A coarse first course

Oooooh, I was excited tonight! I arrived at the barn to find five jumps set up in the barn...and no one was on Pet yet. The probability was high that I would be doing some more jumping tonight, so I was revved up as soon as Laura confirmed that yes, indeed we would be jumping. It was myself, Kelsy and Lindsey that would be riding the jumps. Kelsy and Lindsey are both experienced jumpers, so I was to set off first while the jumps were still low. I jumped straight poles and cross rails although there was an oxer (sp?) and a fence on the course...little too much for this beginner. I started in on my seven jump course and ended up having to take two or three swipes at each, almost fell off three times and missed several jumps (in the correct order anyway). Don't even want to think about the time faults I would have added up. My feet fell out of the stirrups four times, and I'm sure my whip that Laura gave me to get Pet started up must have been a real mess because she finally asked me to drop it. But, I finished my first jumping course EVER. Wow, do I have a long way to go. I was exhausted, my back was fatigued...but I did it. My highest jump was about 2'6", far from my 4' height, but on my way.

After my round I was able to watch Kelsy and Lindsey ride, what jumping was really supposed to look like. The jumps went all the way up to 3'6". They had some challenges too, as well as Laura afterwards jumping on Mac, so it was good to know that my issues weren't only from being a novice, I'll continue to have the challenges even in the higher levels of competition.

Horsejumping 101

I was so excited when I arrived and Laura said "So, do you want to jump tonight?" I was totally psyched and felt more like jumping out of my skin! I was a little late arriving and a little excited to get started so I ended up putting the girth, anklepads and chin strap on wrong. Pet put up with me though as I got everything corrected out in the arena. The trot felt really good, the canter incredible. We brought the stirrups up a notch and then little work at two point, posting and at the canter. Felt a little strange, my legs being in a different position and all but my balance was feeling really good after the dressage saddle last week. Then, it was time to start the jumping. We started by putting three poles on the ground between the two posts. I rode at the trot, and tried to remember everything Laura told me...look up, put your knuckles on his neck, lift up out of my saddle to the two-point, keep my heels down and stay at two point for a couple strides after the jump...I jumped over the poles on the ground and then brought pet up to canter out of the jump...

YEE HAH!

I did several laps in both directions. It felt pretty good, but I had to keep tinkering with little things here and there. Then, Laura raised two of the poles to form an "X". They were pretty low, but I definitely felt the difference in the way Pet was jumping.


YES!

I had to really concentrate on getting up to my two point, keeping my hands on Pet's neck and keeping my heels down, especially just before and just after the jump. Then, Laura raised a single pole across the posts, a foot, then to 18 inches, then 24 inches.


I LOVE JUMPING!

In the end, I only almost fell once...well twice, but no one really noticed the second one. I'm pretty pleased, as was Laura, that I went to 24" so quickly. I still have a lot of work to do at the two point, so that I don't have to rest my knuckles on Pet's neck, as well as some balance and stirrup work, but...


I'M JUMPING HORSES! I think I'm addicted

Chucker!

Its been a while since I've made a journal entry, but don't fret, I have been working out on occasion; riding and a little swimming mostly. Still no fencing for now though. With things a all a stir at work I'm just too frazled to do much more than the riding and swimming.

And now for something completely different...I played my first indoor polo today. Tacoma Polo club had a day of indoor polo, so I thought I'd go down and see what indoor was all about - of course I did take my jeans, boots and helmet just in case. Ran in to Tom Skaggs right off and since his wife recently had a baby he was more than happy to have me help get his ponies back into playing mode (he and his wife have six horses). So, I got to ride "Miss Piggy" in the 3rd and 6th chuckers (chuckers are the periods in polo, usually four are played in a regular match). The club set up the two 'slow' chuckers for a few of us beginners. The more seasoned players, Annie, Randy, Tom, Chris, etc. were great and gave us a lot of advice along the way. I did well enough...I stayed on "Pig" as Tom called here and managed to hit the ball at least a couple of times. Almost scored once, but missed the shot completely - that would have been too much for my first try anyway. Once again, polo made it clear that I still have some balance and overall confidence issue to address. Overall, I had a great time, its a wonderful group of people and I look forward to playing some more.