lesson with *nearly* Olympic eventer

only_me

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 June 2007
Messages
14,056
Location
Ireland
Visit site
right, first off, il start with monday night
tongue.gif


As some of you know, I have been teaching Merlin to play polocrosse for fun. What some of you don’t know, is that the ulterior motive is that hopefully it will teach him to move off my leg a lot quicker
tongue.gif
but went along with my friend on Monday night to the polocrosse practice, and we played in half a polo pitch (we wanted to play full, but trainer wouldn’t let us
tongue.gif
)

Merlin was absolutely fantastic with the actual playing part – he really got into it and started to “ride off” the other horses, and had no problem whatsoever with me bouncing the ball around/being hit at etc. the best bit is that when I was being tackled he didn’t get headshy once
grin.gif
and at the end he started to really gallop when I asked, although we aren’t really quick enough off the leg yet to play competitively. Line outs (think rugby) are going to need a bit of practice – Merlin doesn’t quite get the whole turn out quickly and gallop straight away concept
wink.gif


But I am going to a friendly match on Sunday, which should be good craic
tongue.gif
and it can be assured that I will be on the biggest horse there – 16.2hh is a lot of horse to turn and gallop on
tongue.gif
and the good thing is there is a lot to work on
laugh.gif



Then tonight I was at a lesson with (nearly Olympic
tongue.gif
) eventer, (who thinks merlin is a cracker
tongue.gif
lol ).I was getting the lesson to get ready for my first novice on Saturday, and he gave me loads of tips. We started off over a bounce which got Merlin a bit more neater in front (in his words “hes being a bit TOO laid back
tongue.gif
) and then moved on to a course. All set at 1m, which Merlin did VERY easily
tongue.gif
but Merlin has a very unique style of jumping, which one might call “odd”
tongue.gif
so it isn’t often the easiest to sit to
blush.gif


Then he whacked them all up to 1.20 and one at 1.30
blush.gif
and included 3 VERY skinny skinnies, one was a triple brush arrowhead thingymober, 4 strides to a skinny . Merlin seems to really adore spreads – he jumped the 1.30 spread out of his stride – the one he would normally jump 1m in
blush.gif
he made it feel very easy, although its hard keeping the impulsion up
tongue.gif
but eventer commentated that Merlin was jumping about 20cm above
shocked.gif
which explains why I kept landing in a heap
blush.gif
but he LOVES jumping spreads – he just tucks up and goes!! He is very enthusiastic with them
grin.gif
tongue.gif


I was a bit too cautious the first time jumping the skinnies, and slowed right down to a collected canter, but he jumped all of them first time
laugh.gif
looks like our skinny jumping training at home is working
laugh.gif
) and these were just over 3 foot wide
shocked.gif
so the next time I jumped them I attacked them and got a much more positive feel and fluency over them, so on the xc I have to pretend that there is no option of running out and that the fence is blocked in – hence I have to attack
laugh.gif
so lots to think about for Saturday, and I’m really pleased that I have stuff to work on
laugh.gif


Sorry for long post, just feel pleased with how lesson went and the progress that we have made together – he isn’t the most easy horse to ride and is tricky to jump, but he does have bags of talent which I just have to harness so that he uses it when I want to, and not when he wants to
tongue.gif

Sorry for pointless post
blush.gif
(and self indulgent
frown.gif
)


ohh and any tips for not landing in a heap after the jump? I dont do it xc, but its ovioulsy not helped by him jumping so big
tongue.gif
any tips?
 
Good old fashioned hunting seat! Lol

I just sit up a bit earlier on my big mare, she has one hell of a back end on her.

Well done on a good lesson too.
 
Well done you glad you are so pleased with how you got on i know it must feel such a achievement to be jumping these fences. well done x
 
Sounds like your having the perfect run up to your 1st novice! I'm going schooling tonight and jumping on fri, hopefully! Any clues as to who your "nearly" olympic eventer is then?!
 
Top