March/April Training Update

Busy is not even the word! I have been continuing to work on Risby's strength and suppleness and have started to introduce back more lateral work, but going back to easier work when required. I am finding the on and back work in the canter especially much easier now as he used to have a tendency to escape from me at times. I will be introducing him to a double bridle in the next few weeks and I hope this will also give me just a little more "in front" as he is becoming quite the power house now for little me! I'm glad people have commented he has definitely changed shape in the last few months now that he is starting to work more positively forwards into the contact. A long way to go yet but as he is only rising 10 there is plenty of time. I finally ordered the up to date Advanced Medium to GP tests so I have a clearer idea of how the movements need to progress.

We practised our test riding with June as I had planned to take him to Cobham Manor in early April for two Elementaries. We worked a lot on upping the energy all round yet maintaining suppleness/relaxation, good square halts and balance in the counter canter. He was going really well the week before but in the end I chose not to go due to the EHV outbreak and very little information being available about it at the time. Shame as I think he would have done well. Such a difficult decision for those competing at the Nationals and I really hope this all dies down soon.

Lesson time - working on increased impulsion

Looking more through

Risby starting to fill out some more

I have also been busy jumping both of them. Risby adores jumping and we jumped nicely round our yard's clear round competition over 80-90cm which is not easy in a dressage saddle with substantial knee rolls, ouch. I am now being encouraged to take him to BSJA too, how to fit this all in?! And how to fund yet another saddle!

Charmeur also jumped for the first time in a while. Last year he was very green and unco-ordinated so I wasn't expecting big things. However I was pleasantly surprised as he took it all in his stride, flying over fillers for the first time and showing a good technique. A little speedy but it shows how much all the flatwork has strengthened him. Again, in a dressage saddle! Stirrups on the shortest hole so will need to twist them next time I think. Canter was lovely and springy and ridable afterwards, that feeling you can put your inside leg on and the hindleg just jumps even higher. So get jumping those dressage horses people! Charmeur is also being a case study for someone who is training as Bowen therapist so is being treated to yet more Bowen sessions, lucky him.

I took Charmeur to Risby's yard round the corner to use the school for a change of scenery and they met each other for the first time which was quite cute, I think Risby approves of his little German brother :-) Charmeur was very good with everyone coming to meet and pat him, even when a horse in the adjacent field decided to have a crazy 5 minutes and jumped out! He just takes it all in his stride.

This evening I taught at a dressage clinic and really focused on the influence of the rider's position, seat and weight aids on the horse. It was really good fun teaching different ages and abilities, mostly who were unfamiliar with dressage but were keen to put it into practise in their own disciplines. Showjumper Jenna Butler-Smith rode Risby and looked very much the dressage rider, riding some very good lateral work and managing to get him really engaged and looking great. Shattered now, an early bed before more teaching and riding over the weekend, plus a little bit of partying.