The Song Remains The Same

It seems that rather than alternating jumping lessons with dressage, we're now doing "dressage week" followed by  "jumping week". This actually makes more sense in that we can focus on concepts a little better and really reinforce things in my head (and Bridget's!)

 Ms Bridget was a little disappointed not to be jumping, but showed up to work anyways. Good pony! We worked on a lot of the same concepts as on Monday, neck rope included. In addition to our leg yields and transitions, we added in some shoulder in on the quarter line at trot, then expanded that concept into canter. Midge was a star, and by thinking shoulder in on the circle I think for the first time we were truly straight in the canter on our 20m circles. Of course we added in some spirals,( because what could possibly go wrong?! )and luck was on my side, pony has the concept and we did our first 10m canter circle ever. It wouldn't have scored great on a test, but the fact she tried and totally has the idea of sitting behind and lifting her shoulders over totally made my day. Go Midget! 

As we walked around on a loose rein after our ride, it also became apparent pony now totally steers off my seat. That's been such a long time coming , it's been sort of there for a while but hasn't been an immediate response thing until this week. I wonder if the neck rope thing has somehow helped her to really make the connection.

Some of my homework this week is self imposed: being very conscious of riding FORWARD into a steady contact - even when I think Bridget is forward and pushing from behind there is another gear in there I should be asking for. 

As for "actual" homework: lots of shoulder in on the quarter line focusing on having pony straight in her neck, but bent slightly through her body.  Bendy pony is very bendy, so straightness is our forever homework. For Monday: practice cantering our jumps on a super straight line of my choosing, insist on a good rhythm, pony working from behind. When I think the canter is pretty slow and powerful, it actually needs to be slower and bigger. We're sort of speed demons these days!

As a quick aside, I've had a few people lately (NOT bloggers, of course) make comments like "Well of course you're having good rides/progressing... you take two lessons a week...I wish I had that kind of money/time...it must be nice to be you" or "Wow, you have horses, must be nice to afford that lifestyle!" Which would be fine if I DID somehow how some huge bank account and no day job and a miraculous amount of talent. Envy me all you like then! :) But since I don't live that lifestyle, I'm annoyed. Please, could you notice how hard I work every.single.day instead of assuming I am magically blessed somehow? I normally respond: "Technically, I don't have the time OR money! I love it, so I make a lot of sacrifices and work very hard to afford and budget time for it." But really in my head I'm thinking "Wake up! Don't assume others are somehow luckier or wealthier than you! If you REALLY want it, get to work, make it happen! Stop making excuses!" But since that would violate several of my self imposed barn etiquette rules I stick with answer option A and keep my head down and keep on working.