July 16, 2014 Update

As this is mostly a training blog, there's not much to report as there is no real training going on. I started walking Gadget under saddle last week and I am working trot into each ride this week.

I will say that I am really trying to focus on keeping my back and hips loose and moving during our rides. I find that when I start working on lateral work (such as the shoulder-in at the walk), I tend to stop moving my hips. I need to find a way to keep my seat following in all movements.

I am also trying to retrain my hand position. I am not good about keeping my thumbs on top, and I also tend to keep too much contact on the left rein. I am making a conscious effort to ride thumbs up, elbows down, and hands even. I am also really trying to stay soft in the contact and make Gadget walk or trot up to it.

So while Gadget is getting better and building fitness slowly, I am going to try to focus on my position. Maybe we will both be improved by the end of this ordeal

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