We Jump!

After having a two month hiatus from jumping (have I mentioned that I hate winter 2017? because I do), I finally got to jump Charmer this weekend.

does it get any more fabulous?

After so much time off, I definitely expected a naughty moment here and there. His usual go-to response is to run out of jumps when he doesn't want to do them, so I was expecting at least one run out, especially when I put the barrels up. And you know what? He didn't even flinch. There was a bit of wide-eyed staring at the jump at first, like a "uh whoa, mom, we haven't done this in forever...are you sure?". But all it took was a very small reminder to tell him that, yes, in fact, I was sure. 

His other go-to response is to rush the last few strides before the jump. The first 5 or so attempts definitely had a little rushy response, but once I communicated to him that I just wanted a calm, maintained pace all the way to the base, he complied fairly quickly. 

Plus this was my first time jumping in my fancy new monoflap and I am in love. Even though I have lost immense amounts of muscle tone in the last couple months of little to no riding, I still felt fairly secure and comfortable, and Charmer clearly did as well. My leg still slid around a little bit, but I was a lot more steady in my stirrups. I'm very glad to not have as much bulk under my leg, because that was causing significant problems for my position. 

Now this is not a post to just say that everything was perfect in my first jumping ride of the year, but it all went significantly better than I expected. For the first time, I am actually looking forward to jumping Charmer in the outdoor (if it ever thaws), because I am finally beginning to feel like I can trust my horse over fences. 

Even when he did get a little forward, or got a little upset and threw his head around, it was all in a fairly "respectful" manner. He did not once buck, or really do anything to unseat me. All of his antics were more just out of sheer playfulness and excitement at jumping again than anything else. 

He came back, and payed attention when I asked him to, but I also felt secure enough in my own position to allow a little bit of the playfulness.

All of this is to say that, for the first time probably ever, I am legitimately looking forward to jumping my horse outside. And that is so exciting to me. He is starting to become such a broke horse for me. It is not perfect by any means, but he is always so willing and trusting in me now, in a way he never used to be. I am so thrilled to see what this year brings for us!

Here's a video for anyone that is interested in watching: