Sounds like you're getting there and as the show isn't until August you've got plenty of time to work on your training and practice, practice, practice.
I'd suggest having a helper initially to walk behind - and its important they are
directly behind, as if they are to one side he will move away at an angle away from them - and 'encourage' him forward by applying pressure. By pressure I mean
gently urging him forward. How gentle depends on how sensitive/co-operative he is e.g. a small clap might do it or even them raising their arms up from their sides lightly, but if he's fairly placid it might need a bigger clap or them slapping their body/'shooshing'. The pressure needs to be absolutely minimal so as not to panic him. And experiment with how close they need to be too - best to start off a reasonable distance back and move closer if they have to, but drop back as he gets more responsive. You give the command "walk on" in a bright, brisk voice and the helper allows a 1/2 a second delay before urging him forward.
At first he may shoot forward but ignore this and keep walking calmly at good pace - the helper must have impeccable timing and remove the pressure i.e. stop whatever they are doing to urge him on
instantly as he responds. This is his reward (removal of the pressure) for doing the right thing and the helper will be able to do less, & do it less frequently as he works out cause and effect. In other words, he'll soon suss that no-one urges him on from behind when he is correctly positioned. And as he walks with you near his shoulder, keep the lead rein loose in your left hand, leaving your right hand free to rub him gently on the neck/shoulder as a reward when he's doing well, but available to lightly check him if he tries to bowl on too fast past you. But it must just be a quick light check, don't haul and don't hang on - this will potentially set up a pulling match, probably make him swing his quarters away which will make him move crooked, and impede his action by restricting his head/neck.
Too fast/forward of you? Check, release, "good boy" as he re-positions near your shoulder. Too far behind/dragging back? Helper applies sufficient (but not excessive) pressure and
instantly backs off as he moves forward more actively to position himself correctly. Keep the sessions short, try to end on a good note and repeat frequently - he'll soon work it out and will begin responding to your vocal command, and as he establishes the correct pace/position at walk you can repeat for trot, again giving him the command before your helper applies the pressure.
Make sure you are always looking forwards, projecting your energy in the direction you want to go - don't turn to look at him as this will twist your body/shoulder/arm and make him twist, again spoiling his straight action.
Oh and don't forget to teach him to halt nicely and stand up correctly for the judge to view him...
The Peasants Are Revolting...
www.forestuprising.org.uk
forestuprising@live.co.uk
