We cracked the 20m Circle and more!!!

[night-mare]

In our last lesson something suddenly clicked with me and K and  all at once we got rhthym / balance/ engagement/outline/bend/ and the lightest imagineable contact. It felt AMAZING as we floated around that circle. Her trot was HUGE- just like being on a trampolene- i could only JUST sit to it when i tried.
Heather said it would be fantastic when we got there and      it certainly was.
We managed a whole 20m on the left rein and about 80% on the right .
My instructor was bouncing up and down and clapping and i havent stopped having little secret smiles since then    and k is VERY smug- she knows she has been very clever
Bit sad really - all over a couple of circles, but it has been a bit of a long haul to get to this point as amongst other things K would keep growing and having to learn to rebalance all over again , but now i really think i can see her beginning to progress.

off to hide under my duvet again   

[issywizz]

 
love your instructor too! 

[Naiad]

I am so envious! I am still waiting for that floating feeling for a 20m trot circle. I can get that feeling at walk on the 10m and 20m circles, but cannot quite get it yet at trot.

Good for you!!

[shoveltrash]

and THAT is what makes it all worthwhile
the floaty feeling, when everything is zen-like and just *clicks*
(i actually had that doing 10m trot serpentines last night, a first for us!)

love the sound of your RI

[Naiad]

the floaty feeling, when everything is zen-like and just *clicks*

Speaking of zen. This woman had an entire chapter in this book (see link below) on the zen quality of circles, another chapter on the zen quality of going straight etc. She turned every movement in dressage into a discussion of how it can contribute to our spirituality etc. A bit heavy at times but in a good way (!), but kind of interesting.
http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/ee/boards/index.php/topic,43340.0.html

[shoveltrash]

just posted on your thread Naiad! VERY interesting.......i'd like to get that book!

[shoveltrash]

well.......i've ordered that book (i'm a sucker for horsey books - my shelves are groaning!!!)
thanks so much for the recommendation Naiad!
(sorry to go a bit off topic!)

[ukica]

I have been struggling with circles so i dont think its sad at all  

I am also off to check out that book now  

[night-mare]

Well i'm not sure where i was at that moment but "4th dimension of the spirit" is probably fairly descriptive . it was certainly a "wow" moment in more lay woman type terms
I am so lucky with my instructors- my main one has been with me all the way with K, is patience personified and determined to get the correct base work in and solid  before we go any further. The lady of the "lesson" i only manage to get to occasionally but she is a brilliant teacher- like having someone on the horse with you. She teaches my usual instructor so we are all on the same wavelength which means numpty here doesnt get too confused ( easily done!) and they talk to each other and discuss  their joint pupils often working around a problem together. Lucky pupils i say
Said instructor is also a lady of more advanced years but has somehow managed to retain an amazing enthusiasm for teaching . It is quite daunting to think of the competition level of some of her pupils yet her reaction to our circles was absolutely genuine pleasure. There are a few of us over here who are trying to work out how to clone her 
Struth Shoveltrash- 10m serpentines, definitely a wow moment- I am off to dream 

[Naiad]

I am off to dream  

Sweet dreams...

[Erin's mum]

  fantastic!!!

[Peaches]

Brilliant  And it sounds a fabulous relationship between the pupils and 2 instructors, just great 

[shoveltrash]

count yourself as a VERY lucky individual .  good instruction from not one but two enthusiastic RIs???
and hey, once you've cracked 20m, 10 is only a few steps away .

[Heather]

Ah, the beautiful K!! Just been drooling over the pics of her for the book Chris! So pleased you are getting such progress. K is truly one of the most stunning mares I have worked with at a clinic in a while! She is one amazingly talented horse! What a good idea it was to have your friends mare have a foal for you! You couldnt have found a better one had you looked the length and breadth of the country- with a fairly bottomless budget!!

[Hat Dancer]

Truly fabulous update!