This blog has become lately a kind of diary of my practice with the horses. ChoCho and I have been taking riding lessons on the occassional Saturday with Margaret Beeman. She is a professional trainer, specializing in colt starting. ChoCho did 3 months of basic training with her 2 years ago. You can see his final day “at first grade” with Margaret in this video:
ChoCho was younger then, but between the hands and legs of such an experienced rider, he goes through his gaits smoothly, considering he had just 3 months with her — one of which is all ground work.
ChoCho is obviously much more matured, both physically and mentally. I, on the other hand, am just starting basic training in dressage. So sometimes ChoCho has to work uphill with me, although he never gets negative feedback when we don’t get it all quite “right”. We (ChoCho and I) try to enjoy the ride, not the outcome, the process, not the product. Anyway, here are three clips of our latest “homework” — our video report back to Margaret about our “relative progress” on the path. The path to what? I don’t know. It doesn’t really matter. We had fun Saturday. Thanks to Sandy, we get to share it here on video “tape”.
Please note: This video is certainly not an educational piece on how to ride the canter! I constantly check my own balance and posting laterals. And am still working on a decent seat. Also, I am intentionally opening my hands and reins out on occassion, to ake sure that I am not hanging on ChoCho’s mouth, nor is he hanging o my hands, to leverage at the canter. Let me know what you think. However, amateurish, I think ChoCho is handsome. A fine gentleman. And yes, at the end, he walks straight to the camera to ham himself to the audience. He is priceless and I love him beyond words.
The Horses at Alderlore Present 