CHRISTIE RIDES FLASH!

Hi Christie and Matthew,

As you know, this afternoon, I rode Flash again.

The video that Matthew has been making of Flash under saddle shows good,
steady, quiet progress. He is interested in his work, calm and loving the
attention.

I mounted Flash without Christie anywhere near him and rode him in the
arena, as I have been doing. We made some "split" 20m circles (oval-shapes
with straight sides and round ends) in both directions, halted, walked on,
changed direction across the diagonal and centre of arena. I try to make his
work as interesting as possible and introduce new but simple movements and
make plenty of transitions to keep him interested and paying attention. And
he certainly seems to be enjoying this new game of riding!

After I had ridden Flash, I shocked Christie by asking her to go and get her
riding helmet so she could get on him. I think her response was something
like "what NOW?" then she smiled and went to get her helmet.

Flash stood quietly while Christie mounted, using a mounting block to help
since she isn't as tall as me. Flash accepted her on his back and almost
seemed to be thinking what's SHE doing up there... She doesn't usually sit
on me? But as usual he was calm and sensible. Christie patted and reassured
him, then walked Flash around the arena with me beside him. As I could see
Flash was happy with Christie on his back, I gradually moved away and soon
she was riding him by herself!

As she dismounted Christie bumped Flash' flank with her left foot. He didn't
even flinch. (I had moved around on him, touching him on the rump, flanks,
neck etc, previously, but this made it clear just what a generous nature he
has.) He is very tolerant and enjoying all the new things he is learning and
the attention he gets.

Later I looked at the video and all I can see of Christie's face during her
time on his back was a big grin! I was so pleased to see the two of them
riding around the arena together.

I deliberately didn't tell Christie in advance that I thought today was the
day SHE would ride Flash, because I didn't want her to be too excited when
she got on him. As things worked out, she was so busy finding her hat and
fixing stirrups, then getting on, that she didn't have time to get as
excited as if we'd planned it. A little naughty of me, but it worked well
:-)

So next we progress with our training of Flash, starting to trot under
saddle with me, strengthening Flash and Christie's partnership, and I start
to ride him outside the arena.

Cheers,
Lisa

	- Lisa W