Ambers Echo
Still wittering on
Anyone proposing to anyone?
I am off to Southview to their Cat 1 show.
Hired the SJ arena at Somerford for a jumping lesson to prepare. Started to warm up before my RI got there then decided to pop the cross pole that was up. For some reason I took a tight line to it. Lottie was taken by surprise and slammed on the brakes, throwing her head in the air, and connecting smack into my face. Cue instant DIY lip filler vibes and a mouthful of blood. Lovely. My nose was streaming with a mixture of snot & blood as I trotted round trying to regroup. I became aware of 2 clear thoughts: 1) I hope my RI doesn’t show up so I can just go home and have a little cry, and 2) I hope no-one witnessing this utter sh!t-show recognises me!
At that point my RI appeared. Bugger I was going to have to jump stuff after all. To start with I was actively hampering Lottie, burying her into each fence on a backward stride, forcing her to clamber over. Argh. Gave myself a mental kick up the arse and rode more forward – and then kept getting left behind and socking her in the teeth, because I was not sure she would actually jump. I’d feel her lock on and travel, then that annoying voice of doubt would whisper, ‘she may stop’ and in that split second I hesitated. I gave myself another mental pep talk, was bollocked (in a nice way) by my RI, who told me my awesome horse was repeatedly rescuing me and the ‘bank of credit’ would soon run out if I didn’t get a bloody grip. I centred on my breathing and rhythm and tried again. This time I at least managed to not actually get in her way. But nor did I help, sitting there absolutely passively while she did all the work. I was yelling ‘look ahead, leg on’ in my mind, while my body flatly refused to obey.
Finally FINALLY re-discovered some form and began to actually ride her. The last round felt a million times better. Fences were a decent size, including a 1 stride double off a tightish turn with an oxer as the first element. Lottie hesitated, I rode forward with positivity, and she flew over. Hurrah. I can now go into Southview with THAT as my final round. And hope I start out on Saturday they way I finished that lesson. Definely NOT the way I started.
Nerves. Bah! But we got through them. Onwards!!
I am off to Southview to their Cat 1 show.
Hired the SJ arena at Somerford for a jumping lesson to prepare. Started to warm up before my RI got there then decided to pop the cross pole that was up. For some reason I took a tight line to it. Lottie was taken by surprise and slammed on the brakes, throwing her head in the air, and connecting smack into my face. Cue instant DIY lip filler vibes and a mouthful of blood. Lovely. My nose was streaming with a mixture of snot & blood as I trotted round trying to regroup. I became aware of 2 clear thoughts: 1) I hope my RI doesn’t show up so I can just go home and have a little cry, and 2) I hope no-one witnessing this utter sh!t-show recognises me!
At that point my RI appeared. Bugger I was going to have to jump stuff after all. To start with I was actively hampering Lottie, burying her into each fence on a backward stride, forcing her to clamber over. Argh. Gave myself a mental kick up the arse and rode more forward – and then kept getting left behind and socking her in the teeth, because I was not sure she would actually jump. I’d feel her lock on and travel, then that annoying voice of doubt would whisper, ‘she may stop’ and in that split second I hesitated. I gave myself another mental pep talk, was bollocked (in a nice way) by my RI, who told me my awesome horse was repeatedly rescuing me and the ‘bank of credit’ would soon run out if I didn’t get a bloody grip. I centred on my breathing and rhythm and tried again. This time I at least managed to not actually get in her way. But nor did I help, sitting there absolutely passively while she did all the work. I was yelling ‘look ahead, leg on’ in my mind, while my body flatly refused to obey.
Finally FINALLY re-discovered some form and began to actually ride her. The last round felt a million times better. Fences were a decent size, including a 1 stride double off a tightish turn with an oxer as the first element. Lottie hesitated, I rode forward with positivity, and she flew over. Hurrah. I can now go into Southview with THAT as my final round. And hope I start out on Saturday they way I finished that lesson. Definely NOT the way I started.
Nerves. Bah! But we got through them. Onwards!!
she looks a blummin’ scruff at the minute!
Left home in hail, motorway was like driving inside a cloud, then arrived at RS to bitterly cold wind and then snow/sleet! Not exactly setting me up for a relaxing confidence giving hack, first time out with this RS and on a new horse. Instructor was really fab though and we had another person with us cycling, which helped as I did get quite nervous at points (brain started saying 'I want to get off!' because the horse had the audacity to walk faster on the way home) but we had good chats and I got helpful feedback for what to do. We arrived back to the yard to sun and big smiles, so although not the best conditions today I'm still adding this ride to the 'confidence bank' 
Eventually we will get out and about...