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View Full Version : Jumped First Double for 20 Years!!!


*toHorse&Away*
17th Apr 2005, 06:06 PM
Well,

Still in one peice and had an ok lesson. I didn't get little Angel, but good old Del Boy, who knows all the tricks in the book and is far smarter than me, and seems completely immune to leg. Bless him!

So, warm up probably warmed me up a lot more than him. Legs were flapping away like those Thelwell Cartoons and it look a lot of shouts of "get after him" from the instructor, and a few whacks (I am sooo soft I hate using the stick) to wake him up. Thereafter we got along fairly ok, though I suppose I did let him take advantage a bit. Well, I always think the horse deserves to enjoy his work too :)

Still we got a nice canter going which I am pleased with since it is still early days and if I stop thinking - hands - hold cups of tea, heels - down, seat - deeper and use it etc and just do it, it works a lot better. But because I want it to be right my brain goes all over the place. I find it harder on a less responsive horse cos I don't know if its me being useless or the horse having a bit of a grin :D Actually - probably both ;)

Still, apart from the fact I must have looked a right mess we did this double thing, and it has been so many years and I managed to stay on, that underneath the horror of the poor technique I was well thrilled. I just found it so hard to keep the heels down and sit up between the fences. I guess it will start to come back after more practice but I am so impatient. I want it all to be right now!!!
Any tips for keeping leg on in jumping position and not ending up with feet rammed so far into stirrups that they are nearly at knee level ? :rolleyes:


Sarah HB - Re Chel EC - strange enough mine is the 3 pm lesson too! I did look at Runningwell on the web as they have these improver days but the e mail does not work, and phonophobic me has not round to picking with the telephone and talking to them. Do buses go? Are they good?
Oh, and I am lucky - more achy after gardening today than after horses ;)

SarahHB
17th Apr 2005, 07:44 PM
Ooooh well done you, sounds like a good lesson. Is Del Boy a small grey - the name sounds famailiar? If so then I think that's who I had in my first lesson, he's definitely got the riding school horse mentality that one I think! I remember desperately trying to prevent him from tanking to the rear of the group whenever canter was involved.

Runningwell is a bit out in the sticks so I'm not sure there are buses that get that close. I think it has got a good reputation and is certainly popular as you have to book your lessons a couple of weeks in advance. I did notice also that the horses seemed a bit more independent but I guess all horses are different so it would be unfair to generalise.

If the gardening is causing more suffering than the ridng then you've got it sorted! :)
Did a 15 mile sponsored ride today so I'm just waiting for the pain in the morning..... :eek:

*toHorse&Away*
19th Apr 2005, 12:11 PM
You got it - that's Del. He does have his moments and you are right about the riding school mentality, but I suppose he has been there and done it and knows all the tricks. ;)

I will maybe look into Runningwell - other half can be Taxi :D :D

CEC is good for handy,and some of the horses lok great though I guess they are mainly livery but I gotta work on my seat and it makes it harder when you're flapping about like a maniac!!

Still early days.... :rolleyes:

*toHorse&Away*
21st Apr 2005, 12:08 PM
And I meant to say SarahHB, well done on the sponsored ride. How long did that take and did you hurt?? I am trekking in Spetember for 4 days (can't wait) and wonder if I can manged 4 or 5 hours in the saddle a day........... :rolleyes:

Crazyhorse45
21st Apr 2005, 12:28 PM
I can stay in the saddle long enough to see if i would last.Like last night i lost my strup when i was getting ready to canter. I put my leg back in my strup and started to canter. The horse i was riding (NutMeg) goes at a fair pace, but after we've gone aroung once, the second and third time she is ready to go. Next week my instuctor wants to set up a jump or two and let us jump them.But what i really wanted to do last night was hand gallop. That when you get in (LightSeat) and go all the way up on the horse's mane. I was scared to do it with her because i was araid that she might of taken of at a gallop with me on her back. :) :D :o