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He's a trooper

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On Thursday it was around 90 degrees, so I decided to wait until late evening to ride. It the perfect temperature and Gadget worked really well. I thought about lowering the neck and bring the hocks under to help keep Gadget round, but stepping up to the contact in the canter. Overall, I think it worked. I am mostly schooling on a 15-20 meter circle right now without much schooling of other movements. I am really focusing on keeping Gadget softer over the back and in the neck. Then by adding impulsion and activity from behind, I am hoping he will naturally come back up in the shoulders and neck.

As we schooled in the large jumping ring this evening, Gadget gave a jump with new decorations the evil eye. However, aside from giving it a sideways glance and bit of a sidestep the first time we passed it, Gadget never gave it another thought. It reminded me that at nearly every show we have attended this year, Gadget is mostly described as a "trooper" by me and my friends. We may not be the most talented pair, but I think it's obvious that Gadget is a good egg.

Warming up at GH June 2012.

 

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