As I suspected, after a night in the barn Ace was a total gentleman on the arena and did some really nice work. Shoulder in is coming on very well, so is keeping a constant contact. He seemed totally relaxed about being on his own all night. He's on the yard during the day with Buttie and I'll keep that routine up until he is completely happy on his feet on stones again, and then decide what to do.
I schooled Jazz as well and had a great session. He really has got half pass canter in both directions, with a flying change into the correct canter lead at the end. He also did two tempis, three strides apart today! It wasn't good but he certainly knew what I wanted and tried. He changed inot counter canter half way down the straight and then back to true for the bend. Marvellous stuff!
His lengthened strides in trot are coming on too, and he isn't diving onto my hands any more, and I can get some real lengthening on a 20m circle. His mouth is changing every time I ride him, for the better. He is much more soft and responsive than he has ever been and when he goes into that state, he keeps his mouth shut too. It's wonderful progress.
Radar should be getting some work tomorrow, weather permitting.
C.
Remember, way back when, how doing the tempis was your main dressage ambition?? How far you have come! And doing them is certainly fun...but you have so much more to strive for now with two good dressage horses.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to read of your progress...but Jazz's especially. He was certainly a "problem child" who has absolutely blossomed in your care. I bet he's as happy about it all as you are.
Glad to hear Ace has such an accepting attitude about the turnout situation. It makes it a lot easier to deprive him of all the grass etc. when he agrees like that. What a good boy.
Jazz sounds like a dream today! What progress you two have made. I suspect his increasing engagement behind is what's making the contact better and better. What fun it must be!
ReplyDeleteGlad Ace, the gentleman, has returned. Just goes to show us all how undesirable behavior is usually due to a physical reason, not attitude.
He's definitely going to manage tempis, Jean, I have no doubt. I think he'll probably even get one-times in a couple of years. He has quite recently started jumping through a change just because I swing my legs, without any change of direction in his body. It's brilliant!
ReplyDeleteML I sometimes wonder how often horses I battled with 20 years ago actually had a problem I wasn't aware of. I wish they could speak!
On the other hand if Jazz could speak I don't think we'd ever get him to shut up!
C