Brain over load, barely got out of walk. Was so delightful to see Sue again for all our email bickering and her strong views she is the one to whom all others are compared. She isn't perfect; I almost get to put her on a pedestal and she goes and topples off with something she says, but for all that she is I think quite simply the one.
Am not sure if my head is clear on what we did
Sue asked what I wanted to work on said turning left, so did some work on Chorrie following a direct ( inside ) rein and weight, then an indirect rein and weight. He follows right rein on right circle well, less so left rein on left circle BUT if I use indirect rein to turn left that works better. SNP said this is because it corrects my weight to where it should be.
Did some work on buckle and fire drill.
Sue then rode him and on left rein asked for quarters out which I then tried to replicate with varying levels of success.
Interesting getting back on after Sue as she had done some lateral work (c/f lesson 3) Chorrie felt very jolly in a sane level headed way his body felt more available to me.
Took C back to yard, kissed wonderful husband
who had come over with me goodbye and went back to Waterstock for supper with Sue, Joy, Pip and 'Anne the mouth'.Supper was interesting, I have never been quite so pushed to tell someone to shut up before. Simply never met anyone like it and hope I never meet her evil twin; unfortunately I suspect she will be a permanent fixture on the clinics so may skip future suppers. or carry a roll of duct tape or simply walk softly and carry a big stick!
Lesson 2 Clare Goldie
Clare has trained with Emile, is qualified in NLP is a counsellor and I know her mother so was expecting a nice person but possibly quite front end oriented as so many 'dressage' trainers are but good with nervous riders.
Started off with age name of Chorrie and what I liked to call him, Clare asked how good a rider did I think I was
decided to be honest and said I'm OK. I'm not a bad rider but I'm not yet a good rider. Asked what were C's strengths temperament, ability and forgiveness, asked what were his weaknesses had to think on this one and basically said he would sometimes amuse himself when I failed to be present.Clare watched me walk round and said she felt C needed to be kept engaged and interested in his work, had a chat about the 'what ifs' and I think she could be very helpful
ended up doing circle in SI decreasing size of circle, then leg yield out and as you hit the original circle path canter. Improved our canter trans no end and got that sane jolly feeling again. He was also fowards and I wasn't wearing spurs or carrying a whip. Then in and out to medium on the circle.Clare made a fair number of positional corrections, mostly shoulders and tense jaw and looking down. Then had brief summary.
I have a good seat, nice hands when not tense and clearly a partnership with C whom I clearly cause to feel he is a special horse and that radiates from him
.Surprisingly (must learn not to pre judge) she wants as quiet an aid as possible and soft yielding hands so was wrong there unless that changes over time.
Then did trot large with the beginnings of collecting on short side and medium long sides.
Called it a day and walked him off, Clare said he was two horses in one a very nice workmanlike horse and something very special. Asked if at any point I'd felt out of my comfort zone and I hadn't.
Musings
I now firmly believe C needs lateral work to feel at his best, the jolly feeling is I believe him feeling good.
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