Ali16
Well-Known Member
Firstly, happy new year everyone 
My first report of 2013:
In December I 'accidently' bought a 4yo mare... very smart and not much money for what she was, so we thought we'd have her
Turns out she's actually rather a little superstar! This is Holly:
She had some down time when we got her home as I think she'd been quite full on since being backed in October. So after 10 days off we brought her back into work & she came back lovely & chilled.
And she started her jumping education. She had never jumped under saddle before so we started with grids and she just kept on jumping and throwing lovely shapes. This is the 4th time she jumped under saddle:
SO, after jumping a few horses last week I realised that I was in SERIOUS need of a lesson. In truth I had been putting off going for a lesson as I knew I would have to change instructors My old one helped me an awful lot, but the last few times I had been, I just didn't come out thinking 'I really enjoyed that AND I learned lots'. Therefore we called up Mr P Tapner, who Edward has helped with dressage, and asked him if he would brave teaching me
He said yes. PHEW.
Today we went for our lesson & all I can say is OH. GOD.
I learned three things:
1) I need to go slower than I think.
2) Showjumps are NOT XC fences, nor are they hunt jumps.
3) Holly is a SUPERSTAR to put up with me
It's amazing how rusty I was after a winter of charging around on an awesome little cob, who you just point at a fence and he goes!
We started over small fences and focused on getting Holly to look at the fence early. Inside bend and then a lot of outside leg to catch the quarters/shoulder. Sounds obvious, but I have always been told to keep the neck straight round the corner.
He picked up on every little thing - down to the fact that I 'baby' her around the corner after a fence. Must push her more after...
We ended up jumping a little course, SLOWER than I did the first time.
But just when I was busy congratulating Holly and myself for a job well done, Paul was like 'Just go and pop the (maHUsive) water tray to finish'.
So, not being one to shy away from a 'challenge' and sectretly knowing that Holly would probably be fine, we cantered up to it and she did this:
Clever Holly Wolly
So, a brilliant lesson where we both learnt A LOT. Looking at the pics I need to shorten my stirrups about 7 holes though.
He has also given me a lot of advice about getting cocky Mr Morris to listen a bit more XC - going back with him in Feb for a 'galloping lesson' where Paul has a headset and I have the receiver while I gallop and he shouts in my ear
Anyone else UBER excited for the 2013 season to start?!?!
My first report of 2013:
In December I 'accidently' bought a 4yo mare... very smart and not much money for what she was, so we thought we'd have her
Turns out she's actually rather a little superstar! This is Holly:
She had some down time when we got her home as I think she'd been quite full on since being backed in October. So after 10 days off we brought her back into work & she came back lovely & chilled.
And she started her jumping education. She had never jumped under saddle before so we started with grids and she just kept on jumping and throwing lovely shapes. This is the 4th time she jumped under saddle:
SO, after jumping a few horses last week I realised that I was in SERIOUS need of a lesson. In truth I had been putting off going for a lesson as I knew I would have to change instructors
My old one helped me an awful lot, but the last few times I had been, I just didn't come out thinking 'I really enjoyed that AND I learned lots'. Therefore we called up Mr P Tapner, who Edward has helped with dressage, and asked him if he would brave teaching me He said yes. PHEW.
Today we went for our lesson & all I can say is OH. GOD.
I learned three things:
1) I need to go slower than I think.
2) Showjumps are NOT XC fences, nor are they hunt jumps.
3) Holly is a SUPERSTAR to put up with me
It's amazing how rusty I was after a winter of charging around on an awesome little cob, who you just point at a fence and he goes!
We started over small fences and focused on getting Holly to look at the fence early. Inside bend and then a lot of outside leg to catch the quarters/shoulder. Sounds obvious, but I have always been told to keep the neck straight round the corner.
He picked up on every little thing - down to the fact that I 'baby' her around the corner after a fence. Must push her more after...
We ended up jumping a little course, SLOWER than I did the first time.
But just when I was busy congratulating Holly and myself for a job well done, Paul was like 'Just go and pop the (maHUsive) water tray to finish'.
So, not being one to shy away from a 'challenge' and sectretly knowing that Holly would probably be fine, we cantered up to it and she did this:
Clever Holly Wolly
So, a brilliant lesson where we both learnt A LOT. Looking at the pics I need to shorten my stirrups about 7 holes though.
He has also given me a lot of advice about getting cocky Mr Morris to listen a bit more XC - going back with him in Feb for a 'galloping lesson' where Paul has a headset and I have the receiver while I gallop and he shouts in my ear
Anyone else UBER excited for the 2013 season to start?!?!
