24.10.09 - Show Jumping

Having had a Great lesson Thursday, I was all ready to put it into practice with a couple of small show jumping rounds.

Went to Kihikihi for the Waikato Area Pony Club Gymkhana, entering just the 90 and 1.00 classes.

Beautiful day, which was a nice change.

90cm
Looked pretty jolly small, but I don't know what went wrong, but I fell to pieces and Willie took advantage.
Quite a twisty course, and he jumped quite big over the oxer at number 4 and I missed my line to number 5 and he ran off....I guess I then lost the plot, and started doing the whole 'tilty' thing, and of course he then stopped twice at the double (would be the double wouldnt it....and an oxer to boot)

1.00m
Again, not particularly big at all.
I definitely rode better though, I was sitting up better and not tilting.
He was naughty to stop at number 7 (an oxer with a red box thing under it)....I dont think I did anything wrong - he was just naughty. When he stopped again, I belted him which kind of changed his mind about stopping at it!
Round and onto the double....I felt him back off, and like a dolt I sat and did nothing about it....grrrr. So, nipped around the first part of the double and popped him out over the second part.

OK...simply need to keep getting out there and working at it until I can get it all right on the day. Positives however, are that I DID go back out and try again, and I DID sit up better (just need to kick!), and a big positive is that I did NOT fall off, or even come close...which means I must be getting more secure in my leg and seat...which will help me increase my confidence to ride.

Just need to keep on with the lessons, and working on myself...I will get there because I am not going to give up!

22.10.09 - Great Lesson

Really need to get back on track show jumping.

Had a great lesson, working on jumping off corners (very much needed), and also continuing to work on me remaining upright, leg on and getting him up in front, maintaining the rhythm, and of course breathing.

It was later on in the lesson that he stopped, ... it was at a swedish oxer(which we had already jumped numerous times) and of course, I fell to bits. I think I allowed that doubt thing to creep in.
However, the instructor didnt want to drop the jump (I asked her to of course!), and reminded me to breath, and keep the rhythm etc....and guess what....he jumped it. Had to jump it again though, but it was fine.

Must not lose faith in myself.

Definitely feeling better, and also feel that I am improving.
We are going to make mistakes and the only way to find out what needs working on is to keep getting out there and competing.
Very little point in dropping to heights well within my comfort zone, as I will learn nothing doing that.
Also pleased to find that we were jumping easily over the required 1.05

Taupo; the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Well, despite some threats in the weather department, Taupo was actually not too bad weather wise - definitely bare-able; even down to a t-shirt walking the x-country.

Dressage: Willie did another of his calm and obedient tests, but just not very inspiring. The judge did comment "kind horse".
He only scored 54% (46 penalty) which I was quite disappointed with, as his test was fine. He ended up about middle of the field.

Show jumping: when we walked it, I have to admit that it looked very small....enough so for us to wonder if it was set up for training. However, it didnt ride particularly well, with only one rider in our whole ring going clear!

The whole course was related lines off of the corner....and I just don't do corners particualrly well. And yes, I managed again to 'trickle' around the corner (you know how one has to be so careful not to slip on corners!) , and arrive at the jump with basically nothing for poor Willie to jump from. .... "thank you", says he!!

So; stopped at number 1 (although not sure how I achieved that), and then twice at number 6a (yes; the double...and it was off a corner....added to which it was an *gulp* oxer)...grrrr

Now for the good; I did feel that I was sitting up a bit better, but still need to ensure he is up off his forehand and RIDE him through the corners....also...(another good bit) I DID NOT fall off!

Cross Country: Taupo have done an immense amount of work since the training trials, and have virtually built a whole new course.
Beautifully built jumps, although a little intimidated as the course was a pretty bold one.

Willie warmed up great: was even really nappy going to the start box, which is a good sign with him. Unfortunately, there was then quite a hold up as a horse and rider had fallen at the log combination at number 4, 5 & 6. By the time we went, he had really gone off the boil.

However, jumped the first couple ok.

Number 3 was a shark tooth thingy, on the lip of a drop (eeeeewww; I also dont 'do' drops). I somehow managed to lose focus on my approach - the fact that I was distinctly aware of someone walking a little dog is a hint as to my lack of committment at that point. However, I pulled myself together and got over it next attempt.

He then proceeded to spook and shy at everything on the way to the log combination. Despite him backing off and being really quite sticky, I was determined and we got through the quick route without penalty. Interesting that I was so focussed and committed, I failed to notice all the people gathered at that jump, my friend or her vehicle.

THAT is what I need to be like on approach to every jump.

The next jump was HUGE, with a horrible approach. It was a bit sloping table thing, but there was a tree in the way, so you only had about two good strides to it. Willie had virtually no impulsion and somehow! popped over it. (it was up to my waist, and a decent spread).

I am afraid I bowed out and retired at the next big combination. It was an oxer (gulp) two strides to a shark tooth drop. Not bad jumps, but he was spooking and backing off, and I really didnt feel I was committed enough - perhaps it was the result of the big effort he had to make at the previous spread?? Anyway, I decided to leave it for another day.

Hopefully we can get it right at Rotorua.

Wet, Wet and more Wet

I had been really looking forward to Te Rapa Horse Trials, and felt "ready" to tackle it.

The Saturday was actually lovely weather, even though there had been horrendous amounts of rain leading up to the event.

For this trial, to enable the group to fit all the dressage tests in, everybody BUT us show jumped on the Saturday. This meant that for the pre-novice, our show jumping was to be held between 8.30 and 10.30 Sunday morning.

And wouldnt you know it; the rain was absolute torrential all night.

I got up with the alarm, and then I am afraid having looked at the black skies and read the weather forecast (heavy rain all day), I went back to bed. I really did not relish the thought of getting wet early in the day and then getting another soaking late in the day (we were last to run xc).

I did feel some modicum of guilt, which rapidly evaporated when I looked at the results and saw that only a third of pre novice riders completed.

Still, very disappointing.

So now we have Taupo this weekend, and to be honest, I really dont feel as well prepared as I had for Te Rapa, having done very little jumping. Oh well; SURELY the weather has to be better than it was for Te Rapa (or have I put the kaibosh on it by even suggesting it couldnt be worse?)