Introduction part 3

OK, I’m just going to say it … I am 49 years OLD!   What do I think I’m doing?!  Lesley has assured me that I can handle him but I’m having my doubts at this point. I told her that her job as my professional coach was to teach me how to ride this thing before I lose my confidence.  My husband and I have accepted the fact that riding is a more risky sport than say… tennis.  I have already had to recover from a compression fracture when I got bucked off a different horse a few years ago and I don’t want to inconvenience my family again for doing something stupid!  Riding definitely stretches my faith.

A few of my weaknesses as a rider are as follows:  A general lack of ability to ride correctly - I never even knew you could control a horse with your seat until I met Lesley and Cotton is the first horse that has responded to any of my efforts.  Dressage is still a foreign language to me.   I have a lack of experience going XC. I have difficulty in being soft and supple, especially when things get a little dicey - Cotton reacts to my lack of tact by getting hyped up, I get tense and rigid when he gets hyped up – you can see the vicious cycle! 

After a few attempts at jumping him, I still can’t get him under control enough to do more than one jump at a time – let alone a whole course – and I knew taking him out XC would be downright scary.  As Lesley and I scratch our heads as to what has caused Cotton’s new-found exuberance, she decides to upgrade his bit.  She put him in a running martingale and a bubble bit on the mildest ring.  I saw a difference in him on the flat immediately!  The extra leverage is just enough to give him a respect for my hand, bring his head down from periscope level and cause him to carry himself so he listens to my seat.   So far so good!

The first time I jumped him with this new set up, however, was a complete disaster.  He got missile-lock on the upcoming jump, I grabbed his mouth and sent him into orbit!  Lesley said his eyes weren’t even directed at the jump because he was looking back at me wondering why this crazy lady was riding him! I got him all wound up and ended up getting dumped at a refusal.  In general there were quite a few bucks and leaps. The rest of the lesson was spent fixing the problem I had just created.  He ended up going over the jump repeatedly but we were both exhausted and my hopes of making it to the May 7th event were dashed for good.

The next week Lesley schooled him for me.  She discovered that he had actually been more behind my leg than she could tell from the ground and he was not responding to my leg aids – especially my left leg.   He did not leap or buck even once with her, though she did say he got a little light up front when she had to correct him one time.  Since he’s such a quick, eager student he caught on right away.  When I rode him a few days later I was quick to correct and reward his laziness to my leg. I focused on keeping my hands soft and supple.  His trot work was absolutely amazing – I was riding the best horse I had ever been on in my life!

Then I asked for canter… more leaping, maybe even a little buck upon departure.  What am I doing wrong?!  I have a lesson again tomorrow.  I’ll let you know what happens.