more test riding

Slowly but surely, my lessons with dressage trainer C are moving towards an approximately weekly schedule. Super exciting, seeing as getting into a regular dressage program has been a priority for more than a year at this point.

Technically we've been riding with her since March of last year, but the timing ended up being more sporadic than I had anticipated... Mostly bc of my show schedule and budgetary restrictions from already lessoning twice a week with Dan and trainer P... We'll see how things shake out this coming season.

can't be bothered to pose for pics when there's alfalfa to be had...

For now tho, I'm pretty much gobbling these lessons up and squeezing out as much value as possible. Alas, no real media from the most recent ride - but still plenty of nitty gritties (per usual).

This was our penultimate lesson before next weekend's show, so we went through all the movements and whatnot necessary, plus we rode through Training B.

Test Riding - USEF 2014 Training Eventing Test B:

• I liked the way this test rode - I should be able to remember it (hopefully) and there wasn't a ton of 'blank space' between movements.
• It starts with a weird figure 8 movement in the center of the arena - must not forget to change post between the two circles and ride straight for a stride between changing bend 
• In leaving the figure 8, I did a good job of leaving circle, going STRAIGHT, then turning at rail. Must remember that feeling!
• The canter work comes up pretty fast too - with two circles ridden back to back - first 15m in working canter, then 20m in lengthened canter. 
• Make sure first canter circle isn't too big (geometrically), if anything err on the side of slightly too small.
• Second canter (our tricksy right lead depart) comes after free walk change of rein. Pick up the trot into the corner a hair early and stay just off the rail moving into the depart so I have room to push Isabel out (don't bury her in the corner tho!).
• The stretchy trot didn't really happen in the test ride. We're getting the stretch fairly dependably in schooling, but it's generally not 'on cue' and can be slow to develop. So just plunking down a 20m stretch circle in the middle of a test is hard for us right now. Not sure this is fixable in a week... oh well!
• If I overshoot the centerline, don't scramble to get back on it - just ride the line I end up on (in other words, don't make it obvious that I goofed haha)
• Keep leg ON through halt until the halt is fully established and immobile. 

there's the pretty pose!

Position / Aids Takeaways:

• Must remember to take my legs *off* when I'm not using them, esp that right leg. Don't let it curl up and cling!
• Sitting trot is getting better - it doesn't look as shitty as it feels (feels... shitty haha). I must remember to sit up and back.
• For sitting trot, leg needs to be WAY looser. think push into the stirrup with my big toe, but let calf and ankle move freely
• Canter transitions from sitting trot are really getting super reliable and nice tho!
• Need to be more prepared for canter-trot transitions, more leg and thigh, so Isabel doesn't "hop" into them.
• Leg yields were a little better this week, and actually leg yielding left was almost kinda good. Think inside leg to outside thigh and hand. I'm still grabbing at the inside rein but am working on it... 
• For leg yield, we still end up leading with the shoulder a bit, but C wants me to at least focus on maintaining control of the shoulder and keeping her straight through the shoulder - don't let her point her chest toward the rail or we end up just riding the diagonal. Oops... 
• For trot lengthenings - don't start posting until after I make the turn onto the diagonal (for tests ridden in sitting trot)

latest addition to the mare's diet

General Takeaways for Ponykins:

• It's time to start getting real about moments of inversion and hollowness - make it unpleasant for Isabel to be there. Hands get WIDE, legs go ON. Then I can soften when she softens. C compared it to talking with a child - be very clear in the distinction between 'very good' and 'very bad'
• Isabel is naturally narrower through her shoulders than through her hind end. I must therefore be careful that she's not poking her hind legs *in* on the track - when I look at the mirrors I should only see two legs. This doesn't mean ride in shoulder in, but just be aware.
• I haven't been wearing spurs since recovering from my broken leg, and so far so good. C thinks that if things are going well enough without them, all the better. 

Phew! I seriously never expect these bullet point lists to get so long... but the more I write the more I remember and suddenly the list grows and grows.... It's a good thing, tho, I think.

Some riders are blessed with a very natural feel for horses and riding and can easily create very beautiful moments and ways of going in their horses. And often without even really understanding why or being able to explain how they do it.

I am, uh, not that natural type of rider. I'm literally trying for every single step, and thinking out every single movement and effort. And am often fighting against my own natural proclivities and habits. So while I want to avoid getting trapped in the cycle of overthinking everything, it's important for me to be aware. Knowledge is power haha!