Show Jitters - They Can Make or Break You
Show Jitters.
Read More...
Dressage-Academy.com is dedicated to expanding public knowledge of the magnificent sport of dressage by integrating modern-day technology, information and training tactics with classical dressage principles for the betterment of the human/equine interaction, as well as the sport of dressage. To learn more visit www.dressage-academy.com.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Coping with Show Jitters for Dressage Riders
Check out our July Newsletter Online
Show Jitters - They Can Make or Break You
Picture this… It’s the big day. As you tack up your horse, a rush of nerves comes flooding in. What if, I forget my test? What if my horse spooks? What if…? You mount up and head out to the practice ring. You feel sick to your stomach and you begin to question your decision to enter a show. Your test time approaches and you make your way to the show arena. As you ride the perimeter of the show arena, you hear the bell ring. Your heart begins to race, your palms become clammy and your mind goes blank. What is going on?
Show Jitters.
Read More...
Show Jitters - They Can Make or Break You
Show Jitters.
Read More...
Monday, April 16, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Quote for the day.
"Talk to a dreamer and get caught up in the excitement. Sit on a fabulous horse and dream about having a horse of such quality to ride. Go to the big shows. Watch the great riders and dare to think... That could be me.: - Jane Savoie, That Winning Feeling!
May we all dare to dream.
May we all dare to dream.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Amazing Musical Freestyle
Simply Amazing...Loved watching this musical freestyle. http://youtu.be/zKQgTiqhPbw
Sunday, January 8, 2012
2012 stallion licensing
20 colts pass first viewing for 2012 Danish Warmblood Stallion licensing. Check it out here.
World Dressage Masters Info
Here's information on the 2012 World Dressage Masters in Palm Beach. Click Here
Sunday, November 27, 2011
November 2011 Hoof Beats Newsletter now available
I've been away from our blog for a while. So sorry to those following. Good news though... Back to 100% and ready to start posting again.
Dressage Academy's November Newsletter is now available online. It discussing some ways to include your favorite 4-legged companion in your holiday festivities. In the moves discusses Trot - Walk - Trot transitions. Check it out online
Thanks for your patience. More coming shortly...
Dressage Academy's November Newsletter is now available online. It discussing some ways to include your favorite 4-legged companion in your holiday festivities. In the moves discusses Trot - Walk - Trot transitions. Check it out online
Thanks for your patience. More coming shortly...
Thursday, September 1, 2011
2011 First Level Tests and Videos
2011 First Level tests and videos are now online. Take a look at First Level Dressage.
Monday, August 29, 2011
New 2011 tests and videos
Update: 2011 Training Level tests and videos are now on the site. Check them out at Training Level Dressage.
2011 Introductory Level tests and videos are not on the site also. Check them out at Introductory Level Dressage.
More updates to come soon.
2011 Introductory Level tests and videos are not on the site also. Check them out at Introductory Level Dressage.
More updates to come soon.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Toby Update
Ok. So I've been a bad blogger lately. Toby and I have been working really hard. And I have been working a total of 5-6 different horses for the past couple of months. That has left little time for blogging. So sorry.
But here is the latest on Toby. We have been working diligently on his relaxation. He has become really consistent and the spooking has become minimal, if at all. Yay!!
So we did a schooling show to see if the work in our practice sessions was legit... Guess what, it was!!! We did Training level tests 1 and 2. He scored 71.66 and 69.28 respectively. Go Toby!
Well, I'm off to the barn. More to come soon. Happy riding.
But here is the latest on Toby. We have been working diligently on his relaxation. He has become really consistent and the spooking has become minimal, if at all. Yay!!
So we did a schooling show to see if the work in our practice sessions was legit... Guess what, it was!!! We did Training level tests 1 and 2. He scored 71.66 and 69.28 respectively. Go Toby!
Well, I'm off to the barn. More to come soon. Happy riding.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Last day for the week
Saturday I was anxious to see how our bonding would affect our ride. Toby seemed excited to see me again.
We went into the arena just as the neighbors took up target shooting practice. "Oh, this should be FUN." LOL. You can imagine how amazed I was when Toby didn't even react. HMMMMM, we really must be on to something.
Again, I didn't want to push Toby too hard because he had been going so well. We warmed up and again he was really relaxed. I climbed aboard and off we went.
We leg yielded, we serpentined, we halted, we troted, we extended, we collected. Please don't let it end. THIS IS AWESOME!!!
Again, I tried to focus on staying relaxed and not using my hands excessively. It was working. My hands were better, my seat and legs were nore effective and Toby was responding in kind.
My instructor had another lesson with a young rider for the last 1/2 of our ride. The rider and pony we trotting around us complete with a some spooking. Toby didn't seem to notice. He was focused on the task at hand and never faltered. WOW!! Go Toby.
I asked him to canter on the 20 meter circle and we were absolutely floating. It was so nice, in fact, that my instructor enthusiastically commented on how nice he looked from across the arena while still instructor her other student. I think she was as pleased as I was with how well he was doing.
We are done for the week. And what a week it was. Lesson learned: You CAN actually be extremely effective with your seat and legs. I also learned that Toby does much better when he works more consistenly. He is really intelligent and needs to exercise his brain frequently to maintain his sanity.
Hopefully, the progress will continue. More to follow soon.
We went into the arena just as the neighbors took up target shooting practice. "Oh, this should be FUN." LOL. You can imagine how amazed I was when Toby didn't even react. HMMMMM, we really must be on to something.
Again, I didn't want to push Toby too hard because he had been going so well. We warmed up and again he was really relaxed. I climbed aboard and off we went.
We leg yielded, we serpentined, we halted, we troted, we extended, we collected. Please don't let it end. THIS IS AWESOME!!!
Again, I tried to focus on staying relaxed and not using my hands excessively. It was working. My hands were better, my seat and legs were nore effective and Toby was responding in kind.
My instructor had another lesson with a young rider for the last 1/2 of our ride. The rider and pony we trotting around us complete with a some spooking. Toby didn't seem to notice. He was focused on the task at hand and never faltered. WOW!! Go Toby.
I asked him to canter on the 20 meter circle and we were absolutely floating. It was so nice, in fact, that my instructor enthusiastically commented on how nice he looked from across the arena while still instructor her other student. I think she was as pleased as I was with how well he was doing.
We are done for the week. And what a week it was. Lesson learned: You CAN actually be extremely effective with your seat and legs. I also learned that Toby does much better when he works more consistenly. He is really intelligent and needs to exercise his brain frequently to maintain his sanity.
Hopefully, the progress will continue. More to follow soon.
You're back...
I showed up at the barn on Thursday. Toby looked totally shocked. Three days in a row. Are you kidding? My goals today... more work on seat, legs and hands, better half halts and balace at the canter.
I tacked Toby up and away we went. I'm sure he was feeling the same way I was. Who's dumb idea was it to ride some many times this week. "I promise we are not going to work too hard today buddy."
We walked around for about 10 - 15 minutes before moving on to the trot. In the trot, Toby was very sluggish. He didn't want to move forward in his normal ground covering trot, but he at least tried. We did our normal warm up and attempted some 3-loop serpentines. Toby was pretty tried and more than willing to maintain his slow but consistent rhythm. We changed rein with each loop and he willing responded.
Note to self: "Tired Toby = No fits. HMMMMMM. Could we be on to something? I think so.
We cantered with quite a bit of encouragement from my seat and legs. Today was definitely not the day to be heavy handed. I shifted my attention to my aids. His canter was nice and rhythmical, well balanced and deep in the corners. Oh my goodness. This is awesome!!!! He is incredible.
While this may be a little step for most, this is MAJOR progress for us. I think we may have moved into a new realm. It only took 3 consecutive days of riding, but we have a relaxed and happy horse.
I went out to see Toby on Friday. I think his face dropped. I'm pretty sure he was thinking, "You have GOT to be kidding me. We have to do this AGAIN."
Instead of riding, I took Toby into the indoor and turned him loose. He just stood there and looked at me like I was nuts. Then he took off across the arena kicking up his heels all the way. He pranced around and launched himself into the air with all 4 feet. We played for about 15 minutes and did some bonding. I itched all of his itchy spots and he nuzzled me back. It was so much fun. After our play time, I took Toby out to the cross ties and groomed him. Treats and back to the stall we went. As I was getting ready to leave, Toby came over, bright eyed and happy, to nuzzle my neck as if to say "Wow, that was fun. Thanks for playing." I patted his neck and told him I would see him again on Saturday.
I tacked Toby up and away we went. I'm sure he was feeling the same way I was. Who's dumb idea was it to ride some many times this week. "I promise we are not going to work too hard today buddy."
We walked around for about 10 - 15 minutes before moving on to the trot. In the trot, Toby was very sluggish. He didn't want to move forward in his normal ground covering trot, but he at least tried. We did our normal warm up and attempted some 3-loop serpentines. Toby was pretty tried and more than willing to maintain his slow but consistent rhythm. We changed rein with each loop and he willing responded.
Note to self: "Tired Toby = No fits. HMMMMMM. Could we be on to something? I think so.
We cantered with quite a bit of encouragement from my seat and legs. Today was definitely not the day to be heavy handed. I shifted my attention to my aids. His canter was nice and rhythmical, well balanced and deep in the corners. Oh my goodness. This is awesome!!!! He is incredible.
While this may be a little step for most, this is MAJOR progress for us. I think we may have moved into a new realm. It only took 3 consecutive days of riding, but we have a relaxed and happy horse.
I went out to see Toby on Friday. I think his face dropped. I'm pretty sure he was thinking, "You have GOT to be kidding me. We have to do this AGAIN."
Instead of riding, I took Toby into the indoor and turned him loose. He just stood there and looked at me like I was nuts. Then he took off across the arena kicking up his heels all the way. He pranced around and launched himself into the air with all 4 feet. We played for about 15 minutes and did some bonding. I itched all of his itchy spots and he nuzzled me back. It was so much fun. After our play time, I took Toby out to the cross ties and groomed him. Treats and back to the stall we went. As I was getting ready to leave, Toby came over, bright eyed and happy, to nuzzle my neck as if to say "Wow, that was fun. Thanks for playing." I patted his neck and told him I would see him again on Saturday.
Wednesday and all is well
After our lesson on Tuesday, I decided that I needed to work on my half halts. My biggest problem is using too much hand and not enough seat and legs. While this is not always the case, I have for some reverted back to this recently. The problem is that Toby already likes to evade the contact and my hands being too strong does not help that at all.
I rode on Wednesday and Thursday with my primary focus being my seat, legs and hands. On Wednesday, we continued working on our leg yields along the wall and from centerline. With my new focus, Toby seemed much more willing to oblige my request and gracefully moved away from my legs (of course better to the right than left, but much improved in both directions).
Amazing, use your body correctly and the rest falls in place. What a novel concept. It can't be this easy.
We moved on to some halt, trot, halt transitions. Again focusing on using my seat and legs more and my hands less. Again, Toby willingly responded while staying on the contact and not throwing his head like he had been.
Hmmmmmm, could I be causing his head throwing? That's it. He tells on me when my hands are too strong. Wouldn't you protest if someone yanked on your mouth with a hard metal thing. Not like I didn't already know this, but apparently I needed a brick wall dropped on my head.
We did some canter work. More seat and legs + less hands = nice transition/no head throwing. Awesome. We'll call it a day. Good Boy Toby. Thank you for your patience. You're the best.
I rode on Wednesday and Thursday with my primary focus being my seat, legs and hands. On Wednesday, we continued working on our leg yields along the wall and from centerline. With my new focus, Toby seemed much more willing to oblige my request and gracefully moved away from my legs (of course better to the right than left, but much improved in both directions).
Amazing, use your body correctly and the rest falls in place. What a novel concept. It can't be this easy.
We moved on to some halt, trot, halt transitions. Again focusing on using my seat and legs more and my hands less. Again, Toby willingly responded while staying on the contact and not throwing his head like he had been.
Hmmmmmm, could I be causing his head throwing? That's it. He tells on me when my hands are too strong. Wouldn't you protest if someone yanked on your mouth with a hard metal thing. Not like I didn't already know this, but apparently I needed a brick wall dropped on my head.
We did some canter work. More seat and legs + less hands = nice transition/no head throwing. Awesome. We'll call it a day. Good Boy Toby. Thank you for your patience. You're the best.
More positives
I think we may have stumbled onto something with Toby. Now that the weather has broken, I have been able to go out to the barn more. I was able to ride Toby 4 days this week.
On Tuesday, things went well. We worked on maintaining our rhythm while in a relaxed frame. He leg yielded along the wall in both directions without much trouble. He did, however, start showing that he does not like tracking left. We are working to supple that side. After some additional leg yields, we moved on to tracking straight and lengthening our stride on the long sides and collection in the cornes and along the short side. He willingly moved forward when asked without falling on his forehand. When asked to come back, he also maintained the contact without much fuss.
We moved onto the canter and he was definitely willing to move forward at that point. We did have a little trouble balancing while cantering, but overall not bad and no bucking in the depart. During the canter, my half halts were too strong and Toby broke. He did willing pick the canter up again though and we moved on. We did a decent downward transition to the trot and some nice extensions following. He was really relaxed and willing, so I was thrilled. This was all to the right.
Half circle reverse and now we are going to our bad side. I really hate that we are having so much trouble this direction, but practice makes perfect. Right? LOL.
Tracking left was better this time. We used the whole arena and managed to maintain our balance a little better. Unfortunately, my half halts didn't get much better this way. He tried to accomodate my request but I was too strong and he threw his head and we lost our balance for a few strides. We were able to re-group and end our canter work on a positive. We finished our lesson with a small stretch down circle. Toby was willing to take the contact and stretch a little. A major step for him.
On Tuesday, things went well. We worked on maintaining our rhythm while in a relaxed frame. He leg yielded along the wall in both directions without much trouble. He did, however, start showing that he does not like tracking left. We are working to supple that side. After some additional leg yields, we moved on to tracking straight and lengthening our stride on the long sides and collection in the cornes and along the short side. He willingly moved forward when asked without falling on his forehand. When asked to come back, he also maintained the contact without much fuss.
We moved onto the canter and he was definitely willing to move forward at that point. We did have a little trouble balancing while cantering, but overall not bad and no bucking in the depart. During the canter, my half halts were too strong and Toby broke. He did willing pick the canter up again though and we moved on. We did a decent downward transition to the trot and some nice extensions following. He was really relaxed and willing, so I was thrilled. This was all to the right.
Half circle reverse and now we are going to our bad side. I really hate that we are having so much trouble this direction, but practice makes perfect. Right? LOL.
Tracking left was better this time. We used the whole arena and managed to maintain our balance a little better. Unfortunately, my half halts didn't get much better this way. He tried to accomodate my request but I was too strong and he threw his head and we lost our balance for a few strides. We were able to re-group and end our canter work on a positive. We finished our lesson with a small stretch down circle. Toby was willing to take the contact and stretch a little. A major step for him.
Fresh Start
We continued our progress on Saturday (4/2). Toby and I worked on more leg yielding. We did some trot, halt, trot transitions. Toby stayed on the contact without pulling on me. We did a little canter work and called it a day.
I wanted to reward him for his hard work. Another day down and progress being made.
I wanted to reward him for his hard work. Another day down and progress being made.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Another good day
Today, I came to the barn with a new found confidence. Since I rode yesterday without my instructor, I hoped today's lesson would be equally as good. I explained to my instructor what we had worked on it yesterday and the results that I had with my "Good Boy's" and psychological support. She seemed interested in seeing how this effected Toby.
We started by lunging, but Toby wasn't too excited. We started riding. I spent a little more time working at the walk than normal because I needed to loosen up myself. After our warm up, we started in the rising trot. Again, Toby was relaxed and moving rhythmically. We even managed to travel across the diagonal to change rein without losing rhythm. "Good Boy."
Are you kidding me? 2 days in a row. This is Waaaay Coool.
Laura (my riding instructor) wanted to see our leg yields on the center line. Our last attempt with her was not the greatest. We went down the long side and turned onto the center line. Toby was straight almost immediately, so I asked for the leg yield (albeit in the wrong direction). He willingly obliged my request. It was a little disjointed, but it was better than before. We continued leg yielding. Every leg yield got a little better. On our last attempt, we made it from the center line to just past the quarter line without losing rhythm. WONDERFUL!! GOOD BOY TOBY!
Another horse joined us in the arena towards the end of our lesson. Toby didn't even seem to care. A large chunk of ice fell off the roof of the arena and crashed outside. Toby didn't seem to care.
Was this really the same horse?
Could he really be this calm right now?
This was amazing. I couldn't contain my excitement anymore. I patted him lovingly and told him what a wonderful boy he was being.
We finished our lesson with some canter work on the 20 meter circle with no trouble. Complete with another horse lunging at the other end of the arena.
I have vowed to Toby that I would not leave him hanging psychologically anymore. Toby is the type of horse that will give everything he has to make his human happy. I happen to be that human. Laura has repeatedly told me that I am the only person that Toby will allow to ride him. That I am his human. I need to take that role seriously. From this day on, Toby will be praised for his good work. For his commitment and for his heart. Here's to understanding.
We started by lunging, but Toby wasn't too excited. We started riding. I spent a little more time working at the walk than normal because I needed to loosen up myself. After our warm up, we started in the rising trot. Again, Toby was relaxed and moving rhythmically. We even managed to travel across the diagonal to change rein without losing rhythm. "Good Boy."
Are you kidding me? 2 days in a row. This is Waaaay Coool.
Laura (my riding instructor) wanted to see our leg yields on the center line. Our last attempt with her was not the greatest. We went down the long side and turned onto the center line. Toby was straight almost immediately, so I asked for the leg yield (albeit in the wrong direction). He willingly obliged my request. It was a little disjointed, but it was better than before. We continued leg yielding. Every leg yield got a little better. On our last attempt, we made it from the center line to just past the quarter line without losing rhythm. WONDERFUL!! GOOD BOY TOBY!
Another horse joined us in the arena towards the end of our lesson. Toby didn't even seem to care. A large chunk of ice fell off the roof of the arena and crashed outside. Toby didn't seem to care.
Was this really the same horse?
Could he really be this calm right now?
This was amazing. I couldn't contain my excitement anymore. I patted him lovingly and told him what a wonderful boy he was being.
We finished our lesson with some canter work on the 20 meter circle with no trouble. Complete with another horse lunging at the other end of the arena.
I have vowed to Toby that I would not leave him hanging psychologically anymore. Toby is the type of horse that will give everything he has to make his human happy. I happen to be that human. Laura has repeatedly told me that I am the only person that Toby will allow to ride him. That I am his human. I need to take that role seriously. From this day on, Toby will be praised for his good work. For his commitment and for his heart. Here's to understanding.
An Epiphany
Have you ever hit a block with your horse that you just weren't sure how you were going to overcome? Well, I had hit that point with Toby. How were we going to get past his canter depart issues? And the trouble with his erratic mental state.
Ok, I've been riding Toby for almost 11 months. During that time, I have also been transitioning from the hunter world to Dressage. As a result, my focus has been on my riding skills and style.
After my mishap and vaulting experience last week and a week long layoff due to life getting in the way, I came to the realization that I have been focusing waaaaaay to too much on myself and not enough on my horse. So, when I returned to ride Toby yesterday, I took a different approach. Instead of worrying so much about putting this hand here and that hand there and this foot this way and the other that way, I decided to ride the way I know that I can and let the rest just fall into place. Surprisingly, it did.
Epiphany!! I was so worried about being perfect myself that I neglected to give Toby the psychological support that he needed. As a result, Toby willingly gave all of himself - sometimes exurburantly. Today, he was a calm and steady mount despite being in his stall for over a week.
We did our usual leg yields along the wall with ease. I even asked him for a leg yields on center line and much to my surprise he did it. And did it well. We did some trot, halt, trot transitions while maintaining contact. And turns on the forehand were not a fight. Yay!! It is truly amazing what a "Good Boy" and a pat on the neck will do.
My confidence was soaring. And apparently, so was Toby's. Before we finished, we had just one more demon to exorcise - Canter departs. Toby and I started at a nice rhythmical trot on the 20 meter circle. I sat a few strides, moved my outside foot back slightly, said a quick prayer and asked for the canter. WOW!!! A beautiful canter depart and well balanced canter. We moved to the rail and stayed upright in the corners. AWESOME!! Another pat and "Good Boy" and we were ready for the other side. Would it be a repeat of last week, now that he knows what we're doing? NOT ON YOUR LIFE. Toby again stepped right into the canter with no protest. WOO HOO. We are finished for the day with a giant hug, pat and "GOOOOOD BOY."
Ok, I've been riding Toby for almost 11 months. During that time, I have also been transitioning from the hunter world to Dressage. As a result, my focus has been on my riding skills and style.
After my mishap and vaulting experience last week and a week long layoff due to life getting in the way, I came to the realization that I have been focusing waaaaaay to too much on myself and not enough on my horse. So, when I returned to ride Toby yesterday, I took a different approach. Instead of worrying so much about putting this hand here and that hand there and this foot this way and the other that way, I decided to ride the way I know that I can and let the rest just fall into place. Surprisingly, it did.
Epiphany!! I was so worried about being perfect myself that I neglected to give Toby the psychological support that he needed. As a result, Toby willingly gave all of himself - sometimes exurburantly. Today, he was a calm and steady mount despite being in his stall for over a week.
We did our usual leg yields along the wall with ease. I even asked him for a leg yields on center line and much to my surprise he did it. And did it well. We did some trot, halt, trot transitions while maintaining contact. And turns on the forehand were not a fight. Yay!! It is truly amazing what a "Good Boy" and a pat on the neck will do.
My confidence was soaring. And apparently, so was Toby's. Before we finished, we had just one more demon to exorcise - Canter departs. Toby and I started at a nice rhythmical trot on the 20 meter circle. I sat a few strides, moved my outside foot back slightly, said a quick prayer and asked for the canter. WOW!!! A beautiful canter depart and well balanced canter. We moved to the rail and stayed upright in the corners. AWESOME!! Another pat and "Good Boy" and we were ready for the other side. Would it be a repeat of last week, now that he knows what we're doing? NOT ON YOUR LIFE. Toby again stepped right into the canter with no protest. WOO HOO. We are finished for the day with a giant hug, pat and "GOOOOOD BOY."
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Lunging for fun and profit
Yesterday was my first day back to the barn in about a week. Due to some conflicts and limited time, I didn't have time to ride Toby. I got him out and got him ready to lunge. We were able to go into the outdoor arena. He started out really forward in the trot, but things went pretty well.
He started to canter and spooked himself. Obviously, this wasn't going to go much better than our ride last Thursday. I ended up having to bring him in on a 10 meter circle before he would stop cantering.
After we lunged both directions, we spent some bonding time walking around the outdoor. He did relax and seemed to really enjoy it. Hopefully, our ride tomorrow will be better than the last.
He started to canter and spooked himself. Obviously, this wasn't going to go much better than our ride last Thursday. I ended up having to bring him in on a 10 meter circle before he would stop cantering.
After we lunged both directions, we spent some bonding time walking around the outdoor. He did relax and seemed to really enjoy it. Hopefully, our ride tomorrow will be better than the last.
New Career - Vaulting
After another 2 absolutely amazing lessons on Toby, we had a back slide. Things continued going well after my last post until our last ride. We finally had some warmer weather. Consequently, Tobs was feeling really, really good. We started our lessons with several transitions in the leg yield from walk to trot. Everything was going well, but he was a little tense. We started the canter work with a buck or two and a really nice flying change (totally by accident of course).
Trot transition, re-group, canter depart. Much better.
Well, we got through the right lead complete with a few "ride 'em cowgirl" comments from my riding instructor. Now, we are ready to reverse.
The left lead canter was not so good. I asked for the canter depart and received a very energetic series of bucks. I sat the first ok, but on the second I became too un-balanced to hang on. Of course, we were heading into the corner of the arena when this happened. I bailed into the corner with quite a bit of hang time (17 plus hands is a long way up. LOL). Miraculously, I landed on my feet and was able to stay below the flying hooves.
Apparently, my vaulting skills were quite impressive, because my instructor said that I could head up her vaulting team if she starts one.
I re-grouped on the way back to the mounting block and climbed back on. We spent the next 20 minutes on the lunge line doing trot canter trot transitions. We only managed to get one clean canter transition without a buck in that time. UUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!
We called it a day with only one clean canter depart.
Surprisingly, I wasn't that sore afterwards. Just extremely frustrated with the way Toby acted. I'm hoping that we can pull through Toby's little Diva-tude. It is so frustrating that he has the talent and physical ability to go so far, but his mental state is not there yet. Will ever get the Relaxation part of the training pyramid? Time will tell.
Trot transition, re-group, canter depart. Much better.
Well, we got through the right lead complete with a few "ride 'em cowgirl" comments from my riding instructor. Now, we are ready to reverse.
The left lead canter was not so good. I asked for the canter depart and received a very energetic series of bucks. I sat the first ok, but on the second I became too un-balanced to hang on. Of course, we were heading into the corner of the arena when this happened. I bailed into the corner with quite a bit of hang time (17 plus hands is a long way up. LOL). Miraculously, I landed on my feet and was able to stay below the flying hooves.
Apparently, my vaulting skills were quite impressive, because my instructor said that I could head up her vaulting team if she starts one.
I re-grouped on the way back to the mounting block and climbed back on. We spent the next 20 minutes on the lunge line doing trot canter trot transitions. We only managed to get one clean canter transition without a buck in that time. UUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!
We called it a day with only one clean canter depart.
Surprisingly, I wasn't that sore afterwards. Just extremely frustrated with the way Toby acted. I'm hoping that we can pull through Toby's little Diva-tude. It is so frustrating that he has the talent and physical ability to go so far, but his mental state is not there yet. Will ever get the Relaxation part of the training pyramid? Time will tell.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Dressage Academy Newsletter is live
Dressage Academy's February 2011 newsletter is now online. Check it out here
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)