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260 donated - 340 to go!

Lesson Learned

Today would have been great, but I think I screwed it up by riding Deuce for too long. He was very forward and connected after the warm up and was doing nice 10 meter circles. Then I cantered him and was very satisfied with the ride. I decided that he was pretty much done but that I would do leg yield at the walk while I cooled him out. This turned into a bit of a fight and then Deuce started baccking off the leg and not being forward and into the bridle. We somewhat recovered, but I feel badly that I didn't just stop the ride on a much better note. I guess I'll just do an easy, relaxed ride tommorow and won't ask much of him. I feel badly that the ride turned out this way. Can't wait for another ride tomorrow and am very thankful that Deuce is so forgiving. I have a great horse and I hope I never forget that.

Field Trip funding update

200 dollars donated - 400 more to go

Thank you to all donors...you inspire me!

Getting Ready

Had a pretty good ride today. My friend and I set up the dressage letters in the arena and I just rode a training level test to see how Deuce would do. My friend also wanted to see a test ridden so she could understand the patterns better. Deuce did very well, especially since he is not used to being ridden in precise figures. His canter transitions are getting much better - he did a million of them today.

Yesterday I did some jumping which he liked. I can always feel when he jumps well because he gets so free and relaxed after the fence.

I'm getting so excited for the show in 2 weeks. I decided to enter at First Level Test 1 and First Level Test 2. This is a little above what I think Deuce is ready for show-wise, but it's a schooling show so why not? I am going to work on preparing transitions and movements so that I can ride precise figures.

Lots to do!

Had a great lesson today. Was our first lesson with s. and I really enjoyed it. We think alike when it comes to training, but she also gave me new ideas that I would not get on my own. She loves Deuce too, which is always a plus. :) Some things I need to work on...

Not being to loose with my abs, I follow his movement but I can't collapse my body
keeping my hands even with eachother
leg yielding and lateral movement in the correct position
letting Deuce have fun and always trying to vary his work to prevent boredom

What can I say...my pony is awesome and I love him.

Back to business

Deuce is almost over his antics. He has been backing off the bit and not responding to the leg, but today he started getting a lot better. We had a beautiful, uphill canter transition today, best one ever. :) i'm taking a lesson this thursday with s. I want to get some input on jumping exercises and just a different perspective on training. It will be good to because i think deuce is getting bored with plain arena work. He will hopefully get to go out today too...poor things been couped up for days aside from being ridden.

Beautiful day to ride bareback :)

Today i let deuce free in the arena and just walked/trotted bareback after that. Sunday isn't normally his day off, but he has been kind of sluggish to my leg and less willing lately so i thought a nice easy break would be good. When i rode him yesterday he tried to curl up behind the bit again instead of holding himself up. I kept pushing him forward but he still kept trying to hang on me. I think he may have started this since i've recently started working him more on the bit. Maybe i need to do shorter intervals of collection and then let him on a longer rein more often. We'll see how tomorrow goes - i'm hoping to get a ride in before class at 6:30.