So so happy, AMAZING lesson yesterday!! I JUMPED! *pics and video*

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Thelwell_Girl

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Wow... Just... WOW!

I had one flippin amazing lesson yesterday :D

Was riding Evil Bonnie Coblet, with a different instructor to who I normally have in my group. Told to warm up, walk, trot and canter on each rein. Off we go, and WHAT a canter we got! I have never maintained canter before for as long as I did, and felt really in control and dare I say it... Kinda relaxed! We were really working well together, and it felt wonderful to have this horse, who I love so much, really trying her best (even offering canter and really going for it!).

[At this point, a little boy went past on a led pony ride, and he went 'WHHOAH LOOK AT THAT FAST PONY!' :D]

Now the first jump goes up. Now, I was a bit worried... To me the jump seemed huge! However, after a few hiccups, I asked for canter, went straight on, focused on the little judges box ahead of me and just, well, went for it :D

Next, we put another jump up, with two 'perfect Bonnie strides' between. B flew over them, I didn't fall off, just put my trust in the little flying coblet, and she put her trust in me :)

Next, my instructor pointed me towards the skinny fence, or stile. :eek: I was just a tad apprehensive, what with it being skinny... and straight... and high! :o However, I knew that I could, with a bit of perseverance, overcome it, so asked again for that lovely canter, and of course she took it like the ace showjumper I know she is :D:D

Today has really been a milestone for me. I never thought I could jump those fences, those heights, the double, the skinny... I found it so hard to canter with control, to steer, relax and to get the canter transition sharp. I was wrong!

I have my goal to aim for, Advanced Pony Week (Three day Event and training) in August. I've asked to ride Bonnie, and I really think that, with some more work, I can do it :D:D

Choc chip cookies for anyone who got through that! Now, the pictures and videos. Feel free to giggle :D

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My favourite (even though I have no head!)
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[youtube]wbxMmZmZz2Q[/youtube]
[youtube]JxbDgqz0uLk[/youtube]
[youtube]UbHBfNJJ648[/youtube]

As usual, tips and CC are appreciated :)
 
Looks like you had a a fabby lesson!!
Love the instructer going GO GO GO GO GO!! Brilliant! Really gets your confidence up

Just got to work on folding now and you will be away! Will see you at badminton yet! Hehe

What might help is trying to reach with your hands for a certain point on her neck when you go over the jumps, it should help you fold a bit more. Worked for me anyway

Your looking so much more confident over those jumps! Its lovely to see
 
Welldone :) It's always good to have a lesson like that!! I always find that I gain so much more out of private lessons. I also find that skinnies mean I have something else to concentrate on rather than worrying about the actual jump. You look like you are relaxing more throughout the lesson. Keep it up!!
 
Thanks everyone :D

I do respond much better to an instructor really pushing me, and the shouting made me laugh too :D

I'm going to try to buy myself a private lesson during the week, maybe with this different instructor, as my parents very kindly pay for my group on sundays :) Now I'm helping out regularly, I should be getting some helpers lessons too :)

x

ETA: I know, I need to work on actually folding rather than bending over!!
 
The more lessons and rides you can get the better! Its just like everything the more practice you have the better you will get.

You will you will improve very quickly now if you are having more lessons!
When i started loaning my first horse from the riding school i was at first my riding improved no end and then i was put on all the naughty ones too and got lots of free riding and it does really help!
 
Wow, great stuff! Most importantly, in none of the photos are you pulling your horse in the mouth, which lots of people are guilty of when learning, which is probably why the lovely coblet was so happy to fly over everything for you. Like the others have said, if you are slightly more folded (squatting over a public loo I think someone said?!) that helps stop you from drawing your hands back too. I would possibly ask for a neckstrap on pony so that you know not to bring your hands back beyond the line of it over a jump. (I'm not a big jumper so not the best advice giver!).

I know how excited you feel, my young horse did his first bounce combination yesterday...I was so proud!
 
thelwell_girl said:
ETA: I know, I need to work on actually folding rather than bending over!!
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Yeah....its difficult when your learning though. Think of really pushing your hands forward and your. IMO its better to fold too much at the start and then learn to fold less than not fold enough and have to learn to fold. Just over exagerate everything

As KatPT said above a neck strap (old stirrup leather) will really help you with putting your hands forward. But your not pulling her in the mouth over the jumps so that is really good! You clearly have your balance!
 
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Well Done - looks like you had a smashing time! :D

You do always look really scared tho...as suggested I would suggest they put a neck strap on for you to give you some confidence to fold forward a bit more :) Then you have no excuse not to smile for the camera lol :D
You're doing great ...ill keep watching - i like your vids :p
p.s pony you ride is great bless him :D
 
BM - The free rides are fab, we get a lot more freedom and responsibilty!

KatPT - I was always consicous of not pulling, when I first started jumping I'd have a long-ish rein and actually hold onto the pommel! Now I feel so much more secure, and just push my hands forward and hold onto some mane - luckily Bonnie is a jumping MACHINE! She absolutely loves to jump, and will pretty much pop anything (inc. 1 meter uprights/spreads in a staff lesson!) if you point her at it and GO! :D

Aww, well done! Bounces must feel really weird...!
 
BobbyMondeo - I'll try that :)

shysmum - I know - Shes the flying coblet! :D

Crackajack - Aargh, I have such an awful jumping face! I wasn't that scared, Its just my concentrating face :o I will try to remember to smile :o:D
 
I've said it before, but holding the pommel is hindering your riding. It is putting you in the wrong position. If the riding school don't use neck straps (I'm surprised, they seem to be pretty much standard these days) then grab a chunk of mane. A handful of mane is nice and secure, in a better position for a correct riding position and will help you learn to fold and follow the movement over the jump.

Having said that don't worry too much about folding, so many people over fold when they are jumping small fences. Just think about your hands following the horses neck and sticking your bum out (like you are squatting over a public loo).
 
Erm, I wasnt holding onto the pommel! I always grab a handful of mane now, I feel a lot more secure and I can actually look where I'm going, and ride positively away from the jump :)

Might get a neckstrap for a bit more security though - 'specially as I'll be trying XC at the end of August!
 
thelwell_girl said:
Erm, I wasnt holding onto the pommel! I always grab a handful of mane now, I feel a lot more secure and I can actually look where I'm going, and ride positively away from the jump :)

Might get a neckstrap for a bit more security though - 'specially as I'll be trying XC at the end of August!
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YEY! :p

I look forward to your report!

Oh and dont worry my faces are just as bad...wait till you see mine! lol :D
 
Well done. It's great you are having so much fun. Folding will come - it can be really hard when the fences are small. Once the fences get big the horse comes up to you as you fold (if that makes any sense)!
Good luck with the pony week and XC.

Just to add my instructor was never that nice in his encoragement
 
muddy_grey said:
Well done. It's great you are having so much fun. Folding will come - it can be really hard when the fences are small. Once the fences get big the horse comes up to you as you fold (if that makes any sense)!
Good luck with the pony week and XC.

Just to add my instructor was never that nice in his encoragement
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Thanks muddy_grey!

I will work on my folding :)

Hehe, my instructors do like to shout, but its nice shouting :D
 
thelwell_girl said:
Erm, I wasnt holding onto the pommel! I always grab a handful of mane now, I feel a lot more secure and I can actually look where I'm going, and ride positively away from the jump :)

Might get a neckstrap for a bit more security though - 'specially as I'll be trying XC at the end of August!
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Sorry, it looks like it in pictures 2 and 3! I guess it was a chunk of mane down near the wither that you were holding.

In that case, try grabbing a chunk of mane that is about a quarter of the way up from the wither, it will put your hand in a better place. I've seen our instructor get even quite advanced people doing this to help their position and it works a treat. As soon as you are lined up ready for the fence, big chunk of mane, and hold on until you land.

Hope you didn't think I was having a go, I thought perhaps the saddle was a habit you were struggling to break!
 
YAY bloomin well done you.
That made me smile thankyou so much for sharing.
As for your position the more lessons you have the more confident you will become and the better your position will be. :)
You should see my position. (actualy you can't i only have photos taken head on so you can't see how bad it is but you still see the terrified look on my face lol)
Keep up the good work your sooooo much braver than me and keep the updates inclu vids and pics please.
 
I have one thing to say.....

.....
.....
.....SMILE! :D lol

Your so fab, and you'll have no problem on your XC jumpy thing in aug, so don't worry. It's not fair, everyones better at jumping than me, *goes off grumbling in search of someone to kick my butt in to gear*
 
Katt said:
Sorry, it looks like it in pictures 2 and 3! I guess it was a chunk of mane down near the wither that you were holding.

In that case, try grabbing a chunk of mane that is about a quarter of the way up from the wither, it will put your hand in a better place. I've seen our instructor get even quite advanced people doing this to help their position and it works a treat. As soon as you are lined up ready for the fence, big chunk of mane, and hold on until you land.

Hope you didn't think I was having a go, I thought perhaps the saddle was a habit you were struggling to break!
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I didnt think you were having a go at all! I really am interested in ways people think I can improve. I will try holding onto mane further up too :)

LauraWheeler said:
YAY bloomin well done you.
That made me smile thankyou so much for sharing.
As for your position the more lessons you have the more confident you will become and the better your position will be. :)
You should see my position. (actualy you can't i only have photos taken head on so you can't see how bad it is but you still see the terrified look on my face lol)
Keep up the good work your sooooo much braver than me and keep the updates inclu vids and pics please.
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Hehe, I'm not that brave!! I will def keep the pics and videos coming :D xx
 
starsnrunes said:
I have one thing to say.....

.....
.....
.....SMILE! :D lol

Your so fab, and you'll have no problem on your XC jumpy thing in aug, so don't worry. It's not fair, everyones better at jumping than me, *goes off grumbling in search of someone to kick my butt in to gear*
Click to expand...

I know... I REALLY need to smile when I ride! Its just that I'm concentrating, and I forget... :p

Erm... I bet you're way better at jumping than me! I have never done XC before, but I'll be riding Bonnie and I really trust her :)

Hehe, I can kick your butt into gear if you so wish :D
 
Oh I love your instructor. That's really nice encouragement.

I'm about the stage you are but you're lucky with your super calm coblet. I bet you're absolutely chuffed and can't wait until next time. Well done!

Oh and don't worry - I'm really having fun when I ride my guy but I sooo look like a complete miserable git :)
 
Woo look at you go! :)

Sorry, CBA to read all the comments so sorry if I'm just parroting!

I think just push forward more towards the jump, relax, don't look down, push your hands forward up her neck more with shorter reins (they'll need to be a tad shorter when they go up her neck) and stick your bum out more to make more of a fold - which is something I HATE doing, cos I have an enormous bum :p

But really good jumping, I'm a right wuss when I jump :D Brill cob by the way, you look fab together!! :) BTW, haven't been on here in AGES! How are you TG? xx
 
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