More good rides this week. Hampton gets better and better each ride. Today I ran through all of First-3 (not in the right order, however). Everything felt easy.
I felt like I had "control of the moment." Know what I mean? Do you ever go in to ride a dressage test and you feel like everything is coming up too fast and you basically just get the movement done in order to get to the next?
With my previous horse, T-Bone, every test I rode felt like that. Of course I was in control of my horse (mostly), but never felt in control of the moment. My brain sounded like this:
"Ok trot, wow this is too fast SHIT gotta circle now ... oh dammit he's above the bit ... CRAP walk transition. OK made it happen ... that freewalk was pathetic ... dammit passed the letter where I was supposed to trot ... road trot! weeee!! ... this sucks! shoot me in the face!!"
That feeling is going away and I feel really good about making our First level debut (whenever that may be!). It is well within our abilities. When I ride the test movements, I feel like there is more time to prepare, to set us up for success, to THINK. Today my brain sounded like this:
"15 meter canter circle, lovely ..... ..... .... now prepare for loop ... look for X ...... stay on that outside rein ............."
Make sense? No? Is it just me?
ANYhoo ... tomorrow we have a jumping lesson with the resident instructor. I do not know much about her, but I figured I would give it a shot and go in with an open mind even though I know she is not LAZ. :)
I'm thinking Hamps will get Saturday off because I am going to Lexington to watch Amy and Steady clinic with Peter Atkins. :) Love his teaching and Amy and Steady are OK, too. :) heh heh. I am breaking out my Nikon D70 and hope to get some great photos of them.
I also have a secret agenda do continue on my quest of networking around Kentucky for horse people. I'm not sure I am 100% happy at the barn I am currently at, but that's another post for another time.
In other random news, work has been stressful. Lots of long hours and overtime (6 day weeks for a while) ... which stinks, BUT, I'm taking that sweet OT and buying something nice with it. A new saddle? New dressage coat? Maybe just a cotton-pickin vacation?
:)
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| In case you are bored with ear shots, here is a BUTT shot. |
Haha! Love the butt shot.
ReplyDeleteYou're not just crazy--I absolutely know what you mean about being in control of the moment. It's a good feeling. :-)
See you out there!
ReplyDeleteOK? hump..whatever. Secret agenda? You are one sly chick. Well fine then, I really would rather see Hampton but since he can't drive I guess you will have to do. Oh and I don't think he could work the D70 with those big ole hooves.
ReplyDeleteI also love the butt shot! :)
ReplyDeleteTotally know what you mean about riding the test, not just the movements. I had that breakthrough last year, let me tell you, it shows up in the scores!
LOL I have the EXACT same thought process as you did with T-Bone!!!! That made me laugh so hard.
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