July 2000
Hi Gina,
I haven't got my snail mail thank yous done yet-life smacked me in the
face the minute I got back-but I did want to let you know that I got home
safe and sound. Stopped in to see Howell and passed on some of the good
stuff from the week. She was very excited about her horse when we got
finished.
The very great news is that my mare is really well trained-you must
have snuck down here in the evenings and schooled her for me because when I got
on her I did what we talked about. I grabbed the strap, held the buckle of
the reins and let her go. We wandered around a little, the ears going around
like a top, like she was waiting for me to grab the reins to keep her from
spooking. When I didn't she walked to the rail and went all the way
around the arena with her head looking out. Never jumped never spooked nothing.
So I picked up the rein and she looked for the contact, pushed her back up,
her head down, and away we went. When I trotted we did the same thing-no
contact, around the arena, pick up the rein, seek the bit, go round. Then
I asked her to go forward with my seat in posting and I could not believel
the impulsion I had. No leg, no pushing, just sitting the way we worked on
all week and it was there. It was soft, relaxed, steady, and I could shape it
anyway I wanted just by thinking. Allegra's little ears never stopped
going. It was like she was thinking, " Where is all this energy coming from and
why isn't she pushing me around trying to get it?" When I asked for the canter
I felt like she was going to take off like a jet. She lifted the front end
under me and stepped up and forward and round. The down transition was a
little abrupt-I wanted the trot and I got the halt because I didn't let go
of the half halt. So you can see that I am one excited puppy. I thank you
for your help and patience with me last week.
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