A month after working with Michael, I had a clinic with Kenny -- my first since riding with him in May. As usual, Kenny has a way of getting the best out of me and Gadget.
In a weekend crammed with holiday parties, I was determined to make this clinic. So Gadget and I loaded up in the early hours of the morning and hauled to Timber Ridge for a 9:30 lesson. It was 65 degrees at 9:30 -- absolutely gorgeous! We rode outside and Gadget started out lethargic. However, he revved up after doing some gear changes. This included working on extended trot, which turned out amazing.
EXTENDED TROT
On the longside and diagonal, I would ask for some lengthened steps, then leg yield either way a few steps, then lengthen again. The first few attempts looked fairly average. But once Gadget understood the exercise, he started really using his whole body and really getting some suspension in the trot. They were the best extended trots I've ever had!
Kenny also reminded me to keep my seat as quiet as possible. This goes back to my comments from a judge from the Mid-Ohio show. When I really plugged in my seat, but staying snug through my things, it quieted my seat, belly, and elbows. I grew taller and actually sat the trot. It takes strength, and I am working to ride more like this all of the time.
TEMPI CHANGES
We worked on some single changes all over the ring and Gadget was feeling a bit frisky in the changes. The slightest push with the leg and he offered changes. So we worked through some counter canter and got him thinking to wait a bit. After this was successful, we worked on some lines of 4s. Gadget would give me 4, 4, 3. This was consistent. Kenny finally told me my leg was moving too early. I didn't really think anything of it. We changed direction, and the same thing happened. Finally, Kenny started counting out loud and it turns out that I really was moving my leg after the third change and before the fourth. After the verbal cuing, I gave the aid at the correct time and got my line of 4s! Yay! Still lots of work to do in these changes, but they are starting to come together.
PIROUETTES
And the most exciting news is that we schooled true quarter and half pirouettes!! We schooled walk pirouettes, keeping them quick, with the haunches controlled. We schooled the quarter pirouettes as they are set up in the 4-2 test with a quarter pirouette in a "v" shape from diagonal to diagonal. Kenny had me think about the outside rein to keep Gadget's neck softer. If it took a moment of counter-flexing to get the softness, that was fine.
We moved on to schooling on the diagonal, by schooling a pirouette to turn down centerline -- not quite a half pirouette. On the second day, we actually schooled the half pirouette, and I was pleased to hear the Kenny said Gadget shortens his stride well, so now it is keeping him jumping through the pirouette. Since they are so green, I am to keep them big. He need to know they must stay active.
To the left, Gadget shortens very well, but does not turn well. I need to open the inside rein, and push him over. He must learn to turn. To the right, he turns much better. I must not hold too much on the left rein, and must lift on the inside right rein to keep him up and bring him around. This was so much fun! And so exciting to finally get a feel for these!
Kenny said that we should make it a goal to ride a PSG by the end of the season!!! SQUEE!!! He said that out changes are looking much better, and that he thinks we will like the PSG more than 4-3. He also said we may be doing 4th and PSG at the same time. I'm not really sure what that will look like, but I can't wait to find out!!!
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