5/10/13 Practice

I rode Fievel for my practice.  He was really good!  In the beginning he was not so foward and very resistant to flex.  With some circles and going straight down the long side while using leg and seat we worked through it.  We worked on transitions and did some  walk to canters as well.  He was a good boy!

5/8/13 Lesson

I rode Fievel in my lesson.  It was nice to ride him in a lesson since it has been so long and I am need of a good arm work out!  He was really good until it got towards the end and he got tired.  He started to toss his head and was drenched in sweat.  He worked on transitions and then leg yielding on a circle and using right leg to left half halt.  We started at the walk and then onto the trot.  This was a good exercise and Fievel seemed to be feeling good!  After that we did walk to canter and then canter to walk.  For canter to walk I worked on my back staying loose and a very strong half halt.  Going left was interesting   I think he was getting tired and cantering that end he has been kicking the wall, so you would ask and he may do a couple strides, but then would start bucking.  It was fine once the scary thing of keeping him going was in order.  Going right, he was much better with walk to canter transitions!

5/4/13 practice

I rode Joey as a prep day for the show.  I worked on T-3 and really worked on "U" loops and accuracy for the geometry.  I also worked on the canter diagonal and being more persistent with my half halt to keep him going.  He was a good boy!

5/3/13 Lesson and Practice

For my lesson I rode Fiona.  We practiced T-3 and went over the "U" loop and the change of bend that needs to take place from q-line, then 4 strides or so on "X" then change back on q-line.  We also worked on the canter on the diagonal, then down transition to trot at "X".  It was a good lesson especially with Fi.  I rode Vincent for practice.  I practiced "U" loops and practiced my test.

4/27/13 Practice

I rode Joey for a practice.  I was doing night check anyway and it was sort of a make-up from yesterday with Fiona having a meltdown, which I never though would ever happen, to her coughing.  So I tried to work with stronger connection.  I also tried to drop my thighs down so I don't wiggle in my stirrups too much.  At some points he would get a little racy so I had to remind myself to slow my posts, but then he would back off too much if we went on a 20 meter, so I had to go to my seat to push him on.  He was very good!  Nice, warm day to ride!

4/26/13 Practice

I rode Fiona for my practice.  I was a beautiful night to ride, so Bryn said I could ride in the upper ring.  I ended up back in the indoor when she got spooky and then she was coughing a lot.  So i rode her on a looser rein.

4/24/13 Lesson

I rode Fiona and it went horrible...