Lesson #167: An Unexpected Surprise!

You guys. It snowed on Sunday. Not only is it supposed to be spring, it was Easter on Sunday. That said though, +ADW and I head up for our Sunday morning lesson. Mare's inside this morning and not looking like she wants to do much of anything but that's okay because I insist, really ;)

I turn on my militant determined brain during warm-up and use every opportunity to ensure that Ariel is going at a good pace and maintaining some form of relaxation as well. As I keep reminding myself, if I want to get to my goal of jumping a course of 2'3", I have to take each lesson with the utmost seriousness and ride every stride with purpose. It pays off because I am told that Ariel and I look good quite soon into the warm up. I also try to get her into a long low relaxed frame which is not one of Ariel's preferences--she prefers to bring her head straight up to avoid contact of the bit.

During our warm-up, a course is being put together (mostly for the following lesson, I believe) that includes components that we would be able to get through. That means a variety of jumps: a line of two x's, an x on a 20m circle, a parallel oxer on the diagonal, a vertical with hay bale filler, a vertical "wall" jump and finally, a slightly wider and taller jump of around 2'6" that I have no idea the name of it (and during the lesson, had no idea the actual heights).

The start of the jump lesson includes the line of x's and the x on the 20m circle which I'm finally able to accomplish at the trot. The line is straight forward enough for me at this point that I don't hear 'the voices' as often and get over them with little distraction. I knew that the 20m circle might be a challenge again because I had so much trouble previously. I maintained in my brain that I needed to look really far in advance and it was about where I was going, not where I was. Something worked because I us through it by completing the circle and not stuck coming out of the jump.

G gets through these jumps with such ease! It's really great to watch her because it gives me confidence that I will get there too. J's told Sheri one of my goals for the season and so she said there's no time like the present to see what you're capable of, so she asks me to go over the wall which is probably around 2'3"? It isn't pretty but it is successful. Things are progressing quickly and we each are taking rounds going over different jumps and combos. I'm asked to take "the jump on the quarter line" which to me, was the 'slightly wider and taller jump of around 2'6"'. This one was intimidating and since I hesitated, Ariel also hesitated and we both deeked out. We tried it again and same thing! The best thing about this horse is that she is fearless about jumping and she's a sweetheart too: if you go in long or short or just plain stupid, she gets you through it. Once I committed to it, we flew over but I am not used to the feel so upon landing that causes me to let out an "omph" and landing too forward.

We came out of it and pull ourselves together, Sheri tells me that she meant the "wall" jump since this one is wider than what I've jumped before so requires Ariel to round more, to get over and then for me to have to have more control of my body over the jump and especially afterwards. She adds that I need to eliminate audible sounds so that I if I rode another horse, I wouldn't spook them to bolt. Despite that I am impressed enough with myself about being able to do that so at least I know that my goal is completely attainable... I just have to continue to work hard throughout the week and be diligent during lessons.