To recap in boring type, Stella did great! She got a 35, which two seperate 4.5's. One for "I don't really want to canter in this cave like indoor lady, OK FINE I guess I can" and "HALT? What halt!" Other than that she was obedient and Pro was able to keep her in the bridle for the entire test. YEAHHH!!!!
Moving on, I had signed Pro up for a Crossrails round so they could work out any kinks over smaller fences. I didn't anticipate any problems as Stella is usually pretty good for me over the small stuff, and she was just as good for Pro.
Then came the 2' 3" round, a division that I've been struggling with at shows. This is the round I was really looking forward to seeing. Would Pro have any issues here, and would she be able to correct them? Would they be big spectacular issues?
Stella got a little nervous and flat over a few of the fences, probably a combo of my previous poor riding and someone new. She hit a rail, which is something she has never done with me, and then over jumped several, which is something I'm glad I didn't have to handle! It was nice seeing someone stay out of her way and reward her for the extra effort. She did get a few clucks and a solid WHACK over the owl fence. This was an oxer, and Pro said she had a hard look at the things on the ground and wasn't sure she should jump the oxer but went with a solid whack.
Overall I was very pleased, and a little disappointed. Which is a weird mix. I guess I expected more fireworks? Pro's rides looked relatively easy, which I suppose is a compliment to my riding being the only person to work on her with the dressage and the only person to take her over fences. Yet considering the difficulty I'd had with her at the last show I expected more of a schooling round.
So what's the deal? Why does she go forward with a simple whack or use of leg with the Pro and not me? Does she not "believe" me? Is some part of me saying "NO!" while part of me is saying "GO!" and she just nopes it out of town? Is this something I can fix with my own riding to give her the ride she needs, and is it something I want to fix? Does she need a better rider and I need a more forgiving steed?
So many questions. When I watch a pro do way better on my horse (which they should , since they are professionals), I keep that I Ge to inform my own riding. I think I sometimes ride with too many questions and am not as clear as I should be. Like saying ‘trot?’ Rather than ‘trot!’ Not sure if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think I'm not definitive enough when I ask her to do things, and I'm happy with almost good enough considering how green she was when I got her when I need to think of her as a finished horse.
DeleteDefinitely a lot to think about.
ReplyDelete