Wednesday, September 7, 2005

The day dawns so much brighter on jumping day. I have a lightness in my heart - yeeeee. Wy and I pack up and get to the barn and prepare the trusty steed. I switch back to my trusty old leathers just incase. Strap on my brain bucket and off to the arena. PJ is confident and a little over the bit. I need to package him which tells me I need to get into the arena earlier and turn up our flatwork. Thinking of the Erik Dierks clinic it makes sense. K says to give with my hands and kick at take off. Where is that - when I can't see the jump - that seems to be PJ's spot? Will practice on my own with a ground pole as I don't want to drop him. So many little details that I need not to get too hung up on.

Also, want to say it wasn't my butt slapping saddle.

Once again, the horses are bored up the jumps go. Oh, they are bored again up they go. K with Lete is the star of the hour jumping very big and bold over our huge 18" jumps. We even did a course - two whole fences but with a twist take the first fence, cross the diagonal on the proper lead come down to a trot and take the second jump. PJ landed in the correct lead off the first jump and with barely enough room to make the diagonal I was able to keep him going at the canter even though he wanted to sputter down to a trot. I must say I was a bit bold by the end of the lesson. I went outside with the advanced group which this night only consisted of one rider. We walked and trotted in the jumping field. I must say I have impeccable timing as I dismounted and was walking PJ back to the barn when he spooked at either the horses coming behind him at a walk or R and Perry. He turned into a giraffe in a flash but settle relatively quickly.