saz5083
Well-Known Member
Me and the little coloured beastie headed west today for a lesson with David Gatherer over the old BE course. He is pretty unflappable XC now but wanted to get in some ditch practice to be safe! Lets just say I wasnt disappointed 
Started off warming up over a little log, alternating between a forward stride and a closed one, and approaching on angles.
Then strung together a few fences. Log to skinny to palisade into the woods with a large-ish drop to finish.
Going well and did a few exercises on turns and control, then off to jump some ditches with a simple open ditch to start
Quick detour via the water (log drop in)
Then more ditches!!!! Horsey decided you still had to go up the way first
Since he went so well decided to do the even bigger one (meep!)
Having a look on the last stride
But no loss of forward momentum and popped over
And continued straight on and up the steps
Little leap into space was next
And a drop to finish
Strung together a little course of 8 PN fences, including a couple we hadnt done before, and he popped round like a pro. Davids comment as we came over the final fence was 'too easy'!
So pleased with my little horse. He didnt put a foot wrong all day, really jumped well and made it all feel easy peasy Even the big ditches he looked but still went, not one 'no thank you' moment in sight - hurrah!!!! I didnt realise quite how large the steps were, and on a bounce stride, but he took it all in his stride and felt really confident throughout. I managed to stay straight and the words 'look up' were only uttered once in 1.5hours! Thats a new record!
Next outing is Oatridge PN, its going to be great!
Started off warming up over a little log, alternating between a forward stride and a closed one, and approaching on angles.
Then strung together a few fences. Log to skinny to palisade into the woods with a large-ish drop to finish.
Going well and did a few exercises on turns and control, then off to jump some ditches with a simple open ditch to start
Quick detour via the water (log drop in)
Then more ditches!!!! Horsey decided you still had to go up the way first
Since he went so well decided to do the even bigger one (meep!)
Having a look on the last stride
But no loss of forward momentum and popped over
And continued straight on and up the steps
Little leap into space was next
And a drop to finish
Strung together a little course of 8 PN fences, including a couple we hadnt done before, and he popped round like a pro. Davids comment as we came over the final fence was 'too easy'!
So pleased with my little horse. He didnt put a foot wrong all day, really jumped well and made it all feel easy peasy
Even the big ditches he looked but still went, not one 'no thank you' moment in sight - hurrah!!!! I didnt realise quite how large the steps were, and on a bounce stride, but he took it all in his stride and felt really confident throughout. I managed to stay straight and the words 'look up' were only uttered once in 1.5hours! Thats a new record!Next outing is Oatridge PN, its going to be great!
So pleased you had a good lesson and I reckon you're right, he's a superstar in the making. See you at Blair 2011! 
Not sure how broken yet, Vet back out today.
J is a bit like that too, very cute until he's on box rest then he turns into gnasher! 
