Development

I was reminded last night by my friend, that development comes in it's own time and I should let go of the pressure I am feeling in regards to the upcoming A Rated show at Expo. We will be where we will be. I am ecstatic at Ashke's attitude in our rides. We are still working through a little bit at the far end of the arena, but it is less and less each ride. I am no longer hand walking him down there, since that had become a non-issue, however, we do stop and I let him look on the first couple of times we walk past in each direction. I figure in another couple of weeks, even that won't be necessary.

I brought my GoPro for the lesson on Wednesday with Amanda and she wore it while I worked through the exercises. This is a video heavy post.

Shoulder In

Haunches In

At the trot

Canter Work

We were working through the canter pattern for Intermediate A

It should happen at B and E for the test

You can see we still need some work going to the right when I ask him to slow and collect.

Trot pattern

10m trot circle with leg yield to rail

This is a 30m wide arena so a little wider than what we will be showing in.

Our second time through the pattern

Our turn on the haunches

We also worked on the medium trot across the diagonal. Amanda tried to explain it to me and she said we got a couple of steps, but it is certainly something I am going to have to continue to try, until I develop the feel for what it is we want. Both Ashke and I are trying to figure it out. He did give me a soft canter a couple of times, which was okay. It's hard to say longer without it also meaning faster.

I'm very happy and pleased with where we are right now. Huge difference from a year ago.