Monday Lesson

Another great lesson with Laura today!

We revisited Canter half pass and worked on more difficult counter canter.

I think my tribulations with the shoulder in to the left might actually be a miscommunication between me and Tilly because the Half pass felt awesome!

Here is the exercise we did today. ->


I loved how IN the outside rein Tilly felt.  I'm sure that's why she was able to flow sideways so easily.  I had her perfectly positioned in between my inside leg and outside rein!  We even got a couple changes (and bucks)!

Even though it was really tough ride yesterday, by schooling the exercise that JJ Tate taught us last summer, I hope it set us up for a good ride today. JJ called the exercise "horsey squats," and recommended practicing on a 25 meter circle.  The diagram shows all the positions together, but you perform the exercise by focusing on one position at a time.

JJ asked us to slow the tempo waaay down and stretch the neck out.  Here, watch the video!  Exercise starts at 9:30

 

Back to Sunday's ride, we do really well going to the right... even in the Canter!  Sometimes I feel like Tilly is saying, "see, I can do it!"  I must be doing something wrong to the left, because I feel like I'm all thumbs and left feet that direction.

Oh and I'm so happy to announce....... Laura is going to start team blogging with me.  She is a great writer and a very articulate coach.  Her perspective and technical expertise will be invaluable to this publication.