~Lisa's Corner~
OK – we’ve got the stopping thing down pat! We’ve been cantering up and down the field and he’s doing great! I haven’t done any fly-bys yet though (cantering past a XC jump)– don’t want to mess up a good thing. Trust is a critical issue
~Lisa's Corner~
OK ladies … well, this affects you guys too, so listen up. It’s time we talk about an issue that affects all of us every summer – except those of you who live in the deep South, in which case you may struggle with this year round. This is not some
~Lisa's Corner~
Cotton was so happy to be cantering out in the XC field! I’ve been limiting our canter work to the arena so I could practice stopping him with my seat instead of my hand and this was our first attempt out in the open at a canter using that
~Lisa's Corner~
Jumping 101. Cotton loves this class! The prerequisite was dressage 101 – which I have passed with .… a solid B maybe? Cotton was hoping his flatwork was finished for the day when he saw that we were lined up for the first approach but, as the Rolex announcer said during stadium
~Lisa's Corner~
Now we’re cooking! We have been cantering all around the ring. Our departures have been spot on. He’s not bucking at all. He stops when I want him to. We are jumping again!! (just baby jumps) Things are finally back on track! I’ve learned to keep my
~Lisa's Corner~
The two rides I’ve had on Cotton since my big date with Sony have been productive. Yesterday I experienced the enormous importance of having my core engaged at all times. We were out trotting around the open field – he loves it out there! I was practicing keeping him round
~Lisa's Corner~
The vacuum cleaner has always been my favorite electronic device. It instantly sucks away all kinds of dirt that a house full of boys and dogs creates. It just disappears! It even works on dirty ovens. My quality of life would be greatly diminished if there were no vacuum in
~Lisa's Corner~
Well, I did better but not as good as the day before. Our trot work was fabulous, our canter departures were very good but when he swapped leads in the back I made the mistake of bringing him back down into a trot and starting over. I was trying to
~Lisa's Corner~
It’s so great to see the sun again! Our farrier was running really late today so Lesley had time to give me a lesson while we waited.Yay! I feel like an onion – she peels off one layer and gets to work on the next one!I’ve worked
~Lisa's Corner~
With just about an entire straight week of rain, I haven’t ridden very much – three times actually. The first time, my friend Cheryl talked me into going out in the rain with her but it was a non-productive ride. We were soaking wet in a matter of minutes. The
~Lisa's Corner~
Oh.My. Goodness.I thank the Lord for Lesley Stevenson.She fixed me! Now I just need to be able to do it on my own and do it until it becomes instinctive. Basically, I have been riding backwards.I have been riding from my hands to my seat instead
~Lisa's Corner~
OK, I’m just going to say it … I am 49 years OLD!What do I think I’m doing?! Lesley has assured me that I can handle him but I’m having my doubts at this point. I told her that her job as my professional coach was to
