Tunin' Up

I just got back inside from the blustery weather that unfortunately accompanies Fall. However, the weather did not effect Charlotte and I during our ride. I haltered her, brushed her, tacked her up with my saddle, and took her to the round pen. I took off her lead rope, closed the gate, and let her graze while I set up some barrel jumps. Once I was done I bridled her, and led her to the mounting block. We went walking and trotting on a loose rein for the first part of the ride. I worked on keeping her energy up and not nagging her when asking for forward. I would ask with my energy, a little squeeze, and then I would git 'er done (as Terrie Wood would say). She quickly realized that my leg meant something and it was important, and I would make sure I would "give her all the time in the world to respond" (as Harry Whitney would say). From then on her go button was fully functional, and I even needed to work on the stop button some to get her go and whoa equal. I used the same principle, stopped with my body and exhaled, brought up the reins, and then got the stop immediately in some way. Pretty soon she was going when I asked, and stopping with my exhale. Cool stuff!
I took advantage of the barrels and asked her to jump a few times (not Charlotte's favorite thing, but I think its because she's just inexperienced, so its not pleasant). I tried to be as light and soft on her back as possible so it would feel ok to her, and I succeeded somewhat. She still jumped me out of the saddle some, but its getting better!
On top of that I asked her for more cantering, but I tried to achieve it on flat areas. Our land is pretty hilly, so I have gotten into the habit of asking for canters up the hills, but I need to start working on flat places, too, with both Charlotte and Woody. She picked it up really well several times, and other times she resisted some. But I kept asking, and she eventually got it and got a release from the pressure when she did. I noticed when she was cantering that she is very crooked, choppy, and her stride does not feel normal (maybe she's cross-cantering?). I think this, too, is because of her inexperience and the fact we haven't asked her to canter using her hind end much. I will keep an eye on this as we keep progressing, but I think it will improve with time.
All in all our ride was really nice, and I got to jump and gallop in two point, then I brought my stirrups down two holes, and worked on getting a nice, soft, fluid, relaxed trot with my leg under me with her bent on the circle. I feel like I am improving as a rider, and of course as a horsewoman, and that is really cool!!
~Eden