UWHarrie, you got some very nice photos! I love the ones of Bishop in Versatility and you have great timing on all the hunter/jumper shots. Good job!
He looks adorable in UWHarrie's side shots during Versatility. I love the bright-eyed, lovey expression he has! Once he squared up with his hind feet under him he showed to great advantage.
(LB Disclaimer: For those who do not know, Laura and I do a lot of talking behind the scenes about our boys and I worked with her and Bishop at the National Drive last fall. I don't believe the following comments count as an "unsolicited critique.")
As for the driving, it will definitely build his topline if he's doing it from back to front. Do you normally drive with a check at home? Is the way he's carrying himself in those photos typical for him? If so, your best bet for getting him built up before Nationals is a lot more beet pulp and/or roundpen work in sliding side reins. In the long-term (after Nationals) we have to help him overcome the disadvantage of being a little butt-high and teach him to get up under himself. Bishop is naturally long-strided and reachy so he tracks up nicely but he isn't really using his butt at this point and his head and neck are just sitting there rather than flexing or arching in a way that will build muscle. His topline will not change and fill out until he learns to use it properly while driving. He's young and green and I'm sure most of that will come with time, but we do want to help him get there so lots of checkless work for now would be best until he learns to use his neck and elevate the forehand. Then you can check him up again and he will lift up and into the bridle instead of feeling constrained by it.
Leia