So .... at the weekend.....

domane

Retired cob mum
Jul 31, 2005
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.... we went JUMPIES!!! o_O

Our little nearby venue where it is all casual and relaxed. Gracie and I hadn't jumped a thing since July so we started from scratch and opted for poles on the ground- to ease ourselves back into it. Prepping at the yard and driving there I was really overcome with nerves and have realised that since I had pneumonia earlier this year, my nerves now manifest in breathlessness and an inability to breathe! :oops: Not nice. I walked the course and staggered back to tack her up, huffing, puffing and feeling shaky but once in the saddle I calmed straight down, got my oxygen back and was overcome with a steely determination! I really don't know why I bothered with poles because as you can see, Gracie just jumped the majority of them anyway! :rolleyes:

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Sadly I had a brain fart and forgot the course, so we came second....out of two! Haha

The next round was small cross poles. Having definitely memorized the course, I pushed on and we went clear and fastest and WON (out of 4)! Again, I really don't know why I thought she'd jump small!!

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Our third round was 45cm and she absolutely stormed round in the fastest time. Unfortunately my lack or practise led to incorrect placing and she had a fence down so those four faults led to a 3rd place (again out of 4)

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I felt that that was enough for her so we left it there. Next time I'm going to try 45 and 55cm.

It was a fab day and Gracie was a total superstar and didn't put a hoof wrong. She really seems to enjoy jumping and I'm so proud of her. The saddle was fab, it didn't move and I felt safe and "in" it. G had minimal high jinks going into her first canter but I know she was just very excited and keen.

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Now I've got to work on technique and position (those elbows though!!) We're booked into our first jumping clinic next week!!!
 
Yay you're back! it's amazing how a niggle with the saddle can make you feel anxious/nervy and you don't know why, then you find one you can really gel into and poof you're all better :)
 
Yes - I've been there a few times recently - I'm back again on 22nd. I'm always on the lookout for new clinics to go to :)
 
I love it! Your face tells a super story, from the grim determination to the woohooo at the end. Well done both of you, onwards and upwards :D
 
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