Cantering Possibly

I am apparently the only one holding out on cantering Stinker.  And yes I did just say cantering.  I know this may not sound like a big deal (and it usually isn't), but last summer I honestly didn't know if Stinker was ever going to be rideable again.  Sure part of that was just in my head, but not all of it.  I am still in a bit of shock that we are nearly there.

I love this brow band and fly bonnet combo!

My favorite dressage judge was in town this weekend (actual lesson write ups to follow I am just too excited to make sense) and she casually mentioned that we weren't far from cantering (insert happy dance followed by a bunch of mental oh shits).  I didn't say anything at the time because I was too busy trying to wrap my head around it.  She is the one that put us on the walk only program back in January and said we would need to do that for about a year.  I knew that Stinker and I had been making progress I just didn't realize how much.

I was trying to get a picture of Stinker and the sunset and failed.

I asked her some questions about it on Sunday and she said we could start any time we wanted.  I am supposed to do some canter transitions, canter a few strides bring him back to the trot, then let him stretch and end the ride.  It is all supposed to work as part of game where nothing is a big deal and we can just slide in and out of the trot and walk and toss in a canter.  I am really excited and also really notice.  I haven't cantered anyone since I stopped riding Pongo back in April.

I really want to steal this dog (he is a barn dog).  So cute.

My plan is to wait until I have either the dressage judge or D to talk me through it.  I don't trust myself to not get stuck in my head and screw things up.  I really want to keep everything positive for him, since we are working so well.  So I am the only one that is nervous about cantering, which is really funny for me considering I have no problem hopping on a horse bareback and galloping.