back to baucher

Another nice session this morning. He's very calm, even dull. I stopped everything to do a bunch of transitions, just to wake him up a bit. Trot work in the stretch is really getting fun. But I'm also stopping to do lateral flexions at the halt. We did this two months ago NH style, on one rein and letting the contact drop on the outside. Now he has to keep his head up, maintain contact on the outside, and flex at the poll. I think this is helping. He could only do this to the right last week, but now it's good on both sides. His mouth and jaw have definitely softened a lot lately.

Whenever he stops lifting the bit I raise my hands and wait for the jaw to flex. I think my timing has gotten better on this exercise. Stretch at the canter is still hard to find, but it's almost constant at the trot now. I'm very happy. Just wish we could go out in a week or two and re-do those dressage tests!

Here's a couple more shots from last Saturday's show. I'm actually really pleased--this was the best he was capable of doing that day.

The Big Show!

Lots to tell. Jordan & I worked hard all last week getting ready for the RCPC show. We managed to get over there twice in the past month just to introduce him to the facility, but we were largely "winging it." We had never done the tests before, just worked on the movements and trusted our reader. The dressage tests were accurate but he was a bit hollow, especially for our first test. But he did as well as I had hoped, and he got better as the day went on. The jumping portion was just a pleasure. Our friend Jane got me very well prepped and confident, and we went out and jumped a perfect course. He was so calm and composed! Can't wait to do it again.

Our recent rides have included more mouth work, "action-reaction" neck stretching, and canter departs. He's already twice the horse he was on Saturday. Wish there was another show next weekend!

Another all-time best trail ride!

Tracy picked us up at 8:30 this morning and we rode out of Neubauer's again. Maria rode Jordan, Tracy was on Rico, and I rode Peppy. Peppy was a little cranky and tried bucking when I pushed him out in front. Later on he tried bucking when he was being left behind. Basically, Peppy just tested me every time we did something which required work. But he gave me a good ride, all in all.

We went down the big hill and rode around South Country, then crossed the river. Jordan actually led going into the river and did not show any concern! WOW! The boys hung out in the river and generally had a great time.

I rode back to the barn early and let the girls tear around the woods some more. Jordan had just an incredible day. At least two hours on the trail, with miles of canter and trot. Maria had a blast.

In the arena yesterday Jordan did well. We counter-cantered on both reins easily, using a serpentine to set up the outside lead, and riding in counter canter around the "racetrack." He felt very solid. Towards the end we did some trot work that included half passes on both reins. Really nice work. Yesterday's session was in the double bridle.

2' 3"

Really really smooth session this morning. First real halt-trot transitions. Very light back off of the halt, and semblance of back-trot transition. Beautiful canter on both reins in warmup. Trot on the circle in shoulder in and renvers on both rein. Nice lateral work on the snaffle only.

Jumping of single vertical in both directions--the left rein is still weaker for jumping. He knocked over his first attempt at 2' and 2'3" on the right rein, but took the left rein cleanly. We are working without a placing pole to make life easy. But they were beautiful fun jumps.

getting serious about canter

Real nice sessions yesterday and today. I'm getting serious about lots of transitions to all gaits. I'm cantering for longer periods, focusing on balance more than the departures, which are still coming along. We can spiral down to 8m or less on both reins at the canter, which I'm really pleased about. Today the shoulder in at the trot really felt nice--on circles and straight lines. Two days ago Maria took Jordan to the park again and did the most beautiful canter. The neighbors were in awe. I'm especially pleased with today's session--very quiet and responsive. Not a hint of disharmony.

one handed half pass

Very smooth, accurate session in the double this morning. Some trot work, which was weak. I think he's still tired from yesterday's trail ride! w-t-w transitions helped a bit. Good canter work today, 100% on both leads. Both half passes really nice now, except shoulders leading a bit too much on the right. This is mostly pilot error and I would not know this without the mirror. We ended doing some half passes one-handed, which were great. He is very light in the half pass and it only takes a whisper of the outside leg to get it going. Neglected counter shoulder in and travers on the circle today. Some figure 8s shoulder in the renvers, which were solid on both sides.

Best hack ever

This morning Tracy picked us up in her trailer again and we rode out of Neubauer's. We rode with Tracy & Tamara as far as 5 mile, then went to the RCPC for some schooling. With the group I made some progress with Jordan. Whenever he tried to pass a horse, I would put him in some small bending circles. He was able to slow his walk and soften fairly well. In the woods by ourselves we moved out at a nice trot and took a bunch of the log jumps. What a blast!

At the RCPC we took ALL of the jumps set up in the outdoor and schooled in both the indoor and outdoor dressage arenas. He did OK in the indoor but we will be at a disadvantage if we have to show there. I don't think he has much experience in indoor arenas and seemed pretty nervous. On the way out we cantered from the RCPC barn all the way around the South side of the field and didn't slow down until the woods. SO MUCH FUN! Jordan's trot in the woods was incredible--he has really learned to soften in the past few rides. He has never been this engaged. We worked a lot of w-t-w transitions on the way back, then switched to the double bridle and worked in the arena until tracy & tamara got back. He felt great, and I suspect he could have gone all day. What an incredible ride!