Dressage Day by Day

It's been a long time since I have actually written any updates about Iggy. Partly, that is because it is difficult to write about things when you are still very much in the experimental stage. I think I have loved dressage since I was a teenager because of the constant experimenting, strategizing, and problem solving of every ride. I love the intellectual side of it. However, puzzles are more fun when you are making progress toward solving them. They are less fun when you spend a lot of time wondering if you have made progress, stayed the same, or actually screwed things up. From Iggy's first show - trying to keep the big canter in one piece! Iggy is my puzzle. He is a puzzle that makes my eyes light up and my heart sing when I see him. He has this sweet baby face and the personality of a labradoodle. When I look at him, he is everything I ever wanted. Yet, our journey has not been quite as straight forward as I thought it might be. When I sat on Iggy for the first tim...

The first clinic with Ryan finally came, and Gadget and I have not been as focused lately. After getting our last score needed for the USDF silver medal, I had admittedly ridden less. The rides that I've had have been more about the basics and lots of cavaletti work. My rides have felt good, so I was hopeful going into this clinic that Gadget would be feeling fresh and renewed. I think it worked. DAY1 The first day we worked on really collecting the canter while keeping his shoulders up. In the past, when we asked for more collection, he lost the rhythm or really buried his head. On Saturday, he took the half halts and really sat. It was the best feeling. We did some changes -3s and 2s. Although the 2s are still quite green, they are there. I need to make sure not to over ride them. I just need to get Gadget sharper off of the leg, so that I am not tempted to "help" him by jumping up in my seat. We worked on some canter halfpasses, with a focus in the left halfpass...

Lesson 4 --  When a Difficult Lesson is the Lesson you Need Gadget spent two weeks with Kristin riding him and she said she was so happy with his attitude to come out and give it his best every day. Even work that is hard for him, he would absolutely throw his heart into it. It feels great to work with a trainer that appreciates that quality in him and knows not to ask too much of him because of it. POSITION -- RIGHT SHOULDER BACK After 10 minutes walking, we warmed up in a forward rising trot. Right away Kristin made me accountable for my position. I twist to the left, so she really had me focus on taking my right shoulder back and loosening the left to come forward a bit. I also kept my reins short with my hands in front of my body (but not up) and staying on the front of my seat. After the loosening work, we decided to revisit the shoulder-in and half-pass. As Kristin said, once I learn to control the shoulders and keep myself and Gadget straight, the pirouettes, t...