In a Funk

Love these hills

The past week or so has been rough--I constantly feel tired and over committed. Any time I get on Cuna, I feel like just falling off the other side and taking a nap instead of actually accomplishing anything. It's really not a great feeling and our work has been suffering as a result of it.

Sunday I barely had the ambition to ride, so I took Cuna exploring out in the hills. We just walked and trotted a tiny bit, but we went on a trail I hadn't explored before. The grey, overcast weather isn't my favorite thing ever, but it has been a nice break from the building summer heat.

New toys.

I am attempting to rally--I mean, we may or may not be riding in a show this weekend and I need to get myself strong and jumping if I ever want to be the rider I have in mind. I got clippys for my breastcollar and some d-savers and tried them out today. I must say, I love the new arrangement.

After a nice warm up today (in which I convinced myself to stay more or less in the middle of the horse and not take a nap), I pointed Cuna at a 2'6" vertical. I hate to say it, but I think the last time we jumped was at the last show. :-/ Not great for confidence.

He and I cantered over the single vertical both directions until I felt like the adrenaline was starting to amp my system up to the point it was safe to try something else. Seriously. I hate being like this. The only other jumps that were pre-set was a one stride combination from the scary gate to a nice little vertical.

I know Cuna jumps best if he's in a forward rhythm, so I took him over the vertical, around a wide left turn, and on a nice line to the gate combo. About three strides out, I locked my eyes onto the gate, took my leg off, pulled back on the reins, and went, "Aaaahhhhh...."

For some bizarre reason, Cuna didn't think that was the cue to jump, so he detoured around the obstacles and headed for the gate.

I stopped him, moved him off my right leg, got off and put the fences down a hole (so I could jump from a standstill if need be), got back on, and tried again. First we cantered over the single vertical a few times--I needed to get my head back in the game and re-establish the whole "jumping" idea. Hands steady. Leg on. Eyes looking for a path. Body in balance. Let him choose the distance.

Drying off after a wet ride this weekend.

It took a couple of tries, but then we cantered the first jump in a nice rhythm. We came around to the left and headed for the gate. Cuna tried to re-create our last attempt--pushing right as we approached. I jabbed him with my spur and we were over, albeit awkwardly. We had another try which was better, and then I called it a day.

I'm not sure if I'm feeling unfocused because I'm tired or I'm feeling tired because I'm unfocused. The two definitely seem to go hand in hand.