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

[SVMel]

WELL DONE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep up the good work, big smiles!!!!!!!!!!

T xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

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

Sadly shes not my coblet! Shes the RS's but I LOVE her, will jump any and everything Hehe, shes one of my fave instructors at the yard, a bit mad, but really encouraging!

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

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

Thanks for the tips, I'll try them out

I am SUCH a wuss when I jump, going into the skinny I was like 'Gonna die gonna die gonna die...'!

Hehe, I wish she was mine! As evil and bitey and kicky as she can be, she is ACE

I'm fab Lots of working at the yard, more lessons etc and as I said I have my Big Huge Goal at the end of August!!

How are you? xx

Loving the little pony club kicks

Well done

Thanks

Hehe, they really made me laugh when I was watching the video back! They seemed to be timed with the GO GO GO's from my instructor

 

[emma69]

What I would practice doing (in your free rides perhaps?) is working on your jumping position, folding forward from the hip, keeping looking forward, and keep your hands in front of you, not down on the neck. Keep your lower leg on, heels down slightly. Your bottom should hovver very slightly out of the saddle - to a bystander, they should not be able to see the scenery between the saddle and your butt! You aren't 'insecure' over the fences at the moment, if I was teaching you I wouldn't be running to catch you after every jump (and there are those I feel I need to sometimes!) but you aren't secure either. If you work on the position on the flat, you will get used to being slightly forward, and if you work through some walk/trot transitions you will get used to using your leg as well in that position, plus the change in pace will help your balance in the position. Eventually I would work up to walk/trot/canter but just walk/trot for now is fine. As you practise on the flat, get your balance, you will realize you don't need to hold on / rest your hands for balance - your legs are your anchors, not your hands. As the jumps get bigger, the horse will use its head and neck more. I personally don't like to see people throwing their hands at the horse when they jump, your hands only need to 'allow' what the horse 'takes' - dropping the contact isn't helpful (but doesn't matter too much at this height, so don't worry if it happens, it takes time to get to know what each horse does over fences). If your hands are 'up' and 'soft', then if the horse unexpectedly takes off early, or jumps bigger than you are expecting, you won't accidently catch them in the mouth.

Other than that, keep your leg on to the fences and between fences so the horse keeps a lovely fluid canter - the pace is key to how good a jump feels, as I think you are realizing, a lovely bouncy canter over 2'6'' feels so much better and easier than a stilted uncomfortable canter over 1'!

Well done!

 

[Cavblacks]

WAHEY!!!! Ive been looking forward to this post!!!!

Well done! You did so well and you should be really proud of how you've come on, from now Im sure you'll get more and more confidence and they'll be no stopping you!

I meant to PM you, I popped in to the LEC really quickly when I was passing to pick up a price list, looked out for you, but couldnt see you and I was rushed but it looked like a lovely yard and Im going to book in soon to ride there as my horses are all being boxed up tomorrow to travel to Norfolk for their summer rest!

Well done again, really pleased for you xx

 

[Kellys Heroes]

Fab fab really sounds like your confidence is doubling by the lesson!! You'll soon be over fences without a second thought!!

Makes two of us I had a jumping lesson on my YO's ID mare today and she's known for being a little devil but she only tried to throw one bronc and after that went really nice and absolutely flew over the jumps (she's a beast jumping, she jumps anything that's in front of her at full force pelt - I haven't jumped in 12 months due to Kelly's injuries so I've lost a lot of confidence). It's brilliant when you get on a horse and KNOW it will jump that fence come what may rather than thinking will she? won't she?!
Hopefully will push the height up next week and start getting my confidence back!
Go us!!!
K x

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Tennessee - Hehe, thankyou x

emma69 - Thank you for all your help - I'll take all of this on board, and hope to update with more jumping pics soon! x

Cavblacks - Aargh! When did you come?? Shame, PM me when you're next coming, I can be Offical Lesson Photographer I'm normally there Wednesdays, Sundays and sometimes Thursdays/Fridays xx

KellysHeroes - Go us indeed! I love riding Bonnie, she gives me so much confidence, (except when she lunge-attacks other horses!!) and just knowing she will jump any angle etc really helps me, as I know that I just need to point her and LEG ON! Look forward to some pics from you xx

 

[Cavblacks]

Cavblacks - Aargh! When did you come?? Shame, PM me when you're next coming, I can be Offical Lesson Photographer I'm normally there Wednesdays, Sundays and sometimes Thursdays/Fridays xx

First thing Sunday morning, I popped into the office and stuck my head over a couple of stable doors!

Maybe you can help me decide when to go, Im happy to join a group, do they do like a good fun jumping lesson - when I say advanced Im not talking badminton level but a good fun jumping lesson!?

I can come at weekends or in the evening from 7ish... xx

PS You're hired as photographer as long as any of me on the floor dont end up on here!!!

LOL

Actually forget that, could be a funny thread!

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

First thing Sunday morning, I popped into the office and stuck my head over a couple of stable doors!

Maybe you can help me decide when to go, Im happy to join a group, do they do like a good fun jumping lesson - when I say advanced Im not talking badminton level but a good fun jumping lesson!?

I can come at weekends or in the evening from 7ish... xx

PS You're hired as photographer as long as any of me on the floor dont end up on here!!!

LOL

Actually forget that, could be a funny thread!

Ahh, I was in Hastings!

They'll ask you to have a private lesson first, just to assess you and see how you ride, what you're like etc...

They do Adult Groups in the week, and I think they teach up until 9 o'clock some days! I have my group lesson on sundays from 10am-11am (so dont book for then please ) and we prob jump once a month, but you can always book a 30min/45min private lesson and ask to jump

Ooh, I'm so excited! Another LEC fan

Which of the stable blocks did you look at?

xx

 

[Cavblacks]

Ahh, I was in Hastings!

They'll ask you to have a private lesson first, just to assess you and see how you ride, what you're like etc...

They do Adult Groups in the week, and I think they teach up until 9 o'clock some days! I have my group lesson on sundays from 10am-11am (so dont book for then please ) and we prob jump once a month, but you can always book a 30min/45min private lesson and ask to jump

Ooh, I'm so excited! Another LEC fan

Which of the stable blocks did you look at?

xx

That is why I couldnt pick you out then! If I thought I recognised you from your pics I was gonna introduce myself but no one looked like you!! haha

OK cool, Ill get a private booked then they can tell me what group'll suit me!

The ones near the office, it looked like a nice yard with well looked after horses and the girls in the office were v.polite and helpful with my questions!

 

[Kellys Heroes]

KellysHeroes - Go us indeed! I love riding Bonnie, she gives me so much confidence, (except when she lunge-attacks other horses!!) and just knowing she will jump any angle etc really helps me, as I know that I just need to point her and LEG ON! Look forward to some pics from you xx

Deff, I'll get some next week! - this week my camera would have got water logged haha xD
Me and Kelly were learning together so we were feeding off each other's nerves and uncertainty so when it went well, it was brilliant but we were unsure about some jumps - I did teach her fillers and WH fences tho! but I know Kerry will go and fly over ANYTHING so its just sort myself out and get forwards!
Pics next week and keep yours coming I love seeing people really getting confidence and improving lesson by lesson!

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

That is why I couldnt pick you out then! If I thought I recognised you from your pics I was gonna introduce myself but no one looked like you!! haha

OK cool, Ill get a private booked then they can tell me what group'll suit me!

The ones near the office, it looked like a nice yard with well looked after horses and the girls in the office were v.polite and helpful with my questions!

Ah, the office yard! Its lovely, theres a HUGE chestnut on that yard, stable nearest the wall and loos, called Theo, hes sooo lovely! Just wants to be loved constantly

Tell me when you book for, Wed-Fri and Sundays are all days I can come xx

Deff, I'll get some next week! - this week my camera would have got water logged haha xD
Me and Kelly were learning together so we were feeding off each other's nerves and uncertainty so when it went well, it was brilliant but we were unsure about some jumps - I did teach her fillers and WH fences tho! but I know Kerry will go and fly over ANYTHING so its just sort myself out and get forwards!
Pics next week and keep yours coming I love seeing people really getting confidence and improving lesson by lesson!

Ah good! Its lovely when you ride a horse who just gives you all the confidence you need I'm sure Kelly will be better soon xx

 

[timefort]

I can be Offical Lesson Photographer I'm normally there Wednesdays, Sundays and sometimes Thursdays/Fridays xx

Careful, I'll be getting you to take piccies of me too! Good to see you having so much fun with the fab Bonnie pony.

Don't forget to smile!!

xx

 

[Cavblacks]

Ah, the office yard! Its lovely, theres a HUGE chestnut on that yard, stable nearest the wall and loos, called Theo, hes sooo lovely! Just wants to be loved constantly

Tell me when you book for, Wed-Fri and Sundays are all days I can come xx

Aww sounds cute!

Cool Ill ring up this week and book! xx

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Careful, I'll be getting you to take piccies of me too! Good to see you having so much fun with the fab Bonnie pony.

Don't forget to smile!!

xx

I love being photographer (and videographer)

Hehe, I won't! x

Aww sounds cute!

Cool Ill ring up this week and book! xx

Theo is FAB (He just lurves face scritches)! Almost as much as Bonnie (who loves bananas)... Oh, and Albert (who is perfect for snogs )...

PM me when you do x

 

[Sol]

Awesome! Sounds like you had lots of fun too

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Awesome! Sounds like you had lots of fun too

I did

 

[Sol]

Gooood Sounds much more fun than the jumping lesson I had the other day!

 

[posie_honey]

well from your piccies you're doing better than me - your looking up - i never do no matter how much as i get shouted to
Well done

 

[BeckyD]

Well done! They finally put a fence round that arena then?! I used to ride there a few yers ago, and I always found it odd that the arena had no fence. Is KD still there, and the enormous 17hh dressage schoolmaster?

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Gooood Sounds much more fun than the jumping lesson I had the other day!

Oh dear! What happened? x

well from your piccies you're doing better than me - your looking up - i never do no matter how much as i get shouted to
Well done

Hehe, looking up helped me to kinda forget that I was jumping! Jumping is just dressage wih speed bumps after all x

Well done! They finally put a fence round that arena then?! I used to ride there a few yers ago, and I always found it odd that the arena had no fence. Is KD still there, and the enormous 17hh dressage schoolmaster?

Erm, far as I know it's always had a fence! I don't think the 17hh is still there, who's KD? X

 

[muddy boots]

TG - I am always really impressed with your attitude, honesty, sensible approach and desire to improve. Having typed it it looks a bit patronising, which isn't how I meant it. I just want to say WELL DONE and YOU Go GIRL!!!

I enjoy your posts.

I agree with the others that say about either grabbing mane further up the pony's neck and giving more with your hands.

Lovely pony too, clearly a good riding school.

 

[SNORKEY]

Well done! What a sweet looking pony.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Good job, TG! I love to see your updates and it's a real pleasure to see how you're progressing through your own hard work and great instruction and advice. Well done to the coblet too!

Keep on with the updates please!

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

TG - I am always really impressed with your attitude, honesty, sensible approach and desire to improve. Having typed it it looks a bit patronising, which isn't how I meant it. I just want to say WELL DONE and YOU Go GIRL!!!

I enjoy your posts.

I agree with the others that say about either grabbing mane further up the pony's neck and giving more with your hands.

Lovely pony too, clearly a good riding school.

Well done! What a sweet looking pony.

Good job, TG! I love to see your updates and it's a real pleasure to see how you're progressing through your own hard work and great instruction and advice. Well done to the coblet too!

Keep on with the updates please!

Aw, thanks everyone! It really means a lot to me when others point out what I've done well (or not as the case can be!)

Bonnie is SO fab, as grumpy a madam as she can be (including trying to bite my face off while leading her down the road! ) she is amazing, will jump anything you ask her to, and will work her little cobby bum off if you ask her in a way she likes

I will keep these updates coming, I have a lesson on Wednesday

Xx TG

 

[Benji1]

Awww this thread made me smile lots!!! your doing really well, and you look miles more confident than the last jumping photos of you I saw! Don't know if anyones suggested this (haven't had time to read through the replies yet!) but you could try practicing your 'forwards light seat' in walk, trot and canter, I found it makes it feel much more natural when I've actually got to jump if I feel sercure in that position before take off in all 3 gaits.

For some really wierd reason I found doing lots of rising trot without stirrups helpful when I learnt to jump, possibly because it teaches you not to rely on your stirrups for balance

Your doing amazingly well!!!

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Awww this thread made me smile lots!!! your doing really well, and you look miles more confident than the last jumping photos of you I saw! Don't know if anyones suggested this (haven't had time to read through the replies yet!) but you could try practicing your 'forwards light seat' in walk, trot and canter, I found it makes it feel much more natural when I've actually got to jump if I feel sercure in that position before take off in all 3 gaits.

For some really wierd reason I found doing lots of rising trot without stirrups helpful when I learnt to jump, possibly because it teaches you not to rely on your stirrups for balance

Your doing amazingly well!!!

Aww thanks

I will def practice my jumping position/light seat though