A few weeks ago, I was coaching in Arezo, Italy. What a beautiful show grounds. The place had about seven arenas. We had lovely weather and the food was to die for. It was food heaven. I’m looking forward to going back next year with my own horses.
Vitall is doing great. I can’t wait to get into the show ring with him in the New Year. He is feeling better than ever. The pirouettes are becoming much stronger and gaining more control in his canter strides.
I was discussing with my coach one of the most important things with training is not riding the exercises, it’s taking the time to do the detail work. Working on riding transitions and keeping the horse in self-carriage, confirming up all the little details so that you know your horse inside out, this is what makes riding the exercises easier than just repeating the exercises over and over. Sure you need to repeat exercises, but if you have the basic grounding of your speed control, self-carriage, knowing how strong or light your half halts need to be, where and when to push them forward and bring them back – all this control helps especially in the show ring.
This is what I have been really focusing on with all my horses, not just Vitall even the young ones – that they stay in balance, listen to my aids all the little fundamentals that I need to bring them along.
I am getting close to my last eight weeks in Holland before I depart to Florida. I am so excited to go to Florida and have a new experience. I don’t even know where to begin my packing. I have a feeling I will be leaving a lot of things behind. I plan to come back to Holland in April 2014.
