HeyMich
Well-Known Member
Nelly, my big idiot of a horse, absolutely loves jumping. She's not graceful or talented in any shape or form (think 16.2hh elephant with feet the size of satellite dishes), but the ears go forwards and she pulls me into the jump like it's about to disappear. She jumps big too, and it almost seems that she can't be bothered with smaller jumps and only really sorts her feet out if the height is worth it. The problem is that however much she seems to enjoy it, I really don't! Well, I don't in the school anyway (when I say school, read: muddy sloping field). She's just too strong, and then she gets silly and opinionated (she's a mare!) and we both get frustrated. Her canter in the school (field) isn't balanced, and she can be like turning a freight liner. We don't do much canter work in the school or in lessons for this reason (we have plenty to work on elsewhere, don't worry!). I do canter her quite often out on hacks, and she is happy to go first or last, but she can be very strong if the mood takes her! I love her dearly, but she can be an idiot.
Anyhow, lately when out on hacks or the like, I've plucked up the courage to pop a few wee small logs and jumps, and surprisingly, we've both quite enjoyed it. So much so, that last week I took her to a friend's field and had a play over some cross country jumps she'd set up for the kids. We're talking 60/80 max here, we're not aiming for Badminton just yet..
So here's my question. Could I realistically take her XC schooling, or aim for a small XC event (I'm thinking the pick-a-fence-type competitions that the kids do with PC) without schooling over jumps and working on her canter balance in the school first? I may need to rethink her bit/bridle/reins set up or schedule in a double shoulder replacement afterwards, mind you...
Silly or realistic? I am NOT a brave or competitive rider in any shape or form, but for the first time in a very long time, I'm finding myself thinking I might possibly enjoy a wee hurl around an XC course...
Anyhow, lately when out on hacks or the like, I've plucked up the courage to pop a few wee small logs and jumps, and surprisingly, we've both quite enjoyed it. So much so, that last week I took her to a friend's field and had a play over some cross country jumps she'd set up for the kids. We're talking 60/80 max here, we're not aiming for Badminton just yet..
So here's my question. Could I realistically take her XC schooling, or aim for a small XC event (I'm thinking the pick-a-fence-type competitions that the kids do with PC) without schooling over jumps and working on her canter balance in the school first? I may need to rethink her bit/bridle/reins set up or schedule in a double shoulder replacement afterwards, mind you...
Silly or realistic? I am NOT a brave or competitive rider in any shape or form, but for the first time in a very long time, I'm finding myself thinking I might possibly enjoy a wee hurl around an XC course...