Kemerton is my main man, my baby. He is a big oaf and is retired now, but he still has the personality of a young horse. He's almost like a little elementary school boy, always trying to get into trouble.

At the time these series of photos were taken, we were competing in a dressage schooling show that was being held at our farm. This was very early in his retraining, though he was let down for a bit before I got him. If I had to guess, we were probably only in training for a few months when I rode this dressage test. I believe it was a lower level eventing test.

Though the photos don't show it too much, he was super tense. His regular environment was different since we had the show going on and he was a little freaked out by it. This surprised me since I figured a racetrack would be much more intimidating! Obviously, we don't think the same way as our horses!

My Thoughts On This Photo

My leg is in the correct place, though I should have relaxed and dropped down through my heel a bit.

I'm sitting up straighter, and not as forward as some of the others. My upper body in this I find a lot more reasonable than some of the other pictures, considering I was in a close contact saddle.

He is tracking up nicely, his hind foot reaching into the hoof print of the front hoof, meaning his back is relaxed and swinging. Also, note how much thrust he has in the hind end, you can tell the motor is really running, which is why since my hands are nicer and we have a good connection, he is in a great frame.

The only thing I can say about my hands in this picture is it sort of looks like my left elbow isn't at my side. It is sort of sticking out. But it could be the angle of the picture.

Also, miraculously enough it looks like my head is up and looking where I'm going, instead of down at his head!

Critique Yourself, It's Good For You!

Learn from your mistakes. Point out the good and the bad in your pictures! It's fun and a good way to see how far you have come!