REAL LIFE Well its official, I'm leaving Holyoke Mass - my last day of work here is July 3rd. The plan is to start my new job on August 1st, so I'll have a nice riding vacation in July. I expect to be working in Randolph VT at Gifford hospital and the horses will be at Huntington Farm in South Strafford VT. I'll get to train with Deb Dean-Smith on a regular basis - which absolutely thrills me! Deb presently has 3 FEI horses (all trained by her) Lady Liberty who showed GP last year, La Habanara I1 last year and Donnervogal who should be close to his GP debut.

Caddymaster: Caddy is going great. I rode throught the I1 test last week. His strengths are the flying changes. Although I did notice that the canter lost some of the quality with the tempe changes - so the canter I have after say 7 2 time changes was not quite as good as the canter I started with.

The pirouettes were much better than I expected (although still not super). For the pirouettes, I have to pay attention to the preparation. If I over-collect the canter he loses the canter quality and the pirouettes are not possible. One thing I like is his straightness going into them.

The canter zigzag was harder than I though it would be. The straightening and flying change in the change in reins lost organization and quality. I added an 8m volte before the change of direction and then ride very deliberately so....... Half pass right centerline to quarter line. 8m volte right straight 2 strides flying change, straight one stride left shoulder fore one stride left half pass quarterline to quarterline 8m volte....I can't fit the test pattern in but this precision is really working in terms of keeping the quality of the canter. Interesting results is that even though I am slowing the exercise down, this actually is getting his responses quicker - very cool.

I've started playing a bit with the one time changes. I really have to concentrate, my natural inclination is to see what happens with the first change before asking for the second - but then I'm not quick enough and get two time changes. So I have to trust my horse and ask for the next change before the first is completed. Change change change.... a real riders puzzle.

So a couple of things that have helped me bring Cad-man back....I kind of have an every other day schedule for him. So one day work the next day long hack in the snaffle walk and long trots on the buckle - so I don't "work" him two days in a row. Also really focusing on the warm up with lots of quick transitions to really get him responding to a polite calf pressure. Also in the forward and back, the forward part is more working gait collected gait working gait collected gait....... trot walk trot. I have the tendency to push him too forward too fast causing him to lose a little balance. This new way of thinking is working better.

Tia: I rode her through the PSG test and was very pleased with the results. I did 3 tempe changes instead of the required 5. By the end of the canter tour she was down hill and tense but overall did a great job.

My challenge with her is to let the training happen organically and not push for results. At this point she can not reliably do the tempe changes. There are still times where negative tension creeps in.

Shows: Normally I start showing in May and I have all my goals mapped out. This year I'm still a little up in the air. Also, I normally go to GMHA in June - but I can't this year as my present trainer is the TD. So I need to check the omnibus and see what else is available in June. I guess will start out with Caddy at PSG and Tia at 4th level and see how it goes.