'Nobody makes us wait'

Because of some weird alignment of the planets, I had another day off work today. (Oh, don't get too excited for me. I now work the next 10 days in a row). Soooo I decided to haul Hampton over to Forrest Hill for a dressage lesson.

We got some great homework to focus on. Hampton was on his best behavior and worked his butt off for me. Almost literally. By the end of the lesson, his poor hocks were all wobbly and tired and he was sweating on his stifles.

Here is are some exercises we did:

• Walk. Block the forward a little, then sidepass. Yes, not leg yield. Not half pass. But sidepass. This is a tool that I haven't really used. I had thought it was mostly a western tool for trail classes, etc. Turns out, it's also a great stifle and hock strengthening exercise. At first, Hampton thought this question was a bit obnoxious (and hard!) but in the end, it really improved his trot and leg yields.

• Inside bend, but turn the shoulders with the outside aids while keeping inside bend. I have great control over his shoulders, but have been using counterbend to get that. Now it's time to keep the inside bend, but still turn off the outside aids. This went well at walk and trot, a bit more difficult at canter.

• Leg yield wall to center line. Pretty good at the trot. Canter is a bit tough, only made it to the quarter line. I think it's more coordination on his part. It will come in time.

• Leg yield head to the wall. Again, another tool I have neglected. Not anymore - this is a great exercise because it forces him to really cross his hind legs and step under, but I don't need to use a lot of rein because the wall acts as the barrier. He also thought this was hard but we worked through it. I need to remember to ask for more haunches.

• Trot lengthenings. I was blown away by what I saw in the mirror. Four months ago, he would just go faster. Probably break into the canter. After all this leg yield work, I pointed him across the diagonal, fluffed the reins, slid my legs back and POW he goes. I looked in mirror and actually said "holy sh*t" outloud. Helllloooo there sexeh floaty lengthened trot (which I will make into medium trot over the winer!). I wish I had that on video! Do I smell First Level for next year?!?

Overall comments were that he is way ahead of schedule for a 4 year old. My instructor said his canter was lovely and balanced, which made me snort because if she had seen his canter 2 years ago she probably would have told me to buy a different horse. I need to keep trying to ride him up in the poll. He's round, he accepts the contact, but now he needs to raise his poll more. Also, the "eggbeater" canter I speak of sometimes comes from stiffness in his stifles and hocks. He doesn't want to flex them very well, which leads to a downhill appearance sometimes (even though he is not built downhill at all). But the exercises she gave me should help with that. Basically - build strength.

I love lessons with her because she A) works both of us hard and B) gives me excellent homework. She's having a dressage camp mid October but I think I'll have to pass because of money. It's a lot to ask of a 4 year old anyway as there are 2 lessons a day. Perhaps in the spring we'll go.

And on another note, I've decided to go to Octoberfest for sure. Peer pressure. :) Dressage and a combined test ... and cross country schooling. Holla!

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On other news, I found this video on YouTube. Look out young David Letterman is?!? LOL! Also, this band rocks. Don't care what anyone says.




My favorite Counting Crows song ... perhaps in my top 10 fav songs evah. The acoustic version will give you goosebumps. There's no video to this, just music. Enjoy. Beautiful!