So after two weeks of blissful lessons with a perfect pony, of course I had to toss a bad one in there. I was literally ready to chuck the reins, get in my car, and drive away. And its funny, because although this lesson was definitely the most frustrating lesson I've had in a LONG time, it was also the quietest Arwen has been probably, oh, ever.
We started out really well, warming up over a single fence that got progressively higher, probably topping out at 2'9"-2'11". Arwen jumped it very nicely, and cantered quietly away. But, then we started our coursework. In the past couple weeks, we haven't done many bending lines. Its been focusing more on riding a line with control and rideability, with some rollbacks thrown in. But...this course had a bending line. For those that don't know, these are my arch nemesis. I think its because I have to focus on so many things at once and because I'm such a cerebral rider, I get in my own way instead of riding. Anyway, we start out at this bending line and Arwen starts to get a little quick. So I correct her and take a feel approaching the second fence and BAM-she slams on the brakes. Okay, I guess I took a little too much feel. Try again. Get over second fence. Come round to next fence, I take a little feel, BAM. Stops again.
Now, we have been having a little bit of a stopping issue these past fews months. It started when Arwen was in pain, which led to me going ass over kettle about 8 times in a month, which needless to say damaged my confidence a bit. So I think the stopping now, while not related to pain, is definitely related to my confidence. When I don't see a spot, I pull her up a bit, using just enough hand over leg to get her to slam on the brakes. My girl, like most horses, wants the reverse. Leg, leg, and leg, to help support her. I've been doing lots of ground poles to reinforce that in myself BUT with her being so stupendous these past couple weeks, I had been letting up on that during my hack rides. If anyone can take a guess what I'll be working on next hack ride...
So the lesson basically ended with Arwen stopping at almost every single fence. While I am proud to say I stayed on (thank you Crossfit, and new saddle, and no more crawling up the neck at the jump) this was not my proudest moment. No one wants their horse stopping at fences-its a really, really, bad habit and the feeling of worry about your horse not going over the large (or in my case, not so large) obstacle in front of you is not a feeling I like. I think this happened partly because I had gotten a little complacent (i.e. she had been going so well, I figured I'd push the autopilot button. Oh wait, where is that darn autopilot button?) she was pretty quiet (a couple of her stops weren't really stops, they were more slow down and halts. Canter had no pace or impulsion) and I'm just not 100% sure how to ride her when she's being so quiet. Because even on her best days in the past couple weeks, she still had a little fire in her! The usual approach to the jump goes like this: nice canter pace, spots the jump, starts to speed up a little, thats when I have to put my leg on and collect her a bit with my hand. But that day, she would see the jump and slow down. It threw me for a loop. And remember when I said I'm still lacking that ever elusive sense of feel at all times? Well...there you go. A more experienced, natural rider (and perhaps more confident one) would know right away "oh, horse is behind my leg, time to get her ass in gear" and DO IT. I on the other hand, realize what is happening too late.
So...lesson learned in a very frustrating way. But, you can pretty much bet that next lesson/.ride I am going to be legging her over those jumps like its nobody's business!
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