If at first you don't succeed...well, you've got about 20 years left.

Post mortification, things are looking up a little. My optomistic side is back (thanks in part to my sweetie) and I rewatched the video and looked through the
photos again. Still need so much work, but I'm able to see more good things- eyes are up, so that's a start. I don't think I really look too big for Trudi- I was kind of worried about that. I could tell on the video that I was helping her with the way I was riding. I could see her inside hind responding when I rode it up under her, and Bent mostly had positive things to say regarding that- he said "Good" or "That's nice" several times. The only corrections he really made were to keep the outside rein and step to the inside a little more. He told me to keep doing what I'm doing to get her steadier in the bridle, but definitely to try some different bits. Trudi has built a lot of muscle so I must be doing something right- and I think she's just so pretty...