Post by Chase Valentine on Jan 30, 2017 9:07:19 GMT -8
Chase clicked twice and Babe took off at a steady trot. They were just warming up now, but it was a good, cold day for some dressage training. There was only a bit of snow on the ground outside, but Chase was still glad that there was an indoor arena. Even though they were indoors, he could still see his breath. The cold didn't really bother him, so he was free to focus on the task at hand. He asked for a canter and she complied, but only after a few more trotting strides. They'd have to work on her transitions, it seemed. After a few strides, he pulled her back into a trot. Again, he waited a little while and asked for a canter. This time, much better. A few more strides and he pulled her back into a walk.
Then, he rode down the center line to the middle of the arena and asked her to halt. She stood as still as ever, and he saluted judges that weren't there. And since the judges weren't there, he leaned forward and patted Babe's neck.
Three clicks and they were cantering around the arena again, but this was a collected canter. He could see her neck arch and he could feel every beat of the gait. How about a half-pass? He was pleased with it. But what they really needed to practice was Babe's flying change. It had been part of the test in the school show. While he knew she had done her best, there was always room for improvement. Especially with her flying changes.
Down the center line. Flying change. On the long side of the arena. Flying change. Short side, flying change. Then, free walk to the center for a break.
Then, he rode down the center line to the middle of the arena and asked her to halt. She stood as still as ever, and he saluted judges that weren't there. And since the judges weren't there, he leaned forward and patted Babe's neck.
Three clicks and they were cantering around the arena again, but this was a collected canter. He could see her neck arch and he could feel every beat of the gait. How about a half-pass? He was pleased with it. But what they really needed to practice was Babe's flying change. It had been part of the test in the school show. While he knew she had done her best, there was always room for improvement. Especially with her flying changes.
Down the center line. Flying change. On the long side of the arena. Flying change. Short side, flying change. Then, free walk to the center for a break.