May.28.10 xc lesson

Had a group xc lesson on Friday, there was about 4 or 5 in the group. Carino came out jazzed. Did not want to walk he just wanted to canter and bolt. We had good moments and bad. I was really frustrated because of the bolting and refusing. But he did eventually do everything. I just think his mind was a little all over the place which made mine do the same. Once he did the scary stuff he became VERY bold. Once we got him over it he was like oh okay, got it! The ditch is still the scariest for him. Takes him MANY tries, but he eventually was galloping and pulling me over it and then galloping up the hill to the bank. I think he just had some energy because the next day I went through my dressage test and he was dead quite, not a spook, super relaxed, did everything I told him too and rode the test perfect. Just needed to get that energy out before the show I guess.

Wed.May.26.10

Thought it would be a good idea to start writing about my lessons.

I hopped in a group lesson with Emily on Wednesday. It was very hot out, Carino and I were sweating before we were even tacked up. We rode in the indoor because both Emily and I needed the letters to practice our test. Erin let us do our own warm up which was good practice for the rally on Sunday where It will be left to me. I worked on lose trot at first like always, picked him up a little, did some transitions then did shoulder in and leg yield off the wall at the walk to get him straighter and listening more. I then worked on the trot and cantered a little. However, just couldn't get the push and search for the bridle. I tried everything and still nothing, so i began to get frustrated. Erin stepped in and helped a little and we did transitions and trying to get that extra umhp and push. Emily did her test and then I did my first test, Training 1. It was pretty decent. Then Emily did her test again and then I did Training 3, this time was better. I need to work on center lines in warm up to get a feel of his haunches since he tends to throw them to the right. I also need to work on TRANSITIONS since they are a little abrupt. Also, not focus on him so much that I forget the correctness of my circles. One of the problems I'm having with him especially in a test is that you have to ride him differently depending on what direction he is traveling. To the left we have to think shoulder forward especially after canter and down the long side because it helps straighten him out. To the right I have to keep him very straight in the neck which helps his body stay straight since he automatically wants to bend to the right and ends up over bending.

XC schooling tomorrow and dressage rally on Sunday!