I put Ronnie on a 20 meter trot circle at B so I could prepare for canter, but I had to work on the circle multiple times because I had trouble making the circle round enough. To fix this, I needed to use more inside leg to push her out, rather than using the outside rein, which should be supporting. Once I had everything worked out, I put my leg back and asked for canter, riding around the circle multiple times. I found myself bracing and not relaxing my body, which made my hands less soft.
A heart clipped on her haunches. |
This one and the ones after are from Wednesday. Look at her cute face! |
After cantering on a circle both ways, I cantered straight down the arena, then began learning one of the new 2015 dressage tests, Training Level Test 1. The test is pretty simple: A down centerline, X halt salute. C track left, 20 meter circle at E. At A, make another 20 meter circle, cantering in the first corner, which is between A and F, continuing on the circle and down the long side with the trot after B. C is the medium walk all down to E, with a short diagonal in free walk to F. At A is the trot, at E a circle right, at C another 20 meter circle right, with the right lead canter in between C and M. Trot at B, then up centerline once at A.
On the bit, and my position is pretty good. I just need to keep my elbows bent and my leg needs to go a teensy bit back. |
In that test, the judges look for a horse that is supple, moving freely in steady tempo and clear rhythm and accepting contact with the bit. I'm happy to say the test went well and met all that criteria, except accepting contact with the bit still needs more practice on my part. Meghan says it was show quality!
Wednesday I rode her again. I had another great ride and have really been making progress. I feel comfortable and confident on her, which is good, and enjoy riding her. Throughout my lesson, I continued to ask Ronnie to become to round, which is difficult, but I was able to get her on the bit multiple times throughout the lesson, managing to hold it for longer amounts.
Happy horse! |
Once I had done a lot of walking, trotting, and cantering in both directions and had worked on getting Ronnie on the bit, I rode the Training Level Test 1 through twice. Besides the fact that I wasn't using enough inside leg for the canter circle at C, I felt it went really well. I was able to get her on the bit and she was relaxed and moving in a consistent tempo.
Cantering! California winters can be grey and chilly. |
I had two really great lessons on Ronnie. Ronnie's owner has been serious about finding a home for her and has offered her to me for a great deal that includes all the equipment and is half of what she is worth, but I still need to talk with my parents. They are not quite sure their ready to make the investment. However, I might, might be able to full lease her until May and then my parents will make a decision. I'm all for having Ronnie. I love Ronnie, enjoy riding her, and Meghan believes she is a great match for me. Ronnie performs very well when I ride her and because she is young(about 13) and already has been schooled through Third Level by Meghan, I can move up the levels with her and hopefully even qualify for the junior state championships in 2015! As I said we have reached no decisions yet, but I will keep the blog posted!
Oh how exciting! you two look great together, she's a beautiful mare. I hope it works out well!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteGood luck! She looks like a nice horse.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Deleteyou two look great together! she's got such a sweet expression :) and it's so so important to feel comfortable and confident with your horse. in any case - it'd be great to do a full lease first too, to be completely sure. in any case good luck figuring it all out!
ReplyDeleteYou look great oner. Looks like a great horse. I love the idea of testing her out in a lease before buying.
ReplyDeleteThanks Yeah, she does seem like a great horse and hopefully by leasing her I can see how good of a fit she is.
DeleteHow exciting for you! You look wonderful on Ronnie and seem like a great match. I hope it works out!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm hoping so!
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