Fun session

Fun session with Maddie, well covered by photos and video.  Mom & Dad came out to watch, and Maria was on hand to get on top of Maddie again.  I started with the C exercise up and down the arena a couple of times, and then did turn-and-go plus other rope work in the middle.  Then Maria laid over on both sides while I led Maddie around.  Maddie did very well for this.

On one of the tries Maria started to put her leg over and Maddie danced pretty good.  I could not shut her down and Maria slid off.  We re-grouped and Maria mounted completely from the block and I immediately clucked Maddie forward.  We walked around 4-5 circles, enough to satisfy ourselves that she had actually been ridden!

Maria did not want to push her more so we slipped the saddle off and let her know she had done a good job.

Since Dad was here I wanted to get some nice pictures.  We went to the outdoor arena and showed off a bit.

Maddie did well in the outdoor arena but I had trouble leading her back when we were finished.  She was nervous and kept pushing on top of me.  I turned a bunch of times to back her and she was fairly sticky.  Wish I had brought my stick along.  Once we were back in the arena I worked on a bunch of different backing and yielding exercises.  All in all a very good session!