Dressage Day by Day

In mid August, we headed to Quentin, PA for the WPDA competition. This time even Wilson, my very energetic labradoodle, got to make the trip. We had a fabulous weekend! The weather was perfect and the footing in the competition rings was wonderful. Gadget warmed up so beautifully on Friday that I was afraid to do too much. On Saturday, I realized the warm-up ring has a fairly significant grade to it. Of course I am used to riding in the the jumping ring at my barn, which also has a grade, so I knew which movements are better schooled up the hill and what I can get away with schooling down the hill. Our first class was 3-3 in front of Judge Ida Norris, and we had a really solid test! In fact, we won the class with a 65% I was so pleased that we are finally able to put together a nice first test, as usually that is a throw away test for us. Our next test was 4-1 in front of Judge Vracko and we scored a 66% and high point at fourth level! To end day one with two blue ribbons and a high...

I had my last Ryan clinic of the year, and it was fantastic. I am so sad to see Ryan go, but he has promised to come back earlier next year and begin in April. Because I was out of town most of the week, Gadget had 3 days off before the clinic. He felt a bit distracted on the first day but he felt forward (hooray!). The collected canter felt solid today as did the collected trot. For collected trot, I need to start asking for more from Gadget. After a proper warm up, I need to get him in the proper frame and ask him to work through his back while carrying himself in a higher frame. Right now, giving a forward aid (pelvic tilt back/scooch forward with seat) from my seat seems to get the best trot, then I can mold him a bit more with some half halts. I have been struggling with halfpass in trot and canter lately and Ryan reminded me to carry him up and forward with the inside leg. Perfect solution. Also, work in counter canter on left lead pushing Gadget's body to the lef...