Today for our weekly jumping clinic we took to the boarder field for another cross-country school – and this, my second ever, was just fantastic! Most of my problems last time were control-based – TJ was running off with me, lengthening like crazy into the fences, and it was just a mess, not to mention that my lower leg was completely unstable and sliding back over the jumps, driving her on – I have a great picture that would perfectly illustrate this, but how about you just use your imagination!? 
I’ve spent a lot of time lately working without stirrups, getting my legs really strong and stable - and working on TJ’s half-halt! We strolled out to the boarder field today after a sub-par warmup, feeling a little bit anxious (on my part), and way too strong (on her part). Phyllis had us all pop over a few tiny logs to warm up and we blasted over them with wild abandon…and then it was on to a course. I decided that, for the sake of a few decent jumps, I’d trot over most of the jumps and cruise between, cantering when TJ felt adjustable. This approach worked well, and with our next course I asked her for a little more, and cantered more of the jumps. Before we continued, Phyllis told us all about “the Magic Button” - a place right in front of the withers where we should press our bridge and push down. This, she said, was the trick to a slower tempo and better half-halt on course, accompanied with check-and-releases as needed – rather than the higher handed checks I’d been using. Then she had us all work on a tight turning exercise – jumping a vertical and then immediately turning 90 degrees to jump another in stride. Once we got the hang of it, my little mare jumped handily and it was on to our final course! This time I really figured out that “magic button,” and with the exception of a tight one-stride which Phyllis recommended we approach in trot, we hit that perfect rhythm and fairly flowed around the course. Coming down to the beefy log, where Phyllis was armed with her camera, I had a HUGE grin on my face…what a great feeling, to be totally in balance on a galloping horse, leaping over obstacles! It was a huge improvement from our last school, and even from earlier in the day where my mistakes and TJ’s lack of adjustability at the time led to an uncharacteristic refusal! I feel so much more confident now that we won’t crash and burn at the Short Course. And when Phyllis sends me that picture, it’ll be up here right away!
