May 1-2, 2015 Lessons with Kristin

Had another weekend of very insightful lessons. I rode Isaac Friday night briefly and he showed me how hard it is for me to keep my body aligned, because he quickly went crooked when I did.

Big takeaways from lessons on Gadget:

1. "Keep your basket to the outside." Kristin tells me to pretend I am pushing or holding a basket on my hands. In my mind, my basket is squarish. She will often tell me to take my basket to the outside and it helps me take both hands one direction. I really ride with too much bend to the inside and I need to learn this new feeling of straightness that feels almost counter bent.

2. "Look at the outside ear." This keeps me from twisting my chest to the inside. It's actually shocking how well it worked.

3. "Go and whoa." This is how I have to ride the canter. Quiet seat. Left hand up, not holding. This keeps him off his left shoulder. Right hand maintains connection. I have to go from leg and quickly put him together. But the half halt also has a lot of give when it's working well. This is so freaking hard.

4. "Whoa and go in walk pirouette." I need to take a step and think "whoa" to give a little half-halt. This lets us keep the movement from getting out of control.

5. "Sit quietly." When the canter and trot are correct, I can think of doing less with my core and sinking into my heels. I need to make him do the work.

6. "Shoulders forward in trot." I lean back in trot and I feel like I am leaning forward when I am actually sitting straight. Kenny has picked on me for the same thing.

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