Saumur and I finally found the trail of bread crumbs and are
on our way to dressage bliss – at least that’s how it feels when things are
going well. It is amazing, after all this time I feel like I can finally RIDE
him. It means I put my legs on and he accepts it, my half-halts go through,
Saumur is light in front, on my seat, and in self-carriage.
When it’s good, it’s good – but it has been such a long and
rocky road that it’s easy to get emotional about it (ok, I admit: sometimes, I
do gush like a teenager when it comes to my boys). I mentioned to Judy that my
deep regret is that I didn’t start training with her sooner. Always the
pragmatic one she hit the nail on the head: “Better late than never”. Right on: Regrets are not helping!
An added benefit (aside from the pure joy) of Saumur working
so well is that I can really draw on our work for Remy. For example, our flying
changes from right to left are good. Judy pointed out that I should ask Remy
for his canter departs exactly the same way as I ask Saumur for his flying
changes. And voila: it works!
Speaking of Remy, aka the ‘Little Renegade’ – or should I
say ‘Rebel without Cause’: He seemed all mellow when I longed him on Saturday
as warm up; but when it was time to ride he decided to test his boundaries,
planting his feet, not wanting to stand at the mounting block… so back to longing
it was. This time with more purpose, though: Lower side reins, making him work
over his back, TONS of transitions, no shenanigans! I stayed really calm, not
getting excited about his little fits. The key is not to take it personal. As
the old (and young) masters say: Ride the horse you have today, not the one you
had yesterday and not the one you may have tomorrow. Sound advice!
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