Monday - Try was "wild"

Completely frazzled at renovations with workmen every where and left for the barn to escape.

Try was pacing the fence line when I arrived. When I got to her pasture she jumped the ditch and ran to me--way out of character. She was happy to leave the pasture and was covered in wet mud. So we spent some time grooming in a busy barn. MH was there and we decided to take advantage of the time for MH to ride Try with me doing the warmups.

Decided to start the warmups in the pasture because MH was riding her stallion Richmond in the ring and did not want to distract him. Try could not settle or concentrate and got a bit frantic so it did not work to explore the idea of liberty/distance/online.

Went ahead to the ring for pleasant walk/trot warmup and Try settled nicely. She really has the difference now in my seat telling her to go forward or back and can go from one to the other successfully.

Then tested sideways away and toward and fairly quickly we could cue one and then the other from energy and focus. Finished on line with the pedestal and cavaletti as things Try does well and sat together for a little dwell time.

MH then rode Try for 15-20 minutes. Try had not lost much at all since November! MH suggested I concentrate on maintaining a quality trot rhythm and checking Try for straightness on the circle using leg if necessary as a reminder. Also cautioned about slippery spot in the dressage ring and that it would be better to canter circles in the main ring.

Try and I finished with a shower and dwell time in her pasture. She was happy with herself and to be with me.