Dressage Day by Day

This past weekend, I rode with Kenny again. He has such a great skill of communicating things in a simple and understandable way. He also gives constant feedback through an exercise, so I can feel when something is going well or not. Love him! Gadget felt great this time. I have really been working on doing lots of long and low in my rides to strengthen and loosen his back. I think it is making a difference. Kenny remarked that he seemed much looser and swinging in his movement. Success! Kenny also said I have made great improvement in my position-- sitting up and with the movement. Yay! Also, one of the highlights from the clinic was that I actually did two flying changes on one centerline. The right to left change was late, but we're working on fixing that. I was still totally over the moon! Now, here are the teaching highlights from my lessons: Position: Must continue to stay sitting up and keeping my chest up. Need to work on keeping my knees and thighs on ...

It's been such a long time since I posted that I don't know where to begin. Work has been all consuming over the last couple months, so Gadget has had very light work. In mid-February I rode with Kenny again in a 2 day clinic. It was extremely helpful. One of the most important points he made was that I need to sit UP. I tend to bit on the back of my seat with my shoulders behind the motion in a constant driving seat. I am trying to be more conscious of sitting up and staying with the horse. Walk I was warned not to chase the walk. Gadget has a nice natural walk.  I need to let my legs hang and if Gadget gets a bit slow, give him one good kick, then leave him alone. Trot Get him more energized by trotting longside, walk in corner, and turn on the forehand by really swinging his haunches, then immediately trot the same long side. Gadget loved this. Lengthening think of actually bumping his nose up and out -- do not let him lean! Then use legs further back, and ask ...