Clean changes and Piaffe

Woo Hooo!!! A friend recommended a book "Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage" by Phillippe Karl. In reading this very well presented and informative book I noticed he was describing my horse. Kalae is hollow to the right. Her right hind escapes to the inside when cantering right. She is stiffer to the left. I struggle to counter canter and now she changes late behind. I have been stuck for 2-3 years without advancing beyond 3rd level. I applied Phillippe Karl's recommendations and immediately I could counter canter on a 10 meter circle. My horse was no longer changing on her own but waiting for me. I have been working on his exercise for changes and have gotten clean changes which are jumping from behind. I have also been working on his exercise for Piaffe. A few days ago while on the trail she got very excited when the dogs started bounding out of the reservoir and running toward us. Perfect. I put my legs back and we had a Piaffe. I patted her and tried again. I got 10 Piaffe's on request. Yesterday when the neighbors dog scared her we got it again. She has gotten the concept down. Coupled with a good canter pirouette I can now imagine perhaps actually wearing my shadbelly coat soon. I down loaded the FEI 2009 Prix Saint George test from www.fei.org and have been memorizing it. :)

Swine flu strikes

Yes, I got the swine flu and was down for a week. No riding :( Just lay around and watch Horse video's. I watched the entire Clinton Anderson Colt starting, Road to the Horse, Flying changes and Mindy. and in the mail I got the noworriesclub.com foal DVD. I think this is nearly 30 hours of video's. Watch out Rupert!
Linda and Jessica came over to practice prior to the show Aug 1&2. I waved at them from the house and snapped a few pictures. It was blowing a gale all week and on Friday it was threatening rain. Everyone had fun at the show. Linda's first Training level tests 1&2 with Bambino (cantering yeah) 62% Brandi and I'Claire First Level 1 &2 2nd place 64% able to maintain the lead in the canter serpentine ( she wants to do a flying change)

Jessica and Elroy Training 3-4 62% Peter and Zoe Tr 1 62% Jackie and Makani First Level.

* Look at Kimo- Looking good "stud muffin" - at 33 years old. The QH just keeps going.