June Training Goals and May Results

Training area	April 1, 2010	April 30, 2010	Goal, May 31, 2010	Achieved	Goal, June 30, 2010
Contact (accepting contact with the bit)	3	4	6	4.5	6
Bending	3	4	5	4	5
Working trot	6	7	8	7	8
Canter Transition Carry Steer	3 2 0	6 2/3 1	7 5 3	6 3 3	7 5* 5*
Circles	2/3 –	4	5	4	5
Free walk	4 / 5	5/6	6/7	6	6
Halt	1	3	5	3	5*
Straight on center line	2	3	5	3	5*
Rhythm	2/3	4	5	5	5
Precise transitions	2	4	5	4	5
Frame	1/2	4/5	6	4	5

Cheryl and I worked on these before my lesson today, waiting for the rain to stop.

Focus will be on starred item – anything that needs to go from a 3 to a 5.

Seems like I didn't improve much in May, but I feel okay about it. We got much better in corners, he is starting to steer at the canter and is carrying it better, etc., and I'm sure we'll have a break through any day now lol
To do:

• longe at canter and don't let him stop on his own - keep him cantering beyond what he wants to do, i.e. let him get a bit tired and then ask for a little more
• canter under saddle on longe to help him get used to carrying me on a circle
• practice on my own using side reins to improve contact - take and give (donut) without losing contact. Contact was so much easier with Savanah. She stays in your hands and is steady on the bit. Who knew starting a horse could be so tricky :)
  

Also, my goal is to go in a Walk Trot  in July to get him used to a show environment, but he may not be ready even for that. I'm determined to do Training Level before the show season ends!
My personal goals for June? Again - lose 5 lbs.! That I didn't lose in May :(