Lisa's Blog post # 17

Part II

It’s hard for me to trot a jump. I am distracted by the take off coinciding with my rising trot – it’s just awkward, especially on Cotton because he catches me off guard so often.  But his erratic canter throws me off even worse so Lesley wanted to keep us at a trot.  We decided I would get up into a 2-point position but keep my seat very close to the saddle.  In order to keep him slow and help regulate his rhythm Lesley placed 4 poles on the ground at pretty close intervals in front of a very small jump. She had me get him round and in front of my leg on a circle and then up into 2-point as we made our approach.  I kept him very slow, though not sluggish – he had plenty of impulsion – and I kept my knuckles on his neck.  To keep him slow and prevent him from rushing I moved my hips and hands back, keeping my knuckles on his neck.   When he complied I softened my hands.  He still managed to rush and leave out the last stride so she had me say “whoa” as we trotted over the first pole and again as we trotted over the 3^rd one – pushing my hips back each time.

What a difference that made!!  Being up in 2-point accomplished a few things – the most important was it took away my temptation to anticipate his take-off.  I was able to relax and go with whatever he wanted to do because I was already in position – no wonder they have beginners do that!  It also was tons easier to slow him in that position than in the rising trot.

After a handful of successful take-offs she wanted me to canter a BN jump.  What?!  That was the absolute worst idea I had ever heard.  “We’re not ready for that!”  I said in utter shock.  I’ll tell you this – Lesley is little, but she is determined!  

Cotton started hopping like a cricket the moment I asked for canter – I didn’t even have the chance to ask, he just started hopping - I didn’t know what he was going to do!  And why did he get all excited?  How did he know we were going to canter over a jump?  Is every one omniscient here but me?   We aimed for the jump but he ended up hopping to the side a few strides before the fence.  It officially went down as a “run-out”.   Lesley was NOT happy with me.  She did concede, however, to let me trot it from then on J

I got into 2-point, moved my hips back and kept him slow – he did great!!!  I think we did about 4 of those in a row.  Both of us were relaxed!  He put in a canter stride before the fence one time, which Lesley said was acceptable, but it wasn’t because he made a mad dash for it - he was relaxed and level-headed.  I’m sure you heard it – the heavens opened and all the angels sang the hallelujah chorus!  It was 2:15 EST.

The psychology of it all:  Dr. Lesley said that both Cotton and I go into a blur the last two strides before the jumps.  That is one difference between an amateur and a professional rider – the pro can slow his mind down and take in every detail of his ride.  Cotton and I both need to relax and quit anticipating the jump.  Lesley’s exercise helped accomplish that very well.  She also said that I think backwards – as I go to the jump I am thinking about anything that may have happened on the way that was “wrong” instead of just focusing on what’s ahead.  Cotton didn’t do all this stuff at our old barn (where we went over a few training level jumps, I might add!)  so carrying all this “baggage” to each jump has become a new problem.  I was also concerned about doing something wrong that would ruin him or hurt him.  It was very reassuring to learn that really the only thing I could do that would create a major setback would be to pull on his mouth.  I learned to press my knuckles on his neck after the jumps to slow him as well.