Work has picked up for me with more traveling lately, so Gadget has not had the daily, consistent work that I would like. However, the little bit of down time seems to have come at the right time. My last few rides have felt really good. Maybe he needed a few days off.
I am finding a collected canter that feels strong, 3-beat, and balanced. I usually find it toward the end of the ride when I begin to really sit in and use more upward-thinking half-halts on a small circle. I am flexing softly left-right to unlock his jaw, then asking him to step up. He is staying soft in the neck and maintaing a nice canter rhythm. With more strength, this may be the collected canter I need for 2nd level. I'm interested to get Ryan's feedback in a couple weeks.
The weather was crisp and beautiful today, so I rode in the jumping arena outside today. After warming up lightly in all three gaits, I started asking for flying changes while changing directions in different places. Gadget gave me some lovely changes from left to right, and the changes were better from right to left. However, the right to left changes have a tendency to be late behind. This has something to do with the straightness and position of the shoulders. I can get clean right to left changes from renver in counter-canter, but it's more of a production from renver. I am beginning to have more control in the canter of both his shoulders and haunches, so I think this is something I can fix. I remember Bent showing another rider a bit of legyield in canter before asking for the change, so I may need to try that.
The trot felt solid today. He felt light and responsive. Hopefully the dressage ring will be dry enough tomorrow to work on some lateral work in trot and canter.
I am finding a collected canter that feels strong, 3-beat, and balanced. I usually find it toward the end of the ride when I begin to really sit in and use more upward-thinking half-halts on a small circle. I am flexing softly left-right to unlock his jaw, then asking him to step up. He is staying soft in the neck and maintaing a nice canter rhythm. With more strength, this may be the collected canter I need for 2nd level. I'm interested to get Ryan's feedback in a couple weeks.
The weather was crisp and beautiful today, so I rode in the jumping arena outside today. After warming up lightly in all three gaits, I started asking for flying changes while changing directions in different places. Gadget gave me some lovely changes from left to right, and the changes were better from right to left. However, the right to left changes have a tendency to be late behind. This has something to do with the straightness and position of the shoulders. I can get clean right to left changes from renver in counter-canter, but it's more of a production from renver. I am beginning to have more control in the canter of both his shoulders and haunches, so I think this is something I can fix. I remember Bent showing another rider a bit of legyield in canter before asking for the change, so I may need to try that.
The trot felt solid today. He felt light and responsive. Hopefully the dressage ring will be dry enough tomorrow to work on some lateral work in trot and canter.
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