Thankful for Homework

I feel that this weekend, we accomplished that goal. WallE has been very forward the past few weeks, so it was surprising when he was relaxed and a little lethargic in the warm up. Molly could see I was struggling and having to use leg and whip to urge WallE forward without much success. To increase tempo without me increasing my energy, Molly had us continuously change directions. Circle to the left, change through the circle, start going across the diagonal, track left again, cross the short diagonal, half circle, etc. Constantly changing so that WallE became more alert. And...it worked. Within a few minutes WallE was moving forward on the bit at the trot. 

Next Molly had us work on a circle with me looking over my outside shoulder. This helped me keep my outside aids steadier and made WallE more aware of the contact. We flexed slightly to the outside and had a few canter transitions. In the canter we worked on the tempo...1,2,3,1,2,3,1,2,3. WallE and I typically like to move slowly, so increasing the tempo and staying connected is an accomplishment. 

She had us transition to the trot and lengthen the reins so WallE could stretch, then have a walk. After a short break, we recollected and worked on sharpening the walk/trot transitions until they were crisp and immediate. After the response time had improved, we played with leg yields, 10 meter circles and cantering, keeping the connection at the forefront of our minds. 

On Sunday we traveled back to work on suppleness. Since the wind had picked up and temperature had dropped, I expected WallE to be a little wild, but he was focused (other than one tiny spook at nothing). Molly had me take up my reins so that they were short enough to maintain a connection (even if WallE was not round) and then return to my changing direction exercise. WallE responded very quickly and before long we were leg yielding in and out of the circle. Then we began to work on the shoulder in on the long sides before returning to the circle for a canter.