Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Trust

Yes you guessed it, another post about the wonderous Prisoner.  I can't help it.  I set up a new course to jump and while I didn't measure, I only left one jump that felt small.  It had a direct 3 stride xrail to vertical, three bending 5 or 6 stride lines, and a stand alone oxer.  I just did a short jump school, I would like to do more with the course as it rode well and I didn't utilize all the options yet.  I'm guessing the two 'larger' jumps were about 2'6".
Cleared for take off

P-man is showing some real exuberance for the fences, I have to make sure I don't make him rushy.  He is totally willing though and also willing to learn.  If I half-halt and he doesn't listen or close my leg and he doesn't listen, the next time around he is 110% listening.  He doesn't seem to hold a grudge if it doesn't go quite right or he doesn't understand, I just reexplain (or do a better job of explaining) and he catches right on.
Total trust
The trust I titled this post about can be seen in the release in the above photo.  While not classic (I'm sorry George Morris), it is a habit that only shows up when I am fear free.  While it has arguably shown up on horses that aren't trustworthy, fear has never shown itself to be logical.  Prisoner is trustworthy.  While he isn't an easy 'kick and hang on' ride, he is a good boy.  Yes I have to use the skills I've spent years honing (and will spend the rest of my life continuing to hone) but he puts in an honest effort.  Someone asked today how I got so lucky with him, my response was hard work picking through a lot of lemons, I could also add that gloriously pushy friends helped clinch the deal.
Oxer like no big deal

Hind end to die for
I need to find the photos of my unorthodox release on other horses, but that will be a bit of a project so stay tuned for a follow up post on that.

I've also enjoyed the return of my position.  I'm not totally sure where it ran off to, I was seriously beginning to doubt I had any skillz.  Then, BAM, it is back.  Maybe my position was beginning to doubt if I would ever have a horse with skillz.  Either way I'm enjoying not feeling like a newb.

All the above shots are video stills (thanks to sprinklerbandit for being late to work so you could video! Don't forget to checkout her contest!) incase you want to see the video here it is:

There are some green spots, but I'm not worried since he is totally green.

35 comments:

  1. Awww, Prisoner is the best! You guys are awesome :)
    I can see what you mean about him being 'rushy,' but honestly I think it's more excitement, like "hey mom I did it!" I also think he just wants to please you so badly that his "green moments" are him trying to work through the question. You can tell he's such a good boy though, the trust is 100% there!

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  2. What a spicy little boy! It is so fun to watch you two. I'm so excited to see where you guys will be in a year!

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    1. Same to you, a year from now is gonna be amazing, and the journey so much fun!

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  3. I love how honest he is about everything. He's such a good looking dude.

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  4. Once he gets that rhythm steadied he's going to have some seriously beautiful rounds. I like the idea of a nice big release, but Holly likes pretty consistent contact at least for now, and that's part of the fun, finding what works best for you both. He's looking great.

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    1. Yes every horse is a puzzle and that is the joy of riding them:)

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  5. Gorgeous! And you can totally tell that he loves jumping :)

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  6. So so happy for you! I love Prisoner. I totally understand about picking through lemons too!

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  7. I love his WHEEEEE! moment after he jumps the blue barrels. <3 Greenies, they're so fun! I hear you about the position. When you ride a lot of youngsters/greenies sometimes our position gets weird/defensive/tipped a bit as we try to stay on, stay back, stay out of the way...I had a similar issue and was please when my position looked normal again once Pongo was a bit more schooled up vs.my "hey I'm just trying not to die here" position on my 3 year old beast.

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  8. Great video! You're not giving yourself enough credit though in terms of riding him confidently =)

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  9. I guess I somehow did get his one awkward jump. Oh well. Makes him more relateable? ;-)

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    1. Relateable is always good, we just missed the one GIANT leap over the oxer

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  10. prisoner is doing so well! and i can relate to your comments on trust: it is absolutely not logical. but i'm starting to figure out that if we as riders can just go for it, *most* horses will be better for it.

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  11. I love his jumping form and his enthusiasm. But you are also riding him like a rock star. Look how steady you are during his feisty/baby moments! Glad you are having so much fun

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  12. He looks great! Not that I know anything about jumping, but you guys look just like the pictures of jumpers I see in magazines!

    It would take at least three beers to get me to jump something that size, and I would not look that good.

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    1. LOL three beers over jumps might not end well;)

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  13. You guys look fantastic!

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  14. Gah, he is such a neat horse!

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  15. I am so so glad you found each other!

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  16. He is definitely not a lemon :) What a nice and talented horse! Smart too! You definitely have a good one with him. You guys look great!

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