Monday, March 3, 2014

What a difference two months makes

I know, you guys are probably tired of seeing Paddy-pics from the dressage show last weekend. But I obsess over them because, well, it's Paddy.  I started comparing pics of him from the show in December and the one last weekend, almost exactly two months apart, and wow, what a difference. It's not to say that our show in December was bad, necessarily, or the one last weekend was amazing, but I can see the progress.

Before, he looked nice at the trot. Now, he's stepping through more, lighter in his shoulder, and deeper in the bend (when I get my act together).

Dec. 2013

Feb. 2014

I kept him bent to the inside down the long side and his focus on me (mostly).
Dec. 2013

Feb. 2014


His "lalalaNotListeningToYou" moments were much less dramatic.

Dec. 2013: OMG A DOG!

Feb. 2014: Right ear says "Camera dead ahead!" Left ear says "What, mom? You want more bend?"

The canter is more balanced, but we've got a long way to go. I'm still braced, and he's still falling in.
Dec. 2013

Feb. 2014

Overall, though, I'd say we just look more like we're becoming a team.

Dec. 2013 - A pleasant picture.

Feb. 2014 - Looking SHARP and TOGETHER!

Our next show is April 5th. I'm not sure we can keep up this level of progress between now and then, but if so... watch out!

26 comments:

  1. Wow, I can't believe it's just two months between those two sets of photos!!

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    Replies
    1. I was kinda shocked too! So nice to be able to have comparison pics.

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  2. No one is tired of seeing Paddy pics, if they are they are lying.

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  3. Replies
    1. You TOOK all the awesome Paddy pics, so thank you!

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  4. Love Paddy pics!! Looking good :)

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  5. These are so cool to see side by side-so much improvement and cuteness!

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    1. I've never done a side-by-side comparison before... I'm really lucky to have such great pics so that I could do something like this!

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  6. These are GREAT! See how far you guys have come? :)

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  7. You guys have improved heaps! I adore the last picture!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! And the last pic is great - Lauren takes such good ones!

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  8. You two look great! I always love seeing before and after shots!

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  9. Great comparison! You guys looks awesome, and I am totally in your "holy cow looks what can happen in two months" boat. Love it!!

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    1. I'm really amazed at the progress. I knew we were getting better, but this is really beyond my wildest hopes. Thanks!

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  10. OH man, you have such good comparison pics! I'm jealous... but I love how much progress you're both making :-)

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    Replies
    1. The comparison pics are all courtesy of Lauren - I'm SO lucky to have them!

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  11. Wow, what a wonderpony! Any chance you want to share him? ;)

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    Replies
    1. If you'd care to move to Texas for the winter, I'm sure we could work something out... ;)

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    2. Haha, you have no idea how much I'd like to take you up on that. We're in our 5th month of winter right now...

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  12. I'm catching up on posts I bookmarked to comment on later. He's working in a lot more mature frame in the latest photos, very impressive!

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    1. Thank you! I'm amazed with how far we've come in such a short time. :)

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