Ground poles set on quarter line at S & R |
Our rides started out as usual, but after the warm up, I decided to nonchalantly canter her down the quarter-line and right over the center of the poles. She saw the pole, I asked her to maintain contact, and kept her straight, and over it she went. She saw her distance, adjusted, and beautifully went over the pole at a lovely canter! She didn't hit the pole with a single hoof once! Assuming the first time might be a fluke, I tried again. Same result. So then I asked her to do a roll back to the second pole. Same result. In-fact, after a few times she started jumping the poles!
SHE LIKED IT!!!
I was so excited, not only can she see a distance, go over a pole, turn tightly in a roll back maintaining a mostly balanced and uphill canter to go to a second pole, but SHE LIKES IT! All of this gets me very excited about starting her over little ex's this summer. So far my 2-year dressage to fences plan seems to be coming along as planned. I am certain that it is the dressage that has allowed her to be able to do this so well already. It seems like a simple little thing, but this was a huge moment in my book, indicating that a hunter/jumper world is indeed in our future. Don't misunderstand me though; I'm fairly certain dressage will still be on the books for a long time. Can you do dressage three days a week and jump once a week? I intend to find out! I wonder how my two-point is after not riding in my jumping saddle for 2-years? Hummm...
Happy trails and swooshing tails!
Yes, you can do that schedule.
ReplyDeleteAs for your two point, I sincerely hope it sucks as much as mine. :-p Nothing like practice, right?
It's nice to know I'm in good company :)
ReplyDeleteMy 17 yr old is trying to help me with my two point. Kinda sad...I thought I was in pretty good riding shape until I tried!
ReplyDeleteEnjoying you blog - just happened upon it yesterday. My Warmblood x TB mare will be 4 the end of May - purchased her as a yearling. She and I are green on green, which no one recommends - but our trainer is patient with us :)
Welcome Kelly and thanks for following us. Sounds like we are on the same timeline with our baby mares! I know most people don't recommend the green + green, but I've had good experiences with it in the past, so definitely don't loose hope over it! As a young rider one of my favorite horses, and the one that taught me the most, was a large green broke 4-year old appy gelding. He taught me a lot, but mostly how to have a Velcro bum and how to gallop out a buck over a cross country field. Fun times!
ReplyDeleteI am excited for Rose! I saw your comment on Gatsby's facebook page. so so so excited that she likes jumping! woohoo!
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