Monday, November 5, 2012

Lesson # 2 - More Mental than Physical

Had my second lesson with JC on Sunday afternoon and both Riva and I had a mental workout.  We worked quite a bit on a pole exercise - ground pole that is! 


The object of the exercise was to get Riva to shoulder in over the ground pole.  I had to think first to move her shoulder over, then her hanches over - inside leg to outside rein.  We did this at walk and then later at trot without the ground pole.  Riva got the movement much easier to the right - to the left was a battle of wills.  She could not understand that she had to move the left leg over so the right leg could move over.

We also worked canter and trot - keeping the connection, increasing to medium canter and extended trot. 
 
I need blue gloves and a blue helmet cover to satisfy the eventer wanna be in me!
 
 
Still working on keeping my shoulders back in canter.
 
Every gait improved after the pole exercise.  It really helped with separating Riva's front and back end and she was much more supple and steady in the connection. 
 
Alexis was called in to ride in the lesson with me once again.  Riva even got to be the 'steady eddie' horse and walk between the pole and the arena wall a few times to prove to Alexis's horse that the pole was not a horse eating monster :)
 
Wanted to add a big thank you to the bloggers who left me such kind comments on my last post!  I appreciate all of you!
 
Show this Saturday - hoping the weather Gods will be nice to me.

15 comments:

Jen said...

Wow, she is looking awesome! I did a similar ground pole exercise thing with the pony I owned in college, only the purpose was to teach him that he could cross his legs over without falling over. That indoor looks huge!

Jeni said...

Sounds like an interesting exercise and one that may help Rosie and I with shoulder ins.

Both you and Riva look great! Good luck at the show can't wait to read about it.

Lisa said...

She looks amazing in that trotting photo!!

SprinklerBandit said...

You guys look awesome! Riva is maturing so well and your position looks great. Glad you are doing well.

Mona Sterling said...

I love that you match! Riva and you are looking are great!!

Calm, Forward, Straight said...

Love the trot photo - you two look great!!

Stanthehorse said...

She looks great! Temps are going to be in the 60s for Saturday!

Hillary said...

Riva looks AWESOME! That exercise seems intriguing... I want to learn more cool flat work moves... Houston is just starting to be more consistent with leg yields though.

Glad your lesson was a success!

Martine said...

You both look amazing in the photos! Best of luck at the show, bet you'll so great.

Adventures of the Super Ponies said...

You look wonderful. You would never guess that is a green horse. You look so relaxed and thoughtful. Good job both of you. You should be proud.

Malin said...

Love reading about your progress, but I have to confess I get a bit envious. I want to ride Pippi so badly it is making me mental.
In time.....in time....

AmberRose- Girl With a Dream said...

she looks amazing i love the photo's. that shoulder in exercise that you did i did this weekend too.its really good isnt it? you both look amazing :) xxx

Karley said...

omg i LOVE that 2nd picture!

Bakersfield Dressage said...

Riva looks REALLY good in these photos! You are definitely getting some excellent riding instruction! You should be proud of this work. :0)

Achieve1dream said...

You guys look so awesome! And those lessons look so fun. :D I miss that. I need to work on some ground exercises with Chrome for separating his front and hind end lol. :)