Lesson WIth Cheryl

We had a pretty good lesson today. We worked at walk trot canter transitions, with canter thrown in randomly. He held his canter, but was very flat and fast. We need to work on that. We reviewed our goals for July (late) and we met most of them - yeah!

We also worked on his connection and position, and it is slowly improving. By the end of the lesson, he was doing a nice trot in a more round frame. I'm very happy with him. He's learning to try instead of push back. He's also very bonded to me and me to him. Taking him to shows made me firmer with him about manners, etc., for safety's sake, but if anything he's sweeter than ever. I can't get enough of him. I could stay and visit with him for hours if I had time.

We are starting leg yield and he doesn't really get it yet, although he'll get a few steps if you stick with it.

I find that I forget my outside rein contact, which I worked so hard to achieve, when I start focusing on new things. I have to remember to keep all the pieces together. Also, I have to keep him straight or flexed to the inside when on straight lines. He doesn't listen to my legs as well when straight as he does in a corner.

Doug wanted me to do some canter work with Savanah after his lesson, and I rode Dan bare back after cleaning the stall (we worked on 20 m walk trot circles, forwardness and roundness), so I rode all three horses today. I'm tired!