Riding revelation - Balance and a strong core

I was talking to my sister today and said I had the most amazing, round, light and easy canter on Freederic a few days ago. I was riding in a Pesoa jumping saddle because Julie had been riding him and I was hopping on. I felt like I was perched up on a post. I can not remember ever riding in a postage stamp like this. Amazingly it was so easy to canter in. It seemed my legs might be a little more in front of me and I was more upright.
Carole said Yes, I just had the same revelation when riding Wondermann in the Lassetter clinic. I was riding in a different saddle and when cantering I had to be super strong in my core to be able to do all the geometric exercises and remain in balance. When I got home that muscle memory followed over into my ride with my horse and it was a fabulous ride. I think for you it was you had to be stronger in your core to balance in the jumper saddle. You were more in balance and thus the horse was more in balance.
That's it! Amazing. I have been riding Freederic for a year and this is the canter I have been trying to get. Just think how much a subtle improvement in balance has affected the horse's balance.
Carole's parting statement was "Just think how difficult it is for a horse with a floppy rider."

John Lassetter Clinic

Another fun, fabulous 3 day clinic with the Master. This clinic brought together friends and family. We also made new friends with Stephanie visiting from Washington. She rode Freederic the Great for 2 days. She has a Freesian/Percheron at home about the same size.
Carole rode Wondermann and did very well. At certain intervals she was stopping and adjusting her girth and then her stirrup leathers and finally admitted it was an excuse to breath :) The next day John starts out "right, is your girth tight? Stirrups even?"
Ann and Rein Beau really did super and Ann had fun. He was doing Half Pass at canter and canter pirouettes. He worked on Ann's consistent application of the "Symbols". The goal being if she just slightly takes away her leg he will shoot forward with impulsion. If she takes away her leg and he doesn't go forward immediately clap him with both legs and go forward. If he does go forward pat him. "For me the reaction is not good enough. He must become electric off the leg."

Marilee rode Divine really well and they did awesome. I was so proud of Divine.

He had the patience of a Saint with me. It was a humbling experience. The pattern of a middle 20 meter circle with 10m satellite circles in each corner. R counter canter and every slight curve and she did a flying change. I could not counter canter. Prior to the clinic I could counter canter a 15 meter circle and weave all over the arena and was so proud and eager to show John my good progress this last 5 months. I had not practiced flying change as instructed. I really worked hard on better submission and thought I had been doing better. Was I subtly anxious myself? I know Kalae knows John and the loudspeaker system as she always gets amped up and crooked in the past. Sigh!
Kalae was anticipating the change and kept offering it. "You have a huge problem" John says. We kept repeating the R Counter Canter. I am thinking"This is not working". Finally I just said "good girl" at every canter step and she relaxed and we got through the short side. More collection and control in the CC. Chest up and out, arch the lower back, tummy forward so your seat brushes forward with each side. L leg really back, check with the right rein. Allow a little longer frame, more straight.
As a correction to the not wanted flying change "" You have to be clear this is not what you want. You are doing nothing and she just keeps doing it. Halt, kick her with your L leg, rein back really far and now halt. Now it is over, you have forgotten it, start on a new page and try again. When she does it right halt and really Pat her and reward her. She has to wait for your aid or you will never have the flying changes on the aids. "
She started to get a little stuck in the collected canter, too short so he sent her down the long side in the medium gait in a shoulder-fore, then collect and down the center line and back to E or B then CC across the short side, At E or B change into the corner and walk.
"Your homework is to get the counter canter on the 20 meter circle so you could bet $100 and know your would win it 100% of the time. Then flying change. Come down the center line absolutely straight. Get your mirrors adjusted so you can see more. Change and go absolutely straight toward C. You are changing and turning at the same time. You need to be straight. As you canter L lead, have the whip in the right hand to tap her behind when you ask with your L leg so her R leg comes through, it is nearly there, just slightly late. Work on your canter pirouette in the corners.
"It is all there, she can do it. You have to be positive you are going to do it. You are almost at PSG. "
I feel so frustrated, stuck at 3rd level forever. I need lessons more than 2X a year. Do I want to ride like this? It is not in my nature to be a task master. I don't want to punish my horse. She try's so hard for me. Am I doing her a dis-service by not being totally black and white with clear "Punishment and Reward". I am not clear enough? Do I have what it takes to get to GP? "Am I really positive I am going to do it?"
Ah Humble Pie!
Positive note: Carole and Ann say they have never seen Kalae so through and looking so good.