Gridwork with my boy! (Self Indulgent!)

[Natalie_H]

So after my first jumping lesson with my TB when he dumped me in the sand, and I couldn't walk for 4 days, I had my second one in the rain on Monday morning.

He was very stroppy that morning, and it showed when my instructor put up the first jump. So she put 3 poles on the ground & we started walking over them. Increased them to 4, then 5, then 6 etc. and she kept altering the distance to keep him thinking (he is very bright so needs his brain challenging!).

We then moved up to trot, kept increasing the poles, then started lifting one end of everyother alternate pole into a cup. I am sure you all know what I mean! By the end, he was actually enjoying himself (just trod on all the poles to start with!). The trot was to die for if you could replicate in a dressage test! We left it when he succesfully negotiated a long line of the poles without one knock & the most beautiful trot I have ever experienced.

Now this probably all sounds v. basic to all you SJers, but I was over the moon as it really helped both his & my confidence! So very pleased with us!

Well done if you got to the end!

 

[gemmagallagher]

Well done!! You sound like a very proud mom hehe.

 

[ann-jen]

Well done - that sounds brilliant. That was how I had to start off with my mare too - with loads of polework and making her think all the time. We've made tiny progressions all the time and now are starting to go to shows again - so it does work! Good Luck with your next session - hope you're looking forward to it.