Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
I found a place that had their cross country open, though they asked me to wait until late this afternoon for it to dry out. So we have just got back from schooling Tia over a fanstastic course at Smallwood, about 45 minutes away. She was grand. Very confident about nearly everything. Open ditches were again her problem, but there were three different ones, all with water in, one of a very substantial size. The last one took her a long time to make up her mind about, but I just sat quiet and kept re-presenting her at it in walk until she teetered on the edge. I encouraged her by telling her how brave she was and she finally hopped across it from a standstill without any panic at all.
She doesn't have a lot of stamina for a lightweight, so I am going to have to give her a bit more fast work than I have been. When I get some ground conditions that will let me!!
I rode Tetley out on the roads this morning. He was extremely happy to go, and swinging along in walk, but very iffy indeed in trot (so I didn't!)
Caddy is putting on weight already - his tight rib muscles are relaxing and beginning to get a covering on them. He continues to be quiet and kind, so he wasn't drugged! He is also clearly going to be a right eyeful once he has built up to his proper size. He has a lovely neck, not one of those upside down bit of string that flat racers so often end up with. I'm getting the feeling that I'm just gonna have to keep him and see how he turns out for myself :-)
I am itching to get on his back, but he really needs a break from saddles for that lump, and for his own peace of mind I think. I MUST restrain myself!
C.
posted by cptrayes @ 7:23 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
Ok, so I try to give Tetley royal blood and you tell me he doesn't have any???? *VBWG*
What a good girl Tia is. My first Thoroughbred hated ditches. I think I scared him at one when he was a baby. The guys I have now seem fine about them...well maybe not Tucker...has he ever really seen a ditch? Oh well, PJ jumped ditches with no problem. Toby would too provided they did not harbor any trolls or horse eating monsters.
It is hot again today. Makes it hard to really work. (Both with the horses and here at school. My room has no air conditioning and terrible ventilation.)
Be a good girl about riding Caddy. You will want your first time on his back to be totally comfy for him.
I haven't been to read this blog for a while so thought I'd pop by and say hello. Last time I read, Tia wasn't even jumping sound yet, so cross country is good to hear!
I'll be starting XC with spark this year, having never done it before. So, have you got any tips for me?
thanky :)
Smallwood's cross country course looked lovely when I went to have a look at the yard, I'm starting to miss jumping, haven't done any for ages, I was just about to see if Saff could jump a couple of fences in a controlled manner when she went lame again, grr.
I'm not impressed about the lack of foot photos, can't you use that harness of yours as a sling to hold him up while you make his feet pretty and take sole shots?? :P Honestly, you just can't get the staff :P :D
Hi Steph, nice to see you around :-)
I started to write an answer to your question and realised that I was beginning to write a book. So I'll cristalise it down to one thing - cross country is mostly about confidence. You must have it, or you must convince the horse that you have it by hook or by crook. Then they will jump anything for you. If you want more, let me know, but prepare to get a bookful!
C.
Greets to the webmaster of this wonderful site! Keep up the good work. Thanks.
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Great site loved it alot, will come back and visit again.
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