Getting there was fairly straightforward via I-25 and I-80, but once we were at the fairgrounds it was challenging finding the actual course. It's county fair season, so the parking area was loaded with kids in western saddles, tents, and food vendors, but no one had even heard of eventing or the cross country course. Eventually we made our way on foot to a building with some very nice ladies inside, who had no idea what I was talking about when I explained I'd made an appointment to school the course with my clients. Fortunately the woman behind the desk was able to contact someone who knew that the course at least did exist and how to drive there from that building.
Finally we did locate the course (turn right through the first roundabout then turn right at the second roundabout, and drive towards the water tower), signed our liability release forms, paid our grounds fees, and mounted.
I was riding Highboy, Jasi was on Beauty, Joan was on Rain, and Carol was on Shambhu. Everyone was well behaved but Highboy, who was so eagerly beside himself at the prospect of schooling cross country that he was barely able to contain his excitement and walk to the first field. That horse loves his job, and he always has a good time. He spent the afternoon launching himself over the beginner novice and novice fences as though they were twice their actual size, adding a kick in the air for good measure.
On a quieter note, the other horses did really well. I was able to get some photos and videos of each of the riders practicing over the intro level fences, and Beauty even did well over some of the beginner novice jumps.
Carol did a great job working Shambhu through some nerves about going over the jumps in the beginning. I love to school the very small fences with horse who are new to this because they learn it's easy enough to walk over them, then adding a little speed like trotting isn't such a big deal.
Shambhu's video can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DmBVWB1b3g
Rain took great care of Joan, with a balanced and controlled canter up to the fences. Joan did exclaim several times during the ride that this was SO FUN, and that today we were fulfilling bucket list items for her.
Video of Rain can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFv6mQdnIP8
Beauty and Jasi were our stars for the day. Jasi even began putting some jumps together doing a series of two, with a little downhill over the second log. There's lots of cheering in her videos.
Beauty's video can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVU1fGPlshs
I was so proud of all three horses and riders. It is so satisfying to see them all making progress, with happy horses. Rain even does all her jumping and cross country schooling without a bit in her mouth. She wears a hackamore that is essentially a leather noseband with rings on it for the reins, but this way she doesn't worry if her rider accidentally pulls on the reins over a jump andremoving that concern makes her much more relaxed. All my lesson horses teach in this head wear, that way they know if they are teaching or learning.
A very fun way to spend a Tuesday afternoon!
Just for good measure, here's the quietest video we got of Highboy horsing around on course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_08bDlCFRXc&feature=share
No comments:
Post a Comment