Man, this must be the life

70 degrees in Aiken riding in this arena? Pinch me

Obviously anytime I go to Aiken I am going to try and wrangle a lesson with JS Dressage. Thankfully he was around on Thursday and graciously taught the Hot Mess Express some competitive horse prancing.

Hampton felt quite fresh and we touched on just about all of the GP movements. Here are some notes from my lesson and also from H's lesson who rides an absolutely badass OTTB. His main issue is unsteady in the contact.

Canter pirouettes: Push at him and think front legs up and out. 

You really cannot have too much bend in canter piros. You can have more bend than needed, but not really "too much"

When horse's shoulder go down and croup up, then human tips onto pelvis. Unless you consciously counteract this. Sit on my tail bone, think sit back a little, belt buckle up, stomach in. Affect his balance before he can affect mine.

Build passage from the piaffe.

Piaffe, think rein back. Then actually rein back. Right back into piaffe. This is a weight shifting exercise. Do not worry about perfect piaffe.

Once you get croup lower/rotated, then let the piaffe move a few inches. Eventually, let it move out into passage but keep the balance.

Here was a little moment of "a discussion." Of course he is above the bit was it was actually the reaction I wanted. Croup went down. I should maybe put my heels down too. sigh.

Same idea as a good extended trot happens when the collection is strong. A good passage is same idea.

The ones were pretty good today! Mostly just keep instilling confidence, do a few, break, do a few more.

Trot half pass work. Hampton has always had a tendency to go rein lame in the trot half pass. This is quite common I have learned.

Come out of corner, right straight across diagonal, then "idea of wafting haunches in". The rein-lameness is often caused my over using the outside leg aid. Ease up if things get icky.

If a bobble, go back straight and re-establish quality trot.

Obviously in show ring, you need to half pass right out of corner but for schooling don't worry.

In show ring, better to have haunches trailing a little too much, than to have right angle but irregular. Might end up being the same score, but overall impression is better.

Hands together (like knuckles touching) for the unsteady horse. 

Ride a little feeling of above the bit so horse cannot not dive and start to wobble in the contact. Almost "make him" brace.

Ride forward! Chase him a bit. When contact steadies, let off the gas.

Keep "closing the doors" for horse to escape connection. He will try many other doors (sucking back, throwing haunches, etc). Keep closing them until he finds the right one.

"Let him bake" ... when connection is good. Sit quiet. Do nothing. Let him bake in it.

**

As always, a super fun lesson full of great tips and lots of theory. 

Next up: A lesson with an S judge!