HUNT DAY!!!!
Ok, so, its my first hunt. I chose a great day, high of 32, and we went in the morning. Wind chill, oh probably in the teens. Although on the side of the mountain it truly wasnt too bad. It wasnt really a hunt, ya know, no hounds (rifle hunting season) so it wasnt the full blown experience. But that was best for our first time. Sophie was great and needed work. But I really cant complain about a thing for a new experience and since we havent been off the property in MONTHS.
Our last trial was April I think....thats sad! But she did have her shoulder injury and a busy schedule and all. Ok, no excuses, I was being a baby and went into a slump and didnt push hard enough and then always thought we werent ready.
So, I went on the hunt with Middlebrook. My friend Jenner took me out with two of her seasoned hunters and they were great for making the experience more pleasurable on Sophie. Sophie took all the jumps nicely, bolted at maybe two but wasnt terrible. We had a few issues whoaing after the jump at first, almost plowed through Jenner on Thessely at one point, but she figured it out after a little while. I spent a lot of time letting her figure things out and just being along for the ride....That or I was hanging on her in a desperate attempt to get her to whoa or give to me in some sort of way. The jumps were highly inviting yet placed in areas that made the horses have to think yet never adding danger. It was the best xc practice we ever had. Up and down hills, short approaches, bending lines, all while not exceeding beginner novice height. One particular jump was going down hill with a steeper decent and Sophie realized it at the last minute. She scrambled, like I wanted her to, and back off on takeoff and landed with her hind end engaged and I just let the reins slip, stayed back and out of her way, and she scrambled down the hill in nice balance. I was so proud of her.
Most were easy to approach and ride off from and she jumped them round and was picking her spots nicely. Only one really long spot, and even that one was the best choice really. We trotted most but the lesson was learned, she backed off and found her way through. What more do you want from an eventer than a scrappy little horse that takes care of its self?!?!? I was a little irritated with having to pull on her so much at times, not gonna lie. She has been whoaing better and this lack of whoa got under my skin. But I cant blame her, it was exciting! It gives us something more to work on. (You know, because I love training so much haha). For the first time though, out in that sort of trail like scenery, Sophie wanted to stretch down and really relax. Im glad shes getting more comfortable in this sort of setting and in her general work. Her trot is so ground covering that I was afraid to let her stretch too much and leave everyone in the dust as she lengthened out, but I let her stretch some. I know she was working through herself a lot and using her back, especially on all the hills, so at one point towards the end I really let her stretch down and WOW. That mare truly stretched out and lengthened in a way she hasnt for a very long time. Her back was swinging, her step was floating, and riding her felt effortless. Too many good things from this ride (training wise, mentally, physically) to be stressed and bothered by the moments where I had to use more force than I preferred to get her to whoa. To top it off, we came in first for optimum time and got a cap to go for free on their next fox hunt! Sophie and I better prepare!
On a side note, in order to reach optimum time (which we dont know what the time is) we had to: stop for a bit change, stop to adjust the saddle, school over a few fences more than once, barely do any cantering, and spend a lot of time walking. lol. But hey, it was a blue ribbon that Sophie totally deserved after the lessons she taught herself today!
Ok, so, its my first hunt. I chose a great day, high of 32, and we went in the morning. Wind chill, oh probably in the teens. Although on the side of the mountain it truly wasnt too bad. It wasnt really a hunt, ya know, no hounds (rifle hunting season) so it wasnt the full blown experience. But that was best for our first time. Sophie was great and needed work. But I really cant complain about a thing for a new experience and since we havent been off the property in MONTHS.
Our last trial was April I think....thats sad! But she did have her shoulder injury and a busy schedule and all. Ok, no excuses, I was being a baby and went into a slump and didnt push hard enough and then always thought we werent ready.
So, I went on the hunt with Middlebrook. My friend Jenner took me out with two of her seasoned hunters and they were great for making the experience more pleasurable on Sophie. Sophie took all the jumps nicely, bolted at maybe two but wasnt terrible. We had a few issues whoaing after the jump at first, almost plowed through Jenner on Thessely at one point, but she figured it out after a little while. I spent a lot of time letting her figure things out and just being along for the ride....That or I was hanging on her in a desperate attempt to get her to whoa or give to me in some sort of way. The jumps were highly inviting yet placed in areas that made the horses have to think yet never adding danger. It was the best xc practice we ever had. Up and down hills, short approaches, bending lines, all while not exceeding beginner novice height. One particular jump was going down hill with a steeper decent and Sophie realized it at the last minute. She scrambled, like I wanted her to, and back off on takeoff and landed with her hind end engaged and I just let the reins slip, stayed back and out of her way, and she scrambled down the hill in nice balance. I was so proud of her.
Most were easy to approach and ride off from and she jumped them round and was picking her spots nicely. Only one really long spot, and even that one was the best choice really. We trotted most but the lesson was learned, she backed off and found her way through. What more do you want from an eventer than a scrappy little horse that takes care of its self?!?!? I was a little irritated with having to pull on her so much at times, not gonna lie. She has been whoaing better and this lack of whoa got under my skin. But I cant blame her, it was exciting! It gives us something more to work on. (You know, because I love training so much haha). For the first time though, out in that sort of trail like scenery, Sophie wanted to stretch down and really relax. Im glad shes getting more comfortable in this sort of setting and in her general work. Her trot is so ground covering that I was afraid to let her stretch too much and leave everyone in the dust as she lengthened out, but I let her stretch some. I know she was working through herself a lot and using her back, especially on all the hills, so at one point towards the end I really let her stretch down and WOW. That mare truly stretched out and lengthened in a way she hasnt for a very long time. Her back was swinging, her step was floating, and riding her felt effortless. Too many good things from this ride (training wise, mentally, physically) to be stressed and bothered by the moments where I had to use more force than I preferred to get her to whoa. To top it off, we came in first for optimum time and got a cap to go for free on their next fox hunt! Sophie and I better prepare!
On a side note, in order to reach optimum time (which we dont know what the time is) we had to: stop for a bit change, stop to adjust the saddle, school over a few fences more than once, barely do any cantering, and spend a lot of time walking. lol. But hey, it was a blue ribbon that Sophie totally deserved after the lessons she taught herself today!