Horse Jumps Fence

 

It is early morning and I am finishing my last gulp of comfort tea. I am wearing my new highly sticky full seat  Kerrits' breeches (am currently stuck to kitchen stool), and eying my new  bulky Charles Owen Safety Vest which  was highly expensive and will hopefully bounce. These items, along  with my British Pony Club Approved Safety Skull Cap, my enthusiasm, Archie's enthusiasm and our heads up, heels down go- go attitude should fuel our first jump cross country experience. Or not. I have already willed my complete set of Pat Smythe books to Aquinnah should I fall on the far side of Beecher's Brook. 

Archie and I are headed, along with Michelle and Braveheart, under Heather's tutelage, to have a little tootle round this lovely schooling course in lovely central Connecticut. Apparently they have these open days, where you rent the course for an hour and jump over things. 

Archie and I have been jumping to get ready set go (he still arcs over most jumps like the cow and the moon) but more importantly, we have been practicing how to stop. We are ept at woah, sliding stops (he IS a quarter horse) and pulley rains, where you plant one hand on your horse's neck and pull the other one towards your belly button.  Hopefully this happens while you are holding the reins but if they are gone, gone, gone this is not a bad position to be in when you fall. Off.

The past few days we have watched a Julie Goodnight video several times on how to stop your horse when you horse is less inclined to do so, and I think we have it down. I have also purchased a JP broken kimberwick bit (the "kind" and highly expensive  kimberwick designed by a jockey) which Archie will complain about, but the curb chain, like a seatbelt, or an airplane oxygen mask,  is there for our safety.

Archie's  last experience into the world (a schooling show which required a lot of schooling before he decided to use all four legs rather than just two) was a bit overwhelming for him (and me), but of course that was winter, and he was a mere four. Older and wiser  with another season of falling snow behind him, this should be fun. Gulp.

Note: The talented chestnut in this post's photo is not me 'n Arch. It's us next year.

Comments

[Hypnotherapy London]

Really enjoying reading your blog