Lesson with Mollie

Had a super day today!  Played with Cal and he had great confidence and was really with me.  Someday maybe I'll get to play with something with Mollie other than circling game.  Because yet again I had her help me with getting that canter.  The focus this time wasn't on rrc (the trot was actually pretty nice).  With the canter she helped me by creating focus.  I needed to have a plan...what was I asking for?  So we decided on two laps of canter.  Changed direction when he broke gait.  When he finally did two laps to the right, leave him out there and let him lick and chew before bringing him back.  Make sure he knows it was the right thing.  Then Mollie had me send him to the left.  Since that's his harder direction, I didn't have him change direction when he broke gait.  Mollie pointed out that I needed to bring my energy up when I asked him to canter.  And, when I did, he went on phase 1, rather then 2 or 3.  Since this was the harder direction, she lowered the goal to one lap.  It was good, because it proved to be pretty hard for him, and the plan had to be adjusted to only a quarter of a lap.  Let him lick and chew and think on that.  Next time we tried, got a half a lap to the left much quicker.  Things I need to pay attention to: Bringing my energy up.  Having a goal in mind.  Setting a reasonable goal, and knowing when I need to adjust it, and when I really just need to be persistent.  Make sure Cal gets time to process.

Later in the afternoon we rode.  I rode Cal into the trailer!  Aahhh!!!  Crazy cool.

Spent some time later working on flying lead changes.  Bareback.  Huge push out of my comfort zone.  She said I really need to ask him to go faster.  And also have a pole in the middle that he "jumps" into the lead change.

Awesome day!  Can't wait until tomorrow!