Monday, March 21, 2016

Taran's MEDIUM (?) TROT(!!!)

Sorry for the blog silence... I set up blogger to post while I was off doing jousting things but it didn't, so oh well. More on Brego later!

I mentioned a while ago that I'd found Taran's big trot while we were chasing Brego out on a trail ride. Since then, I've been asking him for a little more trot every time we work, and we're starting to actually get it! And then Friday, it all clicked together and we got this:

So.

Much.

TROT!

Here's the video: 


I can't even tell you how excited I am about this! It's the first time I've really ever felt something that might be approaching a medium trot (maybe? I wouldn't know lol!) and it just feels. So. Awesome. 

I'm doing something in my head that is really helping me ride this movement, because you'll see that I'm struggling to stay in balance with him. You know how Charlotte du Jardin looks in extended trot?She's looking up, her shoulders are back, chest open, hands up a little. She's clearly riding him UP into the trot, and not DOWN into a bigger step (like you would a stretchy trot), which is how I previously tried to ride lengthen trot. I don't want to bury Taran on his forehand, so I'm picking my hands up and forward a touch and envisioning "offering" him the reins on a platter, while keeping the contact steady (no pulling! no dropping the contact! ack!). This is SUPER HARD for me because it means I have to be soft in my arms and very balanced through my body while riding this huge step I'm not used to. Keeping my body up and open seems to be key too, because otherwise we lose the connection and I can feel his hind end trailing behind. It's a fine line to surf, but OMG... when it works, it's SUCH an amazing feeling! 

Now, if we can just do this in front of a judge, on MXK...

36 comments:

  1. Ahhh you guys look so good! I just can't help from "squee"ing every time I see that picture.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I admit to spending way too long staring at those pictures. I feel like I've leveled up or something!

      Delete
  2. Woohoo! That first time getting a good lengthen/medium on a horse feels sooo cool, I love that feeling! Congrats on coming so far with Taran so quickly. That trot looks awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Replies
    1. Who'd have thought the cute little grey horse was actually a fancy dressage horse?

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. Me too! I feel like he's been hiding this talent all along...

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. Now if we can just do it in front of a judge...

      Delete
  6. WOO WOO

    So happy for you guys! That looks great. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure where he's been hiding that trot all these years...

      Delete
  7. Woo Hoo looking awesome! I really like the visual of keeping a giant beach ball in my arms, it gives you that same open shoulder, arms slightly up feel:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooooh, I like that one too! I'll have to think about that next time I ride.

      Delete
  8. goooo Taran gooooooo!!!!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  9. That looks so fun to ride, and you look so soft and balanced!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ugh, I felt like a flopping fish - that trot is really hard for me to stay with!

      Delete
  10. My BFF and my Boy-o! Wooooo-Hooooo!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Woohoo!! That's one nice looking trot!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Replies
    1. I'm excited that he's actually pushing from behind and not going splat, lol!

      Delete
  14. Taran has wings!

    He is really getting this dressage thing, isn't he? You should feel very proud of all your efforts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're definitely making progress, which is SUPER exciting!

      Delete
  15. Dude how awesome is that?!
    Congrats and hope to some day ride well enough to be able to do the same

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think a lot of us get stuck thinking we're not ready (for whatever reason) for the next thing... But the reality is that you never will be unless you try. I got this trot by steadily asking for a little more each ride, building strength and balance and understanding until we got this one. I bet you can do it too with your lovely girls!

      Delete