Frustrating...

It's so frustrating to feel like I'm not getting any better as a rider.

Luke is coming along so well....he's willing, he's smart, he's sweet, with a great personality...I couldn't ask for more. But he is a horse, not a human, or a mind reader.

I ended up putting his running martingale back on last week. I don't think it's really doing anything, because he doesn't put his head up much. But my trainer calls it my "placebo". I guess I feel more secure with it on, and am more relaxed, I'm not sure why. So the goal is to use it for a month, and then take it off.

His walk and trot are really really nice. Reaching into the bridle, staying fairly rhythmic. He can do shoulder out, and shoulder in is a work in progress. His halts are starting to become square, and we are starting to work on circles a lot. A lot a lot! They have much room for improvement. I'd be embarrassed to ride a dressage test right now, even an intro one!

We've jumped a couple of times, and it's going great. I don't have huge position flaws anymore...I think my leg slips back a tad sometimes, but I keep my heels down and don't catch him in the mouth. I don't think my equitation is the prettiest, but it's effective, and safe. We've been doing baby stuff mostly, and Luke is smart. He also has a limit...if he feels we've jumped too much (In fairness to him, last Saturday was kind of excessive...my sister was trying to get pictures, and I jumped quite a bit), he'll run out. Only if we jump the same thing multiple times though...he seems okay when it's a variety. On Monday, Molly and I jumped a crossrail...we broke out real standards and wood poles this time, and it was fun. He was really good, and we were feeling brave and moved it up to a "huge" vertical. We measured later and it was only like 2' or 2'3"...so much for that, haha. Luke looked a little hesitant and slammed on the brakes halfheartedly. Kind of a run-out, kind of a stop. He did this twice, and slammed his knee on the standard the second time. After that, he popped over it very smartly. We ended on a good note, and got lots of treats.

Cantering is rough right now. I'm not scared to canter out in the open and I do okay cantering to jumps..but cantering in the indoor has become a huge deal to me, I hate it. I forget to breathe, and tense up, and it's not good. We need lots of work on it.

But he is coming along, and I'm happy with him...he amazes me every day, usually in a good way! :)