Jumping 'Clinics'

The local riding club every now and then organises a jumping clinic with Rupert.

The first clinic:

Although 'Mr F' had been jumping when racing (so I was informed), those jumps were different to what he had to do now. From full speed flat out jumping he sudden had to think about his feet a little more as this was all much slower.

At first we just walked over poles on the ground. He clearly had too many legs to think about and spent considerable time stumbling all over the place. Some of which probably also was my fault, there is a good chance that I was in his way as a rider.

Then we did the same in a slow trot. Again, he had difficulties sorting out his legs, and I felt quite out of balance in the saddle, which didn't help 'Mr F'. I was clearly in his way but could not figure out how I could change it 'Rupert' just said: "It's his job to sort out his legs."  I however didn't agree with that entirely. 'Mr F' is an ex-racehorse, I very much doubt he did any kind of pole work or anything where he had to think about individual body parts. All he was trained for was to go at speed no matter what. It was my job to help him now but clearly I could physically feel that I was in his way all over. I am a fit person and while nature has saved while building me in terms of height, it has made up for it by making my body muscly, athletic almost. And I spent most of my teenage days skiing, ice skating or racing around with my knackered mountain bike. Balance itself wasn't my issue. But somehow I was fighting the saddle. It was as though I was trying to ride a saddle rather than a horse. It bothered me the entire session but we continued.

For a next exercise, the poles were set up as little jumps, perhaps some 30 cm above ground. 'Mr F' was trying his best to avoid going over them all together. He sure made my legs do their part of the job! But I felt very unbalanced throughout the entire 90 minutes (groups of 3, taking turns). I knew I was in 'Mr F's way but didn't know how to correct myself. Why did I know? It's simple: if I don't sit correctly when I ride, may this be in the menage or out on a hack, 'Mr F' communicates with me very clearly. He does this by turning his head back very slightly and with the ears pinched back just a little. Similar to what he does when he has an annoying horse next to him. He keeps doing this until I pay attention to it and adjust. 'Mr F' has thought me more about my riding position than anyone else.

When we finished with our session I asked 'Rupert' if there was anything that I did do wrong or was there anything I could do to help 'Mr F' getting his feet sorted? The answer was: "No, it is his job." I didn't quite agree with that (hence why I in some other post mentioned that I am not an easy pupil to teach), while yes, moving his body was his job, but being not in his way (not interfering with his balance) was my job. Imagine wearing a heavy back pack while you climb up a steep mountain path with loads of big stones to climb over. Each time the back pack slips to one or the other side (because it is heavy after all) you have to balance not only yourself but also the weight on your back. This must be how it feels to the horse.

The 2nd clinic:

This time I shortened the stirrups, remembering how I lost them on that Christmas ride because they were too long to cope with on a bumpy ride. 

'Lillian' and I went for a short ride prior to the session.  'Luke' hadn't been out for a few days and she wanted to get a feel for his mood. It was a very windy day but both boys were fine.

The shorter stirrups felt odd at first but by the time we arrived at the menage, I had become accustomed to the new set up and the slightly new positioning of my body. I felt quite a lot freer actually.

We did the usual warm up with walking over the poles and me learning which direction to go - 'Left' and 'right don't work with me and I even managed to confuse Rupert.

This time we had 'Alex' on 'Rose' in our group but sadly, 'Rose' was having a bit of a hissy fit and bucked. 'Alex' came off and hit her head on the fencing on the way down.  I did not see how it happened but she was very pale and dizzy. After we made sure she was OK she decided that she would go back home and give any further riding that day a miss. I don't know why they let inexperienced and insecure people ride 'Rose'. That's the last she needs ... but that's a different story.

With only 3 of us left, we continued.

The poles were this time set a little higher compared to last time ... it was mine and 'Mr F's turn. The first round was not very successful with 'Mr F' trying to avoid it again and I wasn't focusing enough. The 2nd round was better. I was able to get out of 'Mr F's way because I could rise higher due to the shortened stirrups.  It was very noticeable that this was much more pleasant for him. And he was suddenly very keen on jumping even though they weren't very high. 

He did a great job this time, now that I finally was out of his way and actually moved 'with him'. And Rupert's cheering us on as though we were on the final hurdle of an important race certainly made 'Mr F' excited. It worked for me too, in my head I was running towards the last hurdle, focused, head up, go with the movement ... et voila!

I absolutely LOVE the take-off ... and the landing. I was concentrating hard to land softly in the saddle. I always feel sorry for horses with heavy (or clumsy) riders.

The shorter stirrups made a huge difference!

'Mr F' was surprisingly affectionate afterwards and rested his head on my shoulders, while I was waiting for 'Lillian' do sort out some administrative matters.

Even in the evening when I went to do the night check, 'Mr F' came and stood besides me, resting his head on my shoulders. I wonder if he was telling me that he was pleased with either himself, with me or with both.