I've started schooling Clair on walk-canter transitions, and she is a genius-- she picked it up during the first session where we tried it. Now we need to work on canter-walk. With that and some more work on counter-canter, we're just about finished schooling all of second level. Her medium trot is starting to come along, too.
I'm so torn about Dakota. I've come to the point where I have to admit I don't really have time for him. For the first time in my life, I have a truly third-level-capable horse (and even more, I think), and I need to keep my eyes on the prize: my bronze medal. I've kept Kota going all winter, mostly with lungeing in the Pessoa, and some walk and trot under saddle. I still haven't even put in the canter under saddle! He's strong and balanced on the lunge, and knows his leads, so I don't think it will be a big deal. I do have to say that now that he is fully fattened up and fit, he has a lot more opinions than he did when I got him, and he was so skinny. I had hoped he could be a beginner's horse, but my opinion now is that he needs a pretty confident rider. Not a pro, by any means, but someone who knows what to do when challenged. He does like to trail ride with a buddy; I haven't tried it on our own yet. And he has fantastic gaits and build for dressage! He moves more like a blond Lipizzan than anything.
He can be a pasture ornament for the time being. I love the little bugger and wish I could find a lease situation for him.
