Tentative Summer Schedule

Here's the plan for May - Aug. Subject to change of course :) Clinic/XC School locations coming once I confirm w/ relevant facilities! Those of you competing this year, let me know your plans sooner rather than later please! If I've missed something you have your heart set on, let me know and we'll find a way to make it happen.

Sat May 16 - Foggy River CT
Sun May 24 - XC School
Wed May 27 - Glen Arden Stad School
Sun May 31 - XC School

Sun Jun 7 - XC School
Sun Jun 14 - XC Clinic
Sat Jun 20 - Caledon HT
Sat Jun 27 - Woodwind HT
Sun Jun 28 - XC School

Sat Jul 4 - Checkmate HT
Sun Jul 5 - Dreamcrest HT
Sat Jul 11 - Will O Wind HT
Sat Jul 18 - XC School
Sun Jul 19 - Equus HT
Sun Jul 26 - XC School

Sat Aug 1 - Grandview HT
Sat Aug 22 - Woodwind HT
Sun Aug 30 - Lane's End HT

There'll be lots of time to sleep when I'm dead...

Time to update the blog eh? Too busy *living* to update the blog! hahaha GRS is just about to the point where I won't be able to accept any more students -- how hard is that to turn down work for a business you desperately want to grow??? I am insanely busy, but loving it. The only catch is finding time for stupid things -- like taking my car in for service or getting somebody to turn the Beast's check engine light off!

hmmm is it a bad sign when your project management software rejects the project manager? Methinks this is not so good. Argh. Everybody can get in but me! hahaha and yet amusing at the same time.

For some reason today any site that has multiple images is simply not loading. Do you have any idea how useless the internet is w/o images? Sheesh. This after they "fixed" our connection yesterday. Blah. I thought maybe FB had just been blocked, but no it's everything... Ah well.

So got on a student's horse last night and was quite pleasantly surprised to discover it's a much nicer horse than one would think on first glance :) hahaha going to be a fun summer after all :)

Been planning the summer schedule -- should I be concerned that I have something on literally every single day between now and Oct? I could possibly sched a wk off in Aug -- might have to do that for the sake of my sanity! hahaha Took a note from Paula and colour-coded said schedule -- it's very pretty now *g* And somehow less scary that way :)

Sienna's been a superstar lately. First show on Sat -- X your fingers for us :) hahaha if we survive the w/u ring all should be well with the world! First jump lesson on Fri... Could also be interesting *g* We shall see. Gotta run!

2000 miles and one left turn...

So Bev and I headed out to VT for the wknd. Was a really nice trip... Fri drove down, went over to Tamarack to pick up everything I left there and chat w/ everybody for a bit. Good to see everybody. Somewhat disconcerting how nothing has changed -- I could've picked up as though I'd left yesterday no problem and yet it's so far removed from my life at the moment. Used to feel the same way coming home after uni -- everything was exactly as I left it . . . except me. Comforting in some ways, disconcerting in others. But such is life eh? Both Denny and May seemed pretty happy w/ the pics of Sienna, so that was good :)

Sat we went exploring. Great hike along Quechee gorge -- so peaceful. Perfect weather. Almost no other people. Really nice way to start the day :) The last time I went it was stunning w/ the leaves changing but there were hundreds of people there too. This time gorgeous in a different way and we had the whole thing to ourselves. Then we drove around a bit; dropped by a random gathering at Dartmouth College. hahaha I love the uni scene -- still haven't outgrown that.

The B&B we were staying @ was the same one I was @ once before, down the road from Denny's... Old farmhouse (property has apparently been in the family for 6 generations) that had a ton of character :) Spent part of the afternoon sitting out on the porch watching a rather large storm come in... Was pretty impressive. Even more impressive was the double rainbow after it!

Drive home was no too bad -- although I admit I slept large portions of the way, so def had the easy job! Only iffy thing was when Bev killed a poor, innocent, pillow with her mighty Murano. The victim of a tragic road-rage incident. The chicken and the turkey escaped, but the pillow... Well it just was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. We buried it with all due ceremony in the garbage at the next rest stop *g* hahaha otherwise, the return trip was rather uneventful.

So that's the short version cause, well, I have no time for a long version!

hahahha omg just had to share -- got off a call w/ a client repairing pieces of the world that fell apart while I was away on Fri, which he ended w/ "well you are queen of the universe after all" hahaha sorry Bev -- apparently I stole your title. Love it :)

Happy Birthday Stephy!!!

Really - the subject line kinda says it all :) Hope it's absolutely amazing!

Be yourself. Everyone else is taken!

A friend sent me this in an E and I thought it was worth reposting...

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.



How did you do?

The point is none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.



Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.



Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials. The most money ... or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.

All my students need to think this way :)

(note: definitely took this from the Dragon's blog...)

So I was thoroughly impressed by a student's attitude towards riding the other day, so figured I'd share :) She was mounted on a very athletic and exuberant horse who spent a good portion of it bouncing around the ring. When she eventually got a nice, civilized trot all the way around the ring, we called it a day. Now anybody who's dealt w/ babies or really high horses will understand entirely how "baby steps" can lead to a renegotiation of where the bar is set (how thrilled was I the first time Sienna *walked* around the ring?!?! :) Back to that whole Plan A, B, W thing... But this rider hasn't done a lot of that -- she's ridden spinny before but not quite baby-step level. So at the end of the ride she's cooling her horse out and says to me (still in a good mood) "well, if trotting around the ring is good just think of how far we can go!" N it just totally struck me -- not how far we HAVE to go as in "ugh when can we get to something fun?" but how far we CAN go as in "this could be an entertaining challenge, and each baby step counts." And who knows, I may've misheard or made that up entirely -- but I liked what I imagined so figured I'd pass it on :) Must remember that while Si and I are doing PE! It's not the destination but rather the journey eh? So therefore all the much better when you can see the journey may be a long one...

So I was looking @ the pics of Sienna jumping XC (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=251116&id=823765365&l=6a01b706b4), it was recommended to me that her show name should be "Hang Time" hahaha and while I agree theoretically, I just didn't really like it for her... But then I was thinking -- how bout "Just Hanging Out"? She's super chilled, so more often than not applies, n really, why shouldn't one "hang out" three feet above the fence??? hahaha so that's what I'm thinking for the moment. Other thoughts? Suggestions? Got some time before we have to decide (she's just going to be "Sienna" at Foggy River) but I'd like a name for whenever the first HT is...

Show Names?

So looking @ some of the pics of Sienna jumping XC (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=251116&id=823765365&l=6a01b706b4), it was recommended to me that her show name should be "Hang Time" hahaha and while I agree theoretically, I just didn't really like it for her... But then I was thinking -- how bout "Just Hanging Out"? She's super chilled, so more often than not applies, n really, why shouldn't one "hang out" three feet above the fence??? hahaha so that's what I'm thinking for the moment. Other thoughts? Suggestions? Got some time before we have to decide (she's just going to be "Sienna" at Foggy River) but I'd like a name for whenever the first HT is...

Was thoroughly impressed by a student's attitude towards riding the other day, so figured I'd share :) She was mounted on a very athletic and exuberant horse who spent a good portion of it bouncing around the ring. When she eventually got a nice, civilized trot all the way around the ring, we called it a day. Now anybody who's dealt w/ babies or really high horses will understand entirely how "baby steps" can lead to a renegotiation of where the bar is set (how thrilled was I the first time Sienna *walked* around the ring?!?! :) Back to that whole Plan A, B, W thing... But this rider hasn't done a lot of that -- she's ridden spinny before but not quite baby-step level. So at the end of the ride she's cooling her horse out and says to me (still in a good mood) "well, if trotting around the ring is good just think of how far we can go!" N it just totally struck me -- not how far we HAVE to go as in "ugh when can we get to something fun?" but how far we CAN go as in "this could be an entertaining challenge, and each baby step counts." And who knows, I may've misheard or made that up entirely -- but I liked what I imagined so figured I'd pass it on :) Must remember that while Si and I are doing PE! It's not the destination but rather the journey eh? So therefore all the much better when you can see the journey may be a long one...

On a completely unrelated note -- came across this @ work today and thought it was sort of interesting (or @ least the first 2 paragraphs were :) so reposting: "My focus as an architect has always been to consider what I’ve called the “software” of space (sounds, smell, light, temperature, electromagnetic fields, social relationships, etc.) rather than the “hardware” (floors, walls, roof, etc.) as it has traditionally been considered. The image (below) really sums up why I think this is important. It’s the same piglets, in the same box, but on the right hand side the temperature has been increased. This small change in how the space is “programmed” has dramatically changed the way the ‘inhabitants’ relate to each other and how they relate to their space. This approach to architecture became my challenge: how to translate such strategies into the general architectural discourse and how to bring into reality such possibilities for the construction industry."


Link to the rest of the article is http://www.ugotrade.com/2009/01/28/pachube-patching-the-planet-interview-with-usman-haque/

Sienna's first XC school!

Ok so Sienna's first XC school was beyond amazing. And this post will probably take longer to read than the actual lesson was -- so consider yourself forewarned. hahaha the Coles Notes version is on www.cude.net if you want it instead ;)

I was hacking around Gorstella on Sat and Shannon mentioned having trouble finding somewhere to go school XC before Will O Wind... N the light goes on -- I'm schooling Grandview on Sun, why don't you come? So she decides she's going to come play, at which point my pony promptly pulls a shoe. Classic eh? No luck getting in touch w/ my farrier, but sure enough there's one at Glen Oro (which was running their CT)... So we bump the loading time up a bit, go to Glen Oro to get the shoe put on and say hi to some people, and then head over to Grandview.

I got in two *whole* circles on the lunge line before Bob got there. hahaha it's a good thing I don't actually *need* to lunge her before riding anymore eh? Hop on and head out -- fortunately starting in the stad ring (where stad w/u is for competition) first... Miss Sienna was a *little* high (I have one not-so-great shot that demonstrates exactly *why* she wears a standing martingale when we school away from home :) but pretty quickly that high lead to a *literal* high as she felt the need to clear fences by a ridiculous amount! hahaha

So we're trotting around the ring on speed, and then cantering around endlessly (thankfully it's a very big ring) in hopes of taking a *bit* of the edge off before we start to jump, and I'm keeping half an eye on what Bob's setting up... Canter pole, X, Canter pole. Very basic exercise. Except, of course, Sienna did her first EVER canter poles the day before -- and it was not exactly ummmmm shall we say text-book style. But hey, part of the reason for the lesson (beyond making sure I haven't already undone all of Denny's hard work fixing my position) was to have an objective party judge what's appropriate for the horse. N realistically there's no reason she couldn't do it, so why not. The only rule of the day (which was made clear @ the very start) was they *must* jump on the first attempt. It doesn't have to look pretty, but they have to always get from point A to point B. And you know what? Miss Si really tried. She wasn't always entirely sure where to put her feet, but she definitely had the pointA/pointB concept down.

So much so that she made up random fences! hahaha like when I missed the turn (going a *little* too fast) and so we ended up jumping the puddle at the edge of the ring (a lovely jump, just not entirely intentional) and going for a short canter through the grass. hahaha

As soon as she had the pole/x/pole concept down a 2nd fence was added to the game. It was an X (yeah -- we like Xs :), and it was a civilized four strides away from the first one (three from the pole). Now fortunately we HAVE done related distances at home before so this was not entirely new... Still the first time in there was enough hesitation that while we did technically do it in 4 strides, we *really* should've put in 5. hahaha can we say long spot anybody? Also known as the flying leap! The next time we landed w/ a little more intent and things worked out better. And THEN the back rail went up. Yup that's right -- that'd be Sienna's first ever oxer. In a strange place. With brightly coloured poles. But I tell you, other that being 3' higher and wider than necessary she had nearly perfect form over it. Certainly wasn't concerned or backed off by it. I was pretty excited I gotta admit :)

And then it's time for XC. "Trot down to that little fence in the treeline" -- ok fair enough. Well except for the whole trot DOWN part. hahaha We've only ever trotted on flat surfaces before. I certainly wasn't about to mention this though -- so Shan and I gamely trot down to the lovely little baby fence. Sienna was allowed to walk around it but not to stop and check it out (which I agree w/ entirely so I was quite happy about that)... and I took her for a stroll in the other field so she could see where we were going to be landing (said baby jump is in a tree-line -- thought that might be a little much for her first non "log" xc fence ever). Tuffy (isn't that a great name???) went first and kindly hung out in the other field so Si had someone to jump to -- and she did it. It definitely wasn't pretty and there was certainly some hesitation, but she got from point A to point B :) 2nd try was at canter and significantly better.

And that's enough of that -- time to move onto another fence. I actually really like that -- hate drilling the same jump over and over once they've got it. Zel taught me that *g* A bored horse is a creative horse. hahaha My only concern was WHICH fence we went to. Back up on top of the hill, jumping towards the stad. I'm sure most of you know the fence I'm talking about, standard 2nd fence on the GV entry course -- three logs on a nice inviting up-slope on top of the hill... T and P jumps on either side as wings, etc etc. As friendly as they come right? Except that it's about twice the height of anything she's ever jumped. hahaha minor detail. And apparently completely irrelevant. She *launched* over it. I was entirely catapulted -- n the peanut gallery was quite amused by the excess height involved (got some great pics of that game!). hahaha the feeling was basically that of walking up to a 3'6" oxer and jumping it. Prob being, when I aim to jump a 3'6" oxer at a walk, I'm fully prepared for the launch. This one... Man not so much. I'm quite certain there was no point of me actually in contact w/ my horse at that moment. Fortunately we did land together -- and even more fortunately since I was trying *really* hard not to land on her back (cause really don't want her to have any negative associations with jumping) I somehow managed to land w/ my feet back in the stirrups so could stay up off her back but yeah -- graceful it was not. Entertaining, however, it was :) After the 2nd try which, even though I was prepared, I was still launched I said something to Bob about "I just can't hold my position over that" to which I got "nobody could hold their position over that -- don't worry about it." hahaha and a few suggestions as to how to make it work better (these actually made a HUGE difference so will absolutely be keeping that in mind when Si meets new jumps from now on. Can't *always* hold it but still better than nothing). Anyways -- cantered around over that one a third time which was not quite as dramatic. Then it was time to put them together. So Tuffy (who's basically solid @ PT -- Shan was being very patient babysitting us *g* Tuffy was being not so patient -- that whole bored = creative thing... and doing random rodeo auditions to keep life interesting) -- anyways, Tuffy went first jumped the fence cantered down to the other one and jumped into the other field. Where Sienna couldn't see him. My instructions "jump the first fence, *trot* down the hill, jump the 2nd fence" No problem (remember we trotted down this hill for the first and *only* time like 10 min before). Except that Sienna was evidently more concerned about "those trees ATE Tuffy!!!!" than listening to minor details in instructions like "trot". hahaha so we jumped the first fence, made the turn to go down the hill -- at which point she could see Tuffy was still very much alive and having fun doing the rodeo thing and well, she'd better just run over to make sure. I asked for trot. She wanted to gallop. We compromised with one of the nicest canters I've ever had on her. Unfortunately she was SO focused on Tuffy she neglected to acknowledge the baby fence between her and him. hahahaha slightly less than graceful. But again, did get from A to B.

Next challenge was a cute little cordwood jump. Again bigger than anything she's seen before -- BUT smaller than what we've just done so should be easy right? hahaha yeah. Here we have a case of "never teach your horse something you want her to forget". She *did* get from point A to point B -- but she did it by jumping out to the left over the corner and basically crashing in all sorts of unkewl ways. The next attempt was a more graceful version of the same. Oops. Evidently this is the way this game is played. So Bob goes into the woods to get "wings" and I'm thinking boooo -- don't get wings in competition. May be necessary but still feel sort of defeated needing them. BUT he put the "wings" up as flags. So they're not wings in the sense I think of them but rather exactly as XC flags -- which you DO get in competition. And she jumped it beautifully! Although the pics reveal *why* she was opting for the side route. hahaha apparently she was having issues judging how *wide* the fence was. Gotta luv greenbeans :)

So Si got a bit of a break while Tuffy the pro-star got to do some PT type fences. Then it was down to the ditch. Sienna was amazing. Absolutely amazing. I've never started a baby over a ditch as easily as that one did. And it was a reasonably wide ditch too. The serious advantage was that it was *very* shallow so if she wanted to go in it she could. Walked her through it the first time and then after that she jumped it like an old pro. Now the actual pro felt that this should be far more dramatic than was actually called for and attempted to restructure his rider's face in the process. I only know two people who consistently injure themselves without falling OFF the horse -- and both were there today! hahaha Stephy however, managed the whole day injury free though (well minus the rather stunning sunburn -- this is why they invented HATS girl -- seriously!). Anyways -- Shan got seriously bonked over the ditch on one attempt, but in true eventer style continued on regardless. And Tuffy redeemed himself schooling the bank -- up and down like no problem. Sienna skipped that one and we went to the baby one instead. This one is in the treeline and heading towards home (I'm wondering if there's ever been a stop at that in competition -- I honestly can't think of a more inviting up-bank I've ever seen). And again, first try we followed Tuffy, who disappeared through the trees. Well Miss Si wasn't about to be left behind and was entirely willing to leave out strides to get there! hahaha yeah remember that whole "don't teach your horse something you want them to forget" thing? Sure enough, second try (alone this time) we were dead on to the perfect spot, except that she choose not to actually land there but rather to take a flying leap from the stride before it! Oops. Left that for a moment and tried the down version. Tuffy wasn't so tuff here, so Sienna lead the way -- and just walked off as calm as could be. I was seriously impressed with her for that. No hesitation, no flying leap, just "I got it" and down she goes... I seriously think our bushwacking hacks have helped a ton w/ this. She's gotten used to climbing over/up/down various obstacles. The first time we try to do it faster than a walk might be interesting, but really -- that doesn't have to happen this year ;) Decided things were going well, we'd add in... Following Tuffy's lead again, we took the roll-top to the step (Tuff took the stairs instead -- a bit more interesting for him). Si wasn't sure about the rolltop but she gave it a really solid effort and of course flew up the step missing that spot AGAIN. I swear that Spot had a name tag and was sitting there barking at her but she STILL didn't see it! hahaha Tuffy, otoh felt the need to rather exuberantly celebrate his stair climbing abilities putting in a reasonable audition for the 8-Second award at the top and jamming Shannon's thumb in the process (remember that whole injury w/o following off thing? I mean really, is this a title you really *want* to keep claiming?) So Sienna went back down alone to go do it by herself, and this time I was rather more insistent that you WILL wait for the civilized Spot (who's been waiting soooo patiently for us) and it was perfect. I don't say that very often, but this one really was. She jumped straight and bravely and not overly huge over the roll-top and actually listened when I asked for balance and pace control to the bank. I was beyond thrilled.

Then we got to play in the water -- and after playing in the river on our hacks and then @ Shan's the day before (and that was *deep* -- my boots got wet! - and had a reasonable current) Sienna really has absolutely no concerns about water any more. Still hates mud, but water is just fine. So quite happy to go through this and eventually jump in and out. I wanted to take the roll-top out, but Bob vetoed it. Ah well -- next time :) So we just stuck to the stad fence set up on one side. Then eventually raced Tuffy to the traditional "Rock n Rail" fence (T did the higher one obviously) and we were done.

SO much fun. As you can probably tell by the novel I've just posted :) Pic's'll be up whenever I get them from Shannon's computer -- thanks tons Stephy for taking them all!!!!!

Never teach your horse something you want her to forget!

Sat went to school XC at Gorstella. My pony was a superstar. We only technically jumped one fence, but just for the get out, hack around, up and down hills, and through water, all with other people riding around -- she was amazing. And she did canter poles for the first time ever in the stad ring so that was good too (albeit a little dodgy, but she figured it out). We got fairly rained on though and eventually gave up and decided to go home for the day.

Fast-forward to Sunday when I had a lesson booked w/ Bob Holman @ Grandview. Invited Shannon to come along too so she could get her horse out to school before Will O Wind (and, realistically, cause it's way more fun w/ another person AND cause it helps for a greenbean to have a friend -- so really a triple win there :) N I have to say that while I'm not as fit as I'd like, it turns out I'm not nearly as unfit as I'd feared! hahaha calves are quite tight today and I laughed so hard my voice is shot, but other than that, no ill effects :)

Now doing the project management thing @ work, one of the things you're always supposed to do is recap a project with "Lessons Learned" -- so here are the Lessons Learned from yesterday:

- Stirrups usually remain where you left them -- and if you left them perpendicular to the ground you still have a chance @ surviving!

- The 8 second rule applies in XC just as firmly as at the rodeo. We're recommending it replace the "penalty zones" of the past (who else misses those days??? :)

- Someday's Spot just doesn't want to be found. He's a trickly little beast and can hide w/ the best of them; alternately there are days when he's wearing a nametag, barking and jumping up and down and *still* isn't seen! Or worse -- is seen by one half of the pair and not the other! hahaha At which point he generally goes off for a walk, tired of being ignored -- when you get to this point, it's time to move on to another fence.

- You can get a lot of thinking done when you're hanging out 3' above the fence you're supposed to be jumping.

- Never teach your horse something you want them to forget.

- Horse shows are a BLAST when you go with a couple good friends and no responsibility.

This is the summary of yesterday's XC school. For the novel version check out the GRS blog! hahaha there will be pics up once I get the rest of them from Shannon.



From one of the women at the show yesterday: "you really need to get your own farm." hahaha yes, yes I do. Am sort of amused that other people are picking up on that now too though! Where is that winning lottery ticket when I need it eh? Will admit I had *almost* as much fun hanging out at the show yesterday chatting w/ everybody who I haven't seen since LAST show season as I did on XC. Almost. It really was fun to get caught up on all the winter gossip though :) Esp being there with absolutely no pressure. Only had one student with me and she was helping and taking pics so really, making life significantly easier rather than work :) Did have to laugh though -- there were people circulating a petition and they were talking to Shan and Steph so I of course wandered over to be nosy -- which, of course, wanting more names this person was more than happy to have me listen in on what they were talking about n asks me to sign before doing a double take with "oh, are you 18?" hahahahhaha LOVE it. Particularly love it as I don't think they even asked Stephy who IS still 18 (if only for a couple days :) Classic. Somehow though when you're flattered that they ask, people backpedal really quickly *g*

They're replacing one of the rather large windows @ work today -- so definitely watching that out of the corner of my eye. hahaha the things I get to learn on this job :) hahaha at Marg's I had like a million job titles that all merged into one job -- here I have one title that encompasses a hundred different jobs :) It's an interesting change.

I'm starving. Off in search of food! Cheers :)

“There cannot be a crisis today; my schedule is already full” -- Henry Kissinger

So it turns out I actually really like scheduling things. I'm such a geek >;-P

But seriously it's one of the more entertaining aspects of my job -- both of them. How to fit in all the pieces, in the right order, in a reasonable amount of time -- particularly challenging when you don't HAVE all the pieces or enough time. hahaha For GRS it's how to fit in all the lessons and the shows and the schooling sessions, and preferably all at times when people can actually get to them AND when I don't have to be at my other job. Tricky. And of course how to reschedule things when the weather gods get snarky. hahaha Life's not a box of chocolates; it's a giant puzzle. And some people play w/ more pieces than others *g*

hahaha I remember when I was doing my coaching prereqs one of the things I was supposed to be evaluated on was my ability to have and implement "Plan B" -- and how hard I laughed when I saw that. Plan B (or C or D or W) is all that *ever* gets implemented! hahahaha I can only dream of the day when I go to teach a lesson and the stars actually align well enough that I can teach the lesson I intended. Private lessons occasionally get to do plan A, but group lessons? Yeah right. Plan to teach a particular course, and then get there and discover that one person's horse wants absolutely nothing to do w/ fence 3; another rider can't for the life of her ride a 15m right circle (so that roll-back is simply *not* going to happen); while a third pair has no breaks. All of a sudden the lesson becomes restructured to flat work -- let's learn to turn and stop before we jump shall we? and how to train scared/confused/difficult horse to go over what he's pointed at. This SAME group might've been perfectly ready for this challenge yesterday (hence why it was Plan A) but simply *because* it was Plan A it's guaranteed not to be appropriate today. And honestly, it doesn't matter *how* simple you make it, Murphy says Plan A never happens. I remember a beginner lesson (w/t/indivd canter) for which the planned topic was walk/halt transitions (it really doesn't get any easier than that) being entirely destroyed by an unintentional dismount (oops) that led to a mental meltdown that restructured the lesson into getting on and eventually walking unassisted. We never *did* get to the walk/halt transition that day. The trick is to make sure that while Plan A is guaranteed to help the student reach goal in intended amount of time, so do plans B C and M. Cause really, they're the ones you're going to be using :)

Ok back to my scheduling games now. Wish me luck :)