Patches
Well-Known Member
I took Patches back across the field today. Used my three jumps as a mini course. Kept jumping them from all directions, changing rein....going large....picking up a different course over them etc. Jumped into them in trot every time but kept going for about 10 mins or so without a breather. I'd say she made upwards of 20 jumping efforts in that time. Did some basic lateral work in walk, bit more trotting and the odd canter as well as a bit more jumping too.
Really spices up the intervals of flat work before I pick up jumping again. She was quite sweaty by the end of the session. Rode for about 40 mins in total. Been a long time since she finished schooling having worked harder than me!
I really enjoyed it. Felt I carried a better, smoother rhythm both into the fence and riding away from it. I wasn't worried about approaching the fences at all today. Infact, for me, I felt quietly confident.
Had her back in the waterford though as she was snatching her head alot in the French link when she got excited yesterday. The change of bit improved things greatly, although not totally perfect. She was still trying to snatch her head down a bit in canter. Hoping it settles otherwise I'll have to get the dentist to have a look at her. She's due the end of April anyway. Could bring them all forward a few weeks.
Sadly no more photos today...you're safe! Had no willing cameraman!
Anyway...the shot bit. I really think, that if I'm going to attempt some jumping a bit more regularly, that I need to consider the possibility of a second saddle that's more forward cut. I think I'd need to raise stirrups if I start increasing fence height and my knees come over the knee rolls in my straight cut saddle if I do that.
What do you think? Looking at yesterday's pics...my saddle....do you think it's too straight cut really?
Next plan of action is one of three things.
Leave fences where they are and canter into them.......
Leave fences positioned as they are. Don't worry about trotting in, but raise the poles.
Move fences, keep them low (think craw before walk) but think about some small grids or combinations to get me gathering myself for fences coming up faster?
Really spices up the intervals of flat work before I pick up jumping again. She was quite sweaty by the end of the session. Rode for about 40 mins in total. Been a long time since she finished schooling having worked harder than me!
I really enjoyed it. Felt I carried a better, smoother rhythm both into the fence and riding away from it. I wasn't worried about approaching the fences at all today. Infact, for me, I felt quietly confident.
Had her back in the waterford though as she was snatching her head alot in the French link when she got excited yesterday. The change of bit improved things greatly, although not totally perfect. She was still trying to snatch her head down a bit in canter. Hoping it settles otherwise I'll have to get the dentist to have a look at her. She's due the end of April anyway. Could bring them all forward a few weeks.
Sadly no more photos today...you're safe! Had no willing cameraman!
Anyway...the shot bit. I really think, that if I'm going to attempt some jumping a bit more regularly, that I need to consider the possibility of a second saddle that's more forward cut. I think I'd need to raise stirrups if I start increasing fence height and my knees come over the knee rolls in my straight cut saddle if I do that.
What do you think? Looking at yesterday's pics...my saddle....do you think it's too straight cut really?
Next plan of action is one of three things.
Leave fences where they are and canter into them.......
Leave fences positioned as they are. Don't worry about trotting in, but raise the poles.
Move fences, keep them low (think craw before walk) but think about some small grids or combinations to get me gathering myself for fences coming up faster?
