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!