Post by pboy on Sept 16, 2015 16:01:55 GMT
I've only managed to do four jumping lessons on Indio as we've not had a suitable saddle. Last week I borrowed my YO's 'breaking saddle', which is an old Albion jumping saddle, and it fit well enough for us to have a go. I thought I'd better get some work in ahead of camp at the weekend as we had booked (and paid for!) a SJ and XC lesson.
I had a lesson on Friday evening and the YO setup a raised pole, two strides to a cross pole then another two strides to a raised pole. The plan was to focus on rhythm and straightness. Indio had other ideas! We had a lot of wiggling, lots of run-outs to the left and one to the right and one jumping of the wing! We managed two fairly straight trips through (albeit with three strides!) and left it at that.
I decided I'd better have another go before camp! So I had another lesson yesterday and this time we worked on turning lines as well as straightness. We started with a cross pole off a 20 metre circle, which wasn't a problem. Then added a second cross pole further up the arena. Indio attempted to run out again and ended up knocking the wing over (silly boy!). So Ali got me to walk in between so Indio could rebalance and learn to listen, then trot on and over the jump. It worked like a charm!! We then worked on dog-legs doing the same thing, and finally put it all together in a course.
I think Indio had a penny drop moment and realised that it was all very fun, and that he CAN do it (bless him, he doesn't have a lot of confidence in his own body and his athletic ability). He looked very pleased with himself, his canter felt better than ever and he was very polite. I'm still not used to horses who wait for you and listen when approaching a jump! I need to do a huge amount of work on my position particularly on giving with the hands over the fence as I was worried about releasing the contact and losing the straightness. But hopefully that will all come with practice!
Here's a video of our second (and final) ride around the 'course':
And in other news, I've just entered our first affiliated dressage competition! So camp this weekend then competing next weekend, what a busy September!!
I had a lesson on Friday evening and the YO setup a raised pole, two strides to a cross pole then another two strides to a raised pole. The plan was to focus on rhythm and straightness. Indio had other ideas! We had a lot of wiggling, lots of run-outs to the left and one to the right and one jumping of the wing! We managed two fairly straight trips through (albeit with three strides!) and left it at that.
I decided I'd better have another go before camp! So I had another lesson yesterday and this time we worked on turning lines as well as straightness. We started with a cross pole off a 20 metre circle, which wasn't a problem. Then added a second cross pole further up the arena. Indio attempted to run out again and ended up knocking the wing over (silly boy!). So Ali got me to walk in between so Indio could rebalance and learn to listen, then trot on and over the jump. It worked like a charm!! We then worked on dog-legs doing the same thing, and finally put it all together in a course.
I think Indio had a penny drop moment and realised that it was all very fun, and that he CAN do it (bless him, he doesn't have a lot of confidence in his own body and his athletic ability). He looked very pleased with himself, his canter felt better than ever and he was very polite. I'm still not used to horses who wait for you and listen when approaching a jump! I need to do a huge amount of work on my position particularly on giving with the hands over the fence as I was worried about releasing the contact and losing the straightness. But hopefully that will all come with practice!
Here's a video of our second (and final) ride around the 'course':
And in other news, I've just entered our first affiliated dressage competition! So camp this weekend then competing next weekend, what a busy September!!