Thursday, September 1, 2016

One Year of Penn

What does one year of Penn look like?


We're starting off with ribbons and scores and things, because that's how I gauge my own training and progress!
Penn's "textile trophy" collection, according to my husband.
I'm going to need a bigger wall.
  • 3 Levels
  • 32 tests (2 Intro, 17 Training, 13 First)
  • 6 Championships
  • 11 Firsts
  • 7 Seconds
  • 3 Thirds
  • 4 Fourths
  • 5 Fifths
  • 1 Eighth
  • Out of the ribbons once (9th place)
  • Out of the top 5 twice (second show)

I want to mention two things:

  • One, he's been in the top three 65.6% of the time, and he's been in some large classes. He usually won all the small classes he was in, but he's won them on 68%+ scores, so I feel like he probably would have won or been close to the top in those anyway.
  • Two, there were 11 Level or Test championships up for grabs at the shows we went to, and Penn won 6 of them. There were some 'unofficial' awards too: He was the high score of the day at two schooling shows. He was also First Level Champion and Reserve Overall High Score of the day at one of the recognized shows that didn't offer championship ribbons (I asked about it, they said they stopped doing it because people wouldn't hang around for the awards). I feel like those are incredible, yet unofficial since there were no actual awards, achievements that are worth noting.

This is what 32 tests look like.
Yes, I've kept them all! They live in the filing cabinet for proof for the insurance company.
Just like Centerline Scores! However, because I'm nerdy, I broke out Schooling and Recognized too in order to see if there really is a difference between scores in the long run.
  • Scores below 60%: 5
  • Scores 60-64.999%: 13
  • Scores 65-69.999%: 12
  • Scores above 70%: 2

He's been a pretty solid competition horse. His average is hovering right around 64.7%, which isn't bad at all! He started out a bit looky, became solid in public, and right now is in a looky phase again, which is too bad for our current comparison.

Of course it's not all about ribbons and scores. How has he changed physically?

8/23/2015 - First show.
8/28/2016 - Right at home at a show.
(btw, you all are going to see this picture a TON. I am in love with it!)
8/17/2015 - Nomming hay at home.
8/28/2016 - Seriously, where did my gangly baby horse go?!?!
8/11/2016 - The day I met him.
November 2015 - Pictures for his coggins.
8/28/2016 - So much bulk!!
8/23/2015 - First show.
8/28/2016 - Most recent show.
8/23/2015 - First show.
8/28/2016 - Most recent show.
Plus, he canters now!

Then of course there's the video, but I made gif's for easy viewing, then wrote links for the videos so you can parooze at your leisure if you want. It's incredible how far he's come in just a year!


I-B and 1-3 just happen to follow similar patterns, so this worked out well for compare gifs!

First up is the trot from X.




Next is the Medium walk.




I-B doesn't canter, so I pulled a clip from one of his first Training level tests.





I'm blown away by the changes in one year, and his accomplishments in one year. He's really a joy to work with, even on his bad days. He has far exceeded my expectations! I'm looking forward to what the next year bring!

22 comments:

  1. He looks amazing!!! I totally want to steal him. You won't miss him right? 😜

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  2. :-) So glad you're having fun with him!

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  3. In addition to winning all the things, I think his ears got smaller. ;)

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    1. Ha! Is it bad that I was going to say it looks like he grew into his ears? Seriously though, he's turned into such a hunky, good looking dude!

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    2. Hahahaha I never noticed. He did grow into his ears! Oh, and I guess a hunky dude too!

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  4. Wow. What a champion all the way around. And he has the ribbons to prove it! Great job together, you two.

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    1. Thanks! I wasn't going to include the ribbons until I hung the ones from this past weekend. I was like, "I need a pic of this!"

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  5. You have done such a good job with him - he really seems to be flourishing!!! And omg allll those ribbonzzzz!!!!

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    1. He is doing so well! I know, SO MUCH SATIN! And it's big satin too!

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  6. What a fun way to gauge your progress! Great job!! I have satin envy, since this has been a non-show year for me, haha.

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    1. I had satin envy all last year when Mikey was recovering. It even stretched to before then because we were competing at a higher level where we just competed against ourselves for the most part... first place ribbons aren't so fun when they're against yourself, unless your score is super! (which Mikey and mine weren't)

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  7. What an incredible amount of progress. Well done!

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  8. This is amazing to see, it gives me so much hope for the progress that I might see after a year of Leo! Fantastic job to you and to Penn!

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    1. I wish I did this kind of thing more. It highlights the progress we've made! Thanks!

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  9. Sounds like a great year! What a huge change in the conformation shots :D

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  10. He looks REALLY great! You should be proud. :0)

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    1. Thanks! He's is moving along so well, I have to remember it's only been a year and he needs time to physically catch up! I am so proud that I've done almost all of the work with him!

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