And the Pictures Continue!

My one and only New Year's Resolution was to post more pics of Riva on my blog.  Thanks to my great husband...I am not having any problem keeping that resolution.  I do believe the Diva is on her way to becoming the most photographed horse in history!

The mild Indiana weather certainly is not hurting - the trees and grass are blooming and making for lovely rides outside...LOVE.

I had a lesson last evening with my trainer on Riva.  We mutually decided to just lesson on Riva for the time being - until I need a refresher on the schoolmaster, V.  My trainer was happy with my position - I still need reminders to keep my hands even (right one likes to creep forward) and keep my elbows back and relaxed.

She first had me run thru my Intro B test - 1st show this weekend!  She was happy with our tempo and rthymn - our trot down the centerline and halts were good at the beginning and end, the medium walk was good, downward transitions were good.  Things to work on - circles, free walk, upward transitions.  All in all - she saw more good than bad.

Halt at the end of test:

 After running thru the test, we focused on free walk, 20 meter circles at walk, then trot, then finished with upward transitions.  We had our first lesson on working with contact - Lex has been helping me with this so the concept is not brand new to Riva.  My trainer was very happy with Riva's willingness to try and not get angry. 

Working on circles with contact:

 

On the upward transitions, she helped me with Riva's tendency to push her nose out when going into trot.  We got a few decent transitions with Riva remaining on the bit and ended with that.  I took Riva for a nice walk out around the property after the lesson.  Such gorgeous March weather!

Cooling out walk:

 

I spent about an hour after our lesson mane pulling.  And I am less than 1/2 way done...