SJL lesson Parwood 08-06-16

So, mission now is to crack on with the PSG movements, all the while still attempting to improve his basic work.

Today we learnt not to ask for too much sideways in the HP (trot and canter) and make it too difficult for him to maintain his balance.  Point his head where we are going and only ask for that degree of sideways.  This comes from working too much in the small school I have at home so forget what normal distances are.  Need to work on not so much sideways and more jump plus keep the roundness.  Also need to work on being able to take my leg away slightly as at the moment outside leg is clamped on his side all the way.  He should carry on going sideways without that.  Remembering weight down the inside leg helped too.

We did our first canter zig-zags.  Remember to straighten and ask for new positioning before asking for the first flying change.  Most difficult bit was balancing him quick enough after the 2nd half pass for the flying change back towards his more difficult way.  There is only one zig-zag in PSG and it goes left then right.

Then worked on the canter piris.  First working on a large walk piri really getting the front end stepping around and the back leg stepping under not out.  Then into the canter piri and for the first time he actually managed the entire half piri to the right without falling into walk.  (he finds left easier but must make sure quarters don't lead as it's impossible if they go first)  If he does fall into walk most important thing is to try and pick up canter again without coming out of the piri so he learns not to stress but just to carry on in case he does it in test situation.

Love the way we now just casually do single changes across the diagonal to change the rein without even thinking about it.  They took so long to crack but they're fab now!

Finished with some trot work and he felt brilliant - really uphill for him, powerful, settled in the contact and just making SI/HP feel soooooo easy!

It was soooo hot today so pleased that he worked so well as we were both melting!  He's earned himself a week off now for being such a good boy then it's onwards to our first 100+ at Rackham followed by the 100 at Farley before returning to dressage to do another Advanced 102 at the unaffiliated Pachesham dressage champs.