I Have Only Got a Minute!

I have got a minute, just a little minute, I have only got a minute, just a minute, I have only got a minute that is all the time I have 

Lan O’Kun, Lyrics for The Minute Waltz

Back in lessons now. Coach Belinda has come up with a new way to help me to get it right. I ride a 20 meter circle and she gives me ONE Minute to get the canter right: the right frame, activity, tempo, rhythm . In One Minute. And so we began. Here is a video and you can hear Coach Belinda letting me know more is needed.

I then changed rein and began work on the other canter lead going to the right . We had a lot of unasked for flying changes that you could see in the previous video. Belinda explained that Biasini was at a point in the ride where he is very sensitive. I must be careful with my outside leg. The slightest change in my contact with his side or the least movement will be interpreted as a signal for him to change leads. I also knew that I had to start with the best possible transition from walk to canter. I had to start as I meant to continue. So I got organized and prepared Biasini and with the lightest of aids asked him to canter.

Coach Belinda remarked : “I think you do better under pressure”. I think she may be right. I know it is pointless to keep riding around and not getting the desired result. I get tired. Biasini gets tired. Neither of us learns anything. In that second one minute Biasini felt marvelous. He was light in my hands and very responsive. That’s the standard now. However I should tell you we did another minute to the left and it was not quite as good. At least I recognized it was not as good. Going back to that one handed pirouette I posted about during the week I would know I did not have Biasini active and in self carriage . I would not be able to ride one handed.

Progress not perfection!

Comments

20 responses to “I Have Only Got a Minute!”

  1. David Avatar

    You did good to these untrained eyes. I remember when Trish pushed the daughters to step up their tempo on practice jumper courses. I think she put them on a one-minute time limit to complete at least 2/3 of the course. The time penalty was losing their spurs for a week. If you know jumpers, spurs mean everything to them. Deborah and Tara lost their spurs for two weeks at the beginning, 4 weeks for Elizabeth. Trish, of course, was teaching them how take corners and turns better where you lose time. This was another exercise that grated on Elizabeth. Look at her today, Trish loves how Elizabeth rides.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Lost their spurs! Yipes! I ride with very small rounded nubs of spurs. But nonetheless when I turn my toes out and apply them Biasini reacts! The one minute time constraint certainly focuses the mind. I had a terrific lesson today and I think last weeks one minute helped me a lot. I always enjoy hearing about your jumpers and their coach.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Prior... Avatar

    it really is cool to see what you strive to do and the one minute time frame
    😊☀️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thanks for taking the time to comment

      Liked by 1 person

  3. scampertotellthestory Avatar

    When I road in college, there was a paint polo pony. I had “heavy legs” so my teacher put me on him. We got along just fine but many people got left in the dust because he did turn on a dime. my legs got lots lighter very quickly. When I started to jump 3 foot fences, I had 3 refusals. I said “This horse doesn’t want to jump.” My teacher said “YOU are afraid to try. When you want to go over the fence the horse will willingly take you”. After that when she said “Jump”, I asked “how high”. You trust your teacher and if she says you can do it, you will. I am looking forward to the video of your accomplishments.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you. I liked to hear about your jumping experiences.

      Like

  4. Emma Cownie Avatar

    I was hoping to hear the minute waltz with the video clip! lol!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Haha! Yes. That’s why I put the lyrics to the Streisand version at the start of the post.. 😄

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Gavin and Wyatt Avatar

    It all looks marvelous, whether one, or two, handed.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Anne Sandler Avatar

    Wow. Your training takes a lot of concentration and dedication. Thanks for sharing this video.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      You are most welcome. I’m glad you found something of interest in it.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. dprastka Avatar

    Lots of work to be done in a minute! It’s amazing how long a minute can be! Great videos as you work on your canter circles! ❤️🐴

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Diana. This dressage thing is not easy!🤣

      Liked by 1 person

  8. cagedunn Avatar

    Progress is always a dance of one forward, one back, two forward, one back. And occasionally, a beat that’s new or unexpected. Progress is fun, forward momentum, a dance of two souls joined by progression

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      It is fun. Thanks Cage!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. workinacresnothours Avatar

    I bet that’s the longest minute of your life. lol. Your coach sounds so lovely & you & Biasini look so great it’s so lovely to watch you ride. Always great to watch a rider who asks not demands. I had a little grin at the flying changes it reminded me of a young friend of my sons had taught her horse to do flying changes & now it skips everywhere it loves it so much. She even sent it away to have it corrected to no avail. I’m not sure where their at now. Have a full of wonderful minutes kind of week ahead.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you .I wish a week of wonderful minutes for you too!

      Liked by 2 people

  10. susiesopinions Avatar

    I apologize for not leaving comments 😥

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      No worries I know how much you have on your plate at the moment!

      Liked by 2 people

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