More Riding!

I've just come out of a lesson with Joao on Romeo, which I actually felt really good about! Whenever I find out I'm assigned Romeo, I groan a little bit. He's a lovely horse, very sweet and honest... but he really challenges me. I struggle so hard to keep my position with his giant movement and lazy nature. I am both trying to keep him going AND hold myself in position. Dear Lord!

This was actually a private lesson, which made me even more nervous. Joao pushes me hard, Romeo is tiring even if I'm not doing much, and there was no-one else to take the spotlight off of my flaws.
Joao started with giving me a few new leg techniques to get Romeo moving forward off my leg in a timely manner. Instead of bumping BACK with my heel to get him going, he had me wrap my legs and attempt to get my heel UNDER his belly and drawing it back up. This way my heel doesn't pop up, and the aid is much sharper, making the horse respond.

This worked a treat, and I had Romeo going more forward than I've ever had before.

I then was instructed to do some leg stretching to get me into a more effective position. The one that sticks out in my memory (because it was so painful) was holding my thighs off the saddle for extended periods of time. Oh, my. My muscles! Another was to violently kick backwards. Both exercises loosened (and strengthened) my thighs and knees, making it easier for me to stretch down into the stirrups and keep my heel down and leg steady.

Because I was focusing on my position with every ounce of brain power, something amazing happened- Romeo started to come together underneath me! I never thought I'd get this horse in any form of collected frame. The difference was my position, as they have been telling me since the start. Put yourself in the right spot, and it all just happens.

So:
- RELAX
- Open thighs
- Full contact on horse's side with calf muscle
- knees off and RELAXED
- seat RELAXED (no more riding with the seat allowed- just follow the movement)
- Top of the tummy engaged and up (oh my abs! So much pain!)
- Lower back RELAXED
- Hands closed and quiet dammit!

Great lesson!

And now for something completely different. I tagged along with one of my housemates to see her personal horses. Her partner is a full blown cowboy, so I was lucky enough to hop on one of his stallions and have a go.

Western is about as different from dressage as you can get. The stallion (Boysie) wore quite a long shanked curb, so it was all neck reining, and seat, with legs held off the horse and only touching when necessary. He's a very nicely trained horse, so I did some really fun flying changes and sliding stops.

Derek put him through his paces too, including some work without a bridle, and a whole lot of work completely on voice aids. Very impressive!

Just casually having a phone convo while cantering around

A huge highlight of my visit to this yard was the horses I met. I found a Gypsy Cob called Henry, a spotty Donkey that I want to take home with me, and played with a QH yearling filly. Fun fun!

Tomorrow I'm riding Axel in a lesson, and being assessed for my teaching skills again. Until tomorrow!!