Scarlett
Well-Known Member
Took Pinky, aka Scatty Pink One, to our first clinic today - also first lesson with someone other than Instructor - at the Eq Centre next door. Wasn't sure what to expect but came home quite pleased and with a clear idea of what to work on. SPO was very good, although obvioulsy also very pink as I had 3 people exclaim 'your horse is pink!' when we got there.
She worked in well and didn't freak at the other horses going past, popped the warm up fences in good style and took our turns to put the fences together. Silly as it sounds but I have had a mental block the last couple of years about cantering at a fence, especially uprights or anything over 2', to the point of paralysis in the saddle and lots of freaking out. However today we could canter into various fences and although it wasn't always perfect I'm hoping the cantering and jumping demon is permanently banished and we can get on with it. It may seem like a tiny thing to many but to be able to canter into a 2'6 fence without shaking with fear is a pretty damn good feeling!
Although height of the fences isn't an issue anymore, but I need much more canter on the way in. I've spent the last year working the canter on the flat that I have stifled it somewhat and need now to let her get on with it in a more forward pace - so slapped wrists and lots of homework for me!!!
I liked Steve, he was soft spoken and quite positive about stuff. He also didnt get too technical which was good. He liked P and her attitude, thought she had a good technique over a fence and that with a bit more OOMPH we will be a lot better. Very glad that he didn't pick up on anything 'new' and the points he raised are all things Instructor already has me working on.
OH took some pics but he has 'man flu' or something else deadly so they ain't up to his usual standard...
Warm up..
Pinky making fences look tiny..
1st attempt over a gate..
Upright..
and a vid from the warm up...

So - lots of things to work on, hoping to do the next one too but with us being noticably improved...!
She worked in well and didn't freak at the other horses going past, popped the warm up fences in good style and took our turns to put the fences together. Silly as it sounds but I have had a mental block the last couple of years about cantering at a fence, especially uprights or anything over 2', to the point of paralysis in the saddle and lots of freaking out. However today we could canter into various fences and although it wasn't always perfect I'm hoping the cantering and jumping demon is permanently banished and we can get on with it. It may seem like a tiny thing to many but to be able to canter into a 2'6 fence without shaking with fear is a pretty damn good feeling!
Although height of the fences isn't an issue anymore, but I need much more canter on the way in. I've spent the last year working the canter on the flat that I have stifled it somewhat and need now to let her get on with it in a more forward pace - so slapped wrists and lots of homework for me!!!
I liked Steve, he was soft spoken and quite positive about stuff. He also didnt get too technical which was good. He liked P and her attitude, thought she had a good technique over a fence and that with a bit more OOMPH we will be a lot better. Very glad that he didn't pick up on anything 'new' and the points he raised are all things Instructor already has me working on.
OH took some pics but he has 'man flu' or something else deadly so they ain't up to his usual standard...
Warm up..
Pinky making fences look tiny..
1st attempt over a gate..
Upright..
and a vid from the warm up...

So - lots of things to work on, hoping to do the next one too but with us being noticably improved...!