Much has changed since this trainer. My sister was the one who told me "hey, you are sitting too deep on your mare and your position looks awful" gotta love sisters:)

I went back and adapted to my old hunter styled seat and handss (this trainer had me round my arms almost ... very unnatural for me). Now, I've got a straighter line and a lighter seat and transitions are much better. She never takes more than one trot step to pick up canter and she comes back easily. However her worst transition is walk to halt. She'll keep framed up and light from canter to halt and trot to halt, but at the walk to halt she sticks her little nose out straight. But we've been working on it and its going away slowly with time.

Thank goodness you said what you said about the lighter seat. I was so upset thinking "dressage is just not meant for me and Buttercup" because she really did not take to it (and I felt really heavy ALL the time). My trainer tried to get on her one time and she tried to buck her off ... funny funny

I wish I still had my camera to show you (hubby took it to the caribbean and promptly lost it fly fishing ...). I do have a different saddle now too.

Rocky Mouse: This one is a treeless saddle that acted as an intermediate until I found a competitive english saddle that fit her. It isn't bad but did nothing to help my position or help her round up. Now I have the close contact collegiate convertable diploma ... and I love it. She loves it too ... first day in it she remained rounder and quieter! Funny how a well fit, balanced saddle can change a horse?

I'd like to take a dressage lesson from you Apples. I am intrigued by the discipline ... like golf with horses (a game of very minute differences causing very different actions). You don't happen to be on the east coat in NC or SC? Even VA or GA?