One of my favorite exercises for strengthening a horses jump: Trot poles to an oxer. Engages the hind end, sets the pace and assists the distance. I like to put considerable height once the horse understands the exercise. Grady is only 5 and a little behind the learning curve so 2'9" is plenty difficult. Soon, … Continue reading Gridwork with Grady: Trot Poles to an Oxer
I've struggled with confidence in the jumper ring. I make mistakes that I KNOW I shouldn't be making and I kick myself for doing so. The fact that making those mistakes had become a subconscious ritual for me, was making me a bad rider.
So I sold my best friend...
I have often said that choosing and keeping the right trainer is like dating. When you first start riding, you probably pick the first one you find, not knowing what to look for. As you start to learn a little more about the sport, you begin to broaden your horizons. It may be that your … Continue reading Raising the Client-Trainer Standard
I didn't get there by mistake. It's good to improve a little with every ride, but what was I thinking trying to look like Edward Gal and Totalis overnight when I got there looking like Melissa Wanstreet and Petite Belle?
Looking back, I realize how I only delayed my own progress by listening to the voices in my head that told me "I can't."
You just taught your horse the most valuable lesson of it's career. MOVE AWAY FROM PRESSURE and don't fall back on it.
