Lesson report with some pics and a video

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blood_magik

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Lenny and I had our third jumping lesson today.
Our lesson on Tuesday was a bit of a disaster and I came away feeling frustrated with myself. There was an improvement towards the end of the lesson but it was a bit of a letdown after what we achieved last week.
The exercise was pretty simple - ground pole, three strides, ground pole, six strides to a final ground pole. Martin had suggested that I wear a pair of short, blunt spurs to jump but after the first time over the poles, and the subsequent tantrum, they were promptly removed. Coming off the left rein, the canter stayed relatively consistent but the right rein was just awful. Lenny kept eying up this little tuk-tuk scooter-with-a-roof type thing that sits in the top corner of the school and I really struggled to get him straight coming into the first pole. The canter was far too fast and really flat, and I felt it was a bit out of control once the ground poles were put up into jumps.
The one positive thing I took away with me was that I didn't feel nervous. :D

Moving on…
My lovely sharer kindly volunteered to take some videos this morning so I finally have something to share. :)
We warmed up by jumping an upright on a circle from both reins. The right rein looked and felt smoother than the left but Martin later pointed out that the canter was steadier when we came from our bad side. Go figure. :rolleyes:

Once we were warm we moved onto jumping on a serpentine. We've been doing a lot of work on riding quietly (this will apply when I get back on the big lad as well) so I tried to sit still round the corners and wait for the fence to come to me. I got a bit deep into the middle fence during one attempt and ended up getting flustered when Lenny bucked a stride or so after it (pretty sure you can hear me swearing at him in the video :o) but I think I managed to recover pretty well.
It wasn't pretty but we got the right striding into the next fence. Lenny, one. Jen, one.
Looking at the video, I look like I'm collapsing a bit round the corners so that's something to be aware of for next time.

The next exercise was maintaining the canter after coming out of the serpentine. The first time we did it, I let my reins get a bit too long after the little oxer and then just sat there like a numpty. All I could think of coming into the next fence was "S***, I can't see my stride. Go with him!". Once again, it wasn't pretty but we got over the fence in one piece despite taking a flyer into it (the blurry white thing at the bottom right of the pic is one of the wings). :o
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The next time, I lost the canter coming round the corner after that fence and then couldn't see my stride. My automatic response is to kick on and I ended up pushing Lenny out of his rhythm. I saw a flyer and he didn't so I ended up halfway up his neck. :eek:

The last thing we did was build up to jumping a bit of a course. I closed my eyes while Martin adjusted the fences after which he told me that if we jumped everything nicely, we could finish there. No pressure then…
We started with the serpentine at the bottom of the school, then went up over the dreaded white upright. Round a pretty tight corner to a related distance along the diagonal, which rode quite nicely (read: calmly) once I'd gotten over the shock of having to turn so tightly. ;) Things got a little heated after that (my sharer wasn't quite quick enough to zoom out so all you can see is Lenny's bum) and we got pretty deep into the oxer down the bottom of the arena. We were still a little too forwards up the long side towards the red and white upright next to the puissance wall and then it just got faster and faster and faster. We made it over the dreaded upright in one piece but the purple upright at the end bit the dust. :o
I ended up having to jump the last two fences again. Martin sneakily put the last fence up when I wasn't looking (not that I actually noticed until we were already over the blasted thing) and I'm pretty sure I may have pulled Lenny's teeth out between the two fences.
Looking at the video, it doesn't look anywhere as rushed as it felt but I'm going to try him in a different bit next week to see if it helps get him back to me when it's needed.

Some stills.
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And the video.
[video=youtube;ug_PxNch9JY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug_PxNch9JY[/video]

Constructive criticism is always welcome. Please just bear in mind that I've only had Lenny going on three weeks and that I haven't jumped properly since well before Christmas. Be gentle with me. ;)

Thanks for reading. :)
 
My only thought would be to sit on your bum and use your upper body more when trying to steady him, it looks like you're pulling your reins but your bum isn't fully in the saddle and you're leaning forward still.
 
el_Snowflakes said:
He looks so lovely and relaxed when jumping. Really nice horse :)
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Thanks - he's fab. :) Really easy to jump. Pretty much point and shoot, which is what I need at the moment because my confidence is/was pretty much shot.

Broke_But_Happy said:
My only thought would be to sit on your bum and use your upper body more when trying to steady him, it looks like you're pulling your reins but your bum isn't fully in the saddle and you're leaning forward still.
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Thanks for the advice. :) I do have a bad habit of leaning forwards so need to work harder on sitting up and on my bum. I could do with a lunge lesson to sort myself out.

I'm wondering if my stirrups could have gone up a hole or two? My dad keeps going on about how they're too long. I prefer to ride a little longer as I feel more secure in the close contact saddle but that could change once Lenny's new one arrives.
I had him fitted for his own saddle on Wednesday so it should be ready next week. Beau's K2 fits him almost perfectly so he's getting that and Beau's back in his Bates Caprilli for now.
 
I watched the video without reading your post and I thought you looked well together, you seem confident in what you're doing. Then I read your post and most of it is about what you didn't do well. Maybe take your own advice "be gentle with me!" don't be remembering or focusing on one fence where you couldn't see a stride or got left behind etc. The overall picture is one of confidence and a couple of more sessions like that you'll be thinking "these fences are tiny, put em up!" :)

I have just one comment for you, when you're jumping the vertical in the middle (think its part of the serpentine) you regularly try to influence him to land on the correct leg by leaning downards to the right. You probably know yourself that will only unbalance him and leave you unsecure in the saddle for that stride. Instead just concentrate on riding forward in a straight line for a stride or two and then start to make your turn. If he's on the wrong leg he'll either change himself or if he doesn't you can bring him back to trot for a stride and ask for the correct lead. He seems a really nice sort, best of luck with him!
 
Ok my only constructive criticism is to stop being so hard on yourself and worrying so much! You both look really capable in the video and he is obviously enjoying his job. The thing that comes across to me is your slight panic about strides etc which i think shows itself in your body movement. I agree with the above that your upper body needs to be a little more stable but i think if you relax and believe in what you are doing this will come naturally. Also, try not to worry about strides too much. Try to just simply focus on the canter and what is going on underneath you. If you get this right it is amazing how it is very easy to find a good stride to every fence.
 
Thanks for the comments.

I'm a little bit obsessed with getting the right striding into a fence. :o
My big lad has a really exuberant jump and I've ended up on the floor quite a few times after I've gotten it wrong and not managed to get it together in time to go with him.
So yeah, I get a little bit panicky when I can't see my stride. It's getting better though. :)

I am guilty of trying to 'help' him land on the right lead. :o I've done it with Beau before as well.
Watching a friend's video (she had the lesson slot after mine), she took a lot more time before she turned during the serpentine exercise whereas I cut the corners.
I'm definitely going to do the serpentine exercise again so next time ill try to ride straight for a little longer after each jump and not throw myself to one side over the fence.
 
blood_magik said:
Thanks for the comments.

I'm a little bit obsessed with getting the right striding into a fence. :o
My big lad has a really exuberant jump and I've ended up on the floor quite a few times after I've gotten it wrong and not managed to get it together in time to go with him.
So yeah, I get a little bit panicky when I can't see my stride. It's getting better though. :)

I am guilty of trying to 'help' him land on the right lead. :o I've done it with Beau before as well.
Watching a friend's video (she had the lesson slot after mine), she took a lot more time before she turned during the serpentine exercise whereas I cut the corners.
I'm definitely going to do the serpentine exercise again so next time ill try to ride straight for a little longer after each jump and not throw myself to one side over the fence.
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Ha don't worry - I am also far too obsessed about striding to a fence so i am only giving you the advice that has been given to me too!
 
HotToTrot said:
Good report, thanks for posting! Sounds as if progress is being made.
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Thanks. :) we're getting there slowly.

Supanova said:
Ha don't worry - I am also far too obsessed about striding to a fence so i am only giving you the advice that has been given to me too!
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My instructor said the same thing. Next time I'll take a deep breath and try to relax. :)
 
Hi OP, I don't post here much, but have been following your journey and videos - you have lovely horses.
It's obvious that you really want to do well and I understand that you have some confidence issues - I don't think your current training regime/instructor is helping those issues, sorry. It all seems very difficult because it is rushed, you put waaay too much pressure on yourself to perform, then you get nervous and tense, which makes you unbalanced and it all gets out of hand.
I know it is easier said then done, but you need to slow everything down, relax, master your position a bit more and enjoy the journey. At the moment, you and your lovely horse just wind up each other, which in turn knocks your confidence even more.
 
Put simply, you aren't ready as a partnership for these exercises. Do you say 'I want a jumping lesson?' Does this trainer agree you are ready? Why does he not simply incorporate a small simple pole to fence exercise once the flat work is calm and relaxed, then go back to flat. You don't look happy with what you are being asked to do. The horse is getting silly and what started out looking OK ended up scary and sadly prophetic.

Lovely horse and lots to like. Stop pushing the partnership.
 
brighteyes said:
Put simply, you aren't ready as a partnership for these exercises. Do you say 'I want a jumping lesson?' Does this trainer agree you are ready? Why does he not simply incorporate a small simple pole to fence exercise once the flat work is calm and relaxed, then go back to flat. You don't look happy with what you are being asked to do. The horse is getting silly and what started out looking OK ended up scary and sadly prophetic.

Lovely horse and lots to like. Stop pushing the partnership.
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Jeez this forum is a harsh place sometimes! "scary and sadly prophetic". This is something of an exaggeration!! Yes the horse gets a bit onward bound as it goes on (in my experience Ricardo Z horses are quite keen and become fairly opinionated) and the rider needs to learn to settle and deal with this a bit, but it is nowhere near as bad as you are making out. They are also hardly jumping big fences or massively complicated grids. I agree that they need not push themselves and make sure the basics are in place but i think you are being a bit too hard.
 
He's lovely looks like you will have a lot of fun with him :) I got told off for having my stirrups too long a hole or so won't do any harm I actually found I could ride better with them up a bit.
 
Supanova said:
Jeez this forum is a harsh place sometimes! "scary and sadly prophetic". This is something of an exaggeration!! Yes the horse gets a bit onward bound as it goes on (in my experience Ricardo Z horses are quite keen and become fairly opinionated) and the rider needs to learn to settle and deal with this a bit, but it is nowhere near as bad as you are making out. They are also hardly jumping big fences or massively complicated grids. I agree that they need not push themselves and make sure the basics are in place but i think you are being a bit too hard.
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Third jumping lesson. No improvement and some degree of nerves about jumping as stated by OP. Jumping on a serpentine is plenty to ask a balanced order and established horse.

I still think this combination are being asked/asking for too much. The trainer should be addressing the basics and cementing these two as a partnership. The horse is clearly in charge. I was merely pointing out what I could see.

As for seeing a stride at this height, really not necessary but having to help itself out and using that to further unbalance the rider and permit speeding up...

By all means begin jumping if this horse is established, but repetitive mistake making evidently isn't making things better. The start of the lesson looked comparatively OK. Quit there and do a bit more of something else. Work on balance and control until the horse can remember who is in charge and settles.

I did say lots to like. I will look forward to seeing them jumping decent courses very soon.
 
I don't disagree with some of the fundamental points you are making, but i think it is clear that the OP lacks some confidence and i think there might be a better, more encouraging way of putting the point across.
 
What a lovely horse. I suffer with my confidence also, tbh I'd strip it back and start with a more confidence building exercise, single fence, 7 canter poles, i obcess a bit seeing my stride but once i get the right canter it comes naturally! Look forward to your next report but id defo strip things back and work on a better consistent rhythm.
 
Low confidence does funny things to anyone's riding, sometimes it makes one overeact , sometimes it makes us do too little. I haven't ever commented on your posts before but have followed you and your horses. My honest opinion is that your trainer may not be used to training people who have low confidence. Others have mentioned building up slowly. I honestly think he needs to help you get the fundamentals in place and to work on you thinking through each phase of the jump, to sort of quicken your thinking and make you much more secure in your seat and reactions.


Your horse looks like given the opportunity he likes to be on a forward stride to a fence and this shows up especially on a distance when he runs a bit through the bridle. He is obviously scopey and when he gets to a fence correctly like at the start of your lesson makes a nice shape. I think your low confidence makes you overeact , over correct with the hand and it all happens a bit late as you sort of almost panic.

He is a bold boy who perhaps would be easier for you to ride if your trainer built exercises and fences to back him off a bit. A couple of spookey fillers, ascending oxers with a short distance to uprights would encourage you to get used to riding his forward stride just asking once with your hand (preferably not both hands together) rather than setting your contact against him and giving him something to run through and hollow. I wouldn't change his bit for now, but I would insist if he starts tanking with you you stop, reorder yourselves and then continue.

I hope this makes sense and I do wish you the best of luck with him.
 
Following this with interest as I def sympathise with some of what you're saying op!

i love your new boy, he look really good and is obv keen and capable. And your video does not match your report, you are hard on yourself. But you want to improve and to do that you do need to know what's working and was isn't - I'm in the same boat!

do you tend to drive him into the fence or push for the stride? That's one of my habits when I'm not confident and it's the opp of what I should be doing as my mare is keen and likes to go from a forward stride. We're improving with lessons and teeny fences. When I panic I rush so we're keeping jumps small and simple, learning to hold without pulling and using my body not my reins, putting my hands on her neck as I tend to lift my hands up, and sit into the canter.

Very much a work in Progress but the more I do the more confident I am.


i think you will make a great combo but take it slow cos the basics are the key to everything.
 
I would really suggest doing some grid work
That way you don't have to worry about strides & he won't rush off as much as if he does he will get himself into trouble

I would say stick your stirrups up :) I ride v.long for dressage &I only used to go up 2 holes now I go up 4 for sj & 5 for xc &feel so much better & in tune with her. You can really let them round their back & get out of the way more if something goes wrong

I would also say forget about your strides & if your instructor is telling you otherwise get rid! The riders job is to get the rhythm & the straightness into the fence the horses job is to jump it! he is perfectly capable of those fences & a lot bigger so if he fluffs it up & crashes he wont do it next time :)

I had never tried to ride for a stride on my 5 year old just kept between hand &leg in a nice forward rhythm, consequently shes the most honest horse I have sat on... sometimes too honest & I wonder how she gets over things !!
 
There's something wrong with hoping a 'point-and-shoot' horse (and probably only something in its teens would be) will solve confidence problems. If he is over-confident, you can end up in just as much trouble as you get taken along for the ride and rely on him to take you over. I know because I'm trying to fix a genuine, brave horse who has come out of one such partnership. I'm not sure I'll ever undo the desperate rushing of this lovely, gentle horse who only ever wanted to please, but ended up in a heap on the floor because of honesty.

I'm not for one minute suggesting this is the only outcome, but it may well be if the OP continues pointless 'lessons' with a trainer who appears to be hoping as fervently as the rider that this horse will somehow cure the nervousness. This isn't harsh. How do you want me to dress up a young, bold horse/rider inexperience/confidence deficit 'cocktail'?

I would say swap trainer for someone who cares and can see what is happening and say we need to start over and you need more time learning to ride this lovely horse.

A couple of stills show a fairly secure seat but with tension (evident in strong rein contact over fence and no give) the start of the video looked promising. Always finish on a good note. By your own admission it wasn't. Your trainer should care deeply. If they don't, swap. And don't be in such a hurry, or you'll spend ages fixing the damage.
 
I'll try to answer all of the questions/comments:

1 - Aim was to sit quietly and keep the canter rhythm (as you can see, it's still a work in progress). personal aim was to just enjoy it, which I did despite what it might look like in the video.
2 - I felt it started going wrong after the green/red combination along the diagonal. The first time over the white and red fences at the top of the arena were my fault.
3 - To be fair to my instructor, he's been really patient with me every time I've had a wobble and he's never deliberately pushed me out of my comfort zone.
4 - Yes, I put a lot of pressure on myself because I want to get it right and not have it look like a mess.
5 - Do I really look that unhappy? Yes, he did get a little bit silly but I still felt comfortable. Maybe I'm asking too much of Lenny too soon?
6 - I tend to push for the stride instead of waiting for it - all comes back to being obsessed with placing him in the right before the jump.
7 - When I say he's point and shoot, I mean that he's very easy compared to the other horses I have. Yes, he's helping me out (a lot) and he is very forwards.
8 - Yes, hands aren't giving enough (although in my defence, one of the stills is from when we took a flyer and I got left behind a bit - I did try not to sock him in the mouth).

I am trying not to push things too quickly. I had a look at a video of Beau and I jumping last year (at our first and only show) and I can see that I was holding, holding, holding until I saw the stride instead of just relaxing and waiting. At the time, I was really happy that we got round but looking at it now, it looks awful. Poor Beau…
[video=youtube;WRFjl0QUT7M]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRFjl0QUT7M[/video]

Thanks for all of the advice - I have a list of things to work on. Onwards and upwards, right?
 
I think some of the comments are a bit much. I always look forward to your posts and your horses are lovely. I think Lenny looks great and you will have lots of fun together. I am often uncomfortable riding in front of people, though am fine on my own/just instructor. A full course was a big ask. You have only had him a couple of weeks and you have previous confidence issues. I know it is easy to say, but don't be too hard on yourself, it is meant to be fun (I am always my own worst critic). Once you click I think you will have a great time. You seem to have the opposite problem to me though! I am great at sit and wait, but current horse needs more umph and I just sit there like a lemon!
I look forward to future posts and seeing how you grow as a partnership
 
I think you look great and you are hard on yourself. If another poster posted your videos what would you say?

I wonder if you would benefit from hooking a finger under a neck strap to help you wait? It works wonders for me when I get tense and jumping :)
 
Just something else to add which might help. It's quite easy to get in the habit of holding keen horses off fences. What you need is to find a way to be able to ride forward to the fence. One thing my trainer says to me is "break the body" which means that you need to find a way of getting control by moving their body about with your legs. So for example I sometimes overshoot the corner and leg yield one stride back to the line I want. It's amazing how doing this makes me use my leg and puts us on the right stride which I can then ride forward to.
 
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