We came. We saw. We walked about 15 miles up and down and up and down the dirt road while everyone else sat on their half asleep horses and watched the competition. We won!
Jasper was... tense. I'd say he was high as a kite, but it gives the wrong impression. He wasn't rearing and screaming and spinning in circles, but he would not stand still. For. a. second. He was humpy and tail swishy and oh so in front of my leg, and I'm wondering if maybe he was a little bit sore. It's hard to tell because he was so excited. At the same time he would walk happily around the grounds on a loose rein.
The jumping classes got better as the day went on, the jumps are great because they give him something to focus on. We warmed up in the 2' division, ending our first class in a nice kick and bolt when the audience clapped. Luckily they were an attentive bunch and waited to clap from then on.
The classes in the Pre-Green division (2'-2'6) were by far our best, he was finally starting to relax a bit. In each division you had to ride a flat class at the end, and the judge suggested that perhaps my horse was "not fond of the flat classes". I don't know why, just because he broke into canter often, did hopping transitions, picked up the wrong leads, and even kicked out a few times!
The video shows our last and best class of the day. He's great once he's jumping. There were people on the hillside, horses in pastures on the far side of the arena, a road down below, and the usual show hubbub. He never thought about refusing anything and was very, very brave, especially considering he hasn't been out of the barn since April. He also does an automatic lead change, which I missed, so I made him trot and do a simple one. Doh!
Pam & the goods!We won our jumping classes and got last I think in the flat class, putting us in first for the division. The "trophy" is a nice saddle pad from SmartPak with fancy 2 tone rope edging and the Post Falls Equestrian Center's logo on it. It is the nicest one I own. They're so... white when they're new...! :)
11 comments:
Way to go! Sounds like a really positive experience for both of you :)
Whoo hoo!! Go you and Jasper! Sounds like a very productive day, and he was such a brave boy!
Congrats! He looks lovely in the video.
I want to jump like you do. Hmmm...
Lovely round, well ridden. Congrats!
Congratulations!! It is always fun coming home with some loot :)
Thanks guys! It really was fun, even with the ADHD. They have a spring show, we're going to try to make both of them next year. :)
AND he is NOT tired. Went out today and he was tearing around his pasture bucking, kicking, and doing sliding stops with leaping and twisting airs above ground. I dunno. The weather changed, it got cooler, and the indoor is being put up where he can see it.
A lovely go! Nice job on both of your parts.
Has Mr. J. filled out a little over his lazy summer?
Great job, Megan! Glad you had some fun before the rain came. And good boy, Jasper!
Thanks!
Yeah, he really did fill out this summer. I'm hoping he can keep some of it on while he transitions into winter, I like him to get a full winter coat before I start blanketing him.
You have an award at my blog!!!
You guys did fantastic! You both look so great. :D Congrats on the win in the jumping class. I have a saddle pad similar to that and yes, they are so pretty white when they're new hehe.
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