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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Dressage, Part Deux

but switched bridles because we can
Courage gets a non-negotiable day off after every major weekend event and most lessons. It's partially to let him physically rest. It works out in my favor that Courage is also a thinking horse who tends to train himself, so some downtime actually makes everyone's life easier.

So we did the clinic Saturday+Sunday, he had Monday off, and I made it back in the saddle late Tuesday afternoon.

YOU GUYS.

IT WAS AMAZING.

from the weekend, but i love it
We kept it short and sweet because I never want to drill Courage and make him sour, plus he's due for a cross training day, but OMG.

We started with stretching at the walk now, which is like NBD.

Then we stretched at the trot. Also a non-issue.

Then I asked him to stretch and go softly into the canter to the left. BA BAM.

He was so proud of his right canter that we had to repeat it a couple of times so he could do it without leaping, but even then, I had the softest and most rideable canter I've felt on him.

We finished up with hands down the best trot I have ever ridden on him. It was slow and cadenced, with a long, powerful stride that came from an engaged back end and correct stretch into the contact.

If he wasn't so sweet and distinctly gorgeous, I'd say someone switched my horse for one that did dressage. (We'll pretend that I look like I know what I'm doing in a dressage saddle, haha.)

Regardless.

GUYS.

WHY IS THIS SO FUN?

26 comments:

  1. Welcome to your new addition! Dressage is more fun than ANYTHING!

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  2. Dressage is the best! Ok, maybe I'm a bit biased, but still, I'm so glad you and C are having such a good time!

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  3. Because you've made it past the boring stuff and now you're into the fun part of Dressage. :)

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  4. Because he is the best at dressage, duh!

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  5. Dressage is fun! My moms dressage coach always told her to ride the day after her lessons - because the feel was the freshest for her, then give her horse the day after off. Another way to look at things, although this is clearly working for you guys!

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    1. Totally agree with this too one C feels dressage fit to you! I always ride the day after my lesson or after he gets a training ride to keep the conversation going, then he gets a hack day or day off. Short and sweet in those day afters are a good idea.

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  6. Woo hoo!! Its fun when they are so good, haha.

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  7. Can we form a support group for riders who suddenly find themselves loving dressage?

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    1. I will join it, but don't tell my coach. I'm not ready for all the gloating she's going to do.

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  8. You officially haz drehshagz skilz. U r pleased, no?!

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  9. AH! Totally awesome. Brantley and I want to be like you guys!

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  10. Woohoo! Look at the relaxation over the topline AND the flexion in the left hind in that last picture ahhh so beautiful!

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  11. so awesome - seems like Courage is really blossoming!

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  12. Go right lead canter! I love that he was leaping!

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