There is so much I want to do and it is literally giving me nightmares that I might not be prepared for the season. Last night I was at a show riding patterns 4 (twice) and 10 and I messed up all of them and woke up in a panic.
Not. Cool.
So my goals are not competition oriented except to darn well stop dq'ing on my spins but that will happen once my spins are good enough to stop worrying about. I will stop worrying when my spins are good enough. Catch 22.
So:
(Depending on visa and financial situation) this year I would like to:
1) have Toby established in a relaxed headset throughout a pattern. Have him relaxed yet ready to run with a loose rein, soft and supple to both neck reins
2) nail those pivots. They kill our patterns.
3) fast/slow/fast canter speed changes without having to get in his face. Seat and or voice. Holly slowed just from my seat shifting from fast canter up the neck to back in the saddle. I want that.
4) lead changes.
He does his changes like an angel in the pen and I trust him because he's never let me down but in training and under scrutiny they can be better, especially left to right.
5) rollbacks.
I didn't have much time to work on these last year but riding Holly showed me what is possible. Sit, inside leg and neck rein, wheel round, two legs and go, right lead without question.
6) stop anticipating lead changes.
Me riding differently on those double fast circles. Outside rein, outside leg
7) ride like a pro.
If I've done it once, I can do it again. My horse will be fitter, I will be fitter. I will be prepared, not rushed week to week like last year.
8) rundowns
No anticipating stops, straight and true lines, consistency. Impulsion.
9) my position
Giving with my hips in a stop, riding the fast circles, sitting straight in spins, not leaning in lead changes, hand in the proper position.
10) being quicker and more effective in my take/release and corrections. Stop wasting time.
