is for the rider to stay on top of it all the time, making the same correction until the horse chooses to make the right decision and walk with energy. I like to think he has the freedom of choice,” she explains. “Next we focused on balance and self‐carriage. Again
consistency is the mantra. There are many exercises to help balance the horse either longitudinally or laterally. The key to improvement is staying tuned in to when the balance falls apart. In riding trot‐walk transitions, the horse needs to maintain his balance and energy, especially in the downward transition. The moment you sense the horse is leaning on the rein for balance, immediately activate the hind legs and continue to trot a few more steps. Ask again for the walk, but only allow it if he keeps stepping under and forward in balance. When done correctly and consistently, the exercise sets the stage for the horse understanding how he can be in self‐carriage.” Keeping CAVU in balance was the key to building his confidence. For the regional championships, the Kentucky Horse Park
was even busier than during their previous visit. Not only was there a driving competition and a Paso Fino show, but the stabling was a 30-minute hack away from the competition arena. CAVU persevered. Their warm up was seamless and Nancy watched in tears. Susan had a hunch they would win—and
they did, with more than 26 riders in the class, earning 67.692 percent. In the show ring, Susan says, he was like riding a wave.
The pair wins the championship and Susan celebrates with Nancy Baker.
“We just glided across the arena. He was with me the whole time. A couple of times I felt like he was on the edge, but he stayed with me. I remember thinking I’ve got three more movements and no mistakes before the halt; then I had two more movements;
then I rode down the centerline and saluted,” she recounts. “To be successful means sometimes backing off and
focusing on the basics—not constantly pushing ahead but listening to the horse. If we had pushed ahead, I don’t think he would have had the confidence and performed like that in such a crazy environment. He felt that we would not let him down and he did not let us down.”
Warmbloods Today 23
Courtesy Susan Jones
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