UPDATE with videos - comments welcome!

[SandTikiFire]

It's taken me forever but here is a Tiki update!

The canter has been our nemesis unless I just half seat and cruise but now that we are focusing JUST on dressage we MUST get past it. This video is from my lessons the last few weekends. The trot is getting MUCH better. And I think the canter is improving as well. I just got a new saddle (Tolouse Marianne) with full knee blocks to keep my leg more stable (The MS has left me with weaker legs)

I WELCOME comments and suggestions! The videos go from oldest to newest


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZJkHN_0wF4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avfqARqajpY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP6SMTr8C54

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldv-jA6w-vA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Dp-p0kONjc

[FlyingLily]

Looking good! Terrific improvement through the videos over time.

I love your instructor - "Ride the body!". And you are so quick to respond to her cues - great team plus charming horse.

[emmalou]

So much improvement from first to last! Good job.

First I was "why is he being such an evasive booger".

Last I was "oooh pretty!"

[KathyK]

Well done! Your trainer must love working with you.

[DD2]

Your horse is really cute and you make a great pair. I like seeing the progress and great explanation from your trainer about opening/ lowering the inside rein to get the bend (ie don't do it). Thanks for sharing! Also really cute breeches at the end

[SandTikiFire]

Thanks, all! I love my trainer! She is so much fun to work with. Last weekend she had me cracking up WHILE CANTERING because she called my horse Pepe Le Peu!

Tiki was supposed to be my dressage horse 5 years ago, then we decided to play in the baby jumpers for a few years, but now he is having to go back to his original game plan an he definitely has his moments, but the progress is clearly there. I love keeping a regular video log of our journey because it also lets me see the progress.

The breeches are my favorite pair - they are Tough Riders and I love them!

[demi]

Nice videos, thanks for sharing. I can sure see the improvement. I really like Tiki. What's his breed?
I also like your instructor a lot. I can clearly understand her directions and the results you are getting are visible. Keep us posted on further development!

[SandTikiFire]

Thanks, Demi!

He's an Arabian stallion off the track! And he won several major sraces, which is surprising given the fact that he is NOT a forward horse!

[SnowHorse]

I've always loved Tiki, he's such a cool boy!

He also reminds me of my wee mare who is racing bred, but never trained for racing (or raced).

Keep up the good work - and remember to reward him as soon as he does the right thing - for my mare it's always a "what do you want?" - "ohh, THIS?", and when she knows, she's happy, but I can't keep her guessing or she becomes frustrated.

Hugs to Tiki