OMIGOSH! I can't believe how much I missed jumping!!

sidesaddlegirl

sidesaddlegirl

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www.sidesaddlegirl.co.uk
After our down day the other day the other day, we had a good schooling session yesterday and so today, my friend decided to set up some little jumps in her field as she wants to start doing clear round jumping next month on her pony.

Took Hattie over with the thought of having a little go trotting over the poles on the ground and next thing I knew, I was cantering around and jumping the 1' jumps!
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I even managed to get her cantering on the dreaded left lead too a couple of times!


Hattie really enjoyed it and so did I considering I haven't jumped properly since 1997 (except for the odd log whole out hacking). I don't have any aspirations to do the 2'6"- 2'9" fences I used to jump when I was younger but I think I may just try the clear round jumping next month on the diddy 18" fences
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Well done you - i have a side saddle and i have the most fantastic horse - problem for me is the people on the yard - i always feel like everyone is waiting for me to fall off when i ride side saddle and my breathing you can hear it above the horse (lol). I have gone off site an won at loads of walk and trot dresage tests - but put me on home ground and i just feel sick and want to get off!

How do you feel riding side saddle to astride ?
 
TBH, I prefer side saddle to astride. I haven't ridden astride for about a month now since my saddle came back from the saddlers (I had a custom Wykham pad put on to fit Hattie), it felt weird switching styles.

I think astride, I have too many bad habits that I let slide whereas side saddle, you are forced to sit correctly or else the horse won't know what to do. I'm finding it easier to have Hattie work in a soft frame side saddle than astride. When I'm astride, I KNOW I collapse at the hip (leading to this whole left lead canter problem). I think one of the reasons why Hattie cantered on her left lead today, was that I was in side saddle mode still with "right shoulder back", LOL!

I'm doing two Intro A tests next month side saddle and we have been schooling nearly everyday so that we don't make complete *sses of ourselves infront of everyone!
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Maybe the people at your yard aren't waiting for you to fall off but just looking as they can't believe anyone is able to do dressage side saddle (I mean think about no right leg?!
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LOL, after my schooling session on Friday, one of the dressage ladies at the stable where I rent the menage was watching me and asked if I had ever shown side saddle before! LOL, no but it made me feel proud as maybe I'm not so cr*p after all.

I reckon it's probably the same with you, they just can't believe that any can actually do this stuff with two legs on one side!
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Thanks for that sidesaddlegirl - i must make some progress over the winter with it. I do have to laugh at my horse though - as soon as the sidesaddle goes on he changes "and goes all haughty" and looks down his nose at everyone (lol) - thats what the problem probably is !
 
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