Sunday, January 19, 2010

Only 4,442.5 hours to go until I receive the silver buckle.

I had an excellent ride on Friday. We did our best leg yield ever!!!!! This would be off my left leg, our mutually agreed upon difficult side. We were both hot and sweaty and very pleased with ourselves. I laugh when I prepare to dismount, Josie gives a little nicker. It isn't thank god she is getting off finally, it is mmmmmmm rock candy time!

Sunday trot poles. I mounted earlier this time to warm up better but wasn't able to due to the jump lesson happening, a person trying to lounge and another rider. After a few minutes of walk in both directions, we managed a few trot circles and canter in both direction to warm us both up and it was time to begin.

Again, this time, my right leg was crying of tightness at the beginning. One wimping instead of two is much easier to deal with. Josie and I took a few minutes to be nicely forward through the trot poles but we didn't have any stops. I wasn't as good this time at the beginning about keeping my upper body back. It became apparent when she did slow a bit when the X's were made a bit larger. I really have to have the I am on a mission thought process. Must be more mentally aggressive. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Yeah! Watch out! Jumper coming through! I think I might listen to my mountain bike racing music preferences when I am driving to our lesson and see if that helps.

The one error we had was caused by the rider ahead of me not doing what H said so I didn't know what to do for some ungodly reason it just threw me. I must stick to the plan no matter what. Will do! I even opted to go first a few of the times. This in itself shows an increase in confidence.

After our lesson, me and the girl grabbed the pups out of the SUV and hit the trail. The car gauge showed 37 degrees. I was a bit disappointed to find that the lane had been plowed. The pups didn't mind. Less work for them but I had had visions of Josie plowing through the snow. Turns out it was plowed to the end after the turn so we got to plow. Josie was careful but forward. Her adult snow pads are working wonderfully no snow balls. We went over the tracks and listened to the snow mobilers on the lake for a minute and then turned to cross over the tracks and then turn left to go around the jumping field. We had to break our own trail after the first corner. I don't think the pups were digging it as much as I. Scampering across the top only to fall in can get a bit annoying. I couldn't keep a close eye, they may have been slow if they caught a scent and were snuffling about. Josie was sweet as pie and didn't do anything naughty.

Life is totally awesome especially in the saddle!!!!!!!!!!!