It's been so long since I have updated this blog!
As a bit of an update, I finally ventured out and tried 4-2 and 4-3. The tempis are still a bit of a crapshoot due to my timing, but overall, both tests are totally doable for me and Gadget.
I have been having really amazing clinics with Ryan Yap. He has really helped me simplify my aids and make Gadget sharper. After a little basic stretching warm-up, we move into tons of quick transitions, in which he must given me an immediate reaction. It doesn't have to be the correct answer (if he canters instead of trotting, he still gets a "good boy!"), but he must give a reaction. This is so basic, but so important. It has, once again, improved our tempi changes. Now I just need to stay straight and ask for the changes at the right time, and we mostly get them!
The pirouettes have also really come a long way. Ryan rode Gadget last month for the first time in many years, and it was amazing to see. He really schooled the pirouettes with power. I have been so careful to collect, not hold, not over-ride, etc. At this point, I need to get a good jumping canter and then ask Gadget to sit. This can take a fairly strong half halt. Then I vary how many strides we stay in it, so that I always get to be the one that controls when we enter and exit the pirouette. This has made a huge difference. When I schooled them like they are ridden in the test, Gadget would spin and jump out of the pirouette. No we may do two turning steps, then I push him out a step, then turn a couple more steps, and then let him leave the pirouette. We are both finally getting the hang of how this should feel.
The biggest news is that I signed up for a PSG test. I also signed up for 4th level on the same days, so I can back out if we don't feel ready. Given that this may be the last show that I can enter this season, I thought it was worth a shot. Some days we feel ready and others feel terrible. Hopefully we will have a good first outing!
As a bit of an update, I finally ventured out and tried 4-2 and 4-3. The tempis are still a bit of a crapshoot due to my timing, but overall, both tests are totally doable for me and Gadget.
I have been having really amazing clinics with Ryan Yap. He has really helped me simplify my aids and make Gadget sharper. After a little basic stretching warm-up, we move into tons of quick transitions, in which he must given me an immediate reaction. It doesn't have to be the correct answer (if he canters instead of trotting, he still gets a "good boy!"), but he must give a reaction. This is so basic, but so important. It has, once again, improved our tempi changes. Now I just need to stay straight and ask for the changes at the right time, and we mostly get them!
The pirouettes have also really come a long way. Ryan rode Gadget last month for the first time in many years, and it was amazing to see. He really schooled the pirouettes with power. I have been so careful to collect, not hold, not over-ride, etc. At this point, I need to get a good jumping canter and then ask Gadget to sit. This can take a fairly strong half halt. Then I vary how many strides we stay in it, so that I always get to be the one that controls when we enter and exit the pirouette. This has made a huge difference. When I schooled them like they are ridden in the test, Gadget would spin and jump out of the pirouette. No we may do two turning steps, then I push him out a step, then turn a couple more steps, and then let him leave the pirouette. We are both finally getting the hang of how this should feel.
The biggest news is that I signed up for a PSG test. I also signed up for 4th level on the same days, so I can back out if we don't feel ready. Given that this may be the last show that I can enter this season, I thought it was worth a shot. Some days we feel ready and others feel terrible. Hopefully we will have a good first outing!
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