Vulcan Mind Meld
In preparation for next month’s schooling show, and because so far I have not found a test whose instructions include “Between A and the eighth time you pass A again [transition],” I thought I should work on transitions in tonight’s lesson. I am pretty sure they are supposed to happen in less time and space than it takes a VW bus to accelerate from 0 to eighty.
Since promptness in a transition isn’t much good without quality, we started by focusing on quality. Things started coming together. Not surprisingly, as they got better, they also became more prompt. Walk-trot. Trot-walk. Working-lengthened-working trot. And… canter.
Canter right went ok. Better than usual. Mini conference with my instructor. Reverse.
Right, I thought. And now we’ll…
The horse’s owner swears he canters when you just think about it. I swear he canters on the fourth attempt, and only to prove he’s capable and I’m an uncoordinated monkey.
But that transition was the Vulcan Mind Meld. I think it took three strides before I shut my mouth and my brain caught up with my body.
...canter. What? We’re already cantering? How… wha… I… connection! connection! Leg! Focus!
So now that we know what’s possible, the trick will be to work on getting that sort of quality consistently.
And, um, keeping my mouth closed when it happens. Otherwise, I can just see the judge’s comments on the test: “Try not to look shocked when things go right.”
grey horse matters says 28 May 2010
They do surprise you sometimes. Many years ago when I was at a show the judge called canter (after the walk) and the horse cantered. I of course was waiting for the trot call so was a little surprised to be cantering but it all worked out okay. Good luck at your coming show, with a sense of humor like yours and a good boy who knows what you’re thinking you’ve got it in the bag.