Jumped my new neddy

[joy70]

O.K. so maybe some of you on here might think its a step too far too soon. For those who don't know, ive been given free loan of a 15.3hh chesnut mare ex trotter, never been ridden, and for 3 years has done nothing. Were currently doing light schooling with her 20-30 mins max.

I decided to jump mynew girl at the weekend, we had been schooling and shes learning very quickly, were already getting some bends on the corners now :) well we started with a X pole which appeared too small as she didn't pick up her feet at all, in fact i don't think she saw it, so we raised it a little and she jumped it lovely, we ended up raising it slightly each time and eventually put up a straight bar fence at 2'6" and she sailed it, she didnt even feel as though she made an effort, hopefully this is a good sign.

Then later this week i took her into the field and had a proper canter in the field - she was fab :D

[Lovecat]

Excellent! :D

She sounds lovely (but then I'm partial to chestnuts ;) ) and loads of fun - piccies please!!

And brill that she cantered so well for you - after Toddy's no-brakes experience that must've been an interesting contrast! (how is the Todster, anyway?)

[joy70]

LC

was very nervous about cantering her in wide open spaces:o just in case she bombed off, she is one HUGE mare, especially compared to the Todster!

Toddy is going very well (thats put the kiss of death on it ;) ) but hes loving his pelham, jumping 3'6" at home and fingers crossed we have our first show sunday weather depending and im entering the 2'6" - 2'9" providing my bottle doesn't go!

why is it when you jump at home no problem, as soon as your in the ring and being WATCHED!! i fall apart??? need me blinkers on and to try & pretend im home

need to skank the digi camera off our IT Dept one evening, cause i'd like before & after piccys of Annie

ohh show name for her is Smooth Criminal (Alient Ant Farm to thank for that) what do you think ?

[sugarpuff]

sounds like u had fun, she sounds like she likes to jump, i jump my new boy aswell yesteday first time since i tried him before i brought him, he was a bit nervous at first or the wings but we had a lovely trot and canter, usually he just wants to gallop, so i think he enjoyed it and towards the end we did some lovely small cross poles, he started to apporach the jumps lovely and did a nice canter around the field.it was fun for both of use to have a little fun.

[DITZ]

excellent, sounds like it was fun. Glad the pelhams still working - just one thing I want to share with you is that I've just started using my pelham as a mullen mouth snaffle and the results are excellent. All the time I was thinking that my stopping power came from the curb but it seems it was simply that he liked the straight mouthpiece.

[joy70]

ditz

thats fab news:D todds is a port mouthed pelham, daredn't try the mullen as he leans on straight bars geneally, but at the moment hes going v well!

considering putting Annie in one, not for brakes but just as a schooling tool

[Jakes Mum]

Hi Joy

You sound like you are having so much fun :D Can't see anything wrong in jumping her, my boy was jumping small cross poles within 4 weeks of being backed and he hasn't suffered anything from it at all. Just be careful you don't get too carried away and jump her too high too soon and frighten her, she sounds like she has got so much potential. Great show name, love it :D
Good luck with Toddy at the show on Sunday, we expect a full report :D

[kedwards]

I imagine she'd let you know if she thought you were pushing her too far. Instead, it sounds like she's taking it all in stride and staying relaxed about the whole thing. What a good girl!

[Dina]

Thats great, i also have an ex-trotter hes been broken to the saddle for about 10 years and i love him so much!I have tried teaching him to jump but i did'nt try him very high!I have jumped on ditch on him though which was fun! :p ** mare sounds lovely!:)

[Showjumper]

Wow and they say you can't teach an old dog (horse) new tricks! :D Well done :D