Lisa's Blog post # 23

Rather than continue to risk my life, I decided to try the little maiden rail outside the arena.  That jump has always been a good one to get us back on track.  Not today!  After he popped our faithful schooler I decided it would be safer for us to work on dressage.

I had to really preach to myself again to keep from being so discouraged.  Thankfully I’m a good preacher!  I have decided to implement a new XC jumping policy until we get this worked out – grab mane no matter what!  Lesley said pop-ups can be caused by a number of things.  I hope he does it during our next lesson so she can help me figure it out – I’ll be ready for it this time, though. In all my years of jumping I never remember being jumped out of the tack, ever. I've had to grab mane before when I've "caught air" over some fences but getting popped out of the saddle is a totally different thing. And now, with Cotton, it’s happened over half a dozen times!  And over the smallest of fences!  What is going on?!

Anyway, I do have some GOOD news to report!  We cantered around in the XC field before jumping and did that very well!  He was relaxed and adjustable.  He took his turns without switching leads or fussing with me and transitioned to trot when I asked.  I am very thankful for this warm weather – I think it’s helping a lot.  By the time it turns cooler and he gets revved up again, I’ll have learned how to manage him!

For dressage all we did was go through the Novice tests – both A and B.  We have a show on June 4^th and I wanted to see if I knew the tests.  I did!  We have to make the switch from the bubble bit to his old snaffle, though.  So far it’s taking a lot more leg and core strength to get him on the aids in the milder bit, but once he gets there he does OK.  I have been warming him up with the reins on the 2^nd ring and then switching them to the snaffle ring once he’s carrying himself well.  I didn’t worry about his bit today though.  Doing a variety of trot/walk/halt/rein back transitions gets his hind end underneath him the best.

So!   Once again, I have presented another challenge to Lesley Stevenson! She has to teach me how to prevent pop-ups and make sure I stay on my horse in the process – can she do it? 

You’ll be the first to know!