Another great lesson

Just a quick post to let you know how our training is coming along. Long lessons that are really giving me a workout....more so than the boys!

Our current training consists of a warm up, then some ground work followed by a lot of work on my riding skills and finally their cool down.

Last week Mario had me on Mac for over 2 hours....seemed like 8!:~) We were working on 10 meter circles, my posting--"geeet your butt out of thee saddle" is something I seemed to hear a lot along with "stop buuumping your butt on hiez back." OK already...you are working with an overweight, outta shape, older lady here. So we practice more and more!

Then there is learning the proper way to change the dressage whip from hand to hand. That is amusing...maybe someone will take some video of me for your entertainment! Not smoooooth yet (as Mario looks at me like WHAT in the world are you doing and proceeds to read me the riot act) but working at being graceful! For anyone who knows me, this will be a BIG challenge. LOL

Riding lots of transitions to keep my boys from getting too bored with my steep learning curve.

This week is very busy with practices for the Christmas Fiesta. Even the curly boys are getting a spot to be show cased. I hope to get a nice video of that "performance". They aren't at the level to be working with the Friesians yet, so a simple walk, trot and canter routine is right up their alley. Perhaps by next years celebration they can show off some higher level moves.

My right ankle and knee are still very weak. Between the cold (I think its colder in that arena than the outside temp of 11) and trying to force my uncooperative leg into the proper positionI managed to pulled a groin muscle today . Made for some extremely uncomfortable posting..not to mention the obviously lame appearance of my lift!!

Fortunately it happened moments before Mario had me change mounts from Mac to Ahote. Thank God! Ahote has such a smooth trot that I didn't have to admit to my injury (which would have been met with NO sympathy!:~) We practiced our sitting trot and lots of directional changes....mainly due to Casino, the Friesian stallion, who was freaking out about the pinata, his image in the mirrors, the flags--you name it--so was side passing and piaffing and attempting levades (not by request) all over the arena. It was a great lesson for us!

I came home exhausted once again. Cashed out on the couch, woke around 11 this evening and went out to feed the herd. Came in to have my spiked hot cocoa, jot this post and now it's time for sweet dreams--to do it all again tomorrow.

OH, I did manage to sneak in some very ground work on the Ride With Me on the 11th. We began the day with cutting and splitting firewood with the assistance of boys Cody and Affie (smooth coat.)

The weather quickly turned from misty (to a temp just above freezing) and before noon it was pouring out....so no riding and everyone came into the barn and got toweled dry, wet blankies removed and bedded down for the ice and snow storm that followed.

Until the next time.....good night for now!