Haven’t had a lesson for a while as Nicky has been quite unwell for the last couple of weeks, coupled with issues with the Range Rover’s electrical connections to the trailer and the awful snow, it means a long time between lessons…..
I must work on Finn’s desire to move forward – she must be free and IN FRONT OF THE LEG. We also worked on straightness and bend – riding a few strides straight and a few strides with neck bend, get her off the inside rein and remember to keep riding forward as she is stretching and bending.
An exercise which helped to get her lighter was to leg yield from the 3/4 line to the track then ride a 10m circle, complete the circle then into shoulder-in think of accelerating in the shoulder-in. Make sure I am maintaining even bend and rhythm on the circle.
When riding into canter, ride the trot with purpose, don’t back off the transition.
For the dressage test – centre line – make an impression on the judge, ride forward with purpose – concentrate on the hind legs, do not allow her to power herself forward from the shoulders.
Think about her frame, make sure the poll is not too low.