FIRST TROT UNDER SADDLE

Hi Christie and Matthew,

This morning we took Flash out for a longer ride with Percy and Rocky. I
rode Flash and he walked out confidently, almost strutting!

He was keen and interested, so I asked him to trot on and he did easily,
with a few steps pace before settling into a trot for about 20m. I asked him
to walk and he did so, obediently.

The next step was to cross the little bridge. Flash wasn't at all concerned,
but I asked Percy to go first and show him that it wasn't scary. Flash knew
that and walked politely over.

We walked along then I asked Flash to trot on again and this time he bounced
straight into a nice balanced trot. He is obediently making upward and
downward transitions and staying attentive to his rider's aids. For another
km we alternated trotting and walking, then turned around and headed home.

Flash was delightful to ride and I enjoy his interested, attentive attitude
under saddle. At one stage all three horses were trotting together and Flash
had a momentary racing "flash back" but it was just a passing thought. I
kept riding the steady trot rythym and he didn't change his rythym, just had
a very brief moment of "we COULD go faster", not acted upon on his part.

He is such a pleasure to ride out. I'm really enjoying being his artner on
these little "excursions"!

Next: Matthew's first ride on Flash

Cheers,
Lisa

	- Lisa W