September 23, Monday through September 25 Wednesday

Monday:

Ring was muddy: Rode both Try and Devon and did 2 laps nostirrups but no canter.

Tuesday:

I did not go to the barn--BA rode Devon and Dawn rode Try.

Wednesday:

First lesson with MH and Try:

Walk:

·        Get a good rhythm

·        Take up reins

·        Ask with little movement of both ring fingers if needed

·        Too slow: urge with hip movement (?phases)

·        Too fast: ½ halt can go into thighs and seat as well as abs—abs phase 1?

Trot:

·        Same as above to get a good rhythm coming from the HQ

·        Keep the flexion—want self carriage

·        Looking for straightness on the pattern i.e. straight line on the rail, circle—straightness is a bend

·        Leg yield: rhythm,  moving over, planning the distance and amount of drift etc

·        Moving over: think sit on hip in direction I am moving

·         inside leg moves Try into outside rein.

Canter:

·        Using HQ will get Try off the pounding forehand

·        How do I ask Try to use HQ?

·        Alternating canter and trot will help with this—downward transition when canter is good

·        Push thru hips and use the ½ halt

Leg Yield

·        Finished with these—see above—easiest to start on the ¼ line (inside track) rather than going down the center.