test on sunday. Thank you to his breeder Alfons Baumann without whom I would never had the chance to have such a reliable and loveable horse.
So well, the competition was one week ago and you may be guessing: yes, we are back to training. Our next competition is on the first weekend of june, so that we have a lot of time to practise and improve in between. I am so happy for having the chance to spend so much time with my horse. I hope that this will bring us much further and that the time helps us to develop more because I know there are still many things to improve.
25/04/2017
After having a relaxing and fun day at the barn yesterday (we only did some walk and a bit trot), today we got back to work. We tried our best at flying changes which are unfortunately not that easy for us. But well, we are making progress - from right to left canter he mostly does it right, but from the left to right, it is still very difficult.
Today was one of the good days. He was kind of very motivated and barely made mistakes. I am so glad that he is mine. He learns so quickly.
23/04/2017
We got placed 8th at L*-Level with a grade of 7.0 at our competition in Drevenack. Unfortunately, Casi was not as supple as I hoped he would be after our warm-up, but still I'm very happy with our result.
19/04/2017
Finally our Saddle problem is 100% over. We got a new saddle in the first week of february and the last changes were made today. I am looking forward to our competition in Hünxe-Drevenack this weekend.
19/03/2017
Casanova is developing well the last two weeks. We had two training weekends with Carolin van der Linde and they were so amazing. We worked very much on Collection and half-passes. He felt so unbelieveable great in our last training sessions and I'm looking forward to this year's competing season.
This picture was made a week ago while our training. I know it doesn't look too bad, but he just feels so bad at the moment. He is too strong on the bit and always tries to pull against my hand.
26/01/2017, Voerde
It is the new year and I haven't posted anything until my last competition some month ago. Please forgive me for that. I kind of just forgot to post anything new. During the winterbreak We had some problems with Casi's Saddle... or even have them. He is kind of annoyed while riding and isn't as motivated as I know him. Sometimes I just feel like we're moving backwards, but hey, Isn't that something normal? I mean it just can't be that everything is going forward over all these year. I look forward to get a new Saddle and then we'll probably improve again.
02/10/2016
We got placed 8th at L-Level in Kirchhellen with a score of 6.8. It was the last competition of the year, so we ended up the season. All in all, we were on 13 different competitions and we got placed 10 times. I think it's a good average.
27/09/2016, Voerde
Baumann's Casanova is developing well these days. We worked a lot on canter and collection. Last weekend we got seventh place at L-Level with a score of 7.3
25/06/2016, Voerde
Today I had a very great training with Baumann's Casanova. He did very well and we started to work on half-passes. I mean it's rather an approach, but this is the begining. Really looking forward for my next training with my beloved. The competition, which would have been tomorrow, was cancelled because of the strong rain the last couple of weeks. The riding arenas were like lakes that is definitely not the best requirement for competing.
Furthermore, My former trainer (and still co-rider of Baumann's Casanova) won MA with 7.1 with her 8 yo mare by Dramatic x Fidermark I
15/05/2016, Voerde
Baumann's Casanova was placed second in L* today after a great ride. It was our first L* this year - I think I had like 3 one last year- which is quite amazing for that result. Thank you to my beloved horse for this performance. I am so proud. Another 'Thank you' to my parents and all the people supporting me.
08/05/2016, Hünxe
We were placed second in A** with 7.7 and got sixth on L-Level with 7.4
This weekend was amazing. Hoping for more of those this season.