Mid Summer Update

 

I haven’t been posting a lot this spring/summer but we’ve been busy.  I’m typically riding Cruise 5-6 days a week, doing in hand lateral work before riding, and usually lunging with side reins at least once a week.  Also we’ve been hauling out to a local boarding barn every Sunday morning and plan to continue doing so through fall.

He’s going really well under saddle.  The in hand lateral exercises and also the flexions have helped his forward, suppleness, and balance a lot.  I’ve also figured out a better seat to hand connection and a more clear half halt.  The in hand stuff has weirdly helped me understand inside leg to outside rein better and also how much the outside rein is my friend.

We’ve been practicing First Level Test 1 and even though the canter work can still be a little sketchy I’m planning on filming Saturday for Dressage Show Online.  Then there’s a show again in two weeks and if we can squeak a 60+ in both shows we’ll be qualified for the championship show two weeks after that.  I think it’s about 50/50 whether we make it but it will push us forward a bit, so either way I think it’s a win.

The last haul out he was finally pretty chill and after lunging with side reins I got on him and he was very good.  We show up at feeding/bring in time, so sometimes the atmosphere can be challenging but I think I’ve figured out some effective ground exercises and now it’s just repetition and habituation.  Over and over.  I was encouraged when I went to catch him last Sunday and his attitude was, “Oh it’s Camelot day, blah blah blah” and he was pretty much the same when we got there.  Baby steps.

Jet is loving the in hand lateral stuff.  His back has come up and his topline looks great.  He also loves the attention.  He’s such a sweet old man. I really enjoy spending time grooming him and doing impromptu liberty work when the moment strikes. 

In continuing education efforts I queried about doing a clinic in the fall with Pippa Callanan, a French Classical trainer, maybe in hand , maybe under saddle, and we’ll see if we get in.  She’s got a great reputation and I think it might be really fun.

That’s about it-STAY COOL OUT THERE!