Wednesday's lesson was partly in the saddle and partly on the ground, so I got 2 lessons for the price of 1! After watching each video that AK took during last week's lesson, I was able to zero in on several things I need to work on. The first thing I wanted to work on (other than bending) was walking in a straight line. One of the videos in particular, is me practicing Intro Test A. All of the walking sections reminded me of Marines leaving the bar on a Saturday night. Swerving left and right, uneven steps, and a non-existent tempo.
I spent the first part of my lesson working on bending Gryfon and warming him up. After a nice warm up we did a little trotting, but I really wanted to focus on walking in straight lines. I was able to figure out that Gryfon needs very little guidance when walking and tends to overreact when I give small corrections. So, in essence I really need to tone down my riding queues for him. We worked on the walking parts of Intro Test A and I feel like I have a better understanding of how I can help him be more successful. After nearly 30 minutes of Intro Test A work, I got off and finished the lesson on the ground.
Since I have decided to enter my first show next month, CG and I discussed what classes I feel I am ready to compete in. I decided Intro Test A for sure, and also an "in-hand" class: 6 Feet on the Ground Test 1. The in-hand class is designed for "green" horses and/or their green riders to experience the show atmosphere and compete from the safety of the ground. (Sounds like a perfect class for me and Gryfon!) Those classes are held first before the riding classes start so the plan is to do one in-hand class and see how it goes. If Gryfon handles the show scene well and I feel comfortable enough, we will enter the Intro Test A class. If not, then we will scratch and call it a day.
On to the rest of my lesson. CG pulled up some sample 6 Feet on the Ground Tests and had me practice those movements. Just let me say it is flippin' hard! Some of the movements are intuitive and things I do all the time and others are not. I practiced everything from leg yields to square halts. I was inspired to research the patterns that will be used in the show next month and have several things to work on during my lessons for the foreseeable future!
Goals for my lesson tomorrow? Try a new bending warm up exercise called the snowman, some trot work and then work on 6 Feet on the Ground Test 1. Gryfon has quite the crack in his hind right hoof and the farrier isn't due out for another 2 weeks, ugh!
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