Have we improved? How can we improve further?

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Sarah1

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Hi guys
I was wondering if you wouldn't mind having a little look at the following piccies and telling me what you think. Even to my untrained eye I can see that Bailey has improved but my riding still leaves a lot to be desired!
Comments & helpful suggestions welcomed!
I don't think I've asked this before but have used some pics in past posts so for anyone whose seen them already, apologies!
We just seemed to have reached a sticking point & I'm not sure if I should just approach our schooling differently cos I think we're both finding it a bit of a chore altho we don't do it often (as you can probably tell!) - any suggestions how to shake it up a bit would be good but please bear in mind we have no school just a field at the mo...
These were taken about a year ago...they're not good I know...
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Bailey3.jpg

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And these are slightly more recent, taken a few months back...
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Thanks everyone
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Thanks - I've always said he's 16.2hh but my instructor reckons he's 17hh now!
He's a lovely boy I just don't want him getting sour so really could do with some schooling exercise suggestions instead of just doing circles, serpentines etc. I thought polework might be more interesting for him?
We have jumps but the field we use often isn't suitable for jumping...
He loves XC schooling so I should def. do more of that & we're lucky to have xc fences on the estate we keep the horses on...
 
We were told he's ID x WB but my instructor is adamant he's Welsh! He's huge for a Welshie tho, bless him!
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He looks lovely!

The only think that I would pick up on is that you are tipping forward slightly in some of the pics and that is making him drop onto the forehand. I only picked up on this because it is my worst faulT!

I have found though that sitting back a bit made him feel much light and work in a much better shape!

I am by no means and expert though!?!?!
 
I think you have improved, your seat looks much firmer, he is a doll!!
Yes do try pole work, also bend in and out of the poles use them to make turns, in walk and start introducing lateral work, stretches and collections (just a tad) will make him listen as he can't just trot blindly around in circles. Use markers, cones, anything you can think of.
Transitions, transitions and yup even more. Keep it light and fun, make sure he is waiting for you to say go! Put in medium canters if you feel him losing focus, basically ask him for more, teach him more.
You can include the poles as a way to lengthen and shorten his stride, place them a long way apart, say 15m or even more and count the strides you do between them, go bigger, shorter, do transitions over them, next to them, anything you can think of and be specific in what you want him to do.
Basically have fun, know what you want and praise him for every step in the right direction.
I hope a there is something of use in there, I'm sure others will have better suggestions?
 
Thanks guys, keep em coming!
Krissi - my worst fault is looking down! I don't even know I'm doing it half the time but on every pic I'm looking at Bailey rather than forwards! Nightmare!
Mik - thanks so much for your reply, there's def. plenty for me to work on there, brilliant reply, thanks!
 
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