The last years progress, how exciting

[Shirrine]

This time last year Roo and I really couldn't canter, well I could on another horse but Roo and I just couldn't get it together. On New Years Eve he fell with me, breaking one of my ribs, so it was off to my instructor for two weeks just to change rider and convince him he really could canter.
He came home with a better idea of what canter was and we went from there.
In June we did our first dressage comp for a placing in both tests, canter was still a bit iffy but much better. As the year has gone on we have had some light bulb moments and he has gone "OOOOh I can do that". He has become more and more confident and stronger as he has improved.
Our first show of the season showed improvement but a long way to go. He was charging through my hands a lot of the time and half halt was nonexistent.
After a talk to my instructor we decided to just try him in a double bridle, a little early but we have had to do a lot of things that aren't in the book.
The change was astounding, instead of running through the aids and then getting tense about it all he just went ooooh that is so much better, another lightbulb moment.
From that moment everything we have been doing for the last two years has come together. He has come home with broad ribbons from his last 4 shows and is getting better and better.
Lessons have been amazing, his canter getting better and better and he is stretching his frame and using his back. He is reluctant to actually come down but we think that is to do with the way he is built and the trauma to his jaw and the mental scarring from that.
Today in a snaffle we were doing piaffe or the beginnings of it again a little bit early but definately ready for it. We want him sitting better and using his hocks better.
The improvement in his lightness and throughness was great, we are using the forwardness to our advantage instead of losing it all through the front door.
I have all along wanted to control that eagerness to go foreward, it was like driving a fast sports car down hill, lovely feeling but not so good with the breaks. Now I have that sensative feeling but hove control of it instead of the feeling that I was just being carted and along for the ride, if that makes sense.
Canter is just wonderful as long as I keep his frame straight. I love that with all paces I feel that just by easing my seat I get exceleration without losing the front end, its up, light and soft.
Even 6 months ago he was barely capable of doing a prelim test and now capable of doing an elimetary level test and that is without rushing him in any way, I just can't do that, he doesn't cope.
It all seems to have happened so fast but in reality this has been 5 years. I broke him in 5 years ago and everything went down hill from there until I found the broken tooth 2 years ago and I then had to spend 18 months rehabilitating him.
I am so excited about what next year will bring.
Sorry this is so long but the whole story is long, for those who dispair but know its there somewhere keep at it, it will take time but it is so worth it in the end. The rewards are better than any feeling you could possibly imagine. Oh and you don't need drugs you just need what I am feeling right now.

Shirrine