Every day just gets better

I had a great ride last night. After loosening up on a long rein we did all our lateral work at the walk -- shoulder-in, half-pass and leg yielding. He definitely needed to be reminded to move off my leg but without much effort he got in the groove. Our trot work was good and I took less breaks and moved from one lead to the other effortlessly without coming back to walk. The canter remains his weakest gait at this point. He stuck against my leg in the upward transitions but he was sound so that will come with time.

After work we both needed to get out of the ring and we went off on a short hack around the property. He was a very good boy -- a little tense and looky at times but no silly stuff. He even marched over a short wooden bridge without a blink of an eyelash. I think with time he will really come to enjoy it. He really likes when I point him out of the ring. After the hack a cool shower was in order and then I watched him walk across the pavement. He had no twisting behind and he had a very forward and sound. Yay!

Good news from Dr. Liz... If I want to do a 3rd level test later this fall then she thinks we should work towards it. She cautioned me that small circles will be the most difficult for him so to not school them excessively. She said his back is improved but still a bit sore. (She looked at him on Tuesday and did a short shock wave on him) So instead of sitting the trot I post. We will have to get to sitting soon but I think a couple more weeks of conditioning is probably in order.

Sandra and I are contemplating our first show at Carberry Fields. Jenn told me of a ride-critique-ride several weeks before and I think it may be a good idea for us to give that a whirl too. We will have to talk about it.

First lesson on Monday with Linda and then another lesson on Wednesday with Jenn... We are off and running!!!