I'm very proud of how far my horse and I have come in the past 6 months. It's hard to pinpoint specific moments, but the whole experience has been amazing.
Anyone who's ever shown performance horses knows that a lot of physical and mental discipline is required by both rider and horse. As I moved barns to start a more competitive career, my ex-show mare had gone from a pleasure/simple riding horse to being a show horse again... And man, did she feel the pressure. She has always been a cranky sass, but her attitude got much worse for the first few months. She was probably thinking, "Mom, I haven't had to be a show horse in 6 years, why are you making me do this?!" For two months, she fought us every step of the way. She wouldn't bend, she wouldn't come onto the contact, refused to use her hocks or back, and she would spook at nothing. In short, she lost her marbles from the sudden pressure of having to really work again.
Fast forward 6 months, and I've never been happier with my mare. Months of hard work and conditioning, and she has learned that being a show horse isn't so bad - that the only thing preventing her from being happy in her work was her own attitude about it. Now she is a hard working mare who gets straight to her job when you get on (at least, most days anyway!). She comes right onto the contact when asked, moves forward and tracks up when pushed, and bends softly around my leg with the lightest cues.
She is still a tad spooky/looky, but she has always been that way. The difference now is, I correct her immediately and tell her to pay attention, and 90% of the time she does. No horse is perfect, but she's slowly getting close.
I'm also very happy of where I am, too. Before I came out to see this trainer, I had no idea what an outside rein was, let alone the absolute importance it holds in riding well. I actually cannot believe the difference learning to use the outside rein properly has affected my riding for the better.
I am also incredibly proud of my new ability to ride "difficult" horses. My direction has become much more clear and consistent, and my corrections are quicker and concise. I am slowly becoming a solid rider, though my equitation still needs a bit of work.