Monday, June 11, 2012

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.

7 comments:

  1. Blah. I think it's a good idea to try to handle both with some sleep and rest. Stay home after work, read a book, and go to bed early, without stressing over anything, for a couple of days and see how it affects you.

    Because all that is just SO easily done, right?!

    Hang in there.

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  2. Everybody goes through "funks"", I think. I know I do.. But, I always return from my funk with renewed energy.

    Allow yourself some down time. You need to recharge. You'll be better for it.

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  3. Oh my gosh! I so feel your pain - this was me for the entire month of May. I think the best thing is not to get down on yourself. We have to have the lows in order to appreciate the highs. I agree - you need a bit of a break. You've been going full throttle for a while now - give yourself some time to just enjoy your pony without the pressure of a goal. I think that's what ultimately helped me.

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  4. You know it's ok to take breaks right? You don't HAVE to be Phillip Dutton here, girl! But you approached the jumping problem with a great solution -- make the problem question simpler, complete, and call it a day. You have all the pieces, you just have to believe in yourself enough to put it all together. And stop putting so much pressure on yourself to put it all together! ;-)

    I had a whole year where I was afraid to canter Solo because he would just do this leaning gallop thing. Then I fell off at a liverpool, he completely lost his confidence, and I had to spend six months reteaching him how to jump. Remember, remember, the journey is never smooth, but since there's a horse in it, there is always a cute face to look at.

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  5. breaks are good! You should take one and you'll probably come back refreshed and renewed and ready to go!

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  6. Hope you feel better soon. Give yourself some time to chill out - there will always be more shows.

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  7. I've been in a funk too. I think it's the heat and humidity (and my stupid job) that's just sucking the energy out of me. Hang in there!

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