Everything went surprisingly good! By Saturday she was really settling back into working and was pulling a lot less nonsense. No spooks or bucks and I was just so proud . She didn’t even get very upset at the chairs that “magically” appeared in the arena overnight (auditing seating).
I went to the barn late Friday night to make sure she got ridden the day before and had my fiancé walk around, open and close doors, dance like an idiot, etc to prepare her for the movement at that end of the ring the next day
He was such a trooper and stayed there with me until around 11:30pm so I could get my ride in, and then cool her out properly.
Alyssa is a great teacher. She’s so positive, and explains things in a way that I can understand easily. I can’t wait to ride with her again.
We have so much to work on now. Lots and lots of serpentines, circles, and transitions to ride in our future. Also LOTS of cantering.
Day two we started our ride way better that the previous day. We even began teaching her some leg yielding... I had no idea she was ready for that and I felt so accomplished when we actually did it!
Alyssa told me she’s “not allowed any more time off” and “forget school” in a joking way and said she really hopes to see her in the next clinic too.
I had some “ah ha” moments myself on the correct use of aids. I didn’t get a lot of formal lessons in my younger years so sometimes things I SHOULD know, I don’t.
Now to carry the momentum forward, getting both of us more fit and working on everything we learned until she comes back in May!
Picture is Phoenix all dressed up waiting for her bridle on day 1 of the clinic.
I know day 2 was videoed and I hope to be able to figure out how to post some of that here when I have the video.
