After we had a week off, we rode yesterday. She was a tiny bit hot but she's always so very willing and I do so love that. She didn't really want to do the whole shoulder fore thing but she had some nice moments. And some of the canter transitions, up, were half nice in that we had a nice and I think clean jump into it but forward took two or three strides for me to get. But she did keep the canter nicely, gave me a little lengthen and a little come back.
And the strangest thing was that I felt back enough, not tippy. Would like to keep that part.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
two rides
Two rides this week -- I haven't figured out quite how to ride Wednesdays with the farrier there. I mean, I do KNOW how -- just do it -- but still. We did the usual arena work both rides, except concentrated a bit on the canter work going for lots of transitions, and lots of changes of bend, and lots of stretchy circles!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Walking
That's what we did Tuesday; we walked the hills. That's all. She was hot when we came back.
But here is what I'm thinking. Due to circumstances, I didn't ride today so I thought about it. A lot. I mean, it isn't like I don't do that anyway. But I don't think we can use the "better shape physically" mantra anymore. We've simply got to improve, do the work, and that means primarily arena work. I need to quit playing and see how much improvement I can get in the next month.
I think this is what I want: clean canter transitions; a decent stretchy circle; and to get that free walk better. Now, I should be able to get clean canter transitions . . . if I can. What I mean is, that is a matter of training and riding. The stretchy circle is more iffy because I'm more iffy on it so I just have to try and get her to try, and so what if it isn't perfect but to be better. And the walk, in some ways I can't do much about how she walks, but then again, when I first get on her, she has the best walk so I just have to figure out how to get that walk in the middle of working her instead of just after I get on in warm up. It isn't going to be an 8 walk, but it can be better than it has been in tests.
Of course, we've also got to work on that change of bend thing. And lots of shoulder fore in everything. And in front of let canter (and trot and walk).
I need to incorporate at least two different canter sessions into the workout, probably something like walk-trot-canter-trot-walk-trot-canter-trot-walk. I also need to think, constantly, half halt half halt ask.
So those are things I was thinking about today.
But here is what I'm thinking. Due to circumstances, I didn't ride today so I thought about it. A lot. I mean, it isn't like I don't do that anyway. But I don't think we can use the "better shape physically" mantra anymore. We've simply got to improve, do the work, and that means primarily arena work. I need to quit playing and see how much improvement I can get in the next month.
I think this is what I want: clean canter transitions; a decent stretchy circle; and to get that free walk better. Now, I should be able to get clean canter transitions . . . if I can. What I mean is, that is a matter of training and riding. The stretchy circle is more iffy because I'm more iffy on it so I just have to try and get her to try, and so what if it isn't perfect but to be better. And the walk, in some ways I can't do much about how she walks, but then again, when I first get on her, she has the best walk so I just have to figure out how to get that walk in the middle of working her instead of just after I get on in warm up. It isn't going to be an 8 walk, but it can be better than it has been in tests.
Of course, we've also got to work on that change of bend thing. And lots of shoulder fore in everything. And in front of let canter (and trot and walk).
I need to incorporate at least two different canter sessions into the workout, probably something like walk-trot-canter-trot-walk-trot-canter-trot-walk. I also need to think, constantly, half halt half halt ask.
So those are things I was thinking about today.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Rode
With the ladies. Pretty regular ride. Rol was up about something (at least one neighbor was mowing his hay and she was suspicious that others were also doing . . . stuff). It had been a week since our last ride (should I preface that sentence with, "forgive Epona for I have sinned"?).
I concentrated on getting her "straight" with lots of shoulder fore. We did not do a lot of transitions to and from canter (and the four we did do were not good) but we held the canter for the circle, the long side and another circle at least. On the long side I thought of shoulder fore even at canter because I could feel the crookedness, the haunches falling in. So I think the info I got from the show a very good thing indeed. Also asked for more canter down the long side, which she responded with. What she doesn't know is how to pull back from that -- the thinks a downward transition from canter means to trot, so we've got to work through that.
After the work, the ladies and I played "follow the leader", walking (mostly) and trotting serpentines, circles and diagonals.
I concentrated on getting her "straight" with lots of shoulder fore. We did not do a lot of transitions to and from canter (and the four we did do were not good) but we held the canter for the circle, the long side and another circle at least. On the long side I thought of shoulder fore even at canter because I could feel the crookedness, the haunches falling in. So I think the info I got from the show a very good thing indeed. Also asked for more canter down the long side, which she responded with. What she doesn't know is how to pull back from that -- the thinks a downward transition from canter means to trot, so we've got to work through that.
After the work, the ladies and I played "follow the leader", walking (mostly) and trotting serpentines, circles and diagonals.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I did ride
although I was about to forget to record it. Not Sunday, yes Monday, not Tuesday. I walked a hill in the back then went to the flat front field and trotted and cantered some. I don't think either one of us got anything out of it. But it was a try. Back to shoulder fores and canter transitions in the arena. And hopefully review the video of the test today.