Gia - session 1084 - flatwork in the arena in the rain

 I worked with Gia in the arena on her flatwork today.  She was much less dramatic since we stayed in the arena and not in the field, but there was a hint of the resistance she gave yesterday.  We started at the walk, and she was quite forward due to the cooler temperatures today.  Her poll was staying up more than usual, so she's definitely getting the hang of that.  I asked for several transitions in and out of halt, and we did several circles and changes of direction.  Then I asked for trot.  This is where the hint of naughtiness started to come out.  However, I kept my leg on, and kept her poll up, and the naughtiness quickly went
away.  She wanted to be a bit quick at the trot after that, so I had her work on a lot of walk and trot transitions.  As soon as I would ask for the trot, she would get quick, so I would immediately ask for walk again.  Once we got back to the walk, I asked for trot again, and we repeated this several times.  Eventually, she got the idea, and I was able to just half halt to get a slower trot.  Then I worked on getting her straighter on circles and straight lines and changes of direction.  I finished our work with some transitions between medium walk and free walk.  She felt very stretchy by this time!

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