First Show of the Year!

I showed Gran Casso & Freedance a the Texas Dressage Classic a few weeks ago in Tyler and had great success. Gran Casso continues to get stronger and in his second outing at 2nd level scored over 69% and was 2nd level Champion of the show. He scored a 73.9% at 1-3 and was also 1st level Champion. At home we are continuing to focus on exercises that help create suppleness and uphill balance in preparation for flying changes later this year. His half passes are coming along well and his medium canters and trots are developing nicely. We may do another show or two this season and then focus on training for 3rd level in the fall.

Freedance did wonderfully for his first time ever ridden off our property! Every day he became a little more relaxed and comfortable in the warm ups and show arenas. He won all of his classes and scored up to 79%+ in his materiale classes. In one of his classes, he scored an impressive 8.4 on his walk!

Next on the agenda is the Young Horse Symposium this weekend at Twinwood Farm in Simonton. I will be riding Freedance with Scott Hassler and I'm hoping that he can give us some insight in how to be successful in the four year old classes this year. Freedance was started a little bit late and has only been consistently under saddle since January and may be a little behind as far as strength and balance but he improves a little everyday. We work a lot of bending lines to help him become more supple over his back and are starting to incorporate more tempo changes and transitions into the work to build strength and carrying power in his hindquarters.