Tons of Go but can Still Whoa!

Had a hardcore workout with Babe (Ava's nickname) today. As I drove down there I was thinking of having a really relaxed day with only a little bit trot. That didn't happen. I warmed her up in the round pen, saddled up, and got on. We had to wait for a cutting lesson to be over in the arena but then we went in. Walked for a bit but then we trotted. And trotted and trotted. For around an hour, maybe more. She had a working trot (more like "I'm a standardbred racing trot") the whole time and I barely had to keep her going, it was like she was on auto-pilot. I was getting pretty frustrated with her, I just wish she would have a nice slow pace instead of this super fast one. All I want to do is just plod around her back, but no. One day when she is 25 and semi-retired that's when I'll get that slow sleepy trot, oh well. I guess in a way having all this athleticism is a good thing though, I want to do a lot of competing when we get to that level and she needs the energy and the ability to do it, so I guess it isn't all bad. The other thing is that although she may have lots of go she will still stop for me pretty well, that is probably the thing I want her to take most seriously.

At the end of the session I felt like I couldn't do it anymore. We were both sweating (a lot!) and I felt like I got no where with her... But my BO ended up riding right after I was done and actually gave me some good advice and tips to help me out. It brought my spirits back up and once again I felt like I could actually do this.

There's miss Babe being very impatient while I take this, she was moving and pawing like crazy, we're working on it, she has gotten a lot better, it was almost embarrassing for the first few weeks, haha!