Roundness and New Riding Goals

 For Monday's lesson, I worked on my position, mostly on gripping with my calves to give my body more support. I rode Chester on a trot circle as I tried this. It's amazing how much better and easier posting becomes when I actually support myself with my calves rather than the stirrup irons. I also focused on landing lightly in the saddle when I post the trot and not going up so high,which takes a lot of thigh muscles and a solid support from my calves gripping Chester's sides.

Next, I worked more on getting Chester on the bit. Luckily, Chester is fairly easy to get on the bit, yet it still takes a lot of work and coordination to get things right. If I don't add enough leg, he would go into a slow trot. Too much and he almost canters. Not holding the outside rein would make Chester's head go to the inside. After a few minutes, I was able to get him to round up for a little at a time. Once I began squeezing the inside rein until he lowers his head, rather than using short bursts, I discovered that getting him to round up became a little bit easier. He also held it for longer once he noticed that I would stop asking when he rounded up. It's such a nice and rewarding experience to have a horse that is round and connected.

 I did this exercise on a circle in both directions, then tried it on straight. I wasn't able to get him round as well on the straight; I need to work on that and remember that rounding him is the same on the straight or on a circle. To help, I probably need to hold the outside rein more so he doesn't turn to the inside. Nevertheless, I am still learning and connecting a horse perfectly takes years of practice. I'm going to look in my dressage book to see if I can get better understanding of the subject.

 Next did some cantering, also on a circle to begin. I am improving at relaxing into the canter and letting myself flow with the motion, one of the goals I had for myself, though it still needs a bit more work. As long as I remember to sit up, put my shoulders back, and grip with my calves, my position is better. There's a reason why we are all told that.

 After a short walk break, I cantered again, this time working on half-halt for a more controlled canter. I was able to have more influence on what speed Chester cantered, rather than riding the pace he chose, thus become a more active of a rider. I was even able to control his left lead canter, which is faster than his right lead canter, ending on that good note.

 Meghan and I also discussed some goals for the next six months, coming with these ones together:
-Swing my hips with the motion of the canter and have better control of the canter
This one Meghan thinks it won't take too long to achieve. I already almost there.
-Be more comfortable riding in groups
Another easily attainable one seeing as I will take group lessons soon.
-Reach Pony Club D-3 level
At this level I can actually canter in Pony Club and thus be able to participate more
-Do more jumping and improve at that
-Get my first few shows under my belt, even if they are the small local flat classes.
-Possibly get me my own horse.
Meghan thinks that I'm getting to the point that I need my own horse pretty soon(next six months)

That is what I will be working these next six months. The first two are easily attainable and would likely be accomplished long before February, but the last four are more long term. What are you working toward these next six months?

Summer Goals 2014

 Summer is here, and now it's time to review my spring goals. I made a few small goals, because I like to break down my larger goals into smaller, achievable goals that can help me to obtain my larger. I might add some more after I find out about whether the lease with Chester will work out, but for now here a couple of my goals.

Spring Goals

Goal 1: Improve at Intro Test C---I haven't practiced this one a lot, but I have it memorized and plan on practicing it outside of lessons if the lease with Chester works out. Once I start showing I'll set a goal score for the show and work toward that.
Goal 2: Improve my equitation at the trot My equitation at the trot is getting much better. I'm getting better at keeping my shoulders back although I sometimes am not on the correct diagonal, which I will work on.

Summer Goals 2014

1. Post on the correct diagonal in the trot most of the time.
2. Keep my shoulders back
3. Eyes up!
4. Improve my seat at the canter. This one is a big one because my seat at the canter is not really great. It almost feels like I'm going to fly over the horse's head, which I actually did as you may remember. Not fun so I'm going to work on that and make sure my heels are down so I don't lose my balance.
5. Heels down. Those goes hand in hand with improving my seat.

As I said I may add a few more but this is my list for now. I think they seem achievable and I'll be thinking about them during my lessons.

Spring Riding Goals

 Winter is almost over and spring is almost here, so I decided to evaluate the three goals I set back in November and create several new ones.

Goal 1: Get better at posting.

 This one is definitely a success. When I started riding back in November, my posting was terrible and unrythmnical, and I was really bouncing around in the saddle. Now, I'm more in rythmn with the gait and I am now longer slammed down into the saddle when I sit. 

Goal 2: Develop riding muscles.
 After several months of riding almost weekly, my legs are getting stronger, a reason why my posting is much better.

Goal 3: Canter by spring

 Success! Over the past few lessons I have done a bit of canter work on the lungeline, and most recently, on a serpentine and during my dressage test. 

Now that those goals are completed, I'm going to list some more goals, this time for spring. I hope to make small, attainable goals that I will be able to complete over the next few months.

Goal 1: Improve at Intro Test C
 During my last lesson, I learned my first dressage test, Intro Test C, and went through it twice. Now that I know how it's done and have watched several other people do it on YouTube, I can begin to improve at it through lots of practice and study. By summer, I hope to be much better at it.

Goal 2: Improve my equitation at the trot
 My EQ it much better than it was starting out, and even a bit better than it was last month. However, sometimes at the trot my shoulders go forwards, I glance down, or I lean a bit forward. I hope to get better at not doing this.

 A storm has been hitting the area where I live. This past week, it has been cold(down to 48F) and pouring down rain with almost gale force winds reaching up to 10mph(at least that what I read). It's supposed to be a 100% chance(seriously?) of raining tomorrow. Even without the rain, riding weather isn't ideal. My lesson might be cancelled again because we don't have an indoor or covereded arena to use in inclement weather. It sure doesn't feel like spring the way the weather is now.