I started this blog thinking that if I could chronicle my rides, I could go back and read what works and what doesn't. What I am learning is that what works one month or week, may not be the same approach the next day. And maybe that is a more important lesson for me.
Gadget is becoming more and more fun to ride as we figure out some of this collection in the canter. I really can't believe how much we have progressed over the summer. The thought of competing at fourth level with him NEVER occurred to me previously. I really thought that third level was a lofty goal. So the fact that I am now thinking about fourth level with Gadget is exciting.
I am trying to do a longer warmup with lots of long and low and very forward work a la the 2012 Bent clinic. I bend him around my inside leg, push him a little sideways, and give him even more rein on the inside so he stretches. The key to the stretching warm up is to get him moving forward so he actually loosens his back.
I have also been making a vey conscious effort not to get stuck with my left hand. I am riding more an more with either more active left rein or making an effort to have super light contact on the left rein. Gadget was very happy about this yesterday.
Gadget typically likes a good bit of contact in the snaffle, but yesterday he really collected in the canter and did not want that solid connection. He would get very fussy when I tried to take a more solid connection, so I kept it light and he stayed beautifully round. I think he will eventually let me take more contact, but he is still working so hard to keep this active, collected canter that I think he does not want me to disrupt his balance with the reins. Canter halfpass to the left and right felt good yesterday. YES! This may be a first as usually I can get it one way and not the other.
His changes are getting so reactive that I barely have to slide my leg now to get the change on the diagonal. Super cool.
I am having so much fun and can't wait for my next clinic with Ryan.
Gadget is becoming more and more fun to ride as we figure out some of this collection in the canter. I really can't believe how much we have progressed over the summer. The thought of competing at fourth level with him NEVER occurred to me previously. I really thought that third level was a lofty goal. So the fact that I am now thinking about fourth level with Gadget is exciting.
I am trying to do a longer warmup with lots of long and low and very forward work a la the 2012 Bent clinic. I bend him around my inside leg, push him a little sideways, and give him even more rein on the inside so he stretches. The key to the stretching warm up is to get him moving forward so he actually loosens his back.
I have also been making a vey conscious effort not to get stuck with my left hand. I am riding more an more with either more active left rein or making an effort to have super light contact on the left rein. Gadget was very happy about this yesterday.
Gadget typically likes a good bit of contact in the snaffle, but yesterday he really collected in the canter and did not want that solid connection. He would get very fussy when I tried to take a more solid connection, so I kept it light and he stayed beautifully round. I think he will eventually let me take more contact, but he is still working so hard to keep this active, collected canter that I think he does not want me to disrupt his balance with the reins. Canter halfpass to the left and right felt good yesterday. YES! This may be a first as usually I can get it one way and not the other.
His changes are getting so reactive that I barely have to slide my leg now to get the change on the diagonal. Super cool.
I am having so much fun and can't wait for my next clinic with Ryan.
Comments
Post a Comment