The last lesson of 2020

Tuesday December 22 was my last lesson of 2020 with my coach Belinda Trussell. For the last couple of lessons we have been working on an exercise that is exceptionally good at showing up one of my bad habits. Here is the exercise: a 3 loop serpentine all executed in travers ( haunches in) .

So what is the bad habit this exercise revealed? I do not prepare the change of bend for the changeover from left to right or right to left well enough. In the canter it is particularly evident as it means I do not have Biasini set up for a good flying change as I cross the centerline. We started working on this exercise in trot. Even in the trot I immediately recognized the devilment of this exercise! So we worked on this exercise in more than one lesson. In the lesson on Tuesday Belinda had me slow Biasini down to a very small trot, get him soft in the hand, and prepare the change of bend. Once I had that power up and move out to a bigger trot. Here is a video of that exercise and also travers on the diagonal across the arena and a half pass from the centerline.

Biasini will be having a holiday from work for the week after Christmas. Belinda is taking a ‘staycation’ as we are now all under another lockdown. Fortunately this time owners are allowed to come in to look after their horses and to ride. So Biasini and I will be going out for forest trail rides weather permitting. We have snow forecast for Christmas day and that will be good for going out on the trails as it means it will not be too icy. So we will take to the forest a few times and other than that take some time off with no work at all in the arena!

I will also be taking a break from blogging and will be back at the beginning of January. Biasini and I wish all of you a Happy Christmas and stay well!

Comments

36 responses to “The last lesson of 2020”

  1. Anne Sandler Avatar

    Hi Anne, thanks for following my blog. I hope you enjoy it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      I am sure I will enjoy it.

      Like

    2. anne leueen Avatar

      And thank you for the follow as well.

      Like

  2. cigarman501 Avatar

    Hope your Christmas was great and that the New Year is even better! With a short lockdown.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you!πŸ˜€

      Like

  3. Marsha Avatar

    Merry Christmas (past already) and Happy New Year. Let’s hope we all get away from lockdowns this next year. I’ve so enjoyed getting to know you this year. Maybe without the pandemic we would never have slowed down enough to blog as much and spend time visiting. It’s been a great pleasure. See you in January. πŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Marsha. I am just checking emails and yours was such a nice one I had to reply. Best wishes for a healthy and peaceful New Year!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Marsha Avatar

        I am honored, Anne. We are all lucky to have so many faithful and interesting blogging friends. πŸ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  4. popsiclesociety Avatar

    Merry Christmas to you Anne and all your loved ones including of course Biasini β˜ΊοΈπŸ’•πŸŽ„

    Liked by 1 person

  5. violaetcetera Avatar

    Happy Holidays, and enjoy your well-deserved break! See you again in 2021.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Alli Farkas Avatar

    Rides in the snow! No arena work at all! A horse’s dream! I wish I could say that for Charm but she can be a dork on trails. She did get a chance to jump (her favorite thing) this week with one of our trainers who is her original owner. When she saw a jump standard being carried into the ring she ran right over to check it out. Glad to make the little lady happy for a bit. Will try to get her some more jumping rides on a regular basis. In the meantime enjoy your WP vacation and your rides in the woods!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Tina Schell Avatar

    Well he is quite handsome in his Christmas Hat Anne! Enjoy your break and we hope to see you again in January. Be careful on the snow!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Deeksha Pathak Avatar

    Merry Christmas Anne and have a wonderful time doing what you love most🌲

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Deeksha. I wish a Happy Christmas to you as well if you celebrate Christmas and if not then I wish you good health and a healthy and happy New Year!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Deeksha Pathak Avatar

        We usually don’t celebrate but getting good wishes on any festival irrespective of any religion and culture are always a blessing. Thank you very much ❀️

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Gbolabo Adetunji Avatar

    Merry Christmas, Anne. Love, joy and blessings to you and Biasini. 🐎

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Happy Christmas to you Gbolabo and if you do not celebrate Christmas then best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year!

      Like

  10. susiesopinions Avatar

    You have the best possible Christmas during lockdown. Happy healthy New Year to you all β€πŸŽπŸŽ„πŸΉπŸΈ

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Susie. Happy Christmas to you and your Hubby πŸŽ„πŸŽπŸŽ„

      Liked by 1 person

  11. KShai1715 Avatar

    That’s some fantastic exercises! Enjoy your Christmas and happy riding.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. lklambert178 Avatar
    lklambert178

    Thank you for another great year of education and enjoyment through your blog! Merry Christmas to you and best wishes for a much better 2021!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Gavin and Wyatt Avatar

    Blessings to you and your family.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. dprastka Avatar

    Wishing you the best during this Christmas break!! Enjoy the snowy trails. Stay warm, stay safe and stay smiling! 🀠πŸ₯•πŸ΄β€οΈ

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      I will do all of those things. Have a Happy Christmas Diana.πŸŽ„πŸŽπŸŽ„

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Subbashini Meenakshi Sundaram Avatar

    It is important time of year, happy to be in connection with you and Biasini. Merry Christmas and happy holidays πŸŽ‰πŸŽ„

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Have a Happy Holiday Subbashini. πŸŽ„πŸŽ

      Like

  16. Sarah Davis Avatar

    Merry Christmas

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you and a Happy Christmas to you too πŸŽ„πŸŽπŸŽ„

      Like

  17. Robert Parker Avatar

    Merry Christmas, Anne, and best wishes for a Happy New Year, RPT.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Happy Christmas to you too Robert πŸŽ„πŸŽπŸŽ„

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Lesley Avatar
    Lesley

    A very happy and blessed Christmas to you, Biasini and your family! πŸ˜€

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you! I wish the same to you.πŸŽ„πŸ΄

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Auntysocial Avatar
    Auntysocial

    Enjoy your well deserved break and have a great Christmas and New Year! xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      You have a Happy Christmas too!πŸŽ„πŸŽ

      Liked by 1 person

  20. whippetwisdom Avatar

    Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and happy trails in the forest Anne πŸ€—πŸŒ²πŸŽ and see you in the New Year! xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Xenia. Have a Happy Christmas πŸŽ„ 🐎

      Liked by 1 person

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