[Kyle Elsom]

Hi Kim,

We tried taking a few steps back and then releasing on the run. I have a couple of videos comparing this to our standard running start. Overall, she seems to to a bit faster when I line up behind her. One question, should I work up to releasing her after I pass her, vs. releasing her once I reach her?

[Kyle Elsom]

Hi Kim,

Yes, that makes sense. I tried it tonight, seemed to work o.k. She does turn and stair back at me, maybe that will help with the initial trial stress. I’ll send a couple of videos.

[Kyle Elsom]

By the way, we are a working spot.

[Kyle Elsom]

Hi Kim,

I will give the 2×2 training a try. Note, that she will generally do weaves fine in practice, with speed and some independence.Also, if the weaves are on the back half of the course at a trial she will run through them fine as she usually has good speed at that point. I always thought I had more of a start line issue. If she fires off the line, I generally have little issues with weaves. If it is a slow pokey start, then weaves are going to be an issue if they are early in the course. At one point in her trailing carrier, she would even stall at the start, take one jump and then stop. Through time and practicing with our running starts, that has disappeared. I wish I knew why she pops off the line sometimes with speed, and at other times very slow. Note, she normally does better at the first day of a trial vs. the second day.

Also, not sure what you mean’t by the last sentence. Are you suggesting I leave the course and reward at a trial for effort in the weaves?

Thanks

[Kyle Elsom]

Hi Kimberly,

We used the two by two method. Once we had the basics, working our way around with multiple entry angles. We stayed at 6 poles until we proofed the entries again, then went to 12.

Practice weaves were great, but she then began to slow down in the poles, even when she was still in novice.

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