Second (Sunny?) October Weekend Plans

[dorsetladette]

We had the man come to do some groundwork with Reggie on saturday. OH is far better at the tasks we have been given than me. I don't know why but I seem to be completely unable to think/understand the instructions being given. At one point the guy took the lead rope off the horse to show me how to do it on him. I guess I've lunged to much traditionally over the years to get my head around asking to go away from me from the opposite/wrong side of the horse - just can't get my head around it. You put yourself in the horses way to teach them to go around you and given you space - I'm sure it makes sense but my mind is a little blown with the concept.

Sunday we tried to replicate what the groundwork guy did with Reggie. Reggie was really responsive to the aids/signals we got right, but I think we confused him a bit with the mixed signals we were giving for other things. I think going forwards there might be some kind of mix between traditional English handling and the 'cowboy' type stuff. I mean I can't walk him round a show ring with the lead rope under my arm and put my hand up every time I want to stop!

It's definitely taught him to give us personal space, which was a bit hit and miss before. We just need to remember the signals/aids to ask the right questions.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Reporting back to say I'm incredibly proud of Enormosaurus. She behaved perfectly for most of the warm up, no bucking at all until after the "I think I'm going to die!" incident when the previous classes prize giving lap of honor thundered past on the other side of the barrier. It took a few minutes, but she did eventually settle down. I will say this for her, she can throw some serious shapes, but she has never used her weight and strength to tank off with me, even in a moment of panic, for which I'm immensely grateful.
She was slightly sticky on entering the show jumping arena, but pushing with my seat was sufficient to get her going and once we were going, we were going. Some rather extravagant jumping on the first five jumps left me with no stirrup coming into number six which we unfortunately had down, probably because I was gripping a little. She mastered both doubles (a one and a two strides) like a pro despite her stupidly long strides. And took the slightly trickier bends without hesitation or too much drifting.
I'm so happy, we've reached the height I was aiming for this year, and now we've done it and survived, it won't be as daunting next time. The plan is to take her to the championships at this height in July if I can qualify us and afford it, so we may attempt a few 95cm slightly before the championships if all is going well ready to step up. Now we can keep working on technique and responsiveness to aids, as well as getting some mileage on her.

 

[Cloball]

Making the most of some Flexi time for a hack im the sunshine.