Today was one of those growing up lessons. Regal and I are now comfortable with the baby stuff, and ready to move on to more grown-up work. Our trainer Chris really wants to get us going well so we can come out even more prepared for Twin at the end of September.
Today was spent in the dressage saddle, bringing Regal up into my hands and more accepting of the bit...more of a first level frame instead of a long and low. Oh he was shocked!! All this time he's been feeling pretty cocky about how good he's doing, and now this, something he has to work at!! Well after a "few baby Regal fits" as we call them, he began to get the idea. It felt amazing! I began to get the feeling of power coming up from behind and into my hands, the feeling I'm going to need and perfect as we continue to move up. Regal wasn't the only one working hard...I had some major tweaking of my body mechanics to do. Coming from a hunter/jumper background I tend to let my lower back arch instead of keeping it solid, and because Regal makes you work for any impulsion he gives you, my legs and butt were getting quite the workout...especially when we started trying to improve the clarity in our lengthenings :/ I sense sit-ups, squats, and longer jogs in my future, Regal isn't the only one who has to be in good condition!! haha.
It was a great day overall. I'm really excited to have new things to work on and integrate into our routines. My boyfried actually came out to say hi to Regal and see our ride, and being a typical non-horsey boy he finds the jumping and cross country more exciting. But I think today, with all of our impulsion and almost airs above ground, Reg and I gave him a new respect for plain old flatwork, and how much work it actually takes to make it all seem so effortless.
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