Yeay Dee! Lovely to see and read! I was absolutely enthralled to the very end. In fact, I will probably go right back to the top and read it all again soon! Well done for managing the balloon and umbrella AND the camera! Laughed at his face with the balloon.... standing rock solid, completely unsure of what to make of it round his nether regions and then when you let the air come out.....
He is SUCH a lovely boy with his enormously bouncy trot, bless. You take his education at your own speed.... he is only 4 and you have many many years ahead of you... what's the rush?
Hope you managed to reach a compromise regarding the recurrent lameness of May. If you can get the weight off her you may find that she eases up a bit anyway.... that's a lot of weight on her joints and feet
You mentioned being "proud as a peacock" and that reminded me..... Cherry and I had to ride past a peacock today. It was on the wall of a railway bridge, facing away from us so all it's plumage (sp??)... well, his tail feathers, were all sticking out across half of our path ahead. I'm always nervous with peacocks as I fear they will suddenly fan out and scare the pants off Chez!!! She tip-toed bravely up to it and when she was one step past it she trotted off up the bridge!!!
Settled her down and feeling relieved, I relaxed and she took off again at a trot, caught me unawares - I turned round and the blasted thing had jumped down into the road so she was now convinced this scary monster was after her!!!
It was hilarious!!! Coming home it was back on the bridge wall and then hopped off out of sight. Chez did an "ET" neck to see where it had gone but we passed by uneventfully.... phew!
Anyway, back to your activities.... I think you are both doing soooo well. He gets a lovely variety of education and he seems to be responding so well. You've only had him 12 weeks so I think you are working wonders. And as for riding in contact and outline.... I agree... it's bloomin hard work. Chez is very sensitive to the leg and I find it very difficult juggling enough leg to push her forward without her trotting. Still I shall be very proud of my achievements in the end. I am at the opposite end of the scale from you.... years of not having to ride on the bit so we have a BIG habit to break!!!
Looking forward to next week....
Lotsaluv Jane xxxx