Started with some sitting trot to canter transitions to get him making the transition more from behind. I have always got away with asking him to canter without going into sitting trot first as I find sitting difficult and he tends to hollow but it's not great for getting his bum underneath him. Did a few of these then we did some work on the walk piris. Must be careful not to let him try and make them too small and pivot - better to have them a bit larger and keep the walk stepping correctly. Use the legs alternately to keep the movement and make sure to keep the correct bend and not cross hands over withers. Some of them were worthy of 8's so that was quite exciting!
Next we did some lateral work in sitting trot - he did some lovely shoulder-in making sure to keep the same trot rhythm and keep the inside bend. Then travers. If feel him tightening then need to get the neck down as then the back comes up and softens. In the HP right take time to position right in SI first, then move over keeping the inside bend and not allowing the quarters to lead. Quarters need to step through and underneath him not let the inside hind just step out to the side. Circle if feel that you are losing the bend. Left HP good positioning and good consistency.
Medium trot - his hind end is really trying but he needs to come up in front and open the shoulder now. Keep the poll up, look up and ride forward.
Canter work - HP left good. HP right same as in trot, take time to set up the SI positioning then move him over whilst keeping the bend.
In preparation for the changes do simple changes and have them really snappy and super responsive to the leg aid so he's really listening to the canter aid. If he tries to wriggle the quarters in, move the shoulders over to meet them rather than trying to move the quarters back out again. With the changes, establish the new bend then change the leg aids. He initially did a clean one right to left, then we had a few not so clean ones but finished with a clean one each way, although left to right he was hollowing so need to work on keeping him rounder and softer so he can swing through with the new lead. Definite progress though.
Generally need to remember to keep him connected, don't let the reins get too long, keep giving and taking the inside rein/both reins to check he is in self carriage and most of all just keep him soft and relaxed in the rein.
Plan is for Medium Freestyle at the end of December - eek!
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