I am having so much fun riding this young horse. Every week is different. She is getting stronger every day. Her trot has changed from running on the forehand to moments of really nice cadence and the beginnings of suspension. Her canter is developing balance, and less and less does she slam onto her forehand going from canter to trot.
I’m feeling all cocky and great and sure that a Training Level test is completely within our reach. So I practice one in my outdoor arena.
Oh my. In my face I’m reminded why riding these tests for competition hones your skills. No, turn down the centerline now!!! DG tosses her head and resists and we circle 3 times before she understands and accepts the turning aids and we can approach a straight center line. The transition from canter to trot need to happen NOW! Say what? DG falls on her forehand and scrambles through the corner.
The movements seem so easy, until you try them, on a green horse, in the order and timing proscribed. Humbling, but good training.
By the way, today we got the turn down the center line :-)