Susan filled in as the sub instructor for Brie, and she decided it was time we tried some more advanced moves. specifically walk-canter transitions, and then surprisingly, HALT-canter transitions. now, keeping in mind that just several weeks ago, i could barely get Ruby to canter from the trot, these new tasks seemed daunting. however, as of the past lesson; i was feeling much more confident and sure of the connection between myself and the mare. from the moment i mounted i could feel Ruby's collected power underneath me; i felt an unspoken understanding between us, and i intuitively knew that the walk-canter would be a piece of cake. we started with me and Norman (aboard Pippin) demonstrating to the two younger students how to use the correct aides to accomplish a good walk-canter depart. the first time i asked ruby, she sprang upward into a perfect collected and round canter, on the correct lead and i swear my butt did not leave the saddle for a split second. it was like riding a wave. her transit into the canter was textbook; her shoulders came up under me, her neck and back arched, and away we went; the real accomplishment being i asked for the canter on the longside. a straight away is more difficult to get the canter on because the horse must be bent to the inside in order to pick up the correct lead. when asking for a canter, doing it in a corner makes it easier since they are already bending through the corner. but Ruby and i were sharing the same thought pattern, and she was ready for anything. once we had showed the younger set (Cali and Gaul) the way to aske for a good transition, and they had practiced to Susan's satisfaction; it was Norman's turn to attempt the much more difficult and higher level halt-canter transition. Pippin is an easy candidate to try this on, as he's wired 24/7 and will fly away at the slightest touch. norman got the move down within a few steps, and then Susan asked if i wanted to attempt it.
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| no room for red next month; all blue baby! |
well i'll leave my reaction up to your imaginations; but the gist of it was an obvious affirmative. i just had this inexplicable knowledge that Ruby and i could do it. my first attempt was a one step depart; from a square halt into a perfect lovely canter. however, when we tried to go to the right; we met a few obstacles. the problem was not the impulsion, which certainly was there. Ruby did pick up the canter every time, which was lovely, but going to the right, she kept picking up the wrong lead. this happened 5 or 6 consecutive times; and Susan observed that since my outside leg was weaker, the mare was confusing my aides and taking her cue from my stronger (inside) leg. i had to make a herculean effort to adjust my body in such a way that ruby would understand what i wanted. i really focused on keeping my right leg very soft, and really scooching my left hip back at the same time as moving my left leg back as well as i could behind the girth. it took a few tries, but we did accomplish the move. the kids watching cheered and hooted with enthusiasm, which kinda melted my heart! i stayed a few minutes longer schooling ruby on her leads; mainly from the walk. the best tip i received was Susan telling me the precise moment to ask for a canter depart. what you do is give the aides right as the inside front leg moves forward in a step, which means the horse's weight distribution is correct for taking off on the correct lead.
at the end of the lesson Cali vehemently praised my work, telling me how great it was that i could do the halt to canter move. it was so sweet! Susan was very pleased with all of us; and i am very much looking forward to my next lesson!
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