We've only had two lessons so far, but I feel like I have learned and improved so much already. The alteration of my seat has made a huge difference, I have a whole new balance and it's easier to adjust from posting trot to a stand up position.
Yesterday we jumped a combination that we in Swedish call "studs". It doesn't mean the same thing as in English though, it would translate to "bounce*".
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| Me and Corvette on a "bounce" course |
We did pole - obstacle - pole - obstacle - pole - obstacle, which is quite hard but really forces both the rider and the horse to concentrate and not go too fast towards the obstacle (something both me and Corvette tend to prefer).
A very good work-out both for Corvette and for me! And it went so bloody well! I really do feel like we might be ready for a small competition next month, Linda thought it was a brilliant idea.
We will see how brave we feel - I haven't entered a jumping competition since I was 14!
* From Wikipedia:
A bounce, also called a no-stride, is a fence combination sometimes found on the cross-country course of eventing. It is also very commonly used in grid-work or gymnastics. It consists of two fences placed close together so the horse can not take a full stride between them, but not so close that the horse would jump both fences at once. The horse "bounces" between the two jumps, landing with his hind legs before immediately taking off with his front legs. The distance between the two usually is 7-8 feet for small ponies, 9 feet for large ponies or small horses, and 9.5 to 11 feet for horses. A bounce (or several can be used in a row for more advanced horses) teaches the horse good balance, to push off with his hind end, and to fold his front end well. It can also be used to slow down a speedy horse, as a horse can not go flying over a bounce (he will knock a rail) as he could with a single jump.
Jag kommer ihåg det där med studs, jag tyckte det var jätteroligt när jag red i Kungsör. Vad kul med hopptävling föresten, har du tävlat förut?
ReplyDeleteJa det är så sjukt kul, man blir alldeles lycklig :) Jag har det, men det är väldigt väldigt länge sen. Har aldrig varit mycket för att tävla egentligen, men det är bra att ha nåt att träna inför :)
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