Professor Lucy

I've never had a schoolmaster before.  I've only been able to afford young horses with little to no dressage training.  Of course, I didn't realize Lucy was a schoolmaster when I bought her.  I thought she was another project with all that rushing around and head tossing.

April -- First lesson/ride on Lucy

I was wrong.  She has taught me so much.

I've learned to keep my leg consistently against her side.

June - notice the air between my lower leg and her side.

This week -- look ma, no air!

I've learned to sit straight and tall; no slumping.

April -- I'm tipped forward, not very stable

June - still tipped a bit forward, but more secure

The straighter and taller I sit, the better Lucy goes.

Straight, reaching tall, and balanced.  Woot woot!

The quieter and lighter I am with my seat, the better Lucy goes.

And when I get it right, she does amazing things.

I've been riding her, on average, four times a week.  She's learned to relax as I've learned how to be more balanced.  This morning she rewarded me with what I call a "Dawn hug."  Kate's mare, Dawn, will rest her head on Kate's shoulders in a sort of hug.  This morning I got two of them from Lucy.  I must be an okay student in her books.