I'm having a hard time coming to terms with the difference between a forward trot and an impulsive trot. The impulsive trot needed for the FEI levels is more lofty than the trot used in the lower levels, and I don't know about anybody else, but the loft in the trot makes it feel like the horse is stuck in honey and not pushing well enough. Even the piaffe feels honey-fied.Over the years, I became used to Nicole's trot, which was mostly forward because of nervousness. Nikita's trot is forward enough, but is more "up in the air", that is, the energy is directed upwards as well as forwards. I'd always figured this sort of trot would feel super-impulsive, like driving a truck with no shock absorbers. The fact that the trot doesn't feel like that is confusing. Sometimes I think I work too hard trying to make the trot more powerful than necessary.
I've started working on most of the elements for the Prix St. George test. Today we worked on the shoulder-in/8 meter circle/half pass combination. I can see why they put that element in the test; it's a good litmus to see just how on the aids the horse is. It seems simple enough, but, like a Picasso, is deceptive in its simplicity.
I don't know if I'll compete this year. The only reason I'd compete is for my silver medal scores. Right now, competing for the sake of competing isn't that interesting to me. I'd rather focus on learning to ride at the Grand Prix level before worrying about competing. Besides learning the skills to train horses to Grand Prix, my big concern is about the money needed to support a career at that level, namely, to buy good horses and campaign them. That's a few years off for me, but is still one of my chief concerns.
