Cross-Training

Well, kinda, anyway.

So next Saturday we're going to a jumper show. No judges, no monogrammed stocks, no under saddle classes. Just a rider, a horse, a timer, and some seriously kick-ass jump courses.

So this Saturday we had a little lesson on tight turns. What did I learn?

1. My first instinct when riding jumpers is to go fast. On straightaways, being up in a two-point and urging Blue forward is quite acceptable. Around tight turns, though, a solid three-point, a bit of collection, and a ton of planning ahead is in order.
2. Our goal for the course is to be forward - not fast, not lollygagging - and clear. Our goal for the jump-off is to be fast and clear. Our goal for the show is to remember the course!

Since I was off at State College defending my title as State Hippology (study of the horse) Championship, I hadn't ridden in quite a bit. So after the lesson we did some nice hillwork to get back into the swing of things. Blue feels great.

Might help that we went on a trail ride the day before, which out of necessity includes hillwork. We also got caught in a thunderstorm - let's just say I have new appreciation for my Blue Horse. Nothing like a scary experience to bring your horse and you closer together. Up until then, the trail was delightful - we jumped and galloped a bit and explored. And Blue might have flinched a bit at the thunder, but he trucked along as if he knew how important it was to get home quickly.

Have fun with your horses this week, and get out there and try something new! Ride in a Western saddle if you're a hunter (it's so fun!), do some basic dressage with your barrel horse. You won't regret it!