eponacowgirl
Jun. 26, 2010, 11:48 PM
I took three horses to a local jumper show today- put on by a barn that runs schooling hunter shows about 4 times through the summer- this was their first jumper show. What a GREAT time we had!
I decided last minute to bring one of my client horses- I've done everything with her, the girl who owns her is in college, so she's basically in full training with me 9 months of the year and regular lessons the other three. I haven't been on her in a couple of weeks since her owner is home, but she's fit and I had an empty slot- who can say no to that?! She and I had a GREAT time. She's so game and I used my second jump off to skim as many corners and sneak through tiny spaces and jump things on an angle that I possibly could. She just sighs and picks her knees up. She was a total heifer for months when we got her but has recently decided to behave herself. (She's the one who flipped on me, in fact...) I love to ride her because she will BAIL me out of anything- so when I have something I'm having a hard time with on one of my other horses, she'll let my mistakes slide a little- makes it perfect for her owner when she jumps! She ended up fourth in the first class and third in the second.
My one-eyed-guy was awesome, too. He didn't look at anything, had a rail down in the first class- my fault- I was riding like a short-stirrup kid- sit and flap my legs :lol:. The second go-round, my trainer said "you need to insist he be rideable." We did a few more warmup fences and I said "Oh- you mean I have to put my leg on?!" and we went out and rode the CRAP out of that course. I actually had something to push him up into- had the energy and balance! So fun! We got 4th in the class- but the best part is that I can't ever remember having so much fun jumping my horse!
I also took a friend of mine's horse- a big TB. He stops with her and bolts sometimes between fences- she just wanted him to have a good day. He was lovely as well, a positive and educational two classes for him- and one sixth place ribbon!
And let me put it on the record- that for as much as I will snark at and about hunters (and I rode them for 18 years, so I feel like I'm allowed)- Middle TN has some of the NICEST, most WELCOMING, encouraging hunter folks I've ever met. Everyone cooed over my game little ponies and I just had a great time all day long!
I decided last minute to bring one of my client horses- I've done everything with her, the girl who owns her is in college, so she's basically in full training with me 9 months of the year and regular lessons the other three. I haven't been on her in a couple of weeks since her owner is home, but she's fit and I had an empty slot- who can say no to that?! She and I had a GREAT time. She's so game and I used my second jump off to skim as many corners and sneak through tiny spaces and jump things on an angle that I possibly could. She just sighs and picks her knees up. She was a total heifer for months when we got her but has recently decided to behave herself. (She's the one who flipped on me, in fact...) I love to ride her because she will BAIL me out of anything- so when I have something I'm having a hard time with on one of my other horses, she'll let my mistakes slide a little- makes it perfect for her owner when she jumps! She ended up fourth in the first class and third in the second.
My one-eyed-guy was awesome, too. He didn't look at anything, had a rail down in the first class- my fault- I was riding like a short-stirrup kid- sit and flap my legs :lol:. The second go-round, my trainer said "you need to insist he be rideable." We did a few more warmup fences and I said "Oh- you mean I have to put my leg on?!" and we went out and rode the CRAP out of that course. I actually had something to push him up into- had the energy and balance! So fun! We got 4th in the class- but the best part is that I can't ever remember having so much fun jumping my horse!
I also took a friend of mine's horse- a big TB. He stops with her and bolts sometimes between fences- she just wanted him to have a good day. He was lovely as well, a positive and educational two classes for him- and one sixth place ribbon!
And let me put it on the record- that for as much as I will snark at and about hunters (and I rode them for 18 years, so I feel like I'm allowed)- Middle TN has some of the NICEST, most WELCOMING, encouraging hunter folks I've ever met. Everyone cooed over my game little ponies and I just had a great time all day long!