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Lovely rides outside in January - perfect cure for the winter blues!

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Gadget and I are still plugging away at the basics and throwing in movements when he feels good. Working on the connection and making sure I don't drop the connection through transitions, corners, etc. has been a challenge and has really resulted in an improvement in his way of going. 

We had a break in the weather last weekend with temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s, so I was able to ride outside on Saturday and Sunday. Gadget and I are kindred spirits in our love of riding outdoors. He has been working well in the indoor, but he hasn't had a real pep in his step. Riding him in the large outdoor jumping arena made a huge difference! I have been working nearly exclusively in the snaffle, and I'm really amazed that I have so much more feel in it than I used to have. 

The first day outside, I was probably a little greedy wanting to work on everything that we could while I had Gadget's enthusiasm and the soft, moist footing. We warmed up focusing on connection and really getting him through his back by doing lots of circles, changes of direction, and transitions between and in the gaits. I then schooled some canter halfpasses, and really felt like I had room to make adjustments. To the right, his halfpasses feel pretty good, but the connection needs to get better. To the left, it's difficult for me to keep the bend and he really wants to collapse. Although both directions are definitely improving.

Worked on the tempi changes and they are really starting to come along. In my quest to the keep the connection, if I hold to much on the reins, he gets late in front -- with every single change. Lesson learned. Really focused on channeling an upper level rider's position and sitting up, sending him forward with the calf, soften with the fingers, release, and then begin the changes. He was much happier to not have me hold him together and we got some nice lines of changes. They are not perfect, but considering I really am figuring this out as I go along, I am THRILLED with the progress. 

I also played with pirouettes, and I think we are actually beginning to have a pirouette to the right. I have no idea what it looks like, but it feels awesome. To the left, not so much. I think this has something to do with not using my left leg correctly to get the bend and get him into the right rein. I think if I can solve my left bend issues, both the canter halfpass and pirouettes will get easier that direction.

On Sunday, I played with more trot work and tried to even think of some half steps. He really responds well to the whip tapping his croup, so I am going to try adding in the idea of small, rhythmic trot steps into my riding routine. I also played with the trot halfpass  and zigzag. He can do the movement, but the connection was fussy. I think I was blocking with my left hand. I'm going to really try to do some more work in the trot to improve the connection and add some "bounce" to the trot work.

Overall, I had two really fun rides and it really made me appreciate how far we both have come. Now that there is snow on the ground and it's 20 degrees, we will work in the indoor again, but I have renewed inspiration to keep plugging forward.
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