Well, I haven't updated on this in a really long time. I have been riding lots, but not been taking lessons since my last update on here. Though everything is going great! I spent my summer riding as much as I can in order to learn as much as I can and better myself as a rider. I was able to attend the Charles de Kunffy clinic early on in the summer. What a truly incredible experience. I learned so much and he is a truly wonderful clinician. I was also lucky enough to spend my summer re-attached at the hip with my best friend, Sarah, trail riding all over the Catalina's with our friends Beth and Katie. Our adventures are always so much fun and never produce anything but huge smiles. Boomer and I have been going incredibly well. I am finally feeling the partnership come together and the big improvements being accomplished. We have started learning our half pass, and though its not pretty yet, we are doing it!! I have had the opportunity to take a few jumping lessons on him, and he never ceases to amaze me with his bravery! As long as I am with him, and I add a little extra leg, he just says, "well okay!" and leaps over any obstacle I ask him to. We also recently had a little inner barn show, where everything felt so spot on. He was relaxed, happy, and forward. He listened to all of my aids and I truly don't think we could have done better (well okay there is always room for improvement, but I am very happy with how everything went). We showed in training level test 3, as well as first level test 1. We received a 63.200% at training level. But even more excitingly, we received a 67.342% at first level test 1. I was absolutely amazed after seeing the score. I was grinning from ear to ear, and several days later am still just as happy.
I'll throw in some photos at the end here, but for now this is all I have time to post about. I am for now off to class. I have recently been feeling like I have been making the right decisions in regards to my riding, and every time I get up on that little red arab, it just confirms everything. I am so grateful for everything that paved my riding path and made me who I am today, but for now, I am so proud and happy to be a dressage queen.
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| The final salute in our first level test |
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| The beginning of our half passes! |
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| Major improvement in the trot extensions! |
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| working on moving uphill and more under himself |
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| Schooling over logs |
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| Canter extension in our first level test 1! |
