Post Luke Lesson

I rode Luke, the simulator, on Saturday and Sunday. My lessons are now on Mondays, which worked out great because I got to ride my own horse right after the simulator lessons.

I debated whether or not to tell my trainer about the simulator before I rode with her. Secretly, I wanted her to be wowed by my new seat and elbows. But then better sense prevailed, and I decided to tell her about the lesson so that she could help me continue with what I'd learned.

I explained about needing to rotate my pelvis, the need for more movement in my elbows, the tightness in my wrists, sitting tall to stabilize my core, and most importantly, how I now knew what steady contact was supposed to feel like.

As soon as I began our trot work, JL confirmed that everything was better. She actually seemed relieved. I am sure she was thinking, finally! That's what I've been telling her for more than a year! Just kidding of course, but she did like what she saw.

Now that she knows that I know what things should feel like, her directions are clearer to me. When my body started to slouch, she encouraged me to lengthen my spine which I knew meant sit up and rotate my pelvis. She also liked the use of the word empty when referring to a dropped contact.

When we got to the canter work, she didn't have much to say which is a good thing. We've been struggling with that for a while now. She liked how I was able to do small corrections in the bend without losing the contact with the outside rein. Yah for me! Since the canter work was so much better, we actually worked on the 15-meter circle from First Level. Our canter still needs work, especially the departure, but it was much better than it it has ever been.

I have a ridiculously busy week (a lot like last week with the trial), which means I didn't get to ride on Tuesday. I had an afternoon appointment Wednesday which meant I got out to the barn for a minute, and I have another late afternoon meeting today, which means I won't even make it out to the barn. By Friday, my schedule will be clear again. I only hope that I can remember the feel from this weekend's work so that I can reinforce it over the weekend.