Pretty fed up - need help / advice

I thought we would practise the test again today just out of interest and I left the 'legal' bit in - oh blimey what a mistake, he flipped out in canter, don't know what is up with him (back, teeth, tack checked v. recently by the way).
 
Don't worry about him flipping out in canter, The spring grass and time of year just makes them feel so Well!!! If you were thinking "Uh OH, now its canter time I hope he isn't silly" he May have picled up on that aswell. Why not try poping him on lunge for 5/10 mins, walk, trot and canter then when you ask for canter when you are on him he ought to be OK. I'm sure you will find the right bit to suit you. I was thinking, are there any local riding clubs you could join so you could get out and have training with them, so more experience of doing things away from home but no competition involved?
 
Gorgeous_George, it was good to see you and George again on Saturday!
I think if you have run through the test at home and had a similar reaction then perhaps you are feeling the 'benefits' of the spring grass! George looked very well and it doesn't surprise me to hear he is feeling good about himself!
I only saw part of your warm up and I do agree that he needed to be listening to you more. My advice to you would be to stop schooling at home in the gag, it's not BD legal so it doesn't matter how well he goes in it. Just keep it for hacking or his fresher days when you feel you need a little extra.
Try a few different snaffles to find what he feels most comfortable in and work him in that. To me it looked like you needed to send him forwards to fill the contact up, making his trot more purposeful - that way you are giving him a job to do and keeping him in front of your leg. By keeping him busier and working harder he'll have to concentrate more rather than having time to notice what else is going on and being able to react to it.
Also lots of transitions in quick succession I think would help keep him listening to you, don't let yourself just trot round, always be going somewhere and doing something.
My only other suggestion would be to try a different instructor, sometimes we all need a fresh pair of eyes that may be able to suggest something different that may help/ work.
Good luck - you and George look to have a lot of potential together and I'm sure you will reach your goals very soon
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PS. Jo C, it's funny you should say most people said the marking was low but comments good, I found it was the exact opposite for Oscar!!!
 
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