"Level'ing up" is a term that my son uses to describe reaching a new level in a video game. When I tried to explain to him a few weeks ago, how I had started to canter in my training, he looked at me with a blank stare.
"what does that mean?"
I tried to explain all about how you start training at a walk, then trot, and eventually when the Trainer says you are ready, you get to canter.
Blank stare.
"I level'ed up."
" Cool. Good job Mom."
On Monday I level'ed up again. I was trotting around, and Kay stated she was putting down a groundpole, and that I was to pretend it was a jump.
A JUMP!!!!!
Okay, a pretend jump, but still, we were pretend jumping!!!!
She wanted me to go into 2-Point when I felt it was right, give Selena the release when I felt it was right (did I know what that meant? yes I did ), and then go back into a rising trot after the jump when I felt I should.
After I was done Kay was quite happy. "Very good" she said. Very good, not just 'good', VERY good.
She liked my distances, and felt that we were off to a good start. She told me that I should get into 2-Point 12 feet from the jump (which I had), and then release about 6 feet out, and ride in 2-Point 12 ft after the jump. All that watching, and theory, sure pays off.
Each time I went around she added a groundpole, so the "jump" became increasingly broader and higher. I was warned that at some point Selena would chose to jump, rather than high trot, over them. Selena waited until Kay placed a box of flowers, and then she refused at the last minute, leaving me leaning on her neck. Poor Selena was confused, groundpoles and flowers? No, flowers go with fences silly human.
The next time she jumped! So I was able to ride a refusal and a jump, which was very good experience.
We went around a few times, and I did fine.
So happy to be moving up and starting on my goal of jumping. Kay wants me to practice with Pippi, by placing an object 12 feet out to make sure I keep getting good distances. My next training session is in a week. Can't wait!!
4 comments:
JUMPING!!! Great job Emme :)
Awesome!! Great work.
Yay for you! See, we knew you'd be jumping in no time! Do I see a Rusty Stirrup crossrail class in your near future?? I love your positive thinking -- "learned how to ride a refusal." I need to learn that from you.
I am so glad I got that refusal so early on. That way I don't take each jump for granted, great lesson to get right away.;)
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