Last week a few of my family members and I went to the Equine Affair in Massachusetts. One of the booths there was for Dressage Training Online. My Uncle knows my interest in learning dressage and bought me a month and also received a free month for my Christmas present. I just joined yesterday and have probably watched about 4 hours of videos already. I've watched a bunch of Courtney King and a few other riders, trainers and judges. I have to say I haven't learned very much yet but it has inspired me to ride. (Not like I need a ton of inspiration to go ride. lol) I have also been more aware of the little tries my horses give me. I am now giving a lot more praise and relaxing more. I am also breaking things down more. I am a little more concerned with building up or starting an actual "green" horse. The "green" horse videos I have seen so far have been of horses showing and 2nd level. Maybe there is another term I should be looking for....what's greener than green? Totally unbroke, I guess. :-)

I need a dressage trainer, an actual human being that I can ask questions to and hopefully get answers from. In the mean time...it's me and the DTO.

I rode Lazz, Amigo and Samson yesterday and Lazz and Bentley today. I can say lots of good things about all the horses and only a little negative stuff about each one. Lazz has been listening and trying real hard, but is quite out of shape again, but not his fault. He hung off of my hands a lot. Amigo was much more in front of my leg, and was trying VERY hard. I broke things down even smaller for him and he succeeded every time! YAY for us both! Samson was very stiff and and fought the contact but was great when I rode him with out reins. Bentley wanted to fly away with me on his back but after talking to him and letting him know it was ok to canter but a gallop wasn't needed, he relaxed. Did a couple of flying changes and that was it. (Pretty great since I haven't ridden him in over a month. Where does the time go?)

Overall a great couple of rides. I am super bummed about a broken zipper on one of my tall boots though. Grrr Not ready to buy another pair, but doubt fixing is worth it.