Forward into the Connection

Maybe I should title this post, FINALLY. Speedy has always wanted to go behind the vertical to escape the contact, but finally, I understand how much leg I need to use with him to encourage him to step up to the bit and take it.

We had a great schooling ride on Sunday. He's been working really nicely for the past few months, but it finally dawned on me that the reason our scores have gone up so dramatically is because I finally have him in front of my leg. It's not like things are perfect; he's now trying to get a bit heavy, but at least there is something in my hand to work with.

When I rode this weekend, I really focused on the inside bend. We did a lot of leg yielding, and I discovered that Speedy can leg yield to the right with some skill, but to the left, yikes. We stink! His right side is his more hollow side, and he really likes to blow through his left shoulder, which makes the leg yield to the left pretty difficult.

I finally got really tough (consistent) on that outside rein, and did he ever throw a fit. I stuck with it though until he finally realized that my inside leg meant move OVER not just forward. Since he's learned to move forward with leg, I think he's trying to use that as a bit of an excuse to blow through the shoulder rather than move more sideways. It's okay; he'll get it.

With the CDS Championship coming in just a few short weeks, I don't want to over-work anything or try too much that's new. I actually have a strategy, I'll share on another day, but for now, I am trying to school through our sticky spots in order to improve our overall impression.

I am pretty pleased with where we are right now. Hopefully we can continue to improve a little of this and that so that we show up sharp and ready to wow those judges!