For our final lesson before the Fair, I did a regular session, riding 15 minutes over to Wendy's and working her inside. For the first time I tried the 3.5 minute free style performance that I have been building in my head, playing the music in earphones so I could hear the cues. I think it will work if we need it (only the top 10 do a free style). Nothing fancy--just starting out with some shoulder in, two half passes, then doing figure eights at the trot and canter. I included a pirouette on both half passes but I may nix that--she is still weak to the left and it will stick out like a sore thumb. Overall, Maddie did great.
We played around a bit, sidepassing up to various gates and jump gear, me reaching over and moving things around while she sniffed at them. I picked up the cone a bunch of times and rubbed it all over her, switching sides, putting it down onto a jump, etc. She felt solid and I got her to the point where she pretty much ignored it on her back when we walked out.
On the way home I repeated the free style in Jane's outdoor. By this time a thunderstorm must have been passing by because the wind really whipped up. She was a bit peevish and actually bolted when I asked for a canter in the direction of home. I spun her around a bunch of times and kept her in shoulder-in until she had come back down. Not sure exactly what was up with her. By the time we got to the hayfields near the stable she was back to her old self. We watched a lone coyote trot across one of the fields--not sure if that is a good omen or not. Maddie paid it no mind.
I feel really confident that Maddie will shine in Madison. The rest is just a giant logistical puzzle. The trailer is loaded with hay, shavings, tack, backup tack, buckets, displays, sleeping bags, etc. Joe's truck is filled with food, suitcases, water, gear, and more gear. What an expedition! Next time I do this, we are going bareback and brideless, and I'm just going to ride the mustang all the way to Madison. Back to basics. :)
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