so the other day, I was thinking about something a former riding instructor [tho I only got a few lessons from her due to time, etc] had challenged me with about 2 years ago in New York... What was my goal with Winston?

Well now, it kind of took me by surprise, because I have always rambled about how "maybe one day I'll be riding upper levels on some NICE horses"... and with Winston, well hey--we're friends. I guess when I got him I was really intense on 'training, training, training!' and 'the more lessons the better' which i still think that way and daydream about getting my dressage lessons back!!! , but now I seem to have subdued myself with just keeping that super-special bond between us.

Back to the goal--after thinking about it for a couple of minutes, I decided on something that would take work, but also give us time because I realized we didn't have the training & lesson opportunities I used to.  "Well," I ventured cautiously, "I'd like to reach 2nd level by the time he's 9." I personally thought it sounded tame, but like I said--we don't have the training we need.  I think she thought it sounded a little boring, too. but oh well.

So now... my beloved 4 legged friend has just turned 8 this past Saturday.... which means I have one more year to reach my goal. I know we can do this, he has got such an awesome work ethic and an athletic body to boot.  But I am at a loss as to how to get there by myself.  Every time I get on him, if we work together he gives me 100%. It is time to move on.
My next question.... how do we do this?

I believe I will go and search for some second level information online. Till then... anyone have any suggestions?

Where we are at consistently:
decent forwardness, balance, obedience, bending & suppleness, legyield, shoulder fore, balanced counter canter

Where we are MOST rides:
even tempo, sometimes lengthenings, explosive [in a good way!] forwardness when I want it

I suppose this may be slightly late in coming... and I unfortunately do not have time to "dig in" to this topic today as deeply as I would  like, but here is the short version-

When God gives us rules, they're for a purpose.  When He says to wait for sex until a man & woman are married, there's a reason.  [There's actually a LOT of reasons, and God willing I will get on here some day when i have spare time and list all the ones I can think of!]

It is so worth the wait!!!

 

 

*and do not let anyone tell you otherwise--after all, God created sex; wouldn't He be the one to understand its complexities more than any mere human could assume?

 

 

ps- I LOVE MARRIED LIFE! for more reasons than one!