Dressage, grids, random news.

On Saturday we had a dressage lesson with my now regular dressage instructor down here. We worked a lot on collected canter and the canter-walk transition. Our transitions were OK, but I wasn't collecting him nearly enough. J had me really challenge the Hamper until he offered me a TRULY uphill, bouncy canter. It required some grunting (mostly from me). It was a breakthrough for both of us to be honest. Now I know he is capable of it. We also did some shoulder-in and leg yield work - working on that connection to the right rein. We had some bobbles, but also some really nice leg yields all the way across the arena. I was super proud of the beast.

On Sunday our "reward" was another lesson with Dorothy Crowell. :) She started us off doing some flat work. I really like Dorothy because she has such a different approach to things. I really like taking new tools from different instructors and finding what works for me. Dorothy had me really turn my chest to the inside - so that my "headlights" (or boobs, but I don't have anything close to an impressive rack so ...) ...were almost facing Dorothy who was at the center of the circle.

She also nailed me for using my left hand way too much (*guilty here*) and had me raise my left hand obnoxiously high in the air so I could not use it. It was more difficult than it sounds but I started to figure it out. haha.


I cranked my stirrups up for Dorothy's lesson. My thighs BURNED.

 We moved on to a line of THE MOST FUN GYMNASTICS EVER. Basically, it was a bounce, two strides (with 2 placing poles) to a jump, 2 strides (with 2 placing poles) to a bounce. So Hampton had to pick his way through this. He figured it out immediately and his cute face just lit up when we approached this exercise. He absolutely loved it and I felt him "lock on" and pull me to the first bounce every time.

Almost too cute to handle.

I was doing a little better about NOT jumping ahead but I realize that a big part of the problem was that I still grip with my knees. (Damn you saddleseat land!!). This causes my lower leg to slide back. So .... perhaps some no stirrup work for me. Or like Dorothy said, "pretend you are at the gynocologist." ... hahaha she is my kind of lady. But despite my mediocre riding, Hampton jumping like a BOSS. I think I may hit up some little hunter shows this summer as he is getting to be quite sylish!

Call George Morris?

ME: "Dammit why do I always jump ahead."
HAMPTON: "Did you see me jump like a badass?"

So a super fun weekend with my poneh! :) I'm a lucky girl.

In other news:
I think I found the reason why Hampton had a little spell of misbehavior (the rearing episode) and I just had a sense that he was "agitated." He wasn't being bad, but when you know a horse really well you can just tell when they are not 100% right. Also, Hamps had developed a habit of jerking his right hind up when I was tacking him up. At first I thought maybe it was his stifle of hock bothering him, but then I realized it occured at the exact moment I went to tighten the girth. He has been on Ulcer Guard pellets for 2 weeks now and that behavior has vanished. He is also back to his normal relaxed, peaceful self. (see above photo, haha). Glad I caught it early before he started to act out further. He probably got a little stressed from moving to a stall which changed up his routine. He is otherwise happy, wolfing down his food and drinking lots. His weight looks fantastic.

Also ... I have decided I no longer want to lease him out. For a couple of reasons, but none of them are a super big deal. How do I break this news to his leaser? She is a very nice person but it's just not a good match and in about a month we need to start getting into "competition mode" as far as schooling goes. I don't want to confuse him with 2 riders at this point. I don't want to hurt her feelings so I'm not sure how to break it to her? Advice appreciated.

Well hey good job if you read all of this!