Its been a month since ive posted and theres been lots of improvements with Sophie even though I havent had much time to ride. I may put her up for lease just to get her some more riding time. Ive been trying to alter her work sessions more since I find myself constantly working on just flat work. Ive been taking her out in the hay pasture and riding the outside track working on small gallop sets and trot work. She lengthens better out there heading towards the barn so its been good for that and getting in a few hills. She has much more energy and suspension out there so I can work her out there for 20 minutes and then take her in the ring for 10 or so minutes after and do her lateral movements and shes much more tuned in and the quality is getting even better. The field is proving to be a fantastic asset to training lately. Plus I love doing gallop sets!
Were still finessing the shoulder-in (were finally figuring it out!....well, im figuring it out finally haha), haunches-in, leg yield, and counter canter. All of them are making Sophie so much more in-tune with me and versatile in her movements.
I had a FANTASTIC jump ride on Sophie the other day too! Ive been working over cavaletti doing four and five strides in a four stride line. I practiced that jumping as well. It was a short three stride and she did it in three and a four, although it wasnt the prettiest four haha. I need to pay attention walking more apparently! I raised all the fences to 2'11-3'2 and she did them all easily and beautifully with a wonderful pace. I was ecstatic with her! Sophie isnt the most fun to do show jumping on because its a lot of balance of aids and precise TOUGH riding but she went easily through the course and I was able to relax a little and enjoy jumping. Her dressage work has really improved her muscle and carriage and then the extra jump practice ive been putting in has really made her jumping come leaps and bounds from before. We are ready to show now!! Xc schooling in the near future and then the Virginia Horse Trials at the end of August will be our horse trial debut since last year. Its been WAAAYYYYY too long.
Leo has had some off and on training. Lately when I ride him ive been riding down in his pasture. He is always a little sassy at first and doesnt want to listen to my turning aids and paces around trying to trot while im trying to walk. I make him walk and circle until he calms down, then we move on to trotting. Ive taken the approach that I just need to jump on and ride it out on him instead of lunging first and losing all that energy. Hes doing well. He bucked one time a few weeks ago when I cantered him in the ring but I was pushing REALLY HARD to get a certain lead and it was just too much for him. He responds wonderfully to the one rein stop so I yanked him up and then we continued on without incident. I havent cantered since then. He isnt ready to do that out in his pasture haha. He still needs a lot of work on steering but his response to leg aids is getting better. I have been slacking on him since Ive been short of time. Hopefully my schedule frees up soon so I can get him good and solid on w/t with