On Sunday Bobby and I trailered to a farm a little over an hour away so we could have a jumping lesson from our trainer. Bobby is about to move up to Training (I gave him balls) so he wanted to jump some big-ish stuff, and I’m taking every opportunity to a) get a jump lesson b) jump in a larger arena than at home. Our problems tend to be exacerbated greatly when we have more space.
At Trainer’s suggestion I switched Henry to a full cheek Dr Bristol. I needed a little bit more respect and something that he couldn’t just lean on and drag me through the corners. I tried it out o/f on Saturday at home, doing some of the exercises Buck recommended, and Henry was actually quite good. Normally he’s a drama queen about any new bit, but he was fantastic in the Dr Bristol. I got more respect but he never tossed his head, curled up, or seemed pissed. Kind of amazing for Henry, usually he has an opinion about everything.
On Sunday when we got on and started warming up for our lesson, Trainer immediately said that she noticed a big difference in how Henry was moving. The magic fetlock juice plus new farrier are definitely helping. She set the fences as we warmed up, and had them at about 3′-3’3″ to start with, which we’re pretty comfortable with right now. We warmed up, did a couple courses at that height, then she started raising the fences. Bobby and I both looked like this
Trainer cackled (she’s evil, so she cackles by default) and said “We’re gonna put a few at Prelim height so Training looks small!”. Great. Super. Sure, why not? Seems like as good a day as any to die.
It took me most of the lesson to remember what our “right” pace is, and I really had to ride every step, but Henry was great. Very honest a couple of times when he totally didn’t have to be (sorry bud) and just quite rideable in general. A total turnaround from the horse I’ve had all fall – this is my normal Henry, back in business.
At one point Evil Trainer had us jump the big square oxer, bending 5 strides to the last big oxer of the triple. It was a bit of a wonky line that required you to jump the second one on an angle, and bless Henry’s golden little heart, he was super game.
The key points were pretty much exactly what Buck said (Trainer is evil but she is wise) – always keeping him bent around my inside leg, making sure to keep the power in the canter, and getting him more comfortable jumping from the base. It’s a work in progress of course but it was light years better than what’s been happening lately.
Dare I say that I think I have my horse back? BRB, gotta go find a shit ton of wood to knock on…
breedrideevent.com 
Y’all look awesome! He definitely looks like he is getting more comfortable at the base – you can see him collecting himself back, rather than the standard “ooh deep I’m gonna pat the ground awkwardly af” that seems to be most horses’ default. Awesome job, I’d be so happy if I were you!
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I think he’s feeling better. The swapping out thing that he was doing at the base pre-injections is magically gone.
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You guys look great! Moving up, no prob.
So..Let me get this straight, Bobby, who you had to force to do Novice b/c he practically won his way out of BN, is moving up to Training? NICE!
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Yeah. It was like all he needed was a little emotional abuse and BAM he’s a man on a mission.
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It’s amazing what repeated insults can do for ones self motivation.
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That gif is life.
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so awesome. Henry is such a champ – so glad you got to the bottom of his mystery swapping and atypical pace issues. he looks great over those fences!
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Me too. It’s nice to have him back.
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That gif is basically the best thing ever.
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It’s a shame you didn’t get video of Henry trying to enter the trailer through the escape door to get to the cookies!
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Always hungry. Never smart.
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I would have peed my pants
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I’m not sure that anyone wants a “pee my pants” gif. Or as Bobby described his reaction to the jumps being raised (in his ever-eloquent words) it was the “butthole pucker”.
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Still puckered here!
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Looking good! So glad Henry is feeling better.
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You make it look easy!
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Awesome! Glad hes feeling like his old self and you guys are rocking those oxers!
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Yikes, those look giant! Y’all look great though!
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Yay Henry! Just looking at Prelim-height anything makes me nearly wet myself, so you guys are awesome! 🙂
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Whew. Glad all Bobby had was a pucker and nothing else.
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That we know of…
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Not to be super generic, but ya’ll look amazing? Springs! Knees!
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It’s crazy how much bigger 3’6″ feels compared to 3’3″! But you guys looked awesome and training might be in your near future too??? 🙂
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It really does seem so much bigger
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I actually watched your videos. I hope you take that as the compliment it is.
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Wow. Those jumps are ginormous!
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