First without stirrups. Not something I normally feel comfortable doing.

 

Nero's really nice, but I've still got a lot of nerves to deal with.

Working on forward, now that I had my stirrups.

It's easy to start nagging him. I might try spurs. Maybe then I could just ask once and wait.

He's really tons more forward than when we first started riding him. Now my trainer wants him forward and soft.

He's pleasant enough, but not soft to the bit.

It's just nicer when he is flexing.

My left foot was having trouble this day. Usually it's might right, so I'm not sure what was going on.

I love how he is here. We could get maybe 1/2 a circle of this, before he'd go above or behind the bit. It's not easy for him to use his muscles like this, since he's just starting to learn what we want.

It always helps if I remember to lift and open my shoulders. We feed off each other for our balance.

A lot of circles just for 1/2 a circle of steady.

Nero was happy for a break.

The only thing I requested was that he stay forward.

Back to the trot and he came together a little easier.

We've trailered out to do a little jumping, but here my trainer just wanted to give him something else to focus on between the trot circles.

I like taking him over trot poles. He's very floaty and careful.

Working hard to get the canter.

First the wrong lead (when my friend comes to ride, she doesn't get the wrong lead, and they've even gotten the correct one on the long side), but I was just happy to get the canter.

Then the correct lead, but not very pretty.

Much better to the right.

And a nicely forward and correct trot, after the canter work.