Scarlett
Well-Known Member
So... after my last post about Indy and our efforts to try and improve his flatwork we had a bit of a breakthrough after his second acupuncture session on his neck. The treatment didn't fix whatever was going on there but it did give us an opportunity to push the flatwork - with the help of a Myler correction bit that looked like a torture implement - and in turn help his jumping. He's stronger, more rideable and making a better shape, we've also worked on steadying everything up so theres no more rushing and throwing himself at stuff, he can pop fences in trot happily, and instead of jumping each fence individually he seems to understand that theres another one and is beginning to feel like he's taking me to a fence instead of backing off. It's very much been about making the right thing easy for him and offering it all up in small chunks for him to take in slowly.
Previously - Sept/Oct last year - I had a couple of falls when he stopped, he was struggling with what was being asked and at that point I realised we had never jumped a round without a stop. My instructor took him out and we saw improvements but the flatwork issue with his acceptance of the contact was definitley getting in the way, hence our decision to concentrate on flatwork for a while. It's been a real balancing act trying to use one to help the other but it seems to be working, albeit slowly at times.
Anyway.. the time to jump again was definitley upon us and a couple of jumping lessons at home showed we were ready. to venture out in public. We went along to Merrist Wood tonight for the clear rounds night. We've been before and always started with the tiny class but work commitments meant we'd get there later then usual and go straight into class 2 (70-80cm) which I was hoping would be ok. The smaller class has been great for introducing him to courses but realistically as a 16.2TB he was more than capable of trotting over anything in the 2nd class too so I booked us in to do 2 rounds one after the other and headed for the warm up. I did have a minor moment after seeing the WH style brush fillered oxer at the end of the course and text my instructor, I was reminded that he had actually xc schooled and that I should sit up and kick
The warm up was a cause for much excitement. He had been tricky on his last visit here but we believe had been uncomfortable that night as he was desperate to wee when he got home (hindsight, eh?) and had been tense. This time he was just a bit ignorant and he hid behind my leg whilst threatening to be naughty. He also took a dislike to the grey horses in the arena. A walk, trot and canter on each rein was enough to have him settle, and then it was our turn to jump.
A brief glimpse of his improved flatwork in the warm up...
But most of it looked like this... tense pony!
I showed him the unfamiliar brush fence when we went it. He tried to eat the brush. I guessed then it wouldnt be too much of an issue.
His first round was a surprise, my wobbly backwards horse was gone and I have something a bit stronger and straighter. We rolled 2 poles stupidly from me having too much contact and getting in his way, BUT he jumped everything without hesitation, inc the brush fence which he gave a foot of space. He looked at stuff on the approach, but I dont think stopping even crossed his mind. Clever boy!
The second round was better. I didn't push for canter all the way, it felt a bit too much like chasing him which would be the exact opposite of the point we were trying to make. If he landed in canter and took me then great, when we wobbled trot was fine. The fences with the fillers were jumped from canter this time and he jumped well. My stirrups were too long after the warm up - ride long, live long - and I'm annoyed now I didn't put them up to jump. Lesson learned for next time.
Anyway, happy happy days. Had I had more money on me I would have given the bigger class a go as the course was simple and on good distances, but typically I didn't. Hopefully we'll give it a go next time. We need more warm up practise too, I fear I may have to go dressaging just to get him out and give him some warm up miles on the clock. I want to event this horse, sorry, I WILL event this horse, we just need to keep going.
I know for many of you trundling around a 70-80cm course is nothing special, but tonight felt like progress - and that's a good feeling to have!
Link to pro pics - scroll back (left) from there....
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/c.../events/334144_111305/browse/299/?w=800&h=468
And a video of the second round....
Love this pic taken by OH.
Previously - Sept/Oct last year - I had a couple of falls when he stopped, he was struggling with what was being asked and at that point I realised we had never jumped a round without a stop. My instructor took him out and we saw improvements but the flatwork issue with his acceptance of the contact was definitley getting in the way, hence our decision to concentrate on flatwork for a while. It's been a real balancing act trying to use one to help the other but it seems to be working, albeit slowly at times.
Anyway.. the time to jump again was definitley upon us and a couple of jumping lessons at home showed we were ready. to venture out in public. We went along to Merrist Wood tonight for the clear rounds night. We've been before and always started with the tiny class but work commitments meant we'd get there later then usual and go straight into class 2 (70-80cm) which I was hoping would be ok. The smaller class has been great for introducing him to courses but realistically as a 16.2TB he was more than capable of trotting over anything in the 2nd class too so I booked us in to do 2 rounds one after the other and headed for the warm up. I did have a minor moment after seeing the WH style brush fillered oxer at the end of the course and text my instructor, I was reminded that he had actually xc schooled and that I should sit up and kick
The warm up was a cause for much excitement. He had been tricky on his last visit here but we believe had been uncomfortable that night as he was desperate to wee when he got home (hindsight, eh?) and had been tense. This time he was just a bit ignorant and he hid behind my leg whilst threatening to be naughty. He also took a dislike to the grey horses in the arena. A walk, trot and canter on each rein was enough to have him settle, and then it was our turn to jump.
A brief glimpse of his improved flatwork in the warm up...
But most of it looked like this... tense pony!
I showed him the unfamiliar brush fence when we went it. He tried to eat the brush. I guessed then it wouldnt be too much of an issue.
His first round was a surprise, my wobbly backwards horse was gone and I have something a bit stronger and straighter. We rolled 2 poles stupidly from me having too much contact and getting in his way, BUT he jumped everything without hesitation, inc the brush fence which he gave a foot of space. He looked at stuff on the approach, but I dont think stopping even crossed his mind. Clever boy!
The second round was better. I didn't push for canter all the way, it felt a bit too much like chasing him which would be the exact opposite of the point we were trying to make. If he landed in canter and took me then great, when we wobbled trot was fine. The fences with the fillers were jumped from canter this time and he jumped well. My stirrups were too long after the warm up - ride long, live long - and I'm annoyed now I didn't put them up to jump. Lesson learned for next time.
Anyway, happy happy days. Had I had more money on me I would have given the bigger class a go as the course was simple and on good distances, but typically I didn't. Hopefully we'll give it a go next time. We need more warm up practise too, I fear I may have to go dressaging just to get him out and give him some warm up miles on the clock. I want to event this horse, sorry, I WILL event this horse, we just need to keep going.
I know for many of you trundling around a 70-80cm course is nothing special, but tonight felt like progress - and that's a good feeling to have!
Link to pro pics - scroll back (left) from there....
http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/c.../events/334144_111305/browse/299/?w=800&h=468
And a video of the second round....
Love this pic taken by OH.