Fall Lesson W/ Keith Alaimo

Today I got to have my first ever lesson with Keith Alaimo! I was so excited to be able to have a lesson with him. I'd been wanting a lesson with him for a little while now. I was really nervous at first though. But that's how I usually am with new trainers. It's not that I think that they'll be scary or anything. I am just afraid that I will make a fool out of myself in front of them.
The person who was supposed to be in the lesson with me, Dawn, ended up not being able to make it. So I ended up having the lesson by myself! I was a little worried at first but it really helped me out a lot.
I found out that my stirrups were too long so we ended up putting them up two holes. I saw that one coming though... It was weird getting used to them, but it's going to help me soso much in eq. next year. He said that I had a great upper body; which was nice to hear because at least I'm doing something right, haha. He also said that he really liked Monty. He doesn't usually like appaloosas because they're usually stubborn and slow. But when you have a good one, you have a great one. =).
When we started jumping he wanted me to halt Monty over the jump if he didn't have the right lead. After we set up what the course would be he told me just to do simples in the corners. He was incredibly surprised when I asked him if I should just do flying lead changes. The first time Monty only got the front (and made a fool out of me because I knew he could do it..) but then he started getting them. In his defense it was his bad lead though. Keith was incredibly impressed when he saw that Monty could do flying changes. It was hilarious to see his reaction. He said that I knew how to ask for them. That was another one of those moments where I got a compliment.
Oh and Monty didn't try and duck out of any of the jumps! He spooked a couple of times at the wind but it wasn't that bad. The second time I thought the first time had just been some kind of fluke because he's usually so solid about the wind and woods. But nope. He had thoroughly freaked himself out.
We worked on my ankles/toes a lot. I have trouble keeping my heels down and my toes in when I ask for a transition. Other than that there wasn't much he told me to work on. He gave me some pointers for Monty's lead changing problem. That was very much appreciated. He pointed out my rein length/not closed fingers a couple times but he didn't leave that as one of the things that I needed to work on. That's my personal thing that I've been trying to work on. He said that my upper body and my release was great. He also, apparently, liked my two-point =).
He said that Monty and I should be able to kick butt in the show.
I really hope we do!!