Where's the Judge When You Need Her?

Judges are like cops; they're never around when you need one. Yesterday I shared a blooper moment. Here's a completely different kind of moment from a few minutes later. Talk about a judge-worthy frame! 

For reals?!

I didn't have to "cherry pick" that instant either. I just hit pause and grabbed the screen shot. He didn't start the day looking like that, but it didn't take long to achieve it. 

Here's what I started with.

It had been at least seven months since Izzy had been ridden anywhere but home, and he'd only been in the trailer to go to the vet. Even so, he and Speedy loaded up like perfect gentlemen for the 40 minute ride out to Amy's place.

Just as nice to the right.

Amy has a beautiful piece of property. The turn out paddocks are nicely laid out, the barn is ample and roomy, and the arena's footing was great. The one draw back is parking. We had to park on the road. Even though she lives on a super quiet "street," I opted to tie my boys in one of her paddocks so that they were always in sight of one another. I didn't trust leaving one out on the road alone while I rode the other.

Even with all of that newness, Izzy never batted an eye. He stood tied while I rode Speedy and when it was his turn, he marched into the arena like he'd been doing it every day. He was a bit tense, but he went right to work.

Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, told me that my big take away for the day was to now keep thinking forward while I make adjustments to his frame. I know that sounds like a no-brainer, but Izzy hasn't been able to handle more leg with more hand. Recently, he seems able to deal with me pushing him forward into the bridle without having a melt down.

We're not "there" yet, but we're really starting to pull it together. Here's a short clip of us schooling some trot to canter to trot transitions. You'll see that at the end he starts to get tense and pop his shoulder. I don't have video of it, but I ultimately got him to settle back down and listen for the correct lead.

He's sure fun to ride! ​