I. Am. Exhausted. I am embarrassingly out of shape. I may be very very painful tomorrow. Not only did I clean 5 stalls but we had our first jumping lesson today. That's how out of shape I am. It was pretty sweet, though. He was a superstar. He just took in all in stride. He never spooked or got hot. He was willing to go and willing to stop. She had me do a gymnastics line over and over and adjusted as we went. Each time she had me finish the line by stopping at the wall to teach him to listen and be calm after jumps. He certainly bumped a number of rails (mostly with his rear feet) and knocked several down, but how could he not with an unbalanced blob on his back?!? I was such hard work trying to stay in the right balance. I was smacked in the ass with the cantle a good number of times. But you have to start somewhere, right? Monet was very pleased with him, gushed about how perfect he is for me and how much she likes him even though he's not a warmblood. :)
I couldn't help thinking about how surprised I am that I'm doing this. Where did this set of cajones come from? Now, I know that to the few of you who jump normal grown-up fences know that this is kiddie stuff, but it has been about 10 years since I jumped and you know I lost my nerve somewhere in there! I jumped as a kid and wasn't afraid of it, but just the thought of jumping has freaked me out until very recently. It wasn't so long ago that I was nervous to canter him by myself. Loping over ground poles would terrify me 6 months ago. Granted he used to trip in the front a lot, and he hasn't done that since we moved barns.Doing the obstacles and going out on the trails across the creeks and over logs and down the steep hills has been good for us. He's finding his feet a lot better I guess, and I'm not interfering as much. I was all over him while jumping, of course, but I'll get better. There is work to be done!
At this point on the whirlwind tour of "What to do with a Western Pleasure Reject" we have done Trail Riding, Cowboy Challenge, Dressage, and Jumping. (If only we had a cart!) Is it okay if we like it ALL?!
I don't think you give yourself enough credit...that was very nice!
ReplyDeleteI think you both looked really good! Junior looks happy as he's going over and it looks like you're staying off his back and out of his mouth, which is super! I was definitely not that kind when I first started jumping, but it looks like you've got a great instructor.
ReplyDeleteYou're more brave than me... Junior is such a good boy, though, and is a lot more excited about jumping than my horse was.
I say try it all!!
Word verification was "sooper". I think it's a sign from the universe saying how great you two look! :)
You should be proud! You looked Not Bad At All! And Junior looked like he was having fun.
ReplyDeleteWP "reject"? C'mon now...
You look great! Makes me miss my jumping days a bit....but I wouldnt trade that for our cows!!! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat video - love how you stayed out of his way!
ReplyDeleteThat was very nice!
ReplyDeleteI think you guys looked great! I love a versatile horse...all of that varied training puts a lot of good mileage on a horse. Jumping might be your next big thing!
ReplyDeleteI just love to see someone conquering their fears! You looked great, and Junior looked happy. Oh by the way, I've seen people riding in competitions who didn't look as balanced and aware of where their bodies should be as you do.
ReplyDeleteYou looked great! YAY for gymnastics :)
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