Dressage Day by Day

Last year, I set the goals below for 2014. In looking them over, I actually am quite satisfied with our success in meeting these goals. Keep Gadget's back feeling good.  I think I have found a good combo of chiro, shoeing, saddle fit, and vet maintenance to prevent him from getting sore rather than waiting until he's in pain. Hopefully it works this year.   Well, it's officially the end of December, and his back has felt good all year! I honestly think keeping a lighter, more active contact is a big part of the equation. I'm so glad to have made this change in my riding! Continue improving Third Leve l. Last year was a great intro to third level, but I am finally learning to ride Gadget more uphill, which is improving everything. This year I want to try 3-2 and 3-3. The canter-halfpass is still tough for us, but it's looking better. I am going to work to fix things that are easy points -- halts, turn on the haunches, transitions, and good centerlines. I am goin

It has been so long since I have updated that it is hard to know where to begin. Before leaving for trial in October, I was really struggling with my rides. I finally had one good ride before taking Gadget to Kristin's where I was finally able to start to feel the rhythm for the 4's. After the trial, I took 3 lessons from Kristin on Gadget before bringing him home. He felt so amazing - so active, light, and round. Overall, I start him in the trot quite low and round. He needs to keep a god tempo, but not run. After trotting some circles and doing a little shoulder in, we move into a nice round canter for warm up. The key is to keep his shoulders up, but work on keeping him low and round in the contact. This requires short reins and forward hands that are active and playful. I need to constantly check not to pull back with my left rein. Also on circles, I need to readjust and lift my left side. My motto is not to get lost to the left. To the right, Gadget like to travel with