Yet another sunny day; this one even warmer.
Today after starting on the same kind of warm up exercises on the flat, we worked on XC exercises with show jumps; angled lines, corners, skinnies etc, finishing with a course using all the exercises includng a skinnie of two barrels upright, and a fairly meaty corner.
Willie was good: had a wee think a couple of times during the clinic, but again no stops, and I felt no anxious moments; just a quiet determination that the blighter wasnt going to have me on!
He was however jumping pretty 'blah', and being a somewhat 'dull' type of TB definitely jumps better when fit and full of feed. However, he definitely was enjoying himself, and thoroughly enjoyed the water jump schooling. He can back off water usually, but today he felt quite keen and brave which was great; he was just jumping a little flatter than normal.
He had worked pretty hard over the two days, and done quite a lot of jumping.
I was very pleased how we both went, and am really starting to look forward to the start of the season. Let's hope we can continue to build our confidence, particularly with those pesky show jumps!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
LVF Clinic 25.07.09
Great weather; nice to see the sun for a change.
The clinic was over two days, with Clarke Johnson, who I have to say I was very impressed with. He has a lovely manner, and I found I didnt feel the same anxiety I have in the past with some instructors. However, I would also have to say that the instruction I have been getting from Wendy has no doubt helped there immensely, as with her help I feel that my confidence is steadily growing.
We started off with loosening exercises, getting the horses to stetch down over the back, then transtions, lengthening and leg yielding, and some counter canter and canter lenthening.
Day one was focussed on show jumping; related lines, curved lines and roll backs, finishing with several courses.
Willie went very well, albeit will be pretty tired as he is not fit this far out from the start of the season. However, no stops (and I didnt fall off) which is always a bonus.
I have been coming increasingly aware of my random right hand problem....always seem to have the right rein shorter and 'fiddle' with it. Clarke also made me aware that I ride with my right shoulder forward, so I will now work on that also; I tend to think that the two are related - if I can keep myself straight there will be more chance my hands remain even.
The clinic was over two days, with Clarke Johnson, who I have to say I was very impressed with. He has a lovely manner, and I found I didnt feel the same anxiety I have in the past with some instructors. However, I would also have to say that the instruction I have been getting from Wendy has no doubt helped there immensely, as with her help I feel that my confidence is steadily growing.
We started off with loosening exercises, getting the horses to stetch down over the back, then transtions, lengthening and leg yielding, and some counter canter and canter lenthening.
Day one was focussed on show jumping; related lines, curved lines and roll backs, finishing with several courses.
Willie went very well, albeit will be pretty tired as he is not fit this far out from the start of the season. However, no stops (and I didnt fall off) which is always a bonus.
I have been coming increasingly aware of my random right hand problem....always seem to have the right rein shorter and 'fiddle' with it. Clarke also made me aware that I ride with my right shoulder forward, so I will now work on that also; I tend to think that the two are related - if I can keep myself straight there will be more chance my hands remain even.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
WEC Winter Show Jumping - 19.07.09
Despite it blowing a gale, and being very squally, I decided to brave it, and put our new found confidence to the test.
It was actually not bad down there, and I dont think it rained at all, and was definitely not as windy there as here at home.
I had entered the 90 and meter classes.
Willie warmed up fine, (albeit grumping at any horse that dared to venture near to him). He jumped fine, and his one wee back off moment never amounted to anything (maybe because I didnt tumble forward and do my usual flappy arm thing?).
He likewise jumped well in the jump off, and I was right that he had been relatively quick as he got 3rd.
In the meter, he also jumped well.
However, I fell back into old habits on a roll back type turn into an oxer to a related distance one stride double. I tipped forward on the turn, and basically let his arse end fall out behind him. Yes, he could have jumped it quite easily, but decided not to.
He bounced around having stopped (yes, he knows when he has been naughty), and I proceded to ride the line correctly. He then really backed off the double, and I think had I not been really sitting upright and in behind him, he probably would have stopped. I was absolutely wrapt with myself for remaining calm, staying up (and jamming my spurs onto him)...he obviously felt there was no option but to jump, so that was great for my confidence.
So just the one stop, which I can live with.
The 1.05 looked eminently jumpable, and so I will enter that one for next time also - and hope my increasing confidence stands the test!
It was actually not bad down there, and I dont think it rained at all, and was definitely not as windy there as here at home.
I had entered the 90 and meter classes.
Willie warmed up fine, (albeit grumping at any horse that dared to venture near to him). He jumped fine, and his one wee back off moment never amounted to anything (maybe because I didnt tumble forward and do my usual flappy arm thing?).
He likewise jumped well in the jump off, and I was right that he had been relatively quick as he got 3rd.
In the meter, he also jumped well.
However, I fell back into old habits on a roll back type turn into an oxer to a related distance one stride double. I tipped forward on the turn, and basically let his arse end fall out behind him. Yes, he could have jumped it quite easily, but decided not to.
He bounced around having stopped (yes, he knows when he has been naughty), and I proceded to ride the line correctly. He then really backed off the double, and I think had I not been really sitting upright and in behind him, he probably would have stopped. I was absolutely wrapt with myself for remaining calm, staying up (and jamming my spurs onto him)...he obviously felt there was no option but to jump, so that was great for my confidence.
So just the one stop, which I can live with.
The 1.05 looked eminently jumpable, and so I will enter that one for next time also - and hope my increasing confidence stands the test!
17.07.09 - GREAT lesson!
Had a wonderful lesson with Wendy, at the WEC.
I really feel like I am gradually starting to sit up more, and having less of the 'oh $hit' moments. My confidence is likewise growing, and I am starting to ride to the base of the jump, wait for it to come, and simply sitting up.
He is starting to jump, even when he would rather have a 'spook ,ha ha gotya moment'.
Or should I say, I am get less inclined to do the whole lean forward, leg off, thing that Willie loves so much.
And, most importantly, I am really starting to enjoy the show jumping.
I really feel that I have progressed more with Wendy's help, than I have with many other instructors.
And on another matter: I am not sure what troubles others are having with the grass this Winter, but even calm sensible Willie has had some demented days. There was one day the other week that for the first time in six years, I seriously considered not even gettting on him he was just so demented trying to get him ready. I did however, and he was actually ok - some very spooky tense moments, and some skedaddles (which really isnt in his usual reportoir).
Have had the ponies inside at night for the last 4-5 days, and what a difference; Willie is normal again; a little spooky, but that's ok. I am also however, throwing anything down their throat that could possibly help with the grass problems, but I think it is taking them off the grass at night that is making the biggest difference. The 'new pony' has been very rideable for the last four days, having been completely off in la la land, and demented (but have elaborated further on his blog)
I really feel like I am gradually starting to sit up more, and having less of the 'oh $hit' moments. My confidence is likewise growing, and I am starting to ride to the base of the jump, wait for it to come, and simply sitting up.
He is starting to jump, even when he would rather have a 'spook ,ha ha gotya moment'.
Or should I say, I am get less inclined to do the whole lean forward, leg off, thing that Willie loves so much.
And, most importantly, I am really starting to enjoy the show jumping.
I really feel that I have progressed more with Wendy's help, than I have with many other instructors.
And on another matter: I am not sure what troubles others are having with the grass this Winter, but even calm sensible Willie has had some demented days. There was one day the other week that for the first time in six years, I seriously considered not even gettting on him he was just so demented trying to get him ready. I did however, and he was actually ok - some very spooky tense moments, and some skedaddles (which really isnt in his usual reportoir).
Have had the ponies inside at night for the last 4-5 days, and what a difference; Willie is normal again; a little spooky, but that's ok. I am also however, throwing anything down their throat that could possibly help with the grass problems, but I think it is taking them off the grass at night that is making the biggest difference. The 'new pony' has been very rideable for the last four days, having been completely off in la la land, and demented (but have elaborated further on his blog)
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