Today we had a cheeky pre Area Qualifiers training session. I’ve just about managed to put our last disastrous competition into the back of my mind and am trying to get ready for the weekend.
As always, I’ve got a lot of homework to do and a lot to remember for Sunday!
Free walk
I lean back in walk and instead I need to lean slightly forward and keep my hands down to encourage her to march on. I need to practise this in the warm up and really get her going so that hopefully I don’t have to chase in the test.
Medium walk
This needs to be more active otherwise my transitions to trot are going to be rubbish!
Trot
I get a bit too complacent in the trot because it is so much better than it used to be. Pea has a tendency to lean and get too deep so when she does that I need to give with my hands and push with my legs then she lifts her nose. It is a lot easier to see the difference now she’s maneless!
Canter
Today it was left canter that was our nemesis. I need to bend her to the left, which she finds really hard, and give with the right rein to help her to pick up the correct lead. Ironically, when we went on the right rein she immediately picked up the left canter!
I also need to make sure I work really hard to keep it going because any moment I relax in the canter, she will break.
Now I just need to work out how to sort out my mindset and keep my head on Sunday – any tips?
Young Hip and Horsey 