The Blue Ribbon Worthy Course

Well, I am completely convinced now that I own a super horse.

So, I had a lesson this morning, and I decided to say "Neck, screw you. I am jumping. My horse is ready. He needs it. I am doing what everyone else is doing, no matter how much pain you decide to put me through." And so I did. Not too much pain though, just every now and again.

Anyway, the story gets better. I will start from the beginning. And, just in advance, so that I can say that you have had fair warning - this post will be long.

The warm up went well. I had Roanie on a short rein, trying to get him to rock his weight back on his hindquarters. My trainer saw me, and this is how our conversation went:

Him: "We are going to try something new with Roanie today."
Me: "Yes sir."
Him: "I want you to almost throw away your reins. Ride him from the waist down, and don't do much with your hands."
Me: "Yes sir."

Well, the first few warm up fences we had, I had a little bit of trouble adjusting to this new, long rein thing. I was so used to riding with a short rein, no choking him, or too short, just to where his head was a up a little higher.

Finally, everything started to click for both me and Roanie.

I had my hands lower, we got our canter departures better, and he was jumping better. I wasn't in his mouth at all (Except for maybe a little bit in the corners to balance him).

Then my trainer wanted to see us do a course.

The course was up over the inside line, down over the outside line, up over the inside vertical, and down over the outside vertical. Adding strides in the lines.

Turn going into the first line was a little forehandy, so I had to get him to get off of his face for the jump. The first jump was good. Nothing spectacular, but good nonetheless. The second jump was better. We had a good spot, and he landed on his lead. We had a really good pace too.

Going to the outside line. Both of us are relaxed, and really just enjoying it. First jump was pretty good. He kind of hit it with his foot, but didn't knock anything down. Second jump was gorgeous. Mucho perfecto. He landed on his lead this time too.

Inside vertical was amazing. Best fence ever. I felt him lift up his feet, and tuck his knees. His head went down to his knees too. Amazing. And, once again, he landed on his lead.

Outside vertical was good. Kind of an awkward spot, but we pulled it off nicely.

So, he landed on ALL of his leads, all of the fences were good if not better than good. My trainer was extremely happy with the way the whole course went, and he said that if it had been in a show class, we would have won.

Blue ribbon worthy course.

By doing what?
Simply making my reins longer, and using more leg.

It is amazing what the slightest difference can do to your horses performance.

And then what happened?
My trainer mentioned us possibly going to a show in September or October.

*Crosses fingers*

I hope that works out. It would be awesome to be able to show again this season. :)

I didn't get any pictures because we didn't videotape this lesson, but I will get some new updated pictures of Roanie and I soon.