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Post by racaille on Jun 13, 2014 9:02:28 GMT
Mentioned to my coach that I fancied some baby dressage next year and all of a sudden it seems it is a fait accompli! Deserately backtracking, I said I was only thinking about Club 3, more or less just walk, trot and canter. "But he's doing such lovely lateral work at the moment, it'd be a pity not to show it off," she replied. "You must do Club 2'." Ooo er.  Club 2 is starting to get serious and I'd have to do a lot of work on me, refine my aids etc, and his canter is still pretty grotty, although we were working on shoulder in canter yesterday and he was beginning to get it - there is some of that in Club 2. Still, I'm beginning to get free from my fear of humiliation so yes, I'm going to give it all a whirl. Got the summer to work on it. EEEk!!!!!!!  |
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Post by fleabitten on Jun 13, 2014 13:39:16 GMT
Why not!  |
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Post by racaille on Jun 13, 2014 18:44:34 GMT
Erm, Flea, I can think of quite a few reasons why not! Paco still needs very pronounced aids for left lead canter (although he's so much better - or perhaps I am asking better) and my legs still wander backwards and apparently my hands wander upwards - this as a result of being told to raise my hands to stop him tucking his chin on his chest. You can't win can you? But I am learning not to focus on the negatives. He really is good at lateral work and his trot is pretty good now, active and engaged and round. And I'm quite pleased that, dumpy old bag that I am, my sitting trot is not too shabby. |
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Post by fleabitten on Jun 14, 2014 6:41:43 GMT
That's really good rac, I suppose if you think about it there's always going to be something to work on anyway in dressage! Sounds like you've made a good start and if your coach thinks you're ready you should give it a go - sometimes its hard to put your faith in someone else that you can do something but at the end of the day they're not going to tell you to do it to let you fail or look an idiot :-)
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Post by racaille on Jun 14, 2014 7:58:57 GMT
Thanks for encouraging me Flea, it does help, you know!
I've been looking at the Grand Prix test at Club 2 level (I can only learn one test at a time!) and there is some counter canter in it, but that's not too alarming. I'm going to start doing sections of it and see how I get on, but as you say, there is always something to work on!
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Post by brigadier on Jun 14, 2014 9:08:16 GMT
It sounds as though you are doing something which is comparable to our intermediate which is pretty good going IMHO! Very pleased for you RAc- shows all your hard work is paying off, I personally wouldnt worry about left canter lead- if his lateral stuff is coming on so much it will naturally help him and you as you will be more consistent in your weight and he will be carrying himself better.
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Post by racaille on Jun 14, 2014 10:07:03 GMT
Yes Brig he is carrying himself much better and I'm absolutely delighted! I've had to put him back in a bit though - he just leans on me in the Dr Cooks, although that is still great for hacking. Got to thank my coach for all these improvements, she's given me some really useful exercises (the magic outside rein LOL!!!!) and bless the old boy, he is trying so hard  |
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Post by fleabitten on Jun 14, 2014 18:21:45 GMT
ditto brig it does sound as though club 2 is quite a high level - i dont think counter canter appears until novice dressage tests or am i wrong?
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Post by pboy on Jun 16, 2014 9:56:01 GMT
Sounds like a great challenge!! I think it's good to have a coach who pushes you a bit, it must give you confidence to know that she thinks you are both ready for it FB - yep, counter canter appears in novice along with leg yield and rein-back. Other lateral work (shoulder-in, travers) appear later, maybe some in elementary? I'm not sure exactly which levels though as I've never done above novice! |
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Post by racaille on Jun 16, 2014 19:13:27 GMT
Gosh I'm lost with all this! We've been working on shoulder in (I know this as it's the same in French) . Is leg yield where where you travel diagonally: the horse pointing straight but crossing legs for the sideways movement? For us that is deplacement lateraux and he's pretty good at that.
But let's be clear! The boy is pretty good and I'm a bit of a lumpen passenger! However, I stick a big smile on ... and hope for the best!
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Post by fleabitten on Jun 16, 2014 21:27:01 GMT
well if youre doing novice dressage rac thats quite an achievement!  go for it! |
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Club 2 is starting to get serious and I'd have to do a lot of work on me, refine my aids etc, and his canter is still pretty grotty, although we were working on shoulder in canter yesterday and he was beginning to get it - there is some of that in Club 2. 
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
go for it!