So far, so good.

Everything I am slowing but steadily learning down here in Florida:

Simple Things Accomplished!:

• Rori now stands on the buckle while waiting for her turn to jump in the field
• No more power walking back to the barn like something is chasing her.
• Riding her in a rubber loose ring snaffle for dressage and stadium rather than a metal loose ring for flat and a cork screw for jumping

Tact:

• Being able to get stronger  and still with my hands out in front of me while my arms are staying soft, rather than tough arms and hands that pull
• Keeping Rori's feet moving actively under her rather than her throwing her shoulders out in front of her through the turns.
• Staying straight through the turns and concentrating on her shoulders rather than her mouth.
• Knowing when to settle and wait to a jump and when to allow but not push.
• Being aware of what lead she lands on
• Making sure I start asking her with a soft aid before going to a strong one.  By going straight to a strong aid she gets offended and the transition turns out worse than staying still and light.
• Understanding what the real issue is.  By this I mean not doing what so many riders do and get caught up in the feeling in the mouth, but rather sense what else might be creating an issue (ex: I was riding Rori the other day and she started to feel heavy but the issue was her haunches and not her mouth, when the haunches were fixed, she lightened on the forehand).
• Using a small circle to eliminate negative energy rather than pulling back.
• Staying still with my body.
• Having a "cruise" position where everything is soft and talking to the horse very little, and having a "ready" position when approaching the jump.  

Patience (not only for my horse, but for myself):

• Not changing the subject when she objects to what I'm asking her.  Keeping it the same and waiting for her to respond is what will create the tool.
• If something is going wrong, walk away, cool down, and recognize the real problem.
• Understand it isn't going to happen overnight. 
• It's going to feel worse before it feels better.
• Letting. It. Go. [ major work in progress]

I know there are more than what I have listed, but these are just a few that I definitely have found to help me and Rori progress in just the few short weeks we have been down here.

And one last note.  Looking back on my last show, and looking ahead on the one coming up this weekend, I realized something that I hadn't before.  I've always felt very independent when it comes to showing and have had the "I can do everything myself" attitude, but when it comes down to it I really appreciate my parents and boyfriend coming and supporting me at my shows up north.  Although I can get pissy and at some points wish they were not there, their presence definitely takes away some stress just because they give me down time from over thinking about what I'm showing in.  Whether it's having my mom helping me get prepared the day before, my dad coming with me to every show he can, or Mike, even when the Giants or Mets are playing, being a trooper and tagging along and helping whenever he can, I really appreciate all of it and am so happy to say I have such supportive parents and boyfriend when it comes to what I love doing.

Oh! And Rori and I are now on YouTube, check us out!

http://www.youtube.com/user/sarahstinne?feature=mhum