Golly gosh what fun

We got out at last, on a day of clear blue sky and no wind, with good ground underfoot. We've jumped a ton of timber, all well built, and we've had some great runs. The longest was at least two uninterrupted miles of grass. There was one hedge, a decent size, and Radar couldn't wait to get at it and jumped superbly. Such fun!

I schooled Woody yesterday after I posted and he has yet again made some enormous improvements. He trotted on the right rein with reasonable rythmn and a much better contact. And for the first time ever he struck off on the correct leg for canter right at the first time of asking. The canter itself is longer, smoother and more balanced. This has happened without schooling canter at all, just because of his increasing ability to balance himself and his increasing confidence.

He was, though, completely stupid about me getting on, making it clear he didn't want me to. I just kept bringing him back to the block until he stood still with loose reins. Then he was very annoyed about the contact and for a minute or so he was completely obnoxious, running forwards, stopping dead, refusing to turn. I put him into a walk serpentine and it all disappeared in a flash and then we got the improvements I've described. Odd boy :-)

This is the first time that he has worked two serious sessions on consecutive days. It does not appear to have had the slightest ill effect and I'm looking forward to riding him out tomorrow.

C