The Lellamonster: Part II

Lell and I are still working on her canter work. Now she knows that canter is an expectation. She can canter circles, go large, and easily pick up our canter. She still has a little speed button, but as a whole her canter has really improved. After watching the EDL clinic here in Pennsylvania, I know we have a lot of work to do when I get home. My latest goal for Lell is to be able to sit her canter, rather than riding her in a light seat. I'd also like to get more connection with her and keep contact while cantering. In Philippe Karl's book, Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage, he offers several tips to help improve the canter transition. Using the counterbend volte and consciously sitting to the outside have tremendously improved her canter transitions. 

There are two really great things about this course in Pennsylvania. There is a large variety of horse and rider combinations, which presents a fascinating combination of training tips and techniques to address the individual needs of each horse and rider.  They are all headed in the same direction, but the methods of getting there all have a slight variation. It's information overload! 

Another great aspect of the course is that it is filled with very knowledgeable professionals that are more than willing to share their lifelong horse experience. I've really enjoyed chatting with the professionals, learning how they started and what made them get interested in this methodology. 

Over the last two days i've seen a huge improvement with all the horses. Looking forward to another great day of riding.