One Step Forward . . .

and two steps back.  That's what I feel like with Nikki.  We'll have a good work and then the next one will be full of problems.  My trainer wants me to keep free lunging him to the left until we get that problem completely solved but I really want to ride.  I'm worried that if I focus on the lunging problem, we'll never get to a show this season.  So, I lunged him this morning with his saddle on and, next time Brian is home when I have time to ride, I'm going to hop on him. 

I also need to work up his stamina and mine so we can make it through an hour lesson.  Right now, if he's decided he worked long enough, he kicks at me and heads towards the gate.  So, this morning I wore a watch and I'm going to keep track of how long we work.  Today I lunged him for 20 minutes, with 15 of that at the trot.  I had him out for about 50 minutes.