SJL lesson - Parwood - 28/01/15

We worked on breaking down bits of E59 that we could improve.  Starting with his basic trot - need to school him rounder and deeper so he swings more over his back and engages his hindleg better.  He tends to use his back legs as pistons rather than pushing through.  Transitions to walk and back to trot keeping the softness and the roundness and the activity coming through.  I must remember to keep my elbows in and my shoulders soft.  He is much easier to sit to when he is round and soft too.

Same in canter, rounder and softer.  Shouldn't struggle to pick him up into a competition outline when needed but for schooling purposes have him down and soft.  Move the canter on and bring it back, then right back before sending it on again.  Transitions to sitting trot and back to canter, keeping him soft and engaged.

Some work on the trot leg yield pattern, making sure to keep him parallel and to finish the movement and not let the shoulders escape in the last few strides.

Then work on simple changes, keeping him super straight and balanced.  From right to left make sure not too much left bend and not let him bulge out through the right shoulder.  From left to right, keep the activity and jump in the canter on the first half circle.

Finished with some work on medium trot, half halt, balance, straight, legs on the girth, keep him round and soft and go.  He actually did a couple of reasonable attempts - some actual steps of medium.  Yay!!!