Dressage Day by Day

It's been such a long time since I posted that I don't know where to begin. Work has been all consuming over the last couple months, so Gadget has had very light work. In mid-February I rode with Kenny again in a 2 day clinic. It was extremely helpful. One of the most important points he made was that I need to sit UP. I tend to bit on the back of my seat with my shoulders behind the motion in a constant driving seat. I am trying to be more conscious of sitting up and staying with the horse. Walk I was warned not to chase the walk. Gadget has a nice natural walk.  I need to let my legs hang and if Gadget gets a bit slow, give him one good kick, then leave him alone. Trot Get him more energized by trotting longside, walk in corner, and turn on the forehand by really swinging his haunches, then immediately trot the same long side. Gadget loved this. Lengthening think of actually bumping his nose up and out -- do not let him lean! Then use legs further back, and ask ...

Last weekend I had another clinic with Ryan, and I rode all three days for the first time. Friday, Gadget felt forward, light and happy. Even Ryan remarked how he was happy in the contact and working well. It was a bit of an ordeal to make it to a 6:45 ride time aftr work, but totally worth it. We did forward and back in the trot, but later moved into a new exercise to get him softer in his back. At the trot or canter, take Gadget deeper and rounder. Half halt him back on the outside rein to try to sit on his haunches, then send him very forward and then half halt back again. This doesn't sound earth-shattering or new, but because Gadget is lower and rounder, it really helps get his back swinging. Ryan said he would use this exercise about 3/4 through the ride when Gadget starts to get a bit stuck. Here's a clip of this exercise from the end of our ride: Saturday was a cold, wet day and neither Gadget and I put in our best performances. I don't have any video of the ...