Lisa's Blog post # 58

There is a difference between taking a picture with an automatic camera and taking a photograph with a manual camera.  One is a 2-step “point-and-shoot” process that allows even a kindergartener to capture a moment in time on paper.  The other involves skill and knowledge of things like exposure, iso rating, aperture and shutter speed.  I have to say that all of my previous mounts over fences have been likened to an automatic camera.  Cotton, on the other hand, is definitely a manual – 

Last week during our jump school we concentrated on our turns to single 2’3” jumps.  That went extremely well but Cotton seemed constantly confused about where we were going.  When I decided to end the ride by doing a line of 2 fences about 5 or 6 strides apart we had a hard time going straight.  Time to bring in the expert!  I e-mailed Dr. Lesley with my symptoms.  Thankfully she responded quickly to give me her diagnosis and I was able to implement her remedy during today’s jump school session with a complete recovery!  “Laser-beam eyes” work like a charm!  I’m feeling kind of Wonder Womanish.

Compared to the problems I listed on a post back in February we have made tremendous progress!   We are still staying low right now – 2’3” and under – so I can work on getting these techniques imbedded in my habits without having to even think about the jump.  Before Cotton came into my life, I didn’t know the horse equivalent of “apertures” and “shutter speeds” and “exposures” even existed.  No wonder I’ve had a hard time riding this horse - I’ve been trying to operate a manual camera as if it were a “point-and-shoot”.  Now it seems like I’m reading the instruction booklet for the very first time. 

Here is my “How to operate Cotton throughout a stadium course” manual.

Step 1, get an effortless bouncy canter so he is carrying himself on his haunches. 

Step 2, half-halt immediately after landing (and whenever else it’s needed) to rebalance and      prepare him for the next jump or turn.

Step 3, use “Laser-beam eyes” to help keep him straight and help me focus on what’s next         instead of allowing an upset in his gait to distract me.

Step 4, count our strides between fences to help me wait for him to hit that deep spot and sit   up as we are about to take off.

Step 5, break down our courses into 2 categories - turns and straight lines – to help me make the mental switch to ride him differently.

Step 6, ride forward to the fences with a supporting leg without rushing.

Step 7, counter bend around turns and tunnel steer him to prevent bulging out, falling, in and imbalance.

Step 8, slow down mentally and use tactful but firm aids.

Step 9, be Cotton’s confident leader and enjoy the ride!

Hopefully, these are all the basic steps I’ll need for a successful stadium round on Cotton – at least at the Maiden and BN levels.

To switch gears - our dressage has also improved tremendously!  I designed an accessory that teaches me to sit straight – because “a crooked rider can’t straighten a crooked horse”!  It can be used on both of my saddles and has 2 little bumpers on the sides that hug my seat.  When I feel one bumper pressing on me I know I am off center.   It works great!  It has taught me that sitting straight is more than just sitting centered in the saddle. I need to weigh my seat bones evenly as well. Cotton’s back drops slightly further down to the right when his right leg is underneath him and my seat bones need to do the same in order to maintain an even weight on his back. My little invention tells me instantly if I’m doing that right or not – because, take it from me, you can’t go by what it feels like on a crooked horse!  The result is that Cotton is tons more responsive to my aids!

I saw a guy today whose t-shirt summed up my experience with Cotton so far - “You’re not a failure until you quit trying”.  I love that!  This whole “conquer Cotton” thing has taken me so much longer than I ever imagined – and we’re not even there yet – but until I have to quit trying, there’s still hope!  My next goal is a stadium course at Maiden Level.