MizElz
Well-Known Member
....or at least, most of them!
After three years of not jumping anything other than a couple of fences on a sponsored ride (eyes tight shut and following a friend!), Ellie and I went for a schooling session at the place where my collywobbles really took root - my SJ instructor's farm, where we both had a nasty fall, four years ago. Although my initial intention was to try and pop a small fence, I had absolutely no expectations - for ages now the thought of jumping anything has filled me with dread, and I swore that we would never, ever get back to it. Today, we just took it really slowly - I schooled Elz round for a bit, although I swear she knew she might be jumping because she kept turning hopefully towards the huge oxer that was already set up in the school
I had just about worked my courage up to try a cross pole, when we suddenly developed an audience - my SJ instructor's girlfriend (who doesnt like me or Ellie very much and would probably love to see us take a tumble) and two of their liveries
This was not what I had planned - yes, we used to be reasonably competent, but after three years out of the jumping saddle, I was pretty aware that I was going to be horrendous! I wasnt sure what to do, but it would have been a wasted journey if I hadnt achieved what I had really set out to do. So I thought, bollocks to them!
Mum put up a diddy cross pole, and although I had a sudden attack of collywobbles on the approach, Ellie flew it! It was such a lovely feeling to get back to it - I have never known a horse take you into a fence like my Ellie does; you only have to be mentally positive with her - she takes you in as long as she knows you want it! We popped the cross a few more times, then tried a straight bar, with no problems. In the end, we jumped a little 70cm upright - not remotely substantial nor impressive (am sure instructor's GF was suitably scornful!) but a huge, huge step for us. I seem to be on the way to curing my fear of jumping, and have managed to overcome worrying about what people think about me at the same time!
We're off for our first competition next Wednesday, and for the first time in my life, I cannot wait!!!!
*a very, very, very happy MizElz, and an even happier Ellie, who is relieved that her owner has realised at last what she loves doing best!*
After three years of not jumping anything other than a couple of fences on a sponsored ride (eyes tight shut and following a friend!), Ellie and I went for a schooling session at the place where my collywobbles really took root - my SJ instructor's farm, where we both had a nasty fall, four years ago. Although my initial intention was to try and pop a small fence, I had absolutely no expectations - for ages now the thought of jumping anything has filled me with dread, and I swore that we would never, ever get back to it. Today, we just took it really slowly - I schooled Elz round for a bit, although I swear she knew she might be jumping because she kept turning hopefully towards the huge oxer that was already set up in the school
We're off for our first competition next Wednesday, and for the first time in my life, I cannot wait!!!!
*a very, very, very happy MizElz, and an even happier Ellie, who is relieved that her owner has realised at last what she loves doing best!*
