Patience

I don't know about you, but here we have been having some random great weather mixed in with the regular ugly winter. That taste of spring is wonderful but it also drives me nuts with anticipation for what is going to be *best show season evar* !!!

Right now though, just keep trotting. and trotting.

Still awake?

Notice full-on parka riding. This was not one of those random warm weather days and even after a full hour of trot work, still could not feel my hands.

Maybe next lesson will be warmer and possibly some, dare I say, canter work too?

Yes, dressage is still awesome.

Even though this all looks so straight forward (a feckin figure-8 to shoulder in to small circle failure), my brain is on fire with inside rein/outside rein connections, leg position, use inside of calf-not back of calf, even weight in stirrups but don't push down in stirrups, don't let toes point out (they still are!! boo.), look around circle, use core muscles, encourage her to seek the bit...

I am also very happy that baby Shiraz is showing a real passion for jumping--loose in the arena she pops herself over all the things and looks beautiful doing it!

But until Shiraz is trained, I'll be over here trotting.