Lots to update on from this weekend. On Friday we set off to
Boomerang XC, home to the most brilliant
eclectic set of XC jump. Jasper started off by tracing his family tree
back about 18 generations to a horse which was once entered in a race and
proceeded to act like he was lining up for the grand national. After he
cantered sideways over the trot poles for the third time I took him for a spin
round the field to get his jitters out and then luckily he returned to normal.
Boomerang is brilliant as it has a big outdoor school with a
few XC jumps in it to get your teeth into before you head out onto the main
field. It really allows you to focus on what you want to achieve before you
start heading towards your first jump in a rather aimless matter. Once we headed out onto the main field, he
was fantastic and after our traditional 'these steps are going to kill me'
episode we were off. I have linked a video in below so feel free to have a
look. Particular highlights was jumping our first jump in the water, (crocodile
complete with dismembered human limbs), the acorn from Ice Age which was big
and bright and skinny and a rather brightly coloured piece of birthday cake.
Things I learnt which I believe may help others:
a) When going XC, 'Tuck your tail feather' in. (To me this is base of spine.) Not only does this keep your shoulders back but it also causes you to unblock through your knees and keep your weight going through into your heel which creates a more effective lower leg.
b) Don't be afraid to show your horse the more unusual fences XC before you jump them. This gives them confidence which in turn results in a better day! When doing this make sure you approach it straight and allow them to walk up to it and put their nose on it. Super important you stay straight going up to it! I did this with Jasper and he was the straightest he has been, this may be a combination of him getting stronger and more experienced but I suspect it may be a combination of the two.
c) Life does continue even if you forget to put studs in. Remember your horse does have a sense of balance and can cope without studs if you forget!
a) When going XC, 'Tuck your tail feather' in. (To me this is base of spine.) Not only does this keep your shoulders back but it also causes you to unblock through your knees and keep your weight going through into your heel which creates a more effective lower leg.
b) Don't be afraid to show your horse the more unusual fences XC before you jump them. This gives them confidence which in turn results in a better day! When doing this make sure you approach it straight and allow them to walk up to it and put their nose on it. Super important you stay straight going up to it! I did this with Jasper and he was the straightest he has been, this may be a combination of him getting stronger and more experienced but I suspect it may be a combination of the two.
c) Life does continue even if you forget to put studs in. Remember your horse does have a sense of balance and can cope without studs if you forget!
Moving on I had a dressage lesson today in full eventing
weather (aka torrential rain and small gale). Recently we've been working in
particular on getting Jasper more 'up and together' working through a variety
of exercises. The ones which are really helping us move forward is sending the
trot on and back which helps his hind leg come further underneath him and 10
metre circles which helps me concentrate on getting the correct amount of
flexion whilst still keeping control of his quarters.
Highlight
was achieving what felt like Valegro's medium trot across the diagonal at the
end and starting to get a feel for a simple change.
Bring on this season!
(without the snow please).
