AWWW!  I really like him!  He's young, bold and has lots of charisma - even in this little clip.

You are tall, elegant, and working wisely you two will be lovely together.  I do see you are stiff and not following in your seat in canter,   you rush the transitions... he IS trying to please, what a good feller!  He does tend to fall behind your leg, but that isn't a huge problem.  He's not being goofy and seems to be bending and level in his way of going.

Having a coach who understands YOUR goals and aspirations is the first and foremost aspect of our riding we CAN control.   Short sightedness - trying to hurry a horse or rider is detrimental to all!   There is NOTHING wrong with having 3 very nice gaits and working training level.   But, if you elect to go forward and develop yourself and your horse, search for a coach/instructor who doesn't have pet peeves.   No horse or rider is perfect - not even great riders or horses... so having someone want to nitpick and get into a fight with a horse in training isn't worth it.   Personally, I very rarely allowed a trainer on my horse when I was actively riding.   Lately a good friend who coaches me has ridden on them a few times and using subtle cues and softer aids than I do has allowed me to see some greatness coming thru.   It is possible to go forward!   

If you're in an area with an active dressage community that holds clinics see if you can get into one.   Riding at a clinic with a reputable clinician allows you to work hard for a day or two. Then if they are good clinicians, they give you insight into what you need to develop at home.  You have a lovely horse, and would be a great student, as you are soft, and probably very willing to listen - as you have the desire to go forward.

Family/extended family/friends or buddies don't always make the best teacher/student relationship, as the one sometimes wants to dominate the relationship.   Find a neutral person, who you feel has the ability to work with you and your horse in a consistent methodical manner.   

Keep going forward!   You've come a long way!!!

Gailforce:

i'm curious.  the pic of amm's horse with the head held high.  would you eventually expect any horse to do that or does it depend on their confirmation and/or breed.

You are aiming to make the poll the highest part of the horse, but that doesn't happen for awhile. Certainly not at Training level. When you start asking for collection, the horse's body becomes more compact and elevated, as I said in my last post. But your horse is green, and although you WILL see that from him it won't be for some time. And yes, every horse can do that, regardless of breed and conformation, you just need to ask for it the right way. You have a lot to look forward to. I remember the first time I asked Juno for collection, at a clinic with Henrik Johansen from Sweden. Wow, was that cool.

Gailforce perhaps I can answer you - my horse is competing at 3rd level and trains higher - when we are training we do a lot of long and low work to build up the top line and stretch the back muscles so that he works off his hocks - he has a very large shoulder and his neck is quite high set in fact he is very difficult to fit with a saddle - but that in itself is a whole differrent story!

So yes once you reach the higher level you would expect your horse to work UP into a frame - the picture is a bit of a weird angle as he is actually coming in the "upward" motion of the collected trot so he actually appears to be higher at the poll than he is - hope that makes sense!

thanks you guys

FCP...  I definately would NOT take lessons from her anymore.  Riding should be fun.  Anyone that would yell at you, then take you off of your horse, get on him and get in a fight with him is no trainer in my book.  You're better off riding with your college friend for now until you can find someone else, or just work on your own.  She would not be allowed to touch my horse with a ten foot pole.  She sounds like a very spoiled selfish woman.  If you value your relationship with her, I would be completely honest and upfront with her why you don't want to ride with her anymore.  Maybe it will make her take a look at herself.

I had a chance to watch the video yesterday and you guys are looking pretty good.  Digger could be more forward with more energy, especially to the right.  He seems stiffer in that direction.  You see this most at right canter.  You don't want him to rush, but you gotta get him moving!  Watch the video and see how he swings his haunches out in right canter?  This tells me you're using too much inside rein.  Bend comes from the leg, to bend the horse through the rib cage.  The hand is simply there to shape the horse.  I didn't see as much left canter but he seems stronger and more supple in that direction.

You seem pretty relaxed but not keeping a consistent contact in the canter.  It's tough to be relaxed and supple AND keep the contact consistent.  When your hips and hands come forward in the upswing I see slack in the reins.  Then when you come back in the saddle you pick up the contact again.  You're not banging him in the mouth, but you lose energy and communication when you lose contact.

-Outside leg is on but passive behind the girth to control the haunches.

-Inside leg active at the girth during the upswing of the canter to bring the inside hind more up and underneath him.

-Seat relaxed and following his back, making sure you're sitting up, chest open like you're sticking your chest out, with shoulders down and back, turned slightly in the direction of travel.

-Outside rein contact is steady to keep him straight.

-Inside rein soft, with quick little squeezes of the hand here and there to help him flex at the poll and to the inside just enough that you can just see his eye.

Good luck to you in whatever you decide.  You guys are coming along!  Keep up the good work! 

 

Thanks so much guys! You have REALLY helped! I am going to keep our nice relaxed work for a while with little bits of harder stuff slowly integrated into our routine. The college girl gets on him and works him harder maybe once a week.  She is training her mare for 2nd level so she just made the transition from training to first, and she took over a year at training, so she knows what she is doing. Eventually I will get an updated video. We should be doing a clinic or three phase (both taking place same weekend) end of July, and I will def keep everyone updated!!

Have fun at the clinic and your three phase!  That's a big weekend!

I can't wait to hear how it goes!

 You need to get rid of her. I'm not sure she really understand "collection" - she sounds like one of those people who believe dressage is all about forcing a horse into a "pretty frame." UGH

If you want to keep a relationship with her - tell her that her being your trainer is destroying your friendship. That you can't do it any more, but if she want to come with you to horsey activities (like the upcoming clinic) as purely moral support or spectator, she is welcome (unless you think she'd insist on getting on your horse).

As to you training - I agree w/ most of what's been said here, you are in a good place. I believe that most of the trot in 1st level now (2011 tests) is rider's choice - rising or sitting. Until you have actual scores/judges comments, I would NOT believe anyone who says your horse doesn't have a good 1st level frame. Changes from one level to the next are very subtle, and the frame is not the issue w/ 1st. you should be looking for more submision and impulsion.

Find some classical dressage books/videos. Use the WHOLE training scale. One other issue that may be happening is that this trainer is confusing connection w/ collection. Every ride should move up the training scale (depending on your horse it could take a 5 minute warmup or you may need an hour to get the first 3 or 4 steps). Rhythm, relaxation (or suppleness), connection, impulsion, straightness, collection. But at the cusp of Training/First you are working on being consistant w/ the connection and impulsion.

Don't worry about you horse lifting his poll. The poll (which includes the first few inches behind the ears, not just the space between the ears, lol) should be the highest point, but just barely right now. Concentrate on the back end: stepping under, using his engine more, maybe even lowering his croup a bit. If you want to "lift" anything, lift the withers. Make him lighter on his forehand (even though he looks fine). Do not worry about the head/neck. (Except for the connection - make sure that you have a steady, elastic contact w/ the bit.)

Edited for bad typing - I think I got most of it *sigh*

I looked at the Vidio of you and your horse, and your horse does not look anything like a Western Pleasure Mount, nor would I say that your horse is moving to much like a Hunter. At the lower levels you want a horse that is relaxed and moving forward, working on balance and cadence. Both of you seem to be doing this. You as the rider and and owner of this horse have to make the decission of how fast you will move up the levels, there is no set time frame.

As to the "Trainer", she is a very bad example of one if she feels that yelling is the only way to motivate or teach. A true Trainer is someone that can evaluate each student and present a teaching plan that not only challanges the student and horse but also motivates the student to push that little extra they need to keep moving forward in pursuit of skill and love of the sport. She may have been Family at one time but even this does not excuse her poor treatment of you and your horse. Does she yell at all of her students this way? Or treat all of the horses this way? I suggest that you speak to her in regards to her treatment of you and your horse, and if you can not do this face to face write her a letter explaining how you feel and that she is not helping you but hinding you. If after every conversation or lesson you leave not wanting to ride or see her for two weeks this should be your answer. The art of dressage is an on going challange to all riders wether Novice or FEI. It should be a joy to ride and not a dreaded task. You should feel free to take any clinics you feel would better you and your horse. Any reputable trainer should have no problem with this and may even like to go along , as they can always learn something new. My trainer encourages all of her students to attend clinics given by reputable traings. She has never been afraid her students may leave, and if they do she wishes them well.

 Do not give up on yourself or your horse, and move at the pace that is best for the two of you as a team.  

Personally I'd do as everyone else has mentioned and move on.  I had similar issues with one of my trainers, and we're actually closer and get along better now that she's not my trainer.  If you live in the NH or MD area I would really recommend Janice Conlon.  I've been taking lessons with her for some time.  To be honest I hadn't even owned a dressage saddle the first 3 years I rode with her.  She knew I had no desire at the time for dressage but she was able to figure out my riding style and my horse's learning style in the first 10 minutes of watchin us.  Each lesson since she's had ideas on how to improve my horsee and make it easy for both of us.

You have to find what works best for you and your horse, moving on may be hard, but in the end it's worth it.  I went from a trainer at a barn where my "lessons" turned into me schooling the farm's horses because I'd started to out ride my instructor.  I'd come home black and blue, sore and too miserable/painful to get on my own horses.  I finally said enough and put all my money towards Jan rather than splitting a lesson with others and the change in my horse has been amazing.  He's 20 years old and looks YOUNGER than when I got him 6 years ago.

 Get a new trainer, move to a new barn, whatever you have to do to enjoy your horse. It is your life and your horse. She might not want to be close anymore, for whatever reason, and is pushing you away (not consciously).

Hi there!  Well, I just finished reading your letter and am really perplexed about a few things!  The first is WHY are  you cow-towing to this gal?  She may have been married to your dad (but is no longer) and why is she such a control freak where you are concerned?  A GOOD riding instructor would encourage you to ride in other instructors'/clinician's clinic or riding camp. I suspect that she is so controlling because she wants to hold onto any link she can with your dad.  THIS is so unprofessional!!  You have every right to ride with any instructor you want!  Another principal is that you should just go and ride with that other dressage professional to get an accurate and professional assessment of your horse and also your riding skills!  From what I saw of the UTube video clip, your horse had a nice bounding canter, and he was not flat at all, but rather forward as he should be! 

Point #2: True collection is at the top of the training pyramid for dressage!! This process does take years.  The first step on the training pyramid is Rythym of the gaits: 4 beats for a marching walk, 2 for a correct trot, and 3 for the canter!  From what I saw, you and your horse looked like a First level team; your rythym and tempo (forwardness and speed of yr gaits was just fine).  HOw long have you been trying to learn dressage anyhow? 

You need to find another and professional instructor--this lady is controlling, abusive, and doesn't even act supportive.  She is unnprofessional to the hilt, calling you names, and dissing yr horse as "Crap"!  A professional instructor does not conduct her/himself in this manner!  Let me know how you are coming, okay.  Just reply to this msg.  Remember, if you allow this woman to keep treating you this way, she will continue the abuse, and it will get worse.  Don't let her treat you this way!  Riding is supposed to be fun!  Take care and give yr horse a nice, big apple!

Totally agree.  Your horse does NOT look like a western pleasure horse.  What a ridiculous thing to say!  And when she says you aren't far enough along?  I am pretty sure that is up to you.  If you are happy where you are, who cares what she thinks?  DUMP HER.  Find someone that will make you happy and relaxed.  And guess what?  I bet you will move up a lot faster without her!  I hope you have found someone new and are happy now!  No one deserves that abuse....

Western Pleasure - really?  No....

I would like to start out by saying that you look very nice on the horse.   You two make a nice picture. 

I think the frame that you are in is appropriate to the level that you are working.  With the distance and the lighting on your video, it is sometimes hard to see some detail.   The horse was willing.   It certainly, in my opinion, was not evidence of what your instructor was telling you.  Sometimes you are behind the motion (I do that sometimes as well) and I thought I saw your hands, a couple of times, moving up and down a bit.  Try to keep your hands steadier - but dont  lock your arms.   Seek to have a handshake with your horses mouth - a connection that is elastic. 

 The only thing that really stuck out to me was you need to push for more energy on the trot.  The canter is quite nice - and when you transition down to the trot, your horse seems to loose energy.  Push him forward.  Also, you have a nice jump in the canter.  Try riding trot to canter and canter to trot - focusing on not loosing the energy in the trot from the canter and some leg yeilds for suppleness.  

I think your horse is quite nice

Please stick to your guns here.  If you crank him up in the bit (I think that is what she means by collection) before he is ready, you very well may ruin him.   (When I say crank up, I mean the way some people crank up there horse in the front and whip them for forward motion when the horse does not have the strength to carry themselves in this manner).   You are a thoughtful, compassionate rider.  Do not be bullied.  Walk away from this situation before it kills your joy and your horse's.    As I have learned the hard way - anger has NO place in dressage.