I always like the quote “progress not perfection”. Dressage is an equestrian discipline where perfection is the goal but realistically it cannot be achieved ….at least not in this lifetime. However…..it is very rewarding when progress can be achieved.
I have been working on movements from the Intermediare 1 test for some time now. While I have been in Florida my coach here, Lou Denizard, has an interesting way of giving me exercises that relate to the Inter 1 movements but are not actually the movements. The advantage to this is that I just work on the exercise and don’t bring any expectations or preconceived notions to the exercise. Biasini also does not have a chance to memorize the Inter 1 patterns and start to anticipate.
Lou’s training tips that I have previously posted about.(“tailbone”, “zipper”, “mounting block” ) are all things that have helped me a lot with my position and allowing me to relax and let Biasini move freely.
So here is a video of me running through the Inter 1 test this morning. Lou is speaking to me with a mic system so you cannot really hear his comments but you can see the test. There are lots of bits and pieces I need to tidy up but over all I am very happy with how we are doing and in this first run through it was a clean test (no mistakes!).
Onwards ever onwards! In a week we will be making our debut with this test at a National Show!
I’d love to hear from you!