Wednesday - Try and I in the field - YeeHaw sorta

"Loosen the Spring" day:

Trotted in the field--see video. Just to let loose some. I remembered Gretchen's slow medium fast trotting at Williamston and thought some trotting really moving out would be a good idea. We did get some--Try was a bit confused and offered canter instead a few times. I was also working on NOT lifting my leg behind me to cue.

Also played with right side steps from session with Dan and feel confused--see video

I learned:
1. Tap behind the shoulder
2. Tap in phases
3. She did repeatedly look out her right side and walk off with that front foot.
4. Lateral flexion from a standstill was not as incredible after I spent 15 minutes of dwell time and treats on that side on the ground.
5. HQ yield: cross over with stick?

Tuesday - Lesson with MH - Try--pretty trot

I arrived early to have 20 minutes to warm up Try at a walk--she was still in her stall so turned her out for 10 minutes or so while I set things up for the day. Then quick groom (now that she is clipped and blanketed) and out to the ring. We actually walked for 25 minutes playing with patterns, straightness, etc. (forgot to work on rhythm). It only seemed like 5 minutes to me but when Try let me know she was ready to trot I checked my watch and stopped--then 15 minutes of dwell time.

Lesson with MH: I can't remember--so much said. BUT I filmed and saw a lovely trot coming with more swing and freedom in the shoulders--she looks so pretty vs tight, stiff, muscular etc. Also watching the video pretty nice attitude as well.

I saw that my leg is sooooo far back--what is going on there--is this what Kathy has been talking about?
The canter back in my saddle--the first go was a mess for me--then after releasing the tension in the legs and just sorta balancing on my butt only it got better. (??Try it bareback, lengthen stirrups, use carrot stick??)

I was able to keep reminding myself about elbows and resting wrists. Try made downward transitions from canter to trot before I could visualize, relax, sit deep and progressive half halt--except once from trot to walk it was really good.

Monday - MH rode Try

Catching game in the pasture, avoiding Richmond as MH rode him first, then MH rode Try. Today I noticed a different pattern--more head movement--MH said she was trying to rebalance herself. Also MH said when Try jigs at the walk to keep my legs on her--it is emotional--don't release--help her work through it. Also when going from left bend to right bend/circle, watch for Try dropping her right shoulder and help her stay square.

Later in the day I rode Devon:
Lovely catching game in the pasture twice today. Taking the bit in bridling still an issue. WTC Also did Intro A test before and after cantering. Canter went well--good energy and did not break gait except to poop which is permissible for him.

The test:
1. The first time was before cantering and I had problems getting a good trot.
2. The second time we had good energy in the trot but during the walk at the end he broke to a trot twice.
3. I learned: straightness was an issue down the center line and on the diagonals.
4. The circle at A we did not reach the first side marker--both times!
5. Pretty good at bending in the corners, and reaching the letters at the shoulder.

Conclusion: this was fun BUT better to work on the pieces than do a whole test--basically practicing things incorrectly.

Saturday - watched EDCTA show at Wind Drift

Enjoyed the show day. Great to be able to sit with Kathy to see if I could see what she was seeing. I saw it on an intuitive level that she was able to describe with knowledge. I was especially interested in seeing Lynne Green's Intro A test as this was her first show and Kathy was coaching her/reading the test for her. I took the photo.

It was also fun to see Lisa doing the Sport Horse Versatility with her two year old pony Waiku (Q).

This inspired me to learn the  Intro A test:

Saturday and Sunday with Try: Saturday both Dawn and I stopped by and hung out with her in her pasture and gave her treats. On Sunday, C.H. and I brought the big pumpkin and I visited with Try again.

Thursday Fun Patterns with Kathy and Devon

Went to the barn about noon as its getting colder in the mornings and dressage ring is free in the afternoon. I spent 20 minutes of dwell time with Try on her right side and she did not attempt to move the position. Just hung out while she grazed.

Then talked to BA about changing Devon to 2x per week instead of 3 and picking up the extras in January etc--providing he is still at Rollover. Also may help her with turn in next Friday.

Then Devon, groom and warmup in the ring. Kathy arrived and we played with dressage patterns and geometry and I am stoked. This is going to be fun. Devon was great about moving off my leg etc. Also I showed Kathy video of Try and I cantering in the bareback pad and my not having an issue sitting the canter. I cantered with Devon and really worked at sitting deeply as his canter is so lovely. I have to admit to some fear at sitting in that position instead of forward and Kathy said it is my position check MY THIGHS are long and relaxed--move them out and down and back in place.

Got back to the barn and BA had clipped Try for me!!

Geometry lesson:
1. diagonals: arrive at the letter with shoulder--okish to zone 3 not terrible if arrive a little soon--judge just thinks I need more precision, bad to be late--shows a lack of preparation. Use legs to stay nicely on course to make this happen.
2. straight on the rail: needs just a bit of bend of the shoulder fore to give the illusion of straightness from the judge's point of view--otherwise HQ appear to be out of line.
3. 20 meter circles: i.e. at C--3 points on the rail for only a couple of strides--again using right or left leg to cue so horse stays straight between my legs on the circle. A 20 meter circle in the middle (not at A or C) is more difficult as there are only 2 points where I connect with the rail.
4. This should be a seamless dance especially in the transitions from one pattern piece to another.
5. I want to practice this with Try--including closing my eyes on a straight line down the center line to feel and correct with my legs AND with my eyes open and a strong focus to see if she is following my focus.

Wednesday - I am in trouble!

Rode in MH's saddle and the difference was way too huge to ignore. I really don't have $3,000 to spend on a new saddle but from that ride I can truly see the need.

Great ride ever so pleased at how easy it felt especially at the trot and the canter was great also. Try coming up and maintaining so I can think about other things and I sat that canter.

Homework, etc.
1. Warmup at the walk for rhythm, tracking up, walking on a straight line before asking for contact/connection. 5-20 minutes! Try needs a long warmup??
2. Trot and canter was so much easier with my arms wider and lower--Try really understood. MH says it is used a lot for young horses.
3. Circles and walk/halt/salute--something fun to practice especially 20 meter circles that are not a 1/3 of the ring.
4. Canter on the circle then go off the circle on a diagonal and use 1/2 halt and sit deep to get a better transition to the trot.

Try's Right Side
Before the lesson with MH I rode Try bareback in the back paddock to play with the right side issue. She was amazingly light in the basic lateral flexion and not afraid to step out. I did not play with maintaining the flexion and ask for HQ yield. I remembered to mount and dismount on the right side. Forgot some to be on her right side on the lead line and we did a lot of dwell time and treats on her right side.

Tuesday - MH rode Try and I rode Devon

I arrived early and groomed Try. MH rode and Try looked like a dressage horse. MH said she was really responsive to seat cues and that I had done a good job with her. Also that as she got going she was responding more and more--shorten and length canter, turns, helping her on her right side, etc. Also being in raging season she and Richmond were very aware of each other. I noticed Try cutting her eyes before she got the idea of connecting/contact then her eyes softened. After I saw a lack of self-confidence.

We then went to the back paddock and played various liberty games all on her right side: i.e. weave cones, touch it with a cone on the barrel and sideways across the barrel, sticking together/dwell/friendly and apple slices.

Showered her with warm water as it was cold, cooler and in her stall to dry off. Her winter coat is really coming in and takes a long time to dry. Looking forward to that blanket clip soon!!

Next got Devon in from his field--all three of those horses are friendly and nice to be with. With Devon we warmed up w/t then no-stirrups posting trot and I needed to walk between my two laps. Canter was better--broke gait once only and was more relaxed at the end and we did more laps than Monday.