yay!!!! you are back! and to STAY ;D
he needs to get really balanced and stronger before he can actually open up and have the up and the forwardness
<nodding head in agreement>
easy to *understand* in theory, but for me it's so hard in
practice. when you see the 'moments of brilliance' when they are truly up & forward correctly - i want it ALL of the time! i'm not patient enough :
i too need to try counter s/i at canter....a good idea for escaping hqs. i just got my Anja B. dvd & they show exactly that movement as a training tool!
Tobes sounds like he is doing great.

welcome back!