Lisa's Blog post # 41

Lesley proved to me that when Cotton is ridden correctly, he goes correctly – I’ve seen it with my own eyes when she's schooled him for me!  So, my new philosophy is that instead of worrying so much about what Cotton is doing, I am concentrating on what I am doing.  If I can ride correctly, he will go correctly.  So far my theory is proving to be valid. 

I’ve been riding him slowly and deliberately.   I have concentrated on “reducing the static” – say what I mean and mean what I say.   And guess what?  It works! 

My position is improving – I’m keeping my seat bones even, my core engaged so my entire torso is a tall tower, my legs wrapped around him and my weight centered.  I am keeping the door closed with forward feeling hands and asking him to step into the bit from behind.  

Almost all of my progress has been at the walk.  Once I become automatic with these things at the walk I am hoping it will naturally follow to be automatic at the trot and then, eventually, the canter – when he gets in shape, that will be easier.   Sometimes I am able to do these things at the trot and canter even now.  We had some great canter transitions, both up and down, today because I was able to keep my position.  Yay!

I’ve also had a “light bulb moment” about something I do that is so ridiculous – I try to “help” Cotton instead of sitting there and letting him do the work.   I knew I did this but the extent to which it impacts my riding in so many ways finally became apparent.  I used to try to “help” him over fences, which made me jump ahead of him.  Now I see that I try to “help” him bend by leaning into my circles.  I try to “help” him canter by leaning over his shoulder as I apply the aids.  I try to “help” him do his turns on the forehands and haunches by collapsing my hip or over doing my leg aids.  I end up getting all tense in my shoulders, my hands flatten and/or my wrists bend, my legs creep up… it’s bad!

When I force myself to sit there correctly, aid correctly, relax and let him do it, he does it!  Imagine that?!

I am already missing Lesley’s lessons!  It has been good to remember all that she’s taught me and take the time to put it into practice – I hear her voice every time I ride! But it’s not the same…