Let's build on the idea of planning for improvements in one area or another. I pick Transitions! As a quick recap, we want to frame what we want to accomplish using S.M.A.R.T.S, creating a goal that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound/Stretch. For the S=Specific step in defining a S.M.A.R.T.S goal, you might write something like this – I will ride fluid and responsive transitions from my horse and get regular scores of 7 in my dressage tests in 20

The days are shorter and colder right now so it's harder to get motivated to get to the barn, tack up your horse, and ride. Then you have to cool them down and put them away. This is when I really need a plan to ride my horse so I can get on, get warmed up, get the exercise in and get done. Sometimes I even feel my whole ride is basically a warm up since I can’t feel my fingers and toes! But that's OK, too, actually. This is where I try to keep the basics in mind – simple wal

I was walking a student through the aids to ask for a walk-canter transition. It was her very first. She was so intent on every word that I said. She had watched me do several on my horses and also several on her horse, and I could see her as she watched moving her leg and hands, trying to get the feel of it in her body by imitating what I was saying. Now it was her turn. Her horse knew the basics of it, but I wouldn't say he was confirmed 100%. I asked her to bend the horse