Planning Our Training Focus After Our First Show - video & tests attached!

After our first competition, Victor and I are very clear on our goals moving forward.  Our scores were great for a first show (posted below) but we can improve on Victor's "reach" with his hind legs.  He has a real powerhouse behind the saddle and I'm looking forward to teaching him how to use it more effectively. Victor also hadn't been in a dressage arena (just large open jumping arenas) in 2 years so that will be part of our prep for the next competition.

Focus:
Victor has a tendency to brush his hind legs too closely which is a reflection on his flexibility (and corresponding strength) in his hips.  We are really focusing on lateral work flexibility and more "open" movement in all gaits for strength.

The sensation that I gather from Victor is a 1. pressing forward through his chest, a 2. stillness or "holding" his back under the saddle, and 3. pinched hips that don't easily open or swing.   He compensates for his weak left hind by bulging right shoulder.  A focus on evenly "loading" each hind leg will greatly reduce his habit of launching his center of balance forward and dislodging my balance under the saddle.

Extensive description on balance:  http://www.ridingart.com/balance.htm

The feel that I'm seeking is a horse that is more sensitive to my half halts and leg.  I want to find a softness in my aids that allows me to work less thereby "allowing" more reach and swing from Victor.

Yesterday I focused on Shoulder In (aid from rider's shoulder back and a feeling inside hip pressure) on a large circle with a long loose low connection.  In the walk, my hips move with his tempo to "spread" Victor's strides into longer reaching steps / less upright and bouncy.  I ask for halts from my seat and leg ONLY and single steps forward when I feel him "blow" through the half halt or aid for shoulder in.  I must focus on the feeling that My LEGS are attached to his hind legs and I must diligently monitor the length of each stride that he offers.  Sometimes it is really tough to leave the reins out of a half halt when he ignores my seat but this must improve!!

Another exercise with in "walk shoulder in to halt".... instead of asking for the singles step forward (to maintain center of balance under my seat from the first step)... i asked for a single step sideways from the inside hind leg.  This is further solidifying the relationship between my legs and his hind legs.  I praised Victor when his hind leg yielded to my leg from a halt.

In the trot, my focus is again on the shoulder in on a circle but here I'm listening to his hind legs and asking him to move one leg around the other without touching.

This work will help all gaits by teaching Victor to be more thoughtful about how he moves.

Saturday's Tests

 Training Level Test 2

Training Level Test 3
 Video:

Sunday - POURING RAIN but our boy is a Mudder!  He just needs to get used to being near the low dressage arena :)

Training Level Test 3