A New Trainer

So, I am currently 'stationed' in Columbus, Ohio. It's been three months and I already miss those blue mountains and evergreens like nothing else. Not clear how long I'll be here in the Land of the Bucks (ugh), but since I have to be here anyway, I started taking lessons with a local trainer who I met several years ago. She has her USDF bronze and is very close to getting her instructor certification. In other words, she knows her stuff. At least, I haven't been instructed to pull the rein behind my waist yet. ;-) (See last post.)

So far, we've been working with really easy, but fundamental stuff. I never knew how lax I was with my outside rein until working with Kerrie. Like many beginning dressage riders who 'loooovvvee' horses, I think I misunderstood the concept of lightness to mean very light on the reins. I always rode with mostly leg and seat, which is good, but I failed to realize that the rein contact is equally important. I'm not saying that I threw my contact away like a western rider; I had a light feel of the mouth, but there wasn't enough there to 'recycle' the energy back into my hands. Kerrie says that contact should be 50% hands and 50% legs and seat.

To be cont...